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PART3
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1987-08-15
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STARTING PC-ACCOUNT
SETTING UP NEW PC-ACCOUNT ACCOUNTING FILES
This is a step by step guide on how to set up the files for a
new PC-ACCOUNT accounting system. It assumes that you have performed
the tutorial. Also, locate the reference part of this manual, so you
will know where to look for detailed information on each command.
First you will set up a new disk or directory for the programs
and data files. Then NEWCXSYS.BAT will copy the necessary files and
programs from the PC-ACCOUNT distribution disk and prompt you to
start the initialization program. After that, you will run
PC-ACCOUNT and name some accounts, enter some amounts, and setup
check payees and standard transactions.
SETTING UP A WORKING SYSTEM ON A FLOPPY DISK
Format a new disk on which you will use PC-ACCOUNT. See the
FORMAT command in your DOS manual. If you intend to use PC-ACCOUNT
in drive A, copy COMMAND.COM from your DOS disk to the newly
formatted PC-ACCOUNT working disk.
Place a write protect tab on the PC-ACCOUNT distribution disk
and insert it into drive A. Place the formatted working disk into
drive B. Make drive B the default drive. You should have the B>
prompt. Enter the command:
A:NEWCXSYS
NEWCXSYS will copy programs from the PC-ACCOUNT distribution
disk in drive A to your PC-ACCOUNT working disk in drive B. It will
then prompt you to run the initilization program to create new data
files.
SETTING UP A WORKING SYSTEM ON A HARD DISK
Place a write protect tab on the PC-ACCOUNT distribution disk
and insert it into drive A.
Create a new directory on your hard disk for PC-ACCOUNT with the
DOS command:
MKDIR name
Make this directory the default directory with the CD command.
See the DOS manual for the description of these commands. Enter the
command:
-27-
STARTING PC-ACCOUNT
A:NEWCXSYS
NEWCXSYS will copy programs from the PC-ACCOUNT distribution
disk in drive A to your hard disk. It will then prompt you to run
the INIT program to create new data files.
INITIALIZE PC-ACCOUNT FILES
PC-ACCOUNT uses many data files in addition to monthly
transaction and account files. The files that PC-ACCOUNT will use
for your data are not on the PC-ACCOUNT distribution disk. They are
created along with the first months data files by the program called
ACT-INIT.EXE. After creating the working disk with NEWCXSYS, run the
initialization program ACT-INIT.EXE. With the working disk or hard
disk directory the default, enter the command:
A:ACT-INIT
The initialization program will display two screens of
information about the files it will create. You may return to these
screens while in ACT-INIT by pressing function key 1 or 2. ACT-INIT
will ask you for the month and year. Enter the information for the
month you want to start. You may want to start a few months before
the current month so that you can enter previous data.
ACT-INIT then asks you to enter a new path. This is to be the
path to the account and transaction files. You may answer this now
if you have a directory or disk prepared. If you enter a path,
ACT-INIT will put two files there. You can take the default of no
path now and enter it later. When you select a new path later, you
must copy the account and transaction files to that location.
If you are using a color monitor, ACT-INIT will select the
foreground and background colors for you now and save these
parameters in the control file. ACT-INIT will also provide names for
a few accounts. You can change these names later when you run
PCACT.EXE.
ACT-INIT will then proceed to create and display the names of
the files it needs. ACT-INIT will not create any file that already
exists on the default drive without your approval to delete it first.
This is to prevent the accidental deletion of valuable data. All of
the files created by ACT-INIT must be on the same disk when
PC-ACCOUNT is run.
ACT-INIT will then display its menu. The next time you run
ACT-INIT, it will start with this menu.
-28-
STARTING PC-ACCOUNT
1 - RECREATE SELECTED FILES
2 - CHANGE PROGRAM PARAMETERS
3 - RUN PC-ACCOUNT
4 - QUIT
SELECT [2]?
When you select item 2, CHANGE PROGRAM PARAMETERS, you will see
this display:
There are several parameters that control the execution of
PC-ACCOUNT. If you are just starting to use PC-ACCOUNT, I
recommend that you skip this section. You may always return
to this section by running ACT-INIT again. ACT-INIT will
not delete any files without your permission.
1 - DRIVE or PATH TO MONTHLY ACCOUNT & TRANSACTION FILES
DEFAULT DRIVE
2 - TOGGLE GOOD DAY MESSAGE ON/OFF ON
3 - TOGGLE BEEP AT COMMAND ERROR ON/OFF OFF
4 - TOGGLE AUTO RETURN ON/OFF ON
5 - SELECT CHARACTER FOR TRANSACTION DELIMITER |
6 - TOGGLE IBM/HERCULES CARD IBM
7 - TOGGLE 'WANT TO PRINT A CHECK' DEFAULT Y or N YES
8 - SELECT THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS 320
9 - SELECT THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PAYEES 300
10 - SELECT THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SEARCH CODES 300
11 - CHANGE SCREEN COLORS
SELECT FEATURE TO CHANGE OR TOGGLE [QUIT]?
As stated above, it is best not to change any parameters now.
RUN PC-ACCOUNT
ACT-INIT will start the program PCACT.EXE the first time. To
start PCACT.EXE after this, enter GO. After you carefully read the
by-line of the program, press the space bar when requested. The time
delay to read this information will be removed for those who register
their PC-ACCOUNT.
Please note the instruction:
PRESS FUNCTION KEY 4 FOR LIST OF FUNCTIONS
-29-
STARTING PC-ACCOUNT
followed by the main menu:
1 - ACCOUNTING
2 - EDIT CHECK PAYEES
3 - EDIT STANDARD TRANSACTIONS
4 - SEARCH THROUGH MANY MONTHS
5 - CHECKBOOK ANALYSIS
6 - SETUP CHECK FORMAT
7 - DELETE DIRECTED FILES
8 - EDIT SEARCH CODES
9 - PRINT REGISTRATION FORM
ENTER SELECTION [QUIT]?
Each of the above eight choices will be referred to as sections
of PC-ACCOUNT. In this chapter we will just discuss getting started
in ACCOUNTING. So enter 1 for your selection. The next prompt is:
DO YOU WANT THE FILES FOR July 1986 [Y]?
The month and year in the prompt will be what you selected in
ACT-INIT. You may either enter an upper or lower case Y or just hit
RETURN. (Note, for this prompt and this prompt only, you may enter
the number 1 for yes instead of the letter Y. This makes it easy to
select the current accounting period from the main menu by entering
11.) Since the month PC-ACCOUNT displays is the only one for which
there are now account and transaction files, it must be selected.
This action brings you to the transaction screen where the
prompt is:
ENTER COMMAND?
ENTER DATA
PC-ACCOUNT was designed for ease of use. Since this is an
accounting system, you will want to use the numeric keypad on the
right side of the IBM keyboard. PC-ACCOUNT sets the numlock on when
it starts, so the numeric keypad is always ready for you to enter
numbers. When you exit PC-ACCOUNT, the numlock is turned off.
PC-ACCOUNT does not use any of the cursor positioning keys. So get
in the habit of making all menu selections and entering all numbers
with your right hand on the numeric keypad.
There is no data in any of the accounts. You can take a look at
them by pressing function key 1 to see the first screen. Press the
space bar to return. Press function key 2 to see the other accounts.
Again, press the space bar to return. To see the calendar, press
function key 3.
-30-
STARTING PC-ACCOUNT
Press function key 4 to see the list of the functions.
FUNCTION KEY ASSIGNMENTS
1 - DISPLAY ACCOUNTS 1 TO 40
2 - DISPLAY ACCOUNTS 41 TO 75
3 - DISPLAY CALENDAR
4 - DISPLAY FUNCTION KEY LIST
5 - SPECIAL EXIT MODES
6 - CHANGE SCREEN COLORS
7 - TOGGLE OUTPUT - SCREEN, PRINTER, FILE, 123.PRN
8 - TOGGLE STATUS LINE ON/OFF
9 - SCROLL WINDOWS DOWN
10 - SCROLL WINDOWS UP
The SPECIAL EXIT MODES on function key 5 has three options. One
is an emergency stop for when you make a mistake and do not want to
save the data. Another is a chance to reconsider and return to the
program if you pressed it in error.
The third is to jump to DOS and leave PC-ACCOUNT resident. To
do this, it must have access to a copy of the DOS file, COMMAND.COM.
This means that if you booted from a floppy, then the disk in drive A
must have COMMAND.COM on it. If you booted from a hard disk, you
don't have to be concerned about this. To return to PC-ACCOUNT from
DOS, just enter the DOS command EXIT at the DOS prompt.
While in DOS, you may use any DOS command or run any program,
provided you have enough memory remaining, because PC-ACCOUNT is
occupying about 256K and the second copy of COMMAND.COM uses some
memory. When in DOS, execute the DOS program CHKDSK to find out how
much memory remains. Do NOT start any memory resident programs such
as Sidekick at this time.
Unlike other programs that allow you to jump to DOS, PC-ACCOUNT
remembers what default drive and directory it was in and
automatically resets them when it regains control of the computer.
This avoids the problem of later saving data in another place and not
rewriting data files at the normal PC-ACCOUNT default location.
On some computers PC-ACCOUNT encounters conditions that prevent
it from resetting the disk and drive. It will display a message
requesting you to return to the PC-ACCOUNT disk or drive before you
EXIT DOS.
Are you ready to set up your accounts? First, you may wish to
give some accounts a name or change the default names. The name is
limited to 11 characters and can be changed at any time without
affecting the balance.
-31-
STARTING PC-ACCOUNT
To name an account, enter N. You will be prompted for the
account number and then for the name. At any time you can press
function key 1 or 2 to see the account. These screens are
automatically updated whenever you make a change. Continue to name
the accounts. Remember that all bank accounts and loans are to use
accounts numbered 61 to 75.
The first data to enter into the accounts is the balances of
your checkbook and savings accounts. Refer to the tutorial or
reference section of the manual on how to use the I (Insert) command.
Since you will be entering positive amounts, the format of the I
command will be:
DOLLAR AMOUNT ASSET ACCOUNT NUMBER BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
followed by an optional comment. This will generate a transaction
record and enter the dollar amount into the two accounts.
Repeat this for each bank account. Use function keys 1 and 2 to
verify the results of the transactions. Use function key 7 to toggle
the output to the printer. Turn the printer on and print a list of
the transactions with the T command. Toggle the directed output off.
Enter the command Q when you are finished entering transactions.
This will save the account and transaction data, and return to the
main menu. The data saved will not be lost if you use the function
key 5 exit after this.
SETUP CHECK PAYEES
Select item 2 from the main menu to activate the Edit Check
Payee Routine. There are 5 options, Display, Add, Change, Sort and
Delete. You may enter up to 300 payees.
Select 2 to add payees. Start off with the names of payees that
you use often, such as the mortgage company, utilities and credit
cards. When prompted for the reference, enter your account number
with that company, not the number of the account you are using in
PC-ACCOUNT. The reference will be printed on your check, if you so
desire.
Sort the Payees if you wish. You may also use function key 7 to
direct the output of the Display option to the printer.
Double check the spelling and the reference numbers. If there
is an error, use the Change feature (selection 3) to correct it. It
is important to get this correct now. You will always be able to add
and delete payees, but it is more convenient if the payee is already
in the file when you print their first check.
-32-
STARTING PC-ACCOUNT
There is another way to enter payees. When you print a check,
you may enter a payee's name. You will then be asked if you want
PC-ACCOUNT to put that payee into the payee file.
Quit this section and return to the main menu.
SETUP SEARCH CODES
Select item 8 from the main menu to activate the Edit Search
Codes Routine. There are 5 options, Display, Add, Change, Sort and
Delete. You may enter up to 300 search codes. This section works
exactly like the Setup Check Payees described above.
CREATE STANDARD TRANSACTIONS
Select item 3 from the main menu to enter the Edit Standard
Transactions Routine. In this section you may enter transactions
that recur frequently and are for the same amount, such as mortgage
and loan payments. The transactions in these files will be entered
automatically using the BUDGET command in the accounting section.
The three files of these transactions, Checks, Budget and Other
Transactions are explained in the tutorial.
These transactions can be added, changed or deleted at any time.
Quit this routine and return to the main menu.
USE PC-ACCOUNT
There is one more initial action to be completed before printing
checks. That is to setup the check format. There is a separate
section of this manual that explains that procedure. Refer to the
SETUP CHECK FORMAT section of this manual.
You are now ready to use PC-ACCOUNT. Become familiar with all
of the features so that you may reap the benefits of managing your
money.
-33-
SETUP CHECK FORMAT
PROCEDURE OVERVIEW
In order to print neatly on your personal check, PC-ACCOUNT
needs to know where to put the date, payee name, amount, etc. This
location information is called the check format. PC-ACCOUNT reads
this format from a file when it is ready to print a check.
PC-ACCOUNT allows you to define a different check format for
each bank account. By format is meant the location on the check of
each data field to be printed. Each field on the check is located by
the number of lines from the top of the check and the number of
spaces from the left side of the check (tab position).
Before you start, we will review the procedure for the check
setup routine. First you will print a form, figure 2, on which to
record the data needed for this procedure. Then you will print a set
of lines, figure 3, that you will overlay on your personal check to
measure where on the check to print the data.
Next you will enter the printer setup data. This includes the
sequence codes to set and reset the printer vertical line spacing,
the number of lines in the check height, check alignment
instructions, and the display format for printing the check numeric
field.
Then you will define the check layout. Here you select the
features that you want printed on your check. Then enter the line
number and tab position of each feature, the maximum length of
certain features and the data for any text to be printed on each
check. This text can be your name, address, phone number or whatever
you like.
Finally you will print a test check. If the check is not set up
correctly, you can go back, make the changes and print another check.
When you exit, these parameters will be stored in a file with a name
corresponding to the account number. These files are named CHECK61
through CHECK75. These file names correspond to the PC-ACCOUNT bank
account numbers (61 through 75) and are only created when a format is
defined.
This may sound like a lot of work, but it is easy and only has
to be done once. The benefit of doing it is that your computer will
now be able to print neatly on your personal checks.
The first time you use this program, you may want to use the
CHECK61 file. The tutorial uses it as a guide to help you to
understand the process. NEWCXSYS copied the file CHECK61 from the
PC-ACCOUNT master disk to the disk you are using. Modify the check
file for account 61 to fit your check.
-34-
SETUP CHECK FORMAT
ACT-EDIT
The Setup Check Format routine is contained in a separate
program, ACT-EDIT.EXE. It can be started by selecting item 6 on the
PC-ACCOUNT main menu. Or, if you are not in PC-ACCOUNT, it can be
started from the DOS prompt by entering
ACT-EDIT
Press function key 4 to see the five function keys that are
active when you are in ACT-EDIT. The functions for keys 4, 5, 9 and
10 are the same as in PC-ACCOUNT.
FUNCTION KEY ASSIGNMENTS
4 - DISPLAY FUNCTION KEY LIST
5 - QUIT WITHOUT SAVING DATA
6 - CHANGE ACCOUNT NUMBER - RETAIN CURRENT DATA
9 - SCROLL PAYEES DOWN
10 - SCROLL PAYEES UP
Function key 6 changes the account number you are working with,
but does not change any data. When you quit ACT-EDIT, the data will
be saved under the new account number. This has the effect of
copying the data from one check format to another.
The first thing ACT-EDIT asks for is the checking account
number. This is an PC-ACCOUNT bank account number between 61 and 75.
Enter the number (61-75) of the account that you want to format a
check for. If you are doing this for the first time, choose account
number 61 to start with the data in the file CHECK61 that came with
PC-ACCOUNT.
Upon entering the account number, the Master Menu will be
displayed.
M A S T E R M E N U
- - - - - - - - - -
1 - PRINT LAYOUT DATA SHEET
2 - PRINT CHECK OVERLAY LINES
3 - PRINTER SETUP DATA
4 - DEFINE CHECK LAYOUT
5 - PRINT TEST CHECK
6 - CANCEL A CHECKING ACCOUNT
7 - EDIT ANOTHER CHECK
PRESS FUNCTION KEY 4 FOR LIST OF FUNCTIONS
SELECT [QUIT]?
-35-
SETUP CHECK FORMAT
LAYOUT DATA SHEET
The layout data sheet is a form (Figure 2) to organize what
information you want to give PC-ACCOUNT to format your check. Print
a copy now. Turn your printer on. Select 1 from this menu. Read
the notice on the screen. Enter 1 to print one copy and hit RETURN.
Wait until after you have read these instructions and understand what
they mean before you fill out the form. When done, hit RETURN for
the Master Menu.
CHECK OVERLAY LINES
In order to determine where the printer will print on your
check, you will print a series of numbered lines on a blank sheet of
paper. You will then place this sheet of paper over or under your
check to determine which line number each feature should be printed
on.
Enter 2 from the Master Menu to select the Print Check Overlay
Lines. Refer to Figure 3 to see what we intend to print. Skip the
process of entering setup codes for line spacing on your printer and
use the standard of 6 lines per inch. If you later find that the
spacing will not accommodate printing the features that you selected
close enough to the lines on your check, refer to the section on
Printer Setup Codes later in this chapter.
Enter 3 to select and enter the number of lines in the check
height. At 6 lines per inch, a personal check has about 17 lines.
Enter 17 RETURN.
Print these overlay lines on plain paper. Use the most
transparent paper you can. Turn the printer on and enter 4 to print
the lines (Figure 3).
Remove the paper from the printer. Get a blank check. Place
this paper over or under the check, depending on which is the more
transparent. Align the paper so that the lines fall close to or
above the data lines on your check. Hold this up to a light to see
both sets of lines. Cut the paper to fit the check and hold it in
place with staples or paper clips.
Note where the first line of the overlay is on the check. This
is where the printer print head will have to be when you insert the
check in preparation for printing. On the layout data sheet write a
one line description of where the print head should be positioned on
the check for initial alignment. Later in the Printer Setup Data
routine, you will enter this description into PC-ACCOUNT, and it will
be displayed as a reminder to you every time you print a check. This
description is referred to as the check alignment instructions.
-36-
SETUP CHECK FORMAT
If you cannot get a good match between the lines on the overlay
and the data lines on the check, refer to the section on Printer
Setup Codes later in this chapter. That will explain how to print
overlay lines as close together as you want.
PRINTER SETUP DATA
For the next step, enter 3 from the Master Menu. Selection 1,
Setup Codes, is where you enter the sequence of setup codes to change
the vertical line spacing of your printer. If you decide to do that,
see the discussion on Printer Setup Codes later in this chapter. If
you do use setup codes, then you can reset the printer to the normal
line spacing after printing the check by entering the required
sequence of codes in selection 2, Reset Codes.
The line spacing ratio is for your reference only and can be
omitted. If you did not enter any setup codes, you can enter 1/6 or
6 lines per inch.
The number of lines in the check height is used for ejecting the
check when done. The maximum value is 110. For a personal check
using 6 lines per inch, this would be about 17. If you were using 18
lines per inch, this would be about 51.
As mentioned before, you may provide the text of the check
alignment instructions (selection 5) that PC-ACCOUNT will display for
your information before each check is printed. For example, you may
say "Align Printer On Left Border And 1 Line Down From Top Border."
There are a variety of ways to print the numeric amount on the
check. PC-ACCOUNT gives you the choice of 8 different numeric
formats. They are:
1 - 1234.56 PLAIN
2 - $1234.56 PLAIN WITH A DOLLAR SIGN
3 - ***1234.56 PLAIN WITH LEADING ASTERISKS
4 - **$1234.56 PLAIN, ASTERISKS AND DOLLAR SIGN
5 - 1,234.56 PUNCTUATED WITH A COMMA
6 - $1,234.56 PUNCTUATED AND A DOLLAR SIGN
7 - ***1,234.56 PUNCTUATED AND LEADING ASTERISKS
8 - **$1,234.56 PUNCTUATED, ASTERISKS AND DOLLAR SIGN
-37-
SETUP CHECK FORMAT
You are prompted:
SELECT BY NUMBER THE ONE THAT YOU DESIRE [5]?
HOW MANY TOTAL CHARACTER POSITIONS DO YOU WANT THE AMOUNT
TO OCCUPY. THIS NUMBER MUST INCLUDE ALL CHARACTERS, SUCH AS
ASTERISKS, DOLLAR SIGN, COMMA AND DECIMAL.
HOW MANY DO YOU WANT [10]?
Note, that you are first requested to select a format for the
numeric printed amount and then asked for the total number of
character positions the amount is to occupy.
The value displayed as the format for check numeric field is the
maximum value that can be displayed. Note, sometimes it will not
display the total number of characters that you have selected because
the next character is a comma. For example, if you select format 5
and 11 characters, ten is the maximum it will display. If you want 1
more numeric digit, select 12 display characters. That will allow
for another comma and digit.
This completes the Printer Setup Data routine. Quit and return
to the Master Menu. The next section is the Define Check Layout.
DEFINE CHECK LAYOUT
The Define Check Layout routine will prompt you for the
information it needs. You select whatever features you want and in
any order. Once selected, you will be asked to provide the line
number and the tab spacing. You may also re-select a feature to
change or delete it. If you do not select a feature, or if you
delete it, that feature will not be printed on the check.
The 'line number' is the number of the check overlay line that
indicates where a feature is to be printed on the check.
The term 'tab spacing' means the number of the character
positions the print head will have to move from its leftmost
position. It is convenient to use either the left edge of the check,
or the fancy border line that is often printed around the edge of the
check.
The normal character spacing for printers is 10 characters per
inch. This works well with checks. You may make the tab
measurements with a ruler or a special data processing forms design
guide that is graduated for 10 characters per inch. If you use a
ruler, multiply the inch measurement by 10. For example, if the
numeric amount field on your check is to start 5.5 inches from your
left margin, the tab position is then 55 (10 x 5.5).
-38-
SETUP CHECK FORMAT
The payee and written amount fields require a field length. The
field length is the number of characters that can be printed on the
line on your check for these fields. The payee name is truncated if
it exceeds the field length to prevent it from using the space for
the numeric amount. The written amount field is filled to the end
with dashes. The following are the available features:
1 Date when the 19 is printed on the check
2 Date when the 19 is NOT printed on the check
3 Check number
4 Payee
5 Numeric amount
6 Written amount
7 Reference or Memo
8 to 13 Each of 1 to 6 text statements
Refer to figure 2 or the layout data sheet that you printed
using section 1 of the Master Menu.
If you select feature 1, you must specify where the 19 for the
year is preprinted on the check. PC-ACCOUNT then computes a new tab
value for where to start printing the month, based on the length of
the name of the month. It then prints the name of the month and the
number of the day, skips over the 19 and prints the last two digits
of the year.
If you select feature 2, you must specify where the date should
begin. This feature lets you select from five date formats:
December 29, 1986
12/29/86
86/12/29
29-DEC-86
29-DEC-1986
The check number will be printed only if you select it. The
payee name and the reference or memo data will come from the payee
file or can be entered separately when printing a check.
The 1 to 6 text statements are available to place your name and
address or any other information anywhere on the check. You can use
these if you are using unprinted form fed checks for computers to
print your name, address, etc.
When finished with this routine, return to the Master Menu and
select 5, Print Test Check.
-39-
SETUP CHECK FORMAT
PRINT TEST CHECK
The Print Test Check routine is similar to the check printing
routine of PC-ACCOUNT. It prompts for an amount, so try different
amounts to see how the large and small amounts fit on your check. It
uses your Payees file and allows you to scroll through to make a
selection, or you may enter another payee. After selecting a payee,
it displays your check alignment instructions. If you are printing
the check number on your check, it does not prompt for a number but
uses 1234 as a test number.
If, when trying it, you wish to change the instructions, return
to section 3 of the Master Menu and change them. Also, make any
other adjustments in the position of any of the fields to get the
check to be printed the way you like it. That is why ACT-EDIT was
written with all these features.
SAVING THE DATA
When you select 7 to EDIT ANOTHER CHECK or QUIT from the master
menu, the check format file for the account you were working with
will be written, if any additions or changes were made. If the check
number for the account is zero, it will be set to 1 and the CONTROL
file also written.
When you select 6 to CANCEL A CHECKING ACCOUNT, ACT-EDIT asks if
you want to delete the check format file. It does not have to be
deleted because ACT-EDIT sets the check number in the CONTROL file to
zero to signify that you do not want to print a check for this
account.
If the check number in the CONTROL file is zero, PC-ACCOUNT will
not ask if you want to print a check.
To reactivate an account to print checks after you have used
selection 6 to cancel it, just select it when you start ACT-EDIT and
are asked
ENTER CHECKING ACCOUNT NUMBER (61, 75) [QUIT]?
Then quit from the master menu and the CONTROL file will be updated.
If the check format file is removed from the working disk
without cancelling the checking account, PC-ACCOUNT will accept the
transaction but not print a check.
-40-
SETUP CHECK FORMAT
PRINTER SETUP CODES
If you are using checks that are made to be form fed and printed
by a computer, setting up the check format will be easier, since you
will not have to use non-standard vertical spacing. However,
PC-ACCOUNT can print neatly on your personal checks using nonstandard
vertical spacing.
Most personal checks have lines for data that do not have the
normal typewriter vertical spacing of six lines per inch. But most
printers have the capability of varying their vertical spacing. This
is done by sending a code to the printer to program the printer for
the spacing you desire. This code is commonly called an escape
sequence because it begins with the ASCII character named escape.
The decimal value for escape is 27.
If you want to print close to all of the lines on your personal
checks, you should read in your printer manual about how to vary the
spacing between lines. You can then provide the decimal equivalent
of the codes necessary to put your printer in a small line spacing
mode when printing a check, and to return the printer to the normal
spacing mode after printing the check.
The Epson MX printer has several different escape sequences to
change the vertical spacing. One varies the vertical spacing by 1/72
inch. The sequence is 27 65 n where n is the number of 1/72 inch
increments between lines. To set the printer for a line spacing of
4/72 inch (18 lines per inch), you would use the sequence 27 65 4.
The normal line spacing is 12/72 or 1/6 inch (6 lines per inch) and
the value of n is 12. Therefore, to return an Epson MX printer to
the normal mode after printing a check, you would tell PC-ACCOUNT to
send the sequence 27 65 12.
For Diablo printers, the escape sequence to vary the vertical
line spacing is 27 30 n. The value for n is one more than the number
of 1/48 inch increments desired. The sequence 27 30 9 will set the
vertical spacing at 9 minus 1 or 8/48 inch. This is equal to 1/6
inch line spacing which is the standard 6 lines per inch. The
sequence 27 30 3 will set it up for 2/48 inch spacing, or 24 lines
per inch.
These sequences are to be entered into the Print Check Overlay
Lines and the Printer Setup Data routines of ACT-EDIT. These
routines are accessible from the Master Menu.
In each of these routines, you will be prompted for the sequence
of codes, one at a time. There are two ways to enter the codes. You
can enter the ASCII decimal value of the code. Or, you can press the
ESC key to enter the numeric value for ESC, or press an alphabetic
letter to enter the numeric value for that letter. Be sure to enter
the letter in the proper case. With either entry method, the numeric
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SETUP CHECK FORMAT
value is displayed. Enter one code at a time, followed by RETURN.
Here is an example of how to enter the sequence 27 65 4.
ENTER PRINTER SETUP CODE NUMBER 1 [QUIT]? 27
ENTER PRINTER SETUP CODE NUMBER 2 [QUIT]? 65
ENTER PRINTER SETUP CODE NUMBER 3 [QUIT]? 4
ENTER PRINTER SETUP CODE NUMBER 4 [QUIT]?
The maximum number of codes that can be entered for either setup
or reset is ten. The maximum total number of codes for both setup
and reset is thirteen.
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SETUP CHECK FORMAT
PRINTER PARAMETERS
------------------
ACCOUNT NUMBER ___ BANK NAME __________________
SETUP CODES ___ ___ ___ ___
RESET CODES ___ ___ ___ ___
LINE SPACING RATIO ___/___
NUMBER OF THESE LINES IN THE CHECK HEIGHT _______
ENTER YOUR CHECK ALIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NEXT LINE
________________________________________________________
ENTER THE MAXIMUM DOLLAR AMOUNT
IN THE FORMAT YOU DESIRE
SUCH AS $999,999.99 or *9999.99 __________________
HOW MANY CHARACTER POSITIONS DOES IT TAKE? ____________
CHECK LAYOUT PARAMETERS
-----------------------
FEATURE FEATURE TO BE PRINTED LINE
NUMBER ON THE CHECK NUMBER TAB+
1 DATE, ENTER TAB+ VALUE TO THE PREPRINTED '19' ___ ___
2 DATE, ENTER TAB VALUE TO WHERE THE DATE IS TO START
WHEN THE MONTH, DAY & YEAR ARE TO BE PRINTED ___ ___
3 CHECK NUMBER, IF IT IS TO BE PRINTED ___ ___
4 CHECK PAYEE ___ ___
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHARACTERS FOR PAYEE FIELD _____
5 NUMERIC AMOUNT ___ ___
6 WRITTEN AMOUNT ___ ___
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHARACTERS FOR WRITTEN AMOUNT _____
7 MEMO LINE ___ ___
8 LOCATION OF COMMON TEXT FIELD #1 ___ ___
TEXT FIELD #1 ________________________________________
9 LOCATION OF COMMON TEXT FIELD #2 ___ ___
TEXT FIELD #2 ________________________________________
.
.
.
13 LOCATION OF COMMON TEXT FIELD #6 ___ ___
TEXT FIELD #6 ________________________________________
+ The value for TAB is the number of character spaces from
your starting position on the left side of the check to
and including the first character to be printed, or in
the case of feature #1, to the preprinted 19.
Figure 2. Check Layout Data Sheet
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SETUP CHECK FORMAT
20
________________________________ 1
__________________________________ 2
____________________________________ 3
______________________________________ 4
________________________________________ 5
__________________________________________ 6
____________________________________________ 7
______________________________________________ 8
________________________________________________ 9
__________________________________________________ 10
____________________________________________________ 11
______________________________________________________ 12
________________________________________________________ 13
__________________________________________________________ 14
____________________________________________________________ 15
______________________________________________________________ 16
________________________________________________________________ 17
__________________________________________________________________ 18
____________________________________________________________________ 19
______________________________________________________________________ 20
Figure 3. Sample of Check Overlay Lines
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