| While the Save form existing in earlier versions of the
Inventory workbook, the full implementation of the form exists only
in version 2.86 and later. |
With
version 2.86 and later the Save form will allow you to manage any
reasonable number of backup copies of the Inventory.
At the top of the form are two text boxes that define the current
file name and drive/folder path for the inventory as it is currently
saved on your system. You can edit these fields to change the
name and location (use the "Browse" button for the location) of the
working inventory file. Clicking on the "Save Inventory"
button on the bottom left of the form is the same as clicking the
standard Excel File/Save (or File/Save as) menu command.
The backup capability is activated by clicking on the "Activate
Backup for this File" check box (default is on). The text
boxes below the checkbox define the name and location of the backup
file copy (or copies). The list box below those fields
contains the status of copies of the inventory. |
The
initial location of the backup files is the same folder as the
working inventory file. This location is less than ideal as it
provides no protection should that drive become defective or
corrupted. So the first backup task should be to pick another
location for the backup. To do this click on the "Browse"
button to right of the file location text box. This will open
a standard windows folder open window. Browse to the drive and
folder where you want to keep the backup. You can create a new
folder in this form.
|
When
you click OK the new location path should appear in the "Backup File
Path" text box.
You could just edit the path in the box, but if you make an error in
entering the path the backup function will fail. Better to use
the Browse button
Next set the Backup File Count box to the number of copies of the
inventory you want to manage for backup. The Save Form will
cycle through the files on each backup. Therefore if you back
up the inventory before you discover a serious error in the file you
will have earlier backup copies to fall back to if necessary.
I have set the Backup File Count to 5, the Backup File Status window
now shows the status of that number of backup copies. I
haven't performed a backup on this Inventory to this location so
none of the copies exist as yet. |
Now
I have clicked on the Backup Inventory button, but I have not saved
recent changes to this inventory. The form will not allow you
to backup a modified file, hence the Windows MessageBox display.
Before I can make a backup copy of this file I have to first save it
by clicking on the Save Inventory button. |
After
saving the Inventory I clicked on the Backup Inventory button once
more and a copy of the inventory has been placed in the Backup
location.
The Backup File Status window now shows that one copy of the
inventory now exists.
The file names for the individual backups are derived from the
backup file name specified and the Backup File Count value.
Therefore you can leave the Backup File Name and the Save File Name
the same without creating confusion as to which file is the working
inventory and which is the backup.
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |