Konica Minolta Darwin VDP Software - Manual (Page 51)

6
Working with functions
Function overview
Darwin enables you to use predefined functions to perform various
types of operations and calculations on data from your data source. For
example, you can use a function such as Caps to change all the text in a
specific text box to uppercase letters. Examples of common functions
that Darwin provides are sum, average, rounding up, and rounding
down. Unique functions in Darwin include zodiac signs and automatic
numbering of paragraphs in a text.
You can use a function as input for a rule or as a stand-alone element.
The basic workflow for creating a function is as follows:
1. Naming the function
2. Selecting a predefined function from the Function list
Note: You can find detailed information about each function and its
parameters by rolling your mouse over the name of the function.
3. Defining the function's parameters
4. Adding the function to your list of functions
5. Using the function as input to a rule, barcode, chart, or personalized
image, or placing the function on the InDesign CS3 document as a
stand-alone element
Adding a function
1. In the Darwin Pilot workspace, click the ToolBox tab.
2. On the Tools panel, click theFunctions tab.
3. In the lower portion of the Tools panel, click Add New Function.
4. In the Name box, type a meaningful name for the function.
5. (Optional) In the Comments box, type a comment about the rule.
6. In the Function list, select a function. For example, assume that the
data source contains a field with birth dates and you want to display
people's ages in your output. You would select the function called
AgeToday.
7. Click OK.
8. In the Function Editor area, set the values for the parameters of the
functions. For the AgeToday function, you would set the values as
shown in the following example: