When you open the Bates Number Dialog for files that already have stamps, Hintyr auto-fills all settings from the existing configuration. This saves time when re-stamping and keeps settings consistent across numbering sessions.
How smart defaults work
Select files that have existing Bates stamps and open the Bates Number Dialog. Hintyr reads the configuration from those stamps and pre-populates every field. The Prefix, Suffix, Mode, Position, Digits, Font, Size, and Color fields all reflect the existing stamp configuration.
To re-stamp files with the same format, just open the dialog and confirm. If you need to tweak one or two values, change only those fields while the rest stay consistent with the previous configuration.
Start number preservation
The Start Index field matches the original start number of the selected files. If you're re-stamping a batch that started at ABC000050, the dialog defaults to 50 as the start index. This preserves the original numbering so re-stamping doesn't shift the sequence.
You can override the start number if needed, such as when you want to renumber files at a different point in the sequence. The smart default just gives you a convenient starting point that keeps the existing arrangement.
Settings source for mixed selections
When your selection includes files with different Bates configurations (for example, some with "DOC" and others with "SMITH"), Hintyr pulls the smart defaults from the file with the lowest Bates number. The earliest-numbered file in the selection sets the baseline.
If your selection includes both stamped and unstamped files, defaults come from the stamped ones. Unstamped files don't contribute to the default values since they have no existing configuration.
Smart defaults in the Export Wizard
Smart defaults also apply when using export-time Bates numbering. If your export files already have stamps, the Export Wizard auto-fills the Bates configuration from them. This makes it easy to produce an export with the same numbering format you used during review.
As with manual numbering, you can override any auto-filled setting in the Export Wizard. The defaults serve as a time-saving convenience, not a constraint.
Benefits of smart defaults
Smart defaults reduce configuration errors during re-stamping. When a paralegal re-stamps files to correct a position or size, the dialog opens with the correct prefix, suffix, and numbering already filled in. No need to look up what was used before or risk typing the wrong prefix. This is especially helpful in large matters where multiple team members apply Bates numbers at different times.