Setting table, chapter, and figure numbers in multiple PDFs

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wbrisett
Sr. Propeller Head
Posts: 216
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:29 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Setting table, chapter, and figure numbers in multiple PDFs

Post by wbrisett »

I have some extremely large PDFs. In some cases these cannot be created as a single PDF from within Flare. In some cases I have to create multiple TOCS and build the PDFs one at a time. When all the PDFs are built, they are usually merged in Acrobat.

Page numbering isn't much of problem since Flare's GUI allows you to set the page numbering. However, finding the secret sauce for continuing Chapter, Table, and Figure numbering can be quite a challenge at times. I stumbled onto a way to do this however. In fact, after I finished, I realized this could have been done another way as well, so I'll share both.


[*]Use the Global number label with your auto numbers. I used GT: for Table, GF: for figure, and GC: for Chapter.[/*]
[*]Use the {N+} numbering with each item.[/*]
[*]Create three new span classes. I used table_number, figure_number, and chapter_number[/*]
[*]Set the auto number for each of these three span classes to: GT/GF/GC:{ =N}, where =N will be the number you want the next PDF to start with. [/*]
[*]Create the first PDF. [/*]
[*]Write down the last page number, figure number, table number, and chapter number. [/*]
[*]Set the page number in your TOC properties for the second PDF [/*]
[*]Open the first topic[/*]
[*]Change to the HTML code view and inside the <head> tag put the following:[/*]

Code: Select all

<span class="table_number" MadCap:autonum=""> </span>
<span class="figure_number" MadCap:autonum=""> </span>
<span class="chapter_number" MadCap:autonum=""> </span>
[*]open the stylesheet and change the span numbers to the LAST number used. So, if you stopped at Chapter 5, enter 5 in the chapter_number span. Do this for all the spans. [/*]
[*]Build your PDF.[/*]


Now, one other thing that could have been done (I think) is to simply use the span on the first chapter item, table item, and figure instead of putting the spans inside the <head> tag.

Wayne
schultza
Propeller Head
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:29 pm

Re: Setting table, chapter, and figure numbers in multiple PDFs

Post by schultza »

Thanks! This was really helpful.

Your post also helped me know to use the term "global number" in my search of MadCap's help, which got me to more information, including the proper auto-number formats to use with global numbers.
jimmight
Jr. Propeller Head
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:37 pm

Re: Setting table, chapter, and figure numbers in multiple PDFs

Post by jimmight »

The import of the project from a RoboHelp 5.x .xpj file automagically inserted the system.title variable for each topic.
jimmihght
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