Tip #113 - How to Use Table Merge Codes in Your Templates

Did you know that you can use the “Table” Merge Codes to create formatted tables in your documents? Occassionally, you may need to generate a document with data that has to be formatted in a table layout, such as a list of all the liens, case expenses, or medical bills in a Settlement Memorandum. We have developed specialized merge codes or ‘Table Merge Codes’ that will allow you to easily insert that type of data in your finished documents.  [For this Tip-Of-The-Week it is assumed that you are familiar with templates and merge codes.]

The example below shows portions of a Settlement Memorandum with Case Expenses (Disbursements), Liens, and Medical Bills displayed in three formatted tables.

For each table, there is a specific merge code that you can use to insert the data for that table. Table merge codes are generally inserted in your template the same way as ‘regular’ merge codes. Table merge codes have several unique features however, that will allow you to further customize which portions of the data are included in the table and in what order. Let’s take a closer look at the table merge code used for outstanding medical bills in the Settlement Memorandum shown above.
 
This is the merge code used for Medical Bills table (“<CLMN:2,8>” appended to the merge code is explained below):
<! [PL-MED-PRVDS-BILL-TOTAL-TABLE,<CLMN:2,8>] !>
 
This is what the template looks like where the Medical Bills table merge code is inserted:

One unique feature of the SmartAdvocate merge code tables is that they allow you to select from among a list of predefined columns to include in the table. So, in our Medical Bills table merge code, we included the columns for the name of the medical provider and the outstanding bill balance only. Our generated document (Settlement Memorandum) therefore, shows only the name and bill balance in the document. We generally include several columns of appropriate data in our table merge codes so that you have the flexibility of choosing which columns you want to include in your document.
 
Here is an example of our generated Settlement Memorandum using the aforementioned Medical Bills table:

Now let’s take a look at how the table merge code is used and the procedure to select which columns to included in your merged document.
 
Select the appropriate merge code table from the list of merge codes. In our example, we will select PL-MED-PRVDS-BILL-TOTAL-TABLE. You will need to check the box for “Customize Table Columns” so that you can select which columns from the table you want included in your merged document. Click the “Insert Selected Merge Code and Hide Dialog” button to display the list of available columns, then select the columns you want to include, and adjust the order of the columns as appropriate.

After clicking the “Insert Selected Merge Code and Hide Dialog” a new dialog box will be displayed which will show “Available Columns” and “Selected Columns” and a number  of additional configuration aids.

The “Available Columns” will show the columns that are available (but have not been chosen) that can be included in your document. The “Selected Columns” are those that will appear in your document. Click on a column from the “Available Columns” section then click “Add” to include that column in your document. Click on a column name in the “Selected Columns” section and then click “Remove” to remove (de-select) that column from your document. Use the blue Up and Down arrows on the right side of the dialog box to adjust the location of the respective columns as they will appear in your document. The column at the top of the list will appear as the left most column, the one at the botton will appear as the right most column of your document. The “Save As Default” button will allow you to save the selected columns as the default for this merge code, should you need to use this table merge code in subsequent templates.
 
When you are satisfied with the columns selected and their location, click the “Insert” button to insert your merge code into your template. When the merge code is dispalyed in your template, it will show the columns selected as outlined above. (In our example shown below, we include columns 2 and 8 – the name of the medical provider and bill balance).