2.5. SynCalc Memory Locations and Drag-and-Drop

2.5.1. Text Memory

SynCalc can store up to twelve text expressions in memory. These expression are useful
for storing long expressions, constants, macros, or whatever you like. The memory locations can
be edited via drag-and-drop (explained below) or in the "Memory Contents" screen accessed by the
"View Memory" menu selection. There is a dot in the top-right corner of all memory buttons
which have data stored in them.

Using the drag-and-drop features of SynCalc is as easy as, well, dragging and dropping.
The expression field, the answer field, buttons 0-9, the decimal button and the equal button are all
capable of drag-and-drop. You may drag any selected text from the expression field to one of the
memory locations (0-9, the decimal and the equal buttons), or to another location in the expression
field. As the pen enters a memory button, the button will highlight. Lifting the pen at this time
will store the selection in this memory location. Be careful, though as this will replace the anything
stored in that location. To cancel a drag-and-drop operation, raise the pen while it is over an object
that is not droppable. In other words, if nothing is highlighted, then the drag won't do anything.
The contents of the storage buttons can be viewed and edited from the "Memory Contents" view,
accessed via the "Calc->View Memory" menu choice.

To retrieve stored expression from memory locations, just drag the desired button to the
expression field and it will be inserted at thelocation of the cursor. In addition to moving
expression between the memory locations and the expression field, you may also move
expressions from button to button. The answer field may also be dragged to any storage location
or into the expression field. Dragging and dropping the answer field will result in the numerical
version of the answer (as opposed to "Ans").

2.5.2. Numerical Memory

SynCalc has 26 variables which can be used to store numbers for later use. These are
especially useful in conjunction with shortcuts (explained in section 2.6). All lowercase letters, 'a'-
'z' are valid variables. To store a number in a variable, use the storage operator "@" like so:

5@a stores the value 5 in 'a'.
2+3@a stores the value 5 in 'a'.
2+3@a+5@b stores 5 in 'a' and 10 in 'b'.

To use a variable, simply use it as if it were a number:

1+a
a*3
a*b

* Note that there is no implied multiplication of alphanumeric variable (ab is illegal).

The contents of the alphanumeric variables can be viewed and edited from the "Memory Contents"
view, accessed via the "Calc->View Memory" menu choice.

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Text and numeric memory locations
can be viewed and edited from the
"Memory Contents" Form.

2.6. SynCalc Shortcuts and the Shortcut Mechanism

Shortcuts are SynCalc's macro mechanism. Each shortcut has a name and a value. The
names are listed in the "shortcuts" popup on the main screen. When you choose a shortcut, the
text value of the shortcut is pasted into the expression field at the location of the shortcut. This
explanation is a gross oversimplification; a tutorial has been written to explain it in more detail.
The tutorial is available in HTML as part of the SynCalc package (as shortcuthowto.html), or at

http://www.synsolutions.com/products/syncalc/shortcuthowto.html

You can add, edit, and delete shortcuts from the Shortcuts form. This form is accessed by
either choosing the "Edit Shortcuts..." choice from the shortcuts popup or the "Calc->Edit
Shortcuts" menu choice. Shortcuts must have a name and a value to be added to the list.

2.6.1. Importing and Exporting Shortcuts

SynCalc allows shortcut import and export to facilitate sharing of useful calculations. Both
of these functions are accomplished via menu choices in the Options menu. The SynCalc Shortcut
Repository web site has many shortcuts created by SynCalc users that may be useful for you.

Instructions for Shortcut installation:
1) Download the desired shortcuts from the Shortcut Repository or other source.
2) Extract the downloaded files and install all .pdb files onto your PalmOS device.
3) HotSync.
4) Run SynCalc.
5) Choose the menu choice "Options->Import Shortcuts" from SynCalc's menu (Command-I for
short). Respond to the dialogs presented.
6) That's it! The import database is automatically deleted once the Shortcuts have been imported.

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The import shortcuts dialog allows
you to import and delete shortcut
databases on your PalmOS device.

Instructions for Shortcut Export:
1)Choose the menu choice "Options->Export Shortcuts" from SynCalc's menu (Command-E for
short).
2) You will be prompted to enter a name for the database of exported shortcuts you are about to
create. Do so, and press "OK." The name may be up to 31 characters, and is case-sensitive.
3) A dialog will appear with a list of all installed shortcuts. Highlight a shortcut and press the
"Export" button for each shortcut you want to be in this database.
4) When you have exported all desired shortcuts, press "Done."
5) HotSync. The export database will be copied to the desktop in the Backup folder of your
PalmOS User folder. Its name will be the name you entered with a ".pdb" extension. This export
file may now be given to other SynCalc users or submitted to the Shortcut Repository be emailing
it to info@synsolutions.com.
6) To delete shortcut databases from your PalmOS device, choose the "Options->Import
Shortcuts" menu choice and choose "No & Delete" for the databases you wish to delete.

Quickly Export your useful calculations and share them with other SynCalc users.

2.6.1. Notice to International Users

SynCalc's default shortcuts use US-English number formatting, meaning they may not work
properly with your preferred numeric formatting. This is also true of many of the shortcuts on our

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