Copyright: Version 1,   Wed Aug 02 17:43:22 1995


Help Index


ABC OLE Automation

You can control this version of ABC FlowCharter using OLE Automation. This is an advanced feature that requires Visual Basic, knowledge of programming in Visual Basic or C++, and knowledge of ABC FlowCharter.

Using ABC OLE Automation is described in a help file that comes with ABC FlowCharter. When you installed ABC FlowCharter, it installed that help file and its related ABC FlowCharter help file.

This help system is contained in the file AUTOMATE.HLP. If you wish, you can order the ABC OLE Automation Programmer's Guide with the order form included in your copy of ABC FlowCharter. Alternatively, you can order the book by calling 1-800-603-0074. The guide is a printed version of the information included in the help system.

There are several ways you can access the ABC OLE Automation help file. You can run the file from this help. You can run it using the Windows Explorer. You can run it using Excel 5.0 (which also lets you browse through the language elements and see quick descriptions of them).


Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from this Help

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using Excel 5.0

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using the Explorer

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from Visual Basic


Jumping to Visual Basic help


Welcome to ABC FlowCharter

ABC FlowCharter lets you create any business diagram quickly and easily. And after you have constructed your charts, you can actually navigate through them, following the processes and updating mission-critical data. Just double click a shape on a high-level diagram to explore the detailed processes that make up that event.

With intelligent line routing, a variety of alignment options, and hundreds of shapes creating attractive and useful flowcharts is as easy as ABC.


Help on help

ABC Graphics Suite


Accessing ABC OLE Automation from this Help
  To access the ABC OLE Automation help file from this help

1	Click the [image] button to the right of the command.

2	To return to this help from the ABC OLE Automation help, click on the button [image] to the right of the topic title.

Note

The help for ABC OLE Automation is included in ABC FlowCharter help. To the right of selected buttons, commands, dialog boxes, and areas of dialog boxes are buttons labeled “OLE Automation.” (There is one to the right of the title of this help topic. It goes to the Welcome topic of the help for ABC OLE Automation.) If you click one of those buttons, help displays for the ABC OLE Automation  related property or method. Be sure to check the Related Topics in the ABC OLE Automation method or property to find other properties or methods that are related to the ABC FlowCharter area you are working in.

When a property or method has an equivalent ABC FlowCharter command, a button labeled "ABC Equivalent" appears to the right of the topic title. You can click on the button to go to the ABC FlowCharter topic that describes the related command, button, option, or other ABC FlowCharter element.

 	If no button or a gray button appears to the right of a topic, then there is not an ABC FlowCharter equivalent.


ABC OLE Automation

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from Visual Basic

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using Excel 5.0

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using the Explorer

Jumping to Visual Basic help


Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using the Explorer
 To access ABC OLE Automation help using the Explorer

1	Open the Explorer.

2	Locate the directory where ABC FlowCharter is installed (C:\Program Files\Micrografx\ABC FlowCharter, by default).

3	Double click the file AUTOMATE.HLP.


ABC OLE Automation

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from this Help

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from Visual Basic

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using Excel 5.0

Jumping to Visual Basic help


Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using Excel 5.0
To access ABC OLE Automation help using Excel 5.0

1	Run Excel 5.0.

2	On the Insert menu, click the Macro command.

3	Choose Module.

4	On the Tools menu, click the References command.

5	Click ABC OLE Automation 1.0 so an X appears in the box in front of it.

6	Click OK to close the dialog box.

7	On the View menu, click the Object Browser command.

8	Click the down arrow to the right of the Libraries/Workbooks text box.

9	Click ABC FlowCharter to select it.

10	Click the object you want information about in the Objects/Modules list box.

11	Click the button with a question mark in it, if you wish. ABC OLE Automation help appears showing the topic about that object.

or

Click the method or property you want information about in the Methods/Properties list box. A short explanation appears at the bottom of the dialog box.

12	Click the button with a question mark in it. ABC OLE Automation help displays  the topic about that method or property.

Note

If the button with a question mark in it is gray, then the help file is not installed. You must install the help file using the Installation program.


ABC OLE Automation

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from this Help

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from Visual Basic

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using the Explorer

Jumping to Visual Basic help


Jumping to Visual Basic Help
Getting Help on Visual Basic

You can get help on Visual Basic by clicking Visual Basic Help.

Note

You must have the Visual Basic directory in your DOS path, or you must copy the Visual Basic help file (VB.HLP) to your ABC FlowCharter directory.


ABC OLE Automation

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from this Help

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from Visual Basic

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using Excel 5.0

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using the Explorer


Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from Visual Basic
To access ABC OLE Automation Help from Visual Basic

There are several ways you can access this help from Visual Basic. Each way brings up an appropriate topic.

Select the ABC Events VBX and press F1.

Highlight a procedure name in the Proc: combo box and press F1.

Highlight a property or method from ABC OLE Automation and press F1.


ABC OLE Automation

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help from this Help

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using Excel 5.0

Accessing ABC OLE Automation Help using the Explorer

Jumping to Visual Basic Help


Shortcut Keys

Charts and Windows

New chart	Ctrl+N
Open file	Ctrl+O
Next chart window	Ctrl+F6
View at actual size	F3
View current page	F4
View used pages	F5
Close chart	Ctrl+F4
Save file	Ctrl+S
Print chart	Ctrl+P
Open/close Note window	F6
Open/close Shape Palette	F9
Exit program	Alt+F4
Editing

Edit text	F2
Undo/redo change	Ctrl+Z (or Alt+Bksp)
Cut	Ctrl+X (or Shift+Del)
Copy	Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Ins)
Paste	Ctrl+V (or Shift+Ins)
Duplicate	Shift+drag
Clear	Delete
Select all	Ctrl+A
To back	Ctrl+K
To front	Ctrl+F
Check spelling	F7
Space/align selected shapes	Ctrl+Spacebar
Disable magnetic alignment while placing shapes	Ctrl+drag
Anchor opposite handle during resizing	Ctrl+drag
Full-screen View

Leave full-screen view	Esc, End, X
Erase chart annotations	Delete, Spacebar, E
Go to next chart window	Tab, Page Down, N
Go to previous chart window	Shift+Tab, Page Up, P
On-Line Help

Context-sensitive help topic	F1
Use the additional shortcut keys listed next to the menu commands and in the hint line.


Check this to show or hide Tool Tips. Tool Tips are the short messages containing the names of tools or buttons.


Using Tool Tips
To use Tool Tips

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars.

2	Make sure the Show ToolTips box is checked.

3	Point to a tool or button in the window, and hold the mouse still for a short period of time. A short message (bubble) appears, explaining the tool or button.

To turn off Tool Tips

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars.

2	Make sure the Show ToolTips box is not checked.


View menu

Toolbars

Tooltips


Toolbars
Toolbars - Overview

Toolbars contain a set of related tools. For example, the Formatting toolbar contains tools that allow you to format elements of the chart or graph.

Toolbars can display as palettes that you drag to a preferred place on the screen, or you can attach (“dock”) them to the side of the window. Toolbars can also be hidden and customized.

In the FlowCharter window, the following toolbars display:

Standard

Formatting

Arrange

Toolbox

Preset Styles

Data

The following toolbars display when you use the DataAnalyzer feature:

Standard

Formatting


To hide toolbars

To dock toolbars

Standard Toolbar

Formatting Toolbar

Arrange Toolbar

Toolbox

Preset Styles Toolbar

Data Toolbar


To dock toolbars
To dock a toolbar

1	Click and drag the toolbar to a side of the chart window (top, bottom, left, or right).

2	When the outline of the toolbar conforms to the side, release the mouse button.


Toolbars - Overview


To hide toolbars
To hide a toolbar

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars.

2	Clear the check box of the toolbar you want to hide.


Tooltips display the name of a tool or button. They display when you rest the cursor over the tool or button.


About ABC FlowCharter Command

The About ABC FlowCharter command in the Help menu opens a dialog box with the program version number, copyright date, and license information.


About ABC FlowCharter Command

The About ABC FlowCharter command in the Help menu opens a dialog box with the program version number, copyright date, and license information.


About ABC FlowCharter Dialog Box

The top portion of the About ABC FlowCharter dialog box contains the program version number and copyright date for your copy of the program.

Click the telephone icon for information about how to contact Micrografx Technical Support. Click the other icons for information about additional Micrografx products.


RT About ABC FlowCharter
About Command


Color Button
Lets you choose the colors to display from more than 100 predefined colors.


Set Custom Color Dialog Box
Color dialog box

You use this dialog box to change the default color of text, shapes, and lines and borders to a custom color. You can add up to 16 custom colors to this dialog.

You can drag the cross pointer in the large colored box. As you drag the pointer, several things happen:

The numbers change in the Hue, Sat, Lum text boxes and the Red, Green, Blue text boxes.

The selected color appears in the left half of the Color|Solid box. On the left, the color will be the exact color you have selected. On the right side, the solid color closest to your selected color is displayed.

Note

You can use the slider to change just the amount of while or black in a color.


To change colors


To replace a custom color
To replace a custom color with a new custom color

1	Click the Fill Color, Line/Border Color, or Text Color button in the Formatting toolbar.

2	Click More Colors.

3	Double-click the color to replace.

4	Select a new color in the large colored box.

5	Click Add to Custom Colors.


RT Replace custom color
To create custom colors


To change Ribbon Colors
To create a custom color

1	Click the Fill Color, Line/Border Color, or Text Color button in the Formatting toolbar.

2	Click More Colors.

3	Click the color you want in the large colored box.

4	Click Add to Custom Colors.

5	Click OK. The selected color appears in the checked box in the ribbon.

Notes

If you are using Windows-standard VGA (16 colors), certain colors appear different when drawing lines and typing text due to the limitation of your display driver.

To change the color, you can also type the values you want in the text boxes. Allowed values are from 0 to 255.


Color dialog box


Text Color Button
Lets you change the color of text.


Fill Color Button
Lets you change the color of the object.


Fill Pattern Button
Lets you change the pattern of the object.


Line Color Button
Lets you change the color of the line.


Shadow Button
Lets you change the type of shadow on an object.


ABC FlowCharter Commands
ABC FlowCharter Menus

File Menu	The File menu contains commands that let you create new charts; open existing charts and workspaces; and save and close files. You also use the commands in the File menu to define the page layout, print charts, attach a chart to an e-mail message, and exit the program.

Edit Menu	The Edit menu contains commands that let you select objects; cut, copy, paste, and clear selected objects; select objects, find and replace text, and undo and redo your previous actions.

You also use the Edit menu to paste and edit embedded and linked objects; insert new or existing OLE objects; view and edit OLE links; and paste Rich Text Format (RTF) text, unformatted text, metafiles, and bitmaps into charts.

View Menu	The View menu contains commands that let you view your current page, all used pages, or view your chart in full screen without the FlowCharter window elements. You can also show or hide FlowCharter toolbars, grids, guidelines, and windows; and adjust the magnification of the chart.

Format Menu	The Format menu contains commands that let you format the master items, data fields, and indicators; format fonts and align text; adjust the fill, border and numbering of shapes; and format lines, arrowheads, and crossovers.

Tools Menu	The Tools menu contains commands that let you customize the toolbars, spell check the words in your chart, protect your chart, view the index; insert an SPC chart (with the DataAnalyzer feature). import a shape, export a chart; customize toolbars, adjust shape alignment and spacing, line spacing, and set spelling options.

Arrange Menu	The Arrange menu contains commands that let you rearrange the objects in your chart, including rotating, flipping, and aligning shapes.

Data Menu	The Fields menu contains commands that let you set up data fields, set data field options, update fields, show or hide the Field Viewer, and show or hide the data fields Legend. You also use the Fields menu generate field data reports.

Window Menu	The Window menu contains commands that arrange open chart windows and bring a selected chart to the front.

Help Menu	The Help menu contains commands that let you get more information about this program.


Help Menu

FlowCharter Help	Displays an index that lets you find specific information to help you use the program.

Office Compatible	Displays information about the program and its compatibility with Microsoft Office.

About FlowCharter	Displays the program’s version number, copyright, and licensing information.


FlowCharter Help
FlowCharter Help Command

Displays an index that lets you find specific information to help you use the program.


CSH FlowCharter Help Command
Displays an index that lets you find specific information to help you use the program.


Office Compatible
Office Compatible Command

Displays information about the program and its compatibility with Microsoft Office.


CSH Office Compatible Command
Displays information about the program and its compatibility with Microsoft Office.


About FlowCharter
About FlowCharter Command

Displays the program’s version number, copyright, and licensing information.


CSH About FlowCharter Command
Displays the program’s version number, copyright, and licensing information.


Edit Menu Commands

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Undo	Lets you undo changes made to a chart.

Cut	Cuts the selected objects to the Clipboard.

Copy	Copies the selected objects to the Clipboard.

Paste	Pastes cut or copied objects into the active chart.

Paste Special	Pastes information from the Clipboard in various formats.

Clear	Deletes selected objects from a chart.

Duplicate	Duplicates the selected objects.

Select All	Lets you select all objects, shapes, and lines in a chart.

Select	Lets you select all objects, or all shapes, or all lines in a chart.

Find	Lets you find text in shapes.

Replace	Lets you replace text in shapes.

Insert New Object	Inserts a new object into a chart from another OLE-compatible program.

Links	Opens a list of the objects linked to the active chart.

Object	Opens the object application for you to edit the linked or embedded object.


Undo/Redo Command

The Undo command in the Edit menu reverses the last change you made to a chart. If a change cannot be reversed, Nothing to Undo appears in the menu.


RT Undo Command
To undo changes

Edit menu


POP Undo Command
The Undo command in the Edit menu reverses the last change you made to a chart. If a change cannot be reversed, Nothing to Undo appears in the menu.


Reversing a Change
To reverse (undo) a change

On the Edit menu, click Undo.

Note

You can also press Ctrl+Z. to undo or redo a change.


RT Reversing changes
Undo command

Edit menu


Cut Command

The Cut command in the Edit menu removes the selected objects from a chart and places them on the Clipboard.


RT Cut Command
Paste command

Clear command

Edit menu


Cut Command
Removes the selected objects from a chart and places them on the Clipboard.


Cutting Objects
To cut an object

1	Select the object or objects to cut.

2	On the Edit menu, click Cut.

Note

Shapes or text cut or copied from the chart window cannot be pasted into the Note window.

The keyboard shortcut for cutting an object is Ctrl+X.


RT Cutting an Object
Cut command


Copy Command

The Copy command in the Edit menu copies the selected objects in a chart and places the copy on the Clipboard.


POP Copy Command
The Copy command in the Edit menu copies the selected objects in a chart and places the copy on the Clipboard.


RT Copy Command
To copy information

Paste command

Edit menu


Copy Command
Copies the selected objects in a chart and places the copy on the Clipboard.


Copying Objects
To copy an object

1	Select the object or objects you want to copy.

2	On the Edit menu, click Copy.

Note

You can also press Ctrl+C to copy a selected object.

Shapes or text copied or cut from the chart window cannot be pasted into the Note window.


RT Copying an object
Copy command


Paste Command

The Paste command in the Edit menu places the contents of the Clipboard in the active chart.


RT Paste Command
To paste objects

To paste pictures

Cut command

Copy command

Paste Special command

Paste Link command

Edit menu


Paste Command
Places the contents of the Clipboard in the active chart.


Pasting Objects
To paste an object

On the Edit menu, click Paste.

Notes

You can also press Ctrl+V to paste the object.

You can paste notes into the active chart window using the Paste command in the main 	ABC FlowCharter window. Before you can paste something from the Note window, you must select a shape or click the left mouse button on the active chart.


RT Pasting an object
Paste command


Adding Pictures in ABC FlowCharter
To add a picture to a chart

1	Select the picture you want in the other program.

2	Copy the picture to the Clipboard.

3	Open the chart into which you want to paste the picture.

4	On the Edit menu, click Paste.

Notes

After you paste a picture into ABC FlowCharter, you can resize it and position it anywhere in the chart.

If you resize a picture and then decide you do not like the change, you can restore the picture to its original size.


RT Adding a picture
To restore a picture


Clear Command

The Clear command in the Edit menu deletes the selected objects from a chart.

Note

Objects are deleted permanently when you choose the Clear command. They are not placed on the Clipboard. You can use the Undo command to recover a cleared object.


POP Clear Command
The Clear command in the Edit menu deletes the selected objects from a chart.

Note

Objects are deleted permanently when you choose the Clear command. They are not placed on the Clipboard. You can use the Undo command to recover a cleared object.


RT Clear Command
To clear

Cut command

Edit menu


Deleting Objects
To delete an object

1	Select the object you want to delete.

2	On the Edit menu, click Clear.

Note

You can also press Del to delete the selected object.

Objects are deleted permanently when you choose the Clear command. They are not placed on the Clipboard.

You can use the Undo command to recover a cleared object.


RT Deleting an object
Clear command


Select Command

The Select command in the Edit menu lets you select all objects, all shapes, or all lines in a chart.


POP Select Command
The Select command in the Edit menu lets you select all objects, all shapes, or all lines in a chart.


RT Select Command
To select objects

Edit menu


Select All Command

The Select All command in the Edit menu selects all objects, shapes, and lines in the chart.


POP Select All
The Select All command in the Edit menu selects all objects, shapes, and lines in the chart.


RT Select All
To select all objects

Edit menu


Select Command
Allows you to select specific types of objects.


Select All Command
Selects all objects on the chart.


Selecting Objects, Shapes, and Lines
To select objects, shapes, or lines

1	On the Edit menu, click Select.

2	Choose one of the Select commands.


RT Selecting stuff
Select command


Restore Picture Command

The Restore Picture command in the Edit menu restores the selected picture to its size when you first pasted it into the chart. This command can be used to restore the original size of embedded and linked objects as well.


POP Restore Picture Command
The Restore Picture command in the Edit menu restores the selected picture to its size when you first pasted it into the chart. This command can be used to restore the original size of embedded and linked objects as well.


RT Restore Picture Command
To restore a picture

Edit menu


Restoring a Picture
To restore a picture to its original size

1	Click the Object Selector tool.

2	Select the picture to restore.

3	On the Edit menu, click Restore Picture.

Note

You can resize and move pictures you add to your charts like any other object.

If you resize a picture, it may appear distorted. In this case, you can restore the picture to its original size and appearance when you pasted it into the chart. You can even restore the original size of embedded and linked objects.


RT Restoring picture
Restore Picture command


Understanding Objects and Linking
Understanding Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

Object linking and embedding (OLE) is a way to exchange, or share information between files. The files can be made with the same program or different programs. For example, you can bring a Micrografx Designer picture into a flowchart made with ABC FlowCharter, or insert your flowchart into a Word document.

What Is an Object?

An object is simply information. It can be a file or a part of a file that you can use in another file.

Linking

You can link a chart created in ABC FlowCharter to a document in another OLE-compatible program. The chart becomes the object, and the document becomes a compound document.

You also can link an object from a source file (in the object program) to a chart. When an object is linked, any changes you make to the object in the source file are reflected in the chart.

Inserting Objects (Embedding)

You can embed a chart created in ABC FlowCharter in a document in another OLE-compatible program. The chart becomes the object, and the document becomes a compound document.

Inserting a New Object in a Chart

You can select an object type from a list of OLE-compatible programs on your system. A new, empty object is inserted in the ABC FlowCharter window, and the object application opens for you to fill in the empty object. The object appears in both the object application and ABC FlowCharter at the same time.

Inserting an Object from a File

You can open an existing OLE-compatible file that contains the object you want to insert in ABC FlowCharter. The object is embedded unless you select the Link to File option.

Do You Want to Link or Embed Your Information?

	Linking	Embedding Linked	Embedding Not Linked
Result of using	Shows pasted information in chart.	Shows entire file in chart or shows it as an icon. Changes you make will appear in the original file, and changes to original file show in the chart.	Shows entire file in chart or shows it as an icon. Changes you make will NOT appear in the original file, and changes to the original file do not show in the chart.
Advantage of using	You can paste only a portion of an existing file, instead of the entire file.	You can edit it within your chart without leaving FlowCharter.	You can edit it within your chart without leaving FlowCharter.
Changing information	Double-click on it to open it in its program.	Click once on it and edit it within the chart.	Click once on it and edit it within the chart.
Command	Paste Special command, Paste Link option	Insert New Object	Insert New Object


RT Objects and linking
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) - Technical Overview

Paste Special command

Insert New Object command


RT Linking and Embedding
To drag an object into a chart

To edit a linked ABC FlowCharter object

To edit an embedded ABC FlowCharter object

To edit an object embedded in a chart

To edit an object linked to a chart

To edit links

To embed a chart in a document

To embed an object in a chart

To insert (embed) objects

To insert a new object in a chart

To insert an object from a file

To link a chart to a document

To link an object to a chart

To move linked files

To paste OLE and non-OLE information

To place charts in other programs

To place objects in charts

To save files in ABC FlowCharter version 2.0 format

To view links


AT Linking and embedding
InsertObjectFromFile Method

PasteLink Method

Paste Special Method

ClipboardFormatAvailable_Property (Paste Option)


Paste Special Command

The Paste Special command in the Edit menu lets you paste information from the Clipboard into ABC FlowCharter in various formats. You use this command to link information to the active chart.

Depending upon the information in the Clipboard, your paste format options may include an embedded OLE object, Rich Text Format (RTF), unformatted text, a metafile (which will act as a chart shape), and a bitmap. (Format options vary; additional formats may be available.)

After you link an object to a chart, any changes made to the object in its source file in the original program (the object application) are reflected in the chart.

Note

The difference between the Paste Special command’s Paste Link option and the Insert New Object command is that when you insert an object, the entire object is included in your chart. With the Paste Link option, you can select a portion of a document, spearadsheet, or bitmap and paste it into your chart. When something is Paste Linked, you cannot edit it right in your chart, as you can an inserted object.


RT Paste Special Command
To paste objects with formats

Paste command

Paste Special dialog box

Edit menu


Paste Special Command
Allows you to choose a type of data to paste.


Paste Link Command

The Paste Link command in the Edit menu lets you paste an object from the Clipboard and link it to the active chart in ABC FlowCharter.

After you link an object to a chart, any changes made to the object in its source file in the original program (the object application) are reflected in the chart.


POP Paste Link Command
The Paste Link command in the Edit menu lets you paste an object from the Clipboard and link it to the active chart in ABC FlowCharter.

After you link an object to a chart, any changes made to the object in its source file in the original program (the object application) are reflected in the chart.


RT Paste Link Command
To link objects

Paste command

Edit menu


Insert Object Command
Insert New Object Command

The Insert Object command in the Edit menu lets you insert a new or existing object into a chart from an OLE-compatible program on your system.

If you insert from an existing file, you can link the object to the source file. You also have the option to display the inserted object as an icon instead of a full graphic.


RT Insert New Object Command
To insert a new object in a chart

To insert an object from a file

Insert Object Dialog Box

Edit menu


Insert New Object Command
Allows you to insert a new or existing object into a chart from an OLE-compatible program on your system.


Edit Command Insert Object
Edit Command

Lets you edit the inserted object.


Open Command Insert Object
Open Command

Lets you open the inserted object.


Convert Command Insert Object
Convert Command

Lets you convert the inserted object. You can convert the object to any other type of object listed in the Object Type list.


Links Command

The Links command in the Edit menu opens a list of objects linked to the active chart.

Use this command to update the object with changes made in the source file, open the source file, change the source file or item, or break the link to the source file.

Note

You can only edit the links of linked objects. For example, you cannot break a link of an inserted object.


RT Links Command
To view links

To edit links

Links dialog box

Edit menu


Links Command
Opens a list of the objects linked to the active chart.


Object Command

This command displays a submenu when the active object is an inserted object. You can edit, open, or convert the inserted object via this submenu.

The name of the command varies, depending upon the object linked to or embedded in the chart. For example, the command reads “WordPad Document Object” when the document is a WordPad document.


RT Object Command
To edit an object linked to a chart

To edit an object embedded in a chart

To convert an inserted object

Edit menu


POP Object Command
Displays a submenu when the active object is an inserted object. You can edit, open, or convert the inserted object via this submenu.

The command varies, depending upon the object linked to or embedded in the chart. For example, the command reads “WordPad Document Object” when the document is a WordPad document.


POP Object command
Displays a submenu when the active object is an inserted object. You can edit, open, or convert the inserted object via this submenu.

The name of the command varies, depending upon the object linked to or embedded in the chart. For example, the command reads “WordPad Document Object” when the document is a WordPad document.


Converting an inserted object
To convert an inserted object

1	On the Edit menu, click the last item. (The command itself varies, based on the inserted object type. For example, if the object is a Microsoft Word document, the command is Document Object.)

2	On the submenu, click Convert.

3	Click the type to convert to.

4	Click Display as Icon if you want the object to appear as an icon in your chart.

5	Click OK.

Note

This command converts an object from one type to another. For example if you insert a Paintbrush object into your chart, you can convert it to any other compatible object type. The compatible object types are listed in the Convert dialog box.


RT Converting objects
Convert command


Object Command
This command displays a submenu when the active object is an inserted object. You can edit, open, or convert the inserted object via this submenu.


CSH DB Paste Special
The Paste Special dialog box may offer several formats for pasting the information from the Clipboard, depending on the type of information you are pasting and the program in which it was created.


Paste Special Dialog Box

The Paste Special dialog box may offer several formats for pasting the information from the Clipboard, depending on the type of information you are pasting and the program in which it was created.

Paste Option

The Paste option is selected by default. The following formats may be available if you use this option.

Format	Function

<Name> Object	Lets you double click on the object in ABC FlowCharter to open the source file and edit the object.

ABC FlowCharter Native	Pastes the object as a chart shape since it was created in ABC FlowCharter.

ABC FlowCharter Rich Text	Pastes the text from a chart shape, keeping the text styles such as bold, italic, and underline.

Rich Text Format (RTF)	Pastes the text with the text styles. (Many word-processing programs provide RTF on the Clipboard.)

Unformatted Text	Pastes the text without the text styles.

Metafile	Pastes the information as a new ABC FlowCharter shape. You can move and resize the shape, add text and a shape number, and connect it automatically to other chart shapes.

Device-Independent Bitmap	Brings the color information with the bitmap, so that the original colors are maintained in ABC FlowCharter.

Bitmap	Does not bring the color information with the bitmap; therefore, the bitmap colors may appear different in ABC FlowCharter.

Paste Link Option

If you choose the Paste Link option, the object is linked to, not embedded in, ABC FlowCharter. The Paste Link option in the dialog box is the same as the Paste Link command in the Edit menu.

Display as Icon Option

Click to check the Display as Icon option if you want the object to appear as an icon rather than as a full graphic. This option is available only if you select the Object format in the list box.

Result Area

This area describes the result of the paste option combined with the highlighted format.


RT Paste Special Dialog Box
To paste OLE and non-OLE information

Paste Special command


Insert Object Dialog Box

The Insert Object dialog box lets you choose an object to insert into yur chart. You may create a new object or choose an existing one.


RT Insert Object Dialog Box
To insert a new object in a chart

To insert an object from a file

Insert Object command


CSH Create New Insert Object
Lets you insert a new object into your chart.

You select an object type from the list of OLE-compatible programs shown in the Object Type list. When you click OK, a new, empty object is inserted in the ABC FlowCharter window, and the object application opens for you to fill in the empty object. The object appears in both the object’s program and ABC FlowCharter at the same time.


CSH Result Area Insert Object
Describes what happens when you select the selected object type.


CSH Create from File Insert Object
Lets you insert an existing object into your chart.

You open an existing OLE-compatible file that contains the object you want to insert in ABC FlowCharter. The object is embedded into your chart.


CSH Object Type Insert Object
Lists the available types of objects you can insert into your chart.


CSH Display As Icon Insert Object
Shows the object as an icon rather than the object itself in your chart.


Links Dialog Box

The Links dialog box displays the name and location of the source file, the object type (such as Excel Worksheet), and the update method (automatic or manual).

You can edit the links to a chart using the Links dialog box. The dialog box contains several options for editing a link.

Break Link

Disconnects the link between the object that appears in ABC FlowCharter and its source file. The object is converted to a static picture in ABC FlowCharter. The object can no longer be edited from ABC FlowCharter or updated automatically.


RT Links Dialog Box
To view links

To edit links

Links command

Edit menu


Find Command

The Find command in the Edit menu lets you search for text in the chart.

You can search the entire chart, or just in shapes and lines, in notes, or in data fields. You can look for the text as a whole word and search for the text exactly as you have entered its case.


RT Find Command
Find dialog box

Replace command

Edit menu


POP Find command
Lets you search for text in the chart.


Finding text
To find text

1	On the Edit menu, click Find.

2	Enter the text to find.

3	Select the options you want to use.

Note

The search will find text only in the chart. It cannot search objects inserted via OLE from other programs. To find text in inserted objects, open the object and search for the text within its program.


RT Finding text
To replace text

To open inserted objects

Replace dialog box

Find command

Edit menu


Opening inserted objects
To open inserted objects

1	Click the object to open.

2	On the Edit menu, click the command at the bottom of the menu. (The name of the command varies based on the type of object that you are opening.)

3	On the submenu, click Open.


RT Opening inserted objects
Object command

Edit menu


Find Dialog Box

Allows you to find text in your chart.

Note

The search will find text only in the chart. It cannot search objects inserted via OLE from other programs. To find text in inserted objects, use the Edit, Object, Open command to open the object and search for the text within the program.


RT Find dialog box
To find text

To replace text

Find command

Replace command


CSH Match Whole Word OnlyFind db
Click this to find this text only if it is a whole word. For example, if you entered “car” the search will not find “cars” or “carted.”


CSH Match case Find db
Click this to search for the text that exactly matches the case as you have entered it. For example, if you enter “car” the search will not find “Car.”


CSH Look in Find db
Specifies where to look for the text. Choose Shapes and Lines, Data fields, or Notes, or choose Entire chart to look everywhere for the text.


Replace Command

The Replace command in the Edit menu lets you search and replace text in shapes, lines, notes, and entire chart.


RT Replace Command
To replace text

To find text

Replace dialog box

Find command

Edit menu


POP Replace Command
The Replace command in the Edit menu lets you search and replace text in the shapes, lines, notes, and entire chart.


Replace Dialog Box

Allows you to search for and replace specific text in a chart.


RT Replace Dialog Box
To replace text

Replace command

Edit menu


CSH Find what
Enter the text you want to replace.


CSH Replace with
Enter the text that will replace the found text.


CSH Match whole word only
Click to replace text only if the text is a whole word.


CSH Match case
Click to search for text that matches the case of the text.


CSH Look in
Specifies where to look for the text. Choose Shapes and Lines, Data fields, or Notes, or choose Entire chart to look everywhere for the text.


CSH Find Next button
Click to leave the text unchanged and search for the next occurrence.


CSH Replace button
Click to replace the text and find the next occurrence.


CSH Replace All button
Click to change all occurrences without confirmation.


Replacing Text in Shapes
To replace text in a chart

1	In the Edit menu, click Replace.

2	Type the text to find in the Find box.

3	Type the text you want to use as replacement text in the Replace box.

Note

You cannot replace text in the Master Items.


RT Replacing text
To replace text

To find text

Replace command

Edit menu


Duplicate Command

The Duplicate command in the Edit menu lets you duplicate the selected objects.


POP Duplicate Command
Lets you duplicate the selected objects.


Duplicating Objects
 To duplicate objects

1	Select the object or objects you want to duplicate.

2	On the Edit menu, click Duplicate.

Note

You can also press and hold the SHIFT key and drag the selected objects to duplicate them.


RT Duplicating Objects
Duplicate command

Edit menu


Keyboard shortcut:  ALT + E + E


Working with Objects

To bring objects to the front

To move objects

To replace a shape

To reposition lines connected to shapes

To reshape a curved lineTo resize multiple objects

To resize shapes and text blocks

To select objects

To send objects to the back

To space and align objects

To undo a change

To use the scroll keys

Understanding channel and touch alignment

Customize command


Selecting Objects

ABC FlowCharter gives you several ways to select objects in a chart.

This feature lets you select and move objects without clicking the Object Selector tool in the toolbox. Click the right mouse button to toggle to the Object Selector tool from any other tool.  Click the right mouse button again to return to the original tool.

To select	Do this
A single object	Using the Object Selector tool, point to the object and click the left mouse button.
A group of adjacent objects	Using the Object Selector tool, press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the pointer around the objects.
A group of nonadjacent objects	Using the Object Selector tool, press Shift and click each object.
All objects	On the Edit menu, click Select All.
All shapes	On the Edit menu, click Select, and then click Shapes.
All shapes of a particular type	On the Edit menu, click Select, click Shapes, and then click the type of shape from the list box.
All lines	On the Edit menu, click Select, and then click Lines.
All text	On the Edit menu, click Select, and then click Text Blocks.
All OLE objects	On the Edit menu, click Select, and then click OLE Objects.
Notes

To deselect one of a group of objects, press Shift and click the selected object.

Press Ctrl+A to select all objects.


RT Selecting Objects
Working with objects


Using the Scroll Keys
To scroll up or down one screen

Press the Page Up or Page Down key, depending upon the direction you want to scroll.


RT Using the Scroll Keys
Working with objects


Moving Objects
To move one or more objects

1	In the toolbox, click Object Selector.

2	Select the objects to move.

3	Point to one of the selected objects.

4	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the object to the position you want. A dotted rectangle surrounds the selected objects and follows the movement of the pointer.

5	Release the mouse button.

Notes

When you move a shape connected to a line, the line moves with the shape.

You can snap shapes together while moving them. Just drag a shape in the chart to the edge of another shape. The two shape edges snap together instantly. This feature is ideal for creating row and column headings for deployment flowcharts.


RT Moving Objects
Working with objects


Resizing Shapes and Text Blocks
To resize a shape or text block

1	In the toolbox, click Object Selector.

2	Select the shape or text block to resize. Handles appear around the selected object.

3	Point to a handle. The pointer changes to a two-headed arrow.

4	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the handle until the object is the size you want.

5	Release the mouse button.

Notes

Use the corner handles to change the width and height of the object proportionally; use the middle handles to change either the width or height.

Press and hold Shift while you drag a handle to disable proportional resizing.

Press and hold Ctrl while you drag a handle to resize only that side of the shape or text block; the opposite side remains in place. This feature is useful for snapping the edge of a shape into alignment with the edge of another shape using stretch alignment.


RT Resizing Shapes and Text Blocks
To resize multiple objects

To maintain the proportions of a shape

To fit shapes to text

Working with objects


Repositioning Lines Connected to Shapes
To reposition a line connected to a shape

1	In the toolbox, click Object Selector.

2	Select the line to reposition. Handles appear on the selected line.

3	Point to the handle on the endpoint connected to the shape.

4	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the handle to another connect point on the shape.

5	Release the mouse button.

Notes

When you connect lines to a shape, the line endpoints snap to the connect points on the shape. You can move the line endpoints to other connect points on the shape.

You also can reconnect the line to another shape by dragging the line endpoint to the shape.


RT Repositioning Lines Connected to Shapes
Working with objects


Resizing Multiple Objects
 To resize multiple objects at the same time

1	In the toolbox, click Object Selector.

2	Press Shift and click each of the objects to resize to select them. Release Shift.

3	Point to a handle on one of the selected objects. The pointer changes to a two-headed arrow.

4	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the handle until the objects are the sizes you want.

5	Release the mouse button.


RT Resizing Multiple Objects
To resize shapes and text blocks

To fit shapes to text

Working with objects


Reshaping a Curved Line
To reshape a curved line

1	In the toolbox, click Object Selector.

2	Select the curved line to reshape.

3	Point to a control point near the line.

4	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the control point until the line is the shape you want.

5	Release the mouse button.

6	Repeat steps 3 through 5 with the other control point to continue reshaping the line.

Note

When curved lines are selected, two control points appear in addition to the end point handles. The control points let you reshape the curved line.


RT Reshaping a Curved Line
Working with objects


Spacing and Aligning Objects

ABC FlowCharter offers several ways to space and align objects in a chart so that your charts are organized and attractive. You can use the magnetic Channel and Touch Alignment features, align shapes along guidelines, and space and align multiple objects using the Space/Align Shapes dialog box.


RT Spacing and Aligning Objects
Understanding Channel and Touch Alignment

To align a shape using Channel and Touch Alignment

To align shapes to guidelines

To space and aligning multiple objects!JumpID(>Procedur,IDH_SPACEALIGNMULTI);CW(Large)

Working with objects


Understanding Channel and Touch Alignment

Horizontal and vertical alignment channels extend from each shape in a chart. If you are dragging a shape and it approaches the channel of another shape, it is attracted to the channel. If you pass the pointer tip over the other shape (touch selection), that shape becomes the reference shape. You then can glide the shape along the alignment channel of the reference shape and the shape will snap to increments in the channel. It can snap to up to four increments away from the reference shape in any direction.

Note

You can define these increments using the Smart Shape Spacing option in the Alignment Options pane in the Preferences dialog box.


RT Understanding Channel and Touch Alignment
To align with Channel and Touch Alignment

Working with objects


Aligning a Shape Using Channel and Touch Alignment
To align a shape using Channel and Touch Alignment

1	On the Tools menu, click Options.

2	Click the Alignment tab.

3	Select the Channel Alignment and Touch Alignment options, if necessary.

4	In the toolbox, click Object Selector.

5	Point to a shape in the chart.

6	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the shape over another shape in the chart. Reference marks appear on the second shape as the pointer tip passes over it. This shape is now the reference shape.

7	Drag the shape out of the reference shape through the middle reference mark on one of the sides.

8	Release the mouse button when the shape is where you want it. The shape is aligned to the middle of the channel of the reference shape.

Note

Smart Shape Spacing and/or Channel Alignment must be selected in order to use Touch Alignment.

Press Ctrl while dragging a shape to turn off Channel and Touch Alignment temporarily.


RT Aligning a Shape Using Channel and Touch Alignment
To space multiple objects

To align shapes to guidelines

To align multiple objects

Understanding Channel and Touch Alignment

Working with objects


Aligning Objects
To align multiple objects

1	In the toolbox, click Object Selector.

2	Select the objects to space evenly and/or align. More than one object must be selected.

3	Click one of the six alignment buttons on the Arrange toolbar.

Note

Only shapes and text blocks can be aligned with these buttons. Lines cannot be aligned.


RT Spacing and Aligning Multiple Objects
To align a shape using channel and touch alignment

To align shapes to guidelines

To space objects

Working with objects


Spacing objects
 To space objects

1	On the Tools menu, click Options.

2	Click the Alignment tab.

3	Click the Shape Spacing check box, if necessary.

4	In the Horizontal and Vertical text boxes, enter the spacing value.


RT Spacing Objects
To align a shape using channel and touch alignment

To align shapes to guidelines

To align Objects

Working with objects


Fields Menu Commands
Data Menu Commands

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Setup Fields	Lets you set up fields for your chart’s data.

Options	Lets you set up preferences for fields.

Report	Lets you generate reports on the data stored in the chart’s fields.

Update	Lets you automatically update linked data in fields.

Viewer	Shows the Viewer so that you can enter data.

Legend	Shows the legend of data for the chart.


RT Data Menu
To choose field options

To print reports

To save reports to a file

To copy reports to the Clipboard

To update the data of linked charts

To display data

To display the Legend

Field Options

Setting up fields

OLE Automation


AT Data Automation
Add Method, FieldTemplates Collection

DeleteField Method

UpdateFields Method

AccumulationMethod Property

FieldFont Property

FieldViewerVisible Property

Hidden Property

Name Property, FieldTemplate Object

ShowLegend Property

Type Property, FieldTemplate Object

Value Property


Overview: Data Fields

You can define a data field table for a chart. Each table contains field descriptions, including the field’s name, type, format, an accumulation method (formula), and an option to show or hide the field chart.

Any changes you make to the field descriptions are applied to all fields on your chart.Field tables can also be stored on files that you save as templates, so you can use them again in other charts.

When creating a link form an existing chart to a new chart, the existing chart’s field table is copied to the new chart. This feature means that you do not have to recreate the field descriptions in each new chart.


RT Overview Data Fields
Linking Field Tables

Setting Up Fields

Field Descriptions

Field Options


Field Descriptions

The field descriptions in the table are the field’s name, type, format, accumulation method, and whether or not the field is hidden.


RT Field Descriptions
Accumulation Method

Field Format

Field Name

Field Type

Hidden Field


Field Name

User-defined name of up to 32 characters. Used during field entry and field display and in reports. It also is used to match fields when updating linked data.


RT Field Name
Accumulation Method

Field Format

Field Type

Hidden Field


Linking Field Tables

When a shape in a local chart is linked to another chart, any additional fields in the remote chart’s field table entries are added to the local chart’s field table. You are not required to add fields to the chart just to see the combined data.

When data is updated later, only the data values come across, no the current field type. Tis lets you modify the displayed field format in the local chart, which may be different from the format in the remote chart.

Fields that have been created but contain no data (null data) are not displayed. This feature lets you link to several charts and show only the appropriate data for each linked shape.


RT Linking Field Tables
To create links

Overview: Data Fields


Field Type

Used to select the set of field formats that are appropriate for the field data.

ABC FlowCharter provides several field types, including those for text, duration (time), date, currency, percentage, and general numbers. The field type adjusts automatically for international settings.


RT Field Type
Accumulation Method

Field Format

Field Name

Field Type

Hidden Field


Field Format

Used to display the data in the field and validate that the correct type of data is being entered.

ABC FlowCharter provides field formats that are appropriate for its field types. For example, the percentage field type has ##% and #0.00% as its formats. The first format displays percentages as integers only; the second format shows fractional percentages rounded to hundredths (1.34%, 18.90%). The field formats adjust automatically for international settings.


RT Field Format
Accumulation Method

Field Name

Field Type

Hidden Field


Accumulation Method

Used to indicate to a linked shape hgow the data for this field should be combined. For example, costs should be summed and times should be averaged. The accumulation method is used when you are combining data in a linked shape.

Method	Function
No accumulation	No value is accumulated for the linked shape.
Sum	Sum of the data in the shapes.
Mean	Average of the data in the shapes.
Median	Middle value of the range of the data in the shapes.
Min	Minimum value of the data in the shapes.
Max	Maximum value of the data in the shapes.
Range	Difference between the highest value and the lowest value in the data.
Count	The total number of fields within a shape (regardless of whether the fields contain data).
Non Null Count	The total number of fields within a shape that have data.


RT Accumulation Method
Field Format

Field Name

Field Type

Hidden Field


Hidden Field

Determines whether ABC FlowCharter shows or hides this field in a chart.


RT Hidden Field
Accumulation Method

Field Format

Field Name

Field Type


Setup Command
Setup Fields Command

ABC FlowCharter lets you attach fields to shapes so that you can associate data with the shape. Before you can attach fields to a shape, you must set up the fields. The table of fields includes field names, field type, field format, an accumulation method (formula), and an option to show or hide the field descriptions in the chart.

The field descriptions apply to all shapes in a chart. Therefore, any changes you make to the field description table will be applied to all the shapes that have fields attached. The Setup Fields command is in the Data menu.


RT Setup Command
To add fields

To change fields

To delete fields

To format fields

To rearrange the field order

Field Setup dialog box

Data menu


POP setup fields command
Lets you set up data fields.


Setting Up Fields

You can set up a table for a chart. The table applies to each shape and line in a chart. Any changes you make to the structure of the table applies to all of them.

The table can contain as many fields as you like.  You must define five characteristics of each field: name, type, format, accumulation method (formula), and whether the field is to be hidden.

Note

When you create a link from an existing chart to a new chart, the existing chart’s table is copied to the new chart.


RT Setting Up Fields
To add fields

To change fields

To delete fields

To format fields

To rearrange the field order

Field Setup dialog box

Setup Fields command


Adding a field to a table
To add a field to a table

1	On the Data menu, click Setup Fields.

2	Type a name in the Field Name text box, such as Cost or Cycle Time.

3	Click the down arrow beside the Field Type box.

4	Scroll through the field types and highlight one to select it.

5	Click the down arrow beside the Accumulation Method box.

6	Scroll through the methods and highlight one to select it.

7	Click the down arrow beside the Field Format box.

8	Scroll through the formats and highlight one to select it.

9	Click to check the Hidden Field option to hide the field in the chart.

10	Click Add.

11	Click OK.


RT Adding Fields
To change fields

To delete fields

To format fields

To rearrange the field order

Field Setup command

Field Setup dialog box


Formatting data fields
To format fields

1	On the Format menu, click Chart.

2	Click the Data Fields tab.

3	Choose a new placement option, font, point size, style, and color for the field. {button OLE Automation,JumpId(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_FieldFont_Property)

or

Click Hide Field Names to hide the field names on the chart.

4	Click OK.


RT Formatting Fields
To add fields

To change fields

To delete fields

To rearrange the field order

Field Setup dialog box

Setup Field command


Rearranging the field order
To rearrange the order of the fields

1	On the Data menu, click Setup Fields.

2	Point to the field name in the Field list box at the left that is to be moved.

3	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the field name where you want it.


RT Rearranging Fields
To add fields

To change fields

To delete fields

To format fields

Field Setup dialog box

Setup Fields command


Changing fields
To change a field

1	On the Data menu, click Setup Fields.

2	Click a field in the Field list box at the left.

3	You can change the field name, choose a new field type, field format, or accumulation method, or change the Hidden Field option.

4	Click Change.

5	Click OK.


RT Changing Fields
To add fields

To delete fields

To format fields

To rearrange the field order

Field Setup dialog box

Setup Fields command


Deleting fields
 To delete a field

1	On the Data menu, click Setup Fields.

2	Select a field in the Field list box at the left.

3	Click Delete.

4	Click OK.


RT Deleting Fields
To add fields

To change fields

To format fields

To rearrange the field order

Field Setup dialog box

Setup Fields command


Setup Fields Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you set up data fields for your chart.


RT Setup Fields Dialog Box
Setting Up Fields

Setup Fields command


Fields List Box
Lists the currently defined fields for this chart. The order of the fields in this list shows the order in which the fields are displayed in the chart. Click on a field name to select it for editing or deletion. To change the order of the fields in the list, drag the selection to its new position.


Field Name
The field name displays in reports and on charts, if the Hidden Field check box is clear.  It also is used to match fields when updating linked data.

{button OLE Automation,JumpId(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_Name_Property_FieldTemplate_Object)


Field Type
Shows data in the field and validates that the correct type of data is being entered.

{button OLE Automation,JumpId(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_Type_Property_FieldTemplate_Object)


Field Format
Defines the way that the data is to be shown in the field.

{button OLE Automation,JumpId(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_Type_Property_FieldTemplate_Object)


Accumulation Method
Indicates to a linked shape how the data for this field should be combined. For instance, costs should be summed and times should be averaged.

{button OLE Automation,JumpId(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_AccumulationMethod_Property)


Hidden Field
Determines whether ABC FlowCharter will show or hide this field in the chart.

{button OLE Automation,JumpId(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_Hidden_Property)


Field Preferences Command
Options Command

The Options command in the Data menu lets you set your preferences for field data in your chart. You can set your preference for placement of fields in relation to shapes in a chart. These settings apply to the entire chart.

Below the shape

Top of the shape

Right of the shape

Left of the shape

Inside the shape at the top

Centered inside the shape

You also can choose the font, type size, type style and color used for the field descriptions. You can hide the names of the fields in the chart. You can specify that fields be opaque. You can specify the number of hours in a day and the number of days in a week.


RT Field Preferences Command
Data menu

Field Options dialog box

Setting up field options


POP Options Command
Lets you set your preferences for field data in your chart.


Report Command

The Report command in the Data menu lets you output the data in a chart’s shapes. You can generate three types of reports from the entered field data: Input, Output, and Metrics.

When you choose the Report command, the Report submenu opens and displays the following commands:

Input

Output

Metric


RT Report Command
Data menu

Input command

Metrics command

Output command


POP Report Command
Lets you output the data in a chart’s shapes.


Input Command

The Input command in the Report submenu generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes, each followed by the lines coming into them. This type of report is commonly used to find redundant activities.


RT Input Command
Reporting field data

Field Report dialog box

Report command


POP Input Command
Generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes, each followed by the lines coming into them. This type of report is commonly used to find redundant activities.


Reporting Field Data

You can send the data to a printed report, to a file, or to the Windows Clipboard.

For printed reports, the selected shape information is printed in a tabbed-column format, with column headings based on field names and column results based on the accumulation method.

For file and Clipboard output, the selected shape information will be in a tab-delimited format, suitable for import into spreadsheets and databases, excluding result information.

There are three types of reports: Input, Output, and Metric. The Input report lists shapes, each followed by the lines coming into them. The Output report lists shapes, each followed by the lines leaving them. The Metrics report lists dat for shapes, then for lines.


RT Reporting Field Data
To copy reports to the Clipboard

To print reports

To save reports to a file

Input command

Metrics command

Output command

Destination dialog box

Options dialog box


Printing reports
To print reports

1	On the Data menu, click Report.

2	Click the type of report you want: Input, Output, or Metrics.

3	Click the Output to Printer option to select it.

4	Click Options.

5	Select a sort method, choose the page orientation, and choose the items to be included in the report.

6	Click OK to close the dialog box.

7	Click OK.

8	Click OK.


RT Printing Reports
To copy reports to the Clipboard

To save reports to a file

Input command

Metrics command

Output command

Destination dialog box

Options dialog box


Saving a report to a file
To save a report to a file

1	On the Data menu, click Report.

2	Click the type of report you want: Input, Output, or Metrics.

3	Click the Output to File option to select it.

4	Click Options.

5	Select a sort method, choose the page orientation, and choose the items to be included in the report.

6	Click OK to close the dialog box.

7	Click OK.

8	Type a name in the File Name text box. (The tab-delimited file type is selected by default.)

9	Click OK.


RT Saving reports
To copy reports to the Clipboard

To print reports

Input command

Output command

Metrics command

Destination dialog box

Options dialog box


Copying a report to the Clipboard
To copy a report to the Clipboard

1	On the Data menu, click Report.

2	Click the type of report you want: Input, Output, or Metrics.

3	Click the Copy to Clipboard option to select it.

4	Click Options.

5	Select a sort method, and choose the items to be included in the report.

6	Click OK to close the dialog box.

7	Click OK. A dialog box message states that the field report has been copied to the Clipboard.

8	Click OK.

Note

Field data can be copied through the Clipboard and pasted in another chart for use as text only, not as data fields.


RT Copying reports
To print reports

To save reports to a file

Input command

Metrics command

Output command

Destination dialog box

Options dialog box


Field Report Dialog Box
Destination Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you send the report data to the printer, to a file or to the Clipboard.  Click on the destination where you want to send the data.


RT Field Report Dialog Box
 Reporting field data

Input command

Output command

Metrics command

Options dialog box

Print Field Report dialog box


Output to Printer Radio Button

Generates a report to a printer. The selected shape information is printed in a tabbed-column format, with column headings based on field names and column results based on the accumulation method.


Output to File Radio Button

Generates a report to a file. The selected shape information is in a tab-delimited format, suitable for import into spreadsheets and databases, excluding result information.


Copy to Clipboard Radio Button

Generates a report to the Windows Clipboard. The selected shape information is in a tab-delimited format, suitable for pasting into spreadsheets and databases, excluding result information.


Options Button Destination
Options Button

Click this button to open the Field Report Options dialog box.


Field Report Options Dialog Box
Report Options Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you select the report settings, including the sort method, the data to include in the report, and how you want the report printed, landscape or portrait.

Sort Method

Select Name to sort the data by the name of the shape.

Select Number to sort the data by the shape number.

Select Text to sort the data by text in the shape.

Select First Data Field to sort the data by the contents of the first data field.

Include

Choose the information to include in the report You may include the shape name, shape number, shape text, data fields, subtotals for the fields, and any fields that are defined as hidden.


Sort Method Selector

Select the method to be used for sorting the data in the Field Report.

Select Name to sort the data by the name of the shape.

Select Number to sort the data by the shape number.

Select Text to sort the data by text in the shape.

Select First Data Field to sort the data by the contents of the first data field.


Include Check Boxes

Click the items to be included in the report to select them. A check mark to the left of an item indicates it has been selected. To deselect an item, click it again.

Select Sub Totals to include subtotals for the fields in addition to grand totals according to the Accumulation Method selected.

Select Hidden Fields to include the data for fields that have been hidden in the chart.


Print Field Report Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you specify the number of copies of a data field report to be printed. It also gives you the option of printing the report to a file.

Destination Printer

This read-only text block shows the current printer. Click the Setup button to choose a different printer.

Print to File Selector

Select this option to print the report to a file. A Print to File dialog box appears to let you specify the file drive, directory, and file name.

Copies Selector Box

The selector box shows the number of copies to be printed. The default is 1. Click on the up arrow to the right of the box to increase the number of copies. Click on the down arrow to decrease the number of copies.

Setup Button

Click the Setup button to choose a different printer or to change the setup for the current printer.


Save Field Report Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you save a report as a file, so you can print the file at a later date or send via electronic mail.

File Name text box

Type the name of the file you want to save in the File Name text box.

Files list box

The Files list box displays the file names in the current directory. Click a file name in the list box to display it in the File Name text box.

File Type list box

The File Type list box contains the file formats that ABC FlowCharter supports. Click the down arrow to the right of the list box to display the file formats, then choose the one you want.

Directory list box

The Directory list box displays directories on the current drive. To see the file names in another directory, double click the directory name in the list box.

Drive list box

The Drive list box displays disk drives. If you choose A:, the directories on the diskette in drive A appear in the Directory list box.


Output Command

The Output command in the Report submenu generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes, each followed by the lines leaving them. This report is commonly used to find unused activities.


RT Output Command
Reporting field data

Field Report dialog box

Report command


POP Output Command
Generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes, each followed by the lines leaving them. This report is commonly used to find unused activities.


Metrics Command

The Metrics command in the Report submenu generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes and other elements, followed by all the lines for the chart. This report is commonly used to find total cycle times.


RT Metrics Command
Reporting field data

Destination dialog box

Report command


POP Metrics Command
Generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes and other elements, followed by all the lines for the chart. This report is commonly used to find total cycle times.


Update Command

The Update command in the Data menu lets you automatically update linked field data. If there are no linked fields in your chart, this command is gray.


RT Update Command
To update fields

Data menu


POP Update Command
Lets you automatically update linked field data. If there are no linked fields in your chart, this command is gray.


Updating Data Fields
To update field data

On the Data menu, click Update.

Note

You will also be asked whether to update data when a linked chart that requires updating is opened.


RT Updating Data Fields
To link field tables

Update command


Show Field Viewer Command
Viewer Command

The Viewer command in the Data menu opens the Viewer dialog box.


RT Show Viewer
To hide the Viewer

To show the Viewer

Viewer dialog box

Viewer button

Data menu


POP Viewer Command
Opens the Viewer dialog box, where you can set up data fields.


Showing and Hiding the Field Viewer
To show the Viewer     {button OLE Automation,JumpId(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_FieldViewerVisible_Property)

1	Select a shape in the chart.

2	On the Data menu, click Viewer.

or

  Click the Viewer button on the Data toolbar.

Notes

You can open the Viewer by double clicking on an existing data field's area of a shape, and the data for that field is already loaded into the Viewer. If the Viewer is already open, click on an existing data field of a shape to load the data for that field.

A message is displayed in the Viewer when no shape is selected or when more than one shape is selected. When this is the case, click on the one shape to view its data fields. You need not close the Viewer.

You can leave the Viewer open.  As you select each shape, the contents of the viewer changes to reflect the data fields for each shape.


RT Showing the Field Viewer
To hide the Viewer

Viewer command

Viewer dialog box


Hiding the Field Viewer
To hide the Viewer

On the Data menu, click Viewer.

or

  Click the Viewer button on the Data toolbar.


RT Hiding the Field Viewer
To show the Viewer

Viewer command

Viewer dialog box


Field Viewer Dialog Box
Viewer

Use this dialog box to enter data in the data fields. It displays the selected shape number in the title bar. It also displays the field names with text boxes for entering data. The field types are displayed below the last field’s text box. The field type changes when you move from text box to text box, to reflect the field type of the current field.

Field Boxes     {button OLE Automation,JumpId(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_Value_Property)

Type the data that corresponds to the data field name.

Note

Field Names that are hidden are followed by an asterisk (*). If the chart is protected by password, no hidden fields will be shown in the Viewer.

Field Type Text Block

This read-only text block displays the field Type for the current field box (the field in which the text cursor is located).

Setup Button

Click the text box for the field you want to see in the Setup Fields dialog box, and click the Setup button.

You can press Tab to switch between fields.


RT Field Viewer Dialog Box
To enter data

Viewer command

Viewer dialog box

Setup Fields dialog box


Entering Field Data
To enter field data for a shape

1	Select a shape in the chart.

2	On the Data menu, click Viewer.

3	Enter the data for each field. The data must correspond to the field’s type. (The required data format shows at the bottom of the Viewer.)

4	Press Enter to save the data and move to the next field.

5	To enter data for another shape, click another shape on the chart. (You need not close the dialog box.) Repeat this procedure from step 3 until you have entered data for all the fields.

6	When you are done, click the Close button to close the dialog box, or double click the X box in the window.

Notes

You can open the Viewer by double clicking on an existing data field of a shape, and the data for that field is already loaded into the Viewer. If the Viewer is already open, click on an existing data field area to load the data for that field.

You can leave data fields blank. Blank fields will not be added to the shape. Additional fields move up to properly space the data on the chart.

To open the Setup Fields dialog box from the Viewer dialog box:

Click the text box for the field you want to see in the Setup Fields dialog box, and click the Setup button.

or

Double click the area to the left of the field you want to see in the Setup Fields dialog box.


Displaying shape data
To display the field data for a shape

1	Select the shape in the chart.

2	Click the Viewer button at the bottom of the ABC FlowCharter window. The Viewer window opens, displaying the field names and data entered earlier.

Note

You also can enter field data into lines, bitmaps, and OLE objects.


RT Entering Field Data
Viewer command

Viewer dialog box

Setup Fields dialog box


Show Legend Command
Legend Command

ABC FlowCharter has a special shape, the "Legend," which reports the totals of the fields within the bounds of the shape. The reported totals reflect the current state of the fields on the chart and update automatically when any field changes. As with other shapes the "totals" in this shape will be shown in the same font and style as other field data. The Legend command is in the Data menu.


RT Show Legend
To show and hide the legend

Data menu


POP Legend Commands
Displays the legend. The legend reports the totals of the fields within the bounds of the shape.


Showing or Hiding the Legend
To show or hide the Legend in the chart

1	On the Data menu, click Legend. If the Legend was hidden it is now displayed.  If it was shown, it is now hidden.

2	Move the shape to where you want it in the chart.

Notes

If no fields have been defined for shapes in the chart, the Legend command is gray.

You can select, retype, and style the legend title.

You can replace and style the legend shape.


RT Showing and Hiding the Legend
Legend command


Field Viewer Button
Opens the Viewer window. The Viewer window lets you enter data.


 File Menu Commands

Click a command below to learn more about it.

New	Opens a new, blank chart window.

Open	Opens a previously saved chart, template, or workspace.

Close	Closes the active chart.

Save	Saves the file on which you are working, using the current file name.

Save As	Lets you make a copy of the file under a new name or in another location.

Save Workspace	Saves the names of open charts and their window arrangement in a file.

Page Setup	Lets you set up the page dimensions and orientation.

Print Preview	Lets you preview how the page will look.

Print	Lets you choose print range and other options before printing a chart.

Print Setup	Lets you choose a printer and printer options.

Send	Creates an e-mail message with the current chart as an attachment.

Recent File	Opens a submenu that lists the last nine charts you opened or saved.

Exit	Closes open chart files and the program.


New command

Open command

Close command

Save command

Save As command

Save Workspace command

Page Setup command

Print Preview command

Print command

Print Setup command

Send command

Recent File command

Exit command


New Command

Use the New command in the File menu to create a new chart. When you choose this command, a blank chart window opens in front of the currently open charts.


New Command

Use the New command in the File menu to create a new chart. When you choose this command, a blank chart window opens in front of the currently open charts.


To create charts

To create a chart from a template file

File menu


Creating charts
To create a new chart

On the File menu, click New. A blank chart window opens in front of the currently open charts.

Note

You can also press Ctrl+N.


To open existing charts

New command


Creating a chart from a template
To create a new chart from a template file

1	On the File menu, click Open.

2	Choose the drive and directory that contain the template file you want to open.

3	Click the template you want to open.

4	On the File menu, Click Save As.

5	Save the file under a new name.


To create templates


Creating Templates
To create a new template

1	On the File menu, click New.

2	Make changes to the new file that you want in your template.

3	On the File menu, click Save As.

4	In the Type list box, click Micrografx ABC Template (*.AFT).

5	Give a name to the template in the File name text box.

6	In the Save in list box, click the location to save the template.

7	Click OK.


RT NEWTEMPLATE
To create a chart from a template


Open Command

The Open command in the File menu opens an existing chart.


Open Command

The Open command in the File menu lets you

Open an existing chart

Import an EasyFlow file

Open a workspace.

You can open these file types:

Charts (file names ending with an AF3, AF2, or ABC extension; files that contain the shapes, lines, and text that comprise your charts)

Templates (file names ending with the AFT extension; files that contain settings you want to reuse in charts)

Workspaces (file names ending with the AFW extension; files that contain information about your current work environment, including the names of charts used in a project and their window arrangement)

EasyFlow charts (file names ending with an EFS extension)


To open charts

File menu


Open File Dialog Box
Open Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you open an existing file.

If the file you want to open is not listed

Choose another drive and/or folder in the Look in: edit box.

Choose the correct file type in the Files of type list box.

or

Enter the exact file name in the File Name edit box..


To open charts

Open command


Type the name of the file you want to open in the File Name text box.


The Files list box displays the file names in the current directory. Click a file name in the list box to display it in the File Name text box.

In the Files list box, type the first letter of a file name to move the cursor to the files beginning with that letter.


The File Type list box contains the file formats that ABC FlowCharter supports (AF3, AF2, ABC, AFT, and AFW). Click the down arrow to the right of the list box to display the file formats, then choose the one you want.


The Directory list box displays directories on the current drive. To see the file names in another directory, double click the directory name in the list box.


The Drive list box displays disk drives. If you choose A:, the directories on the diskette in drive A appear in the Directory list box.


Convert ABC Flowcharter 1.xx Document Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you open and convert an ABC Flowcharter 1.xx file.


The name of the chart you want to open appears in the Chart Title list box.


Type a new name for the converted file.


After you enter a new name for the chart you want to open, you can click the Rename button to give the file a new name.


Opening charts
To open a file

1	On the File menu, click Open.

2	Choose the drive and directory that contain the file you want to open.

3	Choose the type of file you want to open in the File Type list box, if necessary.

4	Click the file you want to open.


Open command


Close Command

The Close command in the File menu lets you close the active chart.


Close Command

The Close command in the File menu lets you close the active chart.


To close the active chart

File menu


Closing the Active Chart
To close the active chart

On the File menu, click Close.

Notes

You can also double click the Control menu box in the upper-left corner of the chart window.

If the active chart contains changes that you have not saved, ABC FlowCharter displays a message asking if you want to save the changes. Respond to the message in one of three ways:

Click Yes to save the changes. If you saved the chart previously, ABC FlowCharter saves the changes and closes the active chart. If you have not saved the chart yet, the Save File dialog box opens.

Click No to discard the changes. The active chart closes without saving the changes.

Click Cancel to return to the chart.


Close command


Recent file list

Use the recent file list in the File menu to quickly open charts you recently edited. The names of the last nine charts you opened or saved appear in the submenu. The complete path name appears for charts outside the current directory.

A number appears beside each chart name. You can type the number to open the chart or click the chart name in the submenu.


Recent File Command
Recent file list

Use the Recent file list in the File menu to quickly open charts you recently edited. The names of the last nine charts you opened or saved appear in the File menu. The complete path name appears for charts outside the current directory.

A number appears beside each chart name. You can type the number to open the chart or click the chart name in the submenu.


To reopen charts

File menu


Reopening Charts
To reopen a chart

On the File menu, click the number of the file to open.

Note

If the chart you choose is already open, ABC FlowCharter displays a message asking if you want to revert to the last saved version of the chart.


Recent file list


Save Command

Use the Save command in the File menu to store a chart or template in a file on disk. All charts (including linked charts) are saved in separate files.


Save Command

Use the Save command in the File menu to store a chart or template in a file on disk. All charts (including linked charts) are saved in separate files.

The first time you save a new chart or create a new, linked chart, you name the file that contains it and choose where you want to store the file. Afterwards, each time you choose the Save command, your changes are saved in that file. You also can choose to save templates for use with new charts.


To save charts or templates

To save files in ABC FlowCharter version 2.0 format

Save As command

File menu


Saving Charts or Templates
To save a chart or template

1	On the File menu, click Save. If you are saving a file for the first time, the Save As dialog box opens. If you already have saved the file, your changes are saved in the file you named earlier.

2	Type the file name in the File Name text box.

3	Choose the drive and directory in which you want to store the file in the Save in list box.

4	Choose the file format you want (Chart or Template) in the Save as type list box.

If you entered an existing file name, a message appears, asking if you want to replace the existing file.

Click No if you do not want to replace the file. You return to the Save As dialog box. Type a different name in the File Name text box or choose another directory.

Click Yes to replace the file.

Note

Pressing a character key when a file name is highlighted in the File Name text box makes the name disappear. To edit the file name, press the Right Arrow to remove the highlight. Then press the Right or Left Arrow to move the text cursor. To delete characters to the left of the text cursor, press Backspace.


Save command


Save As Command

Use the Save As command in the File menu to rename a chart, so that you have the original chart and a new version. This option is useful for making a copy of a file without using the Windows Copy command.


Save As Command

Use the Save As command in the File menu to rename a chart, so that you have the original chart and a new version. This option is useful for making a copy of a file without using the Windows Copy command.


To save copies of charts

To save files in ABC FlowCharter version 2.0 format

Save command

File menu


Save File Dialog Box
Save Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you save files.


To save files in ABC FlowCharter version 2.0 format

To save copies of charts

Save As command


Type the name of the file you want to save in the File name text box.


The list box displays the folders and file names in the current directory. Click a file name in the list box to display it in the File Name text box.

In the list box, type the first letter of a file name to move the cursor to the files beginning with that letter.


The Save as type list box contains the file formats that ABC FlowCharter supports. Click the down arrow to the right of the list box to display the file formats, then choose the one you want.


The Directory list box displays directories on the current drive. To see the file names in another directory, double click the directory name in the list box.

Up One Level

Create New Folder

List Button

Details Button


The Save in list box displays disk drives and folders of the current drive. If you choose another drive, the directories on the drive appear in the list box.


Saving Copies of Charts
To save a copy of a chart

1	On the File menu, click Save As.

2	Type a file name for the chart copy. Use a different name to distinguish between the copy and the original.

3	Choose the drive and directory in which you want to store the copy.

4	Click OK. A copy of the active chart is stored with the new file name.


To save files in ABC FlowCharter version 2.0 format

Save As command


Saving Files in ABC FlowCharter Version 2.0 Format
To save files in ABC FlowCharter version 2.0 format

1	On the File menu, click Save As.

2	Choose the file format (ABC 2.0 Chart or ABC 2.0 Template) in the File Type list box.

3	Type the filename you want in the File Name text box.

4	Choose the drive and directory where  you want to store the file.

5	Click OK. The chart or template is saved in a file ready to be opened by ABC FlowCharter 2.0.

Notes

ABC FlowCharter lets you  save files for use in ABC FlowCharter version 2.0. Files can be opened by ABC FlowCharter version 3.0 without saving in a special format.

If the chart contains embedded or linked OLE objects, a message asks if you want to include them as display-only shapes.


To save OLE objects in version 2.0 files

Save As command

Differences between version 3.0 and 2.0 files


Saving OLE Objects
 To save OLE objects in version 2.0 files

1	On the File menu, click Save As.

2	Choose the file format you want (ABC 2.0 Chart or ABC 2.0 Template) in the File Type list box.

3	Type the filename you want in the File Name text box.

4	Choose the drive and directory in which you want to store the file.

5	Click OK. The chart or template is saved in a file ready to be opened by ABC FlowCharter 2.0.

Click Yes if you want OLE objects converted to shapes in the version 2.0 file. After the OLE objects are converted, they appear as custom shapes in ABC FlowCharter 2.0.

Click No if you do not want the objects converted. The objects are omitted from the version 2.0 file.


Save As command


Differences between version 3.0 and version 2.0 files

Version 2.0 does not support data fields. They are omitted when you save in version 2.0 format.

Version 2.0 does not support the line style for organization charts. These lines are converted to right-angle lines when you save in version 2.0 format.

Version 2.0 does not support OLE objects. OLE Objects in version 3.0 charts can be converted to display-only shapes when you save in version 2.0 format.


Save As command


Save Workspace Command

Use the Save Workspace command in the File menu to save your workspace in a file. The file contains the names and screen setup of the charts in the ABC FlowCharter window.


Save Workspace Command

Use the Save Workspace command in the File menu to save your workspace in a file. The file contains the names and screen setup of the charts in the ABC FlowCharter window.

Because you often may work on the same set of charts for a project, this feature lets you quickly open the charts to resume your work. When you save your workspace, ABC FlowCharter saves the names of the open charts (not the charts themselves) and the arrangement of the charts in the ABC FlowCharter window.

When you open a workspace file, ABC FlowCharter opens the chart files and restores the arrangement.


To save your workspace

To reopen the workspace

Save Workspace commandSave As command

Save command

Save Workspace dialog box

File menu


Save Workspace Dialog Box

The Save Workspace dialog box lets you give a name to the current workspace and save it to disk.


To save your workspace

To reopen the workspace

Save Workspace command

What is a workspace?


What Is a Workspace?

A workspace is the set of currently open charts.

Because you often may work on the same set of charts for a project, the workspace feature lets you quickly open the charts to resume your work. When you save your workspace, ABC FlowCharter saves the names of the open charts (not the charts themselves) and the arrangement of the charts in the ABC FlowCharter window.


RT What is a workspace
To save your workspace

To reopen the Workspace

Save Workspace commandSave Workspace dialog box


Type the name of the workspace file you want to save in the File Name text box.


Workspace files have an AFW extension. The Files list box displays the file names in the current directory. Click a file name in the list box to display it in the File Name text box.

In the Files list box, type the first letter of a file name to move the cursor to the files beginning with that letter.


The File Type list box displays Workspace as the default file type.


The Directory list box displays directories on the current drive. To see the file names in another directory, double click the directory name in the list box.


The Drive list box displays disk drives. If you choose A:, the directories on the diskette in drive A appear in the Directory list box.


Saving Your Workspace
To save your current workspace

1	On the File menu, click Save Workspace.

2	Type a name for the workspace file in the File Name text box.

3	Choose the drive and directory in which you want to store the workspace file.

4	Click OK. The workspace is saved in a file.

Only saved charts are included in the workspace file. If any of the charts in the workspace have not been saved, ABC FlowCharter opens the Save File dialog box to let you save them.

Note

If you open more than one workspace and you choose the Save Workspace command, ABC FlowCharter saves all the open workspaces as one workspace. For example, if you open the workspace Test, then open the workspace Pass and choose the Save Workspace command, ABC FlowCharter saves the workspace Pass, and includes the workspace Test.


To reopen the Workspace

Save Workspace command


Reopening the Workspace
To reopen the workspace

1	On the File menu, click Open.

2	Choose Workspace in the File Type list box.

3	Choose the drive and directory that contain the workspace file you want.

4	Click the file you want to open.

5	Click OK. The charts saved in the workspace file open and ABC FlowCharter restores the chart arrangement.


To save Your Workspace

Save Workspace command


Page Setup Command

Use the Page Setup command in the File menu to set the size of the page, the size of the page margins (borders), and the orientation of the page (portrait or landscape).


Page Setup Command

Use the Page Setup command in the File menu to:

Set the size of the page. The default page size is determined by the selected printer.

Set the size of the page margins (borders).

Set the orientation of the page (portrait or landscape).

Print Notes.

Print blank pages.

Set the order in which pages are printed.


To set up the pagePage Setup dialog box

File menu


Page Setup Dialog Box

The Page Setup dialog box lets you choose the page size, margins, and other options to prepare the chart for printing or viewing.

ABC FlowCharter displays page breaks on the screen based on the paper size and margins you choose. The maximum paper size is 100" x 100".

Tips

To fit your chart on the fewest pages, click Portrait if your chart is vertically oriented or Landscape if your chart is horizontally oriented.


To set up the page

Page Setup command


Paper Size option

You should choose the paper size on which you plan to print your chart. ABC FlowCharter provides many popular paper sizes, including letter (8 ½" x 11"), legal (8 ½" x 14"), tabloid (11" x 17"), and C sheet (17" x 22"). If you choose a metric paper size, centimeters are used for the measurement units.

ABC FlowCharter displays page breaks on the screen based on the paper size and margins you choose.

Click the down arrow in the Paper Size area and choose one of the preset paper sizes from the list, or select the Width and Height text boxes and type the page dimensions you want (in inches or centimeters, depending upon your measure choice). The maximum paper size you can set is 100" x 100".


Margins option

ABC FlowCharter uses the margins you specify to define the print area on each page and to determine the page breaks. For example, if you choose an 8 ½" x 11" (letter) page size and specify a 0.5" margin on all sides, the print area is 7 ½" x 10".

Select each of the Margins text boxes individually and type the margin you want (in inches or centimeters, depending upon your measure choice). The numbers you enter are rounded to the nearest hundredth of an inch or tenth of a centimeter.


Orientation option

You can choose either Portrait (tall) or Landscape (wide) for your page orientation. To fit your chart on the fewest pages, click Portrait if your chart is vertically oriented or Landscape if your chart is horizontally oriented.


Measure option

You can choose inches or centimeters for your measurement units. The units you choose are used in the rulers and in other options where you specify size, such as margins and page size. Click Inches or Centimeters to choose the units you want. If you choose a metric paper size, centimeters are used for the measurement units.


Page Order option

You can choose the order in which the pages of your chart are printed. The orders are Down, then Across and Across, then Down. A graphic to the right of the choices shows the currently chosen order.


Print Blank Pages option

You can choose to print or omit pages that do not have any objects on them.

Select to print blank pages when assembling a poster of a chart.


Match Printer button

Click the Match Printer button to change the Paper Size, Margins, Orientation, and Measure settings to match the current printer.


Setting Up the Page
To define the page setup

1	On the File menu, click Page Setup.

2	Choose the page setup options you want.

3	Click OK. ABC FlowCharter applies your page setup choices to the chart.


Page Setup command


Print Command

Use the Print command in the File menu to print your charts and add them to presentations and reports. ABC FlowCharter lets you print all the pages, a range of pages, or only selected objects in the chart.


Print Command

Use the Print command in the File menu to print your charts and add them to presentations and reports.

ABC FlowCharter lets you print all the pages, a range of pages, or only selected objects in the chart. To print only selected objects, select the objects you want to print before you choose the Print command.

You also have an option to fit the chart to a single page. The entire chart is reduced proportionally, including the TrueType fonts. (Bitmap and printer fonts do not necessarily reduce properly.) When multiple-page charts are reduced to one page, the master items are printed only once and the All, Selection, and Pages print range options are still valid.

Note

Charts cannot be enlarged with the Fit to Page option.


To print charts

File menu


Print Dialog Box

Print Range options

Click All to print all the pages in the chart.

Click Selection to print only the objects selected in the chart.

Click Pages and type starting and ending page numbers to print a range of pages.

Fit to Page option

Click Fit to Page if you want a multiple-page chart reduced proportionally to a single page.

Print to File option

Click Print to File if you want to send the output to a file instead of a printer.

Print Notes option

Click Print Notes to print the notes attached to the shapes in the chart.

Copies text box

Click the up or down arrow to choose the number of copies, or type a number in the text box.

Setup button

Click the Setup button to open the Printer Setup dialog box.


To print charts

Print command


Click All to print all the pages in the chart.

Click Selection to print only the objects selected in the chart.

Click Pages and type starting and ending page numbers to print a range of pages.


Click Fit to Page if you want a multiple-page chart reduced proportionally to a single page.


Click Print to File if you want to send the output to a file instead of a printer.


Click Print Notes to print the notes attached to the shapes in the chart.


Click the up or down arrow to choose the number of copies, or type a number in the text box.


Click the Setup button to open the Printer Setup dialog box.


Printing Charts
To print a chart

1	On the File menu, click Print.  Information about the current printer appears at the top of the dialog box. (The current printer is the printer to which the next print job will be sent.)

2	Choose a Print Range option.

3	Click the Fit to Page box if you want the chart reduced to a single page.

4	Type the number of copies you want in the Copies text box.

5	Click the Print to File box if you want to send the output to a file instead of a printer.

6	Click the Print Notes box to print the notes attached to the shapes in the chart. The notes print (after the chart has printed) in the order the shapes are numbered.

7	Click OK to save the changes in the Print dialog box and to print your chart.

Notes

If you choose the Print to File option, a dialog box opens. Type the file name you want and click OK. The chart information is saved in a file in the current directory.

Tip

Drag an ABC FlowCharter file from the File Manager to the open Print Manager (or its minimized icon). ABC FlowCharter opens and displays the chart file and the Print dialog box for you to print the chart.


Print command


Print Setup Command

Use the Print Setup command in the File menu to choose the current printer and printer options.


Printer Setup Command
Print Setup Command

Use the Print Setup command in the File menu to choose the current printer and printer options.

If you do not change the current printer, ABC FlowCharter uses the default printer as the current printer. The default printer is the printer selected in the Windows Control Panel. See your Windows documentation for information about changing the default printer.


To select printers


Printer Setup Dialog Box

Printer area

The Printer area lists the currently installed Windows printer drivers. Click the name of the printer you want to be the currently active printer. Printer drivers can be added or deleted through the Windows Control Panel. Any installed printer driver can be activated and used by ABC FlowCharter.

Options button

Click the Options button to open the currently selected printer dialog box. Choose printer options (page size, orientation, etc.) and click OK.


To select printers

Print Setup command


The Printer area lists the currently installed Windows printer drivers. Click the name of the printer you want to be the currently active printer. Printer drivers can be added or deleted through the Windows Control Panel. Any installed printer driver can be activated and used by ABC FlowCharter.


Click the Options button to open the currently selected printer dialog box. Choose printer options (page size, orientation, etc.) and click OK.


Selecting Printers
To select a printer

1	On the File menu, click Print Setup.

2	Select the print device you want to use.

3	Click OK.


Print Setup command


Field Options

The Field Options let you set your preferences for field data in your chart. You can set your preference for placement of fields in relation to shapes in a chart.

Below the shape

Top of the shape

Right of the shape

Left of the shape

Inside the shape at the top

Centered inside the shape

You also can choose the font, type size, type style and color used for the field descriptions. You can hide the names of the fields in the chart. You can specify that fields be opaque. These field preferences apply to the entire chart.


Choosing Field Options
 To set data field options

1	On the Tools menu, click Options.

2	If necessary, click the Fields button to select it.

3	Click a Field Placement option to set where the field will appear relative to the shape.

4	Click the down arrow beside the Font box to open a list of the available fonts.

5	Scroll through the list of available fonts, if necessary. Click the font you want to select it for the field text.

6	Click the down arrow beside the Size box to open a list of available type sizes.

7	Scroll through the list of available fonts, if necessary. Click the font you want to select it for the field text.

8	Click the style buttons (bold, italic, underline) you want. (When the button is depressed, the style is selected.)

9	Click the color you want for the text in the color palette to the right.

10	Select Hide Field Names if you want the names of the fields to be hidden on the chart.

11	Select Opaque Fields if you want the background of the fields to be opaque. If you want the fields to be transparent, leave Opaque Fields deselected.

12	Click OK. The field options remain in effect until you change them.


Field options

Field Display Options dialog box


Field Preferences Dialog Box
Field Display Options Dialog Box

The Field Display Options pane of the Options dialog box contains the following:

Field Placement

Select the position of the data fields in relation to the shapes to which they are attached.

Font Selector

Click on the down arrow to drop down a menu of fonts and click on the font you want for the text in your data fields.

(Type) Size

Click on the down arrow to drop down a menu of type sizes and click on the size you want for the text in your data fields.

(Type) Style Buttons

Select Bold, Italic, or Underline styles as needed for the text in your data fields.

Hide Field Names

Select this option to hide the field names in the chart.

Opaque Fields

Select this option if you want the fields" background to be opaque. This option is especially useful when the data fields are drawn on lines.

Hours Per Day

Enter the number of hours in a workday. This value is used when a field is converted between hours and days. The value can range from 1 to 24. For example, the value is used if you change the data field"s format from hours to days or you link to a chart that displays data fields in a different format.

Days Per Week

Enter the number of days in a workweek. This value is used when a field is converted between days and weeks. The value can range from 1 to 7. For example, the value is used if you change the data field"s format from days to weeks or you link to a chart that displays data fields in a different format.


Specifies the position of the data fields in relation to the shapes to which they are attached.


Lists the available fonts for data field text.


Lists the available font sizes for data field text.


Click one of these buttons to change to style of the data field text.


Specifies whether the field names are hidden in the chart.


Specifies whether the fields" background is opaque. This option is especially useful when the data fields are drawn on lines.


Provides a space for you to type a new number of hours in a workday. This value is used when a field is converted between hours and days. The value can range from 1 to 24. For example, the value is used if you change the data field"s format from hours to days or you link to a chart that displays data fields in a different format.


Provides a space for you to type a new number of days in a workweek. This value is used when a field is converted between days and weeks. The value can range from 1 to 7. For example, the value is used if you change the data field"s format from days to weeks or you link to a chart that displays data fields in a different format.


Exit Command

The Exit command in the File menu closes ABC FlowCharter. Use this command when you finish working with the program, or when you want to free memory to work in another program.


Exit Command

The Exit command in the File menu closes ABC FlowCharter. Use this command when you finish working with the program, or when you want to free memory to work in another program.


To close ABC FlowCharter

File menu


Closing ABC FlowCharter
To close ABC FlowCharter

1	On the File menu, click Exit.

2	If any open chart has changed, and you did not save it before closing ABC FlowCharter, the Save Changes dialog box opens and requests that you select one of three choices: Yes, No, or Cancel.

Click Yes to save changes to the current chart before closing ABC FlowCharter. If you have not saved the chart previously, the Save File dialog box opens. Type a name in the File Name text box and press Enter.

Click No to discard the changes to the chart and close ABC FlowCharter.

Click Cancel to cancel the Exit command and return to the active chart.


Exit command


Press Alt+F4.


Send Command

The Send Mail command in the File menu creates an e-mail message with the current chart as an attachment.


Send Command

The Send Mail command in the File menu creates an e-mail message with the current chart as an attachment. The command uses a MAPI e-mail system such as Microsoft Mail. After the message is created, you address the e-mail and create a message as you usually do.


To send charts in E-mail

File menu


Sending E-mail
To send a chart as an e-mail attachment

1	Open the chart to attach to an e-mail message.

2	On the File menu, click Send. An e-mail message displays with the chart as an attachment.

3	Address the e-mail and create a message as you usually do.

Note

This feature requires a MAPI e-mail system such as Microsoft Mail.


Send command


Print Preview Command

Use the Print Preview command to preview the chart to see what it will look like when you print it.


To print the chart

To use the Print Preview window


Use the Print Preview command to see what it will look like when you print it.


Using the Print Preview Window
To view your chart as it will be printed

On the File menu, click Print Preview.

Note

You can zoom in by clicking on the chart in the area you want to see in more detail.


Click this to print the chart.


Click this to preview the next page of the chart.


Click this to preview the previous page of the chart.


Click this to preview two pages of the chart at a time.


Click this to magnify the chart.


Click this to see more of the chart.


Click this to close the Preview window and return to the normal view.


EasyFlow Files

You can open chart files created in EasyFlow versions 6.0 through 8.0 (file names ending with the EFS extension). ABC FlowCharter converts the EFS files to AF3 files when you import them.

After your EasyFlow files are converted to the new format, you can view, edit, print, and save them just like other ABC FlowCharter files. A single EasyFlow file may consist of one or more charts. ABC FlowCharter stores each chart in an individual file.


To open EasyFlow files

File menu


Importing EasyFlow Files
To open and convert an EasyFlow file

1	On the File menu, click Open.

2	Choose the drive and directory that contain the EasyFlow file to open.

3	In the Files of type list box, click EasyFlow v6-v8 File (*.EFS).

4	Select the file name in the list box.

5	Click OK.  The dialog box lists the titles of each chart in the EasyFlow file.

6	If you want to rename the file, select the chart title, click Change, then enter the new name.

7	Click OK.  The dialog box displays the character and point sizes available for conversion of the EasyFlow file.

8	Select a size in the Character Size list box. Character size affects the palcement of shapes, lines, and text.

9	Click to select the Serif or Sans Serif option if you want to change the font type.

10	Click OK. ABC FlowCharter opens the EFS file and saves it as one or more AF3 files in the current directory.

Notes

When you open an EasyFlow file, a suggested DOS file name appears next to each chart title. Because each chart in ABC FlowCharter is a separate file, each one must have a unique DOS file name.

The conversion process is designed to duplicate the original appearance of the EasyFlow chart. However, there may be slight differences, such as the placement of text on lines. To select and reposition text on lines, use the Object Selector tool in ABC FlowCharter. To fit the shapes to the text inside, use the Fit to Text button in the Arrange toolbar.

Because EasyFlow bases its placement of shapes, lines, and text on the size of a single character, the character size is important to the conversion. You also can choose whether the text will be a serif font or a sans serif font.


Choose EasyFlow Character Size dialog box


Choose EasyFlow Character Size Dialog Box

EasyFlow bases its placement of shapes, lines, and text on the size of a single text character. The placement of objects on the printed page is dependent upon how the printer is configured. Also, the type of font (serif or sans serif) is dependent on the printer configuration.

Since this type of printer information is not contained within an EasyFlow file, ABC FlowCharter must be given a character size to use to place and size all chart elements, as well as a font type for all chart text.


RT Choose EasyFlow Character Size Dialog Box
Character Size list box


Character Size list box

Character sizes are listed by their characters per inch (cpi), lines per inch (lpi), and font point size. (A larger number of characters per inch means a smaller point size.) These sizes correspond to the sizes allowed in the printer configuration section of EasyFlow.

Click the character size you want ABC FlowCharter to use in the converted chart.


Click to select the character size you want ABC FlowCharter to use in the converted chart.


Click to select the Serif or Sans Serif option, if necessary, for the font type you want in the chart.


Convert EasyFlow File Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you name the file for each of the charts in an EasyFlow file.

Chart Title list box

The list box displays the titles of all the charts in the EasyFlow file. A suggested DOS file name appears beside each chart title.

Change button

Click the Change button to rename the selected chart.


To import EasyFlow Files


The list box displays the titles of all the charts in the EasyFlow file. A suggested DOS file name appears beside each chart title.


Lets you change the file name of the selected chart.


Glossary

A

Active window

Annotate

Attributes

Auto scroll

C

Cancel

Cascade

Check box

Clear

Click

Clipboard

Command

Compound document

Compound shape

Container application

Control menu

Control menu box

Control Panel

Copy

Cut

D

Deselect

Dialog box

Double click

Drag

E

Embedding

Extension

F

Font

H

Handles

Hint line

I

Icon

L

Linking

M

Maximize and minimize boxes

Menu

Menu bar

Mouse

O

Object

Object application

Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

P

Page orientation

Page size

Palette (shape)

Paper size

Paste

Pixel

Point (noun)

Point (verb)

Pointer

Press

Print area

Proportional

R

Resize

Ribbon

S

Scroll

Scroll arrows

Scroll bars

Scroll boxes

Select

Shape Palette

Shape properties

T

Text block

Text cursor

Text style

Tile

Title bar

Toggle

Toolbox

Typeface

W

Window

Workspace


Active window

The window in which you are working. The active window appears in front of other windows and receives the next action. The color of the title bar in the active window distinguishes it from the other windows.


Attributes

The characteristics that define the appearance of an object. Shape attributes include its border color, width, and style; fill color and pattern; and shadow color and style. Line attributes include its color, width, and start and end styles.


Auto scroll

The ability of the window to scroll automatically when you drag the pointer beyond the borders of the ABC FlowCharter window.


Cancel

A button used to close a dialog box without completing the command. The Esc key also can be used to close a dialog box.


Cascade

A method of arranging open chart windows in which the windows overlap so that the title bar of each window is visible.


Check box

A small, square box that can be toggled on or off using the mouse. Check boxes frequently are used when you can select or deselect one or more options.


Clear

To delete selected objects from a chart using the Clear command in the Edit menu. When you use the Clear command, ABC FlowCharter does not place a copy of the objects in the Clipboard.


Click

To quickly press and release the left mouse button.


Clipboard

A temporary storage area for objects that are cut or copied from ABC FlowCharter or another Windows program.


Command

A word or phrase, usually found in a menu, that opens a dialog box or carries out an action.


Compound document

A file that contains information from two or more OLE-compatible software programs.


Control menu

A menu common to all windows. You use the Control menu to move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close an ABC FlowCharter window. You also can use the Control menu to go to the next ABC FlowCharter window.


Control menu box

The box, located in the upper-left corner of the window, that you click to open the Control menu or double click to close the window.


Control Panel

A Windows accessory for installing printers and fonts, setting up printers and ports, and choosing program options.


Copy

To place a copy of selected objects in the Clipboard using the Copy command in the Edit menu.


Cut

To remove selected objects from a chart and place a copy of them in the Clipboard using the Cut command in the Edit menu.


Deselect

To move the pointer away from an object and click the left mouse button. The handles on the object disappear, and commands, tools, and buttons no longer affect the object.


Dialog box

A window that opens when the program needs information from you before it can carry out an action.


Double click

To press and release the left mouse button twice rapidly without moving the mouse.


Drag

To point to an object with the mouse, press and hold the left mouse button, and move the mouse so that the object moves with the pointer across the screen.


Embedding

An option that lets you place an object in a file in another program. A graphic image of the object, as well as detailed information about its attributes and how to print it, is inserted into the file of the other program. By double clicking the object, you can open its original program and edit it.


Extension

The period and one to three characters at the end of a filename that identify the kind of information in the file. For example, the extension for ABC FlowCharter chart files is .AF3. The extension for template files is .AFT and the extension for workspace files is .AFW.


Font

A set of characters, including letters and numbers, that is all one size and style.


Handles

Square boxes that appear on the corners and sides of an object when the object is selected. You use the handles to resize the object.


Hint line

A one-line message at the bottom of the ABC FlowCharter window that gives you information about the tool or button beneath the arrow pointer or the highlighted command.


Icon

A small graphic symbol that represents a program or a file. For example, in ABC FlowCharter the chart windows can be minimized to appear as icons in the workspace.


Linking

An option that lets you connect an object to a file in another program. The file in the other program contains a graphic representation of the object and the path to the file that contains it. Changes made to the object in its original program also are reflected in the linked object.


Maximize and minimize boxes

The boxes, located in the upper-right corner of the screen, that you use to resize the window. Click the up arrow in the maximize box to enlarge the chart window. Click the down arrow in the minimize box to reduce the chart window to an icon. The frame around the window also is used to resize the chart window.


Menu

A list of commands organized under a name in the menu bar near the top of the ABC FlowCharter window. To open a menu, you click the menu name or press Alt and the letter underlined in the menu name.


Menu bar

The bar, located under the title bar of the ABC FlowCharter window, that contains the names of menus in the program.


Mouse

A manual device that you move across a flat surface to move the pointer on your screen. A mouse can have one or more buttons, which you press to carry out various actions.


Object

An element in a chart window, such as a shape, line, or text block. Objects can be placed in other programs using object linking and embedding (OLE).


Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

The ability to share information among documents created in different programs. You can share charts, spreadsheets, text, drawings, sounds, video, and animation among OLE-compatible programs.


Page orientation

The position of the page on the screen. Portrait (vertical) orientation displays a page taller than it is wide. Landscape (horizontal) orientation displays a page wider than it is tall.


Page size

The dimensions of a page on the screen.


Paper size

The physical size of the paper in a printing device.


Paste

To place a copy of the objects in the Clipboard into the active chart window using the Paste command in the Edit menu.


Pixel

An individual dot on the screen or printed page. Pixels combine to form an image.


Point (noun)

A type measure equal to about 1/72 of an inch.


Point (verb)

To move the mouse until the pointer on the screen rests on the object you want.


Pointer

A graphic symbol on the screen that follows the movement of the mouse. The pointer is usually an arrow, but can change shape depending on the command or button you choose.


Press

To hold down the mouse button.


Print area

The area, as defined either by page size definitions or a printer, that can be printed.


Resize

To change the size of an object. Dragging a handle into an object makes it smaller; dragging a handle away from an object makes it larger.


Ribbon

The area across the top of the window that displays buttons associated with tools in the toolbox.


Scroll

To move through the chart window to see portions of the chart that cannot fit on the screen.


Scroll arrows

The arrows at the right side and bottom of the ABC FlowCharter window. Click a scroll arrow to scroll by a small amount vertically or horizontally across the chart. Press and hold the arrow to continue scrolling.


Scroll bars

The bars at the right side and bottom of the ABC FlowCharter window. Each scroll bar contains a scroll box and two scroll arrows. Click a scroll bar to move by one screen vertically or horizontally across the chart.


Scroll boxes

The small boxes at the right side and bottom of the ABC FlowCharter window. Scroll boxes show the position of the information in the window relative to the entire file. Drag a scroll box to move vertically or horizontally across the chart.


Select

To choose an object in the window by clicking it with the mouse. Handles appear on the object to indicate it is selected. After an object is selected, it can be edited using commands, tools, and buttons.


Shape Palette

A collection of shapes displayed in the ABC FlowCharter window. You use the shapes in the Shape Palette to place shapes in charts.


Text cursor

A blinking vertical bar that indicates where to begin entering or editing text.


Text style

An attribute applied to text, such as bold, italic, underline, and strike-out.


Tile

A method of arranging open chart windows in which the windows are side by side and a portion of each window is visible.


Title bar

The bar across the top of a window that contains the name of the window. The title bar also contains the Control menu box for the window and its minimize and maximize boxes.


Toggle

To alternately change from one state to another, such as on and off.


Toolbox

The vertical bar at the left side of the ABC FlowCharter window. The toolbox contains tools with which to select and resize objects, draw shapes and lines, type text, number shapes, and change the view.


Window

A rectangular area on the screen that displays the ABC FlowCharter program or a chart file. You can have several chart windows open at the same time. Each window has its own title bar.


Workspace

The area in ABC FlowCharter that displays the chart windows. You can save the arrangement of the windows in a workspace file.


Text block

Text that is independent of a shape, such as a chart title or legend. Text blocks are created using the Text tool in the toolbox.


Annotate

To add explanatory notes or comments to a chart.


Proportional

Having the same or a constant ratio. When you resize a shape proportionally, the shape height and width maintain a constant ratio relative to each other.


Compound shape

A shape created by combining two or more shapes in ABC FlowCharter.


Typeface

A set of characters, including letters and numbers, with the same design and weight.


Shape property
Shape properties

Predefined characteristics of a shape, such as its name, size, and connect points. You can change shape properties using the Palette menu in the Shape Palette.


Container application

An OLE-compatible program that can accept a linked or embedded object from an OLE object application.


Object application

An OLE-compatible program that creates objects that can be linked to or embedded in a file in an OLE container application.


Showing and Hiding Guidelines

You can choose to show or hide guidelines in your chart.

When guidelines are hidden, they have no effect on the positioning of objects.

You may want to hide guidelines while moving objects close to (but not on) the guidelines to prevent the objects from snapping to them. When you show guidelines, all the guidelines you placed appear on the screen.

You can add horizontal guidelines.

You can add vertical guidelines.

You can remove guidelines.


Aligning shapes to guidelines

Working with guidelines

To align a shape to a guideline

To show or hide all guidelines

To create a guideline

To delete a guideline

To duplicate a guideline

To move a guideline


Working with Guidelines

You use guidelines to align objects. When you drag a shape near a guideline, the shape’s sides and center snap into alignment with the guideline. Guidelines let you align shapes of different sizes and achieve an attractive, organized look. Guidelines do not appear in the printed chart.

Guidelines can be dragged from rulers and placed in a chart. If the Snap To Grid option is selected in the Options Alignment dialog box, guidelines snap to ruler positions. You may choose either Fine or Course alignment.


Aligning shapes to guidelines

Showing and hiding guidelines

To align a shape to a guideline

To show or hide all guidelines

To create a guideline

To delete a guideline

To duplicate a guideline

To move a guideline


Aligning Shapes to Guidelines

When you drag a shape near a guideline, the sides and center of the shape snap into alignment with the guideline. Guidelines let you align shapes of different sizes to achieve an attractive, organized appearance.

If you drag more than one selected object, the selected object beneath the pointer snaps to the guideline.

You can use guidelines to align either edges of shapes or the centers of shapes.

If you drag an edge near the guideline, the edge of the shape snaps into alignment.

If you drag the dashed blue cross in the center of the shape near the guideline, the center of the shape snaps into alignment with the guideline.


Showing and hiding guidelines

Working with guidelines

To align a shape to a guideline

To show or hide all guidelines

To create a guideline

To delete a guideline

To duplicate a guideline

To move a guideline


To show or hide all guidelines

On the View menu, click Guidelines.

The guidelines are displayed when Guidelines is checked. The guidelines are hidden when Guidelines is not checked.


Aligning shapes to guidelines

Showing and hiding guidelines

Working with guidelines

To align a shape to a guideline

To create a guideline

To delete a guideline

To duplicate a guideline

To move a guideline


To create a guideline

1	Point to the horizontal or vertical ruler. The pointer changes to the Guideline pointer.

2	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the pointer into the chart. A light blue horizontal or vertical line representing the guideline is attached to the pointer.

3	Release the mouse button when the guideline appears where you want it. The guideline appears as a solid-colored line in the chart, extending across the entire width or height of the window.


Aligning shapes to guidelines

Showing and hiding guidelines

Working with guidelines

To align a shape to a guideline

To delete a guideline

To duplicate a guideline

To move a guideline

To show or hide all guidelines


To move a guideline

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Point to the guideline you want to move.

3	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the guideline where you want it.

4	Release the mouse button when you are finished.


Aligning shapes to guidelines

Showing and hiding guidelines

Working with guidelines

To align a shape to a guideline

To create a guideline

To delete a guideline

To duplicate a guideline

To show or hide all guidelines


To duplicate a guideline

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Point to the guideline you want to duplicate.

3	Press and hold Shift.

4	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the duplicate guideline where you want it.

5	Release Shift and the left mouse button.

6	Repeat steps 2 through 5 to create more guidelines.


Aligning shapes to guidelines

Showing and hiding guidelines

Working with guidelines

To align a shape to a guideline

To create a guideline

To delete a guideline

To move a guideline

To show or hide all guidelines


To delete a guideline

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Point to the guideline you want to delete.

3	Press and hold the left mouse button. The pointer changes to the Guideline pointer.

4	Drag horizontal guidelines to the horizontal ruler; drag vertical guidelines to the vertical ruler.

5	Release the mouse button when the guideline pointer is positioned over the appropriate ruler.


Aligning shapes to guidelines

Showing and hiding guidelines

Working with guidelines

Aligning a shape using Channel and Touch Alignment

Spacing and aligning multiple objects

To align a shape to a guideline

To create a guideline

To duplicate a guideline

To move a guideline

To show or hide all guidelines


To align a shape to a guideline

1	On the View menu, click Guidelines if Guidelines is not checked.

2	Click the Object Selector tool in the toolbox.

3	Select the shape you want to align.

4	Point to the selected shape.

5	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the shape near the guideline.

6	Release the mouse button.

Note

In step 5, if you drag an edge near the guideline, the edge of the shape snaps into alignment.

In step 5, if you drag the dashed blue cross in the center of the shape near the guideline, the center of the shape snaps into alignment with the guideline.


Aligning shapes to guidelines

Showing and hiding guidelines

Working with guidelines

To create a guideline

To delete a guideline

To duplicate a guideline

To move a guideline

To show or hide all guidelines


Index Window

You can display a list of charts and shapes in the Index window.

You can use the index to examine shapes and the text inside them.

Index information appears inside the Index window. You can edit charts while the Index window is open. If you add or renumber shapes in the chart, the list is updated automatically with the new information.


Expanding and Collapsing Information in the Index Window

To collapse information in the Index window

To expand information in the Index window


Expanding and Collapsing Information
Expanding and Collapsing Information in the Index window

Click the Collapse/Expand (minus/plus) next to the name to expand and collapse the chart information in the index.

When you collapse a chart, all the indented information (shapes and linked charts) associated with the level you choose is removed from view. If you are looking at the hierarchy of many linked charts, this feature lets you focus on certain parts of the index.


Index Window

To collapse information in the Index window

To display in the Index window

To expand information in the Index window


To display the Index window

On the Tools menu, click Index.


Index Window

Expanding and Collapsing Information in the Index Window

To collapse information in the Index window

To expand information in the Index window


To collapse information in the Index window

Click the minus sign next to the chart name for which you do not want to see shape names.


Index Window

Expanding and Collapsing Information in the Index Window

To display in the Index window

To expand information in the Index window


To expand information in the Index window

Click the plus sign next to the chart name for which you  want to see shape names.


Index Window

Expanding and Collapsing Information in the Index Window

To collapse information in the Index window

To display in the Index window


Index Menu

The Index menu appears when no chart or shape is selected in the Index window and you click the right mouse button.

It contains commands you use to choose the charts and information you want to include in the index, choose index preferences, find text in charts, and copy or print the index information.

View	Lets you choose whether to display charts only or both shapes and charts in the index.

Copy	Copies the index.

Copy To	Exports the index to a text file.

Print	Prints the index.


View Command

Copy Command

Copy To Command

Print Command

Index Window


View Command (Index Menu)

The View command in the Index menu opens a submenu of commands (Charts Only or Charts and Shapes) that let you choose what information to display in the index.


Charts and Shapes command

Charts Only command

Index menu

Index Window

To choose the information you want to view

To display the Index window


The View command in the Index menu opens a submenu of commands (Charts Only or Charts and Shapes) that let you choose what information to display in the index.


Charts And Shapes Command

Choose the Charts And Shapes command in the View submenu to display a list of charts in the chosen directory and their shapes. The shapes are listed in numerical order and organized by chart.

The phrase “is linked to ->” appears after shapes linked to other charts and points to the linked chart. Linked chart information is indented. The list displays the number and text associated with each shape in the list.


View command

Index menu

Index Window

To choose the information you want to view

To display the Index window


Choose the Charts And Shapes command in the View submenu to display a list of charts in the chosen directory and their shapes. The shapes are listed in numerical order and organized by chart.


Charts Only Command

Choose the Charts Only command in the View submenu to list only the charts in the chosen directory. The charts are listed by name, and the chart links are displayed.


View command

Index menu

Index Window

To choose the information you want to view

To display the Index window


Choose the Charts Only command in the View submenu to list only the charts in the chosen directory. The charts are listed by name, and the chart links are displayed.


Copy Command (Index Menu)

The Copy command in the Index menu places a copy of the index information in the Clipboard.

ABC FlowCharter only copies the information currently displayed. For example, if you collapse a chart listing, the collapsed information is not copied.

The information copied to the Clipboard is formatted with tabs to indicate linked charts and the shapes inside charts.


Index menu

Index Window


The Copy command in the Index menu places a copy of the index information in the Clipboard.

ABC FlowCharter only copies the information currently displayed. For example, if you collapse a chart listing, the collapsed information is not copied.


Copy To Command (Index Menu)

The Copy To command in the Index menu lets you export the index information to a text file.

This feature lets you use index information in reports and presentations created in word processing, presentation, and other applications.

The exported index information uses tabs to indicate shapes inside charts and linked charts. The exported information includes only the information in the window when you exported it. For example, if only chart information is displayed, then only chart information is exported.


Index menu

Index Window


The Copy To command in the Index menu lets you export the index information to a text file.


Copy Index To Dialog Box (Index Menu)

When you choose the Copy To command, the Copy Index To dialog box opens. Use this dialog box to choose where you want to store the index information.


Copy To Command

Index menu

Index Window


Print Command (Index Menu)

The Print command in the Index menu prints the index to the current printer.


Index menu

Index Window


The Print command in the Index menu prints the index to the current printer.


Choosing Information to View
To choose the information you want to view

1	Open the Index menu in the Index window and choose View. The View submenu opens.

2	Choose Charts And Shapes or Charts Only. The items you selected are listed in the index.


Charts and Shapes command

Charts Only command


Displaying Charts and Shapes Quickly
To display a chart or shape

1	Click the chart or shape you want in the Index window.

2	Click the right mouse button.

3	Click Jump To This Item on the menu.

If the chart you select already is open, the chart moves to the front to become the active chart window. When you open a shape, the selected shape appears in its chart window.

Tip

Double click the name of a chart to quickly open it.


Index Window


Determining How Lines Look

ABC FlowCharter lets you change the appearance of existing lines and choose how new lines will look.

Line and end styles

Line styles include:

Line Color

Line Style

Line Weight

Source Arrowhead Color

Destination Arrowhead Color

Source Arrowhead Size

Destination Arrowhead Size

Source Arrowhead Style

Destination Arrowhead Style

You can view the current styles and store new styles in the Preset Line Styles list in the Preset Styles toolbar.

Line routing

You can choose from several different types of line routing:

Direct Line

Right-Angle Line

Curved Line

Org-Chart Line

Cause-and-Effect Line

Crossovers and nodes

You can choose how lines look when they cross.

Crossover Style

Crossover Size

You can choose whether to show nodes on lines.

Nodes appear at end points and where lines connect. Nodes help you distinguish between connecting lines and lines that merely overlap. Nodes are represented by small, blue squares on lines. You can click on a node and drag to resize or reposition the line.

Show Nodes

Text

You can attach text to lines.

Attach text

Detach text


Attaching Text to Lines

Choosing Line Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Preset Line Styles

To connect a new line to an existing line

To draw an unconnected line


To change how existing lines look

To choose arrowhead styles

To choose line styles for new lines


To add a preset line style

To choose a preset line style

To delete a preset line style


To choose the line crossover


To show and hide nodes


To add text to a line


Choosing Line Styles that Enhance Your Chart

ABC FlowCharter provides a number of styles you can use for lines, including solid and dashed lines. You can use line styles to convey information about data flow in your chart. For example, line styles are commonly used in flowcharts to convey the following information.

Line Style	Meaning

Solid lines with arrows	Show data flow

Dashed lines	Represent multiple transitions and optional steps

Center lines	Heavier weight lines that represent enclosure outlines or draw attention to a specific chart element

You can choose different line weights for each line and arrowhead. Varying line weights can be used to distinguish data flows and to draw attention to certain transitions or data transfers in a chart.

ABC FlowCharter lets you choose different colors for each line and arrowhead. To enhance your chart, you could use one color for all beginning arrowheads and another for all ending arrowheads.


Determining How Lines Look

Preset Line Styles

To change how existing lines look

To choose line arrowhead styles

To choose line styles for new lines


Connecting Shapes with Lines

You can use any of the five line routing tools to connect shapes.

You can draw lines by either clicking or dragging.

When you connect two shapes with a line, the end points of the line snap to the nearest connect points in the shapes.

You also can draw freestanding lines.

You can draw a line from a point in space to a shape.


Determining How Lines Look

To connect two shapes by clicking

To connect two shapes by dragging

To connect two shapes with a multisegment line

To choose line routing type


Bézier Curves

Using Bézier curves, you can reshape symbols with more precision than reshaping with points alone. While most shapes that can be created with Bézier reshaping can also be created with other techniques, those techniques can be more time-consuming, and may create far more complicated symbols that use more memory.

When reshaping Bézier curves, points on a symbol are called anchor points because of their relationship with their associated control points.


Using control points

To reshape a line with control points


Using Control Points

The control points on a Bézier curve control the angle of the curve as it leaves its anchor point. Control points affect both the direction and the distance that the curve travels to the next anchor point. You can use control points to reshape any selected symbol by choosing the Reshape Bézier button.

When an anchor point is common to two Bézier curves, it has two control points. Dragging either of these control points ordinarily moves both control points and maintains the smoothness of the curve.


Bézier Curves

To reshape a line with control points


Preset Line Styles

As you create charts, you may find that you often reuse the same line styles. ABC FlowCharter lets you store these "preset styles" in a list.

The list opens when you click the down arrow to the right of the Line Style list box in the Preset Styles toolbar.


Determining How Lines Look

To add a preset line style

To rename a preset line style

To choose a preset line style

To delete a preset line style


Attaching Text to Lines

ABC FlowCharter lets you attach text to lines in a chart.

Text on lines can describe the flow of information and relationships between connected shapes. You can choose the font, size, style, and color for one or more characters in the text.

Text can be positioned above, below, or on a line.

When you move a line, the attached text moves with it.


To add text to a line


Line Options

When you connect shapes with right-angle lines, you can choose how far the line segments are offset from the shapes. This feature is useful if the line segments are too short or too long. Your choice affects only right-angle lines. The spacing options are set in the Line Spacing tab of the Tools Options dialog box.

Horizontal spacing

The Horizontal spacing option lets you set the amount of horizontal space between lines and shapes.

Vertical spacing

The Vertical spacing option lets you set the amount of vertical space between lines and shapes.


Options dialog box

Line Spacing Options dialog box


To choose line styles for new lines

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool. Select the proper line routing tool, if necessary.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Formatting to display the Formatting toolbar, if necessary.

3	To set the color, on the Formatting toolbar, click the down arrow by the Line Color button, and then click the color you want in the palette.

4	To set the line style, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Style button, and then click the style you want in the list.

5	To set the line weight for a solid line, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Thickness button, and then click the thickness you want in the list.

6	To set the arrowhead styles, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Arrowheads button, and then click the type of arrowheads you want in the list.

7	To see additional arrowhead styles or to set arrowhead weight and color, in the Arrowheads list, click Arrowheads.

8	To change the crossover style and size for this line only, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Crossovers button.

Notes

Make sure you do not have a line selected when you change line styles. If you have a line selected, the changes will affect only the selected line, not new lines that you place.

The default line weight for dotted and dashed lines is hairline. You cannot draw a dotted or dashed line with a heavy line weight.

You also can choose a preset line in the Preset Line Styles list in the Styles toolbar.


Determining How Lines Look

Preset Line Styles

To change how existing lines look

To choose line arrowhead styles

To choose line routing type


To change how existing lines look

1	Select the line or lines that you want to change.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

3	If you wish to change the line routing type, in the ABC toolbox, click a different line routing type.

4	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Formatting to display the Formatting toolbar, if necessary.

5	To set the color, on the Formatting toolbar, click the down arrow by the Line Color button, and then click the color you want in the palette.

6	To set the line style, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Style button, and then click the style you want in the list.

7	To set the line weight for a solid line, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Thickness button, and then click the thickness you want in the list.

8	To set the arrowhead styles, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Arrowheads button, and then click the type of arrowheads you want in the list.

9	To see additional arrowhead styles or to set arrowhead weight and color, in the Arrowheads list, click Arrowheads.

10	To change the crossover style and size for this line only, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Crossovers button.

Notes

The default line style for dotted and dashed lines is hairline. You cannot draw a dotted or dashed line with a heavy line weight.

You also can choose a preset line in the Preset Line Styles list in the Styles toolbar.


Determining How Lines Look

Preset Line Styles

To choose line arrowhead styles

To choose line styles for new lines

To choose line routing type


To choose arrowhead styles

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Formatting to display the Formatting toolbar, if necessary.

3	On the Formatting toolbar, click the Arrowheads button.

4	Click the arrowhead you want or click Arrowheads to access additional options.

5	Click to select a different Source arrowhead.

6	Click to select a different Destination arrowhead.

7	Click to select a different Source arrowhead size.

8	Click to select a different Destination arrowhead size.

9	Click to select a different Source arrowhead color.

10	Click to select a different Destination arrowhead color.


Determining How Lines Look

Preset Line Styles

To change how existing lines look

To choose line styles for new lines


To add a preset line style

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

3	Select the line styles you want (color, style, weight, arrowheads).

4	If the Preset Styles toolbar is not displayed, on the Standard toolbar click the Preset Styles toolbar button.

5	On the Preset Styles toolbar, click the Add Line Style button. The line styles are stored as a single item in the Preset Line Styles list.

Note

You also can add a preset line style to the list by selecting a line with the desired style in step 2. If multiple lines are selected and they have conflicting attributes, the Add Style button is gray.


Determining How Lines Look

Preset Line Styles

To choose a preset line style

To rename a preset line style

To delete a preset line style


To choose a preset line style

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	If you want to apply the preset style to an existing line, select the line(s) to which you want to apply the style.

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

4	On the Preset Styles toolbar, click the down arrow to the right of the Line Style list box. The Preset Line Styles list opens.

5	Click the preset line style you want. The style is applied to the selected line.

Note

If no line is selected, the preset style is used as the current line style.

If you select a line before you choose a preset line style, the preset style is applied to the selected line.


Determining How Lines Look

Preset Line Styles

To add a preset line style

To rename a preset line style

To delete a preset line style


To rename a preset line style
To change a preset line style

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

3	Click the Edit Line Style button to the right of the Line Style list box.

4	Click the preset style you want to rename.

5	Click Rename, and then type the new name in the Rename Style box.


Determining How Lines Look

Preset Line Styles

To add a preset line style

To choose a preset line style

To delete a preset line style


To delete a preset line style

1	Make sure no lines are selected.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

4	On the Preset Styles toolbar, click the Edit Line Styles button to the right of the Line Style list box. The Lines Styles tab of the Edit Styles dialog box opens.

5	Click the preset line style you want to delete.

6	Click Remove. The style is removed from the Preset Line Styles list.


Determining How Lines Look

Preset Line Styles

To add a preset line style

To choose a preset line style

To rename a preset line style


To choose line routing type

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the line routing tool you want (direct, right angle, curved, org chart, cause and effect).

3	Select any line styles that you want.


Determining How Lines Look

To choose line styles for new lines

Line Tool

Direct Line Tool

Right-Angle Line Tool

Curved Line Tool

Org Line Tool

Cause-and-Effect tool


To connect two shapes by clicking

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the line routing tool you want.

3	Point to the first shape and click the left mouse button. A solid line is attached to the pointer.

4	Move the pointer to the side of the first shape where you want the line to begin. Do not press the left mouse button as you move the pointer.

5	Move the pointer to the side of the second shape where you want the line to end.

6	Click the left mouse button. A line is drawn between the two shapes.


Connecting Shapes with Lines

Determining How Lines Look

To connect two shapes by dragging

To connect two shapes with a multisegment line

To choose line routing type


To connect two shapes by dragging

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the line routing tool you want.

3	Select any line styles you want.

4	Point inside the first shape, press and hold the left mouse button, then drag the pointer to the side of the first shape where you want the line to begin. A line traces the movement of the pointer.

5	Trace the path you want the line to follow.

6	Drag the pointer to the side of the second shape where you want the line to end.

7	Release the mouse button. A line is drawn between the two shapes.

Tip

Press the Ctrl key as you draw a line to prevent it from snapping to nearby shapes and lines. (Note, however, that in Ishikawa and Direct lines, the Ctrl key forces lines in 15-degree increments.)


Connecting Shapes with Lines

Determining How Lines Look

To choose line styles for new lines

To connect two shapes by clicking

To connect two shapes with a multisegment line

To choose line routing type


To connect two shapes with a multisegment line

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Direct Line Tool you want.

3	Select any line styles you want.

4	Click inside the first shape. A line is attached to the pointer.

5	Move the pointer to the side of the first shape where you want the line to begin. Do not press the left mouse button as you move the pointer.

6	Move the pointer to a blank area in the chart and click the left mouse button.

7	Repeat step 5 to define additional line segments outside of the shapes.

8	Move the pointer to the side of the second shape where you want the line to end.

9	Click the left mouse button. A multisegment line is drawn between the two shapes.

Note

To make a line segment snap at 45-degree angles as you draw it, press and hold Shift before you define the starting point of the segment. Release Shift before you define the next starting point to draw an unconstrained line. (The starting and ending points of the line still snap to connect points in shapes.)


Connecting Shapes with Lines

Determining How Lines Look

To choose line styles for new lines

To connect two shapes by clicking

To connect two shapes by dragging

To choose line routing type


To draw an unconnected line

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the line routing tool you want.

3	Select any line styles you want.

3	Point to where you want the unconnected line to begin, and click the left mouse button.

4	Point to where you want the line segment to end, and click the left mouse button.

Tip

Press the Ctrl key as you draw a line to prevent it from snapping to nearby shapes and lines. (Note, however, that in Ishikawa and Direct lines, the Ctrl key forces lines in 15-degree increments.)


Determining How Lines Look

Line Tool

To choose line styles for new lines

To connect a new line to an existing line

To choose line routing type


To show and hide nodes

1	On the Format menu, click Chart.

2	Click the Indicators tab.

3	Click the Show Nodes on Lines check box to show nodes. Click the check box again to hide nodes.

Note

Nodes help you distinguish between connecting lines and lines that merely overlap. Nodes are represented by small, blue squares at the intersection.


Determining How Lines Look

To connect a new line to an existing line


To attach existing text to a line

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text tool.

2	Select the text block.

3	Drag the text onto the line. It snaps into place.


Attaching Text to Lines

To add text to a line

To snap text to a line


To add text to a line

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text tool.

2	Click the line to which you want to add text.

3	Type the text you want. The text appears on the selected line.

Note

If the text you type exceeds the space in the text rectangle, you can resize the text rectangle as you would a shape.


Attaching Text to Lines

To attach existing text to a line

To snap text to a line


To snap text to a line

1	Draw a line in the chart window or open a chart that contains lines.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text tool.

3	Type a text block in the chart and press Esc.

4	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

5	Drag the text block to the middle or end of a line in the chart. A blue outline of the text block moves with the pointer.

6	Release the mouse button when the blue outline snaps to the line where you want it.

Note

You can snap text blocks to any point on a line. You can slide text anywhere along the line by dragging it. When you move the line, the text block stays snapped and moves with the line.

You can unsnap the text from the line by selecting it and dragging it off the line.


Attaching Text to Lines

To add text to a line

To attach existing text to a line


To reshape a line with control points

1	Select the curved line you want to reshape. The line displays anchor points and control points.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

3	Move the pointer to a control point. The pointer shows a handle, and a direction line appears between the control point and the associated anchor point.

4	Drag the control point to adjust the curve.

5	Repeat steps 3 and 4 to continue reshaping.

6	Click the left mouse button to finish reshaping the line.


Bézier Curves

Using Control Points


To connect a new line to an existing line

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the line routing tool you want.

3	Select any line styles that you want.

4	Point to the line to which you want to connect the new line, and click the left mouse button. (You must place the end point of the new line directly on top of the first line while starting the new line.)

5	Point to where you want the new line segment to end, and click the left mouse button.

Notes

You can use the Direct Line Tool to draw multisegment lines by pointing and clicking repeatedly as you move the cursor. To end the final line segment, double click the left mouse button instead of single clicking.

When you move a line that is connected to other lines, the connected lines move as well.

If the Show Nodes on Lines option is selected in the Preferences dialog box, a node (filled circle) appears at the point where two lines are connected.

You cannot disconnect connected lines.


Determining How Lines Look

Direct Line Tool

To show and hide nodes


To create an organization chart

1	Open the File menu and choose New.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Line Tool.

3	In the ABC toolbox, click the Org Line Tool.

4	On the Formatting toolbar, click the Arrowheads button, and click the first arrowhead style in the list (no arrow).

5	Click the first shape (Process) in the Standard Shape Palette, and click in the chart window to place the top shape.

6	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the pointer straight down out of the top shape. The blue connecting line should align with the bottom-middle reference mark on the shape.

7	Release the mouse button to place the connected shape immediately below the top shape.

8	Point again inside the top shape.

9	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag another shape straight down until it is directly over the shape below. Continue pressing the mouse button.

10	Drag the new shape to the right. This shape aligns to the second shape you placed.

11	Release the mouse button to place the new shape to the right of the second shape.

12	Repeat steps 8 through 11 to place a connected shape at the left on the row.

Note

You can create an organization chart with the Organization Chart demo file, also.


Org Line Tool


To create a cause and effect diagram from the template

1	On the File menu, click New From Template.

2	Double click the file CAUSEFF.AFT in the Samples subdirectory. A chart window with a sample fishbone diagram opens.

3	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

4	Scroll to the Effect shape on the right side of the diagram.

5	Click the Effect shape and type a new effect label for your chart. The typing replaces the word “Effect.”

6	Click a Cause shape and type a new cause label for your chart. The typing replaces the word “Cause.”

7	Click on the line for a sub-cause and type a new sub-cause label for your chart.

8	Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the reminder of the causes and sub-causes for your chart.

9	To move a line, drag from the center of the line. The label follows the line.

10	To duplicate a line, press Shift while you drag an existing line.

11	To delete the “How-To Hints” shape, select it and press Del.

12	To delete unused cause and sub-cause lines, select the line and press Del.

13	To draw a new cause or sub-cause line, click on the Text tool and select the Cause and Effect button. Click on the line to which the new line will be attached. Click where the line ends. Type a cause or sub-cause.

Note

You can create a cause-and-effect diagram with the cause-and-effect line tool, also.


Cause and Effect tool


To choose the line offset

1	On the Tools menu, click Options.

2	Click the Line Spacing tab, if necessary.

3	Select the Horizontal and Vertical text boxes, respectively, and type the offset you want for each direction. Inches or centimeters are used as the units, depending upon which option you selected in the Page Setup dialog box.


Line Options

To choose the line crossover


To choose the line crossover

1	On the Format menu, click Crossovers.

2	Select the type for the intersection you want when one line crosses over another one.

3	If you have selected the dashed line or bunny hop line option, select the size for the intersection you want when one line crosses over another one.


Determining How Lines Look


Messages and Solutions

A

ABC Automation Type Information incomplete in (table). Call Technical Support.

ABC FlowCharter cannot edit the (filename).

ABC FlowCharter cannot find (program). Check the path stored in the ABC.INI.

ABC FlowCharter is already running.

ABC FlowCharter is unable to open this file.

A file error occurred while checking spelling in the chart.

A memory error occurred while checking spelling in chart.

An error occurred while accessing the spelling dictionary.

An error occurred while accessing the user spelling dictionary.

An error occurred while checking spelling in the chart.

An error occurred while initializing the selected spell checking language.

An error occurred while initializing the spell checking system.

An error occurred while saving the user dictionary. Words added in this session have not been saved.

C

Cannot break link.

Cannot create file.

Cannot create OLE object.

Cannot create the (program name) OLE object.

Cannot delete last connect point.

Cannot edit multiple text objects.

Cannot find linked chart. Would you like to relink?

Cannot insert an ABC FlowCharter file.

Cannot insert object.

Cannot locate (filename) to launch.

Cannot obtain the data for the (filename) link.

Cannot open a shape palette required to convert this chart. This chart will be skipped.

Cannot open (chart name). ABC cannot find the required external application (program name). Make sure (program name) is in the Windows System directory or in the DOS path and try to open (chart name) again.

Cannot open (chart name). There is not enough memory to run the required external application (program name). Quit one or more Windows applications and then try to open (chart name) again.

Cannot open Clipboard.

Cannot open file.

Cannot open temporary file.

Cannot paste. Number of characters must be less than 10,000.

Cannot print.

Cannot read drive.

Cannot register ABC Automation VBX event. The event (event) is not supported. Check spelling.

Cannot register the (event) ABC Automation VBX event.

Cannot register the (event) ABC Automation VBX event. There is a conflict between the running (program1_name) program and the (program2_name) program trying to register with ABC Automation. Close (program1_name) before running (program2_name) again.

Cannot remove last shape palette.

Cannot run ABC FlowCharter.

Cannot save to an open chart.

Cannot save to that name. Chart was opened as Read-Only.

Cannot send ABC Automation VBX event. The running ABC Automation VBX is the wrong version.

Cannot space shapes. Resulting chart would exceed 100 inches.

Cannot space shapes. Resulting chart would exceed 254 centimeters.

Cannot undo a Break Link. Do you want to permanently convert selected items to static pictures?

Cannot update link. Either the Source File, Item, or Server associated with the object is not available.

Can't find ABC Automation Type Information. Make sure (table) is in the same directory as ABC.EXE.

Can't read (value) as (field type). Reenter the data in this format.

Can't read (value) as a date. Enter a date as month/day, month/year, month/day/year or in (time) format.

Can't read (value) as a number. Enter a number for this field.

Can't read (value) as a percentage. Enter a number for this field.

Can't read (value) as currency. Enter a number for this field.

Can't read (value) as days. Enter a number for this field.

Can't read (value) as hours. Enter a number for this field.

Can't read (value) as hours. Enter a number of hours, or a time in (time) format.

Can't read (value) as minutes. Enter a number for this field.

Can't read (value) as minutes. Enter a number of minutes, or a time in (time) format.

Can't read (value) as seconds. Enter a number for this field.

Can't read (value) as TMUs. Enter a number for this field.

Can't read (value) as weeks. Enter a number for this field.

Chart is already open. Revert to saved version?

(Chart name) has special optional behavior in an external application called (program name). There is not enough memory to run (program name). If you wish to run it, close (chart name). Then, quit one or more Windows applications and open (chart name) again.

(Chart name) has special optional behavior in an external application called (program name). ABC cannot find (program name). If you wish to run it, close (chart name). Then, make sure (program name) is in your Windows System directory or in the DOS path and open (chart name) again.

D

Drive does not exist. Please make sure the correct drive is given.

E

Ending page not within range.

F

Failed to change link source update type.

Failed to get source of the link!

Failed to get update option of the link!

File (filename) does not exist.

(Filename) is a protected file.

(Filename) is a read-only file. You will not be able to save changes to the file. Open file?

(Filename) is already open. Please select another filename, or close the chart and try again.

(Filename) is not a valid template file.

(Filename) is not a valid workspace file.

Font size must be an integer between 4 and 72.

I

Icon size must be between 15 and 50 pixels.

Incorrect password.

Invalid margins. Usable page area must be greater than 1 square inch.

Invalid margins. Usable page area must be greater than 2.54 square centimeters.

Invalid spacing value.

L

Line spacing must be between .0625 and 10 inches.

Line spacing must be between .159 and 25.4 centimeters.

Link source invalid. Do you want to correct it?

M

Master item range set to first page only. Master item(s) relocated to page one.

N

New filename must be unique.

New palette filename must be unique and must not already exist.

Not a valid filename.

Not a valid page range.

Not enough disk space. Please delete files or use a different drive.

Not enough disk space to print.

Not enough memory.

Not enough memory to create new chart.

Not enough memory to print.

Not enough memory to run ABC FlowCharter.

Not enough memory to run (program). Quit one or more Windows applications and then try again.

Number of copies must be between 1 and 99.

Number of line preferences cannot exceed 10.

Number of line segments cannot exceed 64.

Number of shape preferences cannot exceed 10.

Number of text preferences cannot exceed 10.

O

OLE 2.0 DLLs too old. Reinstall ABC FlowCharter.

P

Page dimensions must be between 1 and 100 inches.

Page dimensions must be between 2.54 and 254 centimeters.

Page size exceeds paper size. Please check page setup.

Paper and page orientations are different. Please check printer setup.

Please set the "PalettePath" entry in the ABC.INI to a directory with write access.

S

Save changes in (chart name)?

Shape exceeds chart boundaries. Reduce size.

Shape is too large to paste. Shape data must be less than 64K.

Shape size must be between .0625 and 10 inches.

Shape size must be between .159 and 25.4 centimeters.

Some open charts of type (type) have special optional behavior in an external application called (program name). (Program name) is shutting down. Do you want to close these charts now?

Some open charts of type (type) have special required behavior contained in an external application called (program name). (Program name) is shutting down. These charts will now close.

Some pasted shapes contain numbers that are already used in this chart.

Spell check completed in chart.

Starting page not within range.

T

Text not found.

The chart (filename) is protected. Cannot group and link to a protected chart.

The Clipboard is empty.

The document name or path is not valid. (File or path name)

The file already exists. Would you like to replace it?

The file does not exist. Please make sure the correct file is given.

The file name is invalid.

The filename (filename) is not valid.

The path does not exist. Please make sure the correct path is given.

There are no icons in (filename).

This chart does not appear to be a valid EasyFlow version 6.0 - 8.0 chart. This chart will be skipped.

This chart includes OLE objects which cannot be saved in ABC 2.0 charts. Do you wish to convert the OLE objects to display-only shapes in the ABC 2.0 chart?

This command is not available in demo version.

This file could not be found. (Filename)

This file does not appear to be a valid EasyFlow version 6.0 - 8.0 file.

This file is in use by another user. Please choose another file name.

This file is in use by another user. Would you like to open it as a read-only file?

This file is not a chart.

This object has been changed. Update (object) before proceeding?

Too many different shapes in chart.

Too many open charts. Please close a chart before continuing.

U

Unable to install palette.

Unable to launch (filename).

Unable to load ABC Automation Type Information. (Table) is the wrong version. Reinstall.

Unable to match printer. Printer driver could not supply page orientation.

Unable to match printer. Printer driver could not supply paper size.

Unable to open file (filename). Access denied.

Unable to open file (filename). General failure.

Unable to open file (filename). Sharing violation.

Unable to read shape palette file.

Unable to update shape palette on disk.

V

Value entered is out of range. Enter a value between [value] and [value].

Y

You are making permanent changes to the chart's field setup.

You cannot group and link a chart to itself.

You cannot launch (filename) from (filename).

You cannot link a chart to itself.

You do not have access rights to this file.

You must save a chart before you can link to it. Would you like to save?


ABC FlowCharter is already running.

You are trying to open ABC FlowCharter, and it is already open.

Click OK and use the copy of ABC FlowCharter that is open.


ABC FlowCharter is unable to open this file.

The file format has been altered or corrupted, or you are trying to open a file that is not an accepted file format.

Load your backup copy of the file and try again, or try another file.


Cannot create file.
Cannot create file. Please make certain you have access rights to this directory.

You cannot write to the directory to which you are trying to save the file.

The directory may be on a network that you do not have write access to. The directory may be on a device that is read only, such as a CD-ROM. In some cases, there may be too many files or programs open. In that case, close unneeded applications and files and try again.

This error can occur any time you are creating a new file, including by linking to a new file.


Cannot delete last connect point.

You are trying to delete all connect points or the last connect point.

Deselect a connect point and try again.


Cannot edit multiple text objects.

You have selected more than one text object and have pressed F2 to edit the text.

Click OK to continue, then make sure you have only one text object selected to edit.


Cannot find linked chart.
Cannot find linked chart. Would you like to relink?

You have deleted a file that contained a linked object, and are trying to open that file.

Click Yes to establish a new link.


Cannot open Clipboard.

Another program is not allowing access to the Clipboard.

Close other open programs that may be controlling the Clipboard.


Cannot open file.

The filename you typed does not exist in the specified directory. You also may be trying to open a linked file.

Check to see if you typed the filename correctly and if you are using the correct drive and directory. Your system also may be low on memory; therefore, close one or more open files and programs and try again.


Cannot open temporary file.

There is not enough room on your disk to open a temporary file.

Delete any unnecessary files or directories from your disk.


Cannot paste.
Cannot paste. Number of characters must be less than 10,000.

You are trying to paste a block of text that is too large.

Click OK. Delete some text and try again, or copy and paste the text in several smaller blocks.


Cannot print.

ABC FlowCharter is unable to print the chart.

Be sure the printer paper is properly installed and the printer is connected and turned on.


Cannot read drive.

You may be trying to read a diskette that is not inserted in the drive properly or is not formatted.

Check to see if the diskette is in the correct drive and the drive door is closed. Also, confirm that the diskette is formatted.


Cannot remove last shape palette.

You are trying to delete a shape palette, and it is the only remaining shape palette.

Click OK to continue.


Cannot run ABC FlowCharter.

ABC FlowCharter is unable to run the Clipboard or Control Panel programs.

Be sure the CLIPBRD.EXE or CONTROL.EXE program files are in the ABC FlowCharter directory and the path is set to the directory where they are located.


Cannot save to that name.
Cannot save to that name. Chart was opened as Read-Only.

You are trying to save a file that is read-only, which means you are not allowed to save changes to it.

Type a different filename or save the file in another directory. The original file will not be changed or erased.


Cannot space shapes. Resulting chart would exceed 100 inches.

You have specified a spacing amount that would cause the shapes to be placed beyond the physical limits of the chart.

Reduce the shape spacing or move the shapes so that they will fit within the spacing you set.


Cannot space shapes. Resulting chart would exceed 254 centimeters.

You have specified a spacing amount that would cause the shapes to be placed beyond the physical limits of the chart.

Reduce the shape spacing or move the shapes so that they will fit within the spacing you set.


Chart is already open.
Chart is already open. Revert to saved version?

You are trying to open a file that is currently open.

Click Yes to open the file that is saved on disk, click No to keep the copy currently on the screen, or click Cancel to cancel the operation.

Note

If you click Yes, the changes you have made to the file since saving it last will be discarded.


Drive does not exist.
Drive does not exist. Please make sure the correct drive is given.

You have typed a drive that does not exist or is not available.

Check to see if you typed the correct drive and if you have access to that drive.


New palette filename must be unique.
New palette filename must be unique and must not already exist.

You are trying to add a shape palette that already exists.

Type a new name for the shape palette you want to add.


Ending page not within range
Ending page not within range.

The last page you are trying to print is greater than the last page in the chart.

Check the number of pages in the chart by clicking the View tool and the Used Pages button. Then select the last page in the chart.


(Filename) is a read-only file.
(Filename) is a read-only file. You will not be able to save changes to the file. Open file?

You are trying to open a file that is read-only.

Click OK to open the file. You cannot save changes to the file using the current filename and directory. If you want to save changes, give the file a new name or store it in another directory.


(Filename) is not a valid template file.

The file you are trying to open is not a template file.

Select a different file type in the Open File dialog box and try again.


(Filename) is not a valid workspace file.

The file you are trying to open is not a workspace file.

Select a different file type in the Open File dialog box and try again.


Font size must be an integer between 4 and 72.

You have typed an invalid font size or entered a non-numeric character.

Type a number between 4 and 72.


Icon size must be in the range of 15 and 50 pixels.
Icon size must be between 15 and 50 pixels.

You have typed an invalid shape button size.

Type a number between 15 and 50.


Incorrect password.

The password you have typed does not match the password of the protected document.

Type the correct password and try again.


Invalid margins. Usable page area must be greater than 1 square inch.

The margins you have selected leave a usable page area that is too small.

Select margins that leave a page area of at least 1 square inch.


Invalid margins. Usable page area must be greater than 2.54 square centimeters.

The margins you have selected leave a usable page area that is too small.

Select margins that leave a page area of at least 2.54 square centimeters.


Invalid spacing value.

You have typed a number that is too large.

Type a number that is smaller than 100 inches or 254 centimeters.


Line spacing must be in the range of .0624 and 10 inches.
Line spacing must be between .0625 and 10 inches.

You have typed a number that is not valid.

Type a number between .0625 and 10.


Line spacing must be in the range of .159 and 25.4 centimeters.
Line spacing must be between .159 and 25.4 centimeters.

You have typed a number that is not valid.

Type a number between .159 and 25.4.


Master Item range set to first page only.
Master Item range set to first page only. Master Item(s) relocated to page one.

You have tried to move a master item that is set to the first page only.

Leave the master item on the first page, or choose the All Pages option in the Master Items dialog box.


Not a valid filename.

The name you typed does not fit the requirements for filenames.

Be sure you have typed the correct filename. It can be up to eight characters in length, with up to three additional characters in the extension. It can start with a letter or number, but cannot contain spaces.

See your Windows or MS-DOS documentation for more information about filenames.


Not a valid page range.

You are trying to print a page range that is invalid. For example, you may have typed page 5 to page 3 as the range.

Check the page range you typed or type a new one.


Not a valid page range.

You are trying to print a page range that is invalid. For example, you may have typed page 5 to page 3 as the range.

Check the page range you typed or type a new one.


Not enough disk space to print.

There is not enough space available on your disk to complete the print job.

Delete any unnecessary files and directories from the disk and try again.


Not enough disk space.
Not enough disk space. Please delete files or use a different drive.

You have tried to save a file or carry out an action that requires more space than is available on disk.

Select another drive, insert a different diskette, or delete any unnecessary files and directories from the current drive or diskette.


Not enough disk space to print.

There is not enough space available on your disk to complete the print job.

Delete any unnecessary files and directories from the disk and try again.


Not enough memory.

You have carried out an action that requires more memory than is available. This error message may occur while you are trying to open a linked chart file.

Close one or more open files and programs and try again.


Not enough memory to create new chart.

Creating this new chart requires more memory than is available.

Close one or more open files and programs and try again.


Not enough memory to print.

The print job requires more memory than is available.

Close one or more open files and programs and try again.

Note

Be sure to save the file first.


Not enough memory to run ABC FlowCharter.

Opening ABC FlowCharter requires more memory than is available.

Close one or more open files and programs and try again.


Number of copies must be in the range of 1 and 99.
Number of copies must be between 1 and 99.

You have typed an invalid number of copies to be printed.

Type a number between 1 and 99 and try again.


Number of line preferences cannot exceed 10.

You are trying to add more than 10 line styles to the Preferred Settings menu.

Delete a line style and try again.


Number of line segments cannot exceed 64.

The number of segments in a multisegment line has exceeded 64 line segments.

You can continue the line by starting a new line where the old line ends.


Number of shape preferences cannot exceed 10.

You are trying to add more than 10 shape styles to the Preferred Settings menu.

Delete a shape style and try again.


Number of text preferences cannot exceed 10.

You are trying to add more than 10 text styles to the Preferred Settings menu.

Delete a text style and try again.


Page dimensions must be in the range of 1 and 100 inches.
Page dimensions must be between 1 and 100 inches.

The page dimensions you have selected are not valid.

Type page dimensions between 1 and 100 inches.


Page dimensions must be in the range of 2.54 and 254 centimeters.
Page dimensions must be between 2.54 and 254 centimeters.

The page dimensions you have selected are not valid.

Type page dimensions between 2.54 and 254.0 centimeters.


Page size exceeds paper size.
Page size exceeds paper size. Please check page setup.

The page size of your chart is larger than the paper specified for your printer.

Use the Page Layout dialog box to reduce the page size, or use a larger paper size in your printer. If you use a larger paper size, you will have to change the printer setting with the Printer Setup command.


Paper and page orientations are different.
Paper and page orientations are different. Please check printer setup.

The paper and page orientations set for your printer and those specified in the Page Layout dialog box do not match. For example, you may have set up your page for landscape mode, but your printer is in portrait mode.

Click Yes if you want to let ABC FlowCharter set the printer to the correct mode. ABC FlowCharter will set the printer back to the previous mode after printing is completed. Click No to cancel the print job.


Save changes in (chart name)?

Changes have been made to the chart that have not been saved.

Click Yes to save the changes. Click No to discard the changes. Click Cancel to stop the operation and return to the chart.


Shape exceeds chart boundaries.
Shape exceeds chart boundaries. Reduce size.

You have typed a size value that would cause the selected shape to be placed outside the chart boundaries.

Reduce the shape size or move the shape so that it will fit on the page.


Shape is too large to paste.
Shape is too large to paste. Shape data must be less than 64K.

The shape you are trying to paste is too large.

Reduce the size of the shape to less than 64K and try again.


Shape must be between .0625 and 10 inches.
Shape size must be between .0625 and 10 inches.

You have tried to draw a shape that is too large or too small.

Redraw the shape so that it is larger than .0625 inches wide and tall, but no larger than 10 inches wide and tall.


Shape must be between .159 and 25.4 centimeters.

You have tried to draw a shape that is too large or too small.

Redraw the shape so that it is larger than .159 centimeters wide and tall, but no larger than 25.4 centimeters wide and tall.


Starting page not within range.

The first page you are trying to print is not within the number of pages in the chart.

Check the number of pages in the chart by clicking the View tool and the Used Pages button. Then select a page within the chart as the starting page.


Text not found.

The text you are searching for cannot be found in the charts or notes in the document.

Check to see if you have typed the text correctly or if you have selected the Match Upper/Lowercase option in the Find dialog box. Then repeat the search.


The Clipboard is empty.

Nothing has been copied or cut to the Clipboard.

Try copying or cutting items to the Clipboard again.


The file already exists.
The file already exists. Would you like to replace it?

The filename you are using to save the file already exists.

Click Yes to replace the existing file or No to type a different filename.


The file does not exist.
The file does not exist. Please make sure the correct file is given.

The file you are trying to open does not exist.

Try typing the filename again.


The path does not exist.
The path does not exist. Please make sure the correct path is given.

You are trying to open a file using a drive or directory that does not exist or is not available.

Check to see if you typed the correct path and if you have access to the specified drive and directory.


This file is in use by another user.
This file is in use by another user. Would you like to open it as a read-only file?

You are trying to open a file that is read-only or currently in use.

Click OK to open the file. You cannot save changes to the file using the current filename and directory. If you want to save changes, give the file a new name or store it in another directory.


The file name is invalid.
The filename is invalid. Please make sure the correct filename is given.

The name you typed does not fit the requirements for filenames.

Be sure you have typed the correct filename. It can be up to eight characters in length, with up to three additional characters in the extension. It can start with a letter or number, but cannot contain spaces.

See your Windows or MS-DOS documentation for more information about filenames.


This file is not a chart.

The file you are trying to open is not the type you specified. You also may have tried to link an ABC FlowCharter shape to a file that is not a valid ABC FlowCharter file.

Select a different file type in the Open File dialog box and try again. If you are setting a link to a shape, make sure the file you select was created in ABC FlowCharter.


Too many open charts.
Too many open charts. Please close a chart before continuing.

You have opened too many charts to continue working. This error message may occur while you are trying to open a linked chart file.

Save and close some of the open chart files.


Unable to install palette.

You are trying to add a shape palette that is invalid or corrupt.

Type a new name and try again.


Unable to match printer. Printer driver could not supply page orientation.

ABC FlowCharter could not match the printer because the printer driver could not provide the page orientation.

Open the Page Layout dialog box and select the page orientation that matches your printer.


Unable to match printer. Printer driver could not supply paper size.

ABC FlowCharter could not match the printer because the printer driver could not provide the paper size.

Open the Page Layout dialog box and select the paper size that matches your printer.


Unable to read shape palette file.

The file format has been altered or corrupted.

Load your backup copy of the file and try again.


Unable to update shape palette on disk.

You have made changes to a shape palette and, due to disk failure, will not be able to access the changed shape palette.

Free some disk space, restart Windows, or reinstall the shape palette you were using and try again.


You cannot group and link a chart to itself.

You have tried to link a group of shapes to the chart containing the shapes.

Choose the Group and Link option in the Link dialog box again, and select or type a different chart name.


You cannot link a chart to itself.

You have tried to link a shape to the chart that contains it.

Select or type a different chart name.


You do not have access rights to this file.

You are on a network and are trying to open or edit a file to which you do not have network access.

Open another file or see your LAN administrator about getting access rights to the file.


You must save a chart before you can link to it.
You must save a chart before you can link to it. Would you like to save?

You are trying to link to a chart that is not saved.

Click OK to save the chart and try again.


The filename (filename) is not valid.

A directory you typed in the path name does not exist or the filename does not fit the requirements for filenames.

Be sure the path you typed includes directories that currently exist. Also, make sure you have typed the correct filename. It can be up to eight characters in length, with up to three additional characters in the extension. It can start with a letter or number, but cannot contain spaces.

See your Windows or MS-DOS documentation for more information about filenames.


Unable to open file (filename). Access denied.

You have tried to open a file to which you do not have read access. You also may have tried to link an ABC FlowCharter shape to a file on a directory to which you do not have write access.

Select another file, or see your LAN administrator about getting access rights to the file.


Unable to open file (filename). General failure.

You have tried to open a file that ABC FlowCharter cannot open.

The file may be corrupt or your system may be low on memory. Close one or more open files and programs and try again.


Unable to open file (filename). Sharing violation.

You have tried to open a file at the same time someone else on the network is writing to the file.

Wait briefly and try to open the file again.


File (filename) does not exist.

You have selected a file whose associated program file has been deleted. This error message probably occurred while you were changing icons.

Select another file to display its icons.


There are no icons in (filename).

While changing icons, you have selected a file that does not contain icons.

Select a file that contains icons in order to display them in the dialog box.


Failed to get source of the link!

ABC FlowCharter has failed to execute the link because the link source is no longer available.

Check to see that the source file has not been moved or deleted. Reset the link if necessary.


Failed to get update option of the link!

ABC FlowCharter has failed to recognize the Update option (automatic or manual) selected for the link.

Open the Edit menu and choose Links. Reset the Update option in the Links dialog box.


Failed to change link source update type.

ABC FlowCharter cannot change the Update option (automatic or manual) for the link.

Reset the Update option in the Links dialog box to the original selection.


Link source invalid. Do you want to correct it?

You have selected a source file in the Change Source dialog box that is not valid for linking.

Click Yes to choose a different source. Click No to keep the source you selected. If you click No, the link is broken.


Please set the 'PalettePath' entry in the ABC.INI to a directory with write access.
Please set the "PalettePath" entry in the ABC.INI to a directory with write access.

The PalettePath entry in your ABC.INI file is set to a directory to which you do not have proper access.

Check to see that the entry is a valid DOS path. It must be a directory to which you have read/write/create access. A directory on your local drive is preferable.

Note

It is important that PalettePath be set to a valid directory. Otherwise, changes cannot be saved to your shape palettes, and all palette changes will be discarded.


ABC FlowCharter cannot edit the (filename).

ABC FlowCharter cannot edit the OLE object you double clicked or execute the Object command you selected.

The object application may be unavailable, or your system may be low on memory. Check to see that the object application has not been moved or deleted, and close other programs and files you may have open.


Cannot insert an ABC FlowCharter file.

You have tried to insert an ABC FlowCharter file into ABC FlowCharter.

Open the ABC FlowCharter file using the Open command in the File menu, or select a file in another program to insert.


Cannot obtain the data for the (filename) link.

You tried to update a link, but it refers to data that no longer exists, has been moved, or is damaged.

You may have erased the source file, moved it to another directory, or disconnected a connection to the network in which the file is stored. Check to see that the source file for the link is still available.

Open the Edit menu, choose Links, and click Change Source to select another source file if necessary.


This file does not appear to be a valid EasyFlow version 6.0 - 8.0 file.

You have tried to import a file that was not created in EasyFlow versions 6.0 through 8.0.

Check to see that the file is a valid EasyFlow file. If it was created in an earlier version of EasyFlow, first convert it in EasyFlow to version 6.x, 7.x, or 8.x. Next, try importing it again into ABC FlowCharter.


This chart does not appear to be a valid EasyFlow version 6.0 - 8.0 chart. This chart will be skipped.

You have tried to import a chart that was not created in EasyFlow versions 6.0 through 8.0. An ABC FlowCharter file will not be generated for the chart.

Check to see that the chart is a valid EasyFlow chart. If it was created in an earlier version of EasyFlow, first convert it in EasyFlow to version 6.x, 7.x, or 8.x. Next, try importing it again into ABC FlowCharter.


Cannot open a shape palette required to convert this chart. This chart will be skipped.

ABC FlowCharter is unable to open a shape palette that accompanies the chart. An ABC FlowCharter file will not be generated for the chart.

This situation may occur if your system is low on memory. Close other open files and programs and try again.


Cannot insert object.

ABC FlowCharter cannot insert the object you have selected in the Insert Object dialog box.

Your system may be low on memory. Free some disk space and try again. Also, check to see that the object application is working properly.


Cannot save to an open chart.

You have tried to save the active chart with the same name and directory as a file that is already open.

Rename the file or choose another directory and try again.


New filename must be unique.

You have tried to name a converted EasyFlow chart using a filename that already exists.

Type a new name for the chart file.


This file could not be found. (Filename)

You have tried to insert an object from a file that ABC FlowCharter could not find.

Check to see that you typed the correct path for the file, or click Browse to select the file from a list box.


This command is not available in demo version.

You have chosen a command that is not available in the version of ABC FlowCharter you are using.

Consider purchasing a full-featured version of ABC FlowCharter.


The document name or path is not valid. (File or path name)

The filename you typed contains more than eight characters, a character such as a colon, or an extension with more than three characters. You also may have typed an incorrect path.

Retype the filename using only valid characters, or select a filename in the Files list box. Also, make sure that you typed the correct path.


Too many different shapes in chart.

You have created a chart that contains too many different types of shapes.

You can have 470 different types of shapes in a single chart. The shape type is determined by its shape properties. A process shape is a type of shape, and a decision shape is another type of shape. If you change the properties of a shape in the Shape Properties dialog box, it becomes another shape type.

For example, if you have 20 process shapes and three decision shapes in a single chart (and their properties have not been changed), there are only two types of shapes in the chart.


Cannot undo a Break Link. Do you want to permanently convert selected items to static pictures?

You have chosen to break the links highlighted in the Links dialog box. This warning appears so that you do not break links to source files accidentally.

Click Yes to break the links to the selected source files and convert the objects to static pictures. Click No to maintain the links.


Cannot update link. Either the Source File, Item, or Server associated with the object is not available.

The source file, item, or object application (server) necessary to update the link is not available.

Check to see that the source file and object application have not been moved or deleted. Also, make sure that the item in the Links dialog box is still available in the source file.


This file is in use by another user. Please choose another file name.

You are trying to open a file that is currently in use by someone else on the network.

Select another file to open.


Master item range set to first page only. Master item(s) relocated to page one.

You have tried to move a master item that is set to the first page only.

Leave the master item on the first page, or choose the All Pages option in the Master Items dialog box.


Unable to launch (filename).

You have tried to execute a launch from a shape. ABC FlowCharter has found the file, but cannot execute the launch.

Your system memory may be low, or the launched application file may be corrupt. In addition, the file you specified may not be an executable file. (It must be an EXE, COM, BAT, or PIS file.)

Close other open files or programs to free more memory, and check to see that the selected file can be used to execute a launch.


Cannot locate (filename) to launch.

ABC FlowCharter cannot find the file you selected to launch the application.

ABC FlowCharter has searched your Windows and System directories for the file, using the extensions EXE, COM, BAT, and PIS to search. It cannot locate the file.

Check to see that the launched application file has not been moved or deleted and that the file is executable.


You cannot launch (filename) from (filename).

You have tried to launch ABC FlowCharter from within ABC FlowCharter.

Change the launch file from ABC.EXE to another filename.


(Filename) is already open. Please select another filename, or close the chart and try again.

You have tried to open a file that is already open in ABC FlowCharter.

Use the file that is currently open, select a different file to open, or close the open chart file and try again.


A file error occurred while checking spelling in the chart.

The spell checker had problems accessing the installed spelling dictionary on disk.

Reinstall ABC FlowCharter, or contact Technical Support. You will not be able to check spelling until the problem is resolved.


ABC FlowCharter cannot find (program).
ABC FlowCharter cannot find (program). Check the path stored in the ABC.INI.

You clicked the ABC DataAnalyzer tool or an add-on tool to run a program in the toolbox, and the program was not found.

Switch to the Program Manager and click the ABC DataAnalyzer icon in the Micrografx program group to run ABC DataAnalyzer.

or

Make sure that the ABC.INI file in the Windows directory contains the proper location for the add-on program in the [ABC FlowCharter] section under the items AddOn1= , AddOn2 =, and so forth. The format for the items is described in CreateAddOn method in the ABC OLE Automation help.


An error occurred while accessing the spelling dictionary.

The spell checker had problems accessing the installed spelling dictionary on disk.

Reinstall ABC FlowCharter, or contact Technical Support. You will not be able to check spelling until the problem is resolved.


An error occurred while accessing the user spelling dictionary.

The spell checker had problems accessing your current user dictionary on disk.

Choose a new user dictionary in the Spelling Preferences dialog box.

or

Contact Technical Support to use the current user dictionary. This dictionary cannot be used until the problem is resolved; however, you can spell check using other dictionaries.


An error occurred while checking spelling in the chart.

A general problem happened while spell checking.

Reinstall ABC FlowCharter, or contact Technical Support. You will not be able to check spelling until the problem is resolved.


An error occurred while initializing the selected spell checking language.

You have chosen a new spell checking language in the Spelling Preferences dialog box, and ABC FlowCharter was not able to access the new language properly.

Reinstall ABC FlowCharter, or contact Technical Support. You will not be able to check spelling until the problem is resolved.


An error occurred while initializing the spell checking system.

A general problem happened while starting the spell check.

Reinstall ABC FlowCharter, or contact Technical Support. You will not be able to check spelling until the problem is resolved.


An error occurred while saving the user dictionary. Words added in this sessions have not been saved.
An error occurred while saving the user dictionary. Words added in this session have not been saved.

You changed the user dictionary filename in the Spelling Preferences dialog box, and ABC FlowCharter had a problem saving the current dictionary to the new name. Because of this problem, all words added to the user dictionary since the last time you ran ABC FlowCharter or since the last time you changed dictionaries have been lost

Readd all the words that were added to the previous dictionary.


You are making permanent changes to the chart's field setup.
You are making permanent changes to the chart's field setup. This operation could cause some entered field data to be lost and cannot be undone. Do you wish to continue?

You have made possibly destructive changes to the chart's field table, which could cause some of the data to be lost. An example of this is changing a "date" field to "currency."

If you want to undo the changes, click No in this dialog box, and then click Cancel in the Setup Fields dialog box.


Value entered is out of range. Enter a value between [value] and [value].

You made an invalid entry to a field in the Field Viewer.

Reenter the value within the specified range, or clear the entry.


A memory error occurred while checking spelling in chart.

ABC FlowCharter ran out of memory while spell checking.

Close one or more open files and programs and try again.


Spell check completed in chart.

ABC FlowCharter has checked spelling in the entire chart.

Click OK to close the dialog box and return to your chart.


Can't read (value) as (field type). Re-enter the data in this format.
Can't read (value) as (field type). Reenter the data in this format.

You have tried to enter a field value that does not correspond to the designated field type.

Reenter the value, or press ESC and change the data type for the field in the Setup Fields dialog box.


Can't read (value) as TMUs. Enter a number for this field.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not a TMU.

Reenter the value as an integer or decimal number.


Can't read (value) as seconds. Enter a number for this field.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not seconds.

Reenter the value as an integer or decimal number.


Can't read (value) as minutes. Enter a number for this field.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not minutes.

Reenter the value as an integer or decimal number.


Can't read (value) as hours. Enter a number for this field.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not hours.

Reenter the value as an integer or decimal number.


Can't read (value) as days. Enter a number for this field.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not minutes.

Reenter the value as an integer or decimal number.


Can't read (value) as weeks. Enter a number for this field.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not weeks.

Reenter the value as an integer number.


Can't read (value) as minutes. Enter a number of minutes, or a time in (time) format.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not minutes.

Reenter the value as an integer number, or use the specified format.


Can't read (value) as hours. Enter a number of hours, or a time in (time) format.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not hours.

Reenter the value as an integer or decimal number, or use the specified format.


Can't read (value) as a date. Enter a date as month/day, month/year, month/day/year or in (time) format.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not a date.

Reenter the value as a date, separated by "/", or enter the date in the specified format. For example, 5/3, 6/94, or 4/25/95.


Can't read (value) as currency. Enter a number for this field.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not currency.

Reenter the value as an integer or decimal number. Do not enter the currency symbol.


Can't read (value) as a percentage. Enter a number for this field.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not a percentage.

Reenter the value as an integer or decimal number. Do not enter the currency symbol.


Can't read (value) as a number. Enter a number for this field.

You have tried to enter a field value that is not a number.

Reenter the value as an integer number.


This object has been changed. Update (object) before proceeding?

You have edited the embedded OLE object.

Click Yes to accept the edits, or click No to discard the edits.


Not enough memory to run (program).
Not enough memory to run (program). Quit one or more Windows applications and then try again.

You are trying to run a program by clicking its icon in the toolbox and there is not enough memory to run the program.

Close one or more programs and try again.


Cannot register ABC Automation event.
Cannot register the (event) ABC Automation VBX event.

An OLE Automation program is running and is unable to register an event as requested, probably because of VBX conflicts.

The program must be changed so there are no VBX conflicts. Conflicts occur when two programs are asking to register the same event for the same chart type. If you define the chart types to be different from each other, then the conflict should not occur.

For more information, see Type Property (Chart Object) in the ABC OLE Automation help.


Cannot register ABC Automation event.
Cannot register the (event) ABC Automation VBX event. There is a conflict between the running (program1_name) program and the (program2_name) program trying to register with ABC Automation. Close (program1_name) before running (program2_name) again.

An OLE Automation program is running and is unable to register an event as requested, probably because another OLE program has already registered an event with the same name.

Close the running program and then run the second program again. If you need to run both at the same time, then the programs must be changed so there are no VBX conflicts. Conflicts occur when two programs are asking to register the same event for the same chart type. If you define the chart types to be different from each other, then the conflict should not occur.

For more information, see Type Property (Chart Object) in the ABC OLE Automation help.


Cannot register ABC Automation event.
Cannot register ABC Automation VBX event. The event (event) is not supported. Check spelling.

An OLE Automation program is running and is unable to register an event as requested, probably because the event is not spelled exactly correctly.

The program must be changed so the name of the event is spelled correctly.


Cannot send ABC Automation event.
Cannot send ABC Automation VBX event. The running ABC Automation VBX is the wrong version.

An OLE Automation program is running and ABC FlowCharter is attempting to notify the program of an event.

The ABC Automation VBX must be replaced with a version that is the same version as the ABC.EXE. To ensure that, search for ABCAUTO.VBX. It should only be in the Windows System directory. If it is in another directory, delete it. Then reinstall ABC FlowCharter.


Cannot save OLE objects in ABC 2.0 charts.
This chart includes OLE objects which cannot be saved in ABC 2.0 charts. Do you wish to convert the OLE objects to display-only shapes in the ABC 2.0 chart?

You are saving a chart in ABC 2.0 format and the chart includes one or more OLE objects.

Click Yes if you want OLE objects converted to shapes in the version 2.0 file. After the OLE objects are converted, they appear as custom shapes in ABC FlowCharter 2.0.

Click No if you do not want the objects converted. The objects are omitted from the version 2.0 file.


Unable to load ABC Automation Type Information.
Unable to load ABC Automation Type Information. (Table) is the wrong version. Reinstall.

ABC FlowCharter is unable to find a necessary file.

Reinstall ABC FlowCharter.


Can't find ABC Automation Type Information.
Can't find ABC Automation Type Information. Make sure (table) is in the same directory as ABC.EXE.

ABC FlowCharter is unable to find a necessary file.

Make sure that the table is in the same directory as ABC.EXE. If necessary, reinstall ABC FlowCharter.


Can't find ABC Automation Type Information.
ABC Automation Type Information incomplete in (table). Call Technical Support.

A file needed by ABC FlowCharter is incomplete.

Call Micrografx Technical Support.


OLE 2.0 DLLs too old.
OLE 2.0 DLLs too old. Reinstall ABC FlowCharter.

The libraries used for OLE 2.0 are out of date.

Reinstall ABC FlowCharter.


Program required.
Some open charts of type (type) have special required behavior contained in an external application called (program name). (Program name) is shutting down. These charts will now close.

One or more charts that you have open require that a specific program be running while the chart is open. That program is closing, so the charts must close.

The program must run for the charts to be open. If you want the charts to be open, you must run the program. Run the program again and then open the charts. It is possible that opening the charts will start the program running again so you can proceed.

Note

The ABC OLE Automation property that prescribes this behavior is TypeRequiresEXE.


Program optional.
Some open charts of type (type) have special optional behavior in an external application called (program name). (Program name) is shutting down. Do you want to close these charts now?

One or more charts that you have open optionally have a specific program running while the chart is open. That program is closing, so you may want to close the charts.

The program may provide some of the behavior for the chart, so it may be to your advantage for the program to be running.

If you want the program to run, answer No, then run the program. It is possible that closing the charts (answer Yes) and then opening them again will start the program running again so you can proceed.

If you do not want the program to run, answer No. You may then continue working without the program running.

Note

The ABC OLE Automation property that prescribes this behavior is TypeUsesEXE.


Program required, not enough memory.
Cannot open (chart name). There is not enough memory to run the required external application (program name). Quit one or more Windows applications and then try to open (chart name) again.

The chart you tried to open requires that a specific program be running. There is not enough memory to run the program, so the chart cannot be opened.

Quit one or more Windows applications to free memory and then try to open the chart again.

Note

The ABC OLE Automation property that prescribes this behavior is TypeRequiresEXE.


Program required, can't find it.
Cannot open (chart name). ABC cannot find the required external application (program name). Make sure (program name) is in the Windows System directory or in the DOS path and try to open (chart name) again.

The chart you tried to open requires that a specific program be running. ABC OLE Automation cannot find the required program.

The program should be in the Windows System directory or in the DOS path. Find the program and put it there, then try to open the chart again.

Note

The ABC OLE Automation property that prescribes this behavior is TypeRequiresEXE.


Program optional, not enough memory.
(Chart name) has special optional behavior in an external application called (program name). There is not enough memory to run (program name). If you wish to run it, close (chart name). Then, quit one or more Windows applications and open (chart name) again.

The chart that you are trying to open optionally can run with a special program. There is not enough memory to run the special program.

The program may provide some of the behavior for the chart, so it may be to your advantage for the program to be running. If you want the program to run, close the chart, quit one or more Windows applications to free memory, and then try to open the chart again. If you do not want the program to run, you may proceed to work with the chart.

Note

The ABC OLE Automation property that prescribes this behavior is TypeUsesEXE.


Program optional, can't find it.
(Chart name) has special optional behavior in an external application called (program name). ABC cannot find (program name). If you wish to run it, close (chart name). Then, make sure (program name) is in your Windows System directory or in the DOS path and open (chart name) again.

The chart that you are trying to open optionally can run with a special program. ABC OLE Automation cannot find the program.

The program may provide some of the behavior for the chart, so it may be to your advantage for the program to be running. If you do not want the program to run, you may proceed to work with the chart.

If you want the program to run, close the chart. The program should be in the Windows System directory or in the DOS path. Find the program and put it there, then try to open the chart again.

Note

The ABC OLE Automation property that prescribes this behavior is TypeUsesEXE.


Filename is a protected file.
(Filename) is a protected file. You will not be able to make changes to the file without first unprotecting with a password.

The chart you opened is protected by a password.

To unprotect the chart so you can work with it, choose the Unprotect Chart command in the File menu, enter the password, and choose OK.


Some pasted shapes contain numbers that are already used in this chart.
Some pasted shapes contain numbers that are already used in this chart. Do you want to use new numbers?

At least one of the shapes you are pasting has a number that is already used in the chart.

Choose Yes to have ABC FlowCharter use new numbers for the shapes you are pasting. Choose No to paste the shapes with their current numbers.


Some pasted shapes contain numbers that are already used in this chart.
Cannot create the (program name) OLE object. Check the installation of the server application, or Paste Special as Metafile.

You are trying to create an OLE object but there is a problem.

You may need to reinstall the program that the OLE object is coming from. If you wish, you can use the Paste Special command in the Edit menu to paste the object as a metafile.


Cannot create OLE object.
Cannot create OLE object. Check the installation of the server application, or Paste Special as Metafile.

You are trying to create an OLE object but there is a problem.

You may need to reinstall the program that the OLE object is coming from. If you wish, you can use the Paste Special command in the Edit menu to paste the object as a metafile.


Cannot break link.
Cannot Break Link. Check the installation of the OLE server application.

You are trying to break the link between a program that is serving as an OLE server application and an object in ABC FlowCharter.

Check that the OLE server application is installed correctly.


Cannot group and link to a protected chart
The chart (filename) is protected. Cannot group and link to a protected chart.

You are trying to group and link to a protected chart.

Open the file you are trying to group and link to. Unprotect the file by supplying the password, if necessary. Save the file and then close the file. Try to group and link again.


Notes Overview

The Note window contains text you have attached to a certain shape.

The View Notes button on the Data toolbar opens and closes the Note window. (You also can press F6 to open and close the Note window.)

You can attach notes to each shape and hide or show the notes, depending upon your needs. Notes can contain detailed information about a step or process that you do not want to display in a chart.

You enter and edit notes inside the Note window. The Note window displays the shape number of the selected shape (if any) and the text attached to the shape. You can move and resize the Note window like other windows.

If you select a different shape while the Note window is open, the text is updated. You can edit and choose the font, size, style, and color for the text in the Note window the same as text in shapes, text blocks, and line segments.


Note menu

To attach a note to a shape

To open and close the Note window

To print a note

To delete text in the Note window


To open and close the Note window

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Data to display the Data toolbar, if necessary.

2	On the Data toolbar, click the View Notes button.

Note

When the button is selected, the Note window is displayed; when the button is deselected, the window is closed.

You also can use F6 or the Note command on the View menu to open and close the Note window.

You also can double click the Control menu box on the Note window to close it.


Notes Overview

To attach a note to a shape

To print a note


To attach a note to a shape

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Data to display the Data toolbar, if necessary.

2	On the Data toolbar, click the View Notes button to open the Note window.

3	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector Tool.

4	Select the shape to which you want to attach a note.

5	Click in the Note window.

6	Type the information you want.

7	Repeat steps 3 through 5 to attach notes to other shapes.

8	Close the Note window when you are finished with it.


Notes Overview

To open and close the Note window

To print a note


To cut text in the Note window

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Data to display the Data toolbar, if necessary.

2	On the Data toolbar, click the View Notes button to open the Notes window, if necessary.

3	Select the shape to which the note is attached.

4	Point inside the Note window. The pointer changes to the I-beam pointer. You use the I-beam pointer to define the insertion point and select text.

5	Select the text you want to cut.

6	On the Note menu, click Cut.

Note

You also can press Ctrl+X to cut text in the Note window.


Notes Overview

To attach a note to a shape

To open and close the Note window

To print a note

To copy text in the Note window


To copy text in the Note window

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Data to display the Data toolbar, if necessary.

2	On the Data toolbar, click the View Notes button to open the Notes window, if necessary.

3	Select the shape to which the note is attached.

4	Point inside the Note window. The pointer changes to the I-beam pointer. You use the I-beam pointer to define the insertion point and select text.

5	Select the text you want to copy.

6	On the Note menu, click Copy.

Note

You also can press Ctrl+C to cut text in the Note window.


Notes Overview

To attach a note to a shape

To open and close the Note window

To print a note

To cut text in the Note window


To paste text in the Note window

1	Select the shape into which you want to paste text.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Data to display the Data toolbar, if necessary.

3	On the Data toolbar, click the View Notes button to open the Notes window, if necessary.

4	Point inside the Note window. The pointer changes to the I-beam pointer. You use the I-beam pointer to define the insertion point.

5	On the Note menu, click Paste.

Note

You also can press Ctrl+V to paste text in the Note window.


Notes Overview

To attach a note to a shape

To open and close the Note window

To print a note

To copy text in the Note window

To cut text in the Note window

To paste text in the Note window


To delete text in the Note window

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Data to display the Data toolbar, if necessary.

2	On the Data toolbar, click the View Notes button to open the Notes window, if necessary.

3	Select the shape to which the note is attached.

4	Point inside the Note window. The pointer changes to the I-beam pointer. You use the I-beam pointer to define the insertion point and select text.

5	Select the text you want to delete.

6	On the Note menu, click Clear or press the Del key.


Note menu

To attach a note to a shape

To open and close the Note window


To print a note

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Data to display the Data toolbar, if necessary.

2	On the Data toolbar, click the View Notes button to open the Notes window, if necessary.

3	Select the shape to which the note is attached.

4	On the Note menu, click Print. The Print dialog box opens.

5	Choose Current Note.

6	Choose the print options you want.

Note

When you print a note, the wrapped text in the Note window will move onto one line. To rewrap the text, point to the Note window border, press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the border out until the entire line of text appears (or drag the window border out and back to its former size). The text rewraps in the window.


Note menu

To attach a note to a shape

To open and close the Note window

To print all notes


To print all notes

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Data to display the Data toolbar, if necessary.

2	On the Data toolbar, click the View Notes button to open the Notes window, if necessary.

3	On the Note menu, click Print. The Print dialog box opens.

4	Choose Pages from 1 to 1.

5	Choose the print options you want.

Note

When you print a note, the wrapped text in the Note window will move onto one line. To rewrap the text, point to the Note window border, press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the border out until the entire line of text appears (or drag the window border out and back to its former size). The text rewraps in the window.


Note menu

To attach a note to a shape

To open and close the Note window

To print a note


Note Menu

The Note menu appears in the Note window. You use the Note window to attach text information to shapes. The Note menu contains commands you use to edit and print the text in the Note window.

Cut command

Copy command

Paste command

Clear command

Print command

Close command


Notes Overview


 Cut Command (Note Menu)

The Cut command in the Note menu removes the selected text from the Note window and places a copy of the text in the Clipboard.

Note

You also can press Ctrl+X to cut text in the Note window.


Note menu


 Copy Command (Note Menu)

The Copy command in the Note menu copies the selected text in the Note window and places the copy in the Clipboard.

Note

You also can press Ctrl+C to cut text in the Note window.


Note menu


Paste Command (Note Menu)

The Paste command in the Note menu places the text in the Clipboard into the Note window.

Note

You also can press Ctrl+V to paste text in the Note window.


Note menu


Clear Command (Note Menu)

The Clear command removes the selected text from the Note window. It does not place a copy of the text in the Clipboard.


Note menu


Print Command (Note Menu)

The Print command lets you print the text in the Note window. When you choose the Print command, a dialog box opens. Use this dialog box to choose print options and print the text.


Note menu

To print a note


Clear Command (Note Menu)
Close Command (Note Menu)

The Close command closes the Note window.


Note menu


Shape Numbers Overview

Automatic numbering

You can number shapes in ABC FlowCharter as you draw them. You can use various numbering systems (including 1, 2, 3, and so on; 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and so on; 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, and so on).

The number you define is used as the shape number for the next shape you place in a chart and subsequent shapes are numbered in consecutive order. For example, if you define 50 as the next number, the shape number for the first shape you place in the chart is 50, the next shape you place is numbered 51, and so on.

Note

Numbering is turned off by default. You must turn it on to number shapes automatically.

Text labels for numbers

If you enter text before the number, the text appears along with the number. For example, if you enter Step before the number, the word "Step" appears in front of each shape you place or renumber from that point. Numbers can include numeric and nonnumeric labels. For example, the label First 1.2.34 is an acceptable label, but only 34 is called a "number." You can have up to 999,999,999 for a number in a label.

Use the Next Number text box in the Shape Numbering dialog box to define the number for the next shape you place in a chart and for the shapes you renumber. If the entry is an integer of a decimal-divided number, then shapes are numbered sequentially. If the entry is nonnumeric, then all new shapes are given the same label.

If you enter text without a number, the same text label is applied to each new shape.

Showing and hiding numbers

The Show Number option in the Shape Numbering dialog box lets you display and hide shape numbers. When Show Number is selected, the shape numbers in selected shapes are displayed. When it is not selected, the shape numbers in selected shapes are hidden.


Renumbering existing shapes

To change the next number for new shapes

To hide shape numbers


Renumbering Existing Shapes

You can renumber specific shapes. You can manually renumber shapes one at a time by clicking the shapes to choose the numbering order or automatically renumber a group of selected shapes at the same time.

Manually Renumbering Shapes

When you manually renumber shapes, the number displayed in the Next Number text box increases by one so the next shape you click is renumbered in consecutive order. For example, if you define 100 as the next number, the first shape you click is renumbered 100, and the next number increases to 101.

Automatically Renumbering Shapes

ABC FlowCharter lets you automatically renumber a group of shapes at one time. When you do this, the selected shapes are renumbered in consecutive order. The selected shape with the lowest number is renumbered with the number you choose, and the other selected shapes are renumbered in consecutive order, based on their current sequence. For example, suppose you select three shapes numbered 12, 15, and 25 and define 1 as the next number. When you automatically renumber the shapes, shape 12 is renumbered 1, shape 15 is renumbered 2, and shape 25 is renumbered 3.

When you renumber existing shapes, the next number is applied to the first shape you renumber, and all other shapes you designate are renumbered in consecutive order. For example, if you define 1.1.12 as the next number, the first shape you designate is renumbered 1.1.12, the next designated shape is renumbered 1.1.13, and so on.


Shape Numbers Overview


To renumber shapes manually

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Number Tool. The pointer changes to the Number pointer when you move it into the drawing area.

2	On the Format menu, click Shape Numbering.

3	In the Format Shape Numbering dialog box, type the next number you want in the Next Number box.

4	Click the first shape in the chart you want to renumber. The shape number is changed to the next number you defined.

5	Click the other shapes in the order you want them renumbered.

Notes

If you want to renumber an existing shape with the next number, you may omit steps 2 and 3.

The number in the Next Number text box will be used as the shape number for the next shape you place in the chart.


Renumbering Existing Shapes

To renumber shapes automatically


To renumber shapes automatically

1	Select the shapes you want to renumber.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Number Tool.

3	In the Format Shape Numbering dialog box, type the next number you want in the Next Number box.

4	In the list box, click Selected Shapes. The selected shapes are renumbered in consecutive order.


Renumbering Existing Shapes

To renumber shapes manually


To hide shape numbers
To show or hide shape numbers

1	Select the shapes whose numbers you want to hide.

2	On the Format menu, click Shape Numbering.

3	In the Shape Numbering dialog box, click Show Number to select or deselect the option.

Tip

Select Show Numbers in the Shape Numbering dialog box before you begin placing shapes in a flowchart if you want shape numbers in the chart.


Shape Numbers Overview


To change the next number for new shapes

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Number Tool.

2	In the Format Shape Numbering dialog box, type the next number and any text you want to appear beside the number in the Next Number box.

Notes

The number and text you define will appear in the next shape you place in the chart. The number automatically increases with each new shape.


Shape Numbers Overview

To renumber shapes automatically

To renumber shapes manually


Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

ABC FlowCharter offers object linking and embedding (OLE) capabilities. In addition to placing charts in other documents, you can link and embed objects from other programs into your charts.

Object linking and embedding lets you combine information created by different programs in a single document. With OLE, your focus is on the document, rather than the program. Documents that contain information from two or more OLE-compatible programs are called compound documents.

With OLE, you do not have to worry about having the right file filter or translator. You can share charts, spreadsheets, text, drawings, sounds, video, and animation among any OLE-compatible programs.

Linking

You can link a chart created in ABC FlowCharter to a document in another OLE-compatible program. The chart becomes the object, and the document becomes a compound document.

You also can link an object from a source file (in the object application) to a chart. When an object is linked, any changes you make to the object in the source file are reflected in the chart.

Embedding

You can embed a chart created in ABC FlowCharter in a document in another OLE-compatible program. The chart becomes the object, and the document becomes a compound document.

Inserting a New Object in a Chart

You can select an object type from a list of OLE-compatible programs on your system. A new, empty object is inserted in the ABC FlowCharter window, and the object application opens for you to fill in the empty object. The object appears in both the object application and ABC FlowCharter at the same time.

Inserting an Object from a File

You can open an existing OLE-compatible file that contains the object you want to insert in ABC FlowCharter. The object is embedded unless you select the Link to File option.


Dragging an object into a chart

Moving linked files

Placing charts in other programs

Placing objects in charts

To link an ABC FlowCharter chart to a document

To link an object to a chart

To embed a chart in a document

To embed an object in a chart

To insert a new object in a chart

To insert an object from a file

To paste OLE and non-OLE information

To edit a linked ABC FlowCharter object

To edit an object linked to a chart

To edit an embedded ABC FlowCharter object

To edit an object embedded in a chart

To edit links

To view links

To save files in ABC FlowCharter version 2.0 format


Moving Linked Files

You can move a set of linked files and still maintain the links between the files. For example, you may want to move a set of linked files from a hard disk to a floppy disk for transporting them. When you open the files from the floppy disk, the links are intact.

Note

You must move all the linked files together to the same location.


Object linking and embedding


Placing Charts in Other Programs

Using OLE, you can include an ABC FlowCharter chart in any document created in an OLE-compatible program. For example, you can include a chart in a word-processing document. The chart then appears in the document each time you open it. The chart is the object. The program in which it was created (ABC FlowCharter) is the object application. The word-processing program is the container application because it contains the object.

You can edit the chart directly from the word-processing program just by double clicking on the chart. ABC FlowCharter opens automatically, with the chart already open and waiting to be edited. If the chart is linked, you can make changes to it in ABC FlowCharter, and the changes will appear automatically in the word-processing document.


Object linking and embedding

To embed a chart in a document


Placing Objects in Charts

In addition to being an object application, ABC FlowCharter also acts as a container application. This means you can include information from other OLE object applications in your charts. This information can be data cells from a spreadsheet, text from a word-processing document, charts from a presentation package, drawings from an illustration program, sounds, video, or animation.

For example, you can link spreadsheet data to a chart. Each time you update the data in the spreadsheet program, the new data appears in the chart. You can even place the entire spreadsheet in the chart, but have it appear only as an icon. If you double click the icon, the spreadsheet opens.

You also can have “talking shapes” or animated objects in a chart by embedding sounds, video, or animation in an icon. Then, for example, you just double click on a sound icon to hear the sound or double click on a video icon to play the video.


Object linking and embedding

Linking an object to a chart

Dragging an object into a chart

To embed an object in a chart

To paste OLE and non-OLE information

To insert a new object in a chart

To insert an object from a file


Using Drag and Drop to Place an Object in a Chart

You can use drag and drop to embed an object in a chart. You also can link the object to the chart by dragging. (This feature is available only with OLE 2.0-compatible programs that act as object applications.)

To	Do this

Move and embed	Drag the object from the object application window into ABC FlowCharter. (This is the default function.)

Copy and embed	Press Ctrl and drag the object into ABC FlowCharter.

Copy and link	Press Ctrl+Shift and drag the object into ABC FlowCharter.


Object linking and embedding


To link an ABC FlowCharter chart to a document

1	Create a chart in ABC FlowCharter.

2	On the File menu, click Save As.

3	Type a filename and press Enter. The file is saved.

4	On the Edit menu, click Select, and then click All to select the chart (object).

5	On the Edit menu, click Copy.

6	Minimize ABC FlowCharter.

7	Open an OLE-compatible container application, such as Microsoft Word for Windows.

8	Open the document to which you want to link the object.

9	Click Paste Link in the container application. (It probably will appear in the Paste Special dialog box.)

The object is linked from ABC FlowCharter (the object application) to the document.

Tip

Press Ctrl+A to select the chart in one easy step.

Notes

You must save the object in a source file before the object can be linked to a document.

The link may be broken if the source file is deleted or moved to another directory. If a link is broken, the chart still can be produced in the container application. It will appear similar to the last time it was updated. However, it can no longer be updated from the container application. You must reestablish the link within the container application.


Object linking and embedding

To edit a linked ABC FlowCharter object


To edit a linked ABC FlowCharter object

1	Double click the ABC FlowCharter object in the container application. ABC FlowCharter opens and displays the object.

2	Change the color, fill pattern, border, or other attribute of the shapes in the chart.

3	On the File menu, click Exit. An ABC FlowCharter dialog box prompts you to save the changes.

4	Click Yes. ABC FlowCharter closes and the compound document displays the changes to the object.

Note

Any OLE object created in ABC FlowCharter 2.0 that is accessed by ABC FlowCharter is converted to the ABC FlowCharter version format automatically when it is updated.


Object linking and embedding

To link a chart to a document


To link an object to a chart

1	Create an object in an OLE-compatible object application.

2	Save the object in a file.

3	Copy the object to the Clipboard.

4	Minimize the object application and open ABC FlowCharter. ABC FlowCharter will act as the container application.

5	Open the ABC FlowCharter file to which you want to link the object.

6	On the Edit menu, click Paste Link. The linked object appears in the chart.

Note

You must save the object in a source file before the object can be linked to a chart.


Object linking and embedding

To edit an object linked to a chart

To view links

To edit links


Editing an Object Linked to a Chart
To edit an object linked to a chart

1	Double click the object in the chart or open the Edit menu, click Edit Linked <Name> Object. The object application opens.

2	Make changes to the object in the application.

3	Minimize the object application. ABC FlowCharter displays the changes to the object.

Note

If you try to exit the object application, it displays a message asking if you want to save the changes to the object. Click Yes to save the changes in the source file. The application then reminds you that remote links to a document currently exist and asks if you want to close the program anyway. Click Cancel to keep the object application open and maintain the link to ABC FlowCharter. Click OK to close the application and break the link to the chart.


Object linking and embedding

To view links

To edit links

To link an object to a chart


To view the links to a chart

1	Open the ABC FlowCharter file that contains the links.

2	On the Edit menu, click Links. The Links dialog box opens. The dialog box displays the name and location of the source file, the item (such as the cell range in a spreadsheet), the object type (such as Excel Worksheet), and the update method (automatic or manual).

3	Click Close to close the dialog box without making any changes.


Object linking and embedding

Links Dialog Box

To edit links

To link an object to a chart


To edit a link

1	Open the ABC FlowCharter file that contains the link you want to edit.

2	On the Edit menu, click Links.

3	Click a link in the list box to select it for editing.

4	Click a link option button.

Click Update Now to update the object with changes that have been made in the source file.

Click Open Source to open the source file in which the object was created.

Click Change Source to choose a new source file or item for the object.

Click Break Link to disconnect the link between the object and the source file. The link is removed from the list.

5	Click the Automatic or Manual option if you want to change the update method.

6	Click Close to close the Links dialog box.

Note

In step 4, if you select Change Source and choose a new source that is invalid, ABC FlowCharter displays a message asking if you want to correct it. Click Yes to choose a different source. Click No to keep the source you selected. If you click No, the link is broken.

With the Automatic option, the object is updated automatically in the chart if changes are made to the object in the source file.

With the Manual option, changes are not made to the object in the chart until you click Update Now in the Links dialog box.


Object linking and embedding

Links Dialog Box

To view links

To link an object to a chart


To embed a chart in a document
To embed an ABC FlowCharter object in a document

1	Create a chart in ABC FlowCharter.

2	On the Edit menu, click Select.

3	Click All to select the chart (object).

4	On the Edit menu, click Copy.

5	Minimize ABC FlowCharter.

6	Open an OLE-compatible container application, such as Microsoft Word for Windows.

7	Open the document in which you want to embed the object.

8	Paste the object into the document. The object is embedded in the document.

Tip

Press Ctrl+A to select the chart in one easy step.

It is not necessary to save an object in a source file before it can be embedded in a document.


Object linking and embedding

To edit an embedded ABC FlowCharter object


To edit an embedded ABC FlowCharter object
To edit an embedded ABC FlowCharter object in a document

1	Double click the ABC FlowCharter object in the container application. ABC FlowCharter opens and displays the object.

2	Change the color, fill pattern, border, or other attribute of the shapes in the chart.

3	On the File menu, click Exit & Return to <Compound Document Name>. An ABC FlowCharter dialog box warns that the object has been changed and prompts you to update the compound document before proceeding.

4	Click Yes. ABC FlowCharter closes and the compound document displays the changes to the object.


Object linking and embedding

To embed a chart in a document


To embed an object in a chart

1	Create an object in an OLE-compatible object application.

2	Copy the object to the Clipboard.

3	Minimize the object application and open ABC FlowCharter. ABC FlowCharter will act as the container application.

4	Open the ABC FlowCharter file in which you want to embed the object.

5	On the Edit menu, click Paste, or press Ctrl+V. The embedded object appears in the chart.

Notes

It is not necessary to save an object in a source file before it can be embedded in a chart.

When an object is embedded, changes you make to the object in the source file are not automatically reflected in the chart.


Object linking and embedding

To edit an object embedded in a chart


To edit an object embedded in a chart

1	Double click the object in the chart or open the Edit menu, click Edit <Name> Object. The object application opens.

2	Make changes to the object in the application.

3	On the File menu in the object application, click Update.

4	Minimize the object application. ABC FlowCharter displays the changes to the object.

Note

If you try to exit the object application without choosing Update, it displays a message asking if you want to update the object. Click Yes to update the object in ABC FlowCharter. The object application closes.


Object linking and embedding

To embed an object in a chart


To paste OLE and non-OLE information into a chart

1	Create a piece of information in an OLE-compatible program, such as a table of data in a spreadsheet program or a paragraph in a word-processing program.

2	Copy the information to the Clipboard.

3	Minimize the program and open ABC FlowCharter.

4	Open the ABC FlowCharter file in which you want to paste the information.

5	On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.

6	Select a paste format in the list box. (Note that the Paste option is selected by default.)

7	If you selected the Object format in the list box and if you want the object to appear as an icon rather than as a full graphic, click to check the Display as Icon option.


Object linking and embedding

Paste Special Dialog Box

To change icons


To change the icon while pasting an object

1	From the Edit menu, click Paste Special.

2	Select the Object format in the list box and click to check the Display as Icon option.

3	Click Change Icon.

4	Click one of the icons shown or click Browse to choose another program and display its icons. (Click Standard to return to the default icon for the object application.)

5	Type new text in the Caption text box if you want to specify what object the icon represents.

6	Click OK to close the Change Icon dialog box.

7	Click OK to close the Paste Special dialog box. The new icon and caption appear in the chart.

Tip

To change the icon or caption after the object is pasted, select the current icon and cut it to the Clipboard. Click Paste Special and repeat the steps above.


Object linking and embedding

To paste OLE and non-OLE information


To insert a new object in a chart

1	Open the ABC FlowCharter file in which you want to insert the object.

2	On the Edit menu, click Insert Object. The Insert Object dialog box opens. (Note that the Create New option is selected by default.)

3	Click to select an object type in the list box.

4	Click to check the Display as Icon option if you want the object to appear as an icon rather than as a full graphic.

5	Click OK. The OLE-compatible program you selected opens.

6	Create an object in the program.

7	On the File menu in the program, click Update.

8	On the File menu, click Exit & Return to <Chart Name>. The program closes and the new object appears in the chart.

Note

If you exit the program without choosing Update, the program displays a message prompting you to update the embedded object. Click Yes to update the object in ABC FlowCharter.


Object linking and embedding

Insert Object Dialog Box

To insert an object from a file

To change icons


Inserting an Object from a File
To insert an object from a file

1	Open the ABC FlowCharter file in which you want to insert the object.

2	On the Edit menu, click Insert Object.

3	Click to select the Create from File option.

4	Click Browse.

5	Select the file that contains the object you want to insert in ABC FlowCharter.

6	Click OK.

7	Click to check the Link to File option if you want to create a link between the object and the source file.

8	Click to check the Display as Icon option if you want the object to appear as an icon rather than as a full graphic.

9	Click OK. The object appears in the chart.


Object linking and embedding

Insert Object Dialog Box

To insert a new object in a chart

To change icons


To drag and drop an object into a chart

1	Open the ABC FlowCharter file in which you want to embed or link the object.

2	Open the file in the OLE 2.0-compatible application that contains the object.

3	Arrange both programs so that they are visible on your screen.

4	Select the object in the object application window. For example, highlight the text in a word-processing document.

5	Drag the object into the ABC FlowCharter window, while pressing the keyboard controls you want. The object is now embedded or linked in the chart.

6	Repeat steps 4 and 5 to drag more objects into the chart.

Tip

Drag any OLE object application file from the File Manager into the ABC FlowCharter window to embed the objects in the file in a chart. Press Ctrl+Shift while you drag to create a link.

Note

ABC FlowCharter does not support drag and drop source. Therefore, you cannot drag an object from ABC FlowCharter into another OLE-compatible application in order to create a link. ABC FlowCharter also does not support OLE 2.0 in-place activation.


Object linking and embedding


Change Icon Dialog Box

Icon list box

The Icon list box displays the icons available with the program file shown at the bottom of the dialog box. The default program icon is selected; click another icon in the list box to select it.

Browse button

Click Browse to open the Browse dialog box. You then can choose another program file and display its icons.

Standard button

Click Standard to return to the default icon for the object application.

Caption text box

Type new text in the Caption text box if you want to specify what object the icon represents.


To change icons


Updating an Embedded Object
To update an embedded object

1	Select the embedded object within ABC FlowCharter.

2	On the File menu, click Update. The current version of the object is updated in the container application.


Update Command


Exiting and Returning to the Container Application
To exit and return to the container application

1	Double click the embedded object within the container application. ABC FlowCharter opens and displays the object.

2	Select the object and make your changes.

3	On the File menu, click Exit and Return To. The Exit and Return To dialog box opens to inform you that this command will close the connection between the open embedded object and the container application. It prompts you to update the open embedded object before proceeding.

4	Click Yes. ABC FlowCharter closes and the container application displays the edited embedded object.

Exit OLE Command

Exit OLE Dialog Box


Saving an Object File
To save an object file with a new filename

1	On the File menu, click Save Copy As. The Save Copy As dialog box opens to let you type a new filename for the object file.

2	Type a filename for the drawing.

3	Click the Backup option, if you want.

4	Click Save.


Save Copy As Command


Exit and Return To Dialog Box

Choosing the Exit and Return To command in the File menu opens the Exit and Return To dialog box.

The Exit and Return To dialog box informs you that the command you have chosen will close the connection between the open embedded object and the container application file. It then prompts you to select one of three choices: Yes, No, or Cancel.

Yes updates (saves) changes made to the embedded object in the object application (ABC FlowCharter), then restores the window of the container application.

No does not update (save) changes to the embedded object and restores the window of the container application.

Cancel cancels the Exit and Return To command and returns you to the current object in the object application (ABC FlowCharter).


Exit Command

To exit OLE


Working with Objects

The shapes, lines, and text blocks in your charts are all objects.

In general, you create objects with the shape, line, and text tools in the ABC Toolbox. Once you have created an object, you can select it using the Object Selector tool in the ABC Toolbox. After you have selected and object, you can move it around on the charge, change its orientation, resize it, or change its style attributes such as color, font, or line width.


To select an object

To align objects

To bring an object to the front

To send an object to the back

To space objects evenly

To make objects the same size

To rotate an object

To flip an object


To select an object

1	In the ABC Toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Click on the object you want to select.


To bring an object to the front

1	In the ABC Toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Select the object you want to bring to the front.

3	On the standard toolbar, click the Arrange toolbar button, if necessary.

4	On the Arrange toolbar, click the Bring to Front button. The selected object appears in front of all overlapping objects.

Note

You can select an object beneath other objects using the Object Selector tool and Ctrl. Click the Object Selector tool in the toolbox, press and hold Ctrl, and click the top object. As you continue to click, the objects below the top object are selected.


Arrange toolbar

Bring to Front button

To send an object to the back


To send an object to the back

1	In the ABC Toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Select the object you want to move to the back.

3	On the standard toolbar, click the Arrange toolbar button, if necessary.

4	On the Arrange toolbar, click the Send to Back button. The selected object appears behind all overlapping objects.

Note

You can select an object beneath other objects using the Object Selector tool and Ctrl. Click the Object Selector tool in the toolbox, press and hold Ctrl, and click the top object. As you continue to click, the objects below the top object are selected.


Arrange toolbar

Send to Back button

To bring an object to the front


To rotate an object

1	In the ABC Toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Select the object you want to rotate.

3	On the standard toolbar, click the Arrange toolbar button, if necessary.

4	On the Arrange toolbar, click either the Rotate to Right button or the Rotate to Left button.

Note

Objects are rotated 90 degrees.


Arrange toolbar

Rotate Left Button

Rotate Right Button


To flip an object

1	In the ABC Toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Select the object you want to flip.

3	On the standard toolbar, click the Arrange toolbar button, if necessary.

4	On the Arrange toolbar, click either the Flip Vertically button or the Flip Horizontally button.


Arrange toolbar

Flip Buttons


To align objects

1	In the ABC Toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Select the objects you want to align.

3	On the standard toolbar, click the Arrange toolbar button, if necessary.

4	On the Arrange toolbar, click any of the align buttons (Align Left, Align Center, Align Right, Align Top, Align Middle, or Align Bottom).


Arrange toolbar

Align Buttons


To make objects the same size

1	In the ABC Toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Select the objects you want to make the same size.

3	On the standard toolbar, click the Arrange toolbar button, if necessary.

4	On the Arrange toolbar, click any of the Make Same Size buttons (Make Same Size Width, Make Same Size Height, or Make Same Size Both).


Arrange toolbar

Make Same Size Buttons


To space objects evenly

1	In the ABC Toolbox, click the Object Selector tool.

2	Select the objects you want to space evenly.

3	On the standard toolbar, click the Arrange toolbar button, if necessary.

4	On the Arrange toolbar, click any of the Space Evenly buttons (Space Evenly Across Centers, Space Evenly Down Centers, Space Evenly Across Edges, or Space Evenly Down Edges).


Arrange toolbar

Space Evenly Buttons


Shape Palette Overview

The Shape Palette button on the Standard Toolbar opens and closes the Shape Palette. The Shape Palette displays the shapes that you can place in a chart.  When you open ABC FlowCharter for the first time, a set of commonly used symbols appears in the Shape Palette. The name of the Shape Palette appears in the palette's title bar. The available shapes appear as buttons in the palette.

Many additional shapes are available in the Shape Palette files included with the program. (See the ABC Graphics Suite Media Guide for a complete list of available palettes and shapes.)

You can remove any palettes shipped with ABC FlowCharter, except for the default palette (TPM.AFP). This is to ensure that you have an available shape palette.

Creating Custom Shapes

You can create a custom shape in a Windows drawing, painting, or image editing program and insert it into a Shape Palette. Any picture (monochrome, color vector, or bitmap less than 64K) that you can copy from a Windows application can be pasted into the Shape Palette. When you paste the new shape into the Shape Palette, you can name the shape, adjust its number and text area, define connect points, and choose other properties like any other shape.

Reorganizing the Shape Palette

As you work with ABC FlowCharter, you will probably find that you use some shapes more often than others. In this case, you might prefer to have the commonly used shapes appear in the most convenient areas of the Shape Palette. You also might want to organize related shapes together in the palette. ABC FlowCharter lets you easily arrange shapes any way you want. You can move shapes to the top or bottom of the palette or organize the shapes according to their functions.

Adding Shapes from Other Palettes

You can copy shapes from one Shape Palette to another. This lets you create your own Shape Palettes designed for specific purposes. For example, you could create a custom Shape Palette for quality management flowcharts, documentation flowcharts, software design flowcharts, or any purpose you want. (Many application-specific Shape Palettes are already provided in ABC FlowCharter.) On the other hand, you can add shapes you use often to one palette and work with this one palette on most of your projects. This saves you from having to open different palettes to access different shapes.

The Shape Palette and the ABC Media Manager

The ABC FlowCharter shape palette is actually part of the ABC Media Manager. The following terminology is used:

ABC FlowCharter	ABC Media Manager

shape in a palette	item in a subject

To open a different Shape Palette

To create a new Shape Palette

To rearrange shapes in the Shape Palette

To copy a shape from one palette to another

To move a shape from one palette to another

To delete shapes from the Shape Palette


Creating New Shapes

To add a shape from another application to ABC FlowCharter

To create a compound shape in ABC FlowCharter and add it to the Shape Palette


Creating New Shapes

ABC FlowCharter lets you create new shapes for use in the program. You can paste new shapes into the Shape Palette and then use them over and over in your charts.

The new shapes can come from a variety of sources. You can create a new shape in ABC FlowCharter, including compound shapes, that is, a shape composed of two or more shapes (like a paper form). Or you can create a custom shape in a drawing program (such as Designer) or a painting or image-editing program (such as Picture Publisher) and paste it in as an ABC FlowCharter shape.

This feature lets you create and use custom shapes in your charts. You can draw shapes to represent unique steps or objects and use them in your charts.

New shapes can be added to a palette from many sources, including

Other palette files

Combinations of other ABC FlowCharter shapes

Computer clip art libraries

Drawings (from programs such as Micrografx Designer(TM))

Scanned images and pictures (from programs such as Picture Publisher®)

After you paste a new shape into a Shape Palette, you can use the new shape just like any other ABC FlowCharter shape.


Shape Palette Overview

To add a shape from another application to ABC FlowCharter

To create a compound shape in ABC FlowCharter and add it to the Shape Palette


To create a compound shape in ABC FlowCharter and add it to the Shape Palette

1	Draw the shapes and lines that compose the compound shape in ABC FlowCharter. The shape can be made up of multiple shapes and lines.

2	Select the new shape. Make sure you select all the lines and shapes in the new shape.

3	Open the Edit menu and choose Copy.

4	Open the Shape Palette in which you want to store the new shape. Make sure the Shape Palette is the active window.

5	On the Edit menu, click Paste.


Shape Palette Overview

Creating New Shapes

To add a shape from another application to ABC FlowCharter


To add a shape from another application to ABC FlowCharter

1	Create the shape in the other application.

2	Select the shape you want in the other application.

3	Copy the shape to the Clipboard.

4	Open ABC FlowCharter, if necessary.

4	Open the Shape Palette in which you want to store the new shape. Make sure the Shape Palette is the active window.

5	On the Edit menu, click Paste.

Note

The changes you make to the Shape Palette are saved automatically. You can reinstall any of the original palettes using the Installation program. First delete or rename the files you want to reinstall, then run the Installation program, choose Custom, and choose to install ABC FlowCharter. (The installation process will be fast because the Installation file only replaces older or missing files.)


Shape Palette Overview

Creating New Shapes

To create a compound shape in ABC FlowCharter and add it to the Shape Palette


Shape Properties

You can change the shape properties for any selected shape. Shape properties include:

Item Information

Name

Keywords

Description

Advanced Settings

Number Alignment

Text Area Layout

Size of Shape

Connect Points

If proportional resizing is allowed

If Fill and Border Style changes are allowed


Changing Shape Properties

To change the properties for new shapes

To change the properties of an existing shape


Changing Shape Properties

Shape properties are changed in the Format Shape Properties Dialog Box. The Advanced Settings tab shows a preview of the shape. A picture, rectangle, and # symbol appear inside the shape work area.

The picture represents the actual shape (such as a square, diamond, or floppy disk). The rectangle represents the text area and the # symbol represents the shape number.

The # symbol represents where the number of the shape and any special indicators (such as a note or link indicator) appear in the shape.

The text area represents where the text you enter inside the shape appears. For some shapes, you might want the text to appear at the top and the number to appear at the bottom of the shape.

 You can place the picture and text area anywhere inside the work area of the shape.

You can change the properties for shapes already in a chart.

This lets you assign specific names, connect points, and other properties to shapes without changing the properties of the shapes you place later.

You also can change the properties for new shapes that you place in the chart.

ABC FlowCharter lets you add, move, and delete connect points on a shape. When you draw a line to a shape, the end point of the line "snaps" to a connect point on the shape. By changing the connect points, you can choose where lines connect to a shape.

You can choose whether you want to change the border and fill of a shape. In some cases, you may want to keep its border style, thickness, and border and fill color. For example, if you add a shape from a drawing program and the shape contains numerous colors, you may want to make sure its original colors are maintained.

The border and fill changes are called "styling" changes. If you allow styling for a shape, you will be able to change its border and fill attributes; if you do not allow styling, its original border and fill attributes will not change if you try to modify them in a chart.


Shape Properties

To change the properties for new shapes

To change the properties of an existing shape


To change the properties of an existing shape

1	Select the shape you want in the chart.

2	On the Format menu, click Shape Information.

3	Click the Advanced Settings tab, if necessary.

4	To change the Number Alignment, click on your choice (left, center, right, hidden).

5	To change the Text Area Layout, click on your choice (center, below, custom).

6	To resize the box proportionally, make sure the Resize Proportionally box is checked (or vice versa).

7	To resize the shape, enter the values in the Width and Height boxes.

8	To resize or reposition the shape by dragging, click the Object Selector tool above the shape, click to select the shape, and then drag the handles or the shape.

9	To resize or reposition the text area by dragging, click the Object Selector tool above the shape, click twice (usually) to select the text area (it will be solid black), and then drag the handles or the text area.

10	To customize the connect points, use the Add Connect Point, Delete Selected Connect Point, and Delete All Connect Points buttons above the shape. You also can use the Object Selector tool to drag a connect point to a new location.

11	To prevent the style of the fill or border from being altered from the chart, uncheck the Allow Fill & Border changes box.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected shape in the chart.

You can use the grid button above the shape to help you make changes to the work area. When the grid is on, the connect points, picture, and text area snap to the grid lines.

You can Shift+Click the left mouse button to select multiple connect points.

You can use the Arrow keys to move connect points and the text area. If the grid is on, it moves by 1 grid increment. If the grid is on, it moves by 1 pixel.


Shape Properties

Changing Shape Properties

To change the properties for new shapes


To change the properties for new shapes

1	Select the shape you want in the chart.

2	On the Format menu, click Shape Information.

3	Click the Advanced Settings tab, if necessary.

4	To change the Number Alignment, click on your choice (left, center, right, hidden).

5	To change the Text Area Layout, click on your choice (center, below, custom).

6	To resize the box proportionally, make sure the Resize Proportionally box is checked (or vice versa).

7	To resize the shape, enter the values in the Width and Height boxes.

8	To resize or reposition the shape by dragging, click the Object Selector tool above the shape, click to select the shape, and then drag the handles or the shape.

9	To resize or reposition the text area by dragging, click the Object Selector tool above the shape, click twice (usually) to select the text area (it will be solid black), and then drag the handles or the text area.

10	To customize the connect points, use the Add Connect Point, Delete Selected Connect Point, and Delete All Connect Points buttons above the shape. You also can use the Object Selector tool to drag a connect point to a new location.

11	To prevent the style of the fill or border from being altered from the chart, uncheck the Allow Fill & Border changes box.

12	On the Tools menu, click Options.

13	Click the Shape Sizing tab, if necessary.

14	Click Palette Size.

Note

The properties you define are applied to the new shape you place.

You can use the grid button above the shape to help you make changes to the work area. When the grid is on, the connect points, picture, and text area snap to the grid lines.

You can Shift+Click the left mouse button to select multiple connect points.

You can use the Arrow keys to move connect points and the text area. If the grid is on, it moves by 1 grid increment. If the grid is on, it moves by 1 pixel.


Shape Properties

Changing Shape Properties

To change the properties of an existing shape


Determining How Shapes Look

ABC FlowCharter lets you change the appearance of existing shapes and choose how new shapes will look.

Shape styles

Shape styles include:

Border Style

Border Width

Border Color

Fill Pattern

Fill Color

Shadow Style

Shadow Offset

Shadow Color

You can view the current styles and store new styles in the Preset Shape Styles list in the Preset Styles toolbar.

Text

You can add text to shapes to explain what step, process, or function each shape represents in your chart.

The text you enter inside shapes appears within the text area defined for the shape. The text area is an invisible box inside a shape that defines how much text is visible in the shape and where the text appears.

You can fit the shape to the text.

Numbering

You can automatically number shapes if you wish.


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Preset Shape Styles


To change how existing shapes look

To choose shape styles for new shapes


To add a preset shape style

To change how existing shapes look

To choose shape styles for new shapes

To delete a preset shape style


To add text to a shape

To fit a shape or text block to text


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Borders

ABC FlowCharter lets you choose different line styles for shape borders. A shape border includes not only the outside part of a shape, but any interior lines used in the shape (for example, the concentric circles on the inside of a 5.25" floppy disk shape). ABC FlowCharter provides many useful border styles, including solid, dashed (available only as a hairline), and center lines.

ABC FlowCharter lets you choose the width of borders and shadows. You can vary the width to customize shapes and achieve the visual effect you want.

You can use different border styles to identify shapes with a particular meaning or just to call attention to certain shapes.

Shadows

ABC FlowCharter lets you automatically add a drop shadow to shapes. You can choose one of four different positions for the shadow. Shadows can be used as an indicator, or just for appearance.

Fill pattern and color

You can choose from a wide selection of patterns for filling shapes. Different fill patterns can be used to differentiate flows and to identify individual shapes. For example, you could use a gray fill to identify incomplete processes and a white fill to identify complete processes. You can fill shapes with solid colors or one of the many patterns that come with ABC FlowCharter.

Color

ABC FlowCharter lets you choose the color of borders, shadows, solid fills, and fill patterns. You can use different colors to identify different flows, color code shapes, or just enhance a chart’s appearance.


Determining How Shapes Look

To change how existing shapes look

To choose shape styles for new shapes


Preset Shape Styles

As you create charts, you will probably find that you often reuse the same shape styles. For example, you might use the same border style and fill pattern for decision shapes in a certain flow.

ABC FlowCharter lets you choose the styles you want to reuse and store them in a list. These styles are called "preset styles." The list opens when you click the down arrow to the right of the Shape Style list box in the Preset Styles toolbar.


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look

To add a preset shape style

To rename a preset shape style

To choose a preset shape style

To delete a preset shape style


Placing Shapes in a Chart

You can place shapes in a chart to represent certain information. After you place the shapes, you can connect them with lines to show the flow of data. The appearance of new shapes is determined by the current styles.

When the Shape Tool is selected, each time you click on the chart, a copy of the current shape that is selected in the Shape Palette is placed in the chart. (Just click on a shape in the Shape Palette to select it.) You also can place a shape by pressing and holding the left mouse button, and dragging the shape from the palette to where you want it.

To make shapes connect easily, ABC FlowCharter lets you place a new shape and automatically connect it to another shape in the chart. The connecting line is drawn with the current line styles.

New shapes can display a number, if the Show Number option is selected. The number is based on the next number chosen for the Number Tool.

After you have placed a shape, you can replace it with a different shape without losing attached lines.


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look

To place a connected shape


Indicators

Indicators are shadows and symbols added to shapes. They help you identify shapes that are used to open linked charts (or launch other applications) or that have notes attached to them.

Shapes that open linked charts (or launch other applications) may be indicated with text, a shadow, or an icon.

Shapes that have notes attached to them may be indicated with text or a shadow.

You can use shadows and choose the symbols used for indicators. The default indicators are a shadow for link and -N for notes. You can use up to three text characters to create your own indicators.

You can choose the font, point size, color, and style you want for text indicators. The settings you choose also are used for shape numbers.

ABC OLE Automation

Link Indicator

Link Shadow

Note Indicator

Note Shadow

Indicator Font


To choose indicators for shapes


Alignment

ABC provides a number of alignment options for shapes, lines, and text. These options are set on the Alignment tab of the Options dialog box.

Shape Spacing

The Shape Spacing option lets you define how far shapes snap from each other when placed in a chart. For example, if you set 0.5" horizontal spacing and drag a new shape out of an existing shape, the new shape snaps half an inch away if you release the mouse button near that location.

Touch Alignment

The Touch Alignment option lets you place a new shape that is aligned to a reference shape already in the chart. To define the reference shape, you press the mouse button and drag a new shape over an existing shape as you are about to place the new shape. Reference marks appear on the existing shape. You can change the reference shape simply by dragging the new shape over a different shape already in the chart.

Note

Shape Spacing and/or Channel Alignment must be selected in order to use Touch Alignment.

Channel Alignment

The Channel Alignment option aligns shapes horizontally and vertically (in a channel) when you drag to place connected shapes. Channel alignment also works when you click to place shapes if you click near the center of the channel.

Snap to Grid

The Snap to Grid option lets you snap objects and guidelines to ruler positions. Coarse alignment makes the pointer snap at 1/8" increments; fine alignment makes it snap at 1/16" increments (when inches is selected as the unit of measure).


Options dialog box

To select alignment options


To choose shape styles for new shapes

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Shape Tool. Select the proper shape in the Shape Palette, if necessary.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Formatting to display the Formatting toolbar, if necessary.

3	To set the fill color, on the Formatting toolbar, click the down arrow by the Fill Color button, and then click the color you want in the palette.

4	To set the fill pattern, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Fill Pattern button, and then click the style you want in the list.

5	To set the border color, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Color button, and then click the color you want in the list.

6	To set the border style, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Style button, and then click the style you want in the list.

7	To set the border weight for a solid border, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Thickness button, and then click the thickness you want in the list.

8	To set the type of shadow, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Shadow button, and then click the type of shadow you want in the list.

Notes

Make sure you do not have a shape selected when you change shape styles. If you have a shape selected, the changes will affect only the selected shape, not new shapes that you place.

The default border weight for dotted and dashed shapes is hairline. You cannot draw a dotted or dashed border with a heavy shape weight.

Shadows cannot be applied to shapes with transparent fills. Shadows are one of the ways of indicating that a shape has a link or note. If you have chosen shadow as your indicator, you can change the position of the shadow, but you cannot choose no shadow.

You also can choose a preset shape in the Preset Shape Styles list in the Styles toolbar.


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look


To change how existing shapes look

1	Select the shape or shapes you want to change.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Shape Tool.

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Formatting to display the Formatting toolbar, if necessary.

4	To set the fill pattern, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Fill Pattern button, and then click the style you want in the list.

5	To set the border color, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Color button, and then click the color you want in the list.

6	To set the border style, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Style button, and then click the style you want in the list.

7	To set the border weight for a solid border, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Line Thickness button, and then click the thickness you want in the list.

8	To set the type of shadow, on the Formatting toolbar, click the Shadow button, and then click the type of shadow you want in the list.

Note

If you are unable to change the border and fill attributes for a shape, the Allow Styling option might not be checked for the shape.

If you change the fill pattern color and a selected shape contains a fill pattern, the selected color is used for the pattern in the selected shape.

The default border weight for dotted and dashed shapes is hairline. You cannot draw a dotted or dashed border with a heavy shape weight.

Shadows cannot be applied to shapes with transparent fills. Shadows are one of the ways of indicating that a shape has a link or note. If you have chosen shadow as your indicator, you can change the position of the shadow, but you cannot choose no shadow.

You also can choose a preset shape in the Preset Shape Styles list in the Preset Styles toolbar.


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look


 To add a preset shape style

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Shape Tool.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Formatting to display the Formatting toolbar, if necessary.

3	On the Formatting toolbar, select the shape styles you want (border style, color, and weight; shadow; fill color and style).

4	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

5	Click the Add Shape Style button on the Preset Styles toolbar. The shape styles are stored as a single item in the Preset Shape Styles list.

Note

You can add preset shape styles to the menu with or without a shape selected in the chart. If multiple shapes are selected and they have conflicting attributes, the Add Style button is gray.

{button Related Topics,PI(IDH_RT_To_add_a__shape_style)}


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look

Preset Shape Styles

To rename a preset shape style

To choose a preset shape style

To delete a preset shape style


To choose a preset shape style

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Shape Tool.

2	If you want to apply the preset style to an existing shape, select the shape(s) to which you want to apply the style.

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

4	Click the down arrow to the right of the Shape Style list box in the Preset Styles toolbar. The Preset Shape Styles list opens.

5	Click the preset shape style you want. The style is applied to the selected shape.

Note

If no shape is selected, the preset style appears in the Sample button and is used as the current shape style.

If you select a shape before you choose a preset shape style, the preset style is applied to the selected shape.


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look

Preset Shape Styles

To add a preset shape style

To rename a preset shape style

To delete a preset shape style


To rename a preset shape style

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Shape Tool.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

3	Click the Edit Shape Style button to the right of the Shape Style list box.

4	Click the preset style you want to rename.

5	Click Rename, and then type the new name in the Rename Style dialog box.

{button Related Topics,PI(IDH_RT__shape_style)}


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look

Preset Shape Styles

To add a preset shape style

To choose a preset shape style

To delete a preset shape style


To delete a preset shape style

1	Make sure no shape is selected.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Shape Tool.

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

4	On the Preset Styles toolbar, click the Edit Line Styles button to the right of the Shape Style list box. The Shape Styles tab of the Edit Styles dialog box opens.

5	Click the preset shape style you want to delete.

6	Click Remove. The style is removed from the Preset Shape Styles list.


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look

Preset Shape Styles

To add a preset shape style

To rename a preset shape style

To choose a preset shape style


To place a connected shape

1	Open the Shape Palette, if necessary.

2	Click the shape you want in the Shape Palette.

3	Point inside the shape to which you want to connect the new shape. The pointer shows two boxes connected with a line.

4	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the new shape where you want it. A line automatically connects the new shape to the other shape.


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look

Placing Shapes in a Chart


To add text to a shape

1	Place a new shape in a chart or select an existing shape.

2	Select any text formatting options that you want.

3	Type the text you want. The text you type appears in the text area in the shape. If the shape already contains text, the old text is replaced when you start typing.


Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look

Placing Shapes in a Chart

Determining How Text Looks


To change the properties for a selected shape

1	Select the shape for which you want to change properties.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Shape Tool.

3	On the Format menu, click Shape Information. The Shape Information dialog box for the selected shape opens.

4	Change the properties you want.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected shape in the chart.


Placing Shapes in a Chart


To replace shapes

1	Select the shapes in the chart you want to replace.

2	Click the shape in the Shape Palette you want in place of the selected shapes.

3	In the Edit menu, click Replace. The shapes selected in the chart are replaced with the new shape.

Note

Any manually resized shape or shape that has been fitted to text that is replaced will need to be resized again after you replace the shape.

When you replace shapes, the new shapes connect to the lines on the old shapes. ABC FlowCharter chooses the closest connect point on the new shapes.

ABC FlowCharter preserves shape numbers, colors, borders, patterns, and text size when the shape is replaced.


Placing Shapes in a Chart


To choose indicators for shapes

1	On the Format menu, click Chart.

2	Click the Indicators tab, if necessary.

3	If you want to use a text symbol to indicate a shape with a link, type the symbol you want to indicate this function. It can be up to three characters long.

4	If you want to use a shadow or chain-link symbol to indicate a note with a link, select the option in the list box.

5	If you want to use a text symbol to indicate a shape with a note, type the symbol you want to indicate this function. It can be up to three characters long.

6	If you want to use a shadow to indicate a shape with a note, click the Shadow check box.

7	Choose the font, size, style, and color you want for the indicators. (These options apply to all indicators.)


Indicators


To select alignment options

1	On the Tools menu, click Options.

2	Click the Alignment tab, if necessary.

3	Select the Shape Spacing box.

4	Type spacing values in the Horizontal and Vertical text boxes.

5	Select the Channel Alignment box if you want shapes to align in a channel.

6	Select the Touch Alignment box if you want existing shapes to be reference shapes as you pass the pointer over them.

7	Select the Snap to Grid box if you want objects and guidelines to snap to ruler positions.

8	Select the Coarse or Fine option, depending upon the snap increments you want.


Alignment

Options Command


To select a shape sizing option

1	On the Tools menu, click Options.

2	Click the Shape Sizing tab, if necessary.

3	Click the sizing option you want.


Alignment Options

Options Dialog Box


Window Menu Commands

Click a command below to learn more about it.

New Window	Creates a new chart window.

Arrange All	Arranges all the chart windows so that they can be viewed simultaneously.

Split	Divides the current chart into separate, active sections.

Chart List	Lists the names of open charts.


New Window Command

Use the New Window command in the Window menu to create a new window for the active chart.


Use the New Window command in the Window menu to create a new window for the active chart.


Arrange All Command

Use the Arrange All command in the Window menu to arrange all the chart windows so that they can be viewed simultaneously.


Use the Arrange All command in the Window menu to arrange all the chart windows so that they can be viewed simultaneously.


Arranging windows
To arrange windows

On the Window menu, click Arange All. The windows are arranged in the workspace so that you can view them all.


Split Command

Use the Split command to divide the current window into two or more windows.


Use the Split command to divide the current window into two or more windows.


Chart List

The chart list in the Window menu displays the names of the charts currently open in ABC FlowCharter. The numbers indicate the order in which the charts were opened. A check mark indicates which chart is active.


To activate an open chart

Window menu


The chart list in the Window menu displays the names of the charts open in ABC FlowCharter. The numbers indicate the order in which the charts were opened. The active chart has a check mark beside its name.


Activating an Open Chart
To activate an open chart

On the Window menu, click the chart you want in the chart list.


Command information


View Menu

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Normal	Lets you see objects at their actual sizes.

Current Page	Lets you view the entire page.

Used Pages	Lets you view all the pages used by your chart on the screen at the same time.

Full Screen	Shows all of the elements of your chart on the screen without menus or buttons.

Toolbars	Hides or shows any of the toolbars.

Status Bar	Hides or shows the status bar.

Rulers	Hides or shows the rulers.

Shape Palette 	Hides or shows the shape palette.

Zoom Window	Hides or shows the Zoom window.

Note 	Hides or shows the Note window.

Guidelines	Hies or shows guidelines.

Grid	Hides or shows a grid.

Zoom	Lets you change the magnification of a chart.


RT View Menu
Full Screen command

Zoom command


Normal Command

Use the Normal command in the View menu to see objects at their actual sizes.

The Normal view is the best all-purpose view for creating and changing charts.  Use the Normal command to return to this view from the Used Pages view, the Full Screen view, or the Current Page view. This view is useful for selecting specific objects and precisely positioning objects and lines. If an object is selected in the chart when you click this button, ABC FlowCharter displays the chart at its actual size with the selected object centered in the window.

Note

If you do not select any objects, the Normal command matches the upper-left corner with the previous upper-left corner of the chart.


Current Page command

Used Pages command

Full Screen command

View menu


Use the Normal command in the View menu to see objects at their actual sizes.

The Normal view is the best all-purpose view for creating and changing charts.  Use the Normal command to return to this view from the Used Pages view, the Full Screen view, or the Current Page view. This view is useful for selecting specific objects and precisely positioning objects and lines. If an object is selected in the chart when you click this button, ABC FlowCharter displays the chart at its actual size with the selected object centered in the window.

Note

If you do not select any objects, the Normal command matches the upper-left corner with the previous upper-left corner of the chart.


Current Page Command

Use the Current Page command to view the entire page. It is useful for selecting a group of objects, quickly connecting shapes with lines, and roughly placing and moving objects.


RT Current Page Command
Normal command

Current Page command

Used Pages command

Full Screen command

View menu


POP Current Page Command
Use the Current Page command to view the entire page.


Used Pages Command

Use the Used Pages command to view all the pages used by your chart on the screen at the same time. It is useful for getting an overall view of your chart, selecting and moving many objects at a time, and quickly making large-scale changes.


RT Used Pages Command
Normal command

Current Page command

Full Screen command

View menu


POP Used Pages Command
Use the Used Pages command to view all the pages used by your chart on the screen at the same time.


Full Screen Command

Choose the Full Screen command in the Window menu to show all of the elements of your chart on the screen without menus or buttons. Press Esc to return to the previous view.


To view in Full Screen mode

Normal command

Current Page command

Used Pages command

View menu


Use Choose the Full Screen command in the View menu to show all of the elements of your chart on the screen without menus or buttons. Press Esc to return to the previous view.


Using Full Screen View
To view all elements of your chart on screen without menus and buttons

1	On the View menu, click Full Screen.

2	Press the left mouse button and drag to draw in red.

or

Press the right mouse button and drag to draw in green.

or

Press both mouse buttons and drag to draw in yellow.

3	Press the Esc key to leave the full-screen view.

Notes

Use the Full Screen view to show someone the chart and do a "chalk talk" about it. While you are in full-screen mode, you can draw on the screen. When you finish, press the Esc key to return to the previous view.

The following keys are available in full-screen view.

Esc, End, X	Leave full-screen view

Delete, Spacebar, E	Erase chart annotations

Tab, Page Down, N	Go to the next chart window

Shift+Tab, Page Up, P	Go to the previous chart window


To change your view of a chart

Full Screen command


Toolbars Command

Use the Toolbar command in the View menu to display or hide toolbars.


To show and hide toolbars

Customize command

View menu


Showing and Hiding toolbars
To show or hide toolbars

1	On the View menu, click Toolbars.

2	Click the check box next to the toolbar you want to show or hide. An empty checkbox means that the toolbar is hidden.


RT Showing and hiding toolbars
Toolbars command

Customize command

View menu


POP Toolbar Command
Use the Toolbar command in the View menu to display or hide toolbars.


Status Bar Command

Use the Status Bar command in the View menu to display or hide the status bar.


RT Status Bar Command
To show and hide the status bar

View menu


POP Status Bar Command
Use the Status Bar command to display or hide the status bar.


Showing and hiding the status bar
To show or hide the status bar

On the View menu, click Status Bar.


RT Showing and hiding status bar
Status bar command

View menu


Rulers Command

Use the Rulers command in the View menu to display or hide the rulers.


RT Rulers Command
To show and hide rulers

View menu


POP Rulers Command
Use the Rulers command to display or hide the rulers.


Showing and hiding rulers
To show and hide the rulers

On the View menu, click Rulers.


RT Showing and hiding rulers
Rulers command

View menu


Shape Palette Command

Use the Shape Palette command to display or hide the shape palette.


RT Shape Palette Command
To place Shapes in a Chart

View menu


POP Shape Palette Command
Use the Shape Palette command to display or hide the shape palette.


Zoom Window Command

Use the Zoom Window command to display or hide the Zoom window.


RT Zoom Window Command
To use the Zoom Window

View menu


POP Zoom Window Command
Use the Zoom Window command to display or hide the Zoom window.


Using the Zoom Window
To use the Zoom window

1	On the View menu, click Zoom window.

2	Click the area in the Zoom window you want to magnify.


RT Using the zoom window
To magnify the chart

Zoom Window command

Zoom command

View menu


Note Command

Use the Note command to display or hide the Note window.


RT Note Command
To attach a note to a shape

View menu


POP Note Command
Use the Note command to display or hide the Note window.


Guidelines Command

Use the Guidelines command in the View menu to display or hide the guidelines.


RT Guidelines Command
View menu


POP Guidelines Command
Use the Guidelines command to display or hide the guidelines.


Grid Command

Use the Grid command in the View menu to display or hide the grid.


RT Grid Command
View menu


POP Grid Command
Use the Grid command to display or hide the grid.


Zoom Command

Use the Zoom command in the View menu to magnify, or zoom in on, a part of a chart.


RT Zoom Command
To choose a Zoom Percentage

To use the Zoom Window

Zoom Window command

Choose Zoom Percentage Dialog Box

View menu


POP Zoom Command
Use the Zoom command to magnify, or zoom in on, a part of a chart.


Changing Your View of a Chart
To change your view of a chart

1	Select the object you want centered in the window.

2	On the View menu, click one of the following commands:

Normal

Used Pages

Current Page

Zoom

Full Screen


To change your view of a chart

To view a particular area


Choose Zoom Percentage Dialog Box
Zoom Dialog Box

The Zoom dialog box opens when you choose the Zoom command from the View menu. Use this dialog box to choose the magnification level you wish.

Zoom to

Choose a predefined percentage of the actual size of the objects, or enter your own percentage, between 25 and 400, in the Percent text box.


RT DB Zoom Percentage
To choose a Zoom Percentage


Choosing a Zoom Percentage
To choose a percentage view of a chart

1	Click the object you want centered in the window.

2	In the Standard toolbar, click down arrow of the Zoom list box.

3	Click the percentage you want to magnify the chart.

Notes

You can enter another percentage in the text box if one you want is not listed.

You can use the Zoom command on the View menu to do the same thing.


RT View Zoom Percentage
Zoom dialog box


Viewing a Particular Area
To view a particular area of a chart

1	In the View menu, click Zoom Window.

2	Point to a corner of the area that you want to show.

3	Press and hold the mouse button.

4	Drag the cursor to the opposite corner of the area you want to show. As you drag, a box shows the area you have chosen.

5	Release the mouse button. The chart is redrawn with the area you selected shown on the screen.

Note

If you wish, you can move the box while still holding the left mouse button. Press and hold the right mouse button and move the cursor. Release the right mouse button (while still holding the left mouse button) to continue changing the size of the box.


RT Viewing chart area
Changing Your View of a Chart


Edit menu (DataAnalyzer)

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Undo	Reverses the last command you executed.

Cut	Removes the selected values from the spreadsheet and places them in the clipboard.

Copy	Copies the selected values to the clipboard.

Paste	Pastes the values in the clipboard into the spreadsheet.

Fill	Fills the selected spreadsheet row or column with the value in the active cell.

Clear	Clears the format and/or contents of the active spreadsheet cells.

Delete	Deletes the active spreadsheet cells and moves the remaining cells up.


Undo command

Cut command

Copy command

Paste command

Fill command

Clear command

Delete command


Undo command

Reverses the last command you executed.


Reverses the last command you executed.


Cut command

Removes the selected values from the spreadsheet and places them in the clipboard.


Removes the selected values from the spreadsheet and places them in the clipboard.


Copy command

Copies the selected values to the clipboard.


Copies the selected values to the clipboard.


Paste command

Pastes the values in the clipboard into the spreadsheet.


Pastes the values in the clipboard into the spreadsheet.


Fill command

Fills the selected row or column with the value in the active cell. If you select Down, the column is filled with the value in every cell below the active cell.  If you select Right, the row is filled with the value in every cell to the right.


To fill cells below

To fill cells to the right

Edit menu


Fills the selected row or column with the value in the active cell. If you select Down, the column is filled with the value in every cell below the active cell.  If you select Right, the row is filled with the value in every cell to the right.


Filling cells below the selected cell
To fill cells below the active cell

1	Select the cell in the column you want to fill with a value.

2	Enter the value to fill.

3	On the Edit menu, click Fill.

4	On the Fill submenu, click Down.


Filling cells to the right
To fill cells to the right

1	Select the cell in the row you want to fill with a value.

2	Enter the value to fill.

3	On the Edit menu, click Fill.

4	On the Fill submenu, click Right.


Clear command

All clears both the format and contents of the selected cells.

Formats clears only the formats, including borders, patterns, alignment, font and number style, from the selected cells.

Contents clears only the content of the selected cells.


To clear cell contents

To clear both contents and formats

Edit menu


All clears both the format and contents of the selected cells.

Formats clears only the formats, including borders, patterns, alignment, font and number style, from the selected cells.

Contents clears only the content of the selected cells.


Clearing cell formats
To clear cell formats

1	Select the cells from which to clear the formats.

2	On the Edit menu, click Clear.

3	On the Clear submenu, click Formats.


Clearing cell contents
To clear cell contents

1	Select the cells from which to clear the contents.

2	On the Edit menu, click Clear.

3	On the Clear submenu, click Contents.


Clearing both contents and formats
To clear both contents and formats

1	Select the cells from which to clear the formats.

2	On the Edit menu, click Clear.

3	On the Clear submenu, click All.


Delete command

Deletes the selected cells and moves the remaining cells up.


Deletes the selected cells and moves the remaining cells up.


View menu (DataAnalyzer)

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Spreadsheet	Displays the spreadsheet for the active chart.

Chart	Displays the chart for the active spreadsheet.

Calculation	Displays or hides the calculation columns for the active spreadsheet.

Toolbars	Displays or hides the toolbars.  Also allows you to customize the toolbars.


Spreadsheet command

Chart command

Calculation command

Toolbars command


Displays the spreadsheet for the active chart.


Spreadsheet command (DataAnalyzer View menu)
Spreadsheet command

Displays the spreadsheet for the active chart.


Displays the chart for the active spreadsheet.


Chart command (DataAnalyzer View menu)
Chart command

Displays the chart for the active spreadsheet.


Displays the calculation columns for the active spreadsheet type.


Calculation command

Displays the calculation columns for the active spreadsheet type, if available.


Displays or hides the toolbars.  Also allows you to customize the toolbars.


Toolbars command (DataAnalyzer View menu)
Toolbars command

Displays or hides the toolbars.  Also allows you to customize the toolbars.


Toolbars dialog box (DataAnalyzer)
Toolbars dialog box

Use this dialog to hide or display the toolbars and to select toolbar button options.


Specifies whether the DataAnalyzer Standard toolbar is displayed.


Specifies whether the DataAnalyzer Formatting toolbar is displayed.


Specifies whether the DataAnalyzer toolbar buttons are colored.


Specifies whether the DataAnalyzer toolbar buttons are large.


Specifies whether Help ToolTips are displayed after you hold the cursor over a toolbar item for a moment.


Insert menu (DataAnalyzer)

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Rows	Inserts a row into the spreadsheet at the current cursor location.

Columns	Inserts a column into the spreadsheet at the current cursor location.

Titles	Displays or hides the chart title.  Also displays or hides the chart axis titles.

Legend	Displays or hides the chart legend.

Gridlines	Displays or hides major and minor chart gridlines.

Control Lines	Displays or hides control lines on the active DataAnalyzer X Avg, R Control, or Moving Range chart.


Rows command

Columns command

Titles command

Legend command

Gridlines command

Control Lines command


 Inserts a row into the spreadsheet at the current cursor location.


Rows command

Inserts a row into the spreadsheet at the current cursor location.


Inserts a column into the spreadsheet at the current cursor location.


Columns command

Inserts a column into the spreadsheet at the current cursor location.


Displays or hides the chart title.  Also displays or hides the chart axis titles.


Titles command

Displays or hides the chart title.  Also displays or hides the chart axis titles.


To display or hide chart titles

Insert menu


Displaying and Hiding Chart Titles
To display or hide a chart title

1	Ensure that a chart is displayed.

2	On the Insert menu, click Titles.

3	To display a chart title, ensure the associated chart title check box is checked.  To hide a chart title, deselect the associated chart title check box.

4	Click OK.


Insert Titles command

Insert menu


Titles dialog box

Use this dialog to display or hide the chart title and the chart axis titles.


To display or hide chart titles

Insert menu


Specifies whether the chart title is displayed.


Specifies whether the title for the chart Value (Y) axis is displayed.


Specifies whether the title for the chart Category (X) axis is displayed.


Specifies whether the title for the chart Second Value (Y) axis is displayed.


Specifies whether the title for the 3-D chart Series (Y) axis is displayed.


Displays or hides the chart legend.


Legend command

Displays or hides the chart legend.


Displays or hides the chart legend.


Gridlines command

Displays or hides major and minor chart gridlines.


To display or hide chart gridlines

Insert menu


Displaying and hiding chart gridlines
To display or hide chart gridlines

1	Ensure that a chart is displayed.

2	On the Insert menu, click Gridlines.

3	To display a chart gridline, ensure the associated Axis gridline check box is checked.  To hide a chart gridline, deselect the associated Axis gridline check box.

4	Click OK.

Note

You can also display or hide chart gridlines by clicking the Horizontal (or Vertical) Grid button on the Standard toolbar.


Insert Gridlines command

Insert menu


Gridlines dialog box

Use this dialog to display or hide the X, Y, or Z gridlines on the active chart.


To display or hide chart gridlines

Insert menu


Specifies whether the major Category (X-axis) chart gridlines are displayed.


Specifies whether the minor Category (X-axis) chart gridlines are displayed.


Specifies whether the major Value (Y-axis) chart gridlines are displayed.


Specifies whether the minor Value (Y-axis) chart gridlines are displayed.


Specifies whether the major Second Value (Y-axis) chart gridlines are displayed.


Specifies whether the minor Second Value (Y-axis) chart gridlines are displayed.


Specifies whether the major Series (Z-axis) 3-D chart gridlines are displayed.


Specifies whether the minor Series (Z-axis) 3-D chart gridlines are displayed.


Displays or hides control lines on the active X Avg, R Control, or Moving Range chart.


Control Lines command

Displays or hides control lines on the active X Avg, R Control, or Moving Range chart.


To display or hide chart control lines

Insert menu


Displaying and hiding chart control lines
To display or hide chart control lines

1	Ensure that a X Avg, R Control, or Moving Range chart is displayed.

2	On the Insert menu, click Control Lines.

3	To display a chart control line, ensure the associated Attach Control Lines check box is checked.  To hide a control line, deselect the associated check box.

4	Click OK.


Insert Control Lines command

Insert menu


Control Lines dialog box

Use this dialog to display or hide control lines on the active DataAnalyzer X Avg, R Control, or Moving Range chart.


To display or hide chart control lines

Insert menu


Specifies whether +1s control lines are displayed on the chart.


Specifies whether +2s control lines are displayed on the chart.


Format menu commands (DataAnalyzer)
Format menu (DataAnalyzer)

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Selected Title	Lets you format the title of the active DataAnalyzer chart or chart axis.

Selected Axis	Lets you format the active DataAnalyzer chart axis.

Selected Series	Lets you format the pattern, edges, and color of the active DataAnalyzer chart fill area.

Selected Legend	Lets you format the active DataAnalyzer chart legend.

Selected Control Lines	Lets you format the control lines of the active DataAnalyzer chart.

Chart	Lets you format the appearance and backdrop of the active DataAnalyzer chart.

3-D View	Lets you format the view, lighting, base, and walls of a DataAnalyzer 3-D chart.

Row	Lets you format the height of the DataAnalyzer spreadsheet row(s).

Column	Lets you format the width of the DataAnalyzer spreadsheet column(s).

Cells	Lets you format the number, alignment, border, pattern, and font of the DataAnalyzer spreadsheet cell(s).


Selected Title command

Selected Axis command

Selected Series command

Selected Legend command

Selected Control Line command

Chart command

3-D View command

Row command

Column command

Cells command


Lets you format the title of the active DataAnalyzer chart or chart axis.


Selected Title command

Lets you format the title of the active DataAnalyzer chart or chart axis.


To format chart titles

Format menu


Formatting DataAnalyzer chart titles
To format DataAnalyzer chart titles

1	From the active chart, click on the chart title or chart axis title you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Title.

3	In the Text box, type the desired title.

4	To format the title font, click the Font tab.

5	Click OK.


Selected Title comamnd

To format chart title text

Format menu


Formatting text
To format text

1	Click on the text you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected.

3	Click the Font tab.

4	Click on the desired font in the Font list box.

5	Click on the desired font size in the Size list box.

6	You may make the text bold, italic, underline, and/or strikethrough by clicking on the appropriate Effects check box.

7	To change the text color, click on a color on the Color pallet.

8	To make text opaque, click the Opaque Text check box.

9	Click OK.


Format Chart Title (Title) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the active chart title.  Type the chart title in the Text box.


To format chart titles

To format chart title text


Provides a space for you to type a title for the active chart text.


Format Chart Title (Font) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the active chart title text.


To format chart title text

To format chart titles


Lists the available text fonts.  Type or click on  the desired text font.


 Lists the available font sizes.  Type or click on the desired font size.


Specifies whether the text is bold.


Specifies whether the text is italicized.


Specifies whether the text is underlined.


Specifies whether the text is strikethrough text.


Lists the available text colors.  Click on the desired text color.


Specifies whether text is opaque.


Lets you format the active DataAnalyzer chart axis.


Selected Axis command

Lets you format the active DataAnalyzer chart axis.


To format a chart axis

Format menu


Formatting a chart axis
To format a chart axis

1	From the active chart, click on the chart axis you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Axis.

3	Format the appearance, scale, grid(s), and font, as desired.

4	Click OK.


To format the chart axis appearance

To format the chart axis scale

To format the chart axis major grid

To format the chart axis minor grid

To format chart axis text

Selected Title command

Format menu


Formatting the chart axis appearance
To format the chart axis appearance

1	From the active chart, click on the chart axis you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Axis.

3	To assign a color to the axis, click on a color on the Color pallet.

4	To change the axis line width, type a number for the width in the Width text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat.)

5	Use the Location list box to select a location for the axis tick marks:  None, Center, Inside, or Outside.

6	To change the axis tick mark width, type a number for the width in the Size text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat)

7	Click OK.


To format the chart axis scale

To format the chart axis major gridTo format the chart axis minor grid

To format chart axis text

Selected Title command

Format menu


Formatting the chart axis scale
To format the chart axis scale

1	From the active chart, click on the chart axis you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Axis.

3	Click on the Scale tab.

4	Deselect the Auto Scale check box.

5	In the Maximum text box, type the maximum value that you want to be displayed on the active axis scale.

6	In the Minimum text box, type the minimum value that you want to be displayed on the active axis scale.

7	In the Major Divisions text box, type the number of major divisions that you want to be displayed on the active axis scale.

8	In the Minor Divisions text box, type the number of minor divisions that you want to be displayed between each major division on the active axis scale.

9	Click OK.


To format the chart axis appearance

To format the chart axis major gridTo format the chart axis minor grid

To format chart axis text

Selected Title command

Format menu


Formatting the chart axis major grid
To format the chart axis major grid

1	From the active chart, click on the chart axis you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Axis.

3	Click on the Major Grid tab.

4	Select the Visible check box.  (If you want to hide the major grid lines, deselect the Visible check box)

5	In the Pen Color list box, click on the desired major grid line color from the color pallet.

6	In the Pen Style list box, click on the desired pen style for the major grid lines:  Solid, Dashed, or Dotted.

7	In the Pen Width text box, type (or select) the relative pen width for the major grid lines:  1 - 16.  (1 is thinnest; 16 is thickest.)

8	Click OK.


To format the chart axis appearance

To format the chart axis scale

To format the chart axis minor grid

To format chart axis text

Selected Title command

Format menu


Formatting the chart axis minor grid
To format the chart axis minor grid

1	From the active chart, click on the chart axis you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Axis.

3	Click on the Minor Grid tab.

4	Select the Visible check box.  (If you want to hide the minor grid lines, deselect the Visible check box)

5	In the Pen Color list box, click on the desired minor grid line color from the color pallet.

6	In the Pen Style list box, click on the desired pen style for the minor grid lines:  Solid, Dashed, or Dotted.

7	In the Pen Width text box, type (or select) the relative pen width for the minor grid lines:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat.)

8	Click OK.


To format the chart axis appearance

To format the chart axis scale

To format the chart axis major grid

To format chart axis text

Selected Title command

Format menu


Format Axis (Appearance) dialog box

Use this dialog to change the appearance of the active DataAnalyzer chart axis.


To format the chart axis appearance

To format the chart axis scale

To format the chart axis major grid

To format the chart axis minor grid

To format chart axis text

Selected Title command

Format menu


Lists the available pen colors.  Click on the desired pen color.


Specifies the pen width and provides a space for you to type the pen width:  1 - 16.


Lists the available tick mark locations.  Click on the desired tick mark location:  Center, None, Inside, or Outside.


Specifies the tick mark size and provides a space for you to type the size:  1 - 16.


Format Axis (Scale) dialog box

Use this dialog to change the scale of the active DataAnalyzer chart axis.


To format the chart axis scale

To format the chart axis appearance

To format the chart axis major grid

To format the chart axis minor grid

To format chart axis text

Selected Title command

Format menu


Specifies whether the axis scale is the default scale.


Specifies the maximum value that is displayed on the active axis scale and provides a space for you to type the value.


Specifies the minimum value that is displayed on the active axis scale and provides a space for you to type the value.


Specifies the number of major division lines that are displayed on the active axis scale and provides a space for you to type the number.


Specifies the number of minor division lines that are displayed within the major division lines on the active axis scale and provides a space for you to type the number.


Format Axis (Major Grid) dialog dox
Format Axis (Major Grid) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the major grid axis of the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To format the chart axis major gridTo format the chart axis minor grid

To format the chart axis scale

To format the chart axis appearance

To format chart axis text

Selected Title command

Format menu


Specifies whether the chart grid is visible.


Lists the available pen styles.  Click on the desired pen style:  Solid, Dashed or Dotted.


Format Axis (Minor Grid) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the minor grid axis of the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To format the chart axis minor grid

To format the chart axis major gridTo format the chart axis scale

To format the chart axis appearance

To format chart axis text

Selected Title command

Format menu


Format Axis (Font) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the active DataAnalyzer chart axis text.


To format chart axis text

To format the chart axis minor grid

To format the chart axis major grid

To format the chart axis scale

To format the chart axis appearance

Selected Title command

Format menu


Lets you format the pattern, edges, and color of the active DataAnalyzer chart fill area.


Selected Series command

Lets you format the pattern, edges, and color of the active DataAnalyzer chart fill area.


To format the chart series

Format menu


Formatting the chart series
To format the chart series

1	From the active chart, click on the chart series you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Series.

3	Format the appearance, point markers, point labels, and font, as desired.

4	Click OK.


To format the chart series appearance

To format the chart series point markers

To format the chart series point labels

To format chart series text

Selected Series command

Format menu


Formatting the chart series appearance
To format the chart series appearance

1	From the active chart, click on the chart series you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Series.

3	To assign a color to the series line, click on a color on the Color pallet.

4	To change the series line width, type a number for the width in the Pen Width text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat.)

5	To change the series line style, click on a style in the Style list box:  Solid, Dashed, or Dotted.

6	To display edges, ensure the Display Edges check box is selected.

7	To assign a color to the series edges, click on a color on the Pen Color pallet.

8	Click OK.


To format the chart series point markers

To format the chart series point labelsTo format chart series text

Selected Series command

Format menu


Formatting chart series point markers
To format chart series point markers

1	From the active chart, click on the chart series you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Series.

3	Click the Point Markers tab.

4	To display the point markers, ensure the Show Markers check box is selected.  (To hide markers, deselect the Show Markers check box.)

5	To change the marker style, click on a style in the Style list box.

6	To change the marker size, type a number for the size in the Size text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat.)

7	To change the marker pen width, type a number for the width in the Pen Width text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat.)

8	To assign a color to the point markers, click on a color on the Color pallet.

9	Click OK.


To format the chart series appearance

To format the chart series point labelsTo format chart series text

Selected Series command

Format menu


Formatting chart series point labels
To format chart series point labels

1	From the active chart, click on the chart series you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Series.

3	Click the Point Labels tab.

4	To display the point labels, ensure the Show Labels check box is selected.  (To hide labels, deselect the Show Labels check box.)

5	To change the label location, click on a location in the Location list box:  Above Point or Below Point.

6	To change the label line style, select a style in the Line Style list box:  None, Line, or Angled Line.

7	To change the label orientation, click on the desired orientation:  Horizontal, Vertical, Up, or Down.

8	Click OK.


To format the chart series appearance

To format the chart series point markers

To format chart series text

Selected Series command

Format menu


Format Series (Appearance) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the appearance of the active DataAnalyzer chart fill area.


To format the chart series appearance

To format the chart series point markers

To format the chart series point labels

To format chart series text

Selected Series command

Format menu


Lists the available colors for the chart fill area.  Click on the desired color.


Specifies whether edges are displayed.


Lists the available colors for the edges.  Click on the desired edge color.


Format Series (Point Markers) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the point markers on the active DataAnalyzer chart fill area.


To format the chart series point markers

To format the chart series point labelsTo format the chart series appearance

To format chart series text

Selected Series command

Format menu


Specifies whether point markers are displayed.


Lists the available point marker styles.  Click on the desired style.


Specifies the point marker size and provides a space for you to type the size:  1 - 16.


Specifies the point marker pen width and provides a space for you to type the width:  1 - 16.


Lists the available colors for the point markers.  Click on the desired color.


Format Series (Point Labels) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the point labels.


To format the chart series point labelsTo format the chart series point markers

To format the chart series appearance

To format chart series text

Selected Series command

Format menu


Specifies whether point labels are displayed.


Lists the available locations for the point labels.  Click on the desired location:  Above Point or Below Point.


Lists the available line styles for the point labels.  Click on the desired style:  None, Line or Angled Line.


Specifies that the point labels are oriented in the horizontal plane.


Specifies that the point labels are oriented in the vertical plane.


Specifies that the point labels are oriented in the up position.


Specifies that the point labels are oriented in the down position.


Format Series (Font) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the active chart series text.


To format chart series text

To format the chart series point labelsTo format the chart series point markers

To format the chart series appearance

Selected Series command

Format menu


Lets you format the active DataAnalyzer chart legend.


Selected Legend command

Lets you format the active DataAnalyzer chart legend.


To format the chart legend

Format menu


Formatting the chart legend
To format the chart legend

1	From the active chart, click on the chart legend.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Legend.

3	Format the appearance, backdrop, and font, as desired.

4	Click OK.


To format the chart legend appearance

To format the chart legend backdrop

To format chart legend text

Selected Legend command

Format menu


Formatting the chart legend appearance
To format the chart legend appearance

1	From the active chart, click on the chart legend.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Legend.

3	To hide the legend, click the Show Legend check box.

4	To change the location of the legend on the chart, click the desired Location:  Left or Right.

5	Click OK.


To format the chart legend backdrop

To format chart legend text

Selected Legend command

Format menu


Formatting the chart legend backdrop
To format the chart legend backdrop

1	From the active chart, click on the chart legend.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Legend.

3	Click the Backdrop tab.

4	Select the desired legend Background Fill:  None, Solid, or Gradient.  Select None for a clear background.  Select Solid Fill to color the background.  Select Gradient for a background that changes color gradually, from one end of the legend to the other.

5	To format the legend border, click on a style in the Frame Style list box.

6	To color the legend border, click on a color in the Pen Color list box.

7	To change the legend border width, type the desired width in the Pen Width text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat)

8	To shadow the legend border, click the Shadow check box.

9	To offset the shadow from the legend border, type the offset distance in the Shadow Offset text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is close to border; 16 is farthest from border)

10	To color the shadow, click on a color in the Shadow Color list box.

11	Click OK.


To format the chart legend appearance

To format chart legend text

Selected Legend command

Format menu


Selected Legend (Appearance) dialog box

Use this dialog to show or hide the chart legend and to display the legend on the left or right side of the.


To format the chart legend appearance

To format the chart legend backdrop

To format chart legend text

Selected Legend command

Format menu


Selected Legend (Backdrop) dialog box

Use this dialog to color or shade the chart legend and to add a border to the legend.


To format the chart legend backdrop

To format the chart legend appearance

To format chart legend text

Selected Legend command


Selected Legend (Font) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the chart legend text.


To format chart legend text

To format the chart legend appearance

To format the chart legend backdrop

Selected Legend command

Format menu


Lets you format the control lines of the active DataAnalyzer chart.


Selected Control Line command
Selected Control Lines command

Lets you format the control lines of the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To format chart control lines

Format menu


Formatting chart control lines
To format chart control lines

1	From the active chart, click on the chart control lines that you want to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Control Lines.

3	Format the appearance, point markers, point labels, and font, as desired.

4	Click OK.


To format chart control line appearance

To format chart control line point markers

To format chart control line point labels

To format chart control line text

Selected Control LInes command

Format menu


Formatting chart control line appearance
To format chart control line appearance

1	From the active chart, click on the chart control lines you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Control Lines.

3	To assign a color to the control lines, click on a color on the Color pallet.

4	To change the control line width, type a number for the width in the Pen Width text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat.)

5	To change the control line style, click on a style in the Style list box:  Solid, Dashed, or Dotted.

6	To display edges, ensure the Display Edges check box is selected.

7	To assign a color to the control line edges, click on a color on the Pen Color pallet.

8	Click OK.


To format chart control line point markers

To format chart control line point labelsTo format chart control line text

Selected Control Lines command

Format menu


Formatting chart control line point markers
To format chart control line point markers

1	From the active chart, click on the chart control lines you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Control LInes.

3	Click the Point Markers tab.

4	To display the point markers, ensure the Show Markers check box is selected.  (To hide markers, deselect the Show Markers check box.)

5	To change the marker style, click on a style in the Style list box.

6	To change the marker size, type a number for the size in the Size text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat.)

7	To change the marker pen width, type a number for the width in the Pen Width text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat.)

8	To assign a color to the point markers, click on a color on the Color pallet.

9	Click OK.


To format chart control line appearance

To format chart control line point labelsTo format chart control line text

Selected Control Lines command

Format menu


Formatting chart control line point labels
To format chart control line point labels

1	From the active chart, click on the chart control lines you wish to format.

2	On the Format menu, click Selected Control Lines.

3	Click the Point Labels tab.

4	To display the point labels, ensure the Show Labels check box is selected.  (To hide labels, deselect the Show Labels check box.)

5	To change the label location, click on a location in the Location list box:  Above Point or Below Point.

6	To change the label line style, select a style in the Line Style list box:  None, Line, or Angled Line.

7	To change the label orientation, click on the desired orientation:  Horizontal, Vertical, Up, or Down.

8	Click OK.


To format chart control line appearance

To format chart control line point markers

To format chart control line text

Selected Control LInes command

Format menu


Format Control Lines (Appearance) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the control lines of the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To format chart control line appearance

To format chart control line point markers

To format chart control line point labels

To format chart control line text

Selected Control LInes command

Format menu


Format Control Lines (Point Markers) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the point markers on the active DataAnalyzer chart control lines.


To format chart control line point markers

To format chart control line point labelsTo format chart control line appearance

To format chart control line textSelected Control LInes command

Format menu


Format Control Lines (Point Labels) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the point labels on the active DataAnalyzer chart control lines.


To format chart control line point labelsTo format chart control line point markers

To format chart control line appearance

To format chart control line text

Selected Control LInes command

Format menu


Format Control Lines (Font) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the active DataAnalyzer chart control line text.


To format chart control line text

To format chart control line point labelsTo format chart control line point markers

To format chart control line appearance

Selected Control LInes command

Format menu


Lets you format the appearance and backdrop of the active DataAnalyzer chart.


Chart command

Lets you format the appearance and backdrop of the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To format a chart

Format menu


Formatting a chart
To format a chart

1	Ensure a chart is displayed.

2	On the Format menu, click Chart.

3	Format the appearance and backdrop, as desired.

4	Click OK.


To format the chart appearance

To format the chart backdrop

Format Chart command

Format menu


Formatting the chart appearance (DataAnalyzer)
To format the chart appearance

1	Ensure a chart is displayed.

2	On the Format menu, click Chart.

3	To view the chart in 2-D, click the 2D View radio button.

4	To view the chart in 3-D, click the 3D View radio button.

5	To display the chart title, ensure the Show Chart Title check box is checked.  (To hide the chart title, deselect the Show Chart Title check box.)

6	To display the chart legend, ensure the Show Legend check box is checked.  (To hide the legend, deselect the Show Legend check box.)

7	Click OK.


To format the chart backdrop

Format Chart command

Format menu


Formatting the chart backdrop
To format the chart backdrop

1	Ensure a chart is displayed.

2	On the Format menu, click Chart.

3	Click the Backdrop tab.

4	Select the desired chart Background Fill:  None, Solid, or Gradient.  Select None for a clear background.  Select Solid Fill to color the background.  Select Gradient for a background that changes color gradually, from one end of the chart to the other.

5	To format the chart border, click on a style in the Frame Style list box.

6	To color the chart border, click on a color in the Pen Color list box.

7	To change the chart border width, type the desired width in the Pen Width text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is fat)

8	To shadow the chart border, click the Shadow check box.

9	To offset the shadow from the chart border, type the offset distance in the Shadow Offset text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is close to border; 16 is farthest from border)

10	To color the shadow, click on a color in the Shadow Color list box.

11	Click OK.


To format the chart appearance

Format Chart command

Format menu


Format Chart (Appearance) dialog box

Use this dialog to change the appearance of the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To format the chart appearance

To format the chart backdrop

Format Chart command

Format menu


Specifies that the chart is displayed in two dimensions.


Specifies that the chart is displayed in three dimensions.


Specifies whether the chart title is displayed.


Specifies whether the chart legend is displayed.


Format Chart (Backdrop) dialog box

Use this dialog to change the backdrop of the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To format the chart backdrop

To format the chart appearance

Format Chart command

Format menu


Specifies that no background is displayed for the active DataAnalyzer chart.


Specifies that a solid background color is displayed for the active DataAnalyzer.  Click on the desired background color.


Specifies that the chart background changes color gradually, from one end of the chart to the other.


Lists the available gradient background styles:  horizontal, vertical, rectangle, or oval.


Lists the available beginning gradient pattern colors.


Lists the available ending gradient pattern colors.


Lists the available chart border styles:  None, Single Line, Double Line, Thick Inner, or Thick Outer.


Lists the available chart border colors.


Specifies the chart border width and provides a space for you to type the width:  1 - 16.


Specifies whether a shadow is displayed with the chart border.


Specifies the distance the shadow is offset from the chart border and provides a space for you to type the offset:  1 - 16.


Lists the available shadow colors.


Lets you format the view, lighting, base, and walls of a DataAnalyzer 3-D chart.


3-D View command

Lets you format the view, lighting, base, and walls of a DataAnalyzer 3-D chart.


To format 3-D charts

Format menu


Formatting 3-D charts
To format a 3-D chart

1	Ensure a 3-D chart is displayed.

2	On the Format menu, click 3-D View.

3	Format the view, lighting, base and walls, as desired.

4	Click OK.


To format 3-D chart views

To format 3-D chart lighting

To format 3-D chart base and walls

Format 3-D View command

Format menu


Formatting 3-D chart views
To format 3-D chart views

1	Ensure a 3-D chart is displayed.

2	On the Format menu, click 3-D View.

3	To change the view type, click on a type in the View Type list box:  Perspective, Orthogonal, or Oblique.

4	To change the viewing angle of the 3-D chart in the elevation plane,  type the desired perspective angle in the Elevation text box:  0 - 90.  (An entry of 0 displays the chart straight-up, while an entry of 45 tilts the chart 45-degrees toward you in the vertical plane, that is, the top of the chart appears closer to you than the bottom of the chart.)

5	To change the viewing angle of the 3-D chart in the horizontal plan, type the desired perspective angle in the Rotation text box:  0 - 360.  (An entry of 0 displays a front view of the chart, while an entry of 90 rotates the chart to a 90-degree angle from you, providing a side view of the chart.)

6	To change the viewing distance, type the relative distance the 3-D chart is displayed from in the View Distance text box:  50 - 1000.  (An entry of 50 displays the chart farthest away, while an entry of 1000 displays the chart closest to you.)

7	To change the relative size of the chart depth compared to the chart height, type the desired size in the Depth to Height Ratio text box:  50 - 1000.  (An entry of 50 displays the chart with minimal depth and maximum height, while an entry of 1000 displays the chart with maximum depth and minimal height.)

8	To change the relative size of the chart width compared to the chart height, type desired size in the Width to Height Ratio text box:  50 - 1000.  (An entry of 50 displays the chart with minimal width and maximum height, while an entry of 1000 displays the chart with maximum width and minimal height.)

9	Click OK.


To format 3-D chart lighting

To format 3-D chart base and walls

Format 3-D View command

Format menu


Formatting 3-D chart lighting
To format 3-D chart lighting

1	Ensure a 3-D chart is displayed.

2	On the Format menu, click 3-D View.

3	Click the Lighting tab.

4	To change the relative chart shading intensity, type the desired intensity in the Intensity text box:  0 - 100.  (An entry of 0 displays the darkest chart shading, while an entry of 100 displays the lightest chart shading.)

5	To display 3-D edges with the chart, ensure the Display Edges check box is checked.  (To hide the edges, deselect the Display Edges check box.)

6	To adjust the relative darkness of the 3-D edges, type the desired darkness in the Edge Intensity text box:  0 - 100.  (An entry of 0 displays the darkest edgest, while an entry of 100 displays the brightest edges.)

7	To adjust the light intensity along the left, right, top, and/or bottom sides of the 3-D chart, drag the associated slider up or down. (When a slider is down, the associated chart area is darkest.  When a slider is up, the associated chart area is brightest.)

8	Click OK.


To format 3-D chart views

To format 3-D chart base and walls

Format 3-D View command

Format menu


Formatting 3-D chart bases and walls
To format a 3-D chart base and walls

1	Ensure a 3-D chart is displayed.

2	On the Format menu, click 3-D View.

3	Click the Base and Walls tab.

4	To change the base or wall color, click on a color in the associated Color list box.

5	To change the thickness of the 3-D chart base or walls,  type the desired thickness in the associated Thickness text box:  1 - 16.  (1 is thin; 16 is thick)

6	Click OK.


To format 3-D chart views

To format 3-D chart lighting

Format 3-D View command

Format menu


Format 3D View (View) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the active DataAnalyzer 3-D chart viewing perspective.


To format 3-D chart lighting

To format 3-D chart base and walls

Format 3-D View command

Format menu


Lists the available 3-D chart views:  Perspective, Orthogonal, and Oblique.


Specifies the viewing angle (in degrees) of the active 3-D chart in the elevation plane and provides a space for you to type the desired perspective angle:  0 - 90.  For example, an entry of 0 displays the chart straight-up, while an entry of 45 tilts the chart 45-degrees toward you in the vertical plane, that is, the top of the chart appears closer to you than the bottom of the chart.


Specifies the viewing angle (in degrees) of the active 3-D chart in the horizontal plane and provides a space for you to type the desired perspective angle:  0 - 360.  For example, an entry of 0 displays a front view of the chart, while an entry of 90 rotates the chart to a 90-degree angle from you, providing a side view of the chart.


Specifies the relative distance the 3-D chart is displayed from you and provides a space for you to type the desired distance:  50 - 1000.  An entry of 50 displays the chart farthest away (smallest perspective), while an entry of 1000 displays the chart closest to you (largest perspective).


Specifies the relative size of the chart depth compared to the chart height and provides a space for you to type the desired size:  50 - 1000.  An entry of 50 displays the chart with minimal depth and maximum height, while an entry of 1000 displays the chart with maximum depth and minimal height.


Specifies the relative size of the chart width compared to the chart height and provides a space for you to type the desired size:  50 - 1000.  An entry of 50 displays the chart with minimal width and maximum height, while an entry of 1000 displays the chart with maximum width and minimal height.


Format 3D View (Lighting) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the active DataAnalyzer 3-D chart lighting.


To format 3-D chart lighting

To format 3-D chart views

To format 3-D chart base and walls

Format 3-D View command

Format menu


 Specifies the relative chart shading intensity and provides a space for you to type the desired intensity:  0 - 100.  An entry of 0 displays the darkest chart shading, while an entry of 100 displays the lightest chart shading.


Specifies whether 3-D edges are displayed  with the chart.


Specifies the relative darkness of the 3-D edges and provides a space for you to type the desired darkness:  0 - 100.  An entry of 0 displays the darkest edgest, while an entry of 100 displays the brightest edges.


Adjusts the light intensity along the left side of the 3-D chart.  When the slider is down, the left side is darkest.  When the slider is up, the left side is brightest.


Adjusts the light intensity along the top of the 3-D chart.  When the slider is down, the top is darkest.  When the slider is up, the top is lightest.


Adjusts the light intensity along the bottom of the 3-D chart.  When the slider is down, the bottom is darkest.  When the slider is up, the bottom is lightest.


Adjusts the light intensity along the right side of the 3-D chart.  When the slider is down, the right side is darkest.  When the slider is up, the right side is brightest.


Format 3D View (Base and Walls) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the color and thickness of the active DataAnalyzer 3-D chart base and walls.


To format 3-D chart base and walls

To format 3-D chart lighting

To format 3-D chart views

Format 3-D View command

Format menu


Lists the available colors for the 3-D chart base.


Specifies the relative thickness of the 3-D chart base and provides a space for you to type the desired thickness:  1 - 16.  An entry of 1 displays the thinnest base, while an entry of 16 displays the thickest base.


Lists the available colors for the 3-D chart wall.


Specifies the relative thickness of the 3-D chart wall and provides a space for you to type the desired thickness:  1 - 16.  An entry of 1 displays the thinnest wall, while an entry of 16 displays the thickest wall.


Lets you format the height of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet row(s) and change the default height of all spreadsheet rows.


Row command

Lets you format the height of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet row(s) and change the default height of all spreadsheet rows.


Lets you format the height of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet row(s) and change the default height of all spreadsheet rows.


Height command

Lets you format the height of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet row(s) and change the default height of all spreadsheet rows.


Automatically sizes the height of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet row(s) to fully display cell text if the selected cell text font size exceeds the current row height.


AutoFit command

Automatically sizes the height of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet row(s) to fully display cell text if the selected cell text font size exceeds the current row height.


To format row height

To format the default row height

Format menu


Formatting row height
To format row height

1	Ensure a spreadsheet is displayed.  If you want to change the height of one or several rows, highlight the row(s).

2	On the Format menu, click Row.

3	Click Height.

4	To change the row height, type the desired row height in the Height text box.

5	Click OK.


To format the default row height

Format Row commandFormat menu


Formatting the default row height
To format the default row height

1	Ensure a spreadsheet is displayed.

2	On the Format menu, click Row.

3	Click Height.

4	To change the default row height, type the desired default row height in the Default Height text box.

5	Click OK.


To format row height

Format Row commandFormat menu


Row Height dialog box

Use this dialog to change the height of active rows and/or the default row height for the active spreadsheet.


To format row height

To format the default row height

Format menu


Specifies the height of the active spreadsheet row(s) and provides a space for you to type a new height.


Specifies whether the default row height is used as the current row height.


Specifies the default row height and provides a space for you to type a new default row height.


Lets you format the width of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet column(s).


Column command

Lets you format the width of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet column(s).


To format column width

To format the default column width

Format menu


Formatting spreadsheet column width
To format column width

1	Ensure a spreadsheet is displayed.  If you want to change the width of one or several columns, highlight the column(s).

2	On the Format menu, click Column.

3	Click Width.

4	To change the column width, type the desired column width in the Width text box.

5	Click OK.


To format the default column width

Format Column commandFormat menu


Formatting the default column width
To format the default column width

1	Ensure a spreadsheet is displayed.

2	On the Format menu, click Column.

3	Click Width.

4	To change the default column width, type the desired default column width in the Default Width text box.

5	Click OK.


To format column width

Format Column commandFormat menu


Column Width dialog box

Use this dialog to change the width of active columns and/or the default column width for the active spreadsheet.


To format column width

To format the default column width

Format menu


Specifies the width of the active spreadsheet column(s) and provides a space for you to type a new width.


Specifies whether the default column width is used as the current column width.


Specifies the default column width and provides a space for you to type a new default column width.


Lets you format the width of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet column(s) and change the default width of all spreadsheet columns.


Width command

Lets you format the width of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet column(s) and change the default width of all spreadsheet columns.


Automatically sizes the width of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet column(s) to fully display cell text if the selected cell text font size exceeds the current column width.


AutoFit Selection command

Automatically sizes the width of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet column(s) to fully display cell text if the selected cell text font size exceeds the current column width.


Lets you format the number, alignment, border, pattern, and font of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet cell(s).


Cells command

Lets you format the number, alignment, border, shading, and font of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet cell(s).


To format cells

Format menu


Formatting cells
To format cells

1	Ensure a spreadsheet is displayed.

2	Highlight the cell(s) you want to format.

3	On the Format menu, click Cells.  (Or, click the standard toolbar Format Cells button.)

4	Format the number, text alignment, border, shading, and font of the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet cell(s), as desired.

5	Click OK.


To format cell numbers

To format cell text alignment

To format cell borders

To format cell shading

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format menu


Formatting cell numbers
To format cell numbers

1	Ensure a spreadsheet is displayed.

2	Highlight the cells you want to format.

3	On the Format menu, click Cells.  (Or, click the standard toolbar Format Cells button.)

4	To change the number category, click on a category in the Category list box.

5	To change the number format, click on a format in the Format Codes list box.

6	Click OK.


To format cell text alignment

To format cell borders

To format cell shading

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format Cells commandFormat menu


Formattting cell text alignment
To format cell text alignment

1	Ensure a spreadsheet is displayed.

2	Highlight the cells you want to format.

3	On the Format menu, click Cells. (Or, click the standard toolbar Format Cells button.)

4	Click the Alignment tab.

5	To change the horizontal position of text within the cell(s), click on the desired Horizontal radio button.

6	To change the vertical position of text within the cell(s), click on the desired Vertical radio button.

7	To automatically wrap text within a cell (instead of hiding the text under an adjacent cell when the text reaches the cell border), click on the Wrap Text check box.

8	Click OK.


To format cell numbers

To format cell borders

To format cell shading

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format Cells commandFormat menu


Formatting cell borders
To format cell borders

1	Ensure a spreadsheet is displayed.

2	Highlight the cells you want to format.

3	On the Format menu, click Cells. (Or, click the standard toolbar Format Cells button.)

4	Click the Border tab.

5	To change the cell border lines, click on the desired Border check box(s).

6	To change the cell border style, click on the desired style in the Border list box.

7	To change the cell border color, click on a color in the Color list box.

8	Click OK.


To format cell numbers

To format cell alignment

To format cell shading

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format Cells commandFormat menu


Formatting cell shading
To format cell shading

1	Ensure a spreadsheet is displayed.

2	Highlight the cells you want to format.

3	On the Format menu, click Cells. (Or, click the standard toolbar Format Cells button.)

4	Click the Patterns tab.

5	To change the cell shading pattern, click on the desired pattern in the Pattern list box.

6	To change the cell shading foreground color, click on a color in the Foreground Color list box.

7	To change the cell shading background color, click on a color in the Background Color list box.

8	Click OK.


To format cell numbers

To format cell alignment

To format cell borders

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format Cells commandFormat menu


Format Cells (Number) dialog box

Use this dialog to apply a specific number format to the active spreadsheet cell(s).


To format cell numbers

To format cell text alignment

To format cell borders

To format cell shading

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format menu


Lists the available cell format code categories:  All, Fixed, Currency, Percent, Fraction, Scientific, Date, and Time.


Lists the available formatting options for the active Category.


Format Cells (Alignment) dialog box

Use this dialog to position text within the borders of the active cell(s).


To format cell text alignment

To format cell numbers

To format cell borders

To format cell shading

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format menu


Specifies that text is aligned generally within the cell.


Specifies that text is aligned left to right within the cell.


Specifies that text is centered within the cell.


Specifies that text is aligned from right to left within the cell.


Specifies that text fills the cell.


Specifies that text is justified within the cell.


Specifies that text is centered across the active cell(s).


Specifies that text is aligned along the top of the cell.


Specifies that text is centered within the top and bottom cell borders.


Specifies that text is aligned along the bottom of the cell.


Specifies whether all text is displayed within the cell. If text reaches a cell border, the text automatically wraps within the cell (instead of being hidden under an adjacent cell).


Format Cells (Border) dialog box

Use this dialog to add a border to the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet cell(s).


To format cell borders

To format cell text alignment

To format cell numbers

To format cell shading

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format menu


Specifies whether a border is displayed around the cell.


Specifies whether a border is displayed along the top of the cell.


Specifies whether a border is displayed along the left side of the cell.


Specifies whether a border is displayed along the right side of the cell.


Specifies whether a border is displayed along the bottom of the cell.


Lists the available border styles:  solid, dotted, double lines, and so on.


Lists the available border colors.


Format Cells (Patterns) dialog box

Use this dialog to shade the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet cell(s) with a pattern and/or color.


To format cell shading

To format cell borders

To format cell text alignment

To format cell numbers

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format menu


Lists the available cell shading patterns.


Lists the available cell foreground colors.


Lists the available cell background colors.


Format Cells (Font) dialog box

Use this dialog to format the active DataAnalyzer spreadsheet cell text.


To format cell text

To format cell shading

To format cell borders

To format cell text alignment

To format cell numbers

To use formulas with cells

Format menu


Tools menu (DataAnalyzer)

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Data Import Wizard	Imports spreadsheet information from a file.

Customize	Allows you to customize the DataAnalyzer toolbars.


Data Import Wizard command

Customize command


Imports spreadsheet information from a file.


Data Import Wizard command (DataAnalyzer Tools menu)
Data Import Wizard command

Imports spreadsheet information from a file.


To import spreadsheet data into DataAnalyzer

Tools menu


Importing spreadsheet data into DataAnalyzer
To import spreadsheet data into DataAnalyzer

1	Select the Tools, Import Wizard command.

2	Select the source from which you wish to import the data.  Click Next.

3	Browse or enter the name of the file which contains the data to import.  Click Next.

4	Select a range for the data. Drag the data to the current DataAnalyzer spreadsheet.  Click Finish.


Data Import Wizard command

Tools Menu


CSH SCSDO D
Lets you customize the toolbars.


IDH CUSTO D
Customize command

Lets you customize the toolbars.


Statistical Quality Charts

Quality programs hinge on effective communications. Charts are most often used in quality programs to depict data graphically so that it can be readily understood. ABC FlowCharter lets you automatically draw the basic charts often referred to in quality and reengineering manuals. Each type of chart is designed for exceptional ease of use so that there is never a barrier to its creation.

Use statistical quality charts to identify key areas for improvement in a process, and then to monitor process improvement over time. Statistical quality charts are ideal for quality control in manufacturing, process reengineering, process management, and quality assurance.

ABC DataAnalyzer provides an ample supply of charts, including:

Histograms

Run charts (trend charts)

Pareto charts

Control charts

Scatter diagrams

Pie charts

Cause-and-effect (Ishikawa or fishbone) diagrams

Process charts

In addition, ABC FlowCharter lets you create:

Organization charts

Deployment charts


RT SQ Charts
Histograms

Run Charts

Pareto Charts

Control Charts

Scatter Diagrams

Pie Charts

Cause-and_Effect Diagrams

Process Charts

Organization Charts

Deployment Charts


Histograms

A histogram is a visual representation of the spread of data. You use histograms to show how frequently something occurs. The information is shown as columns proportional in height to the frequency of occurrence of the subgroup represented. Subgroup intervals are equal in size, so the columns are of equal width. The relative heights of the columns indicate the proportion of data points in each subgroup.

The histogram shows that two lengths were between 90 inches and 95 inches, seven lengths were between 95 and 100 inches, and so forth.


RT Histograms
Statistical Quality Charts


Run Charts

The run chart, also called a time line chart or trend chart, displays changes over a period of time. A typical use is the number of items produced each day.

The left axis displays a quantity, such as percentages, frequencies, quantity, or dollar value. The horizontal axis is divided into time intervals such as days of the week, months, or more unique periods such as first job, second job, and so on.


RT Run Charts
Statistical Quality Charts


Pareto Charts

Pareto charts identify problem types in a process according to frequency sequence. Use Pareto charts to identify key areas for improvement that will yield the most benefit for the least effort, and to monitor process improvement over time.

The Pareto chart is a simple and effective method to perform the following tasks.

Focus on what to do first.

Keep track of what to do next.

Identify what will yield the most benefit for the least effort.

Continuously focus on improvement.

A Pareto chart combines a column chart and a line chart. The columns represent the number of defects or frequency of problems in each category. The line represents the cumulative percent contribution of each of the defects.

The chart is sorted according to the frequency of the causes. The columns use the left scale, which is based on the number of failures. The cumulative frequency line uses the right scale, which is from 0 to 100 percent.


RT Pareto Charts
Statistical Quality Charts


Control Charts

Control charts detect changes in a process and are used to monitor the performance of a process over time. You use a control chart to monitor the performance of a process that has frequent outputs. The chart provides a pictorial representation of an ongoing process and is based on four concepts.

All processes fluctuate with time.

Individual points are unpredictable.

A stable process fluctuates randomly, and subgroups of points from a stable process tend to fall within predictable bounds.

An unstable process does not fluctuate randomly, and these fluctuations are generally out of the range of normal operations.

The control chart shows when the results of a process are outside the limits of the process. For example, suppose a particular part is to be exactly one inch long. A control chart plots the length of the parts produced (or a sample of those parts taken from several batches) to show whether the parts are outside the limits. You use this information to decide whether to adjust the process.

The control chart lets you distinguish between measurements that are predictably within the inherent capability of the process (common causes of variation) and measurements that are unpredictable and produced by special causes.

The data suitable for control charts consists of several subgroups, each with several measurements within it. The measurements within a subgroup are all taken at the same time, or as part of the same batch. The one exception to this rule is the data required for a Moving Range chart, which contains only one data value within each subgroup.

There are two basic types of control charts:

variable charts

attribute charts


RT Control Charts
Statistical Quality Charts

Attribute Charts

Variable Charts

Control Limits and Specification Limits

X Avg, R Chart

U Chart and C Chart

P Chart and PN Chart

MR (Moving Range) Chart


Variable Charts

Variable data indicates how much or to what extent something is happening. Examples of variable information are:

Number of shipments leaving the warehouse per hour

pH of a chemical mixture

Environmental conditions

Types of Variable Charts:

Average (X-Avg) and range (R)

Moving Range (MR)


RT Variable charts
Control Charts

Statistical Quality Charts

Attribute Charts

X Avg, R Chart

Control Limits and Specification Limits

MR (Moving Range) Chart


Attribute Charts

Attribute charts are used to display and analyze data characterized as:

Good or bad

Yes or no

Pass or fail

Types of Attribute Charts:

Percent defective (P)

Number of defects (PN)

Defects per constant unit (C)

Defects per variable unit (U)


RT Attribute charts
Control Charts

Variable Charts

U Chart and C Chart

P Chart and PN Chart

Control Limits and Specification Limits

Statistical Quality Charts


Control Limits and Specification Limits

All the control charts show data and an upper line representing the upper control limit (UCL), a central line (CL), and a lower line representing the lower control limit (LCL) of the data. ABC DataAnalyzer sets the UCL to +3 standard deviations and the LCL to -3 standard deviations, based on a normal distribution.

It is important to differentiate between control limits, which control charts show, and specification limits. Control limits are a function of the process. Specification limits are created by customer needs and expectations. In other words, process control limits do not depend on the specification limits set by a product or process design.

For example, a customer may require that a part be milled to within a thousandth of an inch. Suppose that under perfect conditions the milling machine can meet that tolerance 10% of the time, meaning you have to scrap 90% of the parts. That is not a control limit: it is a cost of doing business.

If the machine creates the part within tolerance less than 10% of the time, however, there is a control problem that can be addressed with control charts.


RT control limits
Control Charts

Variable Charts

Attribute Charts

X Avg, R Chart

U Chart and C Chart

P Chart and PN Chart

Control Limits and Specification Limits

MR (Moving Range) Chart

Statistical Quality Charts


X Avg, R Chart

The X Avg, R chart is the most common type of control chart. The name is often written x-R, pronounced “X bar R.” The X average chart plots the mean (average) values in the process. The R chart plots the range of the values in a particular subgroup. ABC DataAnalyzer supports up to 25 data values in each subgroup.

The result is two charts. Both show the upper control limit (UCL), the central line (CL), and the lower control limit (LCL). The first chart plots the X Avg. portion. The X Avg. chart plots the actual values. The second chart plots the R portion. The R chart plots the range of sizes.


RT Xavg R chart
Control Charts

Variable Charts

Control Limits and Specification Limits

MR (Moving Range) Chart

Statistical Quality Charts


MR (Moving Range) Chart

The Moving Range (or MR) chart is a variation of the X Avg, R Chart. You use it to represent data consisting of a single data value per subgroup. The Moving Range chart is also referred to as an XR chart or individuals chart.

Like the X Avg, R chart, the Moving Range chart consists of two graphs, the X chart and the R chart. The X chart plots the individual data values for each subgroup. The R chart plots the “moving range,” which is the absolute difference between successive data values in each subgroup. Since data ranges are calculated from successive data values, this is called a “moving range.”

The result is two charts. The first plots the data. The second chart plots the absolute value of the difference between each data value and the previous one.


RT Moving Range Chart
Control Charts

Variable Charts

X Avg, R Chart

Control Limits and Specification Limits

Statistical Quality Charts


P Chart and PN Chart

The P chart and PN chart show the fraction of the data that is defective. You use a P chart when the subgroups are of different sizes. You use a PN chart when the subgroups are the same sizes.

When you choose the P chart (or the U chart, described later in this chapter) in the Control Chart dialog box, the More button becomes available. You can click it to choose whether the upper control limit (UCL) and lower control limit (LCL) are calculated using the sample size for each subgroup, or are calculated using the mean of the sample sizes.

If you use the sample size for each subgroup, the UCL and LCL may have a “stair-step” appearance.


RT P and PN Chart
Control Charts

Attribute Charts

U Chart and C Chart

Control Limits and Specification Limits

Statistical Quality Charts


U Chart and C Chart

The U chart shows the number of defects when the material being tested is not a constant area or width. The C chart shows the number of defects when the material being tested has a constant number of items that could fail. An example of data appropriate for a U chart is the number of tufts in a swatch of cloth. An example of data appropriate for a C chart is the number of faulty chips in a computer motherboard.

When you choose the U chart (or the P chart, described earlier in this chapter) in the Control Chart dialog box, the More button becomes available. You can click it to choose whether the upper control limit (UCL) and lower control limit (LCL) are calculated using the sample size for each subgroup, or are calculated using the mean of the sample sizes.

If you use the sample size for each subgroup, the UCL and LCL may have a “stair-step” appearance.


RT U and C Charts
Control Charts

Attribute Charts

P Chart and PN Chart

Control Limits and Specification Limits

Statistical Quality Charts


Scatter Charts

Scatter charts and their related correlation analysis let you examine two factors at one time and determine the relationship that may exist between them. The chart can help lead you to the possible causes of problems, even when the linkage between the factors is surprising. The pattern of distribution of data points in a scatter diagram describes the strength of the relationship between the factors being examined.

The scatter chart shows plotted points against two measures, one displayed on the vertical (y) axis, the other on the horizontal (x) axis. The visual pattern of the plotted points gives quick information about the presence of a relationship or correlation.

The dependent variable is the one you can affect, such as call duration or amount of chemical. The independent variable is the other variable that depends on the first. The independent variable is assigned to the vertical (y) axis and the dependent variable to the horizontal (x) axis.

A positive or negative correlation between the independent and dependent variables (they appear to affect each other) shows the chart points in a straight line or such that a smooth curve can be drawn through or near the points. The smoother the curve that can be drawn, the stronger the positive or negative correlation.

In a positive correlation between the independent and dependent variables (they both increase or both decrease), the chart points spread from the bottom left of the chart to the top right of the chart. In a negative correlation between the independent and dependent variables (one increases as the other decreases), the chart points spread from the top left of the chart toward the bottom right of the chart.

If there is no correlation or weak correlation between the data sets, the points appear at random in the chart.


RT Scatter Diagram
Statistical Quality Charts


Pie Chart

A pie chart shows the relative proportion that each part contributes to the whole. Use a pie chart to illustrate the relationship of one part to the whole and components of the whole. A limitation of pie charts is that they cannot compare multiple data series.

Five or six pie segments on a pie chart is ideal; 12 should be the upper limit. For best readability, start with the largest segment. The other segments progress clockwise from large to small. If necessary, place a segment representing “all other” or “miscellaneous” after the smallest segment.

You can explode a segment after the chart is created by selecting a segment and dragging it away from the pie. You can even explode all segments by selecting a segment, pressing and holding the left mouse button and SHIFT, dragging the segment away, releasing the left mouse button, and releasing SHIFT.


RT Pie Chart
Statistical Quality Charts


Cause-and_Effect Diagrams
Cause-and-Effect Diagrams

One of the most effective and most widely used analysis tools of the “seven basic charts” is the cause-and-effect diagram. The cause-and-effect diagram is a powerful problem solving tool used to examine factors that may influence a given situation or effect. They also are called “Ishikawa” diagrams, after the late Kaoru Ishikawa, noted Japanese educator. In 1943, Ishikawa first developed the cause-and-effect diagram as an analysis tool for showing graphically how various factors are related to producing an effect. The diagrams also are called “fishbone” diagrams because their usual appearance resembles that of a fish skeleton.

Cause-and-effect diagrams are used primarily for cause analysis. In general, an effect or product is identified. This becomes the head of the fish. A “backbone” or “spine” is drawn and then individual “bones” are attached to it. These bones represent the various major causes that bring about the effect.

Additional bones may be added to the first level to depict subcauses. Several such levels may be added until enough detail has been reached. The same cause can be repeated in the diagram if appropriate. The ultimate goal is to have a complete list of causes and subcauses.

Cause analysis is usually a negative process—Something is wrong; let’s find the reasons. It is particularly well suited for use during brainstorming sessions, which is the most widely used application of the cause-and-effect diagram.


Statistical Quality Charts


Organization Charts

Organization charts let you view the hierarchical structure of your organization. ABC FlowCharter makes creating “org” charts very easy.

A special Org Line button lets you draw org chart lines. You can connect shapes easily to create a standard organization chart. The lines are “smart” in that you can move their attached shapes and the lines remain connected and aligned as the shapes move.

ABC FlowCharter has other “smart” features, such as data field tables, that let you enter information directly into the org chart and accumulate the data for the entire organization. Information such as the number of executives and their cumulative salaries and other costs can be extracted in reports. The data can be printed for hard copy, saved to a file for transfer to a database application, or copied into the Clipboard for pasting into another Windows application.

An ABC OLE Automation sample Org Chart DEMO, which is found in the ABC Ole Automation Demos group, creates an organization chart from a text file that uses tabs to indicate the levels of organization. Two examples, ORGCHRT1.TXT and ORGCHRT2.TXT, are in the SAMPLES directory.

For your convenience, ABC FlowCharter provides two sample files (ORGDEMO.AF3 and ORG.AF3 in the SAMPLES subdirectory). ORGDEMO.AF3 shows an example of an org chart that has a shape (that of Ruth Jacobs, Vice President of Marketing) that is linked to a second org chart (ORGLINK.AF3). To see how the linking works, open the file ORGDEMO.AF3.

Double click on the V.P., Marketing shape. The file ORGLINK.AF3 opens.

You can use these sample files to create your own org charts or create new ones using the many features of ABC FlowCharter.


Statistical Quality Charts


Deployment Charts

Deployment charts are specialized flow charts in which the shapes that represent activities are positioned in columns to correspond with one factor and in rows to correspond to another factor. An example of a deployment chart is shown below. In this case, the factors are processes and time, respectively.

It’s easy to create a deployment chart in ABC FlowCharter. The chart’s column and row header shapes can be snap-aligned and resized to create a precise chart format.


Statistical Quality Charts


Process Charts

A process chart is a specialized type of flowchart that visibly shows the intimate details of a process so that it can be readily understood. By understanding how a process flows, your quality team can make changes to improve the flow.

ABC FlowCharter makes it easy for you to draw process charts of many styles, using blocks, specialized symbols, or pictures to depict the operations (that is, the steps) involved in the process. Process charts can be used to depict the flow of everything from manufacturing activities to paper chases. Virtually every task that is performed and every activity that occurs can be documented in a process chart.

A sample file (PROCHART.AF3 in the SAMPLES subdirectory) shows one style of process chart showing the steps of a hinge adaptation procedure.

You can edit this sample file to create a four-column process chart or you can create your own using the drawing tools. For your convenience, ABC FlowCharter comes with two template files (PROCHAR1.AFT and PROCHART.AFT in the SAMPLES subdirectory). PROCHAR1.AFT is a template for a four-column process chart and PROCHART.AFT is a template for a five-column process chart.


Statistical Quality Charts


Formatting Toolbar (DataAnalyzer)

Click a button below to learn more about it.

Font	Changes the font of the selected text.

Font Size	 Changes the font size of the selected text.

Bold	Applies or removes bold format to selected text.

Italic	Applies or removes italic format to selected text.

Underline	Applies or removes underline format to selected text.

Align Left	Aligns text at the left ident.

Center	Centers text between indents.

Align Right	Aligns text at the right indent.

Text Color	Changes the color of the selected text.

Fill	Changes the color of the selected spreadsheet cell or chart area.

Line Color	Changes the color of the selected spreadsheet or chart line(s).


Changes the font of the selected text.


Changes the font size of the selected text.


Applies or removes bold format to selected text.


Applies or removes italic format to selected text.


Applies or removes underline format to selected text.


Aligns text at the left ident.


Centers text between indents.


Aligns text at the right indent.


Text Color Button

Changes the color of the selected text.


Formatting text color


Formatting Text Color
To format text color

1	Click on the text you wish to color.

2	Click on the Text Color button

3	Click on a color on the color pallet.


Changes the color of the selected spreadsheet cell or chart area.


Fill Color Button

Changes the color of the selected spreadsheet cell or chart area.


Formatting spreadsheet cell and chart colors


Formatting Spreadsheet Cell and Chart Area Colors
To format spreadsheet cell or chart area colors

1	Click on the spreadsheet cell or chart area you wish to color.

2	Click on the Fill Color button

3	Click on a color on the color pallet.


Changes the color of the selected spreadsheet or chart line(s).


Line/Border Color Button

Changes the color of the selected spreadsheet or chart line(s).


Formatting line and border colors


Formatting Line and Border Colors
To format line or border colors

1	Click on the spreadsheet or chart line you wish to color.

2	Click on the Line/Border Color button

3	Click on a color on the color pallet.


Standard toolbar
Standard toolbar (DataAnalyzer)

Click a button below to learn more about it.

Cut	Removes the selected values from the worksheet and places them in the clipboard.

Copy	 Copies the selected values to the clipboard.

Paste	Pastes the values in the clipboard into the worksheet.

Undo	Reverses the last command you executed.

Import Wizard	Imports worksheet information from a file.

Format Cells	Formats the number, alignment, border, pattern, and font of the selected DataAnalyzer worksheet cell(s).

2D-3D	Displays the current DataAnalyzer chart in 2-D or 3-D.

Horizontal Grid	Displays or hides horizontal grid lines on the current DataAnalyzer chart.

Vertical Grid	Displays or hides vertical grid lines on the current DataAnalyzer chart.

Show Legend	Displays or hides the legend for the current DataAnalyzer chart.

Help	Click this button, then click an item you want information about.


Removes the selected values from the worksheet and places them in the clipboard.


Copies the selected values to the clipboard.


Pastes the values in the clipboard into the worksheet.


Reverses the last command you executed.


Imports worksheet information from a file.


Data Import Wizard button

Imports worksheet information from a file.


To import spreadsheet data into DataAnalyzer!JumpID(>Procedur,IDH_Importing_Spreadsheet_Data_into_DataAnalyzer);CW(Command)


Formats the number, alignment, border, pattern, and font of the active DataAnalyzer worksheet cell(s).


Format Cells button

Formats the number, alignment, border, pattern, and font of the active DataAnalyzer worksheet cell(s).


To format cell numbers

To format cell text alignment

To format cell borders

To format cell shading

To format cell text

To use formulas with cells

Format menu


Displays the active DataAnalyzer chart in 2-D or 3-D.


2D - 3D button

Displays the active DataAnalyzer chart in 2-D or 3-D.


To format the chart appearance

To format the chart backdrop

To format 3-D chart views

To format 3-D chart lighting

To format 3-D chart base and walls

Format 3-D View command

Format Chart command

Format menu


Displays or hides horizontal grid lines on the active DataAnalyzer chart.


Horizontal Grid button

Displays or hides horizontal grid lines on the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To display or hide chart gridlines

Insert menu


Displays or hides vertical grid lines on the active DataAnalyzer chart.


Vertical Grid button

Displays or hides vertical grid lines on the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To display or hide chart gridlines

Insert menu


Displays or hides the legend for the active DataAnalyzer chart.


Legend button

Displays or hides the legend for the active DataAnalyzer chart.


To format the chart legend

Format menu


Click to get information on the next item you click on.


Standard Toolbar

New Button	Creates a new FlowCharter chart.

Open Button	Opens a previously existing chart.

Save Button	Saves the active chart.

Print Button	Prints the active chart.

Print Preview Button	Shows the chart as it will look when you print it.

Spelling Button	Checks the spelling of text in your chart.

Cut Button	Removes the selected item and places it on the Clipboard.

Copy Button	Copies the selected item and places it on the Clipboard.

Paste Button	Places the contents of the Clipboard on the chart.

Format Painter Button	Copies the formatting of the selected text to other text.

Undo Button	Reverses your last action.

Find Button	Lets you find text in your chart.

Shape Palette Button	Shows or hides the Shape Palette.

Arrange Toolbar Button	Shows or hides the Arrange toolbar.

Preset Styles Toolbar Button	Shows or hides the Preset Styles toolbar.

Data Fields Toolbar Button	Shows or hides the Data Fields toolbar.

Link Button	Lets you link the selected shgape or shapes to another chart or file.

Insert SPC Chart Button	Creates a statistical process control chart.

Import Shape Button	Imports a shape that you have created in another program.

Zoom In Button	Magnifies the chart.

Zoom Out Button	Shrinks the chart.

Zoom Percent list box	Magnifies the chart by the percentage you select.

Help Button	After you click the Help button, click on an item. Information about the item displays.


RT Standard Toolbar
Link Button

Shape Palette Button


CSH New Button
Creates a new FlowCharter chart.


CSH Open Button
Opens a previously existing chart.


CSH Save Button
Saves the active chart.


CSH Print Button
Prints the active chart.


CSH Print Preview Button
Shows the chart as it will look when you print it.


CSH Spelling Button
Checks the spelling of text in your chart.


CSH Cut Button
Removes the selected item and places it on the Clipboard.


CSH Copy Button
Copies the selected item and places it on the Clipboard.


CSH Paste Button
Places the contents of the Clipboard on the chart.


CSH Format Painter Button
Copies the formatting of the selected text to other text.


CSH Undo Button
Reverses your last action.


CSH Show Shape Palette Button
Shows or hides the Shape Palette.


Shape Palette Button

The Shape Palette button opens and closes the Shape Palette. The Shape Palette displays the shapes that you can place in a chart, and contains the ABC Media Manager Options menu.

You can make the Shape Palette appear on the screen and use it to place shapes in a chart. When you open ABC FlowCharter for the first time, a set of commonly used symbols appears in the Shape Palette. The name of the Shape Palette appears in the palette's title bar. The available shapes appear as buttons in the palette.

Many additional shapes are available in the Shape Palette files included with the program. (See the ABC Graphics Suite Media Guide for a complete list of available palettes and shapes.)


RT Shape Palette Button
To create shapes you can use repeatedly

To open, close, and move the Shape Palette

To resize the Shape Palette

ABC Media Manager Options menu


AT Shape Palette Button
ShapePaletteVisible Property

CurrentShape Property


CSH Arrange Toolbar Button
Shows or hides the Arrange toolbar.


CSH Preset Styles Toolbar Button
Shows or hides the Preset Styles toolbar.


CSH Data Fields Toolbar Button
Shows or hides the Data Fields toolbar.


CSH Link Button
Lets you link the selected shape or shapes to another chart or file.


CSH Zoom In Button
Magnifies the chart.


CSH Zoom Out Button
Shrinks the chart.


CSH Zoom Percent list box
Magnifies the chart by the percentage you select.


CSH Help Button
Click this button, then click an item you want information about.


Link Button

The Link button lets you link charts together. After the charts are linked, you can double-click a designated shape in one chart to open the linked chart.

This button lets you create hierarchies among charts. One chart can provide an overview of the main topics and contain links to subcharts that provide detailed information about the various topics.

You can use symbols and shadows to identify shapes that open linked charts. The symbols, which you can define, appear after shape numbers.

You can use the Index window to view chart links and quickly display shapes in various charts.


RT Link Button
To link objects

To group and link objects

To open linked charts

To clear links

Link dialog box

Object Selector tool

Index window


Format Menu
Format Menu Commands

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Chart	Opens the Format Chart dialog box.

Font	Opens the Format Text dialog box Font tab.

Text Alignment	Opens the Format Text dialog box Alignment tab.

Fill	Opens the Format Shape dialog box Fill tab.

Border	Opens the Format Shape dialog box Border tab.

Shape Information	Opens the Format Shape Properties dialog box.

Shape Numbering	Opens the Format Shape Numbering dialog box.

Line	Opens the Format Line dialog box Line tab.

Arrowheads	Opens the Format Line dialog box Arrowheads tab.

Crossovers	Opens the Format Line dialog box Crossovers tab.


Chart Command

Font Command

Text Alignment Command

Fill Command

Border Command

Shape Information Command

Shape Numbering Command

Line Command

Arrowheads Command

Crossovers Command


Chart Command

Use the Chart command on the Format menu to specify Master Items, data fields, and link and note indicators.

When you choose this command, the Format Chart dialog box opens. The dialog box has tabs for Master Items, Data Fields, and Indicators.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to all objects in the chart.


Format Menu


Use the Chart command on the Format menu to specify Master Items, data fields, and link and note indicators.

When you choose this command, the Format Chart dialog box opens. The dialog box has tabs for Master Items, Data Fields, and Indicators.


Font Command

Use the Font command on the Format menu to define the font, size, special effects (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough), color, and opacity of the selected text.

When you choose this command, the Font tab of the Format Text dialog box opens.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected text in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Text Looks

Format Text Dialog Box


Use the Font command on the Format menu to define the font, size, special effects (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough), color, and opacity of the selected text.

When you choose this command, the Font tab of the Format Text dialog box opens.


Text Alignment Command

Use the Text Alignment command on the Format menu to specify the horizontal and vertical alignment of the selected text.

When you choose this command, the Alignment tab of the Format Text dialog box opens.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected text in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Text Looks

Format Text Dialog Box


Use the Text Alignment command on the Format menu to specify the horizontal and vertical alignment of the selected text.

When you choose this command, the Alignment tab of the Format Text dialog box opens.


Fill Command

Use the Fill command on the Format menu to specify the background color, fill pattern, and pattern color for the selected shape.

When you choose this command, the Fill tab of the Format Shape dialog box opens.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected shape(s) in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Shapes Look

Format Shape Dialog Box


Use the Fill command on the Format menu to specify the background color, fill pattern, and pattern color for the selected shape.

When you choose this command, the Fill tab of the Format Shape dialog box opens.


Border Command

Use the Border command on the Format menu to specify the color, width, and style of the border and the style, color, and offset of the shadow of the selected shape.

When you choose this command, the Border tab of the Format Shape dialog box opens. You also can access the Shadow tab.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected shape(s) in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Shapes Look

Format Shape Dialog Box


Use the Border command on the Format menu to specify the color, width, and style of the border and the style, color, and offset of the shadow of the selected shape.

When you choose this command, the Border tab of the Format Shape dialog box opens. You also can access the Shadow tab.


Shape Information Command

Use the Shape Information command on the Format menu to display and define properties of the selected shape.

When you choose this command, the Format Shape Properties dialog box opens. The dialog box has tabs for Item Information and Advanced Settings.

The Shape Properties dialog box shows a picture of the selected shape, the shape number location, and the text area, along with the tools and buttons used to change the properties.

Use this dialog box to change the name of the shape, to edit its connect points and its number and text area, and to choose other shape property options.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected shape(s) in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Shapes Look

Format Shape Properties Dialog Box


Use the Shape Information command on the Format menu to display and define properties of the selected shape.

When you choose this command, the Format Shape Properties dialog box opens. The dialog box has tabs for Item Information and Advanced Settings.

Use this dialog box to change the name of the shape, to edit its connect points and its number and text area, and to choose other shape property options.


Shape Numbering Command

Use the Shape Numbering command on the Format menu to change the numbering of the current shape and new shapes.

When you choose this command, the Format Shape Numbering dialog box opens.

Note

The numbering applies to the selected shape(s) in the chart and new shapes.


Format Menu

Determining How Shapes Look

Format Shape Properties Dialog Box


Use the Shape Numbering command on the Format menu to change the numbering of the current shape and new shapes.

When you choose this command, the Format Shape Numbering dialog box opens.


Line Command

Use the Line command on the Format menu to change the color, width, style, and line routing type of the selected line.

When you choose this command, the Line tab of the Format Line dialog box opens.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected line(s) in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Lines Look

Format Line Dialog Box


Use the Line command on the Format menu to change the color, width, style, and line routing type of the selected line.

When you choose this command, the Line tab of the Format Line dialog box opens.


Arrowheads Command

Use the Arrowheads command on the Format menu to change the color, size, and arrowhead type of the selected line.

When you choose this command, the Arrowheads tab of the Format Line dialog box opens.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected line(s) in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Lines Look

Format Line Dialog Box


Use the Arrowheads command on the Format menu to change the color, size, and arrowhead type of the selected line.

When you choose this command, the Arrowheads tab of the Format Line dialog box opens.


Crossovers Command

Use the Crossovers command on the Format menu to change the type and size for line crossovers in the chart.

When you choose this command, the Crossovers tab of the Format Line dialog box opens.

Note

The properties you define are applied to all line(s) in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Lines Look

Format Line Dialog Box


Use the Crossovers command on the Format menu to change the type and size for line crossovers in the chart.

When you choose this command, the Crossovers tab of the Format Line dialog box opens.


Format Chart Dialog Box - Master Items Tab

The Master Items tab of the Format Chart dialog box is accessed by clicking Chart on the Format menu, and then clicking the Master Items tab.

Use it to specify which Master Items you want to appear and to select other Master Items options.


Format Chart Dialog Box - Data Fields Tab

The Data Fields tab of the Format Chart dialog box is accessed by clicking Chart on the Format menu, and then clicking the Data Fields tab.

Use it to specify how you want data fields to appear.


Format Chart Dialog Box - Indicators Tab

The Indicators tab of the Format Chart dialog box is accessed by clicking Chart on the Format menu, and then clicking the Indicators tab.

Use it to specify the indicators for shapes with links or notes.


Format Menu

To define Master Items

To move Master Items


Shows and lets you specify which Master Items are to be displayed. Click on the box to select or deselect a Master Item. Click on the name to display the associated entry.


Unchecks all check boxes.


Displays information associated with the currently selected Master Item.


Displays Master Items on all the pages in the chart.


Displays Master Items on only the first page in the chart;


Shows the current placement for the data field and lists available options for you to choose from.


Specifies whether or not you want field names displayed on the chart.


Specifies and allows you to change the number of hours per day for duration fields.


Specifies and allows you to change the number of days per week for duration fields.


Specifies and allows you to change the font for data fields.


Specifies and allows you to change the point size for data fields.


Specifies and allows you to change the style options (bold, italic, underline) for data fields. You may select more than one.


Specifies and allows you to change the color for data fields.


Specifies and allows you to change whether data fields should be opaque.


Specifies up to three characters to be used as a link indicator.


Specifies if you want shapes with links to have a shadow or chain-link indicator.


Specifies up to three characters to be used as a note indicator.


Specifies if you want shapes with notes to display a shadow.


Specifies and allows you to change the font for link and note indicators.


Specifies and allows you to change the point size for link and note indicators.


Specifies and allows you to change the style options (bold, italic, underline) for link and note indicators. You may select more than one.


Specifies and allows you to change the color for link and note indicators.


Format Text Dialog Box - Font Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Font on the Format menu, and then clicking the Font tab.

Use it to define the font, size, special effects (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough), color, and opacity of the selected text.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected text in the chart.


Format Text Dialog Box - Alignment Tab

This dialog box is accessed clicking Text Alignment on the Format menu, and then clicking the Alignment tab.

Use it to specify the horizontal and vertical alignment of the selected text.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected text in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Text Looks


Shows the current font and lists the available fonts for you to choose from.


Shows the current point size and lists point sizes for you to choose from.


Shows the current text effects (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough) for you to change. You may apply more than one text effect.


Shows the current text effects (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough) for you to change. You may apply more than one text effect.


Shows the current text effects (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough) for you to change. You may apply more than one text effect.


Shows the current text effects (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough) for you to change. You may apply more than one text effect.


Shows the current text effects (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough) for you to change. You may apply more than one text effect.


Shows the current color and lists available colors for you to choose from.


Indicates if the shape color will show through the text (not checked) or whether the text will appear on a white background (checked).


Provides preview of how the selected text will appear.


Shows the horizontal position of the selected text (Left, Center, or Right).


Shows the horizontal position of the selected text (Left, Center, or Right).


Shows the horizontal position of the selected text (Left, Center, or Right).


Shows the horizontal position of the selected text (Left, Center, or Right).


Shows the vertical position of the selected text (Top, Middle, Bottom).


Shows the vertical position of the selected text (Top, Middle, Bottom).


Shows the vertical position of the selected text (Top, Middle, Bottom).


Shows the vertical position of the selected text (Top, Middle, Bottom).


Format Shape Dialog Box - Fill Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Fill on the Format menu.

Use it to specify the background color, fill pattern, and pattern color for the selected shape.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected shape(s) in the chart.


Format Shape Dialog Box - Border Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Border on the Format menu.

Use it to specify the color, width, and style of the border and the style, color, and offset of the shadow of the selected shape.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected shape(s) in the chart.


Format Shape Dialog Box - Shadow Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Border on the Format menu. Click the Shadow tab.

Use it to specify the color, width, and style of the border and the style, color, and offset of the shadow of the selected shape.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected shape(s) in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Shapes Look


Shows the current color and lists available colors for you to choose from.


Shows the current pattern and lists available patterns for you to choose from.


Shows the current color and lists available colors for you to choose from.


Provides preview of how the selected shape will appear.


Shows the current color and lists available colors for you to choose from.


Shows the current width and lists available widths for you to choose from.


Shows the current style and lists available styles for you to choose from.


Allows you to select if you want the selected shape to have a shadow.


Allows you to select if you do not want the selected shape to have a shadow.


Shows the current shadow position and lists available positions for you to choose from.


Shows the current color and lists available colors for you to choose from.


Shows the current offset and lists available offsets for you to choose from.


Shape Properties Dialog Box - Item Information Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Shape Information on the Format menu, and then clicking the Item Information tab.

Use this dialog box to change the name of the shape and to add descriptive keywords and text that you can search for.


Shape Properties Dialog Box - Advanced Settings Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Shape Information on the Format menu, and then clicking the Advanced Settings tab.

Use this dialog box to edit the shape’s connect points and its number and text area, and to choose other shape property options.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected shape(s) in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Shapes Look


Shows name of selected shape. Can be changed if palette is not read-only. You can search for the name using the Search command on the Shape Palette Options menu.


Shows keywords. Can be changed if palette is not read-only. You can search for keywords using the Search command on the Shape Palette Options menu.


Shows description. Can be changed if palette is not read-only. You can search for text in the description using the Search command on the Shape Palette Options menu.


Provides preview of how the properties for the selected shape are set.


Shows the current number alignment and lists available options for you to choose from (left, center, right, hidden).


Shows the current text layout and lists available options for you to choose from (custom, center, below).


Shows current shape width and allows you to enter new width.


Shows current shape height and allows you to enter new height.


Allows you to resize shape in chart and change proportions (if checked) or restricts resizing to proportional (if not checked).


Specifies whether Fill and Border properties can be changed for this shape in the chart.


Allows you to select and drag the shape border, text area, number, and connect points.


Allows you to create new connect points.


Deletes the selected connect point.


Deletes all connect points.


Toggles whether or not you want the grid displayed in the preview.


Shows the settings for the shape.


Shape Numbering Dialog Box

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Shape Numbering on the Format menu.

Use it to change the numbering of the current shape and new shapes.

Note

The numbering applies to the selected shape(s) in the chart and new shapes.


Format Menu

Determining How Shapes Look

Shape Numbering


Shows the next number and allows you to enter a new next number.


Indicates if you want shape numbers to display.


Allows you to specify if you want the renumbering to apply to all shapes, selected shapes, or new shapes.


Format Line Dialog Box - Line Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Line on the Format menu. Use it to change the color, width, style, and line routing type of the selected line.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected line(s) in the chart.


Format Line Dialog Box - Arrowheads Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Arrowheads on the Format menu. Use it to change the color, size, and arrowhead type of the selected line.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected line(s) in the chart.


Format Line Dialog Box - Crossovers Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Crossovers on the Format menu. Use it to change the type and size for line crossovers in the chart.

Note

The properties you define are applied only to the selected line(s) in the chart.


Format Menu

Determining How Lines Look


Shows the current color and lists available colors for you to choose from.


Shows the current line width and lists available width for you to choose from.


Shows the current style and lists available styles (solid, dotted, dashed) for you to choose from.


Shows the current line routing and lists available routing types for you to choose from.


Provides preview of how the selected line will appear.


Shows the current arrowhead type and lists available types for you to choose from.


Shows the current arrowhead size and lists available sizes for you to choose from.


Shows the current color and lists available colors for you to choose from.


Shows the current arrowhead type and lists available types for you to choose from.


Shows the current arrowhead size and lists available sizes for you to choose from.


Shows the current color and lists available colors for you to choose from.


Shows the current crossover type for the chart and lists available crossovers for you to choose from.


Shows the current crossover jump size for the chart and lists available sizes for you to choose from.


Tools Menu

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Spelling	Spell checks the chart.

Protect Chart	Opens the Protect Chart dialog box.

Index	Opens the Index window.

Insert SPC Graphic	Opens the ABC DataAnalyzer chart wizard.

Import Shape	Opens the Windows 95 File dialog box.

Export Chart	Opens the Windows 95 File dialog box.

Customize	Opens the Customize dialog box.

Options	Opens the Options dialog box.

<Add-ons>	Add on menu items.


Spelling Command

Protect Chart Command

Index Command

Insert SPC Graphic Command

Import Shape Command

Export Chart Command

Customize Command

Options Command

Add-on Commands


Spelling Command

Use the Spelling command in the Tools menu to check the spelling of any text included in charts created in ABC FlowCharter.

ABC FlowCharter can check the spelling of all the text in the document, or just the selected text. For example, if you want to check one word, highlight the word, and then choose the Spelling command.

You use the Options command on the Tools menu to choose a dictionary and language for spell checking.


Tools Menu


Spelling checks the spelling of any text included in charts created in ABC FlowCharter.

ABC FlowCharter can check the spelling of all the text in the document, or just the selected text. For example, if you want to check one word, highlight the word, and then choose Spelling.


Protect Chart Command

Use the Protect Chart command in the Tools menu to set or remove password protection to protect your chart from unauthorized changes. When you choose this command, the Protect Chart dialog box opens.


Tools Menu

To protect a chart


Protect Chart sets or removes password protection. When you choose this command, the Protect Chart dialog box opens.


Index Command

Use the Index command in the Tools menu to open or close the Index window. The window is displayed when the command is checked.


Tools Menu


Index opens or closes the Index window.

The window is displayed when the Index command in the Tools menu is checked.


Insert SPC Graphic Command

Use the Insert SPC Graphic command in the Tools menu to create and insert an SPC (Statistical Process Control) data chart. When you choose this command, the ABC DataAnalyzer SPC chart wizard opens.


Tools Menu


Insert SPC Graphic creates and inserts an SPC (Statistical Process Control) data chart. When you choose Insert SPC Graphic, the ABC DataAnalyzer SPC chart wizard opens.


Import Shape Command

Use the Import Shape command in the Tools menu to import a shape from a graphics file. When you choose this command, the Windows 95 File dialog box opens.


Tools Menu


Import Shape imports a shape from a graphics file. When you choose this command, the Windows 95 File dialog box opens.


Export Chart Command

Use the Export Chart command in the Tools menu to export a chart to a file. The chart can be in a number of other formats. When you choose this command, the Windows 95 File dialog box opens. Use the list of file types to choose which type of file you want to export to.


Tools Menu


Export Chart exports a chart to a file. When you choose this command, the Windows 95 File dialog box opens.


Customize Command

Use the Customize command in the Tools menu to customize the ABC FlowCharter toolbars and toolbox. When you choose this command, the Customize dialog box opens.


Tools Menu


Use the Customize command in the Tools menu to customize the ABC FlowCharter toolbars. When you choose this command, the Customize dialog box opens.


Options Command

Use the Options command in the Tools menu to set options for shape spacing and alignment; the ruler; line spacing; and spell checking.


Tools Menu


Use the Options command in the Tools menu to set options for shape spacing and alignment; the ruler; line spacing; and spell checking.


Add-on Menu Commands

Additional menu commands that are not part of ABC FlowCharter appear here.


Additional menu commands that are not part of ABC FlowCharter appear here.


Spelling Dialog Box

This dialog box is accessed from the Spelling command in the Tools menu only when there are misspelled words in the chart. It is used to enter the correct spelling or add words to the dictionary.


Spell Checking

Spelling Command

Options Command

To check spelling

To choose spelling options


Displays words not found in the dictionary. If no suggested correct spellings are displayed, you can click on this area to copy its contents to the Change To box.


If suggestions are made, displays the first suggested correct spelling. If no suggested spellings are listed, displays the text insertion point. You can type the correct spelling of the word or you can click on the Not In Dictionary box to copy the misspelled word into this area. You can edit the word in this box.


Displays a list of words similar to the misspelled word from the currently used dictionary. The first word listed also appears in the Change To box. Click another suggested word to copy it to the Change To box. If ABC FlowCharter has no suggestions for the correct spelling of the word, “No Suggestions” appears in the list.


Skips the word in the Not in Dictionary box without changing it.


Ignores the current word and all other occurrences of the word in this chart without prompting you.


Changes the Not In Dictionary word to the word in the Change To box.


Makes the same change to all subsequent occurrences of the word in the chart without prompting you.


Adds the word to the current dictionary.


Displays information on the spelling rules for the misspelled word.


Displays the Spelling tab of the Options dialog box so you can change the language or dictionary, or  to ignore words that contain numbers.


Protect Chart Dialog Box

To create a password for a chart, you must enter the password twice.

Type a password in the Password text box. The password is not case-sensitive. This means that uppercase and lowercase letters are considered to be the same. For example, flowchrt is recognized as the same password as FlowChrt. The password appears as a series of asterisks (****) as you type. This prevents unauthorized persons from viewing the password as you enter it.

Type the password in the Verify text box exactly as you typed it in the Password text box. This verifies that the password you typed was not typed incorrectly.

Note

If you want to remove password protection, the Unprotect Chart dialog box opens when you choose the Unprotect Chart command in the File menu.


Tools Menu

Protect Chart Command

To protect a chart

To remove chart protection


Type a password in the Password text box. The password is not case-sensitive. This means that uppercase and lowercase letters are considered to be the same. For example, flowchrt is recognized as the same password as FlowChrt. The password appears as a series of asterisks (****) as you type. This prevents unauthorized persons from viewing the password as you enter it.


Type the password again exactly as you typed it in the Password text box. This verifies that the password you typed was not typed incorrectly.


Customize Dialog Box

This dialog box is accessed from the Customize command on the Tools menu.

Use it to configure the buttons on the toolbars and toolbox.


Tools Menu


Lists the toolbars. Select the one for which you want to add or remove a button.


Shows the buttons on the current toolbar.


Options Dialog Box - Alignment Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Options on the Tools menu, and then clicking the Options tab.

Use it to set Shape Spacing, Channel Alignment, Touch Alignment, and ruler options.


Tools Menu

Options Command

Understanding Channel and Touch Alignment

Aligning a Shape Using Channel and Touch Alignment


Options Dialog Box - Line Spacing Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Options on the Tools menu, and then clicking the Line Spacing tab.

Use it to set the line offset for right-angle lines.


Tools Menu

Options Command

Line Options


Options Dialog Box - Spelling Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking Options on the Tools menu, and then clicking the Spelling tab.

Use it to set the spelling options such as language and user dictionary.


Tools Menu

Options Command

To check spelling

To choose spelling options


Lets you define how far shapes snap from each other when placed in a chart. For example, if you set 0.5" horizontal spacing and drag a new shape out of an existing shape, the new shape snaps half an inch away if you release the mouse button near that location.


Lets you place a new shape that is aligned to a reference shape already in the chart. To define the reference shape, you press the mouse button and drag a new shape over an existing shape as you are about to place the new shape. Reference marks appear on the existing shape. You can change the reference shape simply by dragging the new shape over a different shape already in the chart.

Note

Shape Spacing and/or Channel Alignment must be selected in order to use Touch Alignment.


Aligns shapes horizontally and vertically (in a channel) when you drag to place connected shapes. Channel alignment also works when you click to place shapes if you click near the center of the channel.


Lets you snap objects and guidelines to ruler positions. Coarse alignment makes the pointer snap at 1/8" increments; fine alignment makes it snap at 1/16" increments (when inches is selected as the unit of measure).


Lets you snap objects and guidelines to ruler positions. Coarse alignment makes the pointer snap at 1/8" increments; fine alignment makes it snap at 1/16" increments (when inches is selected as the unit of measure).


Lets you snap objects and guidelines to ruler positions. Coarse alignment makes the pointer snap at 1/8" increments; fine alignment makes it snap at 1/16" increments (when inches is selected as the unit of measure).


Lets you set the amount of horizontal space between lines and shapes.


Lets you set the amount of vertical space between lines and shapes.


Click on the down arrow to the right of the Language box to drop down a menu of available languages and select a language.


Type the path and file name of the dictionary to be used for spell checking.


Select this option to ignore words with numbers during spell checking.


Arrange Menu

Click a command below to learn more about it.

Bring to Front	Brings the selected object to the front.

Send to Back	Sends the selected object to the back.

Rotate Right	Rotates the selected object to the right.

Rotate Left	Rotates the selected object to the left.

Flip Horizontal	Flips the selected object horizontally.

Flip Vertical	Flips the selected object vertically.

Align	Opens submenu to align shapes vertically and horizontally.

Make Same Size	Opens submenu to make selected shapes same size.

Space Evenly	Opens submenu to space selected shapes evenly.


Bring to Front Command

Sent to Back Command

Rotate Right Command

Rotate Left Command

Flip Horizontal Command

Flip Vertical Command

Align Command

Make Same Size Command

Space Evenly Command


Bring to Front Command

Use the Bring to Front command in the Arrange menu to move the selected object or objects in front of other objects in the chart.

You can also use the Bring to Front button on the Arrange toolbar.


Arrange Menu

Send to Back Command

Bring to Front button

To bring an object to the front


Bring to Front moves the selected object or objects in front of other objects in the chart.


Send to Back Command

Use the Send to Back command on the Arrange menu to move the selected object or objects behind other objects in the chart.

You can also use the Send to Back button on the Arrange toolbar.


Arrange Menu

Bring to Front Command

Send to Back button

To send an object to the back


Send to Back moves the selected object or objects behind other objects in the chart.


Rotate Right Command

Use the Rotate Right command on the Arrange menu to rotate the selected object or objects 90 degrees to the right.

You can also use the Rotate Right button on the Arrange toolbar.


Arrange Menu

Rotate Right button

To rotate an object


Rotate Right rotates the selected object or objects 90 degrees to the right.


Rotate Left Command

Use the Rotate Left command on the Arrange menu to rotate the selected object or objects 90 degrees to the left.

You can also use the Rotate Left button on the Arrange toolbar.


Arrange Menu

Rotate Left button

To rotate an object


Rotate Left rotates the selected object or objects 90 degrees to the left.


Flip Horizontal Command

Use the Flip Horizontal command on the Arrange menu to flip the selected object or objects horizontally.

You can also use the Flip Horizontal button on the Arrange toolbar.


Arrange Menu

Flip Horizontal button

To flip an object


Flip Horizontal flips the selected object or objects horizontally.


Flip Vertical Command

Use the Flip Vertical command on the Arrange menu to flip the selected object or objects vertically.

You can also use the Flip Vertical button on the Arrange toolbar.


Arrange Menu

Flip Vertical button

To flip an object


Flip Vertical flips the selected object or objects vertically.


Align Command

Use the Align command on the Arrange menu to align the selected shapes horizontally based on their left edges, right edges, or centers, or vertically based on their top edges, bottom edges, or middles. When you click this command, a submenu opens to allow you to make your choice.

You can also use the Align Left, Align Right, Align Center, Align Top, Align Bottom, or Align Middle buttons on the Arrange toolbar.


Arrange Menu

Align  buttons

To align objects


You can align the selected shapes horizontally based on their left edges, right edges, or centers, or vertically based on their top edges, bottom edges, or middles. When you click this command, a submenu opens to allow you to make your choice.


Align Left lets you align the selected object or objects vertically based on their left edges.


Align Right lets you align the selected object or objects vertically based on their right edges.


Align Center lets you align the selected object or objects vertically based on their centers.


Align Top lets you align the selected object or objects horizontally based on their top edges.


Align Bottom lets you align the selected object or objects horizontally based on their bottom edges.


Align Middle lets you align the selected object or objects horizontally based on their centers.


Make Same Size Command

Use the Make Same Size command on the Arrange menu to make the selected shapes the same size based on their width, their height, or both. When you click this command, a submenu opens to allow you to make your choice.

You can also use the Make Same Size Width, Make Same Size Height, and Make Same Size Both buttons on the Arrange toolbar.


Arrange Menu

Make Same Size  buttons

To make objects the same size


You can make the selected shapes the same size based on their width, their height, or both. When you click this command, a submenu opens to allow you to make your choice.


Make Same Size Width lets you make the selected object or objects the same size based on their width.


Make Same Size Height lets you make the selected object or objects the same size based on their height.


Make Same Size Both lets you make the selected object or objects the same size based on their width and height.


Make Same Size Fit To Text lets you make the selected object or objects the same size based on their text.


Space Evenly Command

Use the Space Evenly command on the Arrange menu to space the selected shapes evenly across or down based on their edges or centers. When you click this command, a submenu opens to allow you to make your choice.

You can also use the Space Evenly Across Centers, Space Evenly Down Centers, Space Evenly Across Edges, and Space Evenly Down Edges buttons on the Arrange toolbar.


Arrange Menu

Space Evenly  buttons

To space objects evenly


You can space the selected shapes evenly across or down based on their edges or centers. When you click this command, a submenu opens to allow you to make your choice.


Space Evenly Across Centers lets you space the selected object or objects evenly based on their centers.


Space Evenly Down Centers lets you space the selected object or objects evenly based on their centers.


Space Evenly Across Edges lets you space the selected object or objects evenly based on their edges.


Space Evenly Down Edges lets you space the selected object or objects evenly based on their edges.


Fit To Text resizes the selected object or objects based on their text.


Link Dialog Box

The Link dialog box opens when you click the Link button in the Standard toolbar, or when you double-click a shape that has no pre-existing link.  You use this dialog to create links. The active chart contains the shape or shapes you use to open the linked chart.

From this dialog, you can:

Link to charts (or other files)

Clear a link.

Group selected objects in a chart and automatically move them to another chart. The group is replaced with the shape selected in the shape palette. You use this shape to open the linked chart that contains the grouped objects.

Use group links to create hierarchies in a chart. For example, you can use one chart as an overview of a process and then set links to charts that contain detailed information about the minor steps in the process.

Show the accumulated data from the linked chart. For example, if your linked chart has fields with time-related data, the times are totaled and displayed on the active chart when you select this option.


RT Link Dialog Box
To clear links

To group and link objects

To link a shape to another chart

To open a linked chart


AT Link Dialog Box
GroupAndLink Method

LinkedChartName Property

LinkFields Property


CSH New ABC FlowChart
Click this to link to a new ABC flowchart. The name of the file that will be created is specified in the File: text box.


CSH Existing ABC FlowChart
Click this to link to an existing flowchart. Next, enter the file to link to in the File: text box.


CSH Other program or file
Click this to link to a file created by another program. Next, enter the file to link to in the File: text box.


CSH File text box link db
Type the name of the file to which you want to link the selected chart.


CSH Set & Jump
Specifies a link to a chart. When you click OK, you set the link and open the chart specified in the File text box.


CSH Set Only
Specifies a link to a chart only (without opening the chart). When you click OK, you return to the active chart.


CSH Clear
Clears a link between charts. Choose this option when you decide you no longer want this link.


CSH Show Accumulated Data
Click this to show the results of the data, based on the accumulation method you specify in the Setup Fields command of the Data menu.


CSH Move Group to Other Chart
Click this to move the selected objects to another chart, replace the selected objects with a single object,  and link this new object to the second chart. The single, new shape shows the accumulation of data from the linked chart when you also select Show Accumulated Data.


CSH Browse Button
Click to look for the file you want to link to.


Creating Links
 To link a shape to another chart

1	Click the Object Selector tool in the toolbox.

2	Select the shape or shapes in the active chart you want to link.

3	Click the Link button in the Standard toolbar. The name of a new chart appears in the File text box.

4	Click the Browse button if you want to link to a chart other than the new chart named in the File text box. Click Open when you have selected the chart name.

5	Click Set Only or Set and Jump.

6	Click OK.

You can set up the link indicators via the Format menu’s Chart command. The Indicators tab lets you set up the Link and Note indicators, and the font used for both.


RT Linking a shape
To choose indicators for shapes

To clear links

To group and link objects

To open linked charts

Link dialog box


Grouping and Linking Objects
To group and link objects

1	Click the shape in the shape palette you want to use to open the linked chart.

2	Click the Object Selector tool in the toolbox.

3	Select the objects in the chart you want to group and link.

4	Click the Link button in the Standard toolbar.

5	Select the chart you want to link to.

6	Click Move Group to Other Chart.

7	Click OK.


RT Moving groups to linked chart
To clear links

To link a shape to another chart

To open linked charts

Link dialog box


Opening Linked Charts
To open a linked chart

Double-click the linked shape. The linked chart opens in the window and becomes the active chart.


RT Opening a linked chart
To clear links

To group and link objects

To link a shape to another chart

Link dialog box

Mouse shortcuts for linking


Clearing a Link
 To clear a link

1	Click the Object Selector tool in the toolbox.

2	Select the linked shape.

3	Click the Link button in the Standard toolbar.

4	Click Clear Link.

5	Click OK. The link between the two charts is removed, and the link indicators on the shape disappear.

Note

You cannot edit a link by double-clicking. When you double-click on a link, you jump to the linked chart.


RT Clearing links
To group and link objects

To link a shape to another chart

To open linked charts

Link dialog box


Protecting Charts

At times, you may want to prevent other people from entering field data into your chart. You can protect a chart by assigning it a password. No one is able to enter field data into it until the password is entered correctly. If the chart contains hidden data fields, they are hidden from view until the password is entered correctly.

You can use password protection to manage linked files. By assigning each person in a workgroup a different password, you can ensure that each person has access only to his or her own charts.

Use the Protect Chart command in the File menu to protect your chart from unauthorized changes.


Options Dialog Box

To protect a chart


Master Items

You can choose whether or not to display Master Items on a chart.

Page Range

You can specify whether want to display the Master Items on all pages or the first page only.

You can choose to display:

All Master Items

No Master Items

Or you can mix and match:

Chart Name

Chart Name is updated automatically if you change the file name.

In the Format Chart dialog box, when Chart Name is the current Master Item, the chart name is displayed in the associated information area.

Page Number

Page Number displays the page number at the bottom of each page.

In the Format Chart dialog box, when Page Number is the current Master Item, the page number format is displayed in the associated information area. You can display text before the number. Type the text you want before the number sign (#) in the Page Text box. The number sign is replaced with the actual page number when you print the chart.

Date

Date shows the system time when you created the file or the current date.

Date format

In the Format Chart dialog box, when Date is the current Master Item, the date format is displayed in the associated information area. Use the list box to select a different date format if you want.

Update Date and Time

You can click Update Date and Time in the associated information area to match the date and time Master Items with the current system date and time.

Time

Time shows the system time when you created the file or the current time.

In the Format Chart dialog box, when Time is the current Master Item, the time that will be used in the chart is displayed in the associated information area.

You can click Update Date and Time in the associated information area to match the date and time Master Items with the current system date and time.

Tip

You can change the date and time formats in the Master Items dialog box to different standards by changing the international settings in the Control Panel in the Windows Program Manager. The new standards are reflected immediately in ABC FlowCharter.

Text1

Text2

Text1 and Text2 displays text on the first page or each page of a chart. You can use these boxes to add information about a chart. For example, you could show the name of the creator and the purpose of the chart.

In the Format Chart dialog box, when Text1 or Text2 are the current Master Item, the text that will be used in the chart is displayed in the associated information area. To change the text, type the text you want in the box.

Tip

Use the Text1 and Text2 boxes to add a header and footer to the chart pages. Type text in the boxes and choose the All Pages option. In the chart, move the text items to the top and bottom, respectively, of the first chart page. The items will appear at the top and bottom of each chart page.

Logo	button OLE Automation,JI(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_LogoShown_Property);CW(large)}

Logo displays the logo you imported into the chart.

In the Format Chart dialog box, when Logo is the current Master Item, the logo that will be used in the chart is displayed in the associated information area.

LogoPathname	button OLE Automation,JI(AUTOMATE.HLP>concfull,IDH_LogoPathname_Property);CW(large)}

If there is no current logo, you can click Logo to import a logo into a chart. The Logo dialog box opens, which lets you use any bitmap (.BMP) file as your logo. The logo you import is saved in the chart file. You can display and hide the logo after you import it.

Search and Replace

You can use the Search feature to search for any text in the Master Items. You cannot, however, replace text in the Master Items.


To define Master Items

To move Master Items


Export Overview

The Export command in the Tools menu lets you export a chart or selected items in a chart to files in a variety of formats that you can use in word processing, presentation, and other software programs.

When you choose the Export command, the Windows 95 Files dialog box opens. This dialog box lets you choose the file type, name the exported chart file, and select the drive and directory where you want to store it.


Export Command

 Exporting charts


Spell Checking

ABC FlowCharter checks spelling by comparing words in your document with words in a dictionary. The default dictionary is a file containing thousands of words. If a word is found that is not in the dictionary, the word is considered a possible misspelling.

You can define user dictionaries for special purposes.

You can specify to ignore words with numbers during spell checking.

ABC displays a list of words similar to the misspelled word from the currently used dictionary. You can select one of the words, type the correct spelling yourself, ignore the word, or add the “misspelled” word to the user dictionary.

You can even click the Info button for information on the spelling rules for the misspelled word.


To choose spelling options


To define Master Items

1	On the Format menu, click Chart.

2	If necessary, click the Master Items tab.

3	In the list box, select the Master Items you want.

4	Click to select whether you want to display the Master Items on all pages or only on the first page of the chart.

Tips

Double click a Master Item in a chart to open the Master Items dialog box.

After Master Items are in the chart, you can select and move them individually with the mouse.


Master Items

To move Master Items


To move a Master Item
To move  Master Items

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector Tool.

2	Select the Master Item on the first page you want to move. Press SHIFT and click the left mouse button to select more than one item.

3	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the item where you want it.

4	Release the mouse button.

Note

When you move an item on the first page, the corresponding items on other pages move to the same relative position if Master Items appear on all chart pages.


Master Items

To define Master Items


To protect a chart

1	On the Tools menu, click Protect Chart.

2	Type a password. Press Tab.

3	Type the password again, exactly as before.

Note

If you open a chart that is protected, you receive a message reminding you that you have to enter the password before you can make changes to it.


Protect Chart Command

Protect Chart Dialog Box


To remove chart protection

1	On the Tools menu, click Unprotect Chart.

2	Type the correct password.

Note

If you enter the wrong password, ABC FlowCharter displays a message telling you that the password is incorrect. Click OK and enter the correct password. Click Cancel in the Unprotect Chart dialog box if you do not know the password. You can edit the chart after you enter the correct password.


Protect Chart Command

Protect Chart Dialog Box


To choose spelling options

1	On the Tools menu, click Options (or click the Options button in the Spelling dialog box).

2	If necessary, click the Spelling tab.

3	Click on the down arrow to the right of the Language box and select a language from the menu.

4	Type the path and file name of the dictionary to be used for spell checking.

5	To ignore words with numbers, click Ignore Words with Numbers.


Spell Checking

Spelling Command

Options Command

Options Dialog Box

To check spelling


To check spelling

1	Select the elements you want to spell check. (The entire chart is spell checked if no elements are selected.)

2	On the Tools menu, click Spelling.

Possibly misspelled words are displayed in the Not in Dictionary box in the dialog box. A suggested replacement is shown in the Change To box.

3	You may type in a replacement or choose another replacement from the list if you wish.

4	To correct the word, click Change or Change All.

5	If the word is not misspelled, click Add to add the word to the user dictionary and continue, or click Ignore or Ignore All to ignore the word or every instance of the word, respectively.


Spell Checking

Spelling Command

Options Command

To choose spelling options


Setup Fields button

ABC FlowCharter lets you attach fields to shapes so that you can associate data with the shape. Before you can attach fields to a shape, you must set up the fields. The table of fields includes field names, field type, field format, an accumulation method (formula), and an option to show or hide the field descriptions in the chart.

The field descriptions apply to all shapes in a chart. Therefore, any changes you make to the field description table will be applied to all the shapes that have fields attached. The Setup Fields command is in the Data menu.


RT Setup Fields button
Adding a field to a table

Deleting fields

Displaying shape data

Formatting data fields

Rearranging the field order

Saving a report to a file

Field Viewer Dialog Box


CSH Setup Fields button
ABC FlowCharter lets you attach fields to shapes so that you can associate data with the shape. Before you can attach fields to a shape, you must set up the fields. The table of fields includes field names, field type, field format, an accumulation method (formula), and an option to show or hide the field descriptions in the chart.

The field descriptions apply to all shapes in a chart. Therefore, any changes you make to the field description table will be applied to all the shapes that have fields attached. The Setup Fields command is in the Data menu.


Data Field Options button

Lets you specify where to place the data and how the data will look.


RT Data Field Options button
Choosing Data Field Options

Overview: Field Options


CSH Data Field Options button
Lets you specify where to place the data and how the data will look.


Input Report button

The Input Report button generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes, each followed by the lines coming into them. This type of report is commonly used to find redundant activities.


RT Input Report button
Reporting Field Data

Printing reports

Saving a report to a file


CSH Input Report button
The Input Report button generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes, each followed by the lines coming into them. This type of report is commonly used to find redundant activities.


Output Report button

The Output Report button generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes, each followed by the lines leaving them. This type of report is commonly used to find unused activities.


RT Input Report button
Reporting Field Data

Printing reports

Saving a report to a file


CSH Output Report button
The Output Report button generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes, each followed by the lines leaving them. This type of report is commonly used to find unused activities.


Metrics Report button

The Metrics command in the Report submenu generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes and other elements, followed by all the lines for the chart. This report is commonly used to find total cycle times.


RT Metrics button
Reporting Field Data

Printing reports

Saving a report to a file


CSH Metrics Report button
The Metrics command in the Report submenu generates a report that lists the chart’s shapes and other elements, followed by all the lines for the chart. This report is commonly used to find total cycle times.


Update Data Fields button

The Update Data Fields button lets you automatically update linked field data. If there are no linked fields in your chart, this command is gray.


RT Update button
Updating fields

Data menu


CSH Update Data Fields button
The Update Data Fields button lets you automatically update linked field data. If there are no linked fields in your chart, this command is gray.


Viewer button

The Viewer button opens the Viewer dialog box.


RT Viewer button
Showing the Field Viewer

Hiding the Field Viewer

Viewer dialog box

Button information

Data menu


CSH Viewer button
The Viewer button opens the Viewer dialog box.


Legend button

ABC FlowCharter has a special shape, the "Legend," which reports the totals of the fields within the bounds of the shape. The reported totals reflect the current state of the fields on the chart and update automatically when any field changes. As with other shapes the "totals" in this shape will be shown in the same font and style as other field data.


RT Legend button
Showing and hiding the legend

Data menu


CSH Legend button

ABC FlowCharter has a special shape, the "Legend," which reports the totals of the fields within the bounds of the shape. The reported totals reflect the current state of the fields on the chart and update automatically when any field changes. As with other shapes the "totals" in this shape will be shown in the same font and style as other field data.


Data Toolbar

The Data toolbar contains tools that let you manipulate data fields.

Setup Fields button

Data Field Options button

Input Report

Output Report

Metrics Report

Update Data Fields button

Viewer button

Legend button


RT Data Toolbar
Arrange toolbar

Formatting toolbar

Preset Styles toolbar

Standard toolbar

Toolbox


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

The ABC FlowCharter Toolbox gives you easy access to the tools you use most to create and edit charts.

Click an icon below to read more information about the tool.

Click the Object Selector Tool to select, move, and resize objects in a chart.

Click the Shape Tool to place shapes in a chart and choose shape attributes and properties.

Click the Line Tool to connect shapes with different types of lines and to choose line styles and arrows.

Click the Text Tool to enter and edit text.

Click the Number Tool to number and renumber shapes.

Click the Zoom Tool to change your view of a chart.

Direct Line Tool. The selected tool indicates which type of line will be drawn.

Right-Angle Line Tool. The selected tool indicates which type of line will be drawn.

Curved Line Tool. The selected tool indicates which type of line will be drawn.

Org Line Tool. The selected tool indicates which type of line will be drawn.

Cause and Effect Tool. The selected tool indicates which type of line will be drawn.


To dock a toolbar

To hide a toolbar

To place a connected shape

To draw an unconnected line

To create a text block

To renumber shapes manually

To view a particular area

To choose line routing type


Object Selector Tool

The Object Selector Tool lets you select and resize objects in a chart.


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

Placing Shapes in a Chart


The Object Selector Tool lets you select and resize objects in a chart.


Shape Tool

The Shape Tool lets you place shapes in a chart.

You can use different shapes to represent steps, documents, events, and other information in charts.


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

Determining How Shapes Look

Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Placing Shapes in a Chart

Preset Shape Styles


The Shape Tool lets you place shapes in a chart.


Line Tool

Use the Line Tool to connect shapes with different types of lines, to draw freestanding lines, and to create org charts and cause-and-effect charts.

You can use lines to show data and sequence flows and control transfers in charts.

Arrows and other line end styles can represent the direction of data flow, as well as transitions and relationships between steps. When you connect shapes with a line and then move the shapes, the line stays attached to the shapes.

ABC FlowCharter also lets you add text to lines. You can use text to identify the relationship between steps or simply to label the lines.


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

To choose line routing type

Direct Line Tool

Right-Angle Line Tool

Curved Line Tool

Org Line Tool

Cause and Effect Tool


Use the Line Tool to connect shapes with different types of lines, to draw freestanding lines, and to create org charts and cause-and-effect charts.


Text Tool

 Use the Text Tool to type text blocks, to type text on lines, and to edit text. (It is not necessary to select the Text Tool to add text to a selected shape.)


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

Creating Text Blocks

Determining How Text Looks


Use the Text Tool to type text blocks, to type text on lines, and to edit text. (It is not necessary to select the Text Tool to add text to a selected shape.)


Number Tool

The Number Tool lets you number and renumber shapes.

When you choose the Number Tool, the cursor becomes a numbering wand and numbers shapes in the sequence that you choose them.


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

Shape Numbers Overview


The Number Tool lets you number and renumber shapes.

When you choose the Number Tool, the cursor becomes a numbering wand and numbers shapes in the sequence that you choose them.


Zoom Tool

The Zoom Tool lets you draw a box around the area you want to zoom in on.

The View menu offers additional viewing options. You also can zoom in or out easily using the Zoom In, Zoom Out, and Zoom Percentage buttons on the Standard toolbar.


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

Standard Toolbar

View Menu

To view a particular area


The Zoom Tool lets you draw a box around the area you want to zoom in on.


Direct Line Tool

The Direct Line Tool in the ABC Toolbox lets you draw direct (straight) lines in a chart, allowing you to draw a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line from one shape to another. You also can use the Direct Line Tool to create multisegment lines.


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

To choose line routing type

To connect two shapes with a multisegment line

Line Tool


The Direct Line Tool lets you draw direct (straight) lines in a chart, allowing you to draw a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line from one shape to another. You also can use the Direct Line Tool to create multisegment lines.


Curved Line Tool

The Curved Line Tool in the ABC Toolbox lets you draw curved lines in a chart.

Some data flow diagrams use curved lines to connect shapes.


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

Reshaping curved lines

Line Tool

To choose line routing type

To connect two shapes with a multisegment line


The Curved Line Tool lets you draw curved lines in a chart.


Right-Angle Line Tool

The Right-Angle Line Tool in the ABC Toolbox lets you create multisegment, right-angle lines.

Right-angle lines often are used because they fit easily between rows and columns of shapes, whereas direct and curved lines may pass through unrelated shapes.


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

Line Tool

To choose line routing type

To connect two shapes with multisegment lines


The Right-Angle Line Tool lets you create multisegment, right-angle lines.


Org Line Tool

You can create organization charts using the Org Line Tool in the ABC Toolbox. This tool automatically draws a three-segment line. When multiple lines exit a shape at the same connect point, the second segments always align. Dragging the handle on any of the second segments drags all of them.

Organization lines can exit a shape in any direction; therefore, you can create family trees, reverse hierarchies, and tree charts in any direction.


ABC FlowCharter Toolbox

Line Tool

To choose line routing type

To create an organization chart


The Org Line tool automatically draws a three-segment line.


Cause and Effect Tool

The Cause and Effect Tool in the ABC Toolbox lets you create cause-and-effect diagrams (also called Ishikawa or fishbone diagrams).

This tool automatically draws cause and sub-cause lines that are constrained to a 15-degree angle. Lines can be snapped to shapes. Sub-cause lines (also called factor lines) can be snapped to cause lines. Several levels of sub-cause lines can be added to the diagram. Each cause-and-effect line has a text block automatically attached to its end.


Line Tool

To choose line routing type

To create a Cause-and-Effect Diagram from the template


The Cause and Effect Tool lets you create cause-and-effect diagrams (also called Ishikawa or fishbone diagrams).


Formatting Toolbar

The Formatting Toolbar gives you easy access to the formatting options you use most to define how text, lines, and shapes look in your charts. Additional formatting options can be accessed from the Format menu.

Click an icon below to read more information about the tool.

The Font Name box displays and lets you change the font name.

The Font Size box displays and lets you change the font size.

The Bold button lets you specify text as bold.

The Italic button lets you specify text as italic.

The Underline button lets you specify text as underline.

The Vertical Align button lets you align text vertically.

The Horizontal Align button lets align text horizontally.

The Text Color button lets you change the text color.

The Fill Color button lets you change the fill color for shapes.

The Fill Pattern button lets you change the fill pattern for shapes

The Line Color button lets you change the color for lines.

The Line Style button lets you change the style (solid, dashed, dotted) for lines and shape borders.

The Line Thickness button lets you change the width for lines and shape borders.

The Arrowheads button lets you select arrowheads style.

The Crossovers button lets you select the crossover style.

 	The Shadow button lets you choose if you want a shadow.


Format Menu

To dock a toolbar

To hide a toolbar

Determining How Lines Look

Choosing Line Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Shapes Look

Choosing Shape Styles that Enhance Your Chart

Determining How Text Looks


Font Name Box

The Font Name box displays and lets you change the name of the current font or the font of the text that contains the text cursor.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


The Font Name box displays and lets you change the name of the current font or the font of the text that contains the text cursor.


Font Size Box

The Font Size box shows the current point size or the point size of the text that contains the text cursor and allows you to change it.


The Font Size box shows the current point size or the point size of the text that contains the text cursor and allows you to change it.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


Bold Button

Use the text style buttons to choose text styles such as Bold, Italic, and Underline. Strikethrough is available by clicking Text on the Format menu.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


Use the Bold text style button to turn text bold (or remove bold, if it is already bold).


Italic Button

Use the text style buttons to choose text styles such as Bold, Italic, and Underline. Strikethrough is available by clicking Text on the Format menu.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


Use the Italic text style button to turn text italic (or remove italic, if it is already italic).


Underline Button

Use the text style buttons to choose text styles such as Bold, Italic, and Underline. Strikethrough is available by clicking Text on the Format menu.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


Use the Underline text style button to underline text (or remove underline, if it is already underlined).


Vertical Align Button

Use the Vertical Align button to specify Top, Middle, or Bottom alignment. Click the button and then choose from the menu.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


Use the Vertical Align button to specify Top, Middle, or Bottom alignment. Click the button and then choose from the menu.


Horizontal Align Button

Use the Horizontal Align button to specify Left, Center, or Right alignment. Click the button and then choose from the menu.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


Use the Horizontal Align button to specify Left, Center, or Right alignment. Click the button and then choose from the menu.


Text Color Button

Use the Text Color button to apply color to text. Click the button and then choose a color.

If you double click a color, the Set Custom Color dialog box opens.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


Use the Text Color button to apply color to text. Click the button and then choose a color.


Fill Color Button

The Fill Color specifies the color for a shape.

When you double click a color, the Set Custom Color dialog box opens.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing shapes look

To choose shape styles for new shapes


The Fill Color specifies the color for a shape.


Fill Pattern Button

The Fill Pattern button lets you fill selected shapes with a solid color or a pattern.

When you click the Fill Pattern button, the Fill Pattern menu opens.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing shapes look

To choose shape styles for new shapes


The Fill Pattern button lets you fill selected shapes with a solid color or a pattern.

When you click the Fill Pattern button, the Fill Pattern menu opens.


Line Color Button

Line Color can be applied to lines, line endings, and shape borders.

When you click the Line Color Button, the color palette opens for you to select a color.

When you double click a color in the palette, the Color dialog box opens.


Line Color can be applied to lines, line endings, and shape borders.


Formatting Toolbar

Set Custom Color Dialog Box

To change how existing lines look

To choose shape lines for new lines

To change how existing shapes look

To choose shape styles for new shapes


Line Style Button

The Line Style button lets you choose from several line styles, such as solid and dotted, which are also used to define the border styles for shapes.

When you click the Line Style button, the Line Style menu opens. The menu contains the line style options for lines.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing lines look

To choose shape lines for new lines

To change how existing shapes look

To choose shape styles for new shapes


The Line Style button lets you choose from several line styles, such as solid and dotted, which are also used to define the border styles for shapes.


Line Thickness Button

The Line Thickness button lets you choose the thickness of borders and shadows. Click the button and then use the arrows to adjust the thickness

These options are also used to define the border styles for shapes.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing lines look

To choose shape lines for new lines

To change how existing shapes look

To choose shape styles for new shapes


The Line Thickness button lets you choose the thickness of lines, shape borders, and shadows.


Arrowheads Button

Use this button to select the arrowheads style for the selected line.

When you click the button, a menu of the most common arrowheads opens. If you want a wider selection or want to specify color or size of arrowheads, click Arrowheads at the bottom of the menu.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing lines look

To choose shape lines for new lines


Use this button to select the arrowheads style for the selected line.


Crossovers Button

Use the Crossovers button to change the crossover style for the currently selected line.

To change the crossover style for the entire chart, use the Crossovers option on the Format menu.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing lines look

To choose shape lines for new lines


Use the Crossovers button to change the crossover style for the currently selected line.


Shadow Button

The Shadow button lets you choose a drop shadow for the current shape.

When you click the Shadow button, the Shadow menu opens.


Formatting Toolbar

To change how existing shapes look

To choose shape styles for new shapes


The Shadow button lets you choose a drop shadow for the current shape.

When you click the Shadow button, the Shadow menu opens.


Preset Styles Toolbar

The Preset Styles Toolbar allows you to store and access the styles that you use most frequently for text, shapes, and lines.

Click an icon below to read more information about the tool.

The Shape List box contains the list of current preset styles.

The Add Shape button lets you add a preset style to the list.

The Edit Shape button lets you rename or remove a preset style.

The Line List box contains the list of current preset styles.

The Add Line button lets you add a preset style to the list.

The Edit Line button lets you rename or remove a preset style.

The Text List box contains the list of current preset styles.

The Add Text button lets you add a preset style to the list.

The Edit Text button lets you rename or remove a preset style.


Preset Shape Styles

Preset Line Styles

Preset Text Styles

Formatting Toolbar

To dock a toolbar

To hide a toolbar


Shape List Box

The Shape List box shows the current settings for shapes, including the border and shadow style and width, fill pattern, and color. The settings are applied to the next shape you place in your chart.

When you click the down arrow, the Preset Shape Settings menu opens. Use this menu to choose settings you have saved and want to apply to new or existing shapes.


Preset Shape Styles

Add Shape Preset Settings Button

Edit Shape Preset Settings Button

To add a preset shape style

To delete a preset shape style

To rename a preset shape style


The Shape List box shows the current settings for shapes, including the border and shadow style and width, fill pattern, and color. The settings are applied to the next shape you place in your chart.

When you click the down arrow, the Preset Shape Settings menu opens. Use this menu to choose settings you have saved and want to apply to new or existing shapes.


Add Shape Preset Settings Button

The Add Shape Preset Settings button adds the current shape settings to the Preset Shape Settings menu.


Preset Shape Styles

Shape List Box

Edit Shape Preset Settings Button

To add a preset shape style

To delete a preset shape style

To rename a preset shape style


The Add Shape Preset Settings button adds the current shape settings to the Preset Shape Settings menu.


Edit Shape Preset Settings Button

The Edit Preset Settings button lets you rename or remove the selected item from the Preset Shape Settings menu.


Preset Shape Styles

Shape List Box

Add Shape Preset Settings Button

To add a preset shape style

To delete a preset shape style

To rename a preset shape style


The Edit Preset Settings button lets you rename or remove the selected item from the Preset Shape Settings menu.


Line List Box

The Line List box shows the current settings for lines, including the line and arrow styles, widths, and colors. The settings are applied to the next line you draw.

When you click the down arrow, the Preset Line Settings menu opens. Use this menu to choose settings you have saved and want to apply to new or existing lines.


Preset Line Styles

Add Line Preset Settings Button

Edit Line Preset Settings Button

To add a preset line style

To delete a preset line style

To rename a preset line style


The Line List box shows the current settings for lines, including the line and arrow styles, widths, and colors. The settings are applied to the next line you draw.

When you click the down arrow, the Preset Line Settings menu opens. Use this menu to choose settings you have saved and want to apply to new or existing lines.


Add Line Preset Settings Button

The Add Preset Settings button adds the current line settings to the Preset Line Settings menu.


Preset Line Styles

Line List Box

Edit Line Preset Settings Button

To add a preset line style

To delete a preset line style

To rename a preset line style


The Add Preset Settings button adds the current line settings to the Preset Line Settings menu.


Edit Line Preset Settings Button

The Edit Preset Settings button lets you rename or remove the selected item from the Preset Line Settings menu.


Preset Line Styles

Line List Box

Add Line Preset Settings Button

To add a preset line style

To delete a preset line style

To rename a preset line style


The Edit Preset Settings button lets you rename or remove the selected item from the Preset Line Settings menu.


Text List Box

The Text List box shows the current settings for text, including the font, size, style, and color. The settings are applied to the next character you type.

When you click the down arrow, the Preset Text Settings menu opens. Use this menu to choose settings you have saved and want to apply to new or existing text.


Preset Text Styles

Add Text Preset Settings Button

Edit Text Preset Settings Button

To add a preset text style

To delete a preset text style

To rename a preset text style


The Text List box shows the current settings for text, including the font, size, style, and color. The settings are applied to the next character you type.

When you click the down arrow, the Preset Text Settings menu opens. Use this menu to choose settings you have saved and want to apply to new or existing text.


Add Text Preset Settings Button

The Add Preset Settings button adds the current settings to the Preset Text Settings menu.


Preset Text Styles

Text List Box

Edit Text Preset Settings Button

To add a preset text style

To delete a preset text style

To rename a preset text style


The Add Preset Settings button adds the current settings to the Preset Text Settings menu.


Edit Text Preset Settings Button

The Edit Preset Settings button lets you rename or remove the selected item from the Preset Text Settings menu.


Preset Text Styles

Text List Box

Add Text Preset Settings Button

To add a preset text style

To delete a preset text style

To rename a preset text style


The Edit Preset Settings button lets you rename or remove the selected item from the Preset Text Settings menu.


Edit Styles Dialog Box - Shape Styles Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking the Edit Shape Preset Settings button on the Preset Styles toolbar.

Use it to manage the list of preset shape styles by removing unwanted items and assigning meaningful names to the styles.


To delete a preset shape style

To rename a preset shape style


This box shows the available shape styles.


Removes the highlighted shape style from the list of preset styles.


Lets you assign a meaningful name to a shape style, such as “red border-priority.”


Edit Styles Dialog Box - Line Styles Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking the Edit Line Preset Settings button on the Preset Styles toolbar.

Use it to manage the list of preset line styles by removing unwanted items and assigning meaningful names to the styles.


To delete a preset line style

To rename a preset line style


This box shows the available line styles.


Removes the highlighted line style from the list of preset styles.


Lets you assign a meaningful name to a line style, such as “green dashed-outside vendor.”


Edit Styles Dialog Box - Text Styles Tab

This dialog box is accessed by clicking the Edit Text Preset Settings button on the Preset Styles toolbar.

Use it to manage the list of preset text styles by removing unwanted items and assigning meaningful names to the styles.


To delete a preset text style

To rename a preset text style


This box shows the available text styles.


Removes the highlighted text style from the list of preset styles.


Lets you assign a meaningful name to a text style, such as “Arial 15 pt, blue.”


Arrange Toolbar

The Arrange Toolbar gives you easy access to the buttons that help you arrange the shapes on your charts. These actions are also accessible from the Arrange menu.

Click an icon below to read more information about the tool.

The Bring to Front button brings the selected objects to the front.

The Send to Back button sends the selected objects to the back.

The Rotate Right button rotates the selected objects 90 degrees to the right.

The Rotate Left button rotates the selected objects 90 degrees to the left.

The Flip Horizontal button flips the selected objects horizontally.

The Flip Vertical button flips the selected objects vertically.

The Replace Shape button replaces the selected shapes with the current shape from the Shape Palette.

The Fit to Text button resizes shapes and text blocks to fit the text.

The Align Left button aligns the selected shapes vertically along their left edges.

The Align Center button aligns the selected shapes vertically along their centers.

The Align Right button aligns the selected shapes vertically along their right edges.

The Align Top button aligns the selected shapes horizontally along their top edges.

The Align Middle button aligns the selected shapes horizontally along their middles.

The Align Bottom button aligns the selected shapes horizontally along their bottom edges.

The Make Same Size Width button makes the selected shapes the same width.

The Make Same Size Height button makes the selected shapes the same height.

The Make Same Size Both button makes the selected shapes the same size based on both width and height.

The Space Evenly Across, Centers button spaces the selected shapes evenly across the chart based on the centers.

The Space Evenly Down, Centers button spaces the selected shapes evenly down the chart based on the centers.

The Space Evenly Across, Edges button spaces the selected shapes evenly across the chart based on the edges.

The Space Evenly Down, Edges button spaces the selected shapes evenly down the chart based on the edges.


Arrange Menu

To dock a toolbar

To hide a toolbar


Bring to Front Button

 Use the Bring to Front button to bring the selected objects to the front.

You also can use the Bring to Front command on the Arrange menu.


Arrange Menu

Arrange Toolbar

Bring to Front Command

To bring an object to the front


Send to Back Button

 Use the Send to Back button to send the selected objects to the back.

You also can use the Send to Back command on the Arrange menu.


Arrange Menu

Arrange Toolbar

Send to Back Command

To send an object to the back


Rotate Right Button

 Use the Rotate Right button to rotate the selected objects 90 degrees to the right.

You also can use the Rotate Right command on the Arrange menu.


Arrange Menu

Arrange Toolbar

Rotate Right Command

To rotate an object


Rotate Left Button

 Use the Rotate Left button to rotate the selected objects 90 degrees to the left.

You also can use the Rotate Left command on the Arrange menu.


Arrange Menu

Arrange Toolbar

Rotate Left Command

To rotate an object


Flip Buttons

 Use the Flip Horizontal button to flip the selected objects horizontally.

 Use the Flip Vertical button to flip the selected objects vertically.

You also can use the Flip Horizontal and Flip Vertical commands on the Arrange menu.


Arrange Menu

Arrange Toolbar

To flip an object


Replace Shape Button

 Use the Replace Shape button to replace the selected shapes with the current shape from the Shape Palette.


Arrange Toolbar


Fit to Text Button

 Use the Fit to Text button to resize shapes and text blocks to fit the text.

You also can use the Fit to Text command on the Arrange menu.


Arrange Menu

Arrange Toolbar

To fit a shape or text block to text


Align Buttons

 Use the Align Left button to align the selected shapes vertically along their left edges.

 Use the Align Center button to align the selected shapes vertically along their centers.

 Use the Align Right button to align the selected shapes vertically along their right edges.

 Use the Align Top button to align the selected shapes horizontally along their top edges.

 Use the Align Middle button to align the selected shapes horizontally along their middles.

 Use the Align Bottom button to align the selected shapes horizontally along their bottom edges.

You also can use the Align command on the Arrange menu.


Arrange Menu

Arrange Toolbar

To align objects


Make Same Size Buttons

 Use the Make Same Size Width button to make the selected shapes the same width.

 Use the Make Same Size Height button to make the selected shapes the same height.

 Use the Make Same Size Both button to make the selected shapes the same size based on both width and height.

You also can use the Make Same Size command on the Arrange menu.


Arrange Menu

Arrange Toolbar

To make objects the same size


 Space Evenly Buttons

 Use the Space Evenly Across, Centers button to space the selected shapes evenly across the chart based on the centers.

 Use the Space Evenly Down, Centers button to space the selected shapes evenly down the chart based on the centers.

 Use the Space Evenly Across, Edges button to space the selected shapes evenly across the chart based on the edges.

 Use the Space Evenly Down, Edges button to space the selected shapes evenly down the chart based on the edges.

You also can use the Space Evenly command on the Arrange menu.


Arrange Menu

Arrange Toolbar

To space objects evenly


Functions List

ABS

ACOS

ACOSH

ADDRESS

AND

ASIN

ASINH

ATAN

ATAN2

ATANH

AVERAGE

CEILING

CHAR

CHOOSE

CLEAN

CODE

COLUMN

COLUMNSS

COS

COSH

COUNT

COUNTA

DATE

DATEVALUE

DAY

DB

DDB

DOLLAR

ERROR TYPE

EVEN

EXACT

EXP

FACT

FALSE

FIND

FIXED

FLOOR

FV

HLOOKUP

HOUR

IF

INDEX

INDIRECT

INT

IPMT

IRR

ISBLANK

ISERR

ISERROR

ISLOGICAL

ISNA

ISNONTEXT

ISNUMBER

ISREF

ISTEXT

LEFT

LEN

LN

LOG

LOG10

LOOKUP

LOWER

MATCH

MAX

MID

MIN

MINUTE

MIRR

MOD

MONTH

N

NA

NOT

NOW

NPER

NPV

ODD

OFFSET

OR

PI

PMT

PPMT

PRODUCT

PROPER

PV

RAND

RATE

REPLACE

REPT

RIGHT

ROUND

ROW

ROWS

SEARCH

SECOND

SIGN

SIN

SINH

SLN

SQRT

STDEV

STDEVP

SUBSTITUTE

SUM

SUMSQ

SYD

T

TAN

TANH

TEXT

TIME

TIMEVALUE

TODAY

TRIM

TRUE

TRUNC

TYPE

UPPER

VALUE

VAR

VARP

VDB

VLOOKUP

WEEKDAY

YEAR

YEAR


ABS

Description:	Returns the absolute value of a number.

Syntax:	ABS(number

Note

An absolute value does not display a positive or negative sign.

Examples:	ABS(-1) returns 1

ABS(1) returns 1


RT ABS
SIGN


ACOS

Description:	Returns the arc cosine of a number.

Syntax:	ACOS(number)

number is the cosine of the angle. The cosine can range from 1 to -1.

Note

The resulting angle is returned in radians (from 0 to). To convert the resulting radians to degrees, multiply the radians by 180/PI().

Examples:	ACOS(.5) returns 1.05

ACOS(-.2) returns 1.77


RT ACOS
COS

PI


ACOSH

Description:	Returns the inverse hyperbolic cosine of a number.

Syntax:	ACOSH(number)

number is any number equal to or greater than 1.

Examples:	ACOSH(1.2) returns .62

ACOSH(3) returns 1.76


RT ACOSH
ASINH

ATANH

COSH


ADDRESS

Description:	Creates a cell address as text.

Syntax:	ADDRESS(row,column, ref?type [,al] [, sheet])

row is the row number for the cell address.

column is the column number for the cell address.

ref_type is the cell reference type.  The following table lists the values for this argument.

Argument	Reference type

1	Absolute

2	Absolute row, relative column

3	Relative row, absolute column

4	Relative

a1 is the reference format.  This argument must be TRUE() to represent an A1 reference format; Formula One does not support the R1C1 reference format.

sheet is the name of an external spreadsheet.  Omitting this argument assumes that the reference exists in the current spreadsheet.

Examples:	ADDRESS(5, 6, 1) returns “$F$5”

ADDRESS(5, 6, 4, TRUE( ), “SALES.VTS”) returns “SALES>VTS!F5”


RT ADDRESS
COLUMN

OFFSET

ROW


AND

Description:	Returns True if all arguments are true; returns False if at least one argument is false.

Syntax:	AND(logical_list)

logical_list is a list of conditions separated by commas.  You can include as many as 30 conditions in the list.  The list can contain logical values or a reference to a range containing logical values.  Text and empty cells are ignored.  If there are no logical values in the list, #VALUE! is returned.

Examples:	AND(1+1-2, 5+5-10) returns True because both arguments are true.

AND(TRUE( ), FALSE( )) returns False


RT AND
IF

NOT

OR


ASIN

Description:	Returns the arcsine of a number.

Syntax:	ASIN(number)

number is the sine of the resulting angle, ranging from -1 to 1.

Note

The resulting angle is returned in radians (ranging from -/2 to /2). To convert the resulting radians to degrees, multiply the radians by 180/PI()

Examples:	ASIN( -1  ) returns -1.57

ASIN( .4 ) returns .41


RT ASIN
ASINH

PI

SIN


ASINH

Description:	Returns the inverse hyperbolic sine of a number.

Syntax:	ASINH(number)

number is any number.

Examples:	ASINH(5.3) returns 2.37

ASINH(-4) returns -2.09


RT ASINH
ACOSH

ASIN

ATANH

SINH


ATAN

Description:	Returns the arctangent of a number.

Syntax:	ATAN(number)

number is the tangent of the angle.

Note

The resulting angle is returned in radians, ranging from -/2 to /2.  To convert the resulting radians to degrees, multiply the radians by 180/PI()

Examples:	ATAN(3.5) returns 1.29

ATAN(-4) returns -1.33


RT ATAN
ATAN2

ATANH

PI

TAN


ATAN2

Description:	Returns the arctangent of the specified coordinates

Syntax:	ATAN2(x, y)

x is the x coordinate.

y is the y coordinate.

Note

The arctangent is the angle from the x axis to a line with end points at the origin (0,0) and a point with the given coordinates (x,y).  The angle is returned in radians, ranging from - to , excluding -.

Examples:	ATAN2(3, 6) returns 1.11

ATAN2(-1, .1) returns 3.04


RT ATAN2
ATAN

ATANH

PI

TAN


ATANH

Description:	Returns the inverse hyperbolic tangent of a number.

Syntax:	ATANH(number)

number is a number between -1 and 1, excluding -1 and 1.

Examples:	ATANH(.5) returns .55

ATANH(-.25) returns -.26


RT ATANH
ACOS

ASINH

TANH


AVERAGE

Description:	Returns the average of the supplied numbers.  The result of AVERAGE is also known as the arithmetic mean.

Syntax:	AVERAGE(number_list)

number_list is a list of numbers separated by commas.  As many as 30 numbers can be included in the list, and the list can contain numbers or a reference to a range that contains numbers.  Text, logical expressions, or empty cells in a referenced range are ignored.  All numeric values (including 0) are used.

Examples:	AVERAGE(5, 6, 8, 14) returns 8.25

AVERAGE(C15:C17) returns 134; C15:C17 contains 24,144, and 234


RT AVERAGE
MIN

MAX


CEILING

Description:	Rounds a number up to the nearest multiple of a specified significance.

Syntax:	CEILING(number, significance)

number is a value to round.

significance is the multiple to which to round.

Notes

Regardless of the sign of the number, the value is rounded up, away from zero.  If number is an exact multiple of significance, no rounding occurs.

If number or significance is non-numeric, #VALUE! is returned.  When the arguments have opposite signs, #NUM! is returned.

Examples:	CEILING(1.23459, .05) returns 1.25

CEILING(-148.24, -2) returns -150


RT CEILING
EVEN

FLOOR

INT

ODD

ROUND

TRUNC


CHAR

Description:	Returns a character that corresponds to the supplied ANSI code.

Syntax:	CHAR(number)

number is a value between 1 and 255 that specifies an ANSI character.

Note

The character and associated numeric code are defined by Windows in the ANSI character set.

Examples:	CHAR(70) returns F

CHAR(35) returns #


RT CHAR
CODE


CHOOSE

Description:	Returns a value from a list of numbers based on the index number supplied.

Syntax:	CHOOSE(index, item_ list)

index is a number that refers to an item in item_list.

•	index can be a cell reference, index can also be a formula that returns any value from 1 to 29.

•	If index is less than 1 or greater than the number of items in item_list, #VALUE! is returned.

•	If index is a fractional number, it is truncated to an integer.

item_list is a list of numbers, formulas, or text separated by commas.  This argument can also be a range reference.  You can specify as many as 29 items in the list.

Examples:	CHOOSE(2, “Q1”, “Q2”, “Q3”, “Q4”) returns “Q2”

AVERAGE(CHOOSE(1, A1:A10, B1:B10, C1:C10)) returns the average of the contents of range A1:A10.


RT CHOOSE
INDEX


CLEAN

Description:	Removes all non-printable characters from the supplied text.

Syntax:	CLEAN(text)

text is any worksheet information.

Note

Text that is imported from another environment may require this function.

Examples:	CLEAN(“Payments” & CHAR(8) & “Due”) returns Payments Due because the character returned by CHAR(8) is non-printable.


RT CLEAN
CHAR

TRIM


CODE

Description:	Returns a numeric code representing the first character of the supplied string.

Syntax:	CODE(text)

text is any string.

Note

The numeric code and associated string are defined in your computer’s character set.  The character set used by Windows is the ANSI character set.

Examples:	CODE(“A”) returns 65

CODE(“b”) returns 98


RT CODE
CHAR


COLUMN

Description:	Returns the column number of the supplied reference.

Syntax:	COLUMN(reference)

reference is a reference to a cell or range. Omitting the argument returns the number of the column in which COLUMN is placed.

Examples:	COLUMN(B3) returns 2

COLUMN( ) returns 4 if the function is entered in cell D2.


RT COLUMN
COLUMNS

ROW


COLUMNS

Description:	Returns the number of columns in a range reference.

Syntax:	COLUMNS(range)

range is a reference to a range of cells.

Examples:	COLUMNS(A1:D5) returns 4


RT COLUMNS
COLUMN

ROWS


COS

Description:	Returns the cosine of an angle.

Syntax:	COS(number)

number is the angle in radians.  If the angle is in degrees, convert the angle to radians by multiplying the angle by PI()/180.

Examples:	COS(1,444) returns .126

COS(5) returns .28


RT COS
ACOS

ASINH

ATANH

COSH

PI


COSH

Description:	Returns the hyperbolic cosine of a number.

Syntax:	COSH(number)

number is any number.

Examples:	COSH(2,10) returns 4.14

COSH(.24) returns 1.03


RT COSH
ASINH

ATANH

COS


COUNT

Description:	Returns the number of values in the supplied list.

Syntax:	COUNT(value_list)

value_list is a list of values.  The list can contain as many as 30 values

Note

COUNT only numerates numbers or numerical values (e.g., logical values, dates or text representations of dates).  If you supply a range, only numbers and numerical values in the range are counted.  Empty cells, logical values, text, and error values in the range are ignored.

Examples:	COUNT(5, 6, “Q2”) returns 2

COUNT(“03/06/94”, “06/21/94”, “10/19/94”) returns 3


RT COUNT
AVERAGE

COUNTA

SUM


COUNTA

Description:	Returns the number of non-black values in the supplied list.

Syntax:	COUNTA(expression_list)

expression_list is a list of expressions.  As many as 30 expressions can be included in the list.

Note

COUNTA returns the number of cells that contain data in a range.  Null values (“ “) are counted, but references to empty cells are ignored.

Examples:	COUNTA(32, 45, “Earnings”, “ “) returns 4

COUNTA(C38:C40) returns 0 when the specified range contains empty cells


RT COUNTA
AVERAGE

COUNT

PRODUCT

SUM


DATE

Description:	Returns the serial number of the supplied date.

Syntax:	DATE(year, month, day)

year is a number from 1900 to 2078.  If year is between 1920 to 2019, you can specify two digits to represent the year; otherwise specify all four digits.

month is a number representing the month (e.g., 12 represents December).  If a number greater than 12 is supplied, the number is added to the first month of the specified year.

Examples:	DATE(94, 6, 21) returns 34506

DATE(99, 3, 6) returns 36225


RT DATE
DATEVALUE

DAY

MONTH

NOW

TIMEVALUE

TODAY

YEAR


DATEVALUE

Description:	Returns the serial number of a date supplied as a text string.

Syntax:	DATEVALUE(text)

text is a date, in text format, between January 1, 1900, and December 31, 2078.  If you omit the year, the current year is used.

Examples:	DATEVALUE(“3/6/94”) returns 34399

DATEVALUE(“12/25/95”) returns 35058


RT DATEVALUE
NOW

TIMEVALUE

TODAY


DAY

Description:	Returns the day of the month that corresponds to the date represented by the supplied number.

Syntax:	DAY(serial_number)

serial_number is a date represented as a serial number or as text (e.g., “06-21-94” or “21-Jun-94).

Examples:	DAY(34399) returns 6

DAY(“06-21-94”) returns 21


RT DAY
HOUR

MINUTE

MONTH

NOW

SECOND

TODAY

WEEKDAY

YEAR


DB

Description:	Returns the real depreciation of an asset for a specific period of time using the fixed-declining balance method.

Syntax:	DB(cost, salvage, life, period [, months])

cost is the initial cost of the asset.

salvage is the salvage value of the asset.

life is the number of periods in the useful life of the asset.

period is the period for which to calculate the depreciation.  The time units used to determine period and life must match.

months is the number of months in the first year of the item’s life.  Omitting this argument assumes there are 12 months in the first year.

Examples:	DB(10000, 1000, 7, 3) returns 1451.52


RT DB
DDB

SLN

SYD

VDB


DDB

Description:	Returns the depreciation of an asset for a specific period of time using the double-declining balance method or a declining balance factor you supply.

Syntax:	DDB(cost, salvage, life, period[,factor])

cost is the initial cost of the asset.

salvage is the salvage value of the asset.

life is the number of periods in the useful life of the asset.

period is the period for which to calculate the depreciation.  The time units used to determine period and life must match.

factor is the rate at which the balance declines.  Omitting this argument assumes a default factor of 2, the double-declining balance factor.

Notes

The double-declining balance method uses an accelerated rate where the highest depreciation occurs in the first period, decreasing in successive periods.

All arguments for this function must be positive numbers.

Examples:	DDB(10000, 1000, 7, 3) returns 1457.73


RT DDB
DB

SLN

SYD

VDB


DOLLAR

Description:	Returns the specified number as text, using currency format and the supplied precision.

Syntax:	DOLLAR(number [,precision])

number is a number, a formula that evaluates to a number, or a reference to a cell that contains a number.

precision is a value representing the number of decimal places to the right of the decimal point.  Omitting this argument assumes two decimal places.

Examples:	DOLLAR(1023.789) returns “$1023.79”

DOLLAR(495,301, -2) returns “$500”


RT DOLLAR
FIXED

TEXT

VALUE


ERROR.TYPE

Description:	Returns a number corresponding to an error.

Syntax:	ERROR.TYPE(error_ref)

error_ref is a cell reference.

Note

The following table list the error text and associated error numbers returned by this function.

Number	Error text

1	#NULL!

2	#DIV/0!

3	#VALUE!

4	#REF!

5	#NAME?

6	#NUM!

7	#N/A

#N/!	Other

Examples:	ERROR.TYPE(A1) returns 2 if the formula in cell A1 attempts to divide by zero.


RT ERROR.TYPE
ISERR

ISERROR


EVEN

Description:	Rounds the specified number up to the nearest even integer.

Syntax:	EVEN(number)

number is any number, a formula that evaluates to a number, or a reference to a cell that contains a number.

Examples:	EVEN(2,5) returns 4

EVEN(2030.45) returns 2032


RT EVEN
CEILING

FLOOR

INT

ODD

ROUND

TRUNC


EXACT

Description:	Compares two expressions for identical, case-sensitive matches.  True is returned if the expressions are identical; False is returned if they are not.

Syntax:	EXACT(expression1, expression2)

expression1 is any text.

expression2 is any text.

Examples:	EXACT(“Match”, “Match”) returns True

EXACT(“Match”, “match”) returns False


RT EXACT
LEN

SEARCH


EXP

Description:	Returns e raised to the specified power.  The constant e is 2.71828182845904 (the base of the natural logarithm).

Syntax:	EXP(number)

number is any number as the exponent.

Examples:	EXP(2.5) returns 12.18

EXP(3) returns 20.09


RT EXP
LN

LOG


FACT

Description:	Returns the factorial of a specified number.

Syntax:	FACT(number)

number is any non-negative integer.  If you supply a real number, FACT truncates the number to an integer before calculation.

Examples:	FACT(2,5) returns 2

FACT(6) returns 720


RT FACT
PRODUCT


FALSE

Description:	Returns the logical value False.  This function always requires the trailing parentheses.

Syntax:	FALSE()


RT FALSE
TRUE


FIND

Description:	Searches for a string of text within another text string and returns the character position at which the search string first occurs.

Syntax:	FIND(search_text, text[,start_position])

search_text is the text to find.  If you specify an empty string(“”), FIND matches the first character in text.

text is the text to be searched.

start_position is the character position in text where the search begins.  The first character in text is character number 1.  When you omit this argument, the default starting position is character number 1.

Note

FIND is case-sensitive.  You cannot use wildcard characters in the search_text.

Examples:	FIND(“time”, “There’s no time like the present”) returns 12

FIND(“4”, “Aisle 4, Part 123-4-11”, 9) returns 19


RT FIND
EXACT

LEN

MID

SEARCH


FIXED

Description:	Rounds a number to the supplies precision, formats the number in decimal format, and returns the result as text.

Syntax:	FIXED(number[, precision][, no_commas]}

number is any number.

precision is the number of digits that appear to the right of the decimal place.  When this argument is omitted, a default precision of 2 is used.  If you specify negative precision, number is rounded to the left of the decimal point.  You can specify a precision as great as 127 digits.

no_commas determines if thousands separators (commas) are used in the result.  Use 1 to exclude commas in the result.  If no_commas is 0 or the argument is omitted, thousands separators are included (e.g., 1,000.00).

Examples:	FIXED(2000.5, 3) returns “2,000.500”

FIXED(2009.5, -1, 1) returns “2010”


RT FIXED
DOLLAR

ROUND

TEXT

VALUE


FLOOR

Description:	Rounds a number down to the nearest multiple of a specified significance.

Syntax:	FLOOR(number, significance)

number is the value to round.

significance is the multiple to which to round.

Notes

Regardless of the sign of the number, the value is rounded down, toward zero.  If number is an exact multiple of significance, no rounding occurs.

If number of significance is non-numeric, #NAME? is returned.  When the arguments have opposite signs, #NUM! is returned.

Examples:	FLOOR(1.23459, .05) returns 1.2

FLOOR(-148.24, -2) returns -148


RT FLOOR
CEILING

EVEN

INT

ODD

ROUND

TRUNC


FV

Description:	Returns the future value of an annuity based on regular payments and a fixed interest rate.

Syntax:	FV(interest, nper, payment[,pv] [,type])

interest is the fixed interest rate.

nper is the number of payments in an annuity.

payment is the fixed payment made each period.

pv is the present value, or the lump sum amount, the annuity is currently worth.  When you omit this argument, a present value of 0 is assumed.

type indicates when payments are due.  Use 0 if payments are due at the end of the period or 1 if payments are due at the beginning of the period.  When you omit this argument, 0 is assumed.

Notes

The units used for interest must match those used for nper.  For example, if the annuity has an 8% annual interest rate over a period of 5 years, specify 8%/12 for interest and 5*12 for nper.

Cash paid out, such as a payment, is shown as a negative number.  Cash received, such as a dividend check, is shown as a positive number

Examples:	FV(5%, 8, -500) returns 4,774.55

FV(10%/12, 240, -700, 1) returns 531,550.86


RT FV
IPMT

NPER

PMT

PPMT

PV

RATE


HLOOKUP

Description:	Searches the top row of a table for a value and returns the contents of a cell in that table that corresponds to the location of the search value.

Syntax:	HLOOKUP(search_item, search_range, row_index)

search_item is a value, text string, or reference to a cell containing a value that is matched against data in the top row of search_range.

search_range is a reference to the range (table) to be searched.  The cells in the first row of search_range can contain numbers, text, or logical values.  The contents of the first row must be in ascending order (e.g., -2, -1, 0, 2...A through Z, False, True).  Text searches are not case-sensitive.

row_index is the row in search_range from which the matching value is returned.

row_index can be a number from 1 to the number of rows in search_range.

If row_index is less than 1, #VALUE! is returned.

When row_index is greater than the number of rows in the table, #REF! is returned.

Note

HLOOKUP compares the information in the top row of search_range to the supplied search_item.  When a match is found, information located in the same column and supplied row (row_index) is returned.

If search_item cannot be found in the top row of search_range, the largest value that is less than search_item is used.  When search_item is less than the smallest value in the first row of the search_range, #REF! is returned.

Examples:

	A	B	C	D	E
1		Midwest	Northeast	Pacific	South
2	Q1	48.23	278.21	61.97	164.80
3	Q2	163.83	22.63	161.73	183.96
4	Q3	43.96	233.56	278.16	171.98
5	Q4	245.69	167.09	245.23	163.00
In the preceding worksheet:

HLOOKUP(“Northeast”, B1:E5, 3) returns 22.63

HLOOKUP(“Pacific”, B1:E5, 7) returns #REF!


RT HLOOKUP
INDEX

LOOKUP

MATCH

VLOOKUP


HOUR

Description:	Returns the hour component of the specified time in 24-hour format.

Syntax:	HOUR(serial_number)

serial_number is the time as a serial number.  The decimal portion of the number represents time as a fraction of the day.

Note

The result is an integer ranging from 0 (12:00 AM) to 23 (11:00 PM).

Examples:	HOUR(34259.4) returns 9

HOUR(34619.976) returns 23


RT HOUR
DAY

MINUTE

MONTH

NOW

SECOND

WEEKDAY

YEAR


IF

Description:	Tests the condition and returns the specified value.

Syntax:	IF(condition, true_value, false_value)

condition is any logical expression.

true_value is the value to be returned if condition evaluates to True.

false_value is the value to be returned if condition evaluates to False.

Examples:	IF(A1>10, “Greater”, “Less”) returns Greater if the contents of A1 is greater than 10 and Less if the contents of A1 is less than 10.


RT IF
AND

FALSE

NOT

OR

TRUE


INDEX

Description:	Returns the contents of a cell from a specified range.

Syntax:	INDEX(reference [,row] [,column] [,range_number])

reference is a reference to one or more ranges.

If reference specifies more than one range, separate each reference with a comma and enclose reference in parentheses (e.g., (A1:C6, B7:E14, F4)).

If each range in reference contains only one row or column, you can omit the row or column argument.  For example, if reference is A1:A15, you can omit the column argument (e.g., INDEX(A1:A15, 3, 1)).

row is the row number in reference from which to return data.

column is column number in reference from which to return data.

range_number specifies the range from which data is returned if reference contains more than one range.  For example, if reference is (A1:A10, B1:B5, D14:E23), A1:A10 is range_number 1, B1:B5 is range_number 2, and D14:E23 is range_number 3.

Note

If row, column, and range_number do not point to a cell within reference, #REF! is returned.  If row and column are omitted, INDEX returns the range in reference specified by range_number.

Examples:

	A	B	C	D	E
1	Sales Group 1			Sales Group 2
2	Adams	$1,225.14		Cash	$1,819.47
3	Baker	$1,415.35		Johnson	$1,733.67
4	Martinez	$1,573.57		Nelson	$1,138.23
5	Smith	$1,469.78		Randall	$1,634.58
6	White	$1,390.89		Schultz	$1,093.82
In the preceding worksheet:

INDEX(A2:B6, 2, 2) returns $1415.35

INDEX((A2:B6, D2:E6), 4, 2, 2) returns $1634.58


RT INDEX
CHOOSE

HLOOKUP

LOOKUP

MATCH

VLOOKUP


INDIRECT

Description:	Returns the contents of the cell referenced by the specified cell.

Syntax:	INDIRECT(ref_text [, a1])

ref_text is a reference to a cell that references a third cell.  If ref_text is not a valid reference, #REF! is returned.

a1 is the reference format.  This argument must be TRUE() to represent an A1 reference format; Formula One does not support the R1C1 reference format.

Examples:	INDIRECT(C1) returns the contents of the cell that C1 references.  If C1 contains “D1”, the contents of D1 is returned by INDIRECT.


RT INDIRECT
OFFSET


INT

Description:	Rounds the supplied number down to the nearest integer.

Syntax:	INT(number)

number is any real number.

Examples:	INT(10.99) returns 10

INT(-10.99) returns -11


RT INT
CEILING

FLOOR

MOD

ROUND

TRUNC


IPMT

Description:	Returns the interest payment of an annuity for a given period, based on regular payments and a fixed periodic interest rate.

Syntax:	IPMT(interest, per, nper, pv, [fv], [type])

interest is the fixed periodic interest rate.

per is the period for which to return the interest payment.  This number must be between 1 and nper.

nper is the number of payments.

pv is the present value, or the lump sum amount the annuity is currently worth.

fv is the future value, or the value after all payments are made.  If this argument is omitted, the future value is assumed to be 0.

type indicates when payments are due.  Use 0 if payments are due at the end of the period or 1 if payments are due at the beginning of the period.  When you omit this argument, 0 is assumed.

Notes

The units used for interest must match those used for nper.  For example, if the annuity has an 8% annual interest rate over a period of 5 years, specify 8%/12 for interest and 5*12 for nper.

Cash paid out, such as a payment, is shown as a negative number.  Cash received, such as a dividend check, is shown as a positive number.

Examples:	IPMT(*%/12, 1, 48, 18000) returns -117.87

IPMT(*%/12, 2, 48, 18000, 0, 1) returns -117.09


RT IPMT
FV

PMT

PPMT

RATE


IRR

Description:	Returns internal rate of return for a series of periodic cash flows.

Syntax:	IRR(cash_flow [, guess])

cash_flow is a reference to a range that contains values for which to calculate the internal rate of return.  The values must contain at least one positive and one negative value.

During calculation, IRR uses the order in which the values appear to determine the order of the cash flow.

Text, logical values, and empty cells in the range are ignored.

guess is the estimate of the internal rate of return.  If no argument is supplied, a rate of return of 10 percent is assumed.

Note

The internal rate of return is the interest rate received for an investment consisting of payments (specified by negative numbers) and investments (specified by positive numbers).

IRR is calculated iteratively, cycling through the calculation until the result is accurate to .0000l percent.  If the result cannot be found after 20 iterations, #NUM! is returned.  When this occurs, supply a different value for guess.

Examples:

	A	B
1	Investment	($60,000.00)
2	1989 income	$9,590.00
3	1990 income	$10,580.00
4	1991 income	$12,790.00
5	1992 income	$15,830.00
6	1993 income	$18,930.00
In the preceding worksheet:

IRR(B1:B6) returns 3.72%

IRR(B1:B3, -20%) returns -49.26%


RT IRR
MIRR

NPV

RATE


ISBLANK

Description:	Determines if the specified cell is blank.

Syntax:	ISBLANK(reference)

reference is a reference to any cell.

Note

If the referenced cell is blank, True is returned.  False is returned if the cell is not blank.

Examples:	ISBLANK(A1) returns True if A1 is a blank cell.


RT ISBLANK
ISERR

ISERROR

ISLOGICAL

ISNA

ISNONTEXT

ISNUMBER

ISREF

ISTEXT


ISERR

Description:	Determines if the specified expression returns an error value.

Syntax:	ISERR(expression)

expression is any expression.

Note

If the expression returns any error except #N/A!, True is returned.  Otherwise, False is returned.

Examples:	ISERR(A1) returns True if A1 contains a formula that returns an error (e.g., #NUM!).


RT ISERR
ISBLANK

ISERROR

ISLOGICAL

ISNA

ISNONTEXT

ISNUMBER

ISREF

ISTEXT


ISERROR

Description:	Determines if the specified expression returns an error value.

Syntax:	ISERROR(expression)

expression is any expression.

Note

If the expression returns any error value (e.g., #N/a!, #VALUE!, #REF!, #DIV/0!, #NUM!, #NAME?, or #NULL!), True is returned.  Otherwise, False is returned.

Examples:	ISERROR(4/0) returns True

ISERROR(A1) returns False if A1 contains a formula that does not return an error.


RT ISERROR
ISBLANK

ISERR

ISLOGICAL

ISNA

ISNONTEXT

ISNUMBER

ISREF

ISTEXT


ISLOGICAL

Description:	Determines if the specified expression returns a logical value.

Syntax:	ISLOGICAL(expression)

expression is any expression.

Note

If the expression returns a logical value, True is returned.  Otherwise, False is returned.

Examples:	ISLOGICAL(ISBLANK(A1)) returns True because ISBLANK returns a logical value.


RT ISLOGICAL
ISBLANK

ISERR

ISERROR

ISNA

ISNONTEXT

ISNUMBER

ISREF

ISTEXT


ISNA

Description:	Determines if the specified expression returns the value not available error.

Syntax:	ISNA(expression)

expression is any expression.

Note

If the expression returns the #N/A! error, True is returned.  Otherwise, False is returned.

Examples:	ISNA(A1) returns True if cell A1 contains the NA() function or returns the error value #N/A!


RT ISNA
ISBLANK

ISERR

ISERROR

ISLOGICAL

ISNONTEXT

ISNUMBER

ISREF

ISTEXT


ISNONTEXT

Description:	Determines if the specified expression is not text.

Syntax:	ISNONTEXT(expression)

expression is any expression.

Note

If the expression returns any value that is not text, True is returned.  Otherwise, False is returned.

Examples:	ISNONTEXT(F3) returns True if cell F3 contains a number or is a blank cell.

ISNONTEXT(“text”) returns False.


RT ISNONTEXT
ISBLANK

ISERR

ISERROR

ISLOGICAL

ISNA

ISNUMBER

ISREF

ISTEXT


ISNUMBER

Description:	Determines if the specified expression is a number.

Syntax:	ISNUMBER(expression)

expression is any expression.

Note

If the expression returns a number, True is returned.  Otherwise, False is returned.  If expression returns a number represented as text (e.g., “12”), False is returned.

Examples:	ISNUMBER(123.45) returns True

ISNUMBER(“123”) returns False


RT ISNUMBER
ISBLANK

ISERR

ISERROR

ISLOGICAL

ISNA

ISNONTEXT

ISREF

ISTEXT


ISREF

Description:	Determines if the specified expression is a range reference.

Syntax:	ISREF(expression)

expression is any expression.

Note

If the expression returns a range reference, True is returned.  Otherwise, False is returned.

Examples:	ISREF(A3) returns True


RT ISREF
ISBLANK

ISERR

ISERROR

ISLOGICAL

ISNA

ISNONTEXT

ISNUMBER

ISTEXT


ISTEXT

Description:	Determines if the specified expression is text.

Syntax:	ISTEXT(expression)

expression is any expression.

Note

If the expression returns text, True is returned.  Otherwise, False is returned.

Examples:	ISTEXT(“2nd Quarter”) returns True


RT ISTEXT
ISBLANK

ISERR

ISERROR

ISLOGICAL

ISNA

ISNONTEXT

ISNUMBER

ISREF


LEFT

Description:	Returns the leftmost characters from the specified text string.

Syntax:	LEFT(text [, num_chars})

text is any text string.

num_chars is the number of characters to return.  This value must be greater than or equal to zero.  If num_chars is greater than the number of characters in text, the entire string is returned.  Omitting this argument assumes a value of 1.

Examples:	LEFT(“2nd Quarter”) returns “2”

LEFT(“2nd Quarter”, 3) returns “2nd”


RT LEFT
MID

RIGHT


LEN

Description:	Returns the number of characters in the supplies text string.

Syntax:	LEN(text)

Examples:	LEN(“3rd Quarter”) returns 11

LEN(“1-3”) returns 3


RT LEN
EXACT

SEARCH


LN

Description:	Returns the natural logarithm (based on the constant e) of a number.

Syntax:	LN(number)

number is any positive real number.

Note

LN is the inverse of the EXP function.

Examples:	LN(12.18) returns 2.50

LN(20.09) returns 3.00


RT LN
EXP

LOG

LOG10


LOG

Description:	Returns the logarithm of a number to the specified base.

Syntax:	LOG(number [,base])

number is any positive real number.

base is the base of the logarithm.  Omitting this argument assumes a base of 10.

Examples:	LOG(1) returns 0

LOG(10) returns 1


RT LOG
EXP

LN

LOG10


LOG10

Description:	Returns the base-10 logarithm of a number.

Syntax:	LOG10(number)

number is any positive real number.

Examples:	LOG10(260) returns 2.41

LOG10(100) returns 2


RT LOG10
EXP

LN

LOG


LOOKUP

Description:	Searches for a value in one range and returns the contents of the corresponding position in a second range.

Syntax:	LOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_range, result_range)

lookup_value is the value for which to search in the first range.

lookup_range is the first range to search and contains only one row or one column.

The range can contain numbers, text, or logical values.

To search lookup_range correctly, the expressions in the range must be placed in ascending order (e.g., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2...A through Z, False, True).  The search is not case-sensitive.

result_range is a range of one row or one column that is the same size as lookup-range.

Note

If lookup_value does not have an exact match in lookup_range, the largest value that is less than or equal to lookup_value is found and the corresponding position in result_range is returned.  When lookup_value is smaller than the data in lookup_range, #N/A is returned.

Examples:

	A	B
1	Region	Headquarters
2	Midwest	Kansas City
3	North	Detroit
4	Northeast	Philadelphia
5	Pacific	Portland
6	South	Atlanta
7	Southwest	Phoenix
In the preceding worksheet:

LOOKUP(“North”, A2:A7, B2:B7) returns Detroit

LOOKUP(“Alabama”, A2:A7, B2:B7) returns #N/A


RT LOOKUP
HLOOKUP

INDEX

VLOOKUP


LOWER

Description:	Changes the characters in the specified string to lowercase characters.  Numeric characters in the string are not changed.

Syntax:	LOWER(text)

text is any string.

Examples:	LOWER(“3rd Quarter”) returns “3rd quarter”

LOWER(“JOHN DOE”) returns “john doe”


RT LOWER
PROPER

UPPER


MATCH

Description:	A specified value is compared against values in a range.  The position of the matching value in the search range is returned.

Syntax:	MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_range, comparison)

lookup_value is the value against which to compare.  It can be a number, text, or logical value or a reference to a cell that contains one of those values.

lookup_range is the range to search and contains only one row or one column.  The range can contain numbers, text, or logical values.

comparison is a number that represents the type of comparison to be made between lookup_value and the values in lookup_range.  When you omit this argument, comparison method 1 is assumed.

When comparison is 1, the largest value that is less than or equal to lookup_value is matched.  When using this comparison method, the values in lookup_range must be in ascending order (e.g., ...-2, -1, 0, 1, 2..., A through Z, False, True).

When comparison is 0, the first value that is equal to lookup_value is matched.  When using this comparison method, the values in lookup_range can be in any order.

When comparison is -1, the smallest value that is greater than or equal to lookup_value is matched.  When using this comparison method, the values in lookup_range must be in descending order (e.g., True, False, Z through A, ...2, 1, 0, -1, -2...).

Notes

When using comparison method 0 and lookup_value is text, lookup_value can contain wildcard characters.  The wildcard characters are * (asterisk), which matches any sequence of characters, and ? (question mark), which matches any single character.

When no match is found for lookup_value, #N/A is returned.

Examples:

	A	B
1	Mfr. Code	Stock No.
2	BAJ	0677
3	DOD	0753
4	FMH	0816
5	JMR	0913
6	PLY	7534
7	TJL	7763
In the preceding worksheet:

MATCH(7600, B2:B7,1) returns 5

MATCH(“D*”, A2:A7,0) returns 2


RT MATCH
HLOOKUP

INDEX

LOOKUP

VLOOKUP


MAX

Description:	Returns the largest value in the specified list of numbers.

Syntax:	MAX(number_list)

number_list is a list of as many as 30 numbers, separated by commas.

The list can contain numbers, logical values, text representations of numbers, or a reference to a range containing those values.

Error values or text that cannot be translated into numbers return errors.

If a range reference is included in the list, text, logical expressions, and empty cells in the range are ignored.

If there are no numbers in the list, 0 is returned.

Examples:	MAX(50, 100, 150, 500, 200) returns 500

MAX(A1:F12) returns the largest value in the range


RT MAX
AVERAGE

MIN


MID

Description:	Returns the specified number of characters from a text string, beginning with the specified starting position.

Syntax:	MID(text, start_position, num_chars)

text is the string from which to return characters.

start_position is the position of the first character to return from text.

If start_position is 1, the first character in text is returned.

If start_position is greater than the number of characters in text, an empty strong (“”) is returned.

If start_position is less than 1, #VALUE! is returned.

num_chars is the number of characters to return.  If num_chars is negative, #VALUE! is returned.

Note

If start_position plus the number of characters in num_chars exceeds the length of text, the characters from start_position to the end of text are returned.

Examples:	MID(“Travel Expenses”, 8, 8) returns “Expenses”

MID(“Part #45-7234”, 7, 2) returns 45


RT MID
CODE

FIND

LEFT

RIGHT

SEARCH


MIN

Description:	Returns the smallest value in the specified list of numbers.

Syntax:	MIN(number_list)

number_list is a list of as many as 30 numbers, separated by commas.

The list can contain numbers, logical values, text representations of numbers, or a reference to a range containing those values.

Error values or text that cannot be translated into numbers return errors.

If a range reference is included in the list, text, logical expressions, and empty cells in the range are ignored.

If there are not numbers in the list, 0 is returned.

Examples:	MIN(50, 100, 150, 500, 200) returns 50

MIN(A1:F12) returns the smallest value in the range


RT MIN
AVERAGE

MAX


MINUTE

Description:	Returns the minute that corresponds to the supplied date.

Syntax:	MINUTE(serial_number)

serial_number is the time as a serial number.  The decimal portion of the number represents time as a fraction of the day.

Note

The result is an integer ranging from 0 to 59.

Examples:	MINUTE(34506.4) returns 36

MINUTE(34399.825) returns 48


RT MINUTE
DAY

HOUR

MONTH

NOW

SECOND

WEEKDAY

YEAR


MIRR

Description:	Returns the modified internal rate of return for a series of periodic cash flows.

Syntax:	MIRR(cash_flows,finance_rate,reinvest_rate)

cash_flow is a reference to a range that contains values for which to calculate the modified internal rate of return.  The values must contain at least one positive and one negative value.

During calculation, MIRR uses the order in which the values appear to determine the order of cash flow.

Values that represent cash received should be positive; negative values represent cash paid.

Text, logical values, and empty cells in the range are ignored.

finance_rate is the interest rate paid on money used in the cash flow.

reinvest_rate is the interest rate received on money reinvested from the cash flow.

Note

The modified internal rate of return considers the cost of the investment and the interest received on the reinvestment of cash.

Examples:

	A	B
1	Investment	($60,000.00)
2	1989 income	$9,590.00
3	1990 income	$10,580.00
4	1991 income	$12,790.00
5	1992 income	$15,830.00
6	1993 income	$18,930.00
In the preceding worksheet:

MIRR(B1:B6, 12%, 8%) returns 5.20%

MIRR(B1:B3, 12%, 8%) returns -40.93%


RT MIRR
IRR

NPV

RATE


MOD

Description:	Returns the remainder after dividing a number by a specified divisor.

Syntax:	MOD(number, divisor)

number is any number.

divisor is any non-zero number.  If divisor is 0, #DIV/0! is returned.

Examples:	MOD(-23, 3) returns 1

MOD(-23, -3) returns -2


RT MOD
INT

ROUND

TRUNC


MONTH

Description:	Returns the month that corresponds to the supplied date.

Syntax:	MONTH(serial_number)

serial_number is the date as a serial number or as text (e.g., “06-21-94” or “21-Jun-94”).

Note

MONTH returns a number ranging from 1 (January) to 12 (December).

Examples:	MONTH(“06-21-94”) returns 6

MONTH(34626) returns 10


RT MONTH
DAY

HOUR

MINUTE

NOW

SECOND

TODAY

WEEKDAY

YEAR


N Function
N

Description:	Tests the supplied value and returns the value if it is a number.

Syntax:	N(value)

value is a value or a reference to a cell containing a value to test.

Note

Numbers are returned as numbers, serial numbers formatted as dates are returned as serial numbers, and the logical function TRUE() is returned as 1.  All other expressions return 0.

Examples:	N(32467) returns 32467

N(A4) returns 1 of A4 contains the logical function True


RT N
T

VALUE


NA Function

Description:	Returns the error value #N/A, which represents “not available.”

Syntax:	NA( )

Notes

Use NA to mark cells that lack data without leaving them empty.  Empty cells may not be correctly represented in some calculations.

Although NA does not use arguments, you must supply the empty parentheses to correctly reference the function.


RT NA
ISNA


NOT

Description:	Returns a logical value that is the opposite of its value.

Syntax:	NOT(logical)

logical is an expression that returns a logical value (e.g., True or False).

Note

If logical is false, NOT returns True.  Conversely, if logical is true, NOT returns False.

Examples:	NOT(TRUE( )) returns False

NOT(MONTH(“12/25/94”) = 12) returns False


RT NOT
AND

IF

OR


NOW

Description:	Returns the current date and time as a serial number.

Syntax:	NOW( )

Note

In a serial number, numbers to the left of the decimal point represent the date; numbers to the right of the decimal point represent the time.  The result of this function changes only when a recalculation of the worksheet occurs.


RT NOW
DAY

HOUR

MINUTE

MONTH

SECOND

TODAY

WEEKDAY

YEAR

DATE


NPER

Description:	Returns the number of periods of an investment based on regular periodic payments and a fixed interest rate.

Syntax:	NPER(interest, pmt, pf [,fv] [, type])

interest is the fixed interest rate.

pmt is the fixed payment made each period.  Generally, pmt includes the principle and interest, not taxes or other fees.

pf is the present value, the lump-sum amount that a series of future payments is currently worth.

fv is the future value, the balance to attain after the final payment.  Omitting this argument assumes a future balance of 0.

type indicates when payments are due.  Use 0 if payments are due at the end of the period or 1 if payments are due at the beginning of the period.  When you omit this argument, 0 is assumed.

Examples:	NPER(12%/12,  -350, -300, 16000, 1) returns 36.67

NPER(1%, -350, -300, 16000) returns 36.98


RT NPER
FV

IPMT

PMT

PPMT

PV

RATE


NPV

Description:	Returns the net present value of an investment based on a series of periodic payments and a discount rate.

Syntax:	NPV(discount_rate, value_list)

discount_rate is the rate of discount for one period.

value_list is a list of as many as 29 arguments or a reference to a range that contains values that represent payments and income.

During calculation, NPV uses the order in which the values appear to determine the order of cash flow.

Numbers, empty cells, and text representations of numbers are included in the calculation.  Errors and text that cannot be translated into numbers are ignored.

If value_list is a range reference, only numeric data in the range is included in the calculation.  Other types of data in the range (e.g., empty cells, logical values, text, and error values) are ignored.

Note

The time span NPV uses for calculation begins one period before the first cash flow date and ends when the last cash flow payment is made.  This function is based on future cash flows.  When your first cash flow occurs at the beginning of the first period, the first value must be added to the NPV result, not supplied as a value in value_list.

Examples:	NPV(8%, -12000, 3000, 3000, 3000, 7000) returns 811.57


RT NPV
FV

IRR

PV


ODD

Description:	Rounds the specified number up to the nearest odd integer.

Syntax:	ODD(number)

number is any number, a formula that evaluates to a number, or a reference to a cell that contains a number.

Examples:	ODD(3,5) returns 5

ODD(6) returns 7


RT ODD
CEILING

EVEN

FLOOR

INT

ROUND

TRUNC


OFFSET

Description:	Returns the contents of a range that is offset from a starting point in the spreadsheet.

Syntax:	OFFSET(reference, rows, columns [, height] [, width])

reference is a reference to cell from which the offset reference is based.  If you specify a range reference, #VALUE! is returned.

rows is the number of rows from reference that represents the upper-left cell of the offset range.  A positive number represents rows below the starting cell; a negative number represents rows above the starting cell.  If rows places the upper-left cell of the offset range outside the spreadsheet boundary, #REF! is returned.

columns is the number of columns from reference that represents the upper-left cell of the offset range.  A positive number represents columns right of the starting cell; a negative number represents columns left of the starting cell.  If columns places the upper-left cell of the offset range outside the spreadsheet boundary, #REF! is returned.

height is a positive number representing the number of rows to include in the offset range.  Omitting this argument assumes a single row.

width is a positive number representing the number of columns to include in the offset range.  Omitting this argument assumes a single column.

Note

OFFSET does not change the current selection in the worksheet.  Because it returns a reference, OFFSET can be used in any function that requires or uses a cell or range reference as an argument.

Examples:	OFFSET(B1, 3, 2, 1, 1) returns the contents of cell D4

SUM(OFFSET(A1, 2, 4, 3, 2) ) equals the sum of the range E3:F5


RT OFFSET
Function list


OR Function

Description:	Returns True if at least one of a series of logical arguments is true.

Syntax:	OR(logical_list)

logical_list is a list of conditions separated by commas.  You can include as many as 30 conditions in the list.  The list can contain logical values or a reference to a range containing logical values.  Text and empty cells are ignored.  If there are no logical values in the list, the error value #VALUE! is returned.

Examples:	OR(1 + 1 = 1, 5  + 5 = 10) returns True because one of the arguments is true.


RT OR
AND

IF

NOT


PI Function

Description:	Returns the value of pi (), which is approximately 3.14159265358979 when calculated to 15 significant digits.

Syntax:	PI( )

Note

Although PI does not use arguments, you must supply the empty parentheses to correctly reference the function.


RT PI
COS

SIN

TAN


PMT

Description:	Returns the periodic payment of an annuity, based on regular payments and a fixed periodic interest rate.

Syntax:	PMT(interest, nper, pv [,fv] [,type])

interest is the fixed periodic interest rate.

nper is the number of periods in the annuity.

pv is the present value, or the amount the annuity is currently worth.

fv is the future value, or the amount the annuity will be worth.  When you omit this argument, a future value of 0 is assumed.

type indicates when payments are due.  Use 0 if payments are due at the end of the period or 1 if payments are due at the beginning of the period.  When you omit this argument, 0 is assumed.

Notes

PMT returns only the principal and interest payment, it does not include taxes or other fees.

The units used for interest must match those used for nper.  For example, if the annuity has an 8% annual interest rate over a period of 5 years, specify 8%/12 for interest and 5*12 for nper.

Cash paid out, such as a payment, is shown as a negative number.  Cash received, such as a dividend check, is shown as a positive number.

Examples:	PMT(8%/12, 48, 18000) returns -439.43

PMT(8%/12, 48, 18000, 0, 1) returns -436.52


RT PMT
FV

IPMT

NPER

PPMT

PV

RATE


PPMT

Description:	Returns the principle paid on an annuity for a given period.

Syntax:	PPMT(interest, per, nper, pv, [fv], [type])

interest is the fixed periodic interest rate.

per is the period for which to return the principle.

nper is the number of periods in the annuity.

pv is the present value, or the amount the annuity is currently worth.

fv is the future value, or the amount the annuity will be worth.  When you omit this argument, a future value of 0 is assumed.

type indicates when payments are due.  Use 0 if payments are due at the end of the period or 1 if payments are due at the beginning of the period.  When you omit this argument, 0 is assumed.

Note

The units used for interest must match those used for nper.  For example, if the annuity has an 8% annual interest rate over a period of 5 years, specify 8%/12 for interest and 5*12 for nper.

Examples:	PPMT(8%/12, 2, 48, 18000) returns -321.56

PPMT(8%/12, 2, 48, 18000, 0, 1) returns -319.43


RT PPMT
FV

IPMT

NPER

PMT

PV

RATE


PRODUCT

Description:	Multiplies a list of numbers and returns the result.

Syntax:	PRODUCT(number_list)

number_list is a list of as many as 30 numbers, separated by commas.

The list can contain numbers, logical values, text representations of numbers, or a reference to a range containing those values.

Error values or text that cannot be translated into numbers return errors.

If a range reference is included in the list, text, logical expressions, and empty cells in the range are ignored.

All numeric values, including 0, are used in the calculation.

Examples:	PRODUCT(1, 2, 3, 4) returns 24


RT PRODUCT
FACT

SUM


PROPER

Description:	Returns the specified string in proper-case format.

Syntax:	PROPER(text)

text is any string.

Note

In proper-case format, the first alphabetic character in a word is capitalized.  If an alphabetic character follows a number, punctuation mark, or space, it is capitalized.  All other alphabetic characters are lowercase.  Numbers are not changed by PROPER.

Examples:	PROPER(“3rd Quarter”) returns “3Rd Quarter”

PROPER(“JOHN DOE”) returns “John Doe”


RT PROPER
LOWER

UPPER


PV Function

Description:	Returns the present value of an annuity, considering a series of constant payments made over a regular payment period.

Syntax:	PV(interest, nper, pmt [,fv] [,type])

interest is the fixed periodic interest rate.

nper is the number of payment periods in the investment.

pmt is the fixed payment made each period.

fv is the future value, or the amount the annuity will be worth.  When you omit this argument, a future value of 0 is assumed.

type indicates when payments are due.  Use 0 if payments are due at the end of the period or 1 if payments are due at the beginning of the period.  When you omit this argument, 0 is assumed.

Notes

The units used for interest must match those used for nper.  For example, if the annuity has an 8% annual interest rate over a period of 5 years, specify 8%/12 for interest and 5*12 for nper.

Cash paid out, such as a payment, is shown as a negative number.  Cash received, such as a dividend check, is shown as a positive number.

Examples:	PV(*%/12, 48, 439.43) returns-17999.89

PV(8%/12, 48, -439.43) returns 17000.89


RT PV
FV

IPMT

NPER

PMT

PPMT

RATE


RAND

Description:	Returns a number selected randomly from a uniform distribution greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1.

Syntax:	RAND( )

Note

Although RAND does not use arguments, you must supply the empty parentheses to correctly reference the function.

Examples:	RAND( ) *10 returns a random number greater than or equal to 0 and less than 10.


RT RAND
Functions List


RATE

Description:	Returns the interest rate per period of an annuity, given a series of constant cash payments made over a regular payment period.

Syntax:	RATE(nper, pmt, pv [,fv] [,type] [,guess])

nper is the number of periods in the annuity.

pmt is the fixed payment made each period.  Generally, pmt includes only principle and interest, not taxes or other fees.

pv is the present value of the annuity.

fv is the future value, or the amount the annuity will be worth.  When you omit this argument, a future value of 0 is assumed.

type indicates when payments are due.  Use 0 if payments are due at the end of the period or 1 if payments are due at the beginning of the period.  When you omit this argument, 0 is assumed.

guess is your estimate of the interest rate. If no argument is supplied, a value of .1 (10%) is assumed.

Note

RATE is calculated iteratively, cycling through the calculation until the result is accurate t0 .00001 percent.  If the result cannot be found after 20 iterations, #NUM! is returned.  When this occurs, supply a different value for guess.

Examples:	RATE(48, -439.43, 18000) returns .0067 (rounded to 4 decimals), which is the monthly interest rate.  The annual interest rate (.0067 multiplied by 12) is 8%.


RT RATE
FV

IPMT

NPER

PMT

PPMT

PV


REPLACE Function

Description:	Replaces part of a text string with another text string.

Syntax:	REPLACE(orig_text, start_position, num_chars, repl_text)

orig_text is the original text string.

start_position is the character position where the replacement begins.

If start_position is greater than the number of characters in orig_text, repl_text is appended to the end of orig_text.

If start_position is less than 1, #VALUE! is returned.

num_chars is the number of characters to replace.  If this argument is negative, #VALUE! is returned.

repl_text is the replacement text string.

Examples:	REPLACE(“For the year:  1993”, 18, 1, “4”) returns “For the year:  1994”


RT REPLACE Function
MID

SEARCH

TRIM


REPT

Description:	Repeats a text string the specified number of times.

Syntax:	REPT(text, number)

text is any text string.

number is the number of times you want text to repeat.  If number is 0, empty text (” “) is returned.

Note

The result of REPT cannot exceed 255 characters.

Examples:	REPT(“error-”, 3) returns “error-error-error-”


RT REPT
Function List


RIGHT Function

Description:	Returns the rightmost characters from the given text string.

Syntax:	RIGHT(text{, num_chars])

text is any text string.

num_chars is the number of characters to return.  The value must be greater than or equal to zero.  If num_chars is greater than the number of characters in text, the entire string is returned.  Omitting this argument assumes a value of 1.

Examples:	RIGHT(“2nd Quarter”) returns “r”

RIGHT(‘2nd Quarter”, 7) returns “Quarter”


RT RIGHT
LEFT

MID


ROUND Function

Description:	Rounds the given number to the supplied number of decimal places.

Syntax:	ROUND(number, precision)

number is any value.

precision is the number of decimal places to which number is rounded.

When a negative precision is used, the digits to the right of the decimal point are dropped and the absolute number of significant digits specified by precision are replaced with zeros.

If precision is 0, number is rounded to the nearest integer.

Examples:	ROUND(123.456, 2) returns 123.46

ROUND(98899.435, -2) returns 9900


RT ROUND
CEILING

FLOOR

INT

MOD

TRUNC


ROW Function

Description:	Returns the row number of the supplied reference.

Syntax:	ROW(reference)

reference is a cell or range reference.  Omitting this argument returns the row number of the cell in which ROW is entered.

Examples:	ROW(B3) returns 3


RT ROW Function
COLUMN

ROWS


ROWS

Description:	Returns the number of rows in a range reference.

Syntax:	ROWS(range)

range is a reference to a range of cells.

Examples:	ROWS(A1:D5) returns 5

ROWS(C30:F35) returns 6


RT ROWS
COLUMNS

ROW


SEARCH

Description:	Locates the position of the first character of a specified text string within another text string.

Syntax:	SEARCH(search_text, text {, start_position])

search_text is the text to find.

The search string can contain wildcard characters.  The available wildcard characters are * (asterisk), which matches any sequence of characters, and ? (question mark), which matches any single character.

To search for an asterisk or question mark, include a tilde (~) before the character.

text is the text to be searched

start_position is the character position where the search begins.  If the number you specify is less than 0 or greater than the number of characters in text, #VALUE! is returned.  Omitting this argument assumes a starting position of 1.

Note

Text is searched from left to right, starting at the position specified.  The search is not case-sensitive.  If text does not contain the search string, #VALUE! is returned.

Examples:	SEARCH(“?5”, “Bin b45”) returns 6

SEARCH(“b”, “Bin b45”, 4) returns 5


RT SEARCH
FIND

MID

REPLACE

SUBSTITUTE


SECOND Function

Description:	Returns the second that corresponds to the supplied date.

Syntax:	SECOND(serial_number)

serial_number is the time as a serial number.  The decimal portion of the number represents time as a fraction of the day.

Examples:	SECOND(.259) returns 58

SECOND(34657.904) returns 46


RT SECOND
DAY

HOUR

MINUTE

MONTH

NOW

TODAY

WEEKDAY

YEAR

DATE


SIGN

Description:	Determines the sign of the specified number.

Syntax:	SIGN(number)

number is any number.

Note

SIGN returns 1 if the specified number is positive, -1 if it is negative, and 0 if it is 0.

Examples:	SIGN(-123) returns -1

SIGN(123) returns 1


RT SIGN
ABS


SIN

Description:	Returns the sine of the supplied angle.

Syntax:	SIN(number)

number is the angle in radians.  If the angle is in degrees, convert the angle to radians by multiplying the angle by PI()/180.

Examples:	SIN(45) returns .85

SIN(90) returns .89


RT SIN
ASIN

PI


SINH

Description:	Returns the hyperbolic sine of the specified number.

Syntax:	SINH(number)

number is any number.

Examples:	SINH(1) returns 1.18

SINH(3) returns 10.02


RT SINH
ASINH

PI


SLN

Description:	Returns the depreciation of an asset for a specific period of time using the straight-line balance method.

Syntax:	SLN(cost, salvage, life)

cost is the initial cost of the asset.

salvage is the salvage value of the asset.

life is the number of periods of the useful life of the asset.

Examples:	SLN(10000, 1000, 7) returns 1285.71


RT SLN
DDB

SYD

VDB


SQRT

Description:	Returns the square root of the specified number.

Syntax:	SQRT(number)

number is any positive number.  If you specify a negative number, #NUM! is returned.

Examples:	SQRT(9) returns 3

SQRT(2.5) returns 1.58


RT SQRT
SUMSQ


STDEV

Description:	Returns the standard deviation of a population based on a sample of supplied values.  The standard deviation of a population represents an average of deviations from the population mean within a list of values.

Syntax:	STDEV(number_list)

number_list is a list of as many as 30 numbers, separated by commas.  The list can contain numbers or a reference to a range that contains numbers.

Examples:	STDEV(4.0, 3.0, 3.5, 2.5, 4.0, 3.5) returns .56


RT STDEV
STDEVP

VAR

VARP


STDEVP

Description:	Returns the standard deviation of a population based on an entire population of values.  The standard deviation of a population represents an average of deviations from the population mean within a list of values.

Syntax:	STDEVP(number_list)

number_list is a list of as many as 30 numbers, separated by commas.  The list can contain numbers or a reference to a range that contains numbers.

Examples:	STDEVP(4.0, 3.0, 3.0, 3.5, 2.5, 4.0, 3.5) returns .52


RT STDEVP
STDEV

VAR

VARP


SUBSTITUTE

Description:	Replaces a specified part of a text string with another text string.

Syntax:	SUBSTITUTE(text, old_text, new_text [, instance])

text is a text string that contains the text to replace.  You can also specify a reference to a cell that contains text.

old_text is the text string to be replaced.

new_text is the replacement text.

instance specifies the occurrence of old_text to replace.  If this argument is omitted, every instance of old_text is replaced.

Examples:	SUBSTITUTE(“First Quarter Results”, “First”, “Second”) returns “Second Quarter Results”

SUBSTITUTE(“Shipment 45, Bin 45”, “45”, “52”, 2) returns “shipment 45, Bin 52”


RT SUBSTITUTE
REPLACE

TRIM


SUM Function

Description:	Returns the sum of the supplied numbers.

Syntax:	SUM(number_list)

number_list is a list of as many as 30 numbers, separated by commas.

•	The list can contain numbers, logical values, text representations of numbers, or a reference to a range containing those values.

•	Error values or text that cannot be translated into numbers return errors.

•	If a range reference is included in the list, text, logical expressions, and empty cells in the range are ignored.

Examples:	SUM(1000, 2000, 3000) returns 6000

SUM(A10:D10) returns 4000 when each cell in the range contains 1000


RT SUM
AVERAGE

COUNT

COUNTA

PRODUCT

SUMSQ


SUMSQ

Description:	Squares each of the supplied numbers and returns the sum of the squares.

Syntax:	SUMSQ(number_list)

number_list is a list of as many as 30 numbers, separated by commas.

The list can contain numbers, logical values, text representations of numbers, or a reference to a range containing those values.

Error values or text that cannot be translated into numbers return errors.

If a range reference is included in the list, text, logical expressions, and empty cells in the range are ignored.

Examples:	SUMSQ(9, 10, 11) returns 302


RT SUMSQ
SUM


SYD

Description:	Returns the depreciation of an asset for a specified period using the sum-of-years method.  This depreciation method uses an accelerated rate, where the greatest depreciation occurs early in the useful life of the asset.

Syntax:	SYD(cost, salvage, life, per)

cost is the initial cost of the asset.

salvage is the salvage value of the asset.

life is the number of periods in the useful life of the asset.

period is the period for which to calculate the depreciation.  The time units used to determine period and life must match.

Examples:	SYD(100000, 1000, 7, 3) returns 1607.14


RT SYD
DDB

SLN

VDB


T Function

Description:	Tests the supplied value and returns the value if it is text.

Syntax:	T(value)

value is the value to test.

Note

Empty text (“ “) is returned for any value that is not text.

Examples:	T(“Report”) returns “Report”

T(A4) returns empty text (“ “) if A4 contains a number


RT T
N

VALUE


TAN

Description:	Returns the tangent of the specified angle.

Syntax:	TAN(number)

number is the angle in radians.  To convert a number expressed as degrees to radians, multiply the degrees by 180/PI().

Examples:	TAN(45) returns 1.62

TAN(90) returns -2.00


RT TAN
ATAN

ATAN2

PI

TANH


TANH

Description:	Returns the hyperbolic tangent of a number.

Syntax:	TANH(number)

number is any number.

Examples:	TANH(-2) returns -.96

TANH(1.2) returns .83


RT TANH
ATANH

COSH

SINH

TAN


TEXT Function

Description:	Returns the given number as text, using the specified formatting.

Syntax:	TEXT(number, format)

number is any value, a formula that evaluates to a number, or a reference to a cell that contains a value.

format is a string representing a number format.  The string can be any valid format string including “General,” “M/DD/YY,” or “H:MM AM/PM.”  The format must be surrounded by a set of double quotation marks.  Asterisks cannot be include in format.

Examples:	TEXT(123.62, “0.000’) returns 123.620

TEXT(34626.2, “MM/DD/YY”) returns 10/19/94


RT TEXT
DOLLAR

FIXED

T

VALUE


TIME Function

Description:	Returns a serial number for the supplied time.

Syntax:	TIME(hour, minute, second)

hour is a number from 0 to 23.

minute is a number from 0 to 59.

second is a number from 0 to 59.

Examples:	TIME(12, 26, 24) returns .52

TIME(1, 43, 34) returns .07


RT TIME
HOUR

MINUTE

MONTH

NOW

SECOND

TIMEVALUE

WEEKDAY

YEAR


TIMEVALUE

Description:	Returns a serial number for the supplied text representation of time.

Syntax:	TIMEVALUE(text)

text is a time in text format.

Examples:	TIMEVALUE(“1:43:43 am”) returns .07

TIMEVALUE(“14:10:07’) returns .59


RT TIMEVALUE
HOUR

MINUTE

NOW

SECOND

TIME


TODAY

Description:	Returns the current date as a serial number.

Syntax:	TODAY( )

Note

This function is updated only when the worksheet is recalculated.


RT TODAY
DATE

DAY

NOW


TRIM

Description:	Removes all spaces from text except single spaces between words.

Syntax:	TRIM(text)

text is any text string or a reference to a cell that contains a text string.

Note

Text that is imported from another environment may require this function.

Examples:	TRIM(“  Level 3,  Gate  45  “) returns “Level 3, Gate 45”


RT trim
CLEAN

MID

REPLACE

SUBSTITUTE


TRUE

Description:	Returns the logical value True.  This function always requires the trailing parentheses.

Syntax:	TRUE()


RT true
FALSE


TRUNC

Description:	Truncates the given number to an integer.

Syntax:	TRUNC(number [, precision])

number is any value.

precision is the number of decimal places allowed in the truncated number.  Omitting this argument assumes a precision of 0.

Note

TRUNC removes the fractional part of a number to the specified precision without rounding the number.

Examples:	TRUNC(123.456, 2) returns 123.45

TRUNC(9899.435, -2) returns 9800


RT TRUNC
CEILING

FLOOR

INT

MOD

ROUND


TYPE

Description:	Returns the argument type of the given expression.

Syntax:	TYPE(expression)

expression is any expression.

Note

The following table lists the expression types and numbers.

Expression type	Number

Number	1

Text String	2

Logical value	4

Error value	16

Examples:	TYPE(A1) returns 1 if cell A1 contains a number.

TYPE(“Customer”) returns 2


RT TYPE
ISBLANK

ISERR

ISERROR

ISLOGICAL

ISNA

ISNONTEXT

ISNUMBER

ISREF

ISTEXT


UPPER

Description:	Changes the characters in the specified string to uppercase characters.

Syntax:	UPPER(text)

text is any string.

Note

Numeric characters in the string are not changed.

Examples:	UPPER(“3rd Quarter”) returns “3RD QUARTER”

UPPER(“JOHN DOE”) returns “JOHN DOE”


RT upper
LOWER

PROPER


VALUE

Description:	Returns the specified text as a number.

Syntax:	VALUE(text)

text is any text string, a formula that evaluates to a text string, or a cell reference that contains a text string.  You can also specify a date or time in a recognizable format (e.g., M/DD/YY for dates or H:MM AM/PM for time).  If the format is not recognized, #VALUE! is returned.

Examples:	VALUE(9800) returns 9800

VALUE(“123”) returns 123


RT VALUE
DOLLAR

FIXED

TEXT


VAR

Description:	Returns the variance of a population based on a sample of values.

Syntax:	VAR(number_list)

number_list is a list of as many as 30 numbers, separated by commas.  The list can contain numbers or a reference to a range that contains numbers.

Examples:	VAR(4.0, 3.0, 3.5, 2.5, 4.0, 3.5) returns .31


RT VAR
STDEV

STDEVP

VARP


VARP

Description:	Returns the variance of a population based on an entire population of values.

Syntax:	VARP(number_list)

number_list is a list of as many as 30 numbers, separated by commas.  The list can contain numbers or a reference to a range that contains numbers.

Examples:	VARP(4.0, 3.0, 3.0, 3.5, 2.5, 4.0, 3.5) returns .27


RT VARP
STDEV

STDEVP

VAR


VDB

Description:	Returns the depreciation of an asset for a specified period using a variable method of depreciation.

Syntax:	VDB(cost, salvage, life, start_period, end_period [,factor] [,method])

cost is the initial cost of the asset.

salvage is the salvage value of the asset.

life is the number of periods in the useful life of the asset.

start_period is the beginning period for which to calculate the depreciation.  The time units used to determines start_period and life must match.

end_period is the ending period for which to calculate the depreciation.  The time units used to determine end_period and life must match.

factor is the rate at which the balance declines.  Omitting this argument assumes a default of 2, which is the double-declining balance factor.

method is a logical value that determines if you want to switch to straight-line depreciation when depreciation is greater than the declining balance calculation.  Use True to maintain declining balance calculation; use False or omit the argument to switch to straight-line depreciation calculation.

Examples:	VDB(10000, 1000, 7, 3, 4) returns 1041.23


RT VDB
DDB

SLN

SYD


VLOOKUP

Description:	Searches the first column of a table for a value and returns the contents of a cell in that table that corresponds to the location of the search value.

Syntax:	VLOOKUP(search_item, search_range, column_index)

search_item is a value, text string, or reference to a cell containing a value that is matched against data in the top row of search_range.

search_range is the reference of the range (table) to be searched.  The cells in the first column of search_range can contain numbers, text, or logical values.  The contents of the first column must be in ascending order (e.g., -2, -1, 0, 2...A through Z, False, True).  Text searches are not case-sensitive.

Column_index is the column in the search range from which the matching value is returned.

column_index can be a number from 1 to the number of rows in the search range.

If column_index is less than 1, #VALUE! is returned.

When column_index is greater than the number of rows in the table, #REF! if returned.

Notes	VLOOKUP compares the information in the first column of search_range to the supplied search_item.  When a match is found, information located in the same row and supplied column (column_index) is returned.

If search_item cannot be found in the first column of search_range, the largest value that is less than search_item is used.  When search_item is less than the smallest value in the first column of the search_range, #REF! is returned.

Examples:

	A	B	C	D	E
1	Employee	Start Date	Emp. No.	Salary	Exempt
2	Anderson	10/15/84	2348	$37,800	Y
3	Clark	2/6/90	4891	$28,700	N
4	Davis	6/21/80	2480	$46,950	Y
5	Franklin	4/20/88	3793	$30,275	Y
6	Lee	8/30/89	3961	$25,000	N
7	Olson	11/1/81	2578	$45,780	Y
8	Turner	2/15/93	5129	$26,100	N
9	Wilson	9/1/89	3965	$31,650	Y
In the preceding worksheet:

VLOOKUP(“Clark”, A2:E9, 4) returns $28,700

VLOOKUP(“Lee”, A2:E9, 3) returns 3961


RT VLOOKUP
HLOOKUP

INDEX

LOOKUP

MATCH


WEEKDAY

Description:	Returns the day of the week that corresponds to the supplied date.

Syntax:	WEEKDAY(serial_number)

serial_number is the date as a serial number or as text (e.g., “06-21-94” or “21-Jun-94”).

WEEKDAY returns a number ranging from 1 (Sunday) to 7 (Saturday).

Examples:	WEEKDAY(34399.92) returns 1, indicating Sunday

WEEKDAY(“06/21/94”) returns 3, indicating Tuesday


RT Weekday
DAY

HOUR

MINUTE

MONTH

NOW

SECOND

TEXT

TODAY

YEAR

DATE


YEAR

Description:	Returns the year that corresponds to the supplied date.

Syntax:	YEAR(serial_number)

Serial_number is the date as a serial number or as text (e.g., “06-21-94” or 21-Jun-94:).

Examples:	YEAR(34328) returns 1993

YEAR(“06/21/94”) returns 1994


RT Year
DATE

DAY

HOUR

MINUTE

MONTH

NOW

SECOND

TODAY

WEEKDAY


Determining How Text Looks

ABC FlowCharter lets you choose the styles you want for new text you enter in a chart. You can change all the text in a shape, text block, or line or just certain characters or words.

Text styles

Font

Size

Bold

Italic

Underline

Strikethough

Color

Alignment

Opacity


Creating Text Blocks

Preset Text Styles

To change how existing text looks

To fit a shape or text block to text

To choose text styles for new text

To align text


To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


Creating Text Blocks

You can create blocks of text and place them anywhere in a chart.

Text blocks can contain detailed descriptions about a chart. For example, you can use text blocks to describe steps and processes. Like shapes, you can move and resize text blocks.


Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles

To choose text styles for new text


Preset Text Styles

As you create charts, you may find that you often reuse the same text styles. ABC FlowCharter lets you save these "preset styles" in a menu to use again later. You can save a chart with preset styles as a template so the styles are available for future charts.

Preset styles let you apply multiple styles to text at one time.


Creating Text Blocks

Determining How Text Looks

To change how existing text looks

To choose text styles for new text


To align text

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector Tool.

2	Select the shape or text block you want to align. (Press Shift and click the left mouse button to select more than one text item.)

3	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text Tool.

4	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Formatting to display the Formatting toolbar, if necessary.

5	To change the vertical alignment, click the Vertical Alignment button on the Formatting toolbar, and then click Align Top, Align Middle, or Align Bottom.

6	To change the horizontal alignment, click the Horizontal Alignment button on the Formatting toolbar, and then click Align Left, Align Center, or Align Right.


Creating Text Blocks

Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles

To fit a shape or text block to text


To fit a shape or text block to text

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector Tool.

2	Select the shape or text block you want to fit to text.

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Arrange to display the Arrange toolbar, if necessary.

4	Click the Fit Shape button in the Arrange toolbar. The selected objects are resized to fit the text.

Note

ABC FlowCharter does not enlarge shapes larger than 10 inches in height or width; it also does not reduce shapes smaller than the settings in the Shape Properties dialog box for the selected shape.

You can manually resize the bounding box around text to show the text inside it.


Creating Text Blocks

Determining How Text Looks

To align text


To create a text block

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text Tool.

2	Point to where you want the text block to appear. Point outside existing shapes and text blocks to create a new text block.

3	Click the left mouse button. The text cursor appears.

4	Type the text you want in the text block. Press Enter to start a new line.

5	Click outside the text to start a new text block or press Esc when you finish typing.


Creating Text Blocks

Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles


To select all the text in an object

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector Tool.

2	Click the shape or text block you want. Press Shift and click to select more than one object.

The text options you choose are applied to all the text in the selected objects.


To place the text cursor in text

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text Tool.

2	Click inside the text you want to edit. The text cursor appears where you clicked.


To select text by dragging

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text Tool.

2	Click at the beginning of the text you want to select.

3	Press and hold the left mouse button, and drag across the text you want. Drag up or down to select multiple lines of text.

4	Release the mouse button when you are finished. The text is selected.


To select text by pressing Shift and clicking

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text Tool.

2	Click at the beginning of the text you want to select.

3	Move the text cursor to the end of the text you want.

4	Press and hold the Shift key.

5	Click the left mouse button. The text in the specified range is highlighted.

6	Release the Shift key when you are finished.


To move the text cursor using the keyboard

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text Tool.

2	Click to place the text cursor in the text you want.

3	Press the Right and Left Arrow keys to move the text cursor one character. Press Ctrl+Right Arrow and Ctrl+Left Arrow to move the cursor one word at a time. Press the Up and Down Arrow keys to move the cursor up and down one line, respectively.


To select text using the keyboard

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text Tool.

2	Click to place the text cursor at the beginning of the text you want.

3	Press and hold the Shift key.

4	Press the Right and Left Arrow keys to select one character to the right and left, respectively. Press Ctrl+Right Arrow and Ctrl+Left Arrow to select the next word to the right and left, respectively. Press the Up and Down Arrow keys to select one line up and down, respectively.

5	Release the Shift key when you are finished.


To add a preset text style

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text tool.

2	Select the text styles you want (font, size, style, and color).

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

4	On the Preset Styles toolbar, click the Add Text Style button. The text styles are stored as a single item in the Preset Text Styles list.

Note

You can add preset text styles to the list with or without text selected in the chart. If multiple text blocks are selected and they have conflicting attributes, the Add Style button is gray.


Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles

To rename a preset text style

To choose a preset text style

To delete a preset text style


To choose a preset text style

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text tool.

2	If you want to apply the preset style to existing text, select the text to which you want to apply the style.

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

4	On the Preset Styles toolbar, click the down arrow to the right of the Text Style list box. The Preset Text Styles list opens.

5	Click the preset text style you want. The style is applied to the selected text.

Note

If no text is selected, the preset style is used as the current text style.

If you select text before you choose a preset text style, the preset style is applied to the selected text.


Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles

To add a preset text style

To rename a preset text style

To delete a preset text style


To rename a preset text style

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text tool.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

3	Click the Edit Text Style button to the right of the Text Style list box.

4	Click the preset style you want to rename.

5	Click Rename, and then type the new name in the Rename Style dialog box.

{button Related Topics,PI(IDH_RT__text_)}


Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles

To add a preset text style

To choose a preset text style

To delete a preset text style


To delete a preset text style

1	Make sure no text is selected in the chart.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text tool.

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Preset Styles to display the Preset Styles toolbar, if necessary.

4	On the Preset Styles toolbar, click the Edit Text Styles button to the right of the Text Style text box. The Text Styles tab of the Edit Styles dialog box opens.

5	Click the preset text style you want to delete.

6	Click Remove. The style is removed from the Preset Text Styles list.

Note

The deleted style remains in the Sample button until you choose another style or close the chart window. You can check to see that the style has been deleted by clicking the Sample button and displaying the shorter menu.


Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles

To add a preset text style

To rename a preset text style

To choose a preset text style


To insert text

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text Tool.

2	Click to place the text cursor where you want to begin inserting text.

3	Type the text you want.


Creating Text Blocks

Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles

To delete text


To delete text

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text Tool.

2	Click to place the text cursor where you want to begin deleting text.

3	Press Backspace to delete text to the left of the text cursor or Delete to delete text to the right of the cursor.


Creating Text Blocks

Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles

To insert text


To choose text styles for new text

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text tool.

2	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Formatting to display the Formatting toolbar, if necessary.

3	To set the font, on the Formatting toolbar, click the down arrow by the Font Name box, and then click the name of the font you want in the list.

4	To set the size, on the Formatting toolbar, click the down arrow by the Font Size box, and then click the size you want in the list.

5	To set font attributes such as bold, italic, or underline, on the Formatting toolbar, click the button for the attribute. (You may choose more than one.)

6	To change the alignment, click the Vertical Alignment or Horizontal Alignment button on the Formatting toolbar, and then click the alignment you want from the menu.

7	To set the color, on the Formatting toolbar, click the down arrow by the Text Color button, and then click the color you want in the palette.

Notes

Make sure you do not have text selected when you change text styles. If you have a text selected, the changes will affect only the selected text, not new  text that you place.

You also can choose a preset text in the Preset Text Styles list in the Preset Styles toolbar.


Determining How Text Look

Preset Text Styles

To change how existing text looks


To change how existing text looks

1	Select the text you want to change.

2	In the ABC toolbox, click the Text tool.

3	On the View menu, click Toolbars, and then click Formatting to display the Formatting toolbar, if necessary.

4	To set the font, on the Formatting toolbar, click the down arrow by the Font Name box, and then click the name of the font you want in the list.

5	To set the size, on the Formatting toolbar, click the down arrow by the Font Size box, and then click the size you want in the list.

6	To set font attributes such as bold, italic, or underline, on the Formatting toolbar, click the button for the attribute. (You may choose more than one.)

7	To change the alignment, click the Vertical Alignment or Horizontal Alignment button on the Formatting toolbar, and then click the alignment you want from the menu.

8	To set the color, on the Formatting toolbar, click the down arrow by the Text Color button, and then click the color you want in the palette.

Notes

You also can choose a preset style in the Preset Text Styles list in the Preset Styles toolbar.


Determining How Text Looks

Preset Text Styles

To choose text styles for new text


To make the text background opaque or transparent

1	In the ABC toolbox, click the Object Selector Tool.

2	Select the shape, text block, or text on a line with the background you want to change.

3	On the Format menu, click Font.

4	In the Font tab of the Format Text dialog box, click Opaque Text.

When Opaque Text is checked, the selected background becomes opaque; when Opaque Text is not checked, the background is transparent.

Tip

To select more than one text item, in step 2, press Shift and click the left mouse button.


Determining How Text Looks