Creating format decorators

Format decorators modify formatted strings to make it readable by other applications, services, or formatters without requiring a modification to the formatter that formats or unformats the string. You can create format decorators for format definitions or compound format elements.

To create a format decorator, follow these steps:

  1. In the main editing area of the FMTE page in the Editor view, right click the format definition or compound format element to which you want to add the format decorator.
  2. In the pop-up menu, select Add format decorator. A sub-menu appears listing the format decorators you can add.
  3. Select the format decorator that you want to add. The new format element appears inside the format definition in the Outline view and the FMTE page of the Editor view.
  4. In the Editor view, select the newly created format decorator.
  5. In the Properties view, type the appropriate property value for the corresponding keys.

The decorators do not appear in the Format Hierarchy View.

By adding format decorators to a format definition or compound format element you form a format hierarchy.