Details
Author: Walkenbach, John
ISBN: 1-883327-38-5
Publisher: TitleWave Press, 1994, 202 pp.
Includes: Diskette
Status: This book is available by direct order only: Call 800/280-5532
Comments: This is my only non-IDG book. It's a useful guide to creating macro-driven applications with Quattro Pro for Windows. As far as I know, it's the only book like it in the world.
Contents
Introduction
- Why I wrote this book
- What you need to know
- Organization of the book
- Getting the most from this book
- Installation
- Feedback?
Chapter 1. About Quattro Pro for Windows
- The evolution of Quattro Pro
- Why Quattro Pro for Windows is great for developers
Chapter 2. What is a spreadsheet application?
- The definition
- The developer and the user
- Why people use spreadsheets
- Basic spreadsheet types
Chapter 3. Essentials of spreadsheet applications
- Organize the spreadsheet
- Provide a good user interface
- Wipe out the bugs
- Trap user errors
- Document your work
- Provide user documentation and help
Chapter 4. Creating A QuickTemplate: No programming required
- Initial steps
- Changing the Custom Page
- Saving the -Empty- scenario
- Saving the -Sample- scenario
- Configuring the Highlight feature
- Customizing the Tips message
- Cleaning up
- Editing TEMPLATE.INI
- A final test
Chapter 5. What you need to know about macros
- What a macro can do
- How Quattro Pro for Windows handles macros
- Recording macros
- Entering macros directly
- Naming macros
- Macro command arguments
- Self-modifying macros
- Macro libraries
- Macro programming concepts
- Macro debugging
- Different ways to execute a macro
- Macro tips
Chapter 6. The UI Builder: An overview
- Accessing the UI Builder
- Dialog box windows
- Dialog box controls
- Testing your work
- Behind the scenes
Chapter 7. Hands on: A sample application
- Setting up the notebook
- Building the dialog box
- Creating the macro
- Putting it all together
- Using the application
- Fine-tuning the application
- Other modifications
Chapter 8. The UI Builder: In detail
- Key concepts
- Attaching links to controls
- About the controls
- Push buttons
- Check boxes
- Radio buttons
- Bitmap buttons
- Labels
- Edit fields
- Spin controls
- Rectangles
- Group boxes
- List boxes
- Combo boxes
- Pick lists
- File controls
- Color controls
- Scrollers
- Time controls
Chapter 9. Combining the UI Builder with macros
- Why use macros?
- Getting property settings via macros
- Setting properties with macro commands
- Creating and manipulating controls with macros
Chapter 10. Creating custom toolbars
- About toolbars
- Why use a custom toolbar?
- Displaying toolbars
- Toolbar Arrangement
- Creating a custom toolbar
- Controlling toolbars with macros
- The UI_ICON5 toolbar
- Toolbar Tips
Chapter 11. Creating custom menus
- Pop-up menus
- Drop-down menu systems
- Operations with menus
- Examining and adjusting menu command properties
- Designing menu systems
Chapter 12. Adding help to your applications
- Why use help in your applications
- Different ways to provide Help
- Adding a Help button to dialog boxes
- Using the Help Line property
- Using the Object Help property
- Context-sensitive help for controls
- Using custom WINHELP files
- Simulating WINHELP with a notebook
Chapter 13. Working with the QuickTemplate Builder
- What happens when you open a QuickTemplate?
- Using the QuickTemplate Builder
- QuickTemplate pages
- Versions
- The Template Tools toolbar
- Modifying TEMPLATE.INI
Chapter 14. Basic steps in application design
- Identifying the problem
- Planning your approach
- Developing the application
- Testing and debugging
- Fine-tuning
- Documenting your work
- Distributing the application
- Getting feedback and revising
Chapter 15. Aesthetic and design considerations
- Why looks are important
- How to create great-looking applications
- Tips you can use
Chapter 16. Special topics
- Controlling user access
- Cleaning up after yourself
- The Database Desktop
- Using sound in your applications
- Dealing with different video modes
- Dealing with fonts
- Applications in a network environment
Chapter 17. Where to go from here
- Improving your skills
- Other options