Use results from another locator

You can create a Format Locator that uses the formats defined in a previous locator. Use this option to extract several fields with a similar format, which saves configuration time and improves maintainability.

For example, a document contains several different dates that need to be extracted. Configure one Format Locator to search the entire document for any dates that match the formats specified. Since the formats are the same for the other date fields, the Use results from locator option eliminates the need to add the same format to the locator.

Use the results from another locator to help find results for your current locator by following these steps:

  1. Open the locator properties.
  2. On the General tab, select Use results from locator.
    Important This option is available only when there are two or more locators in a project and at least one of these locators appear above the current Format Locator in the project hierarchy. This is because locators are processed in order and the results from a previous locator is needed before the current locator can be processed.

    The list of locators is now available for selection and the Formats Definition tab and other settings on this tab are no longer available.

  3. From the list, select a reference locator.
  4. Optionally, configure the Evaluations Settings tab.
  5. Open a test document and click Test to test your settings.
  6. Optionally, click Close to close the locator properties window.
  7. Save the changes to your project.