Dispatch file import includes a feature which allows multiple QuarkXPress Xtg files to be merged together to create one master document for a story. This is useful in circumstances where elements of a story are in separate, unlinked text boxes. The following guideline is for naming extended Xtg files prior to uploading to the Dispatch server:
The secondary name slot -- the part after the plus sign (+) -- can be comprised of any word characters (0-9, A-Z, a-z and underscore), but there must be a number to end the file name. Files with extended names will be appended to the end of the original story in alphanumeric order. The combination of files happens during the import into Dispatch, so you will not see the extra files listed on the "Files Found" page. You will, however, see the original file name, example1.xtg, for instance.
Extended file naming should only be used in cases where elements of a story -- such as the headline, byline, subhead, or description -- are in text boxes that are not linked to the story body itself within QuarkXPress (not really recommended in desktop publishing). It can also be used if the jumped portion of a story has been laid out using separate, unlinked text boxes. Uploading these elements with extended file names will allow the information to be properly converted to HTML (especially important with special characters). It also gets all data in one place, which is, in most cases, easier to manage. NOTE: Simply using extended file names will not fill your Dispatch database. Quark styles must still be used for automatic importing into Dispatch data fields. Information that is appended to the original story without proper styles will appear as part of the story and will have to be cut from the story field and pasted into the correct data fields. Unless Quark styles are being used consistently throughout your publication, it is not advisable to append additional files in this manner. CAUTION: Cutting and pasting information from another text source into the Dispatch interface may result in the inclusion of some characters which are not fully supported by HTML. Such characters may include, but are not limited to, "smart" quotes, accented and other foreign characters, and copyright and trademark symbols.
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