Page Comparison

This blog post captures some of the process and code tips and tricks used to create a PDF template for FPN and other modules.

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On the first page of the creation, wizard pick HTML and pick the "Load Sample HTML" option (the MS Word option will be phased out, and has been kept for a while to support last years users).

The top large text area is the "Letter Contents", this is where the main template goes into, you can identify keywords and change them in here. It may be easier to copy the text out into a better HTML text editor then paste it back in when you are done. NOTE this letter contents section is not a FULL HTML page on its own, it is 3/4 of a page.

The 2nd large text area is the "Additional CSS", this is where formatting rules are applied, such as font, font size, spacing, colours etc.

You can upload your PDF letterhead temp[late and set the margins for the first page. Note you can set the Addressee details location to fit in a windowed envelope, this location is set irrespective of the rest of the page, to ensure it is exactly where it needs to be regardless of where other information may flow to see the information on the <address>  tag further below.

When you are done, save the record. On the next page, you can preview the merge letter. What it does is merge the current Merge Letter with the first record in the current event. So it will help to make sure that record has photos, notes and details that will test the template properly, you may need to work in a test event for this.

Listing the Merge Tokens

From the mail merge settings page, Administration→Settings→Merge Templates select any of the templates records.

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<!-- A page break, followed by a carriage return to position the heading where we want it -->
<hr />
<br />

<!-- We want our heading centred -->
<h1 class="center-text">
  Explanatory Note for a Schedule 15 Fire Prevention Notice
</h1>

<!-- We want all the page text small and fully justified -->
<div class="small-text justify-text">
    <!-- The text is regular HTML from here... -->
    <h2>Power and Purpose</h2>
    <p>
        The Municipal Fire Prevention Officer of the Council has the power under section 41 of the <em>Country Fire Authority Act 1958</em> to issue this notice.
    </p>
    <p>
        ... additional paragraphs, liste, etc (see full example) ...
    </p>
</div>

Adding a custom date

There are a few system build tokens that output dates. For example:

It is also possible to add a custom date. For example

{"+35 days"|date_format:"%d-%m-%Y"}

This will output the date in 35 days, in the format Day-Month-Year (eg 30-10-2020). Contact Datalink for advise if an alternative date format is required.

Adding a photos page if evidence exists

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Currently there are three override fields on the FPN form which are listed below along with the tokens you need to use for these fields for them to appear in the letter:

• Override Owner Details 
• Override Property Number
• Override Location

{$item.overrideOwnerDetails}
{$item.overridePropertyNumber}
{$item.overrideLocation}

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