Field nits

[MikeTO]

Just some minor nits for fields.

1. The labels in the Running Header settings window are capitalized inconsistently. Some like "Include paragraph numbering" use sentence case while "Apply Limits right below it uses title case.
2. Some consistency issues in names. There are two types of fields that can be edited - running headers and dates but the window names are inconsistent. When you click the ... icon without a field selected to set defaults you get Running Header Defaults or for dates you get Field Format Defaults. If a field is selected, you get Running Header Settings for for dates you get Field Formatting (+ting without Settings). Also for xrefs you get Edit Cross-Reference and for anchors and hyperlinks you get Anchor Properties or Hyperlink Properties.
3. It might be worth noting in the help page for Fields that if you insert a field on a master page and then format that field in any way on the document page to change its formatting, that you'll only be changing the copy on the document page. Doing this will override the master page layer so any future formatting you do to that field on the master won't be synced to the document page. This is true for any field but more so for dates and running headers. I bet some users will place a running header on a master, switch to a page to see a real heading in context, and then editing the field to get it perfect. Then they'd discover that they just formatted it on one page.
4. If you edit a date or running header field by clicking the more ... icon in the Fields panel the window will open as a popup but if you choose Edit Field from a context menu you'll get a modal dialog. I far prefer the modal dialog, I keep losing the popup and having to reopen it, so I wish both did the same thing.
5. If I create a date or running header field and then edit that field, all future fields like that will default to those values. Editing a field always sets the defaults. You added the ability to set defaults before inserting a field but I'm unsure if it's really useful for running headers. It's hard to format a complex one with limits and case changes without seeing it on the page so it's usually better to just insert one first and then format it to set the defaults. But it works so this is a personal preference, I was just confused when I forgot to select a field and click the more ... icon to edit a field and the field didn't update with the changes I made.

 

[NathanC]

Hi @MikeTO,

On 8/25/2023 at 8:23 PM, MikeTO said:

1. The labels in the Running Header settings window are capitalized inconsistently. Some like "Include paragraph numbering" use sentence case while "Apply Limits right below it uses title case.

I agree that the casing is inconsistent within the panel and a likely oversight so i'll get this logged.

On 8/25/2023 at 8:23 PM, MikeTO said:

2. Some consistency issues in names. There are two types of fields that can be edited - running headers and dates but the window names are inconsistent. When you click the ... icon without a field selected to set defaults you get Running Header Defaults or for dates you get Field Format Defaults. If a field is selected, you get Running Header Settings for for dates you get Field Formatting (+ting without Settings). Also for xrefs you get Edit Cross-Reference and for anchors and hyperlinks you get Anchor Properties or Hyperlink Properties.

For Running Headers and Date fields this will be intentional, if you don't have a running header field actively selected with the text tool then you're editing the defaults for that particular field whilst working in the document, as such the dialog's name changes to 'Running Header Defaults' to reflect what you're editing. On the Flip side, if you have a running header text field actively selected with a text tool and you go to change the settings from the ellipse menu in the text field you'll be prompted with the 'Running Header Settings' dialog as you're editing an active field in your document rather than the defaults, similar to the CTRL + Click settings menu.

On 8/25/2023 at 8:23 PM, MikeTO said:

• It might be worth noting in the help page for Fields that if you insert a field on a master page and then format that field in any way on the document page to change its formatting, that you'll only be changing the copy on the document page. Doing this will override the master page layer so any future formatting you do to that field on the master won't be synced to the document page. This is true for any field but more so for dates and running headers. I bet some users will place a running header on a master, switch to a page to see a real heading in context, and then editing the field to get it perfect. Then they'd discover that they just formatted it on one page.
• If you edit a date or running header field by clicking the more ... icon in the Fields panel the window will open as a popup but if you choose Edit Field from a context menu you'll get a modal dialog. I far prefer the modal dialog, I keep losing the popup and having to reopen it, so I wish both did the same thing.
• If I create a date or running header field and then edit that field, all future fields like that will default to those values. Editing a field always sets the defaults. You added the ability to set defaults before inserting a field but I'm unsure if it's really useful for running headers. It's hard to format a complex one with limits and case changes without seeing it on the page so it's usually better to just insert one first and then format it to set the defaults. But it works so this is a personal preference, I was just confused when I forgot to select a field and click the more ... icon to edit a field and the field didn't update with the changes I made.

These are some good suggestions and points raised, but are better directed towards the feedback section rather than bugs.

[MikeTO]

3 hours ago, NathanC said:

For Running Headers and Date fields this will be intentional, if you don't have a running header field actively selected with the text tool then you're editing the defaults for that particular field whilst working in the document, as such the dialog's name changes to 'Running Header Defaults' to reflect what you're editing. On the Flip side, if you have a running header text field actively selected with a text tool and you go to change the settings from the ellipse menu in the text field you'll be prompted with the 'Running Header Settings' dialog as you're editing an active field in your document rather than the defaults, similar to the CTRL + Click settings menu.

Sorry, I know that but I didn't write it very clearly. I meant only that if Running Header Defaults is paired with Running Header Settings then Field Format Defaults should be paired with Field Format Settings, not Field Formatting.

I'll copy this over to feedback.

https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/191082-fields-consistency/

Cheers,

Mike

Edited August 29, 2023 by MikeTO
added link

[Affinity Info Bot]

The issue "Running Headers Settings- Inconsistent casing on dialog settings" (REF: AF-42) has been fixed by the developers in internal build "2.3.0.2083".
This fix should soon be available as a customer beta and is planned for inclusion in the next customer release.
Customer beta builds are announced here and you can participate by following these instructions.
If you still experience this problem once you are using that build version (or later) please reply to this thread including @Serif Info Bot to notify us.