custom invoices & invoice column data formats

[Jack]

After I create a custom invoice how do I get that invoice to reflect on an invoice input screen so that I can enter data and test it out. Only the Peachtree default invoice format appears when I click on the tasks/invoice dropdown (I am using the Berkley Pool Co. on Peachtrees CD to work with because I have not set up any company as yet, could this be the problem?). Also how do I change an entire column of data items from a format of NN,NNN.NN to XXXXXXX for example without having to change each individual item?

[Marka]

I believe you are mixing up the terms of creating custom invoices. The option that Peachtree gives you to create custom invoices is more towards the "printout" version of the invoice. It seems you are leaning more towards the dataentry screen of the invoice in your question. Screen layout/customization if very limited in Peachtree.

I used "Custom" forms a lot before I upgraded to Complete and now find it is even more difficult to customize the forms - although they gave you more options in this area working with "lines" is very difficult now.

As far as changing the fields from NN,NNN.NN to xXXXXXXXX I do not believe you would be able to do this due to the fact that the data field if set at NN,NNN.NN entry would represent data that is only numeric, and with xXXXXXXXX would represent dataentry that would be alph/numeric. You would only be able to change a field of numeric from NN,NNN.NN to (Example: N,NNN.NN) It would be unsual that any program would allow you to customize a datafield from numeric entry to alph/numeric field or reverse. This would actually restructure the database. If you are attempting to actually replace an existing field of NN,NNN.NN which let's say would be the unit price (numeric field) of an item to xXXXXXXXXXX to be the description of an item (alpha field) then this logic holds but in this case would be a different field of the record altogether.

The only way i know of that you could use xXXXXXX as numeric and perform calculations with this field is with Crystal Reports. If the field is xXXXXXX (alpha) and you enter a number of 5 for example in crstal you would have to convert the field to numeric in order to perform any calculations to this field. I have already performed this task in Crystal.

In order to change an entire column without having to change each row I believe you would have to set the data portion of the columns up as a GROUP. This way you would have to only create one row of data and then just format the group to print as many rows as you would want.

I hope I have answered your questions.

Mark