Software USA 4 #4/Software USA Volume 4.04.iso/pc/idexw200/install/setup.arv/INFODEXW.TXT

Text File | 1997-10-18 | 141.0 KB | 4,286 lines

Infodex For Windows
Version 2.00

Copyright 1997 by


Stevenson Technical Services, Inc. (STSI)
104 2nd Avenue NW, PO Box 297
Bertha MN 56437-0297 USA
FAX: [phone]
BBS: 218-924-2060
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Internet: http://www.stsi.com







Welcome


Infodex For Windows is a powerful, dynamic database manager.


Typical Applications for Infodex
* Names and Addresses
* Equipment
* Computer Software
* Books
* Passwords
* Recipes
* Stamp Collection
* Coin Collection
* Customer List
* Inventory
* Much More!


Features
Infodex supports many field types, including String, Number,
Currency, Date, Time, Combination Date/Time, Check Box, Memo,
Picture, and Static Text fields.
* Drag & drop layout.  Use "grab handles" and an alignment
palette to size & position fields accurately.
* Add, delete, or resize fields, even after you've added
records to your database!
* Import & export delimited files
* Sort database by string, number, currency, date, time, and
combination date/time fields
* Quick Search... for instant lookup of data in the current
sort field
* Thorough Text Search... to find text in any location of any
database field
* Enter data into individual fields or a table
* Print data in table format or match the screen layout
* Print preview
* Custom Report Designer
* Custom tab order for field view
* Custom column order for table view
* Record tagging
* View only tagged records, search results records, or all
records
* Ditto option to make a copy of the last record when adding
a new record


Please feel free to give us your feedback on Infodex.  We
encourage your comments, suggestions, and enhancement
requests.  We can be reached at the following locations:

Internet:     [e-mail]
CompuServe:   76300,3066
FAX:          [phone]
BBS:          218-924-2060





Requirements


In order to run Infodex For Windows, you will need the
following:

* Windows/Windows For Workgroups v3.1 or higher, Windows 95,
or Windows NT
* Mouse




Disclaimer / License Agreement


What is shareware?
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it.  If you try a Shareware program and
continue using it, you are expected to register.  Individual
programs differ on details - some request registration while
others require it, some specify a maximum trial period.  With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to
continue using the software to an updated program with
printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial
software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a
few specific exceptions as stated below.  Shareware authors
are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors,
and the programs are of comparable quality.  (In both cases,
there are good programs and bad ones!)  The main difference
is in the method of distribution.  The author specifically
grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either
to all or to a specific group. For example, some authors
require written permission before a commercial disk vendor
may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.
You should find software that suits your needs and
pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware.  The
Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you
can try before you buy.  And because the overhead is low,
prices are low also.  Shareware has the ultimate money-back
guarantee - if you don't use the product, you don't pay for
it.


Disclaimer - Agreement
By using Infodex and/or any of its components, users indicate
their acceptance of the following terms:

"Infodex is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without
limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness
for any purpose.  Neither STSI, The STSI BBS, or any STSI
employees will be held responsible for any damages, direct or
consequential, which may result from the use of Infodex
and/or any of its components."

"Information in this documentation is subject to change
without notice and does not represent a commitment on the
part of STSI.  STSI may make improvements and/or changes in
this documentation or in the products and/or programs
described in this documentation at any time."

Infodex is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge
to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your
friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is
to provide personal computer users with quality software
without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for
programmers to continue to develop new products.  If you find
this program useful and find that you are using Infodex and
continue to use Infodex after a reasonable trial period, you
must make a registration payment of $34.95 (+S&H) to
Stevenson Technical Services, Inc. (STSI).  This registration
fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any
one time.  You must treat this software just like a book.  An
example is that this software may be used by any number of
people and may be freely moved from one computer location to
another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used
at one location while it's being used at another.  Just as a
book cannot be read by two different persons at the same
time, Infodex should not be used on two different computers
at the same time.

Commercial users of Infodex must register and pay for their
copies of Infodex within 30 days of first use or their
license is withdrawn.  Site- License arrangements may be made
by contacting STSI at [e-mail].

Anyone distributing Infodex for any kind of remuneration must
first contact STSI for authorization.  This authorization
will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by
the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware
distributors, and such distributors may begin offering
Infodex immediately.  (However STSI must still be advised so
that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest
version of Infodex.)

You are encouraged to pass a copy of Infodex along to your
friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register
their copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered
users will receive a copy of the latest version of the
Infodex, along with a printed manual.





Registration


Infodex For Windows is distributed under the shareware
concept.  You may try Infodex for a period of two weeks.
After this period, you must either discontinue using it, or
register it.  A single-user license is only $49.95 (+$5.00
Shipping & Handling in the U.S., or $10.00 Shipping &
Handling on Foreign Orders).  (For site-license pricing, see
the file REGISTER.DOC.)  This price includes a printed
manual, a 3 1/2" diskette containing the latest version,
removal of nag screens and the 50-record database limit,
along with a Registration Name and Number allowing you to
register your copy of Infodex.

An e-mail registration option is available for users who do
not need a manual and disk sent to them.  A single-user e-
mail registration costs $39.95 (no shipping & handling fees
apply).  Simply send PRIVATE CompuServe mail to 76300,3066
(or use internet mail at your own risk: [e-mail].
Tell us that you want to register Infodex For Windows and
give us your name, address, telephone number, credit card
number, and expiration date.  As soon as we process your
credit card information, we'll send you a registration code
good for all version 2.x releases of Infodex For Windows.

Once registered, you will no longer see the nag screens,
reminding you to register Infodex.  For further registration
information and pricing, please read the REGISTER.DOC file
included with Infodex.


Upgrade Policy

If you are a registered user of Infodex For Windows v1.xx or
Infodex For DOS v1.xx, you can upgrade to Infodex For Windows
version 2.xx for a small fee.  A single-user upgrade is only
$30.00 (disk & manual included) or $20.00 for an e-mail
upgrade (see above for an explanation of registering via e-
mail).

If you purchased Infodex For Windows v1.xx on or after
October 1, 1997, you are entitled to a free e-mail upgrade.
Simply send email to STSI at [e-mail], requesting
your new registration code.  Please supply us with the
registration name and number from your Infodex version 1.x
registration.


How To Order

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover
credit cards.
Place orders 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, using any one of
the following:


Internet Orders
Go to STSI's website and order online.  Simply go to
http://www.stsi.com/ordernow.htm, fill out the registration
form, and select the "Place Order" button on the bottom of
the page.  STSI will be notified of your order, and will send
you a registration code as soon as your order is processed.


BBS Orders
Call The STSI BBS at 218-924-2060 and order online.  This
method of ordering is secure.


FAX Orders
FAX your order to 218-924-2050.  Simply fill out the
registration form provided with the program (REGISTER.DOC),
include your credit card information on the bottom of the
form, and sign it.  (Most FAX transmissions will be
automatically routed to the FAX machine.  If you are using an
older FAX machine and have problems connecting, wait until
after the first ring, press 11, and then begin transmitting.)


CompuServe SWREG
Order via SWReg on CompuServe.  Infodex is Registration ID
#14453.  Since CompuServe charges us a fee for this service,
the registration price when using SWREG is $59.95 (+S&H).


CompuServe E-Mail
Send PRIVATE CompuServe mail to 76300,3066, stating that you
would like to register this program.  Please include your
name, address, telephone number, credit card number, and
credit card expiration date.  Also include the name you want
the program registered to, such as your company's name, etc.
If you want to receive a temporary registration code that can
be used until you receive your order in the mail, simply
request this, as well.  (Comments and questions are also
welcome when you place your order.)


Snail Mail
Order the old fashioned way... Mail the registration form
along with your payment to:

Stevenson Technical Services, Inc. (STSI)
104 2nd Avenue NW, PO Box 297
Bertha MN 56437-0297 USA.

Payments received by mail must be a check or money order in
US Dollars.



Technical Support


Technical support is available through the following means:


Internet:
Access STSI's internet home page at http://www.stsi.com.
Check the bulletins for information on the latest versions of
our software.  Software updates can be downloaded through our
web site or via anonymous ftp to stevetech.com (files are
located in the \pub directory).


Internet Mail:
STSI will respond to messages sent via the Internet.  Send
any tech support related questions, comments, or suggestions
to [e-mail].


The STSI BBS:
New versions of this program will be posted here as soon as
they are available.  The STSI BBS uses a U.S. Robotics
V.Everything modem, which is capable of V.FAST, V.32bis,
V.32, and 2400 baud connect speeds.  The access number for
The STSI BBS is 218-924-2060.  Technical support questions
posted on the bulletin board system should be addressed to
Craig Stevenson.


STSI FAX:
STSI has a FAX machine on-line 24 hours-a-day to accept FAX
transmissions.  Technical support questions / problems may be
faxed to 218-924-2050.  Most FAX transmissions will be
automatically routed to the FAX machine.  If you have
problems reaching our FAX machine, wait until after the first
ring, press 11, and then begin transmitting.


Please read the following before requesting technical
support:

1.  Read the documentation files (and the help screens, if
available).  Most questions can be answered by simply reading
the docs.


2.  If you have a modem, call The STSI BBS and download the
latest version.  (Read Bulletin #1 on our BBS to find out the
latest version and release date of this program.  When
downloading a file, keep in mind that STSI's programs are
always posted in area 27.)  After you download the latest
version, try it and see if you are still experiencing the
same problem.  We attempt to fix problems as soon as we
become aware of them, and post the updated versions on the
bulletin board system.  (Check the .REV revision file for
information on feature enhancements and bug-fixes.)


3.  If you still cannot find an answer, contact us through
one of the means outlined above.  We will do our best to
assist you and answer any questions you may have.  We attempt
to answer all questions within 24 hours, whether they are
received via  internet mail, CompuServe mail, our BBS, or
FAX.  We are sorry, but we cannot accept technical support
questions by phone.


4.  When contacting us, please be prepared to answer the
following questions:  What version of this program are you
using?  What problem(s) are you having, if any?  What type of
computer CPU do you have (486DX2-66, etc.)?  What version of
DOS are you using?  Please be as specific as possible.  The
more specific you are, the faster we will be able to assist
you.


5.  When corresponding with any of our employees, please be
considerate.  Explain your problem as carefully as possible.


6.  If one of our employees is able to help you, and you
continue to use this program, register it!  We cannot
continue to produce quality programs without the continuing
support of our users.




Installation


The installation procedure for Infodex is quite simple.  The
package includes a program, "SETUP.EXE", which automates the
entire process.  You will need about 1 megabyte of available
disk space on the hard drive on which you plan to install
Infodex.

The exact steps you need to take will depend on how you
received Infodex.


Installing From Diskettes

To install from diskette(s), you need to perform the
following steps.

1. Place Infodex distribution diskette "Disk 1" in the
appropriate diskette drive.

2. From Program Manager, select Run. Execute the "SETUP.EXE"
program on the distribution diskette. For example, if the
distribution diskette is on drive A:, type the command,
"a:setup".

3. Follow the instructions presented by the setup program.
You will have a chance to approve installation before any
changes are actually made to the contents of your hard drive.
The program will ask you for a destination directory, and
will copy the Infodex files to that directory.


Installing From A Hard Drive

If you downloaded Infodex from a BBS (or received it in the
form of archive files from some other source), you will need
to perform the following steps.

1. Extract the contents of the archive file(s) in a temporary
directory on your hard drive.  The procedure for doing this
varies, depending on the form in which you received the
package. In all likelihood, the fact that you are reading
this text means that you already have the necessary tools and
knowledge to perform this step.  If not, you should be able
to obtain directions for this from the same source from which
you received the package.

2. From Program Manager, select Run.  Execute the "SETUP.EXE"
program which you have extracted.  For example, if the
temporary directory into which you have extracted the files
is C:\TEMPDIR, you would type the command,
"c:\tempdir\setup".

3. Follow the instructions presented by the installation
program. You will have a chance to approve installation
before any changes are actually made to the contents of your
hard drive.  The installation program will ask you for a
destination directory, and will copy the program files to
that directory.

When you're satisfied that the installation was successful,
you should delete the temporary directory FROM which you
installed the program, (C:\TEMPDIR, in the above discussion),
including all its contents.

Note :  If you are upgrading from a previous version, Infodex
will issue a warning before overwriting the file
INFODEXW.INI.  If you have already set up your registration
information and user preferences in Infodex, answer "N" (No)
to instruct the setup program not to overwrite this file.
When the installation is complete, a message box will be
displayed, and when you select Ok the setup program will
terminate.

If you are upgrading from Infodex For DOS, you will want to
install Infodex For Windows into a NEW directory, and copy
your existing database files into the new directory.
Databases cannot be shared between the DOS and Windows
versions of Infodex.  Once you open a database with Infodex
For Windows, it can no longer be used by Infodex For DOS.





 Limitations


Non-Registered Version:
The non-registered version of Infodex imposes a limit of 50
records per database.  This record limit is sufficient to
allow our users to see if Infodex will meet their needs.


Registered  Version:
One of the most common questions we receive is "How many
records can be stored in a database when I order the
registered version?".

The limit on the number of records in an Infodex database
depends on the total size of your database record, and the
number of records that will fit within a 2 gigabyte file.
Memos and pictures are stored in a file separate from the
main database (such as filename.blb), so each of the files
have a 2 gigabyte file capacity.




Creating A New Database



To create a new database, select the New speed button or
click on New on the File menu.  A dialog box will pop up
allowing you to enter a name and description for the new
database you will create.  Next, you should select the type
of database template you want to use.  To make database
creation as easy as possible, Infodex provides several pre-
defined templates for you to use.  You can choose from
Business Lite, Business Standard, Business Comprehensive,
Equipment, Library, Passwords, and Software.  If you want to
create a database without using any of the predefined
templates, select Custom.

If you chose one of the predefined templates, Infodex will
create the new database and allow you to start adding
records.  If you chose to create a Custom template, Infodex
will display the layout screen.  This is where you will
create your database, and place your database fields where
you want them.

For information on adding fields to your database, see Adding
Fields.  For information on editing existing database fields,
see Editing Fields.  Once the database is created, Infodex
creates several Database Files, and allows you to start
adding records to the database.  Infodex will display the
main editing screen, where you add, edit, and delete
information from the database, browse through records, and
search for data in specific fields.





Database Files


When you create a database with Infodex, it creates four key
files.  Assuming the database is named "TEST", the files that
Infodex would create are as follows:


TEST.FFD
This file contains the data for all fields in the database,
except for memos and pictures.  The indexes (or searching
information) for the database are also contained in this
file.


TEST.BLB
Memo field text and pictures are stored in the .BLB (blob)
file.  (Blob stands for Binary Large Object.)


TEST.FFL
This is the layout, and it contains information about the
fields in your database.


TEST.INI
This file contains additional information about the database,
such as the database description, the sort field, most recent
report settings, and other database configuration
information.




Adding Fields


To add a field to your database, you need to select the type
of field you want to add by clicking on one of the field type
buttons on the layout toolbar.  The field types include
String, Number, Currency, Date, Time, Combination Date/Time,
Check Box, Memo, Picture, and Static Text.  Once you select
the type of a field you want to add, the button will be
depressed.  Then, all you need to do is click on an empty
area on the layout screen.  The field you selected will be
created on the screen, and the Properties dialog box will be
displayed, allowing you to configure special characteristics
belonging to the field.  Once you are done editing the
properties of the new field, you can select Ok.  Infodex will
save the new field settings, and automatically select the
mouse cursor on the layout toolbar.


 Use Mouse Cursor
The Mouse Cursor is used when you want to reposition, resize,
or edit existing fields.  This button will be depressed most
of the time that you are modifying the database layout.


 Add String Field
A string field can consist of alphanumeric characters and
hold up to 255 characters.


 Add Number Field
A number field can hold either positive or negative numbers.
Numbers are formatted according to the numeric format as
found in your Windows Control Panel settings.  (Windows 95
users can select Start, Settings, Control Panel, Regional
Settings, and go to the Number tab to change the settings for
all Windows number fields.)


 Add Currency Field
A currency field will hold either positive or negative
monetary amounts, depending on the currency preferences set
up in your Windows Control Panel settings.  (Windows 95 users
can select Start, Settings, Control Panel, Regional Settings,
and go to the Currency tab to change the settings for all
Windows currency fields.)


 Add Date Field
A date field will hold any valid date from 1/1/0001 and
forward.  The date field format depends on the preferences
set up in your Windows Control Panel settings.  (Windows 95
users can select Start, Settings, Control Panel, Regional
Settings, and go to the Date tab to change the settings for
all Windows date fields.  Infodex will use the setting
entered in the Short Date Style edit field.)  If you are
concerned about managing dates that occur after January 1,
2000, make sure you have selected a date mask with a four-
digit year in your Windows Control Panel settings.


 Add Time Field
A time field will hold any valid time.  The time field format
depends on the preferences set up in your Windows Control
Panel settings.  (Windows 95 users can select Start,
Settings, Control Panel, Regional Settings, and go to the
Time tab to change the settings for all Windows time fields.)


 Add Combination Date/Time Field
A combination date/time field combines the values of a date
and time field into one database field, making sorting of a
specific date/time extremely easy.  The date and time formats
depend on the preferences set up in your Windows Control
Panel settings.  Read the instructions under Add Date Field
and Add Time Field if you need instructions about how to
change the format Infodex uses to display dates and times.


 Add Check Box
A check box field allows you to display a Yes/No, True/False,
On/Off field.  In the case of a password database, you may
want to add a check box called "Case Sensitive", to indicate
whether or not a password must be entered in the exact case
shown in another database field.


 Add Memo Field
A memo field can consist of alphanumeric characters and hold
up to 32,768 characters.  Memo fields are not indexed,
meaning that you cannot sort your database based on a memo
field.  So if the text you need to enter will fit in a string
field (up to 255 characters), you may want to use that
instead, because you can sort the database based on the field
contents.


 Add Picture Field
A picture field can hold a picture contained in a Windows
Bitmap (.BMP) format.  (Other picture formats are not
supported.)


 Add Static Text Field
A static text field is not a database field.  It is used
simply for displaying text on the screen.  For example, you
can use a static text field for display instructions to other
users who will be entering data in your Infodex database.


 Edit Field Properties
When you select the Edit button to edit the properties of an
existing database field, Infodex will display a dialog box
allowing you to select the field you want to edit.  You can
select a field from this dialog box by clicking once on the
field name and selecting Ok, or by double-clicking on the
field name.  See the section on Editing Fields


 Delete Field
When you select the Delete button to delete an existing
database field, Infodex will display a dialog box allowing
you to select the field you want to delete.  You can select a
field from this dialog box by clicking once on the field name
and selecting Ok, or by double-clicking on the field name.
Infodex will prompt you to confirm your selection, making
sure that you really want to delete the selected field.

When you delete a field from an existing database, Infodex
will need to restructure the database to physically remove
the field.  This process normally occurs relatively quickly,
but on a database with one thousand records in it, you could
notice a delay of approximately 5 seconds, depending on the
speed of your computer system.


 Done
After you have modified your database to add, delete, or
change any existing fields, select the Done button on the
layout toolbar.  Infodex will reopen your database and
redisplay the database toolbar.




Editing Fields




To Edit an existing field, you can select the Edit Field
button on the layout toolbar, and then select the name of the
field from the Select Field dialog box.  If you prefer to use
the mouse, you can position your mouse cursor over a field,
press the right mouse button, and select the Properties
option from the popup menu.  Once you select a field, you can
edit the properties of the database field.


Field Name
Applies To: All Fields
The Field Name contains the name of the field that you want
to add.  This text will appear beside the field you are
creating.  If you don't want the text to appear beside the
new field, deselect the Show Caption field.  Use this field
for descriptive information about what is contained in the
actual field, such as Name, Address, City, etc.


Character Case
Applies To: String Fields
For String fields, use this field to select whether you want
the contents of the field to be displayed in upper case,
lower case, or normal case (as entered).


Alignment
Applies To: String, Number, Currency, Date, Time, and
Date/Time Fields
This setting controls whether the text in a field is left-
justified, right-justified, or centered.  For Number and
Currency fields, the default is right-justified.  For all
other fields, the default is left-justified.


Field Length
Applies To: String and Memo Fields
This field should contain the maximum length of any text that
will be entered.  If you create a Name field, and only
specify a field length of 20 characters, you will not be able
to enter names longer than 20 characters. (If you need to
lengthen a field after the database has been created, Infodex
will allow you to do this.  So if you aren't sure about the
field length, take your best guess, and change it later if
you need to.)  For string fields, you can enter a maximum
field length of 255 characters.  For memo fields, you can
enter a maximum field length of 32,768 characters.  A typical
size for memo fields is 1,000 - 2,000 characters.  Memo
fields are helpful for entering information that does not fit
very well in any other field.


Column Width
Applies To: All Fields
This field should contain the width (in characters) of the
column when it is displayed in the browser.  If your field
length is 20, you will probably want the column width set to
20, also.  You can change this value later by resizing the
columns directly from the browser.


Decimal Places
Applies To: Number Fields
If you are creating a number field, you can change the number
of decimal places that should be displayed.  The default is
zero.  For a currency field, the formatting is controlled by
the values in your Windows Control Panel setup.


Show Caption
Applies To: String, Number, Currency, Date, Time, Date/Time,
Memo, and Picture Fields
If you want the field caption to be displayed on the database
screen, this option should be checked.  To prevent Infodex
from displaying the field caption on the database screen,
deselect this check box.


Show Column
Applies To: All Fields
Use this check box to indicate whether or not you want the
column for this field to be visible within the browser.


Calculated Field
Applies To: Number and Currency Fields
Turn this option on if you want the current field to be a
calculated field.  If you turn this option on, you MUST enter
a valid formula in the Formula field, explained below.


Formula
Applies To: Number and Currency Fields
Enter a valid formula in the Formula field when the
Calculated Field check box is turned on.  See the special
section on writing Formulas.


Field Top
Applies To: All Fields
Enter the location, in pixels, where the top of the field
should be placed on the database screen.


Field Left
Applies To: All Fields
Enter the location, in pixels, where the left side of the
field should be placed on the database screen.


Field Width
Applies To: All Fields
Enter the display width of the field, in pixels, on the
database screen.


Field Height
Applies To: All Fields
Enter the display height of the field, in pixels, on the
database screen.  All fields should have a default value of
20, except for memo fields, which you may want to be taller
than a normal field.


Caption Top
Applies To: All Fields
Enter the location, in pixels, where the top of the caption
should be placed on the database screen.


Caption Left
Applies To: All Fields
Enter the location, in pixels, where the left side of the
caption should be placed on the database screen.


Caption Width
Applies To: All Fields
Enter the display width of the caption, in pixels, on the
database screen.


Caption Height
Applies To: All Fields
Enter the display height of the caption, in pixels, on the
database screen.




Formulas


A calculated field allows you to create a field that does not
get saved in the underlying database, but simply displays a
value based on a formula of other fields in the record.  For
example, if you are maintaining a product database with
Infodex, you could have fields titled "Onhand Quantity" and
"Unit Price".  In this situation, you would probably want to
create a third field titled "Onhand Value".  In this case,
you would create a currency field, place a check mark in the
Calculated Field check box, and enter the formula as follows:

"Onhand Quantity" * "Unit Price"

Then, each time Infodex needed to display the Onhand Value
field, it would multiply the Onhand Quantity field by the
Unit Price field.


Rules For Entering Formulas
1.  The field names used in the formula field must match the
actual field names in the database.  This includes the fact
that the field names will be case sensitive.  You must match
the case of the original field name.

2.  Spaces are allowed between +, -, *, and / characters, but
they are not necessary.

3.  Field names that contain a space must be surrounded by
quote characters!  To be safe, you can surround all field
names with quotes, but it is only necessary when a field name
consists of more than one word.  For example, if the fields
above had been named Quantity and Price, either of these two
formulas would be valid:

Quantity * Price
"Quantity" * "Price"

However, if the field names were Quantity and Unit Price,
either of the following formulas would be valid:

Quantity * "Unit Price"
"Quantity" * "Unit Price"

The following is NOT a valid formula

Onhand Quantity * Unit Price


Legal Operators
The following is a list of legal operators and their
precedence.  Operators are evaluated according to precedence.
Higher precedence operators are evaluated before operators of
lower precedence.

Operator    Precedence
^        3        Exponential
*        2        Multiplication
/        2        Division
!        2        Factorial
+        1        Addition
-        1        Subtraction


Example:

1+2*3^2

In the above example 3^2 is evaluated first since the ^
operator has the highest precedence.  The result is 9.  The
expression is then simplified to 1+2*9.  2*9 is evaluated
next, again, in order of higher precedence.  The result 18 is
then substituted in the expression to obtain 1+18.  Finally,
1+18 is evaluated to 19 which is the result of the
evaluation.  Note that you can change the order of evaluation
by using parentheses.

For example:

(1+2)*3^2 would be evaluated as:

1+2 = 3
3*3^2
3*9  = 27

Subexpressions contained in parentheses may be nested to any
level.
Example  - (((1+2)^2)+3+8-6).  In this expression, 1+2 is
evaluated first, then substituted for the (1+2) resulting in
((3^2)+3+8-6), next 3^2 is evaluated and finally 9+3+8-6.

Note: Always enclose a factorial in parentheses.  For
example, use (5!)*3, but do NOT use 5!*3.





Aligning Fields



In layout mode, you can select multiple fields at the same
time and align them precisely.  When you select one field,
the red grab handles will appear on the field or caption.  To
select additional fields without deselecting the first field,
hold down the shift key while you click on the next field.
Then, both fields will be selected.  Using this method, you
can select as many fields and captions as you want, and each
time, the red grab handles will appear on the newly selected
field.  When two or more fields are selected, you can use the
various alignment options as follows:


 Align Left Sides
If the left sides of the selected fields are not aligned, you
can select "Align Left Sides", and all selected controls will
automatically adjust their placement so their left sides are
aligned in relation to the first field that was selected.


 Align Right Sides
If the right sides of the selected fields are not aligned,
you can select "Align Right Sides", and all selected controls
will automatically adjust their placement so their right
sides are aligned in relation to the first field that was
selected.


 Align Tops
If the tops of the selected fields are not aligned, you can
select "Align Tops", and all selected controls will
automatically adjust their placement so their top sides are
aligned in relation to the first field that was selected.


 Align Bottoms
If the bottoms of the selected fields are not aligned, you
can select "Align Bottoms", and all selected controls will
automatically adjust their placement so their bottom sides
are aligned in relation to the first field that was selected.


 Align Vertical Centers
To align multiple fields vertically on the screen, you can
select "Align Vertical Centers", and all selected fields will
automatically adjust their placement so that the center of
each selected field is aligned vertically in relation to the
other selected fields.


 Align Horizontal Centers
To align multiple fields horizontally on the screen, you can
select "Align Horizontal Centers", and all selected fields
will automatically adjust their placement so that the center
of each selected field is aligned horizontally in relation to
the other selected fields.


 Space Equally, Horizontally
With this command, you can select multiple fields (3 or more)
and space them horizontally, to make sure that the same
amount of space is between each of them.  In other words, if
you select three fields on the screen, Infodex will make sure
that the second (middle) field is exactly halfway between the
first and third fields, horizontally.


 Space Equally, Vertically
With this command, you can select multiple fields (3 or more)
and space them vertically, to make sure that the same amount
of space is between each of them.  In other words, if you
select three fields on the screen, Infodex will make sure
that the second (middle) field is exactly halfway between the
first and third fields, vertically.





Modifying The Layout


Selecting A Field
To select a field, use your mouse to click on it once.  When
you do, red grab handles will appear on the field or caption.


Resizing A Field
Use your mouse to click on a field and select it.  When the
red grab handles appear, move your mouse until it is directly
over one of the red square handles.  Then, click & drag the
handle to a new location.  Once you have size the field the
way you want it, release the mouse button.  For example,
clicking on the square handle on the right side of the field
and dragging it will allow you increase or decrease the width
of the field.  Likewise, clicking on the square handle on the
bottom of the field and dragging it will allow you to
increase or decrease the height of a field.  This is
especially useful for long string fields or memo fields, so
you can view as much of the field text as possible.


Moving A Field
Use your mouse to click on a field and select it.  When the
red grab handles appear, click anywhere within the field and
drag it to a new location.  Once the field is in the new
location, release the mouse button.




Deleting Fields


The Delete Field button should be used when you want to
remove a field from the database.  When you select Delete
Field, a dialog box will be displayed showing you a list of
all of the fields in the database.  Highlight the field you
want to delete, and click Ok.  If you prefer to use a mouse,
simply right-click on the field you want to delete and select
the Delete Field option from the popup menu.  After
confirming your decision, Infodex will remove the field from
the database and the screen.

Be careful with this option.  Once you delete a field from
the database, there is no way to recover it.  All of the data
in the deleted field is permanently removed.




File Menu


New Database
Select this option to create a new database with Infodex.
Infodex will prompt you for the name and description of the
database to create.  You can also select whether or not you
want to use a predefined template.  If you choose Custom,
which is the default, you will be allowed to design the
database layout for yourself.


Open Database
Select this option to open a database previously created with
Infodex For Windows.  Infodex will display a file dialog box
to prompt you for the name of the database to open.  Once you
select a file, Infodex will check whether the database was
created with Infodex For DOS or Infodex For Windows v1.x, or
Infodex For Windows v2.x.  If it was created with Infodex For
DOS or Infodex For Windows v1.x, it will be converted to the
new format automatically.


Close Database
This command will close a database that is open on the
desktop.  If more than 1 database is open, the focus will
move to the next open database.  Otherwise, Infodex will
simply clear the desktop area and display the Infodex
Databases screen.


Close All Databases
This command will close all open databases and redisplay the
Infodex Databases screen.


Utilities


Clear History List
The history list is shown on the bottom of the File menu and
contains the names of the last 5 open databases.  This is a
quick way to find the last database you were working on.


Delete Database
This command will give you the option of deleting a database
from your hard drive.  Use this option with caution.  Once a
database is deleted, it is gone!


Rename Database
Use this option to rename an Infodex For Windows v2.xx
database.  (Do not use this option for Infodex For DOS or
Infodex For Windows v1.xx databases.)  When you select Ok to
rename the selected database, Infodex will display the
renamed files in the status window.


Repair Database
Sometimes a database can become damaged as a result of a
computer hang or turning the computer off during a critical
operation.  This function will attempt to repair any damage
that may exist in an Infodex database.  It is recommended
that you back up your data files before attempting to repair
a damaged database.


Exit Infodex
Use this command to exit out of Infodex and close all open
databases.  Any open databases are automatically closed down
when you exit.




Navigating Records


 First Record
Pushing the First button will cause the first record in the
database to be displayed.

Previous Record
Pushing the Previous button will cause the record previous to
the current record to be displayed.


 Next Record
Pushing the Next button will cause the record subsequent to
the current record to be displayed.


 Last Record
Pushing the Last button will cause the last record in the
database to be displayed.




Data Entry


 Add Record
There are several different ways to add a new record to the
database.  If you are viewing records on the field editing
screen, you can click on the Add button or press Alt-A.  If
you are viewing records from within the database table, you
can press Insert to insert a blank row where you can enter
the new data.  If you are in the last line of the database
table, you can press the down arrow key to add a blank row
where you can enter the new data.


 Edit Record
If you are viewing records on the database editing screen,
you can click on the Edit button or press Alt-E to edit an
existing record.  If your cursor is located on a database
field, you can simply start typing to change the existing
field contents.  Infodex will detect that you want to make
changes to an existing record.  If you are viewing records
from within the database table and you want to edit the
contents of a field, you should press F2 to edit the record
first.  Otherwise, if you start typing into the field, the
text you enter will overwrite the existing contents of the
field.


 Delete Record
To delete a record from the database, you can select the
Delete button or press Alt-D.  If you are viewing records
from within the database table, you can also press Ctrl-
Delete.  Infodex will always prompt you to confirm your
action before it deletes a record from the database.


 Save Record
When the Save button is selected, Infodex will save the
current record into the database.  This button is only
enabled when adding or editing a database record.


 Cancel
When the Cancel button is selected, Infodex will Cancel the
editing process, exit from edit mode, and redisplay the
current record.  This button is only enabled when adding or
editing a database record.




Browsing Records



Browsing for records can be a quick way to view the record
data, giving you a general idea of what is contained in the
record.  When this option is selected, Infodex displays a
table that contains all of the records in the database.  To
scroll through the browser, use the Up Arrow, Down Arrow,
PgUp, and PgDn keys, or the mouse to scroll through all of
the messages.  The first column in the browser indicates
whether or not the record is tagged.


Changing the Column Order
To change the order of the columns displayed in the browser,
simply click on the cell in the upper left corner of the
table, one cell to the left of the "Tag" column header.
Keyboard users can select the Column Order option available
from the Layout menu.  Infodex will display a dialog box
allowing you to change the column order of the fields.  In
this dialog box, you can highlight a field and either click
the Up and Down buttons to move it up or down in the list, or
click and drag it to a new location in the list.  When you
are finished, Infodex will rearrange the column order,
preserving the original column width of each column.


Sorting the Table
The current sort field in the database will be denoted by a
highlighted header of the corresponding column in the table.
For example, if your database is sorted by City, the column
entitled "City" will be displayed with a yellowish background
color.  To quickly change the sort field of the database,
simply click on the header of a different column.  To sort by
a field called "Name", just click on the header of that
column in the table.  Infodex will change the sort order
immediately, and make sure that you are still positioned on
the same record that you were viewing prior to changing the
sort order.  You cannot sort the database based on memo or
picture fields.  If you attempt the click on the header of
one of these types of fields, Infodex will not change the
sort field at all.




Sorting Records



An Infodex database can be sorted by any field in the
database, except memo and picture fields.  To change the
current sort field, click on the Sort drop-down list at the
bottom of the database screen.  Infodex will show you all of
the available sort fields, and you can select one to resort
the database.  Alternately, you can sort the database by
clicking on one of the headers in the Browser.




Searching For Text



When the Search option is selected, Infodex will search the
entire database for up to 9 text strings and 3 excluded text
strings.  You can use this option to create a combination of
And/Or/Not requirements.  These requirements will allow you
filter out which records should appear in your search
results.  The text strings you enter can be located at ANY
location within the record.  They do not have to be at the
start of an indexed (sortable) field.

There are 4 groups of text fields, and each group contains a
check box allowing you to make the search either case-
sensitive or case-insensitive, with case-insensitive being
the default.  If Infodex locates the text anywhere within the
record, it is included in the search results.  The only
exception to this rule occurs when text entered in the last
group is found in the record, since these strings are
excluded from the search results.  When Infodex searches the
database and a record is found that contains the search
string, it is marked and placed in a search results group.
After the search has been completed, Infodex automatically
changes the View setting on the bottom of the database screen
to View Search Results.  That way, only the records that
matched the search criteria are displayed.  To reset the
display back to all records, change the View setting to View
All Records.




Quick Search



Incremental searching can be performed on a database by
typing text directly into the Quick Search field at the bottom
of the database screen.  The text you enter must be located
at the beginning of the current sort field.  As you type
additional characters, the records that are displayed are
narrowed down, filtering out the records that do not match.
For example, if your database is sorted by a field called
"Company Name", and you type the letter "M", the browser will
display only the records whose company name starts with the
letter "M".  Then, if you press the letter "I", the browser
will display only the records whose text starts with the
letters "MI".  Similarly, you can continue to type
"MICROSOFT" and find an exact company name.

This type of search can be performed when either the table or
the database fields are displayed.  However, it is much
easier to see the actual filtering process occur when the
table is displayed.

Another item to consider when using the Quick Search is
whether the View setting is set to all records, tagged
records, or search results records.  When the View setting is
on all records, the Quick Search feature will search through
all records in the database.  However, if the View setting is
set to Tagged Records, the Quick Search feature will only
search for the incremental search string in tagged database
records.  Likewise, when the View setting is set to Search
Results, the Quick Search feature will only search for the
incremental search string in database records that were
selected as a result of the last search operation.




View Range



The View setting on the bottom of the database screen
controls which records should be displayed in the browser and
database fields, and which records should be filtered out of
the display.

When the View range is set to All Records, Infodex will
display all records in the database without filtering out any
of them.  However, if the View range is set to Tagged
Records, only the records in the database that have been
tagged will be displayed.  Likewise, when the View range is
set to Search Results, Infodex will only display the records
that were selected as a result of the last search operation.




Printing Records



Report Title
This field contains the title that will appear on the top of
one of the default reports set up by Infodex.  If you entered
a database description when you created your database,
Infodex will automatically display the database description
as the title of your report.  When you select Match Screen or
Match Browser as the Layout you want to use for your report,
Infodex will display the report title on the top left corner
of the report.


Range
With Infodex, you can select whether you want to print only
the current record, only the tagged records, only the search
results records (records selected as the results of the last
search), or all records in the database.


Layout
When printing records, you can choose one of two predefined
layouts, or you can design your own cus tom layout using the
Infodex Custom Report Designer.  If you select Match Screen,
Infodex will prepare a default report that causes the field
sizes and positions to match the layout you have set up on
the database screen.  If you select Match Browser, Infodex
will prepare a default report using a table format that
matches the column ordering and widths used in the Browser.
If you want to create your own report, without any pre-
defined fields set up for you, set this option to Custom, and
then select the Layout button on the right side of the
screen.


Orientation
Select whether you want the page printed in portrait mode (8
1/2 inches wide by 11 inches high) or in landscape mode (11
inches wide by 8 1/2 inches high).  For most applications,
you will probably want the page to be printed in portrait
mode.  However, if you are printing records to match the
browser, the extra width provided by landscape mode will
allow you to display extra columns.


Use Existing Report Format
Place a check mark in this check box when you want to use a
report layout that you created previously with the Infodex
Custom Report Designer.  Then, fill in the Report Format
field with the filename of the report that you want to use.


Report Format
Enter the filename of the report layout that you want to use
when printing the current range of records.  This should be
the name of a report format previously created with the
Infodex Custom Report Designer.


Print Page Header
Place a check mark in this check box if you want Infodex to
print the page header on the report.  If this check box is
select, Infodex will print a page header which includes the
Report Title, Report Date & Time, and a separator line.  If
you uncheck this check box, Infodex will remove the page
header, including the Report Title, Report Date & Time, and
separator line.


Print Page Footer
Place a check mark in this check box if you want Infodex to
print the page footer on the report.  If this check box is
select, Infodex will print a page footer which includes the
Page Number of the report and a separator line.  If you
uncheck this check box, Infodex will remove the page footer,
including the Page Number and separator line.


Print Line Between Records
Place a check mark in this check box to instruct Infodex to
print a separator line after each printed record.


Setup Button



Use the Setup button to change the default printer and paper
size that Infodex should use when printing a report.


Preview Button



Use the Preview button to see a quick on-screen view of what
the final printed report should look like on your printer.


Layout Button


Clicking on the Layout button will allow you to access the
Infodex Custom Report Designer.  You can use this feature
when the default report options supplied by Infodex are not
sufficient to meet your needs, or if you want to modify the
print layout slightly.  One important item to note is that
the settings mentioned above will be used when Infodex sets
up the report format for you.  For example, if you do not
want any fields to be automatically created for you, you
should select "Custom" in the Layout drop-down field.  If you
select Match Screen in the Layout field, Infodex will
automatically create the all of the fields and place them on
the report for you, giving you a starting point.  Likewise,
if you select Match Browser in the Layout field, Infodex will
automatically create all of the fields in a table format and
place them on the report for you.  The settings of the Print
Header, Print Footer, and Print Line Between Records fields
also affect how Infodex sets up the initial report for you.
Keep this point in mind, because Infodex can save you some
time by automatically creating many of the fields and initial
setup for you.



Importing Records

If you have used another database program for any length of
time and have stored important data in it, you will want a
way to convert that data into an Infodex For Windows
database.  Since each database program has its own format,
you will need a way for your old database program to export
records into a format that Infodex can read... an ascii
delimited text file.


Ascii Delimited Files
In delimited files, each record is on one line, and the
commas and quotes are used to indicate where a field starts
and ends.  A delimited text file is typically stored in a
format like this:

"Doe","John","Somewhere","TN","blah blah blah"
"Doe","Jane","Somewhere","TN","blah blah blah"
"Doe","Baby","Somewhere","TN","blah blah blah"
etc.

When you select the Import button, Infodex displays a dialog
box allowing you to modify the text and field delimiters for
the ascii file, and specify what the name of the output file
should be.  Infodex will then "fetch" the first set of fields
from the delimited ascii file.  You can then match up the
fields in the import file with its target field in the
database.  When you are ready to start importing data, click
on the Start button.  If the target field is a date, time, or
number field, Infodex will attempt to convert the value in
the ascii field to a valid date, time, or number,
respectively.


Field Separator
Typically, a field separator will be a single ASCII character
(usually a comma), but this field will accept a string of
characters, including control characters (#nnn).

Field Separator Examples    Enter This Text

Simple Comma Separator        ,
Multi-Character Separator    ~/~
Tab Separator            #9


Field Delimiter
A field delimiter is limited to a single ASCII character
(usually a quote).  This character appears on each side of
the field data being imported.



Fields To Import
This list box contains the first line of data from the ascii
import file that you selected.  Each field is contained on a
separate line, allowing you to match up the field from the
import file with its target database field, contained in the
Field In Database list box.


Fields In Database
This list box contains the names of all of the available
fields in your Infodex database.  While the order of the
lines in the Fields To Import list box cannot be rearranged,
the order of the lines in the Fields In Database list box
can.  This allows you to match up which database field
receives the values in each field of the import file.  To
move a line in the Fields In Database list box, highlight the
line by clicking on it with your mouse, or press the space
bar when this list box has the focus.  Once the line is
highlighted, you can either drag & drop it into a new
location in the list box, or else select the Up and Down
buttons to move it up or down in the list box.  Once you have
arranged the order of your database fields to correspond to
the fields in the import file, select Next to go to the next
page, and click the Start button.




Exporting Records



Infodex allows you to export all records in the database into
a delimited text file.  When you select the Export button,
Infodex displays a dialog box allowing you to modify the text
and field delimiters for the file, and specify what the name
of the output file should be.  You can also specify whether a
text delimiter is added to numeric fields, or whether it is
eliminated altogether.


Ascii Delimited Files
In delimited files, each record is on one line, and the
commas and quotes are used to indicate where a field starts
and ends.  A delimited text file is typically stored in a
format like this:

"Doe","John","Somewhere","TN","blah blah blah"
"Doe","Jane","Somewhere","TN","blah blah blah"
"Doe","Baby","Somewhere","TN","blah blah blah"
etc.


Export Filename
This field should contain the name of the file that will
contain the exported records.  Infodex does not append to an
existing file.  If the file already exists, Infodex will warn
you first, and then overwrite the file.


Field Delimiter
A field delimiter is limited to a single ASCII character
(usually a quote).  This character appears on each side of
the field data being exported.


Field Separator
Typically, a field separator will be a single ASCII character
(usually a comma), but this field will accept a string of
characters, including control characters (#nnn).

Field Separator Examples    Enter This Text

Simple Comma Separator        ,
Multi-Character Separator    ~/~
Tab Separator            #9
Carriage Return/Line Feed    #13#10


Record Separator
Leaving this property as the default (#13#10) will cause the
exported ASCII records to be separated by carriage
return/line feed (CR/LF) characters (Ascii #13 and #10),
which is the most common format.  You may enter one or more
alternative characters, but you must be sure that the chosen
characters will never appear in field data. You may enter
non-standard Ascii characters using the # indicator ... for
example, enter #12 for a "form feed" record separator.


Records To Export
Specify the maximum number of records to be exported,
irrespective of how many records are in the database.  This
is helpful for testing when you are working with large
databases.  Set this field to 0 (zero) to export all records
in the database.


Add Field Delimiter on Non-String Fields
If this check box is checked, then all fields will be
delimited by the specified field delimiter, including
numbers, currency, date/time fields, etc.  If this check box
is not checked, the field delimiter character(s) will only
appear on string fields.


Export Memo Fields
If this check box is checked, Infodex will export text
located in memo fields.  Any carriage return/line feed
combinations are automatically replaced with a space.


Export Field Names As First Record
If this check box is checked, the first row in the exported
file will contain the name of each field being exported.
(The row of field names will still contain Field Delimiters
and Field Separators, just like the rest of the data.)  As a
result, the second row of the export file will contain the
first data record.

Example export file when Export Field Names is checked:

"Name","City","State","Age"
"John Doe","Rochester","NY",29
"Jane Doe","Rochester","NY",26
"John Smith","San Francisco","CA",42
"Mary Smith","San Francisco","CA",38




Database Options



Database Description
The Database Description is used several places within
Infodex.  When you open a database, the Database Description
is displayed on the title bar, and when Infodex displays the
list of open databases on the Infodex Databases screen, the
Database Description is used as the text on the database
buttons.  The Database Description is also used as the
default report title on printed reports.  To change the
database description, simply enter the new description and
select Ok to save it.


Fixed Columns
Enter the number of fixed columns that Infodex should use
when diplaying data in the browser.  The default is 1 column,
indicating that the Tag column should be the only database
column that is stationary.



Ditto


The Ditto function is evident when adding multiple
consecutive records of similar data.  For example, in a
database that has fields called "Last Name", "First Name",
"City", you might add records like this:

Doe     John      New York
Doe     Jane      New York
Doe     Baby      New York

When you add a new record, the Ditto function takes the data
from the currently selected record, and automatically pastes
it into the fields for the new record.

In the above example, you would enter the first record for
John Doe.  When you selected Add again, it would insert "Doe,
John, New York" as the data for the new record, so you would
only have to change the first name from John to Jane.  You
wouldn't have to retype the rest of the fields.

There is an important concept to understand here.  Ditto does
not necessarily take the data from the last record you added,
but instead, takes the data from the currently selected
record.  So if you add a record to the database, and then
view a different record in the database, Infodex will make a
duplicate copy of the record you are viewing, not the record
you just added to the database.




Tagged Menu


Delete Tagged:
The Delete Tagged feature allows you remove all tagged
records from the current database.  While Infodex deletes the
records, the progress bar on the bottom of the screen will
indicate the completion percentage.


Tag All:
The Tag All feature can be used in an attempt to tag all
records in the database.  There is no limit on the number of
records that Infodex can tag at one time.


Untag All:
When the Untag All option is selected, Infodex will remove
the tag from all tagged records in the current database.




Layout Menu


Tab Order


To change the tab order of the field on the database screen,
click on the Tab Order button.  A dialog box will appear,
allowing you to rearrange the database fields, indicating the
proper tabbing order.  In this dialog box, you can highlight
a field and either click the Up and Down buttons to move it
up or down in the list, or click and drag the field to a new
location in the list.


Column Order



To change the order of the columns displayed in the browser,
you can either select the Column Order option from the Layout
menu or click on the cell in the upper left corner of the
table, one cell to the left of the "Tag" column header.
Infodex will display a dialog box allowing you to change the
column order of the fields.  In this dialog box, you can
highlight a field and either click the Up and Down buttons to
move it up or down in the list, or click and drag the field
to a new location in the list.  When you are finished,
Infodex will rearrange the column order, preserving the
original column width of each column.


Modify Layout
Whenever you need to modify the database layout, you can
select this option menu option or click on the Layout button
on the database toolbar.  Once you start to modify a database
layout, you can add, edit, or delete database fields.  See
the special sections: Adding Fields, Editing Fields, and
Deleting Fields.  For information on selecting, resizing, and
moving fields, see the special section: Modifying The Layout.
For information on aligning the database fields using the
tool palette, see the section: Aligning Fields.


Save Layout
When you are done modifying the database layout, you can
either click on the Done button or select the Save Layout
option from the Layout menu.  (The Done button appears as
soon as you start modifying the database layout.  When this
option is selected, Infodex re-opens the main database to
allow you to starting adding and editing records again.




Preferences


Description
The options on this screen determine the default behavior of
Infodex on your computer system.  Highlight an option in the
Option list box on the left side of the screen to view its
setting on the right side of the screen.  The Description
field on the bottom of the screen will provide hints about
each setting.


Balloon Help
Select whether or not Balloon Help should be displayed when
the mouse is positioned over a button on any of the toolbars.


Button Format
Select whether the buttons on the toolbars should be
displayed with "Text And Picture" or "Picture Only".  The
Text And Picture format is useful if you are not familiar
with the purpose of all of the buttons on the toolbars.  The
Picture Only format is more useful once you become used to
all of the features that Infodex offers, and you would like
to increase the amount of screen space available for database
fields.


Confirm Before Deleting Record
Although this feature can be extremely dangerous, it was
requested by one of our users.  By default, Infodex prompts
you to confirm the deletion of a record before it actually
removes the record from the database.  If you prefer not to
be prompted for a confirmation before deleting a record,
disable this option.  Be very careful with this!  Deleted
records cannot be undeleted!


Confirm Before Exiting Infodex
When this option is enabled, Infodex will prompt users for
confirmation before they exit the
application.  When it is disabled, Infodex will exit without
displaying a confirmation dialog box.  Advanced users may
prefer to circumvent the confirmation, since it allows much
faster exiting from the program.


Database Description On Buttons
When enabled, Infodex will display the full database
description on the database buttons of the Infodex Databases
screen, instead of the database filename.  Since the database
description is generally much more descriptive of what the
database contains ("Company Equipment List" vs. "Equip"), you
will probably want this option turned on.  However, this can
consume extra time when Infodex is searching for databases
and retrieving the database descriptions to display on the
buttons.  For faster performance, turn this option off.


Database Paths
Normally, Infodex only searches through its own directory for
the names of databases when it is creating buttons on the
"Infodex Databases" screen.  In some cases, you may want to
create special databases in a separate directory.  Enter the
paths of additional directories, one on each line, that you
want Infodex to search for the names of databases to display
on the Infodex Databases screen.  If you want help in
searching for these additional directories, use the Browse
button, displayed immediately below the memo field.  Each
database directory you select will be added to the list.  To
remove a directory from the list, highlight the entire line
and press the Delete key.  You do not need to enter the
Infodex directory in this field, since Infodex automatically
knows that it should search its own directory for databases.


Export Path
Enter the default path where exported files should be located
on your computer system.  If you export a large number of
files, you may want to configure this field to contain the
directory of the most used export location.  The directory
where you installed Infodex is the default export path.


Export Path For Pictures
Enter the default path where exported pictures should be
located on your computer system.  If you export a large
number of pictures, you may want to configure this field to
contain the directory of the most used picture location.  The
directory where you installed Infodex is the default export
path for pictures.  Note: Pictures are always exported in
Windows Bitmap (.BMP) format.


Import Path
Enter the default path where import files can be found on
your computer system.  If you import many files, you may want
to configure this field to contain the directory of the most
used import location.  Otherwise, the Infodex directory will
be used.


Import Path For Pictures
Enter the default path where imported pictures should be
located on your computer system.  If you import a large
number of pictures, you may want to configure this field to
contain the directory of the most used picture location.  The
directory where you installed Infodex is the default import
path for pictures.  Note: Infodex can only import pictures in
Windows Bitmap (.BMP) format.


Startup Database
If a valid filename is entered in this field, Infodex will
attempt to load the specified database each time it is
executed.  The only exception to this rule is if a different
filename is entered on the command line when Infodex is
executed.  If Infodex detects that a filename has been
entered as a parameter on the command line, it will open that
filename instead of the one specified in the Startup Database
field.


Startup Tips:
By default, the Startup Tips screen is displayed each time
Infodex is executed.  Users can browse through the available
tips using the Next and Previous buttons.  Some users may
prefer not to see these tips when Infodex is executed.  To
turn off the Tips, disable this option.




Register Infodex



Description
Once you register Infodex and pay the requested fee to STSI
for registering, you will receive a registration name and
number.  Enter your name and number in the fields shown on
this screen, and Infodex will be registered to you.  You will
no longer see "nag screens" or "reminders" pressuring you to
register, and you will be able to bypass the 50-record limit
imposed on non-registered users.  If your name and number are
entered accurately, Infodex will display a thank-you message.
Otherwise, Infodex will warn you that the registration number
you entered was not valid.


Registration Name
The Registration Name field allows you to enter your personal
name or the name of their company or organization.


Registration Number
The Registration Number text field allows you to enter the
registration number you received from STSI upon registering
Infodex.  For information on how to register, please see the
"Registration" section of the documentation.


Register Online Now!
If you are using Windows 95 or Windows NT and have an
internet browser installed on your computer system, you can
click on the Register Online Now button to access the order
form on STSI's web site for ordering Infodex.




Window Menu


Cascade
The cascade command allows you to display all open database
windows using a cascaded appearance.  This allows you to see
the header of all open database windows, and click on the one
you want to view.


Tile
The tile command allows you to display all open database
windows using a tiled appearance.  This way, each window is
visible within the desktop.


Arrange Icons
When more than one database is open in Infodex, you can
minimize each window, and display it as an icon within the
desktop area.  When more than one window is minimized, the
arrange icons command will arrange the minimized icons within
the desktop area.


Minimize All
If database windows are open within the desktop area,
selecting Minimize All will cause all of the open databases
to appear as icons within the Infodex desktop.


Database Names
The bottom of the Window menu always contains a list of the
open databases in Infodex.   The first option on the bottom
of this menu will say "Infodex Databases".  When you select
this option, Infodex displays the Infodex Databases window on
top of the others, allowing you to click on a database button
to open a database.  Any other menu items listed below this
item will show the names of all open databases.  Selecting
that menu item will display the open database, bringing it in
front of the other windows.




Infodex Custom Report Designer


Definition of terms

Reports and databases

Report

The term "Report" describes a printout of data records from a
database. The report defines the look of the printout
(layout, fonts, arrangement of data fields, etc.). For
example if you want to print a list of  addresses, then you
use a report to tell the computer which fields of your
address database to print and in which order. A report can
print data as a list, page by page or any other way you want
your data to be printed.

Table

A file with data records of the same type is called table,
e.g. a file with address information, parts or invoice items.
A table can be a single file, for example a DBase or Paradox
file, or it can be part of a database (see below).

Query

A query consists of SQL statements, which are used to access
a table or database and to retrieve a group of data records.
SQL means "Structured Query Language" and is a kind of
programming language for databases. A complete description of
SQL is beyond the scope of this manual, but there are many
books available on this topic.

Dataset

A dataset is used as a collective name for tables and
queries.

Database

Queries and tables can be grouped together in a database,
which can be a local file on your harddisk or a database
server in a network. To access a table you need either its
directory if it is a single file, or you need the database
name if the table is part of a database.

Alias

Aliases are descriptive names available as placeholders for
pathnames or databases.




Report sections (bands)

The image below shows the first page of a sample report,
which prints country names, their capitals and their
populations. This report can be divided into several
sections:

These sections are used for report designing and are called
"Bands", the report is a so called "banded" report. For
example there is a "Footerband" for all text in the page
footer and a "Titleband" for the report title on the first
page. The most important band is the "Detailband". The
detailband is printed once for each data record (for each
country in the above example), which results in a list of the
data. The detailband's layout is the same for each record, so
it must be created only once, for one record, with
placeholders for each datafield. For every record the
detailband is printed after the placeholders have been
replaced with the current record's data.




Report elements

Apart from report bands, which divide the report into logical
sections, a report consists of report elements placed on the
report bands. These elements define what exactly is printed
on each band.



The two most important report elements are labels and
datafields. Labels are used for printing text - for example a
title - which has no connection to a database. Datafields are
placeholders for fields from a dataset. Whenever a datafield
is to be printed, the report engine gets the field content
from the dataset and puts this text where you placed the
datafield.
Usually labels are add-ons for datafields, to make the report
look better and more understandable by not only listing data,
but showing which kind of data is printed too.

The following picture shows the report definition for the
above country listing:



The following types of report elements are available when
designing a report:

?    Datafields to display text from a dataset
?    Labels to display fixed text
?    Systemfields (date, time, page number, ...)
?    Shapes (circle, rectangle, line)
?    Image (Windows bitmap file)
?    Image from a datafield
?    Expression (calculated field, mathematical calculations, ...)
?    Memo (text with multiple lines)
?    RTF (Richtextformat = formatted text, only available with 32-bit applications)
?    RTF from a datafield (only available with 32-bit applications)
?    Chart (charts, graphs, ...)

Each report element has specific properties (font, color,
...), which you can edit. This is further described in the
chapters about the different elements.




Create a new report with the report expert

Choose the menu item "File|New" to create a new report, or
press the corresponding speed button. The report expert will
be shown, which you can use for fast and easy creation of a
first report design.

The report expert asks you which kind of report you want to
create, which dataset to use and how to layout the report.
The needed report elements will be added automatically to the
report. After the expert has finished you can continue
editing the report to make it fit your needs.
If you select "New empty report" as the report type, then a
completely empty report will be created and the report expert
will exit. You must then add all report bands and datasets
manually.




Add a new report element

Buttons for adding report elements to the report can be found
on the left side of the designer window:

 Reportband
 Childband
 Subdetailband
 Groupband
 Label
 Memo
 Image/Bitmap
 Shape
 Systemfield
 Datafield
 Image from data field
 Expression field

The following report elements are available only in the 32-
bit version of Infodex For Windows:

 Richtext field
 Richtext from data field

To add an element to the report you must click its button and
then click on the report where you want the element to be
inserted. Of course you can still move a report element to
another position later.

When adding new report bands it doesn't matter where you
click on the report, because the position of each band is
determined by its band type (page header, title band, ...)
automatically.




Edit a report element

The individual properties of a report element can be changed
anytime during report design. Select the desired element and
either double-click with the left mouse button, or press the
right mouse button and choose "Properties" from the popup
menu. The property dialog for the selected report element
will open, which is the same dialog as the one that shows up
when inserting a new report element. The following picture
shows the property dialog for a label:



Edit the element properties to your needs and press the "OK"
button to close the dialog and accept your changes. If you
press "Cancel" then all your changes are dropped and if you
were inserting a new element, then it will not be added to
the report.

Information about the different properties for each report
element can be found at the individual element descriptions.



Toolbar


You can change many report element properties directly with
the toolbar instead of using the element's property dialog.
Additionally you can use it to modify multiple elements at
once.



These buttons are for creating a new report, loading a report
file and saving a report.



Use these buttons to print the report or to view a preview of
the printout.



With these buttons report elements can be cut to, copied to
or pasted from the report designer's clipboard.



These buttons are used to set a report element to the
background or bring it in front of all other report elements,
in case of overlapping elements.



Report elements can be arranged with this buttons. Some of
the buttons are only enabled when multiple elements are
selected (for example to align the left edges).



This part of the toolbar shows the type of the currently
selected report element and its main property (text if it is
a label, datafield, band type, ...). You can edit this
property directly with the toolbar, without the need to open
the element's property dialog.



Here you can set font and font styles of the selected report
elements (font name, font size, bold, underline, italic).



These buttons are for aligning text within a report element.
Text can be aligned left, right or centered. Of course this
only makes sense if the report element's size is bigger than
its text, and if "autosize" is deactivated.



With this button you can open a dialog to set the frame
options for the selected element.



Using the mouse

Select a report element
Report elements are selected by clicking them with the left
mouse button. A selection is shown with eight small black
boxes around the element:



Change the size of an element
You can use the small boxes of a selected element to change
its size. If the mouse cursor is positioned over such a box,
the cursor will change to show in which direction the mouse
can be moved while the left mouse button is pressed down. The
element will be resized accordingly. Please note that for
report bands only the height can  be changed, but the width
is set to the report width automatically.

Select multiple elements (a)
You can select multiple elements by holding down the [Shift]
key while selecting them with the left mouse button. This way
the previous selection will remain when a new element is
selected.



Select multiple elements (b)
You can also select multiple elements by using a so called
"rubber band". Hold down [Ctrl] together with the left mouse
button and drag a frame around the elements that you want to
select. After releasing the mouse button all elements within
the frame are selected.

Move elements:
You can move report elements with the left mouse button. Hold
down the button, drag the element to the desired location and
release the mouse button. Report bands can not be moved
because they are positioned automatically according to their
band type.

Move and resize elements regardless of the current grid
setting:
If you want to manipulate a report element regardless of the
current grid (menu item "View|Options") and move or resize by
one pixel, then hold down the [Shift] key while moving the
mouse.

Edit element properties:
If you double-click a report element with the left mouse
button, or if you select "Edit" from the element's popup menu
(which can be accessed with the right button)  then a dialog
will be shown where all element properties can be edited.




Using the keyboard

The report designer can be used with the mouse most of the
time. Some functions can also be accessed with the keyboard:

Enter:
Show the element's property form

Cursor keys:
Move a report element

Shift + Cursor keys:
Resize a report element

Del:
Delete a report element

Tab and Shift + Tab:
Select next or previous report element



Datasets

In  most cases each report needs at least one dataset, which
supplies the data records for the report.  You can define all
datasets and their relationships via the database setup (menu
item "Report|Datasets").



This dialog window shows the main dataset for the report,
which is the dataset that the report runs through and prints
all data records from. Below the main report table this is a
list of all datasets available to the report. Currently there
is only the country table, which is the main dataset, but you
can add more tables or queries which you can use in your
report too.
To add a table or query use the corresponding button.

New table:

 If you press this button the following dialog will be shown:



This is a common file open dialog where you can select the
desired table. Additionally you can use aliases instead of
directory paths if available.

New query:

The following dialog will open if you press the "New query"
button:



Here you can supply a query in SQL language. If your query
has parameters, then you can set their values with the
"Parameter" button. If the parameters should be retrieved
from another dataset, then select this table or query in the
"master" combobox.


Datafields:

If you select the "Fields" button, then a list with all
available fields of the currently selected dataset will be
shown.



You can remove (=hide) single fields from the dataset, so
that they will not be available in the report editor anymore,
or you can edit a field's properties:



A display label can be set for each datafield, which is used
as an alias name in the report editor. This way you can have
descriptive field names even if your physical dataset has
not, for example "CustNo" can be replaced with "Customer".
Use the "format" edit line to format numerical fields (see
Formatting of numerical fields). "Precision" determines how
many digits after the decimal separator are displayed.



Modifying an existing report

This chapter shows a simple example on how to use the report
designer. An existing report with datasets and report bands
already set up will be modified. Look at the following
example:



This report layout will result in the following printout:



Change the height of the data lines:

Let's say the data lines are too close and you want them to
be further apart. Each line gets its layout from the report's
detail band. For each data record the detail band is printed
once, so if you change the height of the detail band, then
the space for each data record will be increased. To do this,
in the report designer first select the detail band by
clicking it with the left mouse button. Small black boxes
will appear at the corners of the band, which are used to
resize report elements. Left-click the middle box at the
bottom of the band, hold down the mouse button and move the
mouse cursor down. This way the detail band will be resized,
and after releasing the mouse button the new band height is
set.
You may now press the "Preview" button or select
"Report|Preview" to check the new report. You will see that
now there is more empty space between each line of data.

Move report elements:

Maybe you don't like the positioning of some of the report
elements, and for example you want the first data field to be
slightly more to the right. You can change this by just
clicking the data field with the left mouse button (and
holding the button down) and dragging it to its new position
on the band. Please note that you can not move  elements to
another band, and you can not move report bands because their
position is determined automatically by their band type (e.g.
page header at the top of the page).

Change fonts:

If you want to change the font of a report element, then
first select it (you may also select multiple elements at
once) and then use the toolbar to change the font settings:



You can select a font name, font size and style (bold,
underline, italic). The available fonts depend on the
installed fonts on your computer.


Add and change label:

Press the "label" button   to insert static text into your
report. After pressing the button click on the report where
you want to add new text. The label property dialog will be
shown, where you can type in your text and set some other
options. After hitting the OK button the text will be
inserted into the report and will later be printed out at
this position.
If you want to change the text (or any other property, e.g.
text alignment) of an existing label, then select the report
element with your left mouse button and reopen the property
dialog, either with a double click or by selecting "Edit"
from the popup menu (accessible with the right mouse button).




A simple address listing

This chapter is a step-by-step instruction to create a simple
report that prints an address list. A table is used which
contains all address records. You can follow all steps with
the table available to you because the type of data is not
important for this example. If you don't want to create a
complete new report for your application, but only want to
modify existing reports, than you may skip the first step and
load a report instead.

Step 1: Creating a new report with the report expert

Step 2: Edit the report layout

Step 3: Preview and save the report





Step 1: Creating a new report

Select the menu item "File|New" or press the corresponding
speed button. The report expert will show up and you can
select the type of report that you want to create. For our
example we want to print an address list, so we use "List
style":



Press the "Continue" button.  You can now set the report's
main data source. Type in the path and filename of the table
you want to use, or press the "Search" button to select the
desired file:



On the next page of the report expert you must select which
fields to use. You select which fields from your table are
added to the report layout automatically. You can drag fields
from one listbox to the other with your mouse, or you can use
the buttons located between the listboxes. In the right
listbox you can drag fields up and down with your mouse to
change the field order.



The next page of the expert lets you select the report bands
that you want to use:



Afterwards you can set some general options, for example how
many columns your report should have:



The following page determines the look of the report. You can
set default fonts for text and data fields, and you can have
the expert insert lines between the columns and rows of the
report:



Now the report has been setup. You can either select "Finish"
to return to the report editor, where you can edit the
created report and save it, or you can select "Preview" to
check the report printout first. You will see a preview of
the report on screen like it would be printed. If you don't
like what you see, then you can use the "Back" button to
change the settings you have made for the report expert.






Step 2: Editing the report

Preview:
You are now at the report editor and can see the report
layout. Press the "Preview" button  to get a first look at
the resulting report printout if have not done this at the
end of the report expert.




Change the column captions:

Obviously the column captions for the data fields don't look
very good ("Addr1" and "Addr2"). The report expert has used
the field names of the data fields automatically, which
doesn't  always lead to optimal results. To change this leave
the preview and select the desired label with the left mouse
button. The toolbar will now show you the element type, e.g.
"Label". Additionally you can see the element's most
important property, which for a label is its text of course.
You can activate this edit line with your mouse and directly
edit the label text there, or you can open the property
dialog for the report label by opening its popup menu with
the right mouse button and selecting "Edit". The following
shows the label's property form:



Edit the element properties and type in a more descriptive
text for the column header, for example "Address". Leave the
dialog with "OK" afterwards.

Change size and position:

If you don't like the position of a report element, then
simply move it around with your left mouse button. Please
note that elements can not be moved out of their report band.
To change the size of a report element, first select it and
then drag one of the eight small black boxes to resize the
element.

Add another report element:
For demonstration purpose we will now add a circle around the
report title. Please click the speed button  to insert a
shape.

Now click on the report band which contains the report title.
It is not important to click on the exact position where you
want to place the circle, because you can easily move the
report element later. After clicking on the report band the
property dialog of the new shape will be shown. Select
"circle" from the "Type" combobox:



Press the color button from within the "Brush" area and
select yellow color to draw a yellow filled circle. After
leaving the dialog with "OK" a yellow circle will appear on
the report layout:



Unfortunately the circle is in front of the title and
conceals part of it. Press the button   from the toolbar at
the top of the designer window to move the circle to the
background. Now move the title so it is positioned over the
circle:



Of course it still does not look good because the white
background of the label covers the circle. Open the property
dialog of the title label (right mouse button, "Edit") and
activate the "Transparent" option. The background of the
label will now be transparent (not in design mode, but you
can see this when using the preview):



Lastly we will do some arranging of the title to move it
exactly to the center of the circle. First select the label
as usual, Then hold down the [Shift] key and select the
circle. By using the [Shift] key the last selection will not
be lost when selecting a new element, so multiple elements
can be selected at the same time, provided they are on the
same report band:



Now press the  button to align the horizontal centers of the
report elements.
You can also center the two elements on the band by using the
button.




Step 3: Previewing and saving the report

While creating your report you can always look at a preview
by choosing "File|Preview" or pressing the preview button .
The report will be shown on screen like it would be printed
and you can check the report layout.



If you are done with your report editing, then press the save
button  to save your report.




An advanced address listing

The previous example showed how to create a simple report by
using the report expert. In order to better understand the
layout of reports and the purpose of the various band types,
we will now create a report from scratch without the report
expert. This example is more abstract than the last one.

Step 1: Create a new report

Step 2: Database setup

Step 3: Insert a detail band

Step 4: Add a group band

Step 5: Page header, title band and summary band




Step 1: Creating a new report

Select "File|New" or press the corresponding button to create
a new report. The report expert will be shown and the option
"New blank report" is selected by default. Now just press the
"Continue" button, and the report expert will exit, leaving
you with a completely empty report.




Step 2: Database setup

Adding a dataset:

First we will now setup the report's main dataset. Select the
menu item "Report|Datasets", which shows the database setup
dialog. Press the "New table" button and select the desired
table for your report. The table will appear in the list of
available datasets.

Properties:

You can select the new table and press the "Properties"
button to show a dialog window with various settings. You can
set the table's name, which is used by the report designer
when a dataset needs to be selected. This name is an alias
and does not affect the physical filename. By default the
name is set the filename with the suffix "_Table", for
example "CUST_Table" if your file is "CUST.DB". You may want
to set the name to "Customers" to be more descriptive. The
name does not affect the report printout, it is only used
during design time.  Additionally you can set the table's
active key (if there is more than one), so you can choose in
which order the data records are printed.  Leave the
properties dialog with the OK button to return to the dataset
listing.

Main report table:

Since a report can use many datasets you must tell the report
which table to use as the main report table, the table that
is run through from the first to the last record. Use the
combobox at the top of the database setup dialog to set this
table. Select the table that you have just added.




Step 3: Adding a detail band

Add a detail band

After you have selected the dataset for your report, you must
setup the report layout. The main part of a report is the
detail band. This band is printed once for each data record.
To add a detail band press the  button and click somewhere on
your report. The band's property dialog will open. Now select
"Detail" as the band type.

Add data fields:
After adding a detail band to the report you must now insert
the data fields which you want to print. Press the  button
and click on the detail band afterwards to insert a data
field report element. Select the data field you want to use
and set its alignment, font and other options if needed. You
can now move and resize the data field on the detail band
with your mouse.
Repeat this steps with all data fields that you want to
print. As an example, the detail band could look like this
after inserting some data fields:



You can use the alignment buttons to align report elements
relatively to each other. Let's say you want to make sure
that all elements have the same vertical position. First
select all elements you want to align ([Shift] + left mouse
button or hold down [Ctrl] while drawing a selection frame
with the left button). Then press the  button, so that the
top edges of all selected elements are aligned.

Preview:
While designing the report you should often check its
resulting printout by using the preview button .




Step 4: Adding a groupband

You can make a list much more readable by dividing it into
paragraphs. For example the address list can be structured by
the first letter of the name. Each letter should have its own
paragraph and start on a new page. To accomplish this you can
use a group band:
To insert a group band press the   button and click on your
report. The group band property form will be shown, where you
must set the table on which the group should work. Since we
only have one table with address data, which is the main
report table, the report itself must be selected as the
group's "master". Now each time a record from this table is
to be printed, the report engine will check the group
expression and compare its result with the result of the
previous record. Only if the results are not the same the
group band will be printed. If you want to group our sample
address table by the first letter of the company name, then
the expression must be "Copy(Customers.Company,1,1)" (see the
chapter on expressions for more information). Leave the
dialog window with OK now.

You have now added a group band to the report. Take a look at
the report preview and you will see that the group band is
inserted before each new first letter of the company name.
The group band will only result in some empty space because
there are no report elements on it, but you can add labels,
expression fields or any other elements to the group band if
you like. For example you could add an expression field with
the group's expressions, so that the first letter is printed
before each group of data records. The right image shows a
list without grouping, the left one shows a list with such a
group band:






Step 5: page header, title and summary band

Lets assume you we have created a report which lists
addresses from a table, the report layout is already quite
useable and the preview might look like this:



What is missing is some "decoration", like a title on the
first page and a page header with column captions for each
data field. Also a summary at the end of the report,
presenting the total number of printed records for example,
would look good.

Page header:

Each page of the report printout should have a page header
with column headings for each column of data in the address
list, i.e. there should be a big "Name" label above the
column of company names etc.

First we insert a new band for the page header by using the
button and selection "Page header" as the band type. Now we
add labels for each column, with captions corresponding to
the field names.

Example:



To set a bigger font size, bold font style or another font
you must select all labels and set the desired font
attributes with the toolbar.

Title band:

A title for the first page of the report can be added by
inserting a new report band and settings its band type to
"Title band". Then add a label to the title band and set its
font size to something big, like 24 points for example.
Additionally you could add the current date and time to the
report header, so you can see when the report was printed for
each printout. To do this use the button  to add a system
field to the top right corner of the title band, and set its
type to "Date/Time". Now the title band looks the following
way:



When previewing the report you will notice the following
problem: The page header appears on the first page before the
title band (just like the two bands are positioned in the
report editor). You can correct this by printing the page
header only on the second page and following, but not on the
first page, and by adding the now missing column captions to
the bottom of the title band. First select the page header
band and open its property dialog. Select the option titled
"not on first page" to prevent the band from being printed on
the first report page. Then resize the title band to make
room below the title label for the content of the page
header. You don't need to recreate all report elements for
the title band that are on the page header, but you can
select them on the page header band, copy them to the
clipboard, select the title band and paste the clipboard
elements there. Now that all elements are copied from the
page header to the title band, they are still selected and
you can move them to the bottom all together.

Summary band:

To add a summary to the end of the report, insert a new band
and set its type to "Summary". You can now add report
elements to this new band, for example you can use a "Detail
count" system field  and set the field's label to "Number of
records printed:". The number of records will now be printed
at the end of the report, e.g. "Number of records printed:
78" if you have 78 data records in your report table.


The complete report layout could look like this:



The following printout would be generated:






 Standard band types (Title, Detail, ...)

All standard report bands are added with the same button (see
above). The band type is selected with the band's property
dialog.

The following band types are available:

Page header: The page header is printed at the top of each
report page

Title: The title band will be printed on the first page of
the report as a report title.

Column header: The column header is used with reports that
have multiple columns (can be set with "Report|Options").

Detail: The detail band is the most important report band. It
is printed once for each data record from the main report
table.

Group footer: The group footer is printed at the end of a
group, before a new group starts. You can find more
information on groups at the chapter describing the group
bandGroupband.

Summary: The summary band is printed at the end of the
report, after all data records have been printed.

Page footer: The page footer is printed at the bottom of each
report page.

The band properties for this bands are all set with the same
property dialog. The following options are available:

Type: Band type (see above)

Color:
This defines the background color of the report band.

Print
not on first page: prints the band only on the second page
and following

not on last page: suppresses printing of the band on the last
report page

even page numbers only: only prints the band on even page
numbers

odd page numbers only: only prints the band on odd page
numbers

at bottom of page: moves the band to the bottom of the page
before printing it

force new page: starts a new page before printing the band

force new column: starts a new column before printing when
using reports with multiple columns

Only print band if expression is true:
An expression can be used to determine whether the band
should be printed or not. The expression must have a logical
result of "true" or "false". Press the button on the right
side of the expression edit line to use the expression
expert.

Frame:
A frame or single frame lines can be drawn around the report
band. You can select which lines should be drawn, in which
color, style and width.




 Subdetailband

A subdetail band is a sort of detail band, but it is
subordinate to the real detail band. For example if you want
to print a list of audio CDs, and for each CD a title list
should be printed, then you would use a detail band for
printing the CD names and connect a subdetail band to the
titles dataset, so separate lists of titles are printed below
each CD name. Please note that in order to use such a
connection you must create a corresponding table connection
(called "master-detail-relationship") as well by using the
database setupDatasets.

The following options are available for the subdetail band:

Table:
The dataset which is used by the subdetail band.

Color:
This defines the background color of the report band.

Master:
The master is the table superior to the subdetail table. For
each record in the master table a subdetail list is printed.

Only print if expression is true: see  Standard bands

Print
before master-detailband: prints the subdetail records before
printing their master record from the detail band

at bottom of page: moves the band to the bottom of the page
before printing it

print header/footer even if dataset is empty: header and
footer bands of the subdetail band will be printed even if
there are no subdetail data records to print

force new page: starts a new page before printing the band

force new column: starts a new column before printing the
band (when using reports with multiple columns)

Headerband:
This band is printed as a header before the subdetail data
records are printed.

Footerband:
This band is printed as a footer after the subdetail data
records have been printed.

Frame: see Standard bands




Groupband

A group band is used to structure data into groups of data
records. For example if you want to print a list of
addresses, then you can add some space before each new first
letter starts and insert some caption, or you can group
addresses by city or state.


Internally groups are handled the following way: Before
printing a data record, the report engine checks if the
expression result of the group band is different from the
last data record's expression result. If this is the case,
then the group band will be printed, else it won't. This way
data can be grouped with great flexibility, because you can
use the expression for nearly any kind of calculation.

The following options are available:

Master:
Defines which is the master band for the group. This can be
either the detail band or a subdetail band. The group is
checked each time the master band is printed.

Color:
This defines the background color of the report band.

Expression:
This expression determines whether a group band is printed or
not. The band will be printed each time the result of the
expression changes.

Print
at bottom of page: moves the band to the bottom of the page
before printing it

force new page: starts a new page before printing the band

force new column: starts a new column before printing when
using reports with multiple columns

Footerband:
This band is printed at the end of each group, before the
next group band is printed.

Frame: see Standard bands


The following picture shows a report with a group band (the
bold printed single character is located on the group band)
and a report without a group band on the right side.



Childband

A childband is a band which is attached to another report
band and which will always be printed below its parent band.
This way you can print an additional band after each detail
band for example. The advantage of using child bands instead
of just resizing the parent band to make room for more report
elements is that there can be a page break between a band and
its child if needed, and the child band can be printed
independently from its parent band, even if the parent band
is not printed.

You must use child bands if you have report elements with
"Autostretch" set to true and you want to print element below
such auto-resizing fields. In this case place all the
elements which should be moved down automatically because of
autostretching elements before them on a child band.

The following options are available:

Parent Band: The band to which the child band is attached

Color:
This defines the background color of the report band.

Print
not on first page: prints the band only on the second page
and following

even page numbers only: only prints the band on even page
numbers

odd page numbers only: only prints the band on odd page
numbers

at bottom of page: moves the band to the bottom of the page
before printing it

force new page: starts a new page before printing the band

force new column: starts a new column before printing when
using reports with multiple columns

Only print band if expression is true:
An expression can be used to determine whether the band
should be printed or not. The expression must have a result
of "true" or "false". Press the button on the right side of
the expression edit line to use the expression expert.

Frame:
A frame or single frame lines can be drawn around the report
band. You can select which lines should be drawn, in which
color, style and width.



Datafield

A datafield displays data from a table or query. This can be
numerical data, characters or multiple lines of text.

The following options are available:

Data field:
Select the data field you want to print.

Alignment:
The report element's text can be aligned left, right or
centered.

Format:
Numerical data fields can be formatted by setting a format
definition.

Font:
Selects the font for the report element

Color:
Defines the background color for the report element (the font
color can be set with the "Font" button).

Automatic wordwrap:
Set this option if you want the text to wrap to the next line
if it does not fit into the given width (similar to a word
processor software).

Transparent:
The report element's background will not be printed if this
options is activated. This way you can place text on top of
an image for example, without hiding the image under a white
box with text.

Autosize width:
This option resizes the report element to make room for its
complete text. If "Autosize" is not set and the text is
larger than the element size then text will be clipped off.

Autostretch height:
This option is for report elements with multiple lines, e.g.
memo fields. The height of the elements will be stretched to
make room for all lines. If needed the report band will be
stretched too.

Suppress printing of repeated values
Activate this option if you do not want  to print data fields
with the same values repeatedly. The report engine will only
print the data field for the first data record, and leave all
following prints of this data field empty if the field's
content hasn't changed.

Suppress printing if value of datafield is 0
This option suppresses printing of numerical fields if their
value equals zero.

Reprint on new page
If you have activated "Suppress printing of repeated values"
then you can use this option to reprint a field if a new page
starts, even if it would be suppressed normally because of
equal values.

Reprint on new group
Same as "Reprint on new page" but for groups.


 Label

A label is for printing static text, i.e. text that is
printed exactly like it is displayed during report design.

The following options are available:

Text:
The text which should be printed. You can only type in one
line of text, memosMEMO can be used for multi-line text.

Rotation:
Use this to rotate your text. Rotation can be set to anything
between 0 and 360 degrees. 90 degree means displaying the
text vertically for example.

Font:
Selects the font for the report element

Color:
Defines the background color for the report element (the font
color can be set with the "Font" button).

Alignment:
The report element's text can be aligned left, right or
centered.

Automatic wordwrap:
Set this option if you want the text to wrap to the next line
if it does not fit into the given width (similar to a word
processor software).

Transparent:
The report element's background will not be printed if this
options is activated. This way you can place text on top of
an image for example, without hiding the image under a white
box with text.

Autosize width:
This option resizes the report element to make room for its
complete text. If "Autosize" is not set and the text is
larger than the element size then text will be clipped off.

Autostretch height:
This option is for report elements with multiple lines, e.g.
memo fields. The height of the elements will be stretched to
make room for all lines. If needed the report band will be
stretched too.


 Memo

A memo is used to print text which has more than one line.
Just like a label a memo displays text in one color and font.
If you want to use formatted text then you can use a Richtext
field.

The following options are available:

Text:
The text that will be printed.

Font:
Selects the font for the report element

Color:
Defines the background color for the report element (the font
color can be set with the "Font" button).

Alignment:
The report element's text can be aligned left, right or
centered.

Automatic wordwrap:
Set this option if you want the text to wrap to the next line
if it does not fit into the given width (similar to a word
processor software).

Autosize width:
This option resizes the report element to make room for its
complete text. If "Autosize" is not set and the text is
larger than the element size then text will be clipped off.

Autostretch height:
This option is for report elements with multiple lines, e.g.
memo fields. The height of the elements will be stretched to
make room for all lines. If needed the report band will be
stretched too.




 Image

An image element is a bitmap from a BMP file which is
inserted into the report.


 Image from data field

While a datafield is for displaying text from a database
record, you can use this report element to display images
which are stored in a database.

The following options are available:

Datafield:
The field which contains the image (if there is no bitmap in
this field then nothing will be printed). If the datafield
property is set to a database field which is not of type
"bitmap", then the report engine will try to find a bitmap
file whose name equals that of the data field's content and
load it.

Stretch picture automatically:
Activate this option to stretch the picture so it fits
exactly into the report element's size, else the picture will
be cut off if there is not enough room, or space will be left
empty if there is too much.

Center picture:
If the report element is bigger than the picture and the
"Stretch" option is not activated, then the picture will be
centered in the report element instead of being placed in the
top left corner.

Alignment:
Aligns the image on the report band.



 Expression field

A calculated field (expression field) is used for displaying
text or data which is calculated by a expression or formula.
You can do numerical calculations, string manipulations,
concatenate data fields and much more.

Expression:
This expressions is evaluated each time the calculated field
is going to be printed (see the chapter on expression
syntax).

Format:
Numerical fields can be formatted by setting a format
definition.

Font:
Selects the font for the report element

Color:
Defines the background color for the report element (the font
color can be set with the "Font" button).

Master:
If your expression uses any aggregated functions, then you
must link the "Master" property to the dataset that will be
used to update the expression. Each time a new data record
from this dataset is selected the expression will be
recalculated.

Alignment:
The report element's text can be aligned left, right or
centered.

Rotation:
Use this to rotate your text. Rotation can be set to anything
between 0 and 360 degrees. 90 degree means displaying the
text vertically for example.

Autosize width:
This option resizes the report element to make room for its
complete text. If "Autosize" is not set and the text is
larger than the element size then text will be clipped off.

Autostretch height:
This option is for report elements with multiple lines, e.g.
memo fields. The height of the elements will be stretched to
make room for all lines. If needed the report band will be
stretched too.

Reset after print:
If you are using calculations like sums or counting of data
record etc., you can use this option to reset the value of
the calculation to zero after the report element has been
printed.

Automatic wordwrap:
Set this option if you want the text to wrap to the next line
if it does not fit into the given width (similar to a word
processor software).

Transparent:
The report element's background will not be printed if this
options is activated. This way you can place text on top of
an image for example, without hiding the image under a white
box with text.


An aggregated function is a function which calculates a value
over multiple data record and each record is used for the
result, for example "Sum" or  "Average".

 Shape

This report element can be used to draw (horizontal or
vertical) lines, circles and rectangles.

The following options are available:

Type:
Selects the shape, which can be a circle, rectangle,
horizontal line, vertical line or top/bottom and left/right
lines.

Brush:
Style: different styles to fill a circle or rectangle
Color: the color which is used to fill the shape

Pen:
Width: line width of the shape
Mode: various line drawing modes
Style: solid, dotted or dashed lines




 Systemfield

This report element is used to display various system data
like current time or date, page number etc.

Available options:

Text:
This text will be displayed before the actual system data.
For example you can use the text "Report printed on: " when
printing the current date.

Type:
The type of system data to print. The following types are
available:

Date: the current date when printing the report

Time: the current time when printing the report

Date/Time: the current date and time

Detail count: total number of data records

Detail number: number of the current data record

Page number: current page number of the printout

Report title: the report title which can be set via
"Report|Options"

Autosize width:
This option resizes the report element to make room for its
complete text. If "Autosize" is not set and the text is
larger than the element size it will be clipped off.

Transparent:
The report element's background will not be printed if this
options is activated. This way you can place text on top of
an image for example, without hiding the image under a white
box with text.

Font:
Selects the font for the report element

Color:
Defines the background color for the report element (the font
color can be set with the "Font" button).



 Richtext field

Note: Richtext is only available with 32 bit applications,
i.e. applications for Windows 95 and Windows NT.

The richtext element is a report element which can display
multi-line text with different fonts, colors and formatting.
In the richtext property dialog press the "Edit" button to
show a text editor with richtext editing capabilities.

Alignment:
sets the text alignment if no alignment has been set with the
editor

Font:
sets the font if no font has been specified with the editor

Color:
sets the text color if no color has been set with the editor

Autostretch height:
This option is for report elements with multiple lines, e.g.
memo fields. The height of the elements will be stretched to
make room for all lines. If needed the report band will be
stretched too.

 Richtext from data field

Note: Richtext is only available with 32 bit applications,
i.e. applications for Windows 95 and Windows NT.

This report element displays richtext from a data field. The
following options are available:

Data field:
Select the data field to use by the report element.

Alignment:
sets the text alignment if no alignment has been set with the
editor

Font:
sets the font if no font has been specified with the editor

Color:
sets the text color if no color has been set with the editor

Autostretch height:
This option is for report elements with multiple lines, e.g.
memo fields. The height of the elements will be stretched to
make room for all lines. If needed the report band will be
stretched too.



Formatting of fields

Numerical fields and date or time fields can be displayed in
many different ways. This can be controlled with format
strings, which represent the output formatting in a
symbolical way.

numerical fields:

Specifier
Represents

0
Digit place holder. If the value being formatted has a digit
in the position where the '0' appears in the format string,
then that digit is copied to the output string. Otherwise, a
'0' is stored in that position in the output string.

#
Digit placeholder. If the value being formatted has a digit
in the position where the '#' appears in the format string,
then that digit is copied to the output string. Otherwise,
nothing is stored in that position in the output string.

.
Decimal point. The first '.' character in the format string
determines the location of the decimal separator in the
formatted value; any additional '.' characters are ignored.
The actual character used as a the decimal separator in the
output string is specified in the Number Format of the
International section in the Windows Control Panel.

,
Thousand separator. If the format string contains one or more
',' characters, the output will have thousand separators
inserted between each group of three digits to the left of
the decimal point. The placement and number of ',' characters
in the format string does not affect the output, except to
indicate that thousand separators are wanted. The actual
character used as a the thousand separator in the output is
specified in the Number Format of the International section
in the Windows Control Panel.

E+
Scientific notation. If any of the strings 'E+', 'E-', 'e+',
or 'e-' are contained in the format string, the number is
formatted using scientific notation. A group of up to four
'0' characters can immediately follow the 'E+', 'E-', 'e+',
or 'e-' to determine the minimum number of digits in the
exponent. The 'E+' and 'e+' formats cause a plus sign to be
output for positive exponents and a minus sign to be output
for negative exponents. The 'E-' and 'e-' formats output a
sign character only for negative exponents.

'xx'/"xx'
Characters enclosed in single or double quotes are output as-
is, and do not affect formatting.

;
Separates sections for positive, negative, and zero numbers
in the format string.


The locations of the leftmost '0' before the decimal point in
the format string and the rightmost '0' after the decimal
point in the format string determine the range of digits that
are always present in the output string.

The number being formatted is always rounded to as many
decimal places as there are digit placeholders ('0' or '#')
to the right of the decimal point. If the format string
contains no decimal point, the value being formatted is
rounded to the nearest whole number.

If the number being formatted has more digits to the left of
the decimal separator than there are digit placeholders to
the left of the '.' character in the format string, the extra
digits are output before the first digit placeholder.

To allow different formats for positive, negative, and zero
values, the format string can contain between one and three
sections separated by semicolons.

One section: The format string applies to all values.

Two sections: The first section applies to positive values
and zeros, and the second section applies to negative values.

Three sections: The first section applies to positive values,
the second applies to negative values, and the third applies
to zeros.

If the section for negative values or the section for zero
values is empty, that is if there is nothing between the
semicolons that delimit the section, the section for positive
values is used instead.
If the section for positive values is empty, or if the entire
format string is empty, the value is formatted using general
floating-point formatting with 15 significant digits. General
floating-point formatting is also used if the value has more
than 18 digits to the left of the decimal point and the
format string does not specify scientific notation.


Date/Time:

The following formatting options are available for date and
time:

Specifier
Displays

c
Displays the date using the format given by Windows' default
short date format , followed by the time using the format
given by the default Windows long time format. The time is
not displayed if the fractional part of the DateTime value is
zero.

d
Displays the day as a number without a leading zero (1-31).

dd
Displays the day as a number with a leading zero (01-31).

ddd
Displays the day as an abbreviation (Sun-Sat).

dddd
Displays the day as a full name (Sunday-Saturday).

ddddd
Displays the date in short format

dddddd
Displays the date in long format.

m
Displays the month as a number without a leading zero (1-12).
If the m specifier immediately follows an h or hh specifier,
the minute rather than the month is displayed.

mm
Displays the month as a number with a leading zero (01-12).
If the mm specifier immediately follows an h or hh specifier,
the minute rather than the month is displayed.

mmm
Displays the month as an abbreviation (Jan-Dec).

mmmm
Displays the month as a full name (January-December).

yy
Displays the year as a two-digit number (00-99).

yyy
Displays the year as a four-digit number (0000-9999).

h
Displays the hour without a leading zero (0-23).

hh
Displays the hour with a leading zero (00-23).

n
Displays the minute without a leading zero (0-59).

nn
Displays the minute with a leading zero (00-59).

s
Displays the second without a leading zero (0-59).

ss
Displays the second with a leading zero (00-59).

t
Displays the time using in short format.

tt
Displays the time in long format.

am/pm
Uses the 12-hour clock for the preceding h or hh specifier,
and displays 'am' for any hour before noon, and 'pm' for any
hour after noon. The am/pm specifier can use lower, upper, or
mixed case, and the result is displayed accordingly.

a/p
Uses the 12-hour clock for the preceding h or hh specifier,
and displays 'a' for any hour before noon, and 'p' for any
hour after noon. The a/p specifier can use lower, upper, or
mixed case, and the result is displayed accordingly.

ampm
Uses the 12-hour clock for the preceding h or hh specifier,
and displays the contents of the TimeAMString global variable
for any hour before noon, and the contents of the
TimePMString global variable for any hour after noon.

/
Displays the date separator character given by the Windows
country settings.

:
Displays the time separator character given by the Windows
country settings.

'xx'/"xx"
Characters enclosed in single or double quotes are displayed
as-is, and do not affect formatting.

Format specifiers may be written in upper case as well as in
lower case letters--both produce the same result.




Expression syntax

Expressions are used for calculating numerical values,
strings or logical values ("true" or "false"). There are
various operators and functions available for this,
comparable to a programming language ("Pascal" in this case),
which can be used to do many kinds of calculations. You can
do operations with data fields, for example calculate the tax
for a given amount, or merge two data fields into one string.
Please note that if the expression is a property of a report
band, then the result of the expression must be a logical
value. Only the group band expects the result to be a string
or a number, just like the expression field report element.

Composing expressions

The expression evaluator is working with four data types:
Strings, Integer, Float and Boolean. Binary data and memo
fields are not supported in expressions. Below is a list of
how database fields are converted to report data types:

Data type
Field type
String
String fields, date and time fields
Integer
SmallInt fields, byte fields, integer fields
Float
Float fields, currency fields
Boolean
Boolean (logical) fields

Report expression syntax is very much like Object Pascal.
Below is a list of supported operators:

Operator
Description
+
Add
-
Subtract
*
Multiply
/
Divide
()
Parentheses
And
Logical AND
Or
Logical OR
Not
Logical NOT
=
Equal
<
Less than
>
Greater than
<=
Less than or equal
>=
Greater than or equal
<>
Not equal

The standard functions included are:

Function
Description
Date
Return current date as a string
Time
Return current time as a string
Str(Number)
Converts the numeric argument to a string
Copy(Str,s,l)
Returns a substring of str (starting from the s-th character,
returning a maximum of l characters)
Int(Number)
Returns the integer part of a number
Frac(Number)
Returns the fractional part of a number
If (Expr, r1, r2)
Returns r1 or r2 depending on the boolean expr
TypeOf(Expr)
Returns the data type of expr
Sqrt(Number)
Returns the square root of a number
True
Logical value True
False
Logical value False
Sum(Expr)
Returns the sum of expr
Count
Returns the number of entires
Min(Expr)
Returns the lowest value of expr
Max(Expr)
Returns the highest value of expr
Average(Expr)
Averages the expr

Using database fields in expressions
Any field in any table referenced in your report can be
accessed in an expressions. Field names can be referenced
either just by the field name itself (e.g. Name) or by the
table name followed by a dot and the field name (e.g.
Customers.Name). If you do not specify a table name the
report engine will search for the field in all available data
sets and use the first instance found.

The current version of the expression evaluator does not
support field names with embedded special characters like
blank, "/", dot, dollar sign and so on.

Using Strings in Expressions
Strings in expression should be put in single quotes. The
following is a valid expression:

"Computers are great!"

Maximum string length is 255 characters.

Expression Examples
Below are some examples of expressions:

Expression
Description
1
Integer constant, returns 1
1.5
Floating point constant, returns 1.5
"Delphi"
String constant, returns "Delphi" as a string
True
Logical constant, returns True
1 + 2
Numeric calculation, returns 3
2 * (3 + 2.5)
Numeric calculation, returns 11
"Delphi" + " is great"
String calculation, returns "Delphi is great"
Name
Returns the value of the field Name if it exists
Customer.Name
Returns the value of the field Name in the Customer table
Name + " " + Contact
Adds the Name field, a blank and the Contact field
AmountPaid * TaxRate / 100
Numeric field calculation
"Printed "+ Date
String calculation
"Total amount paid is " + str(AmountPaid)
String calculation
if(AmountPaid > 5000, "Large order", "Small order")
Returns "Large order" if AmountPaid is greater than 5000,
else "Small order"
if(CheckField, "X", " ")
Prints an X if CheckField is True


Compose expressions visually
Expressions can be typed in directly to the corresponding
edit line, or you can press the button ".." to the right of
the edit line to show the expression builder dialog. You can
then visually design your expression with your mouse. If a
used function has parameters, like "Copy" or "Sum", then
another copy of the dialog will be opened to define those
parameters separately.

.


Menu item "View|Options"

Show bandruler
Activate this option to show grid lines when editing the
report. This lines make it easier to move and align report
element.

Unit
This is the unit which the report designer uses for measuring
and drawing of the ruler and grid lines. Millimeter, Inch and
Characters are available.

Show bandnames
This option is for showing the band name on the band in
design mode. The band names are not printed of course.

Font
The font to display the band name.

Grid size
This sets the (invisible) grid to which report elements are
aligned automatically. You can use it for easier alignment of
report elements to the same horizontal or vertical position.
Note: You can move a report element by one pixel even if a
bigger grid size is set if you hold down the [Shift] key
while moving the element.

Keyboard grid size
Same as "Grid size", but for keyboard movement with the
cursor keys instead of the mouse.

Show component frames at design time:
If this option is activated frames will be drawn around each
report element at design time. This way report elements can
be displayed more distinctly. The frames are only drawn in
design mode, not during printout.



Menu item "Report|Options"

Report title
This is the report's title, which appear in Windows' print
manager and which can be used in the report via a system
field.

Portrait/Landscape
This options defines the page layout. The report designer's
size will change accordingly.

Font
This font is used as the default font for all new report
elements and for elements for which no individual font has
been set.

Paper size
Defines the report's paper size. Please note that not all
printer drivers support all paper sizes.

Height, Width
Set this sizes if you are using the "custom" paper size.

Margins (Top, Bottom, Left, Right)
This are the paper margins. Note that the minimum values
depend on your printer hardware.

Column space
This is the empty space between columns if you are using a
multi-column report.

Number of columns
This is the number of columns used for the report.

Frame
This frame will be drawn around each printed page.




Customer Praise About Infodex


"Hurray, finally a manageable database that is not
predefined. I can't accept "PIM" applications that limit
input to Phone1, Phone2, ext1, ext2, NO room for cellular
number, pager number, data line number, BBS numbers, ..."
[Fort Myers, Florida]


"The application looks great and I feel sure it will work
well for us. Incidently, we are using it to keep all details
of computerised nonlinear video editing machines which we
import from Germany and distribute throughout South East
Asia.... Thanks again for the great service and for such a
friendly and powerful application."
[Australia]


"It has all of the features of the best commercial
programs..."
[Boston Globe, May 29, 1997]


"Bless your heart for your prompt reply... Again, thank you
both for your help and for making this program available.
Its the best one I've tried..."
[Kingston, NY]




Customer Praise About Our Tech Support


"Just a quick note to thank you for your effort and speed...
It is nice to meet someone who cares about the product and
the customer as much as you appear to do."
[United Kingdom]


"In today's software world, assistance such as you have given
us is rare, if not non-existent. You are an exception and a
breath of fresh air.  Thanks for caring and being so
attentive - it is sincerely appreciated."
[Treasure Island, Florida]


Your tech support is the best I've ever encountered.
[San Francisco, CA]




Troubleshooting / Common Questions


Question
Numbers aren't sorted correctly.  The number 10 comes before
the number 5 in one of my database fields.  What's wrong?

Answer
It sounds like the field is set up as a string instead of a
number.  Only number fields will sort in numeric order.
String fields will sort in alphabetical order.  This is also
a common problem for date fields.  Make sure that your field
is set up as an actual date field on the Layout screen,
instead of a string field.





Known Problems

* The check box that is used on a printout when Match Screen
or Match Browser is selected is not currently available when
designing your own layout.  We hope to add this feature in a
future release.

* European Users... Please note that there is currently a
problem when attempting to create fields with accentuated
characters in their captions.  We are looking into this
problem and hope to have a solution in the future.  In the
meantime, please refrain from using field names with
accentuated characters!

* The print preview option does not work properly when
attempting to view databases with pictures in them if multiple
records will be printed on one page.  The first record on each
page will be displayed, but the others will not.  This is only
an issue with print preview, and does not affect the actual
printout.



Cautions

As with any program that maintains large amounts of data,
there is the possibility for data loss.  Infodex contains
special precautions, such as having the ability to repair a
damaged database in certain situations, in the event that it
should become corrupt.  However, regular data backups are
strongly recommended.  Hard drives can fail, files can become
corrupt, and data loss can occur.  Your best protection is a
regular (verified) backup!




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Replicator For DOS - The Diskette Database / Duplicator!
Replicator is a disk image utility designed to create images
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Registration Fee: $49.95


Replicator For Windows - The Diskette Database / Duplicator!
Replicator is a disk image utility designed to create images
of diskettes and catalog them in a database.  Optionally
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Windows interface!
Registration Fee: $49.95


ZIP'R Pro For DOS - Compression Utility For DOS!
ZIP'R Pro stores programs in compressed form when they are
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Registration Fee: $49.95


ZIP'R Pro For Windows - Compression Utility For Windows!
ZIP'R Pro stores programs in compressed form when they are
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