Note: These settings are set individually for each datafile.
The Address Block setting is used to extract address data from a datafile. This address data may be used in two different ways. The most common use is in the printing of labels and envelopes from within iData 2. Another use is in the Copy Address Block function under the Edit menu.
These settings are set individually for each datafile, since the location and arrangement of the address data may vary from file to file. The default setting is to use addresses in the Freeform Text Area, starting at line number 1, and selecting text up to the first blank line.
Note: In all cases, all empty lines will be removed from the final address block text. If you wish to have a blank line appear in an address block, you must add a space character to that line.
Setting Up the Address Block:
1. With a datafile open, select Datafile Settings... from the File menu. (Or, type command-option-comma.)
2. In the dialog that comes up, select the Address Block tab.
3. Select a radio button for the part of the datafile that contains the address block. The options are Use addresses in freeform text area: and Use addresses in fields:.
4. Set up the address block details, as explained below.
Getting an Address Block from the Freeform Text Area
iData 2 can extract an address block from the Freeform Text Area. This is, of course, the only option for datafiles that have no fields. However, it may also be of use when addresses are added to the Freeform Text Area of a datafile that has fields that are not address-related.
In freeform text, the address block text is expected to be a block of contiguous lines of text. There are two options for finding the beginning of the address block, and two more for finding the end of it.
Begin by selecting the Use addresses in freeform text area: radio button.
Finding the Beginning of a Freeform Address Block
The options for finding the beginning of the address block in the Freeform Text Area are:
1. Start at line number: Pick this option if the addresses in your datafile all start on the same line. The most common case will be that each address starts on the first line of its record. A typical exception might be a datafile in which a phone number, or other data was on the first line, with the addresses all starting on line 3.
If you are just starting a freeform datafile that contains addresses, we suggest that you always start each record with the address. It will make things easier for you in the long run.
After selecting this option, type the line number in the text field at the right of the radio button.
2. Start on line after: If you have an existing datafile that has addresses located on different lines in different records, and if it is too difficult to change this, you have another option. You can place one or two special characters on the line above each address, and have iData 2 take the line following that character.
After selecting this option, type the special character(s) in the text field at the right of the radio button. You should select a character that is not used anywhere else in any of the records in that datafile. The default character is the ~% (tilde percent). If you want to use a single character, a good choice might be the  (logical NOT), which can be typed by holding down the option key and typing l (lowercase L).
Next, add the special character(s) on a separate line, immediately above each address, so that a typical record might look like this:
1/32"-walled titanium tubing is available with outer diameters of 1/2", 5/8", and 3/4"
This could be nice for whistles, since it's strong, doesn't corrode, and can be treated to produce a kind of opalescent finish.
The Delrin mouthpieces and fipples that we use with brass tubing should work just fine with titanium.
06/10/05 - talked to Bob Smith at Smith Metals, and he says we can get a 6' sample of the 1/2" stuff by sending a business
card and a brief description of our plans to:
~%
Smith Metals, Inc.
ATTN: Bob Smith
123 Main Street
Bigville, VA 54321-1234
Once we see how it works, we can make a decision about whether we want to start using it. Bob can also provide details
about what is needed to produce the opalescent finish.
Phone: \111-555-4321\
Office hours: 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00 EST
The Start on line after: option lets you leave the address where it is, instead of moving it to the top of the record.
Finding the End of a Freeform Address Block
The options for finding the end of of the address block in the Freeform Text Area are:
1. Select up to first blank line: Pick this option to have iData 2 select all text up to the first blank line following the start of the address block text. This is probably the most useful option.
Note that it is not necessary to add a blank line after an address block if it is the last item in a record. The blank line is only needed to separate the address block from any following text.
2. Select only [ ] lines Use this option to have iData 2 always pick the same number of lines, regardless of what follows them. This is probably not particularly useful for actual mailing addresses, but may be useful for producing labels containing information other than addresses.
After selecting this option, type in the desired number of lines.
Note that it is okay if the address text contains fewer lines than specified.
Getting an Address Block from Fields
Begin by selecting the Use addresses in fields: radio button.
The list on the left contains field names for this datafile. Click once on a field name, and it will be inserted in the area at the left.
Type spaces, returns, and punctuation to properly format the field names into an address. If you wish, you can also type text into the address block such as "Attn: " or "For the eyes only of ". This text would appear in the same relative position in every address.
Note that any blank lines will be removed from
each address block, so that in the example shown above, a record that has
nothing in the Organization field
will not produce an address block with a blank second line. However, a record
that has nothing in the Title field will produce an address block that has
a space in front of the first name, so it is best to be consistent in planning
your address block layouts.
