Use a custom converter for that field to get the canonicalized value

Will that on save update the backend document to that also?  I have created but not tested the below code to attempt this also

A custom converter is a property of a field.

This is an example for a field which stores the names.

<xp:inputText id="FieldID" style="width:355.0px"
        value="#{document1.Field1}">
        <xp:this.converter>
            <xp:customConverter>
                <xp:this.getAsObject><![CDATA[#{javascript:@Name("[Canonicalize]",value)}]]></xp:this.getAsObject>
                <xp:this.getAsString><![CDATA[#{javascript:@Implode(@Name("[Abbreviate]",value))}]]></xp:this.getAsString>
            </xp:customConverter>
        </xp:this.converter>
    </xp:inputText>

Perfect.  This worked.  I was way over thinking this :)

Abbreviated names should work fine for Authors fields.  I've used them for YEARS on Readers fields.  Just something like "David Leedy".  However that assumes a very flat organization, no duplicates etc.  So it is better to use the full CN name.  But abbreviated will work.