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.

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.

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

  1. Follow the instructions for inserting a variable, selecting True/False as the variable type. (See Insert a Variable Field in a Text Template.)
  2. At the Variable Field dialog box, click the Edit Component button to open the True/False Variable Editor.
  3. 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.
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.)
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.