Copying or Changing a Variable File

Variables are values in Information Portal’s searching pages that appear to be coded into the software (or static), such as text, fonts, and so forth. You can change these code values through these types of variables:

Strings. These are the static text strings in Information Portal searching pages (for example, the search entry box prompt on the Basic Search page).
Images. These are the static images in Information Portal searching pages (for example, the image that Information Portal displays for the Basic Search active and inactive tab).
Preferences. These are settings that you can turn on or off. (For example, you can remove the link to display full MARC content from the full bib page.)
Other. These are miscellaneous things like fonts, font sizes, colors, and other visual settings (for example, the background color for tables on the Basic Search page).

The Administration tool has a default for each of these types of variables. You can never change the defaults. However, you can copy the defaults to a new file, make changes in that file, and then save your changes in the new file.

If you want to change variables, you can do so in any copy of the default variable files. So if this is your first time changing a variable file, you must copy the default file that you want, make your changes in the copy, then assign it to the library profile you want. (For more information on library profiles and variables, see Assigning Variables Files to a Profile.)

Before You Begin

Before you change a variable, you may want to search in Information Portal and find the page with the variable that you want to change. Make note of the page name and the exact variable (such as the exact text string) that is currently on the page. This way, you can more easily find the variable to change it. You can also keep one browser window open that displays Information Portal searching while you are making changes to the variables in another browser window. This way, you can toggle between the two windows.

To copy or change a variable file

1 Open your Information Portal Administration tool web site.
2 Click the Customize tab.
3 Click the Interface sub-tab.
4 Click the Variables option.

The Administration tool displays the list of variable files.

5 Do one of these options:

To change a non-default variable file

To copy a variable file to change

1 Find the name of the non-default variable file that you want to change.
2 Click on the name of the non-default variable file. (For example, click “Information Portal Strings Copy”.)

The Administration tool displays the Edit Variables page.

1 Find the variable file that you want to copy.
2 Click Copy next to the variable file.

The Administration tool displays the Copy File page.

3 In the Description field, enter the name you want for this variable file.
4 Click OK.

The Administration tool displays the Variables page again.

5 Find the name of the non-default variable file that you want to change.
6 Click on the name of the non-default variable file. (For example, click “Information Portal Strings Copy”.)

The Administration tool displays the Edit Variables page.

6 In the Variable Pages column, choose the Information Portal searching page that contains the variable you want to change. (For example, choose “Full Bib”.)

The Administration tool displays the list of available variables that you can change to the right of the Variable Pages column. Some pages may have many variables:

7 Do one of these options to find and change the variable that you want:

To do this

Do this

Search for a variable by scrolling the list

1 Use your browser’s scroll bar to see each variable item on the current searching page.
2 Click the name of the variable that you want to change.

The Administration tool displays the Edit Variable page in a new browser window.

3 In the Value field, replace the old variable value with the new one.
4 Do one of these options in the Value field:
To delete the value, delete the existing value, then enter a space.

You must enter a space; otherwise, Information Portal will not delete the value.

To replace the old value with a new one, enter a new value.

(For example, enter “You can view information on items currently checked out”.)

Note: Do not use double quotation marks ( “ ) in your text for the new value. The Administration tool displays an error message and does not let you continue.

5 Click OK.

The Administration tool closes the new browser window and displays the original browser window.

Search for a variable by entering search terms

1 Click Search For A Variable.

The Administration tool displays the Edit Variables page.

2 In the Search for Settings column, complete one of these fields to find the variable you want:
Description. If you know the exact wording of the variable’s label or description, or if you know the exact wording for portions of the variable’s label or description, enter the words. (For example, enter “items out”.)
Value. If you know key terms in the current setting for the variable, enter the key terms. (For example, enter “view information on items currently checked out”.)
New search. Choose this if you are starting a new search.
Narrow search. Choose this if you are narrowing a previous search.
3 Click Search.

The Administration tool displays a list of items that matched your search terms under List of Settings Found.

4 Do one of these options:
If the setting you want is in the List of Settings Found list, choose the setting that you want to change.
If you want to do a new search to find the setting you want, repeat steps 2 and 3 in this table.
5 Click Edit.

The Administration tool displays the Edit Variable page in a new browser window.

6 Do one of these options in the Value field:
To delete the value, delete the existing value, then enter a space.

You must enter a space; otherwise, Information Portal will not delete the value.

To replace the old value with a new one, enter a new value. (For example, enter “You can view information on items currently checked out”.)

Note: Do not use double quotation marks ( “ ) in your text for the new value. The Administration tool displays an error message and does not let you continue.

7 Click OK.

The Administration tool closes the new browser window and displays the original browser window.

8 Do one of these options:
If you want to change more variables for this same Information Portal searching page, repeat step 7.
If you want to change a variable for a different Information Portal searching page, click Edit by Page and repeat steps 6 and 7.
9 Click Done.
10 If you have created a new variable file or if the one you have changed is not assigned, assign the variable file to the library profile you want. (For instructions, see Assigning Variables Files to a Profile.)
11 When you finish making changes in Information Portal, restart the Application Server process (JBoss).

 


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