ZipAddress Instructions
- Introduction
- Installation
- Copyright
- Technical Support
- Data Updates
- The ZipAddress Screen
- Using ZipAddress in Windows
- Searching for Zip Codes & Addresses
- Other Features
- Menu Options
- Special Features
ZipAddress provides a comprehensive link to the data of the United States Postal Service Zip+4 database to deliver rapid, accurate postal addresses for the whole of the USA. It can speed up the entry of address information into other programs, look up addresses, even if only fragments are known, and provide a wealth of additional postal information linked to the Zip+4 code
Type in the Zip+4 code you require, and ZipAddress will the complete USPS Zip+4 Record, the City-State record, and a composite, useful Address Record. You can use these records to immediately print labels or envelopes – complete with a Post Net Barcode using the TrueType PostNet font included with ZipAddress.
If you have 'messy' address data, or you don't know a Zipcode, ZipAddress helps by looking up an address - even from small fragments.
For maximum benefit, AFD ZipAddress can be easily linked into other programs. In Windows, the stand-alone ZipAddress program can be used for simple look-ups, or to squirt data into other programs. It can also provide Dynamic Data Exchange for other programs, or you can use our powerful Dynamic Link Libraries if your application has a suitable programming language.
Copyright
1997: AFD Computers
International Address Management Centre
74 Parliament Street
Ramsey
Isle of Man
IM8 1RF
Email: Mail@ZipAddress.com
WWW: http://www.zipaddress.com
ZipAddress is installed automatically by the installation routine, and all files are placed in the correct directories. You can launch ZipAddress by clicking the ZipAddress 'eagle and envelope' icon. ZipAddress remembers the size and position of its main windows, and returns to these each time you load the program.
You may also add a command-line when launching ZipAddress, instructing it to use a specific configuration file (see Setup). Thus starting ZipAddress with the command line GEN_WP would use the GEN_WP configuration file.
The evaluation version of the program contains a restricted set of data, covering part of the State of Virginia.
All programs and data provided by ZipAddress are copyright, and protected by Copyright Laws, by the Berne convention and other International Copyright treaties. The following notes summarise the main features of the ZipAddress End User License, but for full details, you are referred to the ZipAddress End User License Agreement.
Data within ZipAddress is the copyright of the United States Postal Service and afd computers. You may access and use this data only as part of the ZipAddress system, to provide address data for a bona-fide address-based application. You may not extract, reverse-engineer or re-distribute data or programs provided under any circumstances whatever.
The information contained in ZipAddress is published by AFD Computers, which holds a non-exclusive license from United States Postal Service to publish and sell ZipAddress information.
The price of ZipAddress is not established, controlled or approved by the United States Postal Service.
ZipAddress advertising is not approved or endorsed by the United States Postal Service.
You are permitted to install and use components of the ZipAddress only on the number of computers, terminals, workstations or screens for which a license is held, although the larger data elements of the system may be installed on a file server for central access if a multi-user license is held. You may additionally make one copy of the program master disks for back-up purposes, but no other copies are permitted, for whatever reason.
Evaluation versions of ZipAddress, and the associated sample data, are nevertheless copyright material. You may make and distribute copies of the evaluation version and its sample data, but these copies must be complete and unaltered. You may NOT use the sample programs data provided for any purpose other than to assist in evaluating the usefulness of ZipAddress.
ZipAddress must be updated at intervals not greater than six months apart. Update fees include a fresh set of data, program updates and free technical support. Updates are at present available quarterly.
Your first point of contact for support should be your system manager who knows your system and its specific configuration. If he/she is unable to resolve any issue, he/she should then contact your ZipAddress supplier for assistance.
Making sure that our customers get the best from our products is important to us, so if your ZipAddress supplier is unable to assist you, ZipAddress itself offers unlimited free technical support, via the Internet. We don't limit how often you can request help - so long as you have a current licensed copy of ZipAddress, we're here to help:
World Wide Web:
This major resource provides 24 hour, direct access to
all ZipAddress’ technical resources. If you have a
question, need program examples or require a skilled
ZipAddress dealer to help with your system, start by
visiting our web site at: http://www.zipaddress.com.
Email:
If you have a specific question not covered by the
information on our WWW site, you may email your request
to support@zipaddress.com.
Please note that all support for ZipAddress is provided by use of the Internet in these ways. We are unable to respond to requests for help by telephone, fax or post.
Address data is constantly changing as a result of property redevelopment, business moves and the increasing trend towards the automation of mail delivery. To ensure that you get the maximum benefit from your investment in ZipAddress, you should ensure that the data you are using is as up-to-date as possible.
ZipAddress has invested in state-of-the-art technology to provide you with the best possible address data within our programs. Taking United States Postal Service data, and converting it ready for release to our customers in just three days, means that ZipAddress Data is often weeks, and sometimes months more up-to-date than data from other sources.
Four data updates are issued each year - usually in early in March, June, September and December - subject to USPS delivery.
Make sure that you place your order so that each data update is sent to you as soon as it is prepared.
The data in ZipAddress is derived from the Zip+4 file and CityState files published by the United States Postal Service. Full details of the data, and guidelines for addressing standards are available on the USPS web site at http://www.usps.gov and in a variety of USPS publications – especially Publication 28 ‘Postal Addressing Standards’. The USPS site also explains how to notify the USPS of any errors or amendments to the USPS data.
General Information on ZipAddress, support and program news is available at the ZipAddress Web site at http://www.zipaddress.com.
Click on the part of the ZipAddress screen you'd like information about:
Start ZipAddress from your Start Menu
At the 'Zip Code' box you may enter a simple Zip+4 lookup request by typing the Zip+4 code. Once your entry is complete, ZipAddress will automatically lookup the code, and show matching records from the USPS data in the Results list box.
The Address Record, Zip+4 record, City-State record, and Mailing Label will all be filled with the current address highlighted in the Results list box – click on the address you require to view the complete information for the address. For full details of the data supplied in Zip+4 and City-State records, please refer to the relevant USPS publications.
A Zip+4 code often covers several addresses, so the records show the range of secondary, primary (and in some cases plus4 codes) as Low Value, High Values. An O/E marker indicates whether the record is valid for O (Odd), E (Even) or B (Both) addresses within the ranges shown.
Once you have the address you require on screen, you may squirt it into any application that appears in the list of 'Target Applications' by pressing the Insert button (or pressing Ctrl + I, or double-clicking a record in the Results list). The format of your address can easily be changed, and ZipAddress can even add keystroke macros before and after each field of the address, using the ‘Insert Settings’ facility (- see below). If the application does not appear in the list of target applications, make sure that it is running properly, then click on the title 'Target Applications' to refresh the list. The address is also immediately available to other applications via Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) (see below).
ZipAddress attempts to display the correct format for addresses appearing on mail items when preparing Mailing Labels – but the address can be edited as required before printing.
Searching for Zipcodes and Addresses
Enter any fragments of the address you wish to find, in the relevant boxes at the top of the ZipAddress window, as follows:
Zip Code:
Enter a 5 digit zipcode – or the first character(s) of the zip code if you know them: eg ‘10003’Recipient:
Enter the name of an organization or building: eg ‘HONDA’Secdry:
Enter the number of the secondary part of the address, eg for Ste 5 or Fl 5, simply enter ‘5’.Number:
Enter the street number: eg ‘362’Street:
Enter the street address eg ‘5TH AVE’City:
Enter the City name – eg ‘NEW YORK’State:
Enter a 2 character state abbreviation – or choose from the drop down list.
The ‘Search Quantity’ box is used to indicate the maximum number of results you wish to find and display. You may enter any sensible number here – or click the label next to the box to cycle round a range of pre-set values – 10, 100, 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10000.
Once your search requirements are entered, press the [Enter] key – or click the Search button. You can cancel a search at any time by clicking the Cancel button.
The more information you are able to supply, the fewer possible matches will be displayed in the Results list. Don’t worry, though, that you are unable to supply all the search information – ZipAddress is designed to work well with just one or two fragments.
The ZipAddress Main window has several special controls and menu options:
Target Application
This pull-down box detects other Windows programs, so that you can choose which one ZipAddress will send data to when the Insert button is pressed. To refresh the list if you have opened a new program, simply click the words 'Target Application'
Export:
This facility allows you to export address data, found by ZipAddress, into a comma-separated ASCII file, for use in other programs like databases and spreadsheets etc. Highlight the addresses in the ZipAddress results list which you wish to include in the export (or highlight the whole list if you require them all), then select File – Export to create the list.
Exit:
Closes ZipAddress and returns to Windows.
Copy or Ctrl + C
Copies the current address to the Windows clipboard so that it can be used by other programs - normally Insert or DDE are better ways of using a ZipAddress address. Copy uses your current Setup (see below) to determine the layout of the address, but does not use the Before/After keystroke macros.
Insert or Ctrl + I
Causes the current address to be ‘typed’ into your chosen application. Insert uses your current Insert Settings (see below) to determine the layout of the address. Double-clicking in the Results list box has the same effect as 'Insert' when the DDE Icon (see below) is not being used.
Clear or Ctrl + L
Clear all the current search parameters as well as the results list. (Clicking the Search-field label next to each search parameter will clear just that field).
On Top or Ctrl + T
Make the ZipAddress window remain ‘On Top’ of other applications. This is useful if you use ZipAddress to insert addresses into other applications – like word processors, and wish to be easily able to switch back to ZipAddress. If ZipAddress is set in On Top mode, it can be switched off by executing this instruction a second time.
Icon for DDE or Ctrl + D
Displays (or hides) a special Icon used to trigger address lookups when ZipAddress is used to control DDE aware applications like Symantec's ACT� contact manager. To enable the DDE icon, first use DDE Settings (see below), to make sure that ZipAddress is set up for your chosen application - and save the changes. Drag the icon to the point on screen where you wish it to be, by holding down the Right mouse button and dragging the icon. This allows you place the icon so it simulates a button on the tool bar of programs like ACT.
With the Icon showing, arrange your chosen program so that it is ready for ZipAddress to look up an address - eg in Act by adding a new record, then typing the Zip+4 code in the Zip Code field. Click on the ZipAddress Icon, and ZipAddress will lookup you data, and display the results in the Results list, then pass back the first result to your program. To pass other results in the list, simply double-click the record in the Results list.
Using this technique, it is also possible to pass the results of a ZipAddress search, one record at a time, into your program and thus, for example, populate, say, an Act database with ZipAddress data.
Insert Settings or Ctrl + S
Displays the ZipAddress Settings window, which allows you to tailor the way in which ZipAddress operates, especially when using the Insert facility. You can store a library of configuration files for use with different programs - a few sample ones are provided to get you going.For each field that ZipAddress provides, you can set the ORDER in which the field is inserted, and keystrokes to send Before and After the address data itself. This effectively provides a very powerful macro language with which ZipAddress can control your target application. Field Order should be a number from 1 to 18. If you wish to omit a field (eg 'Record Type'), simply set the order number to zero.
The Before and After codes are simple entries, telling ZipAddress what keystrokes to send to your application - for example {TAB} sends a Tab keystroke, {ENTER} sends an Enter keystroke. The full list of codes is given below:
Key Code
- Backspace {BACKSPACE} or {BS} or {BKSP}
- Break {BREAK}
- Caps Lock {CAPSLOCK}
- Clear {CLEAR}
- Del {DELETE} or {DEL}
- Down Arrow {DOWN}
- End {END}
- Enter {ENTER} or ~
- Esc {ESCAPE} or {ESC}
- Help {HELP}
- Home {HOME}
- Ins {INSERT}
- Left Arrow {LEFT}
- Num Lock {NUMLOCK}
- Page Down {PGDN}
- Page Up {PGUP}
- Right Arrow {RIGHT}
- Scroll Lock {SCROLLLOCK}
- Tab {TAB}
- Up Arrow {UP}
- F1 - F12 {F1} - {F12}
To specify keys combined with any combination of Shift, Ctrl, and Alt keys, precede the regular key code with one or more of the following codes:
Key Code
- Shift +
- Control ^
- Alt %
To specify repeating keys, use the form {key number}; you must put a space between key and number. For example, {LEFT 4} means press the Left Arrow key 4 times; {h 10} means press h 10 times.
You may, of course, also include other letters typed from the keyboard (eg you could include 'Dear: ' three lines after the Zip Code - to start a business letter. Although these commands allow ZipAddress very substantial control over your program, in many cases you will simply need an After code of {TAB} or {ENTER}.
Each relevant field may also be forced into UPPER CASE letters - this option is not available for numeric or code fields.
The Line Squeeze checkbox will be useful if you are sending data to a word-processor, as any blank lines will be omitted. Database program users will not wish to squeeze lines, or field placement would become inconsistent.
To store a new Settings File, simply enter a valid file name, in the combo box, and click the save button. To load and use an existing settings file, select the file from the drop-down combo box.
To start ZipAddress with a configuration loaded automatically, simply save the configuration with the name 'ZipAddress'. You can also alter Windows Start Menu properties command line to instruct ZipAddress to load a specified configuration file eg:
C:\zipaddr\zipaddress.exe myconfig
ZipAddress offers two type of DDE conversation.
Method 1 - ZipAddress Controls your Application - eg Act Contact Manager
Use the DDE Setup window to configure ZipAddress to your application's DDE link items - consult your application's documentation for details of these.
Application Name:
Usually the name of the executable file eg ACTWIN3.EXE would be 'ACTWIN3'
Topic:
The DDE topic provided by your application - eg ACT uses the topic 'Database'Fields:
For each field supplied by this mode of ZipAddress, enter the corresponding field name used by your application. Any field can be switched off or on using the checkboxes with the field name. Three special field names allow you to instruct ZipAddress to combine address elements for better formatting with your application's available fields. If these special checkboxes are used, the settings of their field checkboxes are ignored
Method 2 - ZipAddress is controlled by your Application - eg Access or Visual Basic (but see also API below for DLL functions)
If you are able to write programs or macros within your application's programming language, you may wish to control ZipAddress from your application. ZipAddress offers the following DDE items:
ZipAddress provides an automatic Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) server and client, that can be automatically controlled by another DDE - aware Windows application. This enables such an application to trigger a zipcode lookup, and to collect the returned data.
Implementation of Dynamic Data Exchange will vary according to the application you are using, but all will need the following information:
Application: ZipAddress
Topic: ZipAddr|ZipData
ZipAddress provides the following Link Items:
- SEARCHZIP - used to send the Zipcode to be look-up
- RECIPIENT
- SECONDARY
- SECLOW
- SECHIGH
- SECOE
- PRIMARY
- PRILOW
- PRIHIGH
- PRIOE
- URBANIZATION
- CITY
- STATE
- ZIPCODE
- PLUS4
- ZIPLOW
- ZIPHIGH
- RECTYPE
- RECDESCR
Help Contents
Shows the contents page of this documentZipAddress Home Page
Launches ZipAddress' built-in web browser, connects to the Internet and moves to the ZipAddress Home Page. This is a quick way of visiting ZipAddress to catch up with the latest news and program developments, order Updates etc.ZipAddress Support
Launches ZipAddress' built-in web browser, connects to the Internet and moves to the ZipAddress Support Site. Use this facility if you are seeking further help or guidance, or have a technical question related to ZipAddress.About
Launches the ZipAddress splash-screen, with useful information about the version of ZipAddress you are using, the data file date and time to expiry. You can also access this display by clicking the large 'Eagle' logo on the Address Record tab of the main ZipAddress window.
List Organisations
This tab provides a handy utility to 'dump' zipcode data with recipient names - you can choose the record types to include, and ZipAddress can attempt to suppress duplicates and apartment names for you. When this tab is showing, the ZipAddress Export facility (see above) operates on the organization list in the tab - not on the main Results list.
Mailing Labels
The ZipAddress mailing label tab provides rapid printing of individual labels, envelopes and polylope liners etc. A special box is provided to allow you to customise the label with name and title - though you can amend the address panel too if you wish. Use [Ctrl]+[Enter] if you require an additional carriage return in either box as [Enter] on its own will force a new Search.Labels etc may include the Post Net Barcode, using the free Post Net barcode True Type font supplied with ZipAddress. Other settings allow you to choose the label margins, width, and to choose the printer settings and font for your label. You can store a library of favorite label settings - simply enter a name in the drop-down box, then click the Save button to create a new setting.
To print a label, click the Print button on either the Mailing Label tab or the Address Record tab.
Statistics
During searches, ZipAddress will count the types of zipcode record included in the search, and present this information on the Statistics tab.