Vista Plus for MPE User’s Guide 610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1400, Newport Beach, CA 92660
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S VISTA Plus for MPE User’s Guide Chapter 1 - Getting Started..................................................................................................................................1-1 About this User’s Guide.........................................................................................................................1-1 VISTA Plus Features .....................................................................................................................
VISTA Plus for MPE User’s Guide Downloading Reports ..........................................................................................................................3-19 Downloading Text Files...................................................................................................................3-24 Downloading Comma Delimited Files to a PC Spreadsheet..............................................................3-25 Downloading Reports with Sheetmate.....................................
Table of Contents Chapter 6 - Printing a Report...............................................................................................................................6-1 Print Options Window ...........................................................................................................................6-2 Printer Definitions .................................................................................................................................6-5 Listing Printers................
C H A P T E R 1 Getting Started VISTA and VISTA Plus are electronic report management applications that allow you to quickly view production reports without wasting paper and time printing them. VISTA allows you to skim through reports and search for specific text faster than you can page through a printed copy. VISTA Plus is an enhanced version of VISTA. If you purchased VISTA Plus, you have all the features discussed in this guide.
Chapter 1 VISTA Plus Features VISTA Plus offers all the features of VISTA and more, including: Notes This feature allows you to create, edit and view electronic notes. Turn to Chapter 3 in this guide for more information on Electronic Notes. Add Field This feature allows you to attach a field name to a location in a report in order to define page-level security. Turn to Chapter 3 in this guide for more information on adding fields to a report.
Getting Started VISTA Operational Overview VISTA uses folders and reports within folders to organize data. A folder is a file that holds copies of printed reports. Both the folder and the report can be viewed with VISTA. You can page through a report, or specify a page to be displayed. VISTA also offers function keys that facilitate movement within a file, allow you to search for text strings, and let you customize your interface.
Chapter 1 Report Viewer Features • Captures and catalogs production reports automatically for long or short-term storage. • Provides easy organization of similar reports via VISTA folders. • Supports both spool files and MPE files. • Compresses reports, reducing disk storage requirements. • Retains multiple report generations with automatic cleanup. • Provides robust security features at the report level for viewing, deleting, and printing. • Supports quick access to sections of a report via indices.
Getting Started Starting VISTA This section provides instructions on starting VISTA. The VISTA.PUB.NETBASE program can be accessed from within NBSpool, or several other methods from an MPE prompt. Each of these ways can easily be configured into logon UDCs for different users. The default method of running VISTA searches for folders in the ARCHIVE group of the NETBASE account (@.ARCHIVE.NETBASE): :RUN VISTA.PUB.NETBASE Folders can be located in any group and account on your system.
C H A P T E R 2 Folder and Report Management This chapter discusses the VISTA Folder window and the options that are available for you to access while working with folders and reports. Each feature that is discussed in this chapter will allow you to manage your folders and reports more efficiently. This chapter also provides a section on using the VISTA online help.
Chapter 2 Select Folder Window The Select Folder window is usually the first window displayed after starting VISTA. This window is not displayed if VISTA is run for a specific folder or if folder profiles have been configured. The Select Folder window allows you to select and open folders. A folder contains a collection of reports. For example, a folder named PAYROLL might contain all Payroll reports. Each folder has a description field to describe the reports it contains.
Folder and Report Management Select Folder Function Keys The following section details the Select Folder function keys. F1 Help This option displays the Help window. The help window provides online assistance. Turn to the “The Online Help Window” section in this chapter for more information on using help. F2 Previous Page This option displays the previous page of folders, if applicable. F3 Next Page This option displays the next page of folders, if applicable.
Chapter 2 Select Report Window The Select Report window is displayed after opening a folder. This window lets you view and select reports. Each report has a description field to describe it. The report’s create date, time, number of pages, job name and description are listed after the report name. The description can be defined by the system administrator when the report is put in a folder (by VSAVE) or in report maintenance.
Folder and Report Management Select Report Fields The following fields appear in the Select Report window. File Name This field displays the name of the report. Job Name This field displays the Session/Job Name where the report was created. Pages This field displays the number of pages in a report. Create Date This field displays the date and time a report was created. Description This field displays a description of the report.
Chapter 2 F6 Find Report This option allows you to search for specific reports using several criteria. Turn to the “Find Reports Option Window” section in this chapter for more information. F7 Next Keys This option displays a new set of function keys that allow you to perform additional tasks. These function keys will be described later in this chapter and in other chapters of this guide. F8 Folder Screen This option exits the Select Report window and returns to the Select Folder window.
Folder and Report Management Selecting a Report for Viewing Follow the instructions in this section to select a report to open. 1. Start VISTA and enter the Select Folder window. 2. Select the desired folder and press Enter or F4, Open Folder. The Select Report window is displayed as shown below. The window displays every report within the selected folder. 3. Select the report you wish to open and press Enter or F4, View Report. The report is opened and displayed in the Report Viewer window.
Chapter 2 Deleting a Report Follow these instructions to delete a report. 1. Enter the Select Report window and use the terminal’s arrow keys to select a report. 2. Press F7, Next Keys, from the Select Report window. A new set of function keys is displayed. 3. Press F3, Delete Report, and the selected report will be deleted. A security check is performed to verify that you have been authorized to delete reports. The next time the VISTACLN program is used, the report will be removed from the folder.
Folder and Report Management Sort Options Window This section provides information and instructions on using the VISTA sort option. Sorting can be used to list reports in different orders. The Sort Options window is displayed by pressing F5, Sort, from the Select Report window’s primary function keys. The Sort Options window allows you to sort report records by several categories. The Sort Options window is shown below.
Chapter 2 Sorting Reports Follow the instructions in this section to sort reports using several different options. When the Report window is first displayed, the reports are sorted by date and time in descending order. This enables you to view the most recent reports without having to conduct a sort. r 2-10 1. If a folder is not open already, place the cursor on the name of the folder to open and press Enter or F4, Open Folder. The Select Report window lists the reports in the selected folder. 2.
Folder and Report Management Find Report Options Window The Find Report Options window specifies a category which allows you to locate reports in a folder. When performing a search, only one search value can be entered. If you fill in more than one field in the Find Report Options window, the first field from the top containing a search value will be used. Also, when you use the Description field, VISTA searches all descriptive text for a match.
Chapter 2 Finding a Report 1. Select the folder you wish to open and press Enter or F4, Open Folder. The Select Report window lists the reports within the selected folder. 2. Press F6, Find Report. The Find Report Options window is displayed. 3. Press F4, Modify Option, and use the Tab key to select the field you want to use for searching. Then enter a value to search for in the selected field. 4. Press F6, Execute Find, to begin the search.
Folder and Report Management Tagging Reports The VISTA Tag Reports feature allows you to tag multiple reports. Once the reports are tagged, you can quickly delete or print them using the Print Tagged or Delete Tagged function keys. When reports are tagged for deletion or printing, a security check is made for each report to verify that you are authorized to perform the procedure.
Chapter 2 Tagging a Report 1. Select the folder you wish to open and press Enter or F4, Open Folder. The Select Report window lists the reports within the folder. 2. Press F7, Next Keys. A new set of function keys is displayed. 3. You can perform any of the following functions: • To tag a report, select the desired report and press F4, Tag Report. An asterisk (*) is displayed next to the report name. • To untag a report, select the tagged report and press F5, Untag Report.
Folder and Report Management Listing Archived Reports VISTA allows you to view a list of archived reports belonging to a selected folder. Reports are archived in MPE files on tape using the VISTAARC program. Once you display a list of archived reports belonging to a specific folder, you can: • Sort the reports • Find a specific report • Tag and untag reports • Restore tagged reports Note. You must have VISTA Plus to use the List Archived Reports feature.
Chapter 2 Online Help Window The Online Help window appears when F1, Help, is pressed. The information is for the current window. Use the terminal’s arrow keys to scroll forward and backward. When you have completed viewing the help information, press F8, Exit Help, to close the help window. Help Window Function Keys The following section details the Help Window function keys. 2-16 F1 Page Forward This option displays the next page of help information.
C H A P T E R 3 Viewing a Report This chapter features the View window. When in the View window, you can move through the report, lock header information at the top of the window, create multiple windows, define searches, create indices, print the report, and more.
Chapter 3 View Window The View window enables you to interactively view reports. You can advance directly to a page or search for text strings to locate information within a report. You can use the function keys to display a specific page, print pages of a report, and search for information. You can view reports that are bigger and wider than a terminal screen by using the terminal’s arrow keys to scroll the screen vertically and horizontally.
Viewing a Report View Window Function Keys There are several levels of function keys available from the View window. The following section details the available function keys. Primary Function Keys The View window’s primary function keys are shown below. These function keys are available after first entering the View window. F1 Print This option displays the Print Options window. Turn to Chapter 6 in this guide for more information on printing.
Chapter 3 Second Level Function Keys This section details the View window’s second level of function keys. The function keys shown below can be displayed by pressing F7, Next Keys, from the primary set of function keys. 3-4 F1 Notes This option allows you to create Electronic Notes within the report. Turn to the “Electronic Notes” section in this chapter for more information. F2 Help This option displays the Help window. This window displays help information on the currently active window.
Viewing a Report Third Level Function Keys This section details the View window’s third level of function keys. The function keys shown below can be displayed by pressing F7, Next Keys, from the primary set of function keys and then again. F1 Add Field This option allows you to attach a field name to a location in a report in order to define page-level security. Turn to the “Adding a Field” section in this chapter for more information.
Chapter 3 Adding a Field This procedure allows you to attach a field name to a location on a report. You can then use these fields to establish page-level security. For example: If your company-wide report provides sales data by store and page breaks for a new store, you can define store # as a field and then specify (in VISTAMNT) who may see a page with certain values in this field.
Viewing a Report VISTA Functions VISTA provides special functions through the VISTA Funct'ns function key, which is available on the View window’s second set of function keys. To access the VISTA Functions, press F7, Next Keys, from the View window’s primary set of function keys. Next, press F3, VISTA Funct'ns. The VISTA Functions window is displayed as shown below: User Tip. When viewing a report, you can press Esc+M to automatically display the VISTA Functions menu.
Chapter 3 VISTA Functions Options This section describes each option available through the VISTA Functions window. 3-8 Lock/Unlock Headings This option allows you to define the heading lines to lock at the top of each page. See “Using Headings” in this chapter for more information. Add Search Index This option allows you to add a Search Index in order to limit the search area and speed up the search in a report. See Chapter 4 in this guide for more information on indexing the report.
Viewing a Report Moving through the Report The following section details the different methods of moving through a report. When you first open a report, VISTA will detect your terminal type and compress the screen if your terminal supports 132 characters per line. The terminal type must be set to 700/92. After exiting the View window, the terminal is returned to 80 column mode.
Chapter 3 Additional Notes • Terminal type-ahead is supported on MPE/iX systems for fast scrolling through a report. • As you scroll through a report, the current page number is displayed at the top of the window to provide you with the current position within a report. • When viewing a non $STDLIST report file, the viewer aligns pages at the top of the window. • The viewer ignores page breaks on $STDLIST files.
Viewing a Report Using Bookmarks VISTA Plus’bookmark feature allows you to add, remove, and jump to bookmarks in a report. Using this feature, you can easily tag up to seven areas in a report and then later jump directly back to them during the current VISTA session. This saves you time from having to slowly scroll through the report trying to find a specific location that you’ve been to before. Adding a Bookmark You can add bookmarks to a report in the View window.
Chapter 3 Using Headings When viewing a report, you can display the report’s header information in a locked position at the top of the View window. As you move through the report, the header information will not change. The following section details how to lock and unlock headings. Locking and Unlocking Headings 1. Open the report and scroll to the area that you want to appear in the locked heading. 2. From the VISTA Functions menu, select Lock/Unlock Headings and press Enter or F6, Select. 3.
Viewing a Report Using the Ruler VISTA allows you to add a ruler to the top of the View window. The ruler can be used for counting the characters on a line in the report. Once a ruler is displayed, the Display/Remove Ruler function can be used to remove it. Follow these instructions to add the ruler to the top of the View window: 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, highlight Display/Remove Ruler, and press Enter or F6, Select. 2. A ruler appears at the top of the View window as shown below.
Chapter 3 Electronic Notes Electronic Notes can be used to create and store comments, questions, and additional information with specific report pages. When you select F1, Notes, from the View window’s second set of function keys, the Notes function keys are displayed. The Electronic Notes pop-up window shown below is displayed after pressing F3, Notes Window. Note. You must have VISTA Plus to use the Electronic Notes feature.
Viewing a Report Notes Window Function Keys The following section details the Notes and Global Notes window’s function keys. These function keys are available through the F1, Notes, function key. F1 Next Note This option opens the next note available. F2 Previous Note This option opens the previous note. F3 Delete Note This option deletes the current note. F4 Modify Note This option allows you to modify the current note. Enter your changes in the note window and press F4, Modify Note.
Chapter 3 Adding a Note Follow the instructions below to add an Electronic Note to a report. 1. From the View window’s primary set of function keys, press F7, Next Keys. 2. Press F1, Notes. A new set of function keys is displayed. 3. Press F1, Mark Begin. 4. Place the cursor on the first line a note applies to and press Enter. 5. Press F2, Mark End. 6. Place the cursor on the last line a note applies to and press Enter. 7. Press F3, Notes Window or F4, Global Notes.
Viewing a Report Working With Notes Follow the instructions below to view, modify, and delete existing notes. 1. From the View window’s primary set of function keys, press F7, Next Keys. 2. Press F1, Notes. A new set of function keys is displayed. 3. Press F3, Notes Window. An Electronic Notes pop-up window appears and a new set of function keys is displayed. 4. View currently existing notes by pressing F1, Next Note, or F2, Previous Note.
Chapter 3 Viewing a Routing List Use this procedure to see who is expected to review the current report and if they have done so. Note. You need VISTA Plus to use the Routing List and Approve Report features. 1. From the Viewer window’s primary set of function keys, press F7, Next Keys. 2. Press F7, Next Keys. 3. Press F2, Routing List. The Routing List window will appear. This window lists the users assigned to view the report. Approving a Report Use this procedure to approve the current report.
Viewing a Report Downloading Reports VISTA allows you to download data to a PC application using standard PC formats. You can download reports as text files, comma-delimited files, or tab-delimited files. In addition, if you have purchased the Sheetmate product, you can download a report as a formatted PC application file. Continue with the following section for an overview of the function keys involved while downloading reports.
Chapter 3 Download File Window Fields The following section details the Download File window fields. When you select Download Report from the VISTA Functions window, the Download File window shown below is displayed. 3-20 PC Filename This field displays the name of the file on the PC to which the current report is being downloaded. From Page This field displays the first page to be downloaded. To Page This field displays the last page to be downloaded.
Viewing a Report Download File Window Function Keys This section details the Download File window function keys. These function keys are displayed after you select Download Report from the VISTA Functions menu. F1 Select Columns This option allows you to select preset column definitions from a list of available definitions. F2 Select Format This option displays a list of possible formats that can be applied to the file being downloaded. It is only available if you are using the Sheetmate utility.
Chapter 3 Download Files Secondary Window Function Keys This section details the Download File’s secondary function keys. These keys are displayed after pressing F7, Next Keys. F1 Monarch Download Monarch is a PC-based product that will transfer a report into a database. You can then do queries against the report data. When you select this, VISTA does an ASCII file download and then creates a shell that runs the Monarch program. For more information on this product, consult your Monarch documentation.
Viewing a Report Downloading With Advance Link Since VISTA cannot automatically detect the presence of the Advance Link terminal emulator, a JCW must be set to notify VISTA of Advance Link. Use the following JCW set to the value of one prior to downloading the report: SETJCW ADVLINK,1. A command file with the following commands must also be present on the PC that is executing Advance Link: &hp3000 on &hostcontrol 126 &hostcopy “run monitor.pub.
Chapter 3 Downloading Text Files Text file downloads place the report into an ASCII text file. Most PC applications can load a text file, but you may have to reformat the report with tools provided by the PC application. 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, select Download Report and press Enter or F6, Select. The following screen is displayed: 2. In the PC Filename field, specify the fully-qualified PC file name to which you want the current report downloaded. For example: C:\___\___\name.ext. 3.
Viewing a Report Downloading Comma Delimited Files to a PC Spreadsheet Comma-delimited files are supported by many PC applications and provide a method of transferring data from one application to another. When a comma-delimited file is loaded by a PC spreadsheet, the data in each column will align correctly in the spreadsheet’s cells. VISTA uses comma-delimited files to notify a PC application where numeric and text values begin and end.
Chapter 3 Downloading a Comma Delimited File This section provides instructions on downloading a comma delimited file. In order to download a comma delimited file, the columns must already be defined. 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, select Download Report and press Enter or F6, Select. The following screen is displayed: 2. In the PC Filename field, Specify the fully-qualified PC file name to which you want the current report downloaded. For example: C:\___\___\name.ext.
Viewing a Report Downloading Reports with Sheetmate When a report is formatted into a PC application file, VISTA executes a third party software product called Sheetmate to format the pages to download. Sheetmate supports many PC applications including Excel, Lotus 123, DBASE and Paradox. VISTA automatically detects the presence of Sheetmate on your system if installed. When it is available, the function key F2, Select Format, is enabled.
Chapter 3 Downloading Using Sheetmate 3-28 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, select Download Report and press Enter or F6, Select. The Download File screen is displayed. 2. Specify the fully-qualified PC file name to which to download the current report. For example: C:\___\___\name.ext. Reports downloaded to an existing PC file will overwrite the file. 3. You can optionally specify a page range using the From Page and To Page fields. 4.
Viewing a Report 7. If you desire, use the First Heading and Last Heading options to place report heading lines in the first page of the PC file and to exclude downloading of headings on subsequent pages. 8. Press F6, Execute Download. VISTA passes the report to Sheetmate to translate into the specified format. VISTA then downloads the translated report to your PC. 9. Press Enter to initiate the download. VISTA checks the PC Format field and formats the document according to the specified value.
Chapter 3 Working with Columns The Column Management function keys are displayed as a result of selecting Column Management from the VISTA Functions window. Column management allows you to divide a report into vertical columns and to perform operations on the data in each column. Columns can be used for calculations, printing, downloading, and viewing. The column configurations you create can be saved for future use. You can also download a report reflecting the columns you’ve set.
Viewing a Report Primary Column Management Function Keys This section provides information on the Primary Column Management function keys. These function keys are displayed after selecting Column Management from the VISTA Functions menu. F1 Mark Begin This option marks the first line for which you want totals calculated. F2 Mark End This option marks the last line for which you want totals calculated.
Chapter 3 Secondary Column Management Function Keys This section details the Column Management’s secondary function keys. 3-32 F1 Retrieve Columns This option accesses a preset column configuration. F2 Save Columns This option saves the column format. Enter a name and description by which you will select this column configuration from a list in the future. F3 Margin Left This option adjusts the boundaries of a column by moving the current margin to the left.
Viewing a Report Creating Columns Follow the instructions in this section to create columns. 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, select Column Management and press Enter or F6, Select. The first set of column management function keys is displayed. 2. Scroll the report so that the top line being displayed contains a line which can be used as a template for setting column markers. Displaying a typical line of data at the top of the screen may be the most useful. 3. Press F4, Create Columns.
Chapter 3 Saving Columns This section provides instructions on saving columns once they are created. Once you have created columns in the desired format, you can save them. 1. Press F2, Save Columns. A small window appears and you are prompted for a lookup key and a description. 2. Enter a name and description by which you will select this column configuration from a list in the future. 3. After the data is complete, press F7, Execute Save.
Viewing a Report Calculating Within Columns Once the columns are set, you can perform calculations for a column such as determining totals as section subtotals. 1. Select the column for which you want calculations. Use Tab and Shift+Tab alternatively to highlight the top of the desired column. 2. Press F1, Mark Begin. 3. Place the cursor on the first line for which you want totals calculated for this column, and press Enter. 4. Press F2, Mark End. 5.
Chapter 3 Calculating The calculating procedure can be used to calculate a subtotal within a report. 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, select Calculate Functions, and press Enter or F6, Select. 2. Press F1, Mark Begin. You are prompted to place the cursor on the first line containing data for which you want calculations performed. 3. Place the cursor on the first line containing data to include in calculations, and press Enter. 4. Press F2, Mark End.
Viewing a Report Merging Files to the Hold Buffer You can merge pages from different reports into a subreport. This enables you to create reports from existing reports without having to perform the merge in a PC-based application. A subreport can be viewed, printed, downloaded, or saved into a folder file. Note. The hold buffer accumulates data throughout a session. The buffer is cleaned when you exit VISTA. Follow these instructions to perform a merge: 1.
Chapter 3 Window Management The VISTA Functions Window Management feature can be used to divide a report into columns and view selected columns on one screen. This lets you see only the sections you are interested in without having to scroll left and right. VISTA Administrators can define window settings for each report using the VISTAMNT program. When windows are predefined, they automatically display when a report is viewed. See the VISTA Plus Administrator’s Guide for more on VISTAMNT.
Viewing a Report Creating Windows This section provides instructions on adding additional windows to the View window. 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, select Window Management and press Enter or F6, Select. The Column Management function keys will be displayed. 2. Create a window by pressing F1, Create Window. This puts a window divider in the middle of the current window. 3. Adjust the current window by pressing F3, Margin Left or F4, Margin Right. 4.
Chapter 3 Configuration Options The Config Options window is displayed as a result of selecting Configuration Options from the VISTA Functions window. This window allows you to configure VISTA to your environment. The Config Options window can be used to alter default configuration values. Turn to the following section for information on the various values you can enter.
Viewing a Report Configuration Option Fields Print Buf Size This field displays the number of characters to send in one block to a local printer. The default value for this field is 256. You do not need to alter this value unless you are receiving print buffer overflows when printing to a slave printer. Honor Page Breaks This field can be used to enable or disable page breaks. By default, page breaks are ignored on $STDLIST files. To enable page breaks, set this field to Y.
Chapter 3 Configuring VISTA This section provides instruction on configuring VISTA to match your environment. 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, select Configuration Options and press Enter or F6, Select. The Config Options window appears. 2. Use the Config Options window to alter default configuration values. To modify a value: a) Use the arrow keys to position the cursor on the name of the field you wish to modify. b) Press Enter or F4, Modify Option. The cursor is placed on the field value. c) 3.
C H A P T E R 4 Searching a Report VISTA provides fast searching for specific values or strings within a report. In addition to allowing you to search forward, by columns, by window, or for the last occurrence of a value, VISTA offers several other search capabilities which will be discussed in this chapter. This chapter also provides information on indices. Indexing is important in relation to searching.
Chapter 4 Indexing a Report To enhance the speed with which you search through a report, you can create indices which limit the search area. An index defines a beginning column in which a value may be found, as well as the length of the field and, optionally, the line on which it may appear. Depending on security privileges, you may be allowed to save an index with a report for future use. When you save an index, its description becomes a label for a function key available in search mode.
Searching a Report Search Index Management The Define Search Indices window is displayed as a result of selecting Search Index Management from the VISTA Functions window. When you select this option, a ruler is displayed at the top of the screen, and the lines are numbered to facilitate your index specifications. The primary use of Search Index Management is to review the indices defined for a report. If changes need to be made, you can do so within the Define Search Indices window.
Chapter 4 Define Search Indices Fields This section details the Define Search Indices field. Line Number This option lets you enter the line number on which the index value exists. Start Column This option lets you specify the first column in which the index value exists. Length This option lets you specify length in number of characters of the index value.
Searching a Report Saving a Search Index This procedure uses the Search Index Management function to save a search index with a report. Note. This option requires specific security clearance. See the VISTA Administrator for more information. 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, select Search Index Management, and press Enter or F6, Select. A window showing the first index is displayed, and the function keys change. 2. To save the indices defined for this report, press F6, Save Indices. 3.
Chapter 4 Searching This section provides information on searching the report. The following sections detail the function keys involved and the various types of searches that you perform. Search Function Keys This section displays the Search function keys. These keys are accessed by pressing F6, Search, from the View window’s primary set of function keys. F1 Search Forward F2 Search BY Columns This option searches for a specified value in defined columns.
Searching a Report Search by Index Function Keys The following function keys are displayed when search indices have been defined: F5 First Index This option searches in the columns (and lines) specified by the first index defined for this report. The function key label is based on the first characters of the description assigned to the index. F6 Second Index This option searches by the second index defined for this report. F7 Third Index This option searches by the third index defined for this report.
Chapter 4 Searching for Text Follow the instructions in this section to search the report for a specific string of text. 1. Press F6, Search, in the View window. The function keys change and you are prompted for the string to be found. 2. Enter the string you want to find, and press Enter. The first occurrences are highlighted. 3. To view the next occurrences, press F1, Search Forward. 4. To start another search, press F4, Restart Search. 5. To cancel the search, press F7, Cancel Search.
Searching a Report Viewing Search Matches Follow this step to view a set of matches created by the most recent search for all occurrences. 1. From the VISTA Functions menu, highlight View Search Matches, and press Enter or F6, Select. A window showing the most recent set of matches is displayed. Viewing Search Matches Function Keys This section provides information on the View Search Matches function keys. F1 View All This option creates a subreport of the active item on the match list.
Chapter 4 Searching by Column Follow the instructions in this section to search by column for a particular string. 4-10 1. Press F6, Search, on the View window. The function keys change and you are prompted for the string to be found. 2. Specify a start and an end column and press F2, SearchBy Columns. The first occurrences are highlighted. 3. To view the next occurrences, press F1, Search Forward. 4. To start another search, press F4, Restart Search. 5.
Searching a Report Searching by Window Follow the instructions in this section to search by window for a particular string. Before beginning, you must have already created windows in the report. Turn to Chapter 3 in this guide for information on adding windows to a report. 1. Press F6, Search, on the View window. The function keys change and you are prompted for the string to be found. 2. Specify the window you want to search by pressing Tab to select it, and press F3, Search Window.
Chapter 4 Searching an Index Follow the instructions in this section to search an index. At least one index must already be created. See the “Indexing the Report” section in this chapter for instructions on defining an index. 1. Press F6, Search, in the View window. The function keys change and you are prompted for the string to be found. 2. Enter the string you want to find, and press the function key labeled with the index you want to use. (The labels change by report.
Searching a Report Searching for Multiple Text Strings Follow the instructions in this section to search for multiple text strings. 1. Press F6, Search, in the View window. The function keys change and you are prompted for the string to be found. 2. Enter the text string you want to find followed by an ampersand (&), and press Enter. You are prompted to enter the next search string. 3. Press Enter, and key in the next search string.
Chapter 4 Searching for a Text Range Follow the instructions in this section to search for a range of text by specifying “From” and “To” values separated by a bar (|). In addition to specifying the range, you can also specify the columns to which the search will be limited. 4-14 1. Press F6, Search, in the View window. The function keys change and you are prompted for the string to be found. 2. Enter the first value you want to find, followed by a bar (|) and the last string you seek, and press Enter.
Searching a Report Searching for a Numeric Range Follow the instructions in this section to search for a numeric range, including values greater than or less than a particular number, and values which include decimal points. In addition to specifying the range, you can also specify the columns to which the search will be limited. 1. Press F6, Search, in the View window. The function keys change and you are prompted for the string to be found. 2.
Chapter 4 Extracting A View When you perform a search, you are prompted to extract the information by lines or pages. Enter L for line or P for page. The window will change in one of the following ways and the function keys listed below will be displayed. Extracting By Lines If you extract by lines, a search matches window is displayed with a list of all matches found. As you scroll down the list, the page number of the current item appears at the top of the screen.
C H A P T E R 5 Extracting Records The VISTA Extracting Records feature allows you to copy specific records in a report and load them into a temporary subreport. The subreport can be printed, downloaded, or searched for more values. Additional extracts can also be performed on the subreport to break down the data.
Chapter 5 Extracting Records Window This section provides information on the Extract Records window. This window is displayed after pressing F6, Extract Records, from the View window’s second set of function keys. A new set of function keys will appear along with the options window. When extracting records, you must either specify the extract criteria, also known as rules, or use a previously created set of rules.
Extracting Records Extract Lines Window The Extract Lines window is displayed when you select F6, Extract Records, from the View window’s second set of function keys. The selection criteria and the other fields in the Extract Lines window make up the Extract Rules. The rules can be saved in a database by pressing F4, Save Rules. These rules can be retrieved at a later date by pressing F1, List My Rules. Each user has his own set of rules.
Chapter 5 Extract Records Primary Function Keys This section provides information on the Extract Records primary function keys. These function keys are displayed after pressing F6, Extract Records, from the View window’s second set of function keys. 5-4 F1 List My Rules This option lists all of the available extract criteria, also known as rules. You can select an entry from the displayed list, or you can create your own.
Extracting Records Extract Records Secondary Function Keys This section provides information on the Extract Records secondary function keys. F1 Scroll Forward This option displays the next group of search values. F2 Scroll Backward This option displays the previous group of search values. F3 List All Rules This option lists all extraction rules that have been created. F8 Previous Keys This option displays the first set of Extract Records function keys.
Chapter 5 Extracting Records This section gives instructions on extracting records from a report. 1. From the View window’s primary set of function keys, press F7, Next Keys. 2. Press F6, Extract Records. The function keys change and the Extract Lines window is displayed. 3. To enter the first string to be extracted with its line(s), press Enter. You are prompted for the string (up to 40 characters). 4. Enter the string, and press Enter You are prompted at Ext.
Extracting Records 6. You can define the search column as follows: • To search the entire line, keep this value at zero (0), and press Enter. You are prompted at Len. The Len field defines the number of columns to search. Continue with step 7. • To limit your search to a only a portion of the line, you can define the columns to search as follows: a) Press F3, Extract By Cols. b) Place the cursor on the first column to be searched, and press Enter.
Chapter 5 Extracting Records Using a Set of Rules This section provides instructions on extracting records from a report using a set of predefined extract criteria. 5-8 1. From the View window’s primary set of function keys, press F7, Next Keys. 2. Press F6, Extract Records. The function keys change, and a data window is displayed. 3. To view the possible rule entries, press F1, List My Rules. The function keys change, and a window listing the entries is displayed.
Extracting Records Deleting Lines From a Temporary Report After extracting data, you may wish to edit the new temporary report you have created by deleting extraneous lines. This section provides instructions on how to delete lines from a temporary report. 1. After extracting the necessary data, press F7, Next Keys. 2. Press F3, VISTA Funct’ns. The VISTA Functions menu is displayed. Select Delete Lines, and press Enter or F6, Select. A new set of function keys appears. 3. Press F1, Mark Begin. 4.
Chapter 5 Saving a Temporary Report After you have extracted data, you can save the new temporary report for future VISTA sessions. To do so, you must know the name of an existing VISTA folder into which you can save the report, and provide a name and, optionally, a description for the report. Note. The VISTA folder into which you save the newly created report must have room for an additional report. If it doesn’t, the save process will fail.
C H A P T E R 6 Printing a Report In addition to its extensive viewing capabilities, VISTA offers the option of printing sections of a report. You can print to a local printer or to a printer attached to your HP 3000. The Print Options window is accessed by selecting the Print function key from the View window. The Print Options window can be used to specify a range of pages, the print device, the priority of the job, number of copies, environment file and file name.
Chapter 6 Print Options Window This section provides information on the Print Options window and the associated function keys. The Print Options window provides report printing capability. Sections of a report can be printed by specifying the first and last page numbers in the From Page and To Page fields. To modify a field value in the Print Options window, position the cursor over the field name by pressing the down arrow key. When the cursor is positioned, press Enter and enter the field value.
Printing a Report Print Options Fields This section provides information on the fields that appear in the Print Options window. Continue with the remainder of this chapter for instructions on using the fields described below. From Page Enter the starting page to be printed in this field. To Page Enter the last page to be printed in this field. Device Enter the print device to be used in this field. Valid devices are: • Device class - Class of the device to be used to print the file.
Chapter 6 Print Options Window Function Keys This section provides information on the Print Options window’s function keys. 6-4 F1 Print Local This option sends the current report to the local printer attached to the PC. F3 List PrntDefs This option displays a list of available printer definitions. You can scroll through the list and select the one to use. When you return to this window, your selection appears in the Environment field.
Printing a Report Printer Definitions The Select PrintDefs window is displayed when you select the List PrintDefs function key while in the Print Options window. This window can be used to select a printer definition. Printer definitions perform printer initialization, such as compressing text and printing reports in landscape mode. The PRINTDEF.PUB.NETBASE program is used to create Printer Definitions. Printer definitions are not associated with a print device.
Chapter 6 Selecting a Printer Definition Follow the instructions in this section to select the printer definition that suits the printing task you wish to perform. 6-6 1. From the View window’s primary set of function keys, press F1, Print. 2. Press F3, List PrntDefs. A list of printer definitions is displayed. Use the up and down arrow keys to scroll the list. 3. To select a printer definition, position the cursor over the printer definition name, and press Enter or F6, Select.
Printing a Report Listing Printers The Select Printer window is displayed when you select the List Printers function key while in the Print Options window. This window can be used to select a printer. If you select a printer, you do not need to enter a print device or environment in the Print Options window. The Select Printer window displays printers you can use to print a report. The printers have been defined by your system administrator and are configured to print reports on a specific print device.
Chapter 6 Selecting a Printer Follow the instructions in this section to select a printer. 1. From the View window’s primary set of function keys, press F1, Print. 2. Press F5, List Printers. A list of printers is displayed, along with a set of function keys. 3. Use the arrow keys to highlight the desired printer. To select the printer, press Enter or F6, Select. The selected print device and printer definition file are displayed in the Device and Environment fields within the Print window. 4.
Printing a Report Printing a Report Follow the instructions in this section to print locally on an external printer attached to your PC or terminal: 1. From the primary set of function keys, press F1, Print. 2. Press F1, Print Local. Printing a Section of a Report Follow the instructions in this section to print a section of a report. 1. From the View window’s primary set of function keys, press F1, Print. The print options menu appears on your screen. 2.
C H A P T E R 7 VISTA Plus Demonstration This chapter is designed to give you an introduction to the viewer features of VISTA Plus. VISTA Plus provides online, full-screen viewing for reports, which saves time and money. You can use VISTA Plus to search for values faster than you could perform a manual search with a printed copy of a report. And, by reviewing the report online, printing costs (both paper and wear on the printer) may be reduced.
Chapter 7 Preparing for the Demonstration To automate the collection of reports in your system, a batch job is provided that will collect existing reports in your spooler and store them in a VISTA folder file. The batch job name is STARTCAP.JOB.NETBASE. When the reports are captured, they are compressed and stored in a VISTA folder file named REPORTS.ARCHIVE.NETBASE. Any new reports that are generated while this job is running will also be stored in this folder file; this occurs every 120 seconds.
VISTA Plus Demonstration ! RUN NBSPOOL.PUB,RESETONCE ! IF JCW >= FATAL THEN ! TELLOP *************************************** ! TELLOP * FATAL ERROR ADJUSTING nbsponce FILE * ! TELLOP *************************************** ! ELSE ! TELLOP *** NBSPONCE file successfully adjusted ! SET STDLIST=DELETE ! ENDIF !ELSE ! SETJCW CIERROR 0 ! CONTINUE ! BUILD NBSPONCE.DATA;REC=1;DISC=9999999 ! CONTINUE ! ALTSEC NBSPONCE.
Chapter 7 Capturing Reports This section provides you with instructions for starting the report capture job, STARTCAP.JOB.NETBASE, and getting started in the viewer portion of VISTA Plus. 1. Log on to the MPE system as MANAGER.SYS. : HELLO MANAGER.SYS 2. Stream the report capture job, STARTCAP.JOB.NETBASE. : STREAM STARTCAP.JOB.NETBASE Note. This job will continue to run until you stop it by streaming the batch job STOPCAP.JOB.NETBASE.
VISTA Plus Demonstration Performing the VISTA Plus Demonstration In the “Capturing Reports” section you were told to run a report capture job stream, STARTCAP.JOB.NETBASE. You can now start the VISTA Plus program to begin viewing reports using the following command: : RUN VISTA.PUB.NETBASE When you enter this command, the screen below is displayed: The “REPORTS.ARCHIVE.NETBASE” folder is the one that is created by the report capture job stream. To open this report folder, do the following: 1.
Chapter 7 Viewing the Folder Contents Upon entering the “REPORTS.ARCHIVE.NETBASE” folder, a screen like the one below will be shown. Your contents will contain reports captured at your site.
VISTA Plus Demonstration If your screen shows more than one page of reports, use the F3, Next Page, and F3, Previous Page, keys to move through them. You can also press F5, Sort, to organize the listing. You can sort by any option in the window. A new set of function keys is displayed as shown below.
Chapter 7 Highlight “Job Name” and press F5, Sort Ascend. The window closes, and the display changes (as shown below) to reflect the new sort of the spool files.
VISTA Plus Demonstration Viewing a Report After you have sorted the reports to your satisfaction, select a report to view. To do this, simply highlight the report name you wish to view and press F4, View Report, or press Enter. The screen changes as shown below: The next section details ways you can move within the report and outlines various shortcut key sequences you can use.
Chapter 7 Advancing to a Specific Page To advance to a specific page, do the following: 1. Press F2, Go To Page. The Page field is displayed at the top of the screen in reverse video. 2. Enter the number of the page you want, and press Enter. If you enter a number greater than the total number of pages in a report, then the last page will be displayed. Moving to the Last Page To move to the last page of the report, do one of the following: 7-10 Ÿ Press Ctrl + End. Ÿ Press F5, Last Page.
VISTA Plus Demonstration Movement Shortcuts The following terminal keys can be used when viewing reports: Keys Function Up Arrow Scrolls up one line Down Arrow Scrolls down one line Tab Shifts 80 characters to the right Shift + Tab Shifts 80 characters to the left PageUp or Prev Displays previous 22 lines PageDown or Next Displays next 22 lines Ctrl + Home or Home Displays first page Ctrl + End or Home + Down Arrow Displays last page // Exits VISTA Plus RR Returns to the Report Select
Chapter 7 Searching with VISTA Plus VISTA Plus provides fast searching for specific values or strings within a report. In addition to being able to search forward, by columns, by window, or for the last occurrence of a specified value, VISTA Plus offers several other search capabilities.
VISTA Plus Demonstration Search Function Keys This section provides information on the Search function keys. F1 Search Forward This option searches from this point forward for the search value entered. F2 SearchBy Columns This option searches for the specified value within defined columns. VISTA prompts you for beginning and ending column. It then searches only within those columns for the value. F3 Search Window This option performs a search for the value within the active window only.
Chapter 7 Search Operation As you scroll through the report, all text strings matching the most recent search string entered are displayed in reverse video. In VISTA Plus, searching is not case sensitive. Matches occur on lower and upper case characters. This means that the string “Assembly” will match the string “ASSEMBLY”. Searching is always performed in a forward direction.
VISTA Plus Demonstration To search a report: 1. Press F6, Search, from the Viewer screen. The function keys change and you are prompted for the item to be located. 2. Enter a value that you would expect to find in the report you have displayed, and press Enter. VISTA Plus displays the first occurrences of the value, with the value highlighted. To see additional instances of this value, press F1, Search Forward.
Chapter 7 Setting Indices The idea behind indexing is to speed up searches in large reports (more than 100 pages). If you have an inventory report where you always look for the string “TOTAL,” making an index increases the speed with which you find it. If the string always appears in columns 1 through 5, you can create the index to search all lines of the report in the specific columns for the value.
VISTA Plus Demonstration 5. Use the arrow keys to move and highlight “Add Search Index” as shown in the picture above. 6. Press F6, Select. You are prompted, “Position cursor on START of Index and Press Return.” 7. Place the cursor at the beginning of the value you wish to index and press Enter. You are prompted “Position the cursor on END of Index and Press Return.” 8. Place the cursor at the end of the index value. (The value is highlighted.) Press Enter.
Chapter 7 Saving an Index with a Report To save the index with the report for future reviews of this report and any other copies generated of this report, do the following: 7-18 1. Press F3, VISTA Funct'ns. VISTA Plus displays an options window. 2. Use the arrow keys to move and highlight “Search Index Management.” Press Enter or F6, Select. VISTA Plus displays the index you defined. See the example shown below. 3. Press F5, Index Report. The system will process the index.
VISTA Plus Demonstration Searching Using a Predefined Index In this example, you will do a search based on the index that was defined in the last procedure. 1. Press F8, Previous Keys. 2. Press F6, Search, from the Viewer screen. The function keys change. 3. Enter a string that you know you will find within the defined search index and press F5. The label of this key reflects the name you gave your index. In the example below it is “Case No.
Chapter 7 Creating Windows Another feature of VISTA Plus is the ability to define windows for a report. For reports which are greater than 80 characters in length per line, this feature enables you to view both “ends" of the report simultaneously. To see this feature, please perform the following steps. 7-20 1. Exit VISTA Plus back to the Select Report screen. 2. Select any one of your available reports. 3. Press F7, Next Keys, from the Viewer screen. The function keys change. 4.
VISTA Plus Demonstration 7. Adjust the margins with the function or arrow keys. Notice how the window display changes. 8. To save the window, press F5, Save Windows. The window you defined is saved with the report. The next time the report is viewed, it will automatically be displayed with this window. 9. Exit VISTA Plus using F8, Previous Keys, and the subsequent Exit function keys.
Chapter 7 Printing Sections of a Report Use this procedure to print pages within a report. 1. Press F1, Print, on the first set of Viewer function keys. The print options window (displayed below) permits you to define the pages to print and the device to be used. Print output can be sent to a local printer attached to a terminal or to a system printer. 2. Once you are satisfied with the data in the window, press F6, Execute Print, to begin printing. To terminate printing, press Ctrl + Y.
VISTA Plus Demonstration Advanced VISTA Plus Features The following section details some of the advanced features available only with VISTA Plus: • Increases the number of pages per report from 32,000 to 100,000. • Notes function which enables you to create, edit and view electronic notes. For details, see the section on “Electronic Notes” in this section. • Add Field function which enables you to add fields to a report. For details, see the section on “Adding a Field to a Report” in this section.
Chapter 7 Electronic Notes Electronic Notes can be used to store comments, questions, and additional information with specific report pages. When you select F1, Notes, from the second set of Viewer function keys, the Notes function keys are displayed. Notes Function Keys This section provides information on the Notes function keys. 7-24 F1 Mark Begin This option marks the first line to which the note you are creating pertains.
VISTA Plus Demonstration Use the Notes function keys to mark a screen location for a note; then select F3, Notes Window. The Electronic Notes pop-up window is displayed with a new set of function keys, as shown below.
Chapter 7 Notes Window Function Keys This section provides information on the Notes window function keys. F1 Next Note This option opens the next note available. F2 Previous Note This option opens the previous note. F3 Delete Note This option deletes the current note. F4 Modify Note This option lets you modify the current note. Enter your changes in the note window and press F4, Modify Note. F5 Add Note This option lets you add a note just created.
VISTA Plus Demonstration Adding a Field to a Report You can use this feature to attach a field name to a location on a report. Note. You must have Account Manager status in order to do this. To add a field to a report: 1. Press F7, Next Keys, from the primary set of Viewer function keys. 2. Press F7, Next Keys from the second set of Viewer function keys. 3. Select F1, Add Field. 4. Place the cursor where you want the field to begin and press Enter. 5.
A P P E N D I X A Index A D Add Field function........................................ 7-27 Add Search Index function ........................... 7-17 Adding Bookmarks ............................................... 3-11 Fields.......................................................... 3-6 Notes ........................................................ 3-16 Windows .................................................. 3-39 ARCHIVE.NETBASE....................................
Appendix A Viewing.................................................... 3-15 Window.................................................... 3-15 Working with notes .................................. 3-17 Extracting data By cols ....................................................... 5-7 Execute extract .................................... 5-7, 5-8 Ext field ..................................................... 5-6 Extract headings to..................................... 5-7 Extract lines screen .................
Index Listing archived........................................ 2-15 Movement shortcuts........................... 3-9, 7-11 Moving to the first page............................ 3-10 Moving to the last page.................... 3-10, 7-10 Scrolling in reports ................................... 3-10 Security check ............................................ 2-7 Selecting.............................................. 2-4, 2-7 Sorting by columns ................................... 3-34 Tagging.................
Appendix A Report viewer features ................................ 1-4 Search options .......................................... 7-12 VISTA functions Calculating............................................... 3-36 Column management................................ 3-33 Configuration options............................... 3-42 Delete lines................................................. 5-9 Download report............ 3-24, 3-26, 3-28, 3-29 Hold buffer management .......................... 3-37 Introduction.
