Create a new object or template in Author

Add and manage content

As you create new publications in Author-it you will need to create new objects. The procedure for creating an object is the same for all types of objects and object templates.

Note: When you want to create a template, select the option "Make this object an object template" as soon as the properties window opens. This option can only be selected the first time the window opens, and before you save the settings. Once the window has been saved, the option to make the object a template is no longer available. Topic templates must be created in a library folder; they cannot be created in the Editor.

To create a new object or template:

  1. Select the folder in which to create the object.
  2. Select Author or Design on the Author main menu (ribbon) and choose an object. Select a template to base your new object on from the object's menu.

    You don't have to base an object on a template. However, it is strongly recommended for two reasons:

    • To avoid having to set each of the object's properties every time you create a new object.
    • To ensure consistency, and to allow easy updating of inherited properties throughout your documents.

      The Object Properties window opens, displaying the General tab.

      General Tab

      Tip: Save your changes and continue working in the object by choosing the Apply button.

  3. Type a Description for the object. Make the description as meaningful as you can, so that you can find the object easily.

    When you first create an object, the Description is copied to the other (output) tabs. For example, in a topic, it becomes the Heading of the Print, Help, and Web tabs. When you change the Description after the first time, your changes are not copied to the other tabs of the object, unless you want them to be. This means that you can add distinctive text to the end of the Description and it won't appear in your outputs.

    Note: This is not the case when working in the Editor. Any change to a topic Description from within the Editor is automatically made to the heading of the Print, Help, and Web tabs, unless specified differently.

  4. If you want to make this object a template, and you have sufficient security access, you can select the Make this object an object template check box.

    Note: After you save this object as a template, you cannot make it into an ordinary object again.

  5. Set any other properties of the object that are not inherited.
  6. Click OK to save and close the object.