
When naming new notes it is possible to auto-add prototypes and locational data, borrowing from additional syntax for the zip-method of text link creation.
Parsing for this special markup can be disabled in Document Settings ▸ General as in some cases use of #
and @
are deliberate and literal, and not mark-up for the features below.
When the setting is active parsing occurs when a new note is made or a title is modified.
Setting a prototype
Use a hash character and a prototype name after the new note name to set a prototype for the new note. For example, typing a new note title:
John Brown#Person
makes a new note with $Name "John Brown" and sets its prototype ($Prototype) to "Person". If the named prototype exists in the document it is used automatically. If the prototype doesn't name a new, un-customised note of the specified name is add to the /Prototypes
container. Thus:
John Brown#Team X
would generate and set a new prototype called "Team X".
When creating a new prototype, Tinderbox will set the Displayed Attributes to $Tags and add the prototype's name to $Tags. This aids rapidly finding notes after fast data entry.
Setting a (place) location
Use an '@' character and a location name after the new note name to set a location for the new note. For example, typing a new note title:
John Brown@BigCo
makes a new note with $Name "John Brown" and links to the note named "BigCo", creating the latter if it doesn't exist. The new note is linked to the (new) location note using the (new) link type 'place'. If a now location note is created it sets the built-in prototype 'Place', adding the latter if not already present in the document.
Be aware that for new locations, the address and latitude/longitude will need to be added manually by the user.
In map view, if using @place with or without #prototype notation in the root-level map (i.e. the default map in a new TBX) Tinderbox may to first create the 'Prototypes' container. If so, this is placed above the current note to leave space for the place note; normally new notes are created to the right of the current note but as the Prototypes container is more of a structural folder is is helpful that it is not inserted between actual notes. If the container already exists (i.e. there are already prototypes) or the map is at any other level than root, no difference is seen.
Using both options together
Make a new note and include both the #-based and @-based modifiers described above. The effect is as shown in the screen grab here, at top of the page.
Improved Parsing
The parsing of tags and prototypes for brainstorming is smarter about a variety of special cases. Notably, if the first character after a # is a digit, Tinderbox assumes it is an expression like "Activity #3" and does not create a prototype. Also, email addresses in titles (mark@example.com) are not treated as introducing a new place (location).
See also—notes linking to here: