Get "hidden" text - sort of

[andreas]

I needed a feature that would "imitate" hidden text like it is done in Word. I'm a teacher and like to have my model answers right next to the questions in tests, assignments etc.

As NWP does not have hidden text, I use a workaround that works very well. Model answers are set between curly brackets and one macro formats them in a different, bold font (so that I see them well when marking tests) another one deletes them and sends the document to the printer - that way producing a print wihtout model answers. Right afterwards I undo the delete and have my model answers back in.

Both macros are pasted below. Feel free to use them - no need to ask for licensing etc. (I didn't do them on my own, anyway - had some help from Nisus people).

Mind that you have to language-localise the print command to make it match your menu entry under "File > Print..."

If someone from Nisus wants to post this to the official macro repository, it's fine with me.

Code: Select all

#NisusMacroProperty Name: Format {text} 
# Begin Macro
Find "({.+?})", "Ea"
Set Font Name "Myriad Pro Semibold", true # set to any font you like
#End Macro

Code: Select all

#NisusMacroProperty Name: Delete {text}, Print
# Begin Macro
Find and Replace "({.+?})\n?", "", "Ea"
Print... # this has to be language-localised (see "File" menu) 
#End Macro

[andreas]

One question, though:

I tried integrating the Undo command in the macro (using the exact wording that command has after running the macro) but I couldn't get it to work - any ideas?

[martin]

You actually don't want to use the exact wording 'Undo Macro "whatever"', but just the bare command:

Code: Select all

Find and Replace '({.+?})\n?', '', 'Ea'
Print
Undo

However, this won't do what you want because the Print command is not modal, eg: commands appearing after the print command are run immediately, without waiting for the print to finish.

An alternative is to work on a copy of your document, instead of modifying the original:

Code: Select all

Require Application Version '3.1'

# copy the document
$doc = Document.active
$doc = $doc.copy
$doc.clearAndDisableUndoHistory # so it's easy to quickly close the temporary document after printing

# delete bracketed text and print
Find and Replace '({.+?})\n?', '', 'Ea'
Print

Also, one last tip: you don't need to have the "NisusMacroProperty Name" line. It's only included in the built-in macros so that macro names can be easily localized by our translators. For macros you author yourself, the file name will be used as the macro name in the menu.

[andreas]

Could I then close the copy without saving? This would fully automate the process.

[martin]

I'm afraid you can't fully automate the process by having the macro close the temporary document. The issue is the same as before, eg: that the Print command hasn't finished before subsequent commands are run.

[bjcollins]

I have the same need for hidden text for exams, but I'm not a macro writer, so I am not sure what you mean by language localization. How do I need to modify the macro for American english localization?

[andreas]

It must be "Print" just like it reads in your "File" menu. In German the same menu command is called "Drucken..." (with the three dots).