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Software Vault: The Gold Collection
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Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO
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EZFX_HM.TXT
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1992-10-01
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#1#
EZ-Forms Executive
by EZX Publishing
and MaeDae Enterprises
EZ-Forms Executive gives you the capability to use your computer to create
forms tailor-made to suit your unique needs. Once created, these forms
can be filled out and stored under code names pertaining to their use
(i.e. billing, invoice, comments, etc). EZ-Forms Executive also gives you
the capability to print and/or store completed or master forms. Comments
or suggestions for improving EZ-Forms Executive will be appreciated.
EZ-Forms Executive requires an IBM PC or compatible with at least 640K of
RAM. Printers supported include the Epson graphics printers and most
other dot matrix and laser printers. Display adapters known to work with
EZ-Forms Executive are the IBM monochrome, color, and enhanced graphics
adapters.
#2#
EZ-Forms Executive is asking you for the information necessary to fill out
the user registration form. Please enter your name, address, etc. We
need this information to be able to better serve you.
Please make sure your printer is turned on and is ready for printing. Your
registration form will be printed. Return this form as proof of purchase.
Without it on file, we cannot offer you the full support you deserve.
You will be asked this information only once. After you have installed
EZ-Forms from drive A once, you will be able to run it from any drive or
directory in your system. Just copy EZ-Forms along with its related help
and manual files to your work drive or directory.
NOTE: EZFX v2.5 requires 640K RAM as a minimum. A hard disk is strongly
recommended for optimum operation.
#10#
A file input/output error has just occurred. This could be caused by many
different situations. EZ-Forms Executive has caught the error and is
giving you a general description of the error. Often you will need to
just press a key a few times to allow EZ-Forms Executive to execute the
next command. This will probably result in several additional warning
messages but eventually they will stop.
Things that can result in an error are running out of disk space while
saving a form. Trying to export a form to a name that is the same as the
name of a subdirectory will also cause an error. Many other things can
also cause errors. Most of the common errors are checked for and add many
extra lines of code to EZ-Forms Executive.
If you don't understand why you got this error then please write up a
software performance report describing the steps leading up to this
problem. Please enclose a shift print screen of the error screen. Include
your serial number. Sorry for the problem you are having in this area.
#20#
General help for all menus:
This menu is broken up into two basic windows. The window at the top
of your screen shows several options to choose from. The window at the
bottom of the screen expands on what will occur if you choose the
highlighted option (the one that has a different background color).
Options may be selected in one of two ways. You can either press the
first letter of the desired command or move the highlight bar over the
desired option and press enter. To move the highlight bar use either
the space bar, up arrow, down arrow, left arrow, or right arrow. You can
also use home to move to the first top line item on the menu. This is
very useful when you need a reference point on the main menu to start a
macro from.
Using the first letter of a command only works in the ACTIVE window. If
you don't have any pulldown then the active window is the top window.
Once you pulldown one of the options that becomes the active window. You
must use one of the commands in the pulldown once it is active. You can
always use Escape to back out of the pulldown and return to the top menu.
#21#
You are now using the EZ-Forms Executive Main Menu. From here you can
access the main functional areas of EZ-Forms. Refer to the On-Line
Manual to get a feel for what a fully featured forms manager can do.
We have tried to design EZ-Forms to let you get your job done quickly and
easily. Please feel free to forward any suggestions for improvement to us
at EZX Publishing, Attn: EZ-Forms Author.
#22#
You are currently using the Editor Menu. From it you can execute many of
the editor commands. When you highlight one of the editor commands the
help at the bottom of the screen will provide additional information on
the option. If you see a command (ex. (Alt+S) ) at the end of the help,
use that command next time instead of the editor menu. The command is a
short hand method of using the editor without the pulldown menu.
There are two ways to call up the Editor Menu.
1. Escape - Means "I want to go to the Main Menu". The exit pulldown will
be used allowing you to quickly exit.
2. F10 - This is the normal method. EZ-Forms will remember the last menu
command and automatically highlight it. This allows easy access
to groups of close commands. Example: Working with blocks you
could use F10 and the block operations pulldown to mark the start
of a block. The next time you press F10 you will find the block
operations pulldown is automatically highlighted to allow you to
easily mark the end of a block.
#100#
This screen provides basic information on the status of the EZ-Forms'
Editor, your printer defaults, etc.
Under the "Current printer related defaults" you will find the user
function names. If you take a close look at the bottom of the editor
screen you will notice a character attribute area. When you see a 1, 2,
3, or 4 pop up this is what it is referring to. The user functions are
defined to contain specific information for each printer and can be
customized by the user. See the printer installation area for more
details.
HP LaserJet specific information is listed on the next page.
#101#
Fonts are specified for the HP LaserJet using printer type 'E' thru
combinations of user defined functions attached to each character. Other
sections of the documentation give details on font naming conventions.
Font Attributes How the font is selected
══════ ══════════ ══════════════════════════════════════════
Font 0 pub.... The default, no user defined functions.
Font 1 pub1... Selected with Alt1.
Font 2 pub.2.. Selected with Alt2.
Font 3 pub..3. Selected with Alt3.
Font 4 pub...4 Selected with Alt4.
Font 5 pub1..4 Selected with Alt1+4.
Font 6 pub.2.4 Selected with Alt2+4.
Font 7 pub..34 Selected with Alt3+4.
Font 8 pub1.34 Selected with Alt1+3+4.
Font 9 pub.234 Selected with Alt2+3+4.
Support for multiple fonts requires:
1. An HP LaserJet Plus, HP LaserJet Series II, or compatible
2. The EZX LaserJet Soft Fonts Support Pack ver 2.0 or greater
3. You install EZ-Forms Executive for the HP LaserJet -- type E printer
#105#
EZ-Forms Executive has now grown so large that we ran out of unique keys
for editor commands. We reserved virtually the last key (Alt-) to call up
an additional menu command. That is the menu that you are using now.
Displayed are a list of additional commands available to you. Press the
letter for which command you wish to execute. Press escape if you got here
by accident.
#107#
You are being given the opportunity to save the displayed completed form
before it is converted to a master form.
If you have a copy of the completed form on disk, it will not be altered
in any way. ONLY the in memory completed form is converted.
#109#
The completed form in memory will be converted to a master form. It won't
affect anything you have already stored on disk. This process converts
any protected areas without text into ~s. It then unprotects all text in
the form. The last step is to convert the .FOF extension to .FRM and to
convince EZ-Forms Executive that it is working with a master form.
We have done everything possible to make EZ-Forms Executive "think" that
the previous completed form is now a new master form. Even the completed
form path is copied over the master form path. If this is confusing, we
are sorry. Our intention was to give you as complete a transformation as
was possible and to hide the depth of the required changes from you.
#110#
Field markers are used in two ways:
═══════════════════════════════════
In master forms you insert field markers (the ~ character) to mark areas
you want protected in the completed form. By filling the unused areas of a
form with the field markers you limit the area of the form that can be
filled out later.
In completed forms this option inserts the field markers into unprotected
areas of your form to show where you can type. Field markers will be
inserted into the form but won't print or in any way affect operation of
EZ-Forms Executive. They only show you where you can type. The tab key
will jump you between unprotected areas in the completed form (the
fields).
Note: Field markers can be entered and deleted using the keyboard keys.
#111#
This option gives you an easy way to draw a border around the outer edge
of your form. The line will be solid, adding the correct characters at
the corners of the form. Whatever was in the first character space around
the outer edge of the form WILL be overwritten unless it is protected.
The default line drawing palette will be used. Use Alt+L to alter the
default palette.
#112#
This option allows you to remove the entire border from your form with a
single keystroke. The first character position around the entire outer
edge of the form will be erased unless it is protected.
#113#
The clear form option allows you to start again with a clean slate. It
can be used in both master and completed forms.
In a master form it will erase everything in the form.
In a completed form it will erase only the information you have entered
into the form since you called it up to fill it out. This is an easy way
to start over if you really don't like the way a form looks.
#114#
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to use your computer's system clock to
obtain the current date and time for use in your form. If you choose
either date or time feed then the computer's clock will be checked for
the current time or date and then inserted at the current cursor position.
This option can be used in both master and completed forms. As much of
the date or time as will fit will be inserted into the available space.
Be careful if you are close to the right margin or protected characters.
Date formats: 0 mm/dd/yy 06/15/89 Time formats: 24 hour formats
(Example 1 mm-dd-yy 06-15-89 (Example 0 hh:mm:ss 13:30:15
using 2 yy-mm-dd 89-06-15 using 1 hh:mm 13:30
15 Jun 1989) 3 mmddyy 061589 1:30:15 PM) 12 hour AM/PM formats
4 yymmdd 890615 2 hh:mm:ss 01:30:15 PM
5 dd mmm yy 15 Jun 89 3 hh:mm 01:30 PM
(Military) 6 Julian 9166 (last digit of year & 001-365 day of year)
7 dd/mm/yy 15/06/89
8 dd:mm:yy 15:06:89
9 ddmmyy 150689
A yy/mm/dd 89/06/15
B yy:mm:dd 89:06:15
C mm:dd:yy 06:15:89
#115#
The commands for block operations in EZ-Forms Executive v2.5 are laid out
differently than earlier versions. The basic reason for the change was
to make a command set that was logical and easy to use. To make the
transition easier we have included this Ctrl+K menu to translate as many
of the old commands as possible into their exact duplicate in the commands
for this new version of EZ-Forms. Sometimes that wasn't possible so you
won't find them on this menu. Example: block fill for tilde ~. This is
now part of the Ctrl+A, block attribute add command. It does much more
than the old command but is not an exact replacement for Ctrl+K then I.
All previous capability has been retained and greatly enhanced!
Refer to the on-line manual under the block operations area for more
information on how to use the new commands.
#116#
You can create many different sizes of forms in EZ-Forms Executive. One
of the most common is 64 lines by 80 columns. Text 80 columns wide at
10 cpi will just fill a 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. Most printers use
66 lines per page vertically. So allowing for a little leeway on
positioning the printer head at the VERY top of the page, things should
fit well.
If you have a 80 column printer like the Epson MX80 you can print a form
as large as 88 lines by 132 columns by using compressed print and 8 lines
per vertical inch.
Some of you who are lucky enough to have a wide carriage printer may be
able to print up to 130 columns normal size print or about 230/240 in the
compressed mode. The largest form you can print on a MX100 with wide paper
is 88 lines (if you use 8 lpi) by 230/240 columns.
Creation of HUGE forms: EZFX now supports forms over 15 pages long at 80
columns. The maximum size of a form is determined by available memory in
your computer to store the form. You need about 600K free RAM for the 999
line (15 page) form mentioned above. You can create 132 column five page
forms etc. Length times width (and your free RAM) determines the maximum
size. If memory becomes fragmented, you will need to exit and re-run EZFX.
#117#
Considerations for HUGE forms: EZFX uses and then releases your available
DOS memory to store large forms. This process, along with normal use of
sections of EZFX, leads to your DOS memory space being fragmented. There
is no way to avoid memory fragmentation. Fragmentation causes problems
with the use/re-use of forms which occupy a large percentage of your RAM.
You may be saying to yourself "My computer has 4MB of RAM. How can I be
running out of memory when working with large forms?" Answer: Basically
only the first 640K of RAM counts when working with DOS programs. This is
not exactly true but close enough for explaining the problem. Everything
you load (i.e. DOS, memory resident programs, etc.) subtracts from the
640K. When you finish, you may find using DOS's MEM or CHKDSK that you
have only 500-550K of free RAM for use by EZFX.
EZFX tries to provide a guess as to the maximum number of characters you
can have in a form based on your available RAM and the size of the form
currently in memory. If no form is in memory, this estimate is somewhat
conservative. The larger your form already loaded in memory, the greater
the chance that EZFX will NOT be able to fulfill a request for the maximum
estimated form size. Since the form has to be located in a single memory
group, the larger the form the greater the chance that a single big chunk
of RAM can't be found from available DOS memory to hold the form.
#118#
Press G to start the graphics drawing. The default is N to prevent errors.
You are now in a full screen graphics walk-around mode. Depending on the
mode selected (see the characters in the lower right hand and upper right
corner of the screen) different things will happen. Options are:
G Graphics - A full screen walk-around mode where you use the cursor
keys to draw figures. Whatever character is needed will
be substituted to make the lines solid.
N Neutral - You can walk around without affecting any characters.
E Erase - Erase the character under where you move the cursor.
D Drag - This mode will drag/repeat the character under the
cursor as you move it around. Use N to position the
cursor over the character to be repeated before using D.
1-4 Palette - Shorthand method to select the default graphics palette.
P Pick - Pick a character from a table of supported characters.
Press either G, N, E, D, 1-4, or P to select the function. The active mode
is shown in the lower right corner of the screen.
Note: P is valid only in modes D or N. In the other modes the inserted
character is erased or overwritten and will not remain in your form.
#119#
Set the graphics palette with Alt+L. You can choose single line graphics,
double line graphics, or a combination. As a short hand method press
1-4. A sample character based on the palette selected will appear in
upper right corner of your screen. Esc will return you to the editor.
#120#
The patch function will try to connect any adjoining character graphics
symbols. The symbols will be joined with one of the other character
graphics symbols that best completes the form. ONLY the immediate four
characters are scanned (characters left, above, right, and below). Based
on these a character out of │ ─ ┌ └ ┐ ┘ ├ ┤ ┬ ┴ ┼ is picked. You MUST have
already placed a character graphics symbol of some type in the scanned
character space for it to be considered for patching. Example:
│ │
─────── will be patched to ─────┼─
│ │
Please note the first example had a character graphics symbol in the area
and needed to be patched. If it had not been there, EZ-Forms would
have left the space blank instead of substituting the intersection symbol.
EZ-Forms Executive has to make a lot of assumptions when it is patching a
form. Sometimes it won't choose the character you think it should. This
command gives you a good start on the patching. You will sometimes have
to add the final touches.
#122#
EZ-Forms is not a wordprocessor. It is a forms manager. Forms are
a fixed length unlike wordprocessing files. If you want to insert a line
something has to disappear (unless you use F2 to resize and lengthen the
form first). EZ-Forms inserts lines by moving the line the cursor is on
and every line below down by one. Where does the line go? It disappears.
One inviolable rule in EZ-Forms is: Never allow a protected character to
be altered! In any conflict between a protected character and a non-
protected character, the protected character wins. If you force a line of
unprotected text to move down over a line of protected text, the
unprotected text loses. Use the block operation commands if you just want
to move text around in your form.
#124#
Your form size will not decrease when you delete a line. The unprotected
text is just moved up one line, overwriting any unprotected text on the
cursor line.
If you get tired of seeing these messages set the default help/message
level to zero (command is Ctrl+V).
#126#
The notepad is basically an enhanced block copy. You can copy any section
of text from your form into the notepad. The text can be pasted into the
same form at a different location or to another form. You can even move
text between master and completed forms retaining all attributes (like
bold and underline) except for the protected attribute.
The cursor location defines where the text will be copied to.
Use of this command with large blocks of text requires a lot of memory (up
to 64K). Your computer may not have enough memory to allow this operation.
If that occurs, you will be given an out of memory message. This in no
way alters the functionality of any other portion of EZ-Forms Executive.
However, the amount of free memory shown on the bottom of the context
sensitive help screens and the on-line manual may show 0K free. This means
EZ-Forms Executive at one point tried to use all of your RAM. If this
occurs, try removing some of your memory resident software. Yes, memory
resident programs really do decrease your computer's available RAM.
#130#
The delete block command deletes the unprotected text in the marked block.
Please be careful with this command.
Use the Ctrl+V command if you want to alter the default help/message level
and get rid of these prompts.
See the copy block (Alt+C) and move block (Alt+M) commands for other
options.
#132#
The copy block command copies the unprotected text from the marked block
to your current cursor location. Your cursor will be in the upper left of
where the text will be copied. This is a copy (make a duplicate) so none
of the text in the marked "source" block will be modified unless the
blocks overlap.
See the move block (Alt+M) and delete block (Alt+D) commands for other
options.
#134#
The block move command moves the unprotected text from the marked block to
your current cursor location. Your cursor location will be the upper left
corner of where the text will be moved. This is a move (displace -- from
one point to another) so all the unprotected text in the marked block will
move.
See the copy block (Alt+C) and delete block (Alt+D) commands for other
options.
#140#
Specific help for Math menu:
You are being asked to either Execute the formulas already set up, Modify
existing formulas, Check the formulas for syntax, or Show all the math
formulas used in the form you are editing. Math formulas can be modified
ONLY in Master forms. In Completed forms you can do calculations or view
formulas but not modify them. Syntax checking is done when you enter
formulas and each time you execute them.
See the master forms MATHINFO, MATHDEMO, MATHINVC, and MATHEXTD.
#141#
Format for a formula:
L24C72~6.2=L12C5~5+L12C41~6
│ │ ││││││ │ ││││ │ │└─ Width of cell 2 (6 char wide) can be 1-9
│ │ ││││││ │ ││││ │ └─ Separator between cell and width designator
│ │ ││││││ │ ││││ └─ Source 2 Column (column 41)
│ │ ││││││ │ │││└─ Source 2 Line (line 12) -- may be K for constant
│ │ ││││││ │ ││└─ Operator (Only + - * / or range addition : )
│ │ ││││││ │ │└─ Width of cell 1 (5 characters wide) can be 1-9
│ │ ││││││ │ └─ Separator between cell and its' width designator
│ │ ││││││ └─ Source 1 Column (column 5)
│ │ │││││└─ Source 1 line (line 12)
│ │ ││││└─ Separator for formula, an = must be there!
│ │ │││└─ Number of digits after decimal point, 0 to 9
│ │ ││└─ A period to separate the width from decimals
│ │ │└─ Number of total digits in result, can be 1-9
│ │ └─ Separator for cells!
│ └─ Destination column (column 72)
└─ Destination line (line 24)
The formula must be specified EXACTLY as in the example given above.
#143#
Highlight the formula you would like to edit and press Enter. EZ-Forms
will then allow you to edit your selected formula in the bottom window.
Press enter after you finish modifying your formula. A quick syntax check
will be done. You will be given a warning if a error is detected. Press
Escape once you have finished editing and are in the "Highlight a Formula"
window. A syntax check will be performed on all your math formulas and
you will be given a summary of the results.
See the master forms MATHINFO.FRM, MATHDEMO.FRM, and MATHINVC.FRM for more
information on how to use math within forms.
The Editor's On-Line Manual also contains information on math.
#144#
A syntax error was found in your formula. This could be caused by two
things.
1. Your formula may be too complex for EZ-Forms to handle. If this is the
case, break the formula into two or three simpler ones. Use Insert and
Delete to make space. One case where you can exceed EZ-Forms'
capability is on range addition. It has to be by itself in a single
formula. You can't do additional operations in the same formula.
2. You may really have a syntax error. Carefully check the formula.
EZ-Forms gives you a brief description of the error and tries to show you
the exact location of the error thru the use of a ^ pointing at the error
location within the formula. Please correct the error NOW! If you wait
until execution, you will get a run time error. Further execution of the
formulas will then be aborted.
#146#
A quick syntax check of all the formulas has just been completed. All
possible 100 formulas have been checked.
Please correct any reported errors. Additional information will be
provided when you modify the formulas. When you finish modifying a formula
a syntax check is done and EZ-Forms will try to point to the portion of
your formula in error.
If the reported result is "All good." then press any key to continue. No
syntax errors were found. Save your form before you execute the
formulas. When you execute the formulas a result is placed in your form.
Any characters in a master form will be protected when you fill it out.
You don't want all the result areas to be protected, you can't update
them.
#147#
A math run time error can be caused by two things.
1. Incorrect syntax in the formula.
2. Something wrong occurred while executing the formula. Common problems
are: the result is too large to fit into the destination, you tried to
overwrite a protected character with the result, etc.
A description and best guess as to the location of the error within your
formula is shown.
EZ-Forms executes the formulas in order from 1 to 100. Blank formulas are
skipped. ANY run time error terminates execution of further formulas.
*** Anytime you have a run time error the result is invalid so "******" is
placed in the destination field.
#149#
The math functions execute very quickly but not quite fast enough to allow
update of the result areas within your form each time a new number is
added. We have implemented a means whereby you can enter data at full
speed but still feel secure that the printed or saved results are correct.
This method is called math auto recalc.
If you enable math auto recalc, the result areas within your form will be
updated automatically prior to printing or saving to disk. This is the
program default, but you may change it thru the use of the Ctrl+U command
within the editor or thru the installation area of EZ-Forms Executive.
#150#
EZ-Forms Executive Editor Commands:
FUNCTION KEYS ALT FUNCTION KEYS CTRL FUNCTION KEYS
═════════════════════════ ═══════════════════════ ═══════════════════════
F1 - Help AF1 - Help for Fields CF1 -
F2 - Resize Master Form AF2 - Pick List CF2 -
F3 - Insert Field Markers AF3 - CF3 - ░ α Φ N/A
F4 - Delete Field Markers AF4 - CF4 - ▒ ß Θ N/A
F5 - Draw Line AF5 - CF5 - ▓ Γ Ω N/A
F6 - Erase Line AF6 - CF6 - █ π δ N/A
F7 - Draw Border AF7 - CF7 - ▌ Σ ∞ N/A
F8 - Erase Border AF8 - CF8 - ▐ σ φ N/A
F9 - Clear Form AF9 - CF9 - ▀ µ ε N/A
F10- Editor Menu AF10- CF10- ▄ τ N/A N/A
Graphics set: 1 2 3 4
NOTE: The Alternate and Control Function Keys have four different sets
of codes depending on the palette selected using Alt+L. The Greek
characters in palette 2-4 in the control function keys are used to
send special escape sequences to the printer. See the manual for
more details on this. Keys labeled N/A return a space (" ").
#151#
Single keystroke commands (many of these can also be executed thru F10):
Alt+A - Alternate Character Lookup Ctrl+A - Add Block Attributes
Alt+B - Bold Text Ctrl+B - Box Draw for Marked Block
Alt+C - Copy Block Ctrl+C - % (OS break disables this)
Alt+D - Delete Block Ctrl+D - Date (Auto Date Setup)
Alt+E - End Block Ctrl+E - Erase Block Attributes
Alt+F - Find Text Ctrl+F - Feed Date/Time into form
Alt+G - Graphics Walk-Around Ctrl+G - Delete Character
Alt+H - Hide Block (disable block) Ctrl+H - % (same as backspace)
Alt+I - Information about Form Ctrl+I - % (same as tab)
Alt+J - Justify Text Ctrl+J - % (same as ctrl enter)
Alt+K - Cross Hatch Generator Ctrl+K - WordStar Like ^K Commands
Alt+L - Line Graphics Palette (1-4) Ctrl+L - Large Character Lookup
Alt+M - Move Block Ctrl+M - % (same as enter)
Alt+N - Notepad (use between forms) Ctrl+N - Number (Auto Number Setup)
Alt+O - Override protect (cmp form) Ctrl+O - Keyboard macros (Global)
Alt+P - Patch Form Ctrl+P - Print Current Form
Alt+Q - Quick Field Just (cmp form) Ctrl+Q - % (doesn't return a code)
Alt+R - Replace Text Ctrl+R - Read Text from Disk (Import)
Alt+S - Start Block Ctrl+S - Save Form and Resume Edit
#152#
Single keystroke commands continued:
Alt+T - Text rotation (vertical) Ctrl+T - Time (Auto Time Setup)
Alt+U - Underline Ctrl+U - User Defined Math Operations
Alt+V - Visible block enable Ctrl+V - Verbose (Help Message Level)
Alt+W - Word Wrap Ctrl+W - Write Text to Disk (Export)
Alt+X - Exit Editor Ctrl+X - Exit to DOS Shell (Global)
Alt+Y - Generate CFO Grid Ctrl+Y - Delete Line
Alt+Z - Printer Cmds (Greek Chars) Ctrl+Z - Encrypt/Decrypt Form (toggle)
Alt+= - Macro Menu (Global)
Alt+- - Additional Command Menu (Enter mode, FOF->FRM conv, tab schedule,
field help, and pick list)
Ctrl+Enter - Inserts a line in the form at the current cursor line. Make
sure ALL text can move down a line without trying to
overwrite a protected line or character. In this move a
protected area won't change.
Note: % Not available because return code conflicts with another key!
#153#
Most printers support printing of these characters. EZ-Forms Executive
provides printer drivers to handle these characters. If you have a text
only printer then EZ-Forms Executive provides a translation of these
characters into something your printer can handle.
The export function gives you the ability to translate these characters
into normal ASCII characters that most word processors can handle.
Cursor movement commands:
═════════════════════════
Use the keypad arrows to move Home Move to upper left of screen
left, right, up, and down. End Move to lower left of screen
Ctrl+Home Upper left of form
Use the Control key with the Ctrl+End Lower left of form
keypad left and right arrows Ctrl+PgUp Top of form - same column
to move to left and right of form. Ctrl+PgDn Bottom of form-same column
Note: Commands with a + in them are entered by holding down the first key
and then pressing the second key. For example: to use the Ctrl+Home
command you would hold down the Control key and then press Home once.
#154#
Note: Auto numbering, auto date, and auto time are set up only in master
forms. When you "fill out" the master form this information is used
to automatically insert the updated number, date, or time into the
completed form.
Special character oriented commands affecting only printing:
Alt+U -- Underline the character under the cursor. NOT on graphics!
Alt+B -- Bold the character under the cursor. NOT on graphics!
Alt+1 -- User defined function 1. \
Alt+2 -- User defined function 2. \ Use the Alt+I command to see
Alt+3 -- User defined function 3. / the installed names for these.
Alt+4 -- User defined function 4. /
Note: These affect only the printed form. A status of these commands is
shown on the bottom of the screen. You can see the status updated
as you move the cursor. Character status will toggle from U and B
if you press the key again. The user defined functions can be
altered thru the installation portion of EZ-Forms Executive.
Additional status for pick list selection (P), field help (H), and tab
schedule (t or arrows) is shown on the lower line of screen.
#160#
This menu allows you to change all the colors used in EZ-Forms. To
change a default color - first use the up or down arrow key to select the
color, then type in the new color. When you have changed all the colors
press Ctrl+D to display these colors in a sample window. As with all
installation options, these changes will not be used until you choose the
retain option on the main menu. This allows you to experiment with the
installation options and then not have to lose your original defaults.
Please keep in mind the foreground text colors can be 0-15, the
background 0-7. If you choose a text color the same as a background color
then the text will disappear. You may notice some of your installed color
combinations result in invisible lines on the Ctrl+D popup window.
Please be careful not to choose this color for one of your text colors!!
Note: For many of the EZ-Forms installable options and user inputs you
will see a prompt containing the characters . If you count the
number of 's you will find the maximum number of characters that can be
entered. Also Escape is used throughout EZ-Forms to signal "I want out".
Press Enter, up arrow, down arrow, or whatever is asked for to enter the
desired value. Escape will throw away any immediate changes and get
you out of the area you are in.
#161#
Please note that the background color (0-7) is one digit long and the
foreground color (0-15) is two digits long. That is why you will see the
input prompt (the s) change it's width as you go between the colors.
#165#
This screen shows the possible combinations of colors in EZ-Forms. The
top set (Main EZ-Forms Executive colors) show you what the various menus
will look like. The Editor colors are those used only while you are
editing a form. These colors will show you what underline, block,
protected, etc will look like.
If you are using a non IBM display adapter you may have to "play" with the
colors to get a pleasing combination. EZ-Forms defaults to colors that
work well with the IBM Color Graphics Adapter, IBM Enhanced Graphics
Adapter, and IBM Monochrome Display Adapter.
On some monochrome display adapter clones you may need to alter a
foreground text color to get the background to change intensity.
The default combination of colors will work on any 100% IBM PC compatible
display adapter!
#170#
EZ-Forms supports virtually the entire IBM Extended ASCII Character Set.
Your choice of what character to chose for borders, lines, boxes, etc.
just became more complex. EZ-Forms has four basic graphic line sets or
palettes to choose from:
1 ┌────┬────┐ 2 ╒════╤════╕ 3 ╓────╥────╖ 4 ╔════╦════╗
│ │ │ │ │ │ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
├────┼────┤ ╞════╪════╡ ╟────╫────╢ ╠════╬════╣
│ │ │ │ │ │ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
└────┴────┘ ╘════╧════╛ ╙────╨────╜ ╚════╩════╝
░ ▒ ▓ █ ▌▐ ▀ ▄ α ß Γ π Σ σ µ τ Φ Θ Ω δ ∞ φ ε reserved
│ │ │ │
╘══════╤════════╛ ╘══════╤═══════╛
│ │
╘══════════════════╧═══ Printer commands.
The above boxes show you what the boxes and lines drawn with each palette
look like. Below the boxes are some stand-alone characters which can be
entered from the keyboard. The shaded block characters in palette 1 are
useful in designing logos or just to emphasize a section of a form. The
Greek characters in palettes 2 and 3 can be used to send commands to your
printer during printing.
#171#
Enter these characters into your form thru the use of function keys.
FUNCTION KEYS ALT FUNCTION KEYS CTRL FUNCTION KEYS
═════════════════════════ ═══════════════════════ ═════════════════════
F1 - Help AF1 - ┌ ╒ ╓ ╔ CF1 - ┼ ╪ ╫ ╬
F2 - Size Form AF2 - ┐ ╕ ╖ ╗ CF2 - N/A N/A N/A N/A
F3 - Insert Field Markers AF3 - └ ╘ ╙ ╚ CF3 - ░ α Φ N/A
F4 - Delete Field Markers AF4 - ┘ ╛ ╜ ╝ CF4 - ▒ ß Θ N/A
F5 - Draw Line AF5 - ─ ═ ─ ═ CF5 - ▓ Γ Ω N/A
F6 - Erase Line AF6 - │ │ ║ ║ CF6 - █ π δ N/A
F7 - Draw Border AF7 - ├ ╞ ╟ ╠ CF7 - ▌ Σ ∞ N/A
F8 - Erase Border AF8 - ┤ ╡ ╢ ╣ CF8 - ▐ σ φ N/A
F9 - Clear Form AF9 - ┬ ╤ ╥ ╦ CF9 - ▀ µ ε N/A
F10- Editor Menu AF10- ┴ ╧ ╨ ╩ CF10- ▄ τ N/A N/A
Graphics set: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
NOTE: The Alternate and Control Function Keys have four different sets
of codes depending on the palette selected using Alt+L. The Greek
characters in palette 2-4 in the control function keys are used to
send special escape sequences to the printer. See the manual for
more details on this. Keys labeled N/A return a space (" ").
#175#
The marked block defines the area for the grid. All characters in the
marked block will be erased. You will be asked for the vertical and
horizontal spacing for the grid. If the desired spacing provides even
spacing the grid will come out completely even. Otherwise you will be
left with an off size block at the ends. See the examples below.
┌┬┬┬┬┬┬┬┬┬┐ ┌─┬─┬─┬─┬─┐ ┌──┬──┬──┬┐ ┌───┬───┬─┐ ┌────┬────┐ ┌┬┬┬┬┬┬┬┬┬┐
├┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┤ ├─┼─┼─┼─┼─┤ ├──┼──┼──┼┤ ├───┼───┼─┤ ├────┼────┤ │││││││││││
├┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┤ ├─┼─┼─┼─┼─┤ ├──┼──┼──┼┤ ├───┼───┼─┤ ├────┼────┤ ├┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┤
└┴┴┴┴┴┴┴┴┴┘ └─┴─┴─┴─┴─┘ └──┴──┴──┴┘ └───┴───┴─┘ └────┴────┘ └┴┴┴┴┴┴┴┴┴┘
vert 1 vert 1 vert 1 vert 1 vert 1 vert 2
horz 1 horz 2 horz 3 horz 4 horz 5 horz 1
#177#
After you input the text press Enter to insert it into your form. Press
Escape if you want to exit without altering your form.
The text will be inserted vertically into your form. The first character
will be at the current cursor location. The next character will be on the
same column but one line down. Etc.
If you input text longer than the number of lines to the bottom of your
form, inserting will stop at the last line of the form. As with all
editing commands, you can't use this to overwrite protected text.
The length of the prompt using 's will vary depending on the number of
lines from your current cursor location to the bottom of your form.
#180#
You can draw a box around the inside border of the marked block using this
command. The default line drawing character palette (use Alt+L to select)
will be used. The inside characters all the around the marked block will
be replaced by the graphic lines.
Boxes may be drawn in almost any size and with a variety of border styles.
#181#
Want to save an EZ-Forms form in a format readable by virtually all word
processors? The Export command allows you to write all or any portion of
the form you are editing to a standard ASCII file usable by almost any
word processor or database manager. Of course you will lose the
advantages of form compression, character attributes, and often the line
drawing/character graphics.
Each of the input areas from the Export options screen is described below.
(1) EZ-Forms Executive allows you to export the entire form or a portion
of the form. Use the block operations commands within the editor to
mark a block (a rectangle) of text and use this option to export only
that portion. This command allows you to easily transfer sections of
one form to another. Export all or a portion of this form. Make
sure this option is Yes if you want to export only the marked block.
Call up the destination form and use the import command to retrieve
the previously saved information.
#182#
(2) Export to database allows you to direct EZ-Forms to break up the form
into fields. Each field written to the file on a new line. Fields
consist of contiguous unprotected characters. What does that mean?
- In master forms, everything is unprotected - one line per field.
- In completed forms, only certain areas are unprotected as defined
by the absence of text in it's master form template at that
location.
EZ-Forms supports several common file formats. They are:
Type Start Char End Char Field Sep Record Sep Notes
════ ══════════ ════════ ═════════ ══════════ ═════════════════════
1 None None CR LF None One field per line
2 " " , CR LF Mail-merge format 1
3 None None , CR LF Mail-merge format 2
4 None None None CR LF Fixed length packed 1
5 None None None None Fixed length packed 2
6 None None None CR Only File Express format
#183#
(3) The output graphics mode allows you to export the form using graphics
(the character graphics symbols you see on your screen like ─ and ┼)
or to translate them to symbols like - and +. Choose the translated
option for maximum compatibility with other software packages.
(4) Output file mode allows you to add what you are exporting to the end
of another file (append) or overwrite any existing file with new info.
(5) If you specify overwrite, you have the option of having EZ-Forms warn
you before it overwrites an existing file. You will not be given a
warning if the file doesn't already exist.
(6) Type in the name for the file you would like the form to be exported
to. The filename can include an optional drive/directory specifier.
#184#
EZ-Forms can be configured to export your form in either a wordprocessing
format (the default) or a database format. Listed below are the suggested
options for each mode.
Wordprocessing Database
══════════════ ══════════════
Export only marked block No No
Field export to database No Yes
Output graphics mode Graphics Translated
Output file mode Overwrite Append
Warn before overwrite Yes No
#185#
Want to read a text file into an EZ-Forms form? This command allows you
to import text created under almost any other software program. The only
requirement is the imported file must be in ASCII.
If you have a block marked you will be given the option to import text
into only the marked section of your form.
#186#
Many of the editing commands have optional prompt messages to provide
information and serve as a safety catch in case of mistakes. The extent
of the user help/interference offered by EZ-Forms is tied to the message
level. The more potentially harmful a command, the lower the message
level has to be set for the command's warning/prompt to disappear.
Examples:
Command Tied to Help/Message level
═══════ ══════════════════════════
Patch form 4 (no message 3 and below)
Block delete 1 (no message at level 0)
Various other commands 1-4 (level varies)
Most of the block operations and some of the other editing commands
provide this feature.
The default (unless installed otherwise) is to provide the maximum level
of user help messages.
#188#
The large character lookup allows you to easily create headings in large
(8 by 8) characters. Simply type in the text and then select what
character to use for the drawing.
Play with this command in a new form to get a feel for how it operates.
This command places a lot of power (and potential for destruction) in your
hands.
The length of the allowable input text (shown as s) depends on your
cursor position within the form and the width of the form. As you move
the cursor to the left, there is more space to insert text so the prompt
will get longer. Each of the large characters take up eight normal
character spaces in both directions. That means a eighty column form can
have at most ten large characters on a single line.
The characters are entered into your form starting at the cursor position.
They will be inserted with the cursor being the upper left point of the
8 by 8 character box.
#189#
EZ-Forms now supports the use of the secure Data Encryption Standard (DES)
encryption within forms. If you encrypt the form with DES you MUST use
DES to decrypt the form. DES is so secure that the National Security
Agency won't allow DES technology to be exported outside the US and Canada.
If you use the wrong level to decrypt a form, reload the form and try the
other level. You can't encrypt with DES and decrypt with the standard
level!
What is DES?
════════════
Data Encryption Standard (DES) -- DES is a very secure method of
encrypting/decrypting your data that works on 8 bytes (64 bits) of your
data at one time. It rearranges your data based on an 8 byte key. All this
data manipulation is one of the reasons it is very secure and very slow.
Because of DES export restrictions, DES level encryption is not allowed in
the shareware version of EZ-Forms. DES can't be exported outside the
U.S.A. and Canada. To comply, DES isn't allowed in our shareware version.
#190#
This command allows you to encrypt your form. Some people confuse
encryption and password protection. A couple of definitions may help
clear up what they mean.
Encryption: Scramble the contents/information so it appears to be
garbage. This process requires a user to enter a key to be
used to encrypt the data. When you want to decrypt the
information the same key must be used to correctly recover
the information.
Password: This is access control. You are not allowed access unless you
know the password. Does not involve encryption.
EZ-Forms does encryption NOT password checking. The key you use to encrypt
your form is NOT stored by EZ-Forms. If you forget your key you can also
forget about ever decrypting your form. Nuff said.
Everything will be encrypted in master forms (just text not attributes).
Only the unprotected text is encrypted in completed forms.
DES is supported in U.S.A. and Canadian versions of EZ-Forms. If you use
DES to encrypt a form, be sure to also use the DES option for decryption.
#191#
Several of the EZ-Forms Executive commands support Extended ASCII symbols
not found on your keyboard. This screen lists all supported characters
and should make it easier for you to select them.
Directions for use:
Use the numeric keypad cursor keys to position the box over the desired
character and press enter.
You can also move the box to a desired character by pressing the
corresponding keyboard key.
If you got here by accident, press Escape to exit.
#192#
The block attribute erase command erases/subtracts the attributes you
specify at the prompt from each of the characters in the marked block.
This is a selective erase, not a clearing of all character attributes. So
if something is bold (B) and underline (U), and you specify underline at
the prompt, then the character will become bold.
Character meanings:
═══════════════════
U Underline
B Bold (HP LaserJet printer type E with Soft Fonts - background shading)
1 User defined function 1. \
2 User defined function 2. \ Use the Alt+I command to see
3 User defined function 3. / the installed names for these.
4 User defined function 4. /
F Font select for HP LaserJet using printer type E and EZX Soft Fonts
P Pick a character from all possible characters.
~ Remove any field markers in the marked block.
The bottom line of the editor screen shows the character attributes as
you move the cursor over a character.
#193#
The block attribute add command adds the attributes you specify at the
prompt to each of the characters in the marked block. This is an add
function, NOT a replace function. If something is already bold (B) and you
specify underline (U), then it will become bold and underline.
Character meanings:
═══════════════════
U Underline
B Bold (HP LaserJet printer type E with Soft Fonts - background shading)
1 User defined function 1. \
2 User defined function 2. \ Use the Alt+I command to see
3 User defined function 3. / the installed names for these.
4 User defined function 4. /
F Font select for HP LaserJet using printer type E and EZX Soft Fonts
P Pick a character from all possible characters.
~ Add field markers to blank locations in the marked block.
The bottom line of the editor screen shows the character attributes as
you move the cursor over a character. Please note that the operations are
performed in the order you enter them. If you specify ~ then p, then your
picked character will never show up in the form because ~s will be added
first and there won't be any blank areas to insert your picked character.
#194#
EZ-Forms Executive will download to your HP LaserJet+ or compatible the
fonts that you attach to the characters in your form. Fonts are specified
on a character by character basis. That means you could have ten
characters in a row on any line, each character with a different font.
The font sizes listed are the defaults provided with the EZX Publishing
HP LaserJet Soft Fonts support package. Actual sizes may vary since all
of the fonts can be modified by the user. This is accomplished by copying
a different font to the font name EZ-Forms Executive tries to load for
that font (the downloading to your printer is done at print time).
Combinations of the user defined functions (Alt1-4) are used to specify
which font is attached to which character. We have tried to make the use
of these combinations as easy as possible. Please note that even though
you have to specify the font (0 thru 9) with up to four different user
defined functions, the sum of the specific user defined functions is
always the font number.
The HP LaserJet supports up to 10 fonts at one time; we have provided full
support for that maximum. The HP LaserJet supports up to 32 print macros;
we have supported 15 print macros thru the Greek characters.
#195#
Refer to the On-line Manual from the main menu for additional information
on HP LaserJet support. The information is located under the Printing
section of the On-line Manual. Font naming conventions, printing sequence,
plus several other topics are covered.
#196#
Erasing the font references from a block involves clearing all the user
defined functions from the marked block.
Answer yes if you would like the font references erased/cleared. This will
default the text back to font 0.
#197#
The auto time command allows you to automatically add the time to a form
as it is filled out. Steps for use:
1. Load a master form.
2. Add a auto time field to the form (use Ctrl+T).
3. Save the form.
4. Fill out the form.
Did you notice how the form "came up" with the current time? This time is
stored in your computer's clock. Please ensure your computer "knows" the
correct time.
The format for auto time is taken from the default time format selected
previously. If no default is chosen we use: hour hour:min min:sec sec.
Our default time format is commonly called military time (based on a 24
hour clock). The clock starts at midnight as 00:00:00, goes to 13:00:00
at 1PM, and continues counting up until 23:59:59. Add 12 to the hour if
it is after noon.
Please ensure there is sufficient free characters between the start of the
auto time field and the right edge of your form. That will allow all the
auto time field to be seen.
#198#
EZ-Forms allows you to set up one auto number field within a master form
that will automatically increment each time the form is filled out.
If you desire a starting number other than 1, simply type it in. EZ-Forms
will use the updated number as the starting point. When the form is saved
EZ-Forms will read the auto number location and update all its pointers to
contain your new number.
The auto number will "roll over" from all 9s to 1 when you exceed the
maximum number for the field.
Any invalid character (non-numeric) will generate an error and cause the
auto number to reset to 1. Example: auto number width is 5, the number
00A01, contains an invalid character (A).
Ensure the form containing the auto number field can be updated with a new
number when you fill it out. i.e. Don't put a write protect tab on a
diskette containing the auto number form, etc.
#199#
This command allows you to automatically add a date to a form when you
fill it out.
Steps for use:
══════════════
1. Load a master form.
2. Add an auto date field to the form (use Ctrl+D).
3. Save the form.
4. Fill out the form.
Did you notice how the form "came up" with the current date? The date
stored in your computer's clock provides this information.
The format for auto time is taken from the default date format selected
previously. If no default is chosen we use: Month/Day/Year. Example:
12/30/87.
Please ensure that there is sufficient free between the start of the auto
date field and the right edge of your form. This will allow the auto date
field to be seen.
#200#
Help for Directory Screen: To edit a form use the up or down arrows on the
numeric keypad to highlight a form name and then press enter.
All files in the directory listing are sorted. EZ-Forms Executive can
handle a directory containing up to 550 forms. If you have more master or
completed forms than that in a SINGLE directory then please break the
directory into smaller ones before running EZ-Forms Executive.
EZ-Forms stores descriptions of forms, print attributes, etc. in the form.
Because of this it takes longer to do a file directory. A basic rule of
thumb for the time to read a form is 5 forms per second on floppy or 10 on
hard disk. This means a hard disk with 200 master forms should take about
20 seconds to retrieve the directory. This delay is caused by the slowness
of the drives and can be speeded up 3-5 times if you store the forms on a
RAM disk! Directories are much faster if the default directory contains
the forms. As your disk drive becomes fragmented the directories will
take longer. See your local PC guru to find out how to de-fragment your
hard disk. A disk cache of about 100k bytes will also greatly reduce the
time needed to do a directory and help overcome the effects of a
fragmented hard disk. Please ensure your Config.SYS contains sufficient
buffers (30 or 40 -- see your DOS manual for details). Too few buffers
in your Config.SYS can cause the directory to take up to 10 times as long!
#201#
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to obtain an abbreviated directory by
pressing any key during the time the additional form information is being
read.
Directory information is obtained in the following order:
1) All the form names are read along with their modification dates.
2) The form names are sorted.
3) The forms are opened one at a time to read the form size, print
attributes, and description. This is the slow part of the directory
process.
When you do a directory the above three steps are done. You have the
option to interrupt the process during step 3. All the forms before the
interruption will contain full information. The forms after the
interruption occurred will contain spaces in the unread information areas.
This shortened method for reading the directory is provided to make it
easier for you to handle large groups of forms.
Note: If you alter the directory while in the View/Edit mode, press R to
reread the directory. Useful if you changed a form's name, size, etc.
#202#
Think about the organization of your hard disk. If your forms normally
fall into categories like personal, business, auto, etc. consider setting
up your hard disk to minimize the number of forms you have to work with at
one time. Example:
c:\ezfx -- The main EZ-Forms Executive program (be sure to save a config-
uration file containing this as the default path).
c:\ezfx\personal -- Your personal forms. You simply specify this is the
default directory when prompted by EZ-Forms Executive.
c:\ezfx\business -- Your business related forms.
c:\ezfx\auto -- Your car related forms.
This directory allows you to use Tag, Untag, and Space bar (Switch
the tag status) to work with more than one form at a time. Printing in
particular takes advantage of the tag option. Other operations may also
take advantage of tagged forms. When you tag or untag a form the cursor
will automatically advance to the next form allowing easy mass tags. A
"T" in the left column of the directory shows the form is tagged. Enter
tags the highlighted form and begins operation on all the tagged forms.
#203#
Default print attributes are stored as part of the form. Further
information on the default Prt Attr displayed on the directory:
D - Draft (use characters instead of graphics for very fast printing)
C - Clear Forms Overlay (Use preprinted forms and overlay new info)
M - Multiple copies specified
6 - Six lines per inch (default of 66 lines per page)
8 - Eight lines per inch (default of 88 lines per page)
L - L is displayed if
1) 6 lpi is selected and lines per page is anything other than 66
or
2) 8 lpi is selected and lines per page is anything other than 88
S - Small text (compressed). This allows 130 columns on normal paper or
about 230/240 columns on wide paper in a wide carriage printer.
V - Very dark graphics. If you are using a bit image graphics printer and
have a graphics driver installed then the form will print in double
density graphics.
#204#
Cursor key movements:
Up Arrow - Move up one form.
Down Arrow - Move down one form.
PgUp - Move up one page of forms.
PgDn - Move down one page of forms.
Ctrl+Home - Move to the first form in directory.
Ctrl+End - Move to the last form in directory.
Use Enter to select the highlighted form and start operations using it.
Use D to re-sort the directory using one of several fields.
Use V to view the highlighted form. You will be able to use the arrow keys
to walk around within the highlighted form.
Use S to search a range of forms for a text string. Any form that contains
the searched for data will be tagged for your future use. This is
especially useful when used with the tag and print multiple forms option
from main menu.
#205#
EZ-Forms Executive will sort the directory you are viewing based on the
"field" you select. It may be:
1. The name of the forms.
2. The number of lines in the forms.
3. The number of columns in the forms.
4. The date the forms were last modified.
5. The stored print attributes within the forms which specify the number
lines per inch, number of copies, etc. Please note that the sort
order is for the attributes with the most periods on the left to be
displayed at the top of the list.
6. The form descriptions.
7. You may also choose the direction of the sort. Forwards or backwards.
NOTE: Do NOT delete forms and then use the sort option. Once you delete
a form, it's information is removed from the directory listing and
you will be sorting the "Deleted" message instead of the real
information. This also applies when you press a key during the
form directory to abbreviate the listing.
#206#
The form you highlighted on the previous menu is displayed before you for
your review. Use the cursor keys to move around within the form. The
cursor keys move the viewport for the screen in the direction of the
arrows. Press Escape when you finish.
Cursor key movements and other options:
N - View the next form.
P - View the previous form.
Up Arrow or PgUp - Move up one screen.
Down Arrow or PgDn - Move down one screen.
Left Arrow or Control Left Arrow - Move left one screen.
Right Arrow or Control Right Arrow - Move right one screen.
R - pRint the displayed form.
D - Delete the displayed form. Displayed file name in the directory will
be changed to all -'s to show that the file has been deleted.
T - Tag the displayed form. U - Untag the displayed form.
Escape - Exit the view mode and return to the directory display.
#208#
This command allows you to search a group of forms for a text string. The
text string is converted to upper case (all caps) and compared against any
text in the forms. The text in the forms is also used as upper case to
ensure text can be located regardless of capitalization.
The range of forms from the first form to the last form are searched in
order. If any text in the form matches the search string, the tag field
on the form will be enabled. You can then go back and view, edit, or
print those forms that are tagged.
Note: If you would like to print any form containing a certain text
string, use the print option off the main menu. After you have searched
for a text string, press enter with one of the tagged forms highlighted.
EZ-Forms will now give you the option of printing ALL the tagged forms.
#210#
Do you want to delete the form that you are now viewing? Answer yes if
you would like to delete the form. The prompt will accept Y for yes and
N for no -- (Y/N).
Once the form has been delete you will be returned to the directory area.
Since the form no longer exits, the directory entry will be marked as
deleted. The next time you re-read the directory the form will not be
displayed.
NOTE: Once you delete a form it can't be brought back. So be careful.
#212#
EZ-Forms Executive couldn't locate any forms in the specified directory.
Master forms have a .FRM extension; completed forms have a .FOF extension.
Do you have any forms like these in the specified directory?
The computer uses a "mask" for directories. The mask used is either
"*.FRM" or "*.FOF". EZ-Forms Executive automatically adds this mask to
the directory for you.
#213#
EZ-Forms Executive couldn't locate your form. Are you sure you entered
the correct directory to get to your form. Computers are dumb, you have
to tell them everything.
Try using the select form option on the main menu. EZ-Forms Executive
will find all the forms in your specified directory and allow you to use a
color bar to select the form.
#215#
EZ-Forms is asking you for a form name with an optional directory so it
will know where to save your form.
This area allows you to specify the directory EZ-Forms Executive will use
to save forms and the name for the form. You can access forms anywhere on
your system.
Example: C:\EZFX
╞╛╞═══╛
│ ╘════════ The working directory
╘══════════ The working drive
Form Name: YourForm.FRM
╘══════════╧═ The name you want to save it under
The extension (.FRM) can be either .FRM or .FOF
depending on whether it is a master or completed
form.
If you don't specify the extension EZ-Forms will add it for you. The
ONLY allowable extensions are .FRM (master form) and .FOF (completed form)!
#216#
Form names consist of up to 8 characters with only some of the keyboard
characters valid. For example: a space isn't valid as part of a filename
and neither is a | character.
If you would like to add a description to the form use the up arrow to
move to the top line. When finished editing press enter or down arrow.
Refer to your Disk Operating System (DOS) manual for detailed information
on directories and file names.
#220#
Your floppy or hard disk is used to store forms. Many times, forms will
be organized into groups and stored in specific areas called
subdirectories. The computer needs to be given a location called a
directory, to find the forms.
The computer's first "guess" on where to find the forms will be your
current default subdirectory (unless you install a default directory under
the installation section). Most of the time this will be what you want.
If in doubt, press enter! The forms are probably located in the current
directory which is normally the default.
A more technical description follows on the next help page.
#221#
This area allows you to specify the directory EZ-Forms Executive will use
to access master forms. You can access forms anywhere on your system.
Example: C:\EZFX
│││ │
╞╛╞═══╛
│ ╘════════ The working directory
╘══════════ The working drive
Since ALL master forms have a .FRM extension, EZ-Forms Executive will ask
the computer to tell it all the forms on drive C: in the subdirectory
\EZFX. The "mask" used to get the directory is C:\EZFX\*.FRM. If there
are no forms in the directory you specified you may see the error message
that says "Could not find C:\EZFX\*.FRM".
If you are not sure what you should use just press enter without changing
any of the information. Chances are that the default is what you want
(that is why we made it the default).
Refer to your Disk Operating System (DOS) manual for detailed information
on paths and file names.
#225#
Your floppy or hard disk is used to store forms. Many times, forms will
be organized into groups and stored in specific areas called
subdirectories. The computer needs to be given a roadmap called a
directory, to find the forms.
The computer's first "guess" on where to find the forms will be your
current default subdirectory (unless you install a default directory under
the installation section). Most of the time this will be what you want.
If in doubt, press enter! The forms are probably located in the current
directory which is normally the default.
A more technical description follows on the next help page.
#226#
This area allows you to specify the directory EZ-Forms Executive will use
to access completed forms. You can access forms anywhere on your system.
Example: C:\EZFX
│││ │
╞╛╞═══╛
│ ╘════════ The working directory
╘══════════ The working drive
Since ALL completed forms have a .FOF extension, EZ-Forms Executive will
ask the computer to tell it all the forms on drive C: in the subdirectory
\EZFX. The "mask" used to get the directory is C:\EZFX\*.FOF. If there
are no forms in the directory you specified you may see the error message
that says "Could not find C:\EZFX\*.FOF".
If you are not sure what you should use just press enter without changing
any of the information. Chances are that the default is what you want
(that is why we made it the default).
Refer to your Disk Operating System (DOS) manual for detailed information
on paths and file names.
#228#
EZ-Forms is looking for a new unique form name. When creating a form use
a unique name to ensure you don't overwrite another of your master forms
when you save it.
This area allows you to specify the directory EZ-Forms Executive will use
to access master forms and the name for the form. You can access forms
anywhere on your system.
Example: C:\EZFX
╞╛╞═══╛
│ ╘════════ The working directory
╘══════════ The working drive
Form Name: NewForm.FRM
╘═════════╧═ The new master form you want to create
If you don't specify the .FRM extension EZ-Forms will add it for you.
The ONLY allowable extension for a master form is .FRM!
Refer to your Disk Operating System (DOS) manual for detailed information
on directories and file names.
#230#
EZ-Forms is looking for a master form name with an optional directory.
This area allows you to specify the directory EZ-Forms Executive will use
to access master forms and the name for the form. You can access forms
anywhere on your system.
Example: C:\EZFX
╞╛╞═══╛
│ ╘════════ The working directory
╘══════════ The working drive
Form Name: YourForm.FRM
╘══════════╧═ The master form you want to edit
If you don't specify the .FRM extension EZ-Forms will add it for you.
The ONLY allowable extension for a master form is .FRM!
Refer to your Disk Operating System (DOS) manual for detailed information
on directories and file names.
#235#
EZ-Forms is looking for a completed form name with an optional directory.
This area allows you to specify the directory EZ-Forms Executive will use
to access completed forms and the name for the form. You can access forms
anywhere on your system.
Example: C:\EZFX
╞╛╞═══╛
│ ╘════════ The working directory
╘══════════ The working drive
Form Name: YourForm.FOF
╘══════════╧═ The completed form you want to edit
If you don't specify the .FOF extension EZ-Forms will add it for you.
The ONLY allowable extension for a completed form is .FOF!
Refer to your Disk Operating System (DOS) manual for detailed information
on directories and file names.
#240#
Do you want to save the form that was on your screen prior to calling up
this menu (and its help)? If so, answer yes. Your other options are not
saving the form and returning to your form for further editing.
EZ-Forms will retain the current form in memory for a limited time. You
will be able to resume editing if you accidentally say no. The pulldown
for this editing operation will be extended one deeper to allow this
temporary option. The ability to resume editing will remain until you use
another main menu command that forces EZ-Forms to overwrite some of the
in-memory form information.
#300#
Your options are:
U Select a printer by pressing U and going thru the use a predefined
printer. This must be done before you can customize a printer driver.
M Modify a predefined printer type. This allows you to customize the
printer driver for things like initialization string, user defined
functions, etc. First choose a basic printer type with the U option.
C Change the printer and user defined function names. This option
allows you to alter the default names displayed for these.
S Show the installed printer defaults. This screen will display a number
on the left side to number each string. These numbers correspond to
the numbers on the "Modify predefined printer type" section.
L Select the printer port. EZ-Forms Executive supports parallel printer
ports (LPT1-LPT4). If using a serial printer, route it to a parallel
port using a mode command. See your DOS reference manual for details.
EZ-Forms Executive will support almost any printer on the market. If your
printer isn't listed, first choose a default printer and then modify it.
#301#
EZ-Forms Executive supports the following basic types of printers:
A. Plain generic dot matrix This type should work with ANY printer.
Plain dot matrix/daisywheel. Only standard ASCII (like 1,2,Z,-, etc.)
are sent to this printer. No control codes. ALL character graphics
symbols are translated to a standard symbol like -, |, and +.
B. IBM Extended ASCII No ESC Sequences
IBM Graphics printer compatible codes (ASCII codes above 127 like ┌ ┼ ┐
etc). EZ-Forms Executive sends the same character graphics symbols as
you see on the screen to the printer. NO escape sequences are used,
therefore no special print attributes are supported.
C. IBM ASCII with ESC Sequences
Same as above, but uses IBM Proprinter escape sequences to provide some
of the special print attributes.
D. HP LaserJet Font Cartridge Y
This driver requires the Y font cartridge (or any other cartridge with
the IBM character set) to be inserted into the printer.
E. HP LaserJet with Optional Soft Fonts
This is for use with the EZX optional HP LaserJet Fonts and Graphics
Support Pack (HPLJFGSP). It can be used to display up to 10 different
fonts and 15 different graphic images, with unlimited repetition
throughout the form. Any printer that supports PCL 4 or higher, and
has at least 1MB of internal memory can be used. Printers with less
#302#
memory can still work, but total number of fonts and graphic images
will be limited.
F. HP LaserJet with HPGraph
For older LaserJets without a Y font cartridge or the IBM character set,
such as the LaserJet II series, this driver can be used. It requires
the HPGraph program to be loaded prior to running EZFX. The font is
fixed to portrait, at 10cpi (80 col, 66 lines).
G. Okidata Plus Series (Utility mode)
For older Okidata printers without Epson compatibility, this driver
will print the graphics and attributes on your forms.
H. HP LaserJet with Basic Soft Fonts
As an alternative to the type F driver, this driver can print
compressed and landscape forms. Refer to HPLJFNTS.EXE for more info.
I. HP LaserJet/DeskJet with PC-8 Symbol Set
This driver is the simplest and quickest LaserJet driver to use, but
requires that the printer support the IBM character set, PC-8. Of
course, these printers can also use drivers E or K, with the HPLJFGSP.
J. HP LaserJet/DeskJet with PC-8 and Macros
Same as driver type I, except it can also print graphic images via HP
print macros.
#303#
K. HP LaserJet with Optional Soft Fonts and PC-8
Same as driver type E, except uses the PC-8 font for the default font,
font 0, instead of the HPLJFGSP font 0.
1. Epson 9 pin dot matrix
Uses Epson escape sequences for print attributes and to generate high
quality graphics.
2. HP ThinkJet (Epson mode)
Similar to driver type 1, but uses different resolution for graphics,
as required.
3. Epson LQ 24 pin SW selected font
Same as driver type 1, but for 24 pin printers. Also selects the
basic draft font. To use the front panel or switches to select any
other font, use driver type 4.
4. Epson LQ 24 pin HW selected font
Same as above, but uses default font.
L2. HP LaserJet/DeskJet Series
This is a family of drivers. When selected, it shows a list which
allows a choice of driver types I, J, H, E, K, F or D. Refer to the
above descriptions for further information.
PS. Postscript with PSFX
This is for any Postscript printer. PSFX is a TSR program that
converts Epson 9 pin codes into Postscript. PSFX must be loaded prior
#304#
to running EZFX. Refer to PSFX-DOC.EXE for further information.
Driver type 1 is used. Superscript and subscript are not supported.
Notes:
1. The HP LaserJet using Font Cartridge Y will handle only about 80 lines
on a page when using 8 lines per the inch. Six lines per inch comes
out perfect. Using the same method as described in note 1, choose
80 lines per the page. Limit the number of copies to 99 for the HPLJ!
2. To save the print attributes you must use the install option (I) on the
print menu AND then save the form to disk. If you fail to save your
form after editing it, then all new print attributes will be lost!
3. Some printers using the text driver may substitute single line graphic
characters for the double line version (example: ┼ verses ╬).
4. The difference between the two Epson 24 pin graphic printer drivers is
whether we override the hardware selected default font. With driver
number three we control everything including whether you are in draft
or NLQ font. With driver number four we are more conservative and will
not alter your hardware selected default font.
5. For directions on usage of HPGRAPH for the HP LaserJet printers see the
readme files included on your distribution diskette containing HPGRAPH.
#305#
These codes are broken into five basic groups.
1. Codes 1-8: Printer initialization/exit, form initialization/exit, and
the 6 lines per inch (6 lpi) and 10 characters per inch
(10 cpi) codes. The drawing below shows you how they are
used.
╒═════ Printer Initialization
│ ╒═══ Form Initialization
│ │ ╒═ Print one line
│ │ │ -- Send text quality codes to printer (see 19 & 20)
│ │ │ -- If 6 lpi use 6 lpi codes else use 8 lpi codes
│ │ │ -- If 10 cpi use 10 cpi codes else use 17 cpi codes
│ │ ╘═ End printing line and loop back to print another line
│ ╘═══ Form Exit
╘═════ Printer Exit
2. Codes 9-16: User defined character attributes. These codes are used
for editor Alt 1-4 functions that can attach to characters.
3. Codes 19-20: Selects either high quality or draft quality text.
#306#
4. Codes 21-68: Character graphics symbols. If you are using a text driver
this string will be sent to the printer to print the
character shown. On some printers you can get them to
print character graphics symbols but they aren't in the
same order as the IBM Extended ASCII Symbols. These codes
allow you to translate the order to match your printer.
Also you can install an escape sequence for each one of
these symbols to get your printer into graphics, draw the
character, then return to normal text mode. These
translate strings offer you a means to really customize
EZ-Forms Executive. These codes do not affect the graphics
drivers. In the bit-image graphics drivers, a graphics
escape sequence is used to draw the entire line at one
time instead of using these translate strings.
5. Codes 69-98: Greek characters. These are user defined commands to
direct the printer to do something. They are defaulted to
spaces to maintain correct form spacing. Add any printer
commands you want for these special characters. The first
time EZ-Forms encounters the symbol in a form it will send
the on sequence. The second time it will send the off
sequence (they toggle states each time used).
#307#
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to customize the "translate strings" it uses
to work with your printer. These printer command strings consist of up to
18 (24 decimal) characters to be sent to the printer plus a length
character you use to tell EZ-Forms how many of the characters to send.
All codes are displayed in hex (base 16). If you are changing codes in
this area you probably are already used to working in hex. If not, then
most computer books provide a quick tutorial on working with hex and may
even provide a conversion table between decimal and hex. We include a
form for this (HEX-DEC.FRM).
Please be careful when modifying these codes. You can easily install
codes that have your printer doing all sorts of strange things. Nuff said.
#310#
This menu gives you complete control over the way you print a form. It
also places a lot of responsibility on you to know how your printer
works. In particular you need to know how wide the form is and whether it
will fit on the width of paper in your printer. Most Epson series
printers can only print 80 characters per line normally or 132 characters
per line using compressed print. This is the type of information you will
need to refer to your printer manual for or see a PC Guru in your area.
Warnings:
═════════
Epson series printers can't print both compressed and bold at the same
time. Because of this conflict, EZ-Forms disables bold when printing a
compressed form.
#311#
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to easily generate form templates to be used
with your pre-printed forms. To do this:
1. Answer yes to generate the overlay grid. Is this form the right size?
2. Insert your pre-printed form into your printer.
3. Call up the print menu (Ctrl+P) and use the A (alignment dot) to print
a dot in the corner of your form. Move your form around in the printer
until the alignment dot prints EXACTLY on a known reference point.
You may have to turn off the printer and move the printer head to see
the alignment dot. Turn the printer back on before trying to print.
4. Print the CFO grid. It will overlay a numbered grid over your form.
5. Take note of the areas to be filled in on your pre-printed form and
the line and column numbers from the CFO grid that overlay them. At
this point you have two options:
a. Try to design a for that looks like your pre-printed form with the
blank areas in the correct spots.
b. Forget about appearance and use the generated grid with erased
areas in the correct areas for data entry.
The next screen briefly describes CFO and gives tips on how to better
adjust the line and column spacing for CFO.
#312#
Using preprinted forms with EZ-Forms Executive is easy. To use this
feature you first create a master form to act as the template. Make sure
that all the "fields" match or align with those on your preprinted form.
Fill out the master form. When you go to print, select C for clear forms
overlay. This will ensure only the unprotected area (the text you just
typed in) will be printed. The master form outline is protected in
completed forms, so it doesn't print! Use the Add CFO Grid command (Alt+Y)
for a template.
Tips for CFO:
1. Use the 6 lpi/8 lpi option along with the normal/small text options to
adjust the vertical and horizontal spacing to match your field areas.
2. Be sure to use the tildies (~s) to add fields for easier filling out.
This will allow you to tab between areas to be filled out.
3. Make sure your form is sized large enough to generate a grid to cover
your entire preprinted form. Use F2 to resize your form prior to
generating the CFO grid.
#313#
Usage for all printer drivers except for the HP LaserJet type E.
Greek characters are user defined commands to direct the printer to do
something. They are defaulted to spaces to maintain correct form spacing.
Add any printer commands you want for these special characters. The first
time EZ-Forms encounters the symbol in a form it will send the on
sequence. The second time it will send the off sequence (they toggle
states each time used).
#314#
Usage for HP LaserJet with printer type E installed.
The Greek characters are used to select print macros which are predefined
sequences of commands for your printer that can be triggered by sending a
simple escape sequence (see your HP LaserJet technical reference manual
for more info). These are used for printing things like logos for
letterhead and printing someone's signature. Unlike soft fonts, print
macros have to be completely designed and defined with a macro ID (01-15)
prior to you being able to reference them within a form.
Print macros are selected within a form thru the use of the Greek
characters. The first Greek character triggers print macro 01, the second
Greek character print macro 02, etc. Use the Alt+Z command to access them.
#315#
High level problem description:
EZ-Forms Executive has sensed an error while trying to initialize your
printer. The perceived error may or may not be real. The most common
problem here is that someone forgot to turn on their printer. The second
most common problem is that the printer is off-line. If you are fairly
sure that everything is all right with your printer, then tell EZ-Forms
Executive to NOT abandon printing and to try printing anyways. If there
really is an error/problem in your system then your system may lock up!
Technical problem description:
Interrupt 24 (Abort, Retry, Ignore) checking has been vectored thru the
EZ-Forms Executive code disabling that message. The result of an interrupt
call indicates that there is a serious printer problem in your system.
You will no longer have the option to abort thru the Int 24 handler. If
you choose to proceed with printing, ALL further error messages will
be disabled. This will cause one of three things to happen. One - if there
is no problem, then printing will work as normal. Two - you may be able
to "print thru" the error with EZ-Forms Executive continually ignoring the
errors (nothing to the printer). Three - your system locks up forever,
there really is a serious problem!
#317#
Did you press one of the keyboard keys? That is the signal to EZ-Forms
Executive that you would like to abandon printing.
If you pressed a key by accident and would like to continue printing, tell
EZ-Forms Executive, N for no, you don't want to abandon printing.
Otherwise, press Y for yes and abandon printing.
#320#
The "Status" on the left reflects the selected options for printing. These
options can be changed by pressing the key shown under "Select" heading.
Some combinations of the options are not valid. That is why some of the
selected options under "Status" switch their condition. For example,
when you press 8 for 8 lines per vertical inch - the 6 will be deleted
from the "Status" area. You can't have both 6 and 8 lines per inch
selected at the same time.
Many printers do not support the full range of options shown. A summary
of printer capability is shown below.
Plain dot matrix - Only D, C, M, L, and P.
Epson compatible and HP ThinkJet - ALL options are supported.
HP LaserJet - D, C, 6, 8, and L. Printer type E only supports a special
set of commands allowing multiple soft fonts and print macros.
IBM Graphics - ALL options are supported.
Epson LQ1500 24 pin printer - ALL options are supported. This printer
also supports both high quality and draft
quality text thru the draft option when
printing. The default is high quality text.
Not all 24 pin printers support double tall.
#321#
To change the default printer type use the installation portion of
EZ-Forms Executive located off the main menu. Don't forget to tell
EZ-Forms Executive to retain the new printer type.
Notes:
1. Some options are not compatible with others. For example -- if you
choose D for draft, then you CAN'T also have high quality dark lines
and vice versa! The draft option also selects the text quality mode.
2. Using preprinted forms. EZ-Forms Executive has a clear forms overlay
selection on the "Print Options" menu allows you to easily use many
of the preprinted forms. To use this feature you first create a master
form to act as the template. Make sure that all the "fields" match
or align with those on your preprinted form. Fill out the master form.
When you go to print, select C for clear forms overlay. This will
ensure only the unprotected area (the text you just typed in) will be
printed. The master form outline is protected in completed forms, so
it doesn't print!
3. For the installed print options to be stored in the form you must first
call the form up in the editor, choose the desired options from the
print menu, press I to install the options in the form header and most
important SAVE the form to disk.
#325#
Orientation ONLY applies to HP LaserJet with printer type E/I installed!
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to print your form in the landscape
(sideways) orientation if you are using an HP LaserJet with our font
support disk. EZ-Forms will download the landscape fonts (they have a
.sfl extension) and use them for printing. Please ensure the landscape
fonts are in your default directory.
You must also have a landscape version of your print macros. The print
macros have a l or p as the last letter of the macro name to denote the
orientation they were drawn in and when EZ-Forms should use them.
Examples: macro01p.hpm and macro01l.hpm
Please note that the newer HP LaserJets (II/III/DeskJet/...) have a PC-8
line drawing character set built in. It supports normal and landscape
orientations for printing forms. Choose the PC-8 driver if you haven't
purchased our enhanced font support pack.
#330#
You are being asked to input in HEX the byte you would like to enter at
this location. Don't forget the length byte has to contain the number of
characters you want to send to the printer. The length byte doesn't count
against the total so the maximum is 18 (24 in decimal).
These codes are sent to the printer during printing.
#335#
EZ-Forms allows you to download custom fonts to your printer before
printing a form.
Steps in the process:
═════════════════════
1. You select any font other than 0. Assume Font 1.
2. Tell EZ-Forms to print.
3. EZ-Forms will run a DOS shell to execute FONT1.BAT (place the commands
for downloading your font in FONT1.BAT).
4. After FONT1.BAT executes, normal printing of your form will take place.
The batch file's name is built up of 'FONT' plus the 'font number you
select' plus '.BAT'.
Example: You select font 27, then EZ-Forms will execute FONT27.BAT before
printing your form.
#340#
This option refers to the actual number of lines on the paper in your
printer. Normally a 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper using 6 lines per
contains 66 lines (6x11=66) or 88 lines using 8 lines per inch (8x11=88).
EZ-Forms will print blank lines at the end of your form to advance the
paper to the top of the next page. Examples:
Form length L setting Additional line feeds
═══════════ ═════════ ═════════════════════
64 66 2
80 80 0
Formula for additional line feeds (ALF) ALF = Form length - L setting.
If ALF is 0 or negative, no additional line feeds will be printed.
A few printers may require "tweeking" of these numbers to compensate for
nonstandard paper or unusual print size.
The default minimum lines per page setting is the length of your form.
#345#
EZ-Forms allows you to print more than one copy at a time. Enter the
number of copies desired at the prompt.
Please ensure you have the "lines per page" option set for the correct
value to advance your printer after printing a form to the top of the next
page. The default value will work for most printers. A few printers may
require the number of lines under "lines per page" option to be modified.
You may abandon the printing of multiple copies just like a single copy.
By pressing a key on your keyboard you can signal to EZ-Forms to give you
this option. If selected, all further copies will be abandoned.
#350#
Only the editor has access to the routines necessary to save a form.
Please call up a form for modification before trying to customize the
default print attributes.
The directory gives you a summary of what print defaults are stored in
each form. Help behind the directory screen describes in detail what each
character in the print attribute summary means.
Steps to save a custom print configuration:
═══════════════════════════════════════════
1. Call up a form for modification.
2. Press Ctrl+P to print the form.
3. Customize the print attributes.
4. Press I to install the defaults into the form header.
5. Press Escape to return to the editor.
6. SAVE THE FORM!
#352#
EZ-Forms Executive supports printing multiple forms in a batch mode. In
the previous menu, you tagged a group of forms to be printed at one time.
Each of those forms will be loaded and then printed in the order they were
displayed in the directory.
During printing the default print attributes stored in each form will be
used. This includes the number of copies, whether to compress the printed
form, etc.
You can't override any of the stored print default attributes. If you need
to override the stored print defaults, then print one form at a time. You
will be given the option to override any of the stored default print
attributes.
#355#
Want to merge your database with a EZ-Forms form and print multiple forms
with one record per form? If so this is the area for you, otherwise
press Escape to abandon this operation.
Most good database packages can produce an ASCII text file with one field
per line. That is why EZ-Forms adopted this method. It should be the
lowest common denominator for database usage.
What is ASCII? The American Standard Code for Information Interchange
(ASCII) defines codes for information exchange between equipment produced
by different manufacturers. EZ-Forms supports an extended ASCII character
set that also allows the character graphics symbols you see in the forms.
You can freely use any symbol seen in the editor in your ASCII database.
#360#
You must fill out a master form with a unique field identifier before
using database merge. A ^ was chosen for this. Simply place a ^ in the
completed form for each field.
Before printing, EZ-Forms will scan your completed form to locate all
the fields (^s). The form will be cleared and the first record will be
read in and printed. Between records the form will be cleared to ensure
none of the data is left over from the previous record.
EZ-Forms will read in each field into the form at the designated area.
Since we are working with a completed form, you will not be allowed to
overwrite any protected text.
#365#
Want to print out multiple sequentially numbered forms? If the answer is
yes then read on otherwise press Escape to abandon this operation.
Pick a master form, any master form will do. Use the Ctrl+N command to
add an auto number field that will increase by one each time you fill it
out. If you want to start at any particular number then revise the
default number of 1. Update the default print attributes as required.
Save the form.
This option will allow you to print sequentially numbered copies of your
master form using the default print attributes embedded in the form. The
auto number field in the master form will increase by one each pass thru
the increment print cycle.
#370#
EZ-Forms allows you to customize the name of the printer and user defined
print functions/attributes. When you chose a basic printer type (under
Use Printer), EZ-Forms installs a generic set of text labels. As you
customize the printer driver you should modify these names to document the
changes. Example: If you customize user function 4 to switch your printer
into double high then install the user function 4 name to say "Double
High Character".
The names you install can be called up for review while you are in the
editor. Call up any form and press Alt+I for information. You will be
able to see what the user defined functions will do from their names.
Use the modify printer driver option to modify the command codes sent to
your printer when a user defined function is attached to a character.
#375#
This very confusing screen shows you the codes contained in the user
configurable printer command strings. These strings control many of the
operations during printing. See the modify option on the printer selection
menu for a breakdown of what each command string does.
The format for the information is:
Location 1 2 3-26
What it is [Command string number] [length] [printer commands]
Number base (in decimal) (in hex) (in hex)
The first byte of the command tells EZ-Forms how many of the possible 24
bytes to send to the printer.
Hex (base 16) was chosen for the commands to reduce the display space and
to allow more commands per string (example: 255 is hex FF). If you have
trouble with hex don't despair. We have included a form containing a hex
to decimal conversion table.
#400#
This installation area allows you to define:
1) The default master form directory. This is where EZ-Forms will look for
your master forms (the ones ending with a .FRM extension).
2) The default completed form directory. This is where EZ-Forms will look
for your completed forms (the ones ending with a .FOF extension).
Note: When you fill out a form it will be read from the master form area
and saved to the completed form area. Example:
Master form directory: C:\EZFX
Completed form directory: A:\
If we fill out C:\EZFX\YourForm.FRM the name will be converted to
A:\YourForm.FOF and be saved on drive A. This is ONLY the default.
You can override the default form name and directory at save time.
The .FRM or .FOF extension cannot be changed!
3. The default directory for accessing the on-line manual and context
sensitive help. Make sure you include the index file (EZFX_HM.INX) and
help/manual file (EZFX_HM.TXT) in the specified directory.
#401#
4. Default message level. This is used in the editor to determine the
extent of interference EZ-Forms presents to the user trying to execute
a command (or help if you would prefer to look at it from that side).
A message level of 4 will ensure all messages are displayed. Level
0 should be reserved for the expert user since this will take the
safety (Are you sure (Y/N)?) off several potentially dangerous commands.
5. Sound/beep on errors. Some people find programs that beep on errors to
be annoying (me for one). This option will allow you to disable ALL
warning beeps in EZ-Forms.
6. Auto recalc for math. Select Yes for auto recalc if you would like the
math updated within your form prior to saving, printing, etc. Enabling
this option will help ensure the math results displayed within your
form are accurate.
7. You can install EZ-Forms to use Enter for the next field (Database
mode) or Enter for start of next line (Wordprocessing mode).
8. Screen blanker time can be adjusted from 1 to 99 minutes. You can even
disable it by setting the time to 0. The screen blanker is the box
that bounces around on a blank screen saying "Press any key".
#405#
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to specify how the form directories will be
sorted. You can specify both the field to sort on and the direction. The
installation section you are using allows you to specify these options.
When EZ-Forms Executive first comes up it will use these installed options
as the directory sort options. Any change you make to the sort options
while viewing the directory will be retained during the use of EZ-Forms
Executive. If you want the options to be permanent then they must be
installed and saved using the installation section of EZ-Forms Executive.
#410#
EZ-Forms Executive allows the default form paths, program colors, etc. to
be saved in a configuration file. If no configuration file is specified
on the command line (ex. C:>EZFX /c=MyConfg.CNF) when you call up EZ-Forms
then EZ-Forms will use the default name of EZFX.CNF.
You are being asked for the name of the configuration file to load. You
may have several configuration files saved under different names.
Examples: Epson.CNF (for Epson printers), BW.CNF (for black and white
composite monitors attached to a composite color card), etc.
Please make sure that the configuration file you are asking EZ-Forms to
use is really an EZ-Forms configuration file! Any invalid configuration
file will be ignored. This includes configuration files from previous
versions of EZ-Forms.
Remember you can always press ESC if you got into this area by accident.
#411#
EZ-Forms Executive allows the default form paths, program colors, etc to
be saved in a configuration file. If no configuration file is specified
on the command line (ex. C:>EZFX /c=MyConfg.CNF) when you call up EZ-Forms
then EZ-Forms will use the default name of EZFX.CNF.
You are being asked for the name of the configuration file to save all the
program defaults to. You may have several configuration files saved under
different names.
Examples: Epson.CNF (for Epson printers), BW.CNF (for black and white
composite monitors attached to a composite color card), etc.
Please remember you can always press ESC if you got into this area by
accident.
#450#
EZ-Forms Executive will move the text in the marked block to the left
side, to the right side, or center it within the block. If you would like
an entire section of text centered, mark the block first then call up the
justify text command. When a multi-line block is marked, you will be
asked whether you would like to justify all the lines in the block.
See the quick field justification command Alt+Q for additional capability
in completed forms.
#460#
EZ-Forms Executive supports fields in completed forms. Many times you may
want to be able to easily justify text left, right, or center within the
field. This command allows you to do that.
If you are working with numbers a lot, you may find the right justify
command very useful. To make it even more useful, use the keyboard macros
to reduce the number of keystrokes for right justification. Use the Alt+=
command to record the quick right justify command sequence. Then attach
it to shift function key one. From then on you can press Shift+F1 to
right justify a field. Don't forget to save your keyboard macros!
#500#
To access wordwrap press Alt+W. The first time Alt+W will enable
wordwrap. The second time, Alt+W will exit wordwrap (you can also use
Escape).
While you are in wordwrap you will be able to type ONLY in the blocked off
area. You can use the keypad cursor keys to move around along with Enter,
PgUp, PgDn, Home, End, Ctrl left arrow, and Ctrl right arrow. For text
editing you have Delete, Backspace, and Insert.
Commands:
Keypad arrows -- movement. Home -- First character.
Bksp and Del -- character editing. End -- Last character + 1.
Ins -- toggle insert status. Ctrl+PgUp -- Top of form.
Ctrl+Y -- delete line. Ctrl+PgDn -- Bottom of form.
Ctrl+Enter -- insert line. Ctrl+Home -- Upper left.
Alt+M -- add static marker to blank line. Ctrl+End -- Lower left.
End will place the cursor after the last character on the line. If the
line contains a character at the end, EZ-Forms will go into a end of line
hold where the cursor "hangs" at the end but is waiting for your command.
#501#
NOTES:
Delete and backspace wrap everything below and to the right of the cursor
up. It works in the background after you hit one of these keys, working
until it reformats the entire block OR you hit another key. This may cause
some words or colors to appear left in intermediate states. Don't worry,
loose ends will be cleaned up when you delete again or unmark the block.
Insert will insert on the current line and the one below it until there
isn't any more space. Then it will try to move the text down one line --
it's a good idea to leave a couple of blank lines at the end of each block.
If your block is full of text then insert can't insert any more text!
Static markers () are added to the first column of blank lines when you
first call up wordwrap and erased on exit. These markers direct EZ-Forms
to not wordwrap on those lines. They serve to break your text into marked
paragraphs. EZ-Forms will delete the markers at the end of a marked block
and use that area if you are inserting new lines of text.
Use Alt+M to enter static markers (). This command will only add the
markers if the line is completely blank. Tides (~) are removed since
they are treated as blanks normally and would only confuse what is a
paragraph and what is not.
#600#
Macros allow you to record a keystroke sequence for later playback.
EZ-Forms Executive maintains a general buffer to record your keystrokes.
Once you have recorded a keystroke sequence you can write it to a disk
file for later playback. Over 100 macro keys are supported. The shifted
function keys 1 thru 10 are supported directly (just press one of them).
The other macros are available by pressing control O then the second key.
Be sure to take advantage of the descriptive text label for your macro
when you write it to disk.
Use Ctrl+Q to flush the keyboard buffer if your macro gets out of control.
Macros can contain virtually any keystroke that you can enter from the
keyboard. Here are some suggestions to make using macros easier.
1. If you start a macro from the main menu use the numeric keypad home
key to reset the menu to a known starting position.
2. When using editor commands in your macro try to start from a known
position. Examples:
a. Use Ctrl+Home to move the cursor to the upper left corner of the
form for a starting position.
b. When using Alt+G in a macro set the default palette first before
drawing anything.
#601#
3. Be aware of the keystroke limit. As you enter each keystroke you will
see a small box in the center of your screen that shows which
keystroke you are entering and the maximum allowable keystrokes.
Once you have created a set of macros, write them to disk. You have
complete freedom to give it any name you desire. This allows you to have
multiple sets of macros defined. EZ-Forms Executive will automatically
load the macro EZFX.MAC if it exists on the default drive and directory
when you first bring up the program. You will probably want your most
useful set of macros as the default. When you run EZ-Forms Executive use
EZFX /m=macrofile to specify a name other than EZFX.MAC for the macros.
You can execute the keyboard macros at any point. However, the macro
attached to Shift+F10 will automatically execute when you get past the
opening screen(s) as you first bring up EZ-Forms Executive.
Hint: Macros emulate you at the keyboard. As you record a macro try to
start at a known position and enter the keystrokes just as you
would like the macro to be played back. Don't try to design a macro
in one area of the program and play it back in another area. It may
work but the macro will be harder to visualize and enter.
#610#
EZ-Forms Executive allows the default macro file name to be changed from
within the program. Normally the name EZFX.MAC is used. To tell EZ-Forms
Executive to default to another macro file at load time use the command
line: EZFX /m=MyMacros.MAC
You are being asked for the name of the macro file to load. You may have
several macro files saved under different names.
Please make sure that the macro file you are asking EZ-Forms to use is
really an EZ-Forms macro file!
Remember you can always press ESC if you got into this area by accident.
#620#
Sorting large macro files may take a while. We have went to great lengths
to minimize to requirement for additional disk space during the sorting
process. The macro file can be over 200K in size. Creating and managing
backup files would require a lot of extra program code and disk space. We
have opted for a disk based sort that sorts the macro file without
creating a backup. If you would like an unsorted backup, copy the macro
file to another name prior to sorting it.
The sorting may take a while for a large macro file. Please be patient.
#630#
Each of the over 100 macros can have a descriptive text label added. This
description serves as a reminder of its function. As you create macros,
use a long description of the macro's function. You will find the
description extremely important both to yourself and to other people who
also use the macros you create.
The macro file is built as you define the macros. This ensures the macro
file is small as possible but the macros may be out of order. Use the
change macro order option to sort the macros back into key order. The
maximum file size with all macros defined is over 200K (102 macros with
each having 1000 keystrokes of two bytes each - 102*1000*2 plus overhead).
We have defined S+F10 to be the "Autostart" keyboard macro since it will
be automatically executed when you run EZ-Forms Executive. Please note
that it doesn't start execution until you get past the opening screen(s).
#660#
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to write the defined macros to disk for
later use. If you would like for your macros to be automatically
loaded then use the default name EZFX.MAC.
EZ-Forms Executive is asking you for two pieces of information before it
saves your macro to disk. The first is which key would you like to use to
call up the macro at a future time. The second piece of information is
the textual label or comment that will be shown when you ask to see all
the recorded macros. This piece of information is optional but its use is
strongly recommended if you are to figure out what the macro is supposed
to do at a future time.
Use the up arrow key to move from the description back up to the keystroke
definition if you have changed your mind about which key to attach the
macro to or pressed the wrong key.
You may have multiple sets of macro commands defined. Save each set under
a different file name and use the load macro command to read it from disk
or specify a different macro file when you call up EZ-Forms Executive.
Example: EZFX /m=MyMacros.MAC
#670#
A file error occurred while trying to save your macro to a disk file. The
macro file grows as you add new macros to it. If you redefine an existing
macro, the space within the macro file is reused.
When a file error occurs, it is typically due to one of the following:
1. You are out of hard disk space.
2. You specified an invalid filename or path for the macro file.
3. There is a bad area on your hard disk that can't be written to.
Please ensure that you have used a valid name for the macro file.
#1000#
EZ-Forms Executive ran out of memory while trying to perform the requested
operation. Generally this will only happen if you have limited free system
memory (RAM) and try to perform an operation on a large section of a very
large form (can require up to 64K RAM for maximum form size).
The notepad and block copy/move commands will ask your computer for memory
to perform the requested operation only when you use the command. That way
the drain on your system resources is kept to a minimum. However, if you
have limited free memory you may see this message.
Possible corrective measures:
1. Limit the number of memory resident programs you load.
2. Upgrade your system RAM if you have less than 640K.
3. If you have anything stored in the notepad and run out of memory during
the block copy operation - delete the notepad contents first.
#1170#
Creating or editing a master form is not allowed while you are in the
Fill-Out-Only (FOO) mode. Use the installation section to alter the FOO
mode. Normally this access is limited to a central System Administrator.
All functions are enabled except those that allow you to modify master
forms. This mode allows you to set up users so that you can ensure that
all filled out forms will always have exactly the same master outline.
#1171#
Enable Fill-Out-Only (FOO) mode - Once the FOO mode is enabled, you will
not be able to create or edit a master form. Once locked with a password,
you will not be able to create or edit any master form.
Once locked, these functions and this help screen are unavailable.
Be careful! DON'T forget your password.
#1172#
Disable Fill-Out-Only (FOO) mode - While the FOO mode is enabled, you are
not allowed to create or edit any master form.
This command allows you to disable the FOO mode. It is only available to
your System Administrator. You have to have the correct password before
you can disable the FOO mode!
Please contact him/her for any further information.
#20050#
Quick startup info:
EZ-Forms Executive is a form-generating program which lets you, the user,
generate (Create) master forms tailored to your unique needs. Once you
create the forms you can fill them out using the Fillout mode, where all
the text from your master form is completely protected. The form can then
be printed with all lines and information from the master form or you can
use a preprinted form (on the print menu use C - Clear forms overlay) and
only print the information you entered in the Fillout mode.
Before you can get solid lines on the printout you must install a driver
for your specific printer type. To do this, go to the Install pulldown
and press P for Printer. Then press U for use a predefined printer type.
Select your printer type from the menu and press the number or letter to
the left of it. Return to the opening menu and press R to retain the new
printer definition. You can now print any of the included forms using
either the main menu Print option or from within the editor (the form is
displayed in front of you) by pressing Ctrl+P for print.
Refer to other sections of the On-Line Manual for additional information.
F1 is available to call up help while you are using EZ-Forms Executive.
#20051#
┌──────────────────────────┐
│ Commonly Asked Questions │
└──────────────────────────┘
1. Does EZ-Forms Executive (EZFX) require a video graphics adapter? No,
EZFX will work with all video adapters for the IBM PC. This includes
MDA, CGA, EGA, and VGA display adapters. EZFX uses characters which
look like graphic symbols (character graphics) to ensure maximum
compatibility and speed. Text based graphics is 10 to 100 times faster
than bit image graphics.
2. Can I design my own forms? Yes. EZFX allows you to easily customize
any of the standard forms included in the package or to easily create
your own forms. A form of average complexity can easily be created in
less than 20 minutes.
3. Will EZFX work with pre-printed forms? Yes! Not only does EZFX have a
clear forms overlay (CFO) mode, it will also generate a overlay grid of
any size to be used with your pre-printed form. Simply print out the
grid over the top of your pre-printed form to get the correct text
entry locations. See the editor commands for the CFO grid command.
#20100#
EZ-Forms Executive is a form-generating program which lets you, the user,
generate master forms tailored to your unique needs. Integrated into
EZ-Forms Executive is both a forms editor and an installation program to
allow you to customize it. Things such as colors, type of printer,
and default data paths can be specified.
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to create or revise a master form or
completed (filled out) form. A master form can be altered only when in
the "Create or Revise a master form" mode. Master and completed forms
can be stored as well as printed. Once a master form has been created and
saved, you can recall it an unlimited number of times to fill out and then
store as a completed form.
EZ-Forms Executive supports IBM (Epson) compatible printers as well as
several other printers, however only Epson, Prowriter, and certain other
printers can take advantage of the compressed mode used by EZ-Forms
Executive for printing out larger forms.
#20101#
EZ-Forms Executive requires an IBM PC (tm) or compatible with at least
640K of RAM (only 500K of this is needed by EZ-Forms Executive). Direct
screen memory access is used to provide high speed screen updates. This
may make EZ-Forms Executive unusable on some "not too close" IBM PC
compatibles. IBM monochrome, color, and enhanced graphics adapters are
known to work with EZ-Forms Executive. If you are using an IBM color
graphics card with a "green screen" then you must use the DOS MODE
command on your DOS diskette to default to black and white (type MODE BW80
and then run EZ-Forms Executive). If you are using a serial printer,
then use the DOS MODE command to route the serial printer to LPT1 (see
your DOS manual for details).
#20102#
EZ-Forms Executive has grown so large that it now uses both overlays and
additional files to provide enhanced support. The overlays are built
into EZFX.EXE so be sure to keep it available when running EZ-Forms.
The additional files contain the context sensitive help and the on-line
user's manual (EZFX_HM.TXT and its index EZFX_HM.INX). These files must
be available to allow EZ-Forms to provide the on-line support for F1
(Context Sensitive Help) and the on-line manuals available from the
main menu and within the editor. Please ensure these files are available
in your default directory when you run EZ-Forms Executive.
To check, use the DOS command DIR <Enter>. All the names of the files on
your drive will be listed on the screen. These additional files MUST
remain available during the entire time you are using EZ-Forms Executive.
Sections of these files are brought into your computer's memory for the
additional user support. This is one of the penalties for a more powerful
program. EZ-Forms Executive "knows" where to find these additional files
(drive and directory), so you still can change drives and directories.
You can install this directory in the installation section.
#20200#
╔════════════════════════ EZ-Forms Executive ══════════════════════════╗
║ Manual Create Edit FillOut Revise Print Install Quit ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
The Main Menu options with descriptions are below.
M On-Line Manual: This is an online manual covering features of EZ-Forms
Executive in more depth than the documentation available in the manual.
C Create: This option allows you to create a new master form. You will
be able to designate the form size (maximum size is 999 lines by 254
columns), add (or delete) a border and draw horizontal or vertical
lines (sorry no diagonal lines are possible using character graphic
symbols like those used in EZ-Forms). The cursor keys are enabled,
so you can "walk around" a newly created form.
E Edit: The Edit option allows you to recall a master form and further
modify it or just take a look at it. The above Create option ONLY
works on new forms -- the Edit option can ONLY be used on a form after
it has been created.
#20201#
F Fill Out a master form: With this option, you can retrieve, and
complete a copy of a master form. A copy of master form is loaded
and then converted to a completed form. Text you add to the completed
form can be manipulated. However, any text which was part of the
master form is now protected and can't be changed.
R Revise a Completed (filled out) Form: Here you can recall a completed
form for revision. This option is the same as the Edit option, except
you're not starting with a "clean slate" master form. You have
complete freedom to revise any portion of the form except for the
master form outline and text.
P Print a Form: This option gives you full access to the computer
directories and drives to allow you flexibility in searching out and
printing forms. If you have an Epson or Epson compatible, then you can
take advantage of the solid lines and compressed print format for
larger forms. Simply tag multiple forms and EZ-Forms Executive will
print all of them for you.
#20202#
I Install: The installation portion of EZ-Forms Executive allows you to
customize the colors, printer type, help/manual path, and other
options.
Q Quit and exit to DOS: All good things must come to an end. Choose
this option if you want to leave EZ-Forms Executive and return to DOS.
#20300#
Master forms are forms in an unprotected mode where you can alter them in
any way. The master form mode is where you create the forms that you will
later fill out or complete.
"Fields" can be set up in master forms to simulate some of the features of
data base programs which allow you to jump between form data entry areas.
EZ-Forms Executive doesn't support data fields in the normal sense. Since
EZ-Forms Executive is based around a word processor model instead a data
base model, a unique method is used to simulate fields. (This isn't all
bad. By using the wordprocessing approach EZ-Forms Executive gains a
great deal of flexibility.) This works by your setting up the master form
such that only blank areas in the form are where you want the "fields" to
be. In the completed form the tab key will then allow you to tab to the
next unprotected area.
Two methods are provided to allow fields to be easily set up.
1. If you have a master form that has very few areas you want to write
in, then use F3 to fill the entire form with field markers '~'
(tilde). Then just walk around with the cursor and clear out the area
you want to be able to fill in for the completed form. The space bar
#20301#
works well for this. Or you may want to use Ctrl+E to erase field
markers from a block after marking it. A field marker, tilde, can be
entered from the keyboard simply by pressing that key for small
touchups.
2. To selectively protect a section of the master form, use the block
functions (Ctrl+A) to selectively insert the field markers. You can
follow this up with the Ctrl+E after marking a block to selectively
erase field markers.
Don't worry about the field markers from the master form showing up in the
completed form. Field markers from the master form will remain invisible.
They are used only to keep track of what is protected. Also the field
markers will not show up when you print the form. Converting the field
markers to spaces is also provided when you export a block from a form.
When you are completing a master form, use insert field markers (F3) to
show the unprotected parts. The field markers will show up in the
unprotected text color, highlighting where the main form is unprotected.
These tildes will show you where you can type. They will appear in the
same text color as any other text you type in but won't print or have any
affect on anything you are doing.
#20302#
Setting up fields isn't hard. All you are doing is limiting the
unprotected areas to where you REALLY want to type. EZ-Forms Executive
then tabs between these areas in the completed form. Don't forget that
shift Tab takes you backwards thru the fields.
AUTO NUMBERING: To set up auto numbering in the master form press Ctrl+N.
Ensure there is enough space to insert the number between
the cursor position and the right side of the form. Each
time you fill it out -(Main Menu FillOut) the number will
increment. If you need to change the number in the master
form, start with a different sequence number then just
type over the old number. The sequence number MUST be a
valid number (if you choose a five digit number it MUST
be between 00000 and 99999)!
AUTO DATE: To set up the auto date function in the master form press
Ctrl+D. Please ensure there is enough room to insert the date
between the cursor position and the right side of the form.
Each time you fill out a form EZ-Forms Executive will look
at your computer's clock and insert that date into the form at
this point.
#20303#
AUTO TIME: Auto time is set up the same as auto numbering and auto date.
You use the Ctrl+T to set up the location for the time to be
inserted into a form as you fill it out. Please make sure
there is enough space to insert the time between your current
cursor position and the right side of the form.
#20400#
If you don't have a printer, then you've got problems. This section
assumes you have no problems (at least not printer problems). EZ-Forms
Executive supports various laser, dot matrix, and daisy wheel printers
such as the HP LaserJet, Epson MX, FX, and RX series, the Prowriter dot
matrix, and almost any printer in the generic text mode.
You can print a form from the main menu using the print form option or by
pressing Ctrl+P while in the editor (form will be visible on your screen).
EZ-Forms Executive does not require you to define your printer type before
you can print. A default printer type is assumed which should work with
any printer but will not be able to print out the larger forms or solid
lines.
Here are some notes to help keep your association with EZ-Forms Executive
on a friendly basis.
1. Most printers can print 66 lines per page. Most of the pre-defined
forms are 64 lines x 80 columns, allowing a couple of extra lines at
the end to compensate for paper alignment. Adjust your printer so
the first line prints at the VERY top of the page. If you don't, some
of the forms may spill over onto the next page.
#20401#
2. Some printers have micro-justification (usually controlled by a switch
inside the printer). Make sure this switch is off before using
EZ-Forms Executive (usually this means turning off the switch AND
turning the printer off and back on). If your printer uses micro-
justification, then the right border of the printed form will NOT line
up vertically.
3. If you do not have an Epson compatible, Prowriter, or certain other
printers then you can't use the compressed print mode. See the printer
installation area for current list of printers.
4. The install portion of EZ-Forms Executive will allow you to set up the
codes needed for almost any printer.
5. Some laser printers may require you to save the form to an ASCII file
via the export provisions in EZ-Forms Executive. Then after proper
printer initialization, you can print the ASCII file from DOS with
the command: COPY "filename" PRN (or LPT1:, COM1, ETC.).
6. Chain printing forms. Choose the print master or completed form option
off the main menu. Tag as many forms as you want. You will be able
to queue up multiple master or completed forms for printing.
#20402#
7. IncPrint- You can use the auto number feature with the IncPrint option
(off the main menu Print option) to print a series of sequentially
numbered forms. More info is provided when you choose this option.
8. Database merge - You can merge an ASCII database with a form. This is
like the mail merge in some of the word processors. More info is
provided when you choose this option off the main menu Print option.
9. The HP LaserJet printer is now supported by EZ-Forms Executive. Solid
vertical and horizontal lines are supported. Several screens at the
end of this section go into the capabilities of the EZX Soft Fonts.
10. Using preprinted forms. EZ-Forms Executive has a Clear Forms Overlay
(CFO) selection on the "Print Options" menu allows you to easily use
preprinted forms. To use this feature you first create a master form
to act as the template. Make sure that all of the "fields" match or
align with those on your preprinted form. Fill out the master form.
When you go to print, select C for Clear Forms Overlay. This will
ensure only the unprotected area (text you just typed in) will be
printed. The master form outline is protected in completed forms, so
it doesn't print!
#20403#
11. Sideways printing. Sideways(tm) 3.0 by Funk Software, Inc. supports
sideways printing of text containing character graphics symbols like
those used in the EZ-Forms Executive forms. If you have a wide form
and want to print it out sideways, then continue reading. You must
export a form before it can be printed under Sideways. To do this:
a. Call up a form under option E, F, or R from the main menu.
b. Press Ctrl+W.
c. If a block is marked, answer no to export only marked block.
d. Do NOT translate the border characters, we want them left as
character graphics, not translated to : and -.
e. Specify a temporary file name (example: temp).
f. Exit EZ-Forms Executive and call up Sideways.
g. Print your exported file, NOT the EZ-Forms Executive form.
h. Using normal sized print, a 130x53 form should fit on a page.
#20404#
EZX Publishing now offers fully integrated Soft Fonts for use with the
HP LaserJet+ and II series of laser printers. With this optional support
package, EZ-Forms Executive supports 16 groups of downloadable soft fonts.
Each of the 16 groups is based on normal/small text, 6/8 lines per inch,
normal/very dark text, and portrait/landscape orientation. Within each
group you can have 10 fonts, 00 being the default font and 01-09 being
additional fonts you can access within any given form. The naming
convention is:
Fnt00N6N.SFP
│││││ │ │
╘╡│││ ╘═╧═ Soft font portrait (SFP) or soft font landscape (SFL)
│││╘═════ Normal (N) or very dark (V) text/graphics
││╘══════ 6 or 8 lines per inch
│╘═══════ Normal (N) 10 cpi or small (S) 17 cpi text/graphics
╘════════ Font number (00 is default), range 00-09
#20405#
This provides 16 possible font groups:
Fnt00n6n.SFP 10 cpi, 6 lpi, normal darkness, portrait
Fnt00s6n.SFP 17 cpi, 6 lpi, normal darkness, portrait
Fnt00n6v.SFP 10 cpi, 6 lpi, very dark text/graphics, portrait
Fnt00s6v.SFP 17 cpi, 6 lpi, very dark text/graphics, portrait
Fnt00n8n.SFP 10 cpi, 8 lpi, normal darkness, portrait
Fnt00s8n.SFP 17 cpi, 8 lpi, normal darkness, portrait
Fnt00n8v.SFP 10 cpi, 8 lpi, very dark text/graphics, portrait
Fnt00s8v.SFP 17 cpi, 8 lpi, very dark text/graphics, portrait
Fnt00n6n.SFL 10 cpi, 6 lpi, normal darkness, landscape
Fnt00s6n.SFL 17 cpi, 6 lpi, normal darkness, landscape
Fnt00n6v.SFL 10 cpi, 6 lpi, very dark text/graphics, landscape
Fnt00s6v.SFL 17 cpi, 6 lpi, very dark text/graphics, landscape
Fnt00n8n.SFL 10 cpi, 8 lpi, normal darkness, landscape
Fnt00s8n.SFL 17 cpi, 8 lpi, normal darkness, landscape
Fnt00n8v.SFL 10 cpi, 8 lpi, very dark text/graphics, landscape
Fnt00s8v.SFL 17 cpi, 8 lpi, very dark text/graphics, landscape
Note: Each font group can have up to 10 fonts, 00-09.
#20406#
Each font may optionally have its horizontal and vertical motion index
adjusted. EZ-Forms Executive uses a file with the same name as the font
except ending with HMP (portrait)/HML (landscape) to designate an ASCII
file that contains an ASCII number for modifying the character spacing
for a font. If no file exists then EZ-Forms Executive assumes no motion
modification is required. Refer to your HP LaserJet technical reference
manual for details on horizontal (HMI) and vertical (VMI) motion indexes.
Font 00, the default font, is used for the form outline and for all text
that doesn't have another font specified thru combinations of the Alt1-4
user defined functions. It also determines the inter-line spacing for any
other (01-09) loaded font.
Any font may be renamed to fit into the EZ-Forms Executive naming
conventions. However, most fonts don't provide the character graphics
symbols that allow the lines in the form to be drawn. All of the EZX Soft
Fonts in the font support package provide this capability.
#20407#
Print macros are also supported. Print macros are predefined sequences of
commands for your printer that can be triggered by sending a simple escape
sequence (see your HP LaserJet technical reference manual for more info).
These are used for printing things like logos for letterhead and printing
someone's signature. Unlike soft fonts, print macros have to be completely
designed and defined with a macro ID (01-15) prior to you being able to
reference them within a form.
Print macros must be named MACROxxy.HPM where xx is the macro ID and y is
either P (portrait) or L (landscape).
Print macros are selected within a form thru the use of the Greek
characters. The first Greek character triggers print macro 01, the second
Greek character print macro 02, etc.
Print macros can't have a shaded background. This is intentional because a
print macro is a graphic image of an item. The graphic image will already
contain any shading desired when it is designed. Adding shading thru the
use of the Alt+B command would distort the graphic image contained in the
print macro.
#20408#
BASIC OVERVIEW OF HOW TO USE THE SOFT FONTS FOR PRINTING
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
The following is a overview of the steps when you use the optional EZX
Soft Fonts with printer type E selected (HP LaserJet+ or Compatible).
1. EZFX searches your form for "Greek characters" - αßΓπΣσµτΦΘΩδ∞φε - and
then downloads to your printer the print macro referenced by the Greek
character. The first Greek character references the first print macro,
the second Greek character references the second print macro, etc.
2. EZFX searches your form for any fonts referenced. It then downloads
to your printer Font 00 plus any additional fonts the form references.
3. EZFX is now ready to start printing. It prints the outline using Font
00. Any other font is used on additional passes. EZFX selects the
Font 00 and goes to the line and column of the next text using a
different font (other than 00). It will then print all the contiguous
characters/text using that font. At the next font switch EZFX again
switches to Font 00, goes to the proper line/column within your form,
and starts printing using the new font. This allows you to easily
line up text vertically using a multitude of different fonts. Unless
you are aware of this process, you could be a little confused over how
multiple font printing is accomplished.
#20409#
5. The background shading is now done. EZFX uses the lightest character
graphic symbol to add a shaded background (characters with a Alt+B)
attached. On printer drivers other than E, the Alt+B allowed you to
bold a character. This capability is still retained but you have to
use a different font for bold text within this printer driver.
4. Print macros are now printed. EZFX goes thru your form line by line
directing you printer to print any print macros it finds. Please note
that if you direct EZFX to use a print macro and it wasn't available
for downloading earlier in this process, nothing will print.
Warning:
EZFX makes multiple passes to produce a composite which is the printed
form that comes out of your printer. Your printer can handle only a
maximum number of characters per line and a maximum number of lines per
page based on the fonts and orientation you select. If you try to print a
form bigger than will fit on a single page, you may get multiple pages -
each with a portion of one of the passes.
To print correctly, your form MUST fit on a single page based on the fonts
and orientation selected. Trial and error may sometimes be necessary.
#20500#
USING THE INSTALLATION PORTION OF EZ-FORMS EXECUTIVE
════════════════════════════════════════════════════
The EZ-Forms Executive program contains a section you will never need to
use -- unless you want to customize the way EZ-Forms Executive runs.
Everything in EZ-Forms Executive is defaulted such that most users will
never NEED to reconfigure it, except for printer type. If you do change
the defaults, a new configuration file (EZFX.CNF) will be saved on the
default drive and directory. EZ-Forms Executive now supports multiple
configuration files thru both the command line argument when you call up
EZ-Forms (ex. EZFX /c=MyConfig.CNF) and allowing you to specify save and
load names for the configuration file.
EZFX.CNF contains ALL the installation options you have selected. You can
have multiple configuration files defined. Several configuration files may
be kept on the same disk by giving them a different name and then calling
them up on the command line or be renaming them to EZFX.CNF and using
them as the default. This same method allows you to handle several
printers connected to a single computer, each printer needing a special
version of EZFX.CNF, the configuration file. If you are using a serial
printer, use the use the DOS MODE command to route your printer to LPT1 if
it isn't already configured as being "logically" on LPT1.
#20600#
Advanced features
═════════════════
WordWrap -- To access wordwrap, call up a form for viewing. Mark both the
start and end of the block. Then press Alt+W to start wordwrap in your
marked block.
Math -- To access math, call up a Master form for viewing. Press Ctrl+U to
call up the math menu. See the sample Master forms -- MATHINFO, MATHDEMO,
and MATHINVC for more information on math. These forms should be viewed in
the order listed!
Macros -- Use Alt+= to call up the macro menu at any prompt. Use the menu
options or call up additional help using F1. You can record over 100
macros which can be saved and later executed. Use the name EZFX.MAC to
have the macros automatically loaded when you run EZ-Forms Executive.
Graphics walk around -- Call up a form and press Alt+G to start the full
screen graphics walk around. You will be able to use the keypad cursor
keys to add all kinds of graphics to your form.
#20601#
Patch mode -- To use the patch mode, call up a form for viewing. Press
Alt+P to patch the form. EZ-Forms Executive will make its best guess on
modifying every graphic character in the form to connect with the others
around it. This will connect your graphics figures giving the form a
finished look.
DOS Shell -- At any prompt in EZ-Forms Executive you can press Ctrl+X and
shell out to DOS. From there you can use all the commands normally
available in DOS. When you finish type EXIT to return to EZ-Forms. Please
ensure that COMMAND.COM is in your default directory or path and that you
have enough free RAM to use the DOS shell (10-20K is plenty). Refer to
your DOS manual for a complete list of available commands. Note: Due to
the variety of machines, BIOS, memory resident software, and system
drivers in use, we cannot guarantee the shell will work properly under all
conditions.
#20700#
HISTORY OF REVISIONS:
═════════════════════
EZ-Forms Executive Dec 1986 First version of EZ-Forms Executive. Included
version 1.0 context sensitive help, on-line manual, plus
the fully developed operations concept needed
for a complete forms manager.
EZ-Forms Executive Feb 1987 Expanded: math, additional help, and added
version 1.1 several new forms.
EZ-Forms Executive Mar 1987 Added database merge, chain printing, and inc
version 1.2 printing for sequentially numbered forms.
EZ-Forms Executive Oct 1987 Updated user interface in a couple of areas
version 1.3 to make user options easier to understand.
EZ-Forms Executive Jan 1988 Complete rewrite adding double line graphics,
version 2.0 pulldown menus, expanded math capabilities,
plus many other new commands like encryption.
#20701#
EZ-Forms Executive May 1988 Added keyboard macros, custom 24 pin printer
version 2.1 support, expanded date and time formats, and
additional on-line help.
EZ-Forms Executive Mar 1989 Expanded export to allow export of user data
version 2.2 for database type applications. Expanded
laser support for multiple fonts and print
macros within a form. Added additional help
screens to make EZFX even easier to use.
Added many new math functions and expanded
the maximum field width to 15 places. Added
extensive view & print features to directory.
EZ-Forms Executive Oct 1989 Math auto recalc, directory sorting - any
version 2.3 field and any direction, auto block marking
for wordwrap, notepad between forms, and
macro autostart (S+F10). Also additional date
formats, quick field justify, plus much more.
#20702#
EZ-Forms Executive Feb 1990 Rewrote several sections of the code to make
version 2.4 them smaller and faster. Combined help and
manual for additional space savings. Also
added greatly expanded keyboard macros and
enhanced math.
EZ-Forms Executive Sep 1990 Program is now smaller and faster due to more
version 2.5 efficient coding of routines and Microsoft's
improved C compiler. Enhanced the screen
blanker and added several new functions.
EZ-Forms Executive May 1991 Added full directory navigation, a special
version 3.0 fill-out-only mode, forms over 15 pages long,
menu selection for over 500 printers, plus
many other features.
EZ-Forms Executive Sep 1992 Major upgrade adding: Tab scheduling, help
version 4.0 for fields, pick lists, DES encryption for
forms, screen blanker setup, additional laser
printer PC-8 support, higher performance,
plus much more.
#20800#
Notes on EZ-Forms Executive
═══════════════════════════
EZ-Forms Executive has been under development for over five years. During
this period it has evolved into a package that quickly lets users do their
work involving forms without a complex set of commands. If you have any
suggestions for further improvement please forward them to us. We will try
our best to incorporate your suggestions!
Information relating to EZ-Forms Executive follows. These items didn't
seem to fit into any other sections but needed to be passed on to you.
GENERAL:
1. EZ-Forms Executive was developed by Dave Black of MaeDae Enterprises.
2. Special thanks to Robert Granger for his help with printer drivers.
Also thanks to Mitchell Macha for his help with the math routines.
3. EZ-Forms Executive was written in C. The source for EZ-Forms Executive
consists of about 30,000 lines of code (C and Assembly).
4. Special thanks to Jim Nech at SSS for his excellent C & Assembly
language windowing package (Professional C Windows) used in EZ-Forms
Executive. It comes with complete source code and is only $89. This
package is a must for software developers (info/orders 713-484-8060).
#20801#
5. Screen manipulation, including windowing, is handled by writing
directly to screen memory. This provides extremely fast screen updates
and allows high speed text scrolling on the screen. Checks are done
to determine if your system is color or monochrome. The corresponding
section of video screen memory is used.
6. EZ-Forms Executive is constantly being improved to add new commands
and to better fill your needs. Please provide suggestions for improve-
ment. EZ-Forms Executive will continue to improve as long as people
suggest improvements and still require this type of package (which may
be a very long time in our paperwork/form oriented society).
7. The limit on the number of forms in a directory for EZ-Forms Executive
is 550 forms. If you have more forms than this in a SINGLE directory,
then please divide the directory before running EZ-Forms Executive.
8. EZ-Forms Executive can read forms created by all earlier versions of
the EZ-Forms Executive package.
9. EZ-Forms Executive keeps track of the on-line manual and the context
sensitive help thru a number called a "location". When you call up
the on-line manual or context sensitive help you will see this number
listed on the bottom of the screen. It can be used as a reference
number if you have any comments or questions concerning any of the
information presented.
#20802#
SAVING:
1. Retyping the file name is required only if you have created a new
master form or filled out a master form. If you are editing an
existing form then press enter when asked for file name and the
original file name will be used.
2. While saving a form, EZ-Forms Executive is constantly checking for any
errors that may have occurred. If an error is detected, then EZ-Forms
Executive will prompt you for the necessary action.
DEFAULT DRIVE:
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to change the default drive so you can have
full access to all the drives on your system. If an error occurs while
saving to one drive, you can always switch to another drive and try again.
You MUST leave the overlay file (EZFX.EXE) available in the same drive
and directory where you brought up EZ-Forms Executive.
#20803#
DIRECTORY SUPPORT:
Many of the menus allow you to access directories. You can access all the
directories available on all the disk drives in your computer if you are
using DOS ver 2.0 or later. EZ-Forms Executive supports directories up to
60 characters in length. The 60 character limit includes the drive name
and the path needed to get to your forms.
FILE NAME EXTENSIONS:
1. EZ-Forms Executive uses the file name extensions .FRM for master
forms and .FOF for completed (filled out) form respectively. You will
see these extensions displayed when you access the forms thru the
directory listing and on the top line while editing forms.
2. Forms, when saved to disk, consist of only the text and the attributes
for protected, underline, bold, Usr1, Usr2, Usr3, and Usr4. A small
header is also added to the front of each form containing information
about the form size. The file is written in a compressed format
sometimes compressing an entire line into 3 characters. This saves
diskette space but makes the file unusable by most word processors
UNLESS you export the form (see the section on exporting forms).
#20804#
MEMORY USAGE:
Memory resident programs, such as SideKick or printer spoolers will
subtract from the amount of memory available to run EZ-Forms Executive.
If you have only 640K of memory and load in any memory resident programs,
then EZ-Forms Executive may not run. In fact, it is possible for some of
the memory resident programs to get your computer so "balled up"
that EZ-Forms Executive won't be able to run! This includes device drivers
like ANSI.SYS.
Your free computer memory space (RAM) is displayed on the bottom line when
you use the context sensitive help (F1) or the on-line manual.
#20805#
FUTURE PLANS FOR EZ-FORMS EXECUTIVE:
Future versions of EZ-Forms Executive will have expanded capabilities.
Please check every couple of months to learn about the latest features.
Any suggestions for further enhancements would be appreciated! We will
try to maintain a very fair upgrade policy. We want to remain sensitive
to your needs.
#20900#
Unable to run EZXINFO.EXE - The latest information on our products!
Please ensure EZXINFO.EXE is in your current working directory.
Are you out of free RAM (see the bottom line of this screen)? If it shows
less than about 80K, try running EZXINFO.EXE directly from DOS.
If EZXINFO.EXE has been lost, call: Voice 1-713-280-9900
BBS 1-713-280-8180
FAX 1-713-280-0099
#20950#
Unable to run SUPPORT.EXE - The latest information for technical support!
Please ensure SUPPORT.EXE is in your current working directory.
Are you out of free RAM (see the bottom line of this screen)? If it shows
less than about 80K, try running SUPPORT.EXE directly from DOS.
If SUPPORT.EXE has been lost, call: Voice 1-713-280-9900
BBS 1-713-280-8180
FAX 1-713-280-0099
#21100#
Command menu:
All the commands in EZ-Forms may be entered directly within the editor.
Many of the commands may also be entered thru a pulldown command menu.
The pulldown command menu may be called up thru either Escape or F10.
When you press Escape the assumption is you want to exit EZ-Forms so
the Exit pulldown is automatically used. If you use the F10 key to call
up the command menu then the previous command or state of the menu is
used. You will probably want a command in the general area of your last
choice so this is saved between uses.
You will notice the command menu has a help window at the bottom of the
screen that expands on what will happen if you choose that option. Many
of the commands can be entered without you calling up the command menu.
If there is a command sequence shown at the end of the help window, you
could have entered it instead of calling up the command menu. Example:
Help for BlockOps - Start block shows a (Alt+S). That means you can press
Alt+S the directly in the editor to mark the beginning of a block INSTEAD
of going thru this menu.
#21200#
The block operations in EZ-Forms Executive are laid out in four logical
groups. These are:
(1) Those dealing with moving text around in your form -- Alt+M (move),
Alt+C (copy), and Alt+D (delete)
(2) Those dealing with attributes/fields -- Ctrl+A (attribute add) and
Ctrl+E (attribute erase)
(3) File export and import -- Ctrl+W (write/export) and Ctrl+R
(read/import).
(4) Block enable/disable -- make visible (Alt+V) or hide a block (Alt+H).
These four groups allow you to work on the marked portion of the form.
This marked portion (block) is laid out as a rectangle. You must mark
the diagonal corners of the rectangle with the Alt+S being the upper left
corner (start) and the Alt+E being the lower right corner (end). You will
then be able to work with just this small section of the form for - Alt+C,
Alt+M, Alt+D, Ctrl+A, etc. Those of you who liked the previous set of
Ctrl+K block operations will be pleased that most of them still work. The
Ctrl+K command maps many of the old commands from previous versions of
EZ-Forms into the new easier to use/remember commands. Please note that
the Status area in Alt+I will give you the current block status.
#21300#
To export a form type Ctrl+W (for write).
When you export a form you take the form you see in front of you and write
it to a disk file in a standard format the word processors and other
packages can read. All special control codes that EZ-Forms Executive uses
are removed as the file is written. To access this function use Ctrl+W.
You will be given the option of exporting the entire form or just the
marked area. This is referring to a section of text you may of marked
using the block operations (Alt+S and Alt+E). Most of the time you will
want to work with the entire form.
Many word processors can't handle character graphics like ┼ ▓ ▒ ┐ and │.
Because of this EZ-Forms Executive provides a translation capability to
translate these characters into normal characters that somewhat look like
the character graphics symbol. Example: ┼ becomes a + after translation.
#21301#
To import an ASCII file press Ctrl+R (for read).
Importing means reading a standard text file off disk into your form. Any
strange characters like î û etc. will be automatically translated to
spaces before it is inserted into your form. Many word processors put
these strange characters into the file to keep track of paragraphs, new
lines, etc.
The current cursor location is used as the starting point to read the file
into. If you have the cursor at line 2 and column 2, then the file will
be read into your form starting at this location. The second line will be
read into line 3 and column 2.
#21400#
To print a form type Ctrl+P.
EZ-Forms Executive allows you to print your form while still in the
editor. This capability may not be too obvious. To print your form you
press Ctrl+P. A menu will appear giving you several options on how to
print the form you see in front of you. While the print menu is visible
press F1 for help on the print options.
To make the print options a permanent part of your form you must first
select the I option to install them in the form header and then save the
form to disk. Until you update the form on your disk, it will insist that
it doesn't know your preferences in print style.
EZ-Forms Executive supports many different printers. The capabilities of
each differ. To get the most out of EZ-Forms Executive you must first
define your printer type. This is done from Install off the main EZ-Forms
Executive menu. Support is also provided to allow you to customize the
printer drivers to better fit your needs.
#21500#
Format for a basic formula: (MANY expanded functions are covered on the
following screens!)
******* Basic format ******
Destination = Source1 + Source2
L24C72~6.2=L12C5~5+L12C41~6
│ │ ││││││ │ ││││ │ │└─ Width of cell 2 (6 char wide) can be 1-15
│ │ ││││││ │ ││││ │ └─ Separator between cell and width designator
│ │ ││││││ │ ││││ └─ Source 2 Column (column 41)
│ │ ││││││ │ │││└─ Source 2 Line (line 12) -- may be K for constant
│ │ ││││││ │ ││└─ Operator (Only + - * / or range addition : )
│ │ ││││││ │ │└─ Width of cell 1 (5 characters wide) can be 1-15
│ │ ││││││ │ └─ Separator between cell and its' width designator
│ │ ││││││ └─ Source 1 Column (column 5)
│ │ │││││└─ Source 1 line (line 12)
│ │ ││││└─ Separator for formula, an = must be there!
│ │ │││└─ Number of digits after decimal point, 0 to 9
│ │ ││└─ A period to separate the width from decimals
│ │ │└─ Number of digits in result, can be 1-15 (digits+dec = 15 MAX)
│ │ └─ Separator for cells!
│ └─ Destination column (column 72)
└─ Destination line (line 24)
#21501#
There isn't any room for deviation in the formula. Each formula is laid
out by line & column for the destination with field width and number of
decimals, an =, then 1st number with field width, operator (+-/*), then
line and column for the 2nd number with field width.
Optional zero suppression: Use a Z as the first character in a formula to
prevent a zero result (i.e. 0.00) from showing up in the destination area.
This is useful in areas which don't have inputs yet and 0's aren't wanted.
Constants may be used in the formula also. Any source can be specified
as a constant by using K followed by the actual constant value. For
example: L24C72~6.2=L12C5~5+K12.2 where K12.2 is the constant. This
formula would first retrieve the number stored at L12C5 in your form, add
12.2 to it, and then store it at L24C72 with a total width of 6 digits
-- the right two being after a decimal point (123.45 for example).
General directions: 1. Press Esc to return.
2. The master form you want to work with must be on
the screen (use create or edit from main menu).
3. To edit a formula, highlight formula and press
enter.
4. Press Enter when you are done editing a formula.
#21502#
To edit a formula: 1. Call up the math menu with Ctrl+U.
2. Press M for modify math formulas.
3. Select formula with cursor keys and press enter.
4. Edit text using cursor keys and Insert/Delete.
5. Press enter when you are done editing that formula.
Error Checking
══════════════
A simple check is made on each math formula as you enter it. This check
catches only syntax errors. A second check is made when you use the
formulas in calculations. This check is very detailed and should catch
all problems. EZ-Forms Executive will flag the first formula in error
and abort the rest of the calculations. After the calculations have been
done, you will be notified of the error found. After correcting the
error, you should run thru the calculations again to see if there are any
further errors. You should ensure all portions of the math are correct
in your master form before saving it for future use.
See the sample master forms MATHINFO, MATHDEMO, and MATHINVC in that order
for more information on using math.
#21503#
FINANCIAL FUNCTIONS
═══════════════════
Basic Information:
Interest is in percent -- example 11.5 for 11.5 percent.
Term is in years -- example 10.5 for 10 years 6 months.
Payment, future value, present value, etc. is in dollars.
@NPV(Interest,Range Start,Range Stop) Net present value of a series of
future cash flows.
@PMT(Principal,Interest,Term) Mortgage payment per period.
@PV(Payment,Interest,Term) Present value of ordinary annuity.
@FV(Payment,Interest,Term) Future value of ordinary annuity.
@RATE(Future Value,Present Value,Term) Periodic rate needed to produce
a future value.
@TERM(Payment,Interest,Future Value) The number of payment periods
required for an annuity to grow to
a future value.
#21504#
MORE FINANCIAL FUNCTIONS
════════════════════════
@CTERM(Int,Future Value,Present Value) The number of compounding periods
required for a present value to
future value.
@IRR(Interest Guess,Initial Payment,Range Start,Range Stop) Internal Rate
of Return.
@SYD(Cost,Salvage Value,Life,Period) The depreciation for the specified
period, using the "Sum Of The Years
Digits" method.
@SLN(Cost,Salvage Value,Life) The "Straight-line" depreciation
for one period.
@DDB(Cost,Salvage Value,Life,Period) The depreciation for the specified
period, using the "Double Declining
Balance" method.
#21505#
MATHMATICAL FUNCTIONS
═════════════════════
@ABS(x) The absolute value of number x.
@DIFF(x,y) The percent difference between x and y.
@SQRT(x) The square root of x.
@SQR(x) The square of x.
@EXP(x) This function returns the number (appx 2.718282) raised
to the xth power.
@LN(x) The natural log of x.
@LOG(x) The log base 10 of x.
@POW(x,y) The number x raised to the yth power.
@ROOT(x,y) The y root of x, number x raised to the 1/y th power.
#21506#
MORE MATHMATICAL FUNCTIONS
══════════════════════════
@SIN(x) The SINE of x. *** x is in degrees for these functions ***
@COS(x) The COSINE of x.
@TAN(x) The Tangent of x.
@ASIN(x) The ARC SINE of x.
@ACOS(x) The ARC COSINE of x.
@ATAN(x) The ARC TANGENT of x.
@ATAN2(x,y) The ARC TANGENT of y/x.
#21507#
MORE FUNCTIONS
══════════════
@AVG(Start Range,Stop Range) The average of the numbers within the
defined range.
@MAX(Start Range,Stop Range) The maximum number found within the
defined range.
@MIN(Start Range,Stop Range) The minimum number found within the
defined range.
@STD(Start Range,Stop Range) The standard deviation of the numbers
within the defined range.
@COUNT(Start Range,Stop Range) The number of entries with the defined
range which are non-blank.
@SUM(Start Range,Stop Range) The Sum of the numbers found within
the defined range.
#21508#
@VAR(Start Range,Stop Range) The statistical variance of the numbers
found within the defined range.
@SAVG(Comparison String Location,Start Range of Strings,
Start Range of Numbers,End Range of Numbers)
The average of the numbers found in the range number list which has a
corresponding string within the string list which is equal to the
comparison string.
@SCOUNT(Comparison String Location,Start Range of Strings,
Start Range of Numbers,End Range of Numbers)
The quantity of non_blank entries within the number range which has a
corresponding string within the string list which is equal to the
comparison string.
#21509#
@SMAX(Comparison String Location,Start Range of Strings,
Start Range of Numbers,End Range of Numbers)
The maximum number found within the range number list which has a
corresponding string within the string list which is equal to the
comparison string.
@SMIN(Comparison String Location,Start Range of Strings,
Start Range of Numbers,End Range of Numbers)
The minimum number found within the range number list which has a
corresponding string within the string list which is equal to the
comparison string.
@SSTD(Comparison String Location,Start Range of Strings,
Start Range of Numbers,End Range of Numbers)
The standard deviation of the numbers within the range number list which
has a corresponding string within the string list which is equal to the
comparison string.
#21510#
@SSUM(Comparison String Location,Start Range of Strings,
Start Range of Numbers,End Range of Numbers)
The sum of the numbers found within the range number list which has a
corresponding string within the string list which is equal to the
comparison string.
@SVAR(Comparison String Location,Start Range of Strings,
Start Range of Numbers,End Range of Numbers)
The variance of the numbers found within the range number list which has a
corresponding string within the string list which is equal to the
comparison string.
Example of the @S functions:
String Number
Range Range
1111111111222222222233333333334
1234567890123456789012345678901234567890
1 Dick 12
2 Sam 14
#21511#
3 Harry 17
4 Sam 22
5 Sam 24
6 Susan
7 Dick 30
8 Susan 25
9
10
11 The average for Sam is = 20.0
12
13 The Sum for Sam is = 60.0
14
15 The Sum for Susan is = 25.0
16
17 The Average for Susan = 12.5
18
19 The Count for Susan = 1.0
20
21 The Count for Dick = 2.0
#21512#
The formulas used to generate the outputs would be as follows:
L11C36~4.1=@SSUM(L11C27~5,L1C11~5,L1C24~2,L8C24~2)
L13C36~4.1=@SSUM(L13C23~5,L1C11~5,L1C24~2,L8C24~2)
L15C36~4.1=@SSUM(L15C23~5,L1C11~5,L1C24~2,L8C24~2)
L17C36~4.1=@SAVG(L17C27~5,L1C11~5,L1C24~2,L8C24~2)
L19C36~4.1=@SCOUNT(L19C25~5,L1C11~5,L1C24~2,L8C24~2)
L21C36~4.1=@SCOUNT(L21C25~5,L1C11~5,L1C24~2,L8C24~2)
#21513#
This is the location of the reference string for comparison against each
of the strings within the string range.
│
───┴────
L11C36~4.1=@SSUM(L11C27~5,L1C11~5,L1C24~2,L8C24~2)
───┬───
│
This identifies the beginning string range location and
with the information from the beginning and ending Number
range locations the ending string range location can be
determined.
The direction of the number ranges can be vertical or horizontal but the
string range will have the same direction and have the same number of
entries.
#21514#
The Pi constant is supported.
Example 1 : ACC1=PI will store the value of Pi in ACC1
Example 2 : ACC1=K2*PI will store 2 times the value of Pi in ACC1
@ACCZ(x,y) To initialize the Accumulators to zero. 'x' is the starting
Accumulator number and 'y' is the ending Accumulator
number. This function returns a zero value so the best way
to format the formula is as follows:
ACCx=@ACCZ(x,y) 'x' and 'y' can be locations within the
form, another accumulator or a constant. The valid ranges
for 'x' and 'y' are between 1 and 100.
To initialize the Accumulators with a @ACCI(i,x,y) value
other than zero. 'i' is the value that the Accumulators
will be initialized to and 'x' and 'y' are the same as
described as above.
#21515#
@RND(x,y) To round a number designated for an accumulator or a
location within the form. 'x' is the number that is to be
rounded and 'y' is the rounding factor. The valid ranges
for 'y' are between -9 and 9 including 0.
Examples:
ACC1=@RND(K138.578,K2) yields ACC1 to equal 138.580
ACC1=@RND(K138.578,K1) yields ACC1 to equal 138.600
ACC1=@RND(K138.578,K0) yields ACC1 to equal 138.000
ACC1=@RND(K138.578,K-1) yields ACC1 to equal 130.000
ACC1=@RND(K138.578,K-2) yields ACC1 to equal 100.000
#21516#
SPECIFICS ON USE
════════════════
Example formulas:
L6C2~11.2=@PMT(K50000,K10,K30) Calculate the payment for $50,000 at
10% for 30 years. Place result at
(Answer is $438.79 per month line 6 column 2 using a format of
for 30 years to pay back loan) 11 digits, with 2 of them after the
decimal point.
L10C2~15.5=@SQRT(L9C2~15) Calculate the square root of the 15
digit number located at line 9 column
(Answer will depend on the 2. Place the result at line 10 column
number located at L9C2) 2 using a format of 15 digits, 5 of
which are to the right of the decimal
point.
The math operations allow you to specify the source(s) as either a cell
location using the line-column notation or a constant using a K preceding
a number.
#21600#
Fields allow you to "jump" between data entry areas in the completed form
and to protect areas of a completed form which don't contain any text. A
special character, the tilde ~, is used to allow this.
In the master form use the ~ key (Yes, it really is on your keyboard.), to
fill all the areas where you don't want someone to be able to type in the
completed form. You can fill areas by hand with the ~ key or use the block
operations to accomplish it. To use the block operations to simplify the
job, first mark a block with Alt+S and Alt+E. You can then use Ctrl+A to
add field markers or Ctrl+E to erase field markers in the marked
area. Don't forget you can use F3 and F4 to insert and delete field
markers for the entire form.
Once you have field markers set up in the master form, save it and call it
up under the FillOut a master form option. The Tab key will allow you to
"jump" between the unprotected areas/fields in the completed form. You
will notice ~s don't show up in the completed form but really do prevent
you from typing in certain areas of the form.
Note: The ~s won't affect printing or exporting a form. Use them freely.
Use F3 to show what is unprotected in a completed form.
#21700#
On-line manual for OTHER in the editor.
#21800#
The tab scheduling function allows you to modify the tab function in
master forms. Tab sequence the cursor from one field to the next field
during form fill-out. The tab scheduling function modifies this default
action to allow you to specify, as part of the master form, a special area
where you tell EZ-Forms to override this default action.
Tab scheduling design: First mark a block in the master form using the
block operation commands, ALT-S/ALT-E, and place the cursor where you want
the tab in the completed form (when entering data) to sequence the cursor
to. Press Alt and the MINUS key simultaneously, then T to call up the tab
schedule menu. Now you can use the insert key (Ins) to add the tab
schedule. The order doesn't matter unless you have specified the same
area in multiple tab schedules. The tab schedule list is sorted by
starting line number and starting column number.
Tab schedules are saved as part of the master form. There is basically no
limit to the number of tab schedules you can have. The maximum number of
tab schedules is 65,536 or when your computer runs out of memory.
Initially all tab schedules MUST be entered by marking a block in the form
and placing the cursor where you want it to jump to when the form is filled
out. We chose this method to provide you with more visibility.
#21801#
Please double check to ensure the tab schedules fall within the boundaries
of your form. Since you can easily resize a form smaller, we have no way
to strictly enforce the numbers.
Any lines or columns which are outside of the form boundaries will be
ignored when you are filling out the form. No damage will be done.
However, the scheduling may not work exactly as you had planned.
Notes: We have intentionally set up the tab scheduling so as to make the
design process as visual as possible. Once you become comfortable
with the tab schedule design process you can take shortcuts. For
example, mark a block and go to the edit screen. Press Ins several
times. You have just entered tab schedules that can easily be
edited to provide a tab schedule for the area you desire without
going through the "mark a block and position the cursor" routine.
Both tab and shift tab are defined as part of the tab schedule
process. If you want to use one without the other, set the goto
line or column greater than the maximum form size. During use of
tab or shift tab any out of boundary tab jumps are ignored.
#21810#
You are editing one of the tab schedules. The four sets of numbers are:
xx,xx - This defines the upper left corner of the rectangle in a line
column format.
xx,xx - This is the lower right corner of the rectangle you defined as a
block. This like the other number pairs are in line,column format.
xx,xx - During the completion of a form, if the cursor is in the block as
defined by the first two pairs of numbers, tab will go here.
xx,xx - During the completion of a form, if the cursor is in the block as
defined by the first two pairs of numbers, shift tab will go here.
After you edit the string and press enter, EZ-Forms will try to convert
your input into eight numbers. These four line,column pairs are all that
is of importance in your input; the rest of the text will be ignored.
NOTE: You must enter tab schedules through the use of the block operation
commands and cursor position. That way you clearly see what the tab
schedule should do. Once you have entered the tab schedule, the
entry can be edited by pressing enter and modifying the schedule.
#21900#
The pick list function allows you to specify multiple choice tables for
specific areas of the completed forms. The Alt+F2 key pulls up a list of
items that can be inserted into the form at the current cursor location.
You must be in the master form mode to add pick lists to a form.
Pick list design: First mark a block in the master form using the block
operation commands, ALT-S/ALT-E. Press Alt+- then P to call up the
pick list menu. Now you can use the insert key (Ins) to add the pick
list item. The order doesn't matter. The pick list is sorted by
starting line number and starting column number. When the user calls up
the pick list function he will see only the items for those blocks that
his current cursor location falls within.
Pick list items are saved as part of the master form. There is basically
no limit to the number of pick list items you can have. The maximum number
is 65,536 or when your computer runs out of memory.
Initially all pick list items MUST be entered by marking a block in the
form. We chose this method to provide you with more visibility into
the actual pick list design process.
#21910#
You are editing one of the pick list items. You will see two edit lines.
The top line allows you to specify the block within the form. The
bottom edit line contains the text for the pick list item. The two sets of
numbers for the block are:
xx,xx - This defines the upper left corner of the rectangle in a line
column format.
xx,xx - This is the lower right corner of the rectangle you defined as a
block. This like the other number pairs are in line,column format.
After you edit the string and press enter, EZ-Forms will try to convert
your input into four numbers. These two line,column pairs are all that
is of importance in your input; the rest of the text will be ignored.
Notes: You must enter pick list items through the use of the block
operation commands. That way you clearly see where the pick list
block is located. Once you have entered the pick list item, the
entry can be edited by pressing enter and modifying it.
All text after a ~ is treated as a comment.
#21911#
Please double check to ensure the block falls within the boundaries of
your form. Since you can easily resize a form smaller, we have no way to
strictly enforce the numbers.
Any lines or columns which are outside of the form boundaries will be
ignored when you are filling out the form. No damage will be done.
However, the pick list may not work exactly as you had planned.
Notes: We have intentionally set up the pick list so as to make the
design process as visual as possible. Once you become comfortable
with the pick list design process you can take shortcuts. For
example, mark a block and go to the edit screen. Press Ins
several times. You have just entered pick list items that can
easily be edited to provide a pick list for the area you desire
without going through the "mark a block" routine.
All text after a ~ is treated as a comment.
#21920#
You can enter up to 70 characters to be available while filling out a
form. All blocks that overlap the cursor position when the user presses
Alt+0 in the completed form will be shown in a list box. The user will be
able to color bar select the desired pick list item and press enter to have
it inserted into the form at the current cursor location.
If you would like to have part of the entry be a comment, add a tilde (~)
at any point in the entry. Only the portion to the left of the ~ will be
inserted into the form. You can also use this to create a comment only
pick list item.
If you have a fixed length field and would like to have the inserted
choice clear the entire field, pad the end of your input with spaces.
This will make all pick list items the same length.
#22000#
Highlight one of the displayed items and press enter. The highlighted
item will be inserted into the form at the current cursor location. You
can also press the first character to select an item. Using this option,
EZ-Forms will first search for a case sensitive match then try for a case
insensitive match. For example, if you press b for Bob - EZ-Forms will
first look for a b then try for a match on either b or B.
Use the Alt+- then P command to see the pick list items defined for the
form. Please note that they can only be modified when working with the
master form.
All character attributes are left unchanged. For example, if you had an
area of the form that was underlined and then inserted an entry from a
pick list, the inserted item will also be underlined.
Some of the items may contain a ~. All text after the ~ is a comment.
#22100#
The field help function allows you to specify up to ten lines of help for
specific areas of the completed forms. The Alt+F1 key pulls up a list of
items that can be inserted into the form at the current cursor location.
You must be in the master form mode to add field help to a form.
Field help design: First mark a block in the master form using the
block operation commands, ALT-S/ALT-E. Press Alt+- then H to call up the
help design menu. Now you can use the insert key (Ins) to add the
help design entry. The order doesn't matter. The field help list
is sorted by starting line number and starting column number. When the
user calls up the field help function he will see only the first field
help entry for the block that his current cursor location falls within.
Field help entries are saved as part of the master form. There is
basically no limit to the number of field help entries you can have. The
maximum number is 65,536 or when your computer runs out of memory.
Field help can be up to 10 lines long. However, during design only the
first line is displayed on the screen design list to show more entries.
Initially all field help entries MUST be entered by marking a block in the
form. We chose this method to provide you with more visibility into
the field help design process.
#22101#
Please double check to ensure the block falls within the boundaries of
your form. Since you can easily resize a form smaller, we have no way to
strictly enforce the numbers.
Any lines or columns which are outside of the form boundaries will be
ignored when you are filling out the form. No damage will be done.
However, the field help may not work exactly as you had planned.
Notes: We have intentionally set up the field help so as to make the
design process as visual as possible. Once you become comfortable
with the field help design process you can take shortcuts.
For example, mark a block and go to the edit screen. Press Ins
several times. You have just entered field help entries that can
easily be edited to provide a field help for the area you desire
without going through the "mark a block" routine.
#22110#
You are editing one of the field help entries. You will see two sets
of edit lines. The top line allows you to specify the block within the
form. The bottom edit lines contain the text for the field help. The two
sets of numbers for the block are:
xx,xx - This defines the upper left corner of the rectangle in a line
column format.
xx,xx - This is the lower right corner of the rectangle you defined as a
block. This like the other number pairs are in line,column format.
After you edit the string and press enter, EZ-Forms will try to convert
your input into four numbers. These two line,column pairs are all that
is of importance in your input; the rest of the text will be ignored.
Notes: You must enter field help entries through the use of the block
operation commands. That way you clearly see where the field
help block is located. Once you have entered the field help entry,
the entry can be edited by pressing enter and modifying it. Press
F10 when done editing. If you exit by pressing escape without
pressing enter on the line you are editing, changes will be lost.
#END#