Remove Mask
"Remove Mask" is an advanced tool that allows you to identify and remove lines of text that match a specific pattern, defined by the user through a mask. This tool is particularly useful for managing complex documents by automating the removal or retention of lines based on specific criteria.
The configuration window of the tool includes the following main elements:
1. Mask Field: Here, the user can enter the search pattern, called the "mask," which will be used to identify the lines of text to be processed. The mask is a flexible pattern that can include static text, special characters, and predefined variables, allowing you to identify specific elements in the text such as words, numbers, or punctuation.
2. List of Criteria: Contains a set of options to configure the tool's behavior. The criteria can be activated or deactivated to customize the application of the mask.
The mask is a search template that allows you to easily identify document lines, either deleting or retaining them based on the pattern. The variables that can be used in the mask are as follows:
- %W: Represents any word.
- %N: Represents any number.
- %P: Represents any punctuation character or punctuation sequence.
When the tool is opened, the Mask Field is pre-filled based on the line of text where the cursor is located and the criteria currently configured. You can update the mask by clicking the Update button, which reflects any changes to the criteria. The mask can also be manually modified to suit specific needs.
For example, consider the line: Biblos 5, the accessible word processor.
Excluding the words, the mask comparison would leave: 5,.
Masking the words would result in: %W 5, %W %W %W %W.
Thus, the entered mask must match the text format in the line, according to the active or inactive criteria.
The configurable criteria significantly affect the tool's behavior:
- Selected Document: If activated, the tool will only operate on the selected part of the document.
- Forward Direction: Deletes lines from the cursor to the end of the document. If deactivated, it operates in the opposite direction, from the cursor to the beginning of the document.
- Invert Result: Reverses the default behavior of the mask. If activated, the lines that match the mask are kept, while others are deleted.
- Initial Line: Identifies the mask at the start of each line.
- Middle Line: Checks the mask in the middle of the line.
- Final Line: Identifies the mask at the end of each line.
The masking and obfuscation options allow you to specify which elements of the text to consider or ignore:
- Exclude Words: Ignores all words in the line.
- Mask Words: Identifies words using the %W variable.
- Exclude Numbers: Ignores the numbers in the line.
- Mask Numbers: Identifies numbers using the %N variable.
- Exclude Punctuation: Ignores all punctuation characters in the line.
- Mask Punctuation: Identifies punctuation using the %P variable.
Let's assume you want to delete all lines containing page numbers from a document.
1. Position the cursor on a line containing a page number.
2. Open the Remove Mask tool.
3. Activate only the Mask Numbers criterion.
4. Click Update to refresh the mask.
5. Confirm by clicking OK.
The tool will analyze the document and remove all lines matching the pattern, quickly deleting the page numbers.
"Remove Mask" is a versatile tool that combines flexibility and precision. Thanks to the ability to configure custom masks and search criteria, it adapts to numerous needs, simplifying complex tasks in documents of any size.