Encapsulation of LaTex code and LyX table block nicely?

Question

Spinoff question from here where the solution required some handwritten LaTex and some LyX manouvers. So how can you encapsulate the code like the below to make it look nice in LyX?

Answer 1

You can define custom insets as per the Customization manual. Here's an example to write in Document parameters > Local layout and to fill in with your code:

InsetLayout Flex:MyLandscape
        LyxType custom
        LabelString "Landscape"
        Decoration  classic
        MultiPar    true
        LatexType   command
        LatexName   mylandscape
        Argument 1
                LabelString "Caption"
                MenuString  "Landscape caption"
                Mandatory   1
                Autoinsert  1
        EndArgument
        Preamble
\def\mylandscape#1#2{...your LaTeX code...}
        EndPreamble
        Requires rotating, graphicx
End

Do not forget to validate and then to convert to latest format which adds the relevant Format tag.

You can now introduce the MyLandscape inset from Insert > Custom insets.

This might not be necessary for this particular code because as I understand you have found how to set a table in landscape from the lyx interface. But this will adapt to similar scenarios.

The simplest way to learn how to define new layouts is to see how things are done in lyx's layout folder, and read the Customization manual in case of doubt.

You can also turn your local layout into a module, refer to the Customization manual for this.