New since Pathagoras 2024
Contents
We have fully integrated Content Controls into our system. Content Controls is in the nature of a Word 'field' (which of course Pathagoras shuns like the plague) but is actually one of Microsoft's better tools. Unlike fields, Content Controls are easily editable, take up no document space and are more or less intuitive to use. And Pathagoras has seamlessly integrated them into its Instant Database tool. Use of Content Controls is optional, but automatic if you wish to use them. If you so opt, you will quickly see the power behind Content Controls, and their into Pathagoras' (still, and always) easy to use Instant Database.
Name Arguments: Break out First and Last Names
You can now tell Pathagoras to use the first, middle and last name of a whole name. Got 'John Quincy Doe' as the value for the variable [Client Name], and want to use the first name for the complimentary opening 'Dear John' or the last name 'Dear Mr. Doe'? You now can. And it couldn't be easier. Just add 'first' or 'last' as an argument the the full name variable. E.g., [Client Name] in the address line, and [Client Name(first)] in the complimentary opening
(And while you are admiring this feature, refresh your knowledge of the various date arguments that we made available a few releases back.)
Dynamic Signature Blocks
Let's say you have a multi-part package (perhaps a loan closing or an estate planning package) comprising many individual documents. Each component of the package of documents will contain an identical signature block and notary clause. But the signature block itself can take on many different shapes, depending upon whether the signatories are individuals, couples, partnerships, corporations, LLCs, etc. To process each individual signature block as it appears in the individual components of the larger document is time consuming, especially if the document is large and CPU memory is sparse.
Pathagoras new Dynamic Signature Blocks will save you lots of time. It will process the first instance of the signature block for that particular document and when done, will copy and paste the result into all other instances where that signature block would appear in your document. For a Pathagoras customer whose closing packages contain potentially 15 signature blocks spread among multiple purchasers, multiple lenders, multiple guarantors and multiple contractors, we were able to shave 50% of the processing time from the entire document assembly process.
<<*AskVariable*. . .*>>
A new user indicated that he only uses one or two variables per document, and rarely needs to save the values he assigns to his variables. He wanted to know if there was a way to capture e.g., his client's name and the other few variables during the <<*Ask*>> interview process. We told him 'no.' But we also kind of liked the idea, then got to work on making the answer 'yes.' So now the answer is yes (and we thank him for beta testing for us).
We now offer a fifth <<*Ask*>> table element called <<*AskVariable*>>. Simply type the prompt in your <<*Ask*>> table location and insert a variable name after the second asterisk. Close the text with a final asterisk. (Remember, the rule that all administrative text must be closed with an asterisk).
E.g., <<*AskVariable*[Name of Client]*>> and <<*AskVariable*[Name of Child(ren)]*>>.
We still recommend using the original Instant Database for most of your document assembly needs. You should use this feature only when you don't want/need to save your the variable values for future use.
We have developed the most instant of glosary creation tools. All you have to do is create a document pre-marking your various terms with red names and blue subjects denoting the start of each term block. Pathagoras will do the rest. Read about the benefits of glossaries here. Learn how to create a glossary by simply painting the name and subject here.
There is technically no limit the the number of Instant Database records that Pathagoras can maintain, but after you reach 2,000 or so records, there may be a noticeable drag in the display of those records in the drop down lists. And if you pass 2,500 records, you will in fact reach a drop down list display limit. We have added a reminder routine to advise you that you have 2,000 records and to encourage you to archive some of those records
As the number of records management programs (CRMs, billing, case managment, etc) continues to explode, some customer want to export their sizeable collection of Pathagoras Instant Database records for use by those programs. We can definitely export data to help in that endeavor. Please read this article for the process to do so.
To indicate a default value for an <<*AskRepeat* . . .>> interview or a <<*Repeat* . . .>> command, place the default number within parenthesis just before the close of the administrative text. (For AskRepeats; for Repeat command
Samples Glossary/DropDrown List
For the first time in many releases, we have updated the Samples Glossary (which is typically used as a DropDown List) to include more sample text blocks. We have also added more 'indexing' calls. For example, we added several 'Family' samples which you can use for the 'Family' section of your Wills, Trusts, and Domestic Contracts. Because the samples (consistent with Pathagoras in general) are all plain text, they are easy to modify to your needs.
Delete Word for Instant Database and Alias Lists
There are certain variables that might appear in your standard documents that, when the document is personalized, are frequently 'blank.' And when 'blank' in the initial pass of the Instant Database, you want the variable removed from the document. Before, you could only remove blank variables by clicking 'Delete if Blank,' but that did not discriminate between 'good' blank variables and 'bad' ones. Now you can indicate which ones you want removed in the initial replacement pass using a single word or character.