Chapter Allotments

What are chapter allotments?

Chapter allotments define limits for words (or pages), figures, tables, boxes, and references within a chapter. For example, if a project’s total word count is 200,000, Chapter 1 might be allotted 10,000 words.

• Allotments are set only by Elsevier staff in Elsa.
• Authors, editors, and contributors can view allotments in Publishing Assistant on both the Project Overview page and within individual chapters.

Key Points

• There is not currently a way to separate allotments for word count vs. figure, table, box, count. When no allotment is required for a chapter element, the target allotment will display as 0 (e.g., 1/0). This indicates there is no limit. Authors may disregard overage flags in these cases.
• They can be applied in bulk to all chapters or individually.
• Frontmatter and backmatter are included.
• Data appears in the Project Status Report.
• Content marked e-only does not count toward allotments (e.g., a 5,000-word allotment allows 5,000 words plus any additional e-only content).

Setting Chapter Allotments (for Content Managers)

• Step 1: 

  Go to the Set Allotments icon on the Project Overview page, or use the More Options (⋯) menu next to a chapter and select Set Allotments.

  • To apply allotments to specific chapters, select them first on the Overview page.

  

  

• Step 2: 

  Choose Add/Edit Allotments. The allotments window opens where you can set limits for the entire project or selected chapters.

  

• Step 3:

  To edit allotments, select the chapters (or the entire project), update values in the modal, and click Save.

• Step 4:

  To delete allotments, click the Allotments icon > Delete Allotments. Confirm by selecting Proceed when the warning appears.

  
  

Viewing Chapter Allotments

• Allotments appear in the Publishing Assistant tab on both the Write Space and Project Overview page.
• Progress is shown as a fraction:

  • Top number = current progress
  • Bottom number = target allotment
• If the bottom number is 0, no allotment has been set.