Question/need help with cross-reference formats (FM8, Windows)

i kneel before you, humbled , broken.  advice appreciated.  first, specs:

 

version: framemaker 8.0p277

o/s: windows xp pro sp3

 

the situation: i'm working massive document (1,600+ pages), broken out 36 discrete documents.  small, 4 of documents run on 100 pages (110, 138, 260, , 274).  there quite bit of cross-referencing, both internally , between documents, , ultimate aim not print, produce set of cross-referenced pdfs.

 

for many days, have been applying cross-reference markers , setting actual cross-references.  on page 136 of 274-page doc, after editing cross-reference format definition , clicking [add], popped following: "cannot add more cross-reference formats document."  current number of cross-reference formats in document 102 (i think... i've been weeping heavily , may off, it's close).

 

so burning question is: is there limit number of cross-reference formats can have in document?  if so, number of formats? total number of characters?  can't find reference on web limit on number of cross-reference formats -- know error message telling me.

 

i had deleted pre-set formats, of these formats apply actual cross-references, , cannot delete of without causing targets revert plain text , lose navigability.

 

i'm plotting work-arounds in head, none of them clean, or easy, or achieve desired end, end 1 set of master fm files.

 

i attempt cling flotsam of ruined project while hoping against hope out there has answer, , quick.

i'm bit confused why need many cross-ref =formats= opposed cross-ref source , destinations.

 

even huge doc systems have handful of formats, e.g. "for more info, see page ##", "see figure ##", , on, few formats. , when want insert x-ref instance, e.g. "blah, blah, see figure 22" would

 

1. insert > special > cross-reference,

2. choose source type (paragraph or marker),

3. select exact source

4. choose 1 of handful of formats dropdown men

5. hit insert add cross-ref content.

 

it sounds you're doing "edit format" box -- but, um... what?

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