Making a formal outline in Blocs? -- SOLVED

I Need Help
#1

I have a website that will need a lot of formal outlines, like you would see in a word document with Roman numerals, capital Arabic letters, numbers, etc for major points and sub points. Here’s a site with examples of what I mean. The second one on that page is a lot like what I need.

image

My question is: how can I do this simply in Blocs? If you try to copy and paste from a Word document formatted as an outline, the Roman numerals, capital letters, and numbers don’t paste. So it’s not so easy to imagine how I could transfer all these nicely formatted outlines into Blocs pages.

This site talks about making an outline using CSS rules, so I was wondering if I could use the list bric and then customize it using list-style-type. But I’m really a beginner at this so I could use some help getting started.

Or maybe there’s a much easier way?

Thanks,
-Tony

Blocs 3 Numbered List
#2

Hello @Tony

I don’t know a easy way for you to do it, but the code of your second exemple is above.

Just add a html brick and copy/paste the following code:

<table class="MsoTableGrid" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background:#CEE4FE;border-collapse:collapse;border:none;mso-border-alt:
 solid windowtext .5pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:480;mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
 mso-border-insideh:.5pt solid windowtext;mso-border-insidev:.5pt solid windowtext">
 <tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes">
  <td width="855" valign="top" style="width:512.7pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
  mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:27.0pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Sample Outline
  #2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></b></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Title: </b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">The Federalist</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Papers’</i>
  Influence on the Ratification of the Constitution</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
  normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Thesis: </b><i>The
  Federalist </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Papers</i> influenced
  the ratification of the Constitution by making some of their most important
  arguments, including the importance of being in a Union by having a
  Constitution, answering to the objections made by the Anti-federalists about
  separation of powers, and defending opposing arguments made against the
  characteristics of the executive and judicial branch as provided in the
  Constitution.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:27.0pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:27.0pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:
  -9.0pt;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo8;tab-stops:list .5in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span>I.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Introduction</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">a.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Describe
  <i>The Federalist Papers</i> are and when they started </p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">b.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Thesis<i>:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The Federalist</i> influenced the
  ratification of the Constitution by making some of their most important
  arguments, including the importance of being in a Union by having a
  Constitution, answering to the objections made by the Anti-federalists about
  separation of powers, and defending opposing arguments made against the
  characteristics of the executive and judicial branch as provided in the
  Constitution.</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:
  -9.0pt;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo8;tab-stops:list .5in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span>II.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span></span><!--[endif]-->Background</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">a.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->State
  when <i>The Federalist</i> was printed and published.</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">b.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Discuss
  the intentions and purposes of <i>The Federalist.</i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:
  -9.0pt;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo8;tab-stops:list .5in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span>III.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span></span><!--[endif]-->Argument for the benefit of a <st1:place w:st="on">Union</st1:place></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">a.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->A
  <st1:place w:st="on">Union</st1:place> would guard against external dangers</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">b.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->A
  <st1:place w:st="on">Union</st1:place> would guard against internal dangers</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:117.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:
  l6 level3 lfo8;tab-stops:list 117.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">A.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span></span><!--[endif]-->The “extended sphere” argument about how it will
  control factions. (Federalist 10)</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:
  -9.0pt;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo8;tab-stops:list .5in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span>IV.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span></span><!--[endif]-->Argument of the problem with complete separation of
  powers</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">a.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Anti-federalists
  wanted a complete separation of the judicial, executive, and legislative
  branches</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">b.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]--><i>The
  Federalist</i> said the maxim of complete separation of powers is
  misunderstood. (Montesquieu)</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">c.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->The
  branches need some limited power of the other branches to protect themselves
  from encroachment of the other branches (Federalist 51)</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:117.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:
  l6 level3 lfo8;tab-stops:list 117.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">A.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span></span><!--[endif]-->The branches need to have the interests of
  maintaining their powers, and not letting the other branches take that away.</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:
  -9.0pt;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo8;tab-stops:list .5in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span>V.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Argument
  for a single executive, and against a plural executive </p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">a.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Anti-federalists
  didn’t want a single executive, too much like a monarch</p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">b.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]--><i>The
  Federalist</i> need the executive to be “energetic” and a plural executive
  would make this impossible (Federalist 70)<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:117.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:
  l6 level3 lfo8;tab-stops:list 117.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">A.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span></span><!--[endif]-->It would take too long for the people in the
  executive position to make decision in an emergency, because they might
  disagree.<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:117.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:
  l6 level3 lfo8;tab-stops:list 117.0pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">B.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span></span><!--[endif]-->In a plural executive, it is hard to tell who is
  responsible for a wrongdoing because they can all blame each other, so a
  single executive would lead to more responsible behavior<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:
  -9.0pt;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo8;tab-stops:list .5in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span>VI.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span></span><!--[endif]-->Argument in favor of judicial review and terms of
  good behavior for judges<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">a.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Anti-federalists
  didn’t like judicial review and the term of good behavior<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">b.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->The
  Federalist argued that judicial review was necessary to protect the judicial
  branch from the Legislature.<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">c.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->A
  term of good behavior was necessary to get qualified people for the positions;
  it would also give them time to develop knowledge.<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:
  -9.0pt;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo8;tab-stops:list .5in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span>VII.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </span></span><!--[endif]-->Conclusion<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">a.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->Thesis<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">b.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]-->The
  dates of the ratification of the Constitution by the States<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level2 lfo8;
  tab-stops:list 1.0in"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list:Ignore">c.<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><!--[endif]--><i>The
  Federalist</i>’s influence beyond the ratification<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
  <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</tbody></table>

Another way is using the classes, then left margin and add a Padding.
If I can I make you a small video explaining.

#3

@Pealco thanks. Of course, I’d like to do it “the Blocs way” because I want it to be responsive. But if that’s not possible, then your way looks good (assuming it’s easy).

I know how to make classes and add margins/padding, and I started doing it that way… but after getting exhausted decided there must be a better way…

I did as you said, and it looks great. It is responsive as you reduce the screen width, which is great. However, I notice that it has a preset width that must somehow be pre-defined (see animated gif below). Any thoughts on how to modify that?

And, of course, can you tell me how you did it?

m
m.gif1672×1144 1.76 MB

#4

Line 5 of the code:
<td width="855" valign="top" style="width:512.7pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;

Change the width:512.7pt to 100%

<td width="855" valign="top" style="width:100%;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;

#5

I found a simple way to do it:

Copy/Paste this code:

<ol style="list-style-type: upper-roman;">
               
               <li>Advising
                  
                  <ol style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;">
                     
                     <li>&nbsp;Find the right program(s) and/or career field</li>
                     
                     <li>Implement a plan for fulfilling program requirements</li>
                     
                     <li>Sign up for the correct classes
                     
                     </li>
                        
                        <ol>
                           
                           <li>Verify prerequisites</li>
                           
                           <li>Find times that work</li>
                           
                           <li>Locate proper instructor</li>
                           
                        </ol>
                        
                     </li>
                     
                     <li>Evaluate progress</li>
                     
                  </ol>
                  
               </li>
               
               <li>Help with content
                  
                  <ol style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;">
                     
                     <li>Study groups</li>
                     
                     <li>Tutoring
                        
                        <ol>
                           
                           <li>Drop-in</li>
                           
                           <li>Individual</li>
                           
                        </ol>
                        
                     </li>
                     
                     <li>SI sessions</li>
                     
                  </ol>
                  
               </li>
               
               <li>Technology
                  
                  <ol style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;">
                     
                     <li>Computer Labs</li>
                     
                     <li>Academic websites</li>
                     
                     <li>Forums and online discussions</li>
                     
                  </ol>
                  
               </li>
               
            </ol>
#6

@Pealco Here is your code with all outline text in red side-by-side with the resulting outline in Blocs.

37%20PM
Screen Shot 2019-03-07 at 10.55.37 PM.jpg1140×716 137 KB

I agree that it’s a good work around, but I would still like to see how it could be done in Blocs, using the appropriate bric and perhaps customization as I mentioned in my original post.

Copying and pasting all of my outlines into the template like you’ve shown would be too tedious. They are about 10x longer than the example above, and contain one more level in some cases. There are about 25 of them, and I might have more jobs like this too.

I could imagine generating the html using VBA.

But I keep thinking there must be an easier way. Am I missing something simple?

Thanks again.

#7

In about an hour I will try to make a video only working in blocs…is ok for you?

1 Like
#8

I can’t wait to see this :smile:

#9

LOL @KBConcepts,

Well I make my best, then you can make fun of my way…

VIDEO BLOCS ONLY

LINK to a HTML editor so you just copy your content, makes the changes and then you copy the HTML code and copy to a HTML bric.

Don’t know more… sorry… but someone can help more probably @Eldar…

#10

Thanks, @Pealco :grinning: That was really cool of you to make that video.
It’s still a time consuming way of doing it in Blocs 3. We’re sure hoping in the future @Norm will make this so much easier.
Now, this was not only a helpful website but funny.

#11

Thanks @KBConcepts,

I like to help. And yes it is difficult to do that in blocs.

I think that the best way of doing that for now is with <ol> and <li>

About the site I never had seen that image from the website. :rofl:

But it’s good, I use it a lot to solve some formatting problems.

#12

@Pealco I really appreciate all the help you’ve provided. Based on your approach, I’ve come up with a workflow that I’d like your comment on:

  1. I save my original Word doc (containing the long formal outline) as .htm
  2. double click to open the .htm file in Chrome browser
  3. right click to view page source, and copy the html
  4. paste into a Blocs code bric

Although the online html editor you recommended worked great, and I love it’s ability to produce simple html, it has 2 problems for me: 1) after a few uses it requires a subscription, 2) I prefer to stay away from tools which may change in the future.

Item (2) is quite important to me because I’ve been around a while and seen a lot of things come and go. I hate the ugly html that Word produces, but I can just close my eyes and copy/paste it without too much pain. The result is beautiful and Word is a tool that will always be around.

Any comments?

-Tony

1 Like
#13

@Tony I found a way… lol… (I will have @KBConcepts waiting now)

#14

It’s a time consuming thing to do on any web site. HTML web sites are not well suited to these type of old text layouts designed hundreds of years ago.

What you could do however, is to use one of the many text apps that will take different text input and export or other formats. I use Quiver which has such a function, and you could create the text in Markdown or possibly just plain text, and then export it as HTML and then paste directly into Blocs.

#15

@Tony I found a way… lol… (I will have @KBConcepts waiting now)

  1. Open “Textedit.app”

  2. in preferences in Open and Save tab go to "Options to save in HTML and choose HTML 4.01 Strict (I’m translating from Portuguese, so it could be different, sorry for that)

  3. Then in Format Menu - Choose “allow hyphenation”

  4. Copy/Paste from Word or Pages your work to Text Editor.

  5. Save as…

  6. Name and in the end choose the html format.

  7. HTML bric in Blocs…

And Voila… everything is ok with a clean html code…

I think this method cover your “future concerns”… check it…

2 Likes
#16

@Pealco this method produces much cleaner html – thank you!

I had to fiddle with TextEdit quite a while before I could even see the html export option because I think had it set up for exporting plain text earlier. I restored defaults and kept fiddling with it until I saw the export as html option.

This is a workable solution and I’ve marked this question as solved.

Although I enjoy Blocs very much, it seems to me that there are things like this that are missing – so we need the code bric to come to the rescue. Therefore, it’s really not quite to the point to where one doesn’t need to know any coding at all – at least not in my experience.

Thanks again

1 Like
#17

No problem, glad that could help.

#18


@webdeersign This doesn’t like easy. LOL

#19

That GitHub link is very old. Quiver matured into a healthy app.

http://happenapps.com

#20

I found this helpful. I took a complicated Word template and pasted it into.


Not being a coder it looked good to me. :slight_smile:

Another one this has interesting information is https://pandoc.org