* Auto Source text in latest version of AS

[yogadad]

I just upgraded to the latest version of AS. I've entered 1940 US census data. Upon generating auto source text, I am only given one option to format the source text: default. That generates comma-delimited text. Previously, I was given a number of choices for the format, including rich text, which I much prefer. Am I missing a setting in the new version? Thanks.

[LornaCraig]

Have you changed the Tools>Options>General settings - source text options? They should have been preserved from the earlier version if you were previously using Rich Text.

One thing I have just noticed is that even if Use rich text by default is ticked I am still offered a choice of Rich Text or plain text, which may be a mistake.

AS options.JPG (23.56 KiB) Viewed 2941 times

[NickWalker]

Hi Lorna

If you don't want the plain text templates, tick the 3rd check box down in your screenshot!

Best wishes

Nick

[LornaCraig]

Hi Nick,

Yes, I know that will hide the plain text option.
But if the option to Only show rich text templates is not ticked, what effect does ticking or unticking the Use rich text by default option have? Normally if something is selected as a default the user is not still required to make a choice between it (the default) and something else. I am probably missing something obvious!

[NickWalker]

If Use rich text by default is not ticked then the source text and note text only allow plain text to be input. If it is ticked then it assumes you're entering rich text (but choosing a plain text auto-text template can switch it into plain text mode).

[LornaCraig]

OK I see, thanks. I thought Use rich text by default referred to the autotext rather than the type of text which could be input.

[NickWalker]

No I do understand the confusion - in reality I can't imagine many people just type in their source text rather than choosing a template. It's also a result of AS having two separate types of text box whereas FH just has one and decides if its plain or rich text depending on the data entered. Its would have been more tricky for AS do that because it has to cater for earlier versions of FH that don't support rich text.

[LornaCraig]

Nick, there is perhaps another layer of ambiguity at work. 'Default' can refer to (a) the type of input text (b) the type of text in the text from source (c) the type of template for the text from source.

In the origianl post yogada said

Upon generating auto source text, I am only given one option to format the source text: default. That generates comma-delimited text.

In the context of his 1940 US census I think 'default' means the default template for that census. But he took it to mean the default type of autotext (rich or plain).

In fact, for censuses both the rich text and the plain text options say 'default' next to them which looks odd, until you realise it is referring to the template, not the type of text. It is particulary confusing if you have ticked the option to Use rich text by default, and then you see both rich and plain text labelled 'default'. Maybe this could be amended to say 'default template'?

[yogadad]

To close the loop on this, I discovered the problem. It turns out that AS had loaded an old version of my FH project, which I had created a while ago, probably for an insurance copy of the project if needed, and then I forgot about it. This project was never upgraded to version 7. To make it more confusing, it has the same name as my current project. So here's what happened:

1. Used plug-in from FH to start AS to enter 1940 USA census data.
2. Received message about update to AS. Closed AS and installed update.
3. Restarted AS.
4. AS chose old FH project, which was never upgraded to version 7, and stored in a completely different place on hard drive.
5. I never noticed that it was not the current project as it had the same name as my current project.
6. Closed AS & FH.
7. Restarted FH with current project and used plug-in to call AS.
8. All is well. Rich text template for auto source text shows as it should.

Now I just need to re-enter census data and save to correct project.

Thanks for your comments. As a result, I have learned more about AS and templates.

[tatewise]

Moral of the story is to always open your main Project in FH and run the AS Data Entry plugin.

[NickWalker]

4. AS chose old FH project, which was never upgraded to version 7, and stored in a completely different place on hard drive.

Sorry to be pedantic but AS didn't choose it - you did (probably a default you set some time ago!).

But glad you've got it sorted out.

Cheers

Nick