Using Re Lines in matters and documents

The Re (Regarding) Line in Smokeball is a line typically used in documents and emails generated from Smokeball, acting like a subject line. 

The Re Line automation returns the topic of the correspondence. It is used in both the “Re:” line section of a Letter Document Container and the “Subject:” line of emails.

To view the Re Line in a matter, open the matter file and double-click on the Info line under Matter Details. The Re: Line may look different depending on the matter type. 

You can add Re Lines to any precedent in your Precedent Library by modifying it and inserting the Matter Info > Re Line field. Learn more about modifying precedents.

Using the default Re Line automation

When automating documents, the Re Line will display data determined by the matter type. When you generate a Letter or an Email, it will also check who the addressee is and use this information in the Re Line/Subject line depending on the data entered on the matter.

For example, in a Conveyancing Purchase matter, the seller's name and the property address will appear in the Re Line when writing to your client:

Customising your Re Line

If you would like to use your own Re Line, you can do so by overriding the Re Line on a matter-by-matter basis, or use the Matter Configuration setting to apply a custom Re Line to all new matters in a specific matter type/state and territory.

Customising a Re Line for one matter file only

To apply a Re Line to an individual matter, open the matter file and double-click on the Info line under Matter Details. 

Click on the Override tick-box and edit the text in the text box. Select OK to save.

If you use this option to Override the Re Line, it will use this Re Line for all your communications in this matter, regardless of addressee. It will override the Smokeball default Re Line automation.

Customising a Re Line for all matters of the same type

You can configure Smokeball to automatically use your preferred Re Line format whenever you create a new matter for a specific matter type. 

To do this:

1. Select the cog wheel icon on the top-right corner of the Smokeball desktop app to access Smokeball Settings.
2. Select Matter Configuration from the left menu.
3. Select Add New. If you already have a Matter Configuration set up for the matter type, double-click on it to edit it. 
   
4. The Matter Configuration window will open, with the Re Lines tab appearing first.
5. Click Select... next to the Matter Type section, then choose the matter type from the list and select OK.
   • If you cannot click on the OK button, this means there is an existing Matter Configuration for this combination of matter type and state/territory. Exit from this window and double-click on the listed matter type in Smokeball Settings.
     
6. Enter your preferred Re Line format in the text box.
   • Use the Insert Field drop-down menu at the bottom of the Matter Configuration window to select dynamic text that is pulled from your matter. Select the text you wish to use, then click Insert... 
     
7. Select Save.

All new matters created for this matter type and location will now have the new Re Line format applied to them.

When using Matter Configuration to apply a custom Re Line, this Re Line will be used for all your communications in this matter type, regardless of addressee. It will override the Smokeball default Re Line and the Matter Details > Matter info Re Line Override text.