D |
• Customize your database for faster data
entry (includes all kinds of useful non-programming techniques) • Print just a portion of the current record • Using your programming allowance more effectively (staying within maximum programming limits) • Extracting just the MM/DD from a MM/DD/YY date format • Using Windows "Wingdings" in Write Win documents • Parsing (separating) first and middle names from a FirstName field • Conditionally incrementing @Number • Creating a custom sequential numbering scheme • Make Q&A and Lotus 1-2-3 work together • Getting a quick count of the number of database records retrieved on a non-Speedy field |
| N o v 94 |
• The ultimate XLookup reference (the
inside dope on one of Q&A's most useful features) • Adjusting the View Mode scale (Q&A Win) • Print reports aligned on the left margin • Enhancing report totals (make that bottom line really stand out!) • Using Initial Values to save keystrokes • Customizing date groups in crosstab reports • An improved whole name sorting technique • ZIP Code database cuts keystrokes & reduces errors • Easy formatting for local phone numbers • Really customize your letters with a database of merge paragraphs • Merge programming tips & traps |
| O c t 94 |
• Q&A utilities to the rescue (review
of a host of useful utilities that do what Q&A alone can't) • Use Q&A data in WordPerfect mail merges • Faster access to tools in Q&A Write Win • Fix slow keyboard response (Q&A Win) • Create a hanging indent (Q&A Write Win) • Proper use of quote marks in XLookup commands • How to manage your Q&A files and lists more easily • Compressed drives cause installation confusion • Three ways to use printer control codes to customize your printing jobs • Validating credit card numbers |
| S e p 94 |
• Create relational-like links between
databases in an application • Exporting large text fields • Fixing "broken" merge fields • How to retrieve all the records from the last date any were entered (when you don't know the date) • Removing unwanted carriage returns from an ASCII file or other document • Easy record-marking for mail merge (technique to quickly tag the records you want to include) • Organizing your macro list so it makes sense • Adopting a programming style for consistency and readability • LaserJet 4 printer drivers and Q&A Win • Field ID numbers vs. field names • Use a macro to select the right printer |
| A u g 94 |
• Print multiple reports on the same page
(plus other useful report printing tricks) • How to keep a running total by customer in a transaction database • Using wildcards to simplify record searches • Fixing custom menu macro failures • Closing gaps in report columns • Calculating percentage changes • Add non-printing comments to documents • Use programmed retrieves for wildcard searches • Aligning merge document columns • Importing Lotus 1-2-3 data into a Q&A database • How to create a procedure based on matching records in two databases • Print conditionally on envelopes • Resize multiple objects at the same time (Q&A Win) • Debugging unruly macros • Swapping macro files with a keystroke • Calculate time intervals based on 30-day months • Make your @Msg messages appear briefly then disappear • Solving multitasking problems (with Q&A running in a Windows 3.1 window) • Creating and using special keyword search fields to find anything in a record fast • Inserting blank columns in reports • Move text and frames faster (Q&A Win) |
| J u l 94 |
• Creating a personal appointment tracker • Improving XLookup performance • Save keystrokes when entering dates & times • NetWare Lite and damaged Q&A files • Get more from Write's "recent files list" • Aligning document columns when using proportional fonts • Placing a title across table columns (Q&A Win) • Speed up Q&A Win merge printing • Tracking your receivables (finding past due invoices, invoice aging; predicting income) • Get more macro hot keys |
| J u n 94 |
• Organizing your macro list • Use fast keyboard shortcuts in Q&A Write Win • How to avoid creating duplicate records during data entry • Creating stop-motion animation for your databases • Spaces allowed in macro files • Converting dates for easy export • How to save time when testing your programming • Customize the "Working" message when a mass update is running • How to increment numbers without using @Number • When you don't need a filename extension • How to select months for crosstab report columns • Using start-up switches to assign User IDs • Using the @Todate function to search a text field that contains a date • Calculating a balance in a record • Create a pop-up list of acceptable field values (using Restrict Values) • Review of the Q&A Program Pack |
| M a y 94 |
• Create a fast link between databases
(switch back and forth between "parent" and "child" records) • Add speed with a RAM drive • Macros in Q&A Windows (using Recorder in Windows 3.1) • Date-stamp modified records automatically • Merging two databases • Fast record numbering for old unnumbered records • Getting rid of the mouse cursor • How to calculate dates by week on payroll reports (getting weekly calculations) |
| A p r 94 |
• How to create an automated cost
quotation application • When is the best time to enter your password? • Retain up-to-date imported records (keep only the last in a series of duplicates) • Print records in calendar date order • Faster ways to enter dates • Sort and search all types of names (technique that simplifies finding parts of wholename fields) • Using macros to store and pass recurring variables (the notorious "Bell Maneuver") • When Q&A doesn't display correctly on your monitor • Controlling which record to post to • Create address labels the easy way in Q&A Write Win • Whodunit? How to stamp your records with the date, time, and User ID • Selecting multiple objects in Q&A Win • Making your custom menus more user-friendly • When "Recover a Document" doesn't • Caches and crashes |
| M a r 94 |
• All about conditional (IF-THEN) mail
merge in Q&A Win • Find and display custom menus fast • Create a fast-access correspondence log (keeps notes on what you've mailed to client) • Fix DOS columnar report printing problem in Q&A Win • Control output with a freeform report (Q&A Win) • Create multiline column headings (Q&A Win) • Updating your automatic numbering sequence • Copying alternate menus to disk to use on another PC • Lining up mailing labels • Re-creating bad or missing index files • Search/Update shortcuts (tips on retrieving records faster) • Work around typeover mode in Q&A Win • Simulate graphs and bar charts in a database • How to physically re-sort database records • Create a personal report list in a multi-user environment (hiding your reports from others) • Mail merge and Keyword fields (Q&A Win) • Remove unwanted records faster |
| F e b 94 |
• Create a contact management system • Converting uppercase mailing lists to regular case • Why type when you can (How to get ditto capability in Search/Update mode. Other tricks) • Using Windows' Recorder to simulate Q&A Win macro capabilities • Create a library of programming routines • Using regular arithmetic to calculate time intervals • Quick way to add a description to a Write document • Employing User ID's to retrieve only a particular user's records • Creating separate databases for different record types • Store and pass variables from one database to another • Real-time posting in Q&A 4.0 (creates new external records and updates existing ones on-the-fly) • Prevent missing names when printing envelopes |
| J a n 94 |
• How to restrict report output with
derived columns (filter out what a Retrieve Spec can't) • How to display special ASCII graphics characters • Solution to envelope printer creep problem • When fields just disappear • What a database requires both a .DTF and .IDX file • Paginating freeform reports (Q&A Win) • Lookups and significant digits (difference between, for example, "5.5" and "6.0") • Switch databases fast in Windows (running Q&A DOS in Windows 3.1) • Control "Attention" lines on labels and envelopes • Create a custom bypass menu • Export Q&A data to Microsoft Word mail merge format • All about database protection schemes and techniques • Access Q&A databases in both Q&A DOS and Q&A Win • Make saving updates speedier • Sort a whole name field consistently • Ways to make a letter's merged salutation line always give you the right result |