User manual

Customizing layouts 7-11
• Depending on what layout part the text is in, it appears in different
places on your layout in Browse mode or Preview mode (for
example, once for each record, only at the top of the report, and so
on). See “About layout parts” on page 6-25.
• To eliminate blank spaces when printing, see “About removing
blank space from printed data” on page 7-22.
Inserting the page number, date, or other variable onto a layout
You can display or print fixed information (like the date as it was
when entered) or variable information (like today’s date) when you
print or preview records. For example, display the current time in a
report footer each time you print the report. You can also display the
date, time, or user name as it is when you place it on the layout. This
information stays the same whenever you display, print, or preview
records. (You can also insert the current date, time, or user name into
a field in Browse mode. See “Inserting the current date or other
variable into fields” on page 2-10.)
1. In Layout mode, click the selection tool
in the tool panel, and
click where you want the information to appear.
If you want the information inserted into a line of text, double-click
where you want the insertion point.
2. Choose Insert menu, then choose a command:
You see this on
To insert Choose the layout
A fixed date (taken from your Current Date The current date
computer’s calendar). This date is
static and doesn’t change.
A fixed time (taken from your Current Time The current time
computer’s clock). This time is static
and doesn’t change.
You see this on
To insert Choose the layout
A fixed user name (taken from the Current User Name The user’s name
User Name specified in Application
Preferences). This name is static and
doesn’t change.
A variable date. This date changes to Date Symbol Two slashes(//)
show the current date taken from your
computer’s calendar.
A variable time. This time changes to Time Symbol Two colons (::)
show the current time taken from
your computer’s clock.
A variable user name. This name User Name Symbol Two vertical lines
changes to show the User Name (||)
specified in Application Preferences.
A page number. (Page numbers only Page Number Two number
appear in Preview mode or on a Symbol symbols (##)
printed report.)
A record number Record Number Two at symbols
Symbol (@@)
3. The symbol displays only as much text as fits within its
boundaries. Use the selection tool to enlarge the text object to display
as much of the variable as you want.
4. Set font and other text attributes as you would for other text.
Keep these points in mind:
• If you insert variable information, only the variable’s symbol
appears in Layout mode. You see the variable information in
Browse, Find, and Preview modes, and when you print the layout.
• You can type the characters listed for the symbol instead of using
the commands on the Insert menu.