Work with Variables in Headers, Footers, Footnotes, and Text Boxes

Depending on whether you use Word or WordPerfect, how you insert a variable in a header, footer, footnote, or text box is different. The following table explains how to use variables in the various areas of a word processor template.

	Microsoft Word	WordPerfect
Headers and footers	Create the variable directly in the field, or create the variable in Component Manager and drag it into the field. Edit the variable directly in the field or use Component Manager.	Create the variable directly in the field, or create the variable in Component Manager and drag it into the field. Edit the variable directly in the field or use Component Manager.
Footnotes	Create the variable in Component Manager and drag it into the field. Edit the variable using Component Manager.	Create the variable directly in the field, or create the variable in Component Manager and drag it into the field. Edit the variable directly in the field or use Component Manager.
Text Boxes	Variables in text boxes are ignored during document assembly.	Create the variable directly in the text box, or create the variable in Component Manager and drag it into the text box. Edit the variable directly in the box or use Component Manager.

Using buttons in the HotDocs Navigation toolbar will have no effect while editing the contents of a header or footer.

When inserting variables or instructions in a WordPerfect header, footer, footnote, or text box, you cannot highlight text and then replace it with the field. You must simply insert the variable by clicking in the text.

HotDocs 5 users: In HotDocs 5, you had to specify a component file property that instructed HotDocs to assemble variables in Word headers and footers. HotDocs 11 automatically assembles these, so the option has been removed from the Using buttons in the HotDocs Navigation toolbar will have no effect while editing the contents of a header or footer.

If a Word template contains headers and footers with variables, you may find your variables being asked "out of order." You can create a custom interview to control the order your variables and dialogs are asked. See Define a Custom Interview for details.