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Inserting Variables into Topics

After you create or modify variables, you can insert them into any topic in your project.

How to insert a variable into a topic

  1. Open the topic.
  2. Place your cursor in the topic where you want to add a variable.
  3. Select Insert>Variable.

    The Variables dialog opens, with the variable set(s) on the left and the variables associated with the selected set on the right.

  4. On the left, select the appropriate variable set.
  5. On the right, select the variable you want to insert.
  6. Click OK.

    The variable is added to the topic, with brackets surrounding it. The bracket shows the variable name and the variable definition (as long as markers are turned on and the set marker width allows it).

    You can adjust the marker width from the Show tags button to see more or less of the variable information, and you can also tell Flare to turn off the variable names so that you only see the variable definition.

  7. Press CTRL+S or click to save your work.

Note: You can also add variables to content (e.g., TOC entries, browse sequence entries, hyperlinks) manually.

In other words, you can rename a TOC entry and replace it with a variable from a variable set. To do this, click on the entry and highlight the text. Then replace it with this syntax: mcvariable:VariableSet.VariableName. For example, if your variable set is called "MyVariables" and you want to use a variable called "CompanyName," you would enter this as the name of the TOC entry: mcvariable:MyVariables.CompanyName. Follow these same steps for browse sequence entries.

Similarly, you can use variables in hyperlinks by using this syntax: <a href="mcvariable:VariableSet.VariableName">My hyperlink text</a>.

Note: In addition to inserting variables the "old-fashioned" way, you can also insert variables when using IntelliSense (a popup window that predicts content as you type). See About IntelliSense.

See Also

Downloads (PDF Format):

Flare Quick Guide

Flare Getting Started Guide

Flare What's New Guide

Flare Key Features Guide

Flare Transition From RoboHelp Guide

Flare Transition From FrameMaker Guide

Flare Styles Guide

Flare Printed Output Guide

Flare Shortcuts