Operation Manual

Tip
Not all changes are recorded. For example, changing a tab stop from align left to
align right, and changes in formulas (equations) or linked graphics are not
recorded.
Using fields
Fields are extremely useful features of Writer. They are used for data that changes in a document
(such as the current date or the total number of pages) and for inserting document properties such
as name, author, and date of last update. Fields are the basis of cross-referencing (see below);
automatic numbering of figures, tables, headings, and other elements; and a wide range of other
functions—far too many to describe here. See Chapter 14, Working with Fields, in the Writer Guide
for details.
Linking to another part of a document
If you type in cross-references to other parts of a document, those references can easily get out of
date if you reorganize the order of topics, add or remove material, or reword a heading. Writer
provides two ways to ensure that your references are up to date, by inserting links to other parts of
the same document or to a different document:
• Hyperlinks
• Cross-references
The two methods have the same result if you Ctrl+click the link when the document is open in
Writer: you are taken directly to the cross-referenced item. However, they also have major
differences:
• The text in a hyperlink does not automatically update if you change the text of the linked
item (although you can change it manually), but changed text does automatically update in
a cross-reference.
• When using a hyperlink, you do not have a choice of the content of the link (for example
text or page number), but when using a cross-reference, you have several choices,
including bookmarks.
• To hyperlink to an object such as a graphic, and have the hyperlink show useful text such
as Figure 6, you need to give such an object a useful name (instead of a default name like
Graphics6), or use the Hyperlink dialog to modify the visible text. In contrast, cross-
references to figures with captions automatically show useful text, and you have a choice of
several variations of the name.
• If you save a Writer document to HTML, hyperlinks remain active but cross-references do
not. (Both remain active when the document is exported to PDF.)
Using hyperlinks
The easiest way to insert a hyperlink to another part of the same document is by using the
Navigator:
1) Open the document containing the items you want to cross-reference.
2) Open the Navigator by clicking its icon, choosing View > Navigator, or by pressing F5.
3) Click the arrow next to the Drag Mode icon, and choose Insert as Hyperlink.
4) In the list at the bottom of the Navigator, select the document containing the item that you
want to cross-reference.
5) In the Navigator list, select the item that you want to insert as a hyperlink.
Chapter 4 Getting Started with Writer | 107