Report Modification - Overview/Commands/Fieldnames

We will touch on the basics of modifying the format of a report.

Keep in mind:

• Press CTRL and F10 together to maximize the Modify window to see the report format on a full screen.
• Test all your changes on scrap paper; do not use your valuable card or label stock until you are sure you have the results you desire.
• If printing labels or cards, don’t indicate that they have all printed successfully until after you have the final labels or cards in hand.
• There are several "Modify" examples for specific situations on the main support page.
• It's recommended that you use the supplied "Spare" reports for doing your modifications.
• Filling in the Substitute Title for Report field on the Report Options screen when modifying one of the “Spare” reports forces ResourceMate® to memorize your substitute title when you Preview the report. It will also replace the default Spare report title on the Report Options screen. This will help you remember the specific modifications you made to the selected Spare report. This is also a good reason to use the Spare reports when doing custom sorting or other modifications.

Selecting ALL Objects
Double-click on the horizontal dividing bar called "Detail" and all the objects in the "Detail" area will be selected. (Small squares or "handles" will appear around the box’s edges and corners).

Selecting Objects One at a Time
Click on the object. Small squares or "handles" will appear around the box’s edges and corners. To select more than one object at a time: Method #1: for each additional object, press the SHIFT key while selecting the object. Method #2: Press and hold the left mouse button down, then drag the mouse down and to the right to create a selection box that encloses all or part of all the object you wish to select. When you release the mouse, those objects that are fully or partially inside the selection box will become selected.

Cancelling One or All Selections
Either click again on a selected object, or click once on a place in the template that currently holds no object. This will unselect all the objects currently selected.

Move an Object
Once the object is selected, use the arrow keys to move the object on the report.

Changing the Size of an Object
Method #1: select the object; hold the SHIFT key down while pressing the left or right arrow keys. This will make the object shrink or grow.
Method #2: Select the object; using the mouse, click on one of the black square "handles" on the object’s edge—continue to hold the mouse button down and drag the handle to a new location.

Delete an object
Select the object and press the Delete key.

Change the Margins
Click on the Report menu (careful: not the Reports menu but the Report menu which is all the way to the right). Click on Report Layout. The data entry box below the "Columns" box defines the left margin. You can use the tiny up and down arrow/triangles to adjust this value. This will move all the report/card/label text left or right on the page. Note that this number can go negative.

Change the Font or Style of the Letters
Select the object (see instructions on selecting objects); go to the Object menu, click on Font...; make your changes then press Ok.

Change a Column Heading or Other Text not Enclosed in a Box
With your mouse, press the large capital "A" button on the left edge of the Modify window. Your cursor will change to a vertical "I-beam" for text entry. With this new cursor click once anywhere on the text you wish to change. Modify the text using the delete, backspace and letter keys. Click the button above the capital "A" button (up-pointing arrow).

Adding Fields to a Report
Method #1 – Copy an existing object: select an existing object (here's how). Press CTRL and C to copy the object then press CTRL and V to paste the new copy which will appear slightly offset from the original object. Drag the new object to the desired screen location (using arrow keys for fine tuning). Double-click on the new object to bring up the "Report Expression" box. Continue to next step after method #2 below...
Method #2 – Use the "[ab]" tool: with your mouse select the button marked [ab] on the toolbar on the left of the screen. Your cursor will change to a plus sign. Click and hold the left mouse button down while positioning the mouse over the space where the new field will go. Then drag the mouse (while still holding the left mouse button down) down and to the right to draw the box in the desired size. When you release the mouse you will see the "Report Expression" box. Continue to next step...

Entering field name in "Report Expression" box
Click in the box immediately to the right of the "Expression…" button. Enter the name of the new field to this box. (Note: see the tables below for the name of the field to enter) Press OK.

Saving your Changes
Go to the File menu and select Close. The program will ask you if you want to save your changes: click Yes if you do, or click No to discard the changes you have just made.

Quitting Without Saving the Changes You've Made
Go to the File menu and select Close. The program will ask you if you want to save your changes: click No to discard the changes you have just made.

Also click on the following links for more details on modifying reports (the first link is this file):

Report Modification - Overview/Commands/Fieldnames

Fields on the NAME/PATRON File (Click for fields on the ITEM file / on the MEDIA file)

You can modify the Address Labels format with these field names (Plus version only).

Fields on the MEDIA/RESOURCE TYPE File (Click for fields on the ITEM file / on the NAME file)