The quick reference panel
The Quick Reference Panel (QRP) is another way to view your files and folders while writing that really blossoms when using a multiple monitor set up.
The beauty of Scrivener is that you can configure it multiple ways. You can view your data and editing functions very differently based on your preferences and your computer viewing real estate. With a single monitor set up, classically people use a split editor view. This allows you to view two different files or folders at the same time to compare or contrast the information. This is an excellent system but on a single monitor the amount of real estate available can be limited and can make the editing function more difficult as illustrated below. In the example I have both the binder and inspector open so this compresses the editor windows. Hovering the mouse over the edge between the editor and binder will bring up an arrow that allows you to slide the window horizontally to expand or contract. The same occurs on the opposite side with the inspector. The active window in the editor has a blue highlight as shown below.
The appearance of the QRP will inherit it basic setting from those of the Editor.
You can tweak this by closing the inspector and shrinking the binder which gives you the following view.
If your setup includes 2 monitors or even 3 monitors, then another option available in Scrivener becomes very attractive. This is the Quick Reference Panel. These are free-floating windows that contain a single file or folder view in a window similar to an editor view. These can be dragged anywhere including onto another monitor. Multiple QRP’s can be open at once and can float above the main Editor window as well. This allows you to have your full Editor window open and another file open in a large window as well to make it easier to edit and compare.
Quick Reference Panel Facts:
1. You can have as many of them open as you want.
2. They are simplified editors and media viewers, image and PDF viewers.
3. The panel’s appearance will always reflect the current project theme.
4. *** The Menu command Edit > Undo will NOT work in the floating QRP panel, BUT you can go to the actual Binder document and use the Undo function to correct any typing errors and this will be reflected in the QRP panel.
5. The floating panel can be resized by pulling with the mouse on the sides of the panel.
6. Changes made in the QRP will be reflected in the original file, including changes in the document’s title.
7. The QRP has a mini Inspector at the far right of the Header. Clicking on the Caret gives you to option to have a split screen inside the QRP with the Synopsis (with words or an Image), Notes, Keywords, Bookmarks, Custom Metadata, or Comments/Footnotes. When you choose one the screen will split with an icon as in the editor to change the orientation of the split from horizontal to vertical or the reverse. (This will be discussed in detail later in this blog.)
8. Inside any QRP, you can right-click and have the same options as found in the editor.
There are nine ways to open a quick reference panel.
1. Use the Menu command- Choose/highlight any binder item, template item, or item in the research folder. Then use the Menu command Navigate > Open > as Quick Reference (Panel).
2. Right-click- If you Right-click on any item in the Binder, Corkboard or Outliner views (this also applies to any items in your searches or collections), then you have the option of Open > as Quick Reference (Panel).
3. Toolbar Icon- If you have included the Quick Reference Panel icon which is a little pencil on a notepad loaded in your toolbar, then simply dragging any file/folder icon from the binder or a search panel onto the icon will open the document as a Quick Reference Panel. (see the icon above)
4. Convert a Copyholder into a QRP- If a file or folder is currently open in a Copyholder view, then this Copyholder can be converted easily into a QRP. Clicking on the Icon with an arrow (see below) in the right upper corner of the Copyholder header bar will change the Copyholder into a Floating QRP.
5. Use a Keyboard Shortcut- Highlight any Binder, Search Result, or Collection file/folder and click the space bar- The easiest option may be to highlight any file/folder in the Binder, Project Search, or Collection and clicking the space bar on the keyboard. This is a keyboard shortcut to open a file as a Quick Reference Panel. (This does not work for results in the Quick Search Bar on your toolbar.)
6. Double Clicking Bookmarks- If you double-click on any bookmark in the Inspector panel this could open as a QRP. However, in the Options panel, you can choose different options for how to open a Bookmark. Options > Behaviors > Documents
7. Double Clicking the Editor Document Icon- If you double-click on the Editor icon in the upper left of the header bar, this opens the document as a QRP.
8. Open a Document Link in a QRP- Right-click on an (internal) document link (hyperlink) and see at the top of the menu the option to Open the link as a QRP.
9. Open Quick Search Results in a QRP- You can open a file/folder search result in a QRP from the Quick Search Results by holding the shift key and clicking a document will open it in a QRP. (Note: If you hold the alt key and click a file in this list, it will open in the other editor.)
Quick Reference Panel Interface:
The Quick Preference Panel has a simpler interface than the Editor window, including both a header and a footer.
1. The Document Icon and Title. Changing the title here will change it in the Binder as well. Your only right-click options on the Icon here are Reveal in Binder or Take a Snapshot.
2. The default option is the Editor window, but you have other options you can choose. Choosing one will give you a split screen view.
3. Clicking the Icon here as in the Main Editor will change the split from horizontal to vertical. Closing a QRP will reset the default split option to horizontal.
4. Designates the Category of Information you are viewing.
5. Is the Bookmark Panel Icon. Clicking this will turn it solid and attach a Bookmark Panel to the QRP.
6. Shows the word count and clicking on this gives more detailed information.
7. Shows the document’s Label value including none.
8. Shows the document’s Status value including none.
A Quick Reference Panel with an attached Bookmark Panel
The Bookmark Icon is unique to the QRP. Clicking this will change its appearance and open a Bookmark Panel viewer attached to the left side of the QRP. Clicking the icon again will close the panel. Another unique aspect of this mini Bookmark Panel is that clicking the + sign will add a NEW blank file that can become a new bookmark that you will be asked where you want to place in the binder.
The Split Pane View
This can display some of the same information that is seen in the Inspector, though not organized in the exact same fashion as the Inspector. This view can be changed from horizontal to vertical by clicking the split box icon as in the editor window in the upper right (see above and below). When the QRP is closed the view resets to the normal single view for the QRP.
Areas of available content in the split view are:
1. Editor Only:
The default state, which removes the split and focuses purely on the content. When a QRP reopens even if it was in split view before, it opens in this view.
2. Synopsis:
The text content of the index card. (The default split option is a horizontal split of the QRP with the central divider able to moved with the mouse to change the area given to each split in the QRP. (Adding information here will be added to the document’s Inspector Synopsis pane.)
3. Picture:
The graphical content of the index card, if applicable.
4. Notes:
Document notes taken from the first tab of the Inspector. (Adding information here will be added to the document’s Inspector Note pane.)
5. Keywords:
A list of the current document keywords. Keywords can be added to the document by dragging keywords into this area from other files or the Keyword Panel. In the upper right of the header you will see the option to add, delete, or show project keywords.
6. Bookmarks (Document Bookmarks Only):
The list of bookmarked items for this document. Double-click to load them in their own Quick Reference panel.
7. Custom Metadata:
The custom metadata fields is displayed in a linear list of editable text fields. Clicking the … at the far right of the header opens up the Project Custom Metadata panel.
8. Comments/Footnotes:
Here you can view the various linked footnotes and comments within the text editor. This split will appear automatically[[ Lee, 3/3/2024 7:28 AM]] if you use the menu dropdown Insert to add a footnote (but not an inline footnote) or comment to the document.
Additional Uses and Information:
Flexibility
These panels offer a lot of flexibility. They can be maneuvered around your viewing space and placed on different monitor screens as needed. They can float above your project as you are dictating to give you needed information or a reference to check for accuracy. You can essentially use this as a split editor window as well.
Floating Panels for Maximum Visibility
Quick Ref panels have an additional capability in the Window ▸ Float Quick Reference Panels menu toggle (Windows Key + Shift + Q). When set, all of a project’s panels will “float” over all other windows in Scrivener. Floating can be particularly useful when the project window itself is as large as the entire screen, or in composition mode, where the backdrop would ordinarily hide the panels.
Displaying Research Images or Diagrams in the Quick Reference Panel
It’s not just about the text. These windows can also act as capable PDF and image viewers, as well as working with other multimedia. For further information on the particulars of how they work inside the editor area, refer to Viewing Media in the Editor (subsection 8.1.3).
A Pause and Rewind function button will display when viewing multimedia files.
Setting Text Zoom
Although there is no place for the visible zoom control like in the main editor footer bar, you can independently zoom the text scale within each Quick Reference panel as needed by:
1. The View Menu- View ▸Zoom ▸ submenu
2. Keyboard shortcuts- Click inside the file, then hold the CTRL key and push the + or - key to change the zoom level.
3. Mouse Wheel- Click inside the file, then hold the CTRL key and roll the scroll wheel to adjust the zoom.
Note: The QRP resets to the default zoom level when closed (which is the current zoom level for the editor which is set in the Options panel) and any adjustments will need to be made again when you reopen it.
Floating the Quick Reference Panel:
Using the Menu command Windows> has multiple options including those concerning the Quick Reference Panel.
#1. Shows the option to float a window or Quick Reference Panels, including the option to float over Scrivener. You can also use the Keyboard shortcut Windows key + Shift + Q.
#2. This will display a list of all current open Quick Reference Panels (and the Scrivener Project they are from) with the option to close all of them at once.
#3. Displays all the currently open Scrivener Projects.
The uses of these panels are only limited by your imagination. When you set up multiple monitors check the computer and laptop to see what connections are available. Usually you will want your displays to be set to Extend (not duplicate) as this allows you more screen real estate and you can drag programs or windows from one screen to another. The increase in productivity is amazing.
