'Optional' Text ('prompts')

The default action of Pathagoras when it encounters <<*Optional*>> text is to present the entire text block to the user, with the question "Keep? Yes or No." With just a little more effort, you can provide a more meaningful “keep or delete” question to which the user can respond. Simply add a prompt immediately after the word *Optional*, and note the end of the prompt with an "*".

Structure:

<<*Optional*(prompt)* . . .>>

Example:

<<*Optional*Include ‘Widgets Not in Stock’ text?*The widgets you have ordered are not currently in stock. We will ship them as soon as possible. If we have not shipped within 5 days of this date, you will have the option to cancel the order.>>

When encountered during document assembly, the prompt between the asterisks are presented instead of the default question shown in the previous page.

Optional Text (displaying user provided question.)

Notes:

Make sure that the prompt is answerable ‘Yes’ or ‘No,’ with the ‘Yes’ answer resulting in inclusion of the text, and ‘No’ resulting in deletion of the text. (Note--the colors in the above and the following examples are for illustration purposes only.)

If you decide that the question needs reworking, simply open the source document and edit the question. Since there is no hidden coding or fields, there is never an impediment to perfecting your source documents.