On Disk Monthly 75/odm75.zip/CHXTRX.HLP

Text File | 1992-12-21 | 19KB | 443 lines

                C h e c k   T r a c k e r
                     Program  Manual

Check  Tracker  is a powerful and friendly  program  that
will maintain your personal checking account(s).  You can
maintain up to 100 different checking accounts at a time,
with up to 10,000 transactions per account!

Although small businesses,  clubs, etc.   would find this
program  ideal,   the focus is on the  personal  checking
account  user.   The checking account screen display even
looks  like your personal checkbook register as you  work
with   it.    All  calculations,   however--    including
reconciling--  are done for you automatically and without
errors!
                   Program Requirements

Check  Tracker requires a Color Graphics  Adaptor,   256k
RAM, and DOS 2.1 or greater to run.

Check Tracker can be run from a floppy disk system,   but
memory  space  available  for  data  would  be   somewhat
limited.  A floppy disk can be used as a data disk within
a hard disk setup, but with the same limitations.

A  hard  disk  is strongly recommended  for  its  storage
potential  and speed,  and a printer (dot-matrix or laser
preferred,  but not required)  is needed,  of course,  to
take advantage of the printing options.

                     Program Features

Check  Tracker  supports a mouse.   You can turn off  the
mouse with a /NOMOUSE command line parameter.   Also,   a
context-sensitive  help  screen/scrollable manual  and  a
quick-select  help index are always available for on-line
viewing or printing through the <F1> key.

The  <Esc>  key is always available to abort any process,
return you to a previous point, or quit the program.

A sudden,  unexpected power loss during program execution
causes no loss of new data,  because all file changes are
written  to  the disk immediately,  rather  than  waiting
until  the end of the program to update the files as many
other programs do.  Also, data files are always re-sorted
and  re-packed  on the spot whenever any file  record  is
changed or deleted.  All sub-listing and indexing is done
with  dynamic-array pointers in memory,  so no  temporary
physical files clutter the disk.

A  "button"  at the bottom of the screen often  indicates
that  the <Up Arrow>/<Down Arrow>  keys are available for
various  cursor  functions.   Also note that the  <Home>,
<End>, <PageUp>, <PageDown> and <SpaceBar>  keys can also
be used to cursor quickly and intuitively.

Pop-up windows and "3-D"  effect shadowed boxes are  used
throughout the program in a visually appealing manner.

The  "point & shoot"  selection method is  available  for
most  program  choices.    Also,   Check  Tracker  always
remembers  your previous choices and program  path,   and
offers  those same choices and paths in subsequent visits
to that portion of the program.

A   consistent  screen  format  is  used  throughout  the
program.  The header, or top, box indicates where you are
in the program.   A  "button"  at the top right corner of
the  screen reminds you that help is just an <F1>   touch
away.    The  bottom of the screen will  contain  various
other  buttons  of information that always let  you  know
what your options are at any particular point.

User  input boxes are word-processor capable,  with arrow
cursoring, insert/overtype/delete functions, etc.   Also,
user  input  boxes are usually presented with a  "default
entry"   already typed in,  based on the  program's  best
guess of what you would probably want to enter.   If  you
don't  like the default entry,  simply start typing  from
the left-most position in the input box,  and the default
entry will instantly disappear at the first keystroke. If
you wish, however, you may edit the default entry so long
as you begin editing at any character position other than
the left-most position.

Check  Tracker is also very friendly about date  entries.
You simply enter a month number,  date number,  and  year
(optional), separated by a slash, dash, period, or comma.
If  you don't enter a year,  the current year is assumed.
Check  Tracker  then restructures the entry into  a  more
readable form for you.

Finally, a special and very friendly entry method is used
for entering dollar amounts:  You just type the  numbers,
and  Check Tracker manages the dollar sign,  commas,  and
decimal place for you!  The amount "fills in"  from right
to  left,   re-formatting as you enter the numbers.    To
enter  $234.56,  for example,  you simply type  "23456"--
Check   Tracker  takes  care  of  the  rest.    Use   the
<BackSpace> key to correct amount entry errors.

                  Starting Check Tracker

To start,  type "ChxTrx"  at the DOS prompt and press the
<Enter>  key.  You first see the Title Page, and then the
Account  Index  Screen.    In this screen,   "3x5   card"
summaries  of  all  checking accounts in  the  index  are
displayed one at a time.   Note that one of the fields on
every card is called the "DOS Password" field.

Check  Tracker has a special program start-up option that
allows  you  to bypass the Account Index  Screen  and  go
directly to any checking register you wish to see.    You
do  this at the DOS prompt by typing "ChxTrx",  a  space,
and any part of the "DOS Password" entry found on the 3x5
card summary of the register you're interested in.    See
the  below  example  of  how to take  advantage  of  this
feature:

Let's  say  you add a checking account  to  your  account
index and,  in the "DOS Password" field, you type "JOHN's
normal  checking  account".   At any later time when  you
start the program, you can type, for instance,

                   chxtrx john's normal

at  the DOS prompt,  and press the <Enter>  key.    After
displaying  the  Title Page,   Check  Tracker  internally
searches the "DOS Password"  field of all the accounts in
the  index  for a case-insensitive partial match  on  the
command  line parameter "john's normal".   If it finds  a
match  (as  it would it this example),  it  bypasses  the
Account Index Screen and goes directly to the register of
that  particular checking account.   This is a  practical
and  convenient time-saver if you access  one  particular
checking account most of the time.

Note  that  the above example implies that Check  Tracker
will find a match of partial phrases.   For example,   it
would have also found a match in the above example if you
had  entered "john",  or "ormal",  or even "S NO"   after
typing  "ChxTrx"   at the DOS prompt.   Any command  line
parameter that matches any part of the password for  that
checking  account,   in  upper  or  lower  case  (or  any
combination) will trigger a match.


                 The Account Index Screen

After  displaying the Title Page,  Check Tracker presents
the Account Index Screen.  A basic information summary of
each account is displayed one at a time on a "3x5   card"
as you scan through the index with your cursor keys. From
this point, you can:

<Enter>   Select the current 3x5 card summary to display
          that particular checking account register
  <Ins>   Add an account to the index
   <F4>   Modify the displayed account information
  <Del>   Remove the displayed account from the index
  <Esc>   Quit the program

                    Adding an Account

Choosing this option allows you to add a checking account
to  the  Account Index.   Cursor through the  fields  and
enter  the information.   The only required entry is  the
"Name" field, because it is used to alphabetically insert
the new entry into the Account Index.

As  you  highlight each field,  a  "hint line"  box  will
display  a brief explanation and/or suggestion(s)  of the
information being sought.

When you are finished and ready to accept the new  entry,
just press the <F10> key.

                   Modifying an Account

You  may edit the basic information of any account at any
time.    Simply display the account on the 3x5  card  and
press the <F4> key.  A  screen format similar to the "Add
Account" format will appear with hint lines to assist you
in  your editing.   The previous field data are available
as  default  entries for quick  and  convenient  editing.
Press the <F10> key to accept the changes.

Note  again  that  the  input  boxes  are  word-processor
capable.   You can use the various cursor keys,  and  the
<Ins>/<Del>/<BackSpace>   keys for fully functional  word
processing.

                   Deleting an Account

You  may delete an account from the Account Index at  any
time.  Display the account on the 3x5 card and then press
the <Del> key.

As a safeguard, Check Tracker will beep and a caution box
will  pop up advising you of the proposed action,  asking
you to confirm your wishes by typing the "y"  key.   Upon
confirmation,   the  account will be permanently  deleted
from the Account Index.

If  you  change your mind,  or inadvertently pressed  the
<Del> key, just press the "n" key to abort the action.

               The Checking Account Screen

The Checking Account Screen provides you with a  "window"
through  which  you can browse and view the  register  of
that checking account's transactions.  At this point, you
can:

  <Ins>   Add a transaction to the account
   <F4>   Modify the highlighted transaction
  <Del>   Delete the highlighted transaction
   <F6>   Void the highlighted transaction
  <Tab>   Clear/Unclear the highlighted transaction
   <F2>   Account Options (Print, Search, & Reconcile)
  <Esc>   Return to the Account Index

Note  that  the  Checking Account  Screen  also  displays
several  items  of practical information.    The  current
balance is always displayed,  no matter what part of  the
register you're examining.   A  "-- of --"  indicator box
tells  you how many total transactions are  currently  in
this  account,  and lets you know "where you are"  within
the  transaction  list when you are  browsing  through  a
large register.

In  the "Amount"  column,  the amounts are color coded so
you can distinguish debit/credit entries at a glance.

                   Adding a Transaction

Pressing the <Ins> key pops up a "New Entry" box in which
you  are  provided  fields to enter  the  necessary  "New
entry"  data.   At any time during entry,  the <Esc>  key
will allow you to abort the new entry.

When all of the "New Entry"  fields have been filled, the
new  entry is chronologically inserted into the  checking
account register.   If necessary,  intermediate  balances
are instantly updated.

The  "New  Entry"   box  contains  the  following  fields
described below:

Date:

The  date  is entered first,  and Check Tracker  is  very
forgiving as to how you enter it.   For instance,  if you
enter "6,21"  it will know that you meant "06-21-90"  and
the  entry will be restructured for you (if you omit  the
year  portion,  the current year is assumed).   The  only
restriction  is that you must enter a date that is  equal
to  or  later than the starting date  for  that  checking
account.    The allowable range of dates is from 1980  to
2075.  Therefore, the program will accept 01-22-75, as in
the  year 2075.  Feel  free  to experiment with the  date
entry  field  and discover how friendly and accommodating
it is!

Type:

For  "Type  Entry",  you are presented with  a  "point  &
shoot"  box of choices.   "Ck #"  is your first choice on
the list, and is meant to be used when you are entering a
normal  check.   If you select this choice,  you will  be
presented with an input box where you can enter the check
number (up to four digits long).

The other choices represent regular situations that  most
people  encounter,  such as "CASH"  for a cash withdrawal
from  an Automatic Banking Machine,  "SERV"  for  monthly
service  charges,   etc.    If you select  any  of  these
choices, the entry is automatically typed in for you.

Description:

A  description field is provided for any  description  or
comment you want to make regarding the new entry.    Used
wisely,   this field can be used to  associatively  index
otherwise  unrelated  entries  when  using  the  "Search"
features  of this program.   For example,  if you make  a
point of including the phrase "Rx" in your description of
all medical purchases on that account,  you can later get
an sub-listing consisting exclusively of all transactions
that  have "Rx"  in the description field.    Select  the
section  titled "Searching the Checking Account"  in  the
Help  Screen Index for more details.

If a "ChxTrx.Lst" text file is found at program start-up,
Check Tracker uses  it  by  popping up a window with  the
contents of "ChxTrx.Lst" listed as choices you can select
for this field.  The first choice in the window is always
a blank line  that  you may select in case you don't want
to use any of the listed choices. "ChxTrx.Lst" is a plain
Ascii text file meant to be custom-written by you,  and I
strongly encourage you to take advantage of its features.
Up to 15 entries of 37 characters each are allowed in the
list.

Amount:

Here you can enter any amount-- less than $100,000--  per
transaction.    As mentioned earlier,  the user input box
for amounts is very friendly: Just enter the numbers, and
Check  Tracker handles all the related punctuation as you
type.   Some amount must be entered;  that is,  a   $0.00
entry won't be accepted for a transaction.

Upon  pressing the <Enter>  key,  Check Tracker processes
the  new  entry and returns you to the  Checking  Account
Screen  with  the  new entry highlighted,   all  balances
adjusted, and all information boxes updated.


                 Modifying a Transaction

If  you highlight a transaction and press the <F4>   key,
Check  Tracker presents you with a series of pop-up boxes
and "point & shoot"  choices to guide you in changing the
date, description, or amount of that transaction.

If you change the date or the amount,  the transaction is
re-sorted   chronologically   in  the  checking   account
register and/or the intermediate balances are adjusted.

Note  that you cannot modify the first "Top of  Register"
entry, nor any transactions that have been voided.


                  Deleting a Transaction

If  you highlight a transaction and press the <Del>  key,
Check  Tracker  will beep and a caution box will  pop  up
advising  you  of  the proposed action,   asking  you  to
confirm  your  wishes  by  typing the  "y"   key.    Upon
confirmation,    the  highlighted  transaction  will   be
permanently deleted from the checking account register.

If  you  change your mind,  or inadvertently pressed  the
<Del> key, just press the "n" key to abort the action and
safely  return  to the checking account register with  no
harm done.


                  Voiding a Transaction

Check  Tracker  will  allow you  to  VOID  a  highlighted
transaction without deleting it from the checking account
register.  If you press the <F6> key,  Check Tracker will
beep and display a caution box asking you to confirm your
wishes.   If you type "y",  "VOIDED"  will be inserted in
the description field,  the entry will be "cleared"  (see
below),  the amount will be zeroed,  and all intermediate
balances will be adjusted as necessary.

Be careful with this feature-- Once voided, a transaction
cannot  be modified or uncleared;  it can only be deleted
entirely from the checking account register.

                  Clearing a Transaction

You can use the <Tab> key on a highlighted transaction to
show  that it has cleared the bank.   When you press  the
<Tab>   key,  a  "*"  symbol is added to the left of  the
`Type'   data as a visual indicator for you,  and a  flag
indicator   for   the   program.    The   highlight   bar
automatically advances one row to the next transaction.

Note that the <Tab> key is a toggle switch,  and can also
"unclear" a previously cleared transaction.

This  function will not operate on the "Top of  Register"
entry, nor on any transaction that has been voided.

              Printing the Checking Account

If  you  press the <F2>  key (Account Options)  and  then
select  "Print the Account",  Check Tracker will  present
you with a choice of printing:

     *  The whole account, or

     *  A sub-list of the account defined by
        beginning and ending transaction dates.

If  you  designate  dates  that don't  exist  within  the
checking account,  Check Tracker will print all inclusive
dates.

              Searching the Checking Account

If you press the <F2>  key and then select this  powerful
option,  Check Tracker presents a series of pop-up  boxes
that  guide  you through a tangle of choices to define  a
search of your checking account.   You can compile a sub-
list of transactions based on a certain Date,  a  certain
Month/Year,  a  given Year, the Type of transaction,  the
Description,    or  any  Amount  entry.     Searches   by
Description are case-insensitive and may be partial.

Once  compiled,   the sub-list is displayed  and  may  be
printed.   The number of matching transactions and  total
debit/credit amounts of the sub-list are also displayed.

             Reconciling the Checking Account

When  you receive your monthly banking statement,   press
the <F2>  key and then select this feature.   A   special
sub-list  of  uncleared transactions will  be  displayed,
along with an "Adjusted Balance" box.

Go  through  the sub-list and  clear  those  transactions
(with the <Tab> key) that your banking statement shows as
cleared.    Note that when you clear a transaction,   the
"Adjusted Balance"  amount changes appropriately.    When
you  are finished,  the "Adjusted Balance"  amount should
agree  with  the  current balance  amount  on  your  bank
statement.  Reconciling has never been easier!


                  Quitting Check Tracker


Choosing the <Esc> key from the Account Index screen will
pop  up a box that asks you to confirm that you  wish  to
quit Check Tracker by pressing the "y" key.

If  you change your mind,  or inadvertently  pressed  the
<Esc>  key,  you can press the "n"  key to return to  the
Account Index.




    End of    C h e c k   T r a c k e r    Help Screen