Using doc-links

The key to referencing information and substantiating argument

Doc-links are one of MasterFile most valuable features. They are a simple and reliable way to create instant one-click descriptive hyperlinks to documents or their extracts and facts.

For example, you can use doc-links to

substantiate an argument with its supporting evidence, point by point,
reference attachments, amendments, exhibits, etc., and
reference external documents, extracts, facts, authorities, etc. in other MasterFile case or reference databases or MasterFile databases containing bulky digital evidence such as video and audio.

They can be e-mailed, eliminating bulky file attachments, and ensure that only those with access to the database can retrieve the information.

Doc-links can also be used to remind you to take any action with respect to specific documents or extracts at the right time — such as renewing a contract or filing a response by its deadline.

Creating and using doc-links

To create a doc-link to the current profile you are viewing or editing, click on the “put doc-link on clipboard” button.

The doc-link and its description can then be pasted into any shaded field of any other profile. Also on the clipboard will be its “Notes URL” which looks like this

notes:///88256E9B006750FE/00000000000000000000000000000000/37058BD52BA36D3A882…

and which you can delete. More about Notes URLs is at “E-mailing doc-links from other e-mail software” in “Sharing profiles via e-mail” in the MasterFile user documentation.

These two doc-link buttons at the top of the profile and keyword forms let you reference cases and profiles in MasterFile from other applications.

The first button creates what’s known as an NDL file. You can save this like any file in any application that allows file attachments. When an NDL file is clicked, the profile it references is opened as if you clicked on that link in MasterFile. In applications that allow you to reference information using URLs, such as website URLs, the last button above places a Notes URL on the clipboard which you can then paste where needed.

The menu panel commands “Doc-links as URLs” or Doc-links as NDL files” copy several profiles to the clipboard rather than just one.

Reminder tasks and e-Mail, Calendars and To-Dos

MasterFile’s “Reminder tasks” let you set to-do reminders for documents, extracts and facts. The “Reminders” views show you these organized by various criteria.

When you have follow up work to do and need to be reminded at a specific time, such as a contract renewal, or filing pleading by a critical date, use the “Doc-links to new task” or “Doc-links to new appointment” to insert links to the relevant documents or extracts, etc. in your usual to-do list or calendar such as Outlook or Notes. To-do tasks, delegated tasks, alarms, etc. related to documents are kept together with all your other reminders and tasks. And when you synchronize your Outlook or Notes appointment book with PDAs or other devices, all your document related tasks will flow through to your PDA. Heres’ how you do this:

In any view, simply select the documents, extracts or facts you want and from the menu panel choose “Doc-links to new task” or “Doc-links to new appointment”, as shown below:

Or if the document, extract or fact is already open, just click one of the following buttons at the top of the profile form:

Notes and Outlook users
With these buttons, a new task or appointment is created in your Notes calendar or To Do list with doc-links already inserted. Simply set the reminder date, complete any other comments you need and save it. In addition, Notes NDL files are created and attached to the e-mail. When you open these NDL files, the corresponding MasterFile document, extract or fact profile as if you had clicked a doc-link. The last button, also attaches the document itself.
Other e-mail software users
A new task is not created. Instead Notes URLs and descriptions of the selected documents, extracts and facts are placed on the clip board. Simply create an e-mail or task in your software and paste the clipboard contents into it. Furthermore, Notes NDL files for the selected profile or profiles are created in the MasterFile temporary directory and must be attached manually to your e-mail message like any other file attachment.

You can see this all in our video “Collaboration with MasterFile and Notes or Outlook”.

Other techniques

Doc-links to players
You can also create doc-links to players which is often useful if for example if someone provided information and you want to link them as a source. Here’s how:
- While editing the profile, click on the “Insert doc-link” button as usual.
- When the view appears, click on the arrow in the “To” column header to display the “documents by “From, To”, and then the third arrow displayed to see the to “Players” view.
- Select one or more players and click “OK”.
Using the “Insert doc-link” button
Doc-links created by the “Insert doc-link” button

are added at the top of the field above a short dashed line. To create doc-links in any shaded field at the location of the cursor use the three doc-links buttons that appear on the button bar at the top of the profile form:

These buttons insert doc-links on a new line after cursor in line with your text instead of at the top of the field.
Clipboard contents
Using any of the following profile buttons repalces the contents of the clipboard with selected text and/or doc-links and their descriptions:

Similarly the following menu panel buttons, replace the contents of the clipboard:

In addition when you create a document profile, or add a document to an existing profile, using the a Watch Folder Alert, the clipboard contents are replaced.