Customize a True/False Variable
Using a True/False variable, you can merge a word or phrase into an assembled document based on the user's answer to a yes/no question.
Likewise, if you are developing a form template using HotDocs Automator, you can use True/False variables to select and clear check boxes.
When you create a True/False variable, you can add a title or prompt to help the user know what information is required. You can also decide how answers will be formatted when they are merged into the assembled document. Finally, you can add a resource or select advanced options that determine how the variable will be processed and merged into the document.
Once a variable is created, you can edit it at any time. See Edit a Variable.
To edit the properties of a True/False variable
- Follow the instructions for inserting a variable, selecting True/False as the variable type. (See Insert a Variable Field in a Text Template.)
- At the Variable Field dialog box, click the
Edit Component button to open the True/False Variable Editor. - Make any changes, as described in the following table:
| To | Do This |
| Specify a default format that will be applied to all instances of the variable (except when a field-specific format has been assigned) | Select a format from the Default format drop-down list.
You can customize this format by entering other true/false text to the left and right of the slash. If the user chooses yes, the text entered to the left of the slash merges. If the user chooses no, the text entered to the right of the slash merges. If you do not enter a format, either true or false is merged. (See Format the Variable.) Optionally, to keep the answer from breaking across lines in the document, select Non-breaking. The total number of characters you can use in a merge format is 1,000, but only the first 50 characters appear in the template. |
| Specify an alternate name for the variable | Enter a title in the Title field.
See Understand How Component Titles and Prompts are Used for a description of how and when variable titles are used. |
| Provide users with additional information about the variable | Enter a prompt in the Prompt field. This information replaces the Variable name and Variable title when the variable is presented during the interview. (See Create a Prompt for a Variable.) |
| Have Yes and No appear on the same line in the interview | Select Yes/No on same line. |
| Control how the variable is processed during assembly, as well as how its answer appears in the interview and in the assembled document | Click the Advanced tab and select any of the options. (See Control How HotDocs Processes a Variable, and Specify the Width of Answer Fields in the Interview.) |
| Provide users with helpful information that can assist them in providing the correct answer | Click the Resource tab and provide a resource option. (See Add Resource Information to a Variable or Dialog.) |
| View a list of all components that refer to this variable | Click the Used In tab. (See View Relationship Between the Current Component and Other Components.) |
| Enter notes about the component, such as an explanation about why the component was created or how it should function in the interview | Click the Notes tab and enter your comments. (See Add Notes to Components for details.) |
| Save changes to the variable without closing the variable editor | Click Save. |
If you have multiple True/False variables in a dialog, you can group them so that each variable is preceded with a check box or option button. This allows users to select either one option or multiple options from a list of possible answers. See Change a Dialog's Options.
You can use True/False variables to determine whether sections of text should be included in a document. See Include or Exclude a Single Version of Text Using a Simple IF Instruction or Expression.