 DataBrowser Help

The second button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Help.  When you press this button, the DataBrowser help system is activated.  You can navigate around the help system by clicking on any words in the text that are underlined and highlighted in green.  You can also move through the help system by using the standard help-system buttons at the top of this window.

Contents

Getting Started

DataBrowser Setup

Choosing a Database File

First Field

Previous Field

Next Field

Last Field

Inserting Fields

Deleting Fields

Changing Fields

Listing Fields

Quitting Setup

First Record

Previous Record

Next Record

Last Record

Search Mode

Setting Up a Search

Starting a Search

Cancelling a Search

Find First

Find Previous

Find Next

Find Last

Resetting a Search

Copying Records to the ClipBoard

Printing Records

Exiting DataBrowser

How to Order DataBrowser


Getting Started

When you run DataBrowser for the first time, the program is set up to display the records in a sample database file.  You can use this file to experiment with the program and see how things work.  When youre ready to start using DataBrowser with your own database files, click on the button labeled Setup.

If you need additional Help while you are running Setup, just click on the button labeled Help.


 DataBrowser Setup

The leftmost button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Setup.  When you press this button the DataBrowser setup window is activated.  By changing the items in this window you can select a new file to browse, select the fields to display, change the labels associated with each field, and change the display size of each field.  When you have finished making changes, click on the button labeled Done.


  Choosing a Database File

The button in the upper-left corner of the DataBrowser Setup window is labeled File.  When you press this button a file selection window is activated that lets you pick the database file you want to view.  Use the Directories, Drives, and File Name controls to navigate through your system and find the database file youre interested in.  You can also use the List Files of Type box to limit the number of files listed to files of a specific type (i.e. Dbase Files, Paradox Files, Text Files).  After you have selected a file, click on the OK button.


 First Field

The third button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled First.  When you are in setup mode click on this button to move the cursor to the first field definition in the current database.

If the cursor is already positioned at the first field, this button, as well as the button labeled Prev, will turn gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Previous Field

The fourth button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Prev.  When you click on this button the cursor moves to the previous database field.

If the cursor is already positioned at the first field, this button, as well as the button labeled First, will turn gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Next Field

The fifth button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Next.  When you click on this button the cursor will move to the next database field.

If the cursor is already positioned at last database field, this button, as well as the button labeled Last, will turn gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Last Field

The sixth button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Last.  When you click on this button the cursor will move to the last database field.

If the cursor is already positioned at the last field, this button, as well as the button labeled Next, will turn gray indicating that these functions are not available.


  Inserting Fields

When you first select a file to view DataBrowser will automatically setup the first 10 fields in the database using the name of the field as the Label and the field width as the Display Width.  You can insert new fields into the list by position the cursor at the appropriate spot and clicking on the button labeled Insert.

Now select a Label and a Field ID from the fields in the current database file.  You can either type the name of field (as it appears in the original database definition) or select the name from a list.  To select fields using the list method, use the mouse to double-click in the database field column or click on the button labelled List in the lower right-hand corner of the Setup window.

The Display Size determines how wide the field contents box will be.  If the actual data is too long to fit in the box, the additional data will be hidden.  However, by clicking in the contents box and using the cursor keys you will be able to scroll through the entire contents.

When you have finished inserting fields, click on the button labelled Done to exit Setup mode.


Changing Fields

If you want to change any of the fields youve set up, use the cusor keys or the buttons at the top of the screen to position the cursor on the field you want to change.  You can then modify the Label, the Database Field, and the Display Size for the currently selected field.  When you have finished making changes, click on the button labelled Done to exit setup mode.


   Deleting Fields

If you want to delete any of the fields youve set up, use the cusor keys or click on the buttons at the top of the screen until the cursor is positioned on the field you want to delete.  Click on the button labelled Delete to delete the field.  When you return to the main DataBrowser window, the deleted field will no longer be displayed.


   Listing Fields

If you want to add a new field to the display, but you dont know what the field is called, you can select the database field from a list of all the fields defined in the current database.  To select from a list of valid fields, double-click in the Database Field column or click on the button labelled List in the lower right-hand corner of the setup window.  The field list will appear in a window like the one pictured below.  To select a field, use the cursor keys and/or the scroll bar to highlight the field and then click on the row or on the OK button to select the field.


   Quitting Setup

When you have finished making changes to the DataBrowser setup, click on the button labeled Done to quit setup mode.  The window will return to its normal mode of displaying database records.


 First Record

The third button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled First.  When you click on this button the first record in the database will be loaded and displayed.  If the program is in search mode, the first matching record is loaded.

If the first record is already being displayed, this button, as well as the button labeled Prev, will appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Previous Record

The fourth button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Prev.  When you click on this button the previous record in the database will be loaded and displayed.  If the program is in search mode, the nearest previous matching record is loaded.

If the first record is already being displayed, this button, as well as the button labeled First, will appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Next Record

The fifth button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Next.  When you click on this button the next record in the database will be loaded and displayed.  If the program is in search mode, the next matching record is loaded.

If the last record is already being displayed, this button, as well as the button labeled Last, will appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Last Record

The sixth button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Last.  When you click on this button the last record in the database will be loaded and displayed.  If the program is in search mode, the last matching record is loaded.

If the last record is already being displayed, this button, as well as the button labeled Next, will appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.


  Copying Records to the ClipBoard

Whenever DataBrowser is not actively searching for a record, a small button labeled Copy appears near the lower right hand corner of the main window.  When you click on this button, the contents of the currently displayed record are copied into the clipboard.

You can paste the contents of the ClipBoard into another Windows application (like your favorite word processor) by starting or switching to that application and selecting paste from that applications Edit menu.  In many applications you can also use the Paste shortcut key Ctrl-V.


 Printing Records

Whenever DataBrowser is not actively searching for a record, a small button labeled Print appears in the lower right hand corner of the main window.  When you click on this button, a print dialog box similar to the one below will appear.

You can use this box to select the appropriate printer options and print the current record or click on the Cancel button at any time if you decide not to print.  If you want to select another printer, change the output orientation, or change the setup of a specific printer, click on the button labeled Setup.

If you click on the OK button, the current record will be output to the printer you have selected.


 Exiting DataBrowser

You can quit DataBrowser at any time by clicking on the key labeled Exit.


How to Order DataBrowser

This is an evaluation copy of DataBrowser and you are free to use it for 30 days.  After 30 days, you must stop using the program or purchase the full registered version.  The single-user registration price is only $49.95 plus shipping and handling and there are a lot of benefits for registering:

As a registered user, you will receive the latest version of DataBrowser and you will be eligible for software support by mail or Email.  As upgrades and related products become available, we will notify you by mail.  You will also be eligible to receive free demonstration versions of new products directly from Software Avenue.

You can order a registered copy of DataBrowser directly from Software Avenue, Incorporated with a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover.  If you are currently in the United States, you can call us toll free at 1-800-813-0876.  Outside of the United States, call 1-602-813-0876.  Shipping and handling for orders within the United States is $4.00.  For orders shipped outside of the United States, the charge is $10.00.  We must add 6.75% sales tax to orders shipped within the state of Arizona.

You can also order by mail.  Print out the order form ORDER.TXT, complete the form, and mail it with your payment to:

Software Avenue, Inc.

Post Office Box 1324

Gilbert, Arizona  85234-1324

USA

We generally try to ship orders on the same day we receive them.  However, transit times will vary.  Please allow a week to ten days for delivery within the United States.

Foreign Orders

Foreign orders must be paid in US currency. You may send a check drawn on a US bank, American Express travelers checques, an American Express money order, or an International postal money order.  DO NOT SEND FOREIGN CHECKS OR CURRENCY.  Please allow four to six weeks for delivery.


 Search Mode

The seventh button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Search.  When you click on this button the current database record is immediately hidden and the field content boxes are blanked out.  At this point you can move to each of the boxes setting up the parameters for your search.

When you are setting up a search, you will notice that most of the remaining buttons on the button bar appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.  The current database record is not visible and you cannot move to different records when you are in this mode.


 Setting Up a Search

When you click on the Search button the current database record is immediately hidden and the field content boxes are blanked out.  At this point you can move to each of the boxes setting up the parameters for your search.  You will notice that most of the remaining buttons on the button bar appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.  The current database record is not visible and you cannot move to different records when you are in this mode.

Move to each of the database fields you would like to use to screen database records and enter the information youre searching for.  If you enter information in any field, the resulting search will present only those records that match the data you have entered.

For example, if you enter the name BOB in a search field labeled FIRST NAME, only those records where the first name field is filled with BOB will be presented.  Records that have a FIRST NAME field filled with anything else will be filtered out.  If you also enter the initials AZ in the search field labeled STATE, you will see only those records that contain BOB in the FIRST NAME field and AZ in the STATE field.  If either field does not contain the specified data, the record will be filtered out.

Any fields you leave blank, will not be used in the search.

When you have finished setting up the search click on the button labeled Start to start the search.  If you decide that you dont want to run a search after all, click on the button labeled Cancel to cancel the search.


 Starting a Search

After you finished setting up a search, click on the button labeled Start to begin the search.  DataBrowser will immediately start looking for a match to the search fields you have specified.  In the lower right-hand corner of the main window, you will see a progress bar and the word SEARCHING.  As the search progresses, the bar will fill up from left to right.  Unless there are no matching records, the initial search will be completed before the bar is completely filled.

If the search is progressing too slowly or you realize that you have made an error while the search is in progress, you can always cancel the search.


 Cancelling a Search

When you initially start a search, or you are navigating through the database in search mode, DataBrowser will be looking for a match to the search fields you have specified.  In the lower right-hand corner of the main window, you will see a progress bar and the word SEARCHING.  As the search progresses, the bar will fill up from left to right.  If the search is progressing too slowly or you realize that you have made an error while the search is in progress, you can always click on the Cancel button to stop the search.


 Find First

The third button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled First.  When the program is in search mode and you click on this button the first matching record in the database will be loaded and displayed.  If the program is not in search mode the first record in the database is displayed.

If the first matching record is already being displayed, this button, as well as the button labeled Prev, will appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Find Previous

The fourth button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Prev. When the program is in search mode and you click on this button the nearest previous matching record is loaded and displayed.  If the program is not in search mode the previous physical record in the database is displayed

If the first matching record is already being displayed, this button, as well as the button labeled First, will appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Find Next

The fifth button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Next. When the program is in search mode and you click on this button the next matching record is loaded and displayed.  If the program is not in search mode the next physical record in the database is displayed

If the last matching record is already being displayed, this button, as well as the button labeled Last, will appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Find Last

The sixth button on the DataBrowser button bar is labeled Last. When the program is in search mode and you click on this button the last matching record is loaded and displayed.  If the program is not in search mode the last physical record in the database is displayed

If the last matching record is already being displayed, this button, as well as the button labeled Next, will appear gray indicating that these functions are not available.


 Resetting a Search

When you are in search mode, you may click on the button labeled Reset at any time to abandon the current search.  DataBrowser will immediately revert to its normal mode.  Once you have left search mode, the arrow buttons will function normally and no filtering will be used in moving from one record to the next.

If you want to start another search, just click on the Search button again.