Copyright: ® Polaris Software, Inc.


Help Contents
Table of Contents

PackRat 5.0 Basics

Desktop

Folders

Objects

Adding Objects

Floating Objects

Moving and Sizing Objects

Main Menu Bar

Instant Options Menus

Categories

Forms

Records

The List Viewer

Mouse Operations

Adding Records

Searching

Deleting

Attachments

Your PackRat Information Files

Compressing your PackRat Files

Converting PackRat files for 5.0

PackRat 5.0 Topics

Alerts

Contact Management

Data Templates

DDE

Document Tracking

Financial Accounts

Linking with Handhelds (PDA's)

Hot Keys

Hot Links

Import/Export

Keyword Manager

List Manager

Macros

PackRat Integration Library (PIL)

Printing Reports

Scheduling

Scripts

Speller

Thesaurus

Time Accounts


Action Bars

Action Bars contain related groups of Action Buttons that you use to perform daily tasks. Action Bars are primarily used to run Macros, Macro Commands, or Scripts and perform common functions.  Action Bars are also used to access and edit the information in your Forms in a quick and simple fashion.

Action Bars can be placed either directly on the desktop, on certain objects (List Viewer for example), or on a Folder as a freestanding PackRat object.  Action Bars are easily customized allowing you to arrange your Action Buttons in the way that best suits you.


Action Bar Dialog Box

Related Topics

Action Bars Dialog Box

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.

This dialog box appears when you add an Action Bar object to a folder.  It is used to select the Action Bar to be added.

Adding an Action Bar to your Folder

1.	Click the down-arrow and select the name of the Action Bar you want to add to your folder.

2.	Click OK.


Titles Button

The Titles button displays the Title Bar Dialog Box where you can choose to display a Title Bar on the object.  you can enter the text and color for the Title Bar also.


Action Bar Drop Box

The Action Bar drop box contains a list of all available Action Bars.  Click on the drop box down arrow and select the Action Bar you would like to display on the folder.


Action Bars Dialog Box

Related Topics:

Define Action Bar Dialog Box

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.

This dialog box appears when you select Tools Menu - Action Bars or when you click the Action Bars button in a dialog box.   Use this dialog box to create, edit, show, or delete Action Bars.  (You may also access the Categories Dialog Box by clicking the Categories button.)


New Button

Click the New button to display the Define Action Bar Dialog Box where you can configure a new Action Bar.


Edit Button

1.	Highlight the Action Bar you wish to edit.

2.	Click the Edit button to display the Define Action Bar Dialog Box where you can make changes to the selected Action Bar.


Show Button

1.	Highlight the Action Bar you wish to place on a folder.

2.	Click the Show button to place it on the folder.


Delete Button

1.	Highlight the Action Bar you wish to delete.

2.	Click the Delete button.


Category Drop Box

Click on the down arrow to select the desired category from the Category drop box


Action Bar Box

Select the Action Bar you wish to edit, show, or delete from the Action Bar box


(Define) Action Bar Dialog Box

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.

This dialog box appears when you create a new Action Bar or edit an existing one.   Use this dialog box to make changes to the buttons, to remove or add buttons on a bar, or to categorize your Action Bars.


Name Box

In the Name box, provide a new name if you are creating an Action Bar or change the existing name.


Available Box

This box displays the Action Buttons that are available.  To add them to your Action Bar, highlight the desired one then click the >> button to move it to the Selected box.

Note:

The List option available in this box allows you to add an Action List to an Action Bar.

You can also select the Space option (the button is split with a space between) in this box to allot space between buttons on your Action Bar.


Selected Box

This box contains the Action Buttons that are currently in the Action Bar.  To remove an Action Button from an Action Bar, highlight it and click the << button.


Update Button

Click the Update button to immediately update any existing  Action Buttons you are editing.


Action Button

An Action Button is a PackRat object that can be placed either on folders or Action Bars.  Action Buttons can run Macros, Macro Commands, or Scripts. You can place text or a graphic bitmap on an Action Button to help you remember what it does.  Action Buttons are organized into Categories so as to keep related groups of buttons together.

You can select from predefined Macros or create your own Macro using the PackRatBASIC Macro Language.  Scripts can also be created and connected to Action Buttons.

You can give a button any text or graphic label you wish and assign it a macro from the Action Button Dialog Box.

PackRat includes a number of predefined buttons for the most commonly used macros.  You can, however, edit, replace, or delete any of these predefined buttons.   Predefined Action Buttons can help you perform common daily tasks such as:

Open/Close a new PackRat file

Open a form for data entry

Place a phone call

Create a new document

Print or Fax a document

Send an electronic mail message

and many more.

Configuring Action Buttons

When you add or customize an Action Button,  the Select Action Button Dialog Box displays.

This dialog box lists all of the existing Action Buttons and provides a brief description of their function.


Action Button Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you click the New or Edit button from the Select Action Button Dialog Box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Button Face

Choose Text or Bitmap.

If Text is selected, enter the text to appear on the button in the Label box.

If you choose Bitmap, select a Standard or Custom bitmap.

See also

Bitmap

Creating a Custom Bitmap


Description Box

Type a description of the button's function in the Description box.  This description will appear next to the button in the Select Action Button Dialog Box, and will help you remember what this button does later.


Action box

Select Macro, Command, or Script.

Macro:   Displays the list of predefined macros that can be assigned to an Action Button.  Choose the macro to be run by clicking on the down arrow and selecting a macro from the list.

Command:    Displays a list of commands that can be associated with the Action Button.  (A command carries out one function, whereas macros carry out several functions.)

Script:  Displays a list of Scripts that can be assigned to an Action Button.


Action List

Related Topics:

Using Action Lists

Creating an Action List

The Action List is a PackRat object containing user-defined lists of information you commonly use.  For example, you may create a list of states, countries, company names, magazines, scripts, macros, or any other information that's pertinent to the type of work you do.

To some degree, Action Lists keep you from having to retype commonly used information during the course of your day by providing that information in lists;  but Action Lists are actually much more powerful than that.  Consider this example:

Example

You have a List Viewer displaying the contents of your "Music" form, where you log all of your musical compact discs (CD's).

The fields on the Music form include the "Artist", "Year", and a "Music Type" Action List.

On the same folder as the List Viewer is another "Music Type" Action List.  This Action List is a freestanding object.

You search the List Viewer for all the CD's in the "Blues" category released before 1965 and the search results display.  Now, just by selecting "Jazz" from the Action List on your folder, the search results are updated to show all of the Jazz music CD's released before 1965.

The Action List enables you to update the search results without having to open the Search screen and enter the new criteria.  This occurs because the same Action List is on the form and is associated with a field on a form, enabling them to "communicate".

As this example proves, Action Lists can be extremely useful as searching tools.


Using Action Lists

Action lists are diverse objects that can be used in three distinct ways:

On a Folder

An Action List can be added as a freestanding object on a folder.  The Action List acts on every applicable object on that folder.  For instance, if an Action List were called the "Name" Action List, it would update every object on the folder whose Form also contained a "Name" Action List.

On an Action Bar

When you create or edit an Action Bar, you have the option of placing an Action List on the bar. When the Action Bar is placed on an object, the Action List works specifically with that object.  When the Action Bar is placed on the desktop, the Action List acts the same as if it were a freestanding object on the currently active folder.

To place an Action List on an Action Bar, see Action Bar Dialog Box

On a Form

When creating or editing a form in the Form Editor, you have the option of adding an Action List to that form.  This would enable you, for example, to replace the "Company" field on your Phone Book with an Action List containing the names of those companies that you correspond with most often.  This speeds up data entry, especially when entering a large number of records that share much of the same information.

An Action List placed directly on a form is used for quick data entry.


Creating an Action List

Related Topics:

List Manager Dialog Box

1.	Select Tools menu - Lists.

2.	Select the Category where this list will be placed.

3.	In the Lists box, type in the name of the list you are creating.

4.	Click the Add button to save the list.

5.	In the Entries box, type in the entries you wish to appear in your new list and click Add.  (Clicking Add establishes the entry as part of your list.)

6.	Type in the remaining entries you wish to put in the list, clicking Add after each one.

Note:  These entries will be alphabetized automatically.


Action List Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add an Action List object to a folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


List

Select the List you would like to place in the Action List object from the List drop box.


Field

Select the Field you would like relate with that list from the Field drop box.


Lists Button

Click the Lists button to modify your existing lists and create new categories, lists, and list entries from the List Manager Dialog Box.


Add Folders

Related Topics:

Add Folder Dialog Box

You may add new folders to your PackRat desktop.  You have three ways you may add folders.  Follow one of the methods listed below:

Right-click on the desktop (not on an object) and select New Folder from the Instant Options Menu for Folders.

-or-

Select Folder menu - New Folder.


Add Folder Dialog Box

The Add Folder dialog box displays when a new folder is being created.  This dialog box enables you to enter the name and choose the tab color for new folders.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Folder Name

In the Folder Name box, type in the name you wish to appear on the Folder's tab.  A maximum of forty characters can be entered.


Tab Color

In the Tab Color box, click on the drop box arrow and highlight the preferred color for the Folder's tab color.


Add Objects

The Add Objects option appears on the Instant Options Menu for folders.

In PackRat you will add objects to each folder, for example a Clock or a Calendar.  Each object serves a unique purpose to help your daily tasks run smoothly and efficiently.

You can add an unlimited number of objects to each folder.

Adding Objects

1.	Right-click on the folder (not on an object) in which you want to place an object.

The Instant Options menu displays.

2.	Select Add Objects.

The Objects Dialog Box displays.

Click the Description button to get a brief description of the highlighted object.

3.	Highlight the desired object to be added to the folder, and click Add.

The object will appear on the active folder.

Note:  With some objects, a dialog box will appear on the folder before that object actually appears.  If a dialog box displays, make the desired choices, click OK, and the object will appear on the folder.

Repeat these steps to add more objects.

4.	Click Close when finished adding objects.


Adding Information to PackRat

There are a several different ways to add information to PackRat.  You can:

Add records to a List Viewer.

Select Add from the Edit Menu

Add records using the [image] button on the Action Bar of any object with such capabilities (Document Manager, Day View, Things To Do List, etc.).


Alerts

Alerts enable you to set reminders for yourself, such as to call a client, prepare for an appointment, or remember an anniversary.  Once set, an Alerts Window will "pop up" on top of any Windows application as long as PackRat is loaded at least as an icon.

When setting Alerts for scheduled items, you can adjust the "lead time" so you can decide how long before the event you want the Alert to pop-up.  This can range from minutes to days.  Alerts can be scheduled repetitively to remind you of regularly occurring events.

Setting a General Alert

These Alerts are not associated with any PackRat item.

1.	Select Edit menu - Add.

2.	Select the Alerts form

3.	The Alerts form displays.

4.	Specify the Message to pop-up, as well as the Date and Time you want the Alert to go off.

5.	Click OK to close the Alerts form.

The Alert is set.

Setting a Record-Specific Alert

These Alerts pertain to specific records.  When the record is deleted, the Alert is deleted also.

1.	Double-click on the desired record to open the associated Form.

2.	The form displays with the record's information displayed.

3.	Click the Alerts button on the form.

The Alerts form displays.

4.	Adjust the date and time information for the Alert, if necessary.

5.	Click OK to exit the Alerts form.

The Alert is set.  If the record is scheduled repetitively, the Alert will pop-up repetitively also.


Alphabetic Search Bar

Related Topics:

List Viewer

List Viewer dialog box

The Alphabetic Search Bar displays an alphabetical bar on your List Viewer so you may conduct a quick search by letter.

Placing an Alphabetic Search Bar on a List Viewer

1.	Right-click on the List Viewer.

2.	Select Customize from the Instant Options Menu.

3.	Click the Options button in the List Viewer Dialog Box.

4.	Click the Alphabetic Search Bar box in the List Viewer Options Dialog Box.

5.	Click OK.

The Alphabetic Search Bar appears on the List Viewer.

6.	Click OK.

Multiple Letter Searches

The Alphabetic Search Bar supports the standard Windows convention for selecting multiple List items:

[Ctrl] + [click]

For example:  If you want to conduct a search of all names on your List Viewer under the letter "C" and under the letter "M", you would click on the letter "C" on the Alphabetic Search Bar, press Ctrl, then click on the letter "M".  A search is conducted for the names under the letter "C" and under the letter "M".

[Shift] + [click]

For example:  If you want to conduct a search of all names on your List Viewer between and including the letters "C" and "M", you would click on the letter "C" on the Alphabetic Search Bar, press Shift, then click on the letter "M".  A search is conducted for all the names between and including the letters "C" and under "M".


Application Icon

The Application Icon is a PackRat object which allows you to add a Windows, DOS, or PIF application to a folder.  The application is easily opened by double-clicking on the icon, thus allowing you instant access to other applications from within PackRat.

Note:  If the DOS application does not run properly, you might want to change that application's PIF (Program Information File) using the PIF Editor.  If the application does not have a PIF, you can use the PIF Editor to create one.

Refer to your Windows manual; PIF Editor section for assistance.


Application Icon Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add an Application Icon object to a folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Command Line

In the Command Line box, type in the application's path name.

For example:     C:\WINDOWS\CARDFILE.EXE, or use the Browse button to find the application you want.


Working Directory

In the Working Directory box, you may type the name of the directory where the application will look for its program and data files.  (This is optional.)

If you enter no information in the Working Directory box, all referenced and data files will go the path listed in the Command Line box.


Run Minimized Option

If you check Run Minimized the application will always open running as an icon.


Application Window

The Application Window is a PackRat object that allows you to run an application within a window on your folder.  Unlike the Application Icon object which places the application icon on your folder, you may keep an application open at all times in the application window while simultaneously using other PackRat features.

The size of an Application Window can be adjusted in the same manner as any other PackRat object.  However you must right click on the PackRat Caption Bar (blue bar) on the top of the object.

Note:  The Application Window is compatible with most Windows Applications, however, there may be some instances (Windows Clock for example) that are not compatible.

Accessing the Instant Options Menu

You must right-click on the Application Window's caption bar to display the Instant Options Menu.

Minimizing the Application Window

Right-click directly on the caption bar and select Minimize.


Application Window Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add the Application Window object to your folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Attachments

Related Topics:

Searching for Attachments

Unattaching Items

PackRat enables you to attach related items together.  You can attach any record in PackRat to any other record.  For instance, you can attach a document (in your Document Manager) to the author's name (in your Phone Book).  Once items are attached, you can search for the items based upon the Attachments.  In this example, this enables you to quickly find all the items associated with the author, or with the document.

You can make an unlimited number of attachments in PackRat.  For instance, you can highlight all the attendees at a meeting and attach them to each other, or attach them all to other items associated with the meeting.

Creating an Attachment

To attach items you must have an Attach button on your folder or Action Bar.

1.	Select the target item(s) that you wish to attach to one or more other items.

2.	Click on the Attach button.

If more than one target record was selected, PackRat prompts you to determine whether you want the selected items attached to each other, or whether you want them attached to other items.

To Attach the target items together, click Yes.

The selected items become attached.

To Attach the target items to other items, click No.

The Attach dialog box displays.

3.	Click on the items that you wish to attach to the target item(s).  The items display on the Attach dialog box.

Note:  You can switch folders or perform a search without disturbing the Attach screen.

4.	When you have selected all the items that you wish to attach to the target item(s), click the Attach button on the dialog box.

The items are attached.


Searching for Attachments

The advantage of attachments is the time they save finding related groups of information.  To search for the attachments to an item:

1.	Select the target record for which you wish to find the attachments.

2.	Right-click on the object containing the record.

The Instant Options menu displays.

3.	Select the Search Attaches Instant Option.

All items attached to the target one(s) display.


Unattaching Items

If you need to break the attachment between items, follow these steps:

1.	Select the target record for which you wish to remove attachments.

Note:  PackRat can only unattach from one item at a time.

2.	Click on the Unattach button.

The Unattach dialog box displays and lists all the items attached to the target item.

3.	Select the items to unattach from the target item and click the Unattach button on the dialog box.

The selected items are no longer attached to the target item.


Backing up

Related Topics:

Your PackRat Files

Compressing PackRat Files

Converting PackRat Files to 5.0

Backing up your PackRat files is a crucial step in preventing the loss of any information should a file or drive problem occur.   Although Polaris Software, Inc. will do everything we can to help you through any difficulties you may encounter, backing up your files is the most effective step you can take.

We strongly recommend that you backup all of your data files regularly by copying them to another directory.  The following is a complete list of the PackRat data files:

*.prd, *.pri

These files are your PackRat data and index files.  This is where your data records are stored.

alerts.prl

This is the alerts file.  It keeps track of any alerts that you have set in PackRat.

attaches.pra

This your PackRat attachments file.  It keeps track of all of your attachments.

config.pdb

This file stores your entire PackRat desktop configuration.  Therefore, this is a very important file and should be backed up regularly.  If you want to have multiple desktop configurations, you may back up this file and swap it around with other config files.

Upon installation,  your working directory will be the directory to which you installed PackRat.  If you change your Working Directory, be sure to copy all of these files into the new Working Directory, otherwise PackRat will not be able to access your files.


Bitmap

Related Topics:

Creating a Custom Bitmap

A bitmap is a graphical image; your Windows Wallpaper (screen background) is an example of a bitmap file.  You can place bitmaps on folders with the Bitmap Viewer object.  You are also able to edit or create bitmaps using Windows Paintbrush or similar graphic applications.

When PackRat is installed on your system, it creates a BITMAPS subdirectory in your PackRat working directory.  You can place any bitmaps (*.bmp files) that you would like to use for Action Buttons in this directory.  When placed in the BITMAPS subdirectory, the bitmap will appear on the Action Buttons dialog box for you to select.


Creating a Custom Bitmap

Related Topics:

Bitmap

You can create custom bitmaps for use on Action Buttons by "drawing" them in any one of several Windows "paint" programs such as the Windows Paintbrush.   Action Button bitmaps should be 21 pixels wide x 19 pixels high.  If your bitmap is larger than 21 x 19, it will  be shrunk to fit that size.  The shrinking of the bitmap may distort its appearance.  Bitmaps that are slightly larger than 21 x 19 may only be slightly distorted.  Larger bitmaps may be completely unrecognizable when shrunk, so it is wise to stay as close as possible to the actual size of the buttons.


Bitmap Viewer

Related Topics:

Bitmap Viewer Dialog Box

The Bitmap Viewer is a PackRat object which displays a bitmap of your choice on a folder.  A bitmap is a graphical image saved with a   *.bmp file extension.  You can size the viewer to your preference.

"Stretching" a Bitmap

When you right-click on the Bitmap Viewer, the Instant Options Menu contains a Stretch command.

When the Stretch feature is active, a check appears next to it and the bitmap occupies the entire Bitmap Viewer.  When Check is not active, the bitmap appears in its actual created size.

Placing Bitmaps on your folder via Drag and Drop

You can drag a .bmp file from the Windows File Manager to a Bitmap Viewer and that bitmap will appear in the Bitmap Viewer.


Bitmap Viewer Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add a Bitmap Viewer object to a folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Graphic Bitmap

In the Graphic Bitmap box, type the path and name of the bitmap file you want to view in PackRat.  (Or click Browse to view files.)

For example:    c:\windows\256color.bmp


Display Mode

Select Stretch or Clip.

Stretch:

Clicking on this option enlarges or shrinks the bitmap to completely fit inside of the Bitmap Viewer.  The complete image will always be visible.

Clip:

Clicking on this option displays the bitmap in its actual size, regardless of the size of the Bitmap Viewer.  When you view a bitmap in clip mode, the edges of the picture may be cut off.


Action Bars Button

The Action Bars button displays the Action Bars Dialog Box where you can edit, create, show, or delete Action Bars or create and edit Categories associated with Action Bars.


Add Button

The Add button allows you to add items, information, or objects depending on where you are in PackRat.  For example, in adding objects to a folder, you click the Add button and a relevant dialog box or the object itself would appear on the screen.


Browse Button

Clicking the Browse button displays the Select File Dialog Box which allows you to select a file, an application's path, and an application's name.


"Buttons" Button

Click Buttons to display the Select Action Button Dialog Box where you can create, edit, or delete the actual Action Buttons.


Cancel Button

The Cancel button will exit the current dialog box with no changes or updates.


Categories Button

Use the Categories button to display the Categories Dialog Box where you can create, edit, or delete your Categories.


Close Button

The Close button exits the current dialog box.  Changes or actions performed within the dialog box will still be in effect.


Collapse Button

The Collapse button (used in conjunction with the Expand button) is used to reduce the views or branches of your fields.  Clicking Expand shows all branches off a specific field.  Collapse shows just the original field with no branches.  (Think of Windows File Manager and how files are displayed within directories you've created.)


Colors Button

The Colors button displays the Colors Dialog Box allowing you to create, edit, or delete color choices in the color list box.


Connect Button

The Connect button is used in the Hot Links dialog box to link a selected application with PackRat.


Create Button

Click the Create button in the various dialog boxes to create new items.


Delete Button

Click the Delete button to delete a selection.


Description Button

If you are uncertain of a particular object's function, highlight the object then click the Description button and a box displays with an explanation of the highlighted object.


Disconnect Button

The Disconnect button is used in the Hot Links dialog box to disconnect a selected application with PackRat.


Edit Button

Click the Edit button to update and change the selected item.


Expand Button

The Expand button (used in conjunction with the Collapse button) is used to expand the views or branches of your fields.  Clicking Expand shows all branches off of a specific field, Collapse shows just the original field with no branches.  (Think of Windows File Manager and how files are displayed within directories you've created.)


Focus Button

Click the Focus button and follow the instructions that appear to determine which window will have the focus when you start recording


Font Button

Clicking the Font button displays the Font Dialog Box, where you can choose text font, font style, font size, and font color.


Forms Button

Click the Forms button to display the Forms Dialog Box where you can create or delete Categories and edit, create, or delete Forms.


Handhelds Button

Click the Handhelds button in the Transfer dialog box to display the handheld options you have.


Help Button

Click the Help button to display PackRat's On-line Help screens.


Icon Button

The Icon button allows you to change the icon displayed for an Application Window or Application Icon.


Ignore Button

The Ignore button in the Speller dialog box lets you skip over a word the Speller recognizes as misspelled.


Load Button

Click the Load button in the Keymaps dialog box to load the selected group of Hot Keys.


Look Up Button

The Look Up button in the Speller dialog box will initiate a search for the correct spelling of a word.


Macros Button

The Macros button accesses the Macros Dialog Box where you can run, create, edit, or delete macros.


Make Button

The Make button initiates the install extension.  The Make Install option with PackRat allows you to transfer any tools you have created, for example an Action Bar, Form, Action Button, Macro, Report, or Template.  You can transfer this information to other systems by means of the Install Disk.


Merge Button

Click the Merge button to display the Merge Dialog Box where you can edit or correct mistakes in existing Keywords.


New Button

Click the New button to create new items relevant to the dialog box you are using.


OK Button

The OK button confirms the information in the dialog box and carries out the specific task of the dialog box.


Options Button

The Options button displays the List Viewer Options Dialog Box where you can select options pertaining to the List Viewer.


Play Button

Click the Play button in the Scripts dialog box to play a selected Script.


Record Button

Click the Record button in the Scripts dialog box to begin recording a Script.


Reconcile Button

Use the Reconcile button to reconcile a Financial Account.

See:  Reconciling an Account


Replace Button

The Replace button in the Speller dialog box replaces the highlighted word with one properly spelled.


Run Button

The Run button is used to initiate or carry out the functions of the selected macro.


Scripts Button

The Scripts button accesses the Scripts Dialog Box where you can run, create, edit, or delete Scripts.


Select Button

Highlight a folder name in the Folders dialog box, then click the Select button to switch to that folder.


Sort Button

The Sort button displays the Sort Dialog Box where you may determine the order (ascending or descending) of the sort.


Summary Button

Click the Summary button to display the Financial Accounts Summary Dialog Box, where you can access the account balance of a chosen account.


Templates Button

The Templates button displays the Templates Dialog Box where you can edit, create, or delete Templates and access the Categories Dialog Box for editing or deleting Categories.


Totals Button

Click this button to display the List Viewer Totals Dialog Box where you have viewing options related to financial lists.


>> Button

Click this button to move the selected field from the Available Box to the end of the list in the Selected Box


<< Button

Click this button to move the selected field from the Selected Box back to the Available Box


Insert Button

1.	Highlight the desired item in the Available box.

2.	Highlight the item in the Selected box you wish to place the selected Available item before.

3.	Click Insert to insert the item there.


Calendar

The Calendar is a PackRat object that displays monthly calendars in a variety of formats. You can define a one to twelve month calendar of virtually any size and select the starting month and year, the number of months to display, and the orientation of the calendar on your folder.

Other features include choice of text color and font, borders around months, and grids between dates.

The scroll arrows on the left side of the Calendar allow you to scroll through months, while the right scroll arrows allow you to scroll through years.

Related Topics:

Using the Calendar with the Contact List

Using the Calendar with the Day View

Using the Calendar with Forms


Using the Calendar with the Contact List

If you are working in a folder with a List Viewer, Calendar, and a Contact List, you may simply drag a name from the List Viewer to a date on the Calendar.  That name will then appear on your Contact List for that date.


Using the Calendar with the Day View

The Calendar is not just a viewing tool.  It is used for entering Date information into various PackRat objects.  For instance, when there is a Day View object and a Calendar on the same folder, clicking on a date in the Calendar automatically updates the Day View to begin on that same date.  The Calendar works similarly with other date-oriented objects.


Using the Calendar with Forms

You may select dates with your mouse by clicking on a particular day (this highlights that day on your Calendar) or by dragging the mouse pointer to highlight several days or weeks.

Then, by opening a form that contains a date field, the highlighted date(s) automatically appear in the form's starting and/or ending date fields.  Note:  The default date for a form is the current date unless you have selected this method or manually typed in a different date to change it.


Calendar Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add a Calendar to your folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Starting Month

In the Starting Month box, select the month with which to start your Calendar.


Year

In the Year box, enter the Calendar year in a two or four digit format (93 or 1993).


Months to show

In the Months to show box select the number of months to be viewed.  Use the down arrow to choose between a 1 and 12 month Calendar.


Columns x Rows

Select the way you want your Calendar to be arranged.  For example, on a four month Calendar, 4 x 1  would display all four months in a horizontal row whereas 1 x 4 would display them as a vertical column, like stacked boxes.  Choosing 2 x 2 would display two months directly on top of two others.


Starting Day Box

Sunday/Monday

By clicking on Sunday, the Calendar week will begin with Sunday.  If Monday is selected, the first day of the week on the Calendar will be on Monday.


Borders

Select the Borders option to surround each month with a subtle border.


Leading and Trailing Dates

Selecting this option will cause the first [and last] month on your Calendar to display as many days from the previous [or following] month as fits on the traditional sized Calendar.  For example, if October 31st falls on a Thursday, your Calendar would use the remaining space to display Fri. Nov. 1st and Sat. Nov. 2nd if this option were selected.


Grid

Select the Grid option to separate the individual days of the month with vertical and horizontal lines (a grid).  Each Calendar day occupies one cell on the grid.


OK Button

Confirms the settings or changes on the Calendar dialog box and creates the calendar on your folder.


Caption Bar

Related Topics

Float

Title Bar

Title Bar Dialog Box

The Caption Bar or "Title Bar", option can be placed on any object and appears as a solid bar (with text if you prefer) across the top of the object.  This bar allows you to easily grab the object with the mouse and drag it to another location on the folder.  You can put a Caption Bar on an object by accessing the Instant Options Menu, selecting Float, then selecting Caption Bar or by clicking the Title button located throughout various PackRat dialog boxes.  Take the Caption Bar off the object by simply deselecting the Caption Bar/Title Bar option.   A check mark will appear to the left of an option that is active.

Note:  The Caption Bar option is often referred to as the Title Bar option.  These are not to be confused as different options, they are identical and function in the same fashion.


Categories

Categories are fundamental to PackRat and serve as an organizational tool for many components including:

Action Bars

Action Buttons

Forms

Macros

Reports

Scripts

Templates

Categories are used to organize PackRat items and make it easier for you to retrieve information.  For instance, you could have a Category named "Contacts" where you would place all of the forms, macros, Action Buttons, and such that pertain to contact management.

When you create a Category from anywhere in PackRat, it becomes available to all of PackRat's components that utilize Categories.


Categories Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you click the Categories button, which appears on many of PackRat's dialog boxes.  Use this dialog box to create or delete Categories.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Category List Box

Select the category you wish to delete from the Category List Box.  Then click the Delete button.


New Button

1.	Click the New button.

The Category Dialog Box appears.

2.	Enter a name for you new category

3.	Click OK.

The new Category appears alphabetically in the list.


Delete Button

Make sure you have removed all items in that Category before deleting.

To delete, highlight the unwanted Category and click the Delete button.

Note:  Use this button with care, as anything related to that Category will also be deleted.


Category Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you click New in the Category dialog box.  Use it to enter the name of your new Category.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Category Box

Enter the name of your new Category in the space provided and click OK.


Click

Related Topics:

Special Right-click Features of PackRat

Mouse Operations

A click refers to a single press and release of the left (or primary) mouse button.  A two-button mouse is required for PackRat. If a three-button mouse is being used, the center button remains inactive.  Note:  In the Windows Control Panel, left-handed users may switch primary and secondary (right and left) buttons for ease of use.  Your PackRat documentation always assumes the left button to be the primary one.


Special Right-click Features of PackRat

Related Topics:

Mouse Operations

In PackRat, the right-click is especially important.  Click on the right (secondary) mouse button to access the PackRat Instant Options Menus.   By right-clicking on an object or caption bar, you can edit, move, resize, get a description of, or minimize any object on your screen.   The Instant Options Menu can differ slightly depending on the object.  By right-clicking on a folder you can customize folder features, change the tab's font, add objects, add folders, or get a description of a folder.


Clipboard

Related Topics:

Edit

The Clipboard acts as a holding place for text or items that are cut or copied.  Once cut or copied, the items are placed on the Clipboard until they are pasted to a new location.

When you cut or copy a PackRat object it is pasted in the PackRat Clipboard, not the Windows Clipboard.  Text cut from a PackRat Edit Window gets pasted into the standard Windows Clipboard.


Clock

Related Topics:

Clock Dialog Box

The Clock is a PackRat object that displays the date and time in several customizable formats.


Clock Dialog Box

The Clock dialog box appears when you add a Clock object to a folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Date and Time

Click this option to display the date and the time on the clock.


Date Only

Clicking this option displays only the date on the clock.


Time Only

This option will display the time only on the clock.


Date Format

This box allows you to choose the date format you prefer for your Clock.


Time Format

With this option, you may choose the time format that best suits you.


OK Button

Confirms the settings or changes made on the Clock dialog box and creates the desired clock on your folder.


Color

Related Topics:

Colors Dialog Box

Create Color Dialog Box

In PackRat, you can assign colors to various items.  Folder tabs and object text can all be customized according to your color preference.  You can view, create, edit, and delete colors from the color chart in the Colors dialog box, accessed from the Setup menu.


Colors Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you click a Colors button located throughout various PackRat dialog boxes, or when you select the Setup menu - Colors.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


New Button

Click the New Button to access the Create Color Dialog Box where you can create colors from scratch.


Edit Button

Click on the appropriate color bar then click the Edit button.  This will access the Create Color Dialog Box where you can modify the selected color.


Delete Button

Highlight the color bar and click the Delete button.


Colors List Box

Select the color you wish to edit or delete from the Colors list box, and then click the appropriate button.


Create Color Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you create a new color or when you edit an existing color.  You use the scroll bars to determine how much red, green, and blue will make up the color.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


RGB Scroll Bars

1.	Use the scroll bars to increase or decrease the amount of each primary color used, or type a number from 0 to 255 in the Red, Green, or Blue boxes.

2.	When you are satisfied with your new color, click OK.


This box shows what the finished color will look.  It constantly updates as you move the scroll bars.


Commands

Related Topics:

Action Button Dialog Box

Macros

Scripts

PackRat Commands are responsible for specific functions.  Unlike macros which carry out a variety of functions, each command carries out only one specific function.  For example, DocumentPrint() is a predefined PackRat command.  Any PackRat command can be assigned to an Action Button.


Commitments
Commitments Instant Option

Related Topics

Instant Options Menu for Objects

Calendar

Instant Option for the Calendar

Commitments is an Instant Option on the Calendar object.

Selecting Commitments will cause the Calendar to show its dates in a different color depending upon what your major scheduled activity is for that day.  It will show the color associated with the form you have that "commitment" entered in.  When combined with the Filter Instant Option, this enables you to look at your Calendar and see only when certain items are scheduled, such as vacations or trade shows.

An example of the usefulness of the Commitments Instant Options command would be for tracking dates you will be committed to over a large period of time.  Suppose you had a form called "Trade Show" that you had associated with the color green.  You entered all of the trade shows you will be attending that year into PackRat using that form.  You could then create a twelve month calendar in PackRat and select the Commitments Instant Options.  Every day that you were to be at a trade show would then appear on the calendar in the color green.  You could then quickly look at this calendar and view, at a glance, every day you would be out of the office at a trade show.


Commitments Object

Related Topics:

Commitments Dialog Box

Commitments is a PackRat object which graphically displays your time related information.  It does not display what the scheduled item is -- it simply indicates that you have some event scheduled during that time.

The Commitments object automatically charts and displays any record that contains a Start Date and an End Date field.

This enables you to check your schedule at a glance and see when you're available to schedule new meetings and appointments.

Scroll Buttons

The scroll buttons in the upper right corner advance or set back the calendar in regular increments.  For instance, if you have five days displayed on your Commitments object, say 4/2 - 4/6, clicking the advance button once would display the next five days, 4/7 - 4/11.

The scroll buttons in the bottom right corner of the object advance or set back the time line by one time increment.  If you have your object configured to display one-hour increments, then each click on these scroll buttons will adjust the time line by one hour.


Commitments Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you add a Commitments object to your folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Starting Date

Click the arrow to display starting date choices: Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow.  You can also type in a date for your Commitments object to start if you prefer.

Note:  If you do not specify the date or time information (or that specification is invalid), the Commitments object defaults to the current month and year.


Starting Time/ Ending Time

Select times for starting and ending the display.


Time Interval (in mins)

With this option, you may choose the time format that best suits you.  Select the time increment (in minutes) that you want your time line divided into, for example, 60, 30, 15, etc.


Action Bar

If you want to place an Action Bar on the object, select one from this box.


OK Button

Confirms the settings or changes made in the Commitments dialog box.


Compressing PackRat Files

Backing Up

Converting PackRat Files for 5.0

Your PackRat Files

Your PackRat information file actually consists of two different files:  a *.prd file and a *.pri file.  The *.prd file is your data file and the *.pri file is the index file for your PackRat database.  Occasionally you may want to compress your PackRat file using PDBTools.  The only PackRat file that you need to compress is the *.prd File.

There are several reasons you may wish to compress this file:

If you delete a great deal of records from PackRat.

If the *.prd file becomes corrupted.

If you delete or somehow lose the *.pri file.

All of the data (records) in your PackRat database are contained in the *.prd file, while the *.pri file indexes those records.  If the *.pri file is accidentally deleted or somehow corrupted, you can compress the *.prd file using PDBTools and a new *.pri file will be generated.

Note:  Compressing even a moderately sized file can take a fair amount of time. You may want to consider waiting until the end of your work day before starting a compress.

Polaris recommends that you regularly back up your PackRat files, especially your *.prd, *.pri, and config.pdb file.  If any of your files get corrupted, try using the backup files in your PackRat backup directory (c:\packrat\backup is the default backup directory).

How to Compress

The compression process is extremely simple:

1.	Close PackRat (this is important - PackRat must be closed to compress).

2.	Open the Polaris Database Utility.

If you do not have a Polaris Database Utility icon on your desktop you may run it from the Windows File Manager by double-clicking on pdbtools.exe in your PackRat directory.

3.	Choose File menu - Compress.

The Select File Dialog Box appears.

4.	Select the file you wish to compress.

5.	Click OK.

The file will be compressed.

Repeat the above process for each file you wish to compress.

PDBTools creates backup copies of each file it compresses.  When you compress the *.prd file, *.bkd and *.bki files will be created and placed in your \packrat\backup directory.


Contact List

Related Topics:

Contact Management

Using the Calendar with the Contact List

The Contact List is a PackRat object which displays the names of people you need to contact.  Names can be dragged directly from a List Viewer to the Contact List.  Items on the Contact List can be specified as High Priority and removed from the Contact List when completed.  Contacts are easily called by selecting the name and clicking the Phone Call Action Button.

Although primarily used with the Phone Book, other records can be dragged to the Contact List.  For example, you can drag a record from a "Document" form to the Contact List.  The Contact List form would display and prompt you for the Name to be associated with the record.  You now have a reminder to call someone concerning that document.

Adding to the Contact List

1.	You can drag and drop a name from a List Viewer to your Contact List.

- or-

2.	You can select records on the List Viewer and click the Contact Button.

The name(s) will appear on the Contact List.

Removing a Name from the Contact List

Highlight a name and click the [image] button to delete an entry.


Contact Management

PackRat's Contact Management features make organizing and making contacts easy.    With PackRat's contact management capabilities, you can:

Add a Name to Your Contact List

Place a Phone Call

Answer a Phone Call

Set a Contact to Appear on the Contact List on a Specific Date

PackRat Autodial Settings

The List Viewer

Any List Viewer associated with one of your contact forms can be your control center for managing your contacts.  You can use the Action Buttons on the List Viewer Action Bar to help you with your phone calling.


Adding a Name to Your Contact List

Related Topics:

Contact List

The Contact List is a PackRat object that shows the people you need to contact at any given time.

To add a name to your Contact List:

1.	Switch to your Phone Book folder or to any folder containing a List Viewer that shows one of your Phone Book forms.

2.	Search for and highlight the name you want to place on your Contact List.

3.	Click the Contact List button

The Contact Dialog Box appears.

4.	In the Date field, you may enter a date.  The current date is the default.

If you enter another date, the person's name will not appear on your Contact List until that day.

5.	In the Regarding field, type in reason you to need to call the person.

6.	Click OK.

The person's name will appear on your Contact List on the appropriate date.


Contact Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add a name to your Contact List.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


OK Button

Once you have completed the Contact dialog box, click OK and the person will appear on your Contact List.


Talk To

The name of contact appears in this box.  You may change the name if you like.


Call on

Type in the date you would like the person to appear on your Contact List.  The default is the current date.


At

Type in the desired time you would like to call the person.  The default is the current time.


High Priority

Check the High Priority box if you want this contact to appear as a "high priority" contact on the Contact List.


Regarding

Type what the call will be regarding in this box.


Setting a Contact to Appear on a Specific Date

You can easily set a contact to appear your Contact List on a specific date using drag and drop.  You must have a Calendar on the same folder as your List Viewer.

1.	Switch to your Phone Book folder or to any folder containing a List Viewer that shows one of your Phone Book forms.

2.	Search for the name you want to place on your Contact List.

3.	Grab the person's name off the List Viewer and drop on the correct day on your Calendar.

The Contact Dialog Box will appear with correct date filled in.

4.	In the Regarding field, type in reason you to need to call the person.

5.	Click OK.

The person's name will appear on your Contact List on the appropriate date.


Contact Management - Placing a Phone Call
Placing a Phone Call

You can make and log calls using PackRat.  The active folder must contain a Phone Book List Viewer or your Contact List to make a call.  Once you have initiated the call you are free to switch folders or look at any other information in PackRat that you may need for your conversation, such as past conversations contained in your phone log.

To place and log a call:

1.	Search the List Viewer or check the Contact List for the name of person you wish to call.

2.	Highlight the name.

3.	Click the [image] button.

The Call dialog box appears.

4.	Make sure the correct phone number is highlighted.

5.	Click OK on the Call dialog box.

A Conversation form will appear.

6.	If PackRat is set up auto-dial your phone for you, follow the directions that appear.  Otherwise, pick up your phone and dial the number.  You can now enter notes about the phone call in the Conversation form.

7.	When you have completed the call, you can continue to enter notes in the Conversation form.

8.	Click OK when you have finished your notes about the call


Contact Management - Answering a Phone Call
Answering a Phone Call

You can answer and log calls using PackRat.  The active folder must contain a Phone Book List Viewer or your Contact List to answer and log a call.  Once you have initiated the call you are free to switch folders or look at any other information in PackRat that you may need for your conversation, such as past conversations in your phone log.

Since you may not have the person calling you in PackRat, there are a couple different ways of going about answering and logging a call.

If the person calling is in your Phone Book

If the person calling is not in your Phone Book


If the person calling is in your Phone Book

When you answer the phone:

1.	Search the List Viewer or check the Contact List for the name of person calling.

2.	Highlight the name.

3.	Click the [image] button.

A message displays:

"Answering:  (the name you selected)"

4.	Click Yes.

A Conversation form will appear.

5.	You can now enter notes about the conversation in the Conversation form.

6.	When you have completed the call, you can continue to enter notes in the Conversation form.

7.	Click OK when you have finished your notes about the call.


If the person calling you is NOT in your Phone Book:

When you answer the phone:

1.	Click the [image] button.

2.	If there is a name highlighted on your Phone Book List Viewer or Contact List, a message displays:

"Answering:  (the name you selected)"

3.	Click No.

A Conversation form will appear.

4.	You can now enter notes about the conversation in the phone log form.

5.	When you have completed the call, you can continue to enter notes in the Conversation form.

6.	Make sure you enter the person's name in the summary field of the Conversation form.

7.	Click the Phone Book button if you want to add the person to your Phone Book.

A message will appear:

"Add (person's name) to phone book?"

10.	Click Yes.

A Phone Book form will appear for you to enter more information.  When finished, click OK on the Phone Book form.

11.	Click OK on the Conversation form when you have finished your notes about the call.


Convert
Converting to 5.0 from old versions of PackRat

Related Topics:

Backing Up

Compressing PackRat Files

Your PackRat Files

Updating from PackRat 4.1 to 5.0

The Convert process reads and copies your existing data into 5.0 data  files.  Your existing 4.1 files will not be affected.  The process is simple yet may be time consuming.  If you have large data files we recommend that you let the Convert run overnight.

PackRat 4.1 and 5.0 must be in separate directories.  If PackRat 5.0 was installed into the existing 4.1 directory, the executable files were overwritten.  You must reinstall PackRat 4.1 in order to prepare your existing data files for the conversion process.

How to Convert

1.	Using 4.1, compress all of your 4.1 data files (*.PR1, *.PR2).

2.	Close (exit) PackRat 4.1.

3.	When 5.0 opens completely, select File menu -Close, and close any open data files. (PackRat automatically creates a file called "User" when you open it for the first time.)

4.	Select File menu - Convert.

The Select File Dialog Box appears.

5.	Select the first PackRat 4.1 file to be converted and click OK.

6.	Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each file you wish to Convert.

Accessing Converted Files and Information in PackRat 5.0

When the conversion process is complete, you will have a PackRat 5.0 file with the exact name (but different extension) as your 4.1 file.  To open these files in PackRat 5.0, select File menu - Open.  The Select File dialog box displays, enabling you to locate the directory where your PackRat 5.0 files are stored.  Select the file you wish to open and click OK.  The open file name(s) will display in the PackRat 5.0 Title Bar.

I can't find my all of my converted information!

Some SmartStart selections do not display certain forms as part of the default setup.  If you transferred particular types of information (Project and Resource Manager, for instance) from PackRat 4.1, you may not be able to find this information in PackRat 5.0 until you create/customize a List Viewer to display it.  The information is stored in the associated PackRat form (Projects form, Resources form), but you need to use a List Viewer object to display that form.

Updating from PackRat 4.0

For those users who are still using PackRat 4.0, there is a conversion utility available through the Polaris Sales Department that will move your data files into PackRat 4.1 format.  From here, your files may be converted to PackRat 5.0.  The name of the utility is [PR40TO41.EXE], and costs $49.95.  (1-800-PackRat)


Copy

Related Topics:

Copying an Object

Copying Text

Copy is an Edit feature which can be accessed from the Instant Options Menu or from the Edit menu. You can copy objects or text from one location to another via the PackRat Clipboard or Windows Clipboard, respectively.

Note:  When objects are cut or copied they are stored in the PackRat Clipboard.  When text or other items are cut or copied it is stored in the standard Windows Clipboard.


Copying an Object

To make a copy of an object on any folder, follow these steps:

1.	Right-click on the object to be copied.

The Instant Options Menu displays.

2.	Select the Edit command to display the Edit Menu.

3.	Select the Copy command.

4.	Switch to the folder to receive the object, if different than the currently active folder.

5.	Right-click on this folder to display the Instant Options Menu.

6.	Select Edit menu - Paste.

A copy of the object appears on the new folder.


Copying Text

The Instant Options - Edit commands only work on text in the Memo Pad object.  Otherwise PackRat always assumes that you're trying to cut / copy the entire object.  For Edit Windows besides Memo Pad, you must use that application's Edit menu.  The Instant Options Edit commands will always work on the entire object, except for the Memo Pad.

1.	Select the text to be copied.

2.	Select Copy from the Edit menu.

3.	Position the cursor in the new location. (Must be somewhere that text can be placed.)

4.	From the Edit menu, choose Paste.

The text is copied to the new location.


Create Link Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select Tools menu - Hot Links then click the Create button.  Use this dialog box to set up a Hot Link which enables applications to communicate with each other, thus allowing  you to exchange information between PackRat and another Windows application.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions

The dialog box shown demonstrates an example of a link to a Microsoft Excel file.  Here, the link is made to the cell (Item) in the 12th row and 4th column.  If the application being linked were Microsoft Word for Windows, the Item would be a Word Bookmark reference (such as "BookMark1") instead of an Excel row x column reference.  Refer to your application's documentation to learn how it establishes Links.


Hot Link Name:

Type in the name for the Hot Link.


Application:

Type in the name of the application to link with, Excel or Microsoft Word for example.


Topic:

Enter the name of the application's data file which you want to access.


Item:

Enter the location in the Topic, such as a Bookmark in the case of word processing, or Cell reference in the case of spreadsheets, or data field.


System Variable:

Type in the variable name that will hold the changes made to the item.  (All updates or changes will go to this variable.)


Macro:

Select  a macro that will be run every time a change or update is made.


Auto Connect

Click Auto Connect for automatic connection of PackRat with the linked application; both PackRat and the application to link to must be running.  If Auto Connect is not selected, you will have to reconnect each time you enter PackRat.


Customize

This command in the Instant Options Menus displays the dialog box that configures the object or the folder on which you right-clicked. You can change the properties of objects or folders from this screen.  For example, if you created a List Viewer, but later decided to change its font or fields, you could select Customize to make those changes.


Cut

Related Topics:

Cutting Text

Cutting Objects

Pasting Text

Pasting an Object

Cut is an editing feature which can be accessed from the Instant Options Menus or from the Edit menu.

Cut is used to move an object or text from one location to the Windows or PackRat Clipboard. Cut is also used  to delete items.

Note:  When objects are cut or copied they are stored in the PackRat Clipboard.  When text is cut or copied it is stored in the standard Windows Clipboard.


Cutting Text

Note:  The Instant Options - Edit commands only work on text in the Memo Pad object.  Otherwise PackRat always assumes that you're trying to cut / copy the entire object.  You may use an Action Bar to cut / copy / paste text from other Edit Window documents.

1.	Select the text by dragging the mouse pointer over it to highlight it.

2.	Choose Cut from the Edit menu, or use the [Ctrl] + [C] keystroke.  The text disappears.

This places the item(s) in the Clipboard.


Pasting Text

Note:  The Instant Options - Edit commands only work on text in the Memo Pad object.  Otherwise PackRat always assumes that you're trying to cut / copy the entire object.  You may use an Action Bar to cut / copy / paste text from other Edit Window documents.

1.	Position the cursor in the new location.

2.	From the Edit Menu, choose Paste.

This places the text or object in the new location.


Cutting an Object

You can use Cut to move an object from one folder and place (paste) it on another.   You can also use cut to remove an object from a folder.  Follow these steps:

1.	Right-click on the object to be moved.

The Instant Options Menus displays.

2.	Select the Edit command to display the Edit menu.

3.	Select the Cut command.

The object disappears.


Pasting an Object

Related Topics:

Copy

1.	Switch to the folder receiving the object.

2.	Right-click on the active folder to access the Instant Options Menu.

3.	Select Edit Menu - Paste.

The object reappears on the new folder.


Data Templates

Related Topics:

Data Template Editor Dialog Box

Templates Dialog Box

Data Templates assist you in moving information to and from the Windows Clipboard to a PackRat Form.  By using a Data Template, you are able to set up fields of your choice in a particular order, therefore directing the order and layout of incoming information.

Data Templates are accessed by selecting Tools menu - Data Templates.  You may edit or create Data Templates by using the Data Template Editor Dialog Box.

Moving Information to your Forms

The PackRatBASIC Macro Language provides three functions to allow you to move information (records) to / from your forms.

CopyRecToClipboard()

Copies the specified records to the Windows Clipboard.

CopyRecToFile()

Copies the specified records to an ASCII (*.txt) file.

PasteRecFromClipboard

Copies the selected text from the Clipboard and creates record(s).

Each of these functions requires that you use a Data Template to specify which fields are to be retrieved.

The Copy button provided on the List Viewer Action Bar runs the CopyRecToClipboard() command.  When you click this button, you are first prompted to select the Data Template to be used.  The highlighted record(s) are then moved to the Clipboard in the format specified by the Data Template.

To copy records to a file you will need to create your own PackRatBASIC macro.


Data Template Editor Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you choose to edit or create a Data Template.  Select Tools menu - Data Templates, then click the New or Edit buttons to view this dialog box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Template

In the Template Name box, type in the name you wish to appear as the title of your new template or the title of the template you are editing.


Form

From the Form box choose the form you wish to associate with your template.  Only one form at a time can be attached to a template.  Choosing a form is mandatory as only fields of the selected from can be used in the Template.


Fields Box

The Fields box displays the available fields you may use to set up your template.  Highlight the desired fields and click the >> button.

Note:   Depending on the form selected there will be a unique set of fields listed in the Fields box.  These are the fields associated with the specified form.  You may edit your template and insert these fields at the place where the cursor is blinking by selecting the desired field and clicking on the >> button.  To place spaces between fields, insert the space between the end brackets of one field and the beginning brackets of another, for example, <<CITY>>, _<<STATE>>.  ( _ = one space.)

Example:

Dear <<NAME>>,

My address has changed recently.  The new address is:

<<ADDRESS>>,

<<CITY>>, <<STATE>>, <<ZIP>>,

Sincerely,

Kathryn


Template Box

The Template box will display any chosen fields or you can type in the field of your choice.


Day View

Related Topics:

Adding Information in the Day View

Day View Operations

The Day View is a PackRat object which displays up to seven days on the screen at once allowing you to quickly review your scheduled, time-related items for those days.


Adding Information in the Day View

Follow these steps to add scheduled items directly on the Day View:

1.	Highlight the time range (on the far left) you wish to schedule.

2.	Click anywhere on the day you want to schedule.

Note:  Don't worry about which cell is highlighted.  When you enter the information it will display in the right time slot.

3.	Type in a summary for the item.

4.	Press Enter.

The item will be scheduled and will be added to your PackRat database in the form you have associated with the Day View.

Changing the Entry Form

To locate or change which form a Day View is linked to, right-click on the Day View and select Customize.  The form you are adding to is under the Direct Entry section of the Day View dialog box.  You can select a new form if you prefer.

Conflicting scheduled items will display a red line to the left of the items during the overlapping time period.


Day View Operations

To scroll the Day View forward or backward one day:

Click the scroll arrows on the left side of the object.

To scroll the Day View forward or backward one week:

Click the scroll arrows on the right side of the object.

To edit a record on the Day View:

Simply double-click on that record.

If you want to change the time or date of a scheduled item:

You can simply grab it with the mouse pointer and drag it to the new time and date.

To change the duration of a scheduled item:

You can simply highlight the new time range you desire and grab the item and drop it anywhere on the same day .  This will reschedule it for the new duration.


Day View Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add a Day View object to your folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Starting Date

Select the Starting Date for the Day View.  You can choose Yesterday, Today, or Tomorrow, or you may enter a date directly.  The default is Today.


Starting Time

Select the beginning time for your Day View. The default is 8:00 AM.


Time Interval

This sets the Time Interval in which your day(s) are divided.  Select the desired Time Interval (in minutes).  The default is 30 minutes.


No. of Days to View

Select the number of days you wish to appear in the Day View.


Form

Select the Form used when adding directly to the Day View.  For example, you might want to associate your Day View with your Agenda Form.


Entry Field

Select to which Form field you want your Day View items added.  For example, if you're using your Agenda Form, you could select Summary as the field.  Now, all your Day View items will appear in the Summary field of your Agenda Form.

Note:  When you add directly to the Day View you type in one line of text (at a specific time).  The Entry Field is the field in the chosen form where this line of text appears.


OK Button

Click the OK button when you have completed the dialog box and the Day View will appear on your folder.


DDE - Dynamic Data Exchange

Overview

Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) is a feature built into Windows that enables applications to communicate with each other.  Using DDE other applications can add, search, delete and extract information from PackRat.  Windows applications use DDE to exchange data in real time.

With DDE you can:

Send data to PackRat

Get data from PackRat

Execute commands supported by PackRatBASIC from a client application.

DDE Topics

DDE Terminology

PackRat as a Server

Add

Search

Delete

Update

PackRat as a Client

Using Hot Links


DDE Terminology
Terminology

The application initiating the DDE conversation is called the client. The receiving application is called the server. In addition, you need three components to form a DDE message properly. These are: application, topic and item.

Application

Identifies the recipient of the DDE message (server) by its DDE name which is usually its *.exe name.  For instance the Word for Windows DDE name is WINWORD and the PackRat DDE name is PACKRAT.

Topic

Identifies the subject of the DDE conversation.  Usually, it is the document or spreadsheet name.  If you are unsure of the topic name, most applications support a generic topic called System.

Item

Identifies the content of the message sent by the client application.  This may be any DDE command supported by the server application.


PackRat As a Server

Refer to the client's application macro language to write a macro that will use PackRat as a server.  There are usually three steps in establishing a DDE conversation.

First, you need to initiate a conversation.

Second, you can request or poke information from or to the server.  You may also execute commands supported by PackRatBASIC.

Third, you need to terminate the conversation.

Unless the current link to the client is a hot link, you must explicitly ask the server for data.  This is referred to as a Request.

The following request items are supported by PackRat:

VALUE - see Add example

TOPICS - Returns a list of all topics supported by PackRat

FORMATS - Returns a list of formats supported by PackRat

SYSTEMS - Returns a list of supported items

You can use execute statements to perform the following actions from the client application.  Commands in PackRatBASIC can be passed as arguments to an execute function.  Refer to the PackRatBASIC Macro Manual for information about constructing PackRatBASIC macros.

The execute command is very powerful because it allows you to use most of the commands found in PackRatBASIC.  Basically, any macro written in PackRatBASIC can be converted and used in a client application.  For example, look at the following PackRatBASIC macro:

BeginSub AddRec()

Form$ = "Contacts:Phone Book"

REM  This will pop up the Phone Book form to add a new phone  REM  book record

RecordAddDlg(Form$)

End Sub

You can accomplish the same results from a WordBasic macro by doing the following:

REM The following example shows a Word for Windows example

Sub Main

Q$ = Chr$(34)

Form$ = "Contacts:Phone Book"

ChanNum = DDEInitiate("PackRat", "System")

szAddDlg$ = "[RecordAddDlg(" + Q$ + Form$ + Q$ + ")]"

REM  We took the function RecordAddDlg(Form$) from the 'above macro and wrapped it into a format that Word can 'understand.  We assign that to a string.  IT MUST BE EXACTLY 'THE SAME AS THE WAY IT WOULD BE ENTERED IN 'PACKRATBASIC.  If you were to display szAddDlg$ it would 'show RecordAddDlg("Contacts:Phone Book").

DDEExecute ChanNum, szAddDlg$

DDETerminate ChanNum

End Sub

The possibilities are endless.  You can perform multiple searches, Booleanc searches, create and save attachmentsc.


DDE - Add
Add

REM The following example shows a Word for Windows example

Sub Main

Q$ = Chr$(34)

Form$ = "Documents:Document"

ChanNum = DDEInitiate("PackRat", "System")

szStartAdd$ = "[RecordStartAdd(" + Q$ + Form$ + Q$ + ")]"

szAddField1$ = "[RecordSetField(" + Q$ + "SUMMARY" + Q$ + "," + Q$ + "Sales History" + Q$ + ")]"

szAddField2$ = "[RecordSetField(" + Q$ + "DOCUMENT" + Q$ + "," + Q$ + "C:\SALES.DOC" + Q$ + ")]"

szEndAdd$ = "[RecordEndAdd()]"

DDEExecute ChanNum, szStartAdd$

DDEExecute ChanNum, szAddField1$

DDEExecute ChanNum, szAddField2$

DDEExecute ChanNum, szEndAdd$

DDETerminate ChanNum

End Sub


DDE - Search
Search

REM The following example shows a Word for Windows example

Sub Main

Q$ = Chr$(34)

Form$ = "Documents:Document"

Op$ = "="

Field1$ = "DOCUMENT"

Value$ = "C:\WINWORD\SALES.DOC"

ChanNum = DDEInitiate("PackRat", "System")

szFormSelect$ = "[A$ = FormSelect()]"

szStartSearch$="[RecordStartSearch(" + Q$ + Form$ + Q$ + ")]"

szRunSearch$  = "[x&=RecordRunSearch()]"

szSearchValue$  ="[RecordSearchValue(" + Q$ + Field1$ + Q$+ Chr$(44) + Q$ + Op$ + Q$ + Chr$(44) + Q$ + Value$ + Q$ + ")]"

DDEExecute ChanNum, szFormSelect$

Form$ = DDERequest$(ChanNum, "VALUE")

REM The above request is returning the value of A$ which is a 'PackRatBASIC variable into Form$, which is a WordBasic 'variable.

DDEExecute ChanNum, szStartSearch$

DDEExecute ChanNum, szSearchValue$

DDEExecute ChanNum, szRunSearch$

szResults$ = "[y=ResultsGetTotal(x&)]"

DDEExecute ChanNum, szResults$

Total = Val(DDERequest$(ChanNum, "VALUE"))

[DO SOMETHING BASED ON THE VALUE of Total]

DDETerminate ChanNum

End Sub


DDE - Delete
Delete

REM The following example shows a Word for Windows example

Sub Main

ChanNum = DDEInitiate("PackRat", "System")

[Current record is the one that will be deleted.  Look at the functions in the macro language to move between records and selecting the one that you would want to delete.]

szDel$ = "[RecordDelete(0)]"

DDEExecute ChanNum, szStartDel$

DDETerminate ChanNum

End Sub


DDE - Update
Update

REM The following example shows a Word for Windows example

Sub Main

Q$ = Chr$(34)

Form$ = "Documents:Document"

ChanNum = DDEInitiate("PackRat", "System")

[Search would have performed before.  Current record is the one that will be updated.  Look at the functions in the macro language to move between records and selecting the one that you would want to update.]

szStartUpd$ = "[RecordStartUpdate(" + Q$ + Form$ + Q$ + ")]"

szAddField1$ = "[RecordSetField(" + Q$ + "SUMMARY" + Q$ + "," + Q$ + "Sales History" + Q$ + ")]"

szAddField2$ = "[RecordSetField(" + Q$ + "DOCUMENT" + Q$ + "," + Q$ + "C:\SALES.DOC" + Q$ + ")]"

szEndUpd$ = "[RecordEndUpdate()]"

DDEExecute ChanNum, szStartUpd$

DDEExecute ChanNum, szAddField1$

DDEExecute ChanNum, szAddField2$

DDEExecute ChanNum, szEndUpd$

DDETerminate ChanNum

End Sub

You can extract any type of information from PackRat by using DDE execute statements.  Make sure to follow the proper syntax of the client application that you are using.  Some client applications require you to pass the item string in brackets while others don't.


PackRat as a Client - DDE
PackRat As a Client

PackRat can also act as a client application.  For example, use PackRat to pull or send information to a shipping system written in Object Vision.  Refer to the macro manual on how to use the macro editor to write such a macro.

BeginSub Shipping()

Dim ChanNum As Long

REM Peform a search or select some records

REM VISION is the App Name for Object Vision

REM ADDRESS.OVD is the Topic to be used.

REM ADDRESS represents a form in Object Vision that has the 'the following fields: NAME and COMPANY.  We are creating a 'new record in that Object Vision form by poking the Name and 'Company fields.

ChanNum = Initiate("VISION", "ADDRESS.OVD")

Poke(ChanNum,"NAME", "Dave")

Poke(ChanNum,"COMPANY", "Polaris")

Terminate(ChanNum)

EndSub


Deleting

Deleting Files

You can use the Trash Can object on a folder to delete files from your File Manager Application.  Simply drag the unwanted files and List Viewer items into the Trash Can.  Once items are dragged to the Trash Can, they cannot be retrieved.

Deleting an Object or Folder

1.	Right-click on the object or folder you want removed.

2.	Select Edit from the Instant Options Menu.

3.	Select Cut from the Edit menu.

The object or folder is deleted.

Deleting Records

1.	Highlight the record.

2.	Use of one three options:  Drag it to the Trash Can object,  click Delete, or press the keyboard [Delete] key.

Deleting Text

A character or line of text can be deleted by highlighting it and pressing the Delete key on the keyboard.


Delimiter

Related Topics:

Import/Export

The delimiter separates the fields of ASCII text files during the importing and exporting process.  The delimiter establishes the limits of individual items in a list.  The three separators, or delimiters, commonly used are the Comma, Tab, or a user-defined custom delimiter.

The following list is comma-delimited:

Rick, Jay, Halladay Rd., Feeding Hills, MA

Tab delimiters (indicated here as "_" ) are used in this example:

Rick_Jay_Halladay Rd._Feeding Hills_MA


Description

Descriptions of objects or a folder display when you click the Description button in designated dialog boxes or by selecting Description from the Instant Options Menu.

Getting Descriptions

1.	Right-click on an object (or on a folder).

2.	Select Description from the Instant Options Menu.

The appropriate description box appears.  You can click the More button to access On-line Help

-or-

1.	Select Add Objects from the Instant Options Menu for objects.

The Objects Dialog Box appears.

2.	Highlight an object and click the Description button.

The Description box appears at the bottom of the dialog box.


Desktop

The PackRat desktop occupies the entire area of the screen if maximized and contains:  the Menu Bar, Action Bar, Folders Scroll Box, Objects, and Folders.


Desktop Preferences Dialog Box

This dialog box displays from the Options menu - Desktop.  With this dialog box, you can make changes to your desktop layout, Folder Properties, Tab Color for the active folder, Start up and Terminating macros, and place an Action Bar on your desktop.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Tab Location

This box gives you a choice of three Tab Location options:  Hidden, Left,  Top.  Select which option to display.

Hidden:

You may want to hide your folder tabs to optimize space on your desktop.

Left:

Select this option if you want your folder tabs to display along the left side of your desktop.  The tab names read side-ways.

Top:

The Top folder option is the standard, or default, folder display.  With the Top option, folder tabs are displayed across the top of the desktop.


Active Folder Color

If Use Tab Color for Active Folder is checked PackRat will assign the color of each folder's tab to be the color of the entire folder when it active.

If Use Tab Color for Active Folder is not checked, then you may select a color from Active Folder Color drop box to always be the color of the Active (top) Folder.


Startup

Select a macro to be run whenever PackRat is loaded.  You may select "none" from the list if you do not prefer a Startup macro to run.


Terminate

Select a macro to be run whenever PackRat is closed.  You may select "none" from the list if you do not want an exiting macro to run.


Action Bar Box

You can add an Action Bar to your PackRat desktop that can be used at all times, regardless of the folder in which you are working. This Action Bar displays on the area below the Menu Bar and above your folder tabs.  Click the down-arrow to display your Action Bar choices.  Select the preferred Action Bar.


Document Manager Object

Related Topics:

Document Tracking

The Document Manager handles all document tracking.  The Document Manager object can be placed on a folder to act as your control center for keeping track of and manipulating documents.  You can use the Document Manager's Action Bar to perform the following actions:

Add a document to PackRat

Edit a document's record

Create a new document from PackRat

Print a document from PackRat

Fax a document from PackRat

Launch a document from PackRat.


Document Tracking

Related Topics:

Document Manager

PackRat's powerful Document Tracking features are designed to assist you with many common tasks.  Document Tracking lets you:

Keep track of documents and files on your hard drive

Create new documents

Print a document

Fax a document

Launch the proper application with your document loaded

The Document Manager is your control center for keeping track of and manipulating all your documents.  By using the Document Manager's Action Bar you can perform all of the operations detailed in the topics listed above.


Adding and Editing Document Records
Adding a Document to PackRat

To add a document to PackRat:

1.	Switch to the Documents folder or to the folder containing your Document Manager.

2.	Click the Add button on the Document Manager Action Bar.

Your Document form displays.

3.	In the Description field, enter a description of the document's contents.

4.	In the Document field, enter the path and file name of the document or click the Browse button to find the file.

5.	Enter any keywords that will help you locate this record later in any of the eight Key fields.

6.	Click OK.

The document is added to PackRat.

Editing a Document's Record

1.	Open your Documents folder or the folder containing your Document Manager object.

2.	Search for and select the record you wish to edit.

3.	Click the Edit button on the Document Manager Action Bar.

The record appears.

4.	Make your changes.

5.	When you are finished click OK.

The record is updated.


Creating a New Document from PackRat

You can create new documents from PackRat in any OLE compatible Windows application.

To create a new document:

1.	Switch to the Documents folder or to the folder containing your Document Manager.

2.	Click the New button on the Document Manager Action Bar.

The Select Document Type Dialog Box displays.

This dialog box contains a list of OLE compatible documents that you can create.  Note:  You must have the proper applications installed on your system.

3.	Select the type of document you wish to create.

4.	Click OK on the Select Document Type dialog box.

The application will open with a new file created in it.  You can use it and save it as you would any document.


Printing a Document from PackRat

1.	Switch to the Documents folder or to the folder containing your Document Manager.

2.	Search for and highlight the record you wish to print.

3.	Click the Print button.

The document will print on your default printer.


Faxing a Document from PackRat

Note:  To fax from PackRat you must have the proper fax software and hardware installed on your system.

1.	Switch to the Documents folder or to the folder containing your Document Manager.

2.	Search for and select the record you wish to fax.

3.	Click the Fax button.

PackRat will open your fax software application.  You must fill in the number where you are sending the document, select cover sheet and notes options, then you may send the fax.


Launching a Document from PackRat

1.	Switch to the Documents folder or to the folder containing your Document Manager.

2.	Search for and highlight the record you wish to view.

3.	Click the Launch button.

The appropriate application will open with the document loaded.


Double-click

Related Topics:

Mouse Operations

A double-click is pressing the left mouse button twice in rapid succession.  You can adjust the double-click speed from the Windows Control Panel.


Drag and Drop

Drag and Drop is a mouse action sequence that allows you to perform many functions within PackRat:

Reschedule time items directly on the Day View

Place items on the Contact List

Reposition objects

Print

Delete

To Drag:  click and hold down the left mouse button while you move the mouse.

To Drop:  release the mouse button.


Rescheduling on the Day View using Drag and Drop

You can reschedule or change the duration of items directly on the Day View object using Drag and Drop.

If you want to change the time or date of a scheduled item, you can simply grab it with the mouse pointer and drag it to the new time and date.

To change the duration of a scheduled item, you can simply highlight the new time range you desire and grab the item and drop it anywhere on the same day .  This will reschedule it for the new duration.


Placing names on the Contact List using Drag and Drop

You can place items on the Contact List using Drag and Drop.  You must have a List Viewer object  on the same folder as your Contact List.

To put a name on the Contact List using Drag and Drop:

1.	Select the name you wish to place on the Contact List.

2.	Drag the name off the List Viewer and drop it anywhere on the Contact List.

To make a name appear on the Contact List on a specific date in the future using Drag and Drop you must have your Phone Book List Viewer on the same folder as a Calendar.  Then:

1.	Select the item you wish to place on the Contact List.

2.	Drag the name off the List Viewer and drop it on the desired date on the Calendar.

The item will appear on your Contact List on the date.


Repositioning Objects using Drag and Drop

Moving objects involves Drag and Drop mouse actions.

To move an object:

1.	[Ctrl]+right-click on an object to place it Move/Size mode.

2.	Drag the object from its current location and drop it in the desired location.

3.	[Ctrl]+right-click on the object to take it out of Move/Size mode.


Printing a Document Using Drag and Drop

You can print a document using Drag and Drop if you have the Printer object on the same folder as your Document Manager.

To print a document using Drag and Drop:

1.	Find the document you wish to print on the Document Manager.

2.	Drag the document off the Document Manager and drop it on the Printer object.


Deleting Using Drag and Drop

You can delete any record in PackRat by dragging it and dropping it on the Trash Can object.

You can delete files from File Manager if you have both File Manager and PackRat on your screen at the same time.  Simply drag the file you want to delete, and drop it on the Trash Can object.


Edit

Related Topics:

Instant Options Edit Menu

Edit Menu - Main Menu Bar

The Edit option is available from the Instant Options Menu and from the Edit menu.  With the Edit commands, Cut, Copy, Paste, and Undo, you are able to move items in and out of the Clipboard.

Note:  When objects are cut or copied they are stored in the PackRat Clipboard.  When text is cut or copied it is stored in the standard Windows Clipboard.


Instant Options Edit Menu

Click on the Edit menu entries for descriptions.


Cut

The Cut command removes the selected items (you must select the text or object prior to cutting it) from PackRat and places it in the Clipboard.

Note:  When objects are cut or copied they are stored in the PackRat Clipboard.  When text is cut or copied, it is stored in the standard Windows Clipboard.


Copy

This command copies objects/text to the Clipboard.

Note:  When objects are cut or copied they are stored in the PackRat Clipboard.  When text is cut or copied, it is stored in the standard Windows Clipboard.


Paste

This command pastes (copies) the items from the Clipboard to the program's window.


Undo

This command reverses (undoes) the previous PackRat edit command.


Cut

The Cut command removes the selected items (you must select the text or object prior to cutting it) from PackRat and places it in the Clipboard.

Note:  When objects are cut or copied they are stored in the PackRat Clipboard.  When text is cut or copied, it is stored in the standard Windows Clipboard.


Copy

This command copies objects/text to the Clipboard.

Note:  When objects are cut or copied they are stored in the PackRat Clipboard.  When text is cut or copied, it is stored in the standard Windows Clipboard.


Paste

This command pastes (copies) the items from the Clipboard to the program's window.


Undo

This command reverses (undoes) the previous PackRat edit command.


Edit Menu - Main Menu Bar

The Edit menu contains commands that enable you to move items between PackRat and other programs, add information to a form, and search for information.

Click directly on the menu entries for descriptions.


Undo

This command reverses (un-does) a previous PackRat edit command.


Cut

The Cut command removes the selected items (you must select the text or object prior to cutting it) from PackRat and places it on the Clipboard.


Copy

This command copies selected information or items from the program to the Clipboard.

Note:  When objects are cut or copied they are stored in the PackRat Clipboard.  When text is cut or copied it is stored in the standard Windows Clipboard.


Paste

This command pastes (copies) the items in the Clipboard to the program's window.


Add

Select Add to display the Select Form Dialog Box where you can open the form to which want to add information.


Search

This option displays the Search Dialog Box.  All open PackRat user files will be searched.  If the search is successful, the results are displayed in a "global" List Viewer.


Editing a Record

Related Topics:

List Viewer

Editing a List Viewer Record

1.	Switch to the folder containing the List Viewer where you wish to edit a record.

2.	Search for the record you wish to edit.

3.	Double-click on the record, or select it and click the Edit button.

The complete record displays in the form.

4.	Make the desired changes.

5.	Click OK.

The record is edited.


Electronic Mail (eMail)

Electronic mail, or email, refers to communication applications for Network Users.  Network Users are able to write, send, and receive  letters, or documents to one or several Network Users at a time.  A password can be assigned to restrict access to your e-mail if you prefer.

Each mail user is provided a unique address, usually based on their name.  PackRat has the ability to interact with most mail applications.  For example, you could create an Action Button that would send a highlighted document in your List Viewer when you click on the Action Button.


Embedded Object

Related Topics:

OLE Client

An embedded OLE object can either be pasted from the Windows Clipboard or be taken from an existing file.  Note the distinction:  it is not the file itself, only the data from the file.  Once it is embedded in PackRat, it will have no relation to the original file, and WILL NOT show changes made to that file.  The original file will still be intact, but you will have an independent "copy" of it in PackRat.

When you select the Activate Server Instant Option while on an embedded OLE object, the server opens with the contents of the OLE object.  Since changes are not being made to a file, Save is not an available option.  To view changes on your PackRat folder, the server's File Menu - Update command must be used to update the embedded OLE object.  To save changes made in the server, you must select Save As, which will break the OLE connection with PackRat, and save the information to a new file.


Exit

To exit PackRat, select Exit from the File menu, this closes PackRat and brings you back to your main Windows Environment.

If you have configured PackRat as your shell, it will close Windows, provided all other applications can be closed.


Fax Machine Object

Related Topics:

Fax Setup

The Fax Machine is a PackRat object that can be added to a folder to assist you with faxing documents.  With this object, faxing is as simple as dragging a file from File Manager, Document Manager, or a List Viewer to the Fax Machine.

Simply find the document you wish to fax and drag it the Fax Machine object.  Your fax software will be launched where you may enter the phone number you wish to fax to, and the document will be faxed on your default fax printer.


Fax Setup

The Select Fax Printer dialog box appears when you right-click on the Fax Machine object and select Fax Setup or select Setup - Fax from the menu bar.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Using the Fax Setup Dialog Box

Highlight the desired fax printer in the Available Printer box and click OK.


Fields

Related Topics:

Key Fields

Fields are the individual pieces of information that you add to a Form or to a dialog box.  For example, a Phone Book record might consist of the following fields:  Name, Company, Phone Number, City, State, Zip.


File Close Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select File menu - Close.  The box lists all files currently running.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Using the File Close Dialog Box

Select the file(s) you want to close from the Files box and click the OK button.


Cancel Button

Clicking the Cancel button will exit the dialog box without closing any files.


File Menu

The File menu, accessed from the Menu Bar, displays a menu with the following options:

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions of each menu entry.


New

Selecting New opens the File New Dialog Box where a new *.prd file can be created, and a Password and directory assigned to the new file.


Open

This selection displays the Select File Dialog Box, where the file name and directory are entered to open an existing file.


Close

This option opens the File Close Dialog Box that lists all the files currently open in PackRat.  You may select which files you wish to close from this dialog box.


Save As

This selection opens the Save As Dialog Box where the file name and directory is entered to save a file.  This option is used when you want to save a file under a different name than the original one.


Password

Use this option to add or update the password for a data file.


Print

Select Print to display the Reports Dialog Box.  From this selection you can print, define, edit, and delete reports.


Import/Export

The Import/Export option allows you to exchange (import or export) information between PackRat and other applications.  Select this option to display the Import/Export Dialog Box where you can set up your information exchange.


Handheld Transfer

Handheld Transfer is used to exchange information between a handheld device (Sharp Wizard Electronic Organizer for example) and PackRat.  By selecting Handheld Transfer you open the Handheld Transfer Dialog Box.


Convert

This option displays the Select File Dialog Box.  Use it to Convert your PackRat 4.1 files to 5.0.  If you have a PackRat version prior to 4.1, you cannot convert directly to 5.0.  Contact Polaris Software for information about how to upgrade earlier versions of PackRat.


Install

Use this option to install PackRat tools or extensions.  (Forms, Lists, Reports and such.)

See also:

Make Extension Disk Dialog Box

Install Extension Disk Dialog Box


Make Install Disk

Use the Make Install Disk option to export information such as forms, scripts, or macros.  By selecting this option, the Make Extension Disk Dialog Box displays to assist you in this process.


Run

Use the Run option to run an  .exe,  .com,  .pif, or  .bat  file.  See also:  Run File Dialog Box


Exit

Exit closes PackRat and brings you back to your main Windows environment or exits Windows if PackRat acts as your shell.


File New Dialog Box

This dialog box is accessed when you select File Menu - New.  Use this dialog box to create a new PackRat file.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


File Name

Type in the name of the new file in the File Name box.


Path

In the Path box, enter the path where the file will be located, or use the Browse button to select a path.


Password

If desired, enter a password in the Password box.  This will restrict access to private files.


Browse

You may click the Browse button to display the Select Path dialog box where you can select the path for the new file.


Files

Related Topics:

Backing Up

Compressing PackRat Files

Converting PackRat Files for 5.0

Your PackRat Files

Your PackRat file (let's call it "yourfile") actually consists of two different files called yourfile.prd and yourfile.pri.  Except for your PackRat user files, no other file should have a .prd or .pri extension.  For PackRat to access these files properly, both must be in the same directory.  You may move them around to other directories as long as you move them together.

You cannot mix versions of these files.  That is, you cannot use an older yourfile.prd with a more recent yourfile.pri.  For example, suppose you created a backup of yourfile and then a few days later, when re-arranging your files, you accidentally erased yourfile.pri.  Under these circumstances you cannot use your backup of yourfile.pri with the more recent yourfile.prd .

If you copy a PackRat file to a different file name, do not open that file and your original file at the same time.  Doing so will cause an internal PackRat error that will damage both of your files.  If you want to make a copy of your file under a different name you must use File menu - Save As.  Similarly, do not rename your backup file with the .prd and .pri extensions and open the backup and the original file at the same time.

When you back up your PackRat files you will want to back up every one of these files.

The following is a complete list of the PackRat data files:

yourfile.prd, yourfile.pri

These files are your PackRat data and index files.  This is where your data records are stored.

alerts.prl

This is the alerts file.  It keeps track of any alerts that you have set in PackRat.

attaches.pra

This your PackRat attachments file.  It keeps track of all of your attachments.

config.pdb

This file stores your entire PackRat desktop configuration.  Therefore, this is a very important file and should be backed up regularly.  If you want to have multiple desktop configurations, you may back up this file and swap it around with other config files.

Upon installation,  your working directory will be the directory to which you installed PackRat.  If you change your Working Directory, be sure to copy all of these files into the new Working Directory, otherwise PackRat will not be able to access your files.


Financial Accounts

Financial Accounts must be established before you can use the Financial Journal Object.  Use the Financial Accounts command to create and initialize your financial accounts.  This includes naming the account, setting the initial balance, and entering the next check number if it's a checking account.

Setting Up Financial Accounts

1.	From the main menu bar:

2.	Open the Setup Menu and select Financial Accounts.

The Financial Accounts Dialog Box displays.

Any previous accounts you created will be listed here.

From this dialog box you can:

Create a New Financial Account

Get an Account Balance

Reconcile an Account

Edit an Existing Account

Delete an Existing Account


Creating a New Financial Account

From the Financial Accounts dialog box:

1.	Click on the New button.

The Financial Account Dialog Box displays.

2.	In the Account Name box, enter the name of the account to be created.

3.	From the Type drop box, designate the type of account being created.

Account types include: Checking, Savings, Payables, Receivables, Credit Card, Expense.

4.	In the Balance box, enter the initial amount of money that will be in the account.  A "$" sign is not necessary.

5.	If you selected Checking in the Type box, then enter the number of the next check that will be written from this account, otherwise go on to the next step.

6.	Verify that all the information entered is correct and select OK to create the new account.


Getting an Account Balance

You can quickly get the balance and the current cleared balance of any existing account.

From the Financial Account dialog box:

1.	Click on the Summary button.

The Financial Account Summary Dialog Box displays.

2.	From the Account Name drop box, select the account name for which you want the balance checked.

The Balance and Cleared Balanced fields are updated with the selected account's information.


Reconciling an Account

From the Financial Account dialog box:

1.	Select the account to be reconciled.

2.	Click on the Reconcile button.

A dialog box confirms that the account has been reconciled.


Editing Existing Accounts

From the Financial Accounts dialog box:

1.	Select the name of the account to be edited.

2.	Click the Edit button.

The Financial Account Dialog Box displays that files information.

3.	Click within any field to change the information displayed.

4.	Click OK to save the changes, or Cancel to exit without making any changes.


Deleting an Existing Account

From the Financial Accounts dialog box:

1.	Select the account to be deleted.

2.	Click the Delete button.

The account is removed from the list.


Financial Accounts Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you select the Setup Menu - Financial Accounts.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Financial Box

In the Financial box type in or highlight the name of the Financial Account you want to edit, summarize, reconcile, or delete, then click the appropriate button.


Edit Button

Highlight an account, then click the Edit button to change the properties of that account.  Complete the Financial Account Form which appears on the screen.


New Button

Click the New button to display the Financial Account form where you can create a new account.


Delete Button

Highlight the account you wish to delete, then click the Delete button to delete an existing Financial  Account.


Financial Account Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you create a new Financial Account or choose to edit an existing one.  Click the New or Edit button in the Financial Accounts Dialog Box to access this dialog box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Account Name

In the Account Name box, enter the name of the account to be created or edited.


Type

From the Type drop box, designate the type of account being created or edited.

Account types include: Checking, Savings, Payables, Receivables, Credit Card, Expense.


Balance

In the Balance box, enter the initial amount of money that will be in the account.  A "$" sign is not necessary.


Next Check #

If you selected Checking in the Type box, enter the number of the next check that will be written from this account, otherwise go on to the next step.


Financial Account Summary Dialog Box

The Financial Account Summary dialog box displays when you click the Summary button in the Financial Accounts Dialog Box.  With this dialog box you can quickly get the balance and the current cleared balance of any existing account.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Getting an Account Balance

1.	From the Account Name drop box, select the account name for which you want the balance checked.

The Balance and Cleared Balanced fields are updated with the selected account's information.


Financial Journal

The Financial Journal object is a List Viewer dedicated strictly to viewing Financial Accounts.  It lets you access your financial accounts and quickly review all financial activity.  You must have created at least one financial account before you can use the Financial Journal.

Note:  Refer to Financial Accounts to learn about the various account types and how to create them.

Related Topics:

Adding a Financial Journal

Adding Financial Information


Adding a Financial Journal

1.	Right-click on the folder in which you want to place a Financial Journal object.

The Instant Options Menu displays.

2.	Select Add Objects.

The Objects Dialog Box displays.

3.	Select Financial Journal.

The Financial Journal displays on the folder.


Adding Financial Information

Note:  If you will be using the Financial Journal extensively, you should consider placing it on a dedicated "Financial" folder.  This is primarily because of the amount of folder space used by the Financial Journal.

The following topics will demonstrate the process of initializing a checking account, writing a check, and viewing that transaction in the Financial Journal.  The process is essentially the same for all other financial account types.

Due to the highly customizable nature of PackRat, the actual names of buttons and forms referenced is unique to this example.  This should not hinder the effectiveness of the example.

Financial Topics;

Creating a New Financial Account

Writing a Check

Using the Financial Journal

Editing Financial Journal Items


Writing a Check
Writing a Check From an Account

Lets assume you have just written a check from your actual bank checkbook and you want to record that information in PackRat.

1.	On your Financial Journal, click on the appropriate Action Button to open the Checking form.

The Checking form displays with the next check number already filled in and the current date in the Date field.

2.	Select the specific Checking Account to be added to and complete the other fields in the Checking form.

3.	Click OK on the form.

The check is registered.


Using the Financial Journal

1.	Select the account to be searched from the Financial Journal's Action Bar.

2.	Right-click on the Journal and select Search from the Instant Options menu.

The Search Dialog Box displays.

3.	Enter the search criteria for the desired account.

All transactions satisfying the search criteria display in the Financial Journal.

You can double-click on any Financial Journal item to display the full contents of the record.  For instance, to view the "Pay to the order of" field of a checking item, you need only double-click on the item;  the full record displays in the associated financial form.


Editing Financial Journal Items

Not all items displayed on the Financial Journal can be edited by double-clicking on the item to display the associated form.  Account-specific information, such as the Account Name, Type, Balance, Check Number, and Entry Form can only be changed from the Financial Account dialog box.  You must use the Setup menu-Financial Accounts command to make changes at this level.  When adjustments are made from the Financial Accounts dialog box, the Journal updates itself to reflect the changes.


Find Dialog Box

Related Topics:

Memo Pad

Replace Dialog Box

The Find dialog box is accessed whenever you click the Find Action Button on the Memo Pad Action Bar.

To find text in the Memo Pad using the Find dialog box:

1.	From the Memo Pad, click the Find button.

The Find dialog box appears.

2.	In the Find What box, type the text you wish to find.

3.	Check Match Case, if you want to find only text in the same case (upper or lower) as the text you placed in the Find What box.  Note:  You will usually not want to use Match Case.

4.	In the Direction box, select Up if you want to search from the end of your notes to the beginning (starting at the cursor location).  To search from beginning to end, select Down.

5.	Click Find Next.

A search for your text is conducted.

If Your Text is Found

You can click Cancel on the Find dialog box, if the located text is what you wanted to find.  You are then free to edit in the Memo Pad or do anything you wish in PackRat.

-or-

You can click the Find Next button to find the next occurrence of the text in the Find What box.

-or-

You can change the text in the Find What box or the other Find criteria and perform another search.

If Your Text is not Found

You can click Cancel on the Find dialog box.

-or-

You can change the text in the Find What box or the other Find criteria and perform another search.


Float

You can configure any object on your folder to be fixed, or always-movable to appear on all folders, by activating one of the Float commands from the Instant Options Menu.

Click directly on the Float Menu for further descriptions.

When active, a check mark displays next to the command.


On Folder

Selecting this option enables your object to be moved simply by putting your mouse pointer anywhere over the object, pressing the left mouse button, and dragging the object to its new location on the folder.


Across Folders

This option has the same characteristics as the On Folder option but the object will also "float" or stay on the active folder.  When you change folders, the object will appear on the new active folder.


Caption Bar

This option places a Caption Bar, or Title Bar, on top of the object.  You can place any text you like on the Title Bar.  The object can be moved  "grabbing" the caption bar with the mouse pointer and dragging the object to its new location.

See also:  Title Bar


Focus Window Selection Dialog Box

The Focus Window Selection dialog box pertains to the recording of scripts, which are a set of actions you perform that are recorded by the computer for future playback.

It appears when you select Tools menu - Scripts - click the Record button in the Scripts dialog box- and click the Focus button in the Record Scripts dialog box.

The Focus Window Selection dialog box prompts you to designate a screen to be used while recording a script. Click on the window you want as your main focus during your recording.

Note:  If you do not click on a window for focus, when you play back the Script at a later time, the recordings may not be accurate;  the recorded Script may play on a different window with a different setup.


Folder Menu

The Folder menu gives you access to creating a new folder, switching between folders, and the Folders Dialog Box

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


New Folder

This option displays the Add Folder Dialog Box where you can add a new folder to your desktop.


List of Available Folders

These numbered options are the current folders on your desktop. (These will vary per desktop.)  You may switch between folders by highlighting the name of the folder.  The selected folder becomes the top (active) folder.


Folders

This option displays the Folders Dialog Box where you can edit an existing folder's name, create a new folder, add objects, move between folders, delete folders, or create and add Hot Keys to a folder.


Folders

PackRat folders resemble the dividers in a filing cabinet.  Like a file folder, each PackRat folder has a unique tab name and color for quick referral -- just click on a tab to switch to that folder, and start working.  Each folder is a dedicated workspace where you can place numerous PackRat objects.  You can create as many folders as you desire.

Related Topics:

Active Folder

Adding a Folder

Creating a New Folder

Folder Tab Colors

Changing a Folder's Name

Deleting a Folder

Folder Options:  Top / Hidden / Left

Switching Between Folders

Folders Scroll Bar

Folder Tab Colors


Active Folder

The Active Folder is the top folder on the desktop.  Only one folder can be active at a given time. To make a folder active, click on the folder's tab.  When a folder is active you can access the objects it contains and perform actions within that folder.   Switching between folders (clicking on the folder tabs) closes the current folder and makes a new one active.   The inactive folders on your PackRat desktop are filed behind the active folder.

You may change the appearance of your folders (hide the tabs for optimum workspace ) or change the active folder's tab color.    To do so, access the Options Menu - Desktop.  Use the Desktop Preferences Dialog Box to make any desktop changes.


Creating a New Folder

There are two different ways you can create a new folder:

Pull down the Folder Menu and select Folders.

-or-

You can use the Instant Options Menu for Folders to create a new folder:

1.	Right-click on your PackRat Desktop or on an existing folder (not on an object).

 The Instant Options Menu displays.

2.	Select New Folder from the Instant Options Menu.

The Add Folder Dialog Box displays.

3.	When you have completed this dialog box, click OK to save the changes and create the folder.

Click Cancel to exit this screen without adding the folder.


Folder Tab Colors

The tab colors on your PackRat folders are customizable.  When you create a new folder the Add Folder Dialog Box appears.  From this dialog box you can select a folder for your folder tab from the Tab Color drop box.

Simply click on the Tab Color drop box arrow and select the desired color.   If the color you want does not appear, click the Colors button to create a new color.  When you are finished click OK.

Changing an Existing Folder's Tab Color

To change an existing folder's tab color:

1.	Switch to the folder on which you want to change the color.

2.	Right-click on the folder (not on an object)

3.	Select Customize from the Instant Options menu.

The Update Folder Dialog Box appears.

4.	Click on the Tab Color drop-box arrow and select the desired color.

If the color you want does not appear, click the Colors button to create a new color.

5.	Click OK.


Changing a Folder's Name

You can change the name of an existing folder from the Instant Options Menu for Folders.

1.	Right-click on the folder and select Customize.

The Update Folder Dialog Box displays.

2.	Type in the new name in the Folder Name box, then  click OK.

3.	Click Cancel to exit this screen and disregard changes.


Deleting a Folder

1.	Select Folder Menu - Folders

The Folders Dialog Box appears.

2.	Highlight the folder you want to delete, and click the Delete button.

-or-

1.	Right-click on the folder you want removed.

2.	Select Edit from the Instant Options Menu.

3.	Select Cut from the Edit menu.

The folder is deleted.


Folder Options:  Top / Hidden / Left

The Top folder option is the standard, or default, folder display.  With the Top option, folder tabs are displayed across the top of the desktop.

To change the placement of your folder tabs:

1.	Select Options Menu - Desktop.

The  Desktop Preferences Dialog Box appears.

2.	Click on the down arrow in the Tab Location box.

3.	Highlight the desired location:  Top, Hidden, or Left.

4.	Click OK.

Switching Folders while Tabs are Hidden

Use the Folder menu to switch folders or use the following steps:

1.	Double-click on the desktop (anywhere except on an object).

The Select Folder Dialog Box appears.

2.	In this dialog box, double-click on the desired folder name. That folder appears on the screen.

- or -

3.	Highlight the desired folder from the Select Folder dialog box and click on the Switch To button.   If you want this dialog box to remain on the screen, you can continue to use the Switch To button.  Click Close to close the Select Folder dialog box.

Restoring Folder Tabs

To put the folder tabs back on your desktop for easy viewing:

1.	Select Options Menu - Desktop.

The Desktop Preferences dialog box displays.

2.	In the Tab Location box, select Top.

3.	Click OK.

This restores the folder tabs on your desktop.


Select Folder Dialog Box

The Select Folder dialog box is used to switch folders when the folder tabs are hidden.

If your folder tabs are "hidden":

Double-click on any unoccupied area on the PackRat desktop (except on an object)

The Select Folder dialog box appears.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Folder List

Select the folder you would like to make active from the list of folders.

If you would like to switch to that folder and close the dialog box, then double click on the folder name.

If you would like to keep the Select Folder dialog box on the screen for easy access, then select the folder and click the Switch To button.  You can then click the Close button to remove the dialog box.


Switch To Button

Select the folder you would like to make active and click Switch To.  It will become the Active Folder.


Close Button

Clicking the Close button closes the Select Folder dialog box.


Switching Between Folders

To switch between PackRat folders, place your mouse pointer on any one of the folder tabs and click.  The folder that you click on instantly moves to the top of the stack so you can see what's in it and start working.  The folder on top is referred to as the Active Folder.


Folders Scroll Bar

The Folders Scroll Bar appears in the upper-right corner of your desktop when folder tabs are displayed on top.  It appears on the lower-left corner when the Left-Tab option is used for your folder option.  The Scroll Bar appears when you have more folders than can be displayed clearly.  Click on the Scroll Bar arrows to browse through your folders.


Folder Tab Colors

The tab colors on your PackRat folders are customizable.  When creating a new folder, a color tab drop-down menu appears in the Add Folder dialog box, and a color can be selected.

Assign a Tab Color to a New Folder

Highlight the desired color and click the OK button.

Change or Assign a New Color to an Existing Folder

1.	Right-click on the active folder.

2.	Click the Customize button and choose a color.

3.	Click OK.


Folders Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select Folder Menu - Folders.  With this dialog box you can customize, create, edit, and delete folders.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Folders

The names of existing folders appear in the Folder box.  If you have no folders created, no names will appear in this box.   Highlight the name of the folder to which you want to make changes.


Edit Button

Highlight a Folder name and click the Edit button to access the Update Folder Dialog Box where you can change the folder's name, tab color, or tab font.


New Button

Click the New button to access the Add Folder Dialog Box where you can add a new folder to your desktop.


Objects Button

Highlight a Folder name and click the Objects button to access the Objects Dialog Box where you can select objects to add to that folder.


Select Button

Highlight a folder name then click the Select button to switch to that folder.


Delete Button

Click the Delete button to delete the selected folder.


Hot Keys Button

The Hot Keys button displays the Hot Keys Dialog Box where you can edit, create, load, or delete Hot Keys.


Font Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you click the Font button located in various dialog boxes or from the Instant Options Menus.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Font Drop Box

In the Font drop-box, click on the arrow to display the font choices.  You will notice as you highlight different fonts, you can view them in the Sample box in the lower right corner of the dialog box.  Highlight the preferred font.


Font Style

In the Font Style box, click on the arrow to display the style choices.  Highlight the desired choice.


Size

Highlight the desired font size in the Size box.  You can create fonts of sizes not in the Size box, (fonts smaller than 8).  Simply type in the desired font size.  Fonts generated this way may not be exactly the point size you type.


Effects

In the Effects box, click on Strikeouts or Underline if preferred.


Color

Select the color you would like your type to be from the color drop box

Note:  The color option (from the Color box) may not be available on all items.


Sample

The Sample box shows an example of the Font and various options you are using.


Form Editor

The Form Editor is an exclusive customizing feature that allows you to edit existing forms and create new ones.   The PackRat Form Editor enables you to customize your form's fields and even design new forms so you will only be prompted for the types of information that you want to enter into your database.

The Form Editor is accessed by opening the Tools menu - Forms.

Form Editor Topics:

Creating a New Form

Form Details Dialog Box

Instant Options for the Form Editor

Form Editor -  Options Menu

Controls Dialog Box

Form Controls


Creating a New Form

1.	Select Tools Menu - Forms.

The Forms Dialog Box displays.

Note:  If you highlight a form and click the Delete button, any information in your database related to that form will also be deleted.

2.	Click New to create a new form.

The Form Editor window appears with the Form Details Dialog Box displayed.

3.	If the Form is to contain date-related information, use the Fixed Color drop box to associate a color with it.  The form's information will display in that color on the Day View, Commitments Window, Calendar, and such.

In the Always Add to drop box, select which database file you want this form's information added to.  If more than one file is open and the Always Add to checkbox is not selected, you will be prompted to specify the file each time you add information.

4.	Click Close.

The Form Editor window displays with a blank, untitled form in it.  Adding fields to a form is nearly identical to adding objects to a folder.  The Form Editor window has its own Instant Options Menu.

5.	Right-click on the Form Editor window.

The Form Editor Instant Options Menu displays.

6.	Select Add Controls.

The Controls Dialog Box appears.

7.	Highlight the control you wish to add to the form.

Note:  An OK and Cancel button automatically appear in the upper right side of every new form, so you do not need to add them manually.  When building a new form, make sure to leave room for them in the upper right side.

8.	Click Add.

The chosen control appears on the form in Float mode.

Drag and drop the new control to its desired position on the form.  Each control has an Instant Options Menu so it can be easily customized.  For example:

Right-click on the control and select Move/Size to resize the field's box.

Repeat steps 5 - 8 for each control you wish to add.

9.	When the Form is complete (use the Test Instant Option to view), save the form using the Save Instant Option.

The new form can now be accessed by your PackRat objects.


Form Details Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you create a new form in the Form Editor

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Color

Use the Fixed Color drop box to associate a color with the form.  The form's information will display in that color on the Day View, Commitments Window, Calendar, and such.


Macros

You can select macros to run when you enter the form and when you exit the form from the Initialize and Terminate drop boxes.


Always Add To

In the Always Add to drop box, select which database file you want this form's information added to.  If more than one file is open and the Always Add to checkbox is not selected, you will be prompted to specify the file each time you add information.


Advanced Button

Click the Advanced button to use advanced form setup features.


Instant Options - Form Editor
The Form Editor Instant Options Menu

If you right-click in the Form Editor, the following Instant Options menu will appear to assist you in Form editing.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Customize

Select Customize to modify the Form Details.


Organize

Select Organize to set up tab orders for the form and other control orders and organization.


Test

Select Test to see how your form will operate when it is saved.


Edit

Select Edit to Cut, Copy, or Paste controls on the form.


Add Controls

Add Controls will display the Controls Dialog Box so you can select controls to add to the form.


New

Select New to create a new form


Save

Select Save to save the form you are currently working on.


Description

Select Description to read a form description.


Form Editor - Options Menu

The Form Editor Options Menu contains 4 entries:

Organize

Select Organize to set up tab orders for the form and other control orders and organization.

Test

Select Test to see how your form will operate when it is saved.

Show Buttons

When checked, Show Buttons places the OK and Cancel buttons on the form in the upper right corner.  For the design of most forms you will want this option turned on so that you can see where the OK and Cancel buttons will be placed in relation to form's fields.  When designing forms for Reports, you will want this option turned off because the OK and Cancel buttons are unnecessary and fields can be placed anywhere for printing.

Show Grid

Selecting Show Grid makes a grid of lines visible on the form to assist in field alignment.


Controls Dialog Box

Related Topics

Form Controls

The Controls dialog box contains the building blocks that you'll need when you create and edit your forms.

Most controls have dialog boxes associated with them to help you configure them to your liking.  Experiment with the defined controls to familiarize yourself with their specific purpose.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Description Button

Highlight a control and click the Description button to read a description of that control.


Add Button

Highlight a control and click the Add button to place that control on the form


Fields Button

Click the fields button to set up the fields that will be used on the form.


Controls List

Highlight the desired control from this list.


Form Controls

Address

This field allows you to place an address field on your form where you can select from several addresses that may appear for an individual.

Alert

With the Alert field, you can set an alarm to be associated to data entered in the form.

Button

The Button field can be tied to any standard or macro function that carries out a task when clicked.

Check Box

This field is tied to Boolean type data.  For example, you may select such options as yes / no, or true / false with this field.

Combo Box

The Combo Box field is tied to lists that contain information you can use when completing your forms, such as titles or phone types.

Date

The Date field provides the day, month, and year options.  You may use this for forms which require starting and ending dates.

Duration

The Duration field provides for showing how long something lasted.  You may use this for time-related forms.

Edit Field

The Edit field provides an extra, single line where you can enter necessary information, an extra address line or a key field for example.

Group Box

The Group Box allows you to choose the title and font for a Group Box.  A Group Box is simply the frame or box around selected Radio Buttons, Lists, and so forth.

List Box

The List Box field is tied to data in your List Manager.  Any list can be made available on a form with this option.

Money

This field allows for monetary entry and can be "protected" (such as with a password) where the dollar amount can be typed in with confidentiality.

Notes

The Notes field is tied to notes you can make available when completing forms.

Numeric Field

This control allows you to create a field which requires a number to be entered.

Phone List

This field option gives you more phone number capabilities.  You may enter many phone numbers and from this field you can add, edit, or delete entries.

Phone Number

This field option gives you the standard phone number option, for example (619) 555-6076.

Radio Button

The Radio Button field is tied to data established in your List Manager.  This option toggles, allowing only one selection of given entries.

Rate

The Rate field provides for billing by time segment.

Serial Number

This field gives you a numeric editing field where you can choose some type of integer or numeric value.

Static

With this option, text appears fixed on the form.  Use this to identify fields where data must be entered.  For example, create a static field which says "Name" above the name edit field.

Time

The Time entry field gives the option of entering the time, which may consist of starting or ending times when using the form for scheduling purposes.

Timer

Elapsed time is recorded with this field option.  A timer will start and stop whenever you enter a form with a Timer associated to it.

Zip Code

The Zip Code field allows for zip code entry.


Form to Form Transfer

PackRat's "form to form transfer" enables you to quickly transfer records from one form to another.

Transferring Between Identical Forms

If you are transferring records between forms that are identical, all of the selected records will readily transfer and you will be notified as to how many records were transferred.  For example, you may want to move information between two differently-named Phone Book forms that contain the same fields.

Transferring Between Different Forms

If the forms contain different fields, only those fields that are appropriate will transfer.  For each form transferred, PackRat will display the target form with the newly transferred information and allow you to fill-in those fields that are unique to the target form.

Performing a Form to Form Transfer

You must have the records to be transferred displayed in a List Viewer and a Form Transfer button on the List Viewer's Action Bar.

1.	Highlight the record(s) to be transferred in the List Viewer.

2.	Click the Form Transfer button.

You will be prompted to select the target form where you want the records transferred.

3.	Select the desired form and click OK.

Transferring Results

•	If the two forms are similar, the transfer will take place and you will be notified as to how many records were transferred.

•	If the two forms are not similar, only those things that are in common will transfer.   You must manually enter information in the remaining fields.

•	If a transfer between the two forms has not been predefined, you will be notified that the transfer cannot be made.

The most common transfers are predefined by PackRat.  However, if you wish to attempt a transfer that is not predefined, you may use the PackRatBASIC CopyRectoClipboard() and PasteRecFromClipboard() macro commands to write a macro that performs transfer.


Forms

Related Topics

Search

List Viewer

List Viewer Dialog Box

Forms Dialog Box

Form Editor

Whenever you add information to PackRat, such as names to your Phone Book, you will need to fill out a Form.

Forms prompt you for a specific type of information, depending on how or where it is going to be used.  These prompts are called "Fields".  For instance, your Phone Book Form might contain the following fields:   Name, Company, Address, City, State, Phone Number, and so forth.  PackRat lets you customize your fields so that they will apply to your specific situation.   If you don't need a Company field, you can remove it or replace it.  If you need multiple address fields, you can add them.

After you fill out a form, the information is added to your user files, where it can be readily accessed by conducting a search.

Unlike dialog boxes, which configure objects, Forms are used strictly to add information to your user files.

When the information is needed again, the Phone Book List Viewer can search for it .  The List Viewer can be configured to display whichever fields you desire, and the column headings can also be customized to your liking.


Forms Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you select Tools menu - Forms or  when you click the Forms button located throughout various dialog boxes.   With this dialog box you are able to edit, create, or delete associated Forms.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Form Box

The names of existing forms appear in the Form box.   Highlight the name of the form you want to access or make changes to.


Edit Button

Highlight the desired form and click the Edit button to change the properties of existing forms.


New Button

Click the New button to create new forms.


Delete Button

Click the Delete button to delete the selected form.


Gantt Chart

The Gantt Chart object is a graphical representation of the time commitments of items.  The vertical axis lists the commitment items and the horizontal axis displays an increment of time.  Gantt Charts will display in hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly increments.  A colored bar represents the duration of a commitment.

Very small time increments will always be shown as a small bar or box.  When viewing yearly increments, 1 day and 1 week will appear as the same sized bar.  To see a better representation of your committed time, right-click on the Gantt Chart, select Customize, and choose a smaller Interval for viewing.


Gantt Chart Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add a Gantt Chart object to your folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Interval

Click on the arrow to display the interval choices:  Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly.  Select the desired time interval setting for the horizontal axis.


Year

Select the desired year.  Click the arrow to display choices, or simply type in the year in a four number format. (1993 not 93.)


Month

Select the desired month to display on the chart.


Day

Select or type in the desired day to display in your Gantt Chart.


Time

When you choose the Hourly option in the Interval box, you are able to choose the starting time from this box.  Highlight your preference.


Background Color

Click on the arrow to display the available colors.  Select the color desired for the Gantt Chart's background.


Show Grid Lines

This option shows grid lines (horizontal lines separating records) where there is data displayed in the Gantt Chart.


OK Button

Click OK when you have completed the Gantt Chart dialog box.  The Gantt Chart will appear on the active folder.


Handheld Devices Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you select the Setup menu - Handheld or click the Handheld button in the Handheld Transfer Dialog Box.  Use this dialog box to install and select the default handheld device.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Browse Button

Click the Browse button to select the path where the drivers to be installed are located.

The available drivers appear in the Available Devices box.


Available Devices

Click the Browse button to select the path where the drivers to be installed are located.

The available drivers appear in the Available Devices box.


Install Button

Highlight the handheld driver(s) in the Available Devices box that you want to install and click the Install button.

The associated handheld devices appear in the Installed Devices box.


Default Device

The Handheld device that you have set as your default is displayed in the Default Device box.


Installed Devices

The handheld devices that you have installed on your machine are displayed in the Installed Devices box


Set as Default Device Button

Select the handheld device you want to designate as the default device.  To do so, highlight the specific handheld device and click the central Set as Default Device button or double-click on the item.

The default handheld appears in the Default Device box.


Setup Button

Use the Setup button to set general parameters for the default handheld device.  These will vary depending on the handheld device you are using.


Remove Button

Use the  Remove button to remove an entry from the Installed Devices box.  Simply highlight the handheld device you wish to remove and click the Remove button.


Handheld Transfer

The process of "transferring" information refers to exchanging information between a handheld device (Sharp's Wizard Electronic Organizer™ for example) and PackRat.  To access the Handheld Transfer option, select File menu - Handheld Transfer from the main menu bar.

Note:  You may transfer with Sharp Wizard Electronic Organizer™ -Model OZ-7000 or higher and other Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's).  You must have the appropriate cable to connect between your handheld device and your computer.

Refer to the instruction manual accompanying your particular handheld device for information about interfacing it with a personal computer.  For the Wizard Electronic Organizer™ you must place it in PC Link mode by pressing ([Shift], [Option], 4) on the Wizard.  Other devices will need to be placed in their proper "transfer" or "link" modes.

After you have connected the interface cable between the handheld device and your personal computer, and placed your handheld device in the appropriate mode for transferring information, simply follow the directions below for importing or exporting.

Handheld Transfer Topics:

Transferring Information from a Handheld to PackRat

Transferring Information from PackRat to a Handheld


Transferring Information from a Handheld to PackRat

1.	Start PackRat and have at least one PackRat file open.

2.	Select File menu - Handheld Transfer.

The  Handheld Transfer Dialog Box displays.

3.	Select Import.

4.	Select the Handheld Category from which you want to import.

Handheld devices have several different categories in which they store information.  There are different categories for telephone numbers, to do's, expenses, business information, and for other information.  You can only import from one of these categories at a time.  You will have to do a separate transfer for each Handheld Category you want to import into PackRat.

5.	Select the Database in which you want this information to be placed.

All open PackRat files appear in the Database drop box.  Select the PackRat file that you want the information to be stored in permanently.

6.	Select the Form in which you want to place the imported information.

7.	Select the Data Template that you would like to use to organize your information for the import.

8.	Click the Options button.

The Resolve Duplicates Dialog Box displays.

9.	Select how you would like PackRat to handle duplicate records.

A record being imported that matches a record already contained in your PackRat file is a duplicate record.

10.	Click OK on the Resolve Duplicates dialog box.

11.	Click OK on the Handheld Transfer dialog box.

Information will now be transferred from your handheld device to PackRat.


Transferring Information from PackRat to a Handheld

1.	Start PackRat and have at least one PackRat file open.

2.	Select File menu - Handheld Transfer.

The  Handheld Transfer Dialog Box displays.

3.	Select Export.

4.	Select the Data Template that you would like to use to organize your information for the export.

5.	Select the Handheld Category you want to import to.

Handheld devices have several different categories in which they store information.  There are different categories for telephone numbers, to do's, expenses, business information, and for other information.  You can only export to one of these categories at a time.  You will have to do a separate transfer for each Handheld Category you want to export into.

6.	Click the Options button.

The Resolve Duplicates Dialog Box displays.

7.	Select how you would like PackRat to handle duplicate records.

Note:  A duplicate record is an exported record that matches a record already contained in your handheld device.

8.	Click OK on the Resolve Duplicates dialog box.

9.	Click OK on the Handheld Transfer dialog box.

Information will now be transferred from PackRat to your handheld device.


Handheld Transfer Dialog Box

Related Topics:

Handheld Transfer

The Transfer dialog box appears when you select File menu - Transfer.  Use this dialog box to exchange information with a handheld device and PackRat.  The dialog box has two different layouts, depending on whether you are importing or exporting information.

Handheld Transfer Dialog Box - Import

Handheld Transfer Dialog Box - Export


Handheld Transfer Dialog Box - Import

Related Topics:

Handheld Transfer Dialog Box - Export

This is how the Handheld Transfer Dialog Box appears when importing

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Direction Box

Import

Click Import to bring information from a handheld device to PackRat.

Export

Click the Export button to transfer information from PackRat to a handheld device.


Handheld Data

Click the arrow to display the handheld information options.  From the list, select the information feature of the handheld you want to capture from for import into PackRat.

Note:  There are different categories for telephone numbers, to do's, expenses, business information, and for other information.  You can only import from one of these categories at a time.  You will have to do a separate Transfer for each Handheld Category you want to import into PackRat.


Database

Select the PackRat database where the incoming information will go.


Data Template

Select the Data Template you want to use should the incoming information be in a different format than it was in the handheld.


Duplicates Button

The Duplicates button displays the Resolve Duplicates Dialog Box where you can select overwrite, keep original, prompt, or append for duplicate records.


Handheld Transfer Dialog Box - Export

Related Topics:

Handheld Transfer Dialog Box - Import

This is how the Handheld Transfer Dialog Box appears when exporting.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Data Template

Use the Data Template box to select the Data Template from which you would like to use to sort and organize the outgoing information.


Handheld Category

Click the arrow to display the handheld information options.  From the list, select the information feature of the handheld you want to export the information to.

Note:  There are different categories for telephone numbers, to do's, expenses, business information, and for other information.  You can only export to one of these categories at a time.  You will have to do a separate Transfer for each Handheld Category you want to export into.


Duplicates Button

The Duplicates button displays a resolve duplicates dialog box.  The options available will vary depending on which Handheld electronic organizer you are using.


Handles

Handles appear on an object when you put that object in Move/Size mode from the Instant Options Menu for objects, or with [Ctrl] + Right-click.

The eight little squares that form a rectangular box around an object are the "handles".  These are used for resizing objects.  You can grab any one of these handles with the mouse pointer and drag them inward or outward to change the size and shape of the object.

Deactivate Move/Size mode by selecting it in the Instant Options Menu (to remove the check mark). You can also use the shortcut keystroke [Ctrl] + Right-click.


Help Menu

Related Topics:

Accessing Help with your keyboard

Description Help

The Help menu is located on the menu bar.

Click directly on the menu entries for further descriptions.


Index

Selecting Index will take you to an alphabetical index containing every topic contained in PackRat's On-line Help.  You can then "jump" to any of these simply by clicking on the topic you wish to view.


Search

Selecting Search will take you to the On-line Help Search dialog box.  From this dialog box you can quickly locate the topic you wish see and go to that Help screen for instructions and information.


Contents

Selecting Contents will take you an On-line Help Table of Contents that lists Help screens by topic and function.  You can then "jump" to any of these screens simply by clicking on the topic you wish to view.


Using Help

Selecting Using Help will take you to the standard Windows Help screen for instructions on navigating through the On-line Help environment.


Context-Sensitive

Selecting Context-Sensitive will allow you to place the mouse pointer on any object in PackRat and click the left mouse button to get a Help description of that object.


Tutorial

Selecting Tutorial will bring up the PackRat On-line Tutorial.


About

Selecting About will display the PackRat version number and copyright information.


F1
Keyboard Help Options

F1

Pressing F1 on your keyboard while on the PackRat main screen will take you to the On-line Help Table of Contents.  If you press F1 while filling out a dialog box, a Help screen explaining that particular dialog box will appear.

[Shift] + F1

Holding down the [Shift] key while pressing F1 on your keyboard will access PackRat's Context-Sensitive Help feature.  Your mouse pointer can then be clicked on any object in PackRat that you want help with.


Description Help

If you click the right mouse button while the mouse pointer is over any object or folder an Instant Options menu appears.  When select Instant Options Description, a description will appear.

Clicking the More button on this description screen will take you to its associated On-line Help screen.  In the screen shown above, clicking the More button would access the On-line Help screen for the Things To Do object.


Hot Keys

Hot Keys serve as keyboard shortcuts.  You can assign a combination of Hot Keys to your folders.  For example, you could assign the Hot Key sequence of [Ctrl] + [Shift] + M to send electronic mail, or [Ctrl] + [Shift] + S to initiate the Speller.  Hot Keys are completely customizable in PackRat so you may assign any sequence you desire.

Hot Keys Topics:

Creating a Hot Key

Define Hot Key Dialog Box

Hot Keys Dialog Box


Creating a Hot Key

1.	Select Tools menu - Hot Keys.

2.	From the Folder drop box, select the Folder you would like to assign this Hot Key, or select Global.

3.	In the Hot Keys dialog box, click New.

The Define Hot Key Dialog Box appears.

4.	Select the keys you wish to use in the Ctrl, Shift, and Keys boxes.

5.	In the Description box, type in a description for your Hot Key.

6.	Select the action you want the Hot Key to perform:

Macro:  If you want to assign a macro to a Hot Key, choose the desired macro from this box.

Command:  If you want to assign a single command to a Hot Key, choose a command from this box.

Script:  If you want to assign a script to a Hot Key, highlight the desired script from this box.

7.	Click OK.


Hot Keys Dialog Box

Related Topics:

Creating a Hot Key

Define Hot Key Dialog Box

This dialog box displays the Hot Keys that have been created.  The dialog box is accessed by selecting the Tools menu - Hot Keys.    Use this dialog box to edit,  load, create, or delete Hot Keys.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Folder Drop Box

Select which folder's Hot Keys you would like to view in the Hot Keys box.  Every folder can have a different set of Hot Keys, or you can assign Hot Keys to be global (across all folders).


Hot Keys

The Hot Keys box displays the existing Hot Keys.


Edit Button

Click the Edit button to edit the selected hot key.


New Button

Click the New button to create a new Hot Key.


Delete Button

Click the Delete button to delete the highlighted Hot Key.


Define Hot Key Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you create a Hot Key.  Use the dialog box to establish the properties of the Hot Key.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Defining the Hot Key

Ctrl + Shift + Key

Click on the keys you want to define for your new Hot Key.  (These choices determine the keystrokes that will activate the Hot Key.)


Description

Type in a short description for your Hot Key.


Action

Macro:  If you want to assign a macro to a Hot Key, choose the desired macro from this box.

Command:  If you want to assign a single command to a Hot Key, choose a command from this box.

Script:  If you want to assign a script to a Hot Key, highlight the desired script from this box.


Auto Repeat

Check this box if you would like the Hot Key to repeat if you hold down the key.


Hot Links

Hot Links are associated with  Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) which enables applications to communicate with each other, thus allowing  you to exchange information between PackRat and another application.

Related Topics:

DDE

Hot Links Example

Hot Links Dialog Box

Create Link Dialog Box

Creating Hot Links

Editing or Deleting Existing Hot Links

Connecting or Disconnecting Hot Links


Hot Links Example

Let's say an employee named Mike has a macro or program that downloads stock information from CompuServe into an Excel spreadsheet.  This process is going on in the background while Mike is working in PackRat.  The Spreadsheet has Hot Links connected to PackRat which notify Mike when certain cells reach a certain price.  It also notifies Mike of a Buy/Sell every time the cells reach that level.


Creating Hot Links

1.	Select Tools menu - Hot Links.

The Hot Links Dialog Box displays.

2.	Click the Create button to display the Create Link Dialog Box.

3.	Enter the necessary information in all boxes.

Hot Link Name:  Type in the name of the Hot Link.

Application:  Type in the name of the application to link with, Excel or Word for example.

Topic:   Enter the name of the application's data file which you want to access.

Item:  Enter the location in the Topic, such as a Bookmark in the case of word processing or Cell reference in the case of spreadsheets or data field.

System Variable:  Type in the variable name that will hold the changes made to the item. (All updates or changes will go to this variable.)

Macro:  Select  a macro that will appear every time a change or update is made.

4.	Click Auto Connect for automatic connection of PackRat with the linked application.  Both PackRat and the application to link to must be running.  If Auto Connect is not selected, you will have to reconnect each time you enter PackRat.

5.	To edit existing Macros, click the Macro button and complete the  Macros Dialog Box.


Editing or Deleting Existing Hot Links

1.	Select Tools Menu - Hot Links.

The Hot Links Dialog Box displays.

2.	Highlight the Hot Link you wish to edit or delete.

3.	Click the appropriate button - Edit or Delete.

4.	If you selected Edit, make the necessary changes to the Hot Link in the Create Link Dialog Box and click OK.


Connecting or Disconnecting Hot Links

Once you have created Hot Links, it is necessary to connect (or disconnect) them with the application PackRat is communicating with.

1.	Select Tools menu - Hot Links.

2.	In the Hot Links Dialog Box, highlight the Hot Link you wish to connect or disconnect with PackRat.

3.	Click the appropriate button - Connect or Disconnect.

The connection or disconnection is initiated.


Hot Links Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select Hot Links from the Tools Menu.  Use the Hot Links dialog box to create, edit, connect, disconnect, or delete Hot Links.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Hot Link

This box displays a list of existing Hot Links.  You can select a Hot Link in thus box and then click one of the buttons to the right to edit, delete, connect, or disconnect the Hot Link.


Create Button

Click Create to display the Create Link Dialog Box where you enter the information needed for creating a link between two applications.


Edit Button

Click Edit to display the Create Link Dialog Box where you can make changes to existing Hot Links.


Delete Button

Highlight a Hot Link and click the Delete button to delete it.


Icon

An icon is a small, graphical representation of a PackRat feature.  It may represent an outside application or a minimized PackRat object. Any PackRat object can be displayed as an icon by selecting the Instant Options - Minimize command.  This helps save desktop space when you have many objects on a folder.  To restore a minimized object, double-click on its icon.


Import/Export

Importing allows you to capture information from other applications and bring it into PackRat.  The Import option appears under File Menu -Import/Export.

You are able to import information from other types of files into your PackRat file.  PackRat's import function is compatible with the following file types:

BTrieve

dBase

Excel

Paradox

Text (ASCII)

Import/Export Topics:

File Preparation

Preparing BTrieve Files

Preparing Text (ASCII) Files

The Import Process

Exporting Information

The Import/Export Dialog Box


File Preparation

It may be necessary to prepare your file before you import information into PackRat.  Information may only be imported to one form at a time.  Therefore, your data file may have to be separated into several files that reflect PackRat's forms.  If your file contains information for two different forms, you must either separate it into one file for each form, or create a new form that will accommodate all of the information.

Paradox (*.db), dBase (*.dbf), and Excel (*.xls) files do not require preparation other than separating your file if necessary.   PackRat will import information from these files as they are.  However, you must have the pdxeng.dll file to import from Paradox files.

BTrieve and Text (ASCII) files may require extensive preparation before importing is possible.

File Preparation Topics:

Preparing Btrieve Files

Preparing Text Files


Preparing BTrieve Files

You must have btrieve.exe on your system and perform the following procedures before importing a Btrieve file.

To import from a Btrieve file to PackRat you must first create a *.dta file.  To do this you must have the following files in the same directory:  btrieve.exe, xqlo.exe, and qebutil.exe.  We have supplied xqlo.exe and qebutil.exe with PackRat.

You also must know:

How many fields are contained in the Btrieve file

The field names in the file to be imported

The field types (i.e. CHAR, INT, DATE, etc.)

The maximum length of each individual field.

When you have the Btrieve file information, follow the steps listed below to create the *.dta file:

1.	Create a file in a text editor such as DOS EDIT or Windows Notepad.

It must be a text file with the *.txt file extension.  You may give it any eight character name you want.  For this example we will use the file name bimport.txt.

2.	Type in the following statement:

"INSERT TABLE [filename] ( NAME CHAR(20), ADDRESS CHAR(40), PHONENUMBER  CHAR(20)) "

This is the SQL statement required to create a Btrieve file.

[filename] must be the same as the name of the Btrieve file you are importing.

The entire statement must be enclosed in quotes and followed by a carriage return.

The entire statement must be all on one line, that is, there can be no hard carriage returns in the middle of the statement.

[filename] can be up to eight characters, no period, no extension.  Upon completion of these steps [filename] will become [filename.dta].

There must be an open parenthesis followed by a space before the first field name and close parenthesis followed by a space before the closing quote.

Each field must be separated by a comma+space.

Each field to be exported must be given a name, its type must be specified, and the maximum length (number of characters) must be stated.  The name does not need to match any PackRat field names, though to avoid confusion you might want to do so.

For example:   for the last field in the statement above, the fieldname is PHONENUMBER , the type is CHAR and the length is (20).

There must be a space between the field name and the type.

There must not be any spaces between the type and the maximum length.

The maximum length must be enclosed in parenthesis.

3.	Save the file to the same directory that contains btrieve.exe, xqlo.exe, and qebutil.exe.

4.	Close the text editor.

5.	Exit to DOS (if not already there).

6.	At the DOS prompt type:  btrieve.exe and press [Enter].

This loads btrieve.exe.

7.	Type:  xqlo.exe and press [Enter].

This loads xqlo.exe.

8.	Type:  qebutil.exe FILENAME.TXT

FILENAME.TXT is the text file you created above containing the SQL statement.

If the file runs successfully you will receive a message stating "# of SQL statements processed: 1".  And the file bimport.dta will be created in that directory.

If the file does not run successfully you will receive one or more warning statements.  If this occurs check the syntax of your SQL statement, and be sure that all parenthesis, commas spaces and quotes are correct.  If the syntax appears to be correct you may have declared too many or too few fields.

You can now go back into windows, open PackRat, and import Btrieve data from that file.  Follow the directions for importing given under the heading Import Process.


Preparing Text (ASCII) Files

Each record to be imported must contain the same number of fields.  If a field within a record is empty, it still must be represented with a comma (,) if comma-separated, or a tab [Tab] if tab-separated.  If every record does not have the same number of fields then your information will not be placed in the proper PackRat fields.

For example, if a Phone Book record to be imported does not contain text in a position where other records in the file do, then the record must be set up like this:

"Doe, John", Any Company, , 1234 Main Street, San Diego, CA, 92117, (222) 555-1234

This record is formatted properly for import into PackRat.  it contains the following fields:  Full Name, Company, Department, Street Address, City, State, Zip Code, and Phone Number.  The following are points to notice about this record:

There is a comma between each field.

The empty field - Department - is represented by a single comma.

There is a single hard carriage return at the end of the record.

Also notice the quotes around the Full Name "Doe, John" in the above example.  The quotes are used because of the comma within that field.  Quotes are only necessary when you are importing a delimiter character (comma in comma-separated text) into a field.  However, there is never any harm in putting an imported field into quotes.  For example, if we had a form that organized First Name and Last Name separately, and we imported John's name as Last Name and First Name separately in that order, it could be set up two ways.

Doe, John, Any Company, Office Manager, 1234 Main Street, San Diego, CA, 92117, (222) 555-1234

- or -

"Doe", "John", Any Company, Office Manager, 1234 Main Street, San Diego, CA, 92117, (222) 555-1234

Since quotation marks indicate fields when importing, Make sure that you do not have any stray quotation marks.  It is not possible to import them into any field.  For example, if you have a field containing a measurement in inches indicated with quotation marks (3"), then your file will not import properly.  PackRat will think that the quotation mark is indicating the beginning or end of a field, and not be able to import correctly.

It's a good idea to view your file on a word processor and display the carriage returns before you import to be sure you do not have any extra carriage returns in your file.  If you have extra carriage returns at the end of your file or between records, you will get empty records in PackRat.

 Records to be imported cannot have hard carriage returns in the middle of the record.

There must be a carriage return at the end of each record.

There cannot be carriage returns before the first record in your file.


The Import Process

1.	Prepare the file from which you are going to import.  See File Preparation

2.	Open PackRat.

3.	Select File menu - Import/Export.

The Import/Export Dialog Box displays.

4.	Select the Import radio button from the Direction Box.

5.	Select the File Type that you are going to import.

6.	In the Import From box, type the path and name of the file you are importing from, or use the Browse button to select the file.

If you are importing a Text (ASCII) file select the Delimiter that is used in the file - Comma, Tab, or a custom delimiter.

7.	From the Import To Form drop box, select the form into which you wish to import.

Click the Forms button if you wish to modify or create a form into which you can import.

The fields or field names from the first record of the file you are importing are displayed in the Available box.  Blank fields will either be displayed as empty quotation marks ("") or by FIELD_2.  The number indicates the position of the field in the record.

8.	Highlight each field that you want to import and click the >> button.

The Resolve Field Dialog Box will display.

This dialog box allows you to select the field in PackRat that each field in your file will be placed in.

The Field line contains the field you selected from the Available box.

9.	From the Maps to drop box, select the PackRat field into which you would like it to be placed.

10.	Click OK.

The selected field will display in the Selected box with it's corresponding PackRat field next to it.

11.	Repeat steps 8 - 10 until all of the fields you wish to import have been selected.

Removing a Selected Field

If you accidentally select a field, double-click on the field name in the Selected box to move that field back to the Available box.  You can also highlight the field you want cleared and click the << button.

When you have selected all of the fields you wish to import and the rest of the dialog box is filled out correctly, you are ready to begin importing.

12.	Click OK to start importing.

Importing will begin and a dialog box will pop up to show you how much of your file has been imported.

13.	Click Cancel to stop importing.


Export Process
Exporting Information

PackRat can export its information to a file for use in other applications.  PackRat will export in several formats, including:

BTrieve

dBase

Paradox

Text (ASCII)

Related Topics:

Preparing to Export to Btrieve Format

To Export Information from PackRat

Import/Export Dialog Box - Export


Preparing to Export to Btrieve Format

It is necessary to prepare a file to receive data in the Btrieve format.  You must have btrieve.exe on your system and perform the following procedures before exporting in the Btrieve format.

To export in a Btrieve format you must first create a Btrieve file to receive the data.  Btrieve files have the extension *.dta.  To do this you must have the following files in the same directory:  btrieve.exe, xqlo.exe, and quebutil.exe.  We have supplied xqlo.exe and qebutil.exe with PackRat.

1.	Create a file in a text editor such as DOS EDIT or Windows Notepad.

It must be a text file with the *.txt file extension.  You may give it any eight character name you want.  For this example we will use the file name bexport.txt.

2.	Type in the following statement:

"CREATE TABLE [filename] ( NAME CHAR(20), ADDRESS CHAR(40), PHONENUMBER  CHAR(20)) "

This is the SQL statement required to create a Btrieve file.

The entire statement must be enclosed in quotes and followed by a carriage return.

The entire statement must be all on one line, that is, there can be no hard carriage returns in the middle of the statement.

[filename] can be up to eight characters, no period, no extension.  Upon completion of these steps [filename] will become [filename.dta].

This file's name does not need to match the text file (bexport.txt) but it does help to keep things uniform.

There must be an open parenthesis followed by a space before the first field name and close parenthesis followed by a space before the closing quote.

Each field must be separated by a comma+space.

Each field to be exported must be given a name, its type must be specified, and the maximum length (number of characters) must be stated.  The name does not need to match any PackRat field names, though to avoid confusion you might want to do so.

For example:   for the last field in the statement above, the fieldname is PHONENUMBER , the type is CHAR and the length is (20).

There must be a space between the field name and the type.

There must not be any spaces between the type and the maximum length.

The maximum length must be enclosed in parenthesis.

3.	Save the file to the same directory that contains btrieve.exe, xqlo.exe, and qebutil.exe.

4.	Close the text editor.

5.	Exit to DOS (if not already there).

6.	At the DOS prompt type:  btrieve.exe and press [Enter].

This loads btrieve.exe.

7.	Type:  xqlo.exe and press [Enter].

This loads xqlo.exe.

8.	Type:  qebutil bexport.txt and press [Enter].

bexport.txt is the text file you created above containing the SQL statement.

If the file runs successfully you will receive a message stating "# of SQL statements processed: 1".  And the file bexport.dta will be created in that directory.

You can now go back into windows, open PackRat and export Btrieve data to that file.  Follow the directions for exporting given below.


To Export Information from PackRat

1.	Open PackRat.

2.	Highlight the records you wish to export.  You will have to search for them from the appropriate List Viewer.  You can use [Ctrl]-click and [Shift]-click to highlight more than one record.

3.	Select File Menu-Import/Export.

The Import/Export Dialog Box displays.

4.	Select the Export radio button.

5.	Select the File Type you wish to export to.

6.	Enter the path and file name of the file to Export To.  If the file exists, it will be overwritten, otherwise it will be created for you.

- or -

Use the Browse button to select the file to export to.

7.	If you are exporting to a Text (ASCII) file select the Delimiter you would like to use, otherwise skip to step 7.

Choose Comma, Tab, or Custom.

If you select Custom, type the character you would like to use as the field delimiter in the edit box to the right of the Delimiter drop box.

8.	From the Export Form drop box, select the Form from which you are going to export.

9.	From the Available box, select the fields that you want to export.

Double click on the field name.

- or -

Highlight the name and click the >> button.

The field name displays in the Selected box.

10.	Repeat step 8 until you have selected all desired fields in each record.

Removing a Selected Field

If you accidentally select a field, double-click on the field name in the Selected box to move that field back to the Available box.  You can also highlight the field you want cleared and click <<.

11.	Click OK.

This will initiate the export.


Import/Export Dialog Box

Related Topics

Import/Export

File Preparation

The Import/Export dialog box appears when you select File menu - Import/Export.  It allows you to import information into PackRat and to export information from PackRat.

The Import/Export dialog box has two different setups, depending on whether you are importing or exporting information.  Click on the appropriate topic below:

Import/Export Dialog Box - Import

Import/Export Dialog Box - Export


Import/Export Dialog Box - Importing
The Import/Export Dialog Box - Importing

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Direction

Import

Click Import to bring information into PackRat.

Export

Click the Export button to transfer information out of PackRat.


File Type

Select the File Type that you wish to import or export.

The following types are available:

BTrieve

dBase

Excel

Paradox

Text (ASCII)


Delimiter

The Delimiter separates fields during importing and exporting of ASCII Text files.  The delimiter establishes the limits of individual items in a list.  The three separators, or delimiters, commonly used are the Comma, Tab, or a user-defined custom delimiter.  Select which delimiter you are using from the Delimiter drop box.


Import to Form

Select the Form you wish to import information into.  Click the Forms button if you need to modify or create a form to accept the incoming information.


Import From

Type in the path and file name of the file you are going to import from, or click the Browse button to find the file.  Make sure that you have done the necessary File Preparation if the file is a Btrieve or a Text file.


Available Box

The fields of the first record in the file display in the Available box, click the >> button to display the Resolve Field Dialog Box.  There you can choose into which PackRat field to place the incoming fields.


Selected Box

The fields that you have chosen to import appear in this box.  To remove a field from the Selected box, click the << button


Import/Export Dialog Box - Exporting
The Import/Export Dialog Box - Exporting

This is how the Import/Export Dialog Box appears after you have chosen Export.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Export To

Type in the path and file name of the file you wish to export to, or click the Browse button to find the file.


Export Form

Select the PackRat Form you wish to export information from.


Available Box

The fields of the Form you selected are displayed in the Available box.  Select the fields you wish to export and use the >> button to place them in the Selected box.  These are the fields that will get exported.


Selected Box

The fields that you wish to export are displayed in the Selected box.  If you wish to remove a field from the Selected box, select it and click the << button.


Resolve Field Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select a field to be imported on the Import/Export dialog box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Using the Resolve Field Dialog Box

The field you selected from the Available box appears next to Field.

From the Maps To drop box, select the PackRat field into which you would like to place the information and click OK.

The field will appear in the Selected box


Information Bar

The Information Bar is a PackRat object which creates an area on your folder that can be customized to display a message.

The Information Bar can also be tied to a macro that runs at specified intervals (i.e. every 30 minutes) which is capable of updating its message.  You could, for example, write a macro to affix to an Information Bar that will display the amount of free Windows memory available on your system.  You could set it up to run every ten minutes.


Information Bar Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add an Information Bar to a folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


OK Button

When you have completed the dialog box, click the OK button and the Information Bar will appear on the active folder.


Text

If you wish to have text on the Information Bar, click on the button preceding Text, then type the text in the allotted space.


Call Macro

Click on the arrow to the right of the box to view the list of available macros.  Select the desired macro.

The lower two boxes are available only when you select the Call Macro option.  When you specify a time interval  (i.e. 30 minutes) in this box, the selected macro will run every 30 minutes.  (Be careful not to select a macro to run every one second, unless desired.)


Install Extension Disk Dialog Box

Related Topics:

Make Install Disk

This dialog box appears when you select the File menu - Install and click OK.  Use this dialog box to transfer information from a disk to your computer system.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Install box

Type in (or select by clicking the Browse button) the name of the file you want to install.


Install Button

The Install button confirms the information in the dialog box and carries out the installation.


Instant Options  Menus for Folders and Objects

Related Topics:

Mouse Operations

PackRat simplifies many common operations by putting them a right-click away.  There are two different Instant Options Menus you will encounter;  one when you right-click on objects and the other when you right-click on a folder or desktop.  The Instant Options Menu for objects varies slightly from object to object.

Instant Options Menus Topics:

Instant Options Menu for Folders

Instant Options Menu for Objects


Instant Options Menu for Folders

When your mouse pointer is on a folder (and not an object) you can press the right mouse button to access the Instant Options Menu for Folders.

For descriptions of Instant Options not shown use Context-sensitive Help, which is available from the Help Menu in PackRat.

Click directly on the graphic for further description of the menu entries.


Customize

This command opens the Update Folder Dialog Box, which enables you to modify the Name or Tab Color of the active folder.


Font

This command opens the Font Dialog Box which enables you to change the font, font size, and font style used on the folder's tab.


Edit

The Edit command opens up a sub-menu containing the Cut, Copy, Paste, and Undo commands, which will perform the standard Windows cut and paste functions.  You can Cut or Copy an object from one folder and Paste it on another folder.


Add Objects

This command opens the Objects Dialog Box so a new object can be added to the active folder.


New Folder

This command opens the Folders Dialog Box so a new folder can be created on the desktop.


Description

This command displays a dialog box giving a general description of a folder and provides the More button from which On-line Help can be accessed.


Instant Options Menu for Objects

When your mouse pointer is on a PackRat Object and you click the right mouse button, the Instant Options Menu for Objects displays.

This Instant Options Menu lets you edit, move, size, configure, minimize, or get a description of any object on your screen.

Note:  Not all options are available to all objects, some objects have specialized Instant Options Menu commands.  The Instant Options Menu shown is from a List Viewer.


Customize

This command displays a screen that configures the object.  You can change the properties of the object from this screen.  For example, if you created an Action Button, but later decided to change its name , you could select this command and make those changes.  Note:  Not all objects are customizable.


Search

Search opens the Search Dialog Box which enables you to select the fields to be searched (name, company, city, phone #, and such).

Note:  Search options only appear in the Instant Options Menu for objects that can utilize them, such as a List Viewer or Gantt Chart.


Search All

Search All finds and displays every item entered in a form.

Note:  Search options only appear in the Instant Options Menu for objects that can utilize them, such as a List Viewer or Gantt Chart.


Search Attaches

Search Attaches will display all the items that have been attached to the specified item(s) in the form.

Note:  Search options only appear in the Instant Options Menu for objects that can utilize them, such as a List Viewer or Gantt Chart.


Sort

Sort displays the Sort Dialog Box where you can set how your List Viewer will sort displayed information.  This option only appears on the Instant Options Menu of objects with sorting capabilities


Edit

The Edit command opens up a sub-menu containing the Cut, Copy, Paste, and Undo commands which will perform the standard Windows cut-and-paste functions.  To delete an Object use the Cut command.


Font

This command opens the Font Dialog Box, enabling you to change the font, font size, and font style used by that object, if applicable.


Minimize

This command instantly reduces the object to an icon at the bottom of the screen.  Double-clicking on the icon restores the object to its regular size and position.  Use this feature to preserve desktop space, especially with objects you don't use very often.

See Minimizing Objects


Maximize

Select this command to maximize the object.

See Maximizing Objects


Float

This options displays a "cascading" menu with the following entries.  See Float

On Folder:  Selecting this option enables your object to be moved simply by putting your mouse pointer anywhere over the object, pressing the left mouse button, and dragging the object to its new location on the folder.

Across Folders:  This option has the same characteristics as the On Folder option but the object will also "float" or stay on the active folder.  When you change folders, the object will appear on the new active folder.

Caption:  This option places a solid bar (called a "caption bar" or "title bar") on top of the object.  The object can be moved  "grabbing" the caption bar with the mouse pointer and dragging the object to its new location.  See Caption Bar


Move/Size

The Move/Size command lets you relocate and resize an object.  When active, a check mark displays next to this command and "handles" appear on the perimeter of the object.  These handles can be grabbed to stretch or shrink the object to the desired size.  To move an object without resizing, click inside the perimeter of the object and drag the object.  Select this command again to take the object out of Move/Size mode.  When Move/Size is active (a check mark appears before this option in the Instant Options Menu) you are not able to use the object.  Take the object out of Move/Size mode to use it.

Note:  Use [Ctrl] + right-click to quickly activate and deactivate the Move/Size mode of an object.


Title

The Title command opens the Title Bar Dialog Box in which you can choose to place a Title Bar on your object.


Description

The Description command opens a dialog box containing a description of the object.  If more information is needed, click the More button to connect with PackRat's On-line Help.


Customize

This command displays a screen that configures the object or folder.  You can change the properties of the object or folder from this screen.  For example, if you created a folder, but later decided to change its name , you could select this command and make those changes.  Note:  Not all objects are customizable.


Description

The Description command opens a dialog box containing a description of the object or a folder description.  If more information is needed, click the More button to connect with PackRat's On-line Help.


Font

This command opens the Font Dialog Box, enabling you to change the font, font size, and font style used on the folder tab or on the object, where applicable.


Print

This option is available when you right-click on the Memo Pad object.  Selecting Print will allow you to print the contents of the Memo Pad.


Select All

Select All is available on the Instant Options Edit menu of List Viewers.  Choosing Select All will select every record displayed in the List Viewer.


Instant Options Command

A description of this Instant Option is not available using Context-sensitive Help.

Please select the Instant Option you wish to read about from the following list:

Commitments

Date Tracking

Fax Setup

Filters

Search

Search All

Search Attaches

Sort


Instant Options Command

A description of this Instant Option is not available using Context-sensitive Help.

Please select the Instant Option you wish to read about from the following list:

Commitments

Date Tracking

Fax Setup

Filters

Search

Search All

Search Attaches

Sort


Instant Options Command

A description of this Instant Option is not available using Context-sensitive Help.

Please select the Instant Option you wish to read about from the following list:

Commitments

Date Tracking

Fax Setup

Filters

Search

Search All

Search Attaches

Sort


Date Tracking

Related Topics

The Connection Between Objects

Scheduling Information

The Date Tracking Instant Option is available on the several PackRat objects.  Selecting Date Tracking will link that object to other date related objects.

For example, suppose you have a Calendar and a Day View on the same folder, and Date Tracking is selected on the Day View.  If you click on any date on the Calendar, the Day View will switch to that date also.


On-line Help Index
Index

A

Action Bar

Action Bar Dialog Box

Action Bars Dialog Box

(Define) Action Bar Dialog Box

Action Button™

Action Button Dialog Box

Action List

Action List Dialog Box

Add Folders

Add Folder Dialog Box

Add Objects

Advanced Dialing Setup Dialog Box

Alerts

Alphabetic Search Bar

Application Icon

Application Icon Dialog Box

Application Window

Application Window Dialog Box

Attachments

Autodialing

B

Backing up

Bitmap

Bitmap Viewer

Bitmap Viewer Dialog Box

C

Calendar

Calendar Dialog Box

Call Dialog Box

Caption Bar

Categories

Categories Dialog Box

Category Dialog Box

Click

Clipboard

Clock

Clock Dialog Box

Color

Colors Dialog Box

Commands

Commitments

Commitments Object

Commitments Dialog Box

Connection Between Objects

Contact List

Contact Management

Controls Dialog Box

Converting from PackRat 4.1 to 5.0

Copy

Country Codes Dialog Box

Create Link Dialog Box

Customize

Custom Scheduling

Cut

D

Data Templates

Data Template Editor Dialog Box

Day View

Day View Dialog Box

DDE - Dynamic Data Exchange

Define Hot Key Dialog Box

Deleting

Delimiter

Description

Desktop

Desktop Preferences Dialog Box

Dialing Setup Dialog Box

Document Manager Object

Document Tracking

Double-click

Drag and Drop

E

Edit

Editing a Record

Electronic Mail (eMail)

Embedded Object

Export

Exit

F

Fax Machine Object

Fax Setup

Fax Using PackRat

Fields

File Close Dialog Box

File Menu

File New Dialog Box

Files

Filters

Financial Accounts

Financial Accounts Dialog Box

Financial Account Dialog Box

Financial Account Summary Dialog Box

Financial Journal

Find Dialog Box

Find File in PackRat

Float

Focus Window Selection Dialog Box

Folder Menu

Folders

Folders Dialog Box

Font Dialog Box

Form Controls

Form Details Dialog Box

Forms

Form Editor

Form Editor Instant Options

Form Searches

Form to Form Transfer

Forms Dialog Box

G

Gantt Chart

Gantt Chart Dialog Box

H

Handheld Devices Dialog Box

Handheld Transfer

Handheld Transfer Dialog Box

Handles

Help Menu

Hot Keys

Hot Keys Dialog Box

Hot Links

Hot Links Dialog Box

I

Icon

Import/Export

Import/Export Dialog Box

Information Bar

Information Bar Dialog Box

Insert PackRat Merge Fields

Insert PackRat Name

Insert PackRat Text

Install Extension Disk Dialog Box

Instant Options Menus

J

K

Key Fields

Keyword Manager

Keyword Manager Dialog Box

L

List Manager

List Manager Dialog Box

List Viewer

List Viewer Dialog Box

List Viewer Options Dialog Box

List Viewer Totals Dialog Box

M

Macro

Macro Runner

Macros Dialog Box

Make Install Disk

Make Install Disk Dialog Box

Maximize and Minimize

Memo Pad

Merge Dialog Box

Modem

Modem Setup Dialog Box

Month View

Month View Dialog Box

Mouse Operations

Move / Size

N

O

Objects Dialog Box

OLE Client

OLE Object Dialog Box

Options Dialog Box

Options Menu

P

PDAs

PackRat .ini file

PackRat Integration Library (PIL)

PackRat Financial Report

PackRat Print Merge

Periodic Scheduling

Print Dialog Box

Printer

Print Setup

Q

Quick-Dial List

R

Record

Record Script Dialog Box

Repetitive Scheduling

Replace Dialog Box

Reports

Reports Dialog Box

Report Objects Dialog Box

Resolve Duplicates Dialog Box

Run File Dialog Box

S

Save and Log in PackRat

Save As and Log in PackRat

Save As Dialog Box

Scheduling

Scripts

Scripts Dialog Box

Search

Search Catalogs

Search Dialog Box

Search Operators

Select Action Button Dialog Box

Select Document Type Dialog Box

Select Fax Printer Dialog Box

Select File Dialog Box

Select Form Dialog Box

Select Path Dialog Box

Setup Menu

Sharp Wizard Electronic Organizer™ - Handheld Transfer

Sort

Spell Checker and Speller

System Information Dialog Box

System Information Object

T

Templates Dialog Box

Thesaurus

Things To Do List

Time Account

Time Accounts Dialog Box

Time Account Dialog Box

Time Manager

Time Manager Dialog Box

Title Bar

Title Bar Dialog Box

Tools - Menu Bar

Trash Can

U

Update Folder Dialog Box

U.S. Area Codes Dialog Box

V

W

Wizard Electronic Organizer™ - Handheld Transfer

X

Y

Z


PackRat Objects

Action Bar

Action Button

Action List

Application Icon

Application Window

Bitmap Viewer

Calendar

Clock

Commitments

Contact List

Day View

Fax Machine

Financial Journal

Gantt Chart

Information Bar

List Viewer

Macro Runner

Memo Pad

Month View

OLE Client

Printer

Quick-Dial List

Spelling Checker

System Information

Thesaurus

Things To Do List

Time Manager

Trash Can


Key Fields

Related Topics:

Action Lists in Fields

Key Fields are an important feature in PackRat.  Most PackRat forms contain several Key Fields.  Key Fields are used to enter "key" words that will help you locate a record at a future date when you may have forgotten where it was and what it was called.

For example, on a budget archive document, the words "budget", "expenses", "archive", and "finances" were entered in the Key Fields.  Later when searching for the budget archives, the person who did this might not remember what the Description was or where the file was located.  They could simply search on the Key word "budget", and that would find every record that had "budget" as a key word.

This can significantly reduce the time needed to find a record,  especially if your PackRat file is large.

Use Key Fields as hints.  Use words that you associate with that record.  For Phone Book records, it might be useful to enter in a person's nickname as a Key Field.

You can also use Key Fields to enter information that is unique to that record.  Key Fields are useful as catch-all fields, when you need a field for something that is not present on that form you can use a Key Field.  This will save you time if you don't feel like modifying a form to accommodate the information, or if it is a type of information that you will not be using often and don't want to take up space on your form with an extra field.

Of course, you are always free to use the PackRat Form Editor to change the names of Key Fields from "Key" to something else, or to further customize your forms.


Action Lists in Key Fields
Action Lists in Fields

You may also use Action Lists in Fields on PackRat Forms to make searching for information simpler.  For example, suppose you placed a "Document Type" Action List in a field containing such entries as Business documents, Personal documents, Project documents, or Pending documents.  By highlighting an Action List entry you could locate all records with that type of document.


Keyword Manager

Related Topics:

Keyword Manager Dialog Box

The Keyword Manager allows you to manage the information in your form's fields.  By accessing the Keyword Manager from the Tools Menu - Keyword Manager, you are able to display the fields within a Form and the information contained within it.  You can modify Field titles and information from the Keyword Manager also.  The Keyword Manager dialog box assists you with Field management.


Keyword Manager Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you select Tools menu - Keyword Manager.   Use this dialog box to assist with managing your Keywords.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Forms

Select the Form you wish to view from the Form box.


Select User Files

Select the user file you need from the Select User Files box.


Fields Box

The Fields Box displays the established Keywords from the previously selected Form.


List Manager

Related Topics:

List Manager Dialog Box

The List Manager allows you to quickly scan your Action Lists and list entries for simple list management.  With the List Manager you are able to add or delete lists or list entries and  create or delete Categories associated with lists.


List Manager Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select Tools menu - Lists.  From this dialog box you can add create, edit, or delete lists.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Lists Box

This box contains the names of all the existing lists that you have created for the selected Category.  PackRat includes several sample lists.  The currently active list displays in the box at the top of the list.  To add a new list name, type the new name in the active list box and click on the (upper) Add button.


Entries Box

This box displays all of the items that are in the active list.  The currently active item displays in the box at the top of the list.  To add a new item to a list, make sure the list to be added to is the active list, then type the item's name in the active box and click on the (lower) Add button to add it to the list.


Add Button

This button will add the new list name to the Lists box and the new list item's name to the Entries box.  The upper button is for the Lists box and the lower one is for the Entries box.


Delete Button

This button deletes the highlighted list name (upper) or the highlighted entry (lower).


List Viewer

Related Topics:

Adding to a List Viewer

Editing a List Viewer Record

Deleting a record from the List Viewer

Viewing information on the List Viewer

Multiple-selection of Records on the List Viewer

The List Viewer is the "central" PackRat object because it allows you to display the information that has been entered into your PackRat Forms.  For example, you add information to your PackRat Phone Book using a Phone Book Form, but you need a List Viewer to view that information.  The List Viewer is generic until you configure it to display a specific type of information.  You can customize your List Viewer to display whichever fields you desire (name, company, address, etc.).

List Viewers are probably the most important object in PackRat.  Several other objects (Contact List, Document Manager, Things To Do List, Financial Journal) are simply specialized List Viewers preconfigured for a specific purpose.  List Viewers allow you to view and interact with the information centered in your PackRat file.  You will use List Viewers to:

Add information to PackRat

Edit information in PackRat

Delete Information from PackRat

View your PackRat information

Print PackRat records

Export or transfer records from PackRat


Adding to a List Viewer
Adding Records using a List Viewer

1.	Switch to the folder containing the List Viewer where you wish to add the record.

2.	Click the [image] (Add)  button on the List Viewer Action Bar.

The form associated with the List Viewer appears.

3.	Fill out the form.

4.	Click OK on the form.

If the record does not appear on the List Viewer immediately, use Search to find it.


Editing a List Viewer Record

1.	Switch to the folder containing the List Viewer where you wish to edit a record.

2.	Search for the record you wish to edit.

3.	Double-click on the record, or click the Edit button.

The complete record displays.

4.	Make the changes.

5.	Click OK.

The record has been changed.


Deleting a record from the List Viewer

1.	Highlight the record.

2.	Use of one three options:

Drag it to the Trash Can object

click the [image] button

OR, press the [Delete] key on your keyboard.


Viewing information on the List Viewer

The List Viewer allows you to see the information in a PackRat file.  You can search for specific records using the Search buttons on the List Viewer Action Bar, or by right-clicking on the List Viewer and selecting one of the Search options.

You can select which fields you want to see from each record on the List Viewer.  Simply right-click on the List Viewer and select Customize from the Instant Options menu.  This will take you to the List Viewer dialog box where you can highly customize the List Viewer.


Multiple-selection of Records on the List Viewer

The List Viewer supports the standard Windows [Ctrl] and [Shift] convention for selecting multiple list items.

You can easily select more than one record from a List Viewer.  You might want to select multiple records for one of many reasons:

To delete the selected records

To print the selected records

To export or transfer the selected records

To copy or cut the selected records

To drag the selected records to the Contact List

To attach the selected records to each other.

There are many times you will want to select more than one record on a List Viewer.

Selecting Consecutive Records

1.	Press and hold the [Shift] key on your keyboard.

2.	Click on the first record you want selected.

3.	Click on the last record in the group you want selected.

All records between and including the first and last records will be selected.

4.	Release the [Shift] key.

Each record will remain selected.

Selecting Non-consecutive Records

1.	Press and hold the [Ctrl] key on your keyboard.

2.	Click on each record that you want to select.

3.	Release the [Ctrl] key.

Each record will remain selected.


List Viewer Dialog Box

The List Viewer dialog box displays when you add a List Viewer object to a folder.  Use this dialog box to configure your List Viewer.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Type Box

You are able to select which information you want to view from these three options:

Form:  Select this option if you know which Form contains the information you want.

Category:  Select this option if you are not sure which specific form contains the information you want.  You will be given all forms associated with this Category to search for the desired information.

Global:  Use the Global option if you are not certain where the information you want is located.  This option gives you access to all Categories (and their related Forms) so you may locate the information you want to view.


Available

This box displays the available fields that can be viewed in your list.  Highlight the desired field and click the  >>  button to move the selection to the Selected box.


Selected

When Fields are moved to this box, they become the fields that will be used in the list.  To move a field back to the Available box, highlight the field then click the << button.


Column Heading

This box displays the column heading for the selected field.  You may type a different heading if the one appearing is not satisfactory.


OK Button

When you have completed the dialog box, click the OK button and the List Viewer will be added to the active folder.


List Viewer Options Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you click the Options button in the List Viewer Dialog Box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Alphabetic Search Bar

Click this option to display an Alphabetic Search Bar on your List Viewer so you may conduct a quick search by letter.


Status Bar

Click this option to display a bar across the bottom of a List Viewer that displays the number of records located after a search.


Column Headings

Click this option to display column headings.


Row Lines

By checking this option horizontal lines appear on your List Viewer to separate fields.


Column Lines

By checking this option vertical lines appear on your List Viewer to separate entries.


Horizontal Scroll Bar

Click this option to display the scroll bar across the bottom of the List Viewer.  If you have information displayed which rarely or never changes, you may not want to display the horizontal scroll bar on your List Viewer.


List Viewer Totals Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you click the Totals button in the List Viewer dialog box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Show Column Totals

Click this option to display the totals of each column in your List Viewer.  Use this option for numeric lists only.


Show Calculation using Column Totals

Click this option if you want the view the calculation derived from the column totals.   Use this option for numeric lists only.


Use Field Names to Build...

Use this in conduction with the previous option to type in the arithmetic expression.  For example:  Sales - Expenses = Net Profit, where (Sales) and (Expenses) are column headings.


Label

Use the Label box to enter what you want to call this result.  For example:  Balance, Outcome, or Earnings might be used.


Macro
Macros

A macro is a predefined or user-created program that runs inside PackRat and can perform simple or complex tasks.

The logic and performance of a macro is as simple or complex as you want it to be.  The PackRatBASIC macro language is extremely powerful and capable of performing very complex tasks.

You can assign a macro to an Action Button or a Hot Key to place on a folder.

An example of a macro would be an Update Macro that searches a form for a particular word and replaces it with a different word when it finds it.  Macros are accessed under the Tools Menu - Macros.   From here the Macros Dialog Box displays, where you can run, create, edit, or delete a Macro.


Macro Runner

The Macro Runner is a PackRat object that can be placed on a folder for quick access to all of your macros.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Using the Macro Runner

1.	Click the down-arrow to display the available macros.

2.	Select the macro you wish to run and click the Run button to initiate it.


Macros Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you select Tools Menu - Macros.  From this dialog box you can run, create, edit, or delete macros.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


New Button

Click the New button to access the PackRatBASIC Editor where you can create your Macro.


Edit Button

Click the Edit button to update and change the selected Macro in the PackRatBASIC Editor.


Delete Button

Click the Delete button to delete the selected Macro


Macro Box

Select the Macro from the Macro box that you wish to run, edit, or delete, and click the appropriate button.


Make Install Disk

Related Topics:

Make Install Disk Dialog Box

Install Extension Disk Dialog Box

The Make Install option with PackRat allows you to transfer any tools you have created, for example an Action Bar, Form, Action Button, Macro, Report, or Template.  You can transfer this information to other systems by means of the Install Disk.

When you perform Make Install a file is created with the *.prx file extension.  The default file is called packrat.prx and it is placed in Windows directory.  You can change the file name but not the file extension.  It must be .prx.  All Make Install disk files can be updated.   This means that instead of creating a new and separate file when you want to add a tool to the file, you can simply output it to the existing file and it will be appended to the file.


Make Install Disk Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select the File Menu - Make Install Disk.  Use this dialog box to transfer tools (Action Bars, Action Buttons, Macros, Reports, Templates, etc.) you have created to a disk.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Description

The description entered will be what the person carrying out the install will see.  Your description should clearly describe what the file contains.


Destination

Type in the destination path for this extension file.


Tools

Select the Tools you wish to make available for the transfer.


Available

Highlight the source of the information, and click the >> button to move it to the Selected box.  Use the << button to move an item back to the Source box.


Selected

Items in the Extension Disk box will be saved to the Extension Disk box when you click the Make button.


Maximize and Minimize

Related Topics:

Minimizing Objects

Maximizing Objects

Maximizing and minimizing the current screen are Windows functions.  Maximizing enlarges the current window to fill the screen.   In PackRat, the user can click the Maximize button to enlarge the screen.  Click the Minimize button to reduce the application to an icon.  Double-clicking on the icon will restore the application to its previous size.

 Maximize button - Enlarges the current screen.

 Minimize button - Reduces the current screen.


Minimizing Objects

1.	Right-click directly on the object.

2.	Select Minimize from the Instant Options Menu.

The object reduces to an icon.


Maximizing Objects

The Maximize Instant Option only applies to certain objects that have a use for being maximized, such as the day View or Month View objects.

1.	Right-click directly on the object.

2.	Select Maximize from the Instant Options Menu.

The object enlarges to fill your entire PackRat desktop.


Memo Pad

Related Topics:

Find Dialog Box

Replace Dialog Box

Thesaurus

Speller

The Memo Pad object allows you to type free form notes.  The notes that you type into the Memo Pad remain there until you delete them.  Any notes you type at a later date are simply added to the end of your current notes.  If you delete the Memo Pad object using Edit  - Cut,  you will lose the notes you have saved.  If you want to delete text, simply select it with the mouse pointer and press the [Delete] key on your keyboard.

Additional Options

You can use the Spell Checker and the Thesaurus on any selected words in the Memo pad.  You can cut, copy, and paste text.  You can also find and replace text in the Memo Pad by clicking the Find or Replace buttons.  The Action Bar on the Memo Pad is customizable just like any other Action Bar.


Menu Bar
Main Menu Bar

The PackRat menu bar consists of seven menus, as shown below:

Place the mouse cursor on the menu title of your choice and click to jump to a help topic about that menu.


Merge Dialog Box

The Merge dialog box displays when you click the Merge button in the Keyword Manager Dialog Box.  Use the Merge dialog box for editing or for correcting mistakes in existing Keywords.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.

Note:   Most likely this dialog box will be used to clean up mistakes you've made while entering data into your forms.  For instance, while looking at the contents of your "Company" field you notice these three entries:

Polaris

Plaris

Polars.

You know these should all be "Polaris," so you highlight the incorrect entries, click the merge button and enter "Polaris" in the Merge dialog box.  The incorrect entries are removed.


Using the Merge Dialog Box

1.	Type the desired change in the Change all to box.  This entry will effect all those items highlighted in the previous dialog box, the Keyword Manager dialog box.

2.	Click OK to initiate changes.


Modem

Related Topics:

Modem Setup Dialog Box

Modems are used to connect a computer to a remote computer system.  To use communication services, such as CompuServe, the computer must include a modem that connects the computer by a phone line to the remote system.  PackRat's autodialing capabilities can be set to work with Hayes-compatible modems.  The Modem option is accessed from the Setup Menu.


Modem Setup Dialog Box

Select Setup Menu - Modem to display the Modem Setup dialog box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Port

Choose the computer serial port (COM port) that your modem is connected to from the Port drop box


Baud Rate

Choose the baud rate of your modem form the Baud Rate drop box


Parity

Choose None, Even, or Odd Parity.


Stop Bits

Choose 1, 1.5, or 2 Stop Bits.


Dial Code

PackRat sends these characters to initiate the call, dial, and put the modem back into Command mode.  Check your modem documentation for the necessary codes.


Hang Up Code

Your modem sends these characters to PackRat when it hangs up the phone line and PackRat automatically hangs up.  Check your modem documentation for the necessary codes.


Month View

Related Topics:

Adding A Month View

Using the Month View

The Month object view creates a large one month calendar on your folder where you can review all of your time related commitments for the month.  The Month View displays the same range of information as the Commitments object, except rather than viewing the specific time-of-day an event is scheduled, you see a summary of the item instead.

Double-clicking on any cell accesses the Day View Object for that day, enabling you to schedule items and information in any Form.

When you close the Day View, the new information displays on the Month View calendar.

Note: It is better to use a small font with the Month View because space in a cell is limited.


Adding A Month View

From the active folder:

1.	Right-click on the folder.

The Instant Options Menu displays.

2.	Select Add Objects.

The objects dialog box displays.

3.	Select Month View.

The Month View dialog box displays.

4.	Complete the dialog box and Click OK.

The Month View displays all scheduled time related information for that month.


Using the Month View

To schedule or edit information in the Month View:

1.	Double-click on the day to which you want to add information.

The Day View object displays for that day.

2.	Add and schedule in the Day View as you would ordinarily.

You can customize the Day View to access any form and add to any field.  The selected calendar day should already appear in the Date field of any form you select.

3.	Hit the [Enter] key to register the information in the Day View and add a new item in the Day View, if desired.

4.	When done entering information, click the "close" button on the left side of the Day View's title bar.

If the information is specifically time related, it appears on the Month View.


Month View Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add a Month View object to a folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Starting Month

Select the Month you wish to display on your Month View.


Starting Day

By clicking on Sunday, the Month View week will begin with Sunday.  If Monday is selected, the first day of the week on the Month View will be on Monday.


Year box

Select the year you want to display on your Month View.


Leading and Trailing Dates

Selecting this option will cause the first [and last] month on your Month View to display as many days from the previous (or following) month as fits on the traditional sized Month View.  For example, if October 31st falls on a Thursday, your Month View would use the remaining space to display Fri. Nov. 1st and Sat. Nov. 2nd if this option were selected.


Mouse Operations

Related Topics:

Special Right-click Features of PackRat

The mouse controls a pointer on the screen.  Moving the mouse causes the pointer, or cursor, to move on the screen.  PackRat requires the use of at least a two button mouse.  If a three-button mouse is being used, the center button remains inactive.  PackRat can use any mouse that Windows supports.

Click:  A click is a single press and release of the left mouse button, which carries out functions.  Equivalent to a Left-click.

Double-click:  To click the left mouse button twice in rapid succession is a double-click.

Drag:  To hold down the mouse button while you move the mouse.

Drop:  To release the mouse button; this term  is used in conjunction with drag, known as drag-and-drop method of moving text or graphics.

Grab:  To place the mouse pointer over something and hold down the left mouse button.  This is the first step of Drag and Drop mouse movements.  You must "grab" the item before you can drag it.

Left-click:  Equivalent to a Click.

Point:  To move the mouse until the mouse pointer on the screen rests on the item of choice.

Right-Click:  A right-click is a single press and release of the right mouse button which causes an Instant Options Menu to appear.


Mouse Operations - Special Right-click Features of PackRat
Special Right-click Features of PackRat

In PackRat, the right-click is especially important.  Right-click on the right mouse button  to display the PackRat Instant Options Menus.   By right-clicking on an object, you can edit, move, resize, get a description of, or minimize any object on your screen.   The Instant Options Menu will differ slightly depending on the object.  By right-clicking on a folder  you can customize, change the tab's font, edit, add  objects, add folders or get a description of a folder.


Move / Size

The Move/Size option for objects allows you to enlarge or reduce the object in size and move it to a new location on a folder.  Most objects appear on the folder in Move/Size mode when you first add them.  Once you have placed the object where you want it on the folder, you must take it out of Move/Size mode to use it.  The Move/Size option is also accessed  from the object's Instant Options Menu.   When active, a check mark displays next to this command and "handles" appear on the perimeter of the object.   These handles can be grabbed to stretch or shrink the object to the desired size.  To move an object without resizing, click inside the handles and drag the object.

You are not able to use an object while it is in the Move/Size mode.

Move/Size Mode Shortcut

[Ctrl] + Right-click

To take an object in or out of Move/Size mode, use the keystroke shortcut by pressing [Ctrl] + Right-click.


Adding an Object to a Folder

1.	Activate the folder (click on that folder's tab) where you want to add the object.

2.	Right-click anywhere on this folder.

The Instant Options Menu displays.

3.	Select Add Objects from the menu.

The Objects dialog box displays.

4.	Select the desired object from the Objects list and click the Add button.

The selected object displays on the folder or the appropriate dialog box appears.


Customizing an Object

Customizing objects (changing their existing properties) is quick and simple with PackRat.  By simply right-clicking directly on the object, the Instant Option Menu for objects appears.

By selecting Customize in the Instant Option Menu for objects, you access that object's dialog box where you can make changes to the object's properties.


Deleting an Object

To remove an object from a folder:

1.	Right-click on the object to be removed or deleted.

2.	Select Edit Menu - Cut.

The object is removed.


Objects Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to add objects to a folder.  To access the Objects dialog box, right-click on a folder (not on an object) and select Add Objects from the Instant Options Menu.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Add Button

1.	Highlight the object you wish to add to a folder.

2.	Click the Add button.  The object or its setup dialog box will appear.


Objects box

1.	Highlight the object you wish to add to a folder.

2.	Click the Add button.  The object or its setup dialog box will appear.


Object Icon

When you select an object, its icon appears in this box.


OLE Client

Related Topics:

Definition of OLE Terms

Placing OLE Objects in PackRat

Editing an OLE Object

Server "Irregularities"

The OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) Client can contain Linked and Embedded items from other applications.  This capability enables you to open the server application and edit the item by double-clicking on it in PackRat.  It's ideal when using charts or documents that must be updated regularly.

OLE Client objects offer easy access to their server applications.

Overview

Technically speaking, the OLE (Oh-lay) Client enables you to place information on your folder that is linked or embedded to the application that it was created in (the Server application).  This information can be in the form of an entire file, or something that has been copied from the Server and pasted into PackRat using the OLE Client object.

OLE  Client vs. Application Window

Suppose that you have a folder named "Wall Street" where you keep track of stock market information.  The data file gets updated regularly and you use a Microsoft Excel chart to view the day's market activity at a glance.  Obviously, you want this Excel chart on your Wall Street folder.  This can be done either by running Excel from an Application Window, or using the OLE Client.

Problems with the Application Window

If the Excel file is run in an Application Window, every time you wanted the chart to reflect the latest data change you would need to close and reopen the chart file.  Furthermore, because Excel is running on the folder, you would have the Excel menu bar and tool bar taking up valuable folder space.

OLE Advantages

If the OLE Client were used,  the chart would appear on the folder without any indication that it is actually an Excel file.  When you want to update the chart you could simply right-click on it and select the Update Link Instant Options command; any changes made to the file would appear instantly.  If you decide that you want to go back to Excel and label parts of the chart,  you need only select the Instant Options Activate Server command; Excel would appear with the chart file open.

Make sure that you understand the differences between running an application on your folder and using the OLE Client.

The OLE Client is much more selective in terms of which applications you can run.  When you add an OLE object to your folder, you can only select from certain application "types", whereas an Application Window will run almost any Windows program.


Definition of OLE Terms

There are several terms unique to OLE that need to be defined:

OLE Object/OLE Compatible Object

An OLE object can be any file or information that was created in an OLE compatible application.  Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word for Windows, Lotus AmiPro, Windows Paintbrush, and CorelDraw are all OLE compatible applications, just to name a few.  OLE objects are NOT to be confused with PackRat objects, and will specifically be referred to as "OLE objects" rather than just "objects".

Server

The Server is the application in which the OLE object originated.  For instance, if a Paintbrush picture is the OLE object, then Paintbrush is the Server.  Selecting the Activate Server Instant Options command opens the associated server.

Link

A linked OLE object is always an entire file.  When you select the Activate Server Instant Option while on a linked OLE object, the server application opens with the associated file open.  If the file is edited, any saved changes will appear on the updated PackRat folder.  It is imperative that the "Save" option is used, or changes made to the file will not be reflected later.  To update an OLE object from your PackRat folder, Select Update Link from the Instant Options menu.

Embed

An embedded OLE object can either be pasted from the Windows Clipboard or be taken from an existing file.  Note the distinction:  it is not the file itself, only the data from the file.  Once it is embedded in PackRat, it will have no relation to the original file, and WILL NOT show changes made to that file.  The original file will still be intact, but you will have an independent "copy" of it in PackRat.

When you select the Activate Server Instant Option while on an embedded OLE object, the server opens with the contents of the OLE object pasted into it.  Since changes are not being made to a file, Save is not an available option.  To view changes on your PackRat folder, the server's File Menu - Update command must be used to update the embedded OLE object.  To save changes made in the server, you must select Save As, which will break the OLE connection with PackRat, and save the information to a new file.

OLE

OLE stands for Object Linking and Embedding.  OLE objects in PackRat can be either linked or embedded.  Regardless of whether an OLE object is linked or embedded to the server application, the server can be opened by selecting the Activate Server Instant Options command.


Placing OLE Objects in PackRat

There are four ways you can place an OLE object in PackRat using the OLE Client object:

Add an OLE object from the Windows Clipboard (embed).

This will place any OLE compatible information from the Windows clipboard into PackRat as an embedded OLE object.  You can then update the object in the application it was created it.  The object will be associated with any file, and will only be accessible using PackRat.

Add a file as a Linked OLE Object.

This will place a file on your PackRat folder for you to view.  You can then make changes to the file by right-clicking on it in PackRat and selecting Activate Server (as you can with all OLE objects in PackRat)

Add a file's contents in PackRat as an Embedded OLE object.

Adding the files contents (as opposed to adding the file) essentially places a copy of the file into PackRat.  This copy will have no association with the original file.

Create a new ("empty") OLE object in PackRat (link or embed).

This allows you to create a new OLE object in PackRat.  You can have it associated with a file on your hard drive by creating a Linked OLE object, or you may choose not to associate it with a file, by Embedding it in PackRat.


Adding an OLE Object from the Clipboard

If you have an object in the Windows Clipboard that was created in an OLE-compatible application, then you can place this object in PackRat using the OLE Client Object.

1.	Make sure the folder to be added to is the active folder.

2.	Right-click on the folder and select Add Objects from the menu.

The Objects Dialog Box displays.

3.	Select OLE Client and click the Add button.

This Polaris PackRat 5.0 dialog box displays.

4.	Click Yes.

The object appears on your folder.

The object is now embedded in PackRat.  It is not related to the file it was copied from in any way.  You can right-click on the object and choose Activate Server to edit the object.


Adding a file as a Linked OLE Object

You can place a file that was created in an OLE compatible application in PackRat as a Linked OLE object.  A Linked OLE object will be tied to the original file.  Any changes you make to the file will be reflected in PackRat.

If the file is from a word processor or another type of file that may take up more than a full screen, the file may not appear on the folder.  Instead the server application's icon may be placed on the folder.  You can still right-click on the icon and select Activate Server to edit the file.  It is still an OLE object.

To add a file as a Linked OLE object:

1.	Make sure the folder to be added to is the active folder.

2.	Right-click on the folder and select Add Objects from the menu.

The Objects Dialog Box displays.

3.	Select OLE Client and click the Add button.

If you are prompted to Paste OLE object currently on clipboard, click No.

The Select Document Type dialog box displays.

4.	Select the type that you wish to add.

5.	Click OK.

The OLE Object Dialog Box displays.

6.	Select Link.

7.	Click OK.

The Select File Dialog Box displays.

8.	Find the file you wish to use.

9.	Click OK.

The OLE object appears in PackRat.

You may right-click on the OLE object and select Activate Server to edit it.  Remember, because it is a linked OLE object, any changes you make to it will be reflected both in PackRat and in your original file.


Adding a file as an Embedded OLE Object

You can place a file that was created in an OLE compatible application in PackRat as an Embedded OLE object.  An Embedded OLE object will not be tied to the original file.  The contents of the file will be "pasted" into PackRat.  Changes made to the object will appear in PackRat, but no changes will be made to the original file.

If the file is from a word processor, or another type of file that may take up more than a full screen, its contents may not appear on the folder.  Instead the server application's icon may be placed on the folder.  You can right-click on the icon and select Activate Server to edit the object - it is still an OLE object.

To add a file as an Embedded OLE object:

1.	Make sure the folder to be added to is the active folder.

2.	Right-click on the folder and select Add Objects from the menu.

The Objects Dialog Box displays.

3.	Select OLE Client and click the Add button.

If you are prompted to Paste OLE object currently on clipboard, click No.

The Select Document Type Dialog Box displays.

4.	Select the type that you wish to add.

5.	Click OK.

The OLE Object Dialog Box will display.

6.	Select Embed.

7.	Select Use Existing File.

8.	Click OK.

The Select File Dialog Box displays.

9.	Find the file you wish to use.

10.	Click OK.

The OLE object appears in PackRat.

You may right-click on the OLE object and select Activate Server to edit it.  Remember. because it is an embedded OLE object, any changes you make to it will be reflected in PackRat , but not in the original file.


Creating a new OLE Object from PackRat

You may create a new OLE object that will not have associations with a pre-existing file.  Since it will not be associated with anything except for PackRat and the server application, it must be an embedded object.  The object will appear "blank" in PackRat and you may right-click on it and select Activate Server to edit it, and your changes will appear in PackRat

If the object is associated with a word processor or another type of OLE compatible application, and takes up more than a full screen, its contents may not appear on the folder.  Instead the server application's icon may be placed on the folder.  You can right-click on the icon and select Activate Server to edit the object.  It is still an OLE object.

To create a new OLE object in PackRat:

1.	Make sure the folder to be added to is the active folder.

2.	Right-click on the folder and select Add Objects from the menu.

The Objects Dialog Box displays.

3.	Select OLE Client and click the Add button.

If you are prompted to Paste OLE object currently on clipboard, click No.

The Select Document Type Dialog Box displays.

4.	Select the type that you wish to add.

5.	Click OK.

The OLE Object Dialog Box displays.

6.	Select Embed.

7.	Click OK.

The OLE object appears as a blank area (or as an icon) in PackRat.

You may right-click on the OLE object and select Activate Server to edit it.


Editing an OLE Object

Making changes to OLE objects is as simple as selecting an Instant Option command.

1.	From PackRat, right-click on the OLE object and select Activate Server from the Instant Options menu, or simply double-click on the OLE object.

The object's server application opens.

If the OLE object is linked, the server opens with the linked file loaded, so changes can be made to the file.

If the OLE object is embedded, the server opens with the object's information pasted into it, so there is no existing file open.

2.	From the server, make the desired changes to the OLE object.

3.	Save or Update the changes in PackRat, as appropriate.

For linked OLE objects:

Select Save from the server's File menu.  This saves the changes to the linked file, and the changes will automatically appear in PackRat.  If the changes do not appear immediately, right-click on the OLE object (in PackRat) and select Update Link from the menu.

For embedded OLE objects:

Select Update from the server's File menu.  The change appears instantly on the PackRat screen.  No change is made to the file from which the embedded object originated.


Server "Irregularities"

Nearly every OLE Server application functions slightly differently when working with OLE.  Most of the differences are apparent when using File - Update, File - Save As, File - Save Copy As, and when closing either the Server or PackRat with an OLE object open.  You may get a dialog box that was not documented here.  All of the OLE dialog boxes are fairly self-explanatory will usually be asking you if want to sever a link, update a link, or prompting you to exit or not.

Using the "Save As" Command

If changes are made in the server to an Embedded OLE Client object and the File - Save As command is selected,  a dialog box will appear.

The user can select Yes to update the OLE object and proceed to the standard Save As screen and assign the OLE object a file name.  This new file will have no relation at all to PackRat.  If the user returns to PackRat and double-clicks on the embedded OLE object again, they will see the updated OLE object in the Server.

Using the "Save Copy As" Command

Certain applications (such as Microsoft Excel) will have the Save Copy As command on their File menu when using OLE.  This will save a copy of the object under a different file name.  The original object will remain open in the application.

Closing PackRat when the server is open

If PackRat is closed and you select File - Update from an open server application, the Object Update dialog box displays.

When PackRat is reopened, you will need to manually update each embedded OLE object either by selecting Update from the server (embedded only), or Update Link from the right-click menu (linked only).


OLE Object Dialog Box

The OLE Object Dialog Box appears when you add an OLE object to PackRat.  You use it to select whether to Link or Embed the object and if you want to use an existing file.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Link

A linked OLE object is always an entire file.  When you select the Activate Server Instant Option while on a linked OLE object, the server application opens with the associated file open.  If the file is edited, any saved changes will appear on the updated PackRat folder.  It is imperative that the "Save" option is used, or changes made to the file will not be reflected later.


Embed

An embedded OLE object can either be pasted from the Windows Clipboard or be taken from an existing file.  Note the distinction:  it is not the file itself, only the data from the file.  Once it is embedded in PackRat, it will have no relation to the original file, and WILL NOT show changes made to that file.  The original file will still be intact, but you will have an independent "copy" of it in PackRat.


Use Existing File

Checking this checkbox will create the OLE object from an existing file, if this is not checked, then a "new" (empty) OLE Client Object will created.  It will be associated with the chosen Server application.


Options Dialog Box

A print Options dialog box displays when you select Tools menu - Printer then click the Options button in the Print Setup dialog box.

Note:  Each Options dialog box will vary depending on the printer you use.  Refer to your Windows manual for assistance.


Options Menu

Select Options from the menu bar for the following features:

Click directly on the menu graphic for further descriptions of the menu entries.


Desktop

This selection displays the Desktop Preferences Dialog Box where you can change folder tab locations, change the active folder's tab color, select startup and terminating macros, and select to display or hide the PackRat caption and menu bars.


PDAs

Handheld Devices, such as the Sharp Wizard, are known as Personal Digital Assistants.  You can transfer information from PackRat to a handheld device.


PackRat .ini file

After loading PackRat, the PackRat.ini file should be in the Windows  directory of your computer.  It configures the files needed by PackRat to function properly.  If you cannot get PackRat to run properly, you should check your PackRat.ini file to make sure it is configured as outlined below.  The most significant lines of the PackRat.ini file are explained here.

[DBMS]

fConfig=c:\packrat\config

Open=c:\packrat\user

[Macro Extensions]

mxl1 = c:\packrat\prmacro.mxl

[Macro Paths]

macpath = c:\packrat\macros\*.mac

[DBMS] Section

The [DBMS] section creates the files that contain information about your PackRat configuration.

The "fconfig=" line creates a file to store information that configures all the desktop info, including the objects in the folders and the folders themselves.  In the example above, the config.pdb file would be created in the c:\packrat directory.

The "Open=" line creates two files that store the actual information you add to Forms.  In the example below, the files user.pri and user.prd would be created in the c:\packrat directory.

[Macro Extensions] Section

The "mxl1=" line must be pointing to where the .mxl file is located on your hard disk.  In the example shown, the file prmacro.mxl is located in the C:\packrat directory.

[Macro Paths] Section

The "macpath=" line points to the default directory where your macros will be saved when you use the Save command from the PackRat Basic Screen.  In the example above, a file with the name testing would be saved as testing.mac in the c:\packrat\macros directory.


Printer
Printer Object

Related Topics

Printer Setup

Reports

By placing the Printer object on a folder, you can print one or more documents by simply dragging them from the Windows File Manager or from your Document Manager to the Printer.  The number of steps involved in the printing process is greatly decreased with the use of this object.

 Note:   The related application and document file extensions must be properly defined in the win.ini file to carry out a successful printing.  For example,  Word for Windows default extension is .doc.  If you save a file as .dav and drag it to the Printer object it will result in an error message.  You can use the File menu - Associate command in the Windows File Manager to set which applications are associated with which file extensions.


Print Setup
Printer Setup

Print Setup Dialog Box

This dialog box is accessed when you select Setup Menu - Printer.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Printer

In the Printer box, select Default or Specific Printer.


Orientation

In the Orientation box, select Portrait or Landscape option.

This selection  determines the layout of the printed page.  Portrait is the standard print layout, with the page running vertically.  Landscape is a horizontal page layout.


Paper

In the Paper box, click on the down arrows to display choices.  Highlight the desired  paper Size and Source.


Options Button

Click the Options button to display the Options dialog box.  Complete this dialog box and click OK.

Note:  The Options dialog boxes will vary according to the printer you are using.  See your Windows manual for assistance if necessary.


Quick-Dial List

The Quick-Dial List is a PackRat object that contains a list of your most frequently called names.  With this object you can place a call by simply clicking on a particular name.

Adding a Quick-Dial List Object

Add the Quick-Dial List Object to a folder where you have a Phone Book List Viewer. Drag a name from the List Viewer to the Quick-Dial List for dialing convenience.

Dialing from the Quick-Dial List

1.	Highlight a name that appears on the Quick-Dial List.

2.	Click on the Call button.

PackRat will dial the main phone number for the selected name.

Removing a Name from the Quick-Dial List

1.	Highlight a name that appears on the Quick-Dial List.

2.	Click on the Delete Action Button.

PackRat will delete the selected name from the Quick-Dial List.

Description of Quick-Dial List Tool Bar

Dial

This button dials the main phone number for the selected name.

Delete

The Delete button removes the selected name from the Quick-Dial List ONLY.  Clicking on Remove will not delete the name from the Phone Book form.

Edit

Edit allows you to change the Name and/or Company Name displayed for the highlighted entry.


Record
Records

A record is a collection of fields, or the contents of any form.  Various PackRat objects support records that are comprised of your personal data.  The following objects contain records:

Commitments

Contact List

Day View

Financial Journal

Gantt Chart

List Viewer

Month View

Things To Do List

Time Manager.


Record Script Dialog Box

This dialog box is used in conjunction with Scripts.  You can access this dialog box by selecting Tools menu - Scripts, then clicking the Record button.  From this dialog box you can indicate that you are ready to start recording, select the window that will have the focus during recording, indicate the playback speed, and select to record audio if preferred.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


OK Button

Click the OK button to start recording.


Playback Speed

Select the speed you would like this script to be played back at.  From this drop-box you can select Recorded Speed or Full Speed.

If you select Recorded Speed the script will always play at the same speed in which it was recorded.

If you select Full Speed the script will always play back at PackRat's maximum speed.


Replace Dialog Box

Related Topics:

Memo Pad

Find Dialog Box

The Replace dialog box is accessed whenever you click the Replace Action Button.  There is a Replace button on the Memo Pad object's Action Bar.

To find and replace text in the Memo Pad using the Replace dialog box:

1.	From the Memo Pad, click the Replace button.

The Replace dialog box appears.

2.	In the Find What box, type the text you wish to find.

3.	In the Replace With box, type the text you wish to put in place of the located text.

4.	Check Match Case, if you want to only find text in the same case (upper or lower) as the text you placed in the Find What box.

5.	Click Find Next.

A search for your text will be made.

If Your Text is Found

If the text is found, it displays highlighted.

Click the Find Next button to find the next occurrence.

Click the Replace button to replace the text.

-or-

Click the Replace All button to replace every occurrence of the text in the Find What box.

If Your Text is not Found

You can click Cancel on the Replace dialog box.

-or-

You can change the text in the Find What box or the other Find criteria and perform another search.


Reports

PackRat 5.0 has powerful reporting features.  You can create and print many different reports and save each report for later use.  The PackRat Report Writer is a full WYSIWYG report generator, and the process of adding objects to a report screen is remarkably similar to adding objects to a folder or fields to the form editor.  You simply add the object you want to print to the page and place them where you want them to be printed.

Report Topics

Building a New Report

Saving a Report

Printing an Existing Report

Printing List Viewer Information

Printing Tools

Reports Dialog Box

Report Objects Dialog Box

Print Dialog Box


WYSIWIG

What You See Is What You Get.


Building a New Report

From the main menu bar:

1.	Open the Tools Menu and select Reports, or, select File Menu-  Print.

The Reports Dialog Box displays.

2.	Click on the New button.

The Report Objects Dialog Box displays.

This dialog box contains the name of every PackRat object as well as a number of tools that can be used to build and customize your reports.

3.	Select the object to display on the report.  That object's associated dialog box displays, if applicable.  (For example, selecting Day View would cause the Day View dialog box to display.)

4.	Customize the object to display the information you want to print and click OK.

The object appears on the Report screen.

5.	Move, size, and position the object to the desired location on the Report screen.

•	Stay within the specified margins.

•	You can drag and drop the margins on the Report screen if you need to resize the page.

Repeat steps 3 through 5 to add other objects to the Report Screen.  If you closed your Add Objects dialog box, right-click on the Reports screen and select Add Objects from the Instant Options Menu.

6.	Verify that the Report screen is arranged the way you want, then open the Report menu and select Print.

The Print Dialog Box displays.

7.	Specify the print quality, number of copies, and other options, and click OK.

The report prints.


Saving a Report

To save the report you just created, open the Report menu and select Save.

If the report was not previously saved, the Save As Dialog Box displays so you can specify a name for the report.


Printing an Existing Report

From the main menu bar:

1.	Open the Tools Menu and select Reports, or, select File Menu-  Print.

The Reports Dialog Box displays.

2.	Select the appropriate Category and Report name and click the Print button.

The report prints.


Printing List Viewer Information

When you add a List Viewer to the Report screen, it displays with a vertical scroll bar.  This enables you to scroll through your List Viewer to view the displayed information before you print.  All records that are returned from a search will be printed, regardless of how many you can actually see in the List Viewer itself.

Important:  If your search returns 500 records, even though only 20 or so may be visibly displayed on the List Viewer, the report will print all 500 records.  Use the List Viewer scroll bar to verify that you're only printing the records you want.


Printing Tools

Besides the names of PackRat objects, the Report Objects Dialog Box contains some tools to help customize you report.

Line, Ellipse tools

Enables you to add lines or customizable ellipses to separate or just add a flare to the information on your report.  Right-click on the line or ellipse to customize the line width, or shade the ellipse.

Jotter tool

The jotter is a small area containing a few lines that you can use to write a brief note on the report.

Text tool

The Text tool opens an editor screen where you can enter text that can be placed on the report.  Use this for report headings.

Page Number tool

Opens the Page Number dialog box.  Select the desired format for your page numbering.  Type the starting page number over the %d characters in the Format box.  PackRat will increment the page number for each report page.


Reports Dialog Box

The Reports Dialog Box displays when you open the Tools Menu and select Reports, or, select File Menu-  Print.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions


Print Button

Highlight a report and click the Print button to print that report.


Reports List

Select the Report you wish to act upon from this list box, and then click the appropriate button to the right.


Edit Button

Highlight the report you wish to edit and click the Edit button to access the Report Writer and make changes to that report.


New Button

Click the New button to access the Report Writer to Build a new report


Delete Button

Highlight the report you wish to delete and click the Delete button to delete a report.


Report Objects Dialog Box

The Report Objects dialog box appears when you right-click on a Report Writer page and select Add Objects.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Add Button

Highlight the object you wish to add and click the Add button to add it to page.


Objects List

Highlight the Object you wish to Add or get a Description of from this list and then click the appropriate button.


Print Dialog Box

The Print dialog box displays when you print a report.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Print Range

Select what you would printed:  The entire report, only certain selections, or only the specified pages.


Print Quality

Select the quality of the print job from the drop box.


Copies

Type the number of copies you would like in this box.


Print to File

Check this box if you would like to print to a file.


Printer

The default printer that the report will be printed on is displayed here.


Resolve Duplicates Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you click the Options button in the Handheld Transfer dialog box.  (Select File menu - Handheld Transfer.)  The Resolve Duplicates dialog box gives you options to filter duplicate information so you can keep your records up to date.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Prompt

Select Prompt if you would like PackRat to ask you which record you would like to keep for every duplicate record encountered.


Merge New Records

Click the Merge New Records option if you want to keep all records; Both the incoming records and the original records.


Keep PackRat Records

Select Keep PackRat Records if you would like to keep the original record(the one already in your PackRat database) for every duplicate record encountered.


Run File Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select File menu - Run.  Use it to run any Windows compatible application.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Using the Run File Dialog Box

In the Run box, enter the name of the file you want to run, or click the Browse button to select the application to run.

If you want the file to load minimized (as an icon) then check the Run Minimized box.


Save As Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select Save As from the File menu.  The Save As command allows you to save your active user file under a different name.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


File Name

In the File Name box, type in a filename for the new file. (Eight character maximum.)


Directories

The Directories box lists the directories available on the current drive.


Drives

The Drives box lists the drives available on your system.


Save File as Type

The Save File as Type box lists the file formats supported by PackRat.


Scripts

Related Topics

Creating a Custom Script

Playing a Script

Scripts Dialog Box

Record Script Dialog Box

Scripts are a set of actions you perform that are remembered by the computer and can be played back.   You could record a Script that would access the New Folder dialog box.  By assigning this script to an Action Button, you'll have a button on your folder that will let you quickly create a new folder.

Scripts can be accessed by selecting Tools Menu - Scripts.

Tips for Recording Scripts

Scripts only remember the screen position of the mouse when it is clicked, not what was accessed, so it is important that you:

Always record and playback scripts with the window the same size.  That is, if PackRat is maximized when you record the script, it must be maximized when you play it back.  The position of any windows cannot change either.

Perform as many actions as possible using the menus on the main menu bar.  This is because your menus will always be in the same place, whereas your objects may not be.

For example, to an Add an object to the active folder you would normally right-click on the folder and select Add Objects.  If you want to create a script that adds a calendar to the active folder, you should:

1.	Maximize PackRat.

2.	Start Recording.

3.	Select Folder menu - Folders.

4.	Click the Objects button.

5.	Select Calendar and click Add.

6.	Press F10 to stop recording.

7.	Complete the Calendar dialog box and click OK.

Later if you want to run this script, make sure that PackRat is maximized so everything will run correctly.


Creating  a Custom Script

1.	Select Tools menu - Scripts.

2.	Click the Record button.

The Record Script Dialog Box appears.

3.	Choose Playback Speed and/or Record Audio (if desired).

4.	Click OK.

5.	The next steps you perform will be recorded.   Carry out all the necessary steps and press the F10 key when finished.

The Save Script dialog box appears.

7	Select a Category and enter a name for the new script.

8.	Click OK.


Playing a Script

1.	Select Tools Menu - Scripts.

2.	Highlight the Script you wish to initiate.

3.	Click Play.

At this point the Script will play.

Note:  If the screen (or folder) is not set up exactly the way it was when you recorded the script, it may not work.


Scripts Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you select Scripts from the Tools menu.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Using the Scripts Dialog Box

To play a Script listed in the Script box, highlight that Script and press Play.

To record a new Script, click the Record button to access the Record Script Dialog Box.

To delete a Script listed in the Script box, highlight that Script  and press Delete.


Search

Related Topics:

Search

Form Search

Search All

Search Attaches

Search Dialog Box

Search Operators

Search Catalogs

Since PackRat acts as your information manager, it will be necessary for you to search for information on a regular basis.  PackRat's powerful searching capabilities allow you to do just that.  You can conduct a "narrow" or a "wide" search depending on the information you wish to retrieve.

You can access PackRat's search capabilities several different ways:

Click any of the Search buttons on the appropriate List Viewer's Action Bar.

Right-click on the appropriate List Viewer and select one of the Search Instant Options Commands.

Click on one or more letters on a List Viewer's Alphabetic Search Bar to find all records beginning with those letters.

Pull down the Edit menu and select Search.

Conducting a Search

The fastest way to perform a general search is to click the List Viewer's Alphabetic Search Bar.  You will want to do this on the List Viewer from which you are conducting the search.  However, that type of search  will retrieve many records, possibly more than you will need in most cases.

Other common ways to search are to use the Search, Search All, or Search Attaches options.  These search options can be accessed two different ways:  either by clicking the appropriate Search button or by right-clicking on a List Viewer and selecting the desired Search option.  Both methods function identically.


Search

Related Topics:

Building a Multi-Field Search

Search Examples

Click the [image]  button or choose Instant Options Search to access the Search Dialog Box which enables you to search multiple fields connected by logical operators. This allows you to focus your search very specifically to locate the necessary information.

For instance, suppose you need to find the phone number of your friend Mike (or is it Michael) at work?  You could use the search criteria shown below to locate his name.

Search For:

Name = Mike

Or

Name = Michael

Or

Company = Quantum Corp.

Granted, this search will return every Mike or Michael you know, as well as anyone who works at Quantum Corp.  You can make the search more exclusive by changing it to:

Mike  Or  Michael  And  Quantum Corp.

This search would only return the Mike's and Michael's who work at Quantum Corp., which is probably more desirable in this instance.


Building a Multi-Field Search

From the Search dialog box:

1.	Move the first field to the Search for box,  select the desired Operator, and enter the search text.

2.	Click the And or Or button.

The respective And/Or bar displays under the Search field.

3.	Move a second field to the Search for box,  select the desired logical operator, and enter the search text.

4.	Click OK to begin the search.

The List Viewer displays the records that satisfy the search criteria.

Note:  You may specify up to five search fields and may change an And bar and an Or bar by clicking on the bars.

"And" statement

When the And statement connects two search criteria, only items that satisfy both criteria will be returned.  In other words, if your search criteria were:

Name = Bob

And

Company =  Vinnie's Deli

The search would only find people named Bob who work at Vinnie's Deli.  All other Bobs would be excluded, as would the rest of the staff at Vinnie's Deli.

"Or" statement

When the Or statement connects two search criteria, only items that satisfy either of the criteria will be returned.  For instance, if your search criteria were:

Name = Bob

Or

Company = Vinnie's Deli

The search would find all people named Bob and all employees of Vinnie's Deli.

Using "And" and "Or" Together

You can build even more complex criteria that will narrow the scope of your searches even further.  This is done by building searches using three or more fields connected by two or more Boolean operators.

Take a look at the Search examples to see these more complex searches:


Example #1

Pay to the Order of = Joe's Tackle Shop

Or

Pay to the Order of = Bob's Bait and Tackle

And

Amount > $150.00

This search would find any checks you wrote at Joe's Tackle Shop or Bob's Bait and Tackle that were for more than the amount of $150.  This allows you to find out where and when you bought that expensive new fishing pole, and the number of the check used to purchase it.

If you changed the above search to:

Pay to the Order of = Joe's Tackle Shop

Or

Pay to the Order of = Bob's Bait and Tackle Shop

Or

Amount > $150.00

This search would find all the checks you wrote at Joe's Tackle Shop, all the checks you wrote and Bob's Bait and Tackle, and any checks that you wrote for greater than $150.00 at any store.  This might allow you to find out how much you've been spending on fishing equipment, and see what other purchases over $150 you've made.

Example #2

Summary contains interview

And

Date >= 1/1/92

And

Date <= 12/31/92

If this search was done in one of your Scheduling forms, it would find all items containing the word "interview" in their summary field that occurred in the year of 1992.  This tells you how many interviews you conducted in 1992.

Example #3

State = CA

Or

State = AZ

Or

State = NV

Or

State = WA

Or

State = OR

This search would find all persons in your PackRat Phone Book who live in the western states.


Form Searches

The Form Search capability provides you with a quick method of locating specific records within forms.  The standard way to search your forms is to use the Alphabetic Search Bar available on the List Viewer, but this is only useful when you are narrowing down your information by letter.   What if you have several business contacts working at Polaris Software that you need to contact?  Using a Form Search, you can search just the Company field of your Phone Book form to find those specific contacts.

Also, if you wanted to conduct a search by phone number for all the people you know that live in Lincoln, Nebraska, you could enter the area code, 402, in the Phone Number field and conduct a search returning just the numbers beginning with 402.

Conducting a Form Search

The Form Search button is standard on those Action Bars associated with commonly searched forms. (Phone Book, Documents, Schedule, etc.)

1.	Click the Form Search [image] button in the Action Bar.

The associated form will appear.

2.	Enter the criteria in those fields you wish to search.

For example, if you were conducting a Phone Book Form search to find all the names of your contacts at Polaris Software, you would type:   Polaris   in the Company field.  This will search and return the names of all people that have Polaris in their Company field.

If you wished to find all the people named "Mike" that work at Polaris Software, you would enter Polaris in the Company field and Mike in the Name field.  PackRat automatically performs an "And" search based on the information in each field.   Note:  Some fields will not be available because they are not indexed.  See Indexed Fields below.

3.	Click OK.

The search is conducted and the records satisfying the search criteria display.

Indexed Fields

You can only perform a Form Search on "indexed" fields.  You may designate fields as "indexed" using PackRat's Form Editor.

Note :  Because an indexed field requires significantly more space in your database than a non-indexed field, you should only index those fields for which you would like to perform a search.


Search All

Search All is very simple:

1.	Switch to the folder containing the List Viewer from which you wish to perform the search.

2.	Click the [image] button.

All the information saved in the List Viewer's form will display.


Search Attaches

The attachments search is nearly as simple as Search All:

1.	Switch to the folder containing the List Viewer from which you are conducting the search.

2.	Use Search or Search All to find the items for which you want to find attachments.

3.	Highlight the items from which you want to find the attachments.

4.	Click the [image] button.

The attachments will display.


Search Catalogs

Related Topics:

Building a Search Catalog

Using a Search Catalog

Editing a Search Catalog

Deleting a Search Catalog

PackRat makes finding information fast and efficient by enabling you to create Search Catalogs to find the items that you access regularly.  A search catalog simply supplies a name to a search criteria;  when you need to perform a search, you simply select the search catalog rather than enter the search criteria.  This is especially useful for saving complex, multi-field search criteria.

You can create Search Catalogs from any List Viewer.  Select the Instant Options - Search command to access the Search screen.

The search catalog feature appears at the bottom of the screen.


Building a Search Catalog

From the Search Dialog Box:

1.	Select the desired search criteria from the Search dialog box.

2.	Click on the Add button at the bottom of the Search dialog box.

The Save As dialog box displays.

3.	Enter a name for the search criteria and click OK.  The name may be up to forty characters, and you may include spaces in the name.

PackRat verifies that the search catalog has been added.


Using a Search Catalog

From the Search dialog box:

1.	Click on the Catalog drop box at the bottom of the Search dialog box.

The list of existing Search Catalogs displays.

2.	Select the desired search catalog from the list.

3.	Click OK on the Search dialog box.

The search is performed.


Editing a Search Catalog

From the Search dialog box:

1.	Click on the Catalog drop box at the bottom of the Search dialog box.

The list of existing Search Catalogs displays.

2.	Select the desired search catalog from the list. The search criteria displays in the Search box.

3.	Make the desired changes to the search catalog.

4.	Click on the Update button.

PackRat verifies that the catalog was updated.


Deleting a Search Catalog

From the Search dialog box:

1.	Click on the Catalog drop box at the bottom of the Search screen.

The list of existing Search Catalogs displays.

2.	Select the desired search catalog from the list.

3.	Click on the Delete button.

PackRat prompts you to verify the deletion.


Search Dialog Box

This dialog box appears on the screen when you select Search from the Instant Options Menu for certain objects or click the  [image] button.  The Search dialog box enables you to search multiple fields connected by various logical operators, thus helping you to locate specific information.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Fields Box

All fields available to search on are listed in the Fields box.  Highlight the desired field and click the >> button.


And Button

Click this button to make the boolean "and" operator s part of the search criteria.  An And button will appear underneath the most recently selected field in the Search For box.


Or Button

Click this button to make the boolean "or" operator s part of the search criteria.  An Or button will appear underneath the most recently selected field in the Search For box.


And/Or Button

These large buttons can be clicked to alternate between the And and Or boolean operators.


>> Button

Move fields from the Fields box to the Search For box by selecting them and clicking the >> button.


<< Button

Move fields from the Search For box back to the Fields box by selecting them and clicking the << button.


Search For Box

This box contains every search criteria and what it in it determines what records will be found when the search is initiated.


Search Field

This is one of the selected fields for the search.  You can move the field back to the Available Fields box by selecting it and clicking the << button.


Search Operator

Click the drop box down arrow select a Search Operator for that particular field.


Search Text

This is the text that the Search upon in that field.  How it searches depends on the Search Operator that was chosen.


Search Catalogs

Use this area of the dialog box to enter, update, and delete Search Catalogs.


Search Operators

=

This operator returns any items that begin with the search criteria.

Example: Name = Mich would return Michael and Michelle, but not Mickey.

not equal

This operator returns any that does not exactly match the search criteria in their entirety.

Example:  Name not equal Smith, Jim would return Maas, Kristine,  Smith, Jimmy and Smith, Jane, but not Smith, Jim.

<

The <  operator returns any items prior to the search criteria alphanumerically.

Example:  Name < Chuck  would return Ann, Barbara, and Chub, but not Fred or Chuck.

>

The > operator returns any items appearing after the search criteria alphanumerically.

Example:  Name > Chuck would return Dave, Elle, and Ziggy, but not Chub or Chuck.

<=

The <= operator returns any items equal to or any items appearing prior to the search criteria alphanumerically.

Example:  Name <= Chuck would return Ann, Barbara, Chub, and Chuck,  but not Fred.

>=

The >= operator returns any items equal to or any items appearing after the search criteria alphanumerically.

Example:  Name >= Chuck would return Dave, Elle, Ziggy, and Chuck, but not Chub.

is exactly

This operator will only return an item if it exactly matches the search criteria in their entirety.

Example:  Name is exactly Ty would return only Ty, and not Tyler or Tyson.

contains

This operator searches the entire item for the search criteria, and not just the first few letters.

Example:  Name contains Ty would return Tyler and Patty


Select Action Button Dialog Box

You will use this dialog box to select, edit, or create an Action Button.   This dialog box lists all the predefined Action Buttons as well as brief descriptions of what they do.

Note:  There are two different versions of this dialog box one appears when you select Tools menu - Action Buttons, and the other appears when you add an Action Button to your folder.  The one accessed from the Tools menu has a Close button, rather than OK/Cancel buttons.  This is because it is strictly for editing Action Buttons, not for adding them.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Action Button List

Select an Action Button from the list and click OK to add it to the active folder.

Otherwise, click Edit or Delete to edit or delete the Action Button.


Delete Button

You can delete an Action Button by highlighting it and clicking the Delete button.


Edit Button

1.	You can edit any existing Action Button by highlighting it and clicking the Edit button.

The Action Button Dialog Box displays.

2.	Fill in the dialog box to make changes to the Action Button.


New Button

1.	To create a new Action Button, click on the New button to access the  Action Button Dialog Box.

2.	Complete this dialog box and click OK to create the new Action Button on your folder.

Once you create an Action Button it will appear in the Select Action Button dialog box.


Select Document Type Dialog Box

This dialog box is an OLE-related dialog box used when adding an OLE Object or creating a new document from the document manager.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.

When you add an OLE Client object, and do not paste the OLE object from the clipboard, this dialog box appears.  You must  choose which type of OLE object you would like to create.  This will determine which application is the server.  You choose the type and click the OK button.

From the Document Manager object you can create new documents.  However, you can only create documents in OLE compatible applications.  Therefore, this dialog box appears when you choose to create a new document and prompts you for which type of document you want to create.  When you select the type and click OK, the appropriate application will open with a new document created.  You can then edit, save, and otherwise manipulate that document as you would any other document.


Using the Select Document Type Dialog Box

1.	Select a Type of Document.  This will act as the Server application (OLE) or as the application the document will be created in (Document Manager)

2.	Click OK.


Select Fax Printer Dialog Box

This dialog box appears by selecting the Setup menu - Fax.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Using the Select Fax Printer Dialog Box

Highlight the proper Fax Printer to work with your system and click OK.


Select File Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you click on a Browse button from anywhere in PackRat.  Use it to select which file you are going to use for the current operation you are performing.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


File Name

Lists files in the selected directory and provides a box for you to type or select a filename.


List Files of Type

This lists the file formats supported by the application.


Directories

Lists the directories available on the current drive.


Drives

Lists the drives available on your system.


Select Form Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you select Edit menu - Add.  Use this dialog box to display the form you want to add information to.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Using the Select Form dialog box

1.	Highlight the form you wish to access.

2.	Click OK.

The chosen form appears on the screen.

3.	Enter the information in the form and click OK.


Select Path Dialog Box

This dialog box is accessed when you are creating a new PackRat file.  Select File menu - New then click the Browse button in the File New dialog box to display the Select Path dialog box.


Using the Select Path Dialog Box

1.	Select the path and drive where your new file will be located.

2.	Click OK.


Setup Menu

Click directly on the menu graphic for further descriptions of the menu entries.


Financial Accounts

This option displays the Financial Accounts Dialog Box where you can create a new account and edit, obtain a summary, reconcile, or  delete an existing account.


Time Accounts

This option accesses the Time Accounts Dialog Box where you can edit, create, or delete time accounts.


Colors

Access the Colors Dialog Box where you can create, edit, or delete custom colors that are used for folder tabs, text, objects, and many more PackRat features.


Printer

This option access the Print Setup Dialog Box where you set options for printing.


Fax

With this option, you access the Select Fax Printer Dialog Box where you select the compatible fax printer for your system.


Handheld

This option displays the Handheld Devices Dialog Box where you can install and select the default handheld device.


Modem

This option displays the Modem Setup Dialog Box.  Modems are used to connect a computer to a remote computer system.  To use communication services, such as CompuServe, the computer must include a modem that connects the computer by a phone line to the remote system.  PackRat's autodialing capabilities can be set to work with Hayes-compatible modems.  Use this option to setup your modem autodialing features.


Dialing

Use this option to select PackRat's phone dialing options and default values.


Sort
Sort Dialog Box

The Sort capability of PackRat allows you to separate or arrange the information in your lists.  From the List Viewer Dialog Box, click the Sort button to display this dialog box, or select Sort from the Instant Options Menu.  This dialog box  determines the order of your sort.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Using the Sort Dialog Box

You sort can be up to three levels deep (for example, PackRat might sort the Phone Book first by company, then by city, and then by name).

1.	Determine First, Second, and Third choices by highlighting the preferred field, in the preferred chronological order.

Ascending/Descending

You can set your default search in ascending (A,B,C...1,2,3...) or descending (...C,B,A...3,2,1) order.

2.	Click Ascending or Descending, depending on your preference.


Spell Checker and Speller

Related Topics:

Spell Checker Object

Speller - Tools Menu

Speller Dialog Box

Spell Checker

PackRat's spelling feature is used to assist you with maintaining proper spelling throughout any written documentation.  Single words or entire documents may be checked, depending on the spelling option you choose.

The PackRat Spell Checker and Speller options are accessed in two different ways.  The Speller can be selected from the Tools Menu (referred to as Speller) or added to a folder as a PackRat object (called Spell Checker).  Both function similarly, however, the Tools menu Speller offers the functionality of the Spell Checker object PLUS whenever it is invoked, it automatically checks to see if there is a current Edit Window (Notes Window or Memo Pad) running.  If so, spell check is initiated for the Notes Window or Memo Pad text.


Spell Checker Object

The Spell Checker object can be placed on a folder where you do a great deal of writing and editing.  It is available to check the spelling of singe words only.  It does, however, feature the copy and paste options (see Spell Checker detailed on the following page) that are not available from the Tools menu Speller.

If you use the spelling feature of PackRat regularly, you should add a Spell Checker object on the same folder as your Word Processing tools.  If you rarely require the spell check feature, the Tools menu Speller option is a better alternative.


Speller - Tools Menu

As detailed in the first paragraph, the Tools menu Speller offers the functionality of the Spell Checker object PLUS the Edit Window (Notes Window or Memo Pad) feature.

Also, this option offers the Replace feature where the highlighted word can be replaced by selecting a correctly spelled word and clicking the Replace button.  This capability does not exist with the Spell Checker object.  You must manually cut and paste text to and from the Spell Checker object.

PackRat makes use of the vast capabilities of the International CorrectSpell™ English dictionary, licensed from the Houghton Mifflin Company.


Speller Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select Tools menu - Speller.  Use this spell check option to check the spelling of single words or entire documents.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Unrecognized word

The word in question appears in this box.


Replace with box

Suggestions for replacement words are displayed in this box.


Ignore Button

The Ignore button lets you skip over a word the Speller recognizes as misspelled when you are checking a document.


Look Up Button

The Look Up button initiates a search for the correct spelling of a word.


Replace Button

The Replace button lets you replace a misspelled word with one properly spelled.


Add Button

Click the Add button to place a word in your Personal Dictionary.


Delete Button

Click the Delete button to delete a selection from your Personal Dictionary.


Spell Checker

The Spell Checker object can be places on a folder to assist you with maintaining proper spelling throughout any written documentation.  Only single words may be checked with this option.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Check Spelling of

In the Check Spelling of box, enter the word to be checked.

Note:  You may type in the word to be checked or you may cut or copy it to the Spell Checker with PackRat's Edit features.


LookUp Button

Click  the Check button to initiate the spell check.


Suggestions

Alternate spellings will appear in the Suggestions box.


Copy and Paste Feature of the Spell Checker

Use the Copy button to copy the correctly spelled word from the Spell Checker and paste it onto the Clipboard.   To do this, highlight the word, then click the Copy button.

Use the Paste button to paste the correctly spelled word from the Clipboard to the selected area of text. Place the flashing cursor in the proper position within the text and click the Paste button.  The word will be inserted.


System Information Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add a System Information object to your folder.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Completing the System Information Dialog Box

Click on the options you wish to display in the System Information object.  The option is active if an "X" appears in its check box.

Free Memory:  Displays the memory available on your system.

Resources:  Displays the percentage of free Windows resources on  your system.

Tasks:  Displays the number of tasks being used.  Tasks are applications currently running.

Free Disk Space:  Gives the current amount of free disk space in the designated drive (in megabytes).

Select the drive for which you want the information displayed, you may choose multiple drives if desired.  Scroll through the list by clicking on the up and down arrow keys to the right of the box.


System Information Object

Related Topics:

System Information Dialog Box

System Information is a PackRat object which displays information about the computer system being used.  It lists the amount of free memory, the percentage of free resources, the number of tasks (the applications currently running), and available disk space for one or more drives.


Templates Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select Tools menu - Data Templates.   You may create a new template, edit, or delete an existing template from this dialog box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


New Button

1.	Click the New button.

The Data Template Editor Dialog Box appears.

2.	Complete the dialog box.


Editing an Existing Template

1.	Highlight the Template from the list.

2.	Click the Edit button.


Deleting an Existing Template

1.	Highlight the Template from the list.

2.	Click the Delete button.


Templates Box

To edit or delete an existing data template

1.	Highlight the Template from the list.

2.	Click the appropriate button (Edit or Delete).


Thesaurus

Related Topics:

Thesaurus Dialog Box

Thesaurus Object

The Thesaurus assists to broaden the writer's vocabulary and displays words with the same or similar meanings as the selected word.

The PackRat Thesaurus can be accessed in two different ways.  It can be selected from the Tools Menu or added to a folder as a PackRat object.  Both function identically with one exception; the Tools menu Thesaurus has a Replace button that enables it to interact directly with any Edit Window (Notes Window, Memo Pad, etc.)  This enables you to highlight a word in an Edit Window and select Tools menu - Thesaurus to view a list of synonyms for the word.  The highlighted word can be replaced by selecting one of the displayed synonyms and clicking the Replace button.  This capability does not exist with the Thesaurus object.  You must manually cut and paste text to and from the Thesaurus object.

If you use the Thesaurus regularly, you should add it as an object on the same folder as your Word Processing tools.  If you rarely require a Thesaurus, the Tools menu option is a better alternative.

PackRat makes use of the vast capabilities of the English Electronic Thesaurus© licensed by the Houghton Mifflin Company.


Thesaurus Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you access the Thesaurus from the Tools menu.

Note:  The Thesaurus Object works in the same way as the Tools menu option, but the Thesaurus object does not offer the Replace feature.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Find Synonyms for box

Type the designated word in the Find synonyms for box.  (A synonym is a word that has a meaning identical to or very similar to that of another word in the same language.)


Look Up Button

Click Look Up to initiate the search.  Related words will appear in the  Synonyms box.


Synonyms box

Related words will appear in the Synonyms box after the Look Up button is clicked.  Double-click on any synonym which is found to perform another lookup.


Meaning box

The definition of the word appears in the Meaning box.


Copy Button

Use the Copy button to copy the proper word from the Synonyms box to the Clipboard.  To do so, highlight the word, then click Copy.


Paste Button

Use the Paste button to paste the copied word from the Clipboard into the selected area of text.   It is necessary to place the flashing cursor in the proper position  then click the Paste button.  The word will be inserted.


Replace Option

 If an "Edit Window" (the Memo Pad or Notes Window) is active and a word is highlighted, the Thesaurus appears with the highlighted text loaded.  If you select a synonym from the Thesaurus that you wish to use in your text, just click the Replace button, the word will be replaced.  This function is exclusive to the Tools menu  - Thesaurus option.


Thesaurus - PackRat Object

You may want to place the Thesaurus object on any folder where you do a great deal of writing or editing.  Use this Thesaurus in the same manner as the Thesaurus from the Tools menu, (detailed on the previous page) however, this Thesaurus option does not provide the Replace function.  Text must be cut or pasted in this Thesaurus, or typed in directly.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Things To Do List

The Things To Do List is a PackRat object that displays all your "things to do" items.  It contains an Action Bar, a column on the left which indicates completed tasks (√), and a number column showing tasks numbered according to priority.

Adding a Task

1.	Click the Task button.

2.	Enter the desired information in the Task form and click OK.

That task appears in your list.

Note:  The Task form allows you to enter a priority number and notes if you prefer.

You can double-click on a task in your Things To Do List and the form will re-appear.  You may view or enter notes or make changes to the task.

Showing a Task as Completed

To leave a task on the Things To Do List yet indicate it is completed, highlight the task and click the Completed button.  A check mark appears in the left column indicating completion.

Note:  Once a task is checked-off as completed, it will be automatically removed from the list the following day.


Time Account

Time Account Topics:

Creating a Time Account

Starting a Time Account

Stopping a Time Account

Time Accounts Dialog Box

Time Account Dialog Box

Creating Time Accounts is a necessary predecessor to using PackRat's Time Manager object.  Time Accounts are used to keep track of the amount of time you spend doing certain tasks.  For example, if your work consisted of making Sales Calls and doing Marketing Research, you might create two Time Accounts with these names.  When you began each type of work, you would activate these accounts using the Time Manager.  When you finished working, turn off the Time Manager;  the form associated with that account displays the date and times you were working and prompts you to add notes or a summary of the work you did.  A record of the work session is stored in that Time Account.

If you create Time Account forms, you will definitely want to include the following fields:  Start Date/End Date,  Start Time/End Time, Elapsed Time, Summary, and Notes.

Remember, a Time Account can be assigned to any form, or you can have several dedicated forms under a Time Management Category, so it is not necessary to create a single dedicated form for Time Management.


Creating a Time Account

This explanation will take you through an example where you'll be creating a Time Account for determining how much time you spend on Client Accounts.

From the main menu bar:

1.	Open the Setup Menu and select Time Accounts.

The Time Accounts Dialog Box displays any existing accounts.

2.	Click the New button.

The Time Account Dialog Box displays.

3.	In the Account Name box, enter a description of the account's function.  In this case, tracking the time spent on Client Accounts is the purpose of this account.

4.	Select the Category and Form that will store this information.

5.	If you will only be working on one Time Account at a time, you should select the Stop other accounts when this one is started option.  This automatically stops the timer on the active account when you switch to another.

6.	Click OK to create the Time Account.


Starting a Time Account

Time Accounts can only be activated from the Time Manager object, which displays a list of all existing Time Accounts.

To start a Time (Manager) account  running, double-click on the name of the desired account or highlight the account and click the "On" button in the Action Bar.

The account name changes to a different color, indicating that time is being recorded in that account.


Stopping a Time Account

To stop a Time (Manager) account, double-click on the name of running Time Account or highlight the account and click the "Off" button on the Action Bar.

The associated form opens. (This is the form you selected in the Time Account Dialog Box when you created the account.)

The form displays with all of the date and time information filled in, including the time you started that Time Account, the time you stopped it, and the elapsed time (assuming these fields are on your form).

You can add a few notes about your work session and click OK.  This creates a record of your work session in that Time Account.


Time Accounts Dialog Box

This dialog box displays when you select Time Accounts from the Setup menu.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


New Button

Click the New button access the Time Account Dialog Box where you can setup a new account.


Edit Button

1.	Highlight the desired Time Account.

2.	Click Edit.

Make the necessary changes in the Time Account Dialog Box and select OK.


Delete Button

1.	Highlight the desired Time Account.

2.	Click Delete.


Account Name list

To Edit or Delete an Existing Time Account

1.	Highlight the desired Time Account in the Account Name list.

2.	Click Edit or Delete.


Time Account Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you choose to create a new Time Account.   This enables you to create an account name, select the form connected to the account,  and set the specific time -tracking options.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Account Name

Use the Account Name box to enter the name of the account.


Entry Form

In the Entry Form box select the preferred form.


Stop other accounts when this one is started

If you click this option in the Options box you will be prompted to close other Time Accounts that are running when this one begins.


Time Manager

Related Topics:

Time Accounts

Time Manager Dialog Box

The Time Manager object lets you keep track of the amount of time that you spend on certain tasks throughout your day.  For instance, if you wanted to know how much of your time is dedicated to "marketing research" versus "sales calls", you could use a Time Manager object.

A Time Manager object appears as a list of the Time Accounts that you created.  When you begin doing a certain type of work, say, making Sales calls, you simply double-click on the "Sales Calls" account and it changes color to indicate that it is running.  When you finish making your calls, double-click on "Sales Calls" again to stop the timer.  When you stop the Time Account , a form displays so you can make notes about your work session;  perhaps a reminder of where you left off, or an idea that a client gave you.

The Time Account creates a record for each session, meaning that every time you open an account, you are creating a new record in the associated form.

Adding a Time Manager

1.	Right-click on the folder to receive the Time Manager object.

The Instant Options Menu displays.

2.	Select Add Objects.

The Objects Dialog Box displays.

3.	Select Time Manager.

The Time Manager displays on the folder.  Any Time Accounts you created will be displayed on the Time Manager.

Using the Time Manager

The Time Manager object is very easy to use.  Let's assume you're going to begin working and you want to keep track of the time you spend.

You must have created at least one Time Account before you can use the Time Manager.  Refer to Time Accounts for more information.

1.	To start the Time Manager running, double-click on the name of the applicable Time Account or highlight the account and click the "On" button in the Action Bar.

The account name changes to a different color, indicating that time is being recorded in that account.

2.	Do whatever work you need to do.  The Time Manager is keeping track of how long you're spending on that type of work.

3.	To stop a time account, double-click on the name of running Time Account or highlight the account and click the "Off" button on the Action Bar.

The associated form opens. (This is the form you selected in the Time Account dialog box when you created the account.)

The form displays with all of the date and time information filled in, including the time you started that Time Account, the time you stopped it, and the elapsed time (assuming these fields are on your form).

4.	Complete the form.

Add notes about what you were working on or where you left off.

5.	Click OK on the form.  The Time Account is no longer active in the Time Manager object.

Using Several Time Accounts

When you created your account in the Time Account dialog box, you had the option of selecting the Stop other accounts when this one is started option.  If this option is active, then that account will automatically stop running as soon as you try to open another Time Account.  If you do not select this option, then you can have multiple Time Accounts open.  You can change this option at any time without effecting your account.


Time Manager Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you add or customize a Time Manager object.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Color For Running task

Select a color to indicate which accounts are running from the Color for Running Task box.


Title Bar

Related Topics:

Title Bar Dialog Box

Float

Caption Bar

The Title Bar or "Caption Bar", option can be placed on any object and appears as a solid bar (with text if you prefer) across the top of the object.  This bar allows you to easily grab the object with the mouse and drag it to another location on the folder.  You can put a Title Bar on an object by accessing the Instant Options Menu, selecting Float, then selecting Caption Bar or by clicking the Title button located throughout various PackRat dialog boxes.  Take the Title Bar off the object by simply deselecting the Title Bar/Caption Bar option.   A check mark will appear to the left of an option that is active.

Note:  The Title Bar option is often referred to as the Caption Bar option.  These are not to be confused as different options, they are identical and function in the same fashion.


Title Bar Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you click the Title button located throughout various PackRat dialog boxes or select the Title Bar option from the Instant Options Menu.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Title box

Enter the text you wish to appear on the title bar of the selected object.


Color box

Choose the color of the title bar from the Color box.


Display option

Click this box if you want to display the title bar on the object.  If this selection is not checked, the title bar will not appear.


Tools Menu
Tools - Menu Bar

The Tools menu  displays the following options:

Click directly on the menu graphic for further descriptions of the menu entries.


Spelling

Use the Spelling option to check documents for proper spelling.  You are also provided with a "personal dictionary" in the Speller Dialog Box where you can place words/names frequently used.


Thesaurus

The Thesaurus assists in broadening the writer's vocabulary and will display words with the same or similar meanings to the selected word.  See the Thesaurus Dialog Box for more information.


Keyword Manager

By selecting Keyword Manager you are able to manage your Key fields.  You can display the Key field's values and  globally modify their values from the Keyword Manager Dialog Box.


Categories

This selection accesses the Categories Dialog Box where you can modify and create Categories.  Categories are fundamental to PackRat and serve as an organizational tool for all your Forms, Action Bars, and Macros.  You will see Categories throughout PackRat, providing a structure so you can easily distinguish between different facets of your work.  In simpler terms, Categories show that which is categorized.


Forms

The Forms Dialog Box displays when you select Tools menu - Forms.    With this dialog box you are able to create and edit Categories and also able to edit, create, or delete associated Forms.


Reports

This entry accesses the Reports Dialog Box which allows to print, create, modify, and design PackRat Reports.


Action Bars

Use this Tools menu selection to access the Action Bars Dialog Box where you can create or delete Categories or create, edit, show, or delete Action Bars.  Action Bars contain related groups of Action Buttons and Action Lists that you use to perform daily tasks. Action Bars are primarily used to access and edit your Forms.


Action Buttons

This option access the Select Action Button Dialog Box where you can create, edit, or delete Action Buttons.

An Action Button is a PackRat object that can be placed on folders or on Action Bars.  Action Buttons will run macros, perform commands, or run scripts when clicked. You can place text or a graphic bitmap on an Action Button.


Data Templates

Data Templates assist you in moving information to and from the Windows Clipboard to a PackRat form.  By using a Data Template, you are able to set up fields of your choice in a particular order, therefore directing the order and layout of incoming information.  This Tools menu selection accesses the Templates Dialog Box.


Lists

By selecting Lists you access the List Manager Dialog Box where you can add lists or list elements,  delete entries, or copy entries.


Macros

This selection displays the Macros Dialog Box you can run, create, edit, or delete macros.

A macro is a predefined or user-created "mini" program that can perform simple tasks.  You can assign a macro to an Action Button  or a Hot Key then place on a folder.


Scripts

This menu option displays the Scripts Dialog Box where you can access Categories and play, record, or delete Scripts.

Scripts are a set of actions you perform that are recorded by the computer for future play back.   You could record a Script that would access the New Folder dialog box.  By assigning this script to an Action Button, you'll have a button on your folder that will let you quickly create a new folder.


Hot Links

Hot Links are associated with Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) which enables applications to communicate with each other, thus allowing  you to exchange information between Windows' applications.

By selecting Hot Links from the Tools menu, the Hot Links Dialog Box displays.   Use this dialog box to create, edit, connect, disconnect, or delete Hot Links, thus enabling applications to communicate with PackRat.


Hot Keys

Hot Keys serve as keyboard shortcuts.  You can assign a combination of Hot Keys to your folders.  By selecting Hot Keys from the Tools menu, you access the Hot Keys Dialog Box.  From here you can edit, load, create, or delete Hot Keys.


Trash Can

The Trash Can is a PackRat object that allows the user to "throw away" unwanted files and records by dragging them from a PackRat object or the File Manager onto this object.

Once an item is thrown away, it cannot be retrieved by PackRat.


Update Folder Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you select Folders Menu - Folders, and choose to edit a folder.  Use it to name a new folder and assign a tab color.  You may edit existing folder's names and tab colors also.  It also appears if you right-click on a folder and select Customize from the Instant Options Menu

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Folder Name

In the Folder Name box, type in the name of the new folder or change an existing folder's name.


Tab Color

Use the Tab Color box to select the color of the folder's tab.  Highlight the desired color and click OK.


Scheduling Information

Related Topics:

The Connection Between Objects

Repetitive Scheduling

"Un-scheduling" an Item

Filters

Scheduling information in PackRat is as easy as clicking a date on the Calendar and selecting the time on the Day View.

1.	Use the calendar to select the date that you want to schedule your event.

2.	From the Day View object, select the time range for the scheduled item by clicking on the starting time and dragging the mouse pointer downward to the ending time.

3.	With the desired time-range highlighted, click anywhere within the body of the Day View and enter a summary of the item.

Note :  It doesn't matter what line you type this information on -- it will appear in the proper place when you finish.

4.	Press the [Enter] key when finished.

The summary moves to the highlighted time slot.

The scheduled item appears with a colored line next to it, indicating the form that it is associated with.  You can associate a form's information with a color (from the Form Editor) so that all your scheduled events on the Day View, Commitments Window, Gantt Chart, and such can be distinguished.


Repetitive Scheduling

Related Topics:

Repetitive Scheduling Dialog Box

Periodic Scheduling

Custom Scheduling

PackRat 5.0 has powerful yet intuitive repetitive scheduling features.  These features save you from entering repetitively occurring commitments more than once.  For example, if you have a meeting every Monday morning at 10 AM, you can enter the meeting into your schedule once and schedule it to appear every Monday.  If you take lunch every day from 12 - 1pm you can schedule that also.  Almost any time-related item can be repetitively scheduled.

There are two different types of repetitive scheduling:

Periodic Scheduling

Use periodic scheduling for items that occur in fixed intervals, such as:

·	every Monday

·	every business day

·	the 25th of every month

·	every year

Custom Scheduling

Use custom scheduling for items that do not necessarily occur periodically, such as:

·	the third Thursday of every month

·	the last business day of the quarter

·	the first business day of the month


Periodic Scheduling

Use periodic scheduling when you've scheduled an event and you want it to appear on your schedule at the same time every day/business day/week/month/year.

To schedule an item periodically:

1.	Click the Schedule button on a form.

The Repetitive Scheduling Dialog Box appears:

2.	Select the Periodic radio button.

3.	In the Every box, enter a number in the box and select Days, Business days, Weeks, Months, or Years from the drop box.

(i.e. Every: 1 Days;  Every: 2 Weeks; etc.)

4.	From the Range box use the drop boxes to select either the duration or number of times you want the item to be scheduled.

5.	Click OK.

The item will be scheduled and appear automatically as specified on the dialog box.


Custom Scheduling

Use Custom scheduling when you've scheduled an event and you want it to appear on your schedule at specific times.

To custom schedule an item:

1.	Click the Schedule button on a form

The Repetitive Scheduling Dialog Box appears:

2.	Select the Custom radio button.

3.	Select whether you want the item scheduled for particular Quarters or Months.

4.	Select whether you want the item to appear on specific days of the week or calendar dates using the Days or Fixed option.

5.	From the Range box (at the bottom of the dialog box) use the drop boxes to select either the duration or number of times you want the item to be scheduled.

6.	Click OK.

The item will be scheduled and appear automatically as specified on the dialog box.


"Un-scheduling" an Item
"Un-scheduling" an Item.

To remove scheduling from an item you must enter the Repetitive Scheduling dialog box from that item's form (by clicking the Sched button).  Select the None radio button and click OK.

Any scheduling will be removed.

If you delete the item all scheduling will be deleted also.


Repetitive Scheduling Dialog Box

This dialog box appears when you schedule an item.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


None

Select None if you do not want any scheduling for an item.


Periodic

Select Periodic if you want to schedule an item to appear at regular intervals on your schedule, i.e. Every: 1 Days;  Every: 2 Weeks; etc.

Enter a number in the box and select Days, Business days, Weeks, Months, or Years from the drop box.


Custom

Select Custom for items that do not necessarily occur periodically, such as:

·	the third Thursday of every month

·	the last business day of the quarter

·	the first business day of the month


Quarters or Months

Select whether you would like to base the scheduling for the item on Quarters or Months.

Make the appropriate selection(s) from the Quarters or Months list boxes.


Days

Select Days if you would like to base the schedule on specific days of the week, or business days only.

Make the appropriate selections from both list boxes.


Fixed

Select Fixed if you would like base the schedule on specific dates of the month (1-31)


Range

Range is how long you would like scheduling to be done for.  There are three different ways to set up a range:

Schedule For:  If you choose this option from the drop box then you need tell PackRat how long you want the item scheduled for, i.e., 4 Days, 6 Weeks, 10 months.

Schedule Until:  If you choose this option you need to tell PackRat the last date you want the item scheduled, i.e., 12/23/93, 3/3/1998.  PackRat will schedule up until that date.

Fixed Number:  If you choose this number you need to tell PackRat how many times you would like the item scheduled, i.e., 10, 12, 127, 365.


Filters

The Day View, Month View, Commitments, and Calendar objects normally display all scheduled date-related information.  However, these objects also contain a Filter Instant Option that enables you to be more selective about the information these objects display.

For instance, instead of displaying all date-related information, using filters you can set any of these objects to just display one of the following:

·	Date information in a single category.

·	Date information in a single form.

·	Only information that satisfies the specified search criteria.

You can think of filters as "filtering out" the undesired information from these objects.

Using Filters

When you select the Filter Instant Option, the Filter dialog box displays.

The Filter dialog box contains a Category drop box, a Form drop box, and Fields box:

Category

Select the specific category containing the date information that you would like the object to display.

Form

This box contains the forms that are in the selected category.  Select the specific form containing the data information that you would like the object to display.

Fields

This box contains all the fields that are in the selected category and/or form.  You can use these fields to build a search criteria, just as in the Search dialog box.

You may save the Filter you just set up as a Catalog by clicking the Add button at the bottom of the Filter dialog box.  This allows you to set the same Filter again easily.

When you have completed the Filter dialog box, click OK.

The object displays with the specified information only.


The Connection Between Objects

Although the Day View, Commitments, and Calendar are three completely separate objects, they all work together to help you locate information quickly.

Try performing the following actions:

·	Click on any date on your calendar.

Result :  That date becomes highlighted on your Calendar and the Day View and Commitments objects instantly update themselves to begin on that date.

Why? :  The Calendar communicates its date information to all other date-related objects on the folder.

·	On the Commitments object, click on any one of the displayed days, or use the scroll arrows to advance the date.

Result :  The Day View instantly updates itself to begin on that date.

Why? :  The Commitments object automatically communicates its date to the Day View.  This enables you to see what your Commitments are by glancing at the Day View.


Viewing Past Conversations

The PackRat History Window

You can quickly review a listing of all your past conversations with a person (a Phone Log) by clicking the History button on the Phone Book Action Bar or Contact List Action Bar.

How the History Window Works

When you contact someone from the Phone Book or Action List, the Conversation form appears so you can take notes on that conversation.  That Conversation form is automatically attached to the person's name in the List Viewer.

The History window searches all the attachments to the Phone Book form and retrieves that information.  The information is then moved to a Memo Pad object and displayed.

A data template is used to select and arrange the fields in the Memo Pad.  You can edit the data template to arrange the fields differently if you wish.  The default template is similar to the format shown in the sample History window above.

Viewing a History Window

1.	Highlight a record in your Phone Book or Contact List.

2.	Click on the History button in the Action Bar.

A Memo Pad object displays the Contact records attached to the selected one.

You can close the History window by clicking the close button on the Memo Pad (upper left-hand corner).


PackRat's Autodial Settings

There are various dialog boxes that are encountered as you configure your phone's autodialing setup.  Each is explained below.

Related Topics:

Phone Item Data Dialog Box

Call Dialog Box

Country Codes Dialog Box

U.S. Area Codes Dialog Box

Dialing Setup Dialog Box

Advanced Dialing Setup Dialog Box


Phone Item Data Dialog Box

The Phone Item Data dialog box displays whenever a new phone number is added.  This is where all the autodialing options are set.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Label

You must specify a label to distinguish the new number from other existing numbers listed for that person.  Common labels include:  Office, Home, Fax, Direct Fax, Direct Bus. Line, Car Phone, and Cordless Phone.


Long Distance Service

Select which Long Distance Service you would like to use when dialing this number.


Dial Country Code

Select this option if you want PackRat to autodial the country code for this number.  Enter the appropriate country code or click on the Country button to access a list of Country codes.


Dial Area Code

Select this option if you want PackRat to autodial the area code for the selected phone number.  Enter the appropriate area code or click on the US Areas button to access a list of area codes within the United States.


Dial Phone Number

Select this option if you want PackRat to autodial the phone number.


Dial Extension

Select this option if you want PackRat to autodial an extension.


Dial Access Line

The Dial Access Line drop box contains a list of the access lines you specified in the Dialing Setup Dialog Box.

Use this option to access "outside" lines or other special services your phone system provides.  For example, if you specified "outside = 9", and this option was active, PackRat would autodial the 9 before your phone number to access the outside line.


Dial Long Distance Before

Enter the (1-800) access number to the long distance service that you want to use with this number.  PackRat will automatically dial this number before dialing the phone number.


Dial Phone Before

Use this option to autodial a number(s) before the phone number.  For instance, sometimes a "1" must be added before a number even though it is within the same area code.  Entering "1" in this box would do that automatically for you.


Dial Phone After

Use this option to autodial numbers after the phone number.  For instance, to select an option from a voice-mail menu.  If you are autodialing Polaris Software Technical Support ( 619-592-7400),  setting this option to "3" would automatically transfer you from the initial voice-mail greeting to tech. support.


Dial Security Code

Some phone systems enable you to set a security code so that long distance lines can only be accessed by first entering the proper code.  Entering the code in this box will enable PackRat to access secured lines without interruption.


Dial Long Distance After

This option complements the Dial Long Distance Before option above.  Use it to specify your long distance account number (or card number).  When charging a call to a long distance account, you generally dial the (1-800) access number, followed by the number you wish to dial and your account number.  This option completes the sequence by automatically dialing your account number.


Translate Prefix

This check box option toggles the Prefix Translation feature, set on the Advanced Dialing Setup Dialog Box.

The Translate Prefix feature is designed for in-house phone systems where you only have to dial the last few numbers to access inside lines.  Use this option if you frequently need to switch between autodialing an inside line or an outside line for the selected number.


Call Dialog Box

The Call dialog box displays when you click on the [image] button.  It displays the autodialing settings that have been specified for the selected number.

The Call dialog box enables you to make any necessary changes to the specified dialing settings before the number is dialed.  Changes made in this dialog box are not saved.  To edit any of the information shown, you must do so from the Phone Item Data Dialog Box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Number to Call

Select the number you wish to dial for this person from this box.


Country Button

Click the Country button to display the Country Codes Dialog Box where you can select the proper country.


U.S. Areas Button

Click U.S. Areas button to display the U.S. Area Codes Dialog Box where you can select the proper area code.


Country Codes Dialog Box

When you click on the Country button on either the Phone Item Data or Call dialog boxes, you access the Country Codes dialog box.

This dialog box provides a listing of country codes for the major countries of the world.  Select the desired country and click OK to move the code into the Dial Country Code field on the dialog box.


U.S. Area Codes Dialog Box

When you click on the US Areas button on either the Phone Item Data or Call dialog boxes, you access the U.S. Area Codes dialog box.

This dialog box provides a listing of area codes for the states and major cities in the United States and Canada.  If no cities are displayed under a state name, assume the area code is the same throughout the entire state.  Select the desired area code and click OK to move the code into the Dial Area Code field on the dialog box.


Dialing Setup Dialog Box

The Dialing Setup dialog box is where you set up the general options used when autodialing.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Advanced Button

Click the Advanced button to go to the Advanced Dialing Setup Dialog Box where you can specify more dialing options.


Use Modem To Dial

Check this box if you would PackRat to use your modem to autodial for you.


Modem Button

Click this button to access the Modem Setup Dialog Box where you can specify your modem setting.


Access Lines box

Use this option to configure your phone to access "outside" lines or other special services.  When you click the Add button the Access Lines dialog box displays.

Creating an Access Line

1.	Click the Add button.

The Access Line Information Dialog Box.

2.	In the Description box, describe what type of access the line will allow.

3.	In the Dial to Access box, enter the appropriate number and click OK.

The newly defined Access Line appears in the Access Lines box.


Present Location

Use this box to tell PackRat what your current Access code, Country code, and Area code are.  Before autodialing, PackRat will check the number you're calling to see if it's necessary to dial these options.  This is especially useful if you change locations frequently -- just enter the new codes for your current location.


Long Distance Services

Use this box to specify how to connect with your long distance service and to dial the associated numbers.  Click the Add button to access the Long Distance Service Dialog Box.


Long Distance Service Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to specify your long distance carrier and dial codes.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Name

Use this area to describe the long distance account.  For instance, if you frequently work outside your home, you may want to set up a Long Distance Service that connects using your credit card.


Dial Before

Enter the access number for your service.  If you're dialing from a home or business phone, this could be "1".  If you're using a credit card, this would be the long distance company's access number.


Dial After

Enter any numbers necessary to complete your long distance call.  For credit cards, this is usually your long distance account number (card number).


Advanced Dialing Setup dialog box

The Advanced Dialing Setup dialog box is accessed by clicking on the Advanced button on the Dialing Setup Dialog Box.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


Prefix Translation

The Prefix Translation feature can be used with phone systems enabling in-house calls to be placed by dialing only the last few digits of a person's number.  You can instruct PackRat to leave off the first few numbers when autodialing in-house.

Click the Add button.  The Prefix Translation Information Dialog Box displays.


Dialing Order

Use this box to specify the order in which PackRat's autodialer dials the number fields for a phone number.  If there are fields that you never use, you can remove them from the Selected to dial box and place them in the Available box.  A blank field in the Selected to dial box will not interfere with autodialing operation.

Inserting/Arranging Dialing Fields

To insert a field in the Selected to dial box, do the following:

If the field in not in the Available box, select it and click the << button to move it there.

1.	In the Available box, highlight the field to be moved.

2.	In the Selected to dial box, click on the field that is currently located where you want to place the new field and click Insert.

The field is inserted there and the other fields are pushed down the list.


Prefix Translation Information Dialog Box

This dialog appears when you add Prefix Translation Information.

Click directly on the graphic for further descriptions.


From box

Enter only that part of the number that you want replaced, or left off.

The full number might be 592-7400, but for in-house calls, only the last four digits need to be dialed.


To box

Enter the number to replace the contents of the From box.  For example, if your phone system required you to dial an "8" followed by the last four digits to make an in-house call, you would enter "8" in this box.