Tips for Working with Answer Sources

Keep the following tips in mind when creating and using answer sources for dialogs:

• Since answer source files are saved to the default Answers folder, be careful giving them an .ANX extension, or you may not be able to tell them apart from your regular answer files. It’s best to choose a file name extension such as .HPL ("HotDocs pick list"), so you can distinguish them from other types of files.
• If an answer source file is not found in the default Answers folder, HotDocs looks for it in the default template folder next. If you want to store the file somewhere else, enter a folder path along with the file name in the Answer source field.
• Answer sources are automatically saved as you enter answers in them.
• When you view the Answer source drop-down list, you may see several options listed. One option, CURRENT ANSWER FILE, allows you to link variables in the current dialog to variables used in a repeated dialog. Other options you may see, including external programs such as the Corel Address Book, allow you to link dialogs directly to an application and associate variable names to use the information stored in the program to answer variables. (Only programs you have installed that support this type of integration will be listed.)