Windows-utility


Content

1. Creating databases

1.1 Starting the TI-92-Database
1.2 Creating a new database
1.3 Opening and saving databases
1.4 Adding and renaming fields
1.5 Deleting and rearranging fields
1.6 Adding, deleting and rearranging records
1.7 Changing properties

2. Working with databases

2.1 Finding and replacing text
2.2 Sorting
2.3 Cut, Copy, Paste, Clear
2.4 Importing data from other applications
2.5 Including tools
2.6 Using the toolbar


1. Creating databases

1.1 Starting the TI-92-Database

Click on the TI-92-Database icon in the Start-menu to start the Windows-utility of the TI-92-Database. The main-window like that shown below (but bigger) should appear:

1.2 Creating a new database

Choose File|New. You get a empty database with one field and no record.

1.3 Opening and saving databases

The command File|Open... opens a database and File|Save saves a database. It's the same like in any other Windows-programm.

Remark: On the calculator, it is not necessary to save the database, because it is saved automatically. In the Windows-utility you must choose File|Save to write all changes to the harddisk.

1.4 Adding and renaming fields

After you have created a new database, you must add fields: Choose Edit|New Field... and input the name of the new field. Call this command again to add all other fields.

To rename a field, choose Edit|Rename Field..., after you have selected a cell of the column to rename.

1.5 Deleting and rearranging fields

It's possible to delete two to more fields together. Select a range of cells of the columns you want to delete and choose Edit|Delete Fields in the menu. Remark: Press Shift and use the arrow-keys to select a range of cells.

If you would choose Edit|Delete Fields in the picture above, you would delete the 2. and 3. column.

To rearrange the fields, click into the grey titlecell of a field and move it while you press the left mouse-button. A black line shows you, where you insert the column.

1.6 Adding, deleting and rearranging records

When you input your data in the last empty line (without a number), a new empty line automatically appears. As soon as the line isn't empty anymore, it also gets a number. By the way, the last empty line will never be stored in the database.

If you want to delete records, select them and choose Edit|Delete Records or press Shift+Delete.

Records are rearranged the same way as fields: Move them by using your mouse (Drag&Drop). Keep in mind that you must click into the left grey cells containing the record-numbers to rearrange records!

1.7 Changing properties

Choose Edit|Properties....

Now, you input the title of the database and the folder and variablename, in which the database is stored on the calculator. Some programmes to transmit files to the calculator (for example TI-Graph-Link) allow you to transmit the database to another folder and variablename than specified in this dialog. As a result, the folder- and variablename-fields in this dialog only contain default-values for the transmission.

2. Working with databases

2.1 Finding and replacing text

Use the Edit|Find... command to search for text in the whole database and Edit|Replace... to replace text in the whole database. Finding and replacig works like in other Windows-programmes. The algorithm searches form left to right an top to bottom and if you select a range of cells, it searches and replaces only in this range.

The picture shows how to replace a  abbreviation by the whole word.

Remark: F3 does the same as Edit|Find....

2.2 Sorting

Use the Edit|Sort... command to sort the records of your database.

This dialog allows you to determine according to which fields you want to sort. Additionally you can sort in ascending or descending order. You can define up to three sort-criterions.

2.3 Cut, Copy, Paste, Clear

Like in many other Windows-programmes, the Windows-utility of the TI-92-Database   allows you to cut, copy paste and clear cells. Use the corresponding commands in the Edit-menu. Keep in  mind that Edit|Clear and Edit|Cut don't delete the selected cell itself but only its contents. If you want to delete a row or columns, use Edit|Delete Records and Edit|Delete Fields.

2.4 Importing data from other applications

Via the clipboard, you can import data from other Windows-applications, for example Excel or Word. Here are instructions how to import data from Microsoft Excel (it works the same with many other applications):

  1. Open the the Excel-spreedsheet which contains the data to import..
  2. Select the range of cells which you want to import.
  3. Choose Edit|Copy in Excel.
  4. Start the TI-92-Database and open the database in which you want to import the data or create a new database. If you have created a new database, you must create the fields, too.
  5. Select the cell in the TI-92-Database where the data should be copied to. If you select a range of cells, only this range will be overwritten.
  6. Choose Edit|Paste in the TI-92-Database. The data should be imported correctly now.

You can also export data in the same way to other applications: Choose Edit|Copy in the TI-92-Database and Edit|Paste in the other application.

2.5 Including tools

In the Tools-menu, you can include your programmes which you often need together with the TI-92-Database. Then, you can start them comfortably via the Tools-menu.
For example you should include TI-Graph-Link or your other transmission-programmes.

Choose Tool|Configure... to include new programmes.

Click on the Add-button to include a new programm in the Tools-menu. After you have chosen the Exe-file, the fields Command-line and Working-directory are completed with the correct values. Input a Menutext and a Description and choose OK (it doesn't matter what you input in the description-field, because it has no function). Now, there should be a new menu-item for the programm in the Tools-Menu. When you choose the new item, the programm will be started.

In the dialog to configure the tools you can also determine whether the the programm should be started normal, minimized or maximized.

2.6 Using the toolbar

You need not use the menu-commands but you can also use the corresponding buttons in the toolbar for most of the commands. I'm sure you know most of the symbols, and if you don't, move the mouse over the button and a hint will appear.


Last change: 10.1.1999