Create a Default Answer File

When certain answers are used frequently in a specific document, you can have those answers automatically inserted each time you assemble the document. To do this, create a default answer file for that document.

A default answer file must be saved to the same folder as the template's component file. It must also have the exact same file name as the component file, but the file name extension must be either .ANX or .ANS. In most cases, the file name and path for the component file are identical to the file name and path for the template file. (The exception would be if the template is pointing to a shared component file, in which case you would use the shared component file name.) You can find this information by selecting the template at the HotDocs library window and viewing the Properties tab.

To create a default answer file for a document

1. At the HotDocs library window, select a template and begin assembling the document, using a new answer file.
2. Type information for only the answers you want to be default answers.
3. Click the Save Answers button. The Save Answer File dialog box appears.
4. At the File name box, click the Browse button and locate the folder that contains the component file. Then enter a name that matches the component file's name, followed by an answer file name extension. For example, if the component file is named Invoice.cmp, the answer file name would be Invoice.anx.
5. In the Title box, type a name for the default answer file.
6. Optionally, in the Description box, type a description for the answer file.
7. If the answer file will be used with HotDocs 2005-2008, select HotDocs 2005-2008 answer file.

The next time you assemble the document, HotDocs automatically inserts the answers from the default answer file into the template's answer fields. You can then modify the answers as necessary and save a new answer file.