Using

Using The Report Downloader

When launched, the Downloader will establish a connection with the AS/400.  The Downloader will also examine your PC to see if Microsoft Excel or Word is installed. If they are, options allowing their use will be present (see figure2.)The Downloader will then present the screen shown in figure 1:

Figure 1: AS/400 and iSeries Report Downloader - opening screen

Key in the name of an AS/400 outq (or you may browse AS/400 outqs.) Alternatively, you may key in a user name. All spool files belonging to that user will be displayed. Once you select an outq or user you’ll be presented with a list of qualifying spool files as shown in figure 2.

Figure 2 - The spool files selected by user or outq and the destination for the download.

Since many spool files look alike you may wish to preview the first few pages.

Loading a Spool File to a PC Text File

You may load the spool file contents to PC text file(s). The spool files are transferred without alteration. No comma delimiting or other formatting changes are made. Records will have a maximum length of  80, 132, 198 or 970 bytes long depending on the size of the original spool files.  The AS/400 spool file attributes may be used to create the PC text file's name, and whole groups of spool files may be sent to PC text files for archiving purposes.When the "Text file" option is selected, the Downloader’s text file dialog box will be displayed as shown in figure 3.

Figure 3 - The Downloader text file dialog box.

Loading a Spool File to Microsoft Excel

You may also import the contents of a spool file into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet without leaving the Downloader. The Downloader will check to see if Excel is already running. If not, the Downloader will start a new instance of Excel. The downloaded spool data will then be imported into the Excel spreadsheet by commands issued from the Downloader. In this manner you may load several AS/400 spool files into Excel at the same time – each as its own spreadsheet. Very handy for cutting and pasting among spool files.

The Downloader can optionally present Excel's parsing Wizard so your users can explicitly define parsing specifications!

Once started, Excel will remain active even if you’ve ended the Downloader. Normally, Excel will be minimized to the task bar by the Downloader after the loading is finished.Note: The AS/400 Report Downloader will work with Excel 5.0, Excel 97 and Excel 2000. The Downloader will detect Excel and the version present on the PC.

Loading a Spool File to Excel and Running a Macro

Through ActiveX Automation technology, the Downloader is able to send commands to Excel telling it to load and run a pre-recorded Excel macro over an imported AS/400 spool file – all without leaving the Downloader.Macro instructions are created by the user and stored on the PC under a given name.

You may specify the macro’s file and name from the Downloader and after the spool file is imported, the macro is run. Use this feature to further automate the downloading process. Typically macros will be used for:

• Parsing the spool file data
• Removing extra page headings
• Adding more totals to the report
• Enhancing appearence
• Scanning and replacing specific content
• Final printing

So with this feature of the Downloader you can record your Excel operations into a macro once and use the macro every time you process the same report.

Loading a Spool File to Microsoft Word

You may also import the contents of a spool file into a Microsoft Word document without leaving the Downloader. The Downloader will check to see if Word is already running. If not, the Downloader will start a new instance of Word. The downloaded spool data will then be loaded into a Word document by commands issued from the Downloader. In this manner you may load several AS/400 spool files into Word at the same time – each as its own document. Very handy for cutting and pasting among spool files.

Once started, Word will remain active even if you’ve ended the Downloader. Normally, Word will be minimized to the task bar by the Downloader after the loading is finished.

Note: The AS/400 Report Downloader will work with MS Word 6, 7, Word 97, Word 2000 or Word XP. The Downloader will detect Word and the version present on the PC.

Loading a Spool File to Microsoft Word and Running a Macro

Through ActiveX Automation technology, the Downloader is able to send commands to MS Word telling it to load and run a pre-recorded Word macro over an imported AS/400 spool file – all without leaving the Downloader.

Macro instructions are created by the user and stored on the PC under a given name. You may specify the macro’s file and name from the Downloader and after the spool file is loaded, the macro is run. Use this feature to further automate the downloading process. Typically macros will be used for:

• Removing extra page headings
• Enhancing appearance
• Adding features to the report
• Scanning and replacing specific content
• Final printing

So with this feature of the Downloader you can record your Word operations into a macro once and use the macro every time you process the same report.

To specify a macro to be run select "Load to Word plus a macro" from the outq contents display (see figure 3) and select the desired spool file. The Downloader’s macro dialog box will be displayed allowing you to select a Word template file and macro name.

See Also

Spool File Security  -Controlling user access to spool files through the Downloader

Requirements

TCP/IP version:

• PC running Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000/XP
• TCP/IP connection to the AS/400 (Ethernet, Token Ring, Internet or Point-to-Point Dial-up)
• OS/400 V3R6, V3R7, V3R2, V4 or V5

SNA version:

• PC running Windows 95/98/NT Client Access/400 or Rumba for Windows 95/NT
• RPG/400 compiler (v2r3 & up)
• Connection through CA or Rumba router