You can keep pattern instances belonging to the different patterns at the same page. By using the Group until setting, you can create a group starting at every instance of the current pattern and ending with any pattern available in the list (similar to the OR expression). This setting is related to the Keep rearranges together setting (see below): if you select the Keep Rearranges together check box for the starting group instance, Lasernet does not add implicit page breaks until the ending group instance. Once you have selected the check box, a grid containing patterns and command buttons to manipulate those patterns appear. By default, the current pattern is listed here.

By creating a group of patterns and selecting the Keep rearranges together check box, it is possible to avoid unnecessary page breaks.

Exercise

Download and import the attached configuration called 17. Patterns (Grouping) in Lasernet Developer 9. Afterwards, go to the Forms section and open the Sample form.

1. On the Menu bar, click Sheet, and then click Patterns And Rearranges. The Pattern and Rearranges dialog opens.

2. Select the Percent > 0 pattern in the list.

3. Click the Edit button to open the Pattern properties dialog.

4. Select the Output tab.

5. Select the Group until check box to create a group.

6. Select the Keep rearranges together check box.

7. On the Pattern properties dialog, click the Add button to add a new match item.

8. Click the Edit button, and then select the Item:Body/Item pattern from the drop-down list.

9. Using the mouse, click the Include option for the selected item, and then click the Edit button to change value to No.

10. Click Ok to save changes.

11. Make the same changes for the Item pattern.

The pattern instances belonging to different patterns are now protected from unnecessary page breaks and kept on the same page. Click page tabs and switch between First Page and...

... Middle Page to view how the items are located on the pages when the Group until and Keep rearranges together properties are applied.