Setup (General)

Creating custom formats

DT Practice enables you to create new reports, invoices, statements, letters, and labels based on the standard formats that come with the application. You can use the tools available on the Custom Formats screen to tailor these formats to your firm’s needs.

Adding a new format

To create a new custom format, follow these steps.
  1. Open the Custom Formats setup screen by choosing Setup > Custom Formats.
  2. Add a new format by doing one of the following:
    • Select the Add Document button on the toolbar and choose the command corresponding to the type of format you want to add (i.e., invoice, statement, report, label / letter).
    • Right-click in the Custom Formats list, and from the context menu choose the Add command for the type of format you want to create.
    After you add the new format, the
    Format Wizard
     opens automatically.
note
You can also add a custom format by copying an existing format and then editing it.

Using the Format Wizard

To create custom formats, first use the Format Wizard to enter a name for the new format. You will then need to select additional information, depending on the type of format you are creating.
Use the tabs or
Next
 and
Back
 buttons to navigate through the
Format Wizard
. When you are finished making selections on all tabs, select
Finish
 to exit the
Format Wizard
 and proceed to the designer screen.

Copying existing formats

Another way to create a new custom format is to copy an existing format. To create a copy of an existing custom format, follow these steps.
  1. Choose Setup > Custom Formats to open the
    Custom Formats
     screen.
  2. In the Custom Formats list, expand the folder for the type of format you want to create. The
    Custom Formats
     screen separates available formats into the following categories:
    • Invoices
    • Statements
    • Reports
    • Labels & Letters
    For reports, labels, and letters, you will also need to expand the appropriate subfolder.
  3. Select an existing format on which to base the new document that you want to create.
  4. Right-click the selected format and choose
    Copy Format
     from the context menu. A copy of the format appears in the list, with a number in parentheses after the name — for example,
    Invoice Format (2)
     — to indicate which copy it is.
  5. Right-click the copy of the format you just created and choose
    Edit
     from the context menu. The format is now open and available for editing.
    note
    You can change the name of the new format using the Format Wizard. Select the Magic wand button on the toolbar.

This article applies to:

  • Product: DT Practice