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10
D e f i n i n g p r e f i x e s a n d s u f f i x e s
A first or last rule can also apply to a prefix or suffix that is formatted in a paragraph of its
own. Because the formatting part of prefix and suffix rules allows only specification of font
changes, you can use a first or last rule to give the prefix or suffix special paragraph
formatting properties. For an example of this, see "A prefix or suffix for a sequence of
paragraphs" on page 160.
Defining prefixes and suffixes
A prefix is a text range defined in the EDD that appears at the beginning of an element
(before the element's content); a suffix is a text range that appears at the end of an element
(after the content). In many cases, a prefix or suffix is formatted differently than other text
in the element.
You can define a prefix or suffix for any container element in FrameMaker, using a set of
rules similar to other format rules. Prefix and suffix rules describe both the text string and
any special font properties for it.
To define a prefix or suffix, insert a PrefixRules or SuffixRules element at the same
level as TextFormatRules, and write one or more rules for the prefix or suffix. In one of
the rules, you need to specify a text string, using the Prefix or Suffix child element. The
string can include any characters (including tabs and spaces) and one or more attribute
building blocks.
If you want to include a left angle bracket (<) in the string, escape the bracket with a
backslash, like this: \<. (A left angle bracket by itself begins an attribute building block.)
The format rules for a prefix or suffix can use the same context specifications available for
other format rules and any of the font changes for text ranges. For information on the
internal specifications of rule clauses, see "Writing context-dependent format rules" on
page 132 and "Text range formatting" on page 144.
You can display a prefix or suffix with element text in a cross-reference or in a running
header or footer in a document. Use the $elemtext (rather than the $elemtextonly)
building block in the cross-reference format or in the header or footer definition. For more
information, see the FrameMaker user's manual.
There are some similarities between the uses of first and last format rules, autonumber
strings, and prefixes and suffixes. For guidelines on when to use the different constructs,
see "When to use an autonumber, prefix or suffix, or first or last rule" on page 162.
How prefix and suffix format rules are applied
The format rules for a prefix or suffix describe font changes only for the prefix or suffix. The
changes do not apply to descendants of the element.
Important: Font changes for a prefix/suffix do not take effect if the prefix/suffix
begins with a forced return.
Text Format Rules for Containers, Tables, and Footnotes
158
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