Object positioning

Add and manage content

When you add a new object or move an existing one, there are several rules that determine where Author-it will place the object in the Book object contents or Index object contents.

  • If you're adding an Index Entry to the Index object contents, the Index Entry is automatically placed in alphabetical order, no matter where you drop it.

    To make the Index Entry the child of another Index Entry, hold down the ALT key while you drop it onto its "parent".

  • If you're adding or moving an object in a Book object's contents, the object is placed:
    • At the root level at the end of the contents list, if you drop the object in a blank area of the Contents tab.
    • Immediately below the currently selected object, at the same level. If you're dragging and dropping, drop onto the object that's directly above the point that you want to place the new object.
  • If you're creating a new object in a Book object's contents, it is placed immediately below the currently selected object, at the same level.

Special positioning commands

When you're dragging and dropping objects, you can also specify other positioning relative to the object you're dropping onto, by holding down these keys:

  • SHIFT: Insert directly above the object.
  • ALT: Insert demoted, as a child of the object.
  • CTRL: Insert a copy directly below the object.
  • CTRL + SHIFT: Insert a copy directly above the object.
  • CTRL + ALT: Insert a copy demoted, as a child of the object.

Creating new objects

New objects can be created in an open object (for example, a new topic in a book), or they can be created directly in a folder and added to an object later.

  • Scenario 1: You're creating a topic and you want to add a graphic. While the topic is open in the Editor you create a new File object, and the graphic is inserted at the cursor position in the topic's content.
  • Scenario 2: You're creating several objects that will be reused. You open a folder in the Library Explorer and create the objects.

When you create a new object, be aware that Author-it may automatically create a relationship between your new object and another open object.

  • Scenario 3: You've finished working in a topic, and have kept the book open. You now want to create a new File object directly in a folder so you can use it later in some other topics. When you open the book again, you find the new File object has been added to the open topic.

If a Book, Topic, or Index object is open, the following objects may be added. If you do not want any of the relationships to be created automatically, you must close any objects that you've been working with before selecting a folder and creating your new objects.

  • If a Book object is open - When an object at the root level of the book contents is currently selected, and the book does not already contain an object of the type you are creating, then a new Title Page, TOC, TOF, Index, or Glossary object may be added to the book.
  • If a Topic object is open - If a topic is open in the Editor, then a new File object may be added at the cursor position.
  • If an Index object is open - If an Index object is open, then a new Index Entry may be added at the root level, or as a child of the selected entry.