View Text File.
The Continuous Text File option is intended to be used for printing checks, invoices, or other forms which must be printed on multi-part forms using a dot matrix printer. The [Print to File] option, when available, should be used when you need to create a data file which can be imported into another software package such as Excel. The [Print to File] option is not intended to be used for the purpose of printing reports. Both of these functions (Continuous Text File or Print to File) will send the generated data to a Viewing window where you can visually see the DOS text file which has been created.
This Viewing window contains a preview of the text file you have created. If this text file is to be printed (e.g., checks, invoices, or forms), you can select the appropriate Printer Name, Style and Port at the bottom of this window and then press the [Print] button to actually print this text file to the selected printer. Please be sure that the proper forms have been installed on the selected printer before you begin the print process. NOTE: All of your printers (local and network printers) should be setup in the IBS DOS Printer File with the appropriate DOS printer control codes for each printer and for each of the print styles (PICA Regular, PICA High Quality, Elite Regular, Elite High Quality, and Compressed).
You have the option to print a report which was generated using the [Print to File] option. However, please be aware that reports will print exactly as displayed in this window. Report titles and/or column headings will print on the first page of the report only and there is no pagination (page breaks or page advances). Reports which are printed to a file are not programmed to print report titles and/or column headings on every page of the report as the [Print to File] option is not intended to be used for the purpose of printing reports. If you wish to print a text file report in a different font (e.g., compressed), then you must select the Style (font) at the bottom of the Viewing window before you press the [Print] button. The proper way to print the standard IBS reports is by using the [Print Portrait] or [Print Landscape] buttons, as appropriate, depending on the width of the report and the type of printer being used.
Lines Loaded: This box displays the total number of lines in this report, including the report title and/or column headings.
Line Width: This box displays the width (in characters) of this report/form. This information is useful for determining the Print Style to be used. Laser printers can automatically compress wide reports to print in both orientations (Portrait or Landscape). However, dot-matrix printers cannot automatically compress. If you are attempting to print a report which is over 80 characters in width on a narrow-carriage dot-matrix printer, then you must select a compressed Print Style to make the report fit on the page. For the best print quality, standard IBS System reports should be printed on laser printers using the [Print Portrait] or [Print Landscape] option, as desired.
NOTE: The IBS system will automatically include a [Print Landscape] button on each report which exceeds 80 characters in width. If only a [Print Portrait] button is available, this indicates that the selected report is 80 characters or less in width.
Printer Name: Press the {?} to the right of this field to open a window titled Select DOS Printer which allows you to select the appropriate DOS printer to be used when printing this report. If your company previously used the DOS version of the IBS System, then the Select DOS Printer window will display all the printers which had been configured in the Printer Control File (IBSDP1.TPS) in your old IBS system. If you are a new IBS user, then you may need to set up the appropriate printer decimal control codes for each of your DOS printers in this file. Check your printer manual or call the printer manufacturer for the appropriate printer decimal control codes for your printer.
NOTE: The IBS System will include the printer decimal codes for several printers. However, the system does not include the printer decimal codes for all types of printers and Direct Systems cannot provide you with the codes for all available printers. Check your printer manual or call the printer manufacturer for the appropriate printer decimal codes for your specific printer(s).
Style / Port: Press the Ú to the right of the first field to select the desired print style (font).
NOTE: You must select the appropriate Printer Name above BEFORE you can select the desired Style as each printer can have different print styles.
Press the Ú to the right of the second field to select the appropriate DOS printer port (PRN, LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, or LPT4) for the printer you will be using to print the report, checks, or forms. This Port selection will determine the destination of the printed report.
[ Edit with Note Pad ] Press this button if you wish to make any edits to this text file before printing. This text file will be displayed in another window with Windows text editor, Note Pad. This gives you the ability to both edit this file if you wish to make minor changes to an invoice or paperwork format "on the fly" or to print the text file on this screen to a laser printer or network printer.
[ Print ] Press this button to print this report, checks, or forms to the DOS Printer you have selected.
[ Close ] Press this button to close this window and return to the previous window.
[ Help ] Press this button (if available) or the F1 key to view the Help text for this window.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You should print all reports to laser printers (laser, deskjet, inkjet, bubblejet). Printing reports on a dot-matrix printer is not recommended because the reports will print much slower than they can be printed on a laser printer. Dot-matrix printers should be used only for printing continuous-feed checks, multi-part invoice forms, or other multi-part forms.
