Overriding Headers and Footers in Inserted Word Templates

In Microsoft Word, by default, every document has at least one header, even if you do not make the header visible by adding text or images in the header. You should make yourself thoroughly familiar with how headers work in Word before attempting to use visible headers and footers in inserted templates. Throughout this document, what is true of headers is equally true of footers.

When using headers in your inserted templates, you must first determine whether you want the header of the parent section to override the header of the inserted child, or whether you want the child header to override the parent template’s header.

Before inserting one template within another, you should become very familiar with the HotDocs Header and Footer Override Scenarios.

Overriding the Header of the Inserted “Child” Template

When you use the default INSERT instruction to insert a child template's contents into a parent's contents, the header of the parent section overrides the header of the inserted child documentThe file that is created after a template has been assembled.. This is useful if you have an optional paragraph or clausePredefined sections of text that can be selected and added to an assembled document. Usually clauses are grouped together in a clause library so users can choose which ones they want to insert, although some clauses are merged in the document automatically. that must be inserted at a specific place within the parent document.

When dealing with multi-section RTF templates, the header of the last section in the child document overrides the parent header for the parent content that follows the INSERT instruction.

To insert an existing template

  1. At the template, position the cursor where you want to insert the section of text.
  2. Click the INSERT Field button. The INSERT Field dialog box appears.
  3. Select INSERT Template.
  4. Click the Open button and select the template.
  5. Click OK. The new INSERT instruction is added to the template.

Once you have created an INSERT instruction, you can edit it by placing your cursor in the instruction and clicking the INSERT Field button again. (See Edit an INSERT Template Instruction.)

In Microsoft Word, you can also add INSERT instructions either by clicking on the HotDocs drop-down menu in the HotDocs toolbar and choosing INSERT FieldA place in the template that denotes where users' answers should be merged, or where a specific instruction should be executed. In a text template, a field is denoted by chevrons. In a form template, a field is denoted by a colored box that is overlaid on the form's static text., or by right-clicking in the template and choosing INSERT Field from the shortcut menu.

Overriding the Header of the Parent Template

Using the KEEP HEADER option, you can cause an inserted child document to retain its headers. This can be useful if you want to assemble two separate documents as one while maintaining their separate identifies.

You cannot use the KEEP HEADER, KEEP FOOTER, or KEEP HEADER FOOTER options with the ASSEMBLE instruction.

To use different headers or footers in your inserted templates

  1. In the parent template, use the Microsoft Word functionality to add visible headers for all the parent template sections.
  2. Do the same for all sections in your child template.
  3. Place your cursor at the place in the parent template where you want to insert the child template's content and use Word functionality to add a Next Page section break.
  4. On the HotDocs tab, click  INSERT FieldA place in the template that denotes where users' answers should be merged, or where a specific instruction should be executed. In a text template, a field is denoted by chevrons. In a form template, a field is denoted by a colored box that is overlaid on the form's static text..
  5. Next to the Template to insert field, click Open, and then browse to and select the template you want to insert; then click OK.
  6. Click Show Advanced, and then select Keep header of inserted template; then click OK.
  7. If inserting multiple templates, repeat this process for each inserted template.

Trouble-shooting

If the results you experience differ from what you expect, review both Microsoft’s materials on how headers work in Word and the materials on Header and Footer Override Scenarios, giving special attention to Final Considerations.