PA Version 2.1.0 update summary
This update is the first major revision of the PA program since 2002, so we decided to devote a separate web page to describe the changes. This incorporates many of the features that have already been tested and proven popular in the other state versions of Campaign ToolBox. There are several reasons that these changes were not done sooner, but they all revolve around the fact that the PA program uses a completely different system to create the printed reports than the other states do. The code that handles the statutory reports has not changed other than giving you more options for how the files are handled after the report has been created.
If you use the Mail Merge portion of the program, but had trouble using the .MDB database file, you can now use a standard text file (.TXT) when importing records into your word processor. The program now creates both .MDB and .TXT data files.
When creating your electronic filing data file, you can now save the file to any removable media. Note that to burn the file to a CD, you will need to use your regular CD burning software. The program copies the electronic filing data files to a folder named C:\ReportFile_PA. That folder will always contain the most recently created files. You can use the files in that folder if you want to manually copy files or burn them to a CD.
Each time you exit the program, it saves a numbered copy of your database file in a DataBackup folder. The last 5 copies of the file are saved as the oldest file is deleted. This serves as a way to restore your database if needed. This is not a replacement for a regular data backup system since it will not protect against a hard drive failure.
There are a number of other improvements to the program, but these are the changes you will notice first.
Spreadsheet View
Probably the single most popular new feature (judging by the response from other state programs) is the Spreadsheet view. This is accessed from the menu and displays a list of records, depending on what form you are on at the time. The records are sorted by columns going from left to right. You can move the columns around to resort the records by doing a drag-and-drop of the column headers. You can also change the column widths as needed (especially useful if you want to print this as a report).
For most people, this will completely replace the original Search function. Search is still available, and for some specialized searches, it is still a better choice. For most routine record searches, the Spreadsheet View will be the best way to locate a record.
Once you find the record that you are looking for, you can double click to take you to that record. See the full description on the screen capture image.
You can also print out the spreadsheet view for a quick report. Note that you cannot limit the number of records printed - it will print the entire list.
Look Up List
Prior to version 2.1.0, in order to select an existing demographic record, you had to type the first few letters and then press the "*" key. While this is still the method used for selecting an employer (if you are required to report employer information), the program now displays a Look Up List when you press the third letter of either a last name or an organization. You then select the existing demographic record (if it is on the list), or press the Escape or Backspace key to continue entering a new person or organization.
To Update Your Program
To update your program, please download and install the update file by going to the main PA program page and following the instructions there. You should be able to just use the update file, but the full program install will also work (it is just a larger file to download).
