Create!form designer 3 - Bottomlinearchive.bottomline.com/collateral/technical_documents... · 2008-01-03 · The following are required before you can begin the process of redesigning

User guide

It’s time to re-form your business.®

March 2004

Create!form designer

User Guide

Order Number: FM30W-U32C

Operating Environment: Windows XP/NT 4.0/2000/2003

Software Version: 3

Copyright Notice

Manual Name: Create!form designer User Guide, Edition 2 [Mar 2004]

Order Number: FM30W-U32C

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Create!form, Inc. - A Bottomline Technologies Company. The software described in this document is furnished under a license or non-disclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. It is against the law to copy the software onto magnetic tape, disk or any other medium for any purpose other than in accordance with the agreement. It is against the law to copy or distribute this document other than in accordance with the agreement. All rights reserved.

© Copyright 1987-2004 Create!form, Inc. - A Bottomline Technologies Company (Create!form, Inc.). All rights reserved. Create!form, Create!print, Create!flash, Create!stream, Create!fax, Create!email, Create!pdf server and Create!archive are trademarks of Create!form, Inc. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. PeopleSoft, EnterpriseOne, J.D. Edwards, OneWorld and ERP 8 are trademarks of PeopleSoft, Inc. Adobe, Acrobat, Acrobat Distiller, Acrobat Exchange, Acrobat Reader and PostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. All other brand/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

WARNING. This document is protected by copyright law and international treaties. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this document, or any portion of it, may result in civil or criminal liability. Create!form, Inc. will prosecute and defend its copyrights to the fullest extent of the law.

Contents

1 Introduction 15

1.1 Who is this Guide For? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1.2 Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1.3 Online Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1.4 User Guide Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

1.5 Introduction to Create!form designer Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

1.6 Reformatting EnterpriseOne Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181.6.1 Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181.6.2 Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

2 Installing and Configuring 21

2.1 Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

2.2 Installing Create!form designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

2.3 Configuring Input Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232.3.1 Accessing Input Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

3 Create!form designer Basics 25

3.1 Starting Create!form designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

3.2 What is a Form Project? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263.2.1 Form Project Directories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

3.3 Creating a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3.4 Project Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273.4.1 Overlay Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273.4.2 DataMap Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283.4.3 Template Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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3.5 Saving a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283.5.1 Naming Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

3.6 Opening a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

3.7 Printing and Previewing Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

3.8 Deleting a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

4 Viewing and Navigating 31

4.1 Understanding the Screen Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324.1.1 Design Window: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334.1.2 Input Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334.1.3 Project Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334.1.4 Input Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344.1.5 Thumbnail View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344.1.6 The Status Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

4.2 Navigating in a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354.2.1 Jumping Directly to a Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

4.3 Moving Between Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

5 Setting up Form Projects 37

5.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

5.2 Defining Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

5.3 Setting Project Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .395.3.1 Setting Repagination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .405.3.2 Setting Collate Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .405.3.3 Setting Duplicates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415.3.4 Setting Next Copy Project Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415.3.5 Creating Format Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

5.4 Setting the Global Page Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

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6 Sections 45

6.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466.1.1 Types of Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

6.2 Data Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

6.3 Header and Footer Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466.3.1 Continuation Header and Footer Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476.3.2 Creating Header and Footer Sections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476.3.3 Creating Header and Footer Sections from a Data Section . . . . . . . . . 486.3.4 The Display Order of Header and Footer Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

6.4 Using Alternate Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

6.5 Using Inserted Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

6.6 Setting Section Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 516.6.1 Positioning the Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526.6.2 Fixed and Autosized Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526.6.3 Adjusting Section Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536.6.4 Defining Parent/Child Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536.6.5 Setting Orphan Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546.6.6 Setting when a Data or Inserted Section Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 556.6.7 Adding to the Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

7 DataMapping and Adding Text 57

7.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587.1.1 Data Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587.1.2 Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587.1.3 DataMapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

7.2 Mapping Data Variables and Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 597.2.1 Mapping all Data Variables or Constants for a Data Section . . . . . . . 597.2.2 Mapping a Data Variable as a Variable Text Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607.2.3 Mapping a Data Variable within a Text Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607.2.4 Mapping a Constant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 617.2.5 Mapping Variables and Constants by Drag and Drop . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

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7.3 Creating Text Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

7.4 Viewing a List of Data Variable Occurrences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

8 Formatting Text 65

8.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .668.1.1 Formatting Multiple Objects Simultaneously . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

8.2 Formatting Static Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

8.3 Formatting Variable Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .678.3.1 Applying Format Styles to Variable Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

8.4 Text Layout and Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .698.4.1 Adjusting Margins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .698.4.2 Adjusting Line Spacing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .708.4.3 Adjusting Kerning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .708.4.4 Aligning and Justifying Text. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .718.4.5 Fixing Text to the Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .718.4.6 Displaying Text Objects or Variable Text Objects Conditionally . . . .72

8.5 Setting Default Text Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

9 Creating and Adjusting Objects 73

9.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .749.1.1 Objects and Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

9.2 Creating Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .749.2.1 Bar Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .759.2.2 Setting Object Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .759.2.3 Modifying Multiple Objects Simultaneously . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .769.2.4 Setting Default Object Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

9.3 Selecting and Adjusting Objects Using the Selection Tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .769.3.1 Selecting and Deselecting Multiple Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .769.3.2 Selecting Hard to Locate Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .779.3.3 Moving Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .789.3.4 Resizing Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

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9.3.5 Rotating Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 799.3.6 Copying Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809.3.7 Rearranging Object Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809.3.8 Aligning Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809.3.9 The Control Object. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

9.4 Resizing and Aligning Objects using Handle Selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 829.4.1 Anchor Points within an Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 839.4.2 Selecting Handles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 849.4.3 Selecting Multiple Objects using Handles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 859.4.4 Resizing and Moving Objects Simultaneously . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 859.4.5 Aligning Objects using Handles and the Alignment Buttons . . . . . . . 86

10 Tables 89

10.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9010.1.1 Table Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9010.1.2 Tables and Parent/Child Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

10.2 Creating and Modifying Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9110.2.1 Sorting Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9210.2.2 Creating Header and Footer Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9210.2.3 Grouping Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9210.2.4 Setting Table Pagination Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9310.2.5 Creating Borders and Lines over Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

11 Subforms and Images 95

11.1 About Subforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9611.1.1 Importing Images and Creating Subforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

11.2 Inserting a Subform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

11.3 Importing Multiple Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9811.3.1 Editing a Subform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

11.4 Variable Subform Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9911.4.1 Creating a Variable Subform Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

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12 Conditions 101

12.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10212.1.1 Usage Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

12.2 Condition Building Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10212.2.1 Boolean Operators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10212.2.2 Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10312.2.3 Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10312.2.4 Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10412.2.5 Pre-Defined Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

12.3 Building a Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10512.3.1 Navigating and Editing Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

13 Variables and Calculations 107

13.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

13.2 User Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10813.2.1 Creating User Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

13.3 Building Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11013.3.1 Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11013.3.2 Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11013.3.3 Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

13.4 Global User Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

13.5 Calculations in Headers and Footers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

13.6 Lookup Variables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11413.6.1 Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

14 Creating and Using Page Styles 117

14.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

14.2 Creating Page Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

14.3 Defining Page Style Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

14.4 Creating Background Graphics Using Page Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

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15 Display Preferences and Global Options 121

15.1 Setting Display Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12215.1.1 Setting Design Window Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12215.1.2 Setting Input Window Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12415.1.3 Setting Input Tree Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12415.1.4 Setting Section Borders Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

15.2 Setting Global Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

15.3 Checking Spelling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12615.3.1 Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12715.3.2 User Dictionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

15.4 Logging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

16 Custom Fonts and Colors 131

16.1 Working with Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13216.1.1 Adding Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13216.1.2 Printing a Font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13316.1.3 Editing Font Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13316.1.4 Removing Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

16.2 Color Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13416.2.1 Selecting a Color Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13516.2.2 Saving a Color Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13616.2.3 Editing a Color Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

AppendicesA Glossary 139

A.1 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Create!form designer xiii

B Mapping Archive Variables 143

B.1 Mapping Data Variables to Archive Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

C Packing Projects 147

C.1 Packing Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

D Text Output 149

D.1 Text Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

D.2 Features Affected by Selecting Text Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

E DSN for Microsoft Access 153

E.1 Creating a DSN for Microsoft Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Index 157

xiv Create!form designer

1IntroductionThis chapter provides an overview of PeopleSoft EnterpriseOne and the Create!formdesigner user guide.

The following topics are covered:

! Who is this Guide For?

! Prerequisites

! Online Help

! User Guide Conventions

! Introduction to Create!form designer Features

! Reformatting EnterpriseOne Reports

Create!form designer 15

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Who is this Guide For?This user guide is for people who administer Create!form designer, the designcomponent of Create!form for use with PeopleSoft EnterpriseOne. This software mayalso be used in conjunction with J.D. Edwards ERP 8.0 or OneWorld Xeenvironments.

1.2 PrerequisitesThe following are required before you can begin the process of redesigning yourEnterpriseOne reports:

• You require a basic familiarity with Windows concepts and terminology, and theability to run EnterpriseOne reports.

• You must have made the modifications to the initialization files on the EnterpriseServer. For more information, refer to " Section 2.3.

• You require Adobe Acrobat version 5 or greater for viewing the form project andinput file.

The following Create!form Inc. products must be installed before you can commenceproduction printing:

• Create!send on the Enterprise Server. • Create!form server on the network e-forms server. • Create!print, or other distribution software, on the network e-forms server.

For more information about these products, refer to the "Create!form server

User Guide.

For information on system and hardware requirements, refer to " Section 2.1.

1.3 Online Help This user guide is also available online in Portable Document Format (PDF):

• On the installation CD in the \Manuals directory. • Through the Create!form designer online help system, which is integrated into

the software (select Help!User Guide from the Main menu). • From the Windows Start menu, by selecting:

Programs!Create!form!Help!Create!form designer 3

16 Create!form designer

1.4 User Guide Conventions

1.4 User Guide ConventionsSection headings are listed at the front of each chapter to assist you in finding therelevant information. In the electronic version of this document, clicking on theseheadings will take you to the appropriate section.

The following typographical conventions are used:

1.5 Introduction to Create!form designer Features With Create!form designer you can customize your EnterpriseOne reports withoutmaking modifications in the Report Design Aid (RDA). The following examplesintroduce some of the features that Create!form designer offers.

• InvoicesYou can add, remove and reposition data on a page; add graphical elements thatimprove the look and feel; and change the sort order of tabular data.

• Purchase ordersYou can compact the data and so reduce the overall number of pages, and converta series of numbers to a bar code.

• Checks You can print the bank account number in MICR font and add signatures that areconditional on specified input data values.

• Picking Slips You can redesign an invoice as a picking slip, displaying images to representsthat parts to be picked.

Convention Convention Usage

Bold Screen items and buttons.

" Short-cut or reference to the document, chapter or section described after the symbol.

Courier Font Commands entered by a user.

Additional information relating to the topic.

Item!Sub-ItemMenu selection; i.e. select the menu Item and then select the Sub-Item from the drop-down list, e.g., File!New.

Numbering (1.)Step-by-step procedures. To perform an action, follow these instructions in the sequential order given.



1.6 Reformatting EnterpriseOne Reports

1.6.1 Sections

EnterpriseOne RDA reports are built using one or more defined sections. Sections canbe used to create columnar reports, to group data, to define table-type areas andspecify header and footer areas. In form projects, sections are also important structures(" Section 6.1).

Figure 1-1: Sections in a EnterpriseOne report.

report sections


1.6 Reformatting EnterpriseOne Reports

When you create a form project for an RDA report (called an input file from now on),the sections defined in the report are automatically converted to sections with the samename in the form projects.

Figure 1-2: Sections in the form project, displayed as tabs, correspond with the names of the sections in input file, displayed in the Input Tree.



1.6.2 Objects

Input files contain variables and constants. These variables and constants are“mapped” into the form project as variable text objects and text objects respectively.The name of the variable text object or text object will correspond with the originalEnterpriseOne variable or constant name.

Figure 1-3: This graphic shows how variables and constants in input files are mapped to Create!form designer variable text objects and text objects.


2Installing and Configuring This chapter describes how to install Create!form designer and prepare input files foruse in form projects.


! Installation Requirements

! Installing Create!form designer

! Configuring Input Files


Chapter 2: Installing and Configuring

2.1 Installation RequirementsCreate!form designer requires the following:

• Microsoft Windows XP/NT 4.0/2000/2003• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater• Adobe Acrobat 5 or greater• Approximately 30 MB of free hard disk space• A PostScript level 2 or greater printer is recommended

2.2 Installing Create!form designerFor information on upgrading from an earlier version, refer to the upgrade notes,located in the \Readme directory of the installation CD.

1. Insert the installation CD.The installation screen should be displayed automatically. If it isn’t, run theCFormOW.exe program located in the root directory of the installation CD.

2. Select the Install Products button, and then select Create!form designer fromthe menu.

3. If no other Create!form product is installed, you will be prompted to select theinstallation directory. If not, the installation directory is already defined.

4. Specify the default location for saving your project files by specifying the formproject directory.By default, the WorkDir directory in the Create!form designer installationdirectory will be used. If this is the first Create!form product you have installed,it is recommended that you accept the default setting. For more informationabout the form project directory, refer to " Section 3.2.1.

5. The Setup program allows you to choose between a Typical or a Custominstallation.

• Select Typical to automatically install the program, all help files, sample files,and the English-UK and English-US spelling dictionaries.

• Select Custom to only install the components and spelling dictionaries you want.

6. After specifying the location for the program icon on the Start menu, verify thatall settings are correct and click Next to complete the installation.

7. Click Exit when you have finished installing Create!form products.


2.3 Configuring Input Files

2.3 Configuring Input Files Create!form designer requires an input file in order to work on a form project. OnlyEnterpriseOne reports that have been printed with the Metadata tags switched on, canbe used as input files. For information about switching on Metadata tags, refer to theCreate!form server User Guide.

2.3.1 Accessing Input Files

When a report is submitted, EnterpriseOne generates a PDF file which it stores in thePrintQueue directory of the Enterprise Server (or the client workstation, depending onwhich system it was submitted to).

If the EnterpriseOne report is on the Enterprise Server, you can copy the file to theworkstation by simply viewing it on the client workstation. The EnterpriseOne PDFfile is saved in the local print queue of the workstation, which you can access fromwithin Create!form designer.

If you are unable to generate your own PDF files, your networkadministrator should be able to assist you.


3Create!form designer BasicsThis chapter explains the basic procedures for getting started with Create!formdesigner.


! Starting Create!form designer

! What is a Form Project?

! Creating a Project

! Project Options

! Saving a Project

! Opening a Project

! Printing and Previewing Projects

! Deleting a Project


Chapter 3: Create!form designer Basics

3.1 Starting Create!form designerClick the Start menu and select: Programs!Create!form!Create!form designer 3.For information on screen elements and toolbars, refer to " Chapter 4.

3.2 What is a Form Project? A form project (or project) is a new design for a EnterpriseOne report. The formproject describes how the report will be reformatted when it is used as the input file inthe form merge process in Create!form server. The graphical representation of theoutput is displayed in the Design Window in Create!form designer.

When a form project is initially created, its initial structure roughly matches thestructure of the input file. The form project contains all the RDA logical section designstructure for the report.

The input file is a sample of what will be used in production printing. Therefore it isimportant that the input file is a good representation of the production data, andcontains all possible scenarios.

3.2.1 Form Project Directories

Each form project has a form project directory, the location where all its componentsare stored. At any time, Create!form designer has only one form project directory.When Create!form designer is installed a default form project directory is created:<install dir>\WorkDir. During the installation or at a later time, you can specify anotherlocation for the current form project directory.

To change the current form project directory:

1. Close all projects.

2. From the Main menu, select File!Set Form Project Directory... The Set Form Project Directory dialog will be displayed.

3. Set the directory.

4. Click OK.


3.3 Creating a Project

3.3 Creating a ProjectBefore you can create a new project, you will need a sample input file(" Section 2.3).

To create a project:

1. From the Main menu, select File!New, or click the New Project button ( ).The New dialog will be displayed.

2. From the Sample Input file drop down, select the input file to use as a samplefor your form project.The drop down will display all input files located in the current form projectdirectory. If you want a file from another location, click Get... and browse for it.When you do this a copy of the file will be placed in the current form projectdirectory.

3. Set the project options. For descriptions of these options refer to " Section 3.4.

4. Click OK.

3.4 Project OptionsThe options when creating a new project are:

• Overlay• DataMap• Template

3.4.1 Overlay Projects

Create an overlay project if you don’t want to change the layout, design and formattingof the input file, and only need to add such elements as:

• borders, logos or other graphics.• fixed text, like ‘confidential’ or date, at the top of each page.

Overlay projects are very restrictive and only use a fraction of Create!form designer’sfunctionality.



3.4.2 DataMap Projects

Create a DataMap project if you want to utilize Create!form designer’s many features.In a DataMap project, the various units and objects within the input file such asvariables, constants and sections, are mapped to the project. You can then customizethe look, feel and behavior of the data depending on variables in the input file.

When you create a DataMap project you have the option of mapping the constants andvariables from all sections of the input file. If you choose not to map either of these,you will start with a “blank canvas”. For information about variables and constantsand your ability to map them at a later point, refer to " Chapter 7.

3.4.3 Template Projects

Template projects work the same way as in common applications like MicrosoftWord. They allow you to impose the styles, formatting and configurations of oneproject, onto another input file.

3.5 Saving a ProjectProjects should be saved regularly. Projects can be stored in either:

• the \<Install dir>\CommonFormProject directory, which typically contains itemscommon to various projects; or

• a form project directory dedicated to particular form projects. You can create asmany form project directories as you want. On install, one form project directoryexists, called \<Install dir>\Workdir.

To save a project:

1. From the Main menu, select File!Save, or click ( ) on the main toolbar.If you are saving a project for the first time, the Save Project As dialog will bedisplayed.

2. Name the project in accordance with the naming conventions. For informationon naming projects, refer to " Section 3.5.1.

You can also apply the templates while you are working on a project.From the Main menu, select Project!Apply Design Template.


3.6 Opening a Project

3.5.1 Naming Projects

When you save a project for the first time or perform a Save As, you must give theproject a name. The project name is important because unless otherwise specified,Create!form server matches input files with projects by looking at their names. Inputfiles have the following structure:

<reportname>_<batchname>_<date/time>.pdf

Default Matching Rules

Consider an input file named: R014021_XJDE100.pdf. By default, when Create!formserver receives this file it will look for the following projects (listed in the order thatCreate!form server would select them):

� R014021_XJDE100.fpj2 � R014021_XJDE10.fpj2 � R014021_XJDE1.fpj2

etc.

The minimum possible text in a project name is the reportname, in this case “R014021”.

Using Create!stream you can specify that a job will use a particular project that doesnot follow the default matching rules. For more information refer to the "Create!formserver User Guide.

Next copy projects

When you are naming a project that will be used as a next copy project, you must addtext to the name that will prohibit it being matched using the default matching rules.

3.6 Opening a ProjectOnly projects in the current form project directory and the CommonFormProjectdirectory are able to be opened. To open a project from another directory it isnecessary to first change the form project directory (" Section 3.2.1).

To open a project:

1. From the Main menu, select File!Open or click ( ) from the main toolbar.The Open dialog will be displayed and show files from the current form projectdirectory. To display files in the CommonFormProject directory, select the Look inCommon Form Project directory checkbox.

2. Select the project and click OK.



3.7 Printing and Previewing ProjectsProjects can be printed locally, using the data from the input file. Using AdobeAcrobat, you can also preview the project on-screen.

To display the preview of text output projects, Microsoft WordPad or Notepad is used.

To print a project:

1. From the Main menu, select File!Print.The Print dialog will be displayed.

2. Select the required printing options and/or view an on-screen preview.

• Select a printer.• Select the page range and whether to include or ignore next copy projects.• Choose whether to show variable values or names, or whether to hide them.• Choose whether you want duplicate copies, or whether you want to use the

project settings for duplicates (set in " Section 5.3.3).

3. Click Print.

To preview a project:

1. From the main toolbar, click ( ) on the main toolbar or select File!PrintPreview from the Main menu.

3.8 Deleting a ProjectYou can delete form projects and their associated resources (excluding subforms andnext copy projects).

To delete form projects:

1. From the Main menu, select File!Delete.The Delete dialog will display the projects in the current form project directory.To navigate to another directory, click Directory and select another directory.This option does not reset the form project directory and is only available if allform projects are closed.

2. Select the project(s) to delete.

3. To delete associated backup files (*.fpj2bak and *.frmbak), select the DeleteBackup files checkbox.

4. Click OK.


4Viewing and Navigating This chapter explains the screen elements within Create!form designer, and how tomove around within projects. Information on customizing screen layout is provided in" Chapter 15.


! Understanding the Screen Elements

! Navigating in a Project

! Moving Between Sections


Chapter 4: Viewing and Navigating

4.1 Understanding the Screen ElementsThe following graphic shows some of the basic screen elements.

Figure 4-1: The Create!form designer screen.

The following sections describe the function of the different windows and trees indetail.

Design Window (" Section 4.1.1)

Input Window (" Section 4.1.2)

Project Tree (" Section 4.1.3)

Status bar (" Section 4.1.6)

main toolbar

Navigation toolbar

Text Properties toolbar

Object toolbar

Align toolbar

Currently active screen component

Input Tree(" Section 4.1.4)

Name of Form Project


4.1 Understanding the Screen Elements

4.1.1 Design Window:

The Design Window has two viewing modes, the Graphics View and the ListingView. To switch between them, click the Graphics View button ( ) or the ListingView button ( ) on the main toolbar. The sections of the project are displayed astabs at the bottom of the Design Window.

• The Graphics View displays what the project will look like and allows you toselect, edit and manipulate objects. The Graphics View of the Design Window iswhere you will perform most of your project design tasks.

• The Listing View is a non-graphical representation of all the all objects in theselected section, along with key information about each object. The Listing Viewenables you to easily identify objects when the Graphics View is crowded. Youcan select, edit and work with all objects in the Listing View in the same way asthe Graphics View.

You can change the sort order of the Listing View by clicking on the columnheading you wish to sort by. If a column value (x- or y-origin) is displayed in redbold text, it indicates that part (or all) of the object is off the page layout area.

You cannot hide the Design Window, but you can customize its look and feel(" Sections 15.1.1 and 15.1.4).

4.1.2 Input Window

The Input Window displays the input file using Adobe Acrobat. When you float thecursor over data in the input file, the name of the variable or constant will be displayed.This can help you to select the correct variable or constant for mapping to the DesignWindow.

To show or hide the Input Window, click the Input Window button ( ) on the maintoolbar or select View!Input Window from the Main menu.

You can customize the look and feel of the Input Window (" Section 15.1.2).

4.1.3 Project Tree

The Project Tree is the logical structure of the project. It contains a list of all sectionsand all objects, including their specific properties. Several task shortcuts are availableby right clicking on items in the Project Tree.

To show or hide the Project Tree, click the Project Tree button ( ) on the maintoolbar or select View!Project Tree from the Main menu.



4.1.4 Input Tree

The Input Tree is the logical structure of the input file. It provides details about theinput file as a whole and individual sections within it.

To show or hide the Input Tree, click the Input Tree button ( ) on the main toolbaror select View!Input Tree from the Main menu.

You can customize the look and feel of the Input Tree (" Section 15.1.3).

4.1.5 Thumbnail View

The Thumbnail View provides a thumbnail of each page of the project, allowing youto scan the formatting of multiple pages.

To show or hide the Thumbnail Win/View, click the Thumbnail button ( ) on themain toolbar or select View!Thumbnails from the Main menu.

4.1.6 The Status Bar

The Status bar provides a variety of information about the project as a whole and thecurrent location within the project.

Figure 4-2: The Status bar.

The tabs for each section that are currently displayed on that page.

Indicates the name of the section the cursor is currently above.

The number of the set and the total number of sets in the project.

The page number of the set and the total number of pages in the set.

The size of currently selected section.

The section ID represented in the input file. and the occurrence number in brackets. Used for support purposes. (as also displayed in the source tab of sect properties.

The page number in the project and the total number of pages.

The X and Y axis coordinates of the cursor.

The type of section currently selected.

The currently selected section is bolded.


4.2 Navigating in a Project

4.2 Navigating in a ProjectThe section tabs on the bottom of the Design Window only appear for sections that aredisplayed on the current page. Thus, to locate occurrences of some sections, you mayneed to browse the pages of the project.

To navigate to other pages or sections of the project:

1. Click the appropriate button from the Navigation toolbar:

Figure 4-3: The buttons on the Navigation toolbar.

These commands are also available through the main menu.

4.2.1 Jumping Directly to a Page

To go to a specified page number:

1. From the Main menu, select Page!Go To Page... The Go To Page dialog will be displayed.

2. Enter the page number to go to, or select the page number from the drop-down.

3. Click OK.The page selected will be displayed.

Go back one page.

Go to last page.

Go to the next occurrence of the current section.

Go back to a previous occurrence of the current section.

Go to the first page of the previous set.

Go to the first page of the next set.

Go to the first page.

Go forward one page.



4.3 Moving Between SectionsIn order to edit and format sections, they must be selected. You can select sections inthe following ways:

• Use the mouse to double click on the section in the Design Window. • Press the arrow keys to move up or down one section in the Design Window. • Press the TAB key to move to the next occurrence of that section and ALT+TAB

to move to the previous occurrence of that section.• Click on the section tab at the bottom of the Design Window.

All sections that are displayed on the current page will have tabs.• In the Project Tree, select the section.

This is the only way you can edit the properties of a section if it is not set todisplay.

• Use the buttons on the Navigation toolbar.

You have various options for how sections are displayed (" Sections 15.1.1 and15.1.4).


5Setting up Form ProjectsThis chapter introduces the tasks you need to perform before you begin adding andformatting data in form projects.


! Introduction

! Defining Sets

! Setting Project Properties

! Setting the Global Page Setup


Chapter 5: Setting up Form Projects

5.1 IntroductionFor most projects, it is recommended you perform the following tasks before you startediting and organizing the data or adding graphical elements.

Figure 5-1: The setup tasks required for most projects.

5.2 Defining SetsWhere the input file contains more than one document, such as a batch run of invoices,defining sets, divides the batch into individual invoices. Each invoice becomes a set.

Defining sets involves specifying when a new set will commence. Typically a new setcommences every time the page numbering restarts, but you can also specify that anew set commences when data such as the customer number or invoice numberchanges.

If you do not define sets, Create!form designer will recognize thewhole project as one set.

Specify repagination and other associated project properties. (" Section 5.3).

Define sets (" Section 5.2).

Replace all header and footer sections from the input file with user-defined header and footer sections (" Section 6.3).

Create tables for repeated data sections (" Section 10.2).

Setup a global page style, including page size and orientation (" Section 5.4).


5.3 Setting Project Properties

To define a set:

1. From the Main menu, select Set!Properties The Set Properties dialog will be displayed.

2. Select the New set occurs when: radio button.

3. From the Section drop down, select the section that contains the variable datathat will determine when a new set starts.

4. In the Condition section, select either:

• Page number variable and select the page number variable, which will havethe value “1” whenever a new set starts or;

• Value of variable and select a variable which will change value whenever anew set starts. (Typically a customer number or invoice number or picking slipnumber.)

5. Click OK.

When you define sets, set headers and footers are automatically turned on. Forinformation on set headers and footers, refer to " Section 6.3.

5.3 Setting Project PropertiesProject properties apply to the whole project and include:

• repagination• copy and printing options• format styles

To set project properties:

1. From the Main menu, select Project!Properties.The Project Properties dialog will be displayed.

2. Choose whether to turn repagination on (" Section 5.3.1).

3. If you choose not to repaginate your project, you can still specify that pages withno data sections are removed. To do this, select the Remove pages with no datasections checkbox.

4. Set the collate options (" Section 5.3.2).

5. Set the duplicate options (" Section 5.3.3).

6. Set the next copy project (" Section 5.3.4).



7. Create format styles (" Section 5.3.5).

8. Click OK to save the project properties.

5.3.1 Setting Repagination

When a project is set to repaginate it means that floating sections are not tied toparticular pages and will float forwards or backwards depending on the spaceavailable. Repagination allows you to condense the information contained in an inputfile and reduce the total number of pages.

The Repaginate checkbox, on the Project Properties dialog, is the master switch thatallows repagination to occur. You can also specify layout controls for individualsections such as fixing them in a particular location (" Section 6.6.1) or specifyingthat they be kept with other sections (" Section 6.6.4).

Repagination and tables

If you want to use tables in your project, you must set the project to repaginate. Tablesare a key feature that allow you to manipulate repeating sections. Once you havecreated a table, repagination will be switched on, and the Repaginate checkbox willbe disabled. For more information on tables, refer to " Chapter 10.

5.3.2 Setting Collate Options

There are 3 ways to order the output of pages:

• uncollate • collate • (collate) by set

The dynamic image on the Project Properties dialog gives a graphical representationof the collate options.

These collate options also apply to any next copy projects, regardlessof the collate options within the next copy project.


5.3 Setting Project Properties

5.3.3 Setting Duplicates

By specifying a value for the Number of duplicates field, you can set the project toprocess the input file multiple times. If you use this option, you can Use printercontrol commands to generate multiple copies at the printer, rather than send allcopies from the server. The Use printer control commands option is disabled ifCollate or By Set have been selected, or if the project has additional copy projects,and is not supported by all printers.

5.3.4 Setting Next Copy Project Options

After the input file is processed, you can select that it is processed again by anotherproject, called a Next copy project. In this way, a chain of projects can be defined.Next copy projects are used to emulate multi-part printing.

Using the next copy project function allows you to provide summary information of abatch run via a project that produces summary information.

5.3.5 Creating Format Styles

You can create format styles that customize the display of numbers, dates andcurrencies in variables. Format styles allow you to specify such things as:

• whether a period(.) or comma(,) is used as a decimal point.• the currency symbol.• whether the date is displayed as date-month-year or month-date-year.

Format styles are global for Create!form designer. Once you have created a style youcan apply it in any form project.

You can also specify that the spool file is processed multiple times using Create!stream or through the EnterpriseOne report generator. For more information refer to the " Create!stream User Guide and the " Create!form server User Guide. The collate options apply to multiple copies, regardless of how the number of copies is specified.

Next copy projects always adopt the collate options of the originalproject.



To create a format style and set the default:

1. In the Project Properties dialog, select Manage Formats... from the FormatStyle drop down. The Manage Format Styles dialog will be displayed.

2. Click Create.The Create Format Style dialog will be displayed.

3. Type a name for the style.

4. Choose whether to base the initial style settings on:

• a Windows locale, and choose a locale or;• a previously defined format style.

5. Click OK.

The <name of format style> dialog will be displayed.

6. Make all required settings for numbers, currency and dates and click OK.The Manage Format Styles dialog will be displayed.

7. Continue managing your styles, or return to the project.

For more information on applying format styles, refer to " Section 8.3.1.

5.4 Setting the Global Page SetupThe Page Setup dialog provides the default global settings for the following options:

• page size• orientation• duplex settings• tray selection.

These settings will apply to all pages in the project unless you create and useindividual page styles (" Section 14.1).


5.4 Setting the Global Page Setup

To set the global page setup:

1. From the Main menu, select File!Page Setup.The Page Setup dialog will be displayed.

2. In the Page Size field, select a pre-defined size from the drop-down list, orchoose Custom and specify the Width and Height.

3. By default, if the project is not repaginated, the Use input page sizes if definedcheckbox is selected. When it is selected, the pages sizes in the form project willcorrespond with the page sizes in the input file.

4. In the Duplex section, select whether you want duplex and if so whether edge ortumble.

5. In the Orientation section, choose Portrait or Landscape.

6. In the Tray Selection section, specify the Input tray (the tray to draw paper fromfor this project) and the Output tray (the tray to send the paper to).

1 inch is 72 points. Therefore, an 11" page length would be enteredas 792 points.1 cm is 28.35 points. Therefore a 21cm page width would be enteredas 595.3 points.

Changing the page size or orientation will cause objects to be re-positioned. You must manually reposition objects that are affected.


6SectionsThis chapter looks at the different types of sections, how they are created, and settingsection properties.


! Introduction

! Data Sections

! Header and Footer Sections

! Using Alternate Sections

! Using Inserted Sections

! Setting Section Properties


Chapter 6: Sections

6.1 IntroductionEach section displays a particular type of information or occupies a particular spaceon the page. Sections typically have many occurrences, and where you make layout orformat changes to one occurrence, the changes will automatically occur on all otheroccurrences. Sections are important units in projects, because much of a projectsdesign is done via sections.

6.1.1 Types of Section

There are four types of section:

• data sections (" Section 6.2) • header and footer sections (" Section 6.3) • alternate sections (" Section 6.4) • inserted sections (" Section 6.5)

The purpose and origin of these types is explained in the following sections.

6.2 Data SectionsWhen you create a project, sections that exist in the input file are automaticallymapped across to the project. This type of section is called a data section and each datasection has the same name as the corresponding section in the input file.

By default, data sections are set to automatically display. You cannot delete a datasection but you can hide it so it does not display. This is done from the SectionProperties dialog (" Section 6.6.6).

6.3 Header and Footer SectionsMost input files have a section that displays header and footer information for eachpage. When they are mapped to a form project they become data sections. If yourepaginate your project, these input file header and footer sections will float like allother sections and appear in different positions on each page. You can replace theseinherited header/footer sections with user-defined header/footer sections that willalways be correctly positioned.

Creating header and footer sections will provide page layout structure and makedesigning your form project easier.


6.3 Header and Footer Sections

You can create header and footer sections around the following units:

• the project.• a set • a page • a table

Once created, you can format header and footer sections like any other section.

Example

For an invoices project:

• The set header would replace the customer header section from the input file.• The set footer would replace the invoice total and summary section from the

input file.

6.3.1 Continuation Header and Footer Sections

As well as header and footer sections, you can also create continuation header andcontinuation footer sections. Continuation headers and footers appear wherever thereis a page break. For example a set continuation header appears on every continuationpage of a set. Continuation header and footer sections can have the same content anddesign as the header/footer section, or be totally different.

6.3.2 Creating Header and Footer Sections

This procedure deals with headers and footers for the project, sets and pages. Forinformation on creating table header and footer sections, refer to " Section 10.2.2.

Before you create set headers and footers, you must define sets (" Section 5.2).

To create header and footer sections for the project, sets or Pages:

1. From the Main menu, select the appropriate menu option:

• Project!Headers and Footers...• Set!Headers and Footers...• Page!Headers and Footers...

2. From the relevant dialog, select the appropriate checkbox to create:

• a header.• a continuation header, and if so whether the continuation header will be the

same as the header or different.• a footer.


Chapter 6: Sections

• a continuation footer, and if so whether the continuation footer will be thesame as the footer or different.

3. To map all text and graphic objects from another data section, click CreateFrom... For more information refer to " Section 6.3.3.

4. Click OK to close the Header/Footer dialog.In the Design Window and Project Tree, new sections will be created for each:

• header section.• footer section.• continuation header section if it is not set to be Same as first.• continuation footer section if it is not set to be Same as first.

5. You can now format the newly created section.

To turn a header or footer section off:

Header and footer sections can be turned off and on at any time. This is done from therelevant headers and footers dialog.

6.3.3 Creating Header and Footer Sections from a Data Section

The Create From function lets you copy the contents and size of a data section intoheader and footer sections. It is a simple method of converting header footerinformation that existed in sections within the input file, into user-defined headers andfooters. When you use this function, the following occurs:

• All text and graphic objects from the specified section and its correspondingoriginal section in the input file are cut and pasted to the new header/footersection. (If objects appear in the specified section and its original section in theinput file, Create!form designer uses the instance from the specified section.)

• If it is bigger than the original, the size of the specified section is adopted by thenew header/footer section;

• The section you copied the variables and properties from is set to never display.

To use the Create From function:

1. From the relevant Header/Footer dialog or Table dialog, click Create From... The Create From... dialog will be displayed.

2. In the Source field, select the data section from which you want to copy thecontents and dimensions.


6.4 Using Alternate Sections

3. In the Occurrence field, specify the occurrence of the data section you want tomap from.

4. Click OK.A prompt will appear.

5. Click OK.The Header/Footer dialog for projects, sets or pages will be displayed.

6.3.4 The Display Order of Header and Footer Sections

Sometimes you may have multiple user-defined header/footer sections on the samepage. Their order of appearance is governed by rules. To understand these rules,consider the following hypothetical project. It contains:

• only two pages.• one set.• a table that runs over both pages.• all possible types of header/footer sections.

The header/footer rules would dictate the following display order:

6.4 Using Alternate SectionsWhere you have a data section that has a different layout and content in differentoccurrences, you can create alternate sections to cater for those different occurrences.When certain user-defined conditions are met, the alternate section(s) will replace thedata. The alternate section will share the same source and variables as the originalsection.

Page 1 Page 2

project header project continuation header

set header set continuation header

page header page header

table header table continuation header

data section data section

table continuation footer table footer

page footer page footer

set continuation footer set footer

project continuation footer project footer


Chapter 6: Sections

To create an alternate section:

1. Select the data section you want to create an alternate for.

2. From the Main menu, select Section!Alternates... The Alternates for section dialog will be displayed.

3. To create the condition for displaying the alternate, click the Condition button ( )For information on creating conditions, refer to " Chapter 12. You can edit this condition at any time.

4. The Alternate Section Name field contains the default name for the newalternate section. You can type another name in here if you want, but be sure touse one that will clearly associate it with the original data section.

5. If necessary, click the Add Row button ( ) to create another condition andanother alternate section.

6. If necessary, use the arrow buttons to change the order that Create!form designerevaluates the conditions.

7. Click OK.Where the conditions are met, the alternate section(s) will replace the datasection.

8. Add data (" Chapter 7), and format the alternate section.

To delete an alternate section:

1. From the Alternates for section “<name of section>” dialog, select the row thatrefers to the alternate section you want to delete.

2. Click delete ( ).

3. Click OK. The alternate section will be removed from the project.

6.5 Using Inserted SectionsYou can create inserted sections that are attached to a data section, either immediatelybefore or after. An inserted section will always display on the same page as the sectionit is attached to.

Once you have created the inserted section, you can add content and format it like anyother section. The inserted section will share the same source and variables as thesection it is attached to.


6.6 Setting Section Properties

To create an inserted section:

1. Select the section you want to attach the inserted section to.

2. From the Main menu, select Section!Insert...The Insert Section dialog will be displayed.

3. In the Inserted section name field, type a name for the inserted section.

4. Specify whether you want it to appear before or after the section you areattaching it to.You can edit this later from the Display tab on the Section Properties dialog ofthe inserted section.

5. Click OK.

6. Format the alternate section.

To delete an inserted section:

1. From the Main menu, select Section!Delete.The Delete Inserted Sections dialog will be displayed.

2. Select the inserted sections you want to delete.

3. Click OK.A confirmation prompt will be displayed.

4. Click OK.

6.6 Setting Section Properties For each section, you can specify the:

• size • positioning • repagination • display conditions

Most of these settings are done in the Section Properties dialog. This dialog can beviewed and selected in several ways:

• In the Design Window in Graphics View (" Section 4.1.1), double click in theactive section where there are no objects.

• Double click on the section tab at the bottom of the Design Window. • In the Project Tree, right click on the section name and select Properties.


Chapter 6: Sections

6.6.1 Positioning the Section

Depending on the type of section, you may be able to:

• fix the section in a location on the page. Fixing the section position does notchange the order of the sections, only the appearance on the page.

• float the section immediately after the previous section, regardless of where theprevious section is.

• sink the section so that it is located immediately above the next section.

The following rules apply to the different section types:

• Data sections, inserted sections and alternate sections can either float or be fixed.• Table header sections can either float or be fixed, all other header section can

only float.• All footers can either sink or float

To specify whether a section is fixed or floating, click the appropriate button on theGeneral tab of the Section Properties dialog.

To position a fixed section:

1. In the Design Window, select the section and use the top handle of the section tomove it up or down the page.

6.6.2 Fixed and Autosized Sections

You can fix any section so that every occurrence is the same size. The followingsections can also be autosized:

• data • alternate• inserted• project headers• set headers• page headers

When a section is autosized, the distance between the bottom of the section and thebottom of a specified text object never changes. If the number of lines in the specifiedtext objects increases or decreases, so will the size of the section.

You can autosize using multiple text objects. When you do this, it ensures there is aminimum distance between the bottom of the section and the bottom of all specifiedtext objects.



To autosize a section:

1. On the Size tab of the Section Properties dialog, select the Autosized usingradio button.All variable text objects and text objects containing variables in that section willbe displayed.

2. Select the text object(s) you want to use for the autosizing.

3. Click OK.

6.6.3 Adjusting Section Size

To adjust the size of autosize sections, drag the bottom handle of the selected sectionin the Design Window.

To adjust the size of fixed sections either:

• drag the bottom handle of the selected section in the Design Window or;• specify the size on the Size tab of the Section Properties dialog.

6.6.4 Defining Parent/Child Relationships

You can define sections as having a parent/child relationship with other sections. Aparent section can have multiple children sections. There are several reasons for doingthis:

• To keep the sections together in repaginated projects, where they mightotherwise be forced onto another page.

• To enable the creation of a table involving more than one section type. When theparent is used to define a table, the child section is automatically included in thetable. This is the only way a sub-detail section can be included with its parent-detail section in a table.

• From the parent section, you can use the data variables and user variables fromthe first occurrence of each associated child section that follows the parent in theset.

Parent/child relationship requirements• The parent/child relationship will only be preserved if the child follows

immediately after the parent or another child of the parent. • All children sections must be set to float.


Chapter 6: Sections

Alternate sections and parent/child relationships

Alternate sections inherit the parent/child relationships of the section they are analternate for. However the keep together setting of a parent/child relationship is notinherited.

To define a parent/child relationship:

1. With the parent section active, select Section!Properties... from the Main menu.The Section Properties dialog will be displayed.

2. Click the Repagination tab.

3. For each section you want to be a child:

• Select the checkbox in the Child Section column.• Type an alias or leave blank.

The alias is used within expressions and conditions to resolve problems withduplicate names in child or source sections.

4. Select the Keep With checkbox for any children you want to keep with theparent.

5. Click OK.

6.6.5 Setting Orphan Control

If the section size is autosized using a variable, you have the option to specify variouspagination controls for the section.

1. Select the Pagination tab of the Section Properties dialog:

2. To allow the section to break over the page, select the Break auto-size sectionand overflow to next page checkbox.

3. To specify the minimum number of lines kept together at the start or end of abroken text object, select the Orphan control checkbox and type the value in theMinimum lines field.

4. To keep the paragraphs together without splitting, select the Don’t splitparagraphs checkbox.



6.6.6 Setting when a Data or Inserted Section Displays

You can specify a data or inserted section to display:

• always • never • on condition (available for all sections except header/footer.).

By default, data and inserted sections are set to always display. A section can beconditionally displayed by changing its display properties.

Typically when a section has been defined as source for another section, the sourcesection should be hidden.

To specify the display properties of a data or inserted section:

1. From the Main menu, select Section!Properties... The Section Properties dialog will be displayed.

2. Click the Display tab.

3. Select either:

• Always (to display the section unconditionally).• Never (to hide the section unconditionally).• On Condition and create the condition (" Chapter 12) (to display the section

conditionally).

4. To prevent data from the section being used in calculations when the section ishidden, select the Ignore data from this section when hidden checkbox. Thisoption is not available when the section is the source for another section.

6.6.7 Adding to the Source

All data variables, user variables and constants used within a section are derived fromthe section’s source(s). The section’s source(s) are other sections. To view a section’ssource(s), navigate to the Source tab of the Section Properties dialog.

If the data section has an inserted section attached to it, and the datasection is hidden, the inserted section will also be hidden.


Chapter 6: Sections

The primary source of each section (highlighted yellow in the dialog) is the sectionitself. If you change the name of the section, the name of the primary source changesalso, but the content remains the same and is a reflection on what type of section it is.The following table explains the content of the primary source for each section type.

At any time you can add data sections from within the project as additional sources.Each additional source can have an alias name used to qualify any data variable usedin conditions or expressions in that section. The alias is used within expressions andconditions to resolve problems with duplicate names in child or source sections.

When defining an additional source you must also specify the occurrence. Forexample, the first occurrence means the source is the first occurrence of that sectionin the set (or project if no set is defined).

To add a section to the source:

1. From the Main menu, select Section!Properties... The Section Properties dialog will be displayed.

2. Select the Source tab.

3. Click Add Source.A new row of source will be added.

4. From the Section drop down, select the section you want to add as source.

5. Type an alias or leave blank. The alias is used within expressions and conditions to resolve problems withduplicate names in child or source sections.

6. In the Occurrence column, select which occurrence of the selected sectionwithin the set, that you want as source.

7. Click OK.

Section type Content of primary source

Data The corresponding section in the input file.

InsertedThe same primary source as the section it is attached to. (The inserted section also inherits any secondary sources that exist in the section it is attached to.)

AlternateThe same primary source as the section it is an alternate for. (The alternate section also inherits any secondary sources that exist in the original section. )

Header/footerHeader and footer sections have no content in their primary source. You can add source(s) when you are creating the header/footer section using the “create from” function.


7DataMapping and Adding TextThis chapter explains the process of mapping data from the input file to the formproject and adding non-variable text.


! Introduction

! Mapping Data Variables and Constants

! Creating Text Objects

! Viewing a List of Data Variable Occurrences


Chapter 7: DataMapping and Adding Text

7.1 IntroductionInput files contain data variables and constants.

7.1.1 Data Variables

A data variable is best thought of as a field on a page in the input file that containsdynamic text. Data variables have values that can change on each page.

A typical data variable might be named Cust_Name, and would contain the name ofthe customer, which will vary from set to set.

7.1.2 Constants

A constant is best thought of as static text that appears in a particular location on a pagein the input file. However strictly speaking, the value of a constant can and doeschange. Those constants that have an unchanging value are called “commonconstants”.

A typical constant would be the text “Customer Name:”, that is a label for the Cust_Name data variable.

7.1.3 DataMapping

DataMapping or “mapping”, refers to the act of bringing data from the input file intothe project. Mapping data variables or constants is a prerequisite for being able toformat and re-position the data in the project. The alternative to mapping datavariables and constants is to overlay the data (" Section 3.4.1).

When you map data variables they appear in the project as variable text objects. Whenyou map constants, they appear in the project as text objects.

Figure 7-1: The DataMapping or mapping process.

Input file

- data variables- constants

Project

- variable text objects- text objects


7.2 Mapping Data Variables and Constants

7.2 Mapping Data Variables and Constants When you first create a project you can map all data variables and/or constants fromall sections of the input file to the corresponding sections in the project. When you areworking on a project, several mapping options are available:

• Mapping all Data Variables or Constants for a Data Section (" Section 7.2.1).• Mapping a Data Variable as a Variable Text Object (" Section 7.2.2).• Mapping a Data Variable within a Text Object (" Section 7.2.3).• Mapping a Constant (" Section 7.2.4).• Mapping Variables and Constants by Drag and Drop (" Section 7.2.5).

Displaying data multiple times

By repeating any of the “single mapping” processes (" Section 7.2.2," Section 7.2.3 and " Section 7.2.4), you can display the same data multiple timesin different locations.

7.2.1 Mapping all Data Variables or Constants for a Data Section

When you map all data variables and/or constants for a data section, Create!formdesigner maps any variables for that section from the corresponding section in theinput file, that aren’t currently mapped.

To map all data variables for a section:

1. From the Main menu, select Section!Map Variables... The Map Section Variables dialog will be displayed.

2. To change the formatting of the variables from their display in the input file,click Format>> and make the necessary adjustments.

3. Click OK.All variables will be mapped to objects which can then be moved, formatted,sized, rotated and so on.

To map all constants for a section:

1. From the Main menu, select Section!Map Constants... The Convert Section Constants dialog will be displayed.

2. To change the formatting of the constants from their display in the input file,click Format>> and make the necessary adjustments.



3. If you only want to convert common constants (" Section 7.1.2) to fixed text,select the Only common constants checkbox.

4. Click OK.All constants will be converted to text objects, which can then be moved,formatted and manipulated.

7.2.2 Mapping a Data Variable as a Variable Text Object This method creates a variable text object.

To map a data variable using the Variable Text tool:

1. Click on the Variable Text button ( ) on the Object toolbar.This will change the cursor to the text symbol.

2. In the Design Window, click and drag the cursor to create a variable text box.The Variable Text Properties dialog will be displayed with the defaultproperties.

3. Select the appropriate variable or from the Variable field.The Variable field displays all constants and variables that are currentlyavailable in the source. For information the section source, refer to" Section 6.6.7.

4. If necessary, format the variable text object (" Chapter 8).

5. Click OK.

If you want to view or edit the properties of a variable text object, double-click on theobject with either Selection tool or the Variable Text tool.

7.2.3 Mapping a Data Variable within a Text Object You can place a variable within a text object. The variable can be surrounded by non-variable text. This enables you to ensure that the spacing immediately before and afterthe variable will be correctly maintained. Use this method when you place a variablein a sentence.

The ability to map variables within a text object is not supported ifyou are using the Create!form server plug-in. For more informationon the plug-in, refer to the "Create!form server User Guide.


7.2 Mapping Data Variables and Constants

To map a data variable in a text object:

1. Click on the Text button ( ) on the Object toolbar.The cursor will change to the text symbol.

2. In the Design Window, click and drag the cursor to create a variable text box.A text box will be displayed.

3. Type the required text, and when required, click the Insert Variable... button onthe Text Properties toolbar.The Insert Variables dialog will be displayed.

4. From the Variable drop down, select the required source.List which variables are available.

5. Format the variable as required.

6. Click OK.

7. Continue editing or type the required text in the text object.

8. Click outside the object to complete the object.

9. If necessary, format the text object (" Chapter 8).

7.2.4 Mapping a Constant There are several methods of mapping a constant:

• Use the Selection tool to select the constant in the Input Window, then drag it tothe Design Window and drop it in the desired location (" Section 7.2.5).

• Manually create a text object with the same fixed text (" Section 7.3).• It is also possible to copy constants from another section or project, and paste

them to the required location.

In all these scenarios, the constant will be mapped as a text object, and can then beformatted (" Chapter 8).

7.2.5 Mapping Variables and Constants by Drag and Drop You can drag a constant from anywhere in the Input Window to anywhere in theDesign Window. However, you can only drag variables from the Input Window to asection in the Design Window that has as its source, the section you are dragging from.



When you click in a section in the Input Window, which is the source of the currentlyactive section in the Design Window, a green tick symbol appears on the section tab.

Figure 7-2: The drag and drop method of mapping variables and constants.

7.3 Creating Text ObjectsYou can create static text for use as headings or descriptive information anywhere ona page using the Text tool ( ) from the Object toolbar.

To enter text in a section:

1. Select the relevant section.

2. Click on the Text tool ( ) located in the Object toolbar.The mouse cursor changes to a text cursor.

The green symbol indicates that you can copy variables from the currently selected section in the Input Window, to the currently selected section in the Design Window.

The cursor becomes the four pointed arrow symbol when it hovers above a variable or constant that it can drag to the Design Window. The name of the variable or constant is displayed. When you begin dragging the item, its value will be displayed.


7.4 Viewing a List of Data Variable Occurrences

3. Position the text cursor where you want the text to start.A box must then be defined which will hold the text.

4. Click and drag to create the initial size and position of the text box.A text object will be created using the default properties (" Section 9.2.4). Theobject will be shown as a text box with a text insertion point.Additionally, the Text Properties toolbar will automatically become activeproviding you with options to format the font (color, size, etc.) and to insertvariables within the text object if required.

5. Type the text string directly in the text box.

6. When you have finished typing the text string, click outside the text object or onthe Selection tool.

7.4 Viewing a List of Data Variable Occurrences The Item Occurrences dialog provides a list of all occurrences of a variable in theproject with details of where they occur.

To view a list of variable occurrences:

1. From the Main menu, select Section!Data Variables... The Data Properties dialog will be displayed.

2. Select the variable to view occurrences for, by clicking its item number in the listand then clicking on the Occurrences button.

• If an item occurs on the current page, a green plus sign ( ) appears in the OnPage column. If the item doesn’t appear on the current page, a red minus sign( ) appears instead.

If the text is too long for one line, it will automatically wrap to thenext line. If the text object is resized, the text will be adjusted to fit thenew size. If you want to force a new line, press ENTER.



• If an item occurs on all pages of the report, a green plus sign ( ) appears inthe On All Pages column. If the item doesn’t appear on all pages, a red minussign ( ) appears instead.

Figure 7-3: The Item Occurrences dialog.

3. To view the content of the item for a particular page, select a page number fromthe Page column.Each occurrence of the item is displayed in the lower portion of the dialog.

4. Click Close to finish.

Page the item Number of times the

Number of occurrences (records)of the selected section on the page

item occurs on the pageoccurs on

Contents of this itemat each occurrenceon the selected page


8Formatting TextThis chapter explains how to format text objects and variable text objects.


! Introduction

! Formatting Static Text

! Formatting Variable Text

! Text Layout and Behavior

! Setting Default Text Properties


Chapter 8: Formatting Text

8.1 Introduction All formatting of text objects is done from the Text Properties and Text Edit dialogs.All formatting of variable text objects is done on the Variable Text Properties dialog.To display any of these dialogs, use the Selection tool ( ) to double click on theobject you want to format.

8.1.1 Formatting Multiple Objects Simultaneously

You can select multiple text objects and make changes that apply to all of them. Forexample you may want to enlarge the font of several text objects.

To format multiple objects:

1. Select the objects you want to format the same way.

2. From the Main menu, select Edit!Properties.If you have selected multiple types of objects, you will be prompted to selectwhich type of object you want to format. Otherwise the Properties dialog willbe displayed.

3. Format the objects as desired.

4. Click OK.

8.2 Formatting Static Text The options within the Text Edit dialog can be used to format individual characterswithin a text object.

To format text:

1. In the Text Edit dialog, select the characters to be formatted and then:

• Select the required font from the font drop down.• Select the required font size from the font size drop down.• Apply bold, italic or underline as required. • Click Color and select the required color. (Color palettes are discussed in" Chapter 16.).

• To make the background of the Text Edit field a particular color, clickBackground Color and select a color. (This only affects the dialog and notthe output.)


8.3 Formatting Variable Text

8.3 Formatting Variable Text You can modify the formatting of variable text, whether it appears in a variable textobject or a text object. Because the variable text is read from the input file, you cannotformat individual characters within the variable text, but you can do things like: stripleading or trailing spaces.

If the variable text is within a variable text object, the options are set from theVariable Text Properties dialog. If the variable is within a text object, the options areset from the Edit Variable dialog. To activate the Edit Variable dialog, double clickon the variable as it appears in the Text Edit dialog.

Figure 8-1: The Variable Text Properties and Edit Variable dialogs.

To modify variable text properties:

1. Open either the Variable Text Properties and Edit Variable dialogs.

2. To adjust the font size to fit the size of the text frame select the Fit to object sizecheckbox. When you do this, the font size you set in the size field acts as amaximum size.

3. To remove the possibility of blank spaces being imported, select the Striptrailing spaces and/or Strip leading spaces checkboxes as appropriate.

4. To prevent blank lines of data being imported, select the Ignore blank linescheckbox.

The portion of the Variable Text Properties dialog that relates specifically to variables.



5. To allow the content to be wrapped across multiple lines (as defined by the sizeand shape of the variable text frame), select the Wrap (ignore end of line)checkbox.If using this option, the Keep Paragraphs option will become active. Use thisoption if you want to maintain any paragraphs within the wrapped text.

6. Select the Ignore checkbox to ignore a single character, set in the when rightaligned field, when aligning characters.

8.3.1 Applying Format Styles to Variable Data

You can apply a different format style to each text object or variable text object. Theformat style determines such things as how currencies and dates are displayed. Theformat style is applied to all variable content within that object.

For information on creating format styles, and setting the default, refer to" Section 5.3.5. You can also create and edit styles while you are applying them.

The procedures for applying format styles to variable text objects and text objects areslightly different.

To apply a format style to a variable text object:

1. In the Format section of the Variable Text Properties dialog, from the As: dropdown, select whether to treat the variable data as Number, Date or Currency.

2. From the Style drop down, select the format style you want to apply. (By selecting Manage Formats... you can also create and edit format styles.)

To apply a format style to variables in a text object:

1. Double click on the variable in the Text Edit dialog.The Edit Variable dialog will be displayed.

2. From the Format As drop down, select whether to treat the variable data asNumber, Date or Currency. (If you select Text, no format style will beapplied.)

3. Click OK.

With the wrapping option enabled, you can change the size of thetext frame and the text content will automatically be re-wrapped tofit the new boundaries.


8.4 Text Layout and Behavior

4. On the Text Properties dialog, in the Format Style drop down, select the formatstyle to apply. (By selecting Manage Formats... you can also create and edit format styles.)

8.4 Text Layout and BehaviorThe following sections detail the ways you can format all text that appears in textobjects and variable text objects. Unless otherwise specified, the following procedurescan be performed from the Text Properties dialog and the Variable Text Propertiesdialog.

8.4.1 Adjusting Margins

A margin is the distance between the outside edge of a text frame and the area wheretext can be entered.

Figure 8-2: The four margins.

To change the margins for a text frame:

1. In the Margins section, type the required values in the L/R (Left/Right) and T/B(Top/Bottom) fields.All values are entered in points.

Left

mar

gin

Top margin

TextBottom margin

Righ

t mar

gin



8.4.2 Adjusting Line Spacing

Line spacing is the distance (in points) between the bottom of one line of text and thebottom of the next line of text.

To change the line spacing within a text box:

1. Click on the spin controls to the right of the Line Spacing field to increase ordecrease the line spacing in one point increments, or type the value you requirein the Line Spacing field.

8.4.3 Adjusting Kerning

Kerning is a typesetting term that defines the distance between characters. Kerningallows us to fit more text across a text box without reducing the size of the textcharacters. A positive kerning value expands all the text in the object. A negativekerning value compresses all the text:

Figure 8-3: Kerning examples.

To change the kerning:

1. Click on the spin controls to the right of the Kerning field to increase ordecrease the kerning value in one point increments, or type the kerning value yourequire in the Kerning field.

The Kerning option is not available for text output projects, as thekerning must match the CPI specified for the project.

Kerning set to 0.000

Kerning set to + 1.000

Kerning set to - 1.000


8.4 Text Layout and Behavior

8.4.4 Aligning and Justifying Text

You can set the horizontal and vertical alignment of the text in text objects andvariable text objects. In the relevant dialog, select one of the options available forhorizontal and vertical alignment:

The horizontal alignment options:

The text will be left aligned.

The text will be centred between the box margins.

The text will be right aligned.

The spacing is left and right aligned.

The vertical alignment options:

The text will appear at the top margin of the text box.

The text will be centred between the top and bottom margins of the text box, the remaining space being distributed evenly.

The text will appear at the bottom margin of the text box.

For information on aligning the text boxes, refer to " Section 9.4.

8.4.5 Fixing Text to the Page

You can fix variable text objects and text objects to appear at a particular position onthe page, whenever they occur. Any object that is set in a fixed position will not movefrom its location on the page, even if the section itself is a floating section.

Be careful that you do not fix any text that has more than one occurrence on a page,because it will appear on top of itself.

To fix text to the page:

1. Double-click on the variable text object or text object you want to fix.

2. Select the Fixed Position checkbox.



8.4.6 Displaying Text Objects or Variable Text Objects Conditionally

Text objects and variable text objects can be displayed conditionally.

To display objects conditionally:

1. Select the Conditional checkbox.

2. Click Edit and create a condition.For information on conditions, refer to " Chapter 12.

8.5 Setting Default Text PropertiesYou can set the default properties for text objects and variable text objects. The defaultproperties will be applied to all new text objects or variable text objects, in all projects.To save the current settings as the default, click Set as Default.

You can also manually apply the current default settings to any object, by clicking theApply Default button.

When you exit Create!form designer after you have changed the default settings of anobject type, you will be prompted to save the changes.

A rotation angle for a text object cannot be set as a default for newtext objects. All new text objects will use a rotation angle of 0.


9Creating and Adjusting ObjectsThis chapter describes how to select, edit and manipulate objects.


! Introduction

! Objects and Sections

! Setting Object Properties

! Selecting and Adjusting Objects Using the Selection Tool

! Resizing and Aligning Objects using Handle Selection


Chapter 9: Creating and Adjusting Objects

9.1 IntroductionThis chapter explains how to manipulate the positioning, appearance and organizationof the objects on the page. The objects may be:

• text objects and variable text objects • subforms and variable subforms • bar codes and variable bar codes • line objects• grids• squares• ellipses (circular shapes)

9.1.1 Objects and Sections

When an object is created it will belong to the currently selected section, regardless ofwhere it is located on the page. You can only select and work with objects belongingto the currently selected section.

You can specify how you wish to display objects from non-selected sections(" Section 15.1.1).

9.2 Creating ObjectsTo create objects use the Object toolbar.

Figure 9-1: The Object toolbar.

Handle Selection tool

Variable Subform tool

Variable Text tool

Line tool

Box tool

Bar Code tool

Subform tool

Text tool

Horizontal/Vertical Line tool

Grid tool

Ellipse tool

Variable Bar Code tool

Selection tool


9.2 Creating Objects

To create an object:

1. Select the object drawing tool for the type of object you want to create.

2. Click and drag to create the initial position and size of the object.An object will be created using the default attributes (" Section 9.2.4).

9.2.1 Bar Codes

Creating bar code and variable bar code objects is slightly different to other objects.

You cannot set the size of the bar code with your initial click and drag of the Bar Codetool. The size of the bar code is set by the content of the bar code and the bar codestandard. You can scale bar codes, but only from the relevant Properties dialog.

Variables in bar code objects

In the same way that you can create variable text objects, or text objects containing avariable, you can create a variable bar code object or a bar code object containing avariable.

9.2.2 Setting Object Properties

After you have drawn an object, you can set the object properties.

To set the properties of an object:

1. Activate the Selection tool ( ) on the Object toolbar.

2. Double-click on the object.Depending on the type of object selected, the appropriate Properties dialog willbe displayed.

3. Edit the object properties as desired.

4. Click OK to save any changes.

For more information, refer to the Create!form barcodes.pdf, located inthe <install dir>\Help directory.



9.2.3 Modifying Multiple Objects Simultaneously

You can edit objects of the same type simultaneously.

To modify multiple objects simultaneously:

1. Select the objects.

2. From the Main menu select Edit!Properties... The Properties dialog will be displayed.

3. Changes made to this dialog affect all selected objects of the same type.

9.2.4 Setting Default Object Properties

You can set the default properties for the different types of objects. The defaultproperties will be applied to all new objects of that type, in all projects. To save thecurrent settings as the default, click Set as Default on the relevant Properties dialog.

You can also manually apply the current default settings to any object, by clicking theApply Default button on the relevant Properties dialog.

When you exit Create!form designer after you have changed the default settings of anobject type, you will be prompted to save the changes.

9.3 Selecting and Adjusting Objects Using the Selection ToolUse the Selection tool ( ) to select one or more objects. (To de-activate an objectand activate the Selection tool, press the SPACEBAR.)

To select an object:

1. Activate the Selection tool.

2. Position the pointer on the object you want to select and click the left mousebutton once.The object will be selected.

9.3.1 Selecting and Deselecting Multiple Objects

By selecting a range of objects at once, you can save time by manipulating themsimultaneously.


9.3 Selecting and Adjusting Objects Using the Selection Tool

To select multiple objects:

1. Select the first object you want to include in the selection.

2. Hold down the SHIFT key and click on an additional object.

Figure 9-2: The point and SHIFT+click method to select additional objects.

3. Continue to select additional objects in the same way.

To deselect an object:

1. Hold down the SHIFT key, and click on the selected object.The object will be unselected.

9.3.2 Selecting Hard to Locate Objects

Objects can be hidden behind each other or difficult to identify because of theircontent. For example, variable objects may have no content. The following aremethods for selecting and identifying these types of object. They all require that thesection the object belongs to is selected:

Ctrl+A

You can select all objects in the section by holding down the CTRL key and pressing A.

Click and drag

If you know the approximate location of the object you are trying to locate, you canuse the Selection tool to click and drag an area. All objects fully within the area willbe selected.

Toggle between objects

If there are various objects overlapping each other, this method allows you to selectthem one at a time. With the Selection tool active, hold down the right mouse buttonand click the left mouse button. With each click, a different object under the cursor isselected.

SHIFT +click



Using the Listing View or Project Tree

The Listing View (" Section 4.1.1) and the Project Tree (" Section 4.1.3) both offera non-graphical list of all objects in a section. By selecting an object in either of theseviews, the same object is selected the in the Graphics View.

9.3.3 Moving Objects

There are several methods of moving objects.

Use the mouse:

Use the Selection tool to select and drag an object to the desired location.

• You can constrain movement to increments of 45 degrees from the originallocation, by holding down the SHIFT key while dragging.

• You can constrain movements to particular points by using snap(" Section 15.1.1).

Use the arrow keys:

You can move any selected object(s) using the arrow keys.

Use the Move function:

This method is useful where a precise movement is required.

1. Select the object.

2. From the main toolbar, click the Move button ( ) or select Edit!Move fromthe Main menu.The Move Object(s) dialog will be displayed.

3. Specify the amount of horizontal and vertical movement that you want.Specify in points. Negative numbers move the object(s) left and down.

Toggling between objects does not change their display order.



9.3.4 Resizing Objects

To resize one or more objects:

1. Select the object(s) to resize.

2. Position the mouse pointer over one of the object’s sizing handles.

3. Click and drag outwards to increase the size or inwards to decrease the size.

4. Release the mouse button when the object(s) are the size required.

You can also set the exact size and location of an object using the object propertiesdialog.

9.3.5 Rotating Objects

Objects can be rotated to any angle, around any point on the page.

To rotate one or more objects:

1. Select the object(s) to rotate.

2. From the main toolbar click the Rotate button ( ), or select Edit!Rotate...from the Main menu.The pointer will change to the rotate pointer, .

3. Click on the point you want the object to rotate around (the pivot point).The Rotate Object(s) dialog will be displayed.

The values in the two Around fields reflect the X and Y coordinates of the pivotpoint. This has been determined from the location you clicked in Step 3.The value in the Rotation Angle field shows the angle (in degrees) that theobject will rotate around the pivot point. A negative value will rotate the object ina clockwise direction.

4. Enter the field values required and click OK.The object(s) will be rotated as specified.

To resize the object(s) proportionally, hold down the SHIFT keywhile dragging a corner handle.



9.3.6 Copying Objects

To copy one or more objects:

1. Select the object(s) to copy.

2. From the Main menu, select Edit!Copy, or press CTRL+C.

3. From the Main menu, select Edit!Paste, or press CTRL+V.The object(s) will be pasted into the currently selected section.If the original object is fully visible when you choose to paste the copy, the newobject will be pasted on top of the original. If the original object is not visiblewhen you paste, the new object will be pasted in the center of the screen.

9.3.7 Rearranging Object Order

To rearrange the order of objects (the stacking order), you can paste a cut or copiedobject in front, or behind, an existing “guide” object:

1. Cut the object you want to re-arrange.

2. Select the “guide” object on the form.

3. From the Edit menu select either Paste in Front or Paste in Back.The object will be pasted in front or behind, the object you selected in step 2.

9.3.8 Aligning Objects

The alignment tools enable you to accurately line up objects. The Align toolbar ispositioned on the lower left side of the screen by default. In order to use the alignmenttools, you must understand the concept of control objects.

To create a copy of an object and move it at the same time, holddown the CTRL button and “drag” a copy of the object away fromthe original.

In the final output, variables are always in front, even though theymay not appear this way in the Design Window.



9.3.9 The Control Object

The control object is the object that other objects move around, when you areperforming any sort of alignment.

• If you’ve selected the objects using the shift and click method, the control objectis the last one selected.

• if you’ve selected the objects using the click and drag or select all method, thecontrol object is the last object created.

Handles around the control object have a thicker black border than the handles on theother selected objects.

Alignment buttons

The following table explains the alignment tools when used with fully selectedobjects. These tools will perform different functions when used with the HandleSelection tool (" Section 9.4).

Tool Name Description

LeftAligns the left sides of all objects with the left side of the control object.

Horizontal CenterAligns the horizontal centres of all objects with the horizontal centre of the control object.

RightAligns the right sides of all objects with the right side of the control object.

TopAligns the tops of all objects with the top of the control object.

Vertical CenterAligns the vertical centres of all objects with the vertical centre of the control object.

BottomAligns the bottoms of all objects with the bottom of the control object.

Left to RightAligns the left sides of all objects with the right side of the control object.

Right to LeftAligns the right sides of all objects with the left side of the control object.

Top to BottomAligns the tops of all objects with the bottom of the control object.

Bottom to TopAligns the bottom of all objects with the top of the control object.



To align objects:

1. Select the objects to align, ensuring the correct object is the control object.

2. Click on the appropriate tool in the Align toolbar.The objects will be aligned.

9.4 Resizing and Aligning Objects using Handle SelectionThe Handle Selection tool is an advanced feature that enables you to simultaneouslyalign and re-size objects. By allowing you to select some object handles and notothers, the Handle Selection tool lets you dictate which parts of an object are static andwhich parts can be moved or re-sized.

When used in conjunction with multiple objects, the Handle Selection tool allows youto fix the spatial relationship between non-selected handles on different objects.

Example 1

Consider the following 4 box objects.

Using the Handle Selection tool and the alignment buttons, you can easily align thebottom of these objects without unaligning their tops:

Figure 9-3: An example of how objects can be resized and aligned simultaneously.

Example 2

The Handle Selection tool allows you to adjust the width of one column, withoutinterfering with the size of all other columns.

To use the handle selection tool effectively, you must understand the idea of anchorpoints (" Section 9.4.1), and how to select handles (" Section 9.4.2).

re-sized and aligned

control object




9.4 Resizing and Aligning Objects using Handle Selection

9.4.1 Anchor Points within an Object

When a handle is selected, the handle diagonally opposite the selected handle becomesthe anchor point. Anchor points are fixed in position.

Figure 9-4: A box object with one handle selected.

When two handles are selected, the opposite two handles become anchor points.

Figure 9-5: A box object with two selected handles.

When a line object is selected, two handles are positioned on the perimeter of theobject. When you select one handle, the other handle becomes the anchor point.

Figure 9-6: A diagonal line object with one handle selected.

The selected handles must be vertically or horizontally opposite eachother. Attempting to select a second handle that is diagonallyopposite the first will result in the entire object being selected.Attempting to select a third handle will also select the entire object.

anchor point

selected handle

anchor point

selected point

anchor point

selected point

anchor point

selected point



9.4.2 Selecting Handles

To select individual handles on objects, use the Handle Selection tool ( ).

To select handles:

1. Activate the Handle Selection tool ( ).

2. Position the mouse pointer on an object’s handle and click.

3. To select other handles (on the same or different objects), hold down the SHIFTkey and click on the required handles.

4. To select multiple handles at once, you can click and drag an area:

Figure 9-7: The click and drag method to select multiple handles.

The handles of multiple objects become selected as shown below.

Figure 9-8: A selection containing two handles from one object and one handle from another object.

The mouse pointer must be positioned on or inside the object’sperimeter to make a selection.

drag



To deselect handles:

1. Using the Handle Selection tool ( ), hold down the SHIFT key and click theselected handle you want to deselect.

9.4.3 Selecting Multiple Objects using Handles

By creating a selection that consists of entirely and partially selected objects, you canmanipulate many objects at the same time. In these circumstances, the entirelyselected objects can be moved but not resized.

9.4.4 Resizing and Moving Objects Simultaneously

Consider the following two objects.

Figure 9-9: One object needs resizing, the other to be moved.

Assume that you need to:

• Move the right hand object to a lower position.• Stretch the bottom of the left hand object.• Maintain the alignment of the bottom of both objects.

To re-size one object while moving another:

1. Activate the Handle Selection tool ( ).

2. Select the bottom two handles on the first object. With the SHIFT key held down,click in the middle of the second object to select the entire object.The result:

Figure 9-10: Selected handles and an entire object.



Both objects can now be manipulated simultaneously.

3. Click and drag downwards to increase the size of one object and move the otherobject.

Figure 9-11: Resizing one object while moving another.

4. Release the mouse button to view the changes:

Figure 9-12: The object with the individually selected handles was resized while the object that was entirely selected was moved.

9.4.5 Aligning Objects using Handles and the Alignment Buttons

When individual handles are selected with entire objects or handles on other objects,the Align toolbar may be used to align selected handles. Objects can be automaticallyresized and aligned with the edge of a control object.

drag



To align handles of objects:

The following steps use the boxes shown below to illustrate the procedure.

Figure 9-13: Objects needing to be aligned.

1. Select the appropriate handles of the objects you wish to align and specify theobject you want to stay the same as the control object (" Section 9.3.9).

Figure 9-14: The top two handles selected on each object.

2. Click on the Tops alignment tool ( ).

Figure 9-15: If the left hand object was the control object, it would have maintained it’s size, while the right hand object would have been stretched upwards.

control object

control object


10TablesThis chapter explains where and how to use tables.


! Introduction

! Creating and Modifying Tables


Chapter 10: Tables

10.1 IntroductionYou can create a table around related repeated sections. Tables provide a robuststructure for designing form projects. They allow you to:

• sort data into different groups.• create header and footer sections for the different groups of data within the table. • draw table objects such as lines and boxes, that dynamically fit around the table.• calculate sub-totals and totals for the different groups of data you have created

(" Section 13.5).

Tables are the best way of handling repeated sections. For example in an invoiceproject, it is recommended that you define a table for the detail section.

Tables and repagination

Before you can create a table, the project must be set to repaginate. If you try to createa table when the project is not set to repaginate, you will be prompted to turnrepagination on.

10.1.1 Table Levels

Within a table you can create multiple levels. Levels are the mechanism that allowsthe data to be sorted and grouped.

10.1.2 Tables and Parent/Child Relationships

Tables are restricted to multiple occurrences of a section and any associated childrensections. To create a table using different section types you must:

• Create a parent/child relationship with the different sections (" Section 6.6.4).• Create a table around the parent (" Section 10.2).

If you use the “Keep With” function (" Section 6.6.5), the child section will alwaysstay with the parent section.


10.2 Creating and Modifying Tables


To create a table:

1. Select the section you want to create the table around. If the table will include multiple sections, this will be the parent.

2. From the Main menu, select Table!New.The New Table <Name of currently selected section> dialog will be displayed.

3. In the Table Name field, type the table name.The table name will form the basis for:

• any table header or footer section names.For example where the table is called “InvoiceData”, the header and footersections will be called “InvoiceDataHeader”, “Invoice DataFooter”.

• the table levels that follow. For example where the table is called “InvoiceData”, the levels will be called“InvoiceData1”, “Invoice Data2” etc.

You can change the table name at a later point.

4. To sort the contents of the table or level, click in the grid or click the Add Rowbutton ( ).A new row will be created.

5. In the new row, specify:

• The variable you want to sort or group by.• The sort order. (if the order is already correct, select None.)• the sort mode. For information on sort modes, refer to " Section 10.2.1.

6. To create headers and footers for the table or a level, refer to " Section 10.2.2.

7. Select the required grouping options, refer to " Section 10.2.3.

8. To specify pagination controls for each table level, refer to " Section 10.2.4.

9. To add further levels, repeat steps 4. to 8.

10. When you have finished adding levels and setting table properties, click OK.In the Design Window, new tabs will be created for each new:

• header section.• footer section.• continuation header section if it is not set to be Same as first header.• continuation footer section if it is not set to be Same as first footer.


Chapter 10: Tables

10.2.1 Sorting Modes

The following table explains the ASCII, regional and numeric sort modes.

10.2.2 Creating Header and Footer Sections

You can create header and footer sections for the table as a whole and for specificlevels within the table.

1. In the Table Properties dialog, select the level you want to create headers andfooters for.

2. Select the appropriate checkbox for a:

• Header before every new grouping in that level.• Continuation header for a continuation of a group in that level, and if so,

whether it will be the same section as the header or different.• Footer after every grouping in that level.• Continuation footer for a continuation of a group in that level, and if so,

whether it will be the same section as the header or different.

3. To create a header or footer section using the content and size of an existing datasection, click the Create From button. For more information refer to" Section 6.3.3.

10.2.3 Grouping Options

Selecting the Use only first checkbox and typing a value in the characters forsorting/grouping field can have two functions:

• If you are sorting the data, it will qualify the sorting process to only use thenumber of characters specified. If you set it to use only the first three characters,it will only sort based on those first three characters of every value.

• If you are using headers and footers for the level, it will group the values, basedon the number of characters specified.

Sort mode Sample data Sort method:

ASCII “c,B,C,A,a,2,3, ,10,02,1” “ ,02,10,1,2,3,A,B,C,a,c”

Regional “c,B,C,A,a,2,3, ,10,02,1”depends on region, but for example may be: “ ,1,2,02,3,10,A,a,B,C,c”

Numeric “c,B,C,A,a,2,3, ,10,02,1” “c,B,C,C,a,0,1,2,2,3,10”



The example below shows the various sections within a table when you use the groupusing only the first character and specify level 1 headers and footers.

Figure 10-1: An example of grouping in tables.

10.2.4 Setting Table Pagination Controls

You can specify pagination controls for the table as a whole or individual levels withinthe table. The project must be set to repaginate.

1. From the Table Properties dialog, select the level you want to specifypagination controls for.

2. In the Pagination Control section, specify your pagination controls:

• To start a new page when a new group of the level appears, select the Newpage checkbox.

• To specify a minimum number of occurrences of sections in that level that canappear on the top of the page, select the Top orphan control checkbox, andtype the minimum number.

• To prevent a group from splitting over a page, select the Keep togethercheckbox. (If the group is too large to fit on a page, it will start on the nextpage and be split.)

• To specify a minimum number of sections in the group that can appear at theend of a page, select the Bottom orphan control checkbox and specify theminimum number.

Page 1 Page 2

Table Header Table Cont. Header

Level 1 Header Level 1 Cont. Header

A........ B........

A........ Level 1 Footer

Level 1 Footer Level 1 Heading

Level 1 Header C........

B........ C........

B........ C........

B........ C........

Level 1 Cont. Footer Level 1 Footer

Table Cont. Footer Table Footer


Chapter 10: Tables

10.2.5 Creating Borders and Lines over Tables

To create objects (lines and boxes) that expand and shrink around the contents of atable, you must ensure that:

• The table has header and footer sections bracketing the data you want thedynamic objects around. For information on creating header and footer sections,refer to " Section 10.2.2.

• When you create the object, the table header section is selected. • In the object Properties dialog, ensure the Anchor bottom to matching footer

checkbox is selected. This checkbox will be switched on automatically, if you create the object byclicking and dragging from inside the header to inside the footer.When you do this, the top of the object is anchored to a position relative to thetop of the table header section and the bottom of the object is anchored to aposition relative to the bottom of the table footer section.


11Subforms and ImagesThis chapter describes how to create and use subforms in your projects.


! About Subforms

! Inserting a Subform

! Importing Multiple Images

! Variable Subform Objects


Chapter 11: Subforms and Images

11.1 About SubformsYou can insert a subform anywhere in your project. A subform can contain acombination of:

• graphic images created elsewhere• Create!form designer drawing objects• text

Subforms are commonly used for items that are repeated in the project or appear inmultiple projects such as:

• company logos• company addresses• signatures• line item images

Figure 11-1: Subforms used in a project.

Referencing subforms

A subform is a separate file (.frm) to a form project. When you insert a subform into aproject, you are referencing a copy of the subform into your project. This means thatonly one copy of the subform exists, regardless of the number of times it is used indifferent projects.

Subform advantages

Using subforms has the following advantages:

• If a particular graphic appears in several locations and/or projects, you only needto create it once. When you modify that subform, all the occurrences where it isused will be automatically updated.

• Subforms can be pre-loaded to the printer enabling faster and more efficientproduction.

Signature

Project

Logo subform

Background subform

subform


11.2 Inserting a Subform

Subform storage

By default subforms are stored in the \<install dir>\CommonFormProject directory,however they may also be stored in the current form project directory.

11.1.1 Importing Images and Creating Subforms

When you import an image, the image file is converted to a Encapsulated PostScript(EPS) format and a subform is created. Once the image becomes a subform, it cannotbe edited.

Bitmap versus vector Images

You can import a variety of bitmap and vector images. It is strongly recommended youuse vector images. The best possible results will be obtained if the original importedgraphic format is EPS.

Vector images are based on mathematical calculations and are drawn at the resolutionof the printer device at the time of printing. This means the printer resolution willaffect output. When vector images are re-sized they don’t lose quality.

In contrast, bitmap images are made up of a number of dots at a fixed resolution. Whenbitmap images are re-sized they lose quality.

Most scanned images are bitmaps, but you can create vector images with a scannerusing a graphics program with an autotrace option.

11.2 Inserting a SubformThe following procedure explains how to:

• insert a pre-existing subform.• create a subform, using a graphic file and insert it.• create a subform, using Create!form designer objects and insert it.

To insert a subform:

1. Click the Subform tool ( ), located in the Object toolbar.

2. Position the cursor on the Design Window and click and drag to define the initialheight, width and location of the subform.The SubForm Properties dialog will be displayed.



3. Do one of the following:

To insert a pre-existing subform:• Click Select.• Select the .frm file from the \CommonFormProject directory or current form

project directory. You can view available subforms graphically or in a list. • Click OK twice.

The subform will be displayed in the form project.

To create a subform using a graphic file:• Click Import Image.• Navigate to and select the graphic you want to use.• Choose whether to save the subform to your current form project directory or

the \CommonFormProject directory. The subform filename will be based on the original name of the graphic file.

• Click OK twice.The subform will be displayed in the form project.

To create a subform using Create!form designer objects:• Click Design New

A new form will be displayed.• Use the Create!form designer tools to create the image or text you want.• Select File!Save and save the subform in either the current form project

directory or the \CommonFormProject directory. • Close the subform window and return to your project.

The subform will be displayed in the project. • To edit the subform refer to " Section 11.3.1.

4. You can manipulate the subform like any other object (" Chapter 9).

5. From the Subform Properties dialog you can:

• enter the X and Y scaling factors to import the subform using an exactpercentage of its original size (1.0 = 100%).

• Set the subform to appear at a fixed location on the page.

11.3 Importing Multiple Images You can import a batch of images at once.

To import multiple images:

1. From the main menu select Tools!Create subform!Import images.The Import Images dialog will be displayed.

2. Browse to and select the graphic files you want to import.


11.4 Variable Subform Objects

3. Choose whether to save the subform in the current form project directory or the\CommonFormProject directory.

4. Various subform naming restrictions apply. If the graphic filename(s) begin witha number, you can add an alphabetical prefix that will allow a merge to takeplace.

5. Click OK.The subforms are ready to be used in a project.

11.3.1 Editing a Subform

You can only edit subforms that have been created using Create!form designer objects.

1. Do one of the following:

• Use the Selection tool to double-click on the subform. In the SubformProperties dialog, click Edit.The subform window will be displayed.

• Select File!Open. From the Open dialog, in the Files of type: drop down,select Form files (*.frm). Select the required file(s) and click OK.

The subform will be displayed.

2. Use the Create!form designer drawing tools to edit the subform.

3. Save and close the subform.The changes will automatically be reflected in all projects that use the subform.

11.4 Variable Subform Objects When you create a variable subform object, it calls subforms based on the value of aspecified variable.

Example

The variable “Part_Num” might specify the type of part in a line item. The possiblevalues for “Part_Num” might be:

• socket 55• spanner 13• chisel 14• etc.



If you create a variable subform using the “Part_Num” variable, it will call thefollowing subforms:

� socket 55.frm� spanner 13.frm� chisel 14.frm• etc.

11.4.1 Creating a Variable Subform Object

1. Click the Variable subform tool ( ), located in the Object toolbar.

2. Position the cursor on the Design Window and click and drag to define the initialheight, width and location for the subform.The Variable Subform Properties dialog will be displayed.

3. From the Variable field, select the variable that will provide the subform namevalues.

4. To import image(s), click Import Images and refer to " Section 11.3.

5. If necessary, set the top left and bottom right corner coordinates.

6. In the Scaling section, set whether the subform is:

• scaled (where 1.0 = 100%) or;• set to Auto fit.

If you choose Auto fit, you have the option to Preserve the aspect ratio, whichmeans it will be re-sized proportionately.

7. If you have scaled by a factor or preserved the aspect ratio, you can set thevertical and horizontal alignment.

8. To fix the variable subform on the page, select the Fixed position checkbox.

9. To store the subform in the printer until the job is complete, select the Alwayskeep data in memory checkbox.

10. Click OK.The variable subform object will be created. If the value in the variablecorresponds with the name of a subform, the subform will be displayed. You canmanipulate the variable subform object like any other object (" Chapter 9).

Variable subforms are only supported if you are printing throughCreate!form server using PostScript. Variable subforms will notwork if you are using the plug-in.


12ConditionsThis chapter explains how to create and use conditions.


! Introduction

! Condition Building Blocks

! Building a Condition


Chapter 12: Conditions

12.1 IntroductionConditions allow you to vary the output of the project, depending on data within theinput file. A condition is a type of expression which produces a true or false value. Thischapter explains how to build conditions. For more information about the ways theycan be used, refer to the usage examples below.

12.1.1 Usage Examples

Conditions can be used to determine:

• when sections are displayed (" Section 6.6.6). • which section is displayed, when using alternates

(" Section 6.4).• when text object or variable text objects are displayed (" Section 8.4.6). • when user variables are displayed (" Section 13.2). • when page styles are applied (" Section 14.1). • when archive variables are used (" Section B.1).

12.2 Condition Building Blocks Conditions are built using the Condition Builder dialog (referred to as the ConditionBuilder). The Condition Builder provides a range of operators, Boolean operators,functions, and pre-defined conditions for use to build a range of conditions thatevaluate data.

12.2.1 Boolean Operators

The following table shows boolean operators.

Boolean Operator Example

AND

CONTAINS(ITEM::9,�NEW�)ANDCONTAINS(ITEM::8,�WORLD�)This would evaluate to TRUE if both conditions were true.

OR

CONTAINS(ITEM::9,�NEW�)ORCONTAINS(ITEM::8,�WORLD�)This would evaluate to TRUE if one or both conditions were true.


12.2 Condition Building Blocks

12.2.2 Operators

The following table describes the operators, and how they can be used.

12.2.3 Functions

The following table describes the functions and how they can be used.

Operator Definition and usage

==Equal to

For strings and numbers (case sensitive)

!=Not equal to(case sensitive)

> Greater than

< Less than

>= Greater than or equal to

<= Less than or equal to

x Multiply

/ Divide

+ Add. If you use this operator with strings, it will concatenate them.

- subtract

not not

- (negative) negative

If any of the greater than or less than operators are used with strings,you will get unpredictable results.

Function Definition and usage

concatJoins two text strings. For example:concat(�AB�, �34�) = �AB34�

containsReturns a boolean (true = 1, false = 0). For example:contains(�basketball�,�ball�) = true.

exist

Returns a boolean (true = 1, false = 0). For data variables:

• If the item is a number, exists will return false if it is empty or missing.• If the item is a string, exists will return false only if the item is missing.

For user variables, returns false if the variable has not been initialized



12.2.4 Variables

The types of variables that are available to you at any time, will depend on the taskyou are performing with the condition. User variables and data variables are groupedby the section that they belong to. The name of the section is given, and the occurrenceof the section.

System variables

The following table describes the system variables.

System variables can also be used as values for a text object.

ltrimTrims leading spaces from a string. For example:ltrim(� 1. Description: �) = �1. Description: �

length Counts the length of a string, including spaces.

num Converts a string into a number.

round

Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places. For example:

� round(1234.567,2) = 1234.57� round(1234.56,0) = 1234� round(1234.56,-2) = 1200

rtrimTrims trailing spaces from a string. For example:rtrim(� 1. Description: �) = � 1. Description:�

substring

Returns a portion of the string. A substring function requires three parameters: (the string, the starting character position, the number of characters). For example, if XYZVariable has a value of “The Big Company” then: substring(XYZVariable,5,11) = �Big Company�

trimTrims leading and trailing spaces. For example:trim(� 1. Description: �) = �1. Description:�

System Variable Description

SYS_DOC_PAGE_NUM Current page number in the document.

SYS_DOC_SET_NUMBER Current set number in the document.

SYS_SET_NUM_PAGES Total number of pages in the current set.

SYS_SET_PAGE_NUM Current page number in the current set.



12.3 Building a Condition

12.2.5 Pre-Defined Conditions

Create!form designer provides pre-defined conditions for use to:

• conditionally display text objects or variable text objects. • conditionally apply page styles.

They will only be displayed in the Condition Builder when you are performing oneof these tasks. The following table gives definitions.

12.3 Building a Condition You must build a condition in a particular order. Generally you will follow the listboxes from left to right. The building blocks that are available to you is contextsensitive. For example, when you select a variable with a numeric value, onlyfunctions that can process numbers will be available to you.

The following procedure explains how to build a simple condition to test whether thevariable data item called “Item_type” contains the word “new”.

1. From the Condition Builder, click Contains in the Function column.

2. Click “Item_type” in the Variable column.The cursor will move the next logical building block in the condition.

3. Click on the Edit Value button ( ) and type “new”. You can enable direct editing in " Section 15.2.The Condition Builder will display: contains(Item_type,�new�)

4. Click OK to close the Condition Builder.

Pre-defined conditions Definition

FirstPageOfDocTRUE when the current section is on the first page of the project. FALSE otherwise.

ContPageOfDocTRUE when the current section is not on the first page or the last page of the project. FALSE otherwise.

LastPageOfDocTRUE when the current section is on the last page of the project. FALSE otherwise.

FirstPageOfSetTRUE when the current section is on the first page of the set for the project. FALSE otherwise.

ContPageOfSetTRUE when the current section is not on the first page or the last page of the set for the project. FALSE otherwise.

LastPageOfSetTRUE when the current section is on the last page of the set for the project. FALSE otherwise.



12.3.1 Navigating and Editing Conditions

• To move around the condition, use the arrow buttons, keyboard arrow buttonsand the mouse cursor.

• To expand or reduce the selection, use the Level Up button ( ) or the LevelDown button ( ).

• To add a string or number values, use the Edit Value button ( ).• To delete parts of a condition, use the Delete button ( ).• To group or ungroup parts of a condition use the Group button ( ) and the

Ungroup button ( ).


13Variables and Calculations This chapter looks at how to perform calculations using user variables, global uservariables, system variables and the count and sum functions within header and footersections.


! Introduction

! User Variables

! Building Expressions

! Global User Variables

! Calculations in Headers and Footers

! Lookup Variables


Chapter 13: Variables and Calculations

13.1 IntroductionAs well as data variables and constants, you can also create text object and variabletext objects using the following variables:

• User Variables (" Section 13.2) • System Variables (" Section 13.3.3)• Global User Variables (" Section 13.4)• Lookup Variables (" Section 13.6)

These variables can be used in expressions and conditions.

IMPORTANT: By definition, the use of calculations within the form project will create new datavalues in your output. Common uses of the calculations feature include page sub-totaling and calculation of line item tax rates. Please note that it is alwaysrecommended that critical page data should only be modified from within youroriginating financial or ERP system. Create!form is not responsible for the misuse ofthis feature and suggests that any calculated data conditions are tested to ensure properresults.

13.2 User Variables User Variables are defined by users and derive their value using system or datavariables. User variables are created in and belong to a section. User variables can onlyderive values from data in the source of the section. They can be used for a widevariety of tasks.


13.2 User Variables

Example

You might create a user variable to display a post-tax total. The user variable can takethe pre-tax total (a value obtained by a data variable), and multiply it by an amount,representing the sales tax.

Figure 13-1: An example of how user variables can be used.

Where can user variables be used?

User variables can be used in other sections, provided the section it belongs to is asource for the section where it will be used.

13.2.1 Creating User Variables

To create a user variable:

1. Select the section you want the user variable to be available in/belong to.

2. From the Main menu, select Section!User Variable.The User Variables dialog will be displayed.

3. Click the Add Row button ( ) to create a new variable.

4. To create a condition, click the Condition button ( ) in the Condition columnand refer to " Chapter 12 for information on creating conditions.Otherwise the variable will have no condition.

5. In the Variable Name column, type a name for the user variable.

6. Click the Expression button ( ) to create the expression that will generate thevariable value.The Expression Builder will be displayed. For information on buildingexpressions, refer to " Section 13.3.

Data variable User variable that combines the value of the data variable, with the constant tax rate of 10%.



7. Click OK.Once you have created a user variable, you can use it in text objects, variable textobjects or to build other expressions or conditions.

13.3 Building Expressions Expressions are user-defined statements that perform calculations and derive valuesfrom input data and variables. They are built using the Expression Builder dialog(referred to as the Expression Builder). The Expression Builder provides a range ofoperators, functions and variables that can be used to build expressions.

The following sections describe the building blocks used to make expressions.

13.3.1 Operators

The following table describes the operators.

13.3.2 Functions

The following table describes the functions, and how they can be used:

Operator Definition

x Multiply

/ Divide

+AddIf this operator is used with strings, it will concatenate them.

- Subtract

- (negative) Negative


concatJoins two text strings. For example:concat(�AB�, �34�) = �AB34�

count

Counts the number of occurrences in the specified range where a variable has a value . For example if XYZVariable has three occurrences (55, four, 32), then:Count(XYZVariable) = 3

Count can be used in header and footer sections for pages, tables and sets.

length Counts the length of a string, including spaces.


13.3 Building Expressions

13.3.3 Variables

To create values, you can select from the various lookup variables, user variables,global user variables, data variables and constants. The following table describes thesystem variables available.

System variables can also be used to provide values in text objects and variable textobjects.

ltrimTrims leading spaces from a string. For example:ltrim(� 1. Description: �) = �1. Description: �

num Converts a string into a number.

round

Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places. For example:

� round(1234.567,2) = 1234.57� round(1234.56,0) = 1234� round(1234.56,-2) = 1200

rtrimTrims trailing spaces from a string. For example:rtrim(� 1. Description: �) = � 1. Description:�

substring

Returns a portion of the string. A substring function requires three parameters: (the string, the starting character position, the number of characters). For example, if XYZVariable has a value of “The Big Company” then: substring(XYZVariable,5,11) = �Big Company�

sum

Adds the values of a variable in the specified range. For example:if XYZVariable has three occurrences (55, four, 32), then:Sum(XYZVariable) = 87 (The value”four” is stripped of all non-numeric characters and given a value of “0”.)

Sum can be used in header and footer sections for pages, tables and sets.

trimTrims leading and trailing spaces. For example:trim(� 1. Description: �) = �1. Description:�

System Variable Description

SYS_DOC_PAGE_NUM Current page number in the document.

SYS_DOC_SET_NUMBER Current set number in the document.

SYS_SET_NUM_PAGES Total number of pages in the current set.

SYS_SET_PAGE_NUM Current page number in the current set.




13.4 Global User Variables Global user variables are an advanced feature that enables you to create a variety ofdynamic fields and use them in any section in the project. Global user variables havean initial value and are passed from section to section in a linear order. In each sectionthey can have their value changed.

Global user variables are typically used in conjunction with user variables. Global uservariables can provide values for user variables, or derive values from user variables.

When to use global variables

Global user variables can be used in the following types of task:

• To create cumulative totals within data sections.• To perform calculations that involves data from unrelated sections in the project.• For conditional based decision making that involves data from an unrelated

section in the project.

To create a global user variable:

1. From the Main menu select Project!Global User Variables.The Global User Variables dialog will be displayed.

2. In the Variable Name column, type a name.

3. In the Initial Value column, type an initial value.

4. In the Reset column, select whether you want the global user variable reset everypage, set or document.

5. Click OK.

Global variables can be used in text objects, variable text objects or in conditions andexpression.

13.5 Calculations in Headers and Footers You can use the sum and count functions for calculations in all non-project header andfooter sections. For information on the sum and count functions, refer to" Section 13.3.2.

It is recommended you do not use global user variables to performadding and summing functions in header and footer sections. Forinformation on how to do this, refer to " Section 13.5.


13.5 Calculations in Headers and Footers

• In page header and footer sections, the functions will calculate based on thecontent of the page.

• In set header and footer sections, the functions will calculate based on thecontent of the set.

• In set continuation header and footer sections, the functions will calculatebased on the content of the set, up to that point.

• In table header and footer sections, the functions will calculate based on thecontent of the table.

• In table continuation header and footer sections, the functions will calculatebased on the content of the table, up to that point.

• In table level header and footer sections, the functions will calculate based onthe content of the level.

• In table level continuation header and footer sections, the functions willcalculate based on the content of the level, up to that point.

Sum function exampleThe following table provides examples of what values will be created in the particularheader and footer section using the sum function.

Page 1 Page 2

Set Header sum= 20 Set Cont. Header sum= 9

Page Header sum= 9 Page Header sum= 11

Table Header sum= 20 Table Cont. Header sum= 9

Table Level Header sum= 7 Table Level Cont. Header sum= 2

Data section value: 3 Data section value: 2


data section value: 1 Table Level Footer sum= 5

Table Level Footer sum= 7 Table Level Header sum= 8

Table Level Header sum= 5 Data section value: 5


Table Level Cont. Footer sum= 2 Table Level Footer sum= 8

Table Cont. Footer sum= 9 Table Footer sum= 20

Page Footer sum= 9 Page Footer sum= 11

Set Cont. Footer sum= 9 Set Footer sum= 20



Count function example The following example uses the same data, but shows what values will be created inthe particular header and footer section using the count function.

To create a count or sum calculation in a header or footer section:

1. In the header or footer section, create the user variable (" Section 13.2.1),specifying the count or sum function and the relevant variable.

2. Insert the user variable in the header or footer section as part of a text object orvariable text object.

13.6 Lookup VariablesLookup variables retrieve values from external databases. For example you can uselookup variables to retrieve a customer telephone number from a database. Lookupvariables can be inserted directly into the form or used as part of an expression orcondition.

Lookup variables are created in and belong to a section. They can be used in othersections, provided the section it belongs to is a source for the section where it will beused.

Page 1 Page 2

Set Header count= 8 Set Cont. Header count= 4

Page Header count= 4 Page Header count= 4

Table Header count= 8 Table Cont. Header count= 4

Table Level Header count= 3 Table Level Cont. Header count= 1



data section value: 1 Table Level Footer count= 3

Table Level Footer count= 3 Table Level Header count= 2

Table Level Header count= 3 Data section value: 5


Table Level Cont. Footer count= 4 Table Level Footer count= 2

Table Cont. Footer count= 4 Table Footer count= 8

Page Footer count= 4 Page Footer count= 4

Set Cont. Footer count= 4 Set Footer count= 8


13.6 Lookup Variables

13.6.1 Requirements

To use lookup variables you require a DSN connection to an ODBC database. Toenable production printing, you must also create a permanent connection between thee-forms server and the database(s). For more information refer to the Create!formserver User Guide.

To create a lookup variable:

1. From the Create!form designer main menu, select Section!Lookup Variables.The Lookup Variables dialog will be displayed.

Figure 13-2: The Lookup Variables dialog.

2. From the drop down list under the Database (DSN) field, select the DSN for thedatabase you want to retrieve data from, or click New... to create a new DSN. Setup procedures for databases will vary. For information on setting up a DSNfor a Microsoft Access database, refer to " Appendix E.

3. If multiple tables/views exist in the database, select the appropriate one from theTable/view drop down.

4. In the Select records where field, define a query by selecting:

• the Field from the database table that will be searched in and;• the Variable from the form project containing the value that will be searched

with.



Ensure the query will only match with one record. If you need to add furtherqualifiers, clicking the Add Row button ( ) and select further fields andvariables.

5. In the Assign to variables field, define the response to the above query by:

• typing the Variable Name in the form project to assign to and;• selecting the Field from the database table to assign from.

It is possible to return more than one response from that particular record in thedatabase by clicking the Add Row button and defining further Variable Namesand Fields

6. By clicking the Refresh button at the bottom right of the dialog the returnedvalue(s) from the lookup query will be displayed in the Content column.


14Creating and Using Page StylesThis chapter explains how to create and use page styles.


! Introduction

! Creating Page Styles

! Defining Page Style Rules

! Creating Background Graphics Using Page Styles


Chapter 14: Creating and Using Page Styles

14.1 Introduction Earlier you learnt how to set the global page styles (" Section 5.4). This chapterexplains how to create and use page styles that can be applied when specifiedconditions are met. Page style options include:

• selecting input and output trays • duplex options • inserting pages • creating background forms and graphics

14.2 Creating Page Styles

To create a page style:

1. From the Main menu, select Page!Manage Styles... The Manage Page Styles dialog will be displayed.

2. Click CreateThe New Page Style dialog will be displayed.

3. In the Name field, type a name for the style.

4. From the Based on Page Style drop down, select the page style you want to baseyour new style on. By selecting Project you will adopt the global page settings (" Section 5.4).

5. Click OK.The Page Style dialog will be displayed.

6. Select the input and output tray selection.

7. Select the duplex options.The Start on front page checkbox means the duplex will start on front page.

8. To insert a page after each page that has the page style applied to it, select theInsert page checkbox.

9. To exclude all pages that have the page style applied to them from being includedin numbering, clear the Include in page numbering checkbox.

10. Click OK.

11. Close the Manage Page Styles dialog or create new styles.

Now you have created styles, you must create rules that define when the style isapplied (" Section 14.3).


14.3 Defining Page Style Rules

14.3 Defining Page Style Rules Page style rules are “if, then” rules. They determine when a particular page style isapplied. You can use pre-defined conditions such as the page number of the project orglobal variables to decide when a page style will be applied.

To define page style rules:

1. From the Main menu, select Page Style Rules... .The Page Style Rules dialog will be displayed.

2. Click the Add Row button ( ), or click in the grid.A row will be added.

3. Click the Condition button ( )The Condition Builder will be displayed.

4. Create the condition you want to determine whether the page style is used andclick OK. Typically you might apply a page style for the first or last page of a set. Forinformation on creating conditions refer to (" Chapter 12).

5. In the Page Style column, select the page style you want used when thecondition is met.

6. If you have several rules/conditions, use the up and down arrow buttons tochange the order of the conditions, ensuring that the Create!form designer willevaluate them in the correct order.

7. Click OK. When you define a rule for a page style and the page style becomes used, a greentick will appear next to the style in the Manage Styles dialog.

14.4 Creating Background Graphics Using Page StylesWhere a page style is used, a tab called <name of page style> Background willreplace the Project Background tab.

This new tab represents the graphical component of the page style. To place a graphicwith the page style, click the page style tab and insert a subform. For information oninserting subforms, refer to " Chapter 11.

When you double click <name of page style> Background tab, the Page Style dialogwill be displayed and you can alter the page style.


15Display Preferences and Global OptionsThis chapter explains the ways you can customize the look and feel of the Create!formdesigner interface, and set global options such as spelling preferences and logging.


! Setting Display Preferences

! Setting Global Options

! Checking Spelling

! Logging


Chapter 15: Display Preferences and Global Options

15.1 Setting Display PreferencesYou can customize the look, feel and behavior of the various screen elements. Thesettings made in the various Preferences dialogs become the default settings for allprojects.

15.1.1 Setting Design Window Preferences

All Design Window settings are done from the Design Window Preferences dialog,which is activated by selecting View!Preferences!Design Window from the Mainmenu.

Grid Settings

The following grid options are available in the Grid section of the Design WindowPreferences dialog:

• Hide or show a grid. • Specify the grid interval. • Snap objects to the grid. Alternatively, you can snap objects to the ruler units

(see below).

Ruler Settings

Horizontal and vertical rulers are available to assist in object layout and placement.The following grid options are available in the Ruler section of the Design WindowPreferences dialog:

• Hide or show ruler.• Snap objects to the ruler. By snapping objects to the ruler, you are snapping them

to the ruler units that are displayed. This will vary depending on the zoom. Youcan snap objects to the ruler or the grid, but not both.

When creating a project designed for text output, Create!formdesigner automatically enables the display of the grid and sets theSnap To interval to match the line height used for the project.


15.1 Setting Display Preferences

Other Page View Settings

Other settings in the Page section of the Design Window Preferences dialog allow youto specify options for viewing sections, background forms and text objects. For example:

• To set the default page view magnification, choose Fit to Width, Fit in Windowor Actual Size from the View drop-down list.

• To display background forms (when they are active), select the Showbackground forms checkbox.

• To display the borders between sections on the page, select the Show sectionborders checkbox.

• To view the outline box of all text and variable text objects, select the Show textobject outline checkbox.

• To display the actual variable names on screen in place of the variable’s value,select the Show variable names checkbox.

Viewing Selected Sections

You can specify the way selected sections will be displayed:

• To view all form objects (lines, boxes, graphics, etc.) for the selected section,select the Show checkbox in the Selected section section.

• To view repeated data in the selected section (for example, records in a columnarsection), select the Show Repeats checkbox in the Section

• For overlay form projects, select the Show checkbox in the Overlay Datasection to view the variable data associated with the selected section.

• To specify the color of the data for the selected section, click the Color buttonand choose a color from the pop-up list, It is not possible to choose a color if the Show checkbox in the Overlay Datasection is not selected.

Viewing Unselected Sections

You can specify the way unselected sections are displayed:

Figure 15-1: Change view options for unselected sections.

Show objects created Display objects in otherin other sections sections in gray

Display unselected sectionswith a gray background



15.1.2 Setting Input Window Preferences

In the Input Window you can set whether:

• the name of variables and constants are displayed when you float the cursor overthe top of them.

• section borders are shown.• the Input Window is synchronized with the Design Window, so that when you

select a section in Input Window, the corresponding section in the DesignWindow is highlighted, and vice versa.

To display the Input Window Preferences dialog, select View!Preferences!InputWindow from the Main menu.

15.1.3 Setting Input Tree Preferences

In the Input Tree you can set whether the following items are displayed:

• The variable alias.• The item name for the variable.• The name of the variable.• Constants.• Content: The value of the variable. In the Limit to characters field, indicate

the number of characters of the variable to display. Range 1 to 256.

The Sample section shows how the information will be displayed in the Input TreeWindow.

To display the Input Tree Preferences dialog, select View!Preferences!Input Treefrom the Main menu.

15.1.4 Setting Section Borders Preferences

From the Section Border Preferences dialog, you can set:

• the color of a section when it is selected. • the color of the corresponding section in an inactive window.• the thickness of the border.

To display the Section Border Preferences dialog, select View!Preferences!Section Border from the Main menu.


15.2 Setting Global Options

15.2 Setting Global OptionsVarious options that affect the overall operation of Create!form designer areconfigured from the Options dialog.

To set global options:

1. From the Main menu, select Tools!Options... The Options dialog will be displayed.

2. To select a different language for checking spelling, choose a language from thedrop-down list in the Spell check language field. For information on addingother languages, refer to " Section 15.3.1.

3. If you want the Properties dialog to appear whenever a new object is created,select the Display dialog checkbox in the Creating objects section.It is always possible to display the Properties dialog manually; by double-clicking on an object, or by choosing Edit!Properties... from the Main menu.

4. To limit the allowable size of an input data file to be used as a sample, select theLimit number of pages to checkbox in the Data File Loading section and enterthe maximum number of pages you want to use. To most accurately represent thesample data, it is recommended that you don’t limit the number of pages unlessthe number of pages affects Create!form designer’s processing speed.

Whenever you open a project where the input file page number exceeds the limit,you will be prompted to truncate the input file.

5. If you want Create!form designer to generate a backup of the form project (andits associated forms) each time the project is saved, select the Make Backupcheckbox in the On Save Project section. Note the following:

• A project backup file is saved with the extension *.fpj2bak’

• Project forms are backed up with the extension *.frmbak’• To use a backup version of a form project file, and its associated forms, you

must manually change the extension of the backup files to *.fpj2 and *.frmrespectively.

6. To enable the direct editing of expressions and conditions, select the Allowdirect editing checkbox in the Expressions and conditions section.

7. If you don’t want to load Adobe Acrobat each time Create!form designer isstarted, select the Never load Acrobat checkbox. This will allow Create!formdesigner to load quicker. Adobe Acrobat will only be loaded when you activatethe Input Window or perform a print preview.



8. If you are converting projects from Create!form version 1, you have the option tomaintain all constants that have been mapped as variables. To do so, select theConvert mapped constants to variable objects checkbox in the Version 1project conversion section.

9. Set the output options for previewing and printing from Create!form designer.

• Preview - direct PDF: The ‘direct PDF’ preview option is faster but it doesn’tshow bar codes and dictionary based fonts, such as CLSmicr.

• Preview - via PostScript: The ‘via PostScript’ preview option shows all pageobjects including bar codes and dictionary based fonts, but is slower as it usesdistiller to create the PDF file for preview. This is the default option.

• Print - direct PostScript: When the ‘direct PostScript’ print option isselected the output PostScript file is sent directly to the printer. This is thedefault option.

• Print - via PDF: The ‘via PDF’ print option creates an output PDF file whichis sent to Adobe Acrobat for printing.

10. Click OK to finish setting program options.

15.3 Checking SpellingCreate!form designer is able to check each section for spelling errors occurring inCreate!form designer text objects. You cannot check the spelling of variable data thatis mapped from the input data file.

To check spelling:

1. From the Main menu, select Tools!Spell Check... To only check specific text objects in a section, select those text objects to spellcheck. If no text objects are selected, Create!form designer will check the entiresection.

The function of each item in the Check Spelling dialog:

Dialog item Function

Not in DictionaryIndicates that a misspelled word was found. The word is considered misspelled because it was not located in any open dictionaries, or was found in an exclude dictionary.

Ignore Causes this occurrence of a misspelled word to be skipped.

Ignore AllCauses this and all further occurrences of a misspelled word to be skipped.


15.3 Checking Spelling

15.3.1 Languages

Create!form designer can check spelling in a project using any installed language. Fora ‘Typical’ installation, English-US and English-UK are installed:

To install another language from the installation CD:

1. Insert the installation CD and navigate to the \Utilities\Language directory.This directory contains a separate sub-directory for each of the availablelanguages.

2. Locate the sub-directory for the language required.

3. Copy the entire language directory into the \Win32User\MainLexicon directory ofthe Create!form installation directory on your computer.

4. The language(s) will be available the next time you start Create!form designer.To use the new language(s), make the settings in the Options dialog(" Section 15.2).

Change ToContains a word which will replace a misspelled word when you select the Change or Change All buttons.

Suggestions

Contains a list of suggested replacements for the word reported as misspelled. A word selected in this list will automatically be copied to the Change To box, where it can be substituted for the misspelled word by clicking the Change button.

ChangeThe misspelled word will be replaced with the word in the Change To box.

Change AllThis and all following occurrences of the misspelled word will be replaced with the word in the Change To box.

SuggestCauses a group of suggested replacements for misspelled words to be displayed in the Suggestions list.

AddCauses the misspelled word to be added to the dictionary selected in the Add words to list.

Add Words ToIndicates which user dictionary words will be added to when you click the Add button.

Dictionaries

Display the Dictionaries dialog. Use this feature to open or close user dictionaries and to edit the contents of user dictionaries. For more information on the dictionary, click Help in the Dictionaries dialog.

Lock Pos. Locks the position of the Check Spelling dialog in place.

Dialog item Function



To select another language to use for spell checking:

1. From the Main menu, select Tools!Options... The Options dialog will be displayed.

2. Select the Spell check language required from the drop-down list.

3. Click OK to save the changes.A dialog will inform you that it is necessary to restart Create!form designerbefore the change will come into effect.

15.3.2 User Dictionaries

User dictionaries can be of several different types. When you create a new dictionary,you must specify the type of dictionary that Create!form designer will generate. Thetype indicates what happens when a word is found in that dictionary during a spellingcheck as explained below:

15.4 LoggingCreate!form designer can record a series of events including: errors, warnings, successand Information.

To set logging verbosity:

1. From the Main menu, select Tools!Log File Settings...The Log File Settings dialog will be displayed.

2. Set the logging verbosity required.

3. Click OK to confirm any changes made.

Dictionary type Explanation

Auto Change

Words found in an Auto Change dictionary are automatically replaced with other words. Typically, Auto Change dictionaries hold frequently misspelled words and their correct replacements. Each entry in an Auto Change dictionary contains a word and the replacement, separated by a colon (e.g., “recieve:receive”).

Conditional Change

Words found in a Conditional Change dictionary are presented to you as candidates for replacement and are replaced with other words if you request.

ExcludeWords found in an Exclude dictionary are always considered misspelled, even if they are defined in other dictionaries.

Ignore Words found in an Ignore dictionary are considered correctly spelled.


15.4 Logging

To view the Create!form designer log file:

1. From the Main menu, select Tools!Log File Settings...The Log File Settings dialog will be displayed.

2. Click the View Log File button.Create!form log viewer will be launched displaying the log file: Create!formdesigner 3.log.


16Custom Fonts and ColorsThis chapter looks at the custom features available in Create!form designer.


! Working with Fonts

! Color Palettes


Chapter 16: Custom Fonts and Colors

16.1 Working with FontsCreate!form designer supports a pre-defined set of PostScript fonts. The fontssupported are based on the fonts which are typically released and supported on themajority of PostScript printers. Create!form designer allows you to extend the list ofsupported fonts.

Each font used in Create!form designer is mapped to a Windows font so it can bedisplayed on the screen. If you have other Windows fonts, for example AvantGarde orBookman, you can configure Create!form designer to use that Windows font fordisplay instead.

Special fonts, such as MICR for check printing, will need to be ordered directly from aCreate!form distributor (refer to the online Create!micr User Guide).

16.1.1 Adding Fonts

Only PostScript fonts with .afm or .pfm files can be added. A PostScript font can beadded even if it is not installed in Windows, so long as the .afm and .pfm files for thefont are available.

Adding fonts is a two-step process. You should first install the font to the Windowsfont directory and then to the Create!form designer font table. This section takes youthrough this process.

To add a font in Create!form designer:

1. Add the font into Windows, using the standard Microsoft Windows fontinstallation.This step is optional as you can still print the font without it being installed inWindows.

2. From the Create!form designer Main menu, select Tools!Fonts...!Add.The Add Fonts dialog will be displayed.

3. Change the directory to the location of the .afm or .pfm files for the font.

4. Select the font(s) to install, or click Select All to select all the listed fonts.

5. Click OK.

The ISOLatin1 Encoding box will be checked by Create!form designer depending onthe information found in the font to be installed. You may override this option but beaware that doing so may effect the display and printing of the characters. When a fontis installed into Create!form designer it requires a Windows font to be associated withit. This allows it to be displayed properly.


16.1 Working with Fonts

If you have correctly installed the font on Windows you will be prompted to associatethe font with the Windows font name. If you do not associate the font with theWindows font name, Windows will choose the most appropriate font for display in theDesign Window of Create!form designer.

16.1.2 Printing a Font

To print text with the new font, it must be available in the printer in one of thefollowing ways:

• A memory resident font (i.e. a standard font or font card from the printermanufacturer).

• Permanently loaded to the hard disk or flash memory card (contact the providerof the font or the printer manufacturer for details).

• Loaded to printer memory using the utilities provided with the font installationdiskette (contact the provider of the font for details).

• A supported font in your Adobe Acrobat installation.

16.1.3 Editing Font Mapping

Create!form designer allows you to change the Windows fonts that will be used todisplay text for each PostScript typeface. Changing the display font does not changethe typeface that will be printed nor does it change the font metrics on the screen forthat text. This command is provided so that the most appropriate installed Windowsfont can be used to display the PostScript typeface in the form Design Window.

To edit font mapping:

1. Select Tools!Fonts...!Edit.The Edit Font Mapping dialog will be displayed.

2. Select the PostScript Font to change the Windows mapping for.

3. Select the font you will map to in the Uses Windows Font list.To increase the size of the sample font, select a different size from the Size ofSample box.

If the font mapping between the on-screen and printed fonts are notcompatible, the on-screen layout and positioning of text objects maybe different when printed.



4. Click Apply to test the font mapping.

5. Click OK when finished.

16.1.4 Removing Fonts

Create!form designer also allows you to remove PostScript fonts which are notrequired. If you remove a font from within Create!form designer it will prevent the useof that font when creating or editing a text or variable object. If you open a projectcontaining a reference to a font that has been removed, Create!form designer will warnyou that the font is not available. When the project is opened, all the affected text andvariable text objects will have their font style defaulted to Courier.

To remove a font:

1. Close any open projects.

2. From the Main menu, select Tools!Fonts...!Remove.The Remove Fonts dialog will be displayed.

3. Select the font(s) to remove, or click Select All to remove all fonts.

4. Click Remove.

16.2 Color PalettesUsing color palettes, Create!form designer allows you to work with the colors you usemost often in your project and mix alternative colors. Color palettes installed withCreate!form designer are saved in the \<install dir>\\Win32User directory, with theextension .clr.

When Create!form designer is started the last selected color palette will be used.Create!form designer comes with 3 different color palettes: default.clr, multi.clr andgray.clr. The default color palette provides a standard range of gray shades and colorsto choose from. If you would like to use a palette with a greater range of grays, selectgray.clr. Similarly, if you would like more colors, select multi.clr.


16.2 Color Palettes

In addition to those color palettes provided with Create!form designer, you can usepalettes of your own design. This gives you greater control over the presentation ofyour form.

The color option is available in all object information dialogs, exceptbar codes and subforms.

If you click on the Color button, the active color palette will bedisplayed. You can select from this the color or shade you require. Toview the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) value of the color selected, click andhold the left mouse button on the color display.

Figure 16-1:The active color palette (left) and the RGB values for a color.

The color palette menu provides the following commands:

Select Select an existing color palette file.

Save As Save the active color palette to a specified name.

Edit Edit the active color palette.

16.2.1 Selecting a Color Palette

Selecting a color palette makes it active for the application until a different colorpalette is selected. You can select from one of the three palettes mentioned previouslyor another that has been edited and saved.

To select an existing color palette:

1. From the Main menu, select Tools!Color Palette...!Select.The Select Color Palette dialog will be displayed. It lists all color palettesavailable.

2. Select the new color palette from the list.

3. Click Open.The color palette selected becomes active in Create!form designer. Colors mayonly be chosen from the active color palette.



16.2.2 Saving a Color Palette

If you have made changes to a color palette, Create!form designer lets you save it forfuture use.

To save a color palette:

1. From the Main menu, select Tools!Color Palette...!Save As The Save As dialog will be displayed.

2. Type a new name for the color palette in the File name field.

3. Click Save.Create!form designer adds the default extension .clr to the filename when saving.

16.2.3 Editing a Color Palette

The color palettes initially installed may not contain the colors you want to use on aregular basis. You can easily edit these to suit your needs. For example, you may wantto have palettes to be used for different purposes (e.g., one for invoices and one forpurchase orders) or with different printers.

To edit the active color palette:

1. From the Main menu, select Tools!Color Palette...!Edit. The Color Palette dialog will be displayed. The name of the current colorpalette is displayed in the bottom panel of the palette. There is a selection of 32colors. Each of these colors is numbered and arranged in order from left to rightand top to bottom.The Color Result area displays the number of the color selected in the palette. Italso shows the results as you change the RGB values.

2. Click on the color to modify from the color palette.

3. To increase or decrease the amount of primary color used, drag the red, green orblue scroll bars or type a number in the box located to the right of the scroll bars.This will change the RGB (Red, Green and Blue) values. RGB values can bebetween 0 and 255.

4. Repeat the process for all colors to be modified.

5. Click OK to save any changes made.


Appendices

AGlossaryThis appendix provides a list of commonly used Create!form designer terms.


Chapter A: Glossary

A.1 GlossaryThe following table explains many of the terms specific to Create!form designer.

Term Definition

aliasAn optional name for a source or child section used to resolve problems with duplicate variable names in child and source sections.

alternate sectionA section that alternates with a data section when user-defined conditions are met. The characteristics and content of an alternate section are independent of the section they alternate for.

CommonFormProject directory

The directory used to store shared form project resources. They may be: logos, signatures, subforms etc.

conditionA user-defined logical test that results in either a true or false statement. Conditions enable the form project to behave differently according to the content of the input file.

constantStatic text in the input PDF. Strictly speaking, some "constants" are in fact dynamic. “Common constants” always have exactly the same value.

data section A section that is brought into the form project from the input file.

data variables Data variables are the variables that exist within the input file.

DataMappingThe mapping of data from the input file to the form project as objects that can be moved and formatted.

expressionsUser-defined statements that perform calculations and derive values from the input data.

form projectA form project is a new design for a EnterpriseOne report. Form projects describe how a EnterpriseOne report will be reformatted. Also referred to as project.

global user variables

User-defined variables, global to the project.

input fileA sample EnterpriseOne report, created by the UBE/RDA batch engine. Input files are in PDF format.

inserted sectionAn inserted section is created by the user and attached to a data section.

lookup variable A variable that derives its value from an external database.

overlay Where the data from the input file is displayed in the form project without any change or manipulation.

project See form project.

repaginationThe process of expanding or condensing pages depending on the space available.

repeated section A data section that appears more than once in a set.


A.1 Glossary

setA user-defined construct that divides the input file into its basic document units, that the form project is designing. For invoices, the document can be divided into customer sets.

section sourceWhere a section derives it’s data from. The source of a section can be a section from the input file, or another section in the form project.

subformA subform is referenced into a form project to provide graphical elements.

system variablesSystem variables are predefined and relate to the project. They include such items as the number of pages in the set or document.

tableA table is a user created structure that enables you to better organize and display a series of consecutive data sections.

user variablesUser variables are user-defined expressions that relate only to the section they were created in.

Term Definition


BMapping Archive VariablesThis appendix explains how data variables from the form project are mapped toarchive variables for use with Create!archive.

The topics covered are:

! Mapping Data Variables to Archive Variables


Chapter B: Mapping Archive Variables

B.1 Mapping Data Variables to Archive Variables Create!archive is the output module that automatically archives merged documents.The documents are archived and indexed using archive variables. For Create!archiveto work with Create!form designer, you must map the data variables from the inputfile to archive variables. The archive variables can be pre-defined, or user-defined.

To map data variables to archive variables:

1. From the Main menu, select File!Map Archive Variables... The Map Archive Variables dialog will be displayed.

2. Select the archive variable you want to enable, from the Archive VariableName column.

3. In the Document Variable Name column do one of the following:

• To select a data variable, select the data variable from the drop-down. This column lists all data variables from the input file. The Content column displays the value of the first occurrence of the selectedvariable.

• To map the archive variable to a constant value, select <CONST!> from thedrop-down list. In the Content column, type the value for the archive variable.

4. To create a condition for the mapping, click on the Condition Builder button( ) in the Condition column.For information on building conditions, refer to " Chapter 12.

To create an archive variable:

1. From the Map Archive Variables dialog, click the Create button.

2. In the Archive Variable Name column, type the name for the new archive variable. This name must begin with ARC_DOC. If the user-defined archive variable is a:

• date field, the name must start with ARC_DOCDATE.• number field, the name must start with ARC_DOCNUMBER.

For detailed information on using and generating archivedocuments, refer to the Create!archive User Guide.


B.1 Mapping Data Variables to Archive Variables

3. Map the archive variable to the data variable as described in the previous procedure.

User-defined variables can be deleted by highlighting the variable and clickingthe Remove button.

To specify a date format:

To ensure that date variables are interpreted accurately by Create!archive, you mustspecify the correct date format when assigning an archive variable as a date type.

1. After assigning a variable as a date, click the Date Format button.The Set Date Format dialog will be displayed.

2. The data contained within the current variable is displayed in the Form VariableValue box. The Sample box displays today’s date in the currently chosen dateformat.

3. Set the date format used by the variable by choosing a data type for each DateField. For example, to set Month, Day, Year as the date order, select:

• Month in Date Field 1• Day in Date Field 2• Year in Date Field 3• Not used in Date Field 4.

4. Beneath each date format, indicate the sub-format by choosing the displayoptions and the separator used. When defining the format, ensure the FormVariable Value matches the format displayed in the Sample.The example below shows the settings to use to define the date format Wed 22-Mar-00:

Figure 2-1: An example of date format.

5. Click OK when you have finished defining the date format.

If the format you defined does not match the data within the EnterpriseOnevariable, a dialog informs you and allows you to return to the Date Formatdialog by clicking Cancel.


Chapter B: Mapping Archive Variables

When your project is put into production, the archive variables you have defined willautomatically be included in the merged document used for archiving.

The date string will be stored internally in the format YYYYMMDD.If setting a user-defined variable as a date with a constant<CONST!> value, it will be stored in the format entered in thecontent field, e.g. 11/22/2002 will not be stored as 20021122.


CPacking ProjectsThis appendix describes how to pack a project for transferring to another location.


! Packing Projects


Chapter C: Packing Projects

C.1 Packing Projects Because form projects are made up of several different files (the form project file,input data file, and subforms), Create!form designer allows you to save all associatedfiles into a single packed project. The entire project can then be easily transferred andopened on any computer.

To save a project as a packed project:

1. Open the project.

2. From the Main menu, select File!Save As... The Save Project As dialog will be displayed.

3. In the Project type field, select Packed form project files (*.fpp).

4. Click OK.The packed project is saved with the specified name, with an .fpp extension. Totransfer the packed project, simply email it as an attachment.

To open a packed project, from the Open dialog, select Packed form project files(*.fpp) from the Files of type field.

To send projects from the design workstation to the e-forms serverfor use in production printing, use Create!form transfer. To startCreate!form transfer, select Tools!Transfer from the Main menu.


DText OutputThis appendix describes how to create text output, and the features affected by textoutput.

The topics covered are:

! Text Format

! Features Affected by Selecting Text Output


Chapter D: Text Output

D.1 Text Format In order to cater for the requirement of printing to impact-type printers, such as lineprinters and dot matrix printers, Create!form designer lets you specify that the outputdocument should be generated as a plain ASCII text file, rather than a PDF orPostScript file. This feature provides the flexibility to reposition data items from theEnterpriseOne report, for printing into specific locations on pre-printed stationery, forexample. The first step is to specify that the project will be output as text.

To specify text output for a project:

1. From the Main menu, select File!Page Setup... The Page Setup dialog will be displayed.

2. In the Page size field, specify a Custom page size that exactly matches the sizeof the page you will be printing to.

3. Click the Text Output button.The Text Output dialog will be displayed.

4. Select the Text Output checkbox, to enable printing for impact or text-onlyprinters.

5. Specify the number of printed lines that fit the page length you have selected, inthe Lines per page field. The following table shows the number of lines per pagefor standard page lengths, printed at various lines per inch:

Page Length (inches/points) Lines per Inch Lines per Page

9" / 6486 54

8 72

9.5" / 6846 57

8 76

11" / 7926 66

8 88

13" / 9366 78

8 104

15" / 10806 90

8 120


D.2 Features Affected by Selecting Text Output

The lines per inch (LPI) will be automatically calculated, based on the pagelength and the number of lines per page.

6. Calculate the number of characters that fit across the page width you haveselected and enter this in the Characters per line field. The following tableshows the number of characters per line for standard page widths, printed atvarious characters per inch (CPI).

7. Click OK twice, then OK again to return to the project.

D.2 Features Affected by Selecting Text OutputWhen you specify that the project will be output in text format, some features areautomatically enabled, whilst others are no longer available. For this reason, it is bestto enable text output before you begin formatting the project. Applying text output toan existing project can make formatting difficult.

The following is a list of those options that are effected when you change to textoutput:

• The Create!form designer grid is automatically enabled, and the grid interval isautomatically set to match the line height calculated in the page setup. The snapfeature is used to ensure objects can only be positioned on the exact grid points.

6 LPI is equivalent to 12 point line spacing; 8 LPI is equivalent to 9point line spacing.

Page Length (inches/points) C.P.I. Characters per Line

9" / 64810 90

12 108

9.5" / 68410 95

12 114

11" / 79210 110

12 132

13" / 93610 130

12 156

15" / 108010 150

12 180


Chapter D: Text Output

• The line spacing field for text and variable objects is disabled. The line spacingis automatically set to match the line height calculated in the page setup.

• When printed (either using preview or as part of the print production), anygraphic or drawing objects are automatically ‘stripped out’ of the project, toensure that a plain ASCII text file is generated.

• Using the Preview function displays the resulting text file in the MicrosoftWordPad application. If this is not installed, results are displayed in Notepad.

When you configure Create!form server you must create a printqueue that output text. For more information, refer to the" Create!form server User Guide.


EDSN for Microsoft AccessThis appendix provides instructions on how to create a DSN for a Microsoft AccessDatabase.

The following topic is covered:

! Creating a DSN for Microsoft Access


Chapter E: DSN for Microsoft Access

E.1 Creating a DSN for Microsoft AccessThe procedure for creating a Data Source Name (DSN) will be different depending onwhat type of database it is linking to. The procedures will also be different dependingon what database version it is.

The following procedure describes how to create a DSN for a Microsoft Accessdatabase.

To create a DSN for Microsoft Access:

1. From Create!archive server Main menu, select Administration ConfigureArchives... The Configure Archives dialog will be displayed.

2. Highlight the archive you want to create the DSN for, and click Store.

3. Click the Database tab.

4. In the ODBC DSN field, select New DSN.The ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog will be displayed.

5. Click the System DSN tab.

Figure E-1: The System DSN tab of the ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog.


E.1 Creating a DSN for Microsoft Access

6. Click Add.The Create New Data Source dialog will be displayed.

Figure E-2: The Create New Data Source dialog displays all DSN drivers.

7. From the list of available ODBC drivers, select the driver that corresponds to thetype of database you will connect to, or create, and click Finish.Only those ODBC drivers that have been installed on your system will bedisplayed in the list of available drivers. Refer to your Microsoft Windowsdocumentation for assistance in adding new drivers if required.

Depending on the ODBC driver selected for your data source, a configurationdialog will be displayed. The following is the dialog for a Microsoft Accessdriver:

Figure E-3: The Configuration dialog for a Microsoft Access data source


Chapter E: DSN for Microsoft Access

8. In the Data Source Name field, type the name of the DSN.

9. Specify the database you want to connect to by clicking Select... to connect to anexisting database or clicking Create... for a new database.

10. When you have finished specifying the database, click OK on the ODBCMicrosoft Access Setup dialog. You will return to the Select Data Source dialog, where the archive DSN youcreated will be displayed in the list of available DSNs.

11. Click OK. The Configure Store dialog will be displayed

12. Click OK or continue configuring the archive.


Index- (negative), 103, 110-, 103, 110!=, 103+, 103, 110.afm, 132.clr, 134.eps, 97.fpj2, 125.fpj2bak, 125.fpp, 148.frm, 99, 125.frmbak, 125.pfm, 132/, 103, 110<, 103<=, 103= =, 103>, 103>=, 103

A

Adobe Acrobatusing for previewing, 30

alias, 54, 56, 124, 140Align toolbar, 32aligning

objects, 82text, 71

aligning and resizing, 85alignment tools, 80Allow direct editing checkbox, 125alternate sections, 49, 140

deleting, 50Always keep data in memory checkbox, 100Anchor bottom to matching footer checkbox, 94Apply Default button, 72, 76archive variables, 144

creating, 144data format, 145map PeopleSoft EnterpriseOne data, 144mapping data variables, 144

ASCII, 150sorting, 92

Auto fit, 100autosized sections, 52

B

background form, 123background graphics, 119backing up projects, 125bitmap images, 97Boolean operators, 102borders, creating for a table, 93Bottom orphan control checkbox, 93building blocks for conditions, 102

C

calculationscreating in header and footer sections, 114

centimeter, 43characters per line, 151check printing, 132Check Spelling dialog, 126cm, 43collate options, 41

setting, 40color palette

creating, 134editing, 136saving, 136selecting a, 135

CommonFormProject directory, 140concat, 103, 110Condition Builder, 102, 105


Index

conditions, 102, 140building a, 105building blocks, 102examples, 102functions, 103navigating and editing, 106operators, 103pre-defined, 105variables, 104

constants, 58, 140mapping, 59, 60, 61

contains, 103continuation header and footer sections, 47control object, 81converting images see importing imagescount, 110, 112, 114Create From button, 48, 92Create!archive, 144Create!form designer

installation requirements, 22installing, 22log file, 129navigating, 31prerequisites, 16starting, 26viewing, 31

Create!form designer 3.log, 129Create!form server, 16Create!MICR, 132currency formats see format styles

D

data color, 123data sections, 46, 140Data Source Name see DSNdata variables, 58, 140

list of, 63mapping, 59, 60, 61

database, 154DataMap projects, 28DataMapping, 58, 140date format for archive variables, 145date formats see format stylesdefault object properties, 76

default.clr, 134defining sets, 38deleting inserted sections, 51Design Window, 32, 33

preferences, 122direct PDF, 126direct PostScript, 126display order of header and footers, 49display preferences, 122displaying data multiple times, 59drawing tools, 74DSN

creating a, 154duplex settings, 42duplicates, setting, 41

E

Edit Variable dialog, 67e-forms server, 16e-mailing projects, 148enterprise server, 16exist, 103expressions, 110, 140

operators, 110variables, 111

F

fit to object size, variable text object, 67Fixed position checkbox, 100fixed sections, 52floating section, 52fonts, 66, 132

adding, 132editing font mapping, 133mapping, 132PostScript, 132printing, 133removing, 134setting size, 66

form project directory, 22, 26setting the, 26

form project see also projects


Index

form projects, 140format styles

applying to variables, 68creating and setting default, 41

functions, 110in conditions, 103

G

global options, 125global page setup, 42global user variables, 112, 140

creating, 112go to page, 35Graphics View, 33gray.clr, 134grid settings, 122grouping within a table, 92

H

handlesdeselecting, 85selecting, 84

header and footer sections, 46creating, 47display order, 49in tables, 92performing calculations in, 112turning off, 48

I

Ignore blank lines checkbox, 67Ignore data from this section when hidden checkbox, 55

imagesbitmap, 97importing, 97importing multiple images, 98vector, 97

inch, 43

input fileinput files, 140

accessing, 23configuring, 23

Input Tree, 32, 34preferences, 124

Input Window, 32, 33preferences, 124

inserted sections, 50, 140deleting, 51

installation directory, 22installation requirements, 22installing Create!form, 21ISOLatin1 Encoding box, 132Item Occurrences dialog, 63

K

Keep together checkbox, 93kerning, 70

L

length, 104, 110Limit number of pages to checkbox, 125Line spacing field, 152lines per inch, 151Lines per page field, 150Listing View, 33log file, 129logging verbosity, 128lookup variables, 114, 140ltrim, 104, 111

M

mapping data, 59multiple times, 59

mapping to archive variables, 144margins, 69matching rules, 29Metadata tags, 23MICR, 132


Index

Microsoft Access, 154moving objects, 78multi.clr, 134

N

navigating in Create!form, 35Navigation toolbar, 32Never load Acrobat checkbox, 125New page checkbox, 93next copy projects, 41

naming requirements, 29not, 103Notepad, using to preview text output, 152num function, 104, 111number formats see format stylesNumber of duplicates field, 41numeric sorting, 92

O

object properties, 76Object toolbar, 32, 74objects

changing the order, 80copying, 80default properties, 76deselecting, 77list, 33moving, 78object listing, 33resizing, 79revert to default, 76rotating, 79selecting, 76

operatorsBoolean operators in conditions, 102in conditions, 103in expressions, 110

Options dialog, 125orientation, 42, 43orphan control

for broken text objects, 54for tables, 93

output format, 150overlay, 140overlay projects, 27

P

packing projects, 148page layout see page setuppage orientation, 43page setup, 42page size, 42, 43page styles, 118

creating, 118rules, 119using for background graphics, 119

page view settings, 123pagination control within a table, 93parent/child relationships, 53PDF, 126pivot point, 79points, 43PostScript, 126PostScript fonts, adding, 132pre-defined conditions, 105preferences, 122

Design Window, 122global options, 125grid settings, 122Input Tree, 124Input Window, 124page view options, 123rulers, 122section borders, 124viewing selected sections, 123viewing unselected sections, 123

prerequisites, 16Preserve the aspect ratio, 100preview options, 126previewing, 30Print Queue

enterprise server, 23local, 23

printing, 30options, 126

project properties, setting, 39


Index

Project Tree, 32, 33projects, 26, 125, 140

backup, 125deleting, 30naming conventions, 29navigating in, 35opening, 29printing and previewing, 30saving a, 28

R

RDA report, 19RDA report see input fileregional sorting, 92Repaginate checkbox, 40repagination, 140

setting, 40repeated section, 140reset from default, 76resize and move object, 85resizing a section, 53rotation angle, 79round, 104, 111rtrim, 104, 111ruler settings, 122rules for page styles, 119

S

save as packed project, 148save default attributes, 76screen elements, 32section

adjusting the size of, 53borders preferences, 124properties, 51source, 141tabs, 35

sectionsconditional display, 55fixed position, 52fixed size and autosized, 52floating position, 52introduction, 46mapping data to, 59parent/child relationships, 53positioning, 52selecting, 36setting when to display, 55sinking position, 52types of, 46viewing preferences, 123

set as default, 72, 76sets, 38, 141show repeats, 123show variable data, 123show variable names, 123sinking section, 52snap to grid, 122sorting modes

ASCII, 92numeric, 92regional, 92

source, adding to the, 55spell check

language, 125options, 126

Status bar, 32, 34strip leading spaces for a variable text, 67strip trailing spaces for variable text, 67subforms, 96, 141

advantages, 96creating, 97editing, 99inserting, 97referencing, 96storage, 97variable subform objects, 99

substring, 104, 111sum, 111, 112, 113system variables, 104, 141


Index

T

Table Name field, 91Table Properties dialog, 92, 93tables, 90, 141

creating, 91creating borders around, 93creating lines over, 93grouping, 92header and footer sections in, 92levels, 90pagination control, 93sort modes, 92

template projects, 28text

editing, 66kerning, 70properties, 66tool, 62wrapping, 63

text objects, showing outline of, 123text output, 70, 150Text Properties toolbar, 32Thumbnail View, 34Top orphan control checkbox, 93transferring projects, 148tray selection, 42trim function, 104, 111

U

uncollate, 40unselected sections, 123upgrading procedures, 22Use only first checkbox, 92Use printer control commands checkbox, 41user guide

accessing online, 16conventions, 17overview, 15shortcuts, 17

user variables, 108, 141creating, 109

V

variable format styles see format stylesvariable subform objects, 99variable text

modifying properties, 67strip leading spaces, 67strip trailing spaces, 67

variable text objects, creating, 61Variable Text Properties dialog, 67variables

in conditions, 104in expressions, 111see also lookup variables, data variables,

user variables, global user variables, system variables, archive variables and constants.

show names, 123vector images, 97viewing list of data variables, 63

W

WordPad, using to preview text output, 30, 152WorkDir directory, 22

X

x, 103, 110


Documents

Create!form designer 3 - Bottomlinearchive.bottomline.com/collateral/technical_documents... · 2008-01-03 · The following are required before you can begin the process of redesigning