Auto-convert-to-text of snippets

[i-tietz]

Hi there,

I hope we're not the only ones who would be happy about having two different sorts of snippets:
1. a fixed one which you cannot convert to text (for reuse)
2. a variable one which will be auto-convertd-to-text on being inserted (for small "templates")

I write this because I'm going to file an enhancement request for this ... the more ask for it, the sooner we'll have it.

[DocuWil]

Hi Inge,

I use snippets and variables a lot and it is irritating to Convert them to text every time.
If you don't Convert to text the snippet acts more or less as variable and you could say "Why not use a variable then?".
The reason is that the variable does not have its own style, cannot contain a table, cannot contain more than 1 line, and more.
A snippet may use its own style, at least when you enter it on a new paragraph. And ... it may contain a table like I do when creating Notes, Tips or Warnings.
I see a snippet more like a sophisticated variable.
You can even put a variable in a snippet:

Example of a snippet put in my source project for global linking:
This help is based on software version <variable1> of the <variable2>.

Conclusion:
Yes, I agree
E.g. Notes, Tips and Warnings I like the auto-convert-to-text, but not for snippets like the example.

Tip:
Collect some post replies and then make the request with a link to this post.

[Paul Griffiths]

If converting to text was a huge pain, I could see your point. But as you can do it off the right-click menu, I don't see it as a problem.

[i-tietz]

If converting to text was a huge pain, I could see your point. But as you can do it off the right-click menu, I don't see it as a problem.

Two clicks - for each snippet.
Since we have tons of "template snippets" that is a problem, because those are the snippets that are to be converted on each insertion.

[LTinker68]

1. a fixed one which you cannot convert to text (for reuse)
2. a variable one which will be auto-convertd-to-text on being inserted (for small "templates")

Regarding #1, I don't believe that's possible, but you can submit a feature request at http://www.madcapsoftware.com/bugs/submit.aspx.

Regarding #2, if I recall correctly (I don't have Flare open to test), if you put the cursor in a new paragraph and insert a single space then insert the snippet, it might insert it automatically as text and not a snippet block. If that still works, then that would be easier than inserting, right-clicking and selecting convert to text. However, it might have been that you had to insert something other than a blank space (e.g., a period), in which case, that might be slightly faster but still not ideal.

[DocuWil]

Hi lisa,

Regarding #2, if I recall correctly (I don't have Flare open to test), if you put the cursor in a new paragraph and insert a single space then insert the snippet, it might insert it automatically as text and not a snippet block. If that still works, then that would be easier than inserting, right-clicking and selecting convert to text. However, it might have been that you had to insert something other than a blank space (e.g., a period), in which case, that might be slightly faster but still not ideal.

As I am just busy inserting one I can tell that is not true.
As I wrote:
A snippet may use its own style, at least when you enter it on a new paragraph.
But if you insert it after a piece of text it follows the style of that text, but you still have to Convert-to-text.

[i-tietz]

Regarding #1, I don't believe that's possible, but you can submit a feature request ...

If you read the startup post of this thread carefully: That's what I did.

Regarding #2, if I recall correctly (I don't have Flare open to test), if you put the cursor in a new paragraph and insert a single space then insert the snippet, it might insert it automatically as text and not a snippet block. If that still works, then that would be easier than inserting, right-clicking and selecting convert to text. However, it might have been that you had to insert something other than a blank space (e.g., a period), in which case, that might be slightly faster but still not ideal.

1. No - inserting a block snippet as text doesn't help.
2. Even if it did help, it wouldn't work for our snippets, because they are block snippets: They contain tables, dropdowns, lists, paragraphs and various combinations of elements. We use them as templates
- to save us time and effort to assign the classes to the elements manually
- to prevent assigning a class that doesn't fit the purpose according to the underlying concept
- to crawl into the HTML code in the text editor (e.g. for tiny javascripts or to get <h3> tags inside a dropdown)

[TechnicalDisaster]

i-tietz,
I like your idea - that would save us some time as well. Madcap should add an option on the snippet properties to "Insert Snippet as editable text." Like yourself, we use snippets as templates for tables, graphics, and notes. Most of our snippets are used as text, only a few are used for content reuse.

I will submit an enhancement request.