Template Files

You can create template files to ensure that every time you start a new PipeDream document, it has the settings you require. The following settings are saved in a template file:

In addition, you can save any standard text which you want to appear in every document to which the template file applies.

Three template files are provided with PipeDream and are called Records, Numbers and Text. You can use them for database work, spreadsheet work and word processing work respectively.

Using a Template File

To use one of the built-in template files:

1. Click on the PipeDream icon on the icon bar to bring up the Icon menu.

2. Move the pointer onto the arrow to the right of the New Document option. You will see a list of template files - Numbers, Records and Text. Click on the one you want.

Instead of bringing up the Icon menu and moving the pointer onto the arrow to the right of the New document option, you can give the Load Template File command from a PipeDream window by pressing Ctrl-FGL. You will see the same list of template files.

A new untitled window will appear on the screen, with the settings of the chosen template file.

Creating Your Own Template File

The easiest way to do this is to edit one of the built-in template files:

1. Click on the PipeDream icon on the icon bar to bring up the Icon menu.

2. Move the pointer onto the arrow to the right of the New Document option. You will see a list of template files - Numbers, Records and Text. Click on the one you want to modify.

3. Change the document settings as you require and type in any standard text.

4. When all the settings and text are as you want them, give the Save Template File command:

Menu Command Ctrl-sequence Key
Files Save template file FI

5. The Save Template File dialogue box will appear. It will contain the name of the template file you selected. Change this if you want to keep the original template file as well as your edited version.

6. Click the OK button or press Enter.

When you want to start a document with the settings of the template file you have created, proceed as follows:

1. Click on the PipeDream icon on the icon bar to bring up the Icon menu.

2. Move the pointer onto the arrow to the right of the New document option. You will see a list of files which now includes the name of your new template file. Click on this.

A new untitled window will appear on the screen, with the settings and contents of your template file.

Instead of bringing up the Icon menu and moving the pointer onto the arrow to the right of the New document option, you can give the Load Template File command from a PipeDream window by pressing Ctrl-FGL.

Suggested Settings For Template Files

If you are creating a template file to use for word processing work, you might want to turn off Borders and turn on Insert on return in the Options dialogue box. You might also want to set column widths and right margins.

If you are creating a template file for use with spreadsheet work, it is best to set the New slot format option in the Options dialogue box to Numbers, to turn off Wrap and to turn on Grid. A useful initial size for your spreadsheets might be 26 columns by 20 rows. Setting the right margins of all columns apart from column A to zero might be a good idea for your spreadsheet work.

When creating a template file for use with databases, you might want to use the same settings as for spreadsheet work and to fix rows 1 and 2 and column A.

For information on See
Saving settings for all PipeDream documents Saving Choices