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fields are shown in the Variable/Field list box as soon as you assign a database to
the document. They can be entered in the formula with double clicks.
As an example, we want to create an invoice form that can be easily printed as a
form letter. For this, all we need is a database whose fields contain the customers’
personal data (name, address, etc.). Beyond that – we’ll simplify things and allow
only one item per invoice – the database should contain a QUANTITY field for the
order quantity, an ITEM field for item designators and a PRICE field for the unit
price.
Proceed as follows:
1. Create a new document with File > New.
2. Assign an appropriate database to it with Tools > Set Database (see below for
an example).
3. Next, create a normal form letter, as described in chapter “Database”. Insert the
database fields containing the relevant customer data (address, etc.) at the proper
places in the letterhead.
4. Now design the invoice itself according to your tastes. Enter fields from your
database with Insert > Field > Database field – for example, the QUANTITY
field for the order quantity.
5. And now the main point: You can calculate with the database fields. For example,
the formula QUANTITY*PRICE calculates the total for the current database
record. So, using Insert > Calculation, insert appropriate calculations at
the desired positions.
6. When everything has been entered, you can save the document. Next, select
some database records and print your invoices with File > Print Merge.
You will find an example in TextMaker’s document folder: the files INVOICE.TMD
and INVOICE.DBF.
Tip: If you check the Display field names option on the View property sheet of the
File > Properties dialog, you will see the formulas themselves, rather than the
results they give, and you will then better understand how this self-calculating
form letter works.
366 Calculations in the text Manual TextMaker