Modify Forms (DBA Classic Only)

Purpose of Program

Modify Forms allows you to change the layout of graphical forms such as invoices, checks and labels.  You can move and delete both text and data fields and you can add new text fields.  The program does not have the capability to insert a data or barcode field.

General Program Operation

First, determine which RTM layout file you want to modify.  Most of the RTM files are listed on the default screen where print formats are selected.  For example, a lookup on the Acknowledgement print format field in SD-M indicates that format #2 Graphical Universal Form is BKSOB2.RTM.  Only formats with an RTM designation can be modified.  It is a good idea to make a copy of the RTM you want to modify and rename back to the original when you are happy with the results.

For a listing of all RTM formats, see Graphical Print Layouts (RTM's).

To start the program, go to the main menu, click File, then Modify Forms.  A box will come up with a button "Click here for list of RTM files".  Click and select the RTM you want to modify.

A format screen will come up showing the layout of the form you are modifying.  Each item, or object, is enclosed in a box.  Objects are either Text or Data.  A text object is something that always prints on the form such as the word "ACKNOWLEDGEMENT".  Data objects call the data such as item number or customer name and the box contains the name of the field in the file being called.

Clicking on any object will select it.  Once selected, you can remove it from the printed form by right clicking and turning off the "Visible" property.  Some forms are provided with additional Invisible fields that can be changed to Visible and moved to the desired location on the form.  The font and size are shown at the top of the screen and can be changed for both text and data objects.  For text objects, the actual text is shown on the upper left and can be changed as well.  Selected objects can be moved or resized by dragging with the mouse.

A new text object can be created by clicking the Label icon (the letter "A").  The object can then be moved and the contents can be edited.

For forms such as acknowledgements or purchase orders that contain multiple sections, there will be tabs at the bottom of the screen for selection of the sections to edit.  Header, line items and notes are examples of different sections that could exist.  If you edit any section other than the Main section, be sure you go back to the Main section before the RTM is saved.

Once you have moved the fields where you want them, you can click the Preview tab to check your work.  However, only text objects will be shown because no data files are being accessed.  You must save the RTM file in order to test the actual output.

RTX Backup Files

Be aware that copies of all original RTM layouts are maintained in a second set of files with an extension of *.RTX.  If for any reason you wish to restore the original RTM and start again with a clean layout, simply copy and rename the appropriate RTX file to the RTM extension.

Inserting an image (such as a logo) into your layouts

Modify Forms provides the capability of inserting an image such as a logo into an RTM form.  Select the desired RTM and, in the Design screen, from the toolbar select the image icon, which is the seventh icon from the left.  Click on it, then click on the form where you want the image.  Drag to relocate and stretch the frame as needed.  Then right click inside the frame and choose Picture.  Select the image file (BMP, ICO, EMF, and WMF formats are supported).  You can then stretch the image to fit the desired size.