The source template converter changes an existing source and its citations from a template to free-form, or from free-form to a template. This changes how the citation information is stored and formatted; it is not just a change to the source's name.
Before you convert
Make a backup of your database first. Conversion affects the selected source and its citations, including citations used by more than one person or fact. Keep the backup until you have checked the results. For an unfamiliar template, try the conversion in a copy of your database before changing your working file.
You cannot convert directly from one template to another. If you convert to Free Form first, RootsMagic turns the separate author, title, and other entries into citation text. To use another template afterward, you must choose which parts of that text go into each box. Keep a backup so you can check the original information.
To open the converter, select the Sources page, select a source in the source list, and choose Tools > Change source template. The source's current format determines which conversion screen opens.
Converting a templated source to free-form
Use free-form when you want to edit the footnote, short footnote, and bibliography directly instead of having a template assemble them from separate fields.
1.Open Change source template for the templated source. The window is headed Convert from a template to free-form.
2.Compare Current Source with After Conversion to Free-form. The preview shows the resulting Footnote, Short footnote, Bibliography, and Specific item text. Check titles, names, punctuation, and citation details before continuing.
3. Click Convert to free-form to apply the change, or Cancel to keep the current source. Conversion is applied when you click the conversion button; do not expect another confirmation.
4. Open the source's citations and check the result. The Master Source now has direct Footnote, Short footnote, and Bibliography fields. Citation-specific information appears under Citation Details in Specific item. Review more than one citation when the source has several, especially if their details differ.
Converting a free-form source to a template
A template can consistently arrange source information, but the converter needs your help deciding which text belongs in each field. It does not automatically separate a complete citation into correctly identified names, titles, places, and dates.
1.Open Change source template for the free-form source. In Step 1, select the template that matches the item you consulted, or use Help me choose for assistance. The source fields and the Preview change to match your choice.
2.In Step 2, highlight the portion of the text at the left that belongs in a source field. Click the > button beside that field. RootsMagic removes the selected text from the left-hand text and puts it into the field. Repeat for the other source fields, checking the Preview as you work.
For example, when using a census template with a Year and type field, select the census year in the text and use the arrow beside Year and type. Assign information according to the meaning of the field, not simply its position in the old footnote. Choose a template before spending time assigning fields.
3. In Step 3, choose which citation box should receive the existing Specific item text. RootsMagic moves that text as a whole for each citation. For example, if it includes a place, page, and household number, RootsMagic does not separate those into three boxes for you. The available boxes depend on the template you chose.
For example, a Specific item field might contain a census location, enumeration district, page number, and film number together. Moving it to PageID preserves that combined text in Page ID, but does not fill the template's other citation fields. Review and reorganize those details in the citation editor after conversion.
4. Read all three formatted versions in the Preview. Check that you have assigned all information you need from the original source. Text left in the footnote area at conversion is placed in Source text so it is retained, but it is not automatically assigned to the appropriate template fields or included in the new formatted reference. Review Source text afterward and move any needed information into the correct fields.
5. Click Convert to template when ready, or Cancel to leave the source unchanged. The conversion button applies the change without an additional confirmation, even if fields remain empty.
Checking the converted citations
Open the source's citation list and select a citation. Review both Master Source and Citation Details, then read the footnote, short footnote, and bibliography. Correct missing information, misplaced detail text, and punctuation. Remember that changing Master Source affects all citations using that source, while changing Citation Details affects all reuses of that citation.
A successful conversion does not mean that the citation is complete. Compare it with the item you consulted and retain your backup as a reference for the original information.
The source template converter is available in the full version of RootsMagic 12. See Feature List for the Essentials comparison.
