USFM Introduction Presentation

Extracted text from USFM_introduction.pdf:

USFM Unified Standard Format Markers Helen Barker (Revised IH 2013) UBS ICAP

USFM

Examples of USFM markers:

\c = chapter number \mt = main title \s = section heading

Backslash markers identify portions of text USFM defines content not format Independent of software Agreed standard across UBS globally, also adopted by SIL and users of DBL

USFM Looks like this...

Creates unamibiguous structure Text can easily be re-used or re-formatted for different outputs (print, web, electronic) There is nothing unnecessary in the text which could negatively affect output to print/e-pub

Basic markers

Mandatory markers: \id \c \v \p It is possible to create a whole book using only these markers. You dont need to know lots of markers to get started.

Other common markers: \h \mt \s \r \ms \mr \q \b \imt \ip \is

Note and character markers

Footnote and cross reference markers: \f ... \f* \f + This is a simple note\f* \f + \fr 6.7 \fq silver coins: \ft \f* \x ...\x* \x - \xo 1.6: \xt Mt 3.1; Mk 1.4\x*

Character markers: \nd \nd* \tl \tl* \qt \qt* \bk \bk*

Principles of USFM

3 styles:

Paragraph: applies until the next paragraph style (\p ) Character: applies until the corresponding closing marker (\tl ...\tl*)

Verse: applies until the space following verse number

Note: Footnote or cross reference; applies until the closing marker. May have other note markers within the note (\f ...\f*)

Each paragraph & verse marker starts on a new line

Principles of USFM

If you use numbered markers, use them everywhere: \s \q or or \s1, \s2, \s3 \q1, \q2, \q3 etc.

\id and \h only entered once at the top of the file Be careful with spaces before and after markers Order of markers: \c \s \r \p \v

USFM documentation http://paratext.org/about/usfm

Any questions?