17.5.9.1 Starting ancestor elements before the current block

To open interpolated ancestor elements before starting the current block:

[DocBookOpenBefore]

; Frame para format = elements to be opened, with any other elements

; nested under them, before the current block element starts.

somefmt=someancestor

Use this setting to force opening of elements when [DocBookParents] does not suffice.

For individual cases, you can insert a DocBookOpenBefore marker in the paragraph for the current block element instead, with content the name(s) of the element(s) to open. You can also use a DocBookOpenBefore marker to override a [DocBookOpenBefore] setting when you want to open a higher (or lower) ancestor than the setting specifies.