How to Create Variables in Adobe FrameMaker

Many users of Adobe FrameMaker publish several different books for several different audiences using the same content. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through the use of variables. You can define variables so your documents can be used for individual customers or for the same product that may have multiple different names. This article describes how to create a variable using the example of a document produced for two companies.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Adobe FrameMaker

1. Variable Dialog Box Open a FrameMaker document, insert your cursor in a text frame and click "Special" and then "Variable." The "Variable" dialog box displays.
2. Edit User Variable Dialog Box Click the "Create Variable" button. The "Edit User Variable" dialog box displays.
3. Enter a descriptive name for the variable in the "Name" field, such as "Company".
4. Enter the text that will display when the variable is inserted in the document in the "Definition" field, such as "Company 1".
5. Completed User Variable Click the "Add" button to save the variable. The name of the variable displays in the "User" Variables text box.
6. Click the "Done" button to return to the "Variable" dialog box and click "Done" again to return to the document.
7. Now change the variable to create a document for "Company 2." Open the "Variable" dialog box again ("Special" and then "Variable").
8. Select the name of the variable in the "Variables" list and click the "Edit Definition" button. The "Edit User Variable" dialog box displays.
9. Change the text in the "Definition" field and click the "Change" button. All instances of the variable in the document update automatically.
10. Click the "Done" button to return to the "Variable" dialog box and click "Done" again to return to the document.

Tips & Warnings

• Whether creating new variables or editing existing ones, click the "Create Variable" button on the "Variable" dialog box to quickly access the "Edit User Variable" dialog box.