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- LABELS UNLIMITED TABLE OF CONTENTS
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- A. LABELS UNLIMITED...........................2
- How it works...........................2
- New features of version B.00...........3
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- B. GETTING STARTED............................4
- Using commands and moving around.......4
- Printing the reference guide...........5
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- C. CREATING LABELS............................5
- Overview...............................6
- Defining a label format................6
- Adding and editing labels..............9
- Special functions.....................11
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- D. PRINTING..................................16
- Overview..............................16
- Printing labels.......................16
- Trouble shooting printing problems....19
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- E. WORKING WITH LABEL SERIES.................20
- Working with label files..............20
- Clearing a label series...............22
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- F. IMPORTING AND EXPORTING LABELS............22
- Import overview.......................23
- About the data structure options......24
- Importing data into a label series....26
- Using import specifications...........31
- Appending import data to a label file 33
- Exporting data from a label series....34
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- Copyright 1986-1989 Power Up Software Corporation
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- Labels Unlimited page 1
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- SECTION A, LABELS UNLIMITED
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- =================================================================
-
-
- Labels Unlimited lets you create professional-looking labels
- quickly and conveniently. Disk labels, inventory labels, file
- labels, binder covers, labels for audio and video cassettes--
- anything requiring neat, graphic printing is easy to produce.
- You do the creative part; your computer and printer take care of
- the tedious mechanical tasks.
-
- This section helps to give you an overview of the program before
- you actually begin using it. It covers two topics:
-
- - How it works
- - New features of version B.00
-
-
- HOW IT WORKS
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- Labels Unlimited creates labels in a group called a label series.
- A label series is very much like a data base file within which
- the labels are individual records. If you're not familiar with
- data bases, think of a label series as a binder and the labels as
- pages within the binder.
-
- Certain characteristics apply to the entire label series. You
- set the label size for the entire series and choose one of
- sixteen preset formats that divide the printing area into as many
- as three zones. The formats provide nearly any text orientation
- (the way the letters read) within each zone--including vertical
- text (one letter above the next).
-
- On each separate label within the series you can specify one of
- five type sizes for each text line, from Small (about 12
- characters per inch) to Giant (1/2" high). You can type
- different text on each label, or create a single label and print
- several copies of it.
-
- Labels Unlimited also offers a number of special features
- designed to speed up and enhance your work. To save keystrokes,
- the Ditto function copies the same line on to successive labels.
- A review feature lets you see all the entries for any line in a
- label series and sort them alphabetically. The Count function
- sequentially numbers copies of labels. Using the Import and
-
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- Labels Unlimited page 2
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- Export routines, you can exchange information with other
- programs, saving hours of data-entry time. You can save as many
- labels as will fit on your disk in each series, and print labels
- up to 36 across.
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- Labels Unlimited can create nearly any type of label. The output
- is always crisp, neat, easy to read--and easy to produce.
-
-
- NEW FEATURES OF VERSION B.00
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- Version B.00 of Labels Unlimited includes many of the features
- that users of version A.00 have requested:
-
- - Support for HP LaserJet compatible printers
- - No restriction on the number of labels in a series
- - The ability to import and export data
- - The ability to measure labels in 1/32" increments
- - Printing of up to 36 labels across the page
-
- FILE COMPATIBILITY
-
- You shouldn't have any trouble using label files created with
- older versions of Labels Unlimited.
-
- THE .LBL EXTENSION Version B.00 requires that the name of every
- label file end with the .LBL extension. If you named an older
- label file using a different extension, you will have to rename
- it before using the file with version B.00.
-
- For example, if your old file was named BINDER.JAN, use the DOS
- RENAME command as follows:
-
- RENAME BINDER.JAN BINDER.LBL
-
- Version B.00 does not recognize any label file without the .LBL
- extension.
-
- GIANT TEXT Giant size text is slightly larger in version B.00
- than it was in earlier versions. If you created a label with
- several lines of giant text using an version A.00 of Labels
- Unlimited, some of the text at the bottom of the label may be
- truncated.
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- Labels Unlimited page 3
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- SECTION B, GETTING STARTED
-
-
- =================================================================
-
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- Labels Unlimited is so easy to use, you'll get good work from it
- the first time you run it--especially if you've read the
- instructions and printed the reference guide. This section
- explains most of what you need to know to begin using Labels
- Unlimited:
-
- - Using commands and moving around
- - Printing the reference guide (PRINT ME FIRST).
-
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- USING COMMANDS AND MOVING AROUND
- _______________________________________________________
-
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- If you've ever used another Power Up product, you shouldn't have
- any trouble navigating through Labels Unlimited. Every menu
- displays a numbered list of the available options and a prompt at
- the bottom of the list. To activate one of the options on the
- menu, type that option's number at the prompt and press RETURN.
- As you work, you'll see that the active function keys are always
- displayed at the bottom of every screen. When the program
- requires a response from you, a prompt appears.
-
- There are only a few simple keystrokes you need to remember to
- move around in Labels Unlimited:
-
- UP/DOWN arrow Moves up or down by one line.
- LEFT/RIGHT arrow Moves left or right one character.
- TAB Moves to next prompt.
- SHIFT-TAB Moves to previous prompt.
- F1 Displays a relevant help screen.
- F2 Displays these instructions.
- F10 Performs current task, or moves to
- next screen.
- ESC Cancels current task, or returns to
- previous screen.
-
- EXITING THE PROGRAM
-
- To exit the program and return to DOS, select E from the Main
- Menu. The message, "Exit to DOS (Y/N)?" appears. Type Y (yes)
- or N (no). When you type Y, you exit Labels Unlimited and the
- DOS prompt appears; N returns you to Labels Unlimited. If you try
- to exit without saving the current labels, Labels Unlimited warns
- you so that you can return to the Main Menu and save your work.
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- Labels Unlimited page 4
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- PRINTING THE REFERENCE GUIDE (PRINT ME FIRST)
- _______________________________________________________
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-
- The program diskette includes a handy reference guide that
- illustrates each of the 16 available label formats. The
- reference guide contains sample labels that show some of the
- inventive things you can do with each format. You can do a lot
- more with the program than there is space to show in these
- samples. As you work with Labels Unlimited you'll find that each
- format can become the basis for whole families of labels. The
- sample labels include borders, so you can see the size that was
- specified for each design.
-
- Be sure to print the reference guide and add it as an appendix to
- these instructions. The samples in the guide will greatly
- enhance your understanding of the program. The file is set up to
- print on standard 8 1/2" by 11" paper.
-
- To print the reference guide, select option 7, PRINT ME FIRST,
- from the Main Menu. When you press Enter, the PRINT ME FIRST
- screen appears. See "Printing Labels," below, for instructions
- on responding to the prompts on this screen. Labels Unlimited
- always displays your most recent printer selections. Check that
- these selections are correct, or change them if necessary. If you
- have printed from another program since you turned the computer
- on, turn the printer off and then on again. With the printer on-
- line and loaded with paper, press F10 to start printing.
-
-
-
- SECTION C, CREATING LABELS
-
- =================================================================
-
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- This section explains all of the basic functions involved in
- creating and modifying labels:
-
- - Overview
- - Defining a label format
- - Adding and editing labels
- - Special editing functions
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- Labels Unlimited page 5
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- OVERVIEW
- _______________________________________________________
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- Labels are created and saved in groups called label series.
- There are 3 basic steps in creating a finished label series:
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- 1. DEFINING A LABEL FORMAT The label format determines the size
- and text placement of the entire label series. Once you have
- entered text onto a label, the format cannot be changed.
-
- 2. TEST PRINTING THE LABEL FORMAT Before you enter any text into
- a new label series, use the Print Samples function to make
- sure that you have specified the correct label size to match
- your label stock.
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- 3. ENTERING THE TEXT You can enter text separately on each label
- in the series. You can specify different size text and
- alignment for each line of text on every label. You can also
- use such features as Count and Ditto to speed and enhance your
- work.
-
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- DEFINING A LABEL FORMAT
- _______________________________________________________
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- Before you enter any of the text that will later appear on your
- labels, you must define a label format. The label format applies
- to every label in the label series. It determines the physical
- size of the label, how many text zones that label contains, and
- the orientation of the text within each zone.
-
- IMPORTANT: Once set, the label format cannot be changed.
-
- Formatting information is saved with the label-series file, so
- when you later edit the file, the same format is used. Because
- the format must be accurate, it's critical to test your format by
- printing test labels, as described below, before entering all of
- your labels into the file.
-
- The most critical part of defining a label format is getting the
- size of your label exactly right. If your label format is not
- exactly the same size as your label stock, they will never line
- up correctly. Always test-print your format before you save it,
- and NEVER ENTER DATA INTO AN UNTESTED FORMAT.
-
- NOTE It is possible, in effect, to use the Import Labels
- function to reformat a label series. The Import Labels
- function allows you to import the data from one label series
- into a new label series. However, this process is more time
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- Labels Unlimited page 6
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- consuming and complex than getting your label format right at
- the beginning.
-
- To begin defining a label format:
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- 1. Choose option 1, Define Label Format, from the Main Menu.
-
- The Define Label Format screen appears.
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- 2. To set the format for the current label series, respond
- carefully to the prompts on this screen.
-
- Remember, once you add labels to a series, the format definition
- cannot be altered for that series. The instruction below tell
- you how to respond to the prompts.
-
- SELECTING A TEXT FORMAT
-
- There are 16 different formats, each with its own combination of
- text zones, character and line orientations.
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- To select a text format:
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- - Press PgDn or PgUp until the format you want appears.
-
- Each format contains a large E and directional arrows to help you
- understand how the label will look. Text orientation varies by
- format: the arrows show the direction the lines of text will
- read; the large "E" shows the orientation (horizontal or
- vertical) of characters within the lines. For example, a large E
- with arrows aiming to the right indicates that characters will
- print horizontally and will read from left to right. Each format
- contains a large primary text zone, and some formats use
- secondary zones at left and/or right. Use the on screen
- indicators, along with the printed reference guide (see above),
- as aids when you select a format. Each format is numbered for
- easy reference.
-
- NOTE You specify the number of labels you want printed across
- the page during the print routine.
-
- SETTING THE LABEL SIZE
-
- The Label Size prompts define the label dimensions and set the
- spacing between adjacent labels.
-
- - Press the TAB, SHIFT-TAB, or UP and DOWN arrow keys to move
- between prompts; a box indicates the active prompt.
-
- - Press the RIGHT and LEFT arrow keys to increase and decrease
- the displayed dimension by 1/32 inch at a time.
-
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- Labels Unlimited page 7
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- - Press the CONTROL (Ctrl) key and the arrow together to change
- the value 1/2 inch at a time.
-
- NOTE Most labels measure to the nearest 1/16 inch and are
- separated from each other by 1/16 inch. You may find that
- some labels can only be measured accurately in 1/32 inch
- increments. Always measure the label you want to print, and
- then set the entries at the Label Size prompts to match.
-
- Don't trust the manufacturer's stated dimensions, since these
- often include the space between labels (many "one-inch" labels
- actually measure 15/16 inch). Multiply the width of the
- labels (including space between) by the number of labels
- across to make sure the total horizontal measure does not
- exceed the available print width: 8" for a standard-carriage
- printer, 13" for a wide-carriage model.
-
- Here are the Label Size prompts and the range of possible
- entries:
-
- TOP TO BOTTOM Sets the height of each label in the current label
- series. Remember to only measure the label itself, don't count
- the space between labels. Measure from the top edge of the
- label, to the bottom edge.
-
- - Default = 15/16"; Minimum = 3/8"; Maximum = 11"
-
- LEFT TO RIGHT Sets the width of each label in the current label
- series.
-
- - Default = 3 1/2"; Minimum = 3/8"; Maximum = 13"
-
- VERTICAL DISTANCE BETWEEN LABELS Specifies the space to allow
- between the bottom of one label and the top of the next label.
- The default value is correct for most tractor-feed labels.
-
- - Default = 1/16"; Minimum = 0"; Maximum = 11"
-
- HORIZONTAL DISTANCE BETWEEN LABELS For printing labels two or
- more across, this prompt specifies the space to allow between the
- right edge of one label and the left edge of the next. Leave it
- at the default setting for single labels.
-
- - Default = 1/8"; Minimum = 0"; Maximum = 5"
-
- DISTANCE TO LEFT MARGIN After test printing your design (see
- below), use this prompt as needed to adjust the distance from the
- left edge of the label to the first character position.
-
- - Default = 0"; Minimum = 0"; Maximum = 5"
-
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- Labels Unlimited page 8
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- TESTING YOUR FORMAT
-
- As stated earlier, it is very important to test your label format
- before you put any information into it. This is your only chance
- to change it.
-
- To test the format as set by the prompts on the Define Label
- Format screen: press F8, Print Samples. The Print Samples screen
- appears. Make entries at the prompts (see "Printing Labels,"
- below, for detailed instructions), check that your printer is
- ready, and then press F10 to print. Labels Unlimited prints two
- rows of sample labels in the specified format, 1 to 36 labels
- wide (as specified at the Labels Across prompt). The printed
- samples include dummy text in several sizes, giving you a good
- idea of what the actual labels will look like.
-
- If you choose to print borders, solid lines will be printed that
- reflect the dimensions that you entered earlier. Dashed lines
- separate the text zones. If the borders line up exactly with the
- labels in your printer, size and spacing are correct. Change the
- settings at the Label Size prompts and print again. When you are
- happy with the look and fit of the specified label format, press
- F10 to record the format and return to the Main Menu.
-
-
- ADDING AND EDITING LABELS
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- Once you have selected a label format (or loaded a label file
- from disk--see below), you can create and edit labels. Choose
- option 2, Add/Edit Labels, from the Main Menu, and the Add/Edit
- Labels screen appears.
-
- UNDERSTANDING THE ADD/EDIT LABELS SCREEN
-
- The exact appearance of this screen depends on the current label
- format and the type sizes specified. When the format uses just
- one zone, the Add/Edit Labels screen displays a single Primary
- zone of up to 18 lines. When the format uses left and/or right
- text-entry areas, additional zones appear, with up to three lines
- each. A counter at the top of the screen shows the number of the
- current label in the series. Columns on the left side show line
- numbers, text sizes, and text alignment. A highlight bar
- indicates the current line.
-
- The actual number of text lines available within a zone and the
- number of characters available within a line depend on the size
- of the label and the type size selected for each line. Sizes
- include Small (SML), Medium (MED), Large (LRG), Jumbo (JMB), and
-
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- Labels Unlimited page 9
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- Giant (GNT). Smaller type yields more lines per zone and more
- characters per line. Samples of each type size are included in
- the reference guide (see above). Press Enter or the up and down
- arrow keys to move the highlight bar from line to line. The
- length of the bar always matches the number of characters
- available on the current line.
-
- When you first select Add/Edit Labels, Labels Unlimited displays
- the number of Small lines that will fill the zones in the current
- format. You can change the type size for every line of text on
- each separate label in the label series. Lines that won't fit in
- the specified label format are shaded. When you change type
- size, the shaded area moves up and down to reflect the number of
- lines that will fit. As you add labels to a label series, the
- line sizes for the label last displayed are carried over to each
- new label. When the label series is complete, press ESCAPE to
- return to the Main Menu.
-
- CONTROL KEYS
-
- Use the following keys as you enter and edit text:
-
- CTRL-A Adds (inserts) a line above the current line;
- succeeding lines move down.
-
- CTRL-D Deletes the current line; succeeding lines move up.
-
- CTRL-E Erases text from the current line, leaving it blank.
-
- CTRL-R Restores the line just erased.
-
- ALT-E Erases (clears) the current entries from the screen.
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- ALT-R Restores the entries erased from the screen.
-
- Ins Changes between insert and overwrite modes.
-
- Del Deletes the character at the cursor position.
-
- Home Moves the cursor to the beginning to the line.
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- End Moves the cursor to the end of the line.
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- Tab Moves the cursor to the next non-ditto line.
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- Shift-Tab Moves the cursor to the previous non-ditto line.
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- PgDn Displays the next label in the current series.
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- PgUp Displays the previous label in the current series.
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- Labels Unlimited page 10
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- Ctrl-Home Displays the first label in the series.
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- Ctrl-End Displays the last label in the series.
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- SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
- _______________________________________________________
-
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- While adding or editing labels, you can use a number of extra
- features to speed up and improve your work.
-
- F3 SIZE
-
- Changes the type size (and thus the number of available
- characters) for the current line. When you press F3, a window
- appears, listing the type sizes. Press the up and down arrow
- keys to highlight your choice; press Enter to select it. A
- three-character abbreviation to the left of each line indicates
- the currently selected type size.
-
- F4 ALIGN
-
- Changes the alignment of the current line. When you press F4, a
- window appears, listing the alignment options. If the line
- prints horizontally, the options are left, center, and right
- (coded L, C, R on your screen). If the line prints vertically,
- the options are top, center, and bottom (coded T, C, B). Press
- the up and down arrow keys to highlight your choice; press Enter
- to select it.
-
- F5 DITTO
-
- The F5 key turns the Ditto function on and off for the current
- line. Use the Ditto function to avoid repeating keystrokes when
- labels in a series contain duplicate text. Ditto lines are
- duplicated only on labels that are created when you press F10,
- Add Another (see below). An asterisk indicates each Ditto line.
- When Ditto lines are used, the tab key moves the highlight bar
- between non-Ditto lines only, allowing quick text entry. The
- Enter and up and down arrow keys move to all lines, including
- Ditto lines. The Ditto function can be turned on and off within
- a label series, so you can use it as needed.
-
- AN EXAMPLE The Ditto function can be an enormous time saver.
- You might set up a label that looks like this (asterisks
- represent Ditto lines):
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- Labels Unlimited page 11
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- * NIGHT OWL VIDEO
- * format: VHS
- movie title
- rating
- * Please rewind!
-
- With this format, you can quickly create individual labels for
- several video cassettes without retyping the name of the store
- every time. Then, to create labels for Beta cassettes, you'd
- change the format line, still keeping it as a Ditto line. The
- new Ditto line would appear in each subsequent label, until, of
- course, you edited the line again--or changed it to a non-Ditto
- line.
-
- NOTE The Ditto function has no effect on labels that have
- already been created. For example, if you are working on a
- label series that contains 10 labels, adding a Ditto line to
- the first label has no effect on the other labels.
-
- F6 COUNT
-
- Use the Count function to produce sequentially numbered labels of
- otherwise identical design. The Count function works in
- conjunction with the Copies per Label prompt on the Print Labels
- menu. After defining a Count field with the F6 key, you specify
- how many copies of the label you want using the Copies per Label
- command during the print routine. The number shown in the Count
- field is then increased by one in each copy of the label.
-
- The Count function has no effect on other labels in the same
- label series. If you are working on a label series containing 10
- labels, placing a count field on the first label has no effect on
- the other nine labels. It also has no effect on new labels that
- you add to the series. If, however, you place a Count field on
- the first of a series of 10 labels and then tell the program to
- print 10 copies of each label, the number displayed in the Count
- field on the first label in the series will be increased from 1
- to 10 on each copy of the first label. All the printed copies of
- the other 9 labels will be identical to each other.
-
- HOW THE COUNT FUNCTION WORKS Any or all lines can contain a
- single auto-incrementing field. Up to four digits can be
- incremented, and you can begin with any number in the range.
- Like an automobile odometer, the highest number in the series is
- always 9 in each character position. When a 9 appears in each
- available position, the count field starts over. Thus, 0 counts
- to 9, then returns to 0; 00 goes to 99 and then back to 00, etc.
- When you create a Count field, be sure to provide enough digits
- to reach the anticipated total. For example, enter 001 to count
- to 100.
-
-
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- Labels Unlimited page 12
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- You can increment any one to four digit segment of any number in
- the range. Thus the last three numbers of a label that reads,
- "Part Number 388-0600-500" could be incremented--or the first
- three, or the middle four, or any one to four digit segment
- anywhere within the number.
-
- DEFINING A COUNT FIELD To identify a number or numeric segment
- for incrementing:
-
- 1. Type the number or segment on the selected line.
-
- 2. Place the cursor on the left-most digit that you want to
- increment, and then press F6 (Count).
-
- That character, plus the next three numeric characters to the
- right (if any) will begin to blink; the blinking characters are
- now identified as the first number in the one to four digit count
- field. To complete the line, add any other characters you need
- (they will not affect the count field you have just identified).
- These examples show what you can do:
-
- SOME EXAMPLES To increment the number 000, place the cursor
- under the left-most 0, and then press F6; 000 will blink and will
- count (001, 002, etc.) to 999 before returning to 000.
-
- To increment the middle four digits of the number 100-0000-100,
- place the cursor under the first 0 after the first hyphen, and
- then press F6; the middle four 0's will blink and count to 9999
- before returning to 0000.
-
- To increment just the first two digits of the number 5000, type
- the digits 5 and 0, place the cursor under the 5, and then press
- F6; 50 will blink. Finally, place the cursor to the right of 50,
- and type the remaining two 0's. The first two digits of 5000
- will continue to blink, but the last two digits will not. The
- first two digits will count from 50 through 99, then go to 00,
- and then count to 49 before returning to 50.
-
- When you design labels with Count fields, take advantage of the
- great flexibility this feature provides. You might let a serial
- number appear more than once, perhaps in different sizes and
- orientations, or create a count field that provides a tally
- ("Item 085 of 100" for example). The printed reference guide has
- good examples of both ideas. Labels that contain count fields
- should be saved as files containing just one label: to get
- numbered labels, you simply print multiple copies.
-
- ADDITIONAL COMMANDS F7
-
- The F7 key invokes a window containing a menu of four important
- additional commands. Press the up and down arrow keys to
-
-
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- Labels Unlimited page 13
-
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- highlight the command you want to use and then press Enter to
- activate it.
-
- PRINT LABEL Prints the current label, or all the remaining
- labels in the series. Use this option when you want a sample
- copy--or multiple copies--of the current label. When you select
- this option, the Print Labels screen appears. See "Printing
- Labels," below, for printing instructions.
-
- An additional prompt, Print to End of Series? (Y/N), appears on
- this version of the Print Labels screen. To print labels from
- the current label to the end of the label series, type Y (yes);
- to print just the current label, leave the prompt set at N (no),
- the default setting.
-
- Printing to the end of the series lets you add labels to a
- series, then print only the ones you've added--handy when you've
- already printed the first labels in the series, or when your
- printer jams halfway through a series of labels.
-
- REMOVE LABEL Removes the currently displayed label from the
- series. Use this option to eliminate labels you no longer need.
- When you select this option, a message appears asking you to
- confirm the command (unless the label is blank). Press Y (yes)
- to remove the label; press N (no) to cancel the command and
- return to the Add/Edit Labels screen.
-
- DISPLAY FORMAT Opens a window that displays the current label
- format. Use this option when you want a quick reminder of what
- your label will look like. Press F10 to return to the Add/Edit
- Labels screen; or, to adjust the left-hand margin and the
- vertical and horizontal distance between labels, press F3 (Change
- Label Separation). This function allows you to adjust the print
- position of your labels, but not their size, which was
- permanently recorded when you set the label format.
-
- When you press F3, a small command area is added to the window,
- and a highlight bar appears at the Vertical Distance Between
- Labels prompt. Use the up and down arrow keys to move the
- highlight bar between prompts. Use the left and right arrow keys
- to adjust the highlighted setting by 1/32 of an inch; to adjust
- by 1/2 inches, hold the Ctrl key down as you press the arrow
- keys. Press F10 (Continue) to save your changes and return to
- the Add/Edit Labels screen. Press Esc (Restore) to return to the
- Add/Edit Labels screen, restoring the label-space settings as
- they appeared when you pressed F3.
-
- SHOW/SORT BY LINE Displays a screen that lists the contents of
- the line at the current cursor position for all labels in the
- series. Use this option to check previous entries, or to locate
- and move to another label in the series.
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 14
-
-
-
- Use Home, End, PgUp, PgDn, and the up and down arrow keys to move
- about in the list. When there are more entries than will fit on
- the screen, small arrows point the way to additional entries.
-
- While you are viewing this screen, you can use the followings
- keys to change the sort order:
-
- - To sort the items in the list alphabetically, press F5, Sort
- Up.
-
- - To sort in reverse alphabetical order, press F6, Sort Down.
-
- - To restore the original sort order--the one in effect when you
- selected Show/Sort by Line--press F7, Undo.
-
- The order in effect when you exit this screen becomes part of the
- file the next time you save it.
-
- To see how useful the Sort feature is, load the sample video-
- cassette label file, VIDEO.LBL (see "Working with Label Files,"
- for file-loading instructions). Go to the Add/Edit Label screen
- and highlight the name of the first actor on the first label.
- Then press F7 and select Show/ Sort by Line. A list of all the
- leading actors appears, with the first actor highlighted. Press
- F5 (Sort Up), and the list appears in alphabetical order, making
- it easy to look up a particular actor. Repeat the process for
- the "star" rating line. This time Press F6 (Sort Down), and
- you'll see how many good movies appear on the list. There's a
- surprise at the top of the list. Press Home to highlight that
- top item, and then press F10, to see which film earned such high
- acclaim.
-
- Make a habit of checking key lines in a label series for accuracy
- and completeness. To do this quickly, use Show/Sort by Line to
- alphabetize the line entries, and then check the list.
-
- SEARCHING WITH THE SORT FUNCTION The sort function lets you use
- key line entries to search for and display any label in a series.
- A highlight bar appears over the line entry belonging to the
- label you were on when you pressed F7. To move to another label,
- sort the list, and then highlight the matching line entry
- belonging to the other label. Press F10, and the Add/Edit Labels
- screen will reappear, this time displaying the label whose line
- entry you highlighted.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 15
-
-
- F10 ADD ANOTHER
-
- Adds a new label to the end of the label series. All
- specifications from the label last displayed, including ditto
- lines, are automatically duplicated on this new label.
-
-
- SECTION D, PRINTING
-
-
- =================================================================
-
-
- This section covers all issues relating to printing with Labels
- Unlimited.
-
- - Overview
- - Printing labels
- - Trouble shooting printing problems
-
-
- OVERVIEW
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- Printing a label series with Labels Unlimited is a simple
- process. With a label series in memory, you choose the Print
- Labels command from the main menu. Next, you respond to the
- prompts on the Print Labels screen. Most of these prompts are
- self-explanatory. When you complete the prompts, you check to
- make sure that your printer is ready and loaded with the correct
- labels, and tell the program to start printing.
-
- Don't forget, you need not produce the entire label series each
- time you print. From the Add/Edit screen, press F7 (More), and
- then use the Print Label prompt to print the current label. (The
- Show/Sort by Line prompt makes it easy to locate labels for
- printing, especially in a long list.) Or use the Print to End of
- Series prompt to print from the current label to the end of the
- series--when you need to print the most recent additions to a
- list, for example.
-
-
- PRINTING LABELS
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- The print routine is essentially the same no matter what type of
- printer you have:
-
- 1. Choose option 3, Print Labels, from the Main Menu.
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 16
-
-
-
- The Print Labels screen appears. Press Tab and Shift-Tab,
- Return, or the arrow keys to move between the prompts.
-
- 2. At the Copies Per Label prompt, type the number of copies of
- each label you want printed (1-9999).
-
- Count fields (see above) will be incremented by one on each copy.
-
- 3. If you want a border around each label, type a Y at the Print
- Label Border prompt, otherwise leave it set to N.
-
- 4. At the Labels Across prompt, enter the number of labels you
- want printed in each row.
-
- The printer settings prompts at the lower half of the screen vary
- depending on the type of printer you are using. The first time
- you run the program, the dot matrix printing settings appear.
-
- 5. Press F3 to switch back and forth between the dot matrix, and
- laser printing settings.
-
- Follow the instructions below that match the type of printer you
- are using.
-
- IF YOU'RE USING A DOT MATRIX PRINTER
-
- 1. From the displayed list, enter the number that matches your
- printer
-
- If your printer is not on the list, it is probably compatible
- with one of the listed printers. Look in your printers manual
- for suggestions. Choose the printer that is the most similar to
- yours.
-
- 2. At the Print To prompt, type the name of the port your printer
- is connected to.
-
- Valid entries include LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, COM1, COM2, and PRN. Try
- LPT1 first if you are uncertain.
-
- 3. At the Single/Double Pass prompt, type S for single pass, D
- for double pass.
-
- The latter yields darker labels, but takes more time. The
- printer head must move over each line twice.
-
- 4. At the Bidirectional prompt, type Y or N.
-
- To print faster, select bidirectional (left to right, plus right
- to left) printing. Turn this option off if the character output
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 17
-
-
- takes on a jagged appearance, or if your printer does not support
- bidirectional printing. If your printer doesn't support
- bidirectional printing in graphics mode, your response to this
- prompt is ignored. Most dot matrix printers are not capable of
- bidirectional printing in graphics mode.
-
- 5. Press F10 when you have finished with all the prompts.
-
- A screen appears that tell you to check that your printer is on-
- line, with labels or paper in position. You have the option of
- pressing F10 to continue, or Escape to cancel.
-
- 6. Press F10 to begin printing.
-
- When printing is complete, the main menu reappears.
-
- IF YOU'RE USING A LASER PRINTER
-
- 1. At the Print To prompt, type the name of the port your printer
- is connected to.
-
- Valid entries include LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, COM1, COM2, and PRN. Try
- LPT1 first if you are uncertain.
-
- 2. At the Label Rows Per Page prompt, type the number of rows of
- labels that each page of your label stock contains.
-
- This number should be between 1 and 36.
-
- 3. Enter the number of the row where you want the program to
- start printing at the Starting Label Row prompt.
-
- 4. At the Space Down From Top to First Row prompt, enter the
- exact amount of space between the very top of the paper and
- the top of the first row of cut labels.
-
- 5. Press F10 when you have finished with all the prompts.
-
- A screen appears that tell you to check that your printer is on-
- line, with labels or paper in position. You have the option of
- pressing F10 to continue, or Escape to cancel.
-
- 6. Press F10 to begin printing.
-
- When printing is complete, the main menu reappears.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 18
-
-
- TROUBLE SHOOTING PRINTING PROBLEMS
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- If you have a printing problem when working with Labels
- Unlimited, check the items in the list that follows. Always
- begin with your equipment, then analyze your printout. Here are
- some possible problems and their solutions:
-
- PRINTER PRINTS GARBAGE
-
- If your printer prints "garbage," or refuses to print at all,
- check the following items. Then turn your printer and computer
- off for a minute, turn them back on, and try again:
-
- 1. Make sure your printer cable is tightly plugged into both the
- computer and the printer and that the printer is on-line and
- is not out of paper or ribbon.
-
- 2. Make sure you've specified the right printer selection and
- that your printer has any required options.
-
- 3. Make sure that all printer switches are properly set to print
- graphics (see your printer manual for details).
-
- 4. If you are using a serial printer, make sure the COM port has
- been properly configured with the DOS MODE command. See your
- DOS manual.
-
- 5. If you have an Okidata printer, first turn it off, then on.
- Then specify the IBM option on the Print Label screen and
- print again.
-
- 6. If the problem persists, return to the Print Labels screen.
- Select S at the Single/Double Pass prompt and N at the
- Bidirectional prompt. Turn your printer off, then on. Try
- printing again.
-
- VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
-
- If vertical alignment seems to change as you're printing, the
- problem lies in the label format, not your printer--it's either
- an inaccurate top-to-bottom dimension or an inaccurate vertical
- spacing specification.
-
- All is not lost. Press Esc to stop printing. Return to the
- Add/Edit screen, press F7 (More), and choose Display Format.
- Press F3 (Change Label Separation), and then change the vertical
- spacing. Press F10 (Continue) to save the new entry and return
- to the Add/Edit screen. Now press F7 (More) again. This time,
- select Print Label, and then choose Print to End of Series. When
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 19
-
-
- the Print Label screen appears, adjust the labels in your
- printer, turn the printer of and then on again, and then press
- F10 to continue printing where you left off.
-
- LASER PRINTING PROBLEMS
-
- Your laser printer will cut off the top row of text if you set
- the "Space down from top to first row" to 0. The HP Laserjet has
- built in top and bottom margins of 3/8". With no margin defined,
- the printer tries to pull the text up the page.
-
-
- SECTION E, WORKING WITH LABEL SERIES
-
-
- =================================================================
-
-
- This section addresses functions related to the saving, loading,
- and clearing of label series:
-
- - Working with label files
- - Clearing a label series
-
-
- WORKING WITH LABEL FILES
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- Each label series you create is contained in a DOS file you can
- save, retrieve, and erase. To work with a label file, select the
- Get/Save/Remove function (main menu option 4), and then follow
- the instructions below.
-
- FILE NAME REQUIREMENTS
-
- Version B.00 of Labels Unlimited requires that label files end in
- the .LBL extension. If you used version A.00 of the program to
- create a label series you may have to rename it using DOS. For
- example, if your old file was named BINDER.JAN, use the DOS
- RENAME command as follows:
-
- RENAME BINDER.JAN BINDER.LBL
-
- GETTING A LABEL FILE
-
- Before you can print or edit a previously saved label series, you
- must first load it into memory.
-
- 1. Select option 1, Get Label File, from the Get/Save/Remove
- Menu.
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 20
-
-
-
- A list of files in the current directory appears. The current
- drive and directory names appear at the Name of File prompt,
- followed by the cursor.
-
- 2. To get a file, type its name and press Enter.
-
- Labels Unlimited opens the file and returns to the main menu.
-
- To change to a different drive or directory, backspace over the
- current drive and directory entry, type a new entry, press Enter,
- and a new listing appears.
-
- IMPORTANT When you get a label file from a floppy disk, the disk
- it is stored on must remain in the drive while you add to,
- edit, or print the file. Do not remove the disk until you
- have saved or cleared the file (see below), or you have exited
- the program.
-
- SAVING A LABEL FILE
-
- To save the label series currently in memory:
-
- 1. Select option 2, Save Label File, from the Get/Save/Remove
- menu.
-
- A list of files in the current directory appears. The current
- drive and directory appear at the Name of File prompt. The
- program adds the .LBL extension to the file name if you do not
- specify an extension (the three letters after the period in a
- file name are called the extension). Remember that you must use
- the .LBL extension with the file name or the program will not
- recognize the file as a label series.
-
- 2. Type a name for your label file, and then press Enter.
-
- Labels Unlimited saves the file and returns to the main menu (if
- the file was previously saved, you'll be asked to confirm the
- command).
-
- To save the file in a different drive or directory, backspace
- over the current entry and type a new one.
-
- REMOVING A LABEL FILE
-
- To remove a label file from disk:
-
- 1. Select option 3, Remove Label File, from the Get/Save/Remove
- Menu.
-
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 21
-
-
- A list of files in the current directory appears. The current
- drive and directory names appear at the Name of File prompt,
- followed by the cursor. To change to a different drive or
- directory, backspace over the current drive and directory entry,
- type a new entry, press Enter and a new listing appears.
-
- 2. Type the name of the file you want to delete and then press
- Enter.
-
- For safety, Labels Unlimited asks you to confirm the command.
-
- 3. Press F10 to remove the file; press Esc to cancel the
- operation and return to the main menu.
-
-
- CLEARING A LABEL SERIES
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- When you clear a label series you remove all data from the
- current label series, leaving only the format in memory. You
- must clear the label series in memory before defining a new label
- format. It's also a convenient way to use an old format as the
- basis for a new series of labels. When you create the new
- series, you can give it a new name when you save it, or you can
- keep the old name and overwrite the original file.
-
- To clear the label series currently in memory:
-
- 1. Select option 5, Clear, from the main menu.
-
- Labels Unlimited asks you to confirm the command.
-
- 2. Press F10 to continue; press Esc to return to the main menu
- without clearing.
-
-
- SECTION F, IMPORTING AND EXPORTING LABELS
-
-
- =================================================================
-
-
- If you're reading this section you probably already understand
- the value of exchanging information between various applications.
- If you've already entered the information you want into another
- program, or if you want to change the format of an existing
- Labels Unlimited file, Labels Unlimited can save you hours of
- work by importing data directly into a new label series. Labels
-
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 22
-
-
- Unlimited can import data from the three most popular data
- structures, as well as from another label series. You can place
- data where you like on an import label and repeat information if
- necessary. Labels Unlimited can also export data. This allows
- you to use other programs to change the data in a label series.
-
- This section covers all of Labels Unlimited's import and export
- features.
-
- - Import overview
- - About data file structures
- - Importing data into a label series
- - Using import specifications
- - Appending import data to an existing label file
- - Exporting data from a label series
-
-
- IMPORT OVERVIEW
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- Labels Unlimited includes a powerful and flexible import routine.
- Here are some of the important things the program can do:
-
- - It can import data from word processing, delimited, and fixed
- format data files. These formats are explained fully below.
-
- - It can also import data from another Labels Unlimited label
- series. This allows you, in effect, to change the format of
- an existing label series.
-
- - Imported text can be placed anywhere on an import label
- template and combined with new text. The same piece of data
- can be placed on a label several times.
-
- - The Count function can number labels sequentially during the
- import routine.
-
- - The Import-Append routine can import data into an existing
- label series that already contains data.
-
- WHAT YOU'LL DO
-
- Importing data into a label series involves choosing a format for
- the label, identifying the data file, placing fields and extra
- text on an import label template, and then actually importing the
- data. Here is a brief summary of the steps you will follow:
-
- 1. Define a new label format. This process is exactly the same
- as defining an ordinary label format.
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 23
-
-
- 2. Tell the program the name of the file and the structure of
- data you want to import. If necessary, supply extra
- information about the format of your data file.
-
- 3. Create an import label template using the Import Label
- Template screen.
-
- 4. Import the data file into a new label series.
-
- After all the data has been imported, you may save, print, or
- modify the new label series in the same way as any other label
- series.
-
-
- ABOUT THE DATA STRUCTURE OPTIONS
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- Labels Unlimited can import data from three different data
- structures. These structures are quite standard, but you may
- know them by different names. Read the descriptions below to
- determine which of the three your data conforms to.
-
- GENERAL RULES
-
- An imported file must contain only recognizable alphanumeric
- characters plus common punctuation marks, carriage returns and
- line feeds. Such files are often called ASCII text files. If
- you are importing, and don't know the import file data structure,
- you can use the DOS TYPE command to determine it.
-
- To use the DOS TYPE command, exit Labels Unlimited, change to the
- directory containing your data file, and at the DOS prompt type:
-
- TYPE <file name>
-
- For example, enter TYPE SEMINAR1.TXT to look at a file named
- SEMINAR1.TXT.
-
- The file should look like one of the three options described
- below.
-
- WORD PROCESSING
-
- Each field is on one line and is followed by a carriage
- return/line feed. Fields may be surrounded by quotes ("). If a
- field is blank, then this is reflected by a blank line, or quotes
- (""). The fields can be in any order as long as they are in the
- same order in each record. Word processors such as WordStar,
- Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and PFS Write save this type of
- file. Displayed below is a sample word processing file with two
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 24
-
-
- records of ten fields each (nine fields of data and one field for
- carriage return/line feed between each record):
-
- Mary
- Smith
- President
- Acme Products, Inc.
- 5466 Maple Lane
- Suite 500
- Pittsburgh
- Pennsylvania
- 24566
-
- John
- Schaeffer
- Product Manager
- Wilke Forecasting
- One Wilke Lane
- P.O. Box 100
- Varina
- Kentucky
- 34522
-
- After you choose the word processing option, enter the number of
- fields for each record. In the example above, you would need to
- enter a 10 even though there are nine fields because you have a
- carriage return/line feed (blank line) between records.
-
- FIXED
-
- This option is also called Space Delimited Format (SDF). Each
- field is a fixed length. If the information in the field is not
- as long as the allocated length, blank characters fill the space.
- Similar fields from different records all start in the same
- horizontal position. Records end with a carriage return/line
- feed, and are all the same length. Lotus 123 and Symphony both
- export files in the fixed format.
-
- Below is a sample of two records with four fields each:
-
- Mary Smith Pittsburgh 314-432-3456
- John Schaeffer New York 212-432-6421
-
- DELIMITED
-
- Fields are separated by commas or another delimiting character,
- and may also be surrounded by quotation marks ("). Each record
- ends with a carriage return/line feed. Data base program such as
- DBase III export data in the delimited format.
-
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 25
-
-
- The sample below is two records with three fields each and the
- comma as a delimiter:
-
- "Mary","Smith","Acme Products, Inc."
- "John","Schaeffer","Wilke Forecasting"
-
- After you choose the delimited option, you will have to enter the
- delimiting character. The comma is usually used as a delimiter,
- but you may also use ! @ # $ % ^ & * < > ? or |. A space may
- also be used as a delimiter if each field is surrounded by quotes
- (").
-
-
- IMPORTING DATA INTO A LABEL SERIES
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- PART ONE: CHOOSING THE LABEL FORMAT
-
- Before you import data into a new label series, you have to
- choose a label format. The same would be true if you were typing
- text into the labels yourself.
-
- 1. Choose Import/Export from the main menu.
-
- 2. Select item one, Start new import.
-
- The Define Import Label Format definition screen appears, it is
- identical to the Define Label Format screen. Read "Defining a
- Label Format" above if you don't remember how to create a new
- label format. Imported data can be placed in any text zone.
-
- 3. Set the format and size of the new label and press F10 when
- you're done.
-
- The Import File Information screen appears.
-
- PART TWO: TELLING LABELS UNLIMITED ABOUT THE IMPORT
- FILE
-
- Once you have defined a label format for importing, the Import
- File Information screen appears. It contains two prompts. The
- first is for the name of the file you wish to import, and the
- second relates to the structure of the data.
-
- 1. Type the name of the file you want to import at the Import
- From File prompt. If the wrong directory or drive name
- appears, backspace over them and enter the correct drive and
- directory name. Press Return to move to the next prompt.
-
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 26
-
-
- If you don't remember the name of the file you want to import,
- press F4 and a list of all the files in the current directory
- appears.
-
- 2. Type the letter corresponding to the type of data you are
- importing at the File Format prompt.
-
- If you're not sure what type of data you have, read "About the
- Data Structure Options" above. If you're still not sure, don't
- be afraid of trying each one. You can always back up by pressing
- the Escape key and try something new.
-
- Depending on which data structure option you select, additional
- prompts may appear. Follow the instructions below that match the
- data format that you selected.
-
- IF YOU CHOOSE LABELS UNLIMITED If you choose Labels Unlimited,
- you don't need to tell the program anything more about the data
- structure. No prompts appear, but a window displaying the data
- from the first label pops up on the right side of the screen.
- You don't have to do anything with this window, it exists just so
- that you can check to make sure you have the right file. You can
- press PgUp/Pgdn to move between records.
-
- - Press F10 to continue to the Import Label Template screen.
-
- Skip ahead to "PART THREE: THE IMPORT LABEL TEMPLATE SCREEN."
-
- IF YOU CHOOSE WORD PROCESSING When you choose the Word
- Processing option, a prompt appears asking you to enter the
- number of lines per record. This is the number of lines from the
- first line to the last line of each record, including blank
- lines. If your records are all three line addresses with one
- blank line in between you would enter 4.
-
- 1. Type the number of lines per record at the prompt and press
- F10.
-
- A window pops up displaying the first record of your data file.
- Use this window to make sure that you are working with the right
- data file and that you have supplied the correct data structure
- information. You should look at several records in the import
- data file before deciding that everything is fine, the first
- record may be quite different from the others. Press PgDn and
- PgUp to move from record to record in the data file.
-
- If you chose the correct data structure option and entered the
- right number of lines per record, you should see all the lines
- from the first record. If you see the first lines of the next
- record, the number was too high. If you don't see all the lines
- of the first record, the number was too small. When you press
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 27
-
-
- PgDn, corresponding data fields should appear on the same line.
- If you need to, press Escape and change the number of lines per
- record.
-
- 2. Press F10 to proceed to the Import Label Template screen.
-
- Skip ahead to "PART THREE: THE IMPORT LABEL TEMPLATE SCREEN."
-
- IF YOU CHOOSE DELIMITED When you choose the Delimited option, a
- prompt appears for you to enter the delimiting character. The
- delimiting character is the character that separates every field.
- Usually the character is a comma.
-
- 1. Enter the delimiting character at the prompt and press F10.
-
- A window pops up on the right side of the screen displaying the
- first record of your data file. Use this window to make sure
- that you are working with the right data file and that you have
- supplied the correct data structure information. Press PgDn and
- PgUp to move from record to record in the data file.
-
- If you entered the right delimiting character, one field should
- appear on each line. If all the fields are mixed up, you
- probably got the character or the data structure option wrong;
- press Escape, re-enter the delimiting character and try again.
-
- 2. Press F10 to proceed to the Import Label Template screen.
-
- Skip ahead to "PART THREE: THE IMPORT LABEL TEMPLATE SCREEN."
-
- IF YOU CHOOSE FIXED After choosing the Fixed option, pressing
- F10 causes a one-line window to pop up at the bottom of the
- screen. The window displays a flashing cursor at the left side
- and as much of the first record as will fit. Using this format
- you must mark the beginning of each field so that Labels
- Unlimited will know where each field begins.
-
- 1. Move the cursor with the arrow keys until it is beneath the
- first character of the first field.
-
- 2. Press the Space Bar to mark the beginning of the first field.
-
- Repeat this procedure until you have marked the first character
- of each field. If you press the Space bar at a position you
- marked earlier, it will be un-marked.
-
- When you have marked the first character of every field in the
- first record, press PgDn a few times to make sure that you have
- marked the fields correctly for every record. You may not have
- marked the first character of the fields that were empty in the
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 28
-
-
- first record. The markers should appear beneath the first
- character of every field in every record.
-
- 3. Once all the fields have been marked, press F10 to proceed to
- the Import Label Template screen.
-
- PART THREE: THE IMPORT LABEL TEMPLATE SCREEN
-
- Once you have told Labels Unlimited about the file you want to
- import, the Import Label Template screen appears. It looks
- similar to the Add/Edit Labels screen, but a window displaying
- the import data appears at the right side of the screen.
-
- At this stage you have not yet imported the data into a label
- series, you are still preparing for the import. It may appear as
- though you are creating a single label exactly as you always
- have, but you are actually creating a template for all of the
- labels that will be created during the import routine. Once you
- arrange the imported data fields on the label template and enter
- any additional text, Labels Unlimited imports all the data from
- the import file. It creates a separate label for each record and
- places the data exactly where you specified. Anything you type
- in any of the text zones will be placed on every import label.
-
- Most of the text editing keys that are active at the Add/Edit
- labels screen work at the Import Label Template screen as well.
- Review "Entering Text" in the Adding and Editing Labels section
- above. The F7 key does not invoke a list of secondary commands
- as it does in Add/Edit, instead it brings up the Show Format
- window. The F5 key does not invoke the Ditto command, since
- Ditto is not applicable to importing labels.
-
- In addition to entering the text that you want to appear on every
- label, you must tell Labels Unlimited where to place the various
- fields of the data you are importing. You use the F5 key during
- the process of placing each piece of imported data. You only
- have to place the data from a single record, the program lays out
- all the rest of labels in exactly the same way. By arranging the
- data from a single record, you are defining rules for the entire
- file.
-
- HOW TO START There is no set routine for creating an import
- label template, but these instructions will get you started.
-
- 1. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to where you want the
- first character of an imported field to be placed, and press
- F5.
-
- This marks the position at which the first character of an
- imported field should be placed. An arrow is left to mark the
- cursor position and the cursor moves over to the window at the
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 29
-
-
- right side of the screen, where the first field of the import
- data is highlighted.
-
- 2. Use the arrow keys to highlight the field that you want to
- place in the position that you just marked and press RETURN.
-
- The text from the field you selected appears on the line you
- marked. The text is displayed only as an indicator of the field
- that you intend to place in that position. The number of
- characters in the field you placed is unimportant, the program
- prints any characters in the given field.
-
- COMBINING IMPORTED FIELDS WITH ENTERED TEXT You can combine
- imported fields with text that you enter directly into the label
- template. You could use this feature to place text next to the
- imported data. In the example below you would type in the "Last
- name", "Customer #" and "Balance to date", and then place the
- corresponding import fields after them on the same line.
-
- Last name: Rothenberg
- Customer #: 123-124-241
- Balance to date: 456.32
-
- Any text that you place on a line will show up on every label
- that is created during the import, even if the field on the same
- line is empty.
-
- PLACING SEVERAL FIELDS ON THE SAME LINE You can place as many
- fields as will fit on each line of your label. For example if
- your import data file contains separate fields for city, state,
- and zip, you could place the city field, move the cursor to the
- end of the field, enter a comma and a space, press the F5 key and
- place the state, insert two more spaces and then add the zip
- code. During the import routine, Labels Unlimited will place the
- city field on each label, insert a comma and a space followed by
- the state, two more spaces, and finally the zip code.
-
- USING COUNT DURING IMPORT The Count function works differently
- during the import routine than it does in the rest of the
- program. If you designate a count field on the import label
- template, that number is incremented on each label that is
- created during the import. The numbers that end up on the
- individual labels in the label series are not count fields
- themselves. The method for defining a count field is exactly the
- same. Read "F6 Count" above. You cannot designate an imported
- field as a Count field.
-
- PART FOUR: IMPORTING THE DATA
-
- When your label template is complete you are ready to import your
- data file.
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 30
-
-
-
- 1. Press F10 at the Import Label Template screen to begin
- importing.
-
- A prompt appears asking you if you want to save the Import
- Specification. The Import Specification includes all the
- formatting and data structure information you have defined thus
- far. Import Specifications can be re-loaded to save you the
- trouble of starting from scratch every time. This is explained
- more fully below.
-
- 2. Press Y or N at the Save Import Specification prompt.
-
- If you press N, a prompt appears offering you the choice of
- pressing F10 to begin importing the data, or pressing Escape to
- cancel. If you press Y, the standard file saving screen appears.
- Type a name for your Import Specification and make sure that it
- ends with the .IMP extension, (.IMP is added by the program if
- you don't type an extension). Once the file has been saved, the
- import routine continues.
-
- 3. Press F10 to begin importing data, or Escape to cancel.
-
- If you choose to cancel, the previous screen reappears, you don't
- have to start over. If you choose to continue, Labels Unlimited
- imports the data file into a new label series. The amount of
- time this routine takes depends on the number of records in your
- data file, and the speed of your computer.
-
- PART FIVE: FINISHING UP
-
- Once the program has finished importing your data file, the main
- menu appears. A label series created by the import routine is no
- different than any other. If you wish to view the labels you can
- select Add/Edit Labels, or you can save immediately, or go
- straight into the print routine.
-
-
- USING IMPORT SPECIFICATIONS
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- An import specification (or import spec for short) is a file
- containing all the information that you supply the program during
- the import routine. When you tell Labels Unlimited to use a
- previously saved import specification to import a data file, it
- imports the data in exactly the same way it did when you created
- the import specification. Import specifications can automate the
- import routine, saving you the trouble of repetitive steps. If
- you need to print imported labels in the same format on a regular
- basis, using an import specification can be a major time saver.
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 31
-
-
-
- SAVING AN IMPORT SPECIFICATION
-
- To save an import specification:
-
- 1. From the main menu, choose Import/Export.
-
- 2. Choose Start new import.
-
- 3. Go through the various import screens as documented earlier
- until you reach the Import Label Template screen.
-
- When you finish with the Import Label Template screen, a prompt
- appears asking you whether you want to save the import
- specification.
-
- 4. Press Y at the Save Import Specification to Disk prompt.
-
- The standard file saving screen appears.
-
- 5. Type a valid file name at the prompt, (the program adds the
- required .IMP extension automatically, so don't type an
- extension). If necessary, specify a new drive and/or
- directory. Press F10 to save the spec file.
-
- The import specification MUST have the .IMP extension or Labels
- Unlimited will not recognize it as an import specification.
-
- USING AN EXISTING IMPORT SPEC
-
- When you load an import specification file that you saved
- earlier, Labels Unlimited sets all of the import parameters to
- the same values that you defined when you saved the file,
- including the name of the file which will be imported.
-
- To use an existing import specification:
-
- 1. Choose Import/Export from the main menu.
-
- 2. Choose Use Saved Import Specification.
-
- 3. Enter the name of the import spec at the prompt and press F10.
-
- 4. Decide whether you want to modify the spec, or import
- immediately.
-
- When you choose to use an import specification you have the
- option of importing the data immediately, or modifying the spec.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 32
-
-
- - Modifying the spec involves going through every step in the
- import routine, but all the options you chose when you saved
- the spec file will be present initially.
-
- - If you choose to import immediately, all of the steps are
- bypassed and your data is imported directly into a new label
- series, exactly the way you specified earlier.
-
- Labels Unlimited stores the name of the file to be imported as
- part of the specification. Be sure to bear this in mind before
- choosing to import directly. Remember that to import
- successfully the type of data and the structure of the file
- itself must be exactly the same as the file you used when you
- created the specification.
-
-
- APPENDING IMPORT DATA TO AN EXISTING LABEL FILE
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- The Import Append function allows you to append imported data to
- the end of an existing label series. You can use this routine to
- merge two label files, or to add data from another program to a
- label series that already contains data.
-
- The Import Append procedure is almost identical to the normal
- import routine. When you choose to append imported data to an
- existing label file, you must first tell the program which label
- file you wish to append to. Labels Unlimited then reads the
- label size and format information from the existing label file.
- Once you supply the needed information about the file you are
- importing, the Import Label Template screen appears. After you
- arrange the imported fields on the Import Label Template, Labels
- Unlimited imports the data, adding the new import labels to the
- end of the existing label series. Once this is complete, the
- main menu appears. You should then save the merged file to disk.
-
- NOTE Before using the Import Append function, take a careful
- look at the existing series to which you are appending.
- During the append procedure, Labels Unlimited copies all of
- the text size and justification options from the first label
- in the existing series. It does not copy Ditto or Count field
- status. If you want to continue a numerical sequence present
- in the existing label series, look at the number of the last
- label in the series and define a Count field on the Import
- Label Template that starts at the correct number.
-
- To use the Import Append function:
-
- 1. Select Import/Export from the main menu.
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 33
-
-
-
- 2. Choose Import Append.
-
- The LABEL FILE TO APPEND TO screen appears, prompting you to
- enter the name of the label file to append to.
-
- 3. Type the name of the label file to which you want to append
- imported data. If necessary, specify a new drive or
- directory.
-
- The Import File Information screen appears. From this point the
- Import Append routine is nearly identical to the normal import
- procedure that was documented earlier. Follow the importing
- instructions above starting at the heading "PART TWO: TELLING
- LABELS UNLIMITED ABOUT THE IMPORT FILE". The only major
- difference between the two routines is that you cannot save an
- import specification during the Import Append procedure.
-
-
- EXPORTING DATA FROM A LABEL SERIES
- _______________________________________________________
-
-
- The Export command exports all the data from an existing label
- series to a delimited ASCII text file. Most data base programs
- can import such a file. If you used the DOS TYPE command to view
- an exported label file containing two labels with three lines of
- text per label, it would look like this:
-
- "first line","second line","third line"
- "first line","second line","third line"
-
- RECORD LAYOUT
-
- Labels Unlimited treats every label in a label series as a
- separate record and every text line within the label as a
- separate field. The program exports every text line as a field,
- even if the line is empty.
-
- Remember that when you define the label size and format, the
- program determines the number of small text lines that fit on the
- label. If you choose to use larger text, some of the lines are
- shaded. During export, the program exports every line on every
- label in the order that they appear on the screen. If you use
- different sized text on some of the labels in the series, the
- number of fields exported per label will not be consistent. This
- could cause problems if you are trying to import Labels Unlimited
- data into a data base file.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 34
-
-
- For example, if the first label in your series has 10 Small text
- lines, and the second has 5 Giant text lines, there will be 10
- fields in the first exported record, and only 5 in the second.
-
- If you plan on importing a Labels Unlimited export file into a
- data base, you should make sure that the same information appears
- on the same text line on every label in the series. For example,
- the name should always be on line 1, address on line 2, city on
- line 3, etc. If you are inconsistent, the information may end up
- in the wrong fields in your data base.
-
- WHAT TO DO
-
- To export the data from an existing label series, you simply tell
- the program the name of the label series file you want to export,
- and the name of the new export file.
-
- 1. Choose Import/Export from the main menu.
-
- 2. Choose Export.
-
- A screen appears with a prompt across the top asking you to
- select the label file to be exported. This screen is identical
- to the Get label file screen.
-
- 3. Type the name of the label series file that you want to export
- at the prompt. If the wrong drive or directory name appears
- at the prompt, backspace over them and enter the correct drive
- and directory name. Press F10 to continue.
-
- The next screen prompts you to enter the name of the export file.
- This is the file that will contain all the exported data when the
- routine is finished. Make sure that you type a new file name, if
- you type the same name as the original label file, it will be
- overwritten during the export procedure.
-
- 4. Type a name for the new export file, making sure that correct
- drive and directory are specified. Press F10 to begin
- exporting.
-
- A status screen displays the number of records that have been
- exported. If there aren't many labels in your file, this screen
- may only flash briefly. When the export function is complete,
- the main menu reappears.
-
- ------------------ End of instructions --------------------------
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Labels Unlimited page 35