Creating Databases Faster with Templates

So you're ready to create a database but aren't sure where to start. Or, maybe you create a lot of databases and the routine of setting them up is too time consuming.

askSam Templates eliminate the need for creating databases from scratch. askSam templates provide you a pre-designed setup for a variety of topics. Simply choose the template that best suits your need, click the create button and give it a name. askSam automatically provides you with everything you need to get started organizing your information.

Each askSam Template includes...

·     Main Menu - with hypertext links for major database functions

·     Entry Form - all the fields you need to properly organize your information

·     Reports - pre-defined reports for common output

·     Stored Searches - pre-defined searches that you can simply by selecting it from a list

·     Instructions - a link from the main menu provides you help on using each template

Benefits of using askSam templates...

·     Convenient - already contains everything you need to collect, organize and search your information

·     Simple - no need to know how to build entry forms, set up reports, etc.

·     Flexible - templates can be used as they are or you can customize them to your needs

How to use templates...

Using templates is very easy. Templates are available to you anytime you choose to create a new file in askSam.

To use an askSam template...

- Load askSam.

- Choose FILE -> NEW.

- From the NEW dialog left mouse click on the template that best suits your needs.

- Click the CREATE button.

In the Save New File dialog move to the directory where you wish to store your new file and then type a name for the file in the File Name box. Click SAVE when done.

Your new file will appear.

Now that you have created a file using a template you are ready to enter and search information. To add a new document to the file you have created click the ADD button on the provided opening screen of your database. You can also add information by pressing CTRL-A or choosing DOCUMENT -> ADD DEFAULT ENTRY FORM.

To run a report REPORTS link on your main menu or choose TOOLS -> REPORTS.

To view instructions on how to use the file that you have created click on the MORE INFORMATION link on your main menu.

askSam templates can be used as they are or can be modified to fit your specific needs.

·     Main Menu - Any item on the main menu can be changed or deleted. You can even add your own hypertext links (see Chapter 14 of the askSam Users Guide or the "Creating Hypertext Menus" tutorial in the askSam Getting Started Manual) or write your own instructions.

·     Entry Form (fields) - You can add additional fields or delete unwanted fields from the entry form provided to you by the template (see Chapter 4 of the askSam User's Guide or the "Modifying Existing Entry Forms" tutorial in the askSam Getting Started Manual).

·     Reports - Modify existing reports or create your own reports (see Chapter 11 of the askSam Users Guide or the "Creating Reports" tutorial in the askSam Getting Started Manual). You can even add Mail and email Merge letters to your database (see Chapter 12 of the askSam User's Guide).

Where to get templates...

A variety of templates come with askSam but we also offer additional templates for you to download from our Web site. To see a complete list of available templates with descriptions go to:

http://www.asksam.com/templates

This list is updated each month as we create new templates.

Downloading a Template...

Ÿ     Go to: http://www.asksam.com/templates/templates.asp

Ÿ     Find the template you would like to use and click the link

Ÿ     Save this file to your TEMPLATES sub-directory within the askSam directory (by default the askSam 5 template directory is installed to \PROGRAM FILES\ASKSAM\ASKSAM5\TEMPLATES).

Ÿ     Open askSam and follow the "How to use templates" section above.

Creating Your Own Templates...

You may decide to create your own askSam templates for things we haven't even thought of yet.  If you create a file with a main menu, an entry form, reports, stored searches, etc., you can turn it into a template that you can use over and over when creating new files. To create your own templates...

Ÿ     Use askSam to create the menu, entry forms, reports, searches and instructions for your file.

Ÿ     Choose FILE -> SAVE AS and save the file to the TEMPLATES sub-directory within the askSam directory (by default the askSam 5 template directory is installed to \PROGRAM FILES\ASKSAM\ASKSAM5\TEMPLATES).

That's it. You have made a template. Next time you select FILE -> NEW your template will appear in the templates section of the New Dialog. We are interested in your templates. If you create a template that you think other people can use post it to us on our Web site at:

http://www.asksam.com/templates/upload.asp

Thank you and I hope you enjoy using all the askSam templates. If you add a template, we will list your template on our site.

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