With the advent of new programs and techniques that
allow easier interfaces, Libra can now do things that were previously only
within the realm of more sophisticated Windows Based software. Using
complementary programs we can now:
1)
Print Barcode
Labels
2)
Convert Libra
Data into Excel
3)
Create Text &
PDF Documents
4)
Automatically
e-mail documents
5)
Cut & Paste
Data from Libra to Word
6)
Print to USB
Printers on Windows XP
If any of these are major requirements for your company
it may be advisable to investigate integrating them with Libra before you look
at replacing your accounting software. We will describe each of the above
common features in brief in the article to follow:
Bar Coding is a common technology used in both
Manufacturing and Inventory Tracking Applications. It involves two separate
technologies. One is used to print barcode labels. The other is used to read
barcode labels. Reading barcode labels is usually software independent. A
reader simply converts barcodes into letters and numbers, which are fed into
the computer via the keyboard interface. Printing is a little more complicated,
requiring a specific program to design and print labels. The best of these
programs offers an inbox function that will print labels on request as
submitted by an outside source such as a Libra program.
For years now we have developed routines to export
native Libra Data for use in Excel Spreadsheets. This data is usually ASCII
text, which may or may not have field delimiters. This data can easily be
imported into Excel using the File Import Wizard that kicks in automatically
when you open a text file. Libra Spool Files can be used in this manner.
In some cases Text Data extracted from Libra can be used
for other purposes. This data can be sent to banks for direct deposit. Reports
can be e-mailed to another individual without the necessity of a printed copies
and couriers. Invoices and Purchase Orders can be created in text format and
automatically e-mailed to customers and suppliers with the aid of a small
e-mail accessory program.
If you prefer to send files in Adobe Acrobat format,
which blocks the end user from changing the document, a simple conversion
routine can be integrated at the same time.
Many
users do not know that you can copy and paste data from Libra screens to
Microsoft Word for example. This can be done in both Text Mode and Graphics
Mode. To Copy Text run Libra in Full Screen Mode and press <Print Screen>
when the desired data is on the screen. Then press <ALT><TAB> to
switch to Windows, open Word and set the Font to Courier 8 point. Right
Click the mouse and select Paste to copy the Libra Screen into Word. To copy
Libra Screens as a Graphic, press <ALT><Enter> to convert Libra
into a Window. Click within the window, then press
<ALT><Print
Screen>, go to Word and Paste. Keep in mind that Text can be changed while
Graphic images cannot.
USB
printers have become the norm and can cause users problems printing from older
programs. If you are still using Windows 95 or 98 you may be out of luck in
this case. Windows 2000 & XP allow users to create locally shared printers
and Libra can be configured to print to the Windows share name, bypassing
direct USB printing. With few
exceptions Libra can print to any USB printer that supports PCL 4, 5 or 6
printer language. This covers almost all HP printers and many of the best
competitive printers.