Contents of README.TXT from Open EIS Pak 1.1 for Windows

Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
Article ID: Q138890
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel Microsoft Open EIS Pak for Windows, version 1.1
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0, 5.0c

SUMMARY

The following is the contents of the Open EIS Pak for Windows README.TXT which is located in the EIS subdirectory after you install the Microsoft Open EIS Pak for Windows. The README.TXT is also located in the root directory of Disk 1. The last section contains information regarding the files needed for the sample applications included in the package.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Excel EIS Builder Version 1.1 Readme Contents

I - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL USERS

Saving the Application Template Naming Sheets Using ! in References Preventing Recursion Problems Miscellaneous Information

II - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR USERS UPGRADING EIS VERSION 1.0 APPLICATIONS

Merging Multiple Microsoft Excel Version 4.0 Files

   into Microsoft Excel Version 5.0 Workbooks
Renaming the Splash File Running External Macros

III - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL USERS

Supported Languages in Microsoft Excel Changes to the Microsoft Excel EIS Builder User's Guide

   Installation Information
Load the EIS Builder By Opening AUTHOR.XLA Copying EIS.XLA to the Macro Library Directory Example Application

IV - MICROSOFT OPEN EIS PAK FILES

English Language Files Files Used with International Versions of Microsoft Excel EIS Ltd. Sample Application Files EIS Author Examples Application Files Tutorial Files

I - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL USERS

*** Saving the Application Template ***

Although the EIS application file based on APP.XLA uses the XLA file extension, internally it is a standard Microsoft Excel *.XLS workbook. As a standard workbook file, it may be unhidden using the Unhide command on the Window menu. By default, this file is hidden so that it is not displayed to end-users when the EIS application is started. If you unhide this file, it is recommended that you hide it again using the new EIS utility "Hide Application Workbook." Should you decide to keep the application file unhidden, be sure the sheet named "APP" is always the first sheet in the workbook, and that it is active when you save the file. By default, the EIS Save command and the Hide Application Workbook utility always save the application template with the APP sheet active as the first sheet in the workbook.

When saving the EIS application with the EIS Save command, you will have a choice of saving a single document or all documents. It is recommended that the Yes to All button be used, so that files are saved with the proper links. Even after saving your work with the EIS Save command, Microsoft Excel may prompt you to save worksheets containing EIS views when you close these files. When prompted, it is important to choose the Yes button, so that file links are properly maintained. If EIS cannot find macros, or if alert messages such as "Cannot find APP.XLA!msm.L001" appear, examine the application using the Microsoft Excel Links command on the Edit menu. When manually updating links, remember that all EIS view worksheets must be linked to your application workbook based on APP.XLA. Until you use the EIS Save command, this link will point to APP.XLA. After you use the EIS Save command, however, this link will be updated to your EIS application

workbook.   For example, if you defined an EIS view on a file named
EISVIEWS.XLS, but had never saved your application with the EIS Save command, EISVIEWS.XLS would automatically be linked to APP.XLA. If you then used the EIS Save command and saved the application as MYEIS.XLA, the EISVIEWS.XLS workbook would be linked to MYEIS.XLA rather than APP.XLA.

*** Naming Sheets ***

Throughout the run-time code in the EIS.XLA, the EIS Builder uses a variety of methods to find worksheets containing views. These methods require that worksheet names not contain square brackets ([ or ]) since these characters have special meaning in the Microsoft Excel reference naming convention ('[book]Sheet Name'!Cell_ref). Therefore, the EIS Builder does not support views defined on worksheets with the "[" or "]" characters in the worksheet name.

*** Using ! in References ***

When using cell references in script action conditions or with the IF-THEN- ELSE.IF action, references on the active EIS view sheet must be preceded with an exclamation point (!). For example, to run a script action only when cell C1 is greater than 0, the conditional argument for the action would be !C1 > 0. This syntax is required to direct the macros to the active sheet containing the reference. Without the exclamation point, the macro would look for the reference on the *.XLA run-time or EIS application workbooks, resulting in a failure when the reference is not found.

Additionally, the exclamation point is a required prefix whenever names are used. For example, if MYMACRO is defined as a name on a sheet called 'My First Sheet,' any references to MYMACRO made by EIS script actions would require that the reference be '!MYMACRO'. In the event that local names are referenced on sheets other than the active worksheet, the entire book/sheet/cell reference is required, even if the reference is a local name in the active workbook. For example, the active worksheet in the file MYEIS.XLS is named "My First Sheet." If you wish to perform an action based on a value called "Sales" in the "My Second Sheet" worksheet, the reference would have to be to '[MYEIS.XLS]My Second Sheet'!Sales. Use of a reference to only 'Sales' or 'My Second Sheet'!Sales would fail. For more information about required reference syntax, see online Help for the script action or condition that you would like to use.

*** Preventing Recursion Problems ***

There are two EIS author errors that can result in recursion problems. Both are easily avoidable, and both appear to the EIS author as an hourglass that never disappears. Follow these guidelines to prevent recursion problems:

* After starting the EIS builder by opening AUTHOR.XLA, do not reopen AUTHOR.XLA. If AUTHOR.XLA is reopened while it is already loaded, the EIS code loses control of its internal settings, resulting in an hourglass that never clears. If you wish to close the EIS Builder, choose the Exit command from the EIS menu. After exiting the EIS Builder, you may reload AUTHOR.XLA without closing and restarting Microsoft Excel.

* Do not use the Display View script action as part of a view transition script (On View Enter, On View Exit, On View Open, On View Close). For example, when entering the view A, do not run a script that displays view B.

*** Miscellaneous Information ***

* A new alert style has been added to the EIS Builder. In addition to "Information" and "Warning," there are now two types of question alert messages. The "Question" alert style that displays OK and Cancel buttons has been changed to the "Question: OK/Cancel" style. The new "Question:

Yes/No" style displays Yes and No buttons.   To specify an alert style,
choose the Application script action class, select Alert Box, choose the Add button, and then select an alert style from the drop-down list.

* The EIS Builder does not support multiple windows for one view workbook. While creating an application, do not use the New Window command to display duplicate versions of a single workbook.

* While the EIS Builder is loaded, the Delete key is disabled while a module is active. To delete text from the module window, use the Backspace key. Alternatively, you may select text to be deleted and use the Cut command on the Edit menu or the Cut toolbar button.

* When using the Unprotect Sheet action, it is essential that a password be supplied if the sheet requires one. For information about using sheet protection passwords, see the "Unprotect Worksheet Action" topic in online Help.

II - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR USERS UPGRADING EIS VERSION 1.0 APPLICATIONS

*** Merging Multiple Microsoft Excel Version 4.0 Files

    into Microsoft Excel Version 5.0 Workbooks ***

After upgrading an application to EIS version 1.1, single-sheet workbooks will support EIS views just as they did before. To integrate multiple single-worksheet Microsoft Excel version 4.0 files into a workbook in Microsoft Excel version 5.0, use the following guidelines:

* When creating workbooks with views defined on different worksheets, remember that some EIS actions trigger the Microsoft Excel recalculation engine. For example, the Apply Conditional Style action requires a recalculation before the conditional style is applied. In cases where large multiple worksheets are recalculated, performance of the EIS application may be slightly slower than that of single worksheet files. (Recalculation time is not affected by blank worksheets, only by worksheets containing formulas.) For more information about changing the default recalculation of Microsoft Excel, see the Microsoft Excel documentation.

* Be sure to copy the entire worksheet rather than just the EIS view range. By copying the entire sheet, you will be assured that references and names outside the view range will also be copied. To copy an entire sheet, use the Move Or Copy Sheet command on the Microsoft Excel Edit menu. For information about moving or copying worksheets by dragging the sheet tab, see the Microsoft Excel documentation.

* After consolidating multiple Microsoft Excel version 4.0 worksheets into a single Microsoft Excel version 5.0 workbook, save the new file as a Microsoft Excel version 5.0 workbook. Then use the Windows File Manager to move the original documents from the EIS application directory to another directory. This will prevent the EIS Builder from attempting to open the original Microsoft Excel version 4.0 view files.

* Using the EIS Run command, run the application from the beginning. When the EIS Builder is unable to open the Microsoft Excel version 4.0 files containing the views you have moved into the Microsoft Excel version 5.0 workbook, a standard browse dialog box will appear. Use this dialog box to select the Microsoft Excel version 5.0 workbook containing the views that you have consolidated from the Microsoft Excel version 4.0 worksheets.

* Save the EIS application with the EIS Save command. From this point on, the application will look the for the EIS views in the new Microsoft Excel version 5.0 workbook rather than in the original Microsoft Excel version 4.0 worksheet files. As with any change to your application, be sure to test the application thoroughly before distributing it to your end users.

*** Renaming the Splash File ***

After upgrading applications from EIS version 1.0, do not change the name of the splash file or the name of the splash file sheet. If for some reason the splash file name must be changed, follow these instructions to change the Auto Open macro of your EIS application template file.

  1. Make a backup up file of your EIS application *.XLA file. This is the
file based upon the APP.XLA template.

  1. From the Window menu, choose Unhide. This displays the EIS application
code.

  1. Go to the Auto_Open macro. In applications upgrade from version 1.0,
this macro is usually found on the APP sheet in the range B35:B55.

  1. Select the entire range of the Auto_Open macro.

  2. From the Microsoft Excel Edit menu, choose Replace. In the Find What field, enter GET.DOCUMENT(1)

    Note: GET.DOCUMENT will differ according to the language version of Microsoft Excel. Depending upon your version of Microsoft Excel, use the function listed below.

          English:       GET.DOCUMENT()
          French:        LIRE.DOCUMENT()
          German:        DATEI.ZUORDNEN()
    
    
    

  3. In the Replace With field, enter GET.DOCUMENT(68) Note: Users of non-English versions of Microsoft Excel should use the translated GET.DOCUMENT() function listed above.

  4. Choose the Replace All button

  5. From the EIS menu, choose Utility, and then choose the Hide Application Workbook utility

  6. From the EIS menu, choose Save.

Once these steps are completed, the splash file name can be changed at any time. Also, these steps are not necessary when creating an entirely new application using EIS Builder version 1.1.

*** Running External Macros ***

Script actions using the Run External Macro action require that the macro file be open. If the "Cannot Run Custom Macro" alert message appears while running upgraded applications, make sure that the macro workbook specified in the failed script is open.

III - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL USERS

*** Supported Languages in Microsoft Excel ***

This version of the EIS Builder requires Microsoft Excel version 5.0 in English, French, or German. For information about the availability of EIS Builder in other languages, please contact your local Microsoft subsidiary.

*** Changes to the Microsoft Excel EIS Builder User's Guide

    Installation Information ***

Please note the following minor changes to information on page 35 of the Microsoft Excel EIS Builder User's Guide:

* When running the Microsoft Open EIS Pak Setup, you will not be prompted for the location of your version of Microsoft Excel. This information is automatically read from the [Embedding] section of your WIN.INI file. If you have multiple versions of Microsoft Excel installed on your machine, you will need to comment out all versions in your WIN.INI file except the one with which you want to use the EIS Builder. Follow these steps to comment out a line in your WIN.INI file.

  1. Open the file using either NOTEPAD or SYSEDIT.

  2. Find the line you want to comment out.

  3. Type a semicolon (;) at the beginning of the line.

  4. Save and close the file.

  5. Reboot Microsoft Windows.

* The following files are no longer installed when a non-English version of Microsoft Excel version 5.0 is found:
        - APP.XLS
        - MENU.XLS

Instead, the standard APP.XLA and MENU.XLA files are installed.

*** Load the EIS Builder By Opening AUTHOR.XLA ***

After completing the EIS localization process described in Appendix C of the Microsoft Excel EIS Builder User's Guide, you no longer need the AUTHOR.XLS file. It is recommended that you delete this file to prevent it from being used accidentally. Always load the EIS Builder by opening the AUTHOR.XLA file.

*** Copying EIS.XLA to the Macro Library Directory ***

During the localization process described in Appendix C of the Microsoft Excel EIS Builder User's Guide, the REPLACE.XLA macros will attempt to save a copy of EIS.XLA in the following directory.

   Language       Microsoft Excel Library Directory
   -------------- ---------------------------------
   French         MACROLIB
   German         MAKRO

If the library directory cannot be found, the EIS.XLA file will be saved in you EIS Builder directory. To minimize duplicate copies of this run-time file, you can create the library directory and move the EIS.XLA file at a later time. If the EIS.XLA file is not found in the library directory, then a duplicate copy must reside in each directory containing an EIS application.

*** Example Application ***

EIS authors using a non-English version of Microsoft Excel should be aware that some of the sample views in the EIS Author XAMPLS.XLA application may not work properly. The XAMPLS.XLA application was created using the English language version of the EIS Builder. The EIS Builder does not support applications built in one language version of Microsoft Excel to be run in another, so some feature samples will not work properly. Nevertheless, the information described in the Help boxes of these views will still work in applications created and run in any other language supported by the EIS Builder.

IV - MICROSOFT OPEN EIS PAK FILES

The Microsoft Open EIS Pak Setup program installs the following files. By default, these files are installed into the directory listed below.

*** English Language Files ***

EIS Authoring Files      Location                 Filename
----------------------- ----------------------- ----------
Main Authoring Add-in    ..\EISPAK11              AUTHOR.XLA
EIS Run-Time Add-in      ..\EXCEL\LIBRARY         EIS.XLA
Application Template     ..\EISPAK11              APP.XLA
Button Library           ..\EISPAK11              BUTTONS.XLA
Prompt Cell Add-in       ..\EISPAK11              CELLDEF.XLA
Menu Builder Add-in      ..\EISPAK11              MENU.XLA
Readme File              ..\EISPAK11              README.TXT
Author Help File         ..\EISPAK11              EISAUTH.HLP
User Help File           ..\EISPAK11              EISUSER.HLP
EIS Builder Icon File    ..\EISPAK11              EISBLDR.ICO
Upgrade Auditor Add-in   ..\EISPAK11              UPGRADE.XLA
Upgrade Report Template  ..\EISPAK11              UPGRADE.XLT



*** Files Used with International Versions of Microsoft Excel ***

EIS Authoring Files      Location                 Filename
----------------------- ----------------------- ----------
Application Template     ..\EISPAK11              APP.XLA
Button Library           ..\EISPAK11              BUTTONS.XLA
Prompt Cell Add-in       ..\EISPAK11              CELLDEF.XLA
Menu Builder Add-in      ..\EISPAK11              MENU.XLA
Readme File              ..\EISPAK11              README.TXT
Author Help File         ..\EISPAK11              EISAUTH.HLP
User Help File           ..\EISPAK11              EISUSER.HLP
EIS Builder Icon File    ..\EISPAK11              EISBLDR.ICO
Upgrade Auditor Add-in   ..\EISPAK11              UPGRADE.XLA
Upgrade Report Template  ..\EISPAK11              UPGRADE.XLT
Localization  Add-in     ..\EISPAK11              REPLACE.XLA
Localization Tables      ..\EISPAK11              TEXTBASE.XLS
Main Authoring Add-in
   Source File           ..\EISPAK11              AUTHOR.XLS
EIS Run-Time Add-in
   Source File           ..\EISPAK11              EIS.XLS



*** EIS Ltd. Sample Application Files ***

EIS Ltd. Demo Files      Location                 Filename
----------------------- ----------------------- ---------- Application Views
   Workbook              ..\EISPAK11\DEMO         EISVIEWS.XLS(+)
FoxPro Source Database   ..\EISPAK11\DEMO         FOODS.DBF
EIS Application Macro    ..\EISPAK11\DEMO         EIS_DEMO.XLA
Splash File              ..\EISPAK11\DEMO         SPLASH.XLS(+)



*** EIS Author Examples Application files ***

Examples Files           Location                 Filename
----------------------- ----------------------- ----------
Miscellaneous Views      ..\EISPAK11\EXAMPLES     X_MISC.XLS
Cell Action Views        ..\EISPAK11\EXAMPLES     X_CELLS.XLS
Query Views              ..\EISPAK11\EXAMPLES     X_QUERY.XLS
FoxPro Source Database   ..\EISPAK11\EXAMPLES     EMP.DBF
Application Macro        ..\EISPAK11\EXAMPLES     XAMPLS.XLA



*** Tutorial Files ***

Tutorial Files           Location                 Filename
----------------------- ----------------------- ---------- Application Views
   Workbook              ..\EISPAK11\TUTORIAL     EISVIEWS.XLS(+)
Microsoft FoxPro
   Source Database       ..\EISPAK11\TUTORIAL     FOODS.DBF
Splash File              ..\EISPAK11\TUTORIAL     SPLASH.XLS(+)

(+) These EIS Ltd Sample Application and Tutorial files share the same
    filenames.  However, they are different files.


KBCategory: kbref kbreadme
KBSubcategory: xlwin

Additional reference words: 1.10 5.00 5.00a 5.00c pack



THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.