D |
• In-depth review of Q&A for Windows
("Q&A for Windows: Yes, No, and Maybe") • Highlighting fields in Q& Win • Using mail merge on multi-page letters (printing first page to letterhead) • Calculating elapsed time with hours, minutes, and seconds fields • Sprucing up address and phone directory reports for easy readability • Fine-tuning line spacing (leading) for LaserJet printing • Creating and using a multi-value search field • Finding the previous transaction faster with @XLookupR • Clearing the Retrieve Spec for a second try • Copying text between documents |
| N o v 93 |
• Using a memo database to store, track,
and print interoffice memos and the like • Inserting merge fields in a Write document • Enhancing text in a database field so it prints with that enhancement • Cursor moves and Gosub programming • Mastering Q&A's various Specs for total access to your data (lists all Specs and what they're for) • How to print out your Lookup Table • Differences between columnar and crosstab reports (when crosstabs are better) • How to "stack" fields in a report column • Using Q&A Win databases in Q&A DOS • Select and sort records in free-form reports • Field names vs. field numbers (advantages of each) • Make a database field perform like a calculator • Auto-fill related fields in posted records |
| O c t 93 |
• Creating a pick list for stock items • Copying programs between fields • Changing field names preserves programming • Using the various text block manipulation shortcuts • Create and use pop-up lists of any size • Use SHARE when running Q&A for DOS in Windows • Spell-check your database • Unused invoice numbers (how @Number works differently on a network) • When Speedy fields aren't • Retrieving last month's records • How programming can throw totals off • Using functions and field names with @Msg • Print your documents from a checklist (also using the JOIN command) • Quirk having to do with sixth selection on a custom menu • Q&A doesn't consider blank fields duplicates when removing duplicate records |
| S e p 93 |
• How to track multiple accounts in the
same database • Performing arithmetic on report columns • Using @XLookup in mail merge programming • Closing up blank lines in a merge document • Getting fast access to your more frequent tasks • Desktop publishing with Q&A DOS (lots of interesting techniques for creating publishable output) • When to use a separate font instead of Q&A's generic bold, italic, bold-italic enhancements • A WordPerfect DOS macro that builds a catalog from Q&A data • Using derived columns to improve report layout (various techniques covered) • Creating a quick-access menu of special characters • Printing double-sided on a laser printer that doesn't support it |
| A u g 93 |
• Eight best-kept secrets to better form
design • 21 steps to a powerful database • Deleting a "Make Post" field • Changing dates with a keystroke • Add, print, and search article summaries • Importing spreadsheets • Solving mail-merge fax problem • Calculating future ages • Using quote marks in programming statements • How to print subtotals at the bottom of every page • How to automate time-card calculations • Controlling report subcalculations (various techniques) |
| J u l 93 |
• How to assemble documents with a
"secondary merge" (powerful merge-within-a-merge technique) • How to edit macro files (what macro commands mean and do, and how to customize them) • Printing on legal size paper • How to retrieve all the previous month's record regardless of the year • How to select a block of text and save it to a file • Redesigning a database to make it more "report-friendly" • How to print out a database's Lookup Table • Documenting your Q&A applications • Creating attractive summary reports (various techniques) • Solving the 24-hour time puzzle when doing time arithmetic • Creating add-ons for Q&A using RPL programming language |
| J u n 93 |
• Put an end to
"while-you-wait" printing (keep working while DOS spooler takes care of
printing) • Create an instant label-maker • Review: Q&A Write 3.0 for Windows • How to pass data to Quicken • Redesign a file without network down-time • How to get a count of the number of records retrieved • Field naming rules that cause problems when ignored • How to restrict what's entered in a field • Print a list of names with a checkbox in front of each one • Retrieving records where only certain fields are empty • Boost your productivity with macros • Avoid hard returns in field names • Make a fast exit from Q&A from anywhere |
| M a y 93 |
• Make Q&A display a list of all
previously entered cities, states and ZIP for faster data entry • How to identify near-duplicate records • Mail-merge programming limits • What to do when mail-merge lookup prints ZIP Code with a comma • Rounding money calculations to the nearest nickel • Printing index page references from a database in a report • How to make Q&A automatically number paragraphs in a document (for contracts and the like) • Creating a programming loop to iterate through a series of values • Creative password techniques • Smarter Q&A setup • Turn your Q&A data into a WordPerfect merge file • Tracking how much of a budget is still available as you add expense records • Duplicating fields from the previous record • Recover damaged Write files • Remind users of permitted field entries • How to ensure only unique values are entered in a field • How to recall the previously used Retrieve Spec • How to move files in Q&A file manager |
| A p r 93 |
• Posting to multi-line history records • How to perform a "double merge" (technique for merging fields inside JOINED or QUEUED documents) • Specifying ranges in Restrict Spec pop-up lists • Options that simply entering the current date in a field • How to handle dates after 1999 • Simplify scrolling in Write documents • Faster report design • Creating group headings in reports to improve look and readability • Review: PFCDial (a Q&A-compatible phone dialer - probably no longer available) • Exporting to a spreadsheet: getting it right the first time • Printing underscores in a blank report column (to attract attention) • Special programming syntax required when a field name contains a comma • When constant database redesigns can cause problems • How to display a custom menu as an Alternate Mail menu selection • A guide to using Q&A's Query Guide, part 2 |
| M a r 93 |
• How to create external records to post
to (a case study) • Adding comments to programming • Problems when trying to open a macro file for editing • Indenting report columns • Spell-checking text in an expanded database field • Programming an invoice database to look up the last date a customer made a purchase • Home finances made easy with Q&A, part 2 • A guide to using Q&A's Query Guide, part 1 • How to create a "jump" field to quickly move to the field you want to view or update • How to display a message when form calculations are complete • How to confirm that you have the right record • Replacing Enter with F10 as the continue key after a macro pause • When you should use XLookup instead of @XLookup • Custom formatting crosstab report columns |
| F e b 93 |
• How to print labels in variable
quantities • Mysterious file Q&A creates and how to delete them • Using Q&A's "Special Search Options" to optimize your search results • How to create and use variables in Q&A • Converting WordPerfect merge files to Q&A format • Parsing inconsistent field entries (such as address fields) • Organizing macros into groups based on the functions they perform • Duplicating programming statements (avoid retyping) • Network user custom configuration and macro files • Keeping tabs on mutual fund transactions (a sample database design) • Using two fields to find a matching record in another database • How to print a list of all the files in a subdirectory • Use @XLookup to include an address (from another database) in a report • Exporting to ASCII to a fixed record length • Home finances made easy, part 1 • Generating field totals across records without using a report |
| J a n 93 |
• Conditional merge printing techniques
(all kinds of useful merge printing tips and tricks) • Merge programming tips and traps • How to use programming execution options (when the program executes) • Using Q&A's menu bypass shortcut keys • Wrong printer driver can cause "printer creep," especially with envelopes • A report that shows customers by decreasing sales volume • How to have Q&A check for duplicate membership (or other) numbers • How to add information in expanded fields and see more than eight lines • Hot-key that adds current date to document • Customizing (even eliminating) column headings in reports • How to run a label-printing test before printing all the labels • Making macros loop the loop (recursive macros) • Maintaining zeroes in mail-merge fields • When not to use a template for phone number fields • How to program an XLookup path (when you don't know the path the application will use) |