The DATABASE menu option on the Main Window provides you with functions to open, back-up, and restore a database. A Database is the file that is used to store the different types of data in your system, such as membership data, financial data, notification data, etc. You can use the Database menu to close the database you are currently working with and open a different database. Database filenames eligible to be opened will end with the suffix ".CSD".



Database menu options are:

Open          A window will display so that you can specify the name of an existing database you wish to work with.

Re-Open    Allows you to re-open the currently opened database, which will first close and then re-open the current database, thus forcing deletion of any records marked for deletion and transferring any records marked for transfer. (Records marked for deletion/transfer are not actually deleted/transferred until a database is closed.)

New           Create a new database

Save As     Save the currently database as a copy under a different name

Backup      Create a compressed backup of the currently open database. The backup file name will have a suffix of EWU. Backups can be used to create an image of database contents at any time, and can be restored in order to return the database to the image existing at the time of the backup. This is a way to make a transportable copy of your database and also to retain historical information. Plus, if a database is damaged, it can be restored from a most recent backup, and the only data lost will be data entered after the backup was taken.

Restore     Restore a database from a backup file (one ending in the suffix EWU, which was created by the Backup menu option – see above).

Delete       Delete a database. (However, you cannot delete the currently open database. Should you wish to delete the currently open database, you must first close it and then open a different database; then use Delete to delete the database you just closed)

Rename    Rename an existing database, including the one currently open. You must choose a new name that does not already exist.

Lock/Unlock     Clicking this menu item locks the database if it is not already locked, or unlocks it if it is already locked. A locked database will not allow any changes to be made to the database without asking the user first if he wishes to override the lock.

Compare   Compare 2 databases based on the lastname/firstname fields and produce a report of any inserted or deleted records.

Printer Setup Allows you to choose the printer to use and set additional items for the chosen printer.

Exit           Exit from the program.


Special feature: Directly above the Exit option, the most recent 1 to 10 databases that were opened will appear in a list, and simply clicking on a name in the list will open that database.