2012:

Win7 Tip:

Not seeing contents of folders in Windows Explorer?  Click Tools, Folder options and check "Automatically expand to current folder" un Naviation pane on the General Tab.  All's right again.

(thanks to Dennis O'Reilly of CNET

Changes to TM14

You may notice some changes to the Files directory -- we are using the Files/Personal directory for tickets you create for yourself. The tickets in the main Files directory are intended as SuperTickets which allow you to base a new ticket on many different variations of each style -- for instance, in Style01, you will see a "stubless" version where you want to use the entire ticket space for your message; an "ondemand" version allows you to create tickets which "bleed" on all sides of the ticket -- no white space (a top and bottom stub can be removed from your page of tickets); then there is "fullperf " which provides a simple way to tear off each ticket by using spacing between each ticket - no extra tear-offs involved; and  -- new to TM14 -- a type called "custom", full name example -- customAA. You can add up to 50 variations of this style (AB, AC, ... all the way up to ZZ).

Whatever you base your ticket on, we will always find the correct style so your tickets will print correctly.

You may also see that the main templates have different functionality that in 2011.  You will notice that the picture will change to show the new templates -- for instance style01 was formerly four tickets per page.  It will see during 2012, that style01 will change to one ticket per page; style02 will change to two tickets per page; style03, three tickets per page, etc. up to 12 tickets per page... if you are looking for a particular style, just scroll through the tickets to find your preferred style.

Expanded Design Module

very recent postings:

Two new template sets are available for TM14 -- Style09 now provides a landscape version for Four tickets per page; and Style10 now offers a Two-Stub Solution for users who want to sell an ad on their tickets (and do not want to imprint the back). This style was originally designed as a theater ticket, but it has plenty of applications for general ticket use.  (Who doesn't want to pay for their tickets before printing them!)  Both styles are available in several versions.

If your version of TM14 does not yet contain those versions, we will email them to you. See Feedback to request.

- Posted July 22, 2011

Q. Why doesn't text in my textbox refuse to print?

A. Go to Tools > Options > Print and check the
 box for "Drawing objects". (Word considers text boxes to be a type of
 drawing object.)

(courtesy of Jay Freedman  Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org )

Q. What are 'Versions' of the Ticket Blanks?

A. Many Blanks have various configurations available -- we call those 'versions'.  For instance, FullPerf means that the form is fully perforated so you can separate the tickets, and each ticket has a perforation between the stub portion and the main ticket area. Stubless is just what it sounds like -- there is no separation on the ticket -- just one big area.  OnDemand refers to an extra tear-off stub top and bottom.  The tickets themselves can then be fully printed -- no extra space required for margins.  Luxe is used when you want to pre-collate your numbers for stapling into books. See TM14 for details, and view an animation of each ticket style and version shown under Examples from the TicketBlanks Link at printbox.com.

Q. OK, I looked at the Examples.  Why don't all the ticket blanks show all four versions? 

A. Because some versions just aren't appropriate for all ticket styles -- For instance, a Stubless version of the new Two-Stub Blanks would not work (a Stubless version of Style C will do that for you).

- posted Juky 23, 2011

EXOTIC PROBLEMS WITH MSI (MICROSOFT WINDOWS INSTALLER)

This link will upgrade out-of-date versions of MSI on your machine:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4

Here is the full memo:

Hello. Had similar issue with a client running Windows XP SP2 and pretty much worked through suggestions here to no avail.
What eventually got it working.
Under Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services
Right click on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service
Select Log In Tab
Select Log As "Local System account" and tick "Allow service to interact with desktop"
You'll get a message that settings wont take effect until you restart the service. To do this you'll need to reboot your PC.
After reboot installer service seems to behave itself again.
Took me 2 hours to find this so hopefully my pain will save someone some time.


(NOTE: The user who reported this problem was running Office 2010 64bit Version. If you are planning to purchase that version of Office, please refer to Microsoft's warnings on that version -- normally recommended only for users working with very large data files in Excel.)

CHEMISTRY, ANYONE?

Microsoft Research has a new download for Chemical Formulae in Word: http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/chem4word/

There is also a separate user's manual available.  Chem4Word uses the CML markup language to create virtually any formula for use in a document.

Accent Characters in Office

Typing accented letters can be a chore and a mystery, especially for those of us unaccustomed to languages with the ‘extra’ letters. The keyboards don’t show accented letters and it’s not obvious how to type them.

It's good to get a name or word exactly right, if only as a courtesy to the reader.

Office and Windows let you enter most any character.

Copying

The real easy way, especially with names, is to copy the word (with accented characters) from some source document or incoming email.

This ensures you get it right and saves having to work out the keyboard shortcuts to make an accent letter.

Autocorrect

Sometimes you don’t have to do anything! Office may add some accented characters for you automatically using the in-built AutoCorrect list.

In English language versions of Office you’ll probably see some of these:

Type cafe and Office will change it to café

same with fiance becoming fiancé

Shortcuts

Common accents have shortcuts in Office generally (Word and Outlook which uses Word as its email editor).

The shortcuts have been there for a long time and the main four are quite logical. An easy way to remember them is … you hold the Ctrl and Shift keys down while pressing the character that represents the type of accent you want. For example pressing Ctrl and Shift plus ^ (caret, usually above the 6 key) then the letter ‘a’ will produce an a with caret above it eg â .

Similarly, press Ctrl + Shift + : (colon) then either a, e ,I, o, u will produce that letter with a umlaut above it (which looks like a colon on its side) eg â, ê ,î , ô, û .

The same shortcut works for the accent and grave using the apostrophe and grave (usually on top left of the keyboard, below the ~ tilde).

Pedantic shortcut:

Is it Ctrl + ^ or Ctrl + Shift + ^ ? You’ll see the same shortcut written both ways.

Strictly speaking the shortcut is Ctrl + ^ but in practice you have to press the Shift key to enter the grave character above the 6 key … in practice the shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + ^ for most keyboards.

Here’s a simplified list of the main accent shortcuts in large type on the right – add the Ctrl + Shift to the accent shortcut key. As you can see, the shortcut key (roughly) matches how the accent looks – which makes them easy to remember:

Main accent characters with shortcut
 

Insert Symbol

Another option for inserting accent or other characters is on the Insert tab, Symbol. Choose More Symbols then scroll down to find the character you want.

 

If there is a shortcut for the symbol it will be displayed and even a full name.

Fonts

Most fonts will include accented characters but some might not, especially the free fonts you can download from web sites.

If you try to insert a character that doesn’t exist in that font you’ll see a small black rectangle instead.

To see the range of letters available in a font, go to Insert Symbol, choose the font and scroll through the list.

Beyond Office

For non-Office programs you have other choices for entering accented characters.

Windows Character Map - is a Windows system accessory usually found on the Start Menu under Accessories | System Tools. It is a lot like the Insert Symbol feature in Office except you can choose characters then copy them to the clipboard for pasting in any Windows program.

On-Screen or Virtual Keyboard – we have a special article about the Windows on-screen keyboard which lets you see keyboards for different languages. If you regularly type words from another language the on-screen keyboard might be helpful.

Another option is to write the words you want, with accents, in Word then copy/paste them into the other program

See a version of this article at Office-Watch.com

INDEX

TM14
  INSERTING GRAPHICS

LIGHTS UP
PbCard (archive)
PBCARD2 (developers)
TMPRO2
TOL

ANNOUNCEMENTS & INVITATIONS

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

SYSTEM SHORTCUT

VIEWING FILE EXTENSIONS IN WIN7

FINDING LOCKED FIELDS IN WORD

WHEN DOES OFFICE EXCELL?

EDITORIAL
Aren't You Using Microsoft Word As a Front End?
Yes, although some of our products are also available as Web 2.0 applications. For our client based products, we could be using Publisher, or Excel or Adobe's InDesign. But our business is tickets, and the primary information of a ticket is text. So we chose a word processor. Why Microsoft Word? For 800 million reasons -- there are more daily users of Word than any other computer program ever written. And it is available in more languages than any other popular product.

Using graphics? Any graphic which can be converted to the dozens of formats supported by Microsoft Word can be used in your ticket. 'Why not use all graphics?' You certainly can do so, but first compare the clarity of text with any text rendered as a bitmap; then decide. And you can always use text and graphics together in any PrintBox product (but consider the form factor when using a graphic ... an image which looks good in a 24" x 48" print will look very different when it is printed as a 1" x 2" image).

SURPRISE!

Did you know that all operating systems -- Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix, Sun, IBM mainframes -- all use the same basic algorithms and routines?

Whether it's Linux driving a Cern project, or Windows where you are looking at baby pictures, all of those features are possible thanks to a common and well-understood collection of control mechanisms. If this were not so, every computer would have to have its own operating system and programs specific to each machine.

At Ring 0 or however you want to characterize your system's lowest level, all computers are governed by the same rules.

What about quantum machines? What about them? See us in 2030 and we'll talk.

When it comes to software, interpreters convert your instructions into machine code where your commands are executed (or not executed).

All software basically converts complex processes into a series of executable steps. If you are willing to master these steps you can do most anything you can imagine. Sometimes the software runs into hundreds of thousands of dollars and computer equipment for complex processes can run into millions -- but costs are dropping exponentially ... the module that went to the moon carried less computer powress than the last notebook you bought...

Often what we see as computer power is the computer programmer's ability to fold many complex steps into a front end where you input your own specifications and the program manages the rest -- if it doesn't, you probably need another semester on that software program.

pbCARD2... volunteers and designers invited

(Editor's Note: See TM14 SYSTEM-READY for newest implementation)

Users of the original pbCARD will remember the 12 templates we created to help design high-end business cards without hiring a designer. pbCARD2 is similar, but it uses the seven basic PrintBox Forms to create invitations, announcements, insert cards, coupon books, seminar admittance tickets and mailings.

Features:
No removable stubs on pbCARD2 forms.
Choose from a variety of Large, Medium, Small and Classic Sizes.
Option to number left, number right, multiple numbers, or no numbers at all.
Furnished in two basic styles --
1) Border Style (approx. 1/4" white space around each card) and
2) Bleed Style (image and text can fill the entire vertical space).

Use pbCARD2 for low volume jobs - up to 10,000 or as a prototyper for high volume work.
If you are planning a project let us know. Free forms and free software are available for testers with design skills: support@printbox.com.




FROM THE MAIL BAG
Q: Have you seen the Picture Toolbar in Word 2007?
A: Yes, and it is a best-kept secret. Word exposes so many high-end features when working with graphics ... you can go with graphic editors and composition system software for an extra thousand dollars (some are closer to three thousand dollars) but it is amazing what you can do with plain old Word if you are on a tight budget.
Q: We are getting an installation error -- "There is a problem with this Windows installer package" and I can't continue. What gives?
A: This is what Microsoft has to say on msi problems: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555175

We have never had to do this, but it looks like a lot of fun...
Q: Message when we install: 'wrong version of Word, etc..' What gives?
A: If you have several versions of Word on your machine, your system recognizes only the currently active version, so we install down that path. If you have been testing a newer version of Word, then that version is being read as 'active'. If you want to use another version of Word, open it before installing TM14, then try again...

(From The Mail Bag is a new offline forum for questions from users. Some things we cannot fix remotely.
If the problem is unusual, we will research it and advise the writer and the reader of these FAQS...)

TM14 TOPICS

HOW MANY TICKETS SHOULD WE PRINT AT A TIME?
We try to avoid printing more than 100 - 125 sheets at a time. For eight-out blanks, 125 sheets yields 1,000 tickets, which is a convenient package to handle. When using five-out blanks the yield is 500 tickets. If you have a complex ticket, you can run out of memory in a hurry when selecting larger amounts. A tutorial on handling very large files is available upon request to support@printbox.com.

WHY DOES MY PRINTER STOP DURING PRINTING?
Check your toner level and look for messages to pop up on your printer console. If you are getting a Pause, that is probably because your printer is "spooling" the next portion of your file to the printer. Many desktop printers have little or no memory of their own, so they rely on computer storage to send the file to your printer in chunks. See Spooler Settings to fine-tune your printer.

PROBLEMS UPDATING THE SHOPPING CART
If you chose an item in the shopping cart earlier, and then returned to that same page at a later date, you could see obsolete information -- price has changed, quantity breaks have been revised, etc. The old page could still be held in your cache of frequently-accessed pages. If you suspect such an error, in FireFox please go to Tools>Options>Network and press 'Clear Cache' . In Internet Explorer there is a permanent setting which handles that issue: Go to Internet Options>Browsing Options> Settings. Under "Check for newer versions of stored pages' check the Automatically button. 
Always clear your Cache before downloading a file for a second time. If you see 'program.exe(2)' that is a sure sign that you have an earlier saved version of that program on your machine -- or your machine thinks that you do!

CREATING SPECIAL EFFECTS WITH CUSTOM TICKETS
Stylistic Effects and Structural Changes
Instructions are provided on every Custom Example in TM14 and later. A hyperlink will take you to the correct form where you can fill out the form completely, and make structural changes such as alter the location of number fields; change the iteration of fields (from say, one stub to two or three); include a background on your tickets which will bleed over the borders; create watermarks, change the size of the ticket, etc. You can also make stylistic changes such as embed textboxes, use freeform alignment to place text wherever you wish, add graphics, etc.
When you are finished, always press File>Save>Close to return to your ticket. Return to your single ticket, then to print, always choose TktPrint from TM14 toolbar, as you do normally.
Custom Ticket examples are modified so that nothing in your single ticket will appear on your printed sheets of tickets -- only the changes you made on the Base Template will print!
If you make structural changes to your Custom Ticket, and want to return to a Standard Ticket later, then save your Base Template (such as Style01.dot) as 'Style01-Custom.dot'. A copy of your original Base Template is available in your Format directory as Style01_default.dot. To return to the default Base Template, open Style01_default and save it as 'Style01.dot' replacing your custom template.
(You can always return to the Custom Base Template (such as Style01_default) by opening it in Microsoft Word and saving it again as Style01.dot. )
If you make stylistic changes only while creating a Custom Ticket, and wish to print a standard Text or Graphic style ticket subsequently, you do not have to do anything. TM14 will overwrite your custom entries temporarily while leaving your customized work intact.
Remember, you must use any form labeled Custom Workspace to create customized ticket output. If you attempt to create a custom ticket from a Standard Workspace, your Standard ticket will over-write your customized template.
An illustrated tutorial is available on Custom Tickets upon request to support@printbox.com.

2010 FORMS - LUXE / FULL-PERF / NO-SOFTWARE
Using Cartridge-Style Printer?
Any PrintBox Form can be modified for use with a cartridge-style printer such as All-In-One, InkJet, PhotoPrinters, etc by opening the base template (in TMPRO12 is located in Tickets/Format) and selecting Page Layout. Go the Page Size tab and change the form length from 11" to 11.3". Save the form.
If you use a laser printer, you should retain the 11" page length. You can use a longer setting by changing setting to one of your trays, but there is no need because all PrintBox templates have been tested on laser printing using the standard 11" page length. Observe these same rules if you using one of the No-Software Test Forms. If you change any form, be sure to use Save to save your new settings.
(Note: There may be a Laser Edition and an Inkjet Edition available soon. The problem is -- many people prototype on a machine where a laser printer is the default printer, then decide to print the file at home on an inkjet printer. The defaults will be different; on some equipment, very different. When you choose 'Print Preview' with your print-ready file open, mytkt.tmp, Microsoft will display what they think your output is going to look like. Be sure you do this test with your actual printer chosen as the default printer!)

PROBLEM WITH GRAPHICS CREATED WITH ADOBE PRODUCTS
If you are able to create a sample using .png files, but your graphics do not appear in larger print files (even 10 tickets), try resaving the graphic in .jpg or .gif format. Many issues can cause similar problems (see Insert From File topic) but there are documented issues where graphics created with products such as Photo Shop can cause this behavior. So always convert a troublesome graphic, then try again. (but read next topic before you insert any graphic...)

INSERTING GRAPHICS
A: Do not insert your graphic directly into the ticket. Instead, choose Insert | Picture | From File, then click on the drop-down arrow to the right of the Insert button and choose 'Link To File'. This will not paste multiple copies of your graphic into your tickets which dramatically increases file size of your completed ticket print file. Link To File will go get the file as needed, thereby keeping file size down. This feature was always optional in earlier versions of
Word - it is now mandatory! Your graphics will appear in the SAMPLE ticket, but in your numbered tickets, the graphics are replaced with a red X...

ADDING TM14 TOOLBAR TO QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR
If you do not see the Custom Toolbar preloaded in your Quick Access Toolbar in Word 2007 or 2010, you can display it by pressing the Add-Ins Menu. While it is displayed, press the "Add to Quick Access Toolbar" button and the TM14 toolbar can be accessed from a new icon -- displayed as a set of white tickets (we add this programmatically, but it may not take effect on all systems).

WHY DOES MY TICKET LOOK ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WHEN I CHANGE PRINTERS?
When you change printers, Microsoft Word does its best to display how that ticket will look on your Currently Defined Printer. When you choose "Print Preview" the page should look very close to what will print. This will be most noticeable when you are designing a Format template for a special custom size... if you print your samples on an HP Ink Jet, then change to a laser printer, all of your new margins may look entirely different.
Moral: do your testing on the same printer you will be using for the actual printing!

TM14 SETUP ON VISTA AND WINDOWS 7 IS NOW AUTOMATIC
If you downloaded TM14 before we added the Install Wizard, here is how manually
Allow Privileges for Your Tickets folder:

Right click on the Tickets folder ->
select Properties->
click on Security->
click on Edit->
The Security Tab will be shown

Click on Add->Select users, computers or groups
Folder will pop up under the Enter object names.

Enter a new group called 'Everyone'
Click on check names on the right hand side.
When Everyone is highlighted click on OK,
The name Everyone will now be shown under the Security tab
Select the Everyone name and put a check mark on full control
click Apply and OK.

The Tickets folder will now have full access for every user.
Administrative rights for other folders will remain unchanged.


***

Setting File Types To Visible - All Versions of Windows

Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Folder Options > View Tab.
Set Hidden files and folders to 'Show hidden files and folders'.
Uncheck 'Hide extensions for known fie types'.
Press Apply, then OK and close.
****

Full-Screen Editing in Word 2007 (Courtesy of Woody's Office Watch)
We’re obliged to Rob G from Pennsylvania who found the full screen mode in Word 2007. Full screen editing is great on smaller displays like laptops or netbooks as well as anyone who likes to type without the distraction of Word paraphernalia.
In Word 2003 full screen view will remove from the screen all toolbars, menus and the status bar leaving your document filling up the entire monitor. If you move your mouse to the top of the screen the Word menu will drop down.
It seemed that Full Screen mode had disappeared from Word 2007. It is not on the View tab of the ribbon and a scroll down the command list shows only ‘Full Screen Reading’. The Help files only refer to Full Screen Reading mode (which can allow typing) so apparently Full Screen editing is unknown even to Microsoft!
Excel 2007 has full Screen view available on the View tab of the ribbon.
Rob found the option hiding under ‘Toggle Full Screen View’ in the Quick Access Toolbar command list (either ‘All Commands’ or ‘Commands not in the Ribbon’).


From there you can add it to the Quick Access Toolbar
Shortcut
You can make a keyboard shortcut for Full Screen mode by going to the QAT options (as above) then the Customize button at the bottom.
Under the All Commands category you’ll find the unhelpfully named command ‘ToggleFull’ - full what you might wonder? Click on the command and a more helpful description appears at the bottom.


You don’t really need the toggle (ie switch on or off) because pressing the Escape key in Full Screen mode will return you to standard view. This works in Word 2003 and Word 2007.
One difference with the full screen mode in Word 2007 is that moving the mouse to the top of the screen reveals nothing – no Quick Access Toolbar nor ribbon. Standard shortcuts like Ctrl + B and the cut/copy/paste keystrokes will work. However the ribbon shortcuts are disabled in Full Screen mode which is a real disappointment – what’s the point of having keyboard shortcuts if they won’t work all the time?
See a version of this article on the Office-Watch.com web site
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & INVITATIONS
Most TM14 tickets have a "Stubless" version suitable for announcements or invitations.  In order to use this version, the underlying template must also be changed.  For instance in the tickets14/format directory you will see several variations such as style01_ondemand, style01_default, style01_stubless.  To use the stubless version, open the file and confirm that this is what you want.  Then rename it as 'style01.dot', overwriting the file by that name.  The stubless version will now be recognized when you print a stubless ticket.  Note On Numbering: Stubless Versions may have numbers visible on both ends of the form.  To display only a number on one end, set the second number column to Format>Font>Color-White. To suppress numbers on both ends, set both to White (caution: do not delete the number fields. TM14 requires that these fields be present in order to work properly).

WHEN DOES OFFICE EXCELL?

Check this article out in Woody's Office Newsletter (the newsletter Redmond has come to hate, but I can't think why...)

PrintBox has been using Excel for years as a back office tool -- but it doesn't get the respect it deserves; it is fast, quick, and intuitive -- almost makes us think of DOS!  Finally, the office hackers are getting a little publicity in this article:

Getting the button

Microsoft is embarrassed about the Excel data form feature (rightly so) and so they hide it away where customers can’t easily find it.  See the online version of this article to see how to add toolbar buttons to Excel.

Shortcomings

Now we’ve told you about it, now we have to tell you why this Excel feature sucks – really sucks – sucks like a heavy duty vacuum cleaner.  The Excel Data Form could be a major feature, the sort that gets applause in demonstrations, instead Microsoft has given it little attention or effort. It appears no development time or money has been given to it for years.  See the online version of this article for a detailed rant.

A better option

John Walkenbach has made an excellent Enhanced Data Form which fixes some of the lapses in Microsoft’s effort. You can do beyond 32 fields/columns, the dialog is resizable and you can have drop-down lists too. Best of all its free with separate versions for Excel 97 – 2003 and another for Excel 2007-2010. VBA source code is available for $15.

If this is what can be done in VBA by a non-Microsoft staffer, imagine what Microsoft could do to make a really good data form feature with their access to the Excel source code and immense resources? All they are lacking is the will...

FINDING LOCKED FIELDS IN WORD

Check ehow.com for this article: http://www.ehow.com/how_2265272_find-locked-fields-word.html

VIEWING FILE EXTENSIONS IN WIN7

This screenshot shows how to set your system so that all file extensions are visible -- very handy when working with programs like TM!4 which uses "tk1, tk2..."  Also, for your own security you should be able to be see the file extension associated with a file before you open it!  Here is the screenshot.

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS STILL WORK!

SYSTEM SHORTCUT - ACCESS THE RUN BOX: WINDOWS KEY + R

WORD SHORTCUTS - Courtesy of Microsoft Support Staff

Command Name Shortcut Keys
------------------------------------------------------------------------

All Caps CTRL+SHIFT+A
Annotation ALT+CTRL+M
App Maximize ALT+F10
App Restore ALT+F5
Apply Heading1 ALT+CTRL+1
Apply Heading2 ALT+CTRL+2
Apply Heading3 ALT+CTRL+3
Apply List Bullet CTRL+SHIFT+L
Auto Format ALT+CTRL+K
Auto Text F3 or ALT+CTRL+V
Bold CTRL+B or CTRL+SHIFT+B
Bookmark CTRL+SHIFT+F5
Browse Next CTRL+PAGE DOWN
Browse Previous CTRL+PAGE UP
Browse Sel ALT+CTRL+HOME
Cancel ESC
Center Para CTRL+E
Change Case SHIFT+F3
Char Left LEFT
Char Left Extend SHIFT+LEFT
Char Right RIGHT
Char Right Extend SHIFT+RIGHT
Clear DELETE
Close or Exit ALT+F4
Close Pane ALT+SHIFT+C
Column Break CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER
Column Select CTRL+SHIFT+F8
Copy CTRL+C or CTRL+INSERT
Copy Format CTRL+SHIFT+C
Copy Text SHIFT+F2
Create Auto Text ALT+F3
Customize Add Menu ALT+CTRL+=
Customize Keyboard ALT+CTRL+NUM +
Customize Remove Menu ALT+CTRL+-
Cut CTRL+X or SHIFT+DELETE
Date Field ALT+SHIFT+D
Delete Back Word CTRL+BACKSPACE
Delete Word CTRL+DELETE
Dictionary ALT+SHIFT+F7
Do Field Click ALT+SHIFT+F9
Doc Close CTRL+W or CTRL+F4
Doc Maximize CTRL+F10
Doc Move CTRL+F7
Doc Restore CTRL+F5
Doc Size CTRL+F8
Doc Split ALT+CTRL+S
Double Underline CTRL+SHIFT+D
End of Column ALT+PAGE DOWN
End of Column ALT+SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
End of Doc Extend CTRL+SHIFT+END
End of Document CTRL+END
End of Line END
End of Line Extend SHIFT+END
End of Row ALT+END
End of Row ALT+SHIFT+END
End of Window ALT+CTRL+PAGE DOWN
End of Window Extend ALT+CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
Endnote Now ALT+CTRL+D
Extend Selection F8
Field Chars CTRL+F9
Field Codes ALT+F9
Find CTRL+F
Font CTRL+D or CTRL+SHIFT+F
Font Size Select CTRL+SHIFT+P
Footnote Now ALT+CTRL+F
Go Back SHIFT+F5 or ALT+CTRL+Z
Go To CTRL+G or F5
Grow Font CTRL+SHIFT+.
Grow Font One Point CTRL+]
Hanging Indent CTRL+T
Header Footer Link ALT+SHIFT+R
Help F1
Hidden CTRL+SHIFT+H
Hyperlink CTRL+K
Indent CTRL+M
Italic CTRL+I or CTRL+SHIFT+I
Justify Para CTRL+J
Left Para CTRL+L
Line Down DOWN
Line Down Extend SHIFT+DOWN
Line Up UP
Line Up Extend SHIFT+UP
List Num Field ALT+CTRL+L
Lock Fields CTRL+3 or CTRL+F11
Macro ALT+F8
Mail Merge Check ALT+SHIFT+K
Mail Merge Edit Data Source ALT+SHIFT+E
Mail Merge to Doc ALT+SHIFT+N
Mail Merge to Printer ALT+SHIFT+M
Mark Citation ALT+SHIFT+I
Mark Index Entry ALT+SHIFT+X
Mark Table of Contents Entry ALT+SHIFT+O
Menu Mode F10
Merge Field ALT+SHIFT+F
Microsoft Script Editor ALT+SHIFT+F11
Microsoft System Info ALT+CTRL+F1
Move Text F2
New CTRL+N
Next Cell TAB
Next Field F11 or ALT+F1
Next Misspelling ALT+F7
Next Object ALT+DOWN
Next Window CTRL+F6 or ALT+F6
Normal ALT+CTRL+N
Normal Style CTRL+SHIFT+N or ALT+SHIFT+CLEAR (NUM 5)
Open CTRL+O or CTRL+F12 or ALT+CTRL+F2
Open or Close Up Para CTRL+0
Other Pane F6 or SHIFT+F6
Outline ALT+CTRL+O
Outline Collapse ALT+SHIFT+- or ALT+SHIFT+NUM -
Outline Demote ALT+SHIFT+RIGHT
Outline Expand ALT+SHIFT+=
Outline Expand ALT+SHIFT+NUM +
Outline Move Down ALT+SHIFT+DOWN
Outline Move Up ALT+SHIFT+UP
Outline Promote ALT+SHIFT+LEFT
Outline Show First Line ALT+SHIFT+L
Overtype INSERT
Page ALT+CTRL+P
Page Break CTRL+ENTER
Page Down PAGE DOWN
Page Down Extend SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
Page Field ALT+SHIFT+P
Page Up PAGE UP
Page Up Extend SHIFT+PAGE UP
Para Down CTRL+DOWN
Para Down Extend CTRL+SHIFT+DOWN
Para Up CTRL+UP
Para Up Extend CTRL+SHIFT+UP
Paste CTRL+V or SHIFT+INSERT
Paste Format CTRL+SHIFT+V
Prev Cell SHIFT+TAB
Prev Field SHIFT+F11 or ALT+SHIFT+F1
Prev Object ALT+UP
Prev Window CTRL+SHIFT+F6 or ALT+SHIFT+F6
Print CTRL+P or CTRL+SHIFT+F12
Print Preview CTRL+F2 or ALT+CTRL+I
Proofing F7
Redo ALT+SHIFT+BACKSPACE
Redo or Repeat CTRL+Y or F4 or ALT+ENTER
Repeat Find SHIFT+F4 or ALT+CTRL+Y
Replace CTRL+H
Reset Char CTRL+SPACE or CTRL+SHIFT+Z
Reset Para CTRL+Q
Revision Marks Toggle CTRL+SHIFT+E
Right Para CTRL+R
Save CTRL+S or SHIFT+F12 or ALT+SHIFT+F2
Save As F12
Select All CTRL+A or CTRL+CLEAR (NUM 5) or CTRL+NUM 5
Select Table ALT+CLEAR (NUM 5)
Show All CTRL+SHIFT+8
Show All Headings ALT+SHIFT+A
Show Heading1 ALT+SHIFT+1
Show Heading2 ALT+SHIFT+2
Show Heading3 ALT+SHIFT+3
Show Heading4 ALT+SHIFT+4
Show Heading5 ALT+SHIFT+5
Show Heading6 ALT+SHIFT+6
Show Heading7 ALT+SHIFT+7
Show Heading8 ALT+SHIFT+8
Show Heading9 ALT+SHIFT+9
Shrink Font CTRL+SHIFT+,
Shrink Font One Point CTRL+[
Small Caps CTRL+SHIFT+K
Space Para1 CTRL+1
Space Para15 CTRL+5
Space Para2 CTRL+2
Spike CTRL+SHIFT+F3 or CTRL+F3
Start of Column ALT+PAGE UP
Start of Column ALT+SHIFT+PAGE UP
Start of Doc Extend CTRL+SHIFT+HOME
Start of Document CTRL+HOME
Start of Line HOME
Start of Line Extend SHIFT+HOME
Start of Row ALT+HOME
Start of Row ALT+SHIFT+HOME
Start of Window ALT+CTRL+PAGE UP
Start of Window Extend ALT+CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE UP
Style CTRL+SHIFT+S
Subscript CTRL+=
Superscript CTRL+SHIFT+=
Symbol Font CTRL+SHIFT+Q
Thesaurus SHIFT+F7
Time Field ALT+SHIFT+T
Toggle Field Display SHIFT+F9
Toggle Master Subdocs CTRL+\
Tool SHIFT+F1
Un Hang CTRL+SHIFT+T
Un Indent CTRL+SHIFT+M
Underline CTRL+U or CTRL+SHIFT+U
Undo CTRL+Z or ALT+BACKSPACE
Unlink Fields CTRL+6 or CTRL+SHIFT+F9
Unlock Fields CTRL+4 or CTRL+SHIFT+F11
Update Auto Format ALT+CTRL+U
Update Fields F9 or ALT+SHIFT+U
Update Source CTRL+SHIFT+F7
VBCode ALT+F11
Web Go Back ALT+LEFT
Web Go Forward ALT+RIGHT
Word Left CTRL+LEFT
Word Left Extend CTRL+SHIFT+LEFT
Word Right CTRL+RIGHT
Word Right Extend CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT
Word Underline CTRL+SHIFT+W


Note Some keyboard shortcuts in earlier versions of Microsoft Word no longer work as expected in Microsoft Office Word 2007. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
926809 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926809/ ) Changes to keyboard shortcuts in Word 2007


Archived Frequently Asked Questions:
(you can search older notes by subject for solutions to many issues)

(Note: some references to earlier versions of Word and Windows are present in this file.
FAQs - VISTA and Word 2007 are also covered here.
If you have a question, address to support@printbox.com for coverage here...)

VISTA TOPICS

Locked Out Of Your Tickets Folder? (Error 75 - file path not found...)
 Use MSCONFIG to disable UAC --
1. Launch MSCONFIG from the Run menu.
2. Click on the Tools tab. Scroll down till you find "Disable UAC" . Click on that line.
3. Press the Launch button.
4. A CMD window will open. When the command is done, you can close the window.
5. Close MSCONFIG. You need to reboot the computer for changes to apply.

Note that you can re-enable UAC by selecting the "Enable UAC" line and then clicking on the Launch button.

AddInTools.com promises to "Bring back the familiar menus and toolbars of Office 2003 to your copy of Microsoft Office 2007", and this is pretty much what it does. Classic Menu actually adds a menu item to Word 2007 where you can access the old familiar Word 2003 menu items. You could look at it as training wheels for Word 2007, but we use it a lot...
MORE ON UAC...
(VISTA provides an additional level of security by implementing this feature. PrintBox tells you how to set our products on VISTA machines, but for those who find UAC really beyond the pale, here is a memo on how to "tweak" and even disconnect some features).
cL1cKm3.exe
10:27pm Fri Feb 2 2007
UAC is a good feature but sometimes it is necessary to tweak it a little so that it is less annoying for more experienced users. For example, an advanced user may be overwhelmed by the number of pop up authorization they receive. By tweaking the settings they can reduce the number of those they see as well as completely disable UAC. Although I do not recommend you completely disable UAC, you can fine tune it to be easier to get along with.

1. To get started, open up the Local Security Settings MMC to show the local security policies by running secpol.msc.

2. Navigate through Local Policies and Security Options.

3. Scroll through the list on the right of the various security settings until your reach the User Account Protection settings. Refer to the list below of the various settings, to change them, just right click and select Modify. Items in bold are the default values.

* User Account Control: Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account
o Enabled
o Disabled
* User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode
o Elevate without prompting.........<---select this one so you dont have to answer for every thing you execute which is the main annoyance imo
o Prompt for credentials
o Prompt for consent
* User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for standard users
o Automatically deny elevation requests
o Prompt for credentials
* User Account Control: Detect application installations and prompt for elevation
o Enabled
o Disabled
* User Account Control: Only elevate executables that are signed and validated
o Enabled
o Disabled
* User Account Control: Only elevate UIAccess applications that are installed in secure locations
o Enabled
o Disabled
* User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode
o Enabled
o Disabled
* User Account Control: Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation
o Enabled
o Disabled
* User Account Control: Virtualize file and registry write failures to per-user locations
o Enabled
o Disabled
UNREPORTED BUG IN WORD 2007
Q: Why am I getting a "Time Out" error message when I try to print in the background?
A: A search of the internet reveals that a Ukrainian user reported this problem to Microsoft several months ago (http://www.tutorials-win.com/WordVBA/solution-Word/). . Here is how he solved the problem - he did not have his name shown on his copy of Word 2007, nor his initials. He added both, and voila! Problem solved...
WORD 2007 AND THE "FLUENT" INTERFACE
Q: What is the secret to using the new Ribbon menus in Word 2007 ?
A: There is no short answer, but we are happy to read in Woody's Office For Mere Mortals that all the Word 2003 shortcuts still work (now don't tell me you never use shortcuts):
"For example, Alt + O then S gets you to the Styles menu in Word 2003 via the Format menu - it also works in Word 2007 even though the Format menu doesn't exist anymore.

Despite all the... changes, the 'traditional' and long-standing shortcuts remain - these are shortcuts sometimes pre-date Office and Word - for example:

Ctrl + S will still immediately save your document.

Ctrl + B will toggle bold text on or off.

Ctrl + U will toggle underline

And so on."
Woody has some good tips on Word 2007 in his recent issue. Search for the free newsletter and read up.

USING PUBLISHER COMPONENTS IN WORD
Insert a page or objects from your publication into Word as a picture

1. Select the objects that you want to save:
* To save the entire page as a picture, click Save As on the File menu.
* Right-click the picture, WordArt, AutoShape, or group of objects that you want to save, and then select Save as Picture on the shortcut menu.
2. In the Save as type list in the Save As dialog box, select a picture format, such as PNG Portable Network Graphics Format (PNG: A graphic file format that is supported by some World Wide Web browsers. PNG supports variable transparency of images (alpha channels) and control of image brightness on different computers (gamma correction). PNG files are compressed bitmaps.) or JPEG File Interchange Format (JPEG: A graphics file format (.jpg extension in Microsoft Windows) supported by many Web browsers that was developed for compressing and storing photographic images. It's best used for graphics with many colors, such as scanned photos.).
3. If the picture format supports multiple resolutions (the Change button is available in the Save As dialog box), click Change, select the resolution option that you want, and then click OK. For best results with viewing and printing, select the Commercial printing (300 dpi) option.
4. Click Save.
5. Switch to the Word document that you want, and then click where you want to insert the picture.
6. On the Insert menu, point to Picture, and then click From File.

ORDERING FORMS
Q: I ordered 1,000 tickets but I messed up the first 20 sheets. Help!
A: Don't do that! TMpro provides a SAMPLE checkbox on the Number Selector Screen. Always print a sample before you select numbers! And if you are doing the tickets for someone else, always show them the sample, and have them initial the changes -- that is just a rule learned the hard way, make it yours. PrintBox always ships extra stock with your order so you can verify how the sheet must feed into your printer. If in doubt, draw an arrow in pencil at the top of a sheet indicating Front Top and print it. Put a Post It Note on your printer so you remember for next time.
***
Q: I thought you said we could imprint the back of our tickets. We keep getting numbers on the back. What's wrong?
A: Yes we provide a form for you to imprint the back of your tickets. Those forms are located in the Backups directory. That process is not automated. There are no functions in TMpro to do that job. Here is how to use the appropriate Backups Form: Use File>Open to go to your Tickets directory (usually at c:\program files\microsoft office\office11 (or 10)\tickets) and look for the Backups directory. Each form is numbered -- style01, style02... -- open the form you want to use. Enter your copy on the topmost ticket area, then copy and paste it into all other ticket areas. Save it as MyBackup1.doc or whatever, and test it. Revise if necessary. When ready, put your paper into the printer tray -- be sure BACK of form is imprinting, then select the number of Pages you want to print, just like you would with a copier. Total pages would be based on tickets per page, and total quantity of tickets. Remember, always test until you have it right Before Printing!
***
TOL FORUM

Q: We cannot select our prices for performance...
A: In cases where you have more than one price class and more than one section,
you need to define which price class is assigned to which Section. Price classes are on the level of Sections.

If you want to use the same price classes for the entire house, you must have an All Sections View defined.
Sounds like you have views of the individual sections defined, but not individual price classes for each section. TOL is designed so you can different prices for different sections.

LIGHTS UP FORUM

Q: What is the difference between a venue and a performance?
A: As far as Lights Up is concerned, there is no functional difference. Commonly a venue refers to a facility, and a performance to a particular event in that venue. But for Lights Up, every performance is a new deal. It makes no difference where the performance is held, whether it is the same facility or another one -- every performance is unique. Seats for Tuesday night have no connection whatsoever to seats for Thursday night, etc. Information on each performance stored in its own database.
Q: What happened to TOL?
A: TOL is now bundled with LightsUp. Although technically free, TOL users always require assistance for this comprehensive on-line ticketing service. There are just too many aspects that require customization, and our hosting is included with the package. For that reason, TOL is furnished with one year of technical support and bundled with LightsUp. See http://www.printbox.com/licensing_options.htm for current pricing.
Q: How does LightsUp interface with TOL?
A: When you set up LightsUp and run in 'FullHouse' Mode, we create a file which is uploadable to your online space in TOL. Your seating and sections are automatically detected as an 'Event', awaiting your definition of entry details for the performance(s) scheduled.
***
(ALL PRODUCTS)

Q. How do you insert a page or objects from your publication into Word as a picture?
A. A Six-Step Process:
1. Select the objects that you want to save:
* To save the entire page as a picture, click Save As on the File menu.
* Right-click the picture, WordArt, AutoShape, or group of objects that you want to save, and then select Save as Picture on the shortcut menu.
2. In the Save as type list in the Save As dialog box, select a picture format, such as PNG Portable Network Graphics Format (PNG: A graphic file format that is supported by some World Wide Web browsers. PNG supports variable transparency of images (alpha channels) and control of image brightness on different computers (gamma correction). PNG files are compressed bitmaps.) or JPEG File Interchange Format (JPEG: A graphics file format (.jpg extension in Microsoft Windows) supported by many Web browsers that was developed for compressing and storing photographic images. It's best used for graphics with many colors, such as scanned photos.).
3. If the picture format supports multiple resolutions (the Change button is available in the Save As dialog box), click Change, select the resolution option that you want, and then click OK. For best results with viewing and printing, select the Commercial printing (300 dpi) option.
4. Click Save.
5. Switch to the Word document that you want, and then click where you want to insert the picture.
6. On the Insert menu, point to Picture, and then click From File, an option from drop-down arrow by 'Insert'.
***
TMPRO FORUM
Q: What is the Meaning of "Locked Fields Encountered During Update"?
A: A {SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT} field is included in your mail merge main document. This field is created when a text box or an AutoShape is added, with a drawing canvas, to the mail merge main document.

NOTE: To see the fields contained in your document, press ALT+F9.

-and-
The wrapping style of the drawing canvas is set to In Line With Text.

Microsoft has two solutions for this problem -- you pick:
Method 1: Turn Off Drawing Canvas When You Insert AutoShapes
To prevent Word from automatically creating a drawing canvas when you insert AutoShapes, follow these steps:
1.
On the Tools menu, click Options.
2.
In the Options dialog box, click to clear the Automatically create drawing canvas when inserting AutoShapes check box on the General tab.

Method 2: Change the Wrapping Style
To change the wrapping style of the drawing canvas, follow these steps:
1.
Click the drawing canvas.

Notice that the Drawing Canvas toolbar appears.
2.
On the Drawing Canvas toolbar, click Text Wrapping, and then click any wrapping style other than In Line With Text.
(Full details at microsoft.com/kb/292155 (WD2002: Error Message: Word Found Locked Fields During Update.)
***
TMPRO FORUM
Q: WHY DON'T MY TICKETS ALIGN CORRECTLY ON THE PAGE?
Your printing is dependent upon your printer. When you select File>Print Preview, Microsoft Word shows you what it thinks your page will look like when printed. Sometimes the printer driver furnished by Microsoft may not be the current driver, so check the site of your printer manufacturer to be sure you are using the up to date driver. Also, see "Just Installed TMpro 11" topic below for explanation of default paper sizes. To change any margins or position of your selected ticket style, you can go to tickets/format directory and open any style; change margins, then use File>Save to make change permanent (if you change your print file which is named 'Mytkt.tmp' that will change margins for that session only!).
Q. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL PRINTERS -- SAME PROBLEM...
A: Use this test: copy your ticket and paste it into a New Document. Does it look that same as the original? Remember, if you cannot copy and paste your ticket, neither can we! Text documents such as tickets seem very simple to create, but they have their own rules -- regardless of your application or your operating system. For instance, if you want to move text over, do not just press the spacebar several times -- go to Format>Paragraph and use Indent from Left Margin. If you have problems with vertical spacing, create your new lines with Insert>Break>Normal Line Break instead of just pressing the 'Enter' key. If you are inserting a graphic and it keeps moving around, use a Text Box and insert your graphic there. You can define a textbox much more precisely than a stand-alone graphic. Many of the Forums have tips on formatting clean documents. Sign up for a few...

SOME OF YOUR SAMPLES DON'T WORK! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
We have made some changes in templates and older samples may not work correctly. Here is what you do: open a Text Example and copy and paste your ticket in place of the example areas. Then press TktSave and name your ticket correctly, the press TktPrint to test. Your new ticket should now be formatted correctly. NOTE: really old tickets may have multiple bookmarks defined. Remove them all, and select just the stub and ticket cells and use Insert>Bookmark to name this area 'Stub1'. Then resave your ticket.
SOME WORD ART SAMPLES.
This is a Word file which you can open after downloading.

Q. HOW DO WE USE OUR OWN FONTS?
If you wish to use specific fonts which are not part of the standard Microsoft release as shown under Format>Font, you should embed them into your ticket. Not all fonts can be embedded. Some may be protected by the owner so that they must be purchased before use!
This is a Word option which can be defined and applied automatically.
To Embed Fonts Within A Word Document, go to Tools>Options>Save Tab and check 'Embed True Type Fonts'.
For more background information on font portability, see http://www.microsoft.com/typography/embed/embed.aspx
***
INSTALLING TM14

 Important Summary of Installation Details:

We look for the file "winword.exe" to locate your new Tickets folder.
 We look for the template "normal.dot" to locate your new Tickets template.
 If you have more than one version of Word on your machine, we look for the currently defined one. This could be a problem (you may still have an Office 10 directory, yet you have upgraded to Office 11), and you may have to Search for winword.exe yourself and locate your Tickets folder there manually, or run tmpro11.exe and change the definition by selecting the correct directory.
 When you run "Tickets14" from File>New but do not find Tickets14 listed, look under Tools>Options>File Locations and select UserTemplates (third item down). Be certain that it is set to the same location where you found normal.dot!
 Word will sometimes point to another location, and that can be a problem which you must fix.
 Finally, make certain that you have set Security to LOW. Word cannot run any macros unless Security is set to Low. Word does no checking for viruses whatsoever, so you are not compromising your machine.
Also, if you do not see file extensions (if you see tickets instead of tickets.dot), go to Start>Control Panel>Tools>File Options>View and set Hidden Files and Folders to 'Show All Files', and be sure the next checkbox -- 'Hide File Extensions for Known File Types' is UNCHECKED.

USING TM14

Select the TM14 icon on your Desktop.
When Tmpro Ticket Selector opens, select vstyle08 as a test.
When Open screen appears showing all sample style8 tickets, select Style08 Text Example.tk8.
Press Footprints on TM14 Floating Toolbar. You may have to click on AddIns to see our Custom Toolbar.
From TM14 Number Selector, select 40 quantity as a test.
You now have the file mytkt.tmp on screen. Inspect number sequence to see how Tmpro keeps your numbers in sequence after being cut.

NOTE; If you base your ticket on a sample, please run a test to be sure that the sample size agrees with the current version of the ticket you are using -- if you have older tickets which may have been created with an obsolete style, the formatting could be wrong. To verify that, when you see the Open screen showing the list of samples, press Cancel. You will be served with a new blank which is the correct size. You can copy and paste any text or graphics into this blank ticket (how could this occur? Some ticket styles have been updated, and less popular styles have been replaced with more popular versions).
Q. WE KEEP GETTING THE MESSAGE: "Opening this document will run the following SQL command: ..." WHY IS THIS, AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
For the full story from Microsoft go to http://support.microsoft.com/
Search their Knowledge Base for "SQL commands in Word". Microsoft implemented this "feature" in Word 2003 to make the product more "secure". If it is really bugging you, here is the workaround (but they don't recommend it! -- go figure...):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options
"SQLSecurityCheck"=dword:00000000

1.
Start Registry Editor.
2.
Locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options
3.
Click Edit, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4.
Under Name, type:
SQLSecurityCheck
5.
Double-click SQLSecurityCheck.
6.
In the Value data box, type:
00000000
7.
Click OK.

Q. I CLEANED UP SOME OF YOUR TEMPLATES
but now they don't work...
A. Thanks! Here is the url to download a clean copy. If you set the template tables to Center, or if you gave the tables a "Preferred Width" all Heck will break loose. Custom tables have to be set from 0/0, that is, from upper left position, and if you give them fixed widths, they will try to squoosh everything into that area -- 'nuff said?
TROUBLE WITH BORDERS
Q. Sample attached. What's wrong?
A. The ticket style you are using doesn't have room for borders. We put a text box in the ticket area and put your text inside it. See corrected sample attached.
Moral: Word will get confused if you add borders where there really isn't room to put them.
HOW MANY WORDS?
Having problems with TM14? Been working on a document a long time? (it doesn't have to be in TMpro -- this applies to any Word project). If you run into an error when running Word which takes you back to the desktop, use Ctl_Alt_Delete in Windows 98 and check for other copies of Word. If any are open, close them before continuing. In Windows XP, pressing Ctl_Alt_Delete will bring up a list of Processes where you can check for other instances of Word. Moral: be sure you are only running one copy of Word!

Editor's Note: TMpro11 questions are shown below. Many of the questions and answers are valid for all versions of PrintBox products, and for many print formatting problems regardless of your application (ObjectPrint is no longer being offered by PrintBox -- modern versions of Microsoft Word have solved the problem it was designed to solve).
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
TMPRO 11 PROBLEMS:
"Character-From-Paragraph Styles"
Word 2002 has the ability to create styles on-the-fly, as documented in Woody's Office Watch, a popular free newsletter on things Microsoft. Woody's reviewers state that it is a feature of Word 2002, but it has problems (i.e. it's buggy). TMpro 11 addresses those problems by providing not one, but two methods of creating your print file: 1) PrintObject and 2) TktPrint. If you have problems with styles, try Option 1. It has it's own problems, but it will copy the most customized styles faithfully.
"Downloaded your TMPRO 11 last night, and when I get the print file -- mytkt.tmp -- some of the borders are messed up but it prints OK. Why?"
Two things - Your printer driver may not be updating your display. Press File>Print Preview to force it to update. Second thing is we had to go to an object-oriented model in order to be compatible with Windows XP. Everything is an object -- in our case, cells. Some of them may appear to be blocking others on Windows 98 machines.
"Why is the screen flipping around when we go to print?"
See above -- we are throwing around pieces of your ticket into a formatted new document. The good news is that your formatting will be more reliably preserved when we finish creating your print file. There were some problems in earlier versions caused by styles.

"Those inkjet cartridges are expensive! Any thoughts?"
Yes. If you operate an H-P brand inkjet, immediately set your Printer Preferences to Draft Mode. Printing speeds up dramatically and ink consumption is cut by at least 1/3 (this will not work with Epson, whose Draft Mode is horrid for final printing). Another option: you can now buy a laser printer (and a fast one) for $99*. We use two USB cables and go back and forth as the need arises.
*Note: The price is more like $149 today, but still great bargains after clunking along with an inkjet printer.
"What kind of a printer should I buy?"
This is normally a question you should ask Cousin Tommy or whoever is the family expert, but I'll give it a try -- compare Speed, Resolution, Dependability, and (something Tommy might not tell you) Capacity -- 250 sheet capacity is almost a necessity if you are going to do serious work. Although HP remains the Resident King around here, we are looking at Epson because so many of our users now own them ... more later (UPDATE: we looked at Epson and HP is still King in our neck of the woods. 'Nuf said?)
One more thing -- check out the ink and dye technologies and how they effect your final output. Remember that the type of paper you are using can have a dramatic effect on your results. Trying to save a buck? OK, but watch out for some of those rebuilt ink cartridges!
"That pesky Office Assistant is driving me nuts ... how do I kill it?"
That would be illegal -- and morally wrong! But you can choose not to use the little guy. Right click on the strange looking thing to get a dialog box; select the Options tab, uncheck the box entitled Use Office Assistant. You can temporarily dispatch it by selecting it and pressing delete, where it will disappear into the menu strip at top.
"We started to run TMPRO, but we got this message about macros and how they might be dangerous?"
That would be Microsoft, telling you that viruses can be spread by macros. They can also be spread by .exe files, .com files, .bat files, scripting files, Excel files, Outlook files. Our advice ma'am or sir? Get a good Virus Checker and keep its .dat files up to date -- set it to run automatically, and DO NOT OPEN files you receive as attachments to e-mail unless you are expecting them.. But then again, a meteorite could get you overnight, and you won't have to worry anymore.
By the way, if your machine is not set up to recognize file extensions, you'll never know what hit if you if you do open a file containing a virus. See Trouble Shooting page for details on how to set your machine correctly.
Moral: Macros are a good thing when they come from trusted sources. PrintBox products are subjected to three different types of scans -- by us and by our distributor which uses two of the major security firms in the world.
TMPRO 11 QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS:
"AARGH! Lines keep jumping around!"
If your ticket does not look right after pressing the TktPrint button, it is probably because a hidden earlier format is being applied -- which helps you not at all. Try this: move your text out of the ticket (or stub) area and draw a textbox in the cell. Put your text into the textbox and select Send Behind Text in the Draw | Order menu. Select the edge of the textbox again and use Insert | Bookmark to assign the bookmark TKT1 to the textbox. Your text will remain as you specified, free of automatic (and unwanted) style applications. Thanks Ann, for suffering for us.
"AARGH! Lines still keep jumping around!"
Look in Format>Styles with your final print document on screen. Go to Modify and select Paragraph. If you had say, Headline2 defined as Centered, Red in your ticket, then change Headline2 to Centered here. You will see all your ticket change to Centered after leaving Styles. But first, to fix your font color, select Font, and change the color from Automatic to Red. When you leave style, all instances of Headline2 will change to the desired settings. 
"HELP! Install is crashing!"
If a PrintBox install file is crashing, search for the file INSTALL.DLL and if found, rename it as INSTALL.OLD -- it is usually in the Windows Temp folder.
Another program may have created this file earlier in a format which we do not recognize. We are modifying our install software so this will not occur in the future. (Thanks to Malachy who just wouldn't give up.)

"Just installed TMpro11. Why are the TKTMKR forms printing all the way to the top of page?"
If you are using your own paper, you can print to top of page -- in fact you will have to using the five or ten-up format on most inkjet printers. If you have a laser printer you can adjust top margin of some top margins downward -- also reset the page size from 11.3 to 11".
In order to fit five or ten tickets on a page, we have to use every line we possibly can. Inkjet printers have a rather wide bottom margin preset, hence the narrow top margin setting.

"I can't install TMpro. I am using Word 2000."
(New defaults have been added to installation for TMpro11 to make installing mostly a matter of clicking the OK button.)
Sometimes we can't find the template directory in Word 2000, especially if you still have some old Word 97 files on your machine. Here is how to fix that: go to Tools|Options|File Locations and write down the EXACT path for User Templates (third option) and Startup Directory (last option). Double-click the Modify button to see the full path in blue.
When you install, browse for the location requested using the light gray browse button at right of file box (it's hard to spot).
If all else fails, you can move any or all of the three TMpro components using Explore from your desktop.
Your Tickets directory should be located under the defined Word documents folder; PrintBox directory should be under the defined Word User Templates folder, and Global.tkt (the file) should be in your Word Startup folder.
"What is wrong with the three-up ticket? When we print a sample, the number text is squashed over to the right."
Sure looks that way, doesn't it? If you use real numbers you will see that Word actually did its best with type too big to display the entire VOID text, which would appear on samples. Check it out by selecting and printing 10 tickets. You will see that real numbers actually do fit.
"Why aren't trim marks visible at top and bottom of sheet?"
That's because marks may not print at top and bottom --we are using the maximum sheet possible and in many cases we are using the unprintable area of the sheet as the margin of your ticket (and those aren't trim marks -- trim marks are positioned away from the final trimmed piece. They never show. We are using tick marks, which are small marks which are visible on the finished sheet -- unless you're so good you can split the mark with your paper cutter!).
"I tried your new ticket styles where the top ticket is supposed to be settable to the top of the paper -- it doesn't measure 2-1/2" -- too high. What's going on?
Yep, you're right. Here is what is happening: if you are not using the color bars (those narrow panels and top and bottom of each ticket), you can delete the top color bar which will push the ticket up. Just don't forget to resave the Format directory template. Additionally, you can define your top margin to very narrow. Your printer will complain, and you can't put type at the very top of the ticket, but it works!
If you are using the color bars, we would recommend that you leave the top margin at 0.5" -- when cutting, cut on the small side marks, then set your cutter back gate to 2-1/2", and turn that top stack around and trim to 2-1/2". Same with the bottom.
NOTE: If you are taking your tickets to a copy shop for cutting, it is a good idea to mark up your sample with pencil lines so they can see that you want all tickets 2-1/2" in height. Also, ask them to rubber band each stack! You can print this page and take it with you (a marked-up sheet is available via e-mail upon request).
"I used your 10-up form and everything was fine until I went to print. Then I get a message every page that says my margins are too wide. How do I get rid of that message?"
When the Print screen appears, go to Properties and set paper size to Custom. Select 11.3" for the height of the form. You won't see the message again -- if you are using an inkjet printer. You should not see that message at all with a laser printer.
"Can I change font orientation between stub and ticket? "
Yes. We now handle orientation so that you can switch orientation from stub to ticket without problems.
"How do we include logos for all our sponsors?"
It is possible to customize a ticket so that logos can be contained in separate cells. This requires that you define a new View template and a new Forms template. We can provide assistance to volume users in creating custom forms. If you want to try it yourself, be aware that View and Form cells should be exactly the same, and that Bookmarks for multiple cells must be redefined to include those cells!
NOTE: When you format a picture, be sure that vertical setting is from Paragraph -- not from Page. It is formatted from Page, all four of your images will appear piled on top of each other (and it looks like they didn't copy at all).

(Note on Topic Help! I've just lost all my templates! )
This problem is now behind us for TMPRO8 and TMPRO7. The solution described in the next topic below still works for earlier versions, but we no longer read the Environment variables when opening TMPRO unless there is no defaults.dat file. That means that if your settings are good in Tools|Options|File Locations, they'll be good when you leave TMPRO -- gu-aran-teed! Most people would like to see Documents set to say, Office, or WinWord, but some people want to use MyDocuments or whatever. To see your standard Word templates, you must have UserTemplates set to \Templates -- that's the one above main Word directory (Microsoft Office usually). Our third setting -- Workgroup Templates can be anything you want, but it is not recommended that you use the same directory as UserTemplates.
So if you see something you don't like in the behavior of Word, delete defaults.dat from your Tickets directory, set the Locations as you want them, and thereafter we'll set the environment back exactly that way whenever you leave TMPRO.
(Still more on Help! I've just lost all my templates!)
After we implemented the solution described above, an alert user of TMPRO for Word 7 reported she could still bomb the new version. Sure enough, there was a way. We closed that door for good on 12.18.98. No, I won't tell you where the problem was -- too embarrassing. Keep at it -- there is fame and riches awaiting any user who reports a problem!
QUESTIONS RELATING TO ALL PRODUCTS
Will your new version overwrite my old files?
In most programs, a new install will only overwrite files which have a timestamp earlier than the new version. As in all cases, back up any file you have created which you want to save. But recall that newer versions may behave differently that older versions, particularly when there is a primary number change (version 7 to version 8, etc.). As far as Views and Forms are concerned, you can modify most anything in PrintBox products providing you do your homework -- see the utilities in the Utes directory, and read the Help files!
Help! I've just lost all my templates!
No you haven't! And stop sniveling! Go to Tools|Options|File Locations and set User Templates to Templates ( if in Word 6, your general templates are in Template). Your normal templates will then reappear.
This can happen if you do not use the Exit button in PrintBox products -- actually newer versions do not even require that -- just exit any way you like and we will restore your normal environment.
You have probably noticed that the PrintBox interface defines just that type of product you are working on -- we do this by temporarily setting the environmental variables in Tools|Options|File Locations. When you are done, we set everything back to normal -- normally.
I'm planning to become a PrintBox Associate. Lots of my customers don't even have computers and we want to produce 10-up cards using your PbTen Plus. Problem is styles don't end up the same as I defined in the View card. What to do?
Here's what to do: go to Tools|AutoCorrect|AutoFormat AsYouType Tab. Uncheck box that reads, Define styles based on your formatting. No, I'm not a genius. I finally printed out the Styles Help topic. I've had the same problem for months, and finally found the answer. Please read the topic carefully, and you may want to set it back after any PrintBox session. We will probably automate that capability as a toggle, but not now.
I can't receive your attachments to me. I have AOL.
Some AOL email accounts won't accept attachments because the AOL option to block attachments is turned on. To turn it off:

1) Bring up your AOL client software.
2) Keyword "Mail Control."
3) Click on "Go To."
4) Click on "Edit."
5) Click the "Block attachments to Mail" box to de-select it.
AOL mail gateways do not block mail attachments.
(tip courtesy of www.jfax.com - read your email on the road!)
I thought your software was free -- aren't there time locks and usage locks on your software?
The short answers are Yes, and Yes. The long answers are: the license to use our software is free -- we are not giving you the software -- we own it, or rather our stockholders own it. Products like Linux and now Netscape Communicator make their source code available, and we will do that as well for PrintBox Associates. Ask us about it.
The second answer is: We release a new version of TMPRO every 90 days -- we add new examples, we modify the program to make it faster and more usable thanks to your feedback, and we introduce new forms. When your time lock expires, it's time to download the new version. As for usage locks, we designed proprietary forms to go with each PrintBox product. Essentially, when you're out of forms, you're out of software. Can you just download another copy? Yes, but check out our forms -- we have new ones all the time (see NEWS), if you don't see what you want, ask us about it, and we often have special offers. Whew!

TMPRO2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
We are running 30,000 using Tmpro2 Professional Series. When we start printing, we get the message "copy printing outside margins of Section ***. Do you want to continue?". We don't want to press the Yes button every page!
Go to File | Page Setup and select margins. Extend your bottom margin. Then go to page size and extend the page length (if set to 11.3, go to 11.5). Now try printing. You normally will not experience that problem with cassette-fed printers such as laser printers. If you do, you cannot change the 11" length unless you are printing from the top tray -- even then you may get a complaint about page size. If you are printing a custom ticket, you may have to change your layout to a slightly narrower ticket if your printer will not handle your layout. Remember, all printing is printer dependent. A job created on one printer may need modification to print on another printer!
We are using gif files. Selecting Picture Placeholders to speed up printing doesn't work -- pictures still visible.
Uncheck Drawing option and check Picture Placeholders. Pictures should then become invisible on screen. Two other tips on printer speed: use Economy Mode when printing, and select the TMPRO2 modules which print with oversize numbers. Be sure to define graphics larger than normal when using Economy Mode -- this compensates for the lower resolution when Speed Printing.
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I went to use the landscape cover form and all heck broke loose -- form looks completely corrupt...form ended up on two pages, nothing in place.
We have fixed that problem in currently posted version. There were a couple of things happening which deserve mention: The landscape forms can cause a cell to be pasted into the form, not into a bookmark (an existing cell) within the form. This will move everything down, and generally make a mess. We redefined the bookmarks -- something you can try if your ticket has knocked out a bookmark, or was mis-defined (stub should be spelled in CAPS, and tkt should be TKT -- bookmarks are case-sensitive). Also in the landscape forms, depending on your printer you can have spill-over onto a second page. We have defined the landscape forms more conservatively so that they will fit on a page when most popular printers are being used.
I can't put graphics and text over each other on the ticket. How do I do that?
Yes, you can. First, insert your graphic, before adding text!. To bring a graphic in From Clip Art (option in Insert|Picture), use Insert, then right click on the the picture or use Format|Object. In the Format Picture|Position Option, be sure that the Float Over Text box is unchecked. Your graphic will then move into place so you can size it, etc. If you use From File option in Insert|Picture, you will not have to go through the right click procedure.
Note: look at the colors options in Format Picture. You can define the picture as a watermark so that it will not interfere with your text.
Now you have your graphic in place. Next, select the cell where you want your text, normally the ticket area, and create a textbox. Enter your text and format it. Then right click on the textbox and select Format Textbox. Under Position tab, set horizontal to Column and Vertical to Paragraph. Set Wrapping to None, and set Colors/Fill to No Fill and Lines to Line/Color No Line. The purpose of these settings is to set the textbox to invisible, so only your text appears -- you can achieve special effects by modifying these settings, but not in this lesson.
These settings will copy your textbox down the page. If you have only one ticket across, that is fine. If you have more than one ticket across, such as the landscape formats and the multiple forms such as 8up, the text boxes will copy OK, but they will pile up on the first column and they must be moved manually. This is a limitation of the text box definitions, but if you have more than a few tickets to print, these moves will require only a few minutes.
Here is the procedure: select the numbers and quantity you wish and press OK. You will create the file mytkt.tmp, where the text boxes appear only in the first column. Close mytkt.tmp and do not save. The file format.tmp will now be visible on screen. Make your moves by right clicking on the textbox and dragging it (you will get a drop down menu -- dispatch it by pressing ESC). If you have trouble aligning the textboxes, you can use the horizontal settings to set each box exactly where you want it. Now go to Tools MailMerge and select Merge. Press OK for a new document. Your corrected file will now appear on screen, ready to print, and complete with the numbers you requested..
NOTE: Some samples have been provided in TMPRO, usually graphicsdemo.ht1 and graphicsdemo.tk8..
I tried your two-stub ticket. When the full sheet is created, a couple of the lines are not centered, even though my original is centered. How come? What do I do about it?**
**(See Styles topic above for a better solution to this problem!)
First, go the cell with the problem and select the entire cell. Then select Format|Paragraph and select left indent of 0.3" (or other indent as specified below). Then go to TktPrint. If that fixed the problem, here is what is going on: when you change indents in the middle of a paragraph, Word will revert to default setting as shown in Style, not the Paragraph alignment! Although it may not have been apparent, you probably did change indents in the middle of the paragraph.
As for indents -- our two-stub ticket plays some games with margins which could bite you in the foot. The first stub has right indent set to 0.3", no left indent. Second stub has no such special setting -- choose whatever you wish. The ticket itself is set to 0.3" left indent. The net effect is to make the unprintable left and right margins appear to be part of the ticket. That is the long answer!
Well, that didn't work. What now?
Ok, ok -- select the text in the troublesome cell and reset the alignment: first to flush left, then flush right, then to its final desired orientation.. Alignment sometimes acts a little funky. Some thing when you use the orientation feature in Word 97 -- great feature, but sometimes cranky (yeah, particularly if one doesn't understand Style settings -- see Style topic at top!).
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS:
You can modify the templates located in your Format directory by physically pasting exactly what you want in each cell. You must then break the connection between vstyle* and style* by first opening your vstyle template (in the Tickets directory) and using insert>bookmark, and delete all bookmarks. Now when you run TMpro, nothing will be pasted or copied into your style template -- only the numbers will merge. The text you put into the style template will not change!
We had a couple of problems installing TMPRO for Word97. What do you mean by 'OK to install Tickets'? Also, we got a report that the install program couldn't find Word97.
We solved this over the phone, and it deserves notice. We are asking for the location of your Templates directory, normally at the same level as Office. When you installed under Office, you got a template directory that Word couldn't find. Also, your system did not contain the file of97spec.ii, a common product of installing Microsoft Office. If you don't have such a file, create a dummy file by that name with Notepad. Then reinstall TMPRO.
Note: This problem has now been corrected in all modules. 9/1/98.
Why are the page margin settings different from form-to-form?
Well, they aren't all different -- here is the history: when we added tickets on card stock to TMpro our commercial customers were cutting the tickets to size using paper cutters. To minimize cutting, we set the top margin to 0.1" or even 0.0" so that no top margin cutting was required -- just set the tickets in the cutter and start chopping to 2-1/2" high.
Now that we offer card tickets perforated in both dimensions, there are top and bottom margins stub of 1/2", so page settings will show top margin of 1/2". Still awake?
(The utilities macro located in utes directory will set all 8-1/2" forms to whatever you wish -- the hardtkts forms (7" x 11") should be set manually to fit the type of form you ordered).
NOTE: SEE NEWS FOR A LISTING OF NEW TICKET FORM S
We just downloaded the Word 97 version of TMPRO. The names of the tickets are not showing fully in the opening Ticket window, and after I saved my ticket, I couldn't find it again.
The default path may be so long, there is not room enough for you to see the full name. The names do appear at the bottom left of the screen, and we plan to fix that soon. About not finding a ticket, it is probably saved under the Tickets directory, which is not good. When you save, be sure Tickets\Files directory is selected! That should be automatic, but sometimes it is stopping at Tickets. We'll fix it. (Fixed circa 11/98)
We want to center a graphic in the stub portion of a TMPRO cover, but it always prints at the left margins. What now?
We had the same problem with the baseball sample in the landscape cover. The problem was that the Format Version (CVL) was using a left margin setting for the stubs, and the centering attribute applied to the View was not being copied. This can happen with graphics. Here is how to fix it: go into the Format directory and open the format version of your ticket. Set the stub to Center for all four tickets, save the form and close it. Now print your ticket. You can leave the stubs attribute set to center for use with text later, because formatting attributes of text will copy but attributes applied to graphics will not! If you need to change it later on, you know what to do.
I keep getting File Not Found errors when I try to set up TMpro. Help!
Sounds like you may not be displaying file extensions within Word. To check it out, close Word, and any other programs you may be running. From the desktop, select the EXPLORE icon (If you have no Explore icon, move the cursor to the START button and click on the mouse right button. Select PROPERTIES, then EXPLORE). Pull down the View Menu within Explorer and select OPTIONS. The View Tab should already be selected. Look for the middle checkbox at the bottom of the tab "Hide MS-DOS file extensions …" Uncheck the box, then select OK and exit. When you re-open Word, your file extensions should be visible, and TMpro should be able to find them.
TMpro reset my File Locations after a power outage. What's going on?
We set locations back to original values normally. If you abort session it is possible that we didn't get the chance to reset. For TMpro version 5.0 and earlier, you can set manually by opening with New Document. Go to Tools/Options/File Locations. Default settings for Documents is My Documents in Win 95, WinWord in Windows 3.x. Default setting for User Templates and Workgroup templates is Templates in Windows 95, Template under WinWord in Windows 3.x. The beta version of TMpro version 5.1 contains a UTES subdirectory. The UTILITIES template contains macros which will allow you to set these values for emergency use. A RESET macro will reset your computer to the original values (download the beta version to test these features. The Utilities will be shipping with TMpro forms soon). UTES now shipping -- 12.17.98, and TMPAGE still works. TMPRO8 no longer prints using definitions set in TMPAGE, but it is very handy to redefine margins for all forms when you change or setup a printer!
While I was creating a complex ticket, I got a message 'GDI Error' and then only a second partial message. I have lots of memory, what's up?
Either Windows 95 or Word (or both) have been grabbing memory and not giving it back. Multiple sessions will sometimes exhaust the GDI Resource space. To keep on eye on this, open the Resource Meter from Program / Accessories. It will present a four-bar green box on the taskbar, and will warn you if memory drops into that bottom bar. Save and close down both Word, and Windows, and reopen to continue (you can setup the Resource Meter to display whenever you open Word -- see your Windows help file).
When I ran a sample of a ticket, only the ticket portion appeared on the sheet, no stub.
Go the View template (prefix "v") in the Ticket directory and open the template. Check bookmarks using the GoTo button. If your entire cell is not selected, then exit the Bookmark Dialog Box and select the entire cell. Then reopen Bookmarks, and highlight MasterStub and select the Add button. This will overwrite the bookmark selection, which was only copying a blank bookmark instead of the cell contents. Follow the same procedure if you have problems with a ticket portion of a view template. Do not alter the Form template in the Form directory.
I just ran a ticket sample, and some of the text is missing. How come?
Check the bookmark in the ticket. You may have added a graphic element or something which moved the cell definition. Remove the bookmark (either MasterStub or MasterTicket) and select contents of the cell, then redefine the bookmark. That should do it. Try running your sample again Your problem should not affect bookmark definitions in the view templates (v files) nor the format templates in the format directory because your ticket is an instance of the view template. You can change your own ticket all day long without effecting the view template itself.
Why are there borders around the "view" templates ... the text entry screens? Won't those print?
No. The borders are merely so you can distinguish easily between various formats. If you select a border or a shading for any portion of your work, then they will appear in the finished job. We also highlighted views in color on some forms which print on the back of TMpro forms -- these will not print either. You can only get get color bars by specifying color for the narrow row at top of the stub form. If available on your form, that will print on all tickets.

PbCard Questions

We've been playing around with PBTEN which we got after registering PbCard. I'd like to have my own paper laminated, but can't I use the Avery template that came with Word?
Won't work. And I'll tell you why: the Avery card templates don't have any cell sub-divisions, so you can't place a complex card into the simple cell dividers defined by Avery. We tried it -- we figured Why reinvent the thing? You could use our single panel card and paste it into Avery by hand, but why bother when we do that for you automatically? And we manage graphics the same way, which can be real pain duplicating by hand.
What is the "Custom" business card in PbCard?
The Custom Card allows you to specify up to five columns and three rows within a card. You can define 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5 columns or none in any of the three rows. You cannot change the number of rows, but you can reduce a row down to 2 points, which effectively eliminates it. We check out the math when you select column widths and row depths so that your finished card is exactly 3-1/2" wide and 2" high.
When I go to save a card, the proposed name has quotes around it. What gives?
In order to retain card-specific extensions it is necessary within Windows to enforce special extensions by using quotes. If you remove them, a "second extension" (.doc) will be added by Word. We rely on card extensions to present cards to you by type, so you should leave the quotes around the name when saving. Note: the alternative is to register file extensions in the Windows Registry. We did not do that because we figured you just wanted to print some tickets or cards -- not engrave our programs onto your forehead. For that same reason, we do not display any permanent toolbars in Word. When we go away, we clean up after ourselves.
I printed one of your card samples with a heavy bar at top of card. It printed OK, but there is an extra bar at the bottom. Why?
Because the cards are contiguous, the top of card two is recognized as belonging to the bottom of card one. This shared property is not noticeable until you get to the last card, where it is visible. Another version of PbCard may include double marks which would provide empty spacer rows so that properties are not shared. If you have an urgent need for this design, you can do this yourself by modifying the card which best suits your layout. Try adding a l point row between each card and doubling the horizontal marks. Just be sure you record the bookmarks so you can retain them in the appropriate printable rows. Study the bookmarks to see how this works. Naming conventions are fairly intuitive, and a little trial and error should get you going. You can even extend bookmarks to two rows for a true "bleed" card.
Samples furnished with PbCard show most color panels in tints instead of solids. What is the reason for this?
Money for one; inkjet cartridges are expensive. Also, if you test printing various colors in a series of tints, you will see that reducing intensity (when one color is white) cannot really be perceived until you move approx. 20% on the scale, so why waste ink? The dithered screening used by most modern printers doesn't result in the rule line screen effect we are accustomed to -- it's more like continuous tone. Further, you will find that drying is faster, and more thorough when you use the lightest tint you can tolerate. One final point: do not choose a pale tint based on monitor appearance! If 20% looks good on the monitor, make your actual selection 10 or 5%. Try this to verify settings on your equipment. We deal with drying, spot gain, and screens in our OnPress Desktop Printing Tutorial -- part of our plan to take over the world, soon now.
I have been looking at photo samples in PbCard, and I can't edit them. Also, they don't look like high resolution images.
The sample images were created with various graphics packages; ones which may not reside on your machine, which means that you cannot edit them. They were created in low-resolution "comp" mode for several reasons: 1) to save space on your machine 2) often printers cannot resolve high-resolution images, so a bigger, hi-resolution file would be wasted. 3) In business card design, you may want to use a photo as a background, so the image should be "knocked down" in intensity (a process we call veiling). 4) Unless you have a video card with at least 4 MB of memory, redraws of high resolution images will be glacial. NOTE: if you have the equipment, you can certainly use high-resolution images for instance in a photo card such as our Remax sample. Numerous printer manufacturers now produce low-cost printers capable of marvelous photo reproduction, including H-P's Photo Realism^tm.
When I saved my business card with CardSave, no other cards showed in the Save box. Why?
We had a choice: we could carve the card extensions in stone, and place them in the Windows Registry, or we could employ a dynamic strategy which will find (and save) extensions of any type defined by us or by you. We chose the latter. So when you save a card, file types are not being enforced. Recommended file name is shown in quotes to force the correct card extension, so leave the quotes in!
Background:
The upside of our dynamic strategy is that you can replace many components of PrintBox products with your own names and descriptions ... some even allow you to change the product name. Word's macro language, Word Basic (now VBA and .NET) allow considerable customization. Many commercial packages are based on Access, for instance. But the use of macros has been described as being "a visitor in a strange land". We try to be good guests, and that includes not taking up space on your registry when we may not be staying. PrintBox is only visiting -- not moving in.

LetterSets Questions

In LetterSets, we defined our DefaultFileName as "monthly.rpt" using your example. In the File dialog box, it says this is a Crystal Reports document. How come?
If you opened monthly.rpt, you saw that it is not a Crystal report file, it is the default file which you chose. You would probably rename it to something like "May97rpt" anyway. In fact LetterSets will keep reusing your default name, just like you would see "Document" in normal Word operation.
The reason why Crystal Reports is identified, it that "rpt" is a file extension registered by Crystal Reports on your machine (probably with Visual Basic). You can avoid this problem by using ".doc" for everything, but you may rely on your own file extensions for many reasons, just as we do!
If you like, you can turn off that level of tree reporting at the top of the File Open box, or live with it, or just say "Doc"! But if you really want to use your own file extensions, here's how to do it: use double quotes around the name when you save. That way, you can use filenames like acme.fax or jsmith.ltr -- when you open files, select either the extension you are searching for such as *.fax or enter *.* to see files of all types. Extensions are a great way to identify your files at a glance, and a great way to see all of a certain file (search with *.fax would return all files with that extension).

Why can't I use Print as shown in the drop-down File menu?
PrintBox does not create documents in print format. Modules are divided into View and Format methods which allow you to work on a single page of a document which may then be printed in multiples. When you select Print manually, you are going to get what you see on the screen, not a finished document. Similarly, when you save a file, use the PrintBox Save routine, which will retain all the information you need to restore the complete job -- depending on the PrintBox module you are using that could include quantity, number sequence, recipient addresses, etc.
What does 8.3 format mean in the LetterSets Save Menu?
The 8.3 format refers to the original DOS file format of eight characters or numbers in a file name, and up to 3 positions in the extension. Example would be: SAMPLE.LTR. Windows 95 support of Long File Names (LFN) actually masks the fact that 8.3 is still the underlying format used to save documents. The Long File Name is actually a pseudoname for an 8.3 name. To verify this, go to DOS and type "DIR" at the command prompt. Be sure you are looking a directory which contains some long file names. Such names will be truncated, using the tilde character followed by a number. LetterSets also uses pseudonames, assigning revision numbers to files of the same name. We also give you numerous facts about the file, such as beginning text, etc. In return, we ask you that keep your file names down to 8.3 -- at least for now (Long File Names represent an attempt to make file names more descriptive. The problem is, LFN doesn't really pick any keywords; it can just as easily present with you today's date. Our descriptors allow you to choose your own file descriptor text. If you don't, we display the first 255 characters of your letter).

WATERMARKS AND BACKGROUNDS

Word

Word provides both Background and Printed Watermark features. Though backgrounds are intended for Web pages and watermarks are for printed documents, these features have much in common. The primary difference is that backgrounds always cover the full page area and always apply to your entire document. Watermarks can be sized based upon your desired graphic and can be applied by document section. And, while watermarks are not visible on Web pages, backgrounds as well as watermarks are visible in Print Layout view and will print with your document.

To add a background or a watermark to your entire Word document, on the Format menu click Background and then select one of the options shown here.

Or, to apply a unique watermark for one or more sections of the document, edit the header and footer directly.

A watermark is applied to your document by inserting a picture or object in the header and footer area, between the space allotted to the header and footer. Because the watermark is part of the header and footer area, you can change it from one section to the next as needed.

To remove a watermark from one section of the document (or to add a unique watermark for just one section), turn off Link to Previous on the Header and Footer toolbar, as shown here, and then delete or change the watermark.

1. To manually add a watermark to the header and footer area, insert or create your preferred graphic directly in the header and footer area and then format it to be transparent.
2. Next, with the image selected, on the Format menu click Format Picture (or Format WordArt, etc., depending upon the type of graphic selected) and then click Layout. Select the Behind text wrapping style, as shown here, and then click OK.

You can then click and drag the image to position it, if needed.

Note    For easy-to-manage graphics in Word, use the In Line with Text wrapping style whenever possible. That layout option enables you to position graphics as easily as you do text. However, watermarks are an exception. Images must be formatted using the Behind Text layout in order to appear as a watermark.

When you close the header and footer area, you will see your new watermark behind the document text in Print Layout view or Print Preview.

• Add a background or watermark to your entire Word document
• Change headers or footers for part of a Word document

 
The Technical Support Staff
PrintBox Technologies Ltd
Developer of The Tmpro Series of Ticketing Products



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