[julamoor]

Hi Curt,

I downloaded the Populate Template script from your page today and have been trying to make it work, but haven't been able to do so. It's so temptingly close.

I also have a sub-folder in my Projects folder named Templates in which I have a project that lists the actions of going to a conference (much like your example in the help document). I have entered all of variables in the notes section then reference them with place holders in the template as suggested (using the appropriate option-\ and option-shitft-\ gullemets).

When I select the project, either from the side bar or from the main window, and then run the script, the script prompts me for the variables. That works fine. A new project is created at the top level of the Projects folder, then it gets squirrelly. The actual names I entered at the prompts do appear in the project title but with the gullemets around them, then they do not replace any of the placeholders in the rest of the project.

I love the idea - any help would be appreciated.

[curt.clifton]

Originally Posted by julamoor

When I select the project, either from the side bar or from the main window, and then run the script, the script prompts me for the variables. That works fine. A new project is created at the top level of the Projects folder, then it gets squirrelly. The actual names I entered at the prompts do appear in the project title but with the gullemets around them, then they do not replace any of the placeholders in the rest of the project.

The script doesn't currently support "special" characters in variable names or in entered values. The most common special character is probably apostrophe. Try using just letters and numbers and see if it works.

(I should mention this in the instructions, but updating and posting new instructions is almost as much work as just handling the special characters. So, I haven't gotten around to doing either.)

[julamoor]

Thanks for the response, Curt, but that still didn't do it. I'm now to limiting my variable to ConfName (in this instance: AERA) and ConfLocation (i.e. NewYork (without space just to be sure). Got the same exact results. So, in this instance, I get the following results:

Project title becomes: <<AERA>>, <<NewYork>> (using <> for the other symbols, but all other references to those two variables stay <<ConfName>> and <<ConfLocation>>.

Any other guesses?

[curt.clifton]

Originally Posted by julamoor

... I get the following results:

Project title becomes: <<AERA>>, <<NewYork>> (using <> for the other symbols, but all other references to those two variables stay <<ConfName>> and <<ConfLocation>>.

Any other guesses?

Can you email a screen shot of your template to me? See this post for details on what would be most helpful.

[Juha]

Why do you need scripts?

I just have one folder called "Checklists", that contain checklists like "Project starting checklist", "project ending checklist", and so on.

When i need to use the checklist, i just drag & drop the tasks holding down alt (to copy).

[BwanaZulia]

But does that get you individually named projects with specific information?

The templates allow you to put in a few parameters that fill out the project and make it unique and understandable.

BZ

[curt.clifton]

Originally Posted by Juha

Why do you need scripts?

I just have one folder called "Checklists", that contain checklists like "Project starting checklist", "project ending checklist", and so on.

When i need to use the checklist, i just drag & drop the tasks holding down alt (to copy).

The script fills in template fields and updates dates. So for example, I have a template for prepping my classes for the week. It includes due dates based on when my classes meet. It also includes template fields for week numbers. (I often have two copies of the template active. In this week's copy, I'm posted homework solutions and grading quizzes, among other things. In next week's copy, I'm posting new homework problems and sketching lecture notes.)

Another template that I use regularly involves wrapping up a course. (Think "project post-mortem" if your aren't in an academic setting.) This template includes things like writing and grading the final exam, assigning final grades, responding to course evaluations, and writing a report on how to improve the next offering of the course. In that templates the due dates vary with term and the placeholders are for which course I'm wrapping up.