Datafile INI Files

Starting Up Datafile

The icon for Datafile that you select to start up the system will have a target pointing to the DFWIN.EXE. Typically, this program call is followed by a folder path to the main Datafile folder – for example

\\SERVER\DATAFILE\DFWIN\PROGRAMS20\DFWIN.EXE \\SERVER\DATAFILE\DFWIN

If there is no folder path following the EXE the system will look for a DFWIN.INI in the main C:\WINDOWS\ folder of the pc and requires local administrator rights. If there is a folder the system first looks for a DFWIN.INI in this path before looking for the main INI file - the DATAFILE.INI

The Datafile system uses up to five primary INI files in configuration of the system.

The DFWIN.INI is the ‘launch’ INI used when there is no folder appended to the shortcut – this is typically within the C:\WINDOWS folder on each workstation. This INI includes paths for the other INI files.

The DATAFILE.INI is the main configuration INI file which includes paths and commands for configuration of the system and is typically held within the main Datafile folder on the server (or pc if stand-alone system).

The DFWORD.INI – points to the location of the DATAFILE.DOT and contains configuration settings for the link to Microsoft Office. Typically created in the main Datafile folder or the C:\WINDOWS folder - – if this INI doesn’t exist it is created at start-up for you.

The DFPRINT.INI contains the list of printers defined within the operating system and links them to their Datafile ‘Alias’ printer on V7 Systems. Typically created in the main Datafile folder or the C:\WINDOWS folder – if this INI doesn’t exist it is created at start-up for you.

The DFSCAN.INI contains parameters and configuration settings associated with the scanner link. Typically created in the main Datafile folder or the C:\WINDOWS folder - – if this INI doesn’t exist it is created at start-up for you.

The ‘launch’ INI file primarily contains pathnames to the other INI files for the software. It can also include settings that would usually be held in the DATAFILE.INI provided that these items are not also held there (as they would override). A typical structure would be:

DATAFILE.INI=\\SERVER\DATAFILE\DFWIN\
DFWORD.INI=C:\WINDOWS\
DFPRINT.INI=C:\WINDOWS\
DFSCAN.INI=C:\WINDOWS\

You would typically ensure all text is uppercase, and folder paths should end with a trailing backslash. Also make sure if manually adding lines that you press <Enter> to complete that line.

DATAFILE.INI

The ‘main’ INI file contains two types of entry, the first contains paths to folders as to where the system should expect to find files used within the system, and the second are flag commands that configure or enable the use of features within the software.

When setting folder paths again should keep all text to uppercase and should end the path with a trailing backslash. Except where stated you would typically use ‘relative’ paths and not include drive letters or UNC paths unless referring to areas outside of the Datafile folder structure.

‘Path’ entries you might expect to see within the DATAFILE.INI are:

DFWORK= Typically set to be current folder (.\). The DFWORK path is used as the Starting point for file pathnames internally within the system (i.e. database paths, document definitions, ProFiler application files, etc.)

DFGLOBAL= Typically set to be current folder. The DFGLOBAL path is used as the location for the main security file DIAMOND.D00

DFPREF= Typically set to be current folder. The DFPREF path is used as the location for menu (*.D03) and desktop definition (*.D08) files plus the main screen configuration file DIAMOND.D01

DFCOMP= Typically set to be a DATA subfolder off the main Datafile (current) folder. The DFCOMP path is used for the company files of the data sets within the system – i.e. DIAMOND.DEM, SALES.ABC, etc. The user list DIAMOND.D02 is also held within this location.

DFHELP= Typically set to be a HELP subfolder off the main Datafile (current) folder. The DFHELP path is used for the Help PDF files.

DFMAIL= Typically set to be the DATA subfolder. This location holds the internal message files that can be sent between users on the Datafile system.

DFSELOPT= Typically set to be the DATA subfolder. Many of the system reports allow the ability to filter the records reported by use of selection criteria. If using the same criteria repeatedly the option exists, for Diamond andPremier users to save that criteria for subsequent recall. These saved criteria files, *.SEL, are held in this location.

DFSORT= Typically set to be the DATA subfolder. On large data sets the system can use a work file when preparing a report and this option holds the location for these work files.

MSWORD= This holds the location of the base folder of where the system will create Word / Excel / PDF outputs when you print a report or use the ‘Word’ link options against an application record. Files are held in a structured folder path off this location. You should use a full explicit path for this entry.

PLDOCS= This holds a pathname for the base folder for the scanned purchase invoice documents plus the ledger enquiry scan options. If this entry is not set, then the system will use the entry for MSWORD instead.

MSREPS= This holds the location of the base folder of where the system will create Word / Excel / PDF outputs of reports (doesn’t apply for Word Link to application records). If this entry is not set, then the system will use the entry for MSWORD instead.

The ‘Flag’ commands applicable vary between the V20 and V7 systems – some of the entries are applied automatically in V20 or relate to legacy interface options that do not apply in V20.

General commands available include

R56DOCS= Set to ‘TRUE’ to enable use of the ‘new’ document design features within the Document Design Manager.

R57LABEL= Set to ‘TRUE’ to enable use of the ‘new’ label design features within Report Generator and ProFiler.

PRINTEMAIL= Set to ‘TRUE’ to enables the Email option on the print dialog so that reports/documents can be sent to email (as a PDF attachment)

R63MAIL= Set to ‘OLE’ if all Datafile users are using Microsoft Outlook, set to ‘MAPI’ if using a mix of email clients.

R60WORD= Set to ‘FALSE’ this reverts to using the legacy bookmark templates for Microsoft Word mail merge functions.

R60OUTLOOK= Set to ‘FALSE’ to disable the options to save email messages within Datafile.

OFFICEMODE= Set to ‘2017’ this uses the new Microsoft Interface tool (only available for users with the SQL Replicator and the Datafile Excel add-in)

EXCELMODE= Set to ‘NOEXCEL’ to disable the Microsoft Excel option on the print dialog.Set to ‘2007’ to allow output of more than 65,000 rows – this applies to V7 only, V20 presumes that the Excel version is 2013+

WORDMODE= Set to ‘NOWORD’ to disable the Microsoft Word option on the print dialog

BROWSER= The system will read the registry when using the web/map links to determine the browser software to use. If access rights prevent this, then append the program path for the browser to use.

MAPLINK= The Map Link option is available based on the post code on the current enquiry record and launches your web browser with a map for the location.  Typically set to ‘GOOGLE’.  Alternatively, you can set a web-address with embedded post code indicators <pc1> or <pc2> which we will update with the component parts of the post code.

DFERROR= If an error occurs on the system then the system creates error files within a DFLOG subfolder off the DFCOMP location with minimum logging information in tracing the error.  Setting this option to ‘TRUE’ extends this logging to include an error.DFZ which contains the status of selected files within a Datafile zip file. Sending this information provides additional information to our programmers in tracing an error.

EMAIL= Contact for support emails – when set a ‘Partner Email’ option is available on the Tools tab (or Help pulldown on V7) within the system so that the end-user can contact the reseller with queries more easily.

WEBSITE= Provides link to website via a ‘Partner Website’ option on the Tools tab (or help pull-down on V7)

COMPUTERID= If set, in either DATAFILE.INI or DFWIN.INI, the system will update the text following the command into a text data item called ‘*COMPUTERID’ or ‘COMPUTERID*’ if it exists when adding a record.  This would in a POS till-style entry enable you to see from which terminal a record was added.

MEMOFONTS= Sets the default font to use when adding/updating Memo (for example MEMOFONTS=Arial,10,Regular). Set to FALSE disables the memo interface and reverts to the legacy notepad options.

The following options may be used when automating Datafile processes – they would typically require the use of a DFWIN.INI in an alternate folder to prevent interaction with standard use.

AUTOSIGNON= If configured then the system will automatically apply the user-id/password as set and not pause for the operator to enter on start-up. Format is userid,password.

RES-USERS= Reduces the number of users who can sign-on to a system below the maximum allowed by the software licence. These ‘reserved-users’ will then be available for the ‘AutoRun’ options that can be configured.  You might, for example, have a routine which imports web orders every 5 minutes, but occasionally other users prevent this procedure being run.

AUTOCLEAR= Use with care. Datafile maintains locks in the DIAMOND.D02 for which files/records are open within the system. When using night-time reporting or tidying routines then, depending on the requirements, databases may need to be exclusively locked.  Operators may leave the system within menus and not close down properly which would prevent the overnight routine. This option automatically clears any DF locks (but does not clear network file locks).  If use you would enable this entry in a DFWIN.INI which is processed in a night-time batch file / schedule process. Set to ‘YES’ if required.

The following flag commands are legacy commands for the V7 system.

R65LOOK= Set to TRUE Enables the use of the Utility/Enquiry panels on the application and enquiry screens. If set, then font size display is also reduced over legacy systems throughout the system.

WINPRINT= Set to FALSE this disables the font/page size printing features for application reports. Set to INI disables the printing features for application reports but ONLY if no INI entry defined for this report, the Options button remains available to configure/set INI entries.

SCREENSIZE= Set to TRUE enables the option to reduce the screen window size for Datafile on the Window pull-down menu.

FONTSIZE= Sets the Font Size for Datafile to use if R65LOOK is enabled. Note this entry must be after the R65LOOK setting to take effect. Three font sizes can be set (FONTSIZE=8,10,12) and refer to the pitch size for screens on 800x600, 1024x768, and large screens. Setting the parameter as FONTSIZE-0,0,0 disables the font reduction that R65LOOK applies but should only be set for screen resolutions of 1024x768 upwards.

BUTTONFONTS= If R65LOOK enabled then the text labels used on menu buttons are reduced in size. This option allows you to control the font size used (i.e. BUTTONFONTS=Arial,9,Regular).

GRADIENT= The Datafile V7 system uses a graded colour scheme on menu’s and application screens. Depending on the operating system / colour display properties the system automatically applies this display based on the operating system but you can set to NO to disable this feature.

HIDEHINT= Set to TRUE suppresses the display of the hint text options at bottom right of screen.

DFDOS= Set to TRUE enables the option ‘DOS Shell’ on the Datafile pulldown menu dropping the operator to the command line.

DFWORD.INI

The DFWORD.INI configures the link to the DATAFILE.DOT file used with the link to Microsoft Office. Entries within the INI include:

MSDOT=Program Path to folder containing the DATAFILE.DOT
OWNWORD=1

To disable the use of the Word link then you would set OWNWORD=0

The location of the MSDOT should match that of the Datafile programs.

DFPRINT.INI

The DFPRINT.INI is used for printing within Datafile. The legacy DOS version of Datafile used its own printer list (held in DIAMOND.D07) and used ASCII codes to format output. The V7 Windows version could still use this print configuration but relied on matching a DOS style print device with a printer in the Windows operating system.

The DFPRINT.INI contains a list of printers within the operating system and the matched ‘Datafile’ printer.

For V20 users this will be matched on ‘Direct Windows Printer’ but V7 legacy users can have a Datafile print alias here. If an alias is set then when printing the system will default the Alias as set here for legacy configured print jobs.

A typical DFPRINT.INI may look like:

HP LaserJet 1200 Series PCL on LPT1: = LOCAL LASER\
HP LaserJet 1200 Series PCL on \\JEFFXP\jeffhp1200 = Direct Windows Printer

With the printer and port name linked to a Datafile Alias. 

The DFPRINT.INI is maintained automatically through printing within Datafile so no editing is required.

DFSCAN.INI

The DFSCAN.INI contains the configuration parameters for the scanned documents and the defaults applied within Datafile. This file is maintained by the system automatically and no editing is required.