Piper's Pit BBS/FTP: ibm 0040 - 0049/ibm0040-0049/ibm0040.tar/ibm0040/NUTSP-00.ZIP/NUTPLUS.DOC

Text File | 1991-03-19 | 455.2 KB | 10,669 lines

IRIS Software Products, has worked hard to make both the software
and the manual easy to use. If you should have difficulty, we
suggest that you:

1. Press F1 to read the various help screens. These help screens
provide answers to many commonly asked questions.

2. Consult the Nutshell Plus II manual. By using the index and the
table of contents, you will usually be able to find your answers
quickly and easily.

3. Contact your local dealer. Most dealers are familiar with
Nutshell Plus II and will provide you with the most convenient
service.

4. If you still have a question, please call the IRIS Software
Products, Customer Service Hot line at 1-617-341-1969 weekdays
between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Please have
your registration number handy so that we can provide you with the
fastest service. The registration number is located on the Warranty
Registration Card that came with your Nutshell package or on the
opening (file cabinet) screen display.

Upgrade Policy

IRIS Software Products, listens to its customers. When suggestions
are incorporated into a new version of Nutshell, we want to keep
you up to date. By sending in your registration card, you will
receive advance notification of both minor updates and major new
releases. We will automatically send registered owners free
updates, and will offer substantial discounts on upgrades to new
releases.

From the opening Nutshell Plus II Screen; Write Your Registration
Card Number here:

Nutshell and File Maker are registered trademarks of Claris Corp.
IBM and TopView are registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation. dBase is a registered trademark of Ashton-
Tate. DIF is a registered trademark of Lotus Development
Corporation. Macintosh and MacWrite are registered trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation. DESQview is a trademark of Quarterdeck
Office Systems. Leading Edge is a registered trademark of Leading
Edge Products, Inc. Rolodex is a trademark of Insilco.

Contents

Introduction to Nutshell PLUSS II About This Manual Concepts of
Managing Information with Nutshell Introduction Basic Concepts
Files Records Fields Layouts Concepts of Using Look up Files Using
Look Up Files How the Concepts Work Together Nutshell on Your
System Introduction What~s on the Disks System Requirements and
Options Installing and Running Nutshell Running the Guided Tour
Nutshell Conventions The Screen On line Help The Menus The Keyboard
Opening and Closing Files Creating a New File Opening an Existing
File Closing a File and Exiting Nutshell Making Backups Deleting
Files Designing Files Deciding How to Organize Your Information
Organizing Information Using Look up Files Defining Fields Text
Fields Number Fields Date Fields Calculation Fields Summary Fields
Time Fields Setting Criteria for Checking the Accuracy of
Information Changing or Deleting Field Definitions Creating
Additional Fields Changing a Field Name Changing a Field Type
Changing a Calculation Formula Changing a Summary Formula Changing
or Removing Validation Criteria Deleting a Field Defining Links
between Files Changing or Deleting Links Between Files Defining
Links to Additional Files Defining Additional Links to the Same
File Adding a Field Pair Changing an Existing Link Deleting a Field
Pair or a Link Adding New Records Typing in Fields Using the Index
Copying Information from Another Record Checking for Validity of
Information Specifying Preset Field Values Changing the Information
in a Record Removing Records Displaying, Adding, and Editing
Information in Look up Files Changing the Visual Presentation:
Creating Reports, Forms, and Other Layouts Nutshell's Standard Way
of Presenting Information Using Different Layouts to Display,
Manage, and Print Information Copying a Layout Creating a New
Standard Layout Creating an Empty Layout Deleting a Layout
Arranging Information on the Layout Changing the Size or Shape of
a Field Adjusting Field Size Removing Empty Space from Printed
Fields Adding Fields to a Layout Adding Look up Fields Adding and
Editing Text Highlighting Information Using a Monochrome Monitor
Using a Color Monitor Formatting Fields Formatting Text Formatting
Numbers Formatting Dates Formatting Time Erasing Fields or Text
Adding Power to Reports Concepts of Partitioning a Layout 186 Body
Header Footer Grand Summary Sub summary creating and Changing
Partitions Deleting Partitions Deciding Where to Place Information
Finding Information Creating a Pattern for Finding Records Finding
a Range of Values Finding Values Greater Than or Less Than a Given
Value Additional Criteria for Finding Values in Text Fields Adding
Sets of Criteria Finding Records That Don't Match Validation
Criteria Changing or Erasing Criteria Summary of Symbols Used in
Finding Records

Sorting Information Creating a New Sort Order Sorting Records
Repeating a Sort Changing the Sort Order Returning the Records to
Their Original Order Printing Information Preparing for Printing
Destination Printer Model Character Spacing Line Spacing Paper
Length Pause Between Pages Number of Labels Label Width Divide Body
Printing Records Printing Mailing Labels Stopping and Restarting
the Printer Copying Information To and From Other Files Copying
From Another File

Nutshell ASCII dbase II Merge DBASE III/IV FileMaker Copying to
Another File Nutshell ASCII dBASE II DIF Merge dBASE III/IV
FileMaker Other Automating Tasks Using Macros Cresting Macros
Nicknaming Macros Using Macro Functions Using Macros Within Macros
Playing Back Macros Stopping Macro Playback Using Copy, Paste, Date
and Time Changing or Deleting Macros Changing a Macro Name Changing
or Deleting a Macro Nickname Inserting or Deleting Macro Steps
Deleting a Macro Menu Map Menu Options Nutshell Browse Find Add
Modify Remove Sort Output Layout Define Zoom Macros (F9) Appendix
A: What's New in Nutshell Plus II Appendix B: Nutshell Utilities
Appendix C: Technical Specifications Glossary Index

Nutshell is a tool for managing all the various kinds of
information you handle in a business day

all the text, numbers, and dates you use for answering letters,
producing reports, preparing budgets, billing your clients, and so
on. With Nutshell as your filing cabinet, you can find information
in a fraction of the time it takes you to search through paper
files. You'll have information in the order you need it, produce
forms and reports that were too much trouble to do before, and get
calculations and summaries of your data without dragging out a
calculator or using a spreadsheet.

Nutshell's great advantage over a traditional filing cabinet is its
flexibility. Once your data is contained in Nutshell files, you can
use it for many different purposes without having to retype any of
it. For example, you could use the same client information to print
customized form letters and mailing labels, prepare invoices, print
Rolodex~ cards, and compile statistics, such as a count of the
clients in each sales region or the dollar value of orders you
received from each client in a given time period. You can store all
the different arrangements for forms, form letters, reports,
labels, or other documents in your Nutshell file, so that producing
them again is a snap.

Nutshell lets you combine and use data from different files in any
way you want. For example, you can keep a Rolodex-like directory of
names and addresses in one file and a collection of accounts
receivable in another. There's no need to type names and addresses
once in your Rolodex file and again, several times, in your
accounts receivable file. Nutshell can automatically look up
information from your Rolodex file and display or print it with
information in your accounts receivable file. Nutshell's ability to
look up data in linked files and use it with data in the file
you're currently working with saves you time as well as space,
since you don't have to type data in more than one place, and you
don~t have to duplicate information unnecessarily. And if you have
to make a correction, you only need to make it once.

Getting your data into Nutshell is easier than you may think.
Nutshell can copy data directly from other file formats, such as
FileMaker, DBASE (11, 111 and IV), DIF, and ASCII. And when you
need to type new information, you can have Nutshell Plus 11
automatically check it for accuracy. For example, Nutshell Plus 11
can make sure that two clients don't receive the same account
number, that the date of each order is filled in, or that clients
who receive credit are on an approved list.

 Any work that you do repeatedly can be automated using Nutshell
Plus II's macro feature. Using one keystroke you can automatically
change the spelling of a name in all your records or produce a
weekly report; or you can create macros for others so they can
complete jobs with almost no instruction .

Nutshell Plus 11 always lets you change your mind

add new information, change the formula for a calculation, or
arrange information in another way for a new form or report. As you
think of better ways to organize and present your information,
Nutshell Plus 11 helps put your ideas into action, so you can get
more done every business day.

What follows is some advice for learning and using Nutshell Plus
11. Because Nutshell Plus 11 is easy to use, you won't fall into an
abyss if you ignore the advice, but you may not get the most out of
Nutshell Plus 11. So consider these suggestions, and return to them
later if you don't have time now.

The Nutshell Plus 11 manual assumes you have a basic working
knowledge of DOS, the operating system that controls your computer.
For instructions on using DOS, consult the DOS manual that came
with your computer.

Now for the advice:

If you're upgrading to Nutshell Plus 11 from a previous version of
Nutshell Plus or Nutshell, read Appendix A. It will give you a
quick run down of what's new, and note where in the manual you can
find details.

To get a quick introduction to Nutshell Plus 11, take the Guided
Tour provided on your Guided Tour Disk. (First make a working copy
of the disk and store the original for safekeeping). It uses sample
files to demonstrate Nutshell Plus II's most salient features.
Instructions for running the Guided Tour are given in the chapter
Installing Nutshell Plus 11 on Your System.

To set started using Nutshell Plus 11 for your own work, read the
first three chapters: Concepts of Managing Information with
Nutshell Plus 11, Installing Nutshell Plus 11 on Your System, and
Nutshell Plus 11 Conventions. They provide important background on
concepts central to Nutshell Plus 11, information on running
Nutshell Plus 11 on your computer system, and an overview of
conventions that pertain throughout Nutshell Plus 11 to using the
keyboard, choosing options, and getting help.

To get an overview of what's in the manual, read the chapter
contents and the introduction at the beginning of each chapter. The
introduction will give you a good idea of what~s covered in the
chapter and what it will help you accomplish.

To find specific topics, such as how to open a file or print
mailing labels, use the Contents and the Index.

 To find out what a particular word or menu option means, use the
Glossary and the Quick Reference at the back of the manual. The
Quick Reference also contains a map of all the menu options in
Nutshell Plus 11, which, like a road map, is useful for getting
your bearings.

Before you start using Nutshell, you'II find it helpful to
understand the concepts that make Nutshell such a flexible tool for
managing information. This section outlines the most important
concepts and terms you should be familiar with.

Files

Nutshell files are designed to do the same thing as file folders in
a filing cabinet: they hold related information, or data. Nutshell
files are collections of data, such as a set of sales reports, an
inventory of parts or products, or a bibliography.

The difference between Nutshell files and paper files is that
Nutshell files let you use the same data for any number of
different purposes, without retyping. For example, you could use
the same sales data to list sales by city, by salesperson, by date
of sale, or by size of sale. Nutshell can summarize data for you,
automatically calculating subtotals of sales for each city, and a
grand total of all sales. You can use the same file to print a
summary report of sales by month, to analyze the productivity of
each member of your sales force, and to send a letter to those you
want to congratulate.

Records

The information you put into a file concerning one person, one
transaction or one item is called a record. All the records in one
file contain the same type of information. For example, a personnel
file could comprise one record for each person employed by a
company. Each record contains information such as education and
employment history, date of hire, and salary.

It~s easy to add new records to Nutshell files, to find records you
need to change, or to discard records you no longer need. The
number of records you can have in a file is limited only by disk
space.

Finding specific records to update or print is accomplished in a
few keystrokes. You can sort records in any order you like to
produce custom reports, and you can create a new file from a subset
of records. Using the example of a personnel file, you might sort
employee records by department and date of hire for a report
analyzing fulfillment of requisitions, or you might create an
archive file of employees who have retired from the company.

Fields

Each record is composed of one or more fields, each of which holds
a specific type, or category, of information. For example, a
bookstore's inventory file that has one record for each book in
stock might contain fields for title, author, publisher, and date
of publication. Each record in a file contains the same fields,
although the data in the fields is usually different from record to
record.

When you create a new Nutshell file, you define a field for each
category of information you want to store in your records, creating
as many fields as you need. Each field can be any one of five types
(using the bookstore example for purposes of illustration):

Text

When you organize your information into the appropriate field
types, you have maximum flexibility in finding information quickly,
sorting by as many fields as you need, and having Nutshell perform
arithmetic for you. You can change your field definitions as your
file grows, adding new fields, deleting obsolete yields, and
refining formulas for calculations.

Layouts

A layout is an arrangement of elements on a page. With Nutshell,
you can arrange fields and text in a layout to create the visual
effect you want, both on the screen and on paper. In any Nutshell
file you can create as many layouts as you need. For example, you
could create a compact layout that includes instructions for the
person who will type the data, another layout for producing
reports, a third layout for printing data on reprinted forms, and
a fourth layout for showing the data in a tabular format.

Layouts are separate from the data in your files; each layout
affects only the way your data is displayed and printed when you
use that layout. Each layout can contain any number of fields; for
example, you might use a layout with only name and address fields
to produce mailing labels, or use a layout with only summary fields
and a title to produce a summary report.

Nutshell's standard layout may be all you need, it contains all
your fields and lets you add information to a file without
designing a layout of your own. Later, you can alter the standard
layout or make a new layout for a particular purpose. For example,
Nutshell uses a concept called partitions to let you designate
portions of the layout for a page header and footer. You also use
partitions to indicate the areas where you want sub summary and
grand summary information, such as subtotals and a grand total for
sales. Partitions make it easy to put titles on reports, have
Nutshell print the current date, time, and page number at the top
or bottom of each page, and handle other details that make your
documents come out just the way you want them to look. You can take
advantage of these options as you become more experienced with
Nutshell, because you can create new layouts or change existing
ones at any time.

When you first create Nutshell files, each one is a separate
entity, independent of any other file you create. Keeping your data
in separate files is useful, because it allows you to store
different kinds of data efficiently. For example, to keep track of
product orders you might want one file to contain orders, a second
file to contain customer information, and a third file to contain
inventory records. These files may be maintained by different
people, or they may simply help you keep your information well
organized, so it's easy to update, analyze, and use for reporting.

Although you store information in separate files, you'II often want
to use information that you keep in one file with information you
keep in other files It's easy to share information between Nutshell
files, because you can link files together. When you're working
with a file that links to another file, you can use data in the
linked file together with data in the file you're working with. The
linked file is called the look up file because Nutshell looks up
data in it; the file that links to the look up file is called the
base file because it is your base of operations. You can define,
change, or delete links to other files at any time, even after
you've added data to your files.

Linking files gives you the following capabilities:

Using the Zoom option, you can open and use look up files directly
from the file you're using; you don't have to close the base file
before opening the look up file. For example, while you're entering
an order for a new customer, you can zoom to the customer file and
type the customer's address, then return to the orders file.

You can display data from look up files by including fields in a
look up file, or look up fields, on any layout in the base file.
For example, when a product number you type for an order matches a
product number in the inventory file, Nutshell can look up and
display in the orders file the product description and unit price
which are stored in the inventory file. Even though the information
is stored in separate files, you can display and print it together
whenever you need to.

You can perform calculations that use information stored in a look
up file. For example, you might create a calculation formula that
multiplies the quantity ordered (in the orders file) by the unit
price (looked up from the inventory file) to get the total price
for an item.

You can sort and summarize data using fields from look up files.
For example, you might want to sort orders by a product category
(in the inventory file), in order to summarize the volume or dollar
amount of orders by product category.

You can print information from several look up files in a number of
different formats such as reports, forms, or mailing labels. Any
information you have Nutshell look up and display from a look up
file can be printed from the base file.

To link one file to another, both files must have at least one
field that contains the same kind of information (for example,
first name and last name, serial, ID, or Social Security numbers,
and so on). You define a link by telling Nutshell which pair (or
pairs) of fields in the two files contain the same kind of
information. Any two fields that you specify as containing
corresponding data are called a field pair.

Once you've defined a link by specifying at least one field pair,
Nutshell can trigger the look up process: for each record in the
base file Nutshell looks up and finds the corresponding record in
the look up file, using matching data that's contained in the field
pairs. If two or more records match the record in the base file,
Nutshell finds all the matching records in the look up file, but
uses only the first matching record for display on layouts, in
calculations, for sorting, and for sub summarizing. When you use
the Zoom option, however, you will be able to see all matching
records. Any time you change certain information in the base file,
Nutshell performs the look up process again in order to update the
correspondences, using the current data in the look up file.

In the example given above, the orders file and the customer file
can be linked because each file has a field containing customer
names. When you type a customer name in the orders file, and it
matches a customer name in the customer file, Nutshell can
automatically look up information, such as the customer's address,
and display it in the orders file.

The ability to link your files in this way turns Nutshell, in
effect, into one large and intricately cross referenced file
cabinet. You can organize your data in separate files, yet you can
link your files and use all of the data in any number of different
combinations. Using any layout you can display and print data
contained in look up files just as you can display data contained
in one file. You can also create reports that use data in look up
files along with data in the base file. In fact, all the things you
can do with the data in one file you can also do with the combined
data of any of your files, as long as the files are linked.

Using Look up Files

Once you've linked two files, you can begin to use the link you've
defined. When you're working with linked files, you use the base
file as your ~base" of operations. Even though you can view, print,
and otherwise use data from look up files, you can make changes
only to the current file

the file you are currently working with. But at any time you can
easily move from a base file to a look up file using the Zoom
option. Once you've zoomed to the look up file, it becomes your
current file. You can add or change records, define new fields,
create new layouts or change existing ones

in fact, anything you can do in the base file you can also do in a
look up file simply by zooming directly from one file to the next.
Of course you can return to the base file at any time.

For example, if you notice while you're entering an order in the
orders file that a new customer's address has not been entered into
the linked customer file, all you have to do is zoom from the
orders file to the customer file, add the missing address, and
return to the orders file.

You can use look up files to provide data for calculations which
Nutshell will automatically perform, storing the result in the base
file. For example, a payroll office might keep employee records in
one file, records of time worked in a second file, and payroll
records in a third file. For any pay period each person's gross pay
can be calculated by taking the employee's hourly rate from the
personnel tile, multiplying it by the number of work hours from the
time worked file, and storing the result in the payroll file.

You can sort data from both the base file and look up files
together, summarizing the data on layouts in the base file. For
example, checks printed from the payroll file can be sorted and
summarized first by department and then by employee's name (fields
in the personnel file).

On any layout in the base file you can also display data from a
look up file. The data in the look up file is not transferred to
the base file; it remains in the look up file. But you can display
it, use partitions to format it, and print it, as if the looked up
data were all kept in the base file. For example, you could create
an invoice layout in an accounts receivable file that displays the
addresses from a customer file.

You can start using Nutshell by creating a new file, defining
fields, and using the standard layout to add data This is all you
need to do in order to view, edit, find, sort, and print records.

By finding records according to specific criteria, you can work
with just the records you need. For example, in a personnel file
you could find records for employees hired within the last month,
or find records for those who work in a department that is to be
moved to a new facility.

By sorting records, you can browse or print records in the order
you need. For example, you could sort personnel records by date of
hire in order to review seniority.

Using these capabilities already gives you significant advantages
over manual filing systems. With the records stored in a Nutshell
file instead of a paper file, you never have to retype data when
you need information in a new form. You can find things more
quickly, update records easily, and put information in order
without shuffling papers.

However, you'II get the most out of Nutshell if you also take
advantage of its more powerful capabilities: to create multiple
layouts, to summarize data, to link files together, and to create
your own macros to automate tasks.

Multiple layouts provide you with the ability to view the same data
in a number of different ways. On any layout you can specify the
fields you want to include, as well as the size and shape of each
field. You can use highlighting, such as underlined or bold
characters, to emphasize field contents. You can change or remove
text that labels each field, and add titles, instructions, or other
text as needed. You can have Nutshell automatically format your
fields. And you can control margins at the top and bottom of
printed pages, as well as the placement of page breaks.

One of the many flexible features of Nutshell is the ability to
automatically calculate summaries when you define a summary field.
A summary field shows the total, average, or count of another field
in the records. For example, you could have Nutshell automatically
calculate both the average salary and total salary of all the
employees. By finding a particular group of records, such as
employees with more than ten years of service, you can browse or
print the summary for just those records.

By using other summary fields and sorting the records differently,
you can use the same data to analyze different groups of records.
For example, by creating a summary field that totals a field
tracking attendance, you could sort records by department and
determine which departments should be rewarded for low rates of
employee absenteeism.

Linking files allows you to use data from a number of different
files. The Zoom option lets you open and use a linked file without
having to close the file you're currently using. You can create
layouts that use fields from look up files to display data from
other files. And you can sort records in the current file using
fields in look up files.

The macro feature greatly expands the scope of Nutshell's
capabilities. Macros not only automate tasks you perform regularly
or routinely with Nutshell, they also automate lengthy or complex
tasks that you might not otherwise carry out because of the time it
takes to type a long sequence of Nutshell commands and wait while
each command is performed. A macro is a single command which
automatically performs a whole series of steps that you would
otherwise have to do manually, one after the other. When you use a
macro, you give only one command, and Nutshell carries out the
sequence of steps you've specified.

For example, using the Copy and Paste macros that are automatically
included in every Nutshell file, you can copy data or layout text
from anywhere in a file, then paste it where you want, even to a
different file. You can create a macro that makes the same change
on every record in a file, or a macro that finds, sorts, and prints
records in a report. Managers can set up lengthy sequences of
Nutshell steps that they want performed weekly or monthly, and have
untrained users prepare complex reports by simply typing one or two
keystrokes.

Because you can define new fields, create and edit layouts, share
data by linking files, find or sort records, and create macros
whenever you need to, you can learn to use Nutshell's capabilities
one by one as needs arise. For example, you don't need to use the
Layout option until you want to change the size or shape of a
field, to include fields from a linked file, or to rearrange the
way your records look.

Nutshell lets you change your files and create new links between
files as your needs grow. You might want to start out using a
single file to get familiar with what Nutshell can do; later you
can link groups of files together as you need to. As you use more
of Nutshell's capabilities, you'II manage your information with
less effort and more control. You may find yourself creating
summarized reports, customized form letters, alphabetized
directories, and many other documents that were too time consuming
or difficult to compile with information stored only in paper
files.

This section explains what's on the disks included in your Nutshell
Plus 11 package and outlines the computer system requirements and
options for running Nutshell Plus 11. It also provides instructions
for installing and running both the Nutshell Plus 11 program and
the Guided Tour. The Guided Tour uses sample files to give you an
introduction to Nutshell Plus II's most important features before
you start creating your own files.

Your Nutshell Plus 11 package contains five disks: three 5 25 inch
disks and two 3.5 inch disks. Before getting acquainted with
Nutshell Plus 11. you should make copies of each of the disks
you're going to use. store the originals in a safe place. and use
your copies to run Nutshell Plus 11, If you always use working
copies of the disks, you'II be able to make fresh copies from the
original disks in the event of a mishap. Use the DOS DISK COPY
command to copy everything on each original disk to blank disks.
For instructions, refer to your DOS manual. Of course, you can also
use the DOS COPY command to copy individual files if you want to
group them differently from the arrangement on the original disks.
For example, if you are using a single drive system, you may want
to copy the Nutshell Plus 11 help file (NUT PLUS.HOP) to the disk
on which you will store data files instead of to a working copy of
the Program Disk; this lets you access the help screens while
working with your files.

The sections below explain the files that are on each disk and note
any requirements for using the files. Refer to the section
Installing and Running Nutshell Plus 11 later in this chapter for
directions on using Nutshell Plus 11 with different system
configurations.

If You're Using 5.25 Inch Disks

There are three 5.25 inch disks: the Program Disk, the Utilities
Disk, and the Guided Tour Disk.

The Program Disk

The Program Disk contains all you need to run the Nutshell Plus 11
program. Filename: Description:

NUT PLUS.EXE Nutshell Plus 11 program file. This file is essential
for running Nutshell Plus 11.

NUT PLUS.HLP Nutshell Plus 11 help file.

This file is especially useful while you are learning Nutshell Plus
11, or if you use Nutshell Plus 11 infrequently. It allows you to
view screens that describe menu options and useful keys as you are
working with Nutshell Plus II, by pressing the F1 key. Once you are
acquainted with Nutshell Plus II, you may want to save disk space
by deleting this file from your working copy of the Program Disk.

Note: If you are using a single drive system, you should copy the
NUTPLUS.HLP file to each disk you will use to store Nutshell data
files. In order for Nutshell to display help screens when you press
F1, NUTPLUS.HLP must be on a disk that is in the drive.

If you are using Directories to organize your files, make sure your
copy of the NUTPLUS.HLP file is in the same directory as
NUTPLUS.EXE and NUTUTILS.EXE, or use the PATH command to specify a
different directory. Consult your DOS manual for information on how
to use the PATH command.

The Utilities Disk

The Utilities Disk contains utilities that allow you to compress
Nutshell files in order to conserve disk space, and to recover
Nutshell files that have been damaged due to a hardware failure,
power failure, or other problem with your computer system.
Directions for using the utilities are provided in Appendix B.
Filename: Description:

NUTUTILS.EXE Utilities program file.

NUT PLUS.HLP Nutshell Plus II help file. This is identical to the
help file on the Program Disk and is provided so you can use the F1
key to get help while you are running the utilities program. To get
help while using the utilities, the NUTPLUS.HLP file must be in the
same directory as NUTUTILS.EXE, or you must use the PATH command to
specify the directory in which NUTPLUS.HLP is stored. Consult your
DOS manual for information on how to use the PATH command.

INSTALL.BAT Hard Disk Install batch file.

Installing Nutshell on Your System

The Guided Tour Disk (5.25 Inch)

This disk contains all the files you need to nun the Guided Tour,
which uses sample database files to introduce you to Nutshell's
most important features. The Guided Tour is divided into segments
that you choose one at a time, so you can stop after any segment
and continue later. Details on how to take the Guided Tour are
provided at the end of this chapter in the section Running the
Guided Tour. After you're familiar with Nutshell Plus 11, you
probably won't need the files on your copy of the Guided Tour Disk;
however, you should feel free to copy the sample files for
experimentation or for adaptation to your own work

If You're Using 3.5 Inch Disks

There are two 3.5 inch disks: the Program/Utilities disk and the
Guided Tour disk. These disks contain the same files as are on the
5.25 inch disks. The Nutshell Plus 11 program file and the Nutshell
utilities file are on one 3.5 inch disk, along with the Nutshell
Plus 11 help file.

The Program/Utilities Disk

The Program/Utilities Disk contains all you need to run the
Nutshell Plus 11 program, to compress Nutshell files in order to
conserve disk space, and to recover Nutshell files that have been
damaged due to a hardware failure, power failure, or other problem
with your computer system. Directions for using the utilities are
provided in Appendix B.

NUTPLUS.HLP Nutshell Plus II and utilities help file. This file is
especially useful while you are learning Nutshell Plus II, or if
you use Nutshell Plus II infrequently. It allows you to view
screens that describe menu options and useful keys as you are using
Nutshell Plus II Plus II or the Nutshell utilities program, by
pressing the F1 key. Once you are acquainted with Nutshell Plus II,
you may want to save disk space by deleting this file from your
working copy of the Program Disk.

Note: If you are using a single drive system, you should copy the
NUTPLUS.HLP file to each disk you will use to store Nutshell data
files. In order for Nutshell Plus II to display help screens when
you press F1, NUTPLUS.HLP must be on a disk that is in the drive.

If you are using directories to organize your files, make sure your
copy of the NUTPLUS.HLP file is in the same directory as
NUTPLUS.EXE and NUTUTILS.EYE, or use the PATH command to specify a
different directory. Consult your DOS manual for information on how
to use the PATH command.

Installing Nutshell on Your System The Guided Tour Disk (3.5 Inch)

This disk contains all the files you need to run the Guided Tour,
which uses sample database files to introduce you to Nutshell Plus
lI's most important features. The Guided Tour is divided into
segments that you choose one at a time, so you can stop after any
segment and continue later. Details on how to take the Guided Tour
are provided at the end of this chapter in the section Running the
Guided Tour. After you're familiar with Nutshell Plus 11, you
probably won't need the files on your copy of the Guided Tour Disk;
however, you should feel free to copy the sample files for
experimentation or for adaptation to your own work

System Requirements and Options

Nutshell Plus II supports the optional Intel 8087 and 80287 math
coprocessor chips.

Operating System

Disk Operating System (DOS) Version 2.0 or higher. Operating
Environment

Nutshell Plus II is compatible with the optional Microsoft Windows,
DESQview, TopView, and DoubleDOS operating environments, but may
not take advantage of all the features of these products.

Memory At least 384K of Random Access Memory (RAM). Nutshell Plus
II will use any extra memory up to the full 640K. If you are using
one of the optional operating environments listed above, consult
the manual that came with the operating environment software for
memory requirements. The more memory you have installed (up to
640K), the faster Nutshell Plus II will perform.

Installing Nutshell on Your System

Disk Drive

At least one double sided, double density floppy disk drive, either
5 25

inch or 3.5 inch. Nutshell Plus 11 can also be used on a system
with two floppy disk drives or a hard disk.

Monitor

Either a monochrome or a color 80 column monitor. Both monochrome
and color display adapters are supported.

Printer

Nutshell Plus 11 works with a number of different parallel and
serial printers. When you prepare to print from Nutshell Plus 11,
you can choose your printer model by name from a list displayed on
the screen. If your printer is not among the more than 60 models
listed, you can choose a standard setting that uses the preset
information in your printer to determine line spacing, character
spacing, and paper length.

Installing and Running Nutshell

If you haven't already done so, make copies of each of the disks
that came with your Nutshell Plus 11 package as suggested in the
earlier section What's on the Disks. The original disks are your
insurance that you can continue to use Nutshell Plus 11 if your
working copies of the disks become damaged or lost.

When you've made working copies of the disks you're going to use,
find your system configuration below and follow the instructions.

Using The Install Batch File (with a hard disk): If you have a hard
drive on your system you can use the install batch file which will
create a directory for Nutshell Plus 11 (named Nut plus) and then
copy the required programs into that directory. Alternately you can
follow the instructions later in this section if you do not wish to
use the install batch procedure.

1. When DOS displays the C:> prompt insert your copy of the
Nutshell Plus 11 Utilities Disk into either the A or B floppy
drive.

2. Log onto the floppy drive which now contains the Utilities Disk.
If your disk is in drive A for example, type A: and press return.
3. When DOS displays the prompt such as A:> or B:>, type install
followed by the name of the source (floppy) drive and the target
(hard) drive, then press return. For example to install Nutshell
Plus 11 from your A drive to your C drive you would type the
following: install a: c:return

You may install Nutshell Plus 11 from either the A or B drive to
any hard drive or existing partition on your hard drive from C to
H. The install batch will create a subdirectory called Nutplus on
the selected drive. If this subdirectory already exists, files in
that directory which have the same name as the new files will be
overwritten. You should rename or make copies of any such files
that you wish to retain. No .db files will be overwritten during
the installation procedure, but backup copies should always be
maintained.

On a single drive system:

1. Load DOS from your DOS disk according to the instructions in
your DOS manual.

Installing Nutshell on Your System

2. When DOS displays the A> prompt, take the DOS disk out of the
drive and insert your copy of the Nutshell Plus 11 Program Disk.

3. Type nutplus, then press return. The system loads Nutshell Plus
11 into memory.

4. When the Nutshell Plus 11 screen appears, take your copy of the
Nutshell Plus 11 Program Disk out of the drive and insert a data
disk (a formatted disk you will use to store your Nutshell data
files). For instructions on creating new files or using existing
files, turn to the chapter Opening and Closing a File. To use on
line help, the data disk must contain a copy of NUTPLUS.HLP. For
instructions on copying NUTPLUS.HLP to your data disks, refer to
your DOS manual.

5. To exit Nutshell Plus 11 and return to DOS, press the Esc
(Escape) key.

Note: To prevent loss of data, always make sure the DOS prompt is
displayed and the disk drive light is out before removing your data
disk from the drive or turning off your computer.

Running the Guided Tour

 The Guided Tour is divided into segments that each take less than
twenty minutes to run. You can stop after any segment and return
later to finish the tour.

To run the Guided Tour:

1. Load DOS.

2. At the DOS prompt, make the drive from which you will run the
Guided Tour be the current drive. For example, if you will run the
Guided Tour from drive A, type a :, then press return

3. Insert your copy of the Guided Tour Disk in the current drive.
If you have not yet made a copy, do so now, following instructions
in your DOS manual.

4. Type tour, then press return. The system loads the Guided Tour
into memory.

5. Follow the instructions on the screen.

6. To end a segment of the Guided Tour at any point, press the Esc
(Escape) key. Select another segment, or, to return to DOS, press
Esc once more.

Nutshell Plus 11 Conventions

The Screen Nutshell is designed to provide a consistent framework
in which you manage your data. You can expect to see certain types
of information in particular areas of the screen, to use special
keys to get particular results, and to use menus in a systematic
way to select available options.

This section introduces the conventions Nutshell uses to make
managing your files a straightforward process. Even if you're used
other database products, you should read this section to find out
how Nutshell uses special keys on the keyboard and to get an
overview of the menu structure. You should also note how to take
advantage of on line help, which serves as a quick reference for
the screen or option you are using.

The Screen

The first screen you see when you open a Nutshell file is shown
below. It serves to illustrate the basic landscape of all Nutshell
Plus II screens.

The name of the screen is centered on the top line. To the right of
the screen name is status information, such as the number of
records when you are viewing the Browse, Add, or Modify screens, or
the position of the cursor when you are viewing the Layout screen.
Here, it shows that the records are sorted and that you are working
with a subset of the file (the number of records found). The
abbreviation Pug followed by an arrow symbol tells you which keys
you can press to look at other "pages" (records, layouts, and so
on): 1 indicates that you are viewing the last page and can use the
Pgup key to look at previous pages, I indicates that you are
viewing the first page and can use the PgDn key to look at
subsequent pages, and t shows that you can use either Pgup or PgDn.

When a blinking bullet ( ) appears in the upper right corner of the
screen, it means that Nutshell is busy saving changes you've made
to the file, or is carrying out a command, such as sorting records.

The Help and Menu functions are available on every screen, as
indicated at the top left. The F1 function key displays a help
screen that describes the current screen and its options. The F2
function key moves the cursor to the menu, where you can select the
option you want. The menu is always on the bottom line of the
screen and lists the options available from the current screen.

When you are using a file that has links to look up files, the
information at the top left changes. The name of the file you're
currently working with is displayed. When you use the Zoom option
to open a look up file, the name of the look up file is displayed
along with the name of the base file (the file from which you
started). If you zoom from the look up file to another look up
file, Nutshell displays the path of the link, from the base file to
the look up file. If you zoom again to another look up file, and
the path of links doesn't fit, Nutshell omits the earlier
characters, replacing them with an ellipsis (. . .).

Nutshell uses the line above the menu to give messages or
instructions. Often this line tells you how to complete or cancel
an option that you have initiated. For example, if you are using
the Browse screen and you try to type in the record displayed,
Nutshell gives you a message reminding you to select Modify before
you type

The middle area of the Browse screen is used to display your
records, one at a time. On other screens this is your work area the
space where you define, add, modify, or arrange your data. When the
cursor is in the work area, it shows where you can type, or
indicates which item will be affected by a menu option you select.

On line Help

Nutshell has built in help right on the screen to explain every
menu option.just press F1, the ~help~ key, and Nutshell displays
information about the

current screen, a quick reference for the available options, and a
list of useful keys. You can press F1 from any screen in Nutshell.

When you're finished consulting the help screen, just press the Esc
(Escape) key to return to what you were doing.

Note: In order to use F1 to get help, NUTPLUS.HLP must be in the
current directory or a directory specified in the PATH command. For
details, see the sections What's on the Disks and Installing and
Running Nutshell in the previous chapter Installing Nutshell on
Your System.

The Menus

The menu at the bottom of each Nutshell Plus 11 screen shows the
options F2 | you can select from that screen. You never have to
type commands or J remember complicated syntax.

The menu map on the following page shows all the main screens and
options. As you can see from the map, the Browse screen is the
point of departure for all the main tasks involved in managing
data: finding, adding, modifying, and so on. Below the box
representing each main task, the options are listed for controlling
different aspects of the task.

To select a menu option:

1. Press the F2 key to move the cursor to the menu. 2. Move the
cursor to the option you want using any of the following:

First letter of the option ∙ Spacebar ∙ (Cursor Left and Cursor
Right keys) (Tab key) and (Shift Tab) (Backspace key)

3. Press the return key. or

1. Hold down the Alt (Alternate) key and type the first letter of
the option.

To cancel a menu selection:

1. Press the Esc (Escape) key. By pressing Esc, you can move back
up one level at a time through the menus.

After you're familiar with Nutshell, you may want to use the Quick
Reference at the back of the manual to refresh your memory on how
to reach a particular option, or to check on the result of
selecting a given option. The Quick Reference contains a more
detailed menu map than the one shown here, and provides a brief
explanation of each option.

The Keyboard

Variety is the spice of life except in keyboards, where it
complicates matters. For purposes of simplicity, this manual refers
to keys according to the names or symbols used on the Enhanced IBM
keyboard shown below. If you are using a system with a different
keyboard, you should familiarize yourself with the key names in
this illustration, so you can equate the names to the appropriate
keys on your keyboard.

 (Enter) and Esc (Escape)

The two most important keys in using Nutshell are

(Enter) and Esc.

Press return to go ahead with a process, such as selecting a menu
option or closing a file. Whenever the instructions at the bottom
of the screen say to press return to accomplish something, you can
press F10 or the + (plus) key in the numeric keypad to accomplish
the identical action.

On some screens, return has another function: to move the cursor to
the next line, as it does in word processing. Where this is the
case, it is noted in the appropriate section of the manual.

Press Esc to cancel a process (such as sorting records) or to
indicate that you have completed specifying information (such as
defining fields or changing a layout). Pressing Esc usually
displays the screen that is one level higher in the menu network.
By successively pressing Esc, you display the Browse screen, which
is the point of departure for all the other screens.

Function Keys

Nutshell uses four function keys: F1, F2, F9 and F10. When pressed
from any Nutshell Plus II screen, these keys do the following:

F1 displays a help screen that contains information about the
current screen, the available menu options, and the functions of
special keys. (See the earlier section, On line Help, for more
detail.)

F2 moves the cursor to the menu at the bottom of the screen.

F9 displays the Macros screen with the four redefined macros, Copy,
Paste, Date, and Time, and any other macros you subsequently
create. F9 is available once you've opened a file.

F10 tells Nutshell to go forward with a task, such as selecting an
option from a menu or deleting a layout. Pressing the + (plus) key
in the numeric keypad has the same effect as pressing F10.

The other function keys (F3 through F8) are unassigned by Nutshell,
and can be assigned by the user as macro nicknames. For information
about macros, see the chapter Automating Tasks Using Macros.

Pressing

(Tab) moves the cursor to the next item. For example, in a Tab
moves the cursor to the next option. In a record, moves the cursor
to the next field in which you can type.

Pressing (Shift tab) moves the cursor back one item (in the
opposite

direction For Shift Tab, hold down the (Shift) key while you press

Alt (Alternate)

In Nutshell the Ale key gives you a short cut for selecting menu
options. Hold down Alt and type the first letter of the option you
want. Also you can enter extended ASCII characters by pressing the
Alt key while typing the decimal value on numeric keypad with num
lock on.

For example to enter the escape key value, type Alt 027

Ctrl (Control

Ctrl, like the (Shift) and Alt keys, is always used in combination
with another key. It provides a quick way to move the cursor to the
beginning or end of a record or a file, or to the edge of the
screen. With unassigned letter keys it can also be used for macro
nicknames. Hold down the Carl key while you press the second key:

Note if the cursor is already at the edge of the screen, Nutshell
scrolls one screen in the direction of the arrow.

(Backspace)

Pressing (Backspace) deletes the character to the left of the
cursor.

Backspaces When insert mode is on (controlled by pressing the
Insert key), pressing (Backspace) causes all the characters to the
right of the cursor to move left to fill the space. When replace
mode is on, the deleted character is replaced with a space, and the
characters to the right of the cursor don't move.

Control Keys and Numeric Keypad

The Ins (Insert) key switches between insert mode and replace mode.
Inserts When the effect of the key is to insert characters, the
cursor is a block when the effect is to replace characters, the
cursor is an underscore (

The Del (Delete) key deletes the character at the cursor position.
All the characters to the right are moved left to fill the space.

Home and End move the cursor to the beginning or the end of a field
or line

Pgup (Page Up) and PgDn (Page Down) move one page at a time. A

Page in Nutshell corresponds to a record, a layout, or a pattern of
criteria for finding records, depending on the menu option you have
selected. A page also corresponds to the section of a list (of
files, fields, or other items) that can be displayed on the screen
at one time. You can use Pgup and PgDn to display other sections of
the list.

The (Cursor Up) (Cursor Down), (Cursor Left), and

(Cursor Right) keys move the cursor one space at a time in the
direction of the arrow. (If the cursor is already at the edge of
the screen, Nutshell scrolls the screen.)

The PrtSc (Print Screen) key, when used with the Ctrl key, prints
a list that's displayed on your screen.

Pressing the Num Lock (Number Lock) key switches the operation of
this set of keys between a numeric keypad (which speeds typing of
numbers) When Num Lock is on, the keys are used to type the number
or symbol on the key. The only exception is the + (plus) key, which
is used throughout Nutshell to complete an action. Whenever Num
Lock is on, a light comes on in the status light area of the
keyboard to remind you of the fact.

When Num Lock is off, the keys are used to move the cursor and to
scroll to areas off the current screen.

You can hold down the (Shift) key to temporarily reverse Num Lock.
For example, when you are using the numeric keypad to type numbers,
you can hold down the Shift key and use the cursor keys to move the
cursor.

Useful Keys for Lists of Items

To save you from having to type names of things you want to work
with, Nutshell lets you select items from lists with the cursor.
For example, you can select a filename from a list of files on your
disk instead of typing the filename to create or open the file. The
process is the same as that for selecting an option from the menu:
you move the cursor to the item you want, then press return.

In some lists you move the cursor to an item, then select an option
from the menu to work on the item. For example, you delete a field
by moving the cursor to the field that you want to delete, then
selecting the Delete option from the menu.

Using the Ctrl Print Screen key you can also print any list for
reference, such as a list of field definitions, files in a
particular directory, and so on.

To work with items in lists:

1. Move the cursor to the item you want using any of the following:
First letter (or number) of the item name

Spacebar and

(Backspace) keys (Cursor Up and Cursor Down) keys

If the list contains more items than are displayed, Nutshell
displays the Pgup, Pgdn or Pg symbol in the upper right corner. Use
the PgDn key to scroll to the next page of the list and the Pgup
key to scroll to the previous page.

To move the cursor to the first item in the list, press Ctrl PgUp
or Ctrl Home; to move the cursor to the last item in the list,
press Ctrl PgDn or Ctr End.

2. Press return to select the item, or select the menu option that
applies to the item.

if an item is wider than the width of the list, you can display
additional characters to the right by pressing (Cursor Right), and
scroll back to the left by pressing (Cursor Left). To scroll many
characters at once, press Ctrl or Ctrl

To print a list:

1. Hold down the Carl (Control) key and press the Print Screen
(PrtSc) key. Nutshell asks for the destination, which can be an
attached printer or a DOS file.

2. Type the device name assigned to your printer, such as LPT1: or
COM1:, or type a legal DOS filename. For more details on specifying
a destination, see the section Preparing for Printing in the
chapter Printing Information.

3. Press return. Nutshell prints the list or stores it in the file
as specified.

Useful Keys for Typing and Editing Text

When you type in Nutshell, you can always correct your typing on
the spot, whether you are typing a filename, data in a field, text
on a layout, or anything else. The table below summarizes the keys
to use in typing and editing in a Nutshell file.

This section tells you the mechanics of creating, opening, and
closing files. It also tells how to exit Nutshell, and mentions the
DOS commands you should use to make backups of files and to delete
files.

As a safety feature, Nutshell automatically saves your changes to
a file during short lulls in your work activity. This is why you
may notice the disk drive light flashing even when you haven't
touched the keyboard. If the time Nutshell chooses to update the
file is inconvenient for you, just proceed with your work--Nutshell
stops updating when you use the keyboard, and waits for another
pause in order to save your changes.

Even though your file is updated frequently, you should always
close a file before turning off the computer or removing the disk
on which the file is stored. This ensures that no data will be
lost. See the section Closing a File and Exiting Nutshell later in
this chapter.

Creating a New File

Creating a new Nutshell tile is a straightforward process which, in
its most usual form, consists of running Nutshell and typing a
filename. Variations include running Nutshell and typing the
filename both in one step from DOS, and issuing DOS commands within
Nutshell in order to create a new file on a different disk, or in
a directory other than the current directory. For the latter,
Nutshell provides menu options to streamline the process.

 To create a new file:

1. Run Nutshell according to the instructions in the earlier
chapter Installing Nutshell on Your System. The Nutshell Plus 11
screen is displayed .

2. To create a file in the current directory on the disk in the
current drive, type a legal DOS filename, then press return. (Refer
to your DOS manual for restrictions on filenames.) If you don't
type an extension, Nutshell automatically adds the extension .db to
the filename.

To create the file on a disk in a different drive, precede the
filename with the drive specifies. For example, if you are running
Nutshell from

Note: You can combine the first two steps of this process by typing
the new filename directly from DOS. Type a space after nutplus,
then the filename, then press return. On the Nutshell Plus 11
screen, the filename you typed appears in the space for the
filename.

3. If the filename is as you want it, press return again to create
and open the file. If you need to correct the filename, press the
Esc (Escape) key, make the correction, then press return. Nutshell
displays the Browse screen with instructions to select Define in
order to define fields for the new file. For information about
defining fields to hold your data, refer to the chapter Designing
Files.

To create the new file in a different directory:

1. Select Show Files from the Nutshell Plus 11 screen. (For details
on selecting menu options, refer to the section The Menus in the
chapter Nutshell Conventions.) Nutshell displays a list of files
with the .db extension in the current directory, and a new menu
appears with the options Drive, Extension, and Path.

2. Select Path.

3. Type the path on the line provided at the top of the screen,
then press return. The path is the series of directory names (from
the root directory or

3. Type the path on the wine provided at the top of the screen,
then press return. The path is the series of directory names (from
the root directory or from the current directory) that lead to the
directory in which you want the file to be stored. Refer to your
DOS manual if you need instructions for specifying the path.

Note: Changing the path changes the directory in which the new file
is stored. When you exit Nutshell, the current directory is reset
to the one from which you ran Nutshell.

or

Select Show Directories to select (instead of typing) the directory
names that compose the path. (For details on selecting items from
lists, refer to the section The Keyboard in the chapter Nutshell
Conventions.)

The Show Directories option lets you change the current directory
and display a list of directories beneath the new current
directory. <Root, and <parent, directories are also listed.

Select <parent, to change the current directory to one immediately
above the directory listed in the path.

Select <root to change the current directory to the top level
directory (the root directory).

Specify the path by successively selecting directory names from the
displayed lists, starting with the highest level subdirectory in
the path. Each time you select a directory beneath the one already
in the path, the directory is added to the path (displayed at the
top of the screen).

4. When the path is correctly specified, press Esc. Nutshell moves
the cursor back up to the path.

5. Press Esc again. Nutshell displays a list of files in the
specified directory.

6. Press Esc, then type the filename and press return. To create
and open the new file in the directory you specified, press return
once more.

you'II notice a striking similarity between the directions for
opening an existing file and those for creating a new file. In
order to open a file, all you have to do is run Nutshell and type
the name of the file. The instructions that follow go into more
detail, and mention a shortcut for those who prefer to open files
directly from DOS. They also contain more about how to use Show
Files, the Nutshell menu option that lets you scan the contents of
your disks within Nutshell, in order to select a file from a list
rather than having to remember where n is stored and type the
filename.

If the file you are opening has links to look up files, the look up
files need to be available to Nutshell. When you try to open a file
that has links to look up files, Nutshell first looks for the look
up files in the current directory on the current drive. If a look
up file is not found, Nutshell then looks in the directory (and
drive) where the look up file was located when you last used the
file that you're in the process of opening. If Nutshell still can't
find the look up file, a message informs you that it can't be
found. You can either go ahead and open and use the file, not using
the link, tell Nutshell where to find the look up file by typing
the path name, or specify another filename.

To open an existing Nutshell file by typing the filename:

1. Run Nutshell according to the instructions in the earlier
chapter Installing Nutshell Plus 11 on Your System. The Nutshell
Plus 11 screen is displayed .

2. to open a file in the current directory on the disk in the
current drive, type the filename. If the extension is .db, you
don't need to type the extension.

To open a file on a disk in a different drive, precede the filename
with the drive specifies. For example, if you are running Nutshell
from a hard disk (drive C), and the file you want to open is on a
disk in drive A, type a: before the filename. Do not include a
space between the colon and the filename.

3. Press return. Nutshell opens the file and displays the Browse
screen.

Note: You can combine these three steps by typing the filename
directly from DOS. Type a space after nutplus, then type the
filename, then press return. Nutshell opens the file and displays
the Browse screen. (If the file is on a disk in a different drive,
precede the filename with the drive specifies. If you need more
information on specifying drives or files from DOS, consult your
DOS manual.)

To open an existing Nutshell file by selecting the filename from a
list:

1. Run Nutshell according to the instructions in the earlier
chapter installing Nutshell on Your system.

The Nutshell Pluss II screen is displayed.

2. Select Show Files. Nutshell displays the path and a list of
files with the extension .db in the current directory.

3. Select the file you want Tom the list. (For details on selecting
items from a list, see the section The Keyboard in the chapter
Nutshell Conventions.) Nutshell opens the file and displays the
Browse screen.

or

Follow the instructions below to display the files on another
drive, with a different extension, or in a different directory,
using the Drive, Extension, and Path menu options. You can then
select the file from the appropriate list.

If the file Is on another drive:

1. Select Drive and type the drive specifies, then press return.
Nutshell displays a list of files on the drive for the extension
and path shown on the screen.

If the file has a different extension:

1. Select Extension and type the extension, then press return.
Nutshell displays a list of files with the new extension.

 If the file is in a different directory:

1. Select Path. Type the new path and press return. Nutshell
displays a list of files in the specified directory.

or

Select Show Directories to select (instead of typing) the directory
names that compose the path. For instructions on selecting
directories in the path, see the previous section Creating a New
File. The steps are the same as for creating a new file in a
different directory

Closing a File and Exiting Nutshell

You close a tile, and you exit Nutshell, by first returning to the
nucleus of the Nutshell menu structure, the Browse screen. When you
close a file, Nutshell automatically closes all open linked files
and saves any changes you have made. To avoid damaging a file, make
sure you close your file before removing the disk on which the file
is stored, and always exit Nutshell and wait until you see the DOS
prompt before turning off your computer.

To close a file:

1. Press the Esc (Escape) key as many times as is necessary to
display the Browse screen.

2. From the Browse screen, press Esc once more, and at the
confirmation message, press return. The Nutshell Plus II screen is
displayed. You can open another file, or exit Nutshell.

To exit Nutshell:

1. Close the file if you haven't done so, according to the steps
above.

2. Press Esc. The DOS prompt is displayed. When you exit Nutshell,
you always return to the drive and directory from which you gave
the command to run Nutshell.

Making Backups

By automatically saving your changes to a file during lulls in your
work, Nutshell provides a measure of security for your data.
However, (to our regret), Nutshell can't prevent hardware failures,
power outages, faulty disks, or earthquakes. So you should always
take the precaution of backing up (making a spare Copy of) all
important files on a different disk.

Use the DOS COPY command, the DOS BACKUP command, or any of the
third party backup software to make frequent backups of your files.
If you need instructions, refer to your DOS or software backup
manual.

Deleting Files

When you no longer need a file, you can save disk space by deleting
it. If your file includes any links to look up files, the look up
files are not deleted when you delete the current file. If you
delete a look up file, then open a file that has a link to the
deleted look up file, Nutshell tells you that it can't find the
deleted file. You can then either proceed to open the file without
using the link, or specify another look up file. For information
about deleting links to look up files, see the section Changing or
Deleting Links to Look up Files in the chapter Designing Files

Use the DOS DEL command or ERASE command to delete files. If you
need instructions, refer to your DOS manual.

Introduction

Before you start creating Nutshell files, you need to decide how
you want to organize the information you want to keep in them. In
some cases you may want to keep your data in separate, unlinked
files, while in other cases you may want to keep it in groups of
linked files.

Before you start adding information to a new Nutshell file, you
define fields in order to tell Nutshell what kinds of information
the file will contain. By typing a field name and selecting a field
type (text, number, date, calculation, summary, or time), you
control the way information in each field can later be typed,
found, sorted, formatted, and used to compute new information.

In order to start displaying and using information from look up
files, you define links that tell Nutshell how to connect your
files together. You type the name of a look up file, then specify
a field pair (a match field in the look up file and a trigger field
in the base file) in order to tell Nutshell how to match records in
the look up file with records in the base file.

This chapter first discusses some general principles of organizing
your information. Next it gives details on defining fields,
including the characteristics of each field type, the validation
types you can assign, and how to change field definitions later.
Finally it describes how to define links between files, and how to
change and delete them.

Deciding How to Organize Your Information

You'II probably find as many different ways to organize your
information as you have different kinds of data to keep track of.
Deciding how to design your files, and deciding whether to keep
data in separate or in linked files, depends on the different ways
you will want to organize your information. You may want to keep
some kinds of information in separate files, and you may never want
to link other files to them. On the other hand, you may want to
organize your data by dividing it up and storing it in different
files, then link the files in order to share and use the
information in various ways. In either case, you should feel free
to experiment with different ways to store your data, since it's
easy to link and unlink files at any time.

Whether you're setting up separate files or groups of linked files,
you'II usually want to keep records belonging to one category or
subject together in their own file. In a doctor's office you might
keep patients' medical records in one file and billing records in
another file. In a bookstore you might keep bibliographic
information in one file and book orders in another file.

An address and phone directory, a file of personnel records, a file
of applications for employment, and a resume file are all examples
of collections of data that you would want to store in separate
files. But by linking these files together, you can display and
work with all the information that pertains to any one applicant or
employee, even though the information is kept in several different
files.

Linking files lets you cut back on unnecessary duplication of
information. For example, an orders file might have several orders
for the same customer. In a paper file the customer's name,
address, and phone number would need to be duplicated on each
order, but in Nutshell files, with orders in one file and customer
addresses in a linked file, Nutshell can look up the customer's
address as many times as it needs to, and can display and print the
address on each separate order, without actually duplicating the
data.

Organizing Information Using Look up Files

Any link between two files depends on there being a common category
of information in each file. For example, an employee file and a
payroll file might both contain social security numbers, and an
inventory file and a price list file might both contain part
numbers. It is the common information in two files that lets you
link them together.

A file that you define a link to is called a look up tile, because
Nutshell looks up information in a in order to display and print
it, use it in calculations, and so on. The file that links to the
look up file is called the base file, because you use it as your
base of operations. The base file can use any fields that are
stored in the look up file. When you're organizing your files,
you'II want to decide which of two files you want to use as your
base file and which as the look up file. For example, if you have
a customer file and a billing file, you'd probably set up the
billing file as the base file and link it to the customer file
because you'II want Nutshell to look up addresses from the customer
file in order to display and print them in the billing file.

Here are a few simple guidelines that you'II find helpful as you
plan to set up a group of linked files to hold related data. These
are not hard and fast rules; Nutshell lets you create your files,
define links between them, and add and change fields whenever you
want to. But you can save time and avoid unnecessary backtracking
if you plan and then set up your files using the following general
order of steps.

Decide what files you want to create, determining what kinds of
information you want to keep in each file, or decide what existing
files you want to link together.

For any two files you want to link together, determine what common
information the two files share. For example, to link personnel
records and payroll records, you might use social security numbers
as the common information that links the files, or to link medical
records with billing records, you might use last names and first
names as the common information. Nutshell will use the common
information in the two files to match any records in the look up
file that correspond to records in the base file. For each two
files you intend to link together, plan to include fields to
contain the common information.

Determine which file you want to use as the base file. The base
file is the file you'll use most often as the current file, and is
the file to which you'II link other look up files.

Once you're accomplished these three planning steps, you're ready
to create the files. You'II find it helpful to set up the look up
files first, then create the base file, since look up files may
contain fields that you want to display or that will be used in
calculations in the base file. By setting up look up files before
you set up the base file, you ensure that look up fields will be
available when the base file is ready to use them.

Finally, define the links from the base file to the look up files.

For detailed instructions on how to define a link between files,
see the section Defining Links Between Files later in this chapter.

Defining Fields

The first thing you do when you create a new Nutshell file is to
define the fields you want your file to contain. You do this by
typing a field name and selecting a field type.

The field name should indicate what the field will contain; it
allows you and Nutshell to keep track of the field. For example,
field names in a doctor's file of patients' records might be Name,
Address, Phone, Date of Visit, Complaint, Diagnosis, and
Prescription. You don't have to be utterly precise in assigning
field names Nutshell always lets you rename a field later. Also,
the field name needn't appear on forms or reports; Nutshell's
layout feature lets you control all the text that appears on
screens for typing data and on printed reports.

The field type determines how much information you can type in a
field, and how you can retrieve and organize that information. For
example, a text field can hold many lines, even pages, of text. You
can search for any word in the field, and sort text fields in
alphabetical or reverse alphabetical order. By contrast, a date or
time field can hold only one date or time respectively, which
allows you to search for chronological information and to sort data
either from oldest to most recent or the reverse. It is possible to
change the field type at any time. Consult the section on Changing
Filed Definitions for additional information .

A field definition can include one or more optional validation
types. Validation types tell Nutshell to check data you type in a
field against the criteria that you specify. For example, you can
specify a validation type of List in order to give Nutshell a list
of the only values that should be accepted in a field.

You can create as many fields as you need in a file. The only limit
to the number of fields is the amount of available disk space.

There are two important things to consider when you are defining
fields:

How much information should each field hold? For example, should
you define one field for Name, or two fields: one for First Name,
and one for Last Name?

What field type should you choose for the field?

Deciding whether you need one field or more than one for a given
piece of information should be based on how you want to view or
find that information later. For example, deciding whether to
create one field for Address, or four fields for Street, City,
State, and Zip Code, would depend on whether you want to sort your
file by an individual part of the address, such as by state or by
Zip code. In general, the more you divide your information into
separate fields, the more flexibility you will have in using it
later.

The sections that follow will help you decide which field type to
select for a given field. It's usually easy to decide what field
type is appropriate for most fields. For example, a name is
obviously text; a field that is to contain names would be defined
as a text field. On the other hand, a field to hold telephone
numbers could be defined as either a number or a text field. You'II
be able to determine which is best for your use by reading the
sections on each of these field types.

Nutshell automatically indexes values in each field according to
the field type you choose. By viewing the index, you can check for
errors, copy a value from the index into a record, and quickly see
how many unique values a field contains (because the index doesn't
show duplicate values). Notes on how Nutshell indexes information
for each field type are included in the sections that follow.

The basic steps for creating fields in a file are the same for all
field types. The steps are provided first to give you an overview
of the process. However, you should read the sections describing
each field type before you begin to create fields. (For details on
how to add fields to an existing file see the section Creating
Additional Fields later in this chapter.)

 To create a field:

1. From the Browse screen, select Define. Nutshell displays the
Define screen.

2. Type the field name, then press return. The field name can be
from 1 to 19 characters long, including spaces. If the field is to
be a number, date, or calculation field that will be used in a
calculation formula, make sure the name doesn't begin with a digit
or include any of the following symbols: +, -, *, /' ^, :, ,, or .,
(If it does, Nutshell will interpret these symbols as part of the
formula. See the section on Calculation Fields for more information
.)

Nutshell displays a menu of field types: Text, Number, Date,
Calculation, Summary, Time.option

3. Select the field type that matches the type of information the
field will contain. If you select Text, Number, or Date, Nutshell
displays the field type opposite the field name in the list of
defined fields. If you select

Defining Fields

Calculation or Summary, Nutshell asks you to enter the formula for
the calculation or summary; details are given in the sections on
each of these field types.

4. To continue creating fields, repeat steps 2 and 3.

5. Press Esc when you're finished creating fields. Nutshell
displays a menu that lets you create, modify, or delete fields, set
up validation criteria for the fields you're created, or create
links to other files. To use these options, refer to the sections
Changing or Deleting Field Definitions, Setting Criteria for
Checking the Accuracy of Information, Defining Links Between Files,
and Changing or Deleting Links Between Files later in this chapter.

6. Press Esc to return to the Browse screen.

After you've defined one or more fields, you can add data right
away by selecting Add from the Browse screen. See the chapter
Adding, Editing, and Deleting Information for details.

Text Fields

A text field can hold anything you can type. Initially Nutshell
allows one line for a text field, but you can use the layout to
change the size and shape of a text field to make it as large as
you want. If you make the field more than one line long, Nutshell
automatically wraps text to fit the lines, breaking each line
between words. If you prefer, you can start a new line at a
different place by pressing return. This flexibility lets you type
information in the arrangement you want, whether it is a block of
text, such as notes on a patient's medical history, or a columnar
list, such as a list of prescribed medications .

Nutshell automatically indexes each word you type in a text field.
A word is a group of characters bounded by a space or a return
character. Using Nutshell's Find option, you can quickly find
records containing any word; in fact, if you don't remember the
entire word (such as a long surname), you can type just the
beginning of it. This means that a text field is a good choice for
a number that is not needed in calculations (such as a phone number
or social security number), because it is easy to find all the
phone numbers in a particular area code, or all the social security
numbers beginning with certain digits.

You can sort text fields in alphabetical or reverse alphabetical
order according to the first 60 characters in the field. This means
that if you are storing names and you want to sort records by last
name, you should either create one Name field and type in the last
name first, or create two fields, Last Name and First Name.

Numbers in a text field are sorted alphabetically (as opposed to
numbers in a number field, which are sorted numerically). If the
numbers are all the same length, such as Zip codes, the
alphabetical order will be the same as the numerical order.
However, if the numbers are of differing lengths, you'II notice
that they are sorted as in a dictionary style index. So the order
would be 1,134,14.6, 200031, 27, and so on. If you need to sort
numbers of different lengths in numerical order, create a number
field rather than a text field.

Number Fields

Select Number as the field type if you want to:

Use the number stored in the field to perform calculations or
summaries .

Find ranges of numbers.

Sort records in numerical order (from smallest to largest or the
reverse).

Display and print the number with a dollar sign, with commas, or
with a specified number of digits to the right of the decimal
point.

Nutshell keeps an index of the number you type in a number field in
each record. For example, in an inventory file with a number field
named Cost of Item, the index contains the cost of each Hem in the
file.

Nutshell lets you type non numeric text (including symbols or
punctuation) in a number field, such as 39 yard. or #017 43 3876.
The number field can still be used in calculation and summary
formulas; Nutshell ignores the text in a number field when it
performs calculations and summaries.

A number field can contain one line of up to 100 digits. Only
numerals are indexed in a number field; text is not indexed. If you
need to type more than one line of text, or if you later need to
retrieve records by finding text in the field, you should select
Text rather than Number as the field type.

Date Fields

Select Date as the field type if you want to:

Use the date stored in the field to perform calculations using
dates.

Find ranges of dates.

Sort records in chronological order (from earliest to latest or the
reverse).

Summarize events occurring on each date.

Display and print the date in a different style, such as Apr. 27,
1990, or Wednesday, April 27,1990.

A date field can contain one date that you type as digs separated
by a non numeric character, in the order of month, day, year. For
example, you could type December 25, 1990 as 12/25/90 or as 12 25
1990.

You can type up to 10 characters in a date field. By using the
Format option on the layout, you can have Nutshell display and
print the date in a variety of styles, such as Apr. 27, 1990, or
Wednesday, April 27, 1990. See Formatting Fields in the chapter
Changing the Visual Presentation. However, if you need to include
text with the date, such as 9/1/90 or the next business day, you
should store the date in a text field rather than a date field.

Nutshell automatically indexes the date in each date field,
interpreting it chronologically. By contrast, in a text field a
date is interpreted as a group of characters that form a word (or
several words if you type the date in a long format). So if you
need to store, find, or sort only by the month or by the day of the
week, use a text or a number field instead of a date field.

Calculation Fields

Select Calculation as the field type in order to have Nutshell
automatically calculate the result of a formula you specify, using
number, date, time or calculation fields in a record. For example,
in an inventory file you could define number fields for Cost of
Item and Quantity, then have Nutshell multiply Cost of Item times
quantity to calculate the Cost of Inventory for each item. You
could define a date field for Date Ordered, then have Nutshell add
the number of days the vendor estimates for shipment to calculate
the Date Expected for a given item. You could define a time field
for Start Time, then have Nutshell add a second time field
representing number of hours and minutes to calculate a Stop Time.

You never need to type in a calculation field; Nutshell puts the
result of the calculation in each record for you. Nutshell
automatically calculates the formula for each record, using only
values stored within a given record.

Nutshell calculates the formula whenever you do one of the
following:

Change data, or type, in any field that is used in the calculation.
Whenever you change the value in a field that's used in a
calculation, Nutshell automatically recalculates the formula and
stores the new result in the calculation field.

Import data into any field (see the chapter Copying Information To
and From Other Files for information about importing data).

Modify the formula for the calculation.

In addition to fields in your current file, you can use look up
fields (number, date, time, and calculation fields from look up
files) in your calculation formula. For example, if a bookstore
keeps current prices in one file and orders in another file,
Nutshell can multiply the number of each book title ordered (in the
order file) by the current price (looked up from the prices file).
In this case, although some data used in the formula is located in
a look up file, the result of the calculation is stored in the base
file. If two or more records in the look up file match a record in
the base file, Nutshell uses just the data from the first matching
record in the look up file to perform the calculation. (For
information on defining links to look up files, see the section
Defining Links to Look up Files later in this chapter.)

Nutshell performs calculations that use look up fields whenever the
look up, or matching, process is triggered. The look up and
calculation process is triggered by any of the following:

Changing data, or typing, in any trigger field of the link Nutshell
uses to include the look up field in the calculation.

Changing data, or typing, in any field in the base file that is
used in the calculation.

Importing data into any field.

Modifying the formula for the calculation that uses the look up
field.

Nutshell stores in the base file the result of the calculation that
was last triggered. This means that you control when you want
Nutshell to recalculate a formula that uses look up fields. In
other words, when you change the value in a look up field that's
used in a calculation in the base file, Nutshell does not
automatically recalculate the formula. Nutshell changes data only
in the current file.

You specify the formula for a calculation field by using field
names, numbers, and arithmetic symbols to indicate addition (+),
subtraction (-) multiplication (*), division (/), and
exponentiation (^). You can also use parentheses to indicate the
priority of operations. If parentheses are not included, Nutshell
performs exponentiation first, and then multiplication and division
before addition and subtraction. To use a field name in a
calculation, you can type the name of the field, or you can select
the field from a list of defined fields.

Note: If you need to include a date as a constant in a calculation
formula, such as to subtract a date field from a particular
calendar date, use quotation marks around the constant. The
quotation marks tell Nutshell to interpret the slashes as
separators for the digits in a date, rather than as division
symbols. For example, type the formula 1'7/2/90" Date Ordered to
have Nutshell calculate the number of days between the date in the
Dati in the Date Ordered field and July 2,1990.

Note: If you need to Include a time as a constant in a calculation
formula, such as to subtract a time field from a particular time,
use square brackets around the constant. The brackets tell Nutshell
to interpret the colons as separators for the digits in a time,.
For example, type the formula [1:30A] - Start Time to have Nutshell
calculate the number of seconds between the time in the Start Time
field less 1 hour and thirty minutes .

once you have defined a calculation field, you can use it in the
formula of additional calculation fields. Continuing the example of
the inventory file, you could have Nutshell multiply Cost of Item
by a percentage for Overhead to derive the Price of an item, then
define another calculation field to add a percentage for Sales Tax
to Price in order to derive the Amount to be charged to a customer.

You can include as many constants (numbers, dates, times), number
fields, date fields, time fields and calculation fields as you need
in a calculation formula, up to a maximum formula length of 250
characters.

Note: Nutshell prevents circular calculations in which the value of
a calculation field depends on its own value, by not allowing a
calculation to refer to another calculation in the same file which
is defined later.

You can specify that a number result of a calculation formula be
rounded to between 0 and 7 digits to the right of the decimal
point. Nutshell stores the rounded result. For example, if you
specify that the result of a calculation be rounded to 2 decimal
places, and Nutshell calculates a result of 27.9581, the result
will be stored as 27.96. If the calculation field is used in
another calculation or summary formula, the rounded result is used
to perform the calculation. If you want all the significant digits
used in calculations and summaries, but want the number displayed
and printed with a fixed number of decimal digits, use the Format
option on the layout instead of the Round Result option in the
calculation formula. The Format option controls only what is
displayed and printed, not the data that is stored. See the section
Formatting Numbers in the chapter Changing the Visual Presentation.

To create a calculation field:

1. Select Define from the Browse screen. Nutshell displays the
Define screen .

2 . Select Create.

3. Type a name for the calculation field, then press return. If the
field will be used in a calculation formula, make sure the name
doesn't begin with a digit or include any of the following symbols:
+, -, *, /, :, (,), , which are reserved for specifying arithmetic
operations.

4. Select Calculation. Nutshell displays a line on which to type
the formula for the calculation.

5. Type the formula using field names of already defined number,
date, and calculation fields in the current file or in look up
files, numbers, date constants enclosed in quotation marks, and
arithmetic symbols: +, -, *, /, ^, If necessary, include
parentheses to tell Nutshell the order in which to perform the
operations.

To type the name of a look up field in the formula, type the full
name of the link, a colon, and the name of the look up field (for
example, Party.db: price, or Parts.db#2:price). For further
information on link names, see the section Defining Links to Look
up Files later in this chapter.

 Instead of typing field names from the current file or from a look
up file, you can select them by using the Select Field menu option.
When you select this option, Nutshell moves the cursor to the list
of defined fields. Select the number, date, or calculation field
you want, scrolling the list if necessary with the Pgup and PgDn
keys.

To select a look up field, choose the Look up option. Select the
link to the look up file you want to use, then select the look up
field from the displayed list. Later, if you need to select a field
from the base file, choose Return to Base File after choosing
Select Field.

If the formula is longer than 80 characters, Nutshell automatically
scrolls horizontally as you add to the formula. To scroll back to
the left, press (Cursor Left), Ctrl left, or Home. To scroll to the
right, press (Cursor Right), Ctrl right, or End.

If you want Nutshell to round the result of the calculation, select
Round Result from the menu. Nutshell asks you how many digits to
the right of the decimal point you want to round the result to.
Type the number of digits, then press return.

6. When the formula is as you want it, press return. Nutshell lists
the formula opposite the field name in the list of defined fields,
and moves the cursor to the end of the Field Name column, ready for
you to type a new name .

7. Continue defining fields, or press Esc to stop.

Summary Fields

Select Summary as the field type when you want Nutshell to
calculate the total, average, or count of values in a field for a
group of records. The total is the sum of all the values in a
specified number or calculation field; for a file detailing stock
purchases, a Total Investment summary field might reflect the sum
of the values in a Purchase Price field. The average is the
arithmetic mean of the values in a specified number or calculation
field, such as the Average Price per Share of stock purchased.
(Nutshell uses only fields that contain a value to derive
averages.) The count is the number of records that contain a value
in a specified text, number, date, or calculation field, such as
Count of Purchase Price to show the number of separate stock "buy"
orders.

Note: Only a calculation field with a number result can be total
led or averaged. For example, it would not make sense to total a
calculation field with the formula Ship Date + 30, which would
result in a date.

A summary field can reflect a total, average, or count of values
for all the records in your file, or for a group of records you
have found that match certain criteria. For example, by finding
records for stock purchases made within a range of dates, you could
view the Total Investment, Average Price per Share, and Count of
Purchase Price for the given period.

You can also view sub summary information for groups of sorted
records by placing the summary field in a particular area of the
layout (called a sub summary partition). For example, you might
want a subtotal of the Total Investment field by stock exchange, or
by broker.

If you take advantage of these capabilities of summary fields, they
can provide powerful analytical tools. For more information on
placement of summary fields on the layout, refer to the section on
Concepts of Partitioning a Layout in the chapter Adding Power to
Reports. For more on sorting records for sub summaries, refer to
the chapter Sorting Information.

Nutshell doesn't maintain an index for summary fields, because
summary fields are not associated with individual records but
rather with groups of records, and the value in a summary field
depends on how records are found and sorted and where the field is
placed on the layout.

As with calculation fields, you never type in a summary field
because Nutshell calculates the result for you. Remember that a
calculation field shows the result of a formula (which you specify)
for each record; a summary field shows the result of a formula
(total, average, or count) for a group of records you are browsing.

To create a summary field:

1. Select Define from the Browse screen. Nutshell displays the
Define screen .

2 . Select Create.

3. Type a name for the summary field, then press return.

4. Select Summary. Nutshell displays a menu of summary types.

5. Select the type of summary you want, then press ~. Nutshell
moves the cursor to the list of defined fields.

6. Select the field to be summarized. The field must already have
been defined. For a Total or Average, you can select a number field
or a calculation field that results in a number (not a date). For
a Count, you can select any field except another summary field.
Nutshell lists the summary formula opposite the field name in the
list of defined fields, and moves the cursor to the end of the
Field Name column, ready for you to type a new name.

7. Continue defining fields, or press Esc to stop.

Time Fields

Select Time as the field type if you want to:

Use the time stored in the field to perform calculations using
times.

Find ranges of times.

Sort records in chronological order (from earliest to latest or the
reverse) .

Summarize events occurring at specific times.

Display and print the time in a different style, such as 14:30:25,
or 2:30:25PM .

A time field can contain one time that you type as digits separated
by a colon (:) or any other non numeric character, in the order of
hours, minutes, and seconds For example, you could type 2:30:25PM
as 02: 30: 25P or as 14: 30: 25.

You can type up to 12 characters in a time field. By using the
Format option on the layout, you can have Nutshell display and
print the time in a variety of styles, such as 14:30:25,14:30,
2:30:25PM, or 2:30PM. See Formatting Fields in the chapter Changing
the Visual Presentation. However, if you need to include text with
the Time, such as 2:30PM except on weekends, you should store the
Time in a text field rather than a Time field. Time fields can
range from 0:00:00 to 23:59:59, therefore use a different field
type for values larger than this range.

Nutshell automatically indexes the time in each time field,
interpreting it chronologically. By contrast, in a text field a
time is interpreted as a group of characters that form a word .

Setting Criteria for Checking the Accuracy of Information

Defining a field type for each field affords you some protection
against typing incorrect data in your file. For example, Nutshell
alerts you if you try to type text in a Time field. However, you
can specify several additional constraints to help ensure that data
you type in fields is accurate. For any text, number, date or time
field in your list of defined fields, you can select the following
types of validation:

List To specify a list of values Nutshell should accept in the
field.

Range To specify a range of values Nutshell should accept in the
field.

Unique To prevent two records from having identical values in the
field. Must Enter To ensure that the field contains a value.

You can select more than one type of validation for a field. For
example, you can specify that the State field in an address on a
sales report be validated by both List and Must Enter criteria.
Nutshell will then check to make sure a value typed in the field
matches a value on a list of states in the sales region, and that
the field is not left empty.

When you are adding or modifying records, Nutshell lets you
override validation on a field by field basis. Later you can find
the records with field values that don't meet the validation
criteria. For example, you might decide to leave a Must Enter field
empty in order to add information to other fields in the record,
then go back and fill in the empty field when you have the missing
data.

You can change or remove validation criteria at any time. For
example, you can add items to a list, or change the range of valid
values. See Changing the Validation Criteria in the section
Changing or Deleting Field Definitions.

To specify validation criteria:

1. Select Define from the Browse screen. Nutshell displays the
Define screen with a list of the fields you have defined.

2. Select Validate. Nutshell displays a menu of validation types
and uses the right side of the screen to display the validation
type for the field the cursor is on in the list of defined fields.

3. Move the cursor to the text, number, or date field for which you
want to specify validation criteria.

4. Select the type of validation you want: List, Range, Unique, or
Must Enter. (The option None is used to remove previously specified
criteria) .

List If the validation type is List, Nutshell moves the cursor to
the right side of the screen where you can type each value that you
want Nutshell to accept in the field. For a text or number field,
each value can be from 1 to 60 characters long. For a date field,
each value can be from 6 to 10 characters long, depending on
whether you use two or four digits for the year. (Nutshell assumes
you mean twentieth century if the year is two digits.) For a time
field, each value can be from 2 to 12 depending on the time
specified.

Type an item in the list and press return. Repeat this step for as
many items as you need in the list. As you add items, Nutshell
arranges them in the order appropriate to the field type:
alphabetical order for text fields, numerical order for number
fields, and chronological order for date and time fields. This
makes it easy to locate an item later to modify it or to copy it
into a field.

When you've completed the list, press Esc. Nutshell displays a menu
for managing the list. If you want to modify the list, see Changing
the Validation Criteria in the section Changing or Deleting Field
Definitions.

When you're done working with the list, press Esc.

Note: You can scroll long Items horizontally as described in the
chapter Nutshell Conventions, refer to the paragraphs on Useful
Keys for Lists of Items in the section The Keyboard. Directions for
printing a list using Ctrl PrtSc are also provided.

Range

If the validation type is Range, Nutshell displays a menu that lets
you define the smallest value and the largest value that Nutshell
should accept in the field. The smallest value for a text field is
the first letter or word in alphabetical order that you want to
allow; for a number field it is the lowest number; for a date or
time field it is the first date or time in chronological order. The
largest value is, of course, the opposite. If you want Nutshell to
enforce only the upper or the lower limit of acceptable values, you
can specify just the value that applies (Smallest or Largest).

To specify the smallest value, select Smallest. Nutshell moves the
cursor to the right side of the screen. Type the value, then press
return.

To specify the largest value, select Largest. Nutshell moves the
cursor to the right side of the screen. Type the value, then press
return.

When you've finished specifying the range, press Esc.

Unique If the validation type is Unique or Must Enter, Nutshell
displays the type on the right side of the screen and moves the
cursor back to the list of Must Enter defined fields.

5. Continue specifying validation criteria according to the steps
above, or press Esc to stop.

Changing or Deleting Field Definitions

Inevitably, you'II think of new and better ways to store and manage
information as you work with Nutshell. Changing field definitions
is as easy as creating fields; all the options are available on the
Define screen. This section tells you how to:

Create new fields to add to the fields you've already defined.

Change field names.

Change field types.

∙ Change the formula for a calculation or summary field.

Change or remove the validation criteria that Nutshell uses to
check the accuracy of information in fields.

Delete a field.

You can make any of these changes directly after defining fields,
when the Define screen is still displayed, or you can select Define
from the Browse screen to display the list of field definitions in
the file.

Creating Additional Fields

You can create new fields in your file at any time.

To create new fields in an existing file:

1. Select Create from the Define screen. Nutshell moves the cursor
to the end of the list of already defined fields.

2. Create as many new fields as you need using the same procedure
as when you initially defined fields in the file: type the field
name and press return, then select the field type. For the
additional steps in creating calculation or summary fields, see the
earlier sections of this chapter, Calculation Fields and Summary
Fields.

3. When you've finished creating new fields, press Esc.

Changing or Deleting Field Definitions

You may want to change a field name to correct a typing or spelling
error, to differentiate it from other similar fields, or to make it
easier to remember what data the field is to contain. If the field
name appears on any layout, Nutshell changes the name on the layout
for you

If you change a field name that is used in a calculation or summary
formula, Nutshell automatically changes the field name in the
formula for you. If you change the name of a look up field,
however, the formula in the base file is not changed. Throughout
Nutshell, your actions affect only the current file. To ensure the
performance of the calculation, you should also change the name
that's used in the formula in the base file.

To change a field name at any time:

1. On the Define screen, move the cursor to the field whose name
you want to change.

2. Select Modify.

3. Select Name. 4. Edit the field name or type a new name, deleting
any remaining characters from the previous field name. Then press
return.

Changing a Field Type

As you work with your records, you may find that you want to change
a field type in order to use information in a different manner. For
example, if you created a date field, and discover that you want to
store text with the date, you can change the field type to Text.

If there's no data in the field, you can change the field type
without considering what happens to information that has already
been typed or calculated. However, if you have already put data in
the field, you need to consider whether data you want to keep is
compatible with the new field type. For example, if in a text field
you have text that includes a date, and you change the field type
from Text to Date, Nutshell will discard all the data in the field.
The data is not kept, because only one date can be stored in a date
field. (For a reminder of what each field type can hold, see the
previous section Defining Fields.)

Before you change a field type, consult the following table for
results of changing the type.

To change a field type:

1. On the Define screen, move the cursor to the field whose type
you want to change.

2. Select Modify.

3. Select Type. Nutshell displays the menu of field types.

4. Select the new field type from the menu, then press ~ to confirm
the change.

If you select Text, Number, or Date, Nutshell displays the new
field type opposite the field name. If you select Calculation or
Summary, enter the new formula; details are given in the sections
on each of the field types in the previous section, Defining
Fields.

Changing a Calculation Formula

You can change any aspect of a calculation formula at your
discretion: to correct mistakes, to accommodate new business
practices, to include new fields, to change the rounding, or to
calculate a different result. When you change the formula, Nutshell
automatically recalculates the calculation field for all of your
records. If you used the calculation field in any subsequent
calculation or summary formulas, Nutshell also recalculates those
fields.

To change a calculation formula:

1. On the Define screen, move the cursor to the calculation field
you want to change.

2. Select Modify.

3. Select Formula. Nutshell displays the formula you specified for
the field.

4. Edit the formula or type a new formula, using the Select Field
option if you want to select field names rather than type them into
the formula. Use Look up to select a field from a look up file.
(For instructions, refer to the earlier section Calculation
Fields.)

Note: All of the calculation field names In the formula must be
above the calculation field being modified in the list of defined
fields. This is to prevent circular references, in which the value
of a field depends on its own value.

If you want to change how many digits after the decimal point you
want Nutshell to round the result of the calculation to, select
Round Result from the menu. Type the new number of digits, then
press return. To remove a rounding specification you previously
assigned, select the Round Result option, then select No Rounding.

5. When the formula is as you want it, press return. Nutshell lists
the new formula in the Field Type column.

Changing a Summary Formula

At any time, you can change the formula for a summary field if you
want a different type of summary, or if you want to change the
field that is summarized. When you change the formula, Nutshell
automatically recalculates the summary field for all of your
records.

To change a summary formula:

1. On the Define screen, move the cursor to the summary field you
want to change.

2. Select Modify.

3. Select Formula. Nutshell displays the menu of summary types.
From this point, the process is identical to that for creating a
new summary field.

4. Select the type of summary you want. Nutshell moves the cursor
to the list of defined fields.

5. Select the field to be summarized. Nutshell displays the new
formula in the Field Type column.

Changing or Removing Validation Criteria

At any time you can change validation criteria that you specify for
fields in the following ways:

Change a list or remove List validation.

Change a range or remove Range validation.

Remove Unique or Must Enter validation types.

Defer use of a list or a range by turning List or Range validation
off.

Remove in one step all validation types specified for a field.

To make any change to validation criteria:

1. Select Validate from the Define screen. Nutshell displays the
menu of validation types.

2 . Move the cursor to the field for which you want to change the
validation criteria. Nutshell displays the types of validation that
are specified.

3. Follow one or more of the steps below:

Changing or Removing List Validation

You can add new items to a validation list, Ed values that are
already specified, or remove one or all items from the list.

To add new items:

1. Select List from the menu of validation types.

2. Select Add. Nutshell moves the cursor to the end of the list.

3. Type the new value, then press ~. Repeat this step for as many
new items as you need.

4. When you're finished, press Esc. You can make other changes to
the list, or press Esc again to stop.

To edit items in a list:

1. Select List.

2. Move the cursor to the item you want to change, then select
Modify.

3. Make the necessary changes, then press J.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for as many items as you need to modify.
Press Esc when you're done.

To remove items from a list or remove the whole list:

1. Select List.

2. To remove one item:

Move the cursor to the item you want to remove.

Select Remove.

Select One Item, then press return to confirm the removal. Continue
removing items, or press Esc to stop.

or

To remove the entire list:

Select Remove.

Select ALL Items, then press return. Press return once more to
confirm the removal of the whole list. Then press Esc.

Changing or Removing Range Validation

You can change or remove either the smallest or largest value in a
range or both. To remove range validation, remove any specified
values. For example, if the range has only a largest value, the
range validation will be removed when you remove the largest value.

To change or remove a value:

1. Select Range from the menu of validation types.

2. Select Smallest or Largest, depending on the value you want to
change. Nutshell moves the cursor to the value.

3. Edit the value or type a new value, then press return.

or

Permanently remove the value by deleting all its characters, then
pressing return.

4. Continue making changes to the range by repeating steps 2 and 3,
or press Esc to stop.

Nutshell Plus 11 will support the use of accented characters from
the extended ASCII character set in list validation and range
checking as though the accented character did not have an accent
mark, in the case of the German umlaut characters they will be
treated as a two character pair in which the second character is
the letter 'e'.

Removing Unique or Must Enter Validation The Unique and Must Enter
menu options both work like On/Off switches; you turn them on and
off (specify and remove them) by selecting them. For example, if
you have specified a validation type of Unique for a field, and
want to remove it, just select Unique from the menu. If you want to
respecify Unique validation for the same field later, just select
it from the menu again.

To remove the validation types Unique or Must Enter:

1. Select from the menu the validation type you want to remove.

2. Continue working with validation for any of the defined fields,
or press Esc to stop.

Turning Off List or Range Validation

After you specify validation criteria, Nutshell checks existing
records in your file against the criteria, and also checks when you
add or modify records. This may not always be convenient. For
example, when you are copying records from another file
(importing), you may not want Nutshell to take the time to check
each record against a list of valid values that you have specified
for one or more fields. You can search for the invalid values later
using the Find option.

Instead of permanently removing the list or range as described in
the previous sections, you can control when Nutshell checks your
records against the list or range criteria you have specified. Turn
off the list or range validation when you don't want it used, and
turn it back on again when you want Nutshell to check records and
notify you of those with values that don't match the list or range.
When you turn off list or range validation, your criteria still
exist, they're just not used.

To turn off list validation:

1. Select List.

2. Select List Off. Nutshell removes List from the validation
type(s) displayed for the field.

3. Continue working with validation for any of the defined fields,
or press Esc to stop.

To turn list validation on again when you want it used:

1. Select List. Nutshell displays the list, and restores List to
the validation type(s) displayed for the field.

2. Use the menu to make changes to the list, or press Esc to
continue with other work.

To turn off range validation:

1. Select Range.

2. Select Range Off. Nutshell removes Range from the validation
type(s) displayed for the field.

3. Continue working with validation Tom any of the defined fields,
or press Esc to stop.

To turn range validation on again when you want It used:

1. Select Range. Nutshell displays the range, and restores Range to
the validation type(s) displayed for the field.

2. Use the menu to make changes to the range, or press Esc to
continue with other work.

Removing All Validation Types at Once

You can remove all the validation types for a field at once. If
list or range validation is in effect, the list or range validation
is turned off, and you can turn it on again as described in the
preceding section.

To remove all the validation types that you have specified for a
field:

1. Select None from the menu of validation types. If either List or
Range was specified, it is turned off.

2 . Specify other validation for the field, or press Esc to stop.

Deleting a Field

You can delete a field if you no longer need the data it contains
and have no further need for the field. After you confirm the
Delete option. Nutshell permanently deletes all the data in the
field. along with the field definition. Be sure you don't need the
data in the field before using this option.

To delete a fiend that is used in a calculation or summary formula,
you must first delete the calculation or summary field, or modify
the formula so it does not use the field you want to delete. To
modify the formula, follow the instructions in the sections
Changing a Calculation Formula or Changing a Summary Formula.

To delete a field that is used as a trigger field in a link, you
must first modify or delete the link so the field isn't used. For
instructions see the section Changing or Deleting Links Between
Files.

To delete a field and all the data It contains:

1. On the Define screen, move the cursor to the field you want to
delete.

2. Select Delete. Nutshell asks you to confirm that you want to
delete the field. Make sure the field marked by the cursor is the
one you want to delete. Press return to confirm the deletion.

3. To permanently delete the field and its data, press return once
more.

Defining Links Between Files

You create a link to another file by:

Specifying the filename of the look up file (the file you want to
link the current file to).

Selecting the field in the look up file that contains information
which is also contained in your current file. This field is called
the match field.

Selecting the corresponding field in the current file that will
trigger the look up, or matching, process. This field is called the
trigger field and the two corresponding fields are called a field
pair.

When Nutshell triggers the look up process, all matching records in
the look up file are found, but only the first matching record is
used for display on layouts, in calculations, for sorting, and for
sub summarizing. When you use the Zoom option, you will be able to
see all matching records.

You can create as many links as you need between files.

In order to define two fields in different files as a field pair,
both fields should contain similar data. For example, a file
containing real estate listings and a file containing property
appraisals can be linked by fields that contain addresses. Another
file containing a directory of sellers' addresses and phone numbers
can be linked to the listings file by fields containing the
sellers' names.

There are three important things to consider when you are defining
links:

Which file do you want to use as the look up file and which as the
base ont?

What information in the look up file corresponds to information in
the base file? That is, what fields in both files contain matching
data?

How many field pairs do you need?

Deciding which file you want to use as the base file and which as
the look up file depends on how you want to use the data stored in
each one. When you're using linked files, data is always looked up
in the look up file in order to be used in the base file. So, for
example, when Nutshell looks up an address in a file containing
customer information to display with records in a billing file, the
billing file should be the base file and the customer file should
be the look up file, because Nutshell looks up the address in order
to display it in the billing file. When Nutshell performs a
calculation in a payroll file using data in a personnel and an
hours worked file, the payroll file should be the base file and the
personnel and hours worked files should be look up files, because
Nutshell looks up the data it needs, calculates the result, and
stores it in the payroll file.

Deciding which two fields to specify as a field pair depends on the
information in both fields being the same. If an employee file and
a payroll file each have fields containing social security numbers,
then you can link the two files together by defining the social
security number field in the employee file and the social security
number field in the payroll file as a field pair. For each record
in the payroll file Nutshell looks up and finds the record in the
employee file that contains the social security number that
corresponds to the one in the payroll file.

Deciding whether you need more than one field pair to link two
files depends on how specifically you want Nutshell to match your
data. For example, if you want to link two files using people's
names as the common information between the files, and each file
uses two fields for names (First Name and Last Name), you should
define two field pairs in the link definition: one to match last
names and one to match first names. When Nutshell looks up the
corresponding records, it will find only those records whose last
names and first names match. So even though you have several
records with Smith in the Last Name field, Nutshell matches Mary
Smith to Mary Smith and John Smith to John Smith, because oh field
pairs together must contain the same data in order for records to
match.

For more information about multiple field pairs, see the section
Adding a Field Pair later in this chapter.

To define a link between two files:

1. From the Browse screen, select Define. Nutshell displays the
Define screen .

2. Select Link Files. Nutshell displays the Link Files screen.

3. Type the name of the look up file you want to link to the
current file, then press return.

or

Use Show Files to select the look up file.

Nutshell displays a list of all the defined fields in the look up
file.

 4. Select a match field from the list. Nutshell adds the name of
the field you've selected to the Match Field column, and displays
a list of all the defined yields in your current file.

5. Select a trigger held from the list. Nutshell adds the name of
the field to the Trigger Field column.

6. Continue creating links, or press Esc to stop. 7. Press Esc once
more to return to the Define screen.

Changing or Deleting Links Between Files

Just as you can change field definitions whenever you want to, you
can change link definitions at any time, too. Changing link
definitions is as easy as creating them. All the options are
available on the Link Files screen. This section tells you how to:

Create links to additional files.

Create additional links to the same file.

Change the filename of a look up file.

Add, change, or delete field pairs.

Delete links.

Defining Links to Additional Files

As you create new Nutshell files, you may want to define links to
them from files you already have. You can add new links to your
list of link definitions at any time.

To define a link to another look up file:

1. Select Link Files from the Define screen.

2. Select Create. Nutshell displays the cursor at the end of the
list of already defined links.

3. Create as many new links as you need, using the same procedure
as when you initially defined links: type the filename and press ~,
then select a match field from the look up file and a trigger field
from the base file. See the earlier section Defining Links Between
Files for more details.

4. When you've finished adding new links, press Esc to return to
the Define screen.

Defining Additional Links to the Same File

There may be times when, for any record in a base file, you'II want
to use data from several different records in a look up file. For
example, for each invoice in an orders file you might want to look
up from an inventory file the prices of several different inventory
items. Or you might want to look up both a vendor's address and a
customer's address from your Rolodex file for inclusion in the same
record of a base file. In both of these cases you would create an
additional link to the same look up file, one link for each look up
you want to use with each single record of the base file. If, in
any of the additional links, two or more look up file records match
a record in the base file, just the data from the first matching
record is used for each link.

Continuing with the orders file example, since there may be several
lines on the invoice layout listing separate inventory items, you
would include fields on the layout using the first link for the
first line item, the second link for the second line item, and so
on. Also, a calculation of the extension for the first line item
would refer to the Price of the item, using the first link, times
the Quantity field for the first line item, the extension for the
second line item would use the second link to look up the Price,
and multiply that by the Quantity field for the second line item,
and so on.

When you create more than one link between the same two files, both
you and Nutshell need to be able to distinguish among them. So, for
each additional link to the same file you need to add a unique
number to the end of the name of the look up file. The filename of
the look up file together with the unique number added to it
comprise the full link name that you will use whenever you need to
specify which link to the same file you want to use. You will use
this full link name when you define calculations that depend on
data in look up files, when you are including look up fields on a
layout, when you use the Zoom option, and so on.

To continue the example above, you should define a series of links
between the inventory file and the orders file as follows:

To add a new link to the same look up file:

1. From the Define screen, select Link Files.

2. Select Create. Nutshell displays the cursor at the end of the
list of already defined links.

3. Create as many new links as you need, using the same procedure
as when you initially defined links. See the earlier section
Defining Links Between Files for details.

When you type the filename, Nutshell asks you to type a number to
distinguish the new link from any others to the same look up file.
Type a number, then press ~.

or

When you type the filename, type # followed by a unique number at
the end of the look up filename, then press ~.

4. Select a match field from the look up file and a trigger field
from the base file.

5. When you've finished adding new links, press Esc.

Adding a Field Pair

You will sometimes find that a link you've set up using just one
field pair (such as Last Name = Last Name) no longer produces a
unique one record to one record match. This could happen, for
example, if there were more than one Smith contained in the match
tied of a look up file. In such a case, Nutshell would match all
the records with Smith in the match field, but would use only the
first found record to display look up fields in layouts or to use
in calculations or sorting.

By adding more field pairs to the link definition, you can specify
more precisely what conditions must be fulfilled in order for
Nutshell to match records in a look up file. Continuing the
example, if you add a second field pair (such as First Name = First
Name) to the first field pair, Nutshell will match records in the
look up file only if ~h the first field pair and the second field
pair together match in the same record. So Nutshell will match the
record Mary Smith in the base file only to the record Mary Smith
but not to the record John Smith in the look up file, because both
last name and first name must be the same in order for the records
to match.

You can add up to 10 field pairs to any link definition.

To add a field pair to an existing link:

1. Select Link Files from the Define screen.

2 . Move the cursor to the link to which you want to add a field
pair.

3. Select Add Field Pair. Nutshell displays a list of defined
fields in the look up file. Add the field pair, using the same
procedure as when you initially defined the link: select a match
field, then a trigger field (see the earlier section Defining Links
Between Files).

Changing an Existing Link

As you find more ways to use the capabilities offered by linking
files, you may want to make changes to existing links. For example,
if you change the name of a look up file (in DOS), move a look up
file to another directory, or replace one look up file with
another, you'II want to change the link definition. You can change
any link definition by changing:

The look up file.

The match field in any field pair.

The trigger field in any field pair.

To change a link definition:

1. Select Link Files from the Define screen.

2. Move the cursor to the link you want to change.

3. Select Modify from the Link Files screen.

4. Change the look up file either by typing the name of a new look
up file or by using Show Files. Nutshell then displays a list of
the defined fields in the new look up file. Select a match field,
then a trigger field, following the steps described in the earlier
section Defining Links Between Files.

or

Press return

to keep the currently defined look up file. Nutshell displays a
list of the defined fields in the look up file, with the cursor at
the currently defined match field.

5. Select the new match field from the list.

or

Press return to keep the currently defined match field.

Nutshell displays the list of defined fields in the base file, with
the cursor at the currently defined trigger field.

6. Select the new trigger field from the list.

or

Press return to keep the currently defined trigger field.

7. When you are done, press Esc to return to the Define screen.

To change a field In a field pair:

1. Select Link Files from the Define screen.

2. Move the cursor to the field pair you want to change.

3. Select Modify from the Link Files screen. Nutshell displays the
list of defined fields in the look up file, with the cursor at the
currently defined match field.

4. Change or keep the currently defined match field, then change or
keep the currently defined trigger field, toll owing the steps for
changing a link definition described above.

5. When you are done, press Esc to return to the Define screen.

Deleting a Field Pair or a Link

When you no longer need to use information in a look up file, or
when you delete a look up file you no longer need, you can delete
the link in the base file as well. You can delete a field pair or
a link at any time.

If a field in the look up file is used in a calculation formula in
the base file, you must first delete the look up field or modify
the formula so it doesn't use the look up field. To modify the
formula, follow the instructions in the sections Changing a
Calculation Formula or Changing a Summary Formula.

If you have defined two or more field pairs in a link, you can
delete any of the field pairs listed, including the first one. In
order to delete the link, you must delete all the field pairs
first. When you delete one of several field pairs, Nutshell removes
the deleted field pair from the list.

Look up fields that are displayed on any layouts in the base file
are erased when you delete the link. Look up fields used in sort
orders in the base file are erased, and sub summary partitions that
depend on look up fields (but not the data in the partition) are
erased when you delete the link. They are not erased, however, if
you delete just a field pair but not the link.

 To delete a field pair or a link:

1. Select Link Files from the Define screen.

2. Move the cursor to the link you want to delete.

3. Select Delete.

4. Press return once to confirm a field pair deletion, press return
twice to confirm a link deletion.

5. To continue deleting links, repeat steps 2,3, and 4.

Introduction

Before you can take advantage of Nutshell's flexibility in
organizing information, you need to get your data into a Nutshell
file. As soon as you've defined fields, you can add information to
your file either by typing data in fields or by copying data from
another file (importing).

Nutshell provides several shortcuts for getting information into
new records. For example, you can tell Nutshell to duplicate
information that remains the same from one record to the next
instead of retyping it, and you can preset field values that will
remain the same for a group of records to be added. You can edit
information as you work on each record, or go back later to modify
or delete information as needed.

If your current file has links to a look up file, you can add look
up fields to your layouts in order to display data from the look up
files. Data from look up files is displayed, but not stored, in the
current file; it is stored in its own file. To display, add, or
modify records in a look up file, you can use the Zoom option, then
work with the look up file in any way you want. For example, if
you're entering an order in the orders file for a customer whose
name is not found in the linked customer file, you can zoom to the
customer file, add the name, address, phone number, and whatever
else you want, then return to the order file to complete the order.

In your current file when you type data in a trigger field,
Nutshell performs the look up process. That is, it looks up and
finds all records in look up files that contain data in match
fields that corresponds to the data in the trigger field. In
addition, Nutshell uses data from the first of the matching records
in the look up file to do the following:

If you have look up fields on the layout, data from the first
matching record is displayed in them.

If you have calculations that depend on data in the look up file,
data from the first matching record is used to perform the
calculation.

This chapter describes how to add and modify records in both your
current and look up files by typing data in fields and by copying
information from elsewhere in the same file, how to preset values
for Nutshell to add automatically to the next new records, how to
remove records you no longer need, and how to zoom to look up files
in order to add, edit, and delete information in them. For
instructions on importing data from another file, refer to the
chapter Copying Information To and From Other Files.

Adding New Records

Use the Add option to type information into your current file. When
you select Add, Nutshell displays the Add screen with an empty
record, using lines of small dots to represent empty fields. If the
layout you're using includes lookup fields, Nutshell displays them
as well, using lines of big dots to distinguish look up fields from
fields in the current file.

You can type data in as many text, number, or date fields in the
current file as you want, one new record at a time. You can edit
information as you type, or correct records later using the Modify
option. (For instructions on keys to use for editing, refer to the
section The Keyboard in the chapter Nutshell Conventions.) When you
finish typing data in each new record, Nutshell adds the record to
the end of the file.

You do not type data in calculation, summary, or look up fields.
Nutshell calculates or looks up and displays data for these fields
automatically. Use the Zoom option to type data in look up files
(see the section Displaying, Adding, and Editing Information in
Look up Files later in this chapter). For information on including
look up fields on a layout, see Adding Fields to a Layout in the
chapter Changing the Visual Presentation.

While you're adding records, you can view the index of all of the
values contained in each text, number, date, or calculation field
in all records, both in the current file and in look up files.
(There's no index for summary fields because they do not contain
individual values stored in separate records.) To save you typing
and to help ensure the accuracy of your data, Nutshell lets you
copy values from the index into text, number, or date fields in the
current file. You can also display the types of validation you have
specified for the field. Or you can copy values from a list of
valid values if you have specified list validation. You can also
copy data from another record in the current file. When you need to
add several records with the same value in a field, you can tell
Nutshell to automatically fill in the values that remain the same
for each new record.

The basic steps for adding records are given below, followed by a
summary of keys to use on the Add screen. The next sections explain
what you can type in each field in the current file, and how to use
the index, copy data from another record, preset field values, or
copy a value from a validation list. If you give these sections a
quick review before you begin to add records, you'II be able to
choose the most efficient way to get data into your current file.
For information about typing information in look up files, see the
section Displaying, Adding, and Editing Information in Look up
Files.

To add records to the current file by typing data In fields:

1. From the Browse screen, select Add. Nutshell displays the Add
screen with an empty record. Any hookup fields are also displayed.
The cursor is in the first field of the current file.

Note: You will not be able to select Add If a field for which you
have specified Must Enter validation is not on the current layout.
Because a value is required in such a fiend, it must be on the
layout you use for data entry. To change the current layout, select
Layout, then press Pgup or PgDn. To change the validation criteria,
follow the instructions in the section Changing the Validation
Criteria in the chapter Designing Files.

2. Type data in text, number, and date fields in the current file.
If you type in a trigger field and there are look up fields on the
layout, Nutshell displays data from the first matching record in
the look up file.

3. To continue adding records, press F10 or PgDn or the + (plus)
key in the numeric keypad. Nutshell adds the record to the end of
the file and displays a new empty record.

4. To stop adding records, press Esq. Nutshell adds the record and
displays it on the Browse screen.

Typing in Fields

If you need to type more data than will fit in a field, use
Nutshell's Layout option to make the field larger. See Changing the
Size of a Field in the chapter Changing the Visual Presentation.

Whenever you type in a field that is used as a trigger field in a
link, Nutshell performs the look up, or matching, process:

Nutshell automatically creates a find pattern in the look up file
using as criteria values that are contained in any trigger fields
in the current record of the base file. It then finds any records
in the look up file that contain values in match fields that
correspond to the values in the trigger fields.

If look up fields are included on the layout in the base file,
Nutshell automatically displays the data from the look up file. If
Nutshell finds more than one record in the look up file that match
the record in the base file, it displays data from just the first
found record.

Nutshell automatically performs any calculations that use look up
fields in the formula and displays the result in the base file. If
Nutshell finds more than one record in the look up file that match
the record in the base file, it uses values contained in just the
first found record.

You don't type in calculation, summary, or look up fields. Nutshell
automatically calculates the results for calculation and summary
fields, looks up data in look up files, and displays the calculated
results and the looked up data in each record.

? ? ? ? ? ? Occasionally, Nutshell fills a number, calculation, or
summary field with question marks. This usually means that the
field is not long enough to display the number accurately. To
display the number, make the field longer on the layout. Question
marks may also appear in a calculation field if the values used in
the formula result in division by zero, and they may appear in a
summary field if you have can celled summarization by pressing Esc
while Nutshell is calculating the summary value.

Note: In calculation fields, Nutshell performs the calculation even
if there is data in only one of the fields in the formula. If all
number fields used in a formula are empty, or if a date or time
field used in a formula is empty, the result will be empty as well.
If a number flew used in the formula is empty, Nutshell uses zero
for the field value when it calculates the result. For example, if
the formula for Total Due is Price + Sales Tax, and Sales Tax is
empty, you can still see a result in the Total flew (which in this
instance is Price + O). This saves you from having to type O in the
Sales Tax field when no tax is charged.

Text Fields

When you type in a text field, Nutshell word wraps text to match
the shape of the field on the layout, breaking lines between words.
To end a line in a different place, press return; Nutshell inserts
a return character

to show that the line will always break at that point unless you
delete the return character.

You can specify whether you want your text left justified, right
justified, or centered by using the Format option on the layout.
Formatting does not affect the way your data is stored or displayed
when you're adding or modifying records; it affects only how it is
displayed on the Browse screen and how it is printed. For
instructions on how to format text fields, see the section
Formatting Fields in the chapter Changing the Visual Presentation.

Number Fields

In addition to numbers, you can type non numeric characters in a
number field, such as a unit of measure.

By using the Format option on the layout you can have Nutshell
justify numbers at the left, right, or center of the field, round
the number portion of the field to a specified number of decimal
digits for display and printing, add commas to separate thousands,
and add a currency sign to number fields containing financial data.
The formatting is applied when you browse and print records. For
instructions on how to format number fields, see the section
Formatting Fields in the chapter Changing the Visual Presentation

Note: Nutshell displays and prints just the number In a formatted
field. If you type text in a number field and want the text
displayed and printed, leave the field unformatted.

Date Fields

In a date field, type the date in the order month, day, year, using
digits separated by a non numeric character such as a space, slash,
or hyphen. You can type the year using two or four digits; if you
use two, Nutshell assumes the twentieth century. For example, 12-
9-90 is interpreted as December 9, 1990.

You can have Nutshell display and print the date in a variety of
styles by using the Format option on the layout. For example, you
can have Nutshell display 4/25/1990 as Monday, April 25,1990.

Time Fields

In a time field, type the hours, minutes, seconds, using digits
separated by a non numeric character such as colon. You can enter
just the hours and minutes omitting the seconds. For example 1
:30:25A is one hour thirty minutes twenty five seconds while 1 :OVA
is one hour zero minutes zero seconds. You can enter time using
twenty four hour (military) format or 12hour format, however using
either format, times which are ambiguous (less than 13:00) require
the additional entry of an AM (or A ) or PM (or P) to resolve the
exact time value.

You can have Nutshell display and print the time in a variety of
styles by using the Format option on the layout.

For instructions on how to format date and time fields, see the
section Formatting Fields in the chapter Changing the Visual
Presentation.

Using the Index

Nutshell automatically maintains an index of all the values you
type in each field. The index for a text field is an alphabetical
list of words. The index for a number field is a list of numbers
from smallest to largest. The index for a date or time field is a
chronological list . When you're adding records, you can use the
index to see the name of the field and what you typed in the field
in other records, in order to look for a particular value, to check
for errors such as misspellings, or to copy a value into the
current field. When you copy a value from the index into a field,
you can either insert the value or replace a value that's already
there.

You can also view the index for calculation fields and look up
fields, even though you don't type in these fields. Use the cursor
keys instead of the (Tab) and (Shift Tab) keys to position the
cursor in a calculation or look up field.

To use the Index:

1. Move the cursor to the field for which you want to see the
index.

2. Select Show Index. Nutshell displays the field name with a list
of all the values in the field in other records.

3. To copy a value from the index for a text, number, or date field
in the current file into the current field, select the value. If
insert mode is on (the cursor is a block) Nutshell insets the value
in the field at the cursor position. If replace mode is on (the
cursor is an underscore), Nutshell overwrites the value in the
field with the value from the index; if necessary, delete any extra
characters remaining from the previous value.

4. When you are done using the index, press Esc.

Copying Information from Another Record

Nutshell's Ditto option lets you copy The entire contents from a
field in another record into the field that contains the cursor, in
contrast to the Show Index option which lets you copy one word.
number. or date at a time from the index into the current field.
Ditto saves time and helps ensure accuracy when you're adding
information that you've already typed in another record, such as a
company name and address, a department name or a part description.
(If you are adding many new records which have identical field
contents in one or more fields, it's faster to use the Preset
option than the Ditto option; see the next section, Specifying
Preset Field Values.)

You can copy information from any record in the current file by
first displaying on the Browse screen the record you want to copy
from, then selecting Add. To look through records on the Browse
screen, use the Pgup and PgDn keys. (See the chapter Finding
Information for instructions on tin ding a specific record.)

When you're already adding records, Ditto copies field contents
from the last record you added.

In addition to the Ditto option, you can use Nutshell's predefined
Copy and Paste macros to copy information into fields. For more
information about macros, see the section Using Copy, Paste, Date,
and Time in the chapter Automating Tasks Using Macros.

To copy field contents from another record:

1. On the Add screen, move the cursor to the field you want to copy
information into.

2. Select Ditto. Nutshell copies the field contents from the same
field in the last record you added or browsed.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for as many fields as you need to copy.

Note: Using a Macro: Alternately, you can record a macro that
repeats steps 1 and 2 for each one of several fields which you wish
to ditto

Checking for Validity of Information

As you add records, Nutshell checks the data in each text, number,
and date field against any validation criteria you have specified
on the Define screen. You can view the validation criteria for any
field, and if a validation type of List has been specified, you can
copy a value from the list into the field instead of typing it.

If what you type in a field doesn't match the validation criteria,
Nutshell marks the field with a solid bright background and
prevents you from moving the cursor out of the field or adding the
record until you correct the data or override the criteria.

 If you override the validation criteria, you can later find the
records that contain invalid values in order to modify or delete
them. (See the section Ways to Find Records in the chapter Finding
Information.) If the validation criteria themselves are obsolete or
incorrect, you can change or remove them. (See the section Changing
the Validation Criteria in the chapter Designing Files.)

To view validation criteria that have been specified for a field:

1. Move the cursor to the field.

2. Select Validation. Nutshell displays the field name and the
types of validation that have been specified.

3. To return to adding data, press Esc.

4. Move the cursor to the next field or record, using the

(Tab) or PgDn keys as usual.

To copy a value from a valldatlon list Into a field:

1. Display the validation criteria as described above. Nutshell
moves the cursor to the first value in the list.

2. Select the value you want to copy. Nutshell copies the value
into the field, replacing any existing value.

To Override the validation criteria:

1. Select Override. (The Override menu option appears only when you
try either to move the cursor out of a field containing an invalid
value or to add a record without typing a value in a field for
which Must Enter validation has been specified.) Nutshell overrides
the criteria and you can either move the cursor to the next field
or add the record.

2. Move the cursor to the next field or record, using the (Tab) or
PgDn keys as usual.

Specifying Preset Field Values

When you're adding several records that contain identical field
values, you can eliminate redundant typing by using Nutshell's
Preset option. Preset lets you type once the field values that will
be the same from record to record. Nutshell automatically copies
those values into each new record for you. For example, if you're
adding a group of records that all contain the same Zip code, you
can use Preset to type the Zip code once. Nutshell will copy it
into the Zip code field in each record you add.

You can change or remove preset values at any time by using the
Preset option. Using the Zip code example, if the next group of
records you will add contains a different Zip code, simply change
the Zip code on the Preset screen. Nutshell will now copy the new
Zip code into the field as you add records. Using the Delete key,
you can remove values in fields on the Preset screen.

After Nutshell copies preset values into a new record, you can edit
the values in the same way you would edit a value you typed
yourself.

Note: Preset values are copied only into new records, including the
record currently displayed on the Add screen. Fields in existing
records are not affected.

To specify preset field values:

1. From the Add screen, select Preset. Nutshell displays the Preset
screen, which looks like an empty record.

2. Type the data you want copied into text, number, date or time
fields in each new record, or edit values that were previously
specified. (The values must conform to any validation criteria you
have specified.) Use the Show Index, Ditto, and Validation options
the same way as for adding records, as explained earlier in this
chapter. Use the Undo option to cancel changes you make to
previously specified preset values. Use the Clear option to remove
all preset values

To remove a value from a field on the Preset screen, position the
cursor in the field whose value you want to remove, then press Ctrl
Delete.

3. When you are done specifying the values, press Esc to return to
the Add screen. Nutshell copies the preset values into the current
record, and into each new record that you add by pressing PgDn,
F10, or the + (plus) key in the numeric keypad.

Changing the Information in a Record

You can change records at any time in order to update information,
correct misspellings, make invalid values comply why validation
criteria, and so on. You can change the values in text, number, and
date fields; Nutshell recalculates the values for calculation and
summary fields in the current file automatically.

If the file you're working with is linked to other files and you
change a value in a trigger field, Nutshell ret riggers the look up
process; that is, H looks for records that contain values in the
match field that correspond to the new value you've typed in the
trigger field. If the current layout includes look up fields or
calculation fields that depend on look up fields, values in those
fields may also change as a result of any change you make in a
trigger field.

You can either display the record you want to modify on the Browse
screen, then select the Modify option, or select Modify first, then
display the record to be modified. Use the keys listed below to
display records.

You can also use the Find option to locate a particular record or
group of records you want to modify. For example, you could find
all the records that contain a customer name you need to correct,
or employee records missing a social security number for which you
specified Must Enter validation. For instructions on finding
records, refer to the chapter Finding Information.

When you select Modify from the Browse screen, the menu options are
very similar to those for adding records. You can use Show Index,
Ditto, and Validation when modifying records the same way as for
adding records, as explained earlier in this chapter. When you are
modifying records, selecting the Ditto option tells Nutshell to
copy the contents of the same field in the record you last
modified, rather than the one you last browsed or added.

One additional option, called Undo, lets you undo changes you make
to a field value.

If your current file is a look up file (that is, if a base file is
linked to it), and you change a value that's used by the base file
in a calculation or summary formula, Nutshell does not recalculate
the formula in the base file. Any changes you make in a look up
file affect only the current file. So if you keep orders in a base
file and prices in a look up file, prices that are looked up and
displayed on your order records will not be automatically changed
when you make changes to your price list. This lets you change
prices for all subsequent orders, without disturbing the records of
your completed transactions. If you want Nutshell to recalculate
formulas for any record in a base file, open the file, display the
record you want, and type in a trigger field. Nutshell will ret
rigger the look up process and will automatically recalculate any
calculation or summary formulas. The value you retype in the
trigger field should be the same as the original value in order for
Nutshell to match the same records as before.

To modify a record:

1. Display the record on the Browse screen, then select Modify.

or

Select Modify from the Browse screen, then use the Pgup or the PgDn
key to display the record.

Nutshell displays the Modify screen, and allows typing in text,
number, and date fields in the current file. A message at the
bottom of the screen alerts you if there are any invalid fields in
the record. Invalid fields are marked with a solid bright
background.

Note: You will not be able to select Modify if a field for which
you have specified Must Enter validation is not on the current
layout. Because a value is required in such a field, it must be on
the layout you use for data entry. To change the current layout,
select Layout, then press Pgup or PgDn. To change the validation
criteria, follow the instructions in the section Changing the
Validation Criteria in the chapter Designing Files.

2. Change the values in as many fields as necessary, using the same
keys and menu options as for adding records.

To cancel changes you've made to a field, select Undo; Nutshell
restores the previous field contents.

If you type an invalid value in a field, the field is marked with
a solid bright background, and the Override menu option is
displayed. Either replace the value with a valid value, or select
Override to accept the value. (To display the validation types
specified for the field, select Validation.)

3. To continue making changes, move the cursor to the next field
using the (Tab) or PgDn keys.

4. To modify the next record, press F10 or PgDn or the + (plus) key
in the numeric keypad. To modify the previous record, press Pgup.

5. To stop modifying records, press Esc. Nutshell accepts any
changes to the record you just completed and displays it on the
Browse screen

Removing Records

When you're sure you no longer need the data contained in certain
records in your file, you can delete the records one at a time or
by groups. Occasionally you may want to delete all the records in
a file. For example, at the end of a fiscal year you could make an
archive copy of a file of sales orders, then remove all the records
in your working copy so that when you add records, the file
contains only data for the new fiscal year. When you remove all the
records in a file, you are permanently removing the data; Nutshell
keeps all your field definitions and layouts in the file.

You delete records from a file by using the Remove option to delete
either a single displayed record, or a group of records (the found
records or all the records). For instructions on using the Find
option to isolate one or more records or to find all the records,
refer to the chapter Finding Information.

When you are deleting a record in the current file that has
matching records in a look up file, you may also want at the same
time to delete the matching records in the look up file. For
example, when you delete an item in an inventory file, you might
want to delete the corresponding price from a price file. To delete
matching records, zoom to the look up file and delete the records
there.

 To permanently delete one record:

1. Display the record to delete on the Browse screen by using the
Pgup or PgDn keys or by using the Find option.

2. Select Remove. Nutshell displays the Remove screen.

3. Select One Record, then press return to confirm the permanent
removal of the record. Nutshell deletes the record and displays the
Browse screen.

To permanently delete a group of records or all the records In the
file:

1. To group the records to delete, use the Find option.

or To find all the records in the file if you are not already
browsing all the records, use the Find All option.

2. Select Remove. Nutshell displays the Remove screen. The menu
option All Found Records is available if you were browsing just the
found records. The menu option ALL Records is available if you were
browsing all the records in the file.

3. To permanently delete all the found records, select All Found
Records, then confirm by pressing return. Because you use this
option to delete more than one record, Nutshell asks you to confirm
a second time. Press return to confirm the removal. or

To permanently delete all the records in the file, select ALL
Records. This option deletes all the data in your file, leaving
field definitions, link definitions, and layouts intact. Confirm
that you want to delete all the records by pressing return. Because
you use this option to delete more than one record, Nutshell asks
you to confirm a second time. Press to confirm the removal.

4. After deleting the records, Nutshell displays the Browse screen.

Displaying, Adding, and Editing Information in Look up Files

If your current file has links to one or more look up files, you
can use the Zoom option to open and work with the look up files
directly, without first having to close the current file. You can
use the Zoom option from the Add screen, the Modify screen, and the
Browse screen. When you select Zoom, Nutshell finds all the records
in the look up file that contain data in match fields that
corresponds to the data in the trigger field(s) of the base file,
and displays the first matching record on the Browse screen of the
look up file. The look up file becomes your current file. When
you're finished working with a look up file, press Esc to return to
the base file.

The Zoom option is particularly useful when you are adding and
changing records. If, for example, you're filling out an order, and
one of the items you want to include hasn't yet been added to the
inventory file, you can zoom from the orders file to the inventory
file, add the new item to the file, and return to the orders file.

When you select Zoom, the look up file you zoom to and the link
Nutshell uses to zoom to it are determined by where you have
positioned the cursor. If the current file has just one link to a
look up file defined, Nutshell zooms to that look up file using
that one link. If the current file has more than one link, either
to different files or to the same file, Nutshell uses the cursor
position to determine which link to use for zooming, according to
the following principles:

If the cursor is in a trigger field, Nutshell zooms using the link
that uses this trigger field.

If the cursor is in a trigger field that is used in more than one
link Nutshell asks you to select the link you want to use.

If the cursor is in a look up field, Nutshell zooms using the link
that was used to select the look up field.

If the cursor is not in a field or is in a field unrelated to any
link, and more than one link is defined in your current file,
Nutshell asks you to select the link you want to use.

The general rule is: Nutshell zooms using the link that is related
to the field the cursor is in; if it is at all ambiguous which link
to use, Nutshell asks you to specify which link you want. So, for
example, If you want more information about data associated with a
look up field that's displayed on your layout, position the cursor
in the look up field, then select Zoom. Nutshell zooms to the
record from which the look up field~s data came. If you want to see
all the records in a look up file that match a given record
position the cursor in a trigger field, then select Zoom. Nutshell
zooms to the look up file and displays the first matching record.
To see the other matching records, use the Pgup and PgDn keys.

To display and work with a look up file:

1. From the Add screen, Modify screen, or Browse screen, select
Zoom.

If Nutshell can't determine from the cursor position which link to
use, it displays the list of links and asks which link to use.
Select the link you want to use.

2. Nutshell finds all records in the look up file that contain data
in match fields that corresponds to the data in the trigger
field(s) of the base file, and displays the first found record on
the Browse screen of the look up file. To see the other matching
records, use the Pgup and PgDn keys.

If no records in the look up file match the current record in the
base file, Nutshell displays a message to inform you that no
records match, finds all the records in the look up file, and
displays the first record.

3. The look up file is now your current file. You can add, modify,
or delete records, define fields and file links, create or edit
layouts in other words, you can do anything in the look up file
that you could do in the base file.

 4. Press Esc when you are finished working with the look up file.
Nutshell returns to the screen from which you selected Zoom in the
base file.

Introduction

Nutshell's Layout option lets you control how your information
looks on the screen and on the printed page. Each layout is
separate from the data; the layout shows the arrangement of fields
and text that Nutshell will use to display and print your records
when you are using that particular layout.

On any layout you control what fields to display, the size and
shape of fields, the spacing between fields and text, the
highlighting of information using bold and underlined characters,
the location of page numbers, and so on. You can view and change
layouts at any time with the Layout option, then see your data in
a given layout by pressing Esc to return to the Browse screen .

Different layouts let you view the information in your files in
different ways. For example, for a file of books in a library, one
layout could be used to print catalog cards, another layout to
print an inventory of books in order by call number, and a third to
print lists of books by subject with bibliographical entries. A
request for a report of books by publisher could be easily met just
by modifying a layout, sorting the records by publisher, and
printing records. By displaying a particular layout (or creating a
new one), and finding records that match your criteria, then
sorting them in the order you need, you can display and print many
kinds of information, all from one file. Taking the library example
one step further, it would be easy to find just the books on a
particular subject, sort them by author, and print a bibliography.

As soon as you define fields in a file, Nutshell creates an initial
layout (called a standard layout) so that you can add data to your
file right away, without having to take the time to select the
Layout option, position your fields, and type text to identify
them. The standard layout includes all of your fields, and text
corresponding to each field name so you can see what to type in
each field when you add records.

You can change any aspect of the standard layout by modifying it or
by creating a new layout of your own design. When you select Layout
from the Browse screen, Nutshell displays a menu that lets you
control each aspect of the layout. When you change a layout, you're
never changing your data

 just the way the data is displayed and printed. Because you can
create as many layouts as you need in a Nutshell file, you can
experiment with different ways to present your data.

Nutshell stores all your layouts until you delete them. You can
move from one layout to the next by using the Pgup and PgDn keys.
When you press Esc to return to the Browse screen, Nutshell uses
the layout you last viewed to display your records. The current
layout (the one you last viewed on the Layout screen), is used to
display and print your records until you modify the layout or
display another layout.

If the current file has links to look up files, you can display any
or all of the fields from the look up files on any layout in your
current file. If the library in the above example keeps order
information in one file, and the order file has a link to the book
file, a layout can be created in the order file that would display
full bibliographic information along with the information in the
order file. Although the order information and the bibliographic
information are kept in different files, the link lets you display
and print the information from both files together. The
bibliographic information is not transferred to the order file,
however; it remains in the book file where it was originally
stored.

A field from a look up file that's displayed on the layout of your
current file is called a look up field, because Nutshell "looks up"
the data in the look up file in order to display it. Look up fields
are displayed on the layout screen using a different symbol from
the one used for fields in the current file, so it's easy to
distinguish them.

This chapter first explains the standard layout and tells how to
create and delete layouts, then provides instructions for working
with any individual layout: how to move text and fields, change the
size of a field, add look up fields, type new text, highlight
information, format your data for display, and so on.

The next chapter, Adding Power to Reports, explains the layout
option called Partition, which lets you designate areas of the
layout for a header, footer, and for summary information in order
to make reports more effective.

Nutshell's Standard Way of Presenting Information

When you first select Layout from the Browse screen after defining
fields, Nutshell displays a standard layout that's used to display
and print data in your file. You can change any aspect of this
layout or create other layouts to see your data in other
arrangements.

The standard layout represents all the fields in your current file,
using blocks to show an initial size for each field. The blocks
represent the number of characters you can type or display in
fields when you add, modify, or find records; for example, Nutshell
initially allows you to type up to 50 characters in a text field,
and up to 15 digits can be displayed in a summary field. You can
change the size of each field whenever you need to .

To the left of each field is a text label that is identical to the
field name, so you know which field on the layout is which. Any
text that you see or type on a layout is called layout text, and
can be changed or removed at any time. For example, although your
field name may be Total Bill, you might want to change the text to
read Balance Due on a layout used to print invoices. This doesn't
change the field name, only the text that appears on this
particular layout. You can type additional layout text to provide
instructions on what to type in fields; for example, layout text in
a lawyer's work log file might note that time expended is typed in
tenths of an hour. Or, you can remove layout text all together. For
example, when you create a layout for printing mailing labels, all
you need on the layout is name and address fields; it's unnecessary
to print layout text along with the data that's in the fields.

The screens on the following page show the standard layout Nutshell
created for a lawyer's work log, and a record using this layout
displayed on the Browse screen.

The standard layout is a convenience that lets you type data
without first making decisions about the appearance of your
records. It also provides the ingredients (text and fields) that
you can use to customize a layout, by moving fields into new
positions, changing their size and shape, adding or changing text,
and so on.

You can create a new standard layout at any time, or copy a
modified layout, or even create an empty layout for instances in
which it's easier to add what you want to the layout rather than
remove everything you don't want. For example, H your file contains
many fields, it may be easiest to create a layout for mailing
labels by adding name and address fields to an empty layout. The
next section gives instructions for copying and creating layouts.

Using Different Layouts to Display, Manage, and Print Information

By creating different layouts in a file and using each layout for
a specific purpose, you can use the same data in many different
ways. You may find it helpful to keep one layout that contains all
your fields (the standard layout), create another layout with a
very compact arrangement of fields so you can type a whole record
on one screen, and other layouts for printing form letters, reports
with different kinds of summaries, and mailing labels. Or you may
want to create layouts that include look up fields from selected
files. If you need to copy data to or from other files, you may
also want to design layouts for that purpose, because Nutshell uses
the current layout to determine which fields to copy to another
file or what order to use to store incoming data in fields. (For
details, see the chapter Copying Information To and From Other
Files.)

Each layout can be up to 240 columns by 65,000 lines long, so you
have a lot of flexibility for designing custom forms and reports,
data entry screens, and other arrangements for your information.

Until you become familiar with all the layout options, you might
find it helpful to copy an existing layout in order to make
changes, so you can go back to the earlier version if you want.
When you've modified a layout to your satisfaction, you can delete
any layouts you no longer need. This section explains how to copy
layouts, create layouts, and delete layouts.

The following keys are useful in moving the cursor on a layout and
displaying different layouts in your file.

Note: You can make your work with layouts most efficient by making
full use of the cursor movement keys by themselves and in
combination with the Carl key. For a review of how to use these
keys, see the section The Keyboard in the chapter Nutshell
Conventions. Nutshell displays the position of the cursor on the
top line of the screen, by giving the line number and the character
position on the line.

Copying a Layout

Copy a layout in order to create another layout that's similar to
an existing one, or to experiment with changes to a layout while
retaining the original as a back up. When you copy a layout, all
settings for printing, importing, and exporting are also copied to
the new layout (see the chapters Printing Information, and Copying
Information To and From Other Files for details about printing,
importing, and exporting settings).

To copy a layout:

1. On the Layout screen, display the layout you want to copy.

2. Select Create.

3. Select Copy of This Layout. Nutshell creates and displays the
copy, which is placed at the end of your existing layouts, as
indicated by the Pug 1' (Pgup) symbol in the upper right corner of
the screen.

Creating a New Standard Layout

When you use the Define option to create new fields, Nutshell adds
the fields to the current layout, and to all standard layouts that
you subsequently create, but not to previously existing layouts.
(You can use the Include option to add new fields to other layouts,
as described in the section Adding Fields to a Layout later in this
chapter.) Whenever you create a new standard layout, it includes
every field you have defined, in the order of definition.

Create a new standard layout when you need a layout that includes
all the currently defined fields in your current file, or to regain
a standard layout in your file if you have modified or deleted one.

To create a new standard layout:

1. From the Layout screen, select Create.

2. Select Standard Layout. Nutshell creates and displays a new
standard layout which is placed at the end of your other layouts.

Creating an Empty Layout

Create an empty layout when it will be easier to include what you
want on an empty layout rather than removing what you don~t need
from an existing or standard layout. Instructions on adding text
and fields on a layout are given later in this chapter in the
sections Adding and Editing Text, and Adding Fields to a Layout.

To create a new empty layout:

1. From the Layout screen, select Create.

2. Select Empty Layout. Nutshell creates and displays a new empty
layout which is placed at the end of your other layouts.

Deleting a Layout

Deleting layouts that you no longer need saves space in your file
and makes it easier to find the layouts you use.

 To delete a layout:

1. On the Layout screen, display the layout you want to delete.

2. Select Delete. Nutshell asks you to confirm that you want to
permanently delete the displayed layout.

3. Press return to confirm the deletion.

Arranging Information on the Layout

On each layout you can place elements (fields and layout text)
wherever you need them in order to reproduce a reprinted form,
construct a form letter, design a report, or create any other
arrangement for your data.

You can also change the size and shape of any field in order to
change the amount of information it will hold or to make it fit in
a particular part of a layout.

The layout below demonstrates how a standard layout has been
altered to create a layout for a typical invoice. Elements have
been moved and fields have been reshaped.

This section describes how to move layout text and fields on a
layout; the next section covers changing the size or shape of a
field. Often, you'II use the Move and Reshape options in tandem to
achieve the effect you want.

You can move elements one at a time or as a group. Make sure there
is enough empty space on the layout to move an element or group
into the position you want; fields and layout text cannot overlap.

Nutshell recognizes layout text that is typed continuously on a
line as one element; you move it as a unit. For example, the layout
text that matches the field name on the standard layout is
considered one unit even if it comprises more than one word. To
move only part of a unit of layout text either delete the
characters you want to move and retype them in the new position, or
use the Copy and Paste macros to copy the units of text to the
Clipboard and paste them where you want them, then delete the
unwanted characters. For more details on adding text to the layout,
see the section Adding and Editing Text. For details on the Copy
and Paste macros, see the section Using Copy, Paste, Time and Time
in the chapter Automating Tasks Using Macros.

To move one element:

1. Position the cursor in the layout text or field you want to
move, then select Move.

2. Press return. Nutshell marks the entire field or unit of layout
text with a solid bright background.

3. Move the cursor to where you want the new upper left corner of
the element to be, then press return.

To move a group of elements:

1. Position the cursor in an element that is at one corner of the
group, then select Move.

2. Indicate what you want to move by moving the cursor so the solid
bright rectangle encompasses at least one character of each field
and unit of layout text you want to move, then press ~. (To quickly
move the cursor, you can use the

(Tab) key and the Carl key combinations.) Nutshell marks the entire
group of elements with a solid bright background.

3. Move the cursor to where you want the new upper left corner of
the top element in the group to be, then press return.

Changing the Size or Shape of a Field

You can use the Reshape option on any layout at any time to:

Change the length and the number of lines in a text field.

Change the length of a number, time, calculation, or summary field.

Tell Nutshell to remove empty lines or spaces at the end of a field
when printing records.

Adjusting Field Size

Making a field larger on a layout means that you can type, display,
and print more data in the field when you work with your records
using that layout. Nutshell stores only the data in each field, not
the empty space at the end of a field, so you're not wasting disk
space if you make a field larger than you need. If you need fields
that contain variable length data to be printed next to one
another, such as first name and last name on mailing labels, you
can tell Nutshell to eliminate the empty space at the end of fields
when records are printed. (Details are provided in the following
section, Removing Empty Space from Printed Fields.)

You can reshape a text field to be dozens or even thousands of
lines long as large as you have room for on the layout. When you
reshape a text field, Nutshell automatically adjusts the text to
fit the new shape. Splitting numbers and times over many lines
could produce misleading displays, so Nutshell restricts number,
time, calculation, and summary fields to one line each. The single
line can be as long as you need to display the data accurately and
to type criteria for finding records.

Making a field smaller doesn't affect data that is already in the
field, the same way that pulling a shade down on a window doesn't
affect what's outside, only how much you can see. If a field is too
small to see all the data, just reshape it on the layout to a
larger size.

To make a field larger or smaller:

1. If the field is to be made larger, make sure there is enough
empty space on the layout for the expanded field. Fields cannot
overlap layout text or other fields. If necessary, use the Move
option to make more space.

2. Position the cursor in the field and select Reshape.

3. Move the cursor to where you want the new lower right corner of
the field, using the cursor movement keys. As you move the cursor,
Nutshell adjusts the solid bright background that shows what the
new field shape will be.

4. When the solid background represents the correct new shape,
press return.

Removing Empty Space from Printed Fields

When you select Reshape from the Layout screen, Nutshell displays
a menu with the options Height Variable, Width Variable, and Fixed
Size. Fixed size is the normal way your data is printed, and means
that Nutshell allocates the same amount of space to print a field
as you specified for the field size on the layout, no matter how
much data is in a field.

The appearance of certain kinds of printed matter, such as form
letters and mailing labels, is much improved if just the data in a
field is printed, and any empty lines or spaces that remain at the
end of a field are omitted. For example, you may have a field for
Company Name in a layout for mailing labels, but want to print
addresses for which this field is empty. Rather than leave an empty
line in the label, you can use the Height Variable option on the
Company Name field to tell Nutshell to move the remaining address
information up.

The Height Variable option can also be used to omit printing of
empty lines at the end of a multiple line text field. For example,
a form letter used for hiring personnel may contain a paragraph of
variable length describing the scope of a position. The Height
Variable option could be used to eliminate empty lines between the
end of the paragraph and the closing of the letter.

The Height Variable option affects just the empty space at the end
of a field. Empty lines between fields are placed at the end of the
record. This means that each record takes up the same amount of
space when it is printed, so however many lines are included in a
record will be printed, whether the lines contain data or are
empty. Later you'II learn about how Nutshell lets you print records
of different sizes without extra empty space by eliminating empty
lines between partitions, or divisions, of your layout. (For
information about Partitions see the next chapter, Adding Power to
Reports.)

Similarly, the Width Variable option is used to eliminate empty
space at the end of single line fields. For example, if your
mailing labels have a First Name field followed by a Last Name
field, you can use the Width Variable option on the First Name
field to eliminate a gap between first name and last name when
records are printed. The Last Name field will be moved to the left
when empty space at the end of the First Name fiend is removed, but
the space on the layout between the First Name and Last Name fields
is preserved .

Note: For text fields of more than one lone, the Width Variable
option is not meaningful and will be ignored if it is specified.

Sometimes you may need to print an element in a fixed position on
a line even though elements to the left of it are variable width.
For example, perhaps you need to print a customer code on the right
side of a mailing label on the same line as the name, and you don't
want the customer code to move left even though First Name uses the
Width Variable option. You can tell Nutshell to print an element in
the position it has on the layout (as shown on the status line)
regardless of how the Width Variable option is used on the same
line.

To specify that a field should be printed with variable height or
width:

1. Position the cursor in the field and select Reshape.

2. If you want empty lines removed from the end of a field when
records are printed, select Height Variable.

If you want empty spaces removed from the end of a single line
field when records are printed, select Width Variable. (Only one
option can be selected per field.)

Nutshell marks a variable height field with a vertical double arrow
, and a variable width field with a horizontal double arrow .

Note: If you typed spaces in a field by using the spacebar, these
spaces will not be removed when records are printed. The spaces
typed with the spacebar are considered to be blank characters, not
empty space.

To specify that a field should be printed with fixed height and
width:

1. Position the cursor in the field and select Reshape.

2. Select Fixed Size. Nutshell removes the double arrow at the end
of the field to show that the field is now fixed size.

To specify that an element to the right of a variable width field
should be printed in a fixed position (not moved left):

1. Position the cursor immediately to the left of the element, in
an empty space on the layout.

2. Hold down the Ctrl (Control) key while you press the (Tab) key.
Nutshell displays a tab character

to show that the element will be printed in the position shown on
the Layout screen, even if fields to the left of it are variable
width. To have the element move left when printed, delete the tab
character in the same manner as you would delete a character of
layout text as described in the section, Adding and Editing Text.

Note: The double arrows and the tab character are not printed when
you print records. They are only visual cues on the Layout screen.

Adding Fields to a Layout

You can add fields onto a layout at any time in order to:

Include newly defined fields on layouts other than the current
layout (on which Nutshell adds the fields automatically).

Replace fields you have previously erased from the layout.

Duplicate a field that is already on the layout. For example, you
could include a Last Name field in both the address and salutation
of a form letter

Include fields where you want them on an empty layout. In designing
layouts used to print mailing labels or form letters, it may be
most convenient to start with an empty layout and include only the
fields you need.

Include look up fields from look up files.

When you include a field on the layout, Nutshell adds just the
field with no layout text. If you want layout text to identify the
field, type it on the layout. For details, see the next section,
Adding and Editing Text.

To add a field onto a layout:

1. Position the cursor in an empty space on the layout where you
want the field, then select Include. Nutshell displays a list of
all your defined fields.

2. Select the field you want from the list. Nutshell adds the field
with the standard initial size if there is room. If there is not
enough room, Nutshell automatically reshapes the field to fit the
space available.

Adding Look up Fields

If your current file has links to look up files, you can include
fields from the look up files on any of the layouts in your current
file. When look up fields are displayed on the current layout,
Nutshell uses a different symbol from the one used for fields in
the current file in order to distinguish them. You can work with
look up fields included on the layout in the same way as you work
with fields from the current file: that is, you can move, reshape,
highlight, and format them just as you can with fields from the
current file.

A field that's included from a look up file will display the values
from the first matching record in the look up file. If you delete
a link from the current file to the look up file, look up fields
are automatically erased from the layout. (However, they are not
deleted from the look up file.)

 To Include a field from a look up file:

1. Position the cursor in an empty space on the layout where you
want the look up field, then select Include. Nutshell displays a
list of all the defined fields in your current file.

2. Select Look up. Nutshell asks you which link you want to use.
Select the file link you want. Nutshell displays a list of all the
defined fields in the look up file.

3. Select the field you want from the list. Nutshell adds the field
with the standard initial size if there is room. If there's not
enough room, Nutshell automatically reshapes the field to fit it
into the space available.

4. To include another look up field, select Include again. Nutshell
displays a list of all the defined fields in the look up file, so
you don't need to keep selecting Look up for each look up field you
want to include.

or

To include a field from the base file, select Include, then select
Return to Base File. Nutshell displays a list of all the defined
fields in the base file. Select the field you want.

Adding and Editing Text

You can add text to any layout by moving the cursor to an empty
area of the layout and typing the text. You can edit layout text
using the same techniques as you use to edit text in fields when
you add or modify records. You can also use the Copy and Paste
macros to copy anything from a field or a layout to the Clipboard,
then paste it where you want it on the current layout. For a list
of useful keys for adding and editing text, see the section The
Keyboard in the chapter Nutshell Conventions. For information about
the Copy and Paste macros, see the section Using Copy, Paste, Time,
and Time in the chapter Automating Tasks Using Macros.

You can type new text on a layout to provide instructions for the
person who will be adding records. In an orders file, for example,
you could add a reminder that the Sales Tax field should be left
empty if the Ship To address is out of state.

You can also add or edit text to amplify or change the layout text
that identifies each field. For example, if the field name you
defined contains abbreviations or is not descriptive enough, you
can replace the layout text identifying the field with something
more complete.

When you include look up fields on the layout, you may find it
useful to add layout text in order to identify the look up file
from which the displayed data comes, as well as to identify the
field.

Layout text can be completely unrelated to your defined field
names; it should be whatever text you want displayed or printed
with your records. For example, to create a form letter, you would
type the standard text of the letter on the layout, including
fields for the variable parts of the letter as needed. The layout
shown on the next page illustrates this process. (For details on
including fields, see the previous section, Adding Fields to a
Layout.)

On some layouts, you may not want any layout text. For example,
layouts for mailing labels or for filling in reprinted forms may
require only fields. You can delete any layout text that you don't
need. (If you lose track of which field is which on a layout that
contains no layout text, you can see the field name by positioning
the cursor in the field and selecting the Format option.)

To add text on any layout:

1. Position the cursor in an empty area of the layout.

2. Type the text. If you need to type text on more than one line,
press to move the cursor to subsequent lines.

 To delete unwanted characters or words:

1. Use the Del (Delete) key or the ~ (Backspace) key.

Note: You can delete a complete unit of layout text at once by
using the Erase option as described in the section Erasing Fields
or Text later in this chapter.

Highlighting Information

Highlighting layout text and fields on a layout lets you easily
spot important information on the screen and lends emphasis to
reports and other printed materials. Nutshell lets you highlight
elements on any layout individually or as a group.

The menu options for highlighting information vary depending on
whether the display adapter in your system is designed for color or
monochrome display. If you are using a monochrome monitor, you can
use the Highlight option to select any of the following character
styles for the display of fields and text:

Normal (No highlighting)

Bold Underline Underline Bold

These characteristics also apply when records are printed, subject
to the capabilities of your printer.

If you are using a color monitor, the Highlight option lets you
take advantage of a range of seven colors in two levels of
brightness in order to emphasize fields and text on the screen. The
color choices translate into the same character styles as listed
above when records are printed.

Using a Monochrome Monitor

Note: Some systems are equipped with a color display adapter and a
monochrome monitor. If you are using this type of system, you will
see the color menu when you select the Highlight option. On the
monochrome display, the different color choices appear as different
brightness. See the section Using a Color Monitor below for
instructions on using the color menu including how the a colors
translate into character styles when records are printed.

To highlight fields or text if you are using a monochrome display:

1. Position the cursor in the layout text or field you want to
highlight, or to highlight a group of elements, position the cursor
at one corner of the group. Then select Highlight.

2. To highlight one element, press return, or to highlight a group,
move the cursor so the solid bright rectangle encompasses at least
one character of each element in the group, then press return.
Nutshell marks the element(s) you have indicated with a solid
bright background.

3. Select the option for the highlighting you want (Bold,
Underline, or Underline Bold). To cancel highlighting previously
applied, select Normal. On the screen, bold elements appear
brighter than normal, and underlined elements appear with an
underline.

Note: On the screen, a field for which you have selected Underline
will appear with an underline running the length of the field.
However, when you print records, just the data in the field is
underlined. If you want the underline to extend the length of the
field, use the spacebar to add blank characters to fill the field
when you type the data.

Using a Color Monitor

If you are using a color monitor (or a monochrome monitor with a
color display adapter), the Highlight option gives you a menu of
two rows of colors. The top row shows seven colors (Gray, Red,
Purple, Blue, Sky Blue, Green, and Brown). Directly below each of
these colors is its bright counterpart. Colors are useful in
differentiating information on the screen, and bright colors are
most effective at calling attention to a particular field for data
entry or analysis.

When records are printed, the color options translate into
character styles of Normal, Bold, Underline, or Underline Bold,
subject to the capabilities of your printer. The table on the next
page shows this correspondence:

 To highlight fields or text If you are using a color display:

1. Position the cursor in the layout text or field you want to
highlight, or to highlight a group of elements, position the cursor
at one corner of the group. Then select Highlight.

2. To highlight one element, press return, or to highlight a group,
move the cursor so the solid bright rectangle encompasses at least
one character of each element in the group, then press return.
Nutshell marks the element(s) you have indicated with a solid
bright background.

3. Select the color option for the highlighting you want according
to the table above. On the screen, elements appear in the color and
brightness you selected.

Note: If you select Blue to have fields printed with underlined (or
underlined bold) characters, Nutshell underlines just the data in
the printed field. If you want the underline to extend the entire
length of the field, use the spacebar to add blank characters to
fill the field when you type the data.

Formatting Fields

On any layout you can format text, number, and time fields,
calculation fields that result in a number or time, and summary
fields. Formatting lets you decide how you want to display your
data on a layout and how you want it printed. It does not affect
the way your data is stored or used in calculations or summaries.

You can also use the Format option as a way to display the field
name if you need to.

To display a field name:

1. Position the cursor in the field whose name you want to display,
then select Format.

2. Press Esc when you are done.

Formatting Text

You can use the Format option to specify how you want your text
aligned in a text field. Most text is aligned at the left side of
a field. If you do not specify otherwise, Nutshell arranges your
text this way (left justified).

Some text you'II want to align at the right side of the field, and
other text looks best if it's centered. Nutshell lets you decide
whether you want your text left or right justified, or centered.

When you view your records on the Browse screen, the data in the
field will be aligned using the format you choose.

 To justify a text field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Justification.

3. Select Left, Right, or Center.

Formatting Numbers

On any layout you can format any number field, calculation field
that results in a number, or summary field. With the Format option
you can specify:

Left or right justification, or centering.

Whether you want a currency sign.

Whether you want commas to separate thousands.

How many digits you want to the right of the decimal point.

For example, if the field is to contain a dollar amount, you would
specify two decimal digits and dollar formatting. And when used
with fixed decimal formatting, right justification aligns the
decimal point for numbers in a columnar layout.

Note: If you have reshaped a formatted field with the Width
Variable option, the printed field will not be right justified. The
variable width takes precedence to allow you to have proper spacing
when using a formatted field in a line of variable length, such as
in a form letter requesting payment.

Formatting a numeric field doesn't affect your stored data; if the
field is used in calculation or summary formulas, Nutshell uses all
the stored digits to evaluate the result. (You can use the Round
Result option on the Define screen if you want Nutshell to store
the rounded result of a calculation in a field; see the section
Defining Fields in the chapter Designing Files for more
information.)

You can change the formatting at any time, or remove it so the
field is again unformatted. Nutshell displays and prints data in an
unformatted field with as many digits as can fit in the field, and
uses all the stored digits to perform calculations.

Note: Nutshell displays and prints just the number In a formatted
field. If you type text in a number field and want the text
displayed and printed, leave the field unformatted.

To justify a number field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Justification, then select Left, Right, or Center.

To display a number with a currency Sign, or with commas to
separate thousands:

1. Position the cursor in the tied, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Currency Sign, select Yes, then the desired currency
symbol. 3. Select Commas, then select Yes.

To specify the number of digits to be displayed to the right of the
decimal point:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Number of Digits. Nutshell asks for the number of digits
you want to be displayed.

3. Type the number of digits you want, then press ~. You'II see the
formatting when you browse or print records.

To remove decimal formatting specified for a field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format.

2. Select Number of Digits.

3. Delete the number that was specified for the number of digits to
the right of the decimal point, then press return.

Formatting Dates

On any layout you can format date fields and calculation fields
that result in a date. When you type a date in a field, you type it
in an unformatted style. For example, you might enter December 9,
1990 as 12 9 90 or 12 9 1990. If you leave a date field
unformatted, Nutshell displays and prints the date as you typed it,
or for calculations with a date result, as 12/09/90. With the
Format option, you can choose from among six different date styles
in which to display or print dates. For example, you can format the
date 12 990 so that it appears in any one of the following date
styles:

1 2/09/90

Dee 9,1990

December 9, 1990

Fri, Dec 9, 1990

Friday, December, 1990

O9DEC90

You can also use the Format option to specify that the date in the
field be left or right justified, or centered, in the same way as
you can justify text and number fields.

Note: Formatting does not change how you type a date in a field,
nor does it affect how you can search for it. For example, if you
want to find Friday, you should store the date in a text field (see
the section Defining Fields in the chapter Designing Files).

To justify a date field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Justification.

3. Select Left, Right, or Center.

To specify a Date Style:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Date Style. Nutshell displays a list of date styles.

3. Select the date style you want.

or

Select Unformatted Date to have Nutshell display and print the date
exactly as you've typed it.

Formatting Time

On any layout you can format time fields and calculation fields
that result in a time. When you type a time in a field, you type it
in an unformatted style. For example, you might enter 1 :30PM as
13:30 or 1 :30:00P. If you leave a time field unformatted, Nutshell
displays and prints the time as you typed it or for calculations
with a time result, as 13:30:00. With the Format option, you can
choose Tom among five different time styles in which to display or
print times. For example, you can format the time 13:30:00 so that
it appears in any one of the following time styles:

1:30P

13:30

13:30:00

1:30:pm

1:30:00pm

You can also use the Format option to specify that the time in the
field be left or right justified, or centered, in the same way as
you can justify text and number fields.

Note: Formatting does not change how you type a time in a field,
nor does it affect how you can search for it. For example, if you
want to find Noon or Midnight, you should store the time in a text
field (see the section Defining Fields in the chapter Designing
Files).

To justify a time field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2 . Select Justification.

3. Select Left, Right, or Center.

To specify a Time Style:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Time Style. Nutshell displays a list of time styles.

3. Select the time style you want.

or

Select Unformatted Time to have Nutshell display and print the time
exactly as you've typed it.

Erasing Fields or Text

When you erase yields from a layout, you will not see those fields
when you use that particular layout to view or print records. All
the data in the fields is still stored, and you can see it by
including fields back onto the layout (as described in the earlier
section Adding Fields to a Layout) or by using another layout that
contains the fields. You can erase fields or text one element at a
time or by groups on any layout.

The Erase option makes it easy to tailor layouts so they show just
the information you need for a given purpose. For example, in
analyzing sales, you might want to view only summary information
for each salesperson, rather than the details of each sales
transaction. You can create a streamlined layout for this analysis.

The Erase option also provides the most efficient way to delete an
entire unit of layout text rather than a few characters. For
example, you can erase all the layout text on a layout for printing
mailing labels; only the fields containing name and address
information are needed.

Note: It you want to delete a field and all Its data from your
file, instead of erasing the field from a layout, use the Define
option. For instructions, see the section Changing or Deleting
Field Definitions in the chapter Designing Files. If you delete a
field through the Define option, Nutshell removes it from all of
your layouts along with layout text that matches the field name of
the deleted field.

To erase fields or text from a layout:

1. Position the cursor in the layout text or field you want to
erase, or to erase a group of elements, position the cursor at one
corner of the group. Then select Erase.

2. To erase one element, press return, or to erase a group, move
the cursor so the solid bright rectangle encompasses at least one
character of each element in the group, then press return. Nutshell
marks the element(s) with a solid bright background.

3. Press return once again to confirm the erasure.

The examples in this section show how two common business
documents, a business form and a form letter, can be designed using
the many options available on a Nutshell layout. A layout and a
printed record are shown for each example, to illustrate the
collective effect of using the options discussed in this chapter to
control the visual presentation of your information.

Introduction

The previous chapter explained all the basic methods of working
with elements on a layout: changing the size of fields, rearranging
elements, adding or erasing fields and text, and so on. This
chapter explains how to use the Partition option on a layout to
designate where specific kinds of information should be printed
relative to the page and to groups of records. For example, layout
text that you place in a Header partition is printed at the top of
each page when you print information using that layout; the text
could be a title, a date, column headings, or any other information
you want to appear at the top of each page. By using the Partition
option in combination with techniques from the previous chapter,
you can design custom reports that present the information you need
in exactly the form you want.

Partitions are like adjustable drawer dividers: you can adjust the
size of each partition, remove any partition, and move the contents
(layout text, fields, empty lines, and special characters to
control page breaks, page numbering, date, and time) from one
partition to another.

The first section, Concepts of Partitioning a Layout, explains the
purpose of each of the five types of partition: Body, Header,
Footer, Grand Summary, and Sub summary. Read this section to
understand which partition to use to print titles and column
headings, various kinds of summaries, page numbers, and so on.

The next two sections go into the mechanics of creating, changing,
and deleting partitions; these are capabilities you can use to
adjust any layout at any time.

The fourth section, Deciding Where to Place Information, provides
additional detail on the relation between a partition on the layout
and printed information on the page, such as how to tell how much
information can fit on a printed page in order to decide where to
put page breaks.

Concepts of Partitioning a Layout

Partitions divide a layout horizontally. Each line of the layout
can be partitioned to control how much space is used to display and
print different kinds of information such as headings, records, and
summaries.

When you first select Partition from the Layout screen, you'II see
that Nutshell labels each line of the current layout with the name
of one of the following types of partition:

In addition to the body, header, and footer which Nutshell creates
for you, you can create two other types of partition to designate
areas of the layout for summary information:

Grand Summary Printed before or after all the records

Sub summary Printed before or after each sorted group of records

Each of these partitions can contain layout text, fields, and empty
lines. The type of partition you specify for each line of a layout
determines how elements on that line are displayed and printed.

Body

The body partition controls what is printed for each record. Each
layout can have one body partition. When you first select Partition
from any layout Nutshell sets the number of lines in the body
partition to include all you; layout text and fields. (An empty
layout contains no fields or text, so Nutshell doesn't create a
body partition.)

Lines in the body are printed once for each record, for as many
records as will fit on a page. If you want space between printed
records, include empty lines at the top or bottom of the body
partition.

If the body partition contains more lines than can fit on your
printed page, you can specify at what line Nutshell should start a
new page; type Ctrl L on the line of the partition where you want
the page break. The page break symbol appears on the layout.

Header

The header partition controls the top margin of the printed page.
Each layout can have one header partition. When you first select
Partition from any layout except an empty layout, Nutshell creates
a header of six empty lines. (No header is created when you select
Partition from an empty layout.) By changing the number of lines in
the header partition on a layout, you can adjust the top margin for
the pages you print using that layout.

To create effective and informative reports, you may want to
include layout text or fields in the header such as the following:

A title or page heading to be printed at the top of each page.

Column headings for a columnar report. Column headings in the
header partition are printed once at the top of each page. If you
arrange fields in the body partition so they are aligned with the
appropriate heading, the layout can be used to print a columnar
report.

Automatic page numbering. Typing two number signs (##) on the line
in the header where you want the page number to appear tells
Nutshell to automatically number pages at the top of each printed
page.

Today's date. Typing two slashes (11) on the line in the header
where you want today's date to appear tells Nutshell to print the
system date at the top of each page.

Current time. Typing two colons (::) on the line in the header
where you want the current time to appear tells Nutshell to print
the system time at the top of each page.

Data from the first record on the page. When you include fields in
the header, Nutshell prints data in the fields from the first
record on the page, enabling you to create a changing page heading
such as the heading in a dictionary or a telephone directory.

Nutshell creates the header partition at the bottom of the layout
so you don't have to scroll the screen to see your fields when
you're adding, modifying, or tin ding records. You can place the
header anywhere on the layout that's convenient for you; regardless
of where it is placed, the header is always printed at the top of
each page.

Footer

The footer partition controls the bottom margin of the printed page
and has characteristics parallel to the header partition. Each
layout can have one footer partition. When you first select
Partition from any layout except an empty layout, Nutshell creates
a footer of six empty lines, which creates a bottom margin of six
empty lines on each printed page until you change the footer
partition. (No footer is created if you select Partition from an
empty layout.)

You can also include layout text or fields in the footer partition
to create the following:

Text, such as the document title or reference number, to be printed
at the bottom of each page.

Automatic page numbering. Typing two number signs (##) on the line
in the footer where you want the page number to appear tells
Nutshell to automatically number pages at the bottom of each
printed page.

Today's date. Typing two slashes (11) on the line in the footer
where you want today's date to appear tells Nutshell to print the
system date at the bottom of each page.

Current time. Typing two colons (::) on the line in the footer
where you want the current time to appear tells Nutshell to print
the system time at the bottom of each page.

Data from the last record on the page. When you include fields in
the footer, Nutshell prints data from the last record on the page
at the bottom of each printed page.

Nutshell creates the footer at the bottom of the layout, but you
can place the footer anywhere on the layout that's convenient for
you; the footer is always printed at the bottom of the page.

Grand Summary

Create a grand summary partition when you want information to be
printed either before or after all the records in a report, instead
of with each record (as in a body partition), or at the top or
bottom of each page (as in the header or footer partition).

The most common and effective use of grand summary partitions is to
hold summary fields and explanatory layout text. Because a summary
field contains a cumulative result for all the records (or all the
found records), it contains only one value for all the records you
are browsing, rather than a different value for each record. It's
most meaningful to print this value either before or after all the
records on which the value is based.

For example, summary fields in a lawyer's work log file might track
such items as total time expended, average time expended, and total
amount billed. All of these items can be printed at the end of a
report detailing case activity. This is easily accomplished by
placing all the summary fields in a grand summary partition which
is located below the body partition on the report layout.

You can create up to two grand summary partitions on any layout:
one above and one below the body partition. This lets you choose
whether to provide a summary before the details in a report (grand
summary above the body), after the details (grand summary below the
body), or both before and after.

If you want Nutshell to start a new page before or after printing
a grand summary partition, type Ctrl L on the layout at the top or
the bottom of the grand summary partition. The page break symbol
appears on the layout.

Sub summary

Create a sub summary partition in order to summarize sorted groups
of records, rather than the entire file or set of found records as
in a grand summary partition. By sorting records, you tell Nutshell
to group them according to the value in the sort field. (For
specifics, see the chapter Sorting Information.) Nutshell can then
summarize information for each group of records that have the same
value in the sort field.

The example below shows a layout and a printed summary report for
a lawyer's file of cases. The summary shows the time expended and
the amount billed for each type of case the lawyer handles. At the
end of the report, the total time and amount for ~11 the cases is
shown. The file is sorted by the Type of Case field, which is the
sort field used to create the sub summary partition. The summary
fields Total Time (with the formula Total of Time Expended) and
Total Amount (Total of Amount Billed) have been included in both
the sub summary partition and the grand summary partition. In the
sub summary partition, the summary field contains a total for each
group of records with the same type of case; in the grand summary
partition, the summary field contains a total for all the cases.

If your file has links to a look up file, you can use a field from
the look up file as the sort field to be used in a sub summary
partition.

For example, if you keep sales records in a base file and personnel
records in a look up file, you can use the fields Last Name and
First Name from the personnel file as sort fields to sort sales
records alphabetically by salesperson. By including the summary
field Total Sales in the sub summary partition, Nutshell can
subtotal sales for each group of records sorted alphabetically by
salesperson.

You can create a sub summary partition above and below the body for
each sort field. This lets you print summary information for groups
of sorted records either before or after the group of records with
the same value in the sort field.

The value in a summary field in a sub summary partition can be
displayed only if the records are sorted by the field you specify
when you create the partition. If the records are not properly
sorted, a summary field in a sub summary partition will be empty.
Similarly, lines in a sub summary partition are printed only when
the records are properly sorted.

If you want Nutshell to start a new page before or after printing
a sub summary partition, type Ctrl L on the layout at the top or
the bottom of the partition. The page break symbol  appears on the
layout.

When you select Partition from the Layout screen, Nutshell displays
the menu options Create Partition and Delete Partition. Use the
Create Partition option in order to:

Add a new partition to a layout.

Replace a partition that has been deleted from a layout.

∙ Change the size or location of a partition.
Remove empty lines from the end of a partition when you want to
print records.

Creating partitions, whether new ones or replacements, does not
change what is on your layout; only the way the elements will be
displayed and printed. You can create a partition for elements that
are already on adjacent lines of a layout, or if you prefer, you
can move elements into the partition after it is created. Each
layout can have different partitions.

You can replace a partition by creating a new one of the same type
on the layout. You do not have to delete the old partition first.
For example, if your layout already has a grand summary partition
above the body partition, and you create another grand summary
partition above the body partition, the new partition replaces the
existing one.

When you move elements on a layout or define new fields, you may
want to use the Partition option to make sure elements are in the
partitions you want. For example, after using the Define option to
create new fields or delete fields, you may want to print more or
fewer lines for each record. In this case you would create a new
body partition to include the number of lines that accommodate the
changes to your fields.

When you use the Height Variable option (a sub option of the
Reshape option of the Layout screen) to remove empty space from a
field, any empty lines left between fields are placed at the end of
each record when printed, in order for each record to take up the
same amount of space. You can use the Variable Height option (a sub
option of the Create Partition option of the Partitions screen) to
create variable height partitions that will remove these empty
lines at the end of records. To make a fixed height partition a
variable one, or vice versa, recreate the partition you want to
change, then select Variable Height.

Note: If you want to include a blank line between each record while
using the Variable Height option, include an extra line at the end
of the partition, then type a space character on that line. If no
characters are typed on an empty line at the end of a Variable
Height partition, the line will not be printed.

To create a partition:

1. Select Partition from the Layout screen. Nutshell displays the
Partition screen, which labels each line of the layout with the
type of partition currently specified for the line.

Note: To view other parts of the layout on the Partition screen,
use the cursor movement keys by themselves or in combination with
the Carl key.

2. Move the cursor to the first line you want to include in the
partition, then select Create Partition. Nutshell marks the line
that contains the cursor with a solid bright background.

3 . Move the cursor to the last line you want to include in the
partition, then press return. Nutshell extends the solid bright
background to mark all of the lines to be included in the
partition, and displays a menu of all the partition types.

4. Select the type of partition from the menu. If you select
Header, Body, Grand Summary, or Footer, Nutshell creates the
partition comprising the lines you indicated, and displays the type
of partition next to each line.

If the partition is a sub summary partition, Nutshell displays a
list of the defined fields in your current file. If the field you
want to sort by is in the current file, select the text, number,
date, or calculation field by which you will sort records to create
the sub summary groupings.

If the field you want to sort by is in a look up file, select Look
up. Nutshell first asks you to select the link you want, then
displays the list of fields in the look up file. Select the text,
number, date, or calculation field from the look up file by which
you will sort records to create the sub summary groupings.

5. If you want empty lines removed from the end of the partition
when records are printed, select Variable Height. Nutshell marks
the variable height partition with vertical double arrows.

To specify that a partition should be printed with fixed height,
select Fixed Height. If the partition was previously defined as a
variable height partition, Nutshell removes the double arrow from
the edge of the partition screen to show that the partition is now
fixed height. (The double arrows are never printed

they are only visual cues on the Partition screen.)

Note: If the new partition replaces one that was on the layout and
occupies different lines, the lines in the old partition are not
now partitioned and the label for the type of partition next to
each line is now empty. Elements that are not in a partition are
displayed but not printed. If you want to print the elements,
create a new partition for these lines, or move the elements into
an existing partition.

When you delete a partition, any elements in the partition remain
on the layout and they are still displayed, but they are not
printed.

Delete a partition when it is no longer needed on the layout, or
when you want to omit the contents of the partition from a printed
report. For example, you may want to name your layouts to identify
the purpose of each, such as Data Entry Layout, Mailing Label
Layout, and so on. If you delete the partition for the line the
name is on, it will be displayed but not printed.

To delete a partition:

1. Move the cursor to any line on the layout that is within the
partition you want to delete, then select Delete Partition.
Nutshell marks the partition with a solid bright background.

2. Press return to confirm the deletion. Nutshell deletes the
partition and removes the label for the type of partition next to
each line. Elements that were in the partition will not be printed
until you create a new partition or move the elements into another
partition.

Each line that is partitioned on your layout corresponds to a line
on the printed page. If no partition is specified for a given line
or lines, Nutshell ignores those lines when printing records.
Unpartitioned lines can be used for instructions, notes, or other
information that you want to display on the screen, but omit from
the printed page.

Nutshell prints partitioned elements in the following order on the
page:

Header

Grand summary, if specified above the body partition

Sub summaries specified above the body partition

Body, repeated as many times as will fit on the page between the
header and footer and any grand summaries or sub summaries

Sub summaries specified below the body partition

Grand summary, if specified below the body partition

Footer

You can cause any partition to begin printing on a new page by
typing Ctrl L on the line of the partition where you want the page
break to occur. Nutshell marks this position with a page break
character.

By selecting Fixed Height you can specify that you want any
partition on your layout to be printed exactly as it appears on the
Partition screen, including all empty lines at the end of the
partition. When you use Fixed Height partitions, each record will
take up the same amount of space when printed, regardless of the
number of empty lines in each record. A fixed partition size is
needed for printing certain materials such as mailing labels and
continuous forms, where the distance from the top of one label or
form to the top of the next remains constant.

If you do not want to print empty lines at the end of a partition,
select Variable Height. Variable height partitions let you
eliminate unwanted empty space between records, and so help to
conserve paper, since any empty lines in a record will be removed
before the records are printed.

Note: The Variable Height option on the Partition screen Is
different from the Height Variable option on the Layout screen. The
size of partitions is not changed by specifying Height Variable for
fields in the partitions (using the Reshape option on the Layout
screen). The Height Variable option on the Layout screen removes
empty lines at the end of ~, not partitions. In order to remove
empty space from the end of partitions, use the Variable Height
option on the Partition screen.

Partitions remain as you set them until you delete them or create
new ones. Using the Move option to move elements on a layout does
not change the partitions. As you move elements on a layout, or
create new partitions, check to make sure that any text fields
containing more than one line are not straddling partition
boundaries. All the lines of a text field must be contained in one
partition for the field to be printed properly.

To find out exactly how partitions will be printed on a page, you
can print one page as a sample, or you can print to your screen
using the CON: setting. By printing a sample page, you can see
whether you need to adjust the layout by changing the size of
partitions, moving elements into different partitions, changing the
location of a page break character, and so on. For details on the
printing process, see the chapter Printing Information.

You can work with a group of records in your file rather than the
entire file by using the Find option. When you find records that
match your criteria, you can browse, modify, sort, output, or
remove just the found records, leaving the other records in the
file intact. Nutshell displays and prints just the set of found
records until you add new records (which redisplays all the records
in the file) or use the Find option to find a different set of
records or find all the records.

For example, in a file for managing a seminar series, you could
find all the seminars scheduled for a seminar leader who is no
longer available, modify the found records to include the new
seminar leader's name, sort them in order of date of seminar, and
copy just the found records to another file to give to the new
seminar leader.

When you're working with a set of found records, summary fields
contain a value summarizing just the found set. Continuing the
seminar series example in the previous paragraph, a summary field
that totaled registration fees would show the total fees for just
the seminars given by the new seminar leader, not all the seminars
as it would if you were browsing all the records in the file.

You find records in the current file by typing criteria in text,
number, date, or calculation fields of the current file in a
pattern. (As a shortcut, you can also use the index to copy values
into fields in the pattern.) To find records in a look up file,
first zoom to the file, select Find, then type your criteria in the
pattern. A find pattern can be one page of criteria, or be made up
of several pages. Each page of the find pattern comprises a
separate set of criteria. A page resembles an empty record in the
current layout.

Nutshell saves all the pages of the pattern you use to find a group
of records until you change the criteria or clear the pattern. So
if you work with the same subset of your file frequently, you don't
have to retype the criteria you use to find the records.

Note: The layout you use to find records must contain all of the
fields in the current file for which you want to specify criteria
and find values. If you switch to a different layout after
specifying a find pattern, Nutshell erases from the pattern any
fields containing criteria that are not on the current layout. This
is to prevent you from inadvertently finding records that match
criteria you can't see or change. You can find records using one
layout, then switch to another layout for browsing, printing, or
other tasks. However, if you want to find the same set of records
again, you will need to respecify the find criteria for the fields
that were not on the second layout.

Because Nutshell automatically indexes the values in text, number,
date, and calculation fields in your records you can tin the
records in the current tile that contain any value by typing
c;Iberia in the corresponding tied in a tin pattern. For example,
you could tin records Tom all the seminars to be held in San Diego
by typing San Diego in the City tied in the pattern.

By typing symbols in addition to values in a pattern, you can tin
records containing values that exactly match (=) a value, are
greater than or equal to  a value, are less than or equal to a
value , are greater than  a value, are less than  a value, or match
a range of specified values (...). By typing only (=) with no other
value you can tin empty yields, those containing no value,. By
typing (<>) before the value you can find yields that do not match.

You can also ask Nutshell to find records that match several
criteria at once; for example, you could find only those seminars
in a given City that are scheduled on or aster a particular date
and have a registration fee of no more than a certain figure. When
you type values in several fields on a page in a pattern, Nutshell
finds records that contain matching values in all the corresponding
fields.

By adding pages to a find pattern, you can find records that match
either one set of criteria (on one page of the pattern), or another
set (specified on another page of the pattern). For example, you
could find seminars on either management practices or budgetary
analysis.

This section first outlines the general steps for finding records,
then provides details on all the different criteria you can
specify. A table at the end of the section summarizes the use of
the criteria for each field type.

To find records:

1. Make sure the current layout contains all the fields for which
you want to find values. If necessary, select Layout from the
Browse screen and press Pgup or PgDn to display the layout you
want.

2. From the Browse screen, select Find. Nutshell displays the Find
screen with an empty pattern in the current layout.

3. Type values in text, number, date, and calculation fields in the
pattern according to what you want to find in corresponding fields
in your records. (In a date field, or in a calculation field with
a date result, type the date as digits separated by a non numeric
character, the same as you do when adding records.)

Note: Instead of typing criteria in look up fields to find values
in look up files, zoom to the look up file, select Find, then type
your criteria in the pattern.

To view or copy values from the index that Nutshell maintains for
each field, select Show Index. The index works the same way for
finding records as for adding or modifying records. You can also
use Show Index to display the name of the field. For details, see
the section Using the Index in the earlier chapter Adding, Editing,
and Deleting Information.

Note: If a field Is too small to hold the necessary criteria, use
the Reshape option on the layout to enlarge the field.

4. To find the records that match the criteria, press F10 or the +
(plus) key in the numeric keypad. Nutshell displays the Browse
screen at the first found record, and shows the number of found
records on the top line of the screen. These are the records you
can browse, modify, sort, output, or remove until you add a new
record, find a different set of records, or find all the records.
If no records match the find pattern,

Nutshell displays the Browse screen and indicates that no records
were found.

To return to browsing all the records In the file:

1. From the Find screen select Find All. Nutshell displays the
Browse screen at the last record you displayed. You can now work
with all the records in the file. The records are in the order in
which you originally added them.

Note: When you add new records to a file, Nutshell in effect
selects Find All for you in order to add the records; that way,
there's no confusion about whether the new records belong to the
set of found records Because Nutshell saves your find pattern, you
can easily find the correct set of records by selecting Find and
pressing F10.

To find records containing a range of values in a given field, type
an ellipsis (three periods (...)) between the first value and the
last value in the field in the find pattern. When you type a range,
Nutshell finds records containing the first value, all the
intervening values, and the last value (an inclusive range).

In a text field, you can find a range of alphabetical values. For
example, to split an over enrolled seminar into two groups, you
could find registrants whose last names begin with A through L by
typing A. . . L in the Last Name field.

In a number field or in a calculation field with a number result,
you can find a range of numerical values. For example, you could
find seminars with registration fees in the $200 to $400 range by
typing 200 . . . 400 in the Registration Fee field.

In a date field or in a calculation field with a date result, you
can find a range of chronological values. For example, you could
find all the seminars being given from June 1 through July 31 by
typing 6/1/90. . . 7/31/90 in the Date field.

In a time field or in a calculation field with a time result, you
can find a range of chronological values. For example, you could
find all the seminars being held from 10AM through 2PM by typing
10:00am. . . 2:00PM in the Time field.

By typing a >= (greater than or equal to) symbol directly in front
of a value in a pattern, you can find records containing values in
the corresponding field that match or are alphabetically after,
numerically greater, or chronologically later than the value you
type in the pattern. Conversely, you can precede the value in the
pattern with a <= (less than or equal to) symbol to find values
that match or are alphabetically before, numerically smaller, or
chronologically earlier than the value you type.

By typing a >  (greater than) symbol in front of a value in a
pattern, you can find records containing values in the
corresponding field that are alphabetically after, numerically
greater, or chronologically later than the value you type in the
pattern. And conversely, you can precede the value in the pattern
with a < (less than) symbol to find values that are alphabetically
before, numerically smaller, or chronologically earlier than the
value you type.

For example, if you need 14 people to make it feasible to put on a
seminar, you could type <14 in the Number Registered field to find
seminars that are currently under enrolled.

 Finding Empty Fields or Fields Not Equal to a Given Value

By typing an = (equal ) symbol with no value following it, you can
find records containing no values in the corresponding field in the
pattern. Also, you can precede the value in the pattern with a <>,
(less than and greater than) symbol to find values that do not
match the value you type.

For example, if you wished to find anyone not registered for a
seminar you would enter = with no value in the seminar field. To
find everyone not attending seminar 14 you would enter <>14 . To
find everyone who has registered for a seminar you could enter <>=
which effectively excludes empty fields.

Each text field can hold many values (words), unlike other field
types which can each hold one value per field. Nutshell provides
some additional criteria to make it easy to find exactly what you
want to find in text fields in your records. You can find records
with text fields containing values that:

Match or begin with the word or partial word you type in the
pattern.

Exactly match the word or partial word you type in the pattern.

Match or begin with all the words or partial words you type in the
field in the pattern.

When you type a value in a text field in a pattern, Nutshell finds
records with values that match or begin with what you typed. For
example, if you type D in the City field, Nutshell will find
records for seminars being held in Dallas, Denver, and San Diego.
This means that you can type just the first few letters of a long
name or a word that is difficult to spell. It's also convenient if
you need to find all attenders within a certain telephone area
code, or seminars that begin with a certain letter code.

To find records with values that exactly match what you type in a
text field in the pattern, precede the value with an = (equal)
sign. For example, if you type =10 in the Title field, Nutshell
will find only the record for the seminar titled 10 Ways to Beat
Your Competitors," not the seminar titled a Critical Look at
Fortune 100 Companies in 1986.~ Type an equal sign before each word
that you want Nutshell to exactly match.

If you type more than one word in a text field, Nutshell finds
records that contain all the words in the corresponding field. For
example, if you type both Manage and Business in the Description
field, Nutshell will find seminars with descriptions such as
Business management for entrepreneurs" and Show to manage without
a business school background," but not Business outlook in 1986" or
Debunking myths of management science."

Note: Nutshell Ignores capitalization to find values ~n text
fields, so you can be sure you're finding all the records that
contain a given word regardless of whether you originally typed it
using all upper case letters, mixed case, or all lower case.

By adding pages to a find pattern, you can find records that match
any one of a number of sets of criteria. Each page of the pattern
resembles a new empty record; you can type values in any text,
number, date, or calculation field on any page. For example, you
could find all the seminars being given in San Francisco or New
York by typing San Francisco in the City field on the first page of
a pattern, and New York in the City field on the second page. (If
you had typed both San Francisco and New York in the City field on
one page of the pattern, Nutshell wow find only seminars being
given in both San Francisco and New York.)

To add a set of criteria:

1. After typing values in the first page of the find pattern on the
Find screen, select Also Find. Nutshell displays a new page of the
pattern on the Also Find screen.

2. Type criteria in fields on the new page.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to add as many additional sets of criteria
as necessary. Use the Pgup and PgDn keys to redisplay the other
pages of the pattern.

4. When you are ready to have Nutshell find records that match
criteria on any of the pages in the pattern, press F10 or the +
(plus) key in the numeric keypad.

Sometimes it's more convenient to defer correcting values that
don't meet validation criteria you have defined than to correct
each one as you add records. The Invalid Records option lets you
find all these renegade records at once in order to correct or
delete them.

You can also use the Invalid Records option after adding or
changing validation criteria, to find records that no longer match
the criteria.

To find records that don't match the valldatlon criteria:

1. From either the Find or the Also Find screen, select Invalid
Records. Nutshell displays the Browse screen with the number of
found records. (Any criteria you typed in the find pattern are not
used in finding the invalid records, but are saved so you can use
them the next time you select the Find option.)

2. To see which fields on the current layout contain invalid
values, select Modify. Nutshell marks the invalid fields with a
solid bright background. For details on modifying records, see the
section Changing the Information in a Record in the earlier chapter
Adding, Editing, and Deleting Information.

To find records containing Invalid date or time fields:

Date and /or time fields can sometimes contain invalid data without
any validation criteria having been specified for them.

1. If data containing invalid formats for either date or time is
imported into those fields then the resulting date or time will be
invalid.

2. Also calculations which produce a date or time result which
falls outside the valid range for date or time fields .

3. On either the Find or the Also Find screen, enter 00/00/0000 to
locate invalid dates, or 24: 00: 00 to locate invalid times in the
appropriate fields

Nutshell saves the criteria you specify on all the pages of your
find pattern so that you can repeatedly find records without
retyping the criteria. You can modify the criteria at any time or
erase them and start over.

Edit the criteria in fields in the same manner that you edit field
contents in records, then press F10 or the + (plus) key in the
numeric keypad to find records that match the edited criteria.

You can erase pages of your find pattern one page at a time, or you
can erase all the pages at once. Select One Page to erase pages of
your find pattern one page at a time. For example, to respecify a
set of criteria or to eliminate an obsolete set of criteria, select
ALL Pages to erase all the pages of your find pattern.

 To erase one page of the find pattern:

1. Display the page you want to delete by using the Pgup or PgDn
key.

2. Select Clear.

3. Select One Page. Nutshell erases the displayed page from the
pattern.

To erase all pages of the find pattern:

1. Display any page of your find pattern.

2. Select Clear.

3. Select ALL Pages. Nutshell deletes all the pages of the find
pattern.

Records in your file are stored in the order in which you add them.
By using the Sort option, you can temporarily change the order of
either a set of found records or the entire file while you browse,
modify, or print records. For example, you might want to sort
customer records by Zip code in order to print mailing labels for
a presorted bulk mailing. The records remain in the sorted order
until you add new records or find records. To permanently change
the order of records, you can copy the sorted records to another
file. For details see the chapter Copying Information To and From
Other Files.

You sort records by specifying a sort order, which is a list of
text, number date, time, or calculation fields. Nutshell sorts
records by the first sort field, then uses any additional sort
fields to sort duplicate values. For example, a file for managing
a membership list might use a sort order of Last Name (the first
sort field), and First Name (the second sort field). Nutshell would
sort all the Smiths together, then put the members with a last name
of Smith in order by First Name. You can have as many fields in the
sort order as you need to sort duplicate values.

For each field in the sort order, you specify whether Nutshell
should sort values in the field in ascending order or descending
order. Ascending order means alphabetical order for a text field,
smallest to- largest numerical order for a number field or a
calculation field with a number result, and chronological order for
a date or time field or a calculation field with a date or time
result. Descending order means the reverse of ascending order. For
example, you might want to sort sales figures in descending order
so you can readily see which products garnered the most revenue per
sale.

Note Nutshell Plus II sorts based upon the ASCII collating sequence
for text fields except that accented characters as used in many non
English languages will be sorted as though they did not have an
accent mark, in the case of the German umlaut characters they will
be sorted as though a two character pair in which the second
character is the letter 'e'

Nutshell saves the sort order you specify, so you can quickly sort
the file again by the same fields after finding or adding records.
You can also change the sort order at any time.

If you want to browse or print sub summary information, you need to
include in the sort order the fields that you specified when you
created each sub summary partition on the layout. For information
on sub summary partitions see the earlier chapter Adding Power to
Reports. Nutshell displays and prints a value for summary fields in
sub summary partitions only when the records are properly sorted.
For example, you might sort a membership list by the Type of
Membership field in order to view subtotals of membership dues paid
by each type (such as Individual, Family, Sustaining, Corporate,
etc.). To do this, you would create a sub summary partition for the
sort field Type of Membership. Then you would place the summary
field Total Dues in the sub summary partition. Sorting the records
by Type of Membership would group all the members with each type of
membership together. Then, Nutshell would display and print the
Total Dues paid by each group.

 If your file has links to look up files, you can use fields from
one of the look up files in the sort order. For example, you might
keep sales records in one file, and sales personnel records in
another file, using the salespersons' social security numbers to
link the files. If you wanted to create a report that sorted sales
records alphabetically by salesperson, you could use the fields
Last Name and First Name from the look up file to sort records in
the sales file by name. This is particularly useful when you want
to summarize data that's sorted by a field in a look up file (see
the Sub summary section in the earlier chapter Adding Power to
Reports for further information).

You can specify a new sort order whenever you need to see records
in a different sequence. To sort a set of found records, first use
the Find option to isolate the records. For details on finding
records see the previous chapter Finding Information.

To create a new sort order:

1. From the Browse screen, select Sort. If you have not previously
specified a sort order, Nutshell displays the Sort screen with an
empty sort order at the top of the screen and a list of all the
defined fields of your current file at the bottom of the screen.

If you have previously specified a sort order, Nutshell displays it
at the top of the screen. To replace the current sort order with a
new sort order, select New Order. Nutshell clears the current sort
order and displays a list of all the defined fields of your current
file at the bottom of the screen.

2. Move the cursor to the text, number, date, time or calculation
field you want Nutshell to use first in sorting records, then press
return. In the sort order Nutshell lists the field you selected,
and asks you to specify ascending or descending order.

or

To add a look up field to the sort order, do the following:

Select Look up. Nutshell asks you to specify which link you want to
use. After you select the link you want, Nutshell displays a list
of fields in the look up file.

Move the cursor to the look up field you want to use in sorting
records, then press return. In the sort order Nutshell lists the
look up filename and field you selected, and asks you to specify
ascending or descending order.

To display the list of fields in the base file, select Return to
Base File. Nutshell redisplays the list of fields in the base file.

3. Select either Ascending Order or Descending Order for the sort
field. Nutshell displays arrows in front of the sort fields to
indicate ascending or descending order.

4. If you need additional sort fields to sequence duplicate values
or to display sub summary information, select the next sort field,
then select Ascending Order or Descending Order. Continue
identifying sort fields in this manner for as many sort fields as
you need.

5. When you have finished selecting sort fields, press Esc.
Nutshell displays the Sort screen menu.

Highlighting Information

Highlighting layout text and fields on a layout lets you easily
spot important information on the screen and lends emphasis to
reports and other printed materials. Nutshell lets you highlight
elements on any layout individually or as a group.

The menu options for highlighting information vary depending on
whether the display adapter in your system is designed for Cobb or
monochrome display. H you are using a monochrome monitor, you can
use the Highlight option to select any of the folio wing character
styles for the display of fields and text:

Normal (No highlighting)
Bold

Underline

Underline Bold

These characteristics also apply when records are printed, subject
to the capabilities of your printer.

If you are using a color monitor, the Highlight option lets you
take advantage of a range of seven colors in two levels of
brightness in order to emphasize fields and text on the screen. The
color choices translate into the same character styles as listed
above when records are printed.

Note: Some systems are equipped with a color display adapter and a
monochrome monitor. If you are using this type of system, you will
see the color menu when you select the Highlight option. On the
monochrome display, the different color choices appear as different
brightness. See the section Using a Color Monitor below for
instructions on using the color menu including how the ~colors~
translate into character styles when records are printed.

highlight fields or text It you are using a monochrome display:

1. Position the cursor in the layout text or field you want to
highlight, or to highlight a group of elements, position the cursor
at one corner of the group. Then select Highlight.

2. To highlight one element, press return, or to highlight a group,
move the cursor so the solid bright rectangle encompasses at least
one character of each element in the group, then press return.
Nutshell marks the element(s) you have indicated why a solid bright
background.

3. Select the option for the highlighting you want (Bold,
Underline, or Underline Bold). To cancel highlighting previously
applied, select Normal. On the screen, bold elements appear
brighter than normal, and underlined elements appear with an
underline.

Note: On the screen, a field for which you have selected Underline
will appear with an underline running the length of the field.
However, when you print records, just the data in Lee field is
underlined. If you want the underline to extend the length of the
field, use the spacebar to add blank characters to fill the field
when you type the data.

If you are using a color monitor (or a monochrome monitor with a
Cobb display adapter), the Highlight option gives you a menu of two
rows of colors. The top row shows seven colors (Gray, Red, Purple,
Blue, Sky Blue, Green, and Brown). Directly below each of these
colors is its bright counterpart. Colors are useful in
differentiating information on the screen, and bright colors are
most effective at calling attention to a particular field for data
entry or analysis.

When records are printed, the color options translate into
character styles of Normal, Bold, Underline, or Underline Bold,
subject to the capabilities of your printer. The table on the next
page shows this correspondence:

1. Position the cursor in the layout text or field you want to
highlight, or to highlight a group of elements, position the cursor
at one corner of the group. Then select Highlight.

2. To highlight one element, press return, or to highlight a group,
move the cursor so the solid bright rectangle encompasses at least
one character of each element in the group, then press return.
Nutshell marks the element(s) you have indicated with a solid
bright background.

3. Select the color option for the highlighting you want according
to the table above. On the screen, elements appear in the color and
brightness you selected.

Note: If you select Blue to have fields printed with underlined (or
underlined bold) characters, Nutshell underlines just the data in
the printed field. If you want the underline to extend the entire
length of the field, use the spacebar to add blank characters to
fill the field when you type the data.

On any layout you can format text, number, and time yields,
calculation fields that result in a number or time, and summary
fiefs. Formatting lets you decide how you want to display your data
on a layout and how you want it printed. It does not affect the way
your data is stored or used in calculations or summaries.

You can also use the Format option as a way to display the field
name that you need to.

To display a field name:

1. Position the cursor in the field whose name you want to display,
then select Format.

2. Press Esc when you are done.

You can use the Format option to specify how you want your text
aligned in a text field. Most text is aligned at the left side of
a field. If you do not specify otherwise, Nutshell arranges your
text this way (left-justified).

Some text you'II want to align at the right side of the field, and
other text looks best if it's centered. Nutshell lets you decide
whether you want your text left or right-justified, or centered.

When you view your records on the Browse screen, the data in the
field will be aligned using the format you choose.

To justify a text field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Justification.

3. Select Left, Right, or Center.

On any layout you can format any number field, calculation field
that results in a number, or summary field. With the Format option
you can specify:

Left- or right justification, or centering.

Whether you want a currency sign.

Whether you want commas to separate thousands.

How many digits you want to the right of the decimal point.

For example, if the file is to contain a dollar amount, you would
specify two decimal digits and dollar formatting. And when used why
fixed decimal formatting, right justification aligns the decimal
point for numbers in a columnar layout.

Note: If you have reshaped a formatted field with the Width
Variable option, the printed field will not be right- justified.
The variable width takes precedence to allow you to have proper
spacing when using a formatted field in a line of variable length,
such as in a form letter requesting payment.

Formatting a numeric field doesn't affect your stored data; if the
field is used in calculation or summary formulas, Nutshell uses all
the stored digits to evaluate the result. (You can use the Round
Result option on the Define screen if you want Nutshell to store
the rounded result of a calculation in a field; see the section
Defining Fields in the chapter Designing Files for more
information.)

You can change the formatting at any time, or remove it so the
field is again unformatted. Nutshell displays and prints data in an
unformatted field with as many digits as can fit in the field, and
uses all the stored digits to perform calculations.

Note: Nutshell displays and prints just the number In a formatted
field. If you type text in a number field and want the text
displayed and printed, leave the field unformatted.

To justify a number field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Justification, then select Left, Right, or Center.

To display a number with a currency sign, or with commas to
separate thousands:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Currency Sign, select Yes, then the desired currency
symbol.

3. Select Commas, then select Yes.

To specify the number of digits to be displayed to the right of the
decimal point:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Number of Digits. Nutshell asks for the number of digits
you want to be displayed.

3. Type the number of digs you want, then press J. You'II see the
formatting when you browse or print records.

To remove decimal formatting specified for a field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format.

2. Select Number of Digits.

3. Delete the number that was specified for the number of digits to
the right of the decimal point, then press return.

Formatting Dates

On any layout you can format date fields and calculation fields
that result in a date. When you type a date in a field, you type it
in an unformatted style. For example, you might enter December 9,
1990 as 12-9-90 or 12-9-1990. If you leave a date field
unformatted, Nutshell displays and prints the date as you typed it,
or for calculations with a date result, as 12/09/90. With the
Format option, you can choose from among six deferent date styles
in which to display or print dates. For example, you can format the
date 12-990 so that it appears in any one of the following date
styles:

12/09/90

Dec 9, 1990

December 9, 1990

Fri, Dec 9, 1990

Friday, December 9, 1990

O9DEC90

You can also use the Format option to specify that the date in the
field be left or right justified, or centered, in the same way as
you can justify text and number fields.

Note: Formatting does not change how you type a date in a field,
nor does it affect how you can search for it. For example, if you
want to find Friday, you should store the date in a text fiend (see
the section Defining Fields in the chapter Designing Files).

To justify a date field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Justification.

3. Select Left, Right, or Center.

To specify a Date Style:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Date Style. Nutshell displays a list of date styles.

3. Select the date style you want.

Formatting Time

On any layout you can format time fiends and calculation fields
that result in a time. When you type a time in a field, you type it
in an unformatted style. For example, you might enter 1:30PM as
13:30 or 1:30:00P. If you leave a time field unformatted, Nutshell
displays and prints the time as you typed it, or for calculations
with a time result, as 13:30:00. With the Format option, you can
choose from among tire different time styles in which to display or
print times. For example, you can format the time 13:30:00 so that
it appears in any one of the following time styles:

1:30P

13:30

13 :30 :00

1:30:pm

1:30:00pm

You can also use the Format option to specify that the time in the
field be left or right justified, or centered, in the same way as
you can justify text and number fields.

Note: Formatting does not change how you type a time in a field,
nor does it affect how you can search for it. For example, if you
want to find Noon or Midnight, you should store the time in a text
field (see the section Defining Fields in the chapter Designing
Files).

To justify a time field:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Justification.

3. Select Left, Right, or Center.

To specify a Time Style:

1. Position the cursor in the field, then select Format. Nutshell
displays the field name, and displays the Format menu.

2. Select Time Style. Nutshell displays a list of time styles.

3. Select the time style you want.

or

Select Unformatted Time to have Nutshell display and print the time
exactly as you've typed it.

Erasing Fields or Text

When you erase fields from a layout, you will not see those fields
when you use that particular layout to view or print records. All
the data in the fields is still stored, and you can see it by
including fields back onto the layout (as described in the earlier
section Awing Fields to a Layout) or by using another layout that
contains the fields. You can erase fields or text one element at a
time or by groups on any layout.

The Erase option makes it easy to tailor layouts so they show just
the information you need for a given purpose. For example, in
analyzing sales, you might want to view only summary information
for each salesperson, rather than the details of each sales
transaction. You can create a streamlined layout for this analysis.

The Erase option also provides the most efficient way to delete an
entire unit of layout text rather than a few characters. For
example, you can erase all the layout text on a layout for printing
mailing labels; only the fields containing name and address
information are needed.

Note: If you want to delete a field and all Its data from your
file, instead of erasing the field from a layout, use the Define
option. For instructions, see the section Changing or Deleting
Field Definitions in the chapter Designing Files. If you delete a
field through the Define option, Nutshell removes it from all of
your layouts along with layout text that matches the field name of
the deleted field.

To erase fields or text from a layout:

1. Position the cursor in the layout text or field you want to
erase, or to erase a group of elements, position the cursor at one
corner of the group. Then select Erase.

2. To erase one element, press return, or to erase a group, move
the cursor so the solid bright rectangle encompasses at least one
character of each element in the group, then press return. Nutshell
marks the element(s) with a solid bright background.

3. Press return once again to confirm the erasure.

The examples in this section show how two common business
documents, a business form and a form letter, can be designed using
the many options available on a Nutshell layout. A layout and a
printed record are shown for each example, to illustrate the
collective effect of using the options discussed in this chapter to
control the visual presentation of your information.

The previous chapter explained all the basic methods of working huh
elements on a layout: changing the size of fields, rearranging
elements, adding or erasing fields and text, and so on. This
chapter explains how to use the Partition option on a layout to
designate where specific kinds of information should be printed
relative to the page and to groups of records. For example, layout
text that you place in a Header partition is printed at the top of
each page when you print information using that layout; the text
could be a title, a date, column headings, or any other information
you want to appear at the top of each page. By using the Partition
option in combination why techniques from the previous chapter, you
can design custom reports that present the information you need in
exactly the form you want.

Partitions are like adjustable drawer dividers: you can adjust the
size of each partition, remove any partition, and move the contents
(layout text, fields, empty lines, and special characters to
control page breaks, page numbering, date, and time) from one
partition to another.

The first section, Concepts of Partitioning a Layout, explains the
purpose of each of the five types of partition: Body, Header,
Footer, Grand Summary, and Sub-summary. Read this section to
understand which partition to use to print titles and column
headings, various kinds of summaries, page numbers, and so on.

The next two sections go into the mechanics of creating, changing,
and deleting partitions; these are capabilities you can use to
adjust any layout at any time.

The fourth section, Deciding Where to Place Information, provides
additional detail on the relation between a partition on the layout
and printed information on the page, such as how to tell how much
information can fit on a printed page in order to decide where to
put page breaks.

Partitions divide a layout horizontally. Each line of the layout
can be partitioned to control how much space is used to display and
print different kinds of information such as headings, records, and
summaries.

When you first select Partition from the Layout screen, you'II see
that Nutshell labels each line of the current layout with the name
of one of the following types of partition:

In addition to the body, header, and footer which Nutshell creates
for you, you can create two other types of partition to designate
areas of the layout for summary information:

Grand Summary Printed before or after all the records
Sub-summary Printed before or after each sorted group of records

Each of these partitions can contain layout text, fields, and empty
lines. The type of partition you specify for each line of a layout
determines how elements on that line are displayed and printed.

Body

The body partition controls what is printed for each record. Each
layout can have one body partition. When you first select Partition
from any layout, Nutshell sets the number of lines in the body
partition lo include all your layout text and fields. (An empty
layout contains no fields or text, so Nutshell doesn't create a
body partition.)

Lines in the body are printed once for each record, for as many
records as will fit on a page. If you want space between printed
records, include empty lines at the top or bottom of the body
partition.

If the body partition contains more lines than can fit on your
printed page, you can specify at what line Nutshell should start a
new page; type Ctrl-L on the line of the partition where you want
Lee page break. The page break symbol appears on Lee layout.

Header

The header partition controls the top margin of the printed page.
Each layout can have one header partition. When you first select
Partition from any layout except an empty layout, Nutshell creates
a header of six empty lines. (No header is created when you select
Partition from an empty layout.) By changing the number of lines in
the header partition on a layout, you can adjust the top margin for
the pages you print using that layout.

To create effective and informative reports, you may want to
include layout text or fields in the header such as the following:

A title or page heading to be printed at the top of each page.

Column headings for a columnar report. Column headings in the
header partition are printed once at the top of each page. If you
arrange fields in the body partition so they are aligned with the
appropriate heading, the layout can be used to print a columnar
report.

Automatic page numbering. Typing two number signs (##) on the line
in the header where you want the page number to appear tells
Nutshell to automatically number pages at the top of each printed
page.

Today's date. Typing two slashes (//) on the line in the header
where you want today's date to appear tells Nutshell to print the
system date at the top of each page.

Current time. Typing two colons (::) on the line in the header
where you want the current time to appear tells Nutshell to print
the system time at the top of each page.

Data from the first record on the page. When you include fields in
the header, Nutshell prints data in the fiefs from the first record
on the page, enabling you to create a changing page heading such as
the heading in a dictionary or a telephone directory.

Nutshell creates the header partition at the bottom of the layout
so you don't have to scroll the screen to see your fiefs when
you're adding, modifying, or finding records. You can place the
header anywhere on the layout that~s convenient for you; regardless
of where it is placed, the header is always printed at the top of
each page.

Footer

The footer partition controls the bottom margin of the printed page
and has characteristics parallel to the header parathion. Each
layout can have one footer partition. When you first select
Partition from any layout except an empty layout, Nutshell creates
a footer of six empty lines, which creates a bottom margin of six
empty lines on each printed page until you change the footer
partition. (No footer is created if you select Partition from an
empty layout.)

You can also include layout text or fields in the footer partition
to create the following:

Text, such as the document title or reference number, to be printed
at the bottom of each page.

Automatic page numbering. Typing two number signs (##) on the line
in the footer where you want the page number to appear tells
Nutshell to automatically number pages at the bottom of each
printed page.

Today's date. Typing two slashes (//) on the line in the footer
where you want today's date to appear tells Nutshell to print the
system date at the bottom of each page.

Current time. Typing two colons (::) on the line in the footer
where you want the current time to appear tells Nutshell to print
the system time at the bottom of each page.

Data from the last record on the page. When you include fields in
the footer, Nutshell prints data from the last record on the page
at the bottom of each printed page.

Nutshell creates the footer at the bottom of the layout, but you
can place the footer anywhere on the layout that's convenient for
you; the footer is always printed at the bottom of the page.

Grand Summary

Create a grand summary partition when you want information to be
printed either before or after all the records in a report, instead
of with each record (as in a body partition), or at the top or
bottom of each page (as in the header or footer partition).

The most common and effective use of grand summary partitions is to
hold summary fields and explanatory layout text. Because a summary
field contains a cumulative result for all the records (or all the
found records), it contains only one value for all the records you
are browsing, rather than a deferent value for each record. It's
most meaningful to print this value either before or after all the
records on which the value is based.

For example, summary fiefs in a lawyer's work log file might track
such items as total time expended, average time expended, and total
amount billed. All of these items can be printed at the end of a
report detailing case activity. This is easily accomplished by
placing all the summary fields in a grand summary partition which
is located below the body partition on the report layout.

You can create up to two grand summary partitions on any layout:
one above and one below the body partition. This lets you choose
whether to provide a summary before the details in a report (grand
summary above the body), after the details (grand summary below the
body), or both before and after.

If you want Nutshell to start a new page before or after printing
a grand summary partition, type Ctrl-L on the layout at the top or
the bottom of the grand summary partition. The page break symbol
appears on the layout.

Sub-summary

Create a sub-summary partition in order to summarize sorted groups
of records, rather than the entire file or set of found records as
in a grand summary partition. By sorting records, you tell Nutshell
to group them according to the value in the sort field. (For
specifics, see the chapter Sorting Information.) Nutshell can then
mark information for each group of records that have the same value
in the sort field.

The example below shows a layout and a printed summary report for
a lawyer's file of cases. The summary shows the time expended and
the amount billed for each type of case the lawyer handles. At the
end of the report, the total time and amount for PI the cases is
shown. The file is sorted by the Type of Case field, which is the
sort field used to create the sub-summary partition. The summary
fields Total Time (when the formula Total of Time Expended) and
Total Amount (Total of Amount Billed) have been included in both
the sub-summary partition and the grand summary partition. In the
sub-summary partition, the summary field contains a total for each
group of records with the same type of case; in the grand summary
partition, the summary field contains a total for all the cases.

If your file has links to a look up file, you can use a field from
the look up file as the sort field to be used in a sub-summary
partition.

For example, if you keep sales records in a base file and personnel
records in a look up file, you can use the fields Last Name and
First Name from the personnel file as sort fields to sort sales
records alphabetically by

salesperson. By including the summary field Total Sales in the sub
summary partition, Nutshell can subtotal sales for each group of
records sorted alphabetically by salesperson.

You can create a sub-summary parathion above and below the body for
each sort field. This lets you print summary information for groups
of sorted records ether before or after the group of records why
the same value in the sort field.

The value in a summary field in a sub-summary partition can be
displayed only if the records are sorted~by the field you specify
when you create the parathion. If the records are not properly
sorted, a summary field in a sub summary parathion will be empty.
Similarly, lines in a sub-summary partition are printed only when
the records are properly sorted.

If you want Nutshell to start a new page before or Ares printing a
sub summary parathion, type Ctrl-L on the layout at the top or the
bottom of the parathion. The page break symbol appears on the
layout.

When you select Partition from the Layout screen, Nutshell displays
the menu options Create Partition and Delete Partition. Use the
Create Partition option in order to:

Add a new partition to a layout.

Replace a partition that has been deleted from a layout.

Change the size or location of a partition.

Remove empty lines from the end of a partition when you want to
print records.

Creating partitions, whether new ones or replacements, does not
change what is on your layout; only the way the elements will be
displayed and printed. You can create a partition for elements that
are already on adjacent lines of a layout, or if you prefer, you
can move elements into the partition after it is created. Each
layout can have different partitions.

You can replace a partition by creating a new one of the same type
on the layout. You do not have to delete the old partition first.
For example, if your layout already has a grand summary partition
above the body partition, and you create another grand summary
partition above the body partition, the new partition replaces the
existing one.

When you move elements on a layout or define new fields, you may
want to use the Partition option to make sure elements are in the
partitions you want. For example, after using the Define option to
create new fields or delete fields, you may want to print more or
fewer lines for each record. In this case you would create a new
body partition to include the number of lines that accommodate the
changes to your fields.

When you use the Height Variable option (a sub-option of the
Reshape option of the Layout screen) to remove empty space from a
field, any empty lines left between fields are placed at the end of
each record when printed, in order for each record to take up the
same amount of space. You can use the Variable Height option (a
sub-option of the Create Partition option of the Partitions screen)
to create variable height partitions that will remove these empty
lines at the end of records. To make a fixed height partition a
variable one, or vice versa, recreate the partition you want to
change, then select Variable Height.

Note: If you want to include a blank lone between each record while
using the Variable Height option, include an extra line at the end
of the partition, then type a space character on that line. If no
characters are typed on an empty line at the end of a Variable
Height partition, the line will not be printed.

To create a partition:

1. Select Partition from the Layout screen. Nutshell displays the
Partition screen, which labels each line of the layout with the
type of partition currently specified for the line.

Note: To view other parts of the layout on the Partition screen,
use the cursor movement keys by themselves or in combination with
the Carl key.

2. Move the cursor to the first line you want to include in the
partition, then select Create Partition. Nutshell marks the line
that contains the cursor with a solid bright background.

3. Move the cursor to the last line you want to include in the
partition, then press return. Nutshell extends the solid bright
background to mark all of the lines to be included in the
partition, and displays a menu of all the partition types.

4. Select the type of partition from the menu. If you select
Header, Body, Grand Summary, or Footer, Nutshell creates the
partition comprising the lines you indicated, and displays the type
of partition next to each line.

If the partition is a sub-summary partition, Nutshell displays a
list of the defined fields in your current file. If the field you
want to sort by is in the current file, select the text, number,
date, or calculation field by which you will sort records to create
the sub-summary groupings.

If the field you want to sort by is in a look up file, select Look
up. Nutshell first asks you to select the link you want, then
displays the list of fields in the look up file. Select the text,
number, date, or calculation field from the hookup file by which
you will sort records to create the sub-summary groupings.

5. If you want empty lines removed from the end of the partition
when records are printed, select Variable Height. Nutshell marks
the variable height partition with vertical double-arrows.

To specify that a parathion show be printed with fixed height,
select Fixed Height. If the partition was previously defined as a
variable height partition, Nutshell removes the double arrow from
the edge of the partition screen to show that the partition is now
fixed height. (The double arrows are never printed - they are only
visual cues on the Partition screen.)

Note: If the new partition replaces one that was on the layout and
occupies different lines, the lines in the OW partition are not now
partitioned and the label for the type of partition next to each
line is now empty. Elements that are not in a partition are
displayed but not printed. If you want to print the elements,
create a new partition for these lines, or move the elements into
an existing partition.

When you delete a partition, any elements in the partition remain
on the layout and they are still displayed, but they are not
printed.

Delete a partition when a is no longer needed on the layout, or
when you want to omit the contents of the partition from a printed
report. For example, you may want to name your layouts to identify
the purpose of each, such as Data Entry Layout, Mailing Label
Layout, and so on. If you delete the partition for the line the
name is on, R will be displayed but not printed.

To delete a partition:

1. Move the cursor to any line on the layout that is within the
partition you want to delete, then select Delete Partition.
Nutshell marks the partition with a solid bright background.

2. Press return to confirm the deletion. Nutshell deletes the
partition and removes the label for the type of partition next to
each line. Elements that were in the partition will not be printed
until you create a new partition or move the elements into another
partition.

Each line that is partitioned on your layout corresponds to a line
on the printed page. It no partition is specified for a given line
or lines, Nutshell ignores those lines when printing records.
Unpartitioned lines can be used for instructions, notes, or other
information that you want to display on the screen, but omit from
the printed page.

Nutshell prints partitioned elements in the following order on the
page:

Header

Grand summary, if specified above the body parathion

Sub-summaries specified above the body partition

Body, repeated as many times as will fit on the page between the

header and footer and any grand summaries or sub-summaries

Sub-summaries specified below the body partition

Grand summary, H specified below the body partition

Footer

You can cause any partition to begin printing on a new page by
typing Ctrl-L on the line of the partition where you want the page
break to occur. Nutshell marks this position with a page break
character.

By selecting Fixed Height you can specify that you want any
partition on your layout to be printed exactly as it appears on the
Partition screen, including all empty lines at the end of the
partition. When you use Fixed Height partitions, each record will
take up the same amount of space when printed, regardless of the
number of empty lines in each record. A fixed partition size is
needed for printing certain materials such as mailing labels and
continuous forms, where the distance from the top of one label or
form to the top of the next remains constant.

If you do not want to print empty lines at the end of a partition,
select Variable Height. Variable height partitions let you
eliminate unwanted empty space between records, and so help to
conserve paper, since any empty lines in a record will be removed
before the records are printed.

Note: The Variable Height option on the Partition screen is
different from the Height Variable option on the Layout screen. The
size of partitions is not changed by specifying Height Variable for
fields in the partitions (using the Reshape option on the Layout
screen). The Height Variable option on the Layout screen removes
empty lines at the end of I'll. not partitions. In order to remove
empty space from the end of partitions, use the Variable Height
option on the Partition screen.

Partitions remain as you set them until you delete them or create
new ones. Using the Move option to move elements on a layout does
not change the partitions. As you move elements on a layout, or
create new partitions, check to make sure that any text fields
containing more than one line are not straddling partition
boundaries. All the lines of a text field must be contained in one
partition for the field to be printed properly.

To find out exactly how partitions will be printed on a page, you
can print one page as a sample, or you can print to your screen
using the CON: setting. By printing a sample page, you can see
whether you need to adjust the layout by changing the size of
partitions, moving elements into different partitions, changing the
location of a page break character, and so on. For details on the
printing process, see the chapter Printing Information.

You can work with a group of records in your file rather than the
entire file by using the Find option. When you find records that
match your criteria, you can browse, modify, sort, output, or
remove just the found records, leaving the other records in the
file intact. Nutshell displays and prints just the set of found
records until you add new records (which redisplays all the records
in the file) or use the Find option to find a different set of
records or find all the records.

For example, in a file for managing a seminar series, you cow find
all the seminars scheduled for a seminar leader who is no longer
available, modify the found records to include the new seminar
leader's name, sort them in order of date of seminar, and copy just
the found records to another file to give to the new seminar
leader.

When you're working why a set of found records, summary fields
contain a value summarizing just the found set. Continuing the
seminar series example in the previous paragraph, a summary field
that totaled registration fees would show the total fees for just
the seminars given by the new seminar leader, not all the seminars
as H wow H you were browsing all the records in the file.

You find records in the current file by typing criteria in text,
number, date, or calculation fields of the current file in a
pattern. (As a shortcut, you can also use the index to copy values
into fields in the pattern.) To find records in a hookup file,
first zoom to the file, select Find, then type your criteria in the
pattern. A find pattern can be one page of criteria, or be made up
of several pages. Each page of the find pattern comprises a
separate set of criteria. A page resembles an empty record in the
current layout.

Nutshell saves all the pages of the pattern you use to find a group
of records until you change the criteria or clear the pattern. So
if you work with the same subset of your file frequently, you don't
have to retype the criteria you use to find the records.

Note: The layout you use to find records must contain all of the
fields in the current file for which you want to specify criteria
and find values. If you switch to a different layout after
specifying a find pattern, Nutshell erases from the pattern any
fields containing criteria that are not on the current layout. This
is to prevent you from inadvertently finding records that match
criteria you can't see or change. You can find records using one
layout, then switch to another layout for browsing, printing, or
other tasks. However, if you want to find the same set of records
again, you will need to respecify the find criteria for the fields
that were not on the second layout.

Because Nutshell automatically indexes the values in text, number,
date, and calculation fields in your records, you can find the
records in the current file that contain any value by typing
criteria in the corresponding field in a find pattern. For example,
you could find records for all the seminars to be held in San Diego
by typing San Diego in the City field in the pattern.

By typing symbols in addition to values in a pattern, you can find
records containing values that exactly match (=) a value, are
greater than or equal to (>=) a value, are less than or equal to a
value (<=), are greater than (>) a value, are less than (<) a
value, or match a range of specified values (...). By typing only
(=) with no other value you can find empty fields, those containing
no value,. By typing (<>) before the value you can find fields that
do not match.

You can also ask Nutshell to find records that match several
criteria at once; for example, you could find only those seminars
in a given city that are scheduled on or after a particular date
and have a registration fee of no more than a certain figure. When
you type values in several fields on a page in a pattern, Nutshell
finds records that contain matching values in all the corresponding
fields.

By adding pages to a find pattern, you can find records that match
either one set of criteria (on one page of the pattern), or another
set (specified on another page of the pattern). For example, you
could find seminars on ether management practices or budgetary
analysis.

This section first outlines the general steps for finding records,
then provides details on all the different criteria you can
specify. A table at the end of the section summarizes the use of
the criteria for each field type.

To find records:

1. Make sure the current layout contains all the fields for which
you want to find values. If necessary, select Layout from the
Browse screen and press Pup or PgDn to display the layout you want.

2. From the Browse screen, select Find. Nutshell displays the Find
screen with an empty pattern in the current layout.

3. Type values in text, number, date, and calculation fields in the
pattern according to what you want to find in corresponding fields
in your records. (In a date fiend, or in a calculation field way a
date results, type the date as digits separated by a non-numeric
character, the same as you do when adding records.)

Note: Instead of typing criteria In look up yields to find values
in look up files, zoom to the look up file, select Find, then type
your criteria in the pattern.

To view or copy values from the index that Nutshell maintains for
each fiend, select Show Index. The index works the same way for
finding records as for adding or modifying records. You can also
use Show Index to display the name of the field. For details, see
the section Using the Index in the earlier chapter Adding, Editing,
and Deleting Information.

Note: If a field is too small to hold the necessary criteria, use
the Reshape option on the layout to enlarge the field.

4. To find the records that match the criteria, press F10 or the +
(plus) key in the numeric keypad. Nutshell displays the Browse
screen at the first found record, and shows the number of found
records on the top line of the screen. These are the records you
can browse, modify, sort, output, or remove until you add a new
record, find a different set of records, or find all the records.
If no records match the find pattern,

Nutshell displays the Browse screen and indicates that no records
were found.

To return to browsing all the records In the file:

1. From the Find screen select Find All. Nutshell displays the
Browse screen at the last record you displayed. You can now work
with all the records in the file. The records are in the order in
which you originally added them.

Note: When you add new records to a file, Nutshell in effect
selects Find All for you in order to add the records; that way,
there~s no confusion about whether the new records belong to the
set of found records. Because Nutshell saves your find pattern, you
can easily find the correct set of records by selecting Find and
pressing F10.

Finding a Range of Values

To find records containing a range of values in a given field, type
an ellipsis (three periods (...)) between the first value and the
last value in the field in the find pattern. When you type a range,
Nutshell finds records containing the first value, all the
intervening values, and the last value (an inclusive range).

In a text field, you can find a range of alphabetical values. For
example, to split an over-enrolled seminar into two groups, you
could find registrants whose last names begin why A through L by
typing A . . . L in the Last Name field.

In a number field or in a calculation field with a number result,
you can find a range of numerical values. For example, you could
find seminars with registration fees in the $200 to $400 range by
typing 200 . . . 400 in the Registration Fee field.

In a date field or in a calculation field with a date result, you
can find a range of chronological values. For example, you could
find all the seminars being given from June 1 through July 31 by
typing 6 /1/ 9 0 . . . 7 / 31/ 9 0 in the Date field.

In a time field or in a calculation field with a time result, you
can find a range of chronological values. For example, you could
find all the seminars being held from 10AM through 2PM by typing
10:00am. . . 2:00PM in the Time field.

Finding Values Greater Than or Less Than a Given Value

By typing a >= (greater than or equal to) symbol directly in front
of a value in a pattern, you can find records containing values in
the corresponding field that match or are alphabetically After,
numerically greater, or chronologically later than the value you
type in the pattern. Conversely, you can precede the value in the
pattern with a <= (less than or equal to) symbol to find values
that match or are alphabetically before, numerically smaller, or
chronologically earlier than the value you type.

By typing a > (greater than) symbol in front of a value in a
pattern, you can find records containing values in the
corresponding field that are alphabetically after, numerically
greater, or chronologically later than the value you type in the
pattern. And conversely, you can precede the value in the pattern
with a ~ (less than) symbol to find values that are alphabetically
before, numerically smaller, or chronologically earlier than the
value you type.

For example, If you need 14 people to make it feasible to put on a
seminar, you could type <14 in the Number Registered field to find
seminars that are currently under enrolled.

 Finding Empty Fields or Fields Not Equal to a Given Value

By typing an = (equal ) symbol with no value following it, you can
find records containing no values in the corresponding field in the
pattern. Also, you can precede the value in the pattern with a <>
(less than and greater than) symbol to find values that do not
match the value you type.

For example, if you wished to find anyone not registered for a
seminar you would enter = with no value in the seminar field. To
find everyone not attending seminar 14 you would enter <>14 . To
find everyone who has registered for a seminar you could enter <>=
which effectively excludes empty fields.

Additional Criteria for Finding Values in Text Fields

Each text fiend can how many values (words), unlike other field
types which can each hold one value per fiend. Nutshell provides
some additional criteria to make it easy to find exactly what you
want to find in text fields in your records. You can find records
with text fiends containing values that:

Match or begin with the word or partial word you type in the
pattern.

Exactly match the word or partial word you type in the pattern.

Match or begin with all the words or partial words you type in the
field in the pattern.

When you type a value in a text fiend in a pattern, Nutshell finds
records with values that match or begin with what you typed. For
example, H you type D in the City field, Nutshell will find records
for seminars being held in Dallas, Denver, and San Diego. This
means that you can type just the first few letters of a long name
or a word that is difficult to spell. It's also convenient if you
need to find all attenders within a certain telephone area code, or
seminars that begin with a certain letter code.

To find records with values that exactly match what you type in a
text field in the pattern, precede the value with an = (equal)
sign. For example, H you type =10 in the Title field, Nutshell will
find only the record for the seminar titled ~10 Ways to Beat Your
Competitors," not the seminar titled PA Critical Look at Fortune
100 Companies in 1986.~ Type an equal sign before each word that
you want Nutshell to exactly match.

If you type more than one word in a text field, Nutshell finds
records that contain all the words in the corresponding field. For
example, H you type both Manage and Business in the Description
field, Nutshell will find seminars with descriptions such as
~Business management for entrepreneurs~ and a How to manage without
a business school background," but not business outlook in 1986" or
debunking myths of management science."

Note: Nutshell Ignores capitalization to find values in text
fields, so you can be sure you're finding all the records that
contain a given word regardless of whether you originally typed it
using all upper-case letters, mixed case, or all lower-case.

Adding Sets of Criteria

By adding pages to a find pattern, you can find records that match
any one of a number of sets of criteria. Each page of the pattern
resembles a new empty record; you can type values in any text,
number, date, or calculation field on any page. For example, you
could find all the seminars being given in San Francisco Q~ New
York by typing San Francisco in the City field on the first page of
a pattern, and New York in the Cry field on the second page. (If
you had typed both San Francisco and New York in the City flew on
one page of the pattern, Nutshell would find only seminars being
given in both Francisco and New York.)

To add a set of criteria:

1. After typing values in the first page of the find pattern on the
Find screen, select Also Find. Nutshell displays a new page of the
pattern on the Also Find screen.

2. Type criteria in fields on the new page.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to add as many additional sets of criteria
as necessary. Use the Pup and PgDn keys to redisplay the other
pages of the pattern.

4. When you are ready to have Nutshell find records that match
criteria on any of the pages in the pattern, press F10 or the +
(plus) key in the numeric keypad.

Finding Records That Don't Match Validation Criteria

Sometimes it's more convenient to defer correcting values that
don't meet validation criteria you have defined than to correct
each one as you add records. The Invalid Records option lets you
find all these renegade records at once in order to correct or
delete them.

You can also use the Invalid Records option after adding or
changing validation criteria, to find records that no longer match
the criteria.

To find records that don't match the valldatlon criteria:

1. From ether the Find or the Also Find screen, select Invalid
Records. Nutshell displays the Browse screen with the number of
found records. (Any criteria you typed in the find pattern are not
used in finding the invalid records, but are saved so you can use
them the next time you select the Find option.)

2. To see which fields on the current layout contain invalid
values, select Modify. Nutshell marks the invalid fields with a
solid bright background. For details on modifying records, see the
section Changing the Information in a Record in the earlier chapter
Adding, Editing, and Deleting Information.

To find records containing Invalid date or time fields:

Date and /or time fields can sometimes contain invalid data without
any validation criteria having been specified for them.

1. If data containing invalid formats for ether date or time is
imported into those fields then the resulting date or time will be
invalid.

2. Also calculations which produce a date or time result which
falls outside the valid range for date or time fields .

3. On either the Find or the Also Find screen, enter ox/ox/oooo to
bate invalid dates, or 24:00:00 to locate invalid times in the
appropriate fields

Nutshell saves the criteria you specify on all the pages of your
find pattern so that you can repeatedly find records without
retyping the criteria. You can modify the criteria at any time or
erase them and start over.

Edit the criteria in fields in the same manner that you edit field
contents in records, then press F10 or the + (plus) key in the
numeric keypad to find records that match the edited criteria.

You can erase pages of your find pattern one page at a time, or you
can erase all the pages at once. Select One Page to erase pages of
your find pattern one page at a time. For example, to respecify a
set of criteria or to eliminate an obsolete set of criteria, select
ALL Pages to erase all the pages of your find pattern.

To erase one pave of the find pattern:

1. Display the page you want to delete by using the Pup or PgDn
key.

2. Select Clear.

3. Select One Page. Nutshell erases the displayed page from the
pattern.

To erase all paves of the find pattern:

1. Display any page of your find pattern.

2. Select Clear.

3. Select ALL Pages. Nutshell deletes all the pages of the find
pattern.

Records in your file are stored in the order in which you add them.
By using the Sort option, you can temporarily change the order of
either a set of found records or the entire tile while you browse,
modify, or print records. For example, you might want to sort
customer records by Zip code in order to print mailing labels for
a presorted bulk mailing. The records remain in the sorted order
until you add new records or find records. To permanently change
the order of records, you can copy the sorted records to another
file. For details see the chapter Copying Information To and From
Other Files.

You sort records by specifying a sort order, which is a list of
text, number, date, time, or calculation fields. Nutshell sorts
records by the first sort field, then uses any additional sort
fields to sort duplicate values. For example, a file for managing
a membership list might use a sort order of Last Name (the first
sort field), and First Name (the second sort flew). Nutshell would
sort all the Smiths together, then put the members with a last name
of Smith in order by First Name. You can have as many fields in the
sort order as you need to sort duplicate values.

For each field in the sort order, you specify whether Nutshell
should sort values in the field in ascending order or descending
order. Ascending order means alphabetical order for a text field,
smallest-to- largest numerical order for a number field or a
calculation field with a number result, and chronological order for
a date or time field or a calculation field with a date or time
result. Descending order means the reverse of ascending order. For
example, you might want to sort sales figures in descending order
so you can readily see which products garnered the most revenue per
sale.

NOTE Nutshell Plus II sorts based upon the ASCII collating sequence
for text fields except that accented characters as used in many
non-English languages will be sorted as though they did not have an
accent mark, in the case of the Gem man umlaut characters they will
be sorted as though a two character pair in which the second
character is the letter 'e'

Nutshell saves the sort order you specify, so you can quickly sort
the file again by the same fields after finding or adding records.
You can also change the sort order at any time.

If you want to browse or print sub-summary information, you need to
include in the sort order the fields that you specified when you
created each sub-summary partition on the layout. For information
on sub-summary partitions see the earlier chapter Adding Power to
Reports. Nutshell

Sorting Information

displays and prints a value for summary fields in sub- summary
partitions only when the records are properly sorted. For example,
you might sort a membership list by the Type of Membership field in
order to view subtotals of membership dues paid by each type (such
as Individual, Family, Sustaining, Corporate, etc.). To do this,
you would create a sub-summary partition for the sort field Type of
Membership. Then you would place the summary field Total Dues in
the sub-summary partition. Sorting the records by Type of
Membership would group all the members with each type of membership
together. Then, Nutshell would display and print the Total Dues
paid by each group.

If your file has links to look up files, you can use fields from
one of the look up files in the sort order. For example, you might
keep sales records in one file, and sales personnel records in
another file, using the salespersons' social security numbers to
link the files. If you wanted to create a report that sorted sales
records alphabetically by salesperson, you could use the fields
Last Name and First Name from the look up file to sort records in
the sales file by name. This is particularly useful when you want
to summarize data that's sorted by a field in a look up file (see
the Sub summary section in the earlier chapter Adding Power to
Reports for further information) .

You can specify a new sort order whenever you need to see records
in a different sequence. To sort a set of found records, first use
the Find option to isolate the records. For details on finding
records see the previous chapter Finding Information.

To create a new sort order:

1. From the Browse screen, select Sort. If you have not previously
specified a sort order, Nutshell displays the Sort screen with an
empty sort order at the top of the screen and a list of all the
defined fields of your current file at the bottom of the screen.

If you have previously specified a sort order, Nutshell displays it
at the top of the screen. To replace the current sort order with a
new sort order, select New Order. Nutshell clears the current sort
order and displays a list of all the defined fields of your current
file at the bottom of the screen.

2. Move the cursor to the text, number, date, time or calculation
field you want Nutshell to use first in sorting records, then press
return. In the sort order Nutshell lists the field you selected,
and asks you to specify ascending or descending order.

or

To add a look up field to the sort order, do the following:

Select Look up. Nutshell asks you to specify which link you want to
use. After you select the link you want, Nutshell displays a list
of fields in the look up file.

Move the cursor to the look up field you want to use in sorting
records, then press return. In the sort order Nutshell lists the
look up filename and field you selected, and asks you to specify
ascending or descending order.

To display the list of fields in the base file, select Return to
Base File. Nutshell redisplays the list of fields in the base file.

3. Select either Ascending Order or Descending Order for the sort
field. Nutshell displays arrows in front of the sort fields to
indicate ascending or descending  order.

4. If you need additional sort fields to sequence duplicate values
or to display sub-summary information, select the next sort field,
then select Ascending Order or Descending Order. Continue
identifying sort fields in this manner for as many sort fields as
you need.

5. When you have finished selecting sort fields, press Esc.
Nutshell displays the Sort screen menu.

Once you've specified a sort order, you can sort records, or you
can return to the Browse screen without sorting your records.

To sort records according to the current sort order:

1. From the Sort screen select Start Sorting. Nutshell sorts the
records and displays the Browse screen at the first record in the
sorted order.

 or

To display the Browse screen without sorting records, press Esc.

Repeating a Sort

Because Nutshell saves the sort order you specify, you can quickly
sort records again after finding or adding records.

To sort records according to the current sort order:

1. From the Browse screen, select Sort. Nutshell displays the
current sort order.

2. Select Start Sorting. Nutshell sorts the records and displays
the Browse screen at the first record in the sorted order.

Changing the Sort Order

You can change any aspect of the sort order at any time.

To modify the sort order:

1. From the Browse screen, select Sort. Nutshell displays the
current sort order.

2. Select Modify Order. Nutshell displays a menu of options.

3. You can now add a new field to the sort order, move a field to
a new position in the sort order, remove a file from the sort
order, or change the sorting direction (ascending or descending) of
a field.

To add a field to the sort order: select Add. Nutshell displays a
list of all the defined fields in the file last used to include
fields in the sort order. AL as many new sort fields as you want,
following the instructions given in the earlier section Creating a
New Sort Order. When you have finished adding new sort fields,
press Esc.

To move a field to a new position In the sort order: move the
cursor to the sort field you want to move. Select Move. Then move
the cursor to the place in the sort order where you want to move
the sort field, and press return. Nutshell moves the sort field to
the new position.

To remove a field from the sort order: move the cursor to the sort
field you want to remove. Select Remove. Nutshell deletes the field
from the sort order.

To change the sorting direction of a sort field: move the cursor to
the sort field whose direction (ascending or descending) you want
to change. Select Change Direction. Nutshell changes the direction
of the sort order, as indicated by the arrow's change of direction.

4. When you have finished modifying the sort order, press Esc to
display the Sort screen.

5. To sort the records, select Start Sorting. Nutshell sorts the
records and displays the Browse screen at the first record in the
sorted order.

To display the Browse screen without sorting records, press Esc.

Returning Records to Their Original Order

Nutshell returns records to their original order, the order in
which you added them, when you Finn records or add new records. You
can also use the Sort option to unsort the records.

To return records to their original order:

1. From the Browse screen, select Sort.

2. Select Unsort. Nutshell displays the Browse screen at the first
record, why records restored to the order in which you added them.
Your current sort order is saved in case you want to use it again
later.

Nutshell's Layout, Find, Sort, and Print Records options work
together to let you print any group of records in formats as
diverse as columnar or freeform reports, pre-printed forms, mailing
labels, form letters, lists, tables, or catalogs.

The uses of the Layout, Find, Sort, and Print Records options for
printing information are summarized below.

Layout

To determine which fields, from both current and look up files, you
want printed.

To arrange material to fit the page size you will print on,
determining the right and left margins of the page by confining
material within the appropriate character positions.

To highlight information to be printed in underline, bold, or
underline bold characters.

To eliminate spaces at the end of printed fields by making them
variable height or width, and at the end of partitions by making
them variable height.

To use partitions to determine where information is printed on the
page, which lines of the layout are printed, and where page
numbers, date, time, and page breaks are placed. Sub-summary and
summary information can also be controlled. Nutshell prints a
header and footer of six empty lines each on every page unless you
use the Partition option to change the header and footer
partitions.

To format fields to print left or right-justified, or centered, to
print numbers with dollar signs, commas, and a fixed number of
decimal digits, and to print dates in various date styles.

find: to find the records needed for printing a particular report,
form letter, set of mailing labels, or other material.

Sort: To put the records in the order you want to see them for a
particular printing, and to include sub summary information in a
printed report, letter, table, or other printed matter.

Print Records

To specify settings for the printer device name and model,
character spacing, line spacing, paper length, and continuous or
single sheet paper.

To specify settings for printing mailing labels including number of
labels across the page and label width.

To check the alignment of the layout on the page.

To print records on an attached serial or parallel printer, to send
information to a file to be printed from DOS, or to send
information to your screen by printing to CON: .

To print beginning at a particular record or starting with a
particular page number.

If you need instructions on using the Layout, Find, or Sort
options, see the chapters Changing the Visual Presentation, Adding
Power to Reports, Finding Information, or Sorting Information.

When you're ready to print information, you can send it directly to
a printer, send it directly to your screen, or store it in a print
file (a file that contains all the information you want to print,
plus settings for the printer). If you store the information in a
file, you can use the DOS PRINT command to print the file, as
explained in your DOS manual.

Whenever you print using a layout that displays fields from look up
files, the information in the look up fields and any layout text
associated with it are also printed. Nutshell uses the current
values in lookup fields. Calculation fields that use fields in look
up files in the calculation formula are not recalculated
automatically when you print; if you want to recalculate this type
of calculation field before you print, use the Modify option of the
Browse screen to retype data in a trigger field, or modify the
formula on the Define screen. For more information about
calculation fields that use information in related files, see the
section Defining Fields in the earlier chapter Designing Files.

You print records by specifying a number of settings such as your
printer model, the character and line spacing you prefer, the
length of the paper you will be using, and so on. Nutshell stores
these printing specifications with the layout you use to print
records, so each layout can have different settings. This section
explains the settings in the order that they appear on the Print
Records screen, so you can understand all the choices available
before printing. The next section, Printing Records, gives the
steps to take when you're ready to print.

Destination

You can specify either the device name assigned to your printer or
your screen, or a filename for the Destination setting. You can
type using either upper or lower case letters.

To print to a parallel printer, type LPTl :, LPT2 :, or LPT3 :, as
appropriate to your system configuration.

To print to a serial printer, type COM1: or COM2 :, as appropriate.

To print to your screen, type CON: .

To create a print file, type a legal DOS filename, using Show Files
if necessary to change the drive, extension, or path. Remember that
when you change either the drive or the path, you change the
current drive or directory that Nutshell uses to look for files and
store information. (For details on legal filenames, consult your
DOS manual. For instructions on using Show Files, see the section
Creating a New File in the chapter Opening and Closing a File.)

Store information in a print file when you want to:

Prepare information to be printed but defer actual printing for
another time.

Copy the information onto a disk for storage or for printing on
another system.

Take advantage of the background printing feature of DOS so you can
continue with other work while a file is being printed.

Create a file that can be used by other application programs when
the format needed for the file is not one Nutshell can create
automatically. (For more information on this process, see the
section Copying To Another File in the chapter Copying Information
To and From Other Files.)

Printer Model

Nutshell has been tested with over 60 printer models in order to
allow you to select your particular model when you print
information. If your printer is not included in the list of
supported printers for the Printer Model setting, you can select a
model that is similar to yours, or select a standard printer model
(called Other) which uses the default (preset) settings in your
printer to determine Character Spacing, Line Spacing, and Paper
Length.

Note: When you use the Printer Model called Other, you may find
that bold or underlined text is printed twice. If this happens,
there are two ways to remedy the problem: either remove the
highlighting from the layout you are printing, or reset the DIF
switch on your printer that causes an automatic line feed with a
return character. Removing the highlighting will produce correct
printing results, but nothing will be bold or underlined. See the
section Highlighting Information in the chapter Changing the Visual
Presentation for instructions. If you don't want to remove the
highlighting, and your printer supports bold and underline,
resetting the DIF switch will produce correct printing results with
bold and underlining. See your printer manual to find out where the
DIF switch is located and how to put the switch in the off
position.

Character Spacing

Character Spacing, sometimes known as ~pitch," refers to the number
of characters per inch (cpi) printed on a line. Normal character
spacing is 10 pi. Most printers have settings for compressed, wide,
and wide compressed character spacing. Character spacing options
for Epson printers, for example, are:

Normal 10cpi

Compressed 17cp1

Wide 5cpi

Wide Compressed 8.5 pi

Check your printer manual to see the character spacing options
available for your printer.

Note: To make sure your Information will fit within the width of
your paper, multiply the Character Spacing (cpi) by the paper width
(inches), to find out how many characters can be printed across the
page. Then check your layout by using the Position reading on the
top line of the screen. The number for the rightmost character
position that contains a field or layout text must be no greater
than the number of characters that can be printed across the page.
(Blank positions on either side of the layout form the left and
right margins of the page.) Variable width fields can exceed the
width of the page as long as the data contained in them does not.

You can select either a Normal or Dense setting for Line Spacing.
If you select Normal, Nutshell prints six lines per vertical inch.
If you select Dense, Nutshell prints eight lines per inch.

Paper Length

Paper Length is the number of lines (1-99, or 1-127 for some
printer models) that will be printed per page. If you are printing
mailing labels, the Paper Length should be the length of one sheet
of labels. You need to take Line Spacing (6 lines per inch or 8
lines per inch) into account when specifying Paper Length.
Calculate the setting with this simple formula:

Paper Length = Line Spacing x number of inches long

For example, if your Line Spacing is 6 lines per inch and your
paper is 11 inches long, Paper Length is 66.

Note: If your printer has a feature that makes it automatically
create a top or bottom margin, often called Skip on Pert (for
Perforation), turn this feature off when you are using Nutshell so
you can use the header and footer on the Nutshell layout to control
top and bottom margins. If you cannot turn Skip on Pert off, you'II
need to put extra empty lines at the end of your footer on the
layout in order to print the correct number of lines per page.
Usually 6 or 8 lines is enough, depending on whether your Line
Spacing is 6 lines per inch or 8 lines per inch.

Pause Between Pages

Select Yes if you are printing on single sheets; Nutshell will stop
after printing each page so you can feed a new sheet into the
printer. Press any key on the keyboard in order to continue.

Select No if you are printing on continuous feed (fanfold or roll)
paper. Nutshell will print the entire report without stopping.

Number of Labels

If you are printing mailing labels, type the number of labels
across (1-9) for the label stock you are using. For more about
printing mailing labels, see the section Printing Mailing Labels
later in this chapter.

If you are not printing mailing labels, leave this setting blank or
type 1 or 0.

Label Width

If you are printing mailing labels, type the number of characters
across (1-99) from the start of one label to the start of the next.
You can use the Number Columns option to count the number of
characters. For details, see the section Printing Mailing Labels
later in this chapter.

Divide Body

If you select No and the last body partition will not completely
fit onto a page then the page is ejected and the entire body is
printed on the following page. For small body partitions (under 6
lines) this may be desirable, but for larger sizes it may result in
too much blank space at the bottom of the page.

If you select Yes, then the body may be divided so that part is on
one page and the remainder on the next page. If the body partition
is physically larger than the page length, then this option is
automatically active within the body, but can still be used to
control whether each body starts on a new page or continues from
where the prior body ends.

Printing Records

Use the instructions in this section to send records to an attached
printer or to your screen, to store information in a print file, or
to set printing specifications to be used later for printing with
a given layout.

To print records:

1. If you want to print a set of records different from those you
are browsing, use the Find option to find the records. (Refer to
the chapter Finding Information.)

2. If you want the records printed in sorted order, or you want to
print information in sub-summary partitions, use the Sort option to
sort the records. (Refer to the chapter Sorting Information.)

3. From the Browse screen, select Output. Nutshell displays the
Output screen with the current layout.

4. If you want to print using a different layout, press Pup or PgDn
to display the layout, called the Output Layout.

Note: The Output Layout is used only for specifying print settings
and for printing. When you return to the Browse screen, Nutshell
displays records using the layout that was in effect before you
selected Output.

5. Select Print Records. Nutshell displays the Print Records screen
with the current settings associated with the displayed layout.

6. Select any of the settings to view the options or to change the
setting. You select a setting in the same way that you select an
item from a list: move the cursor to the setting you want, then
press return.

The available options for Character Spacing, Line Spacing, and
Paper Length may vary depending on the Printer Model you select.

7. To change a setting, type the setting you want, then press
return, or select the setting from a list or menu, as appropriate.
Nutshell associates the settings with the layout you displayed on
the Output screen; each layout can have different settings.

8. When the settings are as you want them, you can check the
alignment of the layout on the page by selecting Align Paper from
the menu. This feature lets you assess whether the paper needs to
be repositioned in the printer, or the layout needs to be adjusted.
Nutshell prints the header, as many bodies as will fit on one page,
and the footer, substituting periods for field contents.

9. When you are ready to print records or create the print file,
select Print. As Nutshell sends records to the printer, your
screen, or the print file, the number of the record being sent is
displayed in the upper left corner of the screen. When all the
records are printed or stored, Nutshell displays the Browse screen
at the last record sent.

Note: You can start printing at a particular record by using the
Resume Printing option. For instructions, see the section Stopping
and Restarting the Printer at the end of this chapter.
Printing Mailing Labels

With Nutshell you can print mailing labels of virtually any
dimensions, up to nine across. This section describes how to use
the Number Columns option to measure your labels, set up a layout
for printing mailing labels, test the alignment, and print labels.

To print mailing labels, you should know how to create and work
with layouts. For review, see the chapters Changing the Visual
Presentation and Adding Power to Reports.

There are four main steps to preparing and printing mailing labels.
The first three steps are the main setup that you need to do only
once; the fourth step you do each time you print. You need to:

Calculate the correct number of lines for each label.

Create an empty layout with a body partition that has the correct
number of lines for each label; specify the correct print settings.

Include and position the fields you want to print.

Test the alignment of your paper by printing a test sheet; when the
alignment is correct, print your mailing labels.

To print mailing labels:

1. Calculate the number of lines for each label.

On your mailing labels sheet, measure in inches the distance from
the top edge of one label to the top edge of the label directly
beneath it. Convert the measurement in inches to a measurement in
lines, based on whether you will print with a Line Spacing setting
of Normal (6 lines per inch) or Dense (8 lines per inch):

Number of lines = Label measurement in inches x Line Spacing
setting

The number of lines must be a positive whole number (no fractions).
If one Line Spacing setting yields a fractional number of lines,
substitute the other Line Spacing setting in the formula. For
example, suppose the measurement from the top edge of one label to
the top edge of the next is 1-1/8 inches (1.125 inches). Using 6
lines per inch in the formula yields 6.75 as the number of lines,
a fractional value that cannot be used. If we instead use a setting
of 8 lines per inch, the result is 9 lines, which is a whole
number.

You will use the result of the calculation for the number of lines
to make sure your layout for printing mailing labels will give you
the proper spacing for your label stock. The diagram below should
help make the purpose of the calculation clear.

2. Create an empty layout, then specify print settings.  then
select Partition. Nutshell displays the Partitions screen with no
partitions.

Create a body partition of exactly the number of lines from the top
edge of one label to the top edge of the label below, as you
calculated in step 1. Then press Esc twice to return to the Browse
screen .

Select Output. Nutshell displays the empty Output Layout.

Select Print Records. Nutshell displays the Print screen with
standard settings.

Set the print specifications Tom all but the last two settings
(Number of Labels and Label Width) that you will use to print the
labels, based on the instructions in the previous sections
Preparing for Printing and Setting the Printing Specifications.
Make sure the Line Spacing setting is the same one you used in step
1 to calculate the number of lines from the top edge of one label
to the top edge of the next.

Select Number Columns. Nutshell prints a test pattern that is the
same number of lines as the body partition on your layout, with the
Character Spacing and Line Spacing you selected. The test pattern
counts off character positions beginning at the left edge of your
layout for eight inches. Alternating lines of the test pattern
count off character position by tens.

Hold the test pattern up to a sheet of your mailing label stock and
use the pattern to measure the number of characters across from the
left edge of one label to the left edge of the next label. The
measurement must be a positive whole number (no fractions). If
necessary, you can select a different setting for Character
Spacing, then print a new test pattern, in order to arrive at a
whole number measurement.

Set the Label Width to the whole number measurement you arrived at
above. Set the Number of Labels to be printed across your label
stock.

Press Esc twice to return to the Browse screen.

3. Include the fields and layout text you want to print.

Select Layout. Nutshell displays the empty layout you created for
the mailing labels.

Using the Include option, include and position the fields and
layout text you want to print on each label, using the two label
measurements you have made (the number of lines from top edge to
top edge, and the number of characters across from one label to the
next) as a guide for positioning. The Line and Position readings at
the top of the screen will help you as you include fields and type
any layout text in the arrangement you want. All the information
you want to print must fit within the body partition.

If you want Nutshell to eliminate spaces at the end of fields when
printing, use the Reshape option to specify Height Variable or
Width Variable for those fields.

Press Esc to return to the Browse screen.
4. Test the alignment of your paper, and print your mailing labels.

From the Browse screen, select Output, then select Print Records.

To test the alignment of your paper, position a piece of paper the
same size as your mailing label stock in the printer, in exactly
the same place as you will position the mailing label stock. Then
select Align Paper.

Nutshell prints the equivalent of the first page of labels, using
periods instead of data for the field contents, to show exactly how
the labels will print. Check the page against your label sheet to
make sure you have measured and positioned information accurately.
Make any necessary adjustments to the positioning of the paper or
to the layout.

To print your labels, feed the label stock into the printer,
placing it in exactly the same position as the paper you used to
test the alignment. Then select Print. Nutshell prints the labels
according to the print settings you specified.

Note: Some DIF files contain vector labels (or field names) in the
first tuple. These are imported as data in the first record added
to the Nutshell file. You should either delete this tuple in the
DIF file before importing (using a word processor or editor), or
delete the record that contains the vector labels in Nutshell after
importing.

Merge

If you have data, such as names and addresses for a mailing list,
in a Merge Data file (used by word processing programs such as
Leading Edge Word Processing with Merge Print), you can copy it
directly into a Nutshell file in order to easily find, sort, and
print form letters, directories, mailing labels and anything else
you might need.

The Merge Data file must have these characteristics:

Fields are separated from one another by a backslash (\).

Each record ends with a return character.

If a record is too long to Fe on one line, it can be split into
multiple lines by typing an ampersand (&) at the end of each line
except the last.

When importing data from a Merge Data file, Nutshell omits any
ampersand immediately followed by a return character. Data imported
into text fields is word wrapped according to the size and shape of
the field on the layout.

dBASE III/IV

If you have data in a dBASE 111, dBASE 111 Plus or dBASE IV file,
you can copy it directly into a Nutshell file.

A dBASE III/IV data file can hold character, numeric, date logical
(true/false) and real number data. For numeric fields, the dBASE 11
/IV field definition includes the number of digits to the right of
the decimal point. For date fields the dBASE date style is
converted tO Nutshell style. Fields are fixed length, that is, a
given field is the same length in every record. Records are also
fixed length.

When data is imported from a file in dBASE III/IV format, the
following observations apply:

Numeric fields are imported with a decimal point and the specified
number of digits to the right of the decimal point.
1
 Logical data can be imported into text fields.

Dates can be imported into date or text fields.

Blank spaces at the ends of fields are not imported.

dBASE III/IV memo files are not supported by this release of
Nutshell Plus.

dBASE IV real number fields are not supported by this release of
Nutshell Plus.

Note: A dBASE III/IV flue can contain deleted records. These are
ignored when importing.

File Maker

If you have data in a file created using File Maker's text file
(tab delimited) format on a Macintosh computer, you can copy it
directly into a Nutshell file. Fields are separated by tab
characters and records are delimited by a single return character

A File Maker data file can hold character, numeric, and date
fields. Set up the field definitions in Nutshell Plus 11 to match
the definitions and layout used in File Maker. Nutshell Plus will
preserve text, date and numeric fields as such.

When data is imported from a file in File Maker format, the
following observations apply:

Text fields are imported into text fields. Numeric fields can be
imported into numeric fields or text fields

Date fields can be imported into Nutshell Plus 11 date fields if
they were output using the unformatted option of File Maker.

Fields which included return characters can be imported into
Nutshell Plus 11 multi-line fields.

Note: File Maker tab delimited format is also compatible with the
text only format of MacWrlte and Microsoft Word.

Filemaker's Merge format is not compatible with the Nutshell Plus
11 Merge format.

You can stop printing at any time and resume at the page where you
left off using the Resume Printing option, or print all the records
again from the beginning using the Print option. You can also use
the Resume Printing option whenever you want to begin printing at
a particular record or page number.

When you stop printing by pressing the Esc key, the printer
continues to print until it exhausts the information in the buffer,
a temporary storage area used to hold information sent from your
computer until it can be printed. Most buffers don't hold more than
a few records.

To stop printing:

1. Press the Esc key once. The printer continues to print until it
has output all the records in its buffer.

2. If you are using continuous feed paper, press the Form Feed
button (or equivalent) to advance the paper to the next "top of
form," the top of the next page.

If you are using single sheet paper, roll the page out of the
printer.

To resume printing on a particular page:

1. From the Print screen, press Esc twice to return to the Browse
screen.

2. Press Pup successively until the Browse screen displays the
first record on the page on which you want to resume printing.

3. Select Output.

4. Select Print Records.

5. Make sure the printer is adjusted to print at the top of a new
page, then select Resume Printing. Nutshell prints the page on
which you stopped printing and continues to print the remainder of
the records.

Printing Information

Note: If your layout specifies automatic page numbering in the
header or footer, Nutshell will ask for the page number on which
you want to resume printing. Type the page number, then press
return. Nutshell numbers the page with the number you type, and
continues printing.

To start printing at a particular record:

1. Find, then sort, the records if necessary.

2. On the Browse screen, display the record at which you want to
start printing.

3. Select Output. If necessary, display a different Output Layout
using the Pup or PgDn key.

4. Select Print Records, then make sure the settings are as you
want them.

5. Select Resume Printing. Nutshell begins printing records at the
record you displayed on the Browse screen.

You can exchange data between files created with Nutshell and those
created with other programs, so you don't have to retype
information that you already have in your computer in any of the
following file formats:

Nutshell
ASCII (comma delimited or BASIC)
dBASE 11
DIF (Data Interchange Format)
Merge (word processing merge data file)
dBASE 111, dBASE 111 Plus, dBASE IV
File Maker

When you copy data from another file into a Nutshell file (import),
the records that you import are added to the end of the open
Nutshell file. Importing makes it easy to create a Nutshell master
file. For example, you could create a master sales file from
individual Nutshell files kept by each sales representative, or
copy personnel records from files kept at each branch office in
order to print an employee directory from a master file at
headquarters. The files you copy from are not altered.

When you copy data from Nutshell into another file (export),
Nutshell creates a new file containing just the fields and records
you export, in the file format you select. For example, you could
export data from a Nutshell file to a file that can be opened by
your spreadsheet program, in order to use special functions to
manipulate the data. The Nutshell file you copy from is not
altered.

Nutshell's importing and exporting capabilities can be used in
combination to let you take best advantage of each program at your
disposal. For example, the data you export to a spreadsheet program
can later be imported into Nutshell for more flexible sorting and
reporting. You can also export to almost any word processor's mail
merge program.

This chapter provides instructions on both importing and exporting
data. In order to use these capabilities, you should understand how
to work with layouts, including how to create layouts, how to move,
erase, and include fields, and how to switch from one layout to
another. For instructions, see the chapters Changing the Visual
Presentation and Adding Power to Reports.

Copying From Another File

The chapter Adding, Editing, and DeleTing Information describes all
the methods of adding records to a file one at a time (by typing,
copying from the index or a list of valid values, or copying from
fields in another record using the Ditto option). You can also have
Nutshell automatically copy a group of records or all the records
from another file into the Nutshell file you are using.

Nutshell's Import from File option lets you copy data into text,
number, or date fields in an open Nutshell file from another file
(the source filet which contains data in any of the following
formats:

Nutshell
ASCII (comma delimited or BASIC)
dBASE II
DIF (Data Interchange Format)
Merge (word processing merge data file)
dBASE III, dBASE III Plus, or dBASE IV
File Maker

Data is not imported into calculation or summary fields, because
Nutshell calculates the values for these fields, performing H
necessary the look up process for calculation fields that use data
in look up files. Look up files must be accessible for calculations
using look up fields to be performed. If a look up file is missing,
Nutshell will ask you to specify an alternate file, or will let you
choose to ignore the missing file.

Data is not imported into look up fields included on the layout,
because the data in them is actually stored in another file.

After you import data, you can find records that don't match
validation criteria you have set in the open Nutshell file. You can
also use the Find option to find data imported into fields when the
data types are incompatible. For example, to find text imported
into a date field, find records using a date of 1/1/0001 as find
criteria. For instructions on using the Find option to find invalid
records, see the chapter Finding Information.

To import data to an open Nutshell file you need two ingredients:

A source file containing data in one of the formats Nutshell
recognizes as listed above.

A layout in the open Nutshell file that contains just fields in the
base file that correspond to the data in the source file. The
fields in the open file should be in the exact order that the data
appears in the source file.

Nutshell uses the current layout as a guide to where to store data
imported from each field in the source file. Moving through the
layout in normal reading order, from left to right and from the top
down, Nutshell stores data from each field of the source file in
the corresponding field in the open Nutshell file, starting a new
record when all the fields in the current record are filled or when
a record separator is encountered in the source file.

Note: Keep the following In mind concerning calculation, summary,
and look up fields:

While data is not imported into calculation fields, you can include
them on the layout in the open file, so you can use the same layout
for both importing and exporting data; calculation fields can be
exported. Therefore, you must account for any calculation fields on
the layout when assessing how Nutshell will match fields in the
source file with fields on the current layout in the open Nutshell
file when importing data. Because Nutshell calculates the results
in calculation fields, any data you import into a calculation field
will not be stored.

Any summary fields on the layout are ignored, because summary data
cannot be either imported or exported.

Any look up fields on the layout are ignored, because data in look
up fields is supplied from look up files.

The size of the field on the layout does not limit the data that is
imported; all the data from the source file will be imported.

You import data by specifying the file format (Import type) and
filename of the source file. Nutshell saves these import settings
with the layout, so if you regularly import data from the same
source file using a particular layout, you don't have to respecify
the information. The general procedure for importing data is given
below, followed by sections on each of the file formats for source
files, which guide you in preparing source files for proper
importing into a Nutshell file. For best results, read through the
general procedure plus the section on the type of source file you
will be using before importing data.

 To import data:

1. Make sure the current layout contains fields in the exact same
order as the data in your source tile, reading from left to right
down the layout. Do not count summary fields or look up fields on
the layout when matching either the order of fields or the number
of fields on the layout in the open file with those in the source
file.

2. From the Browse screen, select Add.

3. From the Add screen, select Import from File. Nutshell displays
the Import from File screen with the import settings associated
with the current layout.

4. To change the setting for Import Type, position the cursor next
to Import Type, then press return. Then select the menu option that
matches the file format of the source file.

5. To change the setting for Source File, Position the cursor next
to Source File, then press return. Then type the DOS filename of
the source file, or use the Show Files option to select the
filename. For instructions on using Show Files, see the section
Opening an Existing File in the chapter Opening and Closing a File.

Note: If no extension Is typed, Show Files assumes a particular
extension for each import type, as follows:

n view files with a different extension by selecting Extension,
typing the extension, then pressing return.

6. When the settings are as you want them and you are ready to copy
data from the source file, select Start Importing. Nutshell begins
importing records, counting them off in the upper left corner of
the screen. If validation criteria are set, a message at the bottom
of the screen alerts you to invalid records.

When all the records are imported, Nutshell displays the Browse
screen with the last imported record displayed, unless there are
any invalid records or unless you press Esc to stop importing. In
these cases, Nutshell displays the Add screen with a new empty
record and reports the number of invalid records, if any, that were
imported. You can view the invalid records by selecting the Invalid
Records option from the Find screen. To find data imported into a
date field that is not a date, type 1/1/0001 in the find pattern.
For details, see the chapter Finding Information.

Import data from a Nutshell file when you want to:

Make a master file from individual files.

Copy some or all of the records Tom one tile into another tile.

Permanently change the order of records in a tile.

You can import a subset of the source tile to the open tile by
thirst using the Find option to group the records you want to
import. For example, each branch library could tin records Tom
missing or damaged books in order to import them into the main
library's book requisition tile. (For instructions on tin ding
records, see the chapter Finding Information.)

Only the data Tom the source tile is added to the open Nutshell
tile. No layouts, tied definitions, formatting, or specifications
such as tin patterns, sort order, or print settings are imported.

Field types in the source tile do not have to match tied types in
the open tile.

Note: Make sure the data you are Importing Is appropriate to the
field type in which it will be stored in the open file. For
example, you should not import data from a text field into a date
field unless the text field contains one date in the format
mm/Dad/ye or mm/Dad/yyyy, because a date field can be used only for
this specific type of data.

Nutshell uses the current layout in the source file to determine
what fields to import to the open file, importing them in normal
reading order Tom left to right Tom the top of the layout to the
bottom, and storing them in yields in the open tile according to
the order in the current layout.

Text, number, date, and calculation yields in the source tile can
be imported into fields in the open file. (Only the result in a
calculation field is copied into the open tile, not the formula. It
the tied the result is copied into is also a calculation tied,
Nutshell recalculates the result.) Any summary yields or look up
yields on layouts in either file are ignored for purposes of
importing. Preset values are also ignored.

The size of the fields on the source tile layout does not limit the
data that is imported; all the data Tom the source tile will be
imported.

You can import directly into a Nutshell file any data file that is
stored in comma delimited ASCII format. Some programs call this
BASIC format.

The ASCII source file can contain text and number data, which can
be imported into text, number, or date fields in the open Nutshell
file. The data in the ASCII file must observe the following
conventions:

Fields are separated from one another by commas.

If the data in a field contains commas, the field must be enclosed
in double quotation marks (data, including commas, within quotation
marks"). If the data also contains double quotation marks, they
must be replaced with single quotation marks ("To set off a
'quotation' within the field") .

An empty field is indicated by a set of double quotation marks with
nothing between the quotation marks (

Fields cannot contain return characters.

Each record ends with a return character and a line feed character.

When Nutshell imports the ASCII data, any blanks at the end of
fields are removed, as are the double quotation marks surrounding
fields.

dBASE 11

If you have data in a dBASE 11 file, you can copy it directly into
a Nutshell file.

A dBASE 11 data file can hold character, numeric, and logical
(true/false) data. For numeric fields, the dBASE 11 field
definition includes the number of digits to the right of the
decimal point. Fields are fixed length, that is, a given field is
the same length in every record. Records are also fixed length .

When data is imported from a file in dBASE 11 format, the following
observations apply:

Numeric fields are imported with a decimal point and the specified
number of digits to the right of the decimal point.

Logical data can be imported into text fields.

Copying Information To and From Other Files

Blank spaces at the ends of fields are not imported.

Note: A dBASE II flue can contain deleted records. These are
ignored when importing.

DIF

DIF (Data Interchange Format) stores data by rows and columns of
equal length and is used by many spreadsheet programs and some
database programs. Data stored in a DIF file can be copied directly
into a Nutshell file.

In a DIF file, fields and records are represented by rows and
columns, as in a typical columnar report. Most commonly, fields are
represented by columns, and records are represented by rows. This
is the way Nutshell interprets DIF data. However, these
representations can be swapped. Because fields do not have to be
columns and records do not have to be rows, the term vector is used
instead of column, and the term tulle is used instead of row.

DIF files can hold character and numeric data. A header section in
the beginning of the file contains information about the number of
tuples and vectors. Following the header section is the data
section of the file format, which has these characteristics:

The special data value BOB (for Beginning of Tulle) marks the
beginning-of each tulle, corresponding to a Nutshell record.

Each vector entry, corresponding to a Nutshell field, is preceded
by a number indicating the data type: 1 for character data, and 0
for numeric data.

Character entries are enclosed in double quotation marks and cannot
contain return characters.

The special data value EOD (for End of Data) marks the end of the
data.

The special data values BOT and EOD are each preceded by -1.

When importing data from a DIF source file, Nutshell omits the
information in the header section as well as the numbers indicating
the type of column entry, the quotation marks around character
entries, and the BOT and EOD markers. The data values in the data
section are imported. Any numbers that are represented in the DIF
file with exponential notation are converted to decimal numbers in
Nutshell. For example, a value such as -1 .E-9 is imported into
Nutshell as -.000000001.

Copying To Another File

The investment of time you make in creating a Nutshell file gives
you more than the ability to manage data within that file; you can
also automatically create other Nutshell files and files why
different data formats that can be used with other programs. For
example, perhaps you have a charting program that could help you
analyze information that you have in a Nutshell file. Just use the
Export option to copy the fields and records you want to chart to
a file format that can be recognized by your charting program. When
you use the Export option, Nutshell always creates a new file. To
add records to the end of an existing Nutshell file, see the
previous section Copying From Another File.

You can copy data from an open Nutshell file to a new file (the
destination file) in any of the following file formats:

Nutshell
ASCII (comma delimited)
dBASE 11
DIF (Data Interchange Format)
Merge (word processing Merge Data file)
dBASE III/IV
File Maker
Other (custom file formats)

You can specify which fields and records are to be exported to the
destination file, and in what order fields and records are to be
exported.

Choose the text, number, date, and calculation fields to copy by
selectively including them on the layout you will use to export
records (the Output Layout). For example, to export data on sales
volumes to a file that can be opened by a charting program, you
might include just Date of Sale, Product Name, and Quantity fields
on the layout to be used for exporting. The order of the fields on
the layout determines the order in which they are exported to the
destination file; Nutshell exports fields in normal reading order,
from left to right and from top to bottom, including any look up
fields but ignoring any summary fields. All of the data from each
field is copied, regardless of the field size on the layout, unless
you are exporting to dBASE 11 format which requires that a field
contain the same number of characters in every record. In creating
a dBASE 11 file, Nutshell exports as much data for each field as
fits in the field size on the Output Layout.

Note: Nutshell exports only the data stored in a file. It does not
export layout text, and it ignores any partitions when exporting.

You can choose which records to export by using the Find option to
find the records. Also, Nutshell's Resume Exporting option lets you
export records from a specific record displayed on the Browse
screen to the end of the file or end of the group of found records,
as appropriate. For example, if you need to create a new file of
all the product sales since July 1, you can sort the records in
ascending order by Date of Sale, display on the Browse screen the
first record why a Date of Sale in July, then use the Resume
Exporting option to create the destination file.

Sorting records in the open file before you export them lets you
determine the permanent order of those records in the destination
file.

You export data by specifying the file format (export type) and
destination filename of the file you want to create. Nutshell saves
these export settings with the layout you use to export (the Output
Layout), so if you regularly export data from Nutshell to a new
file, you don't have to respecify the information. For example, if
you export sales figures to a DIf file on a monthly basis to read
them into a spreadsheet model, the export type and destination file
remain properly set for the Output Layout you used. Of course, if
you still need the previously exported data, you should change the
destination filename of either the previous destination file or the
one you are about to create; after alerting you that a specified
destination file already exists and requiring confirmation to
overwrite the existing file, Nutshell will replace the existing
file with a new one that contains the new exported data.

The general procedure for exporting data is given below, followed
by sections on each of the file formats for destination files.
These sections include notes on any limitations of an export file
format in accepting Nutshell data. For best results, read through
the general procedure plus the section on the type of destination
file you will be creating before exporting data.

Note: You can create a file in a custom flue format by typing on a
layout the field and record separators you need, then using the
Print option to send data to a file. Highlighting should be normal,
not bold, and you should specify Other as the Printer Type in order
to avoid sending control codes. For more information, turn to the
last section, Other, for notes on creating a file in a custom
format.
To export data from the open Nutshell file to a new file:

1. Make sure the Nutshell file contains a layout that includes only
the fields you want to export in the order they should appear in
the exported records.

2. If necessary, find, then sort the records to export.

3. If you want to begin exporting at a particular record, display
the record on the Browse screen.

4. From the Browse screen, select Output.

5. If the Output Layout is not the one you want to use, press Pgup
or PgDn until the correct Output Layout is displayed.

6. Select Export Records. Nutshell displays the Export screen with
the export settings associated with the Output Layout.

7. To change the setting for Export Type, position the cursor next
to Export Type, then press return. Then select the file format for
the destination file from the menu.

8. To change the setting for Destination File, position the cursor
next to Destination File, then press return. Then type a DOS
filename for the destination file. You should avoid using the
extension .dub in the destination filename, to eliminate any chance
of accidentally overwriting your Nutshell data files. Use the Show
Files option if you need to change the drive or path where the new
file will be stored. For instructions on using Show Files, see the
section Creating a New File in the chapter Opening and Closing a
File.

Note: If no extension Is typed, Show Files assumes a particular
extension for each export type, as follows: ∙

These extensions provide a mnemonic way to keep track of files.
However, you can type any extension you prefer for the destination
file.

9. When the settings are as you want them and you are ready to copy
data from the open file, select Export.

or

To begin exporting at the record displayed on the Browse screen
when you selected Output, select Resume Exporting.

Nutshell begins exporting records, displaying in the upper left
corner of the screen a count of the records being exported. When
all the records are exported, Nutshell displays the Browse screen
at the last record exported.

When you export to a file with a Nutshell format, the structure of
the open file is copied to the destination file in addition to the
data. The following elements are copied:

Records. If you have found records, Nutshell exports just the found
records. If you have sorted records, Nutshell exports the records
in sorted order.

All field definitions including calculation and summary formulas
and validation criteria.

All definitions of links to look up files.

All layouts including partitions.

Sort order.

Print settings.

Import settings.

Export settings.

All macro definitions.

It's easy to create a template file from an existing Nutshell file
by exporting one or two records to the destination Nutshell file,
then deleting them from the destination file. The result is a file
why the identical structure to the open file, but with no data.
This is an effective way to achieve consistent recording of data
when several individuals maintain separate files of similar data
such as product orders.

If you need to cancel exporting by pressing Esc when you are
exporting data to a Nutshell file, you can use the Resume Exporting
option to create a new file (with a different destination filename)
that contains the remaining data to be exported, then import the
records from the second exported file into the first, creating one
file of exported records. This way you don't need to start the
entire export process over again. For instructions on importing
records, see the previous section Copying From Another File.

ASCII

Many programs can read files that are stored in comma delimited
ASCII (sometimes also called BASIC) format. Because ASCII files
distinguish only two types of data (text and number), Nutshell must
make some compromises when creating an ASCII file. Notably, date
fields and calculation fields with a date result are exported as
text, as are unformatted number fields and calculation fields with
a number result. If you want the data in number fields or
calculation fields with a number result to be exported as numbers
rather than text, make sure you format the fields on the layout to
have a fixed number of digits after the decimal point.

When you export records to an ASCII file, the destination file has
these characteristics:

Text fields are enclosed in double quotation marks (~Text within
quotation marks"); any double quotation marks within the data are
replaced with single quotation marks ('text'). Return characters in
a multiple-line text field are not exported.

Fields are separated from one another by commas.

Number fields that are unformatted or formatted why the number of
digits Leo blank are exported as text and enclosed in quotation
marks. Number fields formatted with a fixed number of decimal
digits are exported as numbers (no quotation marks).

Each record ends with a return character and a line feed character.

Any blanks at the end of fields are not exported.

dBASE 11

The dBASE 11 program requires a data file to have field definitions
which contain:

Field name - limited to ten characters with no embedded blanks.

Field type - character, numeric, or logical. Each character field
is limited to 254 characters and cannot contain return characters.
Each numeric field contains as part of its definition the number of
digits to the right of the decimal point.

Field length - each field has a fixed length (the corresponding
field in every record occupies the same number of characters).

When you copy Nutshell data into a destination file with a dBASE 11
format, Nutshell makes the following adjustments in order to meet
dBASE 11 requirements:

The first ten characters of each field name are exported. If the
name includes blanks, the blanks are replaced with colons (:).

The field length for each field is taken from its length on the
Output Layout.

Records are fixed length.

Text fields are exported as character data. A maximum of 254
characters are exported, subject to the field size on the Output
Layout. Return characters within a text field are not exported.

Number fields and calculation fields with a number result formatted
with a fixed number of decimal digits are exported as numeric
fields (because the number of digits to the right of the decimal
point is available to complete the dBASE 11 field definition).
Number fields and calculation fields with a number result that are
unformatted or formatted with the number of digits left blank are
exported as character fields.

A maximum of 32 fields and 65,535 records can be exported, due to
the limits of dBASE 11 files.

The dBASE 11 program expects an extension of .dbf on data files
unless you specify otherwise, so you may want to use .dbf as the
extension on your destination filename.

DIF

Files that you create in DIF (Data Interchange Format) can be used
by many spreadsheet and some database programs. DIF files
distinguish two data types: character and numeric.

When exporting from a Nutshell file to a DIF file, the following
considerations apply:

Text and date fields are exported as character data, and enclosed
in double quotation marks. Any double quotation marks within a text
field are replaced by single quotation marks, and any return
characters within a text field are not exported.

Number fields and calculation fields with a number result that are
unformatted or formatted with the number of digits left blank are
exported as character data.

Number fields and calculation fields with a number result formatted
with a fixed number of decimal digits are exported as numeric data.

Merge

By selecting Merge as the export type, you can create a Merge Data
file that can be used with word processing programs such as Leading
Edge Word Processing with Merge Print. You can manage data such as
customer account information using Nutshell, then export selected
data to the Merge format to create custom mailings.

Merge is the only non-Nutshell format that is guaranteed to hold
all the data stored in Nutshell records; in other formats the size
of fields is limited. If you need to save Nutshell data in as
compact a format as possible (for example, for archival backups or
for telecommunications at the lowest possible transmission cost),
you can save a copy of the Nutshell file with all records deleted,
along with a copy of all the data in the records stored in Merge
format. To restore the data to its original (Nutshell) format, open
the Nutshell file with no records, then import the Merge file.

When you export using Merge format, the destination file that
Nutshell creates has these characteristics:

Fields are separated from one another by a backslash (\).

Backslashes (\) in field data are changed to forward slashes (/).

Records are separated from one another by a return character.

Blank characters at the end of fields are not exported.

If a record continues beyond 250 characters, Nutshell inserts an
ampersand (&) before exporting the remainder of the record. If you
are planning to use the file with Leading Edge Word Processing with
Merge Print, you should either delete the remaining characters, or
edit the record so it fits within the 250 character limit.

dBASE III/IV

The dBASE 111, dBASE 111 Plus and dBASE IV programs require a data
file to have field definitions which contain:

Field name - limited to eleven characters with no embedded blanks.

Field type - character, numeric, date or logical. Each character
field is limited to 254 characters and cannot contain return
characters. Each numeric field contains as part of its definition
the number of digits to the right of the decimal point.

Field length - each field has a fixed length (the corresponding
field in every record occupies the same number of characters).

When you copy Nutshell data into a destination file with a dBASE
III/IV format, Nutshell makes the following adjustments in order to
meet dBASE III/IV requirements:

The first eleven characters of each field name are exported. If the
name includes blanks, the blanks are replaced with underlines ( ).

The field length for each field is taken from its length on the
Output Layout.

Records are fixed length.

Text fields are exported as character data. A maximum of 254
characters are exported, subject to the field size on the Output
Layout. Return characters within a text field are not exported.

Number fields and calculation fields with a number result formatted
with a fixed number of decimal digits are exported as numeric
fields (because the number of digits to the right of the decimal
point is available to complete the dBASE III/IV field definition).
Number fields and calculation fiends with a number result that are
unformatted or formatted with the number of digits left blank are
exported as character fields.

Date fields are converted to dBASE date style. dBASE allows only
two digits for the year, so any dates greater than 1999 or less
than 1900 will be truncated.

A maximum of 128 fields per record can be exported, due to the
limits of dBASE III files. A maximum of 255 fields per record can
be exported to dBASE IV files.

Note: If exporting to dBASE III or dBASE III Plus use a layout that
contains no more than 128 fields as that is the maximum capacity
for those formats (Nutshell Plus II only limits to the dBASE IV
capacity of 255.)

The dBASE III/IV program expects an extension of .dbf on data files
unless you specify otherwise, so you may want to use .dbf as the
extension on your destination filename.

File Maker

By selecting File Maker as the export type, you can create a File
Maker data file which can be used to exchange data with File Maker
applications on a Macintosh computer or with word processing
programs such as MacWrite and Microsoft Word (in text only format).

When you export using File Maker format, the destination file that
Nutshell creates has these characteristics:

Fields are separated from one another by a > (tab)

Return characters (<) in field data are changed to ASCII vertical
tab characters.

Records are separated from one another by a return character.

Date fields should be exported in unformatted style if they are to
be imported into File Maker date fields.

Blank characters at the end of fields are not exported.

Note: No special translation is required when exchanging File Maker
option files between a PC and a Macintosh.

Other

You may sometimes need to create a file in a format that is not one
of Nutshell's built-in export types. For example, the program with
which you want to use the file may require different record and
field separators than those in the formats Nutshell automatically
creates. In order to create such a file, customize a layout to
include any special characters (such as field separators), spacing,
and other characteristics you need, then use that layout to print
to a file using the Printer Model called Other. This section gives
a brief account of the steps necessary to create a custom file
format. More details on using the Print Records option are provided
in the previous chapter, Printing Information.

To copy data from the open Nutshell file to a new flue In a custom
format:

1. Make sure the layout you will use as the Output Layout contains
no highlighted characters. For instructions on selecting
highlighting

 Copying To Another File

options, see the section Highlighting Information in the chapter
Changing the Visual Presentation. (This step ensures that the
destination file does not receive information on printing bold,
underline, and underline bold characters, which can result in
transmission errors, such as bold characters appearing twice, when
the file is read by another application.)

2. Customize the layout by typing the field and record separators
as layout text, along with any other special characters you need in
the appropriate arrangement. To type fiend or record separators
that do not appear on the keyboard, (such as  and so on) or that
can't be typed on the layout directly (such as > (tab), < (return),
Esc, line feed, and so on), hold down the Alt key and type the
corresponding ASCII number for that character. Refer to your DOS
manual for a table of ASCII characters and their numbers.

3. Delete any extra partitions such as header and footer that are
not needed and may not be correctly interpreted by the program that
will read the destination file. In general, you will want just a
body partition to export records, or remaps only a sub-summary
partition if you need to export summary data.

Note: If you have more than one partition type on the Output
Layout, you must make sure the program that will read the file can
distinguish between records and information in the other partitions
such as summaries.

4. If necessary, find, then sort the records to copy.

5. If you want to begin exporting at a particular record, display
the record on the Browse screen.

6. From the Browse screen, select Output.

7. If the Output Layout is not the one you want to use, press Pup
or PgDn until the correct Output Layout is displayed.

8. Select Print Records. Nutshell displays the Print screen with
the print settings associated with the Output Layout.

9 . Make sure the setting for Destination is the filename for the
file you want to create. If no extension is typed, Nutshell assigns
an extension of .pm.

10. Make sure the setting for Printer Model is Other. This omits
control codes (non printing characters sent to the printer to
control various printing options) from the destination file.

11. Make sure the setting for Paper Length is an integral multiple
of the number of lines in the parathion on the Output Layout. If it
is not, Nutshell will generate a form feed character that may
confuse the program that will read the file. Alternatively, if your
file will not exceed 999 lines, you can set Paper Length to 999 in
order to keep Nutshell from inserting form feed characters in the
destination file.

12. When the settings are as you want them and you are ready to
copy data from the open file, select Print.

or

To begin exporting at the record displayed on the Browse screen
when you selected Output, select Resume Printing.

Nutshell begins copying data to the destination file, displaying in
the upper left corner of the screen a count of the records being
exported. When all the records are exported, Nutshell displays the
Browse screen at the last record exported.

Macros automate tasks that you perform regularly or routinely with
Nutshell; they also automate lengthy or complex tasks that you
might not otherwise carry out because of the added time it takes to
type a long sequence of keystrokes. Macros let you substitute a
single keystroke for the sequence of keystrokes that you would use
to accomplish a related group of tasks, such as finding a
particular set of records, sorting them, and printing them in a
report. Such a group of tasks can take quite a few keystrokes to
accomplish manually, but by creating a macro to carry out this
whole sequence of tasks, you can type just one keystroke and have
Nutshell perform the whole sequence automatically. Since many
keystrokes can be reduced to one, using macros also reduces the
number of opportunities for making typing errors.

Macros are highly flexible; you can create macros to do almost
anything. For example, you can create short macros to use as
abbreviations for longer text that you regularly need to type. Or
you can create longer macros to perform a complex series of tasks
such as printing a weekly sales report. You can also create macros
that will perform the same sequence of tasks for each record in a
file.

To gain access to Nutshell's macro feature from anywhere in any
Nutshell file, press the F9 key.

When you create a macro, Nutshell records the exact sequence of
keystrokes that you type on your keyboard, and stores the entire
recorded sequence as a unit, with a name to identify it. You can
then give your macro a nickname that you can use when you want to
play it back. To play back a macro, you simply type the nickname,
which is a single keystroke that you've specified (such as F3 or
Ctrl-X), or select the macro name from the list of macros, and
Nutshell plays back the entire recorded sequence of keystrokes,
performing each task automatically.

Nutshell automatically includes four redefined macros - Copy to
Clipboard, Paste from Clipboard, Date from System, and Time from
System - in every new Nutshell file you create. Copy to Clipboard
makes a copy of whatever you specify and stores it in a temporary
storage area called the Clipboard. Paste from Clipboard types the
current contents of the Clipboard wherever you position the cursor.
Date from System and Time from System type the current system date
or system time wherever you've positioned the cursor. You can use
these four macros almost anywhere in Nutshell.

This chapter first explains how to create new macros by recording
keystrokes, including instructions for using macro functions and
including other macros in the macro you're creating. It then
explains how to play back macros, how to use the four redefined
macros that are automatically included in every Nutshell file, how
to insert and delete macro steps, and how to change or delete a
macro.

Creating Macros

When you create a macro, Nutshell stores it in the file in which
you create it. Each Nutshell file will have its own collection of
macros that are designed to function in that particular file. In
addition to the macros that you yourself create, Nutshell
automatically creates four redefined standard macros (Copy to
Clipboard, Paste from Clipboard, Date from System, and Time from
System) each time you create a new file. Thus every Nutshell file
will include a set of these standard macros, unless you delete
them.

When you create a macro, you are actually recording a sequence of
keystrokes that Nutshell saves for you. Any keystroke you can type
while you're using Nutshell - to give Nutshell commands, to move
the cursor, to type characters, and so on - can be stored in a
macro for later playback. Each keystroke you type for a macro is
recorded as part of a separate macro step. Nutshell displays a list
of all the steps of a macro on the Macro Steps screen.

Some macros, such as the four redefined macros, can be played back
in almost any context. Others are more or less context dependent.
For example, if a macro includes selecting a menu option as one of
its steps, the menu listing that option is a part of the
appropriate context for that macro step. If the macro is played
back in a context in which the menu is not available, the macro
will pause, allowing you either to adjust the context or to stop
the macro. For more information about playback context, see the
section Playing Back Macros later in this chapter.

Some considerations about context that you need to keep in mind
when you're creating macros are:

Displaying the appropriate screen, record, layout, or page before
you begin to record macro steps. For example, H you want to create
a macro to automatically format fields on a layout, you can either
display the layout before you start recording macro steps, or you
can record all the steps that are necessary to display the layout
you want to format. In the first case, you'II need to return to the
appropriate context before you play back the macro; in the second
case, the macro will return to the appropriate context when you
play it back.

Positioning the cursor on the screen or in a field. To continue the
formatting example, H the fields you want to format are dollar
fields, you can either position the cursor in the field you want to
format before you start recording macro steps, or you can Stan
recording macro steps with the cursor in the home position (upper
left) and record all the steps that are necessary to position the
cursor in the field you want to format. Again, in the first case
you need to prepare the proper context by positioning the cursor in
the field you want to format before you play back the macro, in the
second case the macro finds the proper context when you play it
back.

Setting the Ins (Insert) key. If you want a macro step to change
from insert mode to replace mode (and vice versa), you should
record the step that accomplishes this change as part of the macro.
Otherwise, Nutshell uses the current settings of this key when
playing back the macro. For more information about the Insert key,
see the section The Keyboard in the chapter Nutshell Conventions.

In addition to keystrokes, you can also store in macros specific
Nutshell settings and specifications, such as find patterns, sort
orders, and layouts. When you are recording a macro and you select
Find, Sort, Layout, or Output, Nutshell automatically saves the
contents and settings of the find pattern, sort order, or layout in
addition to recording your selection. These settings are stored as
separate Restore Steps of the macro, so you can replace or delete
them when you want to. When Nutshell plays back the macro, it not
only performs the Find, Sort, Layout, or Output command, but also
restores the settings that were displayed on the find pattern, sort
order, or layout when the macro was recorded.

Nutshell's ability to store screen settings saves you from having
to manually restore all the screens, patterns, and layouts before
you play back a macro since it restores them for you automatically.
For example, if you've just finished setting up a find pattern, a
sort order, and print settings for producing a sales report, and
you decide you want to nun this report every week, you can record
a macro right then that will do this. Since all the settings are as
you want them, all you have to do is start recording macro steps,
select Find, Sort, Output, and so on, and Nutshell records the find
pattern, sort order, layout, and print settings that you've just
used to produce your report.

Later you may want to use the same sequence of steps but with a
different find pattern, sort order, layout, and so on. To do this,
use the Modify option to delete the Restore steps you don't want,
then insert new Restore steps that you want the macro to use. If
you want to make the macro independent of the context it was
recorded in, simply delete the Restore steps without replacing
them. Nutshell then uses whatever find pattern, sort order, layout,
and so on, is currently available when playing back the macro.

To create a new macro:

1. Display the screen from which you want to begin recording
keystrokes.

2. Press F9. Nutshell displays the Macros screen.

3 . Select Start Recording.

4. Type the name of your new macro, then press return. Nutshell
displays the Macro Steps screen.

5. To begin recording keystrokes, select Keystrokes. A message at
the upper left of your screen indicates that you are recording a
macro. Nutshell now records any and all keystrokes you type until
you press F9 again.

To include one of the macro functions in the sequence of macro
steps, press F9, then select Macro Functions. Nutshell adds the
function to the steps of your new macro. (See the next section,
Using Macro Functions, for more information.)

To include another macro in the sequence of macro steps in order to
make it a part of the new macro you're creating, either type the
other macro's nickname, or press F9, then select Other Macros.
Nutshell displays the Macros screen with a list of all the macros.
Move the cursor to the macro you want to play back, and press
return. Nutshell plays back the steps of the macro you select and
adds the command to play back the macro to the steps of your new
macro. (See the later section, Using Macros Within Macros, for more
information.)

Note: Nutshell does not record the steps of the other macro to the
steps of the macro you are creating. It simply records the step
~Playback (other macro name)." This way, if you change the other
macro later, the changes will automatically take place in any macro
that uses it.

While you are recording keystrokes, you can mix keystrokes, macro
functions, and other macros freely.

6. To stop recording keystrokes, adding macro functions, or adding
other macros, press F9, then select Stop Recording. Nutshell
displays a list of the steps you have recorded. If you need to view
the text of a very long macro step, use the ~ (Cursor Right) key to
scroll the screen.

7. Press Esc to return to the Macros screen.

8. Press Esc to return to the screen where you stopped recording
the macro.

Nicknaming Macros

When you create a new macro, you give H a name, which is a word or
brief phrase that identifies the macro and describes what H does.
You can also give each macro a nickname. A macro nickname is a
single keystroke or combination of keystrokes that you can type to
invoke the macro while you're working with Nutshell, without having
to display the Macros screen and select the macro from it.
Nicknames are like abbreviations; you use them the same way you use
other single keystrokes to select Nutshell options. You can use any
of the following keys and key combinations for macro nicknames:

Ctrl-any letter key
F3 - F8
Shift-F1 - Shift-F10
Ctrl-F1-Ctrl-F10
Alt-F1-Alt F10

To create a macro nickname:

1. Press F9 to display the Macros screen.

2. Position the cursor next to the macro you want to nickname.

3 . Select Nickname.

4. Press one of the unassigned function keys or one of the key
combinations that are available for macro nicknames:

Ctrl-any letter key
F3-F8
Shift-F1 - Shift- F10
Ctrl-F1- Ctrl-F10
Alt-F1 - Alt-F10

Nutshell displays the macro nickname on the Macros screen.

5. When you are done, press Esc.

Using Macro Functions

In addition to letting you record any sequence of keystrokes to
create a macro, Nutshell has a collection of macro functions that
can give your macros a greater degree of flexibility. The macro
functions are:

Repeat for Each Page
Message to User
Keystrokes by User
Copy to Clipboard
Paste from Clipboard
Date from System
Time from System
Beep ∙ Escape Key

Four of these macro functions are the four redefined macros that
are automatically included in each file you create: Copy to
Clipboard, Paste from Clipboard, Date from System, and Time from
System. For further information about these four redefined macros,
see the section Using Copy, Paste, Date, and Time, later in this
chapter.

You can add or insert any of these macro functions at any point
while you are creating or modifying your macros.


Repeat for Each Page

Often you will want Nutshell to perform the same sequence of tasks
on each record, on each layout in a file, or on each page of a find
pattern. You can include in your sequence of macro steps a
direction that tells Nutshell to repeat the whole sequence of
steps, or any selected sub-sequence of steps, for the current page
and each subsequent page. Nutshell performs the specified sequence
of steps, then automatically presses the PgDn key and loops back to
the first step of the sequence and repeats the sequence for each
page. Since Nutshell automatically presses the PgDn key after
performing the steps of the loop, you don't need to record a PgDn
keystroke in your macro because Nutshell does it for you.

You can use Repeat For Each Page to perform a sequence of steps on
each record on the Browse or Modify screen. If you have used Find
to isolate a subset of records, Nutshell performs the repeating
sequence on just the set of found records. If you want to include
all records (or all found records) in the loop, you should start
the repeat function at the first (or first found) record.

When you use Repeat for Each Page, you should include in the
repeating sequence whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the
macro is performed in the proper context on each succeeding page.
For example, if you create a macro to type data in one or more
fields on each record in a file, you should include steps that
return the cursor either to the home position (the first field of
the layout) or to the beginning of the field you want the macro to
type data in.

On the Macro Steps screen, all steps that are part of the loop are
indented, so you can easily tell which steps will be repeated. In
addition, the step ~Repeat for Each Page" is added at the beginning
of the loop, and the step ~Next Page" is added at the end of the
loop.

Note: You apply Repeat for Each Page only to steps you've already
recorded, not to steps you are about to record. So you should first
record the steps you want repeated for each page, then select
Repeat for Each Page to create the loop.

Message to User

You can include in your sequence of macro steps a direction that
tells Nutshell to display a message or a prompt on the screen. You
can type any message you want. Nutshell stores your message as part
of the macro step sequence, and displays it at the appropriate time
when the macro is played back. For example, you might want to
create a macro to partially automate data entry that includes
instructions for the person entering data.

When the message is displayed during playback, h remains on the
screen either until the next key is pressed by the user or played
back by the macro, or until the next message is displayed.

Keystrokes by User

You can include pauses in your sequence of macro steps that allow
persons using the macro to enter their own keystrokes. When
Nutshell plays back the macro and reaches the Keystrokes by User
function, it stops and waits for the user to enter any number of
keystrokes. During the pause, the user can type any keystroke
whatsoever, including choosing menu items, playing back other
macros, or pressing F9 to display the current macro steps before
proceeding. When finished entering keystrokes, the user presses F10
or the + (plus) key on the numeric keypad to continue playing back
the macro; Nutshell goes on to the next recorded step in the
sequence.

You may want to use the Keystrokes by User function in association
with the Message to User function. For instance, if you create a
macro that provides step-by- step instructions to users entering
data, you could use the Message to User function to display your
instructions on the user's screen (including a message that they
should press the F10 or the + (plus) key in order to continue macro
playback), then use the Keystrokes by User function to pause
playback while the user types keystrokes.

Beep

You can include in your sequence of macro steps a direction that
Nutshell should sound a beep. When Nutshell plays back the macro
and reaches a Beep function, the beep sounds, and Nutshell goes on
to the next step of the Macro sequence. You might include a beep at
the end of a lengthy macro process to alert the user that the macro
process has been completed, or that keystrokes by user are needed.

Escape Key

You can include in your sequence of macro steps a direction that
Nutshell should insert an escape character. Normally, typing the
escape key exits the current page or layout making H very difficult
to enter on a layout, Many special control codes Tom printers start
why the escape character , which is why it is useful to enter it.
You might include an escape key as the only function in a macro to
Permit entering this character or use it along with any special
printer control code which you enter frequently.

To record a macro function:

1. At any time while you are recording a macro, press F9 to display
the Macro Steps screen.

2. From the Macro Steps menu, select Macro Functions. Nutshell
displays the list of macro unctions.

3. Move the cursor to the function you want, then press return.
Nutshell adds the function to the steps of your macro.

It you select Repeat Tom Each Page, Nutshell asks you to specify
which sequence of steps you want repeated. Move the cursor back up
the list of steps until you reach the step you want the repeat
sequence to begin with, then press return. Nutshell indicates the
repeat sequence on the Macro Steps screen by inserting the line
~Repeat Tom Each Page~ just be tore the first step of the repeat
sequence you've specified, and inserting the line ~Next Page" just
after the last step of the repeat sequence. All the steps that are
to be repeated in the loop are indented .

If you select Message to User, Nutshell asks you to type the
message you want to appear on the screen. For a list of useful keys
for adding and editing text, see the section The Keyboard in the
chapter Nutshell Conventions. Type your message; Nutshell displays
H at the bottom of the screen as you type. When you've finished
typing your message, press J; Nutshell adds your message to the
sequence of macro steps.

4. Continue recording keystrokes, adding macro functions, or adding
other macros, using the same keys and menu options as for creating
new macros.

or

Select Stop Recording to stop recording.

When you're creating a macro, there may be times when you want to
incorporate another macro into the sequence of steps of the macro
you are recording. When you play back a macro that includes another
macro as one of the macro steps, Nutshell will play back the other
macro when it reaches that step in the sequence, and then continue
with the sequence of steps that is currently being played back.

When you're using the Other Macros option and you select a macro to
incorporate, Nutshell plays back the sequence of steps of the macro
you select. However, the steps of the macro you're incorporating
are not read into the current macro; only the step that selects the
macro is listed. This means that you can make changes to the
incorporated macro whenever you want; when you play back a macro
which invokes the incorporated macro, the updated macro is played
back.

To record another macro within the macro you're creating:

1. At any time while you are recording a macro, type the nickname
of the macro you want to record.

or

1. Press F9 to display the Macro Steps screen.

2. From the Macro Steps menu, select Other Macros. Nutshell
displays the Macros screen with a list of all the macros. To view
the steps of a macro, position the cursor next to the macro you
want, then select View.

3. Move the cursor to the macro you want to insert, then press ~.
Nutshell plays back the macro you selected and adds the name of the
macro to the list of macro steps.

4. Continue recording keystrokes, adding macro functions, or adding
other macros, using the same keys and menu options as for creating
new macros.

You've already learned that to create a macro you record a sequence
of keystrokes, macro functions or other macros. To use a macro, you
play back the sequence of steps you've recorded. When you play back
a macro, Nutshell automatically performs each of the tasks
specified by each step recorded on the Macro Steps screen.

When you play back a macro, you'II want to make sure that the
context in which you play it back is appropriate. Some macros, like
Copy to Clipboard and Paste from Clipboard, can be used almost
anywhere. Other macros work only when they are played back from the
same context in which they were created. This allows Nutshell to
begin the sequence of macro steps at the place you were when you
began recording them. If you try to play back a macro in an
inappropriate context, Nutshell pauses the macro and displays a
message to tell you what's wrong.

During playback, Nutshell will temporarily stop, or pause, a macro:

If the selection of a menu option is played back, but the menu is
not available on the then-current screen.

If the macro tries to restore a Find pattern or a Sort order on a
screen where it doesn't apply.

If the macro tries to restore a layout that has been deleted.

In any of these cases, you can return to normal Nutshell operation
and correct the context, then continue playback, or you can stop
playback, insert or delete macro steps from the Macro Steps screen,
then play back the macro again.

You can play back a macro by displaying the Macros screen and
selecting the name of the macro you want to play back, or you can
invoke the macro directly, without displaying the Macros screen, by
using Ha nickname.

To play back a macro:

1. Display the screen on which you want to begin playing back the
macro. If necessary, display the appropriate record, layout, or
find pattern, position the cursor at the appropriate starting
point, and make sure the Ins (Insert) key is in the mode (insert or
replace) you want.

2. Press F9 to display the Macros screen.

3. Move the cursor to the name of the macro you want to play back
and press return. Nutshell performs the sequence of macro steps. or

or

1. Display the screen on which you want to begin playing back the
macro. If necessary, display the appropriate record, layout, or
find pattern, position the cursor at the appropriate starting
point, and make sure the Ins (Insert) key is in the mode (insert or
replace) you want.

2. Type the nickname of the macro you want to play back. Nutshell
performs the sequence of macro steps.

To continue playing back a paused macro:

1. Press Esc in order to return to normal Nutshell operation while
the macro is paused. You can now make any adjustments you need to
make in order for the macro to continue playback. When you're ready
to continue playback, press F10. or

Select Stop Playback in order to permanently stop the paused macro.
Nutshell returns to the screen that was displayed when the macro
paused. You can now make any adjustments you need, either in
Nutshell or to the macro. Then replay the macro from the beginning.

Stopping Macro Playback

When you play back a macro and it's not doing what you want it to,
you can stop it at any time by pressing F9. When you press F9,
Nutshell pauses the macro. You can then either permanently stop
playback or resume playback of the macro.

 To stop a macro while it is playing back:

1. Press F9. Nutshell displays the Macro Steps screen with the
current step highlighted.

2. Select Stop Playback. or To resume playback, press Esc.

Copy to Clipboard makes a copy of whatever you specify and stores
H in a temporary storage area called the Clipboard. Paste from
Clipboard types the current contents of the Clipboard wherever
you've positioned the cursor. Date from System and Time from System
type the current system date or system time wherever you've
positioned the cursor. You can use these four macros almost
anywhere in any Nutshell file. You can rename these macros, give
them different nicknames, modify, or delete them, just as you can
do to any of the macros that you create yourself.

Copy to Clipboard (Ctrl-C) and Paste from Clipboard (Ctrl-P)

The Copy to Clipboard and Paste from Clipboard macros are used
together. Copy to Clipboard allows you to copy data from a field,
elements (fields and text) from a layout, and Hems from a list
(such as an index) into the Cupboard, a temporary storage area
Nutshell uses to hold information until you're ready to use H. Once
you've made a copy and put H in the Clipboard, you can then display
another record or layout in your file and paste what you've copied
wherever you want it.

Nutshell recognizes layout text that is typed continuously on a
line as one element; you copy H as a unit. For example, the layout
text that matches the field name on the standard layout is
considered one unit even if H comprises more than one word.

Automating Tasks Using Macros

Nutshell also recognizes all the data in a field as one element, so
that when you position the cursor in a tie id and press Ctrl-C,
everything in the field is copied to the Clipboard.

You can copy from and paste to different screens (for example, from
the Browse screen to the Layout screen, from a Layout to the Modify
screen, and so on). For example, you can type the text of a form
letter into a large field, taking advantage of Nutshells ability to
word wrap the text automatically, copy the completed text from the
field to the Clipboard, then paste it to an empty layout.

You can also copy data in fields and layout text, from one file and
paste them into another file using the Zoom option. See the section
Displaying, Adding, and Editing Information in Look up Files in the
chapter Adding, Editing, and Deleting Information for information
about using the Zoom option.

To copy text or data In fields to the Clipboard:

1. On the Browse, Find, Add, or Modify screen, position the cursor
in the layout text or the field you want to copy.

2. Press Ctrl-C. If the cursor is positioned in a unit of layout
text, Nutshell copies the entire unit into the Clipboard. If the
cursor is positioned in a field, Nutshell copies the entire
contents of the field to the Clipboard.

To copy a group of layout elements to the Clipboard:

1. On the layout, position the cursor in an element of the layout
that is at one corner of the group.

2. Press Ctrl-C, indicate what you want to copy by moving the
cursor so the solid bright rectangle encompasses at least one
character of each field and unit of layout text you want to copy,
then press ~. (To quickly move the cursor, you can use the ~1 (Tab)
key and the Carl key combinations.) Nutshell copies to the
Clipboard the entire group of elements briefly marked with a solid
bright background.

To copy an Item from a list:

1. Position the cursor at the item you want to copy.

2. Press Ctrl-C. Nutshell copies the item you've selected to the
Clipboard.

To paste anything from the Cupboard to a field:

1. From the Browse screen, select Find, Add, or Modify.

2. Position the cursor in the field you want to paste to.

3. Press Ctrl-P. Nutshell copies the contents of the Clipboard into
the field .

 To paste anything from the Clipboard to a layout:

1. Position the cursor in a blank area of the layout.

2. Press Ctrl-P. Nutshell copies the contents of the Clipboard onto
the layout.

Date from System (Ctrl-D) and Time from System (Ctrl-T)

The Date from System macro types the current system date in any
field or layout; the Time from System macro types the current
system time.

Note: The Date from System and Time from System macros insert the
current system date and time when the macros are played back. Once
inserted, the date and time are not automatically updated. In
headers and footers on the Layout screen, two slashes (11) and two
colons (::) print the current system date and time when the layout
is printed. (See the section Concepts of Partitioning a Layout in
the chapter Adding Power to Reports).

To have Nutshell type the current system date or time In a record
or on a layout:

1. Position the cursor in the field or on the layout where you want
to type the date or time.

2. Press Ctrl-D. Nutshell types the system date.

You can make changes to your macros at any time by inserting or
adding more steps to them, or by deleting steps that you don't need
or want. You can also change both the names and the nicknames of
your macros. When you no longer need a macro, you can delete it
from your list of defined macros.

Changing a Macro Name

You may want to change a macro name to correct a typing or spelling
error, to differentiate it from other similarly named macros, or to
make it easier to remember what the macro does.

To change a macro name:

1. Press F9. Nutshell displays the Macros screen with your list of
defined macros.

2 Move the cursor to the macro whose name you want to change, then
select Rename.

3. Type the new name, then press return.

4. Press Esc to return to the displayed screen.

Changing or Deleting a Macro Nickname

You may want to use for a new macro a nickname that you've already
assigned. You can change or delete any macro nickname whenever you
need to.

To change or delete a macro nickname:

1. Press F9. Nutshell displays the Macros screen with your list of
defined macros.

2. Move the cursor to the macro whose nickname you want to change
or delete, then select Nickname.

3. Press one of the unassigned function keys or one of the key
combinations that are available for macro nicknames:

Ctrl-any letter key
F3 - F8
Shift-F1 - Shift- F10
Ctrl-F1- Ctrl-F10
Alt-F1 - Alt-F10

Nutshell replaces the old nickname with the new nickname.

or

Select No Nickname from the menu to delete the nickname.

4. Press Esc to return to the displayed screen.

Inserting or Deleting Macro Steps

You'II often want to make changes to the sequence of macro steps by
inserting new keystrokes, macro functions, or other macros, and by
deleting unnecessary or unwanted macro steps.

To insert new macro steps:

1. Display the screen from which you want to begin inserting steps.

2. Press F9. Nutshell displays the Macros screen.

3. Move the cursor to the macro you want to add steps to, then
select Modify. Nutshell displays the Macro Steps screen.

4. Move the cursor to the step in front of which you want to insert
new macro steps, then select Insert. Nutshell will insert any new
steps starting on the line where the cursor is. The other steps,
including the one with the cursor, are dropped down to make room
for the new steps.

5. Select Keystrokes, Macro Functions, or Other Macros, using the
same keys and menu options as for creating new macros. See the
previous section, Creating Macros, for details.

6. To stop adding macro steps, press F9, then select Stop
Recording.

7. Press Esc to return to the Macros screen. Press Esc again to
return to the screen where you were when you stopped inserting
macro steps.

To delete a macro step:

1. Press F9. Nutshell displays the Macros screen.

2. Move the cursor to the macro you want to delete steps from, then
select Modify. Nutshell displays the Macro Steps screen.

3. Move the cursor to the step you want to delete.

4. Select Delete. Nutshell removes the step from the sequence.

Deleting a Macro

When you're sure you no longer need a macro, you can delete H.

To delete a macro:

1. Press F9. Nutshell displays the Macros screen with a list of
your defined macros.

2. Move the cursor to the macro that you want to delete.

3. Select Delete, then press ~ to confirm the deletion. Nutshell
removes the macro from your list.

The Quick Reference contains a detailed map of the Nutshell screens
and menu options, followed by a brief description of each. More
complete information about how to use each option is provided in
the body of the manual; use the table of contents or the index to
find the page reference for the option you need.

On some screens, you are prompted to type information, press a key,
or select an item from a list in addition to selecting an option
from a menu. The Menu Options section following the menu map notes
the instances in which Nutshell requires this additional
information.

Menu Options

This section briefly explains each menu option that is available in
Nutshell. The options are explained in the order shown on the menu
map on the two preceding pages, starting from the top down and
moving from left to right.

Select menu options by either of the following methods:

1. Press F2 to move the cursor to the menu.

2. Move the cursor to the option you want using any of the
following:

First letter of the option
Spacebar
(Cursor Left and Cursor Right keys)
(Tab key) and (shift Tab)
(Backspace key)

3. Press the return key.

 or

1. Hold down the Alt key and type the first letter of the option.

In general, as prompts on the screen indicate, you press the ~ key
to complete an instruction to Nutshell. For example, you can open
a file by typing the filename and pressing ~.
 Nutshell

The Nutshell Plus 11 screen is the first screen you see when you
nun Nutshell by typing nut plus at the DOS prompt. Nutshell creates
a new file or displays an existing file when you specify a
filename.

Show Files

Displays a list of files in the current directory. Select a file to
open by positioning the cursor to the left of the filename. Show
Files provides the options Drive, Extension, and Path, which can be
used to change the drive specified, the extension, or the directory
in order to display and select a file.

Drive Lets you display and select files on a disk in another drive
by typing a different drive specified.

Extension Lets you display and select files with an extension other
than the .dub extension that Nutshell uses by default, by typing a
different flue extension.

Path Lets you display and select files in a directory other than
the current directory by typing a different directory path name.
Select Show Directories to display and select a directory above or
below the current directory.

Show Directories

Lets you select the <root, (the topmost directory), the <parent,
(the directory above the current one), or any of the directories
below the current one.

Browse

The Browse screen is the hub of the Nutshell menu network,
providing the route to each of the basic activities involved in
managing your files. On the Browse screen, Nutshell displays
records one at a time according to the layout, search criteria, and
sort order that you specify.

Find

Displays a pattern you can use to specify which records in the file
you want to view, modify, remove, sort, print, or export. Press F10
to find the records that match the pattern you type.

Show Index Displays a list of words, numbers, or dates that have
been typed in records in the field that contains the cursor. To
copy a value from the index into the same field in the pattern,
position the cursor next to the value you want and press ~.

Find All Returns you to browsing all the records in the file.

Clear Erases one or more pages of the find pattern.

One Page Erases the page of the pattern that is displayed.

ALL Pages Erases all pages of the find pattern, including any Also
Find patterns.

Also Find Displays a new page of the pattern which you can use to
specify additional criteria for records you want to find. Nutshell
finds records that match any of the pages of the pattern you
specify. You can use this option to create as many pages as you
need to find records.

Invalid Records Finds records containing values that don't match
the validation criteria you defined.

Add

Displays an empty record you can use to add a new record to the
file. Press F10 to add the new record and display another empty
record.

Show Index Displays a list of words, numbers, or dates that have
been typed in other records in the field that contains the cursor.
To copy a value from the index into the same field in the current
record, position the cursor next to the value you want and press ~.

Import from File Displays the following settings for adding records
to the current file (importing) from a source file that you
specify. To change a setting, position the cursor next to the
setting and press return.

Import Type

Select the tile format of the source file from the following
options:

Nutshell ASCII (comma delimited ASCII format) dBASE 11 DIF (Data
Interchange Format) Merge (word processing merge data file) dBASE
III/IV File Maker

Source File

Type the name of the source file. Use the Show Files option to
select the filename or to change the drive, extension, or path.
(See the explanation of Show Files under Nutshell in the beginning
of this section.)

Start Importing

Begins adding records from the source file.

Ditto Copies the contents of the same field in the record you last
displayed.

Validation Displays the field name and validation type for the
field containing the cursor. If the validation type is List, you
can copy an item from the list into the field by selecting the item
you want.

Preset Lets you preset field values that will be the same from
record to record. Nutshell automatically copies into each new
record the preset values you type.

Show Index Displays a list of words, numbers, or dates that have
been typed in other records in the field that contains the cursor.
To copy a value from the index into the same field in the Preset
screen, position the cursor next to the value you want and press ~.

Clear Clears the contents of the entire Preset screen.

Ditto to Copies the contents of the same field in the record you
last displayed .

Validation Displays the field name and validation type for the
field containing the cursor. If the validation type is List, you
can copy an item from the list into the field by selecting the item
you want.

Undo
Undoes any changes you have made to the field that contains the
cursor.

Zoom Lets you open and work with a hookup file without closing the
current file. When you select Zoom, Nutshell finds all the records
in the look up file whose match fields contain data that matches
data in the trigger fields of the current file. The first found
record in the hookup file is displayed. The hookup file now becomes
your current file, and remains so until you press Esc to return to
the file from which you Zoomed. After you've Zoomed to a hookup
file, you can define new fields, create new layouts, add, modify,
find, sort, and print records, just as if you had opened the file
from the Nutshell screen.

Override Accepts a value that does not match the validation
criteria defined for the field. (This option appears only if you
attempt to add a record or exit a field containing values that
don't match the validation criteria.)

Modify

Displays records that you can edit.

Show Index Displays a list of words, numbers, or dates that have
been typed in other records in the field that contains the cursor.
To copy a value from the index into the same field in the current
record, position the cursor next to the value you want and press J.

Ditto Copies the contents of the same field in the record you last
changed.

Validation Displays the validation type for the field containing
the cursor. If the validation type is List, you can copy an item
from the list into the field by selecting the item you want.

Undo Undoes any changes you have made to the field that contains
the cursor.

Zoom Lets you open and work with a look up file without closing the
current file. When you select Zoom, Nutshell finds all the records
in the look up file whose match fields contain data that matches
data in the trigger fields of the current file. The first found
record in the look up file is displayed. The look up file now
becomes your current file, and remains so until you press Esc to
return to the file from which you Zoomed. After you've Zoomed to a
look up file, you can define new fields, create new layouts, add,
modify, find, sort, and print records, just as if you had opened
the file from the Nutshell screen.

Override Accepts a value that does not match the validation
criteria defined for the field. (This option appears only if you
attempt to exit a field that contains a value that doesn't match
the validation criteria.)

Remove

Lets you delete records from the file.

One Record Permanently deletes the record you are viewing from the
file.

ALL Records or All Found Records Permanently deletes all the
records from the file when you are browsing all the records. If you
are browsing a set of found records, the menu option reads All
Found Records. Selecting the option deletes only the found records
from the file.

Sort

Lets you specify an order in which to display and print records. If
you don't specify an order, Nutshell displays records in the order
you originally added them to the file. Once you specify a sort
order, Nutshell saves the specification until you change it by
selecting either New Order or Modify Order.

Start Sorting Sorts the records according to the order you last
specified. Records remain in the sorted order until you add new
records, find records, sort records in a different order, or unsort
records. New Order Lets you create a new sort order. Any previous
sort order is replaced with the new order. Position the cursor next
to the field you want sorted first and press J, then select one of
the following options:

Ascending

Descending

Continue specifying as many fields as you need in the sort order.

Look up Lets you select a link, then shows a list of defined fields
in a look up file, letting you include fields from the look up file
in the sort order.

Return to Base File Shows a list of defined fields in your current
(base) file, letting you include fields from the current file in
the sort order.

Modify Order Lets you to specify changes to the existing sort
order.

Ad d Lets you add fields to the sort order. Position the cursor
next to the field you want to add and press J, then select one of
the following options:

Ascending

Descending

You can add as many fields as you need to the sort order.

Lookup Lets you select a link, then shows a list of defined fields
in a look up file, letting you add fields from the look up file to
the sort order.

Return to Base File Shows a list of defined fields in your current
(base) file, letting you add fields from the current file to the
sort order.

Move Lets you move fields to a different position in the sort
order.

Remove Lets you delete fields from the sort order.

Change Direction Lets you reverse the sorting direction (ascending,
descending) of any field in the sort order.

Unsort Returns sorted records to the order in which you added them
to the file. The current sort order is not removed.

Output

Lets you specify the output layout by pressing Pup or PgDn before
printing or exporting records.

Print Records Displays the following settings for printing records.
To change a setting, position the cursor next to the setting and
press return. The available options vary depending on the Printer
Model you select.

Destination

Type the device name for your printer: LPTl :, LPT2 :, or LPT3 :
for parallel printers, COME: or COME: for serial printers. To print
to your screen, type CON: . To create a print file, type a
filename; use Show Files H necessary to change the drive,
extension, or path.

Select the printer model that is attached to the device you
specified for Destination. Select Other H your printer model is not
listed, or if you want Nutshell to omit printer control codes, such
as when the Destination is a file that will be read by another
software application rather than sent to a printer.

Character Spacing

Set the characters per inch (cpi) by selecting Normal (10 cpi),
Compressed (17 cpi), Wide (5 cpi), or Wide Compressed (8.5 cpi).
The numbers in parentheses are the settings Tom most printers;
print a sample or check your printer manual to verify the numbers
for your printer.

Line Spacing

Select Normal to print 6 lines per inch, or Dense to print 8 lines
per inch.

Paper Length

Type the number of lines (1- 99, or 1-127, depending on your
Printer Model) that match the length of your paper, based on
whether you have chosen Line Spacing of Normal (6 lines per inch)
or Dense (8 lines per inch)

Pause between Pages Select Yes H you are printing on single sheets,
No if you are printing on continuous feed (fanfold or roll) paper.

Number of Labels

If you are printing mailing labels, type the number of labels
across (1-9) for the label stock you are using. Otherwise, leave
Number of Labels empty, or type 0 or 1.

Label Width

If you are printing mailing labels, type the number of characters
across (1-99) from the start of one label to the start of the next.
See Number C

Divide Body

If you want all of a body partition to print on one page then
select No. Select Yes,if you want body partitions to divide between
pages

Print

Prints records according to the current print settings

Resume Printing Continues printing after printing has been
interrupted. This option can also be used to begin printing at a
particular record; display the record on the Browse screen before
selecting Resume Printing.

Allen Paper Prints the header, as many bodies as can fit on one
page, and the footer using the Output Layout, substituting dots for
field contents. This is a convenient way to test printing on
pre-printed forms, or to create blank forms.

Number Columns Prints a count of characters across the page
according to the Character Spacing you specified, for the number of
lines that are in the body partition on the layout. This provides
a convenient way to measure Label Width for printing mailing
labels.

Export Records Displays the following settings for copying records
to another file (exporting records). To change a setting, position
the cursor next to the setting and press ~.

Select the file format in which you want Nutshell to export the
records:

Nutshell ASCII (comma delimited ASCII format) dBASE 11 DIF (Data
Interchange Format) Merge (word processing merge data file) dBASE
III/IV File Maker

Destination File

Type the name of the file you want Nutshell to create or replace.
Use the Show Files option to select the filename or to change the
drive, extension, or path. (See the explanation of Show Files under
Nutshell in the beginning of this section.)

Export Copies records to the Destination File you named, creating
a file with the Export Type you specified.

Resume Exporting Continues exporting after exporting has been
interrupted, by copying the remaining records to a new file. Type
the name of a new Destination File before selecting Resume
Exporting. This option can also be used to begin exporting at a
particular record; display the record on the Browse screen before
selecting Resume Exporting.

Layout

Displays an arrangement (layout) of fields and text that Nutshell
uses to display and print your records. You can create, edit, and
delete any number of layouts in order to see the same data in
different ways, such as form letters, reports, mailing labels,
invoices, and so on. Changing the layout does not affect your data,
only what you see on the screen or print.(

Move Relocates fields and text to the position you specify.
Indicate what you want to move by using the cursor keys to include
at least part of each field or unit of text in the rectangle
described by the cursor. Press return. Then position the cursor
where the new upper left corner should be and press return.

Inca use Displays a list of fields you have defined in the file. To
include a field on the layout at the location of the cursor, select
it from the list.

Look up Lets you select a link, then shows a list of defined fields
in a look up file. To include a look up field on the layout at the
location of the cursor, select it from the list.

Return to Base File Shows a list of defined fields in your current
(base) file, letting you include fields from the current file on
the layout.

Erase Removes fields and text from the layout. Indicate what you
want to erase by using the cursor keys to include at least part of
each field or unit of text in the rectangle described by the
cursor. Press return. Then confirm by pressing ~ again.

Reshape Changes the width and/or height of the field that contains
the cursor and tells Nutshell whether to remove empty characters or
lines at the end of the field when printing records. Move the
cursor to the new lower right corner to reshape the field, or
select one of the following options:

Height Variable Removes empty lines at the end of the field when
records are printed .

Width Variable Removes empty spaces at the end of a single-line
field when records are printed.

Fixed Size Uses the amount of space shown for the field on the
layout when records are printed. Empty lines or spaces are not
removed.

Highlight Lets you choose character styles for display and printing
of fields and text. Indicate what you want to highlight by using
the cursor keys to include at least part of each field or ugh of
text in the rectangle described by the cursor, then press ~. A
different set of menu options is available for a color display than
the set available for a monochrome display, as described below.

If you are using a monochrome monitor, you can select any of the
following character styles for the display of fields and text.
These characteristics also apply when records are printed, subject
to the capabilities of your printer.

Normal
Bold
Underline
Underline Bold

If you are using a color monitor, you can select color and
brightness for the display of fields and text. When records are
printed, the colors you see on the screen are translated into the
following character styles subject to the capabilities of your
printer:

Format Causes data in fields to be displayed and printed in the
format you specify.


Justification Aligns data in the field in one of the following
three positions:

Left ∙ Right ∙ Center

(for Number fields, or Calculation fields with a number result, or
Summary fields):

Currency Sign

Displays and prints a currency sign in front of a number, and
prints negative numbers with parentheses around them.

Yes
$,DO,FE,£,Sfr,f,os,Lit,P,kr,v,E,l£,Kc,Z

No
Commas

Displays and prints a comma every three digits to the left of the
decimal point.

Yes
No

Number of Digits

Rounds numbers to the number of digits you specify to the right of

the decimal point. Nutshell stores all the digs in the field; the
Format option only affects what is displayed and printed.

(for Date or Time fields or Calculation fields why a date or time
result):

Date Style Displays and prints dates in one of the following
styles:

Unformatted Date Exactly the way you typed the date in the field ∙
3/04/90 ∙ Mar 4, 1990 ∙ March 4,1990 ∙ FBI, Mar., 1990 ∙ Friday,
March 4,1990 ∙ 04MAR90

Time Style Displays and prints time in one of the following styles:

Unformatted Time Exactly the way you typed the time in the field ∙
13:30 ∙ 1 3:30:00 ∙ 01 :30am ∙ 01 :30:00pm

Partition Lets you designate sections on the layout to control how
your records will be printed. Nutshell initially adds an empty
header and footer of six lines each to the standard layout; you can
change these by creating different partitions or by deleting
partitions. The type of partition for each line of the layout is
listed to the right of the line. A line that has no parathion name
listed next to H will not be printed. Each partition can contain
fields, layout text, and empty lines.

Create Partition Forms a partition of the type you specify.
Indicate the lines to include in the partition by pressing 1
(Cursor Up) or  (Cursor Down). Select the partition you want from
the following options:

Header

The header is printed once at the top of each page. To have
Nutshell print page numbers in the header, type two number signs
(##) in the header. To have Nutshell print the system date or the
system time, type two slashes (//) or two colons (::) respectively.
To create a top margin for the page, include empty lines in the
header.

Body

The body is printed once for each record, for as many records as
will fit on the page.

Sub-summary

When the records are sorted, the sub summary partition is printed
once for each group of records which have the same value in the
sort field. Select the field you will sort by from the list of
defined fields that Nutshell displays. To select a look up field,
use Look up. To select a field from the base file, select Return to
Base File.

Grand Summary

The grand summary is printed once for all the records.

Footer

The footer is printed once at the bottom of each page. Two number
signs (##) slashes (/1) or colons (::), respectively can be used in
the footer exactly as in the header. To create a bottom margin for
the page, include empty lines in the footer.

Fixed Height

Uses the amount of space shown for the partition on the layout

when records are printed

Variable Height Removes empty lines at the end of the partition
when records are printed.

Unique Prevents two records from having identical values in the
field.

Must Enter Signifies that the field must contain a value.

None Suspends the use of any validation criteria that have been
defined for the field. If you have defined a list or range of valid
values, you can select List or Range again to reinstate the
criteria.

Link Files Lets you create, modify, and delete links.

Create Creates a new link. Type the name of the file you want to
link to the current file, or select Show Files, move the cursor to
the name of the file you want to select and press ~. Then select
the name of a match field and the name of a trigger field.

Displays a list of files in the current directory. Select a file to
link to the current file by positioning the cursor to the left of
the filename. Show Files provides the options Drive, Extension, and
Path, which can be used to change the drive specified, the
extension, or the directory in order to display and select a file.

Modify Lets you change a link definition. You can change the name
of the look up file, the match field, and the trigger field in a
link definition by editing the names or by selecting new names.

Add Field Pair Lets you add a flew pair (a trigger field and a
match field) to an existing link.

Delete Lets you delete field pairs and link definitions that you
specify.

Zoom

Lets you open and work with a look up file without closing the
current file. When you select Zoom, Nutshell finds all the records
in the look up file whose match fields contain data that matches
data in the trigger fields of the current file. The first found
record in the look up file is displayed. The look up file now
becomes your current file, and remains so until you press Esc to
return to the file from which you Zoomed. After you've Zoomed to a
look up file, you can define new fields, create new layouts, add,
modify, find, sort, and print records, just as H you had opened the
file from the Nutshell screen.

Macros (F9)

Pressing the F9 key from any Nutshell screen displays the Macros
screen. The Macros screen is the hub of the macro menu network,
providing the route to each of the basic activities involved in
creating, modifying, and deleting macros. The Macros screen
displays a list of the names of all macros in the current file. To
play back a macro from the Macros screen, position the cursor next
to the macro you want, then press ~.

Start Recording Lets you create a new macro. First type the name of
the macro, then press

You can now start recording macro steps, macro functions, and other
macros. When you've finished recording macro steps, press F9, then
select Stop Recording.

Keystrokes Lets you type keystrokes that Nutshell records as macro
steps. Any keystroke you type - to select Nutshell options, to move
the cursor, or to type characters - is recorded for later playback.

Macro Functions Lets you record one of Nutshell's macro functions:

Delete Partition Deletes the partition that contains the cursor.

Create

Creates a new layout that you select from the following options:

Copy of This Layout Creates a copy of the displayed layout.

Standard
Standard Layout Creates a layout that displays all of your fields
in the order you defined them, with adjacent layout text that
matches each field name. Nutshell provides an initial field length
for each type of field, which you can change by selecting Reshape.

Empty Layout Creates an empty layout that you can use to position
each field and unit of text individually, rather than modifying an
existing layout.

Delete Deletes the displayed layout.)

Define

Lets you create and delete fields, modify field definitions,
specify validation criteria for checking data, and define links to
look up files. To use any of the options except Create, or Link
Files, first position the cursor next to the tied you want the
option to apply to.

Create Creates a new field. Type a name for the flew, then specify
the type of data the field is to contain by selecting from the
following options:

Text A text field can contain anything you can type, and can be
many lines, even pages, in length.

Number A number field can contain one number. You can have Nutshell
perform and update calculations and summaries of your data
automatically, by using number fields to build formulas. See the
descriptions of Calculation and Summary below.

Date A date field can contain one date typed in the format
mm/Dad/ye or mm/Dad/yyyy, such as 2/14/90 or 2/14/1890.

Time A time field can contain one time typed in the format
huh:mm:Siam or huh:sup, such as 1 :30:00A M or 1 :30P. In either 24
or 12 hour format, H less than 13:00 then you must include either
an A, or P (A M or PM)

Calculation For each record, Nutshell automatically calculates the
contents of a calculation field based on a formula that you
specify. The formula can contain previously defined number, date,
time, or calculation fields, look up fields, numbers, and symbols
for the following arithmetic operations: multiply (~), divide (I),
subtract (-), add (+), and exponentiate (~). Use parentheses H
needed to indicate the order in which operations should be
performed.

Displays a list of all the fields you have defined in this file.
Select the name of a number or calculation field to be used in the
formula. To select a look up field, use Look up. To later select a
field from the base file, select Return to Base File.

Round Result Rounds the number result of a calculation. Select No
Rounding to restore a rounded calculation result to its unrounded
value.

Summary Nutshell automatically calculates the contents of a summary
field based on a summary formula that you specify. Nutshell can
summarize a field for all the records, for a group of found
records, or for groups within sorted records. Select the type of
summary you want from the following optional then select the field
you want summarized.

Total

Adds the values in the number or calculation field with a number
result that you specify.

Average

Calculates the average of the values in the number or calculation
field that you specify.

Count

Counts the records that contain a value in the text, number, date,
or calculation field that you specify.

Modify Lets you change a field's name, type, or formula.

Name Lets you change the name of a field by editing the name or by
typing a new name.

Type Lets you change the type of a field by selecting a new type.

Formula Lets you change the formula Nutshell uses to calculate the
value in a calculation field or a summary field. To modify a
calculation formula, edit the formula that Nutshell displays. To
modify a summary formula, respecify the formula.

Delete Permanently deletes a field and all the data it contains.

Validate

Validate Lets you specify criteria for Nutshell to use in checking
data in a text, number, date, or time field. Once you define the
criteria, you can find records containing values that don't match
the criteria. When you add new records or modify existing ones,
Nutshell alerts you to fields that contain invalid values. For each
field you can choose to correct the value or to override the
criteria for the current record. After selecting Validate, select
the Validation Type from the following options:

List Lets you type a list of values that are acceptable in the
field. When you add or modify records, you can select a value from
the list rather than typing it. Use the following options to manage
the list:

 Add

To create a new list or add items to a list.
Modify

To edit an item in the list.

Remove
Delete items from the list. Select One Item or ALL Items.

List Off

To suspend use of the list to validate data. Nutshell stores the
list, and you can activate it by selecting List again.

Range Lets you define a range of values that are acceptable in the
field. Use the following options to create or modify the range:

Smallest

To type the smallest value that you want Nutshell to accept in the
field, such as the word that comes first in alphabetical order, the
lowest number, or the earliest date or time

Largest

To type the largest value that you want Nutshell to accept in the
field, such as the word that comes last in alphabetical order, the
highest number, or the latest date or time.

Range Off

To suspend use of the range to validate data. Nutshell stores the
range specification, and you can activate selecting Range again.
Repeat for Each Page ∙ Message to User ∙ Keystrokes by User ∙ Copy
to Clipboard ∙ Paste from Clipboard ∙ Date from System ∙ Time from
System ∙ Beep ∙ Escape Key

Other Macros

Lets you incorporate a macro within another macro. You can either

select the name of the macro you want to incorporate, or you can
type the macro's nickname.

 View

Lets you view the steps of a macro.

Stop Recording Lets you stop recording keystrokes, macro functions,
or other macros.

Nickname Lets you give a macro a nickname. A nickname is a single
keystroke that you can type to invoke a macro directly while you're
working with Nutshell. To nickname a macro, position the cursor
next to the macro you want to nickname, select Nickname, then type
one of the unassigned function keys or one of the key combinations
that are available for macro nicknames. You can use any of the
following keys or key combinations as a nickname:

Ctrl-any letter key
F3 - F8
Shift-F1- Shift-F10
Alt-F1 - Alt- F10
Ctrl-F1- Ctrl-F10

Rename Lets you change the name of a macro. Position the cursor
next to the macro whose name you want to change, select Rename,
then type the new name and press return.

Modify Lets you make changes to a macro by inserting new macro
steps and by deleting steps you don't need.

Insert Lets you start recording keystrokes, macro functions, and
other macros. When you've finished recording macro steps, press F9,
then select Stop Recording.
Keystrokes

Lets you type keystrokes that Nutshell records as macro steps. Any
keystroke you type - to give Nutshell commands, to move the cursor,
or to type characters - is recorded for later playback.
Macro Functions

Lets you record one of Nutshell's macro functions.

Other Macros

Lets you incorporate a macro within another macro. You can either
select the name of the macro you want to incorporate, or you can
type the macro's nickname.

View

Lets you view the steps of a macro.

Stop Recording Lets you stop recording keystrokes, macro functions,
or other macros.

Delete Lets you delete macro steps from the Macro Steps screen.
Position the cursor next to the step you want to delete, then
select Delete.

Delete Lets you delete a macro from the Macros screen. Position the
cursor next to the macro you want to delete, select Delete, then
press return to confirm the deletion .

What's New In Nutshell Plus

Appendix A: What's New In Nutshell Plus and Nutshell Plus 11

Appendix A contains two sections. The first section summarizes
additions that have been made to the original Nutshell products,
Version 1.0 and 2.0; the second section summarizes additions that
have been made to Nutshell Plus II Version 2.0. Those who are
already familiar with any of the earlier versions of Nutshell or
Nutshell Plus can refer to the appropriate list below for a brief
description of each enhancement.

In addition to the new features mentioned here, Nutshell Plus has
been given a ~tune-up" to improve speed of operation, clarify
screen messages, update the online help screens, and make the
product more convenient to use.

Nutshell Version 1.0 and 2.0 files are compatible with Nutshell
Plus.

Section One: What's Changed Between Nutshell Version 1.0 and 2.0
and Nutshell Plus Version 1.0

This section summarizes what has been added to the original
Nutshell Version 1.0 and 2.0 product to create Nutshell Plus
Version 1.0.

To Run Nutshell Plus

You now type nut plus to run Nutshell Plus. See Installing and
Running Nutshell.

Appendix A

Look up Files

You can now link one or more files together by defining links to
look up files. For general information about working with lookup
files see Concepts of Using Look up Files. For information about
how to create, modify, or remove links between files, see Defining
Links Between Files, and Changing or Deleting Links Between Files

∙ Zoom - When two files are linked, you can open the linked file
while you are browsing, adding, or modifying records, without first
having to close the file you're currently using. See Displaying,
Adding, and Editing Information in Look up Files.

Output from Look up Flues - When fields from a look up file are
displayed on the layout you're using to print or export,
information in those fields is also printed or exported along with
information in fields of the current file. See Preparing for
Printing, and Copying to Another flue.

Look up Fields - You can use fields from a look up file whenever
you are selecting fields:

To include on the current layout. See Adding Fields to a Layout.

To use in a calculation. See Calculation Fields.

To add to the sort order. See Creating a New Sort Order.

To use when sub-summarizing data in a partition. See Creating and
Changing Partitions.

Macros

Macros let you substitute a single keystroke for a longer sequence
of keystrokes that you would otherwise use to accomplish a related
group of tasks. You gain access to the Macro screen and its menus
by pressing F9. For information on creating and using macros, see
the chapter Automating Tasks Using Macros.

Improved Layout Options

The following features have been added to enhance the Layout
option:

Variable Height for Partitions - To save paper when printing
different-sized records, you can specify partitions to be Variable
Height. See the sections Deciding Where to Place Information, and
Creating and Changing Partitions.

Printing Page Number, Date, and Time In Headers and Footers - By
typing special characters on the layout, you can tell Nutshell to
print page numbers, the current date, and the current time at the
top and the bottom of each new page. See the sections Header, and
Footer.

Copying a Layout - When you copy a layout in order to create a new
layout, all settings for printing, importing, and exporting are
copied in the current layout to the new layout. See Preparing for
Printing, Copying from Another File, and Copying to Another File.

Improved Formatting - You can now specify left, right, and center
justification for all field types. In addition, for number fields
and calculation fields with a number result you can separately
specify a dollar sign, commas to indicate thousands, and the number
of digits to the right of the decimal point you want to round to.
For date fields and calculation fields with a date result you can
specify a Date Style. See Formatting Fields.

Validation of Data

By using the Validate option on the Define screen, you can specify
criteria that data typed in text, number, or date fields must
match. When you add or modify records, Nutshell checks the data
against your criteria. Validation types are:

List - Specifies a list of valid values for a field.

Range - Specifies the smallest and largest values acceptable in a
field.

Unique - Specifies that duplicate values are not allowed in a
field.

Must Enter Specifies that a field must contain data.

 Appendix A

To specify validation criteria, see Setting Criteria for Checking
the Accuracy of Information. To change criteria, see Changing or
Removing Validation Criteria. For information on overriding
validation criteria or copying from a validation list, see
Check<ins for Validity of Information. For instructions on finding
invalid records, see Finding Records That Don~t Match Validation
Criteria.

New Printing Options

Nutshell now supports over 35 printer models, which you will see
listed when you specify the printer model setting. See Printer
Model. In addition, the following features have been added to
enhance printing:

Print to the Screen - By specifying CON: as the destination, you
can have Nutshell print to your screen instead of to a file or to
a printer. See Destination.

Mailing Labels - You can print mailing labels up to nine across.
See Printing Mailing Labels.

Eliminate Empty Space Between Fields - To print mailing labels and
form letters without gaps between fields, you can reshape fields to
be Height Variable or Width Variable. See Removing Empty Space from
Printed Fields.

Summaries and Sub-summaries Before and After the records - You can
have Nutshell print sub-summary or summary information before the
records by placing a sub-summary partition or a grand summary
partition above the body partition. See Grand Summary and Sub-
summary.

Page Breaks - By typing a special character on the layout, you can
specify where Nutshell is to start printing a new page. See Body,
Grand Summary, and Sub- summary.

Pause Between Pages - A setting has been added for single sheet
printing so you can have Nutshell stop after printing each page
while you feed a new sheet of paper into the printer. See Pause
Between Pages.

Test Pattern - By using the Number Columns option, you can have
Nutshell print a pattern that shows how data will be printed
according to the Line Spacing and Character Spacing settings you
have selected. This is especially useful for ensuring that mailing
labels will be printed correctly. See Printing Mailing Labels.

Align Paper - The Align Paper option prints periods instead of
underscores to indicate field contents so you can easily see how
many characters fit in each field. It also prints a whole page with
header, bodies (including bodies across the page when you use the
Number of Labels setting), and footer. See the sections Printing
Records, and Printing Mailing Labels.

Ditto Option

When you are adding or modifying data, you can use the Ditto option
to copy data from a field in another record. For information on
using Ditto while adding records, see Copying Information from
Another Record. For differences pertaining to using Ditto while
modifying records, see Changing the Information in a Record.

Preset Option

When you are adding data, you can use the Preset option to type ~n~
the field values that will be the same from record to record.
Nutshell automatically copies those values into each new record for
you. See Specifying Preset Field Values.

Undo Option

When modifying a field value, you can undo changes you have made,
by using the Undo option. See Changing the Information in a Record.

Show Files Option

Within Nutshell you can now use the Show Files option to see and
select files, directories, and drives. Information about using Show
Files is included in the section Creating a New File and the
section Opening an Existing File.

Change Field Type

You can now change a field's type as well as a field's name and
calculation formula. See Changing a Field Type.

The following features have been added to enhance the capabilities
of calculation fields:

Formulas - Calculation formulas can now be 250 characters long.
While you are building a formula, you can use the Select Field
option to select field names from a list instead of typing them.

Calculations Using Date Fields - You can have Nutshell perform
calculations using date fields as well as number fields.

Rounding Result of Calculations - You can have Nutshell round the
result of a calculation before it stores the result in a
calculation field.

Exponentlation - You can use the exponentiation symbol(~) to have
Nutshell raise a number to a power.

See the section Calculation Fields.

Improved Finding

Greater Than and Less Than - Use ~= and c= for "greater than or
equal Tom and "less than or equal to.~ Use, and ~ for ~greater
thank and bless than." See Finding Values Greater Than or Less Than
a Given Value.

Clear Find Pattern - You can now choose whether to clear one page
of a find pattern, or all pages, including any Also Find pages. See
Changing or Erasing Criteria.

No Records Match - When Nutshell can find no records that match a
find pattern, it now displays the Browse screen. All records are
available for browsing. See Creating a Pattern for Finding Records.

Improved Sorting

The Sort menu has been improved for ease of use. You can make
changes to the current sort order without first having to clear it
and start over. You can also use the Unsort option to unsort
records without removing the sort order. See the chapter Sorting
Information.

Closing a File - Nutshell now asks for confirmation before closing
a file. See Closing a File and Exiting Nutshell.

Printing and Exporting - Menus for printing records and exporting
records have been improved for ease of use. See Printing
Information and Copying Information To and From Other Files.

Names of Options - Names of some menu options have been changed for
clarity. Consult the detailed menu map on page 288, or the Menu
Options section of the Quick Reference.

Printing Vertical Lists.- You can use Ctrl-PrtSc (Print Screen) to
send a copy of a vertical list to your printer. See The Keyboard.

Horizontal Scroll  When a line is too long to fit on your screen,
you can use the  cursor Right) and  (Cursor Left) keys to scroll
the data.

Utilities Program

Nutshell Plus comes with a utilities program called NUTUTILS which
performs two functions:

Compress - To reorganize files to conserve disk space.

Recover - To recover information from damaged files.

Utilities.
This section summarizes the additions, corrections and improvements
to Nutshell Plus Version 1.0 to create Nutshell Plus II Version 2.0

Nutshell Version 1.0 and Version 2.0 and Nutshell Plus Version 1.0
files are compatible with Nutshell Plus II Version 2.0.

New Improved Speed

There has been a dramatic speed improvement in the following areas
of Nutshell Plus Version 2:

Multi-field finds have been sped up. Some test databases have shown
a 10:1 Improvement In performance.

Multi-field links have been sped up. Again a 10:1 Improvement ratio
has been shown on some test databases.

Browse screens that include multi-field look ups has also been sped
up by about a 10:1 ratio.

Adding or Modifying screens that rely upon multi field look ups to
include data from linked files has likewise been sped up.

A 5:1 speed improvement has been recorded with some test databases
when doing Sorts that use multi-field links.

Output operations either printing or exporting have also been sped
up when extracting data from files with multiply linked fields.

New Import and Export Formats

dBASE III/IV option allows you to import or export records from
either dBASE III, dBASE III Plus, or dBASE IV files See the
sections Import from File, and Export Type.

FlleMaker option allows you to import or export records from
FileMaker, without changing format, and text files from MacWrite~,
and from Microsoft~ Word.

A new field type has been added to the Define option: Time can be
selected as a field type. This flew will accept a value ranging
from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59. See Time Field.

Time fields can be used to record events which are measured in time
values. For example Starting and Stopping times can be entered into
a time log type database. It can also be used to record times for
procedures such a flat rate type database.

Time fields can also be used in calculations, for example a Stop
Time subtracted from a start time will result in elapsed time.
Within the range of the time field, time values can be added to
produce an overall time result.

New Printing Function

Divide Body allows you to select whether to print part of a body
partition on one page and the remainder on the next page whenever
the last body on a page is too large too fit on the page.
Alternately by not selecting divide body the operation of Nutshell
Plus 11 is the same as the current version of Nutshell Plus. See
Divide Body.

Page Eject Oversize Bodies: Nutshell Plus 11 will now automatically
skip to the next page whenever the body partition is physically
larger than the current page when the page length is exceeded. This
will permit headers and footers to print for such oversize body
partitions. It will also allow correct operation of the Pause
Between Pages option for oversized body partitions (i.e. partitions
whose total size is greater than page length.)

Variable Length Support:Printers which do not support variable
length page sizes when doing a top of form eject in hardware are
now supported by Nutshell Plus II.in software

Embedding Special Printer Control Codes: Special embedded control
codes for invoking printer options can now be embedded directly
into layouts. An additional macro function has been added to
facilitate this feature (see Escape Key Macro Function.) See
Printing for examples of using this feature.

Escape Key: A new macro function has been added named Escape Key.
Normally typing escape causes an exit from the current form or
layout. This function allows you to type an Escape Character
directly on the layout. This is useful as it simplifies creating
special codes to control printing, since most of these codes
require an escape key character.

New Finding Functions

Several new find features plus more speed have been incorporated
into Nutshell Plus II version 2.

Find Empty Fields - Use = with no values to find fields that are
empty. See Finding Empty Fields.

Find Non Empty Fields - Use <>= with no values after it to find all
records in file that contain a value in that field. See Finding
Fields

Find Not Equal to Use <> plus value in find field to find all
records whose value in that field does not equal the value typed.
See Finding Records That Don't Match.

New Improved speed in multi-field finds ( or multiple values in the
same field ). A 10:1 improvement performance has been demonstrated
on some test databases.

New Calculation Field Options

The following new features have been added to enhance the
capabilities of calculation fields:

Time Field Calculations: You can have Nutshell Plus II perform
calculations using time fields as well as number and date fields

What's New In Nutshell Plus

Constant Calculations: You can have Nutshell Plus II perform
calculations using a constant time by enclosing the time desired in
square brackets. For example to add one hour and thirty minutes to
start time to allow for driving time from shop to job location the
formula would appear as, start time + [ O 1 : 3 O : O Ox ] .

New Layout Option

Copying Portions of a Layout: Layouts or parts of layouts can be
copied to a new or existing layout in the same file or between
linked files by using the copy and paste to cupboard feature in
Nutshell Plus II. This new feature allows you to highlight only the
text and fields you wish to copy to another layout in the same file
or linked files and then paste H to the layout. Copying to a new
linked file requires that the fields being copied are already
Defined in the new file.

New Preset Option

A new CLEAR OPTION has been add to remove all preset values. In
previous versions H was necessary to move to each field and use the
delete key to remove these values.. See Specifying Preset Field
Values.

New Format Options

The following new features have been added to enhance the Format
option:

Currency Sign Fifteen different national currency symbols are now
available when formatting number fields that represent money
amounts.

Date Fields - You can now use a new format option to specify that
Nutshell Plus II display and print the date in military format of
DDMMMYY. For Example, 1/1/90 will appear as 01JAN90 See the
sections Formatting Dates, and Date Fields.

Time Fields - When you create a new time field on the current
layout you can specify the following format options. 01:30P .
See Time Fields, Formatting Time.

Improved Add Screen

Occasionally an invalid value could be inserted into a record
whenever a Preset, Zoom, or Import from file was performed before
completing a field. This has now been fixed and the add screen will
restore to the field after any intervening procedure at which point
the field will be validated upon completion.

Improved ASCII Options

Importing from ASCII when a field ended with a carriage return
eventually caused "Too many files are open. This has been fixed.

Improved Copy and Paste to Clipboard

Layouts can be copied between existing linked files by using the
copy and paste to clipboard feature in Nutshell Plus II.

An error in file in layout when copying a field name from the
Include list and then trying to Paste it into the layout has been
corrected.

Improved Format Function

You can now specify right, and/or center justification for all
field types along with variable height. In previous versions this
would sometimes result in a spurious blank line when used in a
variable height partition and the field(s) was empty and the
remainder of the print line was also empty. This has been fixed and
if all the prior conditions are met then no print line will be
produced and following text will be closed up. See Formatting
Fields.

Improved Look up Files

Zoom - When using zoom if you opened or zoomed to a large number of
files this would eventually produce "Too many files are open" which
would cause the system to crash. This has been corrected .

Improved Multi-line Fields

When beginning to type in a Multi-line field, pressing backspace
from the first position of the second or subsequent line(s) when
the first or prior line was empty, produced garbage characters.
This has been fixed.

when printing multiple labels (more than one No. of Labels
specified) with multi-line fields Nutshell Plus would sometimes
fail to print all lines of the labels especially if one label was
more than two lines longer than other labels in the same multiple
set. Nutshell Plus 11 Version 2 will now correctly print all lines
of all labels in multiple sets containing multi-line fields.

Improved Printing
In previous versions when printing in variable height, and the body
partition length was greater than the remaining printable part of
the page, Nutshell Plus would skip to the next page even though the
printable part of the next body partition would fit. This has been
fixed when the new Divide Body option is specified.

When printing to the HP Laser Jet Plus Series 11 Nutshell Plus
11 now takes into account the one inch of unprintable area at the
top and bottom margins. This should prevent the problem in earlier
versions of blank pages being printed and of the header drifting"
down the page.

Landscape orientation is now available for the HP Laser Jet Plus
Series 11 printers.

Pause Between Pages did not pause when printing a single record
with a Body partition which was multiple-pages long. This has been
fixed.

Nutshell Utilities

Appendix B: Nutshell Plus 11 Utilities

Your Nutshell Plus 11 package includes a utilities program,
NUTUTILS, that performs two important file maintenance functions:

Compress - to make a Nutshell Plus 11 data file smaller, conserving
disk space and improving Nutshell's speed of operation when using
the file.

Recover - to reconstruct information from a damaged Nutshell Plus
11 file, creating a new file that contains the recovered
information.

When you run NUTUTILS, you can choose either the Compress or the
Recover option to compress or recover as many files as needed.

The Compress option reorganizes file information on your disk, such
that disk space is used more efficiently and compactly. Nutshell
can then work faster, because it doesn't have to look in as many
places on your disk for file information. It is suggested that you
compress files on a regular basis, perhaps immediately after
creating each backup of your file. Before compressing a file,
always create a backup copy of the file; in the rare event that the
file contains invisible damage, using the Compress option can
render the file unusable.

Use the Recover option in the unlikely event that a file becomes
damaged and cannot be opened with Nutshell Plus 11. In recovering
a file, NUTUTILS creates a new output file that contains as much
information as could be reconstructed, including link definitions
and macros. In the output file, NUTUTILS rebuilds the indexes and
counts the number of records. Do not delete the original damaged
file until you have examined the new destination file and
determined that it contains enough information to be usable. In
rare cases, using the Recover option may not succeed in
reconstructing part or all of the file.

o compress a Nutshell Plus 11 file:

1. Make a backup copy of the file, by using the DOS COPY command.
(Refer to your DOS manual for instructions on copying files.)

2. At the DOS prompt, type nututils, preceded by a drive specified
if necessary. The Nutshell Plus 11 Utilities screen is displayed.

3. Type the filename of the Nutshell Plus 11 file you want to
compress, or use the Show Files option to select the file. For
details on using Show Files, refer to the section Opening an
Existing File in the chapter Opening and Closing a File.

4. Select Compress.

5. To confirm that you want to compress the file, press ~. Nutshell
compresses the file, consolidating information into adjacent disk
blocks .

To continue compressing or recovering files, type another filename
or use Show Files to select the filename.

or

To return to DOS, press Esc.

 To recover a Nutshell Plus 11 flue, creating a new output file:

1. At the DOS prompt, type nututils, preceded by a drive specified
if necessary. The Nutshell Plus 11 Utilities screen is displayed.

2. Type either the filename or path plus filename of the Nutshell
Plus 11 file you want to recover, or use the Show Files option to
select the file. For

Nutshell Utilities

details on using Show Files, refer to the section Opening an
Existing File in the chapter Opening and Closing a File.

3. Select Recover. NUTUTILS automatically types the same filename
with a . Rex extension for the name of the Output File to be
created. The Output File will contain as much information as could
be reconstructed from the damaged file. If you want to rename the
Output File, type the new name over Nutshell~s name for the file.
It is strongly suggested that you do not use the extension .dub for
the Output File, to avoid accidentally overwriting a Nutshell Plus
11 data file.

To create the Output File in a different directory, use Show Files.
For details on using Show Files to change the directory or path,
see the section Creating a New File in the chapter Opening and
Closing a File.

4. After the filename is typed, press return.

5. To continue recovering or compressing files, type another
filename or use Show Files to select the filename.

To return to DOS, press Esc.