37.1.1.1 Understanding what a
macro definition can include
Macros can include more than simple code:
- For HTML output a macro can
contain HTML code, JavaScript, or anything else printable that follows
the rules of whatever language you are using.
- For RTF output, a macro can
insert Field content.
- For all types of output, a macro
can specify Windows system commands, provided double any backslashes
and enclose paths that contain spaces in double quotes; see §43.1.5
Supplying system commands in a macro.
A macro can be any length. You can define macros to
use as “building blocks” for other macros. There is no limit
to the number of macros you can define for a project.
Note: You do not have to define
every string of code as a macro. Any place in the configuration
file where you can use a macro, you can also use plain HTML or RTF code,
provided you include the entire code string on one line.
Whether you use a formal named macro definition or
an informal string of code, for HTML output DITA2Go always inserts
an extra line break in the output immediately before the expanded macro.
This is so you can readily identify macro-supplied code, for ease in
correcting any errors in your macro settings. Browsers ignore the extra
line break.
Previous Topic: 37.1.1 Defining
macros
Next Topic: 37.1.1.2 Understanding
where you can define named macros
Parent Topic: 37.1.1 Defining
macros
Sibling Topics:
37.1.1.2 Understanding
where you can define named macros
37.1.1.3 Escaping
special characters in macro definitions
37.1.1.4 Managing
line breaks in macro definitions
37.1.1.5 Including
comments in macro definitions
37.1.1.6 Obtaining
RTF code for macro definitions