Use body as unique ID to streamline usage

[Former user]

As a user I want use the body of the cite macro as unique Id so that I can speed up my work.

Use case: Working in a regulated environment, we often reference PDF files that have been imported as attachments. The file names usually have a systematic and unique name, e.g. "VA-100-200-20-Development Procedure", that is compliant with our QM system. The flaw in the current workflow is: The documents gets imported. Much later somebody wants to use it in a reference. Currently he first has to create the cite macro and enter a unique dummy Id. The he closes the macro and creates a confluence link in the macro body. Then he ccopies the link text and goes again to the edit screen of the cite macro for pasting the name as unique id. That are a lot of steps. A checkbox "Use body as unique id" could speed up the process substantially.

Nevertheless: The plugin is create!

[Andreas Purde]

Dear Tuelle,

thank you for your suggestion. May I just confirm the following:

• You are using the server version?
• You basically want to skip defining a unique ID? In this you are not re-using the cite a second time, right?

Kind regards

Andreas

[Former user]

Hi Andreas, Yes, we are using the server version. Regarding the second question: I want to define a unique Id and we are using it most of the time several times (even in the same way on several pages). The use case is the following: we have several PDF documents in our quality management system. Their file name has to be a unique Id is also used for referencing these documents. We have attached all the documents to a QM confluence page. If we refer to these from other pages, we use your cite macro and create a link to the attachment in the body. Since the filename has to be unique according to our QM system, it would also be a perfect and easy to use unique Id for your macro. The disadvantage is that currently you first have to enter a dummy Id so that you can create the link in the macros budy. Only then you know the exact document name which should also become the unique Id of your macro.

Best Thorsten

[Andreas Purde]

Hi Thorsten,

I understand what you mean. As I don't know how many additional users are asking for that kind of feature I will leave as a request and see whether it gets any votes.

Kind regards Andreas