Using the Variable Prompt

Variable values can be assigned to objects while you are working with them, or as an alternative, using the Variable Prompt you can assign values at the time of publishing. This is useful when you have a book, or group of topics, that you need to customize on a regular basis.

An example where you can use the publishing prompt is an employee contract. Each time you publish the contract you need to set values to cover a specific employee's details and conditions. By adding the prompt to the variable, Author-it requests a value from you at the time of publishing. Using the variable prompt you can ensure that all of the values are updated for each new contract.

To use the Variable Prompt:

1. Create the variable as normal in Author-it Administrator, making sure you check the Prompt Before Publish option. Leave the value blank, you will assign this in the variable prompt window during publishing.

   

2. Assign the variable to the Publishing Profile object in Author-it.

   Note: If the variable is not assigned to the Publishing Profile you will not be prompted for a value.

3. Create your content using Author-it or Author-it Live, adding the variables where needed (you do not need to assign any values at topic or book level - this will be done when you publish).
4. When you are ready, add your book to the publishing list as normal. The variable prompt window is opened when Author-it Live is ready to resolve the variables. Add the Value for each variable for this publishing job (the values are discarded when publishing has completed, or is stopped).

   

5. Choose OK to continue publishing.