Adding Splitters             

Along with its automatic alphabetical sorting of entries, and other grouping options explained in Menu Layout, AlphaNet also lets you place non-reactive 'splitters' anywhere on the menu to divide entries into notional groups. For instance, you might want to place a splitter between entries starting with an 'A' and entries starting with a 'B'.

Splitters - The Simple Truth
All you really need to do to make an entry into a splitter is to place an equals sign ( = ) at the end of its text, like this:

<param name=Entry12 value="azz=">
AlphaNet spots the equals sign, recognizes that you want this entry to be a splitter, and ignores the other text specified in the parameter (other than to determine its whereabouts on the menu). You can place as many splitters on the menu as you need. No pipe symbols, URLs or Targets need to be specified, since the splitter doesn't respond to the mouse. If you do include them, they'll be ignored. Note that the equals sign must be the last (or only) character in the Entry parameter's value.

Splitters With A Non-Alphabetical Menu
If you set the Alphabetical parameter to 'no', your entries are added to the menu according to the number suffixes of the Entry parameters. So, if the 5th entry on the menu should be a splitter, just add this parameter:

<param name=Entry5 value="=">

Splitters With An Alphabetical Menu
On an alphabetical menu, you need more than just the equals sign because the entries are arranged according to their text rather than their parameter number. Therefore, some text has got to be included as well so that you get the entry where you want it.

To begin with, treat the splitter as if it were an ordinary piece of text to be displayed. For example, if you wanted a splitter to be placed between entries starting with 'A' and entries starting with 'B', the obvious text would be something like 'azz' to make it the last possible entry starting with an 'A'. This sets the position on the menu for that entry.

Then simply add the equals sign on the end, to tell AlphaNet to ignore the text and put a splitter there instead.

One more example. Your menu has the entries 'United States' and 'United Nations'. You want a splitter between the two. So add a parameter (with any number suffix) that reads:  "United 0=". (That 'O' could be a 'p', 'Q' or 'R' instead.)

Splitters With Alphabetical Sub-Groups
If you've read the Menu Layout page, you'll know all about using the ^ sign to provide a higher-priority letter than 'A', thus letting you create little alphabetical groups of entries on the menu. Splitters can be used within (or between) these groups in just the same way, using the ^ sign at the beginning of the entry text.

Once again, the trick is to first create the splitter as if its text was going to be displayed, so that you get its position right. Then just slap an equals sign on the end.