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Macros, tips, and templates for Corel® WordPerfect® for Windows®
© Copyright 1996-2007 by Barry MacDonnell. All Rights Reserved.

Download BRACKETS.ZIP (v1.01; 10/30/07; 18,470 bytes)

Compatible with WordPerfect versions WP9-WPX3

Downloading, Documentation, Modifications, and Support

PURPOSE AND USES

This WordPerfect 9 (and later version) macro that creates an "outdented" table -- i.e., a table that extends into the margins -- with a large, full-height left and/or right border that simulates a large square bracket ( "[" and/or "]" ).

[Left bracket, outdented paragraph]

[Left and right brackets, not outdented, centered (see Tips below)]

While WordPerfect can apply outdented vertical borders to paragraphs with Format, Paragraph, Border/Fill, the borders are simple vertical lines. They do not simulate brackets.

If text is selected first, the text will be automatically inserted in the table.

Three versions of the table can be created with a simple setting in the macro: left bracket only, both left and right brackets, and right bracket only.

The macro can be used to set off text for special purposes, such as to format "pull quotes" or editorial comment (see Tips below), or to indicate that several characters are speaking simultaneously in theater and opera manuscripts.

Note that the table's text column (a single cell) is aligned on the vertical page margins with other document text at the table's location; it is just the brackets that are outdented from the margin.

Outdenting is the default, but it is optional. The macro can also be customized to produce different bracket styles and colors. Simple instructions are given in the redlined User Modification Area of the macro's code.

HOW TO USE THE MACRO

OPTIONAL: Set the desired type of table (left bracket only, right bracket only, or both left and right bracket), the width of the "bracket," and several other options in the redlined User Modification Area. By default the width of brackets is set to 0.067 inches wide (0.17cm), which is the typical minimum width of a table column when created manually; you can set it to more (or even slightly less) than this amount. [Metric users can change the default setting for the bracket width from inches to centimeters.] When you are finished making changes, click Save & Compile on the macro toolbar.

PLAY THE MACRO (with Tools, Macro, Play or <Alt+F10>) in a test document with various left and right page margin settings to see how it works. You can undo things with Edit, undo or <Ctrl+Z>.

Note: To see the effect on your screen, be sure to uncheck View, Table Gridlines.

If you select text before playing the macro, it will be inserted (with cut and paste) into the table automatically.

If you don't select text, the macro will create a table at the current cursor location, and you can then copy (or type) text into the table.

The table will expand downward as needed to accommodate your text. Page margins are automatically adjusted just before the table begins and then restored to their previous values just after the table ends. Thus you can use the macro regardless of the page margins in effect at that point.

TIPS

• You can see how the table will look in print with File, Print Preview, or with View, Guidelines, Tables (unchecked). For the latter, be sure to also uncheck View, Table Gridlines. (For more on Guidelines vs. Gridlines: http://wptoolbox.com/tips/Gridline.html.)
• You can always adjust left and/or right margins to create a greater indent of the material with a new page margin just before the [Tbl On] code and restored to the current setting just after the [Tbl Off] code.
  • Such indented tables might be useful for "pull quotes," editorial comments, or other design considerations.
  • Alternative method to setting new margins to create a smaller indented and centered table:
    • First, set the vOutdent value to 0 (zero) in the User Modification Area in the macro's code.
    • Next, create the bracket table by playing the macro.
    • Right-click inside the text column.
    • Choose Format, Table, Table position on page: Center.
    • Finally, set the text column's width to whatever value you desire with Format, Column, Column width.
• An easy way to copy just the contents of the text column is to place your cursor at the top of the cell before all text and format codes. Hold down the <Shift> key and scroll down (or use the PgDn or Arrow keys) to select the text. Use <Ctrl+C> to copy the cell contents to the clipboard. Paste the contents wherever needed.
• An easy way to delete the entire table is to delete the [Tbl On] code in Reveal Codes (or drag it from the Reveal Codes pane).
• A table can be copied into a text box (you probably will need to adjust the box by dragging the borders to accommodate the table) and the box can be dragged into another position. The box's border can then be removed with a selection on the context menu that pops up when you right-click the box. The box can then be positioned anywhere on the page and "anchored" to a character, paragraph, or particular page location.
• An easy way to find color values for the bracket lines and fills is to click Format, Font, Color and pass your cursor slowly over the color palette, taking note of the RGB values which you can use in the User Modification Area.

KNOWN RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

• The macro is for WordPerfect 9 and later versions.
• The macro cannot be played inside an existing table or inside existing columns. A message will appear to alert you of this fact and then the macro will abort. [For columns, you can copy a table into a column (everything from the [Tbl On] to the [Tbl Off] codes, including those codes, in Reveal Codes).