#### 2.3.1 Understanding where to specify configuration settings

Some settings can be specified in either of the following configuration files:

Source-specific: | Settings that apply to all or most conversions from the DITA source document you selected. This is the primary configuration file for all projects related to that DITA source document.
Project: | Settings that apply only to the current conversion project, with values that override values of the same settings in the source-specific configuration file.

Other settings are specific to the output type you selected; those settings always go in the starting configuration file.

When you create the first DITA2Go conversion project for a given DITA source document, pretty much every setting (except those specific to the output type) should go in the source-specific configuration file with a reasonable value that serves as the default for all outputs from that DITA source. Then you can override that value as needed for individual conversion projects.

When you create another DITA2Go conversion project for the same DITA source document, changing or negating a setting in the source-specific configuration file might not be a wise move:

- If other projects have that same setting in their starting configuration files, a value you change in the source-specific configuration file will be ignored for those projects, because settings in a starting configuration file override settings in a source-specific configuration file. If you intend the new value to affect all such projects, you will have to reconfigure each of those projects.
- If other projects do not include that setting in their starting configuration files, those projects are relying on the value in the source-specific configuration file, which might no longer be appropriate. If you do not want the new value to affect all such projects, you will have to reconfigure any for which it is inappropriate.

Previous Topic: 2.3 Configuring default DITA2Go project settings

Next Topic: 2.3.2 Choosing a source-specific configuration file

Parent Topic: 2.3 Configuring default DITA2Go project settings

Sibling Topics:

2.3.2 Choosing a source-specific configuration file

2.3.3 Deciding whether to compile and assemble output

2.3.4 Specifying a ditaval file

2.3.5 Naming an archive for output

2.3.6 Assembling graphics to include with output

2.3.7 Including output-specific settings

2.3.8 Reviewing initial project settings