Using templates (.mot files) in MarcEdit

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Using templates (.mot files) in MarcEdit
Description Aside from the internal MarcEngine,
the MarcEditor is probably the most useful
utility currently in MarcEdit. The MarcEditor is
a powerful text editor specifically designed to
simplify the process of editing MARC records.
One of the options within the MarcEditor is the
ability to create and modify template files,
which can be used to help minimize the need for
typing specific data.
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Table of Contents
This tutorial will covering the following topics.
To get the most out of this tutorial, please
open MarcEdit and follow along.

• What are template files.
• How are template files used in MarcEdit
• How can I use template files
• How can I create/edit a template file
• How can I change the default template file.

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Getting Started

• To open MarcEdit, simply click on the MarcEdit
  Icon on your Desktop or select MarcEdit from
  Start/Programs/MarcEdit.
• When MarcEdit opens, it will look like the
  picture below.

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Opening the MarcEditor

• The MarcEditor can be opened by either clicking
  on the MarcEditor icon or by selecting File/Open
  MarcEditor.

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What are MarcEdit template files

• In general, a MarcEdit template file is a regular
  text file containing information that should
  always be printed when the user opens the
  MarcEditor and creates a new record.
• Template files are installed into the
  programs\templates directory. During a typical
  installation, these files will be located at
  c\program files\marcedit\templates\
• As of MarcEdit 4.1, the application has 10
  templates pre-installed with the application.
  These templates cover the 8 major bibliographic
  data types and 2 default template files.
• By default, the MarcEditor uses the normal.mot (a
  blank template), when opening or creating new
  records.

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How are template files used in MarcEdit

• As mentioned on the previous slide, MarcEdits
  template files are utilized by the MarcEditor.
  The MarcEditor utilizes these template files to
  discern what data should be rendered by default
  when opening the application or when creating a
  new record.
• By default, the MarcEditor utilizes the
  normal.mot template, or a blank template when
  opening the MarcEditor or creating a new record.
  However, one is able to both change the
  normal.mot file or create additional template
  files and change the default templatebut this
  will be discussed in a later section.

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How are template files used in MarcEdit continued

• In MarcEdit 4.1, 8 additional templates are
  utilized to help users when creating new MARC
  records. The templates define a set of common
  fixed fields and common MARC fields to help the
  user in cataloging a document. However, the use
  of these templates is done transparently from the
  users point of view. Yet uses can view the
  template files, simply by clicking on the new
  icon in the toolbar (as illustrated below)

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How are template files used in MarcEdit continued

• By selecting a bibliographic type, the MarcEditor
  will load the corresponding template data,
  providing the user with predefined cataloging
  form in the MarcEditor. (see below)

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How can I use template files

• As one can see, the MarcEditor makes liberal use
  of template files, whether one knows it or not.
  However, how can a user make use of template
  files and what can they do for me?
• In general, users can use the MarcEdit template
  files to
• Create in-house constant data records
• Create cataloging template forms to enforce local
  standards.
• Create template forms that include often repeated
  data.
• Create project template forms.
• What users cannot do with template forms
• Since a template form is merely a text file, a
  user cannot create a template form that loads
  conditional data.
• For all practical purposes, template forms must
  be in the MarcEditors mnemonic file format if
  they are to be useful within the MarcEdit
  application.

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How can I create a template

• Creating a template file is actually a very easy
  process. Since a template file is is basically
  just a plain text file, users can utilize the
  MarcEditor or their favorite notepad.
• Simply enter the data that you would like to have
  present by default when opening the MarcEditor.
  NOTE Make certain that the data is placed in
  the MarcEdit mnemonic file format.
• Once you have created your data file, it is
  recommended that you save the file in the
  MarcEdit program directory, typically this folder
  is c\program files\marcedit\templates. Give
  you document a name and select MarcEdit template
  files (.mot) from the file types (in the save
  dialog). And save.

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How can I edit a template file

• To edit a template file, simply go to the
  MarcEdit template folder (typically, this folder
  is located at c\program files\marcedit\templates
  \) and open the .mot files into either the
  MarcEditor or your favorite notepad.
• Change the file to suit your purposes.
• Re-save the file.

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How can I change the default template file

• As noted previously, MarcEdit utilizes the
  normal.mot template file by default. However,
  this is one of the many options that users are
  able to modify using the Options dialog box. The
  options dialog box can be opened from either the
  MarcEditor (selecting Tools/Options) or the Main
  MarcEdit window (selecting Tools/Options). See
  below

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How can I change the default template

• To change the default template, we must go to the
  MarcEditor options. These options are located by
  clicking on the MarcEditor tab.

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How can I change the default template

• To modify the template, simply click on the
  Modify button, and navigate to the location of
  the template file that you would like to use as
  the default. Once you have located the file,
  select it. This file will now be in the current
  template file textbox.
• To have these changes take affect, click the OK
  button
• Congratulations, your default template file has
  now been changed.

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Conclusion

• If you have suggestions on how this tutorial
  could have been more helpful for you, feel free
  to contact terry.reese_at_orst.edu