🧾 Templates used for reports
A report template may be:
a Word DOC or a Word template
an Excel XLS or an Excel template
If a Word/Excel document template exists in the ..\User folder (for example QuotationLetter.DOC) and is designed to suit the needs of the business, AppliCad will use this template as the basis of the report instead of the default AppliCad CAD template.
🖨️ Printing reports
When you select Print from the Supply Only dialog or Supply+Install dialog, the process pulls up the list of report options.
The list of reports available is on the left-hand side of the box.
To move reports into the print list, double-click a report, or select it and click the [>] arrow button.
Select [OK] and the process begins.
🧩 What happens during the print process
Depending on the settings in System Preferences, Microsoft Word will be displayed and show the form being completed. A print dialog may also be displayed, allowing you to select one of your network printers.
As each variable is determined by the software, progress is displayed in a dialog on the AppliCad screen. This confirms the process is working correctly.
Once the report has been created, you are prompted to select the printer, or it automatically prints to your default printer.
If the report consists of multiple pages, they will print one after the other.
💾 Saved Word/Excel output file
At the same time, a Word/Excel document is created that may be reviewed, modified, and reprinted at any time.
The Word/Excel document name is created using:
the AppliCad file name
a dash
the AppliCad model name in that file
a dash
the form name (for example QuotationLetter)
Example:
If the job is saved as BillsRoofing.DAB and the job (model) is called 12HighStreet, the Word document will be called:
BillsRoofing-12HighStreet-QuotationLetter.DOC
It will be saved to the ..\User folder.
🧠 Note: how Word processes Key Text Strings
In general, MS Word processes the Key Text Strings by searching:
the document
then headers and footers
then text boxes
lastly shapes
As Word encounters each Key Text String, the real value is substituted.
You can observe this if you keep Word open when you run the report prior to printing.