Using Variables

Step 2: Make the text editable - Using Variables

Step A: Create Variables

In order to unlock elements which you’d like to be editable you can create variables and apply these to the document.

Open the Variables Tab > Variables List and create new variables by clicking on the +. It is also possible to copy a previous variables by clicking on the 'copy' icon.

In the Variables Settings tab you can define the variable

Name the variable - the Name should have not spaces however the Display Name can. Set the type - these will usually be ‘Short text, Long Text, Formatted Text or Image’ General tab - set the variable as visible, check ‘required’ in mandatory, insert any help info for the user. Type Specific tab- depending on the type chosen you will have some options here.
Short text - set the max characters
Long text - set the max characters and the height of the box in the variables panel
Formatted text - set the options you’d like the end user to have, e.g. colour or font. Remember to check 'No new paragraph at end' if you do not want a new paragraph to automatically be created.
Image - set where the end user will find the images to choose from, if the end user should be able to crop the image and if you’d like the image preview to show in the variables panel

Auto import user details:

If you'd like the users details - name, email address etc - to auto import create the variable with the prefix 'user_'

In the below example the Name has been created with two variables - one for the first name - 'user_firstname', and one for the last name - 'user_lastname' and then one for the email address - 'user_email'

Support fields are:
user_firstname
user_lastname
user_telephone
user_email
user_company
user_address1
user_address2
user_townOrCity

user_postOrZipcode

When the user creates artwork from the template it will auto fill their username and email address as per their user profile.

Step B: Apply Text Variables

1. Click on the variable you’re going to apply - you’ll see the pen tool appear.
2. Highlight the text you are converting to a variable 
3. Click Insert Variable
   
    
   
   
4. The variable code will replace the text. Check the correct code is being used. If you’ve applied the incorrect variable undo.
5. Open the 'Text Frame Settings' in the 'Text Tab' or 'Variable Tools' in the 'Variables' Tab
6. Check the ‘Contains Variables’ box
   
   
   
   
7. The text will revert back
   
8. The variable will now appear in the left hand panel.
   
   

Please note: If applying a variable to a percentage you must include the % character in the variable. Either as part of the editable text or as a suffix if you'd prefer the end user to only update the numbers.

Step C: Copy Fitting

It is possible to apply copy fitting to a text variable to enable the text to shrink or grow to fill the space available. 

Once the variable has been created an applied open the Variable Tab > Variable Tools and check the Apply Copyfitting box

Now you will be able to define the minimum and maximum size of the text as a percentage of the style. 

You can set a maximum number of lines.

You can also ask it only to apply copy fitting when the text is in overflow by checking the box.

When the end user now inserts text in the Variable Input tab the text on the document will shrink or fit accordingly.

Any changes you make to the text in the variable field when you're logged into back office will be saved to the template. Always remember to undo any change you make for testing and save the text you'd like the end user to see.

Curly Quotes and Curly Apostrophes

If you require Curly Quotes and Curly Apostrophes you must use a workaround for these to appear.