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For
those of you who are quite happy with the way your documents, invoices,
etc are printing, please skip to Bottom Line.
Anyone contemplating making changes may read on....
With the latest versions of Exact and Alchemist we will be converting
to the newest FastReport version 4.
This will mean a slight change in the way the programmes handle templates
for documents that are user modifiable.
Firstly, so that you understand the concepts, I will give a couple
of definitions:
Default: Anything that the programmes use automatically
unless instructed by a change of settings to use something different.
eg default folder, default settings, default template, etc.
Default
Template: A template that is created by the EXACT Programme
and is automatically upgraded and maintained by upgrades to the programme.
These templates may be used "as is" if you find them suitable
for your purposes, or may be used as the basis for a modified template
to suit your own purposes (eg with your company logo, etc)
All new installations will start by creating these templates and the
default templates will be automatically used on the new system.
If modifications are made to a default template, it must be saved
with a different file name, otherwise, when you update your programmes,
the templates may change and you will need to modify them again. It
is therefore advisable not to use default templates, but to save them
under another name even if you do not modify them.
FastReport:
A third-party programme that we utilise for producing reports
and documents out of EXACT. The current version is Version 4, but
EXACT will also use earlier versions.
Historically the different types of report template files were distinguished
by a file extension as follows:
.frf - a FastReport version 2 template (these will eventually be discontinued)
.fr3 - a FastReport version 3 template for dot-matrix printers
.fr3 - a FastReport version 3 template for laser or inkjet
printers
With the latest programmes using FastReport Version 3 or 4, all templates
files will have the extension .fr3 and the difference between a dot-matrix
template and a laser or inkjet template will be determined by the
prefix to the file name, which is dmx in the case
of a dot-matrix template. Ie, a dot-matrix invoice template will be
dmx invoice (def).fr3 whereas the laser / inkjet template
will be invoice (def).fr3
In order to distinguish fr3 "dot-matrix" and "laser"
templates, all the "dot-matrix" default templates contain
the identifier '[dmx]' as part of the file name.
Note
that dot matrix templates will not work on lasers or inkjets, and
vice versa.The template editors are also different and the [dmx] identifier
determines whether the "laser" or "dot-matrix"
editor is used.
Currently the templates are located in a sub-folder of the following
default folder: C:\TechniSoft\fastreport2\templates\
Altering
Templates
Throughout EXACT templates may be changed by holding down
the [Ctrl] button whilst clicking the [Print
/F12] button or pressing <F12>.
The
FastReport programme is not a Technisoft programme, but a third-party
software component. The instructions on how to operate this programme
may be found at
http://fast-report.com/en/documentation/frhelp/index.htm
Dot-matrix printer templates are based on Fast Report version 3 and
manuals in a number of formats may be found at
http://fast-report.com/en/documentation/
If
you need a template or special functionality from our programmes you
have a choice: either learn how to use the editor (and a number of
our customers have managed to come to grips with it) or ask
us to do the work. Unfortunately this cannot fall under the cover
of Annual support, so we will be asking for R500.00 per template adjustment
or changes.
Dot matrix templates
or templates that must fit a particular type of stationery are very
difficult for us to alter remotely because we need to see how the template
prints on your particular printer, so alteration of these templates
will probably involve a visit to your premises.
Bottom Line:
Most of you will need to do nothing unless there is some change you
need to have made to your templates. Your programmes will continue
to function as they do at present.
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