At a Glance: The Component Manager

A

B

C

D

E

 

You can open the Component Manager directly from the library or from the HotDocs ribbon while editing a template.

The Toolbar A in the Component Manager runs vertically down the left side of the window. From here you can access the following options:

  • Arrange Windows: Places the Component Manager window to the left of either the library window, Automator window, or word processor window. This way, you can work in both windows simultaneously.
  • Save Component File: Saves any changes you have made while working with Component Manager. (To save changes made in the template, click the Save Template button in template window.)
  • View Component File Properties: Displays the Component File Properties dialog box, where you can change settings for the current component file.
  • Insert a Variable: Inserts the selected variable into a template at the current cursor position.
  • Create a New Component: Creates a new component, such as a variable, clause, or dialog.
  • Edit a Component: Displays the Component Editor, where you can make changes to the selected component.
  • Delete a Component: Removes the selected component from the component file. If the component is used in the template, you must remove it there, as well.
  • Rename a Component: Displays the Rename Component dialog box. Renaming a component here changes all references to it in the component file; however, you must manually rename references to the component that appear in the template.
  • Duplicate a Variable: Creates a new component by copying an existing one.
  • Export Computation to Clipboard: When a computation variable is selected you can export the computation to the clipboard as HotDocs readable syntax. (See Import or Export Computations)
  • Import Computation from Clipboard: Imports a computation from the clipboard and adds it to the component file as a computation variable (See Import or Export Computations)
  • Find in Components: Displays the Find in Components dialog box, where you can search for components that contain a specific text string.
  • Find and Replace in Components: Displays the Find and Replace in Components dialog box where you can locate and change text strings in your components.
  • Spell Check Components: Checks text used in components (such as prompts) for accurate spelling.
  • Print Components: Prints a list of components. You can choose to print the variable types, prompts, formatting, and any plain text resources that have been assigned.
  • Restore all: Brings all open component editors to the front.
  • Minimize all: Minimizes all open component editors to the Windows taskbar.
  • Save and Close: Saves changes to and closes all open component editors.
  • Help: Opens the relevant page of the HotDocs Help File.

At the top right of the window you can see the Expand button B. You can click this button to display the component file of another template along side this one. This enables you to compare and share components more easily.

You can use the drop down list C near the top of the window to filter the type of components displayed in the Component List D below. You can also use the Sort button to the right of the drop down list to sort the components alphabetically. You can select components from the list then use buttons from the Toolbar A to select options or double click on the component to open the Component Editor. You can also search your components list using the Find field E at the bottom of the window.

To learn more about the component manager follow the links below: