The default action of an 'No' or 'False' choice for a {simple optional} text block is to delete it completely.

    However, when you tie several {simple optional blocks} together using !groupnames!, there occasionally is a need to delete the 'yes' choice but allow other text in the document that reflects the 'no' or 'false' choice to remain.

   Pathagoras lets you provide a 'false' value to simple optional text. To provide this 'false' part, simple type "/NEGOPT" (no quotes) at the end of the 'True' part of the {simple optional text block}, followed by the language you want to remain in the document if "No" or "False" is chosen. (If the user answers 'True' or 'Yes' or 'Keep', the part before the slash remains and the false part is deleted, If the user answers 'False' or 'No', the part after the slash remains and the 'true' part is deleted. (Don't add a space after the /NEGOPT divider. Treat it like a slash.)

   Here is an example. Let's assume you are drafting a Will and want to provide for Guardianship of minor children (if any). You might first ask if there are any children, and if there are, name a guardian as their custodian if any are minors. If there are no children, you want to state that fact. Here is how that setup might look.

{!children!There were [number of children] born of the marriage.}

{!children!If any children who are still under the age of 18 years survive me, I appoint [Name of Guardian] to serve as their guardian during their minority./NEGOPTThere were no children born of the marriage.}

OTHER USAGE NOTES:

Keeping 'number' consistent.

   The letter ‘s’ is typically added to nouns to make them plural. That same ‘s’ is deleted from the corresponding verb. Conversely, when the noun is singular, the 's' is attached to the verb.

   "The dog barks." "The dogs bark." (Exceptions abound: Children, not 'childs'; ‘is/are’ and ‘go/goes’; but the solutions are similar).

   This 's' shift defies easy us of *Optional* block, but to set up everything as '*Options*' takes up a lot of real estate on your screen. The ‘negative option’ can be adapted to help keep your noun and verb 'number' consistent with minimal extraneous text. Examples:

•The child{!c!ren} {!c!are/NEGOPTis}.

•The dog{!d!s} bark{!d!/NEGOPTs}.

Note in each of the above examples the first choice is pure 'optional' text. You could have written the above as all two part Options, and you would achieve the same result. The choice is yours as an author. Choose whichever seems the most economical and logical.

   So the ‘negative optional’ has the effect of behaving like pure optional text when there is no /NEGOPT (the typical situation) but when the /NEGOPT exists in the optional block, it behaves like an Options (or multiple choice) block with two elements.

"I'll do this . . . You do that" lists

 The /NEGOPT tool is perfect for what we call the 'I'll do this. . . You do that' assignments.

 Study the following. The group names 'wash' etc. are identical for both this, but the /NEGOPT switch controls when 'I' am not performing a certain chore, and you are

 You can copy and paste it into a document and process it by pressing Alt-P.

 I’ll do this:

•{!wash!Wash the dishes}

•{!mow!Mow the lawn}

•{!garbage!Put out the garbage}

•{!cat!Put out the cat}

•{!children!Feed the children}

 

 You do that:

•{!wash!/NEGOPTWash the dishes}

•{!mow!/NEGOPTMow the lawn}

•{!garbage!/NEGOPTPut out the garbage}

•{!cat!/NEGOPTPut out the cat}

•{!children!/NEGOPTFeed the children}

 

Note: /NEGOPT was designed for '!groups! and only !groups!, with multiple instances of the !group! throughout the document. Even if you have only a single 'simple option' block with a /NEGOPT section, it still won't work without a !groupname!. So add one. No biggie.

See Also: /NEGOPT with robust Optional text