Feature Request: Templates

Posted June 21, 2008 by Matthew Crider

Jesse,

The text editor that comes with Leopard, TextEdit, is open source. I hired a programmer to change the code to allow Templates. These are files that open up with whatever text I want preloaded into the file and when I save the file after making changes, I'm prompted for a new name rather than automatically saving the template.

I would love to have this feature with TaskPaper. Is this possible?

Here's how I currently use it: Whenever I'm working and an idea pops into my head or I think of a task to do or something similar, I hit my Butler quick key combination for that template and fill in the preloaded "blanks" and save the file. It's very fast and efficient.

Thanks.

Matt

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Nick Brawne - June 21, 2008 4:05 PM

You can do this now, and it does not require a programmer.

  • Create a new TP document with the text that will form your template.
  • Save it.
  • Close the document.
  • Find it in the finder and do a Get Info on it.
  • At the bottom of the General area are two check boxes, Stationary Pad and Locked
    • If you click the Stationary Pad box, each time you open the document a copy will automatically be made.
    • If you click the Locked box you will always open the same doc, but only be able to save with Save As.

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Matthew Crider - June 21, 2008 6:28 PM

Stationery Pad doesn't work, because you would have to rename the file afterwards. Locked works, but that's not all I had programmed. The programmer wrote some code that takes the first X number of characters from the first line and automatically places it in the Save As box as an auto-name. The number of characters is selectable in preferences. It takes selection or the first carriage return - whichever comes first.

It's fast and efficient.

Matt

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Nick Brawne - June 21, 2008 7:02 PM

Notae (http://www.codepoetry.net/products/notae) also has that auto naming feature, but restricts it to the first line. Long first lines created very long note names.

I would love to get hold of a copy of your tweaked TextEdit, as its the app that I use for all my other writing and auto naming would be a great addition. Any chance ?

What I really miss in TextEdit is adjustable margins, so that printed docs wouldn't always have 1 inch all the way around.

Thanks,

Nick

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