Options Window

The Options Window allows you to change most of the options available in DreamCalc Pro and fine tune its behaviour to suit your preferences.

DreamCalc Options Window

Application Settings

General Settings

Transparent Window
Turn on this option to give the calculator main window transparent boundaries. When the transparent window setting is activated, the main menu will hide itself automatically when not being used, but will re-appear when you move the mouse over it.

Keep Calculator on Top
Check this item if you wish DreamCalc to remain on top of all other applications.

Hide Tools on Defocus
If this option is selected tool windows, such as the Paper Roll and the Data List Window, will be temporarily hidden when the application is not actively being used. This option is designed to minimize the number of windows on your desktop without you having to explicitly close and re-open them.

Run in System Tray
Select this item if you wish the calculator to run in the Windows system tray. If checked (recommended), DreamCalc will start-up automatically giving you quick and convenient access to a calculator when you click the calculator system tray icon.

Hide Task Bar
Check this option to hide the DreamCalc task bar, thus minimizing the number of items in your task bar. This option is intended to be selected in conjunction with the 'Run in System Tray' check box. In this case, having a visible task bar is not strictly necessary as you can click on the system tray icon instead.

Advanced

Enhance Graphics
When this option is checked (default), antialiasing and other enhancement techniques are applied to the graphics in order to improve the overall appearance of the calculator main window. If you are using an older computer and wish to minimize the application launch time, you can disable these enhancements by turning this option off.

Modern XP Style Menus
By default, DreamCalc uses a modern XP style in its drop-down and pop-up menus. You can revert to the old windows style by turning this option off.

Save Statistical Data
When the calculator exits, it will normally save all data in the statistical and financial cash-flow memories to disk. You can disable this feature if you wish. Doing so will marginally improve launch time, but data will be lost each time the application exits.

Financial Hot Key Override
If you use the financial functions, you can access them directly using the keyboard by enabling this option. If enabled, the key strokes which normally access some mathematical functions are overridden with financial ones.

Max Denominator
This option sets an upper limit on the size of denominator when using [a b/c] button to convert decimal values to natural fractions. A value of 100 or 1,000 is recommended. Increasing the upper limit will result in more accurate fraction conversions, but may produce fractions with an unwieldy number of digits. For example, converting PI to a natural fraction with a maximum denominator setting of 100 will give 3 : 1/7 (approx.), while doing so with a setting of 1,000 will give 3 : 16/113 (approx.).

Function Timeout
Certain functions, such as those involving prime numbers, may in theory take a long time to calculate. You can set a timeout limit of between 1 and 20 seconds with this option. The default value is 2 seconds. If you increase it, you should be aware that DreamCalc will be unable to respond to Windows messages during lengthy calculations.

Skins & Key Layout

Scientific Calculator
You can switch the calculator to a simple mode by turning this option off. This option is also available from the main menu.

Text Book Algebraic Input
By checking this option, you will set the calculator to accept text book algebraic input of formula.

Calculator Skin
Allows you to select a skin for DreamCalc. This option is also available from the main menu.

Specialized Functions
Allows you to select which specialized functions to present on the main keypad. This option is also available from the main menu.

Localization

Configurable Rates

Nat' to For'n X-Rate
Specify the exchange rate between your national currency and a chosen foreign currency. This is used to perform a conversion when you press the [NT~FN] or [FN~NT] buttons.

Tax Rate
Specify a percentage rate of tax, i.e. VAT or your state's local rate of tax. Enter a percentage value, rather than a decimal one. This is used to perform a conversion when you press the [TAX+] or [TAX-] buttons.

Number Format

Decimal Separator
Specify the decimal separator symbol used when displaying numbers. If set to 'System', it will use the symbol defined by your Windows locale.

Thousand Separator
Specify the symbol to be used as the thousand separator when displaying numbers. If set to 'System', it will use the symbol defined by your Windows locale. It will be ignored if it is the same as the decimal separator.

LCD Display

LCD Options

Show Clock on Display
You can activate, or deactivate, the clock in the display panel. When activated, the clock will appear automatically when the calculator is not actively being used, but will hide itself when you start pressing buttons.

Show Formula Entry
DreamCalc will show the formula in the main display as you type. You can turn this feature on or off using this option.

Italic Formula Font
If the 'Show Formula Entry' option is enabled, then checking this option will show the formula using an italic style font.

Font Settings

LCD Font Name
You can specify the font used in the 'LCD' display panel of the calculator. It is recommended that you choose a clear, sans serif font. Tahoma, Arial or MS Sans Serif are recommended.

Italic Value Font
Check this option to show the main numeric value using an italic font.

Paper Roll

Paper Roll Options

Save Paper Roll
The Paper Roll keeps a historical log of your calculations. By default, this data is lost when the calculator exits. If you wish to keep the historical record between launches of DreamCalc then ensure this option is checked.

Log Known Constants
If this option is enabled, the calculator will detect values which equal known constants and log them using their abbreviated names. For example, the speed of light will be logged as 'c', rather than 299,792,458.

Display ANSI Characters
If this option is enabled, the calculator will use ANSI characters for certain symbols, such as multiply and divide, in the Paper Roll. By default this option is off, so it logs only ASCII characters. If you are using a Western system, you may activate ANSI characters if you wish. It is not recommended that you use this option on non-Western systems.

Auto Line Break
If this option is selected, line breaks will be automatically inserted in conjunction with arithmetic operators.

Font Settings

Font Name
Use this to choose a desired font to be used in the Paper Roll Window.

Bold, Italic and Size
Use these to specify bold, italic and font size properties of the Paper Roll.

Paper Roll Alignment

You can use left of right margin justification in the Paper Roll, according to your preference.