Fields that are designated as `Alphanumeric` contain both letters and numbers, and will be transferred to the document exactly as they appear in the data source. This option should be utilized when the original source, like a database, already formats the field correctly. In this context, `Alphanumeric` ensures that no additional formatting or modification is applied during the data transfer, preserving the integrity of the original data.
### Strip whitespace
Whitespace characters, including tabs, spaces, and other non-visible characters, will be removed from both the beginning and the end of the field's content. This process, known as "trimming," ensures that no extraneous spaces or tabs remain around the data, which can help prevent formatting issues and improve data consistency.
### Formatted
If your source data includes formatted text, which means text with formatting tags such as `` for bold or `` for italics, make sure to enable the `Formatted` check box. This ensures that the formatting tags are recognized and preserved, maintaining the intended appearance of the text in the output document.
### Normal HTML
When the field content is of the “rich text” type and, therefore, includes advanced HTML tags to define paragraphs (`
`), lists (`
`), headings (`
`), etc., check this box. EasyCatalog will convert each of these tags into their approximate equivalent in InDesign. For example, the tags `
...
` will be converted into paragraph breaks, `
...
` into numbered lists, `
...
` into bulleted lists, etc.
{% hint style="info" %}
HTML format is applied when the field content is inserted into the document; the original content will continue to be displayed in the data panel of your data source.
{% endhint %}
### Enhanced HTML
The enhanced HTML parser cleanses the field HTML prior to processing. Any unbalanced are corrected and the entire field is enclosed with an implied `` node. As a general rule any tag which matches the name of character or paragraph style will apply that style.
Enhanced HTML > HTML Options
The following tags and attributes are available:
| Tag | Attribute | Value |
| --------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **span** | style | Optional. See section below |
| **font** | face | Font name |
| | color | Swatch name |
| **p** | shade | Paragraph shade |
| | align | left,right,center,justify |
| | style | Paragraph style name |
| **a** | href | URL |
| | style | Character stylesheet to apply |
| **img** | src | Filename or full path to an image |
| | url | Hyperlink to apply |
| | shape |
|
| | width | Value in points or string with unit of measure |
| | height | Value in points or string with unit of measure |
| | style | Object style name |
| | rotation | Rotation of the image |
| | scriptlabel | Script Label to apply to image frame |
| | barcodetype |
Type of barcode to generate: EAN5 EAN8 EAN13 Code 128 UPCA I2OF5 Datamatrix Code 39 EAN14 GS1-128 QR Code
|
| | barcodevalue | The Barcodes value |
| | barcodeparastyle | Paragraph style for the barcode text |
| | barcodeswatch | Swatch of the barcode |
| **table** | style | Table style to apply |
| | width | Overall table width |
| **td/th** | colspan | Column span |
| | rowspan | Row span |
| | style/cellstyle | Cell style |
| | width |
Cell width measurement in points or a string with unit of measure, or: FIXED VARIABLE FITTOTEXT
|
| | height | Cell height measurement in points or a string with unit of measure |
| | vmerge |
|
| | rotation | Cell content rotation |
Where the name of a tag matches the name of a **Formatting Rule**, then a singleton instance of this tag will insert the formatting rule into the text. so `` would insert a formatting rule called *fr* into the text.
**Allow All White Space**. By default HTML whitespace rules are obeyed. Enabling this option will prevent removal of any whitespace.
### Updates Preserve Local Formatting
Once a formatted field has been inserted into the document with this option checked, any subsequent use of the *Update Document* menu option will not apply the formatting specified by the tags in the field content. Instead, EasyCatalog will attempt to preserve any local formatting that has been applied to the field wherever possible.
### Embed Tags as Conditional Text
This option will preserve, where possible, formatting tags in the text.
### Ignore Whitespace Changes
When you select this option, minor modifications can be made to the field content once its placed in the document without marking it as *in error* in the panel. This includes the insertion of whitespace characters such as additional carriage returns, tabs, and spaces.
Moreover, when this option is enabled, the `Update Panel` menu will only update the field in the panel if non-whitespace characters have been modified. This helps prevent unnecessary updates and keeps the focus on significant changes.
You can specify which characters to ignore by listing them in the text field located beneath the check box. This field supports InDesign *metacharacters*, which allows you to include special characters like carriage returns and tabs in your list of ignored characters.
Code
Description
^i
Indent to here
^y
Right indent tab
^t
Tab
^n
Forced line break
^p
End of paragraph
^S
Nonbreaking space
^-
Discretionary hyphen
^f
Flush space
^>
En space
^m
Em space
^3
Third space
^4
Quarter space
^%
Sixth space
^/
Figure space
^s
Nonbreaking white space (fixed widths)
^<
Thin space
^|
Hair space
### Exclude from Panel Updates
The characters specified in the edit field will be excluded from the field content when using the `Update Panel` menu option. This feature is particularly useful if you need to prevent characters that are specific to InDesign, such as formatting or special control characters, from appearing in your data source content. By listing these characters, you ensure that they are ignored during updates, maintaining the integrity of your data without unwanted InDesign-specific characters.
### Preserve Whitespace on Update
EasyCatalog will attempt to retain the characters listed in the edit field during an `Update Document` operation. This is useful in scenarios where you need to manually insert characters that influence the text formatting in the document, and you do not want these characters to be removed during field updates. However, be aware that preserving the exact position of these characters may not always be possible, especially if the data source undergoes significant changes or requires extensive updates.
