Small Caps/Text Variables

[Dative]

I've set my text variables to use my chapter titles but the chapter titles are in small caps, I don't want to start the chapter title with a capital but I do want the text variable to be capitalised. I remember getting it to work somehow on a old file but I can't remember how I did it.

Any ideas?

[Barbara Ash]

I don't quite understand the question. Are you saying that you want the chapter titles to be small caps, but you want the text variable to be regular caps?

[Dative]

Hi Barbara,

Sorry I was slightly sleep deprived and didn't explain myself particularly well!

I'm using a text variable to set my running heads, the text variable is using a paragraph style to take the content from the chapter titles. I want the running head to be in normal title case and the chapter title to be in small caps but all 'lowercase' i.e. without a cap at the beginning. For example, I want to be able to type 'Introduction' into the chapter title but it appear as ALL small caps (without a cap at the beginning) and still retain the cap for the running head.

I should be able to do it by setting the paragraph style for the chapter title to 'Opentype All Small Caps' but with the typeface I'm using it doesn't work so I need another way round. I tried using the 'change case' option in the text variable but unfortunately the 'Title Case' option won't work for some of the chapters.

[Jongware]

Dative  wrote

I should be able to do it by setting the paragraph style for the chapter title to 'Opentype All Small Caps' ...

It sounds as if this was exactly the trick you used before. But ...

Dative  wrote

... with the typeface I'm using it doesn't work ...

Either a font supports this option, or it does not. There is nothing InDesign can change about that. So ...

Dative  wrote

—so I need another way round. I tried using the 'change case' option in the text variable but unfortunately the 'Title Case' option won't work for some of the chapters.

No. You cannot use any of the case-changing options on text variables.

"OpenType All Small Caps" only works because it does not need to change the contents of the variable. There is no way to change the contents of an automatic variable.

You'll have to revert to creating separate master pages for all of the chapters where you need this; alternatively, invest in a plug-in such as In-Tools Power Headers, which does this without batting an eyelid: Power Headers | in-tools.com .

[Dative]

I was afraid this may be the case! Thanks anyway! I'll look into Power Headers.

[Obi-wan Kenobi]

Hi,

2 variables! 

(^/)

[Dative]

I did consider something like this, couldn't quite think how to make it work though? Could you explain a little more?

[Obi-wan Kenobi · Accepted solution]

Just define 2 variables based on char styles!

These char styles have no settings!

For the first char:

for the title (except the first char):

In the header, you'll insert the 2 variables!

You just need to have the titles in lowercases!  [There's scripts for that!]

The "Title" para style includes the "small caps" setting.

To apply the 2 char styles, 2 simple regex:

(^/) 

[Dative]

Bravo sir!