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In
early May we released Pathagoras 2016.2. It announced a bevy of upgrades and powerful new and upgraded features. If you didn't read that announcement, here
is a link to the on-line version.
But
for those who know Pathagoras, we never stop working. We constantly strive to
make document assembly and document automation easier and more powerful for
your document production needs. In this release, we continued
to build on the new 2016.2 features in quite dramatic ways.
- Data in two columns. Column A reflects variable names. Column B the values.
- Data in two rows. Row 1 reflects variable names. Row 2 the values.
- Data in named cells. Naming cells requires a bit more setup, but the payoff is that you are not limited to a defined structure. You can provide your client a much more 'user-friendly' (colorful, dynamic, intricate, etc.) interface, more instructions, and the like.
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You can also quickly access data in an Excel spreadsheet that contains multiple records. Pathagoras can quickly read and present that data as well. The requirements for this 'multi-record' file are:
(1) The first row must reflect the variable names in separate columns.
(2) Subsequent rows would be the values for those variables for each client/customer.
(3) The spreadsheet name must contain the
word 'List' (e.g., 'Client List' or 'List of Customers'). This single word indicates to Pathagoras its 'multi-record' nature.
When a multi-record spreadsheet is called upon,
Pathagoras will present each row in the spreadsheet as if it were an individual 'Existing Record'.
We are always excited about adding new ways of connecting to your data, yet still maintaining our unique, plain-text approach to variable creation. If you have other thoughts, let us know.
This new feature is illustrated and discussed at this link.
- Mirroring settings across multiple users: We have added a second
approach to sharing setups among multiple users. With this feature, any two or more users can be 'mirrored', allowing them to share features such as DropDown Lists, Multichoice (*Alias*) lists, Libraries and Books and other Pathagoras tools. An administrator nominated by the office is typically in charge of setting the basic
libraries, books, DropDown Lists, etc. Others simply point to the 'mirror' location and they will then automatically have the administrator's setup. Read more about
mirroring here.
- P-Loader: In previous versions, multi-licensed users had to separately upgrade each computer one-at-a-time whenever a new version of Pathagoras was released. With this release, Pathagoras offers an alternative. You can now install a very small, but permanent, 'pointer'
file in Word's Startup folder, and store the engine in a central location that licensed users can access. What you see at startup is a solitary button that points to the central location. When upgrades to Pathagoras are issued, only that single
copy of the 'engine' is replaced. Read more about P-Loader at this link.
- The 'Cumulative' command
Many customers wanted a simpler approach to
building repeating text blocks when an unknown, but finite, number of elements was at play. 'Names of Children', 'Shareholders and their holdings', 'Parties to a transaction', etc. You now can create a list of text blocks that represent the returns for the first X elements of a
list. When prompted, select the highest number of items you want returned. Pathagoras will process the selected value and all that precede it.
('Cumulative' refers to Pathagoras' action of accumulating the 'lower' answers along with the selected answer.)
So if you select item 4 of a list of 10 items, all selections up to and
including 4, are inserted. Items 5 thru 10 are deleted. Commas and 'and'
or 'or' connectors are inserted if requested See 'Cumulative Options' for
more information and examples. Its use is limited, but when needed, there
is nothing like it.
A visual on this will make it easier to understand. Check out the
'cumulative' switch at this link.
This is a great alternative to the Repeats command.
- Things we are working on:
- Forms!!
I have posted a few
sample forms and documents on-line for those who wish to download. Here is the link. They
are mainly sample documents, not intended as a forms library for office
use. But the underpinnings are there. The few forms I have posted are
located on my Pathagoras On Cloud site, but the forms are downloadable
and perfectly usable on earth as well as in the cloud.
I really think this 'forms library idea has potential. (Actually, many of
you have been pushing for it for years.) I am now ready to go for it and
solicit more forms. So, if you would be so kind, shoot over a form or two
from your collection that you wouldn't mind sharing with others. If it
has a fancy or unique application of Pathagoras, all the better.
If you haven't already done so in your form, I will add some comments for those who
are new to Pathagoras explaining the tool being used. If I see an
alternative or even better approach, I will even fix it up and shoot it
back over to you as my thanks for the contribution, as well as posting it on the website. That way, we all
win.
- Definitions
Many of my transactional customers have asked for a way to create a dynamic ‘definitions’ section for their contracts, RFP's, proposals, etc. They want an automated way determine whether a specific term is present in a document. If it is present, leave (or insert, depending upon the setup) the definition in the document. Otherwise remove (or don't insert) it.
I have developed a solid routine to accomplish the basics of this request. Not being a transactional lawyer myself, I will
need some guidance from those who may benefit from such a routine. Write to me with
your interest in this feature. I'll show you what I've got and I hope you will share with me your thoughts on how to make it better.
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As always, I appreciate your kind words complimenting the program and
encouraging its development. I also very much appreciate your valuable
suggestions. I am told constantly that Pathagoras offers an incredibly
easy path to document automation, and we strive to keep it that way. Please consider forwarding this newsletter to others who you feel would benefit from our product. |
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If you are within a year of your initial purchase or renewal of your Annual Support Agreement, or are a monthly subscriber, the Pathagoras 2016.2 upgrade is free to you. Just click the button below. At the next page, insert your Serial Number and Pathagoras will let you know where you stand. (If you don't know your serial number, no problem. Just write.)
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If you are still within your initial 90 day free trial period, you can finish up your trial with the latest, greatest version. Log back onto the site (button below) and click any 90 day trial button. If you are beyond the 90 days, but still not sure if Pathagoras fits your needs, think about a monthly subscription to Pathagoras. It's only $25 per month.
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