Now we’ll add data to the state tax file, and show you how you can create a “BROWSE - LOOKUP” Window, on-the-fly, to help you enter this data.
The key point to remember is that you can create as many “BROWSE-LOOKUP” windows as there are fields in your file, at any time.
Figure 12-1. Browse Lookup Window
1. From the main menu select option, “B - Inquire, Update, Add”.
2. For the file name, select or type: sttax
3. For the screen number, press <0> or <RETURN>.
4. Go into add records mode by pressing <3>.
5. The cursor is in the “state” field. Here we will create a “BROWSE - LOOKUP”.
NOTE: At the bottom of your screen, filePro Plus offers you this option. Press <F6>, and press <Y> to create a “BROWSE-LOOKUP”. It is very easy to create a “BROWSE-LOOKUP” window on the fly. The key is to understand what file the data will come from and what data do you want to use from the file. For this Browse Lookup, we’ll use the “STATES” file, which contains the state abbreviation and the capital.
6. filePro Plus is now asking “Lookup from file”. Highlight “STATES” or type: ST and press <RETURN>.
7. The next question, “What Index Is To Be Used”, press <A>.
8. At “Only Records That Match Key”, press <RETURN>.
9. For “Field To Extract Data From”, press <RETURN>.
10. At the “Browse Header” line, type the following:
Ab Name Capital
Press <RETURN>
11. At the “Browse Format”, type the following:
*1*2 *3
Press <RETURN>
(tells filePro Plus that a field is being used, and the number indicates what field to use.)
Allow enough space between fields for all the data in a field to be displayed. Remember you have enough space for 76 characters in a row.
12. Press <RETURN> 3 times to answer the remaining questions. Now you will be returned to the data-entry screen and a browse window will open showing you a list of valid state abbreviations, the full state names, and the state capitols.
13. Use the <PG UP> and <PG DN> keys or the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to “NY”, and press <RETURN>. The abbreviation, “NY” is copied into the state field.
14. The cursor is now in the “tax rate” field. At the bottom of your screen the “rate” edit message has appeared. Press <1> and <RETURN>. The edit substitutes .075 for the 1.
15. Press <ESC> to save the record. Now for the second record press <F6> to pop up the browse window. Move the highlight to “CA”, and press <RETURN>. For the “tax rate” field, press <2> and <RETURN>. The edit substitutes .055 for the 2. Save the record.
16. For the next record, type in the state field: FF
17. Notice how the state edit rejects an invalid abbreviation. Now type: FL and a tax rate of: 0.04
18. Now save this record. Please return to the main menu by pressing <CTRL> <BREAK>, then press <X> twice.