Updated date stamp in word and PDF outputs.

[AnjanaDevarakonda]

Hi,

I have been looking for a topic in Madcap flare help to help me include an automated date stamp in the outputs (Word/PDF) I generate from Flare, sadly I haven't come across a proper step-by-step information to do this.

I want the word and PDF documents to have the last updated date.

There's a painful way of doing this by going to targets and editing the variable in each target. It's horribly time consuming as I generate close to 50-100 outputs.

HELP!

[NorthEast]

When you insert a variable, select the System variable set, and you'll see ShortDate and LongDate variables - these will display the date the target was built.

[wclass]

The system date puts in the date the last time the project was built.
You can now customise that to last saved date, last updated date, etc,
Have a look in the help:
http://webhelp.madcapsoftware.com/flare ... 20variable

[AnjanaDevarakonda]

Thank you for sharing the link.
I already have this setting in place. The date and time stamp shows up just fine on web help. It doesn't show up in the word and PDF outputs.

[doc_guy]

Can you share the source code for the variable that you are inputting? I use a variable in the footer of one of my PDF page layouts that uses the following code:

Code: Select all

<xhtml:span xhtml:style="font-size: 8pt;">Last Updated </xhtml:span><MadCap:variable xhtml:name="System.ShortDate" xhtml:style="font-size: 8pt;" xmlns:MadCap="http://www.madcapsoftware.com/Schemas/MadCap.xsd" />

Whenever I generate PDF outputs, this date is updated to the date I built the output, which is what I wanted, and what I think you are asking for.

[AnjanaDevarakonda]

Hi,

I am new to flare and have been working on a project file that has a lot of flare elements. I am exploring a new feature everyday. So I maybe a little slow in figuring out what exactly you are trying to convey.
This is what I did:
1. Content Explorer > Pagelayouts > Title.flpgl

PageLayout.png

2. Tried editing the document variable. But cant.

Editing DocumentVariable.png

3. Clicked F2 to see the variable

f2toedit.png

4. Checked the source code -

DocumentVariable.png

I tried deleting this variable and created a new variable and inserted it to this layout. But it ends up with disastrous results, like failed build. With the error as "Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

This is the format it has in the generated output, as you can see it doesn't update the date when it's built.

Howitlooksintheoutput_word.png

I have attached Screenshots to give you an idea of what i am talking about.

[doc_guy]

It looks like you've created a variable called "Document Date." I think you're making this too complicated. You don't need a new variable for the date. There are some system variables you can use, and one of those is short date.

Where you want the build date to appear (maybe on the master page or the page layout), click the variable button to insert a variable.



Insert the short date from the System variable set, and build your output, and the variable will update to the current date any time you publish the output.

[AnjanaDevarakonda]

Hi,

Thank you so much for the help. I did figure out how to do it and yes I was complicating it

[doc_guy]

Glad to have helped. Always nice to find a solution that is easier than you thought it was going to be, right?!

-Paul