Chapter 4     

     (continued)     

     Working With Entry Forms     

Creating an Entry Form with the Entry Form Wizard

The Entry Form Wizard guides you through setting up Entry Forms in your askSam database.  In the Entry Form Wizard, you simply type the names for the fields you want in your database. The Wizard lets you define the Data Type and lets you setup properties for the fields.

To Add an Entry Form with the Entry Form Wizard:

1.     Choose DOCUMENT -> ADD OTHER -> ENTRY FORM WIZARD.

The Entry Form Wizard will appear.

The Entry Form Wizard lets you enter names for your fields, define a Data Type for the fields, and set field properties

Option     Description

FIELD NAME     Type in a name for your field.

DATA TYPE     Choose whether your field is:

     Text A text field is a single line field that can contain any information       text, numbers, or dates.

     Memo  A memo field is any field that requires more than a single line.      Memo fields automatically expand to allow as much information as      you're required to enter.

     Automatic Number  Automatically numbers the Documents you enter.

     Automatic Date  Inserts the current date when Documents are entered.

     Automatic Time  Inserts the current time when Documents are entered.

     Automatic Weekday  Inserts the weekday when Documents are entered.

FIELD LENGTH     Sets whether a text field is an entire line or a specific length. This option      is not available when the field type is set to Memo.

FIELD STYLE     Sets a style for formatting the field name.  The default style for all field      names is “Field”. By modifying this style, you can change the way      fields are displayed.

DATA STYLE     Sets a style for formatting the field data. The default style for data is      “Field Data  (Default)”. In addition, askSam will automatically define      “Field Data  Primary” and “Field Data  Secondary”. Use these to      differentiate the way the data in certain fields is formatted. By      modifying these styles, you can change the way the data formatted in      these styles is displayed.

DEFAULT VALUE     Sets a default value for the field. For example, a field called DONE could      have a default value of "No".

PICK LIST     Defines a list of items you can select to fill out a field.

DOCUMENT COUNTER     This option is only available when the field type is set to “Automatic      Number”. It lets you set the starting value for the counter. By default,      the counter starts at 1.

DATE FORMAT     This option is only available when the field type is set to “Automatic      Date”. It lets you set the format for the date.

DATE SEPARATOR     This option is only available when the field type is set to “Automatic      Date”. It lets you set the separator character that appears between      numbers when using a numeric date format.

TIME FORMAT     This option is only available when the field type is set to “Automatic      Time”. It lets you set the format for the time.

     Inserts a new row into the Wizard. The row is inserted above the      currently selected row.

     Removes the selected row from the Wizard.

     Moves the selected row up or down.

2.     Enter your fields and define the proper settings for these fields.

3.     After you've set up your fields, choose NEXT to continue.

The second screen of the Entry Form Wizard will appear.

This screen lets you set the follow options for your Entry Form.

Option     Description

ENTRY FORM NAME     Enter a name for your Entry Form. The default name for the form will be      “Form #1”.

DEFAULT ENTRY FORM     Select whether you want this form to be your default Entry Form. The      default Entry Form is the form that is added when you choose      DOCUMENT -> ADD DEFAULT ENTRY FORM.

DATA ENTRY MODE     Choose whether Data Entry mode is ON or OFF. Data Entry mode      simplifies entering data into fields. By default, it will be turned on.

FIELD CHARACTER     Set the character that will be used to denote fields. By default this      character is the opening square bracket  [.

HIDE FIELD CHARACTERS     If set to yes, you will not see the opening or closing field characters in      your data. The characters are still there, but they will not display on      your screen. By default, this option is set to NO.

SHORTCUT KEY     Defines a shortcut keystroke to insert this Entry Form. This option is      useful when your file contains multiple Entry Forms.

ADD LOCATION     Determines the location where data added with this form will be      inserted in your file. You can choose: “End of File”, “Top of File”, or      “After Current Document”.

4.     Choose the NEXT button to continue.

The “Entry Form Wizard - Form Complete” screen will appear.

From this screen you can choose to:

- Begin entering data

- Edit the Entry Form

- Save the Entry Form and resume working in your file.

Editing an Entry Form with the Entry Form Wizard

With the Entry Form Wizard, you can add fields onto the bottom of an existing Entry Form. Removing existing fields, changing the order of fields, or reformatting the Entry Form cannot be done from the Wizard. You will need to manually edit the Form. See the next section on Manually Adding and Editing Entry Forms for details.

To Edit an Entry Form with the Entry Form Wizard:

1.     Choose TOOLS -> ENTRY FORM.

The Entry Forms Dialog Box will appear.

2.     Select the name of the Entry Form you wish to edit and choose the WIZARD button.

A Wizard screen will appear asking if you wish to append fields to the end of the current Entry Form, or if you wish to create a new Entry Form.

3.     Choose “Append fields to the end of the current Entry Form” and choose the NEXT button.

The Entry Form Wizard will appear. Add field names as described in the previous section Creating an Entry Form with the Entry Form Wizard.

4.     Choose the NEXT button.

The Entry Form Wizard - Form Complete screen will appear.

From this screen you can choose to:

- Begin entering data

- Edit the Entry Form

- Save the Entry Form and resume working in your file.