Version 4.5.2
 —  Format Converter  —

Getting Started

This document covers the following topics:


Starting the Format Converter

If you do not specify otherwise during installation, an Entire Connection folder automatically appears in the Programs folder of the Start menu after Entire Connection has been installed. It contains the shortcuts for the Entire Connection components, including the Format Converter.

Start of instruction set To start the Format Converter

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Creating a Format File

A format file must exist for each file you want to convert. It contains information about the fields in the file to be converted and their lengths (see Format Files in the Data Transfer section).

The format file must be stored in the same directory as the file to be converted and must have the same name as the file for which is is created. The extension of a format file is always "ncf".

When downloading data, a format file is automatically created.

A format file does not exist in the following cases:

You can modify an existing format file or create a new format file. When you create a format file, it is always created in the new format. When you modify an old format file, it remains in its old format. See also Format Files in the section Terminal Emulation.

Start of instruction set To create or modify a format file

  1. In the Entire Connection Format Converter window, choose the Format prompt button.

    The Open dialog box appears.

    Open Format File

  2. Select the required directory and enter the name for the new format file in the text box. You need not specify an extension since it is automatically provided.

    Or:
    Select the format file that you want to modify in the dialog box.

  3. Choose the Open button.

    The Format Prompt dialog box appears.

    Format Prompt

  4. Choose the option button for the decimal symbol that is to be used (comma or dot).

    The following command buttons are provided (in addition to the standard buttons):

    Add Add a field.
    Delete Delete the selected field.
    Modify Modify the selected field. You can also double-click a field to modify it.
    Up Move the selected field up.
    Down Move the selected field down.

    You can now define all required fields as described below. The fields must correspond to the fields in the file for which you create the format file.

Start of instruction set To define the fields

  1. To add a field, choose the Add button.

    The Define Format dialog box appears:

    Add field

  2. From the Format type drop-down list box, select the desired format type.

  3. In the Length spin box, specify the desired field length (except for a logical field).

    For a numeric field, you have to enter the number of digits before and after the decimal symbol.

    Add numeric field

  4. Choose the OK button.

    The field definition is now shown in the Format Prompt dialog box.

  5. Repeat the above steps to add all required fields.

  6. Optionally: to delete, modify or move the selected field, choose the corresponding command button.

    The Format Prompt dialog box may now look as follows:

    Format Prompt Example

  7. Choose the OK button to save the format file.

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Converting a File

When a format file exists, you can convert a file as described below.

Start of instruction set To convert a file

  1. On the left side of the Entire Connection Format Converter window, select the file to be converted.

    Using the File type drop-down list box, you can specify that only files with a specific extension are shown (for example, you can limit the display to Excel files with the extension "xls").

  2. In the Destination group box, enter the name for the target file in the text box.

    You need not specify an extension. It is automatically provided depending on the file type you select from the Convert to file type drop-down list box.

    If you do not specify a path with the name, the target file is created in the current directory.

  3. From the Convert to file type drop-down list box, select the desired format.

    Format Converter Example

  4. Choose the Convert button.

    If a file with the name you have just specified exists, a dialog box appears. If you want to overwrite the existing file, choose the Yes button.

    A message indicating that conversion is in progress is shown. The target file is created in the specified directory.

    If a format file does not exist, an error message appears. In this case, you must first create a format file and then repeat conversion.

  5. To quit the Format Converter, choose the Close button.

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Startup Parameters

The Format Converter is started by invoking Pccconvert.exe.

If you create a shortcut for Pccconvert.exe, you can modify its properties in order to define the language with which the Format Converter is to be started.

Note:
This information applies only to shortcuts on your desktop (it does not apply to the shortcut in the Start menu or a copy of it).

The syntax for invoking the Format Converter with an English user interface is the following:

[drive:\path\]Pccconvert.exe /US

The syntax for invoking the Format Converter with a German user interface is the following:

[drive:\path\]Pccconvert.exe /GR

When a language is not defined, English is used by default.

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