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ELECTrack User Guide - Part 11. Miscellaneous

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11.1 Exporting Data as Flat Files

EFS allows you to export your data to a text file in a character separated format. To do this

  • Click on "Tools" from the Menu Bar
  • Select "Export Contributions/Expenditures to Flat File"

Two flat files are created in the EFS subdirectory (generally under the Program Files directory) as delimited files and are named CONTRIBUTIONS.TXT and EXPENDITURES.TXT. Delimited files have the character ^ as their delimiter. (NOTE: The character ^ is the shift of the 6 key.) This data can then be imported into other programs (i.e., MS Excel).

The Help interface lists the record layout of the flat files.

  • Click on the Help button or the "How Do I Use this Software" button from the main window
  • Click on "Help Topics"
  • Search for the words "export flat."
  • Select "Export Contributions/Expenditures to Flat Files" from list of topics

11.2 Labels

EFS gives you the option of printing labels and is programmed to print two columns, seven rows in conjunction with the Avery Labels, Stock No. 5962.

To print a specific date range of labels, go to the Contributions Report under the Reports Menu. This will allow you to select records by various criteria, one of which is by date range. After your selection, click on the Sort tab; under Print Options, select Labels.

11.3 Searching Tips

There are several search functions in EFS, including search by item number (section 3.8), search contributions (section 7.1), and search expenditures(section 7.2). When searching, you will have to enter the entire name, spelled correctly in order for EFS to find it. However, the wildcard * feature of the search function can be used in cases where you aren't sure of the correct spelling of the entity's name. For example, if you were unsure of the entity's name, you may type the first few letters in the field requested, regardless of what followed the first three letters. For example, you are looking for "Acme Enterprises." If you entered "Acme" in the entity name field without the wildcard, no records would appear since there are no entity named just "Acme." However, if you entered "Acme" plus the wildcard * (i.e., Acme*) EFS would lists every entity which begins with the name Acme, such as "Acme Association, Acme Inc., Acme Enterprise, or Acme Investments. You can then select the appropriate record from the list.

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