##### 42.2.9.1 Overriding paragraph and character format properties

You can override character and paragraph format settings in the configuration sections listed in Table 42-3. For example, to specify new properties for a single paragraph in HTML, you could insert in the paragraph an HTMConfig PI marker with content different from the default:

    <?dthtm HTMConfig="[HTMLParaStyles]Size5 Bold" ?>

In a macro, you would specify:

    <$$[HTMLParaStyles]Size5 Bold>

Temporary overrides

Most configuration settings for text properties can apply to either a paragraph format or a character format. Temporary overrides lack a key to name the format to be affected; therefore, for a temporary override, where in the text you place the configuration PI marker with respect to paragraph and character formats is critical:

- A temporary-override PI marker placed in a block element affects the entire element, including any contained inline elements, and therefore any formats assigned to the current instance of the block or inline elements.
- A temporary-override PI marker placed in an inline element affects only the character format assigned to that instance of the element.

Persistent overrides

A persistent override affects the next instance of an element to which the paragraph or character format named by the Key in [Section]Key=Value is assigned, or the current instance if the PI marker is placed in an element to which a matching paragraph or character format is assigned; plus all subsequent instances in the same DITA file, unless changed again by a later override.

PI markers in replaced text are ignored

For [ParaStyleCodeReplace], if placement code is already in effect because it was specified in the configuration file, any configuration PI marker in the replaced text is ignored. This means you cannot use a temporary override in a configuration PI marker for the replacement; instead you must use a persistent override that names the format to be replaced, and insert the configuration PI marker before the text to be replaced.

Place overrides to code with care

For [HTMLParaStyles] and [HTMLCharStyles], temporary overrides to Delete assignments must be inserted before the first text in the affected element to which the paragraph or character is assigned. Persistent overrides should be placed before the affected block or inline element.

Table 42-3 Text configuration sections subject to overrides

Text configuration section | HTML/XML | Word | WinHelp
    [AnumCodeAfter]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [AnumCodeBefore]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [CharStyleCodeAfter]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [CharStyleCodeBefore]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [CharStyleCodeEnd]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [CharStyleCodeReplace]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [CharStyleCodeStart]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [CharStyleCSS]
| Yes |  |
    [CharTags]
| Yes |  |
    [ExtrBottom]
| Yes |  |
    [ExtrHead]
| Yes |  |
    [ExtrReplace]
| Yes |  |
    [ExtrTitle]
| Yes |  |
    [ExtrTop]
| Yes |  |
    [HelpBrowsePrefixStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpCntStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpContentsLevels]
| Yes |  |
    [HelpJumpFileStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpKeywordStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpMacroStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpReplacements]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpSuffixStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpTitleSufStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpTopicBuildStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HelpWindowStyles]
|  |  | Yes
    [HTMLCharStyles]
| Yes |  |
    [HTMLParaStyles]
| Yes |  |
    [ParaStyleCodeAfter]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [ParaStyleCodeBefore]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [ParaStyleCodeEnd]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [ParaStyleCodeReplace]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [ParaStyleCodeStart]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [ParaStyleCSS]
| Yes |  |
    [ParaTags]
| Yes |  |
    [SecWindows]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleCellAbbr]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleCellAttribute]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleCellAxis]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleCellScope]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleCodeStore]
| Yes | Yes | Yes
    [StyleFilePrefix]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleFileSuffix]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleLinkSrc]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleMetaName]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleParaLinkClass]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleRowAttribute]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleTextStore]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleTitlePrefix]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleTitleSuffix]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleTrailPrefix]
| Yes |  |
    [StyleTrailSuffix]
| Yes |  |
    [Targets]
| Yes |  |
    [TrailLevels]
| Yes |  |
    [WordReplacements]
|  | Yes |
    [WordStyles]
|  | Yes |

Previous Topic: 42.2.9 Overriding variable-key configuration settings

Next Topic: 42.2.9.2 Overriding cross-reference properties

Parent Topic: 42.2.9 Overriding variable-key configuration settings

Sibling Topics:

42.2.9.2 Overriding cross-reference properties

42.2.9.3 Overriding table properties for HTML

42.2.9.4 Overriding graphic properties for HTML

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