Initial values

Use initial values for elements to automatically fill element values when creating documents from templates. You can also generate values dynamically based on run-time conditions using placeholders.

Placeholders

You can choose between different placeholders and combine several placeholders with static text.

Note: If you enter static text outside the curly braces in the Initial value field, this text needs to be the same for all elements that are to share the initial value.

The placeholders listed below are available. Single-click a placeholder to display a brief description. Double-click a placeholder to insert it as initial value.


Placeholder	Description	Notes
`currentdate`	Inserts the current date when the document is created from the template.	/
`currentdatetime`	Inserts the current date and time when the document is created from the template.	/
`currenttime`	Inserts the current time when the document is created from the template.	/
`digest:DOCKEY: SECTIONKEY:PROPERTY`	Inserts a property of an external document. Define the following parameters: `DOCKEY`: The key of the document that contains the property. `SECTIONKEY`: The key of the section that contains the property. `PROPERTY`: The key of the property.	Do not enter a value for the `SECTIONKEY` parameter if the property is not part of a section. In Quantitative response assays, for example, the values of the Name subelements in Standard sample, Test sample, and Control sample elements serve as section keys.
`elementcolor`	Applies the first predefined color that has not yet been assigned within the document.	/
`elementcounter`	Inserts the first number (smallest integer) that has not yet been assigned to this element type within the document.	Use the `keyedcounter` placeholder rather than the `elementcounter` placeholder if you want to apply two or more counters to one element type, or one counter across two or more element types within a single document. And use the `sequence` placeholder to apply a counter across two or more documents created from the template. If you delete elements, PLA 3.0 reuses the numbers that had been assigned to them.
`empty`	Applies to elements that have values assigned in the template. Omits the values in documents created from the template.	/
`generator`	Applies to documents generate by other documents. Inserts the document key of the document that has generated the current document.	/
`keyedcounter:KEY`	Inserts the first number (smallest integer) that has not yet been assigned to this key within the document. Use the `KEY` parameter to specify the key used to identify elements where the numbers provided by the counter are to be inserted.	Use the `elementcounter` placeholder rather than the `keyedcounter` placeholder if you want to apply a counter to elements of the same element type within a single document. And use the `sequence` placeholder to apply a counter across two or more documents created from the template. If you delete elements, PLA 3.0 reuses the numbers that had been assigned to them.
`sequence:PADDING: PREFIX:SUFFIX`	Inserts a string that can serve as a key. The string consists of a prefix, a counter with padding, and a suffix. Define the following parameters: `PADDING`: The minimum number of digits you want to use for the counter. Enter a number (integer) such as `5` if the counter is to have at least five digits. `PREFIX`: The prefix you want to use for the string. `SUFFIX`: The suffix you want to use for the string.	If you want to apply separate counters in each document generated from the template, see information on the `elementcounter` and `keyedcounter` placeholders. If you delete elements, PLA 3.0 reuses the numbers that had been assigned to them.
`userdisplayname`	Inserts the display name of the current user when the document is created from the template.	/
`userloginname`	Inserts the login name of the current user when the document is created from the template.	/