@Normal@<+!><:f900,BHelveticaNeue MediumCond,0,0,0><:f900,6Times New Roman,0,0,0><+!><:f900,BHelveticaNeue MediumCond,0,0,0>Approach Tech Tips<:f720,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<+!><-!><:f240,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Approach 2.0 for Windows<:f240,BHelveticaNeue MediumCond,0,0,0> <:f240,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Fall, 1992<:f240,BHelveticaNeue MediumCond,0,0,0><:f><+!><:f720,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
<:#336,4560><+!><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><-!><+!><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> Tip 1<:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#480,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Nudge Keys for Precise Control of Placement and Layout<:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
<-!>
@Normal@<:#1680,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Precisely control placement of objects in forms, reports, form letters, and mailing labels by using arrow keys to nudge objects a pixel at a time. While in design , select the object you want to move, this could be a field, ch
eck box, radio button, graphic, or text block. Hit the arrow keys on your keyboard and the object will move one pixel. Zoom in 400% for even finer control.
@Normal@<:#1680,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Speed searches for words where you</R>re not sure of the spelling. For example, if you want to find someone whose last name is Anderson but you</R>re not quite sure how it</R>s spelled, choose Find. Type ~Anderson. Approach
for Windows will search through the entire database and find all words that sounds like Anderson such as
</S>Anderson</T>, </S>Andersen</T>, and </S>Andersson.</T> <:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#336,4560><+!><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> Tip 3<:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#240,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Drag and Drop Input<-!><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#2640,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Drag and drop graphics, sounds, charts or even documents into Approach for Windows PicturePlus fields without the hassle of opening an application and cutting and pasting. Simply go to File Manager and find any document that i
s from an OLE capable application such as a word processor, spreadsheet or graphics file and drag it to Approach for Windows. When you</R>re over the PicturePlus field release the mouse button and the document will automatically be stored in the Approach d
atabase. There</R>s no need to use any menus, functions or programming calls.
@Normal@<:#240,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Instant Value Lists<-!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#2880,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Improve accuracy and speed of data entry by having Approach for Windows generate instant pick lists by displaying all the values already in the database. Select a field and double click. Open the value list dialog by pressin
g the Value List button. Choose the Use Database Field Values radio button to have Approach create the list based on the data that already exists in that field (or any other field including one from a different database file!). Go back to browse. When th
e user clicks on the field, Approach for Windows will now automatically drop down a list of choices to choose from for accurate and fast data entry.<:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R1,8,1,3240,1,3600,1,4320,1,5040,1,5760,1,6480,1,7200,1,7920,><:#336,4560><+!><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> <:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> Tip 5<:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R><:#240,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Setting a Default Directory for Data Files<-!><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#1440,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>To change the directory Approach defaults to for data files: Enter the Windows Program Manager. Select the Approach Icon. Choose Properties in the File Menu. Set the Working Directory line to the desired default directory.
When you restart Approach it will default to the new working directory.<:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#231,4560><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R1,8,1,3240,1,3600,1,4320,1,5040,1,5760,1,6480,1,7200,1,7920,><:#336,4560><+!><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> <:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> Tip 6<-!><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R><:#480,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Automatically Obtaining the Desired Sort/Search or any Other State When You Open a File<-!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#1440,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Use Approach for Windows</R> point and click macros to automate sorts, searches, calculations and other applications. To create a macro go to the
</S>Edit menu</T> and choose define macro. After completing your macro just name it
</S>Open.</T> Approach will automatically execute the macro any time you open that file.<:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#231,4560><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R1,8,1,3240,1,3600,1,4320,1,5040,1,5760,1,6480,1,7200,1,7920,><:#336,4560><+!><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> <:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> Tip 7<:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R><:#240,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Calculating Age from Date of Birth<-!><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#2400,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Automatically calculate an individual</R>s age in years with the birth date entered in an Approach date field. The formula below first checks to see if the BIRTHDAY field is empty. If so, then
</Q>No D.O.B.</R> is returned in the calculated field. If the BIRTHDAY field contains a date, Approach first subtracts the birth date from today</R>s date, divides by 365.25 to convert that number to a number of years, and then truncates the resultant numb
er of years to 0 decimal places and returns the age in whole number years.
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#480,4560><+"><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>If(Isblank(BIRTHDAY), 'No D.O.B.', Trunc(((Today()-BIRTHDAY) / 365.25), 0))
@Normal@<:#231,4560><+"><-"><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@point@<:#332,4560><+!><:f><:f><-!><:f> Tip 8<:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#240,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Checking for Entry of Exact Number of Characters<-!><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#1440,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>To confirm that either a field </W> say a phone number
</W> is either a certain length or is left blank, go to Field Definition and select the phone number field. Click on the Options button at the lower right corner of the screen. Under the
</S>Check Entered Data</T> section, check </S>Formula is True</T> and enter the following formula:
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#720,4560><+"><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Length(phonenum)=10 or (length(phonenum)=0 where phonenum is the field that holds the phone number entry
@Normal@<:#240,4560><+"><-"><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#720,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Approach for Windows will now allow only entries of 0 (blank) or 10 characters in length in the phone number field.<:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#240,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Copying Multiple Database Fields to the Clipboard<-!><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#1440,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>To copy multiple fields to the clipboard</W>say an address for a letter</W>create a new text or memo field . Create a macro that will use the SET option to execute a formula which combines the data from the name and address fi
elds into one field with appropriate carriage return placement.
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#1200,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>For example, if you have six fields: FNAME, LNAME, ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, and ZIP and you want NAME and LNAME on one line, ADDRESS on the second line, and CITY, STATE, and ZIP on the 3rd line, use the following formula:
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#720,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>When the macro containing the above formula is executed, text will appear in the target field in the format shown below:
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Bill Thompson
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>18891 Likable Ave
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Cupertino CA 95014
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#720,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>You can now copy the formatted contents of the Approach for Windows memo field to the clipboard and then paste into your word processor.<:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R1,8,1,3060,1,3600,1,4320,1,5040,1,5760,1,6480,1,7200,1,7920,><:#336,4560><+!><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> <:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> Tip 10<:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R><:#240,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Adding a New Field to an Existing Form or Report<-!><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#3120,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>From the Design screen, click the design tool from the tool bar. Then hold down the left mouse button and draw the outline of the field where you want it to appear. Once you release the mouse button, the Field Style dialog bo
x will appear. If the field to add already exists in the database, select it from the field list, press the OK button and Approach will add this field to the form or report. To define a new field to add to the form or report, click the Field Definition bu
tton. Now define the field via the Field Definition screen and add it to the database. Continue to click the OK button until you are returned to design mode. The new field will now appear on the form or report.<:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R1,8,1,3060,1,3600,1,4320,1,5040,1,5760,1,6480,1,7200,1,7920,><:#336,4560><+!><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> <:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> Tip 11<:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R><:#480,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Quickly and Precisely Align Several Fields on One Line<-!><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#1920,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>To quickly and precisely align several fields on one line, switch to the design mode and click the field on the far left of the group you want to align. Then shift click the remaining fields to be aligned on that row. From th
e Object menu, select Alignment. Choose Align to Each Other and To Bottom under Verticle Alignment. Click OK to return to the the design mode. The fields will be perfectly aligned on one row.<:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R1,8,1,3060,1,3600,1,4320,1,5040,1,5760,1,6480,1,7200,1,7920,><:#336,4560><+!><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> <:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0><:f280,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0> Tip 12<:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:R><:#480,4560><+!><:f200,2Tms Rmn,0,0,0>Automatically Opening Multiple Approach for Windows Files<-!><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#480,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>To automatically open Approach for Windows and associated Approach for Windows files:
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>1. Open File Manager
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>2. Select Associate
@step@<:#240,4560>3. In the box for </Q>Files with Extension:</R> type in </Q>.vew</R>
@step@<:#480,4560>4. Under </Q>Associate With:</R> select </Q>(the path to the Approach.exe)</R>
@step@<:#480,4560>5. In program manager select the Approach icon, go to File and then to Properties in the drop down box
@step@<:#480,4560>6. In the Command Line: type in the path of the .vew files after the path to the executable.
@step@<:#480,4560>7. In the Working Directory: type in the path to where the .vew files are.
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#720,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>*EXAMPLES 1 AND 2 APPLY IF THE WORKING DIRECTORY IN PROPERTIES IS SET TO THE SUB DIRECTORY OF THE .VEW FILES.
<:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#231,4560><:f200,FArial,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#720,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>**EXAMPLE 3 APPLIES IF THE WORKING DIRECTORY IS SET TO A SUB DIRECTORY OTHER THAN WHERE THE .VEW FILES ARE.
@Normal@<:#240,4560><+!><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#240,4560><+!><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Example <-!>
@Normal@<:#720,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>*Note: The number of .vew files that can be opened this way is determined by the PC</R>s system memory and resources.
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#720,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>**Note: .Vew files can still be opened by double clicking the .vew file name from file manger even if Approach for Windows is already opened/minimized.
@Normal@<:#240,4560><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>
@Normal@<:#1440,4560><+"><:f200,6Times New Roman,0,0,0>Tech Tips<-"> is written by the Approach Technical Support Staff. Technical Support is available M-Th 6:30am-5pm PST and Friday 6:30am-4pm PST. Technical Support can be reached via phone (415)306-0646, FAX (415) 368-5273,