Cross References: What Are They?

Document components that link to another element inside the same document are referred to as cross references. A cross reference, for example, might refer to a different page in the text (e.g. "see page 14"), a footnote (e.g. "see note 5 on page 10"), or a particular heading (e.g. "see heading 2.1: Star Wars").

Each cross reference is connected to its target in a dynamic manner. This implies that if the target changes, the cross reference is updated automatically and instantly. For example, if a reference goes to a heading on page 13 (e.g., "see Heading 3.1: The Hobbit on page 13") and new material is added, Mellel automatically adjusts the reference to "see Heading 3.1: Star Wars on page 17").

This dynamic and automated reference management allows you to add a reference once and not have to worry about updating it every time anything in the document changes.

Cross-reference targets may be one of three sorts of document elements:

• Cross references may employ bookmarks as targets since they are invisible markers added to the text.
• Potential Targets: When an element is produced, it is immediately designated as a potential target. Auto-titles and graphics are included in this.
• Targets that don't exist in the text at the time the reference is made are known as virtual targets. You may, for example, construct a virtual objective for a chapter that hasn't yet been written. When you connect that chapter to the virtual target, the reference will be instantly changed.

You may format references using dynamic context-sensitive fields and various components from the reference target inside the reference. You may add the target title, title number, page, and page range, among other things. The numerous articles in this section go through these choice tools in depth.