XSL-FO

Chapter 6. Inline Elements

In this chapter, we will cover what is perhaps the simplest area of XSL-FO: styling the inline content. This is analogous to the word processor’s application of bold or italics to particular words.

Inline content can be defined as content that, when formatted, does not extend beyond the formatted line extent, i.e., it does not wrap into a new line. Typical source content that may need marking for fo:inline might include content that needs to be emphasized for a specific purpose, such as emphasis, computer commands, instructions, and cross-references. The formatted output might be italicized, underlined, boldface, or hyperlinked. Other visual forms of emphasis include font changes and nontext output, such as inline graphics, horizontal lines, or dot leaders. These are all possible within fo:inline. It’s sometimes difficult to decide between using fo:block and fo:inline. In such cases, if the content in question falls into a typeset line of content, use the fo:inline tag, otherwise, use fo:block.

A simpler view of an inline element is as a wrapper to apply style to phrases or individual words. A word of advice: if you use a style change, make a note of it and stick to it. If one specific font is used to represent a certain type of content, stick to it. Try the options out on sample input and find a scheme that is identifiable by the schema in use, and produces output that looks cohesive. A good example of this is provided in Donald E. Knuth’s The TEXbook ...