One of the significant features of filePro Plus is the way that it handles changes. We just changed our customer file. Now we want to add data. filePro Plus does its own housekeeping so you can focus on your work.
1. Now let’s go back into “Inquire, Update, Add” to enter data into the new fields we added to the “cust” file structure, and to see the browse lookup in operation.
2. Select “B - Inquire, Update, Add” from the Main Menu.
3. We’ll use “cust” as the file. Select it now, and use screen 1.
4. Using the “Inquire, Update, Add” menu, we’ll use option “1 - Record Number”.
5. Press <RETURN> to select option 1.
For the record number, press <1> or just press <RETURN>. In this situation a <RETURN> is the same as <1>. Now verify your screen and record by checking to see if “Screen 1” is displayed in the lower left of your screen and “Record: 1” is displayed in the lower right of your screen.
Here’s where you begin to see some of the power of filePro Plus. Although we modified the file structure and created a brand new data-entry screen, the original data is preserved and the new fields are ready for data. Also notice that filePro Plus has applied the “uplow” field type edit to the first and last names we previously entered.
6. Press <U> to update the data on record 1. Move the cursor down to the “address” field. Type: "15 main street" and then press <RETURN>
Notice how the cursor did not enter the “year to date sales”, “days on file” and “days since last update” fields. This is because when we defined screen 1 we gave these fields an “!“ indicator to protect them from modification by the user. All three of these fields will contain values that are calculated automatically.
7. In the “city” field, type: white plains and press <RETURN>
8. In the “state” field, type: FL
NOTE: DO NOT press <RETURN>
9. In the “zip” field, type: 10602 and press <RETURN>
10. To save the record, press <ESC>.
11. To get to record number two, press the down arrow key, then press <U> for update mode.
12. Fill in this record and the others as follows:
For record 2 use:
customer number: 1002
first name: harry
last name: gold
address: 10 park place
city: San Francisco
state: ca zip: 94102
13. Save the data by pressing <ESC>.
14. Do the same for record 3 & 4 with data that follows.
Record 3:
customer number: 1003
first name: sam
last name: davis
address: 10 post road
city: mt. Vernon
state: ny
zip: 10553
Record 4:
customer number: 1004
first name: brian
last name: bell
address: 9 bedford road
city: orlando
state: fl
zip: 328191234
15. After saving the last record by pressing <ESC>, press <X> once to return to the Inquire, Update, Add menu. Let’s see what happens if we try to add a customer number that already exists and forget to fill in the state field.
16. Select “Add Records”. Now enter “1003” into the customer number field. It looks like filePro Plus caught you trying to enter duplicate information. Press <RETURN> to continue. Notice that the cursor is still in field 1. filePro Plus is waiting for data. Enter a unique customer #(1005-9999) and then fill in the first name field with your first name, the last name field with your last name, and the address field with your address. When you get to the city field, press <F5>. <F5> is used by filePro Plus to copy data from the same field in the record that was last updated or added. In this case, it should copy the city, “ORLANDO”.
17. Now the cursor is in the state field. Press <RETURN> to leave it blank. The browse window should appear. Use the arrow keys or <PG UP> and <PG DN> keys to locate the state you want, then press <RETURN>. If you need more information on the state, select a state and press “V” to view popup. You will see the entire screen from the state file. In the zip code field type: 12a34 and press <RETURN>
18. Note how the filePro Plus zip code edit rejects your entry because of the character, “a”. Type in a valid zip code and press <RETURN>. Press <ESC> to save the record. Since we are in "Add records mode", the next available blank record is displayed. To cancel the "Add records mode", press <CTRL> <C> or <CTRL> <BREAK>. Now return to the main menu by pressing <X> twice.