Using Doxserá DB to access Access and SQL Databases, The Short Version

Published September 8th, 2024 by Service Desk

Doxserá® DB opens up a new level of data integration for knowledge workers in law firms, insurance companies, venture capital, and other industries. In this demonstration, we’ll explore how Doxserá® DB connects to these additional data sources. More complete instructions can be located in this same library. Starting with the familiar data source set

Doxserá DB, Building and Exploiting an Excel Spreadsheet

Published September 9th, 2024 by Service Desk

In this demonstration, we introduce the capabilities of Doxserá® DB and show how it handles large data sets, making it ideal for law firms, insurance companies, venture capitalists, and other professionals managing thousands of names and addresses. Instead of relying on limited grids, Doxserá® DB allows you to connect your forms to external data sou

Remove a GRID

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

To remove a Grid, select all columns in the Grid then click Row/Col, Remove.  (Easy ways to select all colums:  (1) drag your mouse in a horizontal line from the leftmost column to rightmost column, selecting a whole row; (2) click in the leftmost cell and shift-click in the rightmost cell.) To remove a Q&A Table and any Grids that follow it, se

What Does Doxserá Add?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a short tour of Doxserá. The first 2:50 seconds is devoted to a recap of TheFormTool PRO features, all of which are included. The video then goes on to describe the two major features that Doxserá provides above those of TheFormTool PRO: the ability to create multiple documents simultaneously and the ability for a document to reach outside it

Master Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Make large amounts of static or constant data instantly available to all your documents and all your users throughout the office. Runtime (HD): 13:36  

Create a Billing Statement

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's an example showing how to create a simple billing statement using Fields, the List command with a Table format, Fields within Lists, the ListSum function, Math (both multiplication with Fields and with a constant, a custom date format, and GRID answers.  Runtime 4:57

More on Saving a Question & Answer Table

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

After you've perfected a Q & A Table, what's the best way to save it for future use? This short video has all the answers.

Can I Avoid Using Excel for Inflation Adjustments?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Every year I create a document containing nearly 100 inflation-adjusted figures. The calculations are done in an Excel spreadsheet and then hand-transferred to a Word document. Can the Form Tool Pro help me avoid the cumbersome and error-prone transfer from Excel to Word? I’ve already saved a ton of time and errors using your tool; I’d love to expan

Create One Letter to Many Recipients

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a 4:43 video showing step-by-step directions to create a form letter that can be sent to a number of recipients. tags: form letter, multiple recipients, multiple addressees

Boolean Logic Basics

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

True Boolean Logic is what gives our software its IQ, its ability to think through issues, situations, and differences. Logic is most often defined and driven by one or more comparative conditions: yes/no, more/less, earlier/later, and dozens of other terms. The trick is making the creation easy and straightforward while allowing the results to refl

Form Sets, Part One

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Everything you'll ever want to know about Form Sets, the ability to create multiple documents simultaneously from one set of data.

Rounding Numbers UP

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Almost everyone can round a number. Most of us can round a number down. But not all of us have ever practiced rounding a number UP.  Here's how. tags: video, round, roundup, round up

Basics of the New Smart Answer Window

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The new Smart Answer screen introduced in TheFormTool PRO v2.8 and Doxserá 2,2 will replace three Answer Screens with one and will very noticeably decrease directions, buttons and potential screen confusion. This new screen noticeably reduces work effort and the time it takes to create ever more powerful questionnaires.

Master Q&A Table Question

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am tying to use a suggestion that Bob posted elsewhere in the support forum recommending using a master Q&A table for common client types (i.e., estate planning) to allow users to easily reuse form data across multiple forms.  This approach is appealing to me as it is both logical and will help decrease potential data entry errors by consolida

Math 101

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a demonstration of various included functions: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division; using the Integer function to limit the size of an acceptable answer; Derived Answers; Show/Hide Rows; and more.   Runtime 6:20  

Another address list question

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am designing a template for basic template for a letter.   I want to allow for the possibility that it could be addressed to more than one person.  I have the following coding:         {Date}   VIA {VIA} {List: {Aty_Email#X} , }   {List:{Aty_Name#X} {Aty_Firm#X}{if: }{Aty_Address#X} {Aty_City#X}, {Aty_ST#X} {Aty_ZIP#X}   |[ditto]|[ditto]}   Re: {S

Removing Empty Rows

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Empty rows in a Q&A Table are always a bad idea, get rid of them. This very short video demonstrates an easy way using the Check Form tool.

Conditions 203, Rows

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When you’ve created a table, perhaps a statement or bill, or a column of figures within a document, and you want a row to “disappear” when its empty and unneeded, this is how to make that happen. Runtime (HD): 4:47 Posted 10/31/2012

The PEEK Command

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This little gem of a tool let's your users peek ahead at the uses your form is going to make of their answers. tag: video

Why Save/Load? Why not Just Save a Table?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Before I started reading the manual, I started saving my  tables with answers as tables.  Then when I need to reuse the answers I would just go to tables and choose the right table I need and use it for another form. Now that I have read the manual I see where I should have save/loaded the answers to reuse them. My question is why is it wrong to do

How to manage page numbers in Word sections

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

A popular question is, "How can I arrange for page numbers to start again with each new section in my document?" Here's the answer: 1.  Add a next-page section break between each sub-document.  (Click Page Layout, Breaks, Section Break Next Page.) 2.  Set up the header and footer in the first document the way you want them. 3.  On the first page of

How do I move my Templates from the desktop to the server?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Use TheFormTool>Options>Path (Browse). Find the location you want, or create a new Folder or whatever. It will ask whether you want to move your existing files there. Click OK. Done.

Forms with multiple possible parties

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

In setting up my estate planning forms, I am having difficulty figuring out the best way to set up the table to deal with multiple potential parties.  For instance, I have trusts with anywhere between one to four (co-)trustee(s), wills with one or more personal representative(s) and guardian designations, etc.  What is the best way to address these

How to automatically number or bullet Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Is there a way to have a list show up as bullet points or numbered for each item in the list. 1.       Tic2.       Tac3.       Toe Instead of: Tic, Tac and Toe

Easy "Undo" for Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Oops, I only selected half of what I wanted to conditionalize. What is the easiest way to undo the condition? In order to get all of it, I've had to close and open an earlier version. Thanks.

ListSum in GRID

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

How do I sum a grid column? ListSum isn't working for me and the instructions say it's only for Series answers. I can't use the MS Word sum  function either. I just want to assign the sum of a grid column to a derived answer and use it as a field in the document. Couldn't find an answer in the manual either. Am I doing something wrong?

Conditions 102, a/an and Periods

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here are two simple Conditions that you’ll use almost every day. Professionalize your documents and save time by automating two decisions: when to use “a” or “an,” and preventing double periods at the end of a sentence. Runtime (HD): 1:47 Posted 10/31/2012

Doxserá – An Introduction to Modern Document Automation

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Everything you need to know to take advantage of Doxserá’s powerful multiple-document feature, where you can create several related documents simultaneously. (12/30/2014) Runtime (HD) 14:11  

How to Compute a Monthly Lease Payment

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lease payment computations can be complex and prone to errors, especially if the components of the computation are its result need to be transferred between programs, or worse, from external references. Fortunately, with the "Raise to Power" command in Math functions, documents can compute lease payments on their own. In English, the formula consist

I moved TheFormTool's files and disabled the program. What now?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I had my form tool files on a virtual shared drive (Z:).  I changed the letter to X:, and now the form tool will not run at all, giving me the MS basic error when I try to do anything.  I have tried re-installing, but it still won't let me change the path. How do I get it up and running again?

The Power and Economics of an Intelligent Document

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video is a condensed version of a webinar presented December 5, 2012 to TheFormTool’s power users from around the world. It describes the four levels of “document IQ” that can be invoked by a form author to create the most efficient and “intelligent” document possible. The video demonstrates several relatively complex documents and displays way

Saving Information for later use

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

My firm bought TheFormTool a month or so ago and I think I've got a pretty good command on the basic programming.  Now I'd like to program all of my estate planning documents and I'm trying to think through a few things before I jump in (sort of architectural ideas). First, it would seem like I could create one master table and create inputs for mul

Word "Compatibility Version"

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am working with several forms that have been formatted for the Form Tool.  Sometimes when I open the forms, they work fine.  However, most times when I try to use them, they seem to be missing some of their Form Tool functionality.

SubLists: The Power to be Different

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

From the very beginning of time, lists were followed by efforts to subdivide the list into smaller fractions, more discrete divisions, sublists. Today, SubLists are an incredibly powerful way to look at the components of a population, officers compared to shareholders, tenants compared to owners, prescription medications compared to OTC, the lists (

How to Create a Perfect Pleading

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Pleadings are the core of an attorney's work. This video demonstrates how to build a Perfect Pleading, one that will address all your needs. You can learn how to build the perfect pleading sheet from scratch using only basic Word tools here. Transcript: I'd like to quickly show you what we think of as an intelligent document. Here I've got a one pag

My Normal template keeps changing!

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

After installing v2.4, my custom-set Normal template (Word 2007, Win XP - set my way for years and which stayed put with earlier FormTool versions) reverted to Microsoft’s default font and paragraph settings.  I’ve been able to change the template to my custom settings, and those settings stick whenever I open and close Word.  BUT - whenever I RE-BO

Comparing Drop Down Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Is it not possible to build a sublist or create a derived answer based on comparing the answer in one dropdown field (in my case in a grid) to the answer in another dropdown field (in my case in the Q&A table), where the two fields have the same options in their respective dropdowns? from Noam Raz

Error when importing and clearing answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I'm not sure if this is a Master List question or a Q&A Table question, but here goes: When linking to master lists (one containing all 50 states and their abbreviations, the other containing a list of Iowa cities and counties), this specific form gives the following error: "This property can only be used with dropdown list or combo box content

Q&A Table Organization -- Best Practices

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here are four ideas to help organize a complex Q&A Table or make a simple one even easier to understand.   1. Color code common questions 2. For closely-related questions, number them "A.", "B.", etc. If you add a space after the A, B, C, TFT will automatically indent the question, further highlighting their relationship. 3. Add an explanatory l

Automated installations over a network

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We have been using HotDocs for some years (albeit not firm-wide), and have decided to phase it out and go with TFT. Do you have a method to automate the install, including pushing the license key?  We typically use group policy or other silent installs via batch file/registry tweaks to push software. 

The Power of Repeating Paragraphs

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When you want to have sentences, paragraphs, or entire pages repeat, this demonstration of the Repeating Paragraphs function of the Lists feature will come in handy. This video will show how to easily build a command to duplicate language over and over, only adding the small changes needed to personalize or customize it. tags: ditto, name, email

Saving & Reusing Q & A Tables

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When you’re wondering how and where to save your shared templates, Master Lists, and customer files, this is the video that will helps you determine how to manage your files. Whether on your desktop or on a network, this one’s for you. Runtime (HD): 2:13 Posted 10/31/2012

Text Format (Font) Changes Randomly

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I've had an issue a couple times (it seems to be random--only happens once in a while) where the font will change when I fill and reset forms.  It seems to happen more when I'm in the process of building complex lists.  For some reason this form I've been working on did it a couple different times tonight as I was putting it together.  I attached be

TheFormTool changes my capitalization

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I have this problem:  I enter answers in the table, but when I click “Fill” the answers get changed to lower case, causing a lot of manual work.  I know that with your spectacular work on this software that you did not design it this way, and I am doing something wrong.  Please tell me what I am doing wrong.

Clearing Answers from the Q&A Table

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We have Form Tool Pro and Word 2010.  After I create a form, insert table, insert questions to be answered and click fill to test the form, how to I return to the form so the table is attached without the answers I filled in before clicking fill.  I want to remove the answers I inserted and only have the table remain at the bottom of the form.  I cl

A GRID's First Column is Special

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

GRID's keep the identification label for each row in the first column. Because each Row is different, each cell in the first column needs to be different, too. Unlike the Foreman family, where each boy is named "George," identical terms in the first column will only create chaos. Here are a few ways to prevent GRID chaos. tags: 1st, first, column, c

Dropdowns: For Choices or Series? A: Both

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Users are absolutely fascinated with Dropdown answers; there's something magical in the process of being to click to make a selection. There's magic, too, in the power. Here's the definitive 4:48 guide to determining when a Dropdown is appropriate in a Series answer and when you'll want to use one in for a Choice. tag: video

Need Help with Advanced Math Problem in Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Hi I would like to have my form do some advanced math if it is possible but need help wrapping my head around it.   Following is my Grid with calculations in the last 4 columns.  Once the form user selects the fill button these calculations take place.  After these fields are populated with the results we need to determine the "Average Variance" in

How to Customize Singulars and Plurals

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool PRO and Doxserá offer a goodly number of alternative singulars and plurals, but every once in a while there's a need for a combination that isn't included. What to do? Create your own. This video demonstrates how easy it is to create singular/plural variations of nouns, verbs, phrases and sentences. tags: trustee, co-trustee

What to do When the Program Tab Disappears

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Word has the disconcerting habit of eating its young on a random basis. One minute the tab that opens TheFormTool or Doxserá is there on the menu bar where it's always been, the next thing you know it's gone. What to do? This video provides a one-minute demonstration of the steps to take to get your program controls back and continue on your way. Tr

Managing Roles within Documents using Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Roles within a document can be complex. Today's defendant to tomorrow's plaintiff, buyers become seller, spouses can become something else one day. Lists are one of the most powerful and elegant features available to a form author to manage Roles, not only within a particular document but also as they evolve over time.  This video will change the wa

TLC 2 Master Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Master Lists are one of the backbones of intelligent documents, a sort of mini-database for often used information. Master Lists allow an author to create a reference sheet of related, stable information: a list of partners in a firm, along with their contact information; a parts list, with descriptions, prices, and typical uses; branch offices, wit

TLC 7 Moving Data from a Master List to an Excel Spreadsheet (DB only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Many users have previously saved common data in one or more Master Lists. Some would like to take advantage of the power of a spreadsheet or database to store even larger quantities of data. This video shows how to transition forms using Master Lists to forms using Dox DB's capabilities.     tags: Excel, SQL, Access, Master, List, alt-F9, spreadshee

Using Lists and Conditions to Make Service Lists Disappear

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Most often, we're asked to make lists appear. In this case, we show how to use Conditions and Lists to make a Service List disappear. tags: video,

Videos

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

GRID Adds Power and Simplicity WIth GRID answers, complex data entry becomes easier and the uses to which an author can put the data grows exponentially. Learn about how you can create GRIDs, use GRIDs to create Lists, include Smart Answers in GRIDs, and convert Linked Lists to GRIDS. Runtime (HD): 11:41 Posted 7.15.2013

Sets Installation Instructions

Published January 5th, 2024 by Service Desk

Sets are sophisticated high-speed functions of Doxserá, DB, and Aurora that allow for completing multiple forms simultaneously. Because they stress the abilities of Word and the computer, Sets deserve special handling to protect them during transit and from the vagaries in computer environments. Here are instructions to help users get the most out o

How do I manage paragraph numbering with conditional paragraphs?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I have a fairly complex form that generates numbered paragraphs depending on options chosen by the user. When the form is being filled, a paragraph that is not supposed to be numbered is being numbered and a paragraph that is supposed to be numbered is having the number removed. The paragraphs are not contiguous to each other, but the two changes ma

Capitalizing Items in a List

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There are two super-easy ways to accomplish the capitalization that you want. You can, of course, capitalize the children's names as they're entered in the Q&A Table. The other approach is to set the format for each list item by: 1. inserting your cursor into each one of the three List fields 2. selecting the Field command 3. using the Fields, L

Dividers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

No, this is neither science fiction nor a political commentary. Instead, it’s a great tool for making your smart documents even easier to understand and work with. Dividers aren’t a big thing, but like a one-button smart phone, you’ll wonder how you got along without them. Runtime (HD): 2:41

Saving/Storing TheFormTool’s Files

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When you’re wondering how and where to save your shared templates, Master Lists, and customer files, this is the video that will helps you determine how to manage your files. Whether on your desktop or on a network, this one’s for you. Runtime (HD): 1:42

Conditions 302, Compound Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here’s the Boolean Boogie, the ability to construct logic paths that would turn a Vulcan green with envy. Kids in philosophy classes across the country will be bootlegging papers created with TheFormTool to prove their professors’ pet  theorems. More prosaic users will settle for including or excluding text based on multiple layers of conditions con

Alphabetize Master Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

In larger firms, companies with numerous products or suppliers, and many other instances, it's handy to save Master Lists in alphabetical order. To do so, access the Master List by clicking on TheFormTool>Master List>(list name). Click Edit. Select the entire table by clicking on the table selection button in the upper left corner of the table

Word resets Normal template to MSFT defaults on restart

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

After installing v2.4, my custom-set Normal template (Word 2007, Win XP - set my way for years and which stayed put with earlier FormTool versions) reverted to Microsoft’s default font and paragraph settings.  I’ve been able to change the template to my custom settings, and those settings stick whenever I open and close Word.  BUT - whenever I RE-BO

The first letter in my table cells is always capitalized? How to change that

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am a subscriber or customer of the FormTool. I have a questions about capitalization. In the table, when I write an answer in the answer box, it capitalizes the first letter. So if I write "with respect to a matter before X agency" it will write "With respect to a matter before x agency" Any way to change that so it does not capitalize first lette

How to automatically create sophisticated file, catalog or product numbers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We're often asked whether TheFormTool PRO and Doxserá can automatically create complex file, catalog or product numbers. They certainly can! The attached Word 2010 document shows how to build a completely personalized six-factor identification number. While this example uses two dates and a last name to build a completely unique number sequence, any

How to use Derived Answers to Simplify, Speed, and Beautify Your Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes its easier to put complex or repetitive recoding into a Derived Answer and then allow Fields to use that answer in the document. This video will demonstrate how to remove coding from the document and put it into the Questionnaire.  

TheFormTool PRO Installation Instructions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

You don’t need to to master the Expert Guide on Day One to profit from TheFormTool PRO, you can learn at your own pace and stop at whatever level suits you and answers your business needs. We do ask, however, that you read these entire instructions. Doing so will provide you with all the important  “first steps.” It will save you time. If you prefer

Create a Sophisticated Signature Scheme Using Lists Within Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video and example document demonstrate a sophisticated approach to creating a complex signature and acknowledgement section where the parties are individuals signing, companies signing through an officer, and partnerships signing through individual and corporate partners. This is an unusually complex document best used by experienced authors. I

Videos

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The Basic Building Blocks – Tables and Fields This is the one video everyone should see. The Q&A Table and document Fields are the DNA of TheFormTool, the raw material from which a truly intelligent document is created. Just as in so many other endeavors, those who master the basics are best positioned to become masters. In this video, Scott Cam

TLC 6 Customizing Intelligent Forms

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Whether you purchased a library of our intelligent forms or built your own, the dozen helpful hints on this video will teach you how to customize it for your specific needs and brand.   tags: numbering, autonumber,  cross-references, title, styles, table of contents, TOC, Wrapper, snapnumbers, Shareholders Agreement, calibri, block, indent, format,

TLC 2 Moving Rows within the Questionnaire

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There comes a time with ever form that's complex enough to have two questions when the form author needs to wonder, which question should come first? This video demonstrates the easiest and fastest ways to move rows with the Questionnaire. tags: Q&A Table, up, down, Label, Answers, video

Set a condition test based upon a pronoun from a list item

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I purchased the TheFormTool Pro and have set up a Will template that sets up testator's children and their dates of birth. The children are of necessity in a List. Typing the names into the list also allows to set the child's gender as he/she. The challenge is that I want to show the relationship of each child to the testator – such as Son or Daught

A NUMBER vs a DATE

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I'm stumped. Maybe it's just a Monday brain stall, but I can't figure out why the code doesn't work: QAT field YearFiled answer is 2012. Form field says take that answer and subtract 3 years (through the Field – Date Offset option). So, when I fill the form, it gives me an Error – Date Format. I formatted the field to show yyyy.   ??? Do I need a mo

Changing Computers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

To transfer from one computer to another: On the old computer: 1.  Copy down your License Code and Registration Name to save in a safe place. License Codes and Registration Names can be found at (Doxserá or TheFormTool)>Options>License code on the menu bar or on your account at the online Store. 2.  Do you use the default path?  To find out, c

Managing Conditional Section Breaks -- End of Document Issue

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Wondered if you could help me with something of a TFT conundrum! I am working on Windows 7 using Word 2007 and FT Pro v2.6b with fairly standard default settings and I cannot recollect changing anything in Word of any significance..... I have several documents that use the FT ability for conditional sections but I am ending up with a blank page afte

How to Copy Answers from Excel into PRO and Doxserá?

Published March 7th, 2023 by Service Desk

There is an easy way to copy data from Excel to TheFormTool PRO’s Questionnaire. Of course we suggested Doxserá DB as the complete solution, but we recognize that Dox DB may be too much for only occasional use. Here’s a manual approach for a once-in-a-while need. Set up the Questionnaire so the number and order of the Answers exactly match the order

Videos

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The Basic Building Blocks – Tables and Fields This is the one video everyone should see. The Q&A Table and document Fields are the DNA of TheFormTool, the raw material from which a truly intelligent document is created. Just as in so many other endeavors, those who master the basics are best positioned to become masters. In this video, Scott Cam

A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Tools Menu

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool PRO and Doxserá are equipped with an array of tools to make the form author's life easier and to speed the construction process. This video demonstrates each of seven terrific tools you can use today. The tools: Check Form to diagnose, and often fix, issues within the form (starts at 0:00) Highlight List/Condition to view the extent of a

Separate lines

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am preparing a Quit Claim Deed, the first part of which is: Grantor:               Grantor Name                                 Grantor Address When I insert my field for the Grantor Address, I need 2 lines.  When I inserted my field, the first part of the address on the first line simply went across the page, into another line. Do I need to inser

Add graphic signatures to a signature block

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

More and more of us are using saved graphic representations of our personal signatures. This video demonstrates how to use Doxserá to automatically include the appropriate signature in a letter or other form. While the video is focused on signatures, the same instructions apply to empowering a document to automatically find, select and insert any Wo

Date Offsets

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

How often do you need to reference an undetermined future date that’s dictated by another date or event? When you need to include a future (or past!) date that requires calculation, TheFormTool’s Date Offset is the feature to turn to. (Free and PRO versions.) Runtime (HD): 4:49

How a Legal Firm can Improve Results and Client Service Almost Instantly

Published September 7th, 2024 by Service Desk

Imagine you’re an attorney managing a few hundred corporate clients, and each of these companies has dozens of shareholders. Every month, you’re responsible for generating notice letters for the companies having their annual meetings next month. With Doxserá® DB, what used to be a time-consuming, manual process can now be handled with just a few cli

Three Essential Reasons to Use Derived Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

While Derived Answers are one of the last features most authors learn, there are three times when a need can only be answered by a Derived Answer. To avoid repetitive processing of the same information To perform math functions on the contents of SubLists To provide data for a Condition when the data isn't already an Answer A fourth, less tangible r

Dealing with a Troubled, Complex Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

  Here’s an approach to diagnosing issues in relatively complex forms that we’ve found extremely useful. It recognizes that really intelligent users tend to over-complicate their searches for solutions to a form that doesn’t work as intended. We think of it as the “Rule of Three.” Experience has taught us that it works best when the results of each

TLC 2 Master Lists: Matching Billing Rates to Attorneys

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

One of the great features that users appreciate is the ability to use one piece of data to call up multiple other related data. This video demonstrates how to tie a billing rate or other data to the name of a particular attorney. This approach works well for all sorts of needs: invoices, statements, catalogs.   tags: related info, bill, lists

Conditions 301, Complex Conditions & Smart Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is the “meat and potatoes” of conditional logic, a survey of TheFormTool’s tools you can use to create elegant and truly intelligent forms. This is the video to watch if your goal is to have the smartest documents in the city, so smart that others will think it’s magic. Runtime (HD): 20:40 Posted 10/31/2012

2. What Can TheFormTool Do For Me?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Learning Time: 8 minutes Here's the answer to the most basic of questions, "What's in it for me?" This short video will take you on a tour d'horizon of TheFormTool PRO and the basic Doxserá features and demonstrate a dozen different ways TFT can prevent nearly 100% of documentation errors while speeding your document creation by 70% or more. tags: v

TLC 2 Creating Envelopes and Labels, One, One Thousand or One Million

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video, one of a family of videos on similar subjects, is for those with fairly sophisticated needs who like to cook from scratch.     tags: envelope, address, labels, mail, mailing, mass, filter, region, zipcode, state, collection, billing,

1. Understanding the Anatomy of an Intelligent Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Learning Time: 19 minutes Here is an overview of all of our software that is based on TheFormTool decisioning engine, illustrating the relationships between and uses of the pieces and parts. Click to expand Transcript:     And I think of these as building blocks. There's there's different elements that can be brought in and used as needed. You start

Affidavit in Support of Need for Creation of an OBRA 93 Special-Needs Trust

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a world-class affidavit all ready to go with any of our professional-level programs. It is non-specific as to location and jurisdiction and ready to be modified to fit your circumstances. The Affidavit weighs in at two pages, 400 words, and 47 variables. The Affidavit is a fully operational sample from our Elder Law — Preparing for Disabilit

Using basic Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

List-type answers can be used in two different ways. Most of the time, you want to insert the contents of the list into the form. To do that, click the List button and choose one of the built-in list formats: narrative text, repeating paragraphs, table format, or signature blocks. But on rare occasions you may want to insert information about the li

Lists - [table format]

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Several questions. First, is it possible to display two lists in the same table? For example, a list of assets would need to show cash on hand, bank accounts, and accounts receivable for a particular client, but only if that client possessed those particular assets. Second, if two table-formatted lists are on the same page, what causes them to refor

Use a Default Answer to Save Keystrokes

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

If the Answer to a given Question is going to be the same the vase majority of the time, such as the county of jurisdiction, the color of a catalog item, the name of a customer, then save time and keystrokes by assigning a default Answer. It can still be changed whenever needed. This 2-minute video shows you how and why.

What's a Choice; What's a List?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Form creators are sometimes misled by the terminology when selecting a List-type answer or a Choice-type answer in the Smart Answer screen. "If I want to give the form user a list of choices, isn't that a List-type answer?" Well, no, it's not. List-type answers are used only when you want the form user to list several items in response to a single q

Sharing Question & Answer Tables with Clients and Customers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes, the most efficient means of collecting information is to allow the customer or client to do the job. This video describes how to prepare the Q&A Table for sharing with others.   tags: share, sharing, QAT, tear off, video

Remove (and Replace) a Q & A Table

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes it's necessary to remove the Question and Answer Table, a move the program goes to great effort to prevent. Here's how to do it safely and efficiently.  Even better, the video also demonstrates how to replace the Q&A Table with another. tag: video

Removing a Q & A Table

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

You may need to remove a Question & Answer Table from a form one day. This video shows you how to remove the Q & A Table. tags: Q&A, Questionnaire, remove, delete, erase

Reusing Q&A Tables

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

You don't have to create the Q&A table from scratch every time. Click TheFormToolPRO's Table button to save an existing Q&A table for future use in other forms. You might even save several different Q&A tables, each one tailored for a different sort of form -- one for estate planning forms, one for incorporation forms, one for real estat

Word 2013

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Interest in Word 2013 is picking up and the question occurs, "Does Word 2013 support TheFormTool?" The answer: Yep.

Videos

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Saving/Storing TheFormTool’s Files When you’re wondering how and where to save your shared templates, Master Lists, and customer files, this is the video that will helps you determine how to manage your files. Whether on your desktop or on a network, this one’s for you. Runtime (HD): 1:42

Doxserá Installation Instructions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

You don’t need to to master the Expert Guide on Day One to profit from Doxserá®, you can learn at your own pace and stop at whatever level suits you and answers your business needs. We do ask, however, that you read this entire receipt. It will provide you with all the important  “first steps.” It will save you time. PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNT -----------

Math 101 - How to Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a video demonstration of Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division;using the Integer function to limit the size of an acceptable answer; Derived Answers; and Show/Hide Rows.   

Question about Grid Q&A Tables

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Hi I am wondering if we can add mathematical formulas in a Grid Q&A Table much like you would in excel. If so, I would then like to take those calculated answers from the grid populate a table within the Form.  Is this even possible?   I am attaching an excel spreadsheet that will show you what I am doing in excel and if possible I would like to

Don't mess with the Q&A Table

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool is fussy about the layout of the Q&A Table -- it looks for particular information in particular places, and when things are rearranged it gets confused. This form has a ton of formatting changes to the QAT -- it's very impressive.  And formatting changes generally do not cause problems.  It's only changes in layout that cause problem

Best Practices for Multiple Trustees

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I’ve attached subset of my master will form it with trustee and guardian components to this question.   Here’s what I’m trying to accomplish: A cumulative name/phone number/address entry system for a person’s powers of attorney, executors, guardians, and trustees A simple way in the form to work with multiple agent situations for sets of guardians o

Sequential descriptors for a list sequence

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Is there a way to represent the sequential order of items in a list using the adjective for each item's position in the list? For example, the list might identify five fruit: apples, oranges, bananas, pears, and peaches. I want Doxsera to output the following underlined word: Apples are first Oranges are second Peaches are fifth I don't need the ski

Singular/Plural Verbs: "Certify"

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am using Word 2013 and TheFormTool Pro. I am attempting to use the field - singular/plural - y | ies command to make "certify" or "certifies" depending on selection of "he" or "they" from my answer menu - smart answer tied to singular/plural. The problem I am having is that when I select "he" the result is "certify" and when I select "they" the re

Using List-type Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

List-type answers (described on page 11 of the Quick-Start Guide and page 9 of the Expert User Guide) can be used in two different ways. Most of the time, you want to insert the contents of the list into the form. To do that, click the List button and choose one of the built-in list formats: narrative text, repeating paragraphs, table format, or sig

Want a Peek?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When answering questions in a form's Q&A table, you might want to take a peek at the location in the form where your answer will be used. Click TheFormToolPRO's Peek Nextbutton to open a split-screen view and browse through each occurrence of that particular answer in the form, then click Peek Off when you're finished. Originally submitted by Sc

More Pronouns and Plurals

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The Pronouns and Plurals features seem to have unlimited uses. Here's another short video.

Pulling in master list based on prior answer

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Question about how to pull in a master list to be used as the source of a drop down if a specific answer is provided in a prior question.  For example, question 1 asks the user to identify whether Company A, Company B or Company C is a party to the contract.  The designated signers for each company are contained in three separate master lists.  Ques

TLC 1 The Basics: Questionnaires and Fields

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Featuring a tour of the menu bar and demonstrations creating and filling a questionnaire and creating Fields in the document. Answering questions like,  What makes a good question? Using a split screen while building a form. Sorting and formatting Fields. The video ends a little abruptly, but you'll get the idea. tags: video, basic, free version, Th

Converting WordPerfect to Word

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Updating your documents can be a real task. Here’s a simple clue to minimize the difficulties, prevent data corruption, and save time. Don’t try converting WP until you’ve learned this easy trick. Runtime (HD): 2:16 Posted 10/13/2012

Space in Bulleted Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Hi Scott I need a little more help. As you know I have multiple bullete lists in my Home Inspection Form.  Once I"Fill" the form, a space is added in front of each bullet.  This is not a problem unless the bullet is long enough to wrap to the next line.  When the bullet wraps, that additional space makes the left alignment of the bullet uneven. I am

Doxserá DB's Analytics Tools, SQL Data Tables and Functions

Published September 9th, 2024 by Service Desk

Doxserá® DB offers powerful reporting features through its new Data Tables and Data Functions, enabling users to gather and analyze data directly from external sources like SQL databases. This demonstration showcases how Doxserá® DB transforms complex data into actionable reports, making it ideal for law firms, insurance companies, venture capitalis

Series for Linked Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

A series answer is not available when the answer is linked to an another answer.  I believe that I understand why you would not want to have a series answer for a linked list, but would like to know if there is a workaround.  Any ideas?

Sharing Master Lists on a Network

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We have a bunch of laptops and a server and am just wondering where the Master List is kept? is it on each computer? if so, wonder if it can be move to a central location so we don't have to do Master Lists for each computer? Thanks

FIrst steps when things go wrong

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

User issues when using TheFormTool usual break down into one of four areas. We cover Installation problems in its own category. We'll cover the others here, grouped by their symptoms. Here are some general hints to help with a diagnosis. 1. Runtime errors really don't tell us much; specific runtime code numbers tell us nothing useful at all. Runtime

Reusing common elements/templates

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I haven't been able to figure out a good way to reuse common elements across forms (letterhead, case captions, etc). Is this possible? Is there a solution within Word that I am missing? Or is copy/paste the only solution? Originally submitted by sloughwi

How to easily compute age, terms, or length in years

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

One of the handiest and most-requested functions is computing age. Here's an incredibly simple formula for which the only information the User needs to add is a birthdate. Q&A Table or GRID Answer: birthdate The formula computes the number of days between the birthdate and today, divides the answer by 365.25 and rounds down to the next whole int

Conditional paragraphs

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Many of my documents have numbered sections with multiple clauses that could be used. There are also entire sections that will either be used or not depending on what clause is used in another section. My question is whether your software supports re-numbering of the section headings. For instance, in the below example, if there are no children of t

Lists within Repeating Paragraphs

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I'm creating a "mail merge" to build a cover letter that goes along with a set of individualized forms to be mailed to a list of individuals. Each letter comes from a group of individuals to a single, different individual, and each needs to be individually addressed. Confused yet? Here's the rub: the letter is a repeating "paragraph" (uses the [ditt

Custom Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lists are one of TheFormTool’s fundamental building blocks, a great way to include a related series of data points: 12 different products, three signers, six children, four purchasers. With a list, TheFormTool can identify the actors and their roles, determine their gender (or lack thereof), count their numbers and determine their relationships. Whi

Four Ways to Access Data from Excel, Simple to Complex

Published September 8th, 2024 by Service Desk

Doxserá® DB is designed to revolutionize document automation by leveraging external data sources such as Excel, Access databases, Outlook contacts, and SQL databases. Whether these sources are stored locally, on a business network, or accessed via the cloud, Doxserá® DB can pull and manipulate data seamlessly to generate documents. For this demonstr

"To be determined"

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When the answer to a question in the Q&A table is left empty, a blank line appears in the resulting finished document.  That blank line is intended to send a helpful signal to the form user, letting them know that some information is missing.  But occasionally the form creator wants nothing to appear in the finished document when the answer is e

Word numbered lists in TFT Lists - numbers continue in next iteration

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I have a affidavit form that is generated for each attorney in a power of attorney, using TFT's List/repeating paragraphs feature. If I have 2 or more attornies, Word has a tendency to "Continue numbering" with the second and subsequent affidavits. So, the first affidavit has paragraphs 1, 2,3 … but the second one starts at 4 and continues through 6

Pronouns in Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am having a pronoun issue.  This arises in a notary block which is essentially a repeating paragraph within a list.  I have conditions that generate different blocks depending on whether the signer is an individual or in a representative capacity for an entity. A second condition is whether I am the notary or not.  I have a problem when a signer i

Videos

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Conditions 101, Basic Principles This is your starting point to truly intelligent documents. In just six minutes, learn how Conditions work and how to construct simple decisions so that your documents can automatically include or exclude language based on user inputs. Runtime (HD): 6:08 Posted 10/31/2012

Choices, choices

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I've recently started to work with your form tool pro in an exploratory capacity to investigate whether the firm I work for wants to invest in it fully, and get it for all the attorneys and staff. For the sample document I've been assigned to format the attorney's and staff chose a divorce stipulation. One of the things I've stumbled upon that would

Create Mailing Labels

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The bane of every office, creating mailing labels that match the mail. Invest 4:01 minutes here and never be troubled by labels again.

Refreshing Master Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When I have inserted an answer field in the data table by using a choice from a MasterList with the option for a write in, that when I make additions to the Masterlist, the list of options in the data table answer field does not include the additions I made to the Masterlist.  I tried existing the form and reloading it, but the answer field in the d

Address lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am putting together a form for a certificate of service, and I need to create a list like this: Joe LawyerLaw Firm LLC123 Main StreetCity, ST 20320 Attorney for Defendant Jane LawyerLaw Firm TOO LLC4543 Other StreetCity, ST 20320 Attorney for Defendant Two I created a grid like this,  but how do I populate the list? [instructions]                 

Pronouns in Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am having a pronoun issue.  This arises in a notary block which is essentially a repeating paragraph within a list.  I have conditions that generate different blocks depending on whether the signer is an individual or in a representative capacity for an entity. A second condition is whether I am the notary or not.  I have a problem when a signer i

Formatting an Address Block

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There's often a need to present an address in a particular format. Here's a one-minute primer on exactly how to do so. tags: format, address block, justify, left, align, right

Keyboard shortcuts

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool uses the same shortcut keystroke conventions as other Word commands:  Tap the Alt key to see keystroke indicators appear above each tab in Word's command ribbon.  Tap Q to select the TheFormTool's tab, and more indicators appear, showing a keystroke for every button. Since the Field button is the one most commonly used, we gave it the ea

Condition to check a check box

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Hi We are creating a Texas Home Inspection Form.  In Texas it is required that you use a specific form which can be recreated in word, but it has to remain in the same format..   On this form there are some check boxes in each category that we have to check if a specific item in the house was: Inspected (I) Not Inspected (NI) Not Present (NP) Defici

How to Avoid Holidays

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I want to set up my Report of the Parties' Planning Meeting so that many of the deadlines fall on Mondays. That's easy enough to do -- beginning_date + 180; go to this or the following Monday.  I just tried this and set up some dummy dates and the formula ended up on 3 September 2012 which is Labor Day. How can I avoid falling on a Monday holiday? I

Rounding

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Today during the webinar, I asked if there was a way to keep the age from automatically rounding up and I was told to use the round down feature. How do I do that? My function is:  {Days: {Field: dob}, {now}}/365.25 If i put in a birthdate of 8/23/1972, the age comes back as 41, but the person has not reached their 41st birthday. 

Custom Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lists are one of TheFormTool’s fundamental building blocks, a great way to include a related series of data points: 12 different products, three signers, six children, four purchasers. With a list, TheFormTool can identify the actors and their roles, determine their gender (or lack thereof), count their numbers and determine their relationships. Whi

Punctuating a List of Paragraphs

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Suppose your Q&A table contains a SHs question that asks for a list shareholder names.  And you want to show the shareholders in the finished document in this format: Joe; Mary; and Barney. Your first inclination might be to use the "repeating paragraph" format for the list, since each item appears in its own paragraph.  But the repeating paragr

Smart[er] Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Many of my form Q&A tables have a grid type answer at the end that requests information regarding all parties that will be named in a document (i.e., name, address, etc.).  In my estate planning documents, these grid answers are very useful for  trustee designations, for example, as I can simply create a "trustee" linked answer with a dropdown l

The Basic Building Blocks – Tables and Fields

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is the one video everyone should see. The Q&A Table and document Fields are the DNA of TheFormTool, the raw material from which a truly intelligent document is created. Just as in so many other endeavors, those who master the basics are best positioned to become masters. In this video, Scott Campbell reveals tricks of the trade usable in bo

Create a Service List

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Step by step instructions to create a Service List of any length and complexity Runtime 5:30 .  

Videos

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Find & Paste It’s late and the document you need to automate must have at least a hundred “John Does” in it, each of which need to be made into smart fields instead, a process that might take an hour or two and still result in errors. Well, here’s your answer; with Find & Paste you can automate the automation and smarten further even your sm

Doxserá v1.1 “AutoFile”

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

With Doxserá v1.1, “AutoFile,” you’ll save time, aggravation and errors by allowing Doxserá to name and save your newly created files for you automatically. If you create multiple documents at one time, this free update to owners of Doxserá is made with you in mind. Runtime (HD) 4:10

Pronouns, Plurals, and Possessives

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a terrific little video demonstrating how to get the absolute most out of the software's pronoun feature. In just seven minutes, it shows how to create pronouns, modify nouns and verbs to differentiate singular forms from the plural, and how to add possessives when necessary.  This is a great way to professionalize the appearance of your doc

Using Derived Answers to Create Customized File Numbers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Suppose you needed a file number creation system to automatically build discrete file numbers from a combination of a customer's DOB, last name, and the date of opening the file. Sound difficult? Not at all; you can be doing it in less than five minutes with a little help from this short video. There isn't a huge number of firms that would want to n

How to create singular/plurals, and counts in a list

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video describes how to use the Singular/Plural command to select or modify 16 forms of verbs, nouns and pronouns to fit your circumstances. It is among the simplest features but is often the most valuable in terms of time saved and errors avoided.     tags: is/are, am, was/were, has/have, does/do, child/children, person/people, that/those, this

Attention Markers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

As a form creator, sometimes you want to draw the form user's attention to a particular spot in a form. You can mark such a spot by selecting it and clicking the Attn Mark button (even adding a message if you like). After the form is filled in by a form user, the cursor jumps to that location in the document and your message is displayed. You can ev

5 Minute Demo using both Excel and SQL as simultaneous sources

Published September 8th, 2024 by Service Desk

Doxserá® DB is the ultimate tool for automating document creation, enabling seamless integration with multiple data sources such as SQL databases and Excel spreadsheets. It builds on the success of our previous tools—TheFormTool ®, our award-winning document assembly software, and Doxserá ®, which automates the creation of multiple documents and ins

Speed Rule #LC-1

Published October 4th, 2024 by Service Desk

We feel the need, the need for speed Learn how to save seconds or minutes on each form Speed is easily the number one driver for purchasers of our software. Number one, that is, when it's seamlessly coupled to accuracy and power and ease of use and flexibility and value and security. In two sentences, that explains why our software is so popular. Bu

Signature Blocks from Master Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I'm just getting started experimenting with this product, so if I'm just missing something here, let me know. I want to build a master contacts list in each litigation file that I have. To do this, I need to include a pretty intensive set of data for each contact. Most notably, all contacts flagged as counsel will have a field called "SignatureBlock

Lists, Lists in Lists, and Linked Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This very simple document shows how to use Lists for both paragraphs and signature blocks and how to link Lists together to compound their power, in this case showing both the offices held and the name of the individual office holder.  

Dates and Dollars

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is an example showing the use of Math, Dates, and Derived Answers to arrive at the proportional amount of taxes (or other items) due on any particular day of the year that depends on the closing date.   For the step by step video, click here http://screencast.com/t/erwMAa20xR And, I've attached the Word 2010 document for those who want to play

Are There Limits to TheFormTool?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

People often ask if there are natural limits to TheFormTool. There aren't many that count. There are no practical limits on the number of pages in an intelligent document™ or template. Users are already up to 600 pages and 180,000 words.  There are no limits to the number of variables in a document. One user has built a checklist with more than 1,30

Connecting with Clio

Published October 3rd, 2024 by Service Desk

The #1 request from our customers in recent years has been to be able to access Clio® Contacts automatically, in real time. We’re delighted to report that we’ve crafted a system that does exactly that, it updates Clio Contacts to your choice of an Excel spreadsheet or Outlook Contacts completely automatically. It's the completely automatically that

Where to Put Derived Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Derived answers are location-sensitive. Derived answers in the QAT can use info above them in the QAT and can use info contained in Grids. Derived columns in Grids can use info in the QAT and Grids that precede them and columns that precede them. Phrased another way, these are the no-no's: Derived answers in the QAT cannot use info that appears late

Sublists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I remember a demonstration of Internet advertising a few years ago. We started with a group of 300 million and repeatedly filtered the group until finally landing on an audience of one, a one-armed retired endocrinologist in Olathe. TheFormTool’s Sublists will do that for you. You can divide and subdivide data until the cows come home, almost endles

The Basic Principles of Construction

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Adding a Calendar to the Q & A Table or GRID

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Adding a calendar for users to click on can add a bit of panache to a form. It can also make selecting specific future days or dates easier and more precise. This video shows how. tags: calendar, date picker content control

Importing answers to the answer table

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Is the a way I can import data into my answer tables from other programs or file formats, rather than supplying the answers manually?  In particular, I would like to be able to import answers supplied by users in PDF fillable forms I have created (essentially, using the data from an .FDF file) to fill my answer fields.  Alternatively, can I set up m

Automate Several Optional Paragraphs with a Single Choice

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Imagine a Treatment Recommendation form that includes several optional paragraphs. The set of paragraphs that should appear in the finished document depends on a patient diagnosis. So if the patient has high blood pressure, paragraphs 1 and 2 should be included in the finished document; if the patient has migraines, paragraphs 2 and 3 should be incl

When The Program Tab Has Disappeared from the Menu Bar

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes when your computer has crashed while Word is open and in use, Word will take its revenge on its add-ins. Generally this happens without provocation, just MSFT taking its frustrations out on the nearest program. The symptom is that the program tab, TheFormTool or Doxserá button in the menu bar, has suddenly disappeared following a Word shut

Missing text on command windows

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I recently installed The Form Tool, version 2.4n. I'm excited to find your program. I tried using HotDocs, but didn't "warm" to it. Your program seems like just the thing to automate my documents. Should I be concerned that the dialog boxes don't have the full word shown for all the words in the dialog box?  I've been working through the examples in

Word wants to remove TheFormTool after crash

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Today when I tried to launch MS Word 2010, it wouldn’t respond. With this said, I shut down my computer and tried again. I then received an unusual error message saying Word was having problems with “TheFormTool add-in” and to either update TFT software and/or have MS remove add-in. I had MS Word remove TFT add-in so I could use Word. I am just wond

Label and Field Formats

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Labels in the Q&A Table and Fields in the document both need to be single blocks of text with no spaces and no special characters. Current versions of TheFormTool check for this issue and will normally warn the user of a potential problem.

Aurora 2.0 Introduces Conditional Questions

Published November 27th, 2022 by Service Desk

In recent years the new feature most requested by our customers has been Conditional Questions, the ability of the Questionnaire to adjust itself to Answers on the fly. An example is to include Questions about children only if there are children; or, to segment questions by product class (books vs. real estate for lease) or services (probate or M&am

Page numbering in Sections

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

In my estate planning practice I have about 4 discrete product packages that I turn out frequently-- up to now with Clipboard and Find and Replace.  You look like what I’ve been looking for.  But I’d like to stack these documents into one document with separate Word “sections” so that they have different page numbering (I need to have the name of th

Managing Roles Simply in the Q&A Table

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There are a half-dozen ways to manage roles — client, opponent, defendant, owner, buyer, etc. This video demonstrates one of the simplest and easiest approaches using only the Q&A Table. This is a good starting point for managing roles within a document.

Why Can't the Field Screen Stay Open?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Each time you click the Field button, the Field screen is "recalibrated" depending on the current form, the cursor's position in it, and the currently selected text. So that extra moment is required to be sure you are only provided with valid options -- without it, scrambled forms would be the result. But two shortcuts can speed up the process a bit

Derived Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Derived Answers is one of the most powerful features of TheFormTool PRO, where the document author empowers the form to think for itself, to provide its own real-time answers to questions based on variables as they are included in the form. Runtime (HD): 9:35

Connecting with Clio

Published October 3rd, 2024 by Service Desk

The #1 request from our customers in recent years has been to be able to access Clio® Contacts automatically, in real time. We’re delighted to report that we’ve crafted a system that does exactly that, it updates Clio Contacts to your choice of an Excel spreadsheet or Outlook Contacts completely automatically. It's the completely automatically that

TLC 4 Creating a Price Discount with a Derived Answer

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a handy way to generate a discount, perhaps on volume or the size of the customer or client, using Derived Answers to keep the formula confidential and the answering very easy. tags: proposal, RFP, discounts, Derived Answer, Math, Condition, size multiplier, price quote

How can I repeat a form for each name in a List?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am working on creating a loan document package and wanted to know if there is a way to repeat a form (in my case, a Guaranty Agreement) automatically, for each guarantor identified in a list.

Conditions 202, Sections

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Seamlessly include or exclude entire sections, chapters or exhibits from documents based on a single answer or the conclusion of a complete train of logic. Runtime (HD): 6:29 Posted 10/31/2012

A complex but fun Calendar Offset solution to a difficult and high-error statutory document issue

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

A statute requires a date that is the Friday following the first Tuesday of a month, which Tuesday is at least 90 days but no more than 120 days in the future. The manual error rate was horrendous and the time spent on the initial computation and the follow-on proofing burned enormous wasted time. Our programs take 1.5 seconds to reach 100% accuracy

Securing your Forms and Templates

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Once you or your firm has created the world’s most intelligent and elegant forms, you need to safeguard them. We recommend a “Gold Master” approach: Lock a backup copy away where no one will ever touch it, then use a copy as your File Mmaster. To protect the File Master from inadvertent modifications and accidental overwrites, build the suggestions

Autonumber in Master List

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am trying to get my master list to have a column with a number that increases with each new entry in the list. I am able to do that in the master list table (I have a column and used the numbering tool on the home page) and it increases, but when I put that field in a form, it comes up as being blank. Is there a way to do this?  Thanks

Conditions 201, Nested Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

One automated decision is easy, two are interesting, three reflects serious thinking. In just three minutes, this video will teach how to create “smart” documents that complete themselves by thinking the way you do. Runtime (HD): 3:13 Posted 10/31/2012

Lesson #19 Using Master Lists (22:00)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Wide, Wider and Super-wide GRIDS

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is how to keep your sanity when GRIDs need more than a few inches. This video shows how you can stretch GRIDs out to 20 inches wide without ruining your form. tags: video, large number of columns, large GRID, wide columns

How to integrate TheFormTool with Sharepoint?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I’m trying to move my office to the “Cloud.” I’m using SharePoint and MS Office 365 as my ‘network’ in lieu of an ‘on-premises’ type of ‘network’ (e.g., a LAN or “Local Area Network”).  Can I set the Path to a SharePoint page by ‘cutting and pasting’ the link into the ‘Path’? If not, that’s going to be an important function for TheFormTool to integr

The 4-Minute Installation Video

Published June 20th, 2024 by Service Desk

This four minute video provides step-by-step instructions showing how to download, extract, and install your new program. While it describes Doxserá, the instructions are equally valid for PRO, DB, and Aurora. This video is especially useful when it is paired with the Installation.pdf included with every program download.  This is an old-fashioned s

GRID Adds Power and Simplicity

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

With GRID answers, complex data entry becomes easier and the uses to which an author can put the data grows exponentially. Learn about how you can create GRIDs, use GRIDs to create Lists, include Smart Answers in GRIDs, and convert Linked Lists to GRIDS.    

Dealing with Lists That Need Section Breaks

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Every once in a long while there's a need for a List where each item has its own Word Section. The most common reason is for page numbering that starts from "-1-" each time. While Word allows a pagination restart with each Section, managing Sections is difficult; managing Sections in Lists is almost impossible. We've added List/Section functionality

Installing for multiple users on a network

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool, Doxserá, and Doxserá DB can do network installs in a two-step process: 1.  Install normally on one computer, add Registration Name and License Code, and set Path to desired shared server location. After you've successfully installed the program on one machine, then 2.  Copy these two files from the first computer and distribute them to

When to use a GRID vs a Q&A Table

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When is a GRID the best choice for gathering information? It comes down to two criteria: Does the information change with each use of the document? If the same information is used over and over and over again, such as signers within an office, or lists of offices, and changes only rarely, then a Master List is probably the better bet. However, data

Oklahoma Application for Temporary Orders (43 O.S. §110 )

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This form consists of three pages, about 1,000 words, and more than 110 variables. It includes provisions for custody, support, income assignment, day care, health insurance, and more. It also includes self-computing tables for marital assets and debt. Download here

5. The Ultimate Video for People Who Just Don't Have Time for Videos

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Learning time: 10 minutes This is the one! This video is made for people who have no time. No time for Owners' Manuals. No time for instructions. Just no time at all. In a just a few seconds more than ten minutes, you can be an expert. In fact, if you're IQ is in the 150 range or higher, we can practically guarantee that you will be one after watchi

Roles and GRIDs: Parties, Clients & Defendants

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's another in our series of videos describing the most efficient way of combing names and roles in complex documents using Series answers in the Questionnaire.   Your browser does not support HTML5 video.   tags: parties, roles, clients, defendants, GRID, names

Doxserá DB Expert User Guide

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The Doxserá & Doxserá DB Expert User Guide is just that, It will take you from installation to rocket science. Filled with detailed "how to" examples, The Expert User Guide is an invaluable aid to becoming an expert. tags: manual, instruction

TLC 5 GRIDs and Roles

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Managing roles in a document, matter or business is one of the most rewarding aspects of creating intelligent documents. Developing methods to standardize roles and the means to automate the process can save enormous amounts of time and save boatloads of potential errors. This video demonstrates one way to manage large numbers of entities is a docum

Troubleshooting Form Sets in Doxserá and Doxserá DB

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a useful tool for figuring out why your Form Sets aren't working the way they should. It is the first and easiest programmatic step after you've eliminated a Path issue as the problem. Another “first step” is to open the folder that is the source for all the Forms contained in the Set. Inspect EVERY item in the folder. Is each and every one

TLC 7 Basic Relationships in Excel Using Doxserá DB

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Excel is easily the most popular data storage software in the world in terms of numbers of instances. Though generally used in smaller offices, it can be a powerful device, particularly when coupled with Doxserá DB® to make information retrieval easy and useful. This video demonstrates how to establish the most basic relationships between spreadshee

TLC 7 Creating Custom Hotkeys (Doxserá and Doxserá DB only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Step by step instructions how to create custom Hotkeys to Doxserá and Doxserá DB.  

Converting a Form to Draw Data From Aurora

Published December 20th, 2022 by Service Desk

Forms intended for use in Aurora tend to be longer and more complex than with our other programs. We sometimes think it is because with Aurora our customers are doing less of the work, they're offloading the data entry function to their clients and customers. Be that as it may, the task of converting an existing form from drawing its data from a Que

TLC 3 Lists with Fields included

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Not only can Series or GRID answers generate Lists in a document, but the Lists can include even more information in the form of Fields that can either relate to the specific item in a List or can be the same for all the items, such as signature blocks with titles, contact information, dates and other data. video 9:00  tags: sig block, seller, buyer

Everything you need to know about TheFormTool in an 8-minute video

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

If you're only going to spend 8 minutes to get a handle on this terrific new technology, this video is made for you! Transcript: We stopped writing on stone tablets five thousand years ago, but the documents you create today are just about as dumb as those old chiseled bricks. The form tool lets you add real intelligence to your forms, automating th

TLC 2 Reordering Answers for Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Reordering Checkbox Answers in a Questionnaire can break the Conditions themselves. Here's how to make certain that changing the order doesn't change the outcome in the document.     tags: condition, order, break, checkbox conditional, smart answer, cherry pie, banana split, apple fritter

Lesson #28 Folio Passages in Lists (9:32)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool and Doxserá on a Mac, with an Assist from Parallels

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I started using Parallels 6 about a year ago with the hope that it would allow me to enjoy TheFormTool on my MacBook PRO 8GB laptop, which is my main machine. That wasn't possible; that version was a memory hog of the first order, slow to start, inconvenient. Spending time getting familiar with our Dell laptop was the lesser bad alternative. Happily

What Does Doxserá DB add?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a short tour of Doxserá DB. The first 2:50 minutes is devoted to a recap of TheFormTool PRO and Doxserá features, all of which are included. The video then goes on to describe the major feature that Doxserá DB provides above those : the ability to to automatically access data store in remote systems: SQL, Access, Excel databases and Outlook C

TLC 5 Using a Set to Build a Master Questionnaire (Doxserá only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a great shortcut to creating a Questionnaire to cover all of the data you need for a particular subject area. This is a Doxserá-only function.   tags: form sets, extra questions, saving questions

Interference

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

A few programs interfere with Word's normal processes and thereby mess up TheFormTool's automatic installation process. If you have Worldox or K1 installed, or any number of security programs such as Windows Defender, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, you'll want to turn them off during installation. Make sure to follow directions to put the zip folder on

How to Best Manage Word's Files and Folders

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

As your use grows, your storage needs and arrangements will change. You'll expand or contract practice areas and business segments, clients and customers will grow into mega-status, partners, associates and employees will come and go. This video will teach you the two best ways at present to move Answer and other Files and how to create and manage F

TLC 5 Layered Lists, an Introduction to Complexity

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is an introduction to a moderately complex subject. Layered Lists are lists of various formats within other lists, a nesting of lists items related to another list. In addition to their functional value, Layers provide visual clues to their relationships.   Tags: Colors, numbers, repeating paragraphs, nested, Layer, signature, series, black cir

TLC 5 Managing Licenses on a Network

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a short video explaining the best ways to manage Doxserá and TheFormTool PRO licenses on a network. tags: server, remove, replace

Wrapping Up, Demonstrating Multiple Features and Functions of DB Operating Simultaneously

Published September 7th, 2024 by Service Desk

Today, we’re going to demonstrate how Doxserá® DB can streamline complex document generation for law firms by leveraging multiple data sources and making the most of relationships within the information. In this example, we’ll be using a mailing list spreadsheet that contains data for 500 individuals, including names, addresses, and their favorite h

TLC 2 How to Save a Questionnaire

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

After you've invested time and thought creating the most efficient Questionnaire to cover a subject area, this video illustrates how to save it to use as a building block on other forms. This is a great way to leverage your time and to assure standardized Labels across your documents. tags: Save/Load, Q&A Table, Question, Answer

The Rosetta Stone, a starting point for future experts

Published September 12th, 2024 by Service Desk

Most people, even heavy users, don’t have a handle on how to think about, how to strategize, how to visualize document automation. Here's a one-hour non-commercial “how to” class to teach people how to figure out what they’re doing before they actually do it. This video is one you won’t want to miss, whether you’re among the 67% thinking about movin

Doxserá® DB "How To" Basics, volume #4

Published September 8th, 2024 by Service Desk

In this demonstration, we’ll explore how Doxserá® DB streamlines document generation by dynamically filtering and automating form inputs, reducing the risk of errors and saving time for law firms, insurance firms, venture capitalists, and other knowledge workers. Let’s say the form user is asked to select a recipient from a list of people, but to en

Lesson #11 Sublists (10:18)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes you don't need to show every item in a List, just a portion based on specific circumstances: just the adults, only the children, residents of Ontario, bikes colored blue. Sublists are the answer.    

TLC 4 Moving From Lists to Sublists, Using GRIDs

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video demonstrates how to change from Lists to Sublists driven by alternative answers in GRID relationships. tags: roles, president, treasurer, text format

Lesson #2 Variable Date Offsets (12:42)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

  tags: number/dates, fields, term, beginning, ending, format, years, March 11, 2020, commencement, lease, variable, calendar, February 29, leap year, five, 5, tip, error, missing number 

Uninstalling TheFormTool

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Q: I’m thinking of giving TheFormTool a try.  If I don’t like it, how hard is it to uninstall?  If I uninstall it, will I have any problems modifying documents that were created with TheFormTool?  If a document is created using TheFormTool, can another person easily edit the document, including form fields, without having TheFormTool? A: Uninstallin

TLC 2 Using the Keyboard for Dropdowns and Checkboxes

Published March 13th, 2024 by Service Desk

Some users prefer to use their keyboard more and their mouse and trackpad less. The question becomes how to use a keyboard to choose among and then select a Dropdown or Checkboxes Answers. For Dropdown choices With Labels Hidden, use the Tab button to progress from the previous Answer Use Option(DownArrow) to make the Dropdown Answers appear Use Dow

TLC 6 Using Passages to Store and Insert Images

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There are hundreds of needs to incorporate images in documents—photographs of people, products, and locations, flow charts, architect's drawings, instructional graphics, logos—to name just a few. With Doxserá's Passages feature, form Authors can provide images, TIFFs, PNGs, JPGs, for automatic or manual inclusion in a form. The video also includes d

TLC 2 Numbers and Dates, What's the Difference?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Every knows numbers. Everyone knows dates. But how many know the difference? This video details the similarities and differences in usage and appearance.     tags: 17th, th, st, rd, math function, date offset, pi, age, month, tax, price, math error message, error - missing number

Lesson #14 Sorting Lists (6:51)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #8 List Layers (24:58)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lists within Lists within Lists, up to nine different Layers of Lists, each with their own identifiers, needs, and purposes.    tags: Signature, nested, sublist, subset, items, apples, bananas, cantaloupe, date, buyer, signer, GRID, parent, dropdown, left column, first column, repeating, add row, individual, entity                                  

TLC 2 Names and Addresses for a Variety of Uses

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There must be hundreds of uses for names and addresses in documents. Here is a demonstration of a simple approach that covers all the possibilities using PRO or Dox. For industrial strength solutions, check out the demonstration of Doxserá DB at TLC 7.   tags:  name, address, service list, multiple recipients, format

TLC 3 Selecting specific items from within a GRID

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

While GRIDS are series answers and most likely provide information for a List, there are times when the form needs to choose data from a specific Row. Here are several ways to  do so.     tags: GRID, list, field, level 1, parties, condition, sublist, derived, ListMax, shareholder, board, residence, partnership, corporation, LLC, dropdown, binary, ye

TLC 3 When Are Series Answers Better Than GRIDs?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There are times when Linked Answers are superior to GRIDS for related data. If you need the form to SELECT an item from a Series, Linked Answers may be more user-friendly. Or, if the related data is very limited, say just one or two items, a GRID is a second choice.   tags: select, dropdown, president, previous answer, choice

Doxserá® DB "How To" Basics, volume #3

Published September 8th, 2024 by Service Desk

In this very short demonstration, we’ll showcase how Doxserá® DB enables law firms to efficiently generate multiple personalized legal documents in just a few clicks, perfect for tasks like creating notices or letters for multiple recipients simultaneously. The form begins by asking the user to choose a recipient. However, instead of selecting a sin

Two Minute Demonstration of DB From a Users' Perspective

Published September 7th, 2024 by Service Desk

Doxserá® DB is a powerful, user-friendly document assembly and automation tool designed for professionals who need to leverage their contact and sales data without the complexity of traditional database systems. Specifically targeted at law firms businesses or professionals with limited technical resources, Doxserá® DB transforms raw, stored contact

Doxserá DB, Creating Personalized, Customized Letters

Published September 9th, 2024 by Service Desk

In this demonstration, we'll show how Doxserá® DB can be used to generate personalized form letters for multiple recipients, a key feature for law firms, insurance companies, venture capitalists, and other knowledge workers. This process automates the creation of separate documents for each recipient, saving time and eliminating repetitive manual ta

Doxserá DB using Wrappers to Dress Up a document

Published September 9th, 2024 by Service Desk

This demonstration introduces the wrapper feature in Doxsera® DB, designed to streamline document formatting across multiple outputs, making it especially useful for law firms, insurance companies, venture capitalists, or other professionals who regularly create custom documents. Wrappers allow users to apply specific design elements like headers, f

Doxserá DB, Accessing Outlook Contacts

Published September 9th, 2024 by Service Desk

In this demonstration, we introduce Doxserá® DB which now provides access to Outlook contacts as a data source, making it easier for law firms, insurance companies, venture capitalists, and other professionals to automate document generation. Instead of manually typing names, addresses, and phone numbers into forms, users can pull this information d

Doxserá® DB "How to" Basics, volume #2

Published September 8th, 2024 by Service Desk

In this demonstration, we’ll explore how Doxserá® DB can streamline document creation for law firms by leveraging data relationships between worksheets and automating the generation of complex forms. The scenario involves two worksheets: one for individuals (names, addresses, and company IDs) and one for companies (names, IDs, and officer details).

Oklahoma Real Estate Tax ("Rounding by 500")

Published June 20th, 2023 by Service Desk

Oklahoma applies real estate transactional taxes at a (current) rate of $.75 per $500 of value. Importantly, any amount between $500 levels is ignored. While Rounding is one way to accomplish the correct valuation, using the built-in Integer function is easier. This example divides the Property Value by $500, using Integer to avoid any “excess” valu

Diagnosing a Corrupted Form

Published October 15th, 2023 by Service Desk

Diagnosing a corrupt form is one of the most difficult service calls our team on the Service Desk faces. Here's how to work through what can be a seriously trying experience. A form typically becomes corrupt through an Author's impatience while rushing through the build or quality control experience, especially when dealing with Lists and Conditions

Demonstrating DB Drawing on Two Excel Spreadsheets

Published September 7th, 2024 by Service Desk

In today's data-driven world, businesses and individuals alike are inundated with information. However, few have the tools to effectively harness that data. Doxserå® DB empowers users to take control of their data, transforming it into valuable insights with ease.  In this demonstration, we’re not going to overwhelm you with every feature inherited

Doxserá DB Mixing Sources, Conditions, Folios, and Wrappers

Published September 9th, 2024 by Service Desk

In this demonstration, we’ll explore the power of Doxserá® DB, focusing on how it integrates different data sources to create dynamic and personalized documents. Whether your data is stored in Excel, Access, Outlook, or SQL databases, Doxserá® DB allows you to pull information seamlessly and build complex, customized documents for your business need

Doxserá® DB, "How To" Basics, volume #1

Published September 7th, 2024 by Service Desk

In this demonstration, we’ll explore how Doxserá® DB simplifies form creation using data from external sources like Excel, transforming complex, repetitive tasks into efficient processes for legal professionals. We begin with an Excel spreadsheet that includes basic information such as names, addresses, salutations, and gender. Though simple, this d

TLC 1 Plurals and Pronouns

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Providing for the correct use of plurals and pronouns is likely to be the single most frequent use of your program, as nearly every form has multiple needs to identify people in multiple ways and roles.   Tags: Plaintiff, defendant, opponent, multiple, john and jane, gender, male, female, text with pronoun, smart answer, his, her, husband, wife, son

Sharepoint connectivity

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Our techies suggest this as a solution for common access to Sharepoint, which is atypical in that it requires a different path from each user: Have your IT either map (with net use) or substitute (with subst) a common path to all users.     A common way to accomplish this is:   a.Whereby “T:” will be an empty drive that will be created to use as a c

AcerCloud

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

AcerCloud appears to interfere with one or more of Word's commands, potentially interfering with Word's Save command. This can wreck havoc with saving Passages and other items. The work-around is to turn AcerCloud off when working with TheFormTool or Doxserá. 

TLC 4 Adding a Logo to a Letterhead

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video demonstrates two very different ways to customize which logo appears in a letterhead. The first demonstration shows how to accomplish the task in TheFormTool PRO using its Condition feature, making an image conditional and then using a Dropdown answer to allow the User to choose which is used. A much more sophisticated approach is allowed

TLC 3 Changing Possible Dropdown Answers in a Questionnaire

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

So you've got a Smart Answer that is a Dropdown, but it needs to be changed. Here's how. tags: Drop, down, dropdown

TLC 2 Building the Perfect Questionnaire

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The goals of a great Questionnaire are to elicit as much good information from the fewest questions in the least amount of time, all without error. To a significant extent, form really does influence function. This video demonstrates a dozen very cool, powerful, and a few truly sophisticated steps on the road to perfection. Watching this video will

TLC 1 Creating Your Very First Intelligent Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is great as a starting point and, if you're a person who doesn't read manuals, follow instructions, or care about online tutorials, an ending point as well. The video's 25 minutes will get you going in the right direction in near-record time. For those who aspire toward a more professional level, we suggest you continue on with your studies in

Aurora's Two Minute Elevator Pitch

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When you're curious about Aurora but wonder, "What's in it for me?", this two minute video will answer your question.   Learn much more about Aurora here. tags: collect data remotely, improve efficiency dramatically, improve customer service

TLC 3 Conditions and Paragraph Numbering

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

While paragraph numbering is a powerful tool, users who don't understand how Word numbers paragraphs and how Word's renumbering works can create confusion and experience frustration. This video demonstrates best practices to make numbering work for you. The very best way to avoid Word's numbering peculiarities is to pick up a copy of the the free ve

TLC 3 Choosing between an Attention Marker or Default Text

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Attention Markers are a great tool to bring the User's attention to a particular area that needs special attention or the addition a a lot of specific data such as a property description. Sometimes, though, a block of suggested default but editable text will be easier and faster. tags: mark, preload

TLC 4 Reusing Elements from One Document to Another

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Once you've created the perfect Field, List, Condition or Question you can leverage your work by using it again in other documents. This video shows how to do that. tags: video, reuse, copy, Field, List, Condition, Questionnaire, Q&A Table, chunk

Zen and the art of document automation

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Most people, even heavy users, don’t have a handle on how to think about, how to strategize, how to visualize document automation. Here's a one-hour non-commercial “how to” class to teach people how to figure out what they’re doing before they actually do it. This video is one you won’t want to miss, whether you’re among the 67% thinking about movin

TLC 3 List Item Fields

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

By now you're familiar with Lists and certainly comfortable with Fields, but what about when you need a Field in a List, or worse, an Item from a List to be its own Field? Here's the answer.   Tags: Series answer, List Item Field, director, shareholder, name, signature, count, first, last, previous, next, current, number, #, personal representative,

How to add additional rows in Q&A Tables?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

On the initial setup, you setup rows in the Q&A Table. After you enter questions and fields into the Table, the Table appears to be locked. It appears that you cannot add additional rows for further editing of the form. At least, I am unable to do that. I want the ability to come back to the form after the initial editing and automate the form f

TLC 1 Fields and Lists, What's the Diff?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video is the end-all, be-all explanation of the difference between a List and a Field, showing how they interact and how to construct them from the ground up.   tags: pole, clause, first, middle, last, vertical, separators, pipe, mismatched, phone, name

TLC 6 Making Excel perform like a real database (DB only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

While Excel can't be a real relational database, it can be taught to fake it. Here's how.   tags:  normalizing, duplicates, goldfinch, meadowlark, treasurer, city, county, state, chain, relationship

TLC 1 Formatting Fields

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Word formatting changes the appearance of an answer, while TFT's formatting changes the answer itself.       tags: freeform, font, style, bold, underline, color, appearance, Word, text, data, number, age, date, currency, decimal, percentage, capital, small caps, lower case, upper, numeral, numeric, spelled out, custom, code, dollar, euro, DOB, compo

TLC 1 Save/Load

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video explores all the features and facets of the Save/Load command that allows form users to reuse information and avoid retyping.   tags: matter, saving, reuse, reusing, same

TLC 1 Four Math Functions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's how to use the Now, Age, Constants, Payment functions built into our programs . Using our function Now has real benefits over Word's version. The Age function can save enormous amounts of time, while providing perfect answers. Constants explores the geometric value pi, while e opens the world of algebraic magic.   Tags: Date, today, DOB, date

Lesson #26 Asking for a Passage Tag fom a Folio (5:51)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #7 Lists (11:51)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lists are one of the real workhorses of intelligent documents. They come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of complexities. Here is a lesson for two examples of basic Lists.    tags: Shareholders, meeting, president, signature, underscore, dropdown, refresh, narrative, tic, tac, and toe, first, middle, last, item, repeating, paragraph, name, customiz

TLC 6 Preventing or Removing Paragraph Breaks in Passages

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Doxserá defaults to adding hard returns at the end of a Passage. Most of the time, this works. But sometimes, not so much, as when you want to insert a sentence or ten within an existing paragraph. This video shows how to do that. tags: hard return, paragraph, folio

What to do when a Zip folder appears to be empty

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Windows sometimes is confused by zip folders, sensing that they are empty when they are not. The confusion may be stimulated by several "free" or "giveaway" programs sometimes installed by computer manufacturers or included with purchases of inexpensive utility programs.   These steps should take care of the problem.   a.) Download the zip folder an

Installing TheFormTool PRO in a Worldox environment

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a two-minute video illustrating two paths to installing TheFormTool PRO in a Worldox environment. 

TLC 5 Roles and Parties

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Best practices call for Clients to be named "Client" rather than "Plaintiff" or "Defendant." This video describes why and how to manage Roles so that the firm's lexicon matches across all documents and business segments. tags: video, role, party, parties, client, plaintiff, defendant, owner, opposition, opposing

TLC 6 Layered Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Complex lists address complex needs. Examples include multi-party signature blocks with multiple signers for each party, wills and trusts with inter-related roles, product families with complex sibling or parent/child arrangements or mixtures of styles, colors, features, and parts numbers. This example steps through the process of defining relations

TLC 7 Strategies for Maximizing Data Densities Using Nested Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There may come a time when you need to simulate the workings of an Excel spreadsheet or SQL database. Here are some strategies for data structuring that allow you to fit 3 dimensional data into 2 dimensions. Warning: This is not for the weak of mind!     tags: shares, shareholders, class, officers, president, secretary, treasurer, list, art form, th

Pre-Select the Correct Q&A Table for Saving

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

It would be convenient if, when the user goes to save/load, the TheFormTool pre-selected the name of the Q&A Table that the user is then using, or which the user last used. Currently, the user has to pick it from a list each time. From Greg Picken

Will TheFormTool work on MSFT Surface Tablets?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

In the current Surface lexicon, "Surface RT" identifies tablets that run Microsoft's mobile operating system only. That system is a "lite" one and runs only a limited-feature version of Office that does not support TheFormTool.  "Surface Pro," on the other hand, runs the full-feature version of Windows, which supports the full-feature version of Wor

Lesson #30 Fetching Folio Passages (3:41)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TLC 2 Speedy Fill

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

A new update to all our programs provides a substantial boost to computation and Fill times. For small forms, say with 150 variables, Fills are 30% faster, while large forms with thousands of Fields, Lists, and Conditions, will finish in one-fifth the time of previous versions. Speedy Fill arrives turned on by default but you can completely disable

Naming the Months Between Two Dates

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The need arises to name months between two dates, between the beginning and end, start and finish, or to name years between two dates.  The attached form is a simple and rough way of accomplishing the task. Because all the work is done in the Questionnaire, the Form isn't burdened with the bulkiness of the computations.  Download working demo here t

TLC 3 Math and Pronoun Abbreviations

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Using abbreviations for math and pronouns in forms can make life easier for users by making the form more readable. Abbreviation are turned on by default.  

Organizing Documents, Templates, Files and Folders

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a handy little booklet that lays out the basic building blocks of document organization, guaranteed to save dozens of hours and tons of stress. This is for anyone who works with documents, whether or not with our software. 1673410426897-WW+101+Organizing-Forms.pdf

TLC 0 The Rosetta Stone, a starting point for future experts

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Most people, even heavy users, don’t have a handle on how to think about, how to strategize, how to visualize document automation. Here's a one-hour non-commercial “how to” class to teach people how to figure out what they’re doing before they actually do it. This video is one you won’t want to miss, whether you’re among the 67% thinking about movin

TheFormTool Installation Guide

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here you go...  

When License Activation Fails

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

A failure of the program to activate will be caused by one of four issues, in this order: 1. Using an incorrect Registration Name 2. Using an incorrect License Code 3. Attempting to license an inappropriate program. An example, attempting to activate Doxserá DB with a Doxserá License Code. 4. Attempting to register a very old, out of date version of

Reduce Social Security Account Number (SSAN) to Final Four Digits

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

While SSANs aren't numbers in that they cannot be added or subtracted, there are times when treating them as though they are can be helpful. Extracting just the final four characters is one of those times. In the Questionnaire, guide the data provider, the person answering the questions, to enter the SSAN in a single string of nine digits without hy

Lesson #25 Folio Fetchers (5:06)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Click Here for Current Version Numbers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

       Program Name (Links to downloads) Current Version Revision Date TheFormTool (FREE) 3.0.1.012  3/1/2018 TheFormTool PRO   3.6.201118 11/18/2020 Doxserá ® 3.6.201118 11/18/2020 Doxserá DB® 4.5.201118 11/18/2020 Aurora webData 2.1.221205 1/11/2023  

How to Build a Truly Intelligent Document

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Let’s face it, most documents have an IQ in the low single digits approaching absolute zero. “Intelligent” and “document” seem a conflicted combination, a case of never the twain shall meet if ever there was one. But just because it ever was need not mean forever more. Our software is designed to mimic the experience and judgement of the document au

TLC 5 Protecting Your Forms

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

As the investments in forms increase, many of our customers value their intelligent libraries in the many thousands of dollars, increasing weekly. Protecting those investments takes on ever-increasing priorities. At the same time, form authors are often enthusiastic about assuring that the documents produced by their forms remain as intended, withou

What Document Assembly Can Do For You

Published September 13th, 2024 by Service Desk

Our software is the world’s easiest and most powerful document assembly tool, designed to revolutionize the way professionals—whether knowledge workers, lawyers, or venture capitalists—create documents. In just a few simple steps, you can create intelligent, highly customized forms that adapt to the needs of your business. Creating a form starts wit

When a Set fails, a Microsoft Word Bug May Be the Cause

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There seems to be a bug in Word that can interfere with properly completing Sets. The symptom is a failure to complete the aggregate Questionnaire just before integrating the final form in the Set, followed by a complete stall in the process. The bug can be confirmed at least sometimes by using the Check Form tool against the folder storing the form

When the Program code appears in your form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

It  can dismay and disrupt your thinking if the program coding suddenly appears in what was previously a nice, orderly form. To go from this: To this: is a bit much. Fortunately, the cause and the solution are simple. The keystroke combination ALT+F9 toggles the "show code" command on and off. So, to hide the code once again, toggle ALT+F9 and you'l

Support Forum For Users

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Although I have no complaints about TFT support, I think that users could get much more out of your product if the support center was designed to be more interactive with users.  If users could freely post questions, answer one another's questions, share form examples, etc., I believe that many of us would find many added benefits for this software.

Multiple Parties with Multiple Names in Multiple Roles

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Roles are one of the most powerful tools available to users but extreme uses can be challenging to imagine and complex to design. Here is an example that is at once simple and extraordinarily complex in that it not only involves multiple parties and multiple roles but also multiple names for each party, the use of which occurs only after the first u

Using Master Lists in Aurora

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Q: Can a template created in Aurora (before it is converted to a WebQ) use a Master List?Or, do I have to use Doxserá DB to use a Master List?   A: It’s an interesting question. A Q&AT that references a Master List will be able to include the first column of the Master List when it is converted and uploaded. The questions in the webQ would then

Lesson #22 Folio Facts (6:34)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Adding ODBC Drivers to a Computer

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The vast majority of computers using Windows OS are missing the connectors necessary to access MYSQL servers, such as the Aurora Data Center database. There are two versions of MySQL Installers available for Windows. Which you choose is dependent not on WINDOWS but on the version of WORD installed on your machine. While most of the computers used by

U. S. Counties by State

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a comprehensive source of all 3,142 counties and equivalent government units in the United States, organized by States, alphabetically, with estimated populations at July 2013. Listed with a column of ID keys consisting of International Committee for Information Technology Standards code numbers. The data is provided in an Excel spreadsheet

Managing Document Signatures

Published March 30th, 2023 by Service Desk

A customer asked recently if we could automate adding and managing signatures to a document. Because our programs are embedded in Word, external signatures can be acquired and even certified through third party vendors. Our favorite is DocuSign, an affordable and convenient service to securely and quickly collect digital signatures from others. Simi

Can we use Conditions to build an entirely different document?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Okay, we have been using Form Tool to automate our estate planning practice, but are stumped with one idea we have.  When funding a trust, there are various forms we need depending on the types of assets a client has.  There is one form for a bank account, one for life insurance companies, one for brokerage accounts, etc.  One couple might have 3 di

Converting Numerals to Text

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video Word will describe in detail the conversion of  the numeral "3.57" into the text "three point five seven." It can be expanded into as many decimal points as you wish and can serve as a jumping off point for all kinds of other extensions of the concept.

TheFormTool in a Text Box?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool fields cannot be inserted within textboxes (or within shapes either).  They do work within headers, footers, footnotes, and endnotes; but not within textboxes or shapes.  One pretty good work-around is if you're able to "simulate" a textbox by creating a 1x1 table and positioning it in the desired location on the page. 

TLC 4 Sublists and ListSums

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

In their own right, both the Sublist feature and the ListSum function are extraordinarily robust. Sublists allow the form to call out only specific members of a class of items, a class that is defined by the Author and then selected by the form itself or its user. Members of sublists can be grouped by just about any data to which the form has access

Basic Questions and Answers and Fields

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #10 Lists with Previous Items (11:51)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes Lists need to reference the person or item ahead or behind, or the first or the last, the other items in the List. This is how to do that.   tags: personal representative, questionnaire, series, several names, PR, clause, first, person, select, middle, last, previous, current, next

Citrix Installations

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

For most installations, where users use the same username when operating either locally or on Citrix, you’ll need one license per user (as determined by the user’s Windows username). You'll want to select the "Licenses apply to 'people'" option in the "Manage Licenses" window in order to allow a user to sign in from one machine in the office and ano

TLC 1 Buttons, Buttons, Who's Got What Buttons

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here are graphics of the menu bars for TheFormTool (Free version), TheFormTool PRO, and Doxserá, along with references to the page numbers on the relative Quick Startup Guide for descriptions of their functions.       tags: buttons, menu, bar, command, Free, PRO, Doxserá, Dox, compare

TLC 3 Adding Rows and Columns to a GRID

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Authors and users differ in their roles and in their powers. This video describes how each can add Rows to a GRID and explains why only Authors can add a Column.   tags: add, increase, item, GRIDs, columns, rows, list

Eliminating Double Periods

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's another annoying problem that used to cause trouble for form creators, now easily remedied by TheFormToolPRO. Consider this one-sentence form that requires a company name: The company's name is ________. If the name of the company is "Acme Incorporated", the form looks fine: The company's name is Acme Incorporated. But if the name of the comp

Oklahoma Petition for Dissolution

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This form runs seven pages, more than 1,300 words, and more than 130 variables. It includes a UCCJEA AFFIDAVIT with a table of childrens' past residences and a provision for roll numbers for children who are members of tribes.   Download here

Using Doxserá DB to Access Outlook Contacts

Published September 8th, 2024 by Service Desk

Doxserá® DB takes intelligent document automation to the next level by enabling integration with Outlook Contacts, alongside Excel workbooks, Access, and SQL databases. This allows users, such as law firms, insurance companies, venture capitalists, and other knowledge workers, to seamlessly leverage existing contact data for personalized document ge

The Video for People Who Don't Have Time for Videos

Published September 12th, 2024 by Service Desk

This is the one! This video is made for people who have no time. No time for Owners' Manuals. No time for instructions. Just no time at all. In a just a few seconds more than ten minutes, you can be an expert. In fact, if you're IQ is in the 150 range or higher, we can practically guarantee that you will be one after watching this video that explore

A Solution for Successors

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

DownloadIt's a little, tiny problem that can really mess up a day: the need for a list that describes what to do when the various choices don't work out. The classic example is successor trustees, executors, or personal representatives but the same problem exists in every industry in different forms.   Our programs' treatment is simplicity itself. H

Convert HotDocs Forms to TheFormTool

Published August 2nd, 2022 by Service Desk

Converting Templates from HotDocs© to TheFormTool® Products By Bill Cutchin DocAssembly Guru, Expert Form Author and Consultant www.DocAssembly.Guru 850.980.4365   While there is no direct conversion method for translating a HotDocs (“HD”) template into a template for TheFormTool PRO, Doxserá, Doxserá DB,or Aurora webData (“TheFormTool”),I have foun

The Ultimate Video for People Who Just Don't Have Time for Videos

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is the one! This video is made for people who have no time. No time for Owners' Manuals. No time for instructions. Just no time at all. In a just a few seconds more than ten minutes, you can be an expert. In fact, if you're IQ is in the 150 range or higher, we can practically guarantee that you will be one after watching this video that explore

TheFormTool PRO Expert User Guide v3.x

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Our Expert User Guides are just that, they will take you from installation to rocket science. It is filled with detailed "how to" examples, The Expert User Guide are an invaluable aid to being an expert. T heFormTool Expert Guide.pdf tags: manual, instruction

Converting WordPerfect to Word

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Converting WordPerfect to Word Updating your documents can be a real task. Here’s a simple clue to minimize the difficulties, prevent data corruption, and save time. Don’t try converting WP until you’ve learned this easy trick. Runtime (HD): 2:16 Posted 10/13/2012

Doxserá DB Installation Instructions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

You don’t need to to master the Expert Guide on Day One to profit from Doxserá® DB, you can learn at your own pace and stop at whatever level suits you and answers your business needs. We do ask, however, that you read this entire receipt. It will provide you with all the important  “first steps.” It will save you time. PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNT --------

Computing the Number of Years and Months

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There are a zillion needs to compute years and months: How many years and months are left in the (lease, loan, contract)? How long have you been a resident? How old is your dog? While the Age function in our software does a terrific job on the "years" portion of the problem — even taking into account leap years, short months, exact date of birth — t

How to build the very best Questionnaire ever

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The goals of a great Questionnaire are to elicit as much good information from the fewest questions in the least amount of time, all without error. To a significant extent, form really does influence function. This video demonstrates a dozen very cool, powerful, and a few truly sophisticated steps on the road to perfection. Watching this video will

A Full Suite of Intelligent Documents

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a demonstration video that takes new users, particularly purchasers of packages of intelligent documents, from zero to 60 nearly instantly. This video really will have users productively and profitably creating (and modifying, if they like) beautifully crafted documents created and edited by real experts.     tags: IICLE, package, zip folder

TLC 3 How to Automatically Convert Series Answers to GRIDs

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There's no question that GRIDs are easier to use and all-around better for collecting relational data. This video shows you how to have your program make the change for you, replacing Series Answers with GRID. It doesn't get any easier than this, so if you haven't already modernized your forms, take a few minutes to learn how. video:  9:23  tags: Se

TLC 5 The Perfect Age... Formulation

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Age, whether of people or wine, can be a sensitive matter where precision is assumed even when not present. This video demonstrates two very different ways to enable a form to determine age. The first method is easy and  plenty "good enough" for most uses. The second, well, it's perfect and will determine age accurately even if the person was born,

Changing Answer File Locations

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

What to do when you need to share an Answer File with a colleague who is not connected to the same network? Or, you're about to change from the Chicago branch to New York, each of which maintains its own Path? Here is a demonstration of how to move an Answer file or the entire Answer folder from one location to another.       Summary In this explana

Teaching Word that an Aurora Database Exists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Once you have  installed the proper ODBC Connector and identified your individual databases in your account in the Aurora Data Center, the next task is to inform Word that a specific database exists. Fortunately, this is a nearly completely automated process that occurs when you use the Aurora program to convert a Questionnaire into the code necessa

TLC 4 Wrapper Overview

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is a fairly quick demonstration of a few uses for Wrappers, one of TheFormTool PRO's and Doxserá's most imaginative features. Wrapper an instantly change the entire personality of a document, different letterheads, headers, footers, fonts, styles, watermarks, you name it. Wrapper makes localization easy for lawyers who practice in different jur

TLC 3 Conditions — Simple and Complex

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Conditions are the brains of any intelligent form. They're used to perform all the "IF" statements: if this, then that; or if this and this and this, then not that. They can be as complex as your imagination or as simple as "Yes." This video, which runs 27 minutes, explores all the nooks and crannies of Conditions, from the simplest to true Boolean

TLC 2 How to Remove Metadata from a Document

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Metadata is information Word implants in every document to illustrate its origin and illuminate its change history. Current metadata includes any and all comments, document properties (including author history), email headers, annotations, track changes revisions, and routing slips. There are occasions where metadata can be helpful, but more often t

TLC 1 A Fast Course in How to Organize A Questionnaire

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Best results occur when we make the User's tasks just as easy as possible. A big part of that   tags: signer, spouse, house, indent, italic, divider, color, table, related, relationship, related, question, tab, 

Shareholders Agreement

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a world-class agreement all ready to go with any of our professional-level programs. It is non-specific as to location and jurisdiction and ready to be modified to fit your circumstances. The Shareholders Agreement weighs in at 22 pages, 8800 words, and 63 variables. The Agreement is a fully operational sample from our Business Law – Formati

TLC 1 The FREE Version: Menu Buttons

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a complete video description of the buttons found on the FREE version of TheFormTool, their locations and uses. tags: video, FREE, menu, buttons

TLC 2 Mailing Labels

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here are step by step instructions on how to create 3-up mailing labels from Lists and Sublists. tags: mailing labels, Lists, Sublists

TLC 2 Reviewing Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Conditions can be complex and long. Nested conditions are even more complex. This video demonstrates the easiest way to review a Condition no matter its circumstances. tags: video, conditions, IF, nested, check, section, troubleshoot

Turn Off Security While Installing Software

Published May 2nd, 2024 by Service Desk

It's essential to turn off all computer security while installing our programs and advisable to turn it back on after installation is complete. Here's how to do that with selected popular security programs. Windows Defender has two approaches to choose from. Turn off Defender antivirus protection in Windows Security 1.    Select Start and type "Wind

How to Properly Install an Update or Upgrade

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Installing an update (a different version of the same program, as in moving from 3.1 to 3.2), or upgrade (changing the program, as in moving from PRO to Doxserá DB), should only take a click or two. DO NOT uninstall a previous version! Should you be totally successful you will very likely destroy data that you need. Just open and install the new ver

An Aurora Video Tour

Published October 5th, 2023 by Service Desk

These four videos, ranging from 30 seconds to 30 minutes, provide a complete perspective of how Aurora satisfies the one remaining need of document assembly and automation. Our award-wining software family reduces the amount of time invested in document creation by 70% to 90%, quadrupling document creation productivity while eliminating errors. That

Expert User Guide

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool's searchable and interactive online manuals can be found at http://manuals.theformtool.com

Organizing Forms

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Several people have asked for advice on what to do with all the new forms they're creating. Where should forms be stored? How to access them? What's the difference between documents and templates? What are shortcuts for? We compiled some tips into a 5-page guide at the Resources page on TheFormTool's website. It's  Word Warrior™ 101: Everything You

Inserting Dynamic Page Numbers in a Document

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

  Tags: Quick Parts, Word, numbering, number, current page, previous page, bookmark, document content, cross reference, Derived Answer, initials, total, document information, number of words

How to make a document smart

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a great video that will take you through the three levels of potential intelligence in a document. It will change the way you think of document assembly and automation, whether you use our products, no productivity tools, or one of the legacy systems. The 16 minutes spent watching this will return scores of hours to you every year.     Tags:

TLC 4 Division with a Remainder in a Derived Answer

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There are times when math is best performed in a Derived Answer, for instance when the answer will be used repeatedly in a form or when the Author doesn't want to show the mechanics to users. Here is a thorough discussion of using simple division in a Derived Answer, along with a discussion on computing and using a remainder.  Tags: math, division,

We'd like our customers to be able to fill out the Q&A Table interview

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We'd like new customers to fill out the answers to the Questions in our Q&A Table. We would then use those answers to drive TheFormTool process to decide whether to accept the customer and price our services. Will that be possible?

TLC 3 Use the Show/Hide Command to Make Users' Lives Easier

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Anything that makes use simpler and easier without reducing power is a perfect fit for our software. Here's a very short demonstration on a one-click means to create intelligent documents easier to use. video: 2:02   tags: labels, fields

TLC 1 Replicating, Saving, Moving, Sharing and Modifying a Questionnaire

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is an indepth look at how to most easily manage the use of the entire Questionnaire as well as copying and sharing individual rows within and between Questionnaires.   tags: Question, QAT, Q&AT, row, copy

Runtime errors don't mean much

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Users often think that Microsoft's runtime error alerts communicate useful information, that we'll be able to diagnose the issue when they say, "I clicked on 'Go' and got a runtime error XXX. What's wrong?" Unfortunately, about all we know from that message is that Word is probably having a difficulty locating a file or performing a command. Not muc

TLC 3 Sorting Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video illustrates how to use the Sort feature to automatically sort list data entered by the user. In this case, to display a list of names based on order of birth.   tags: sorting, lists, date, age, birthdate, derived,

Using Word to Create a Perfect Pleading Sheet from Scratch

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

If you're tired of copying your pleading sheets from Aunt Felicia, who copied hers from her father, Ian, this is the video for you. It will explore how to use simple Word commands to build beautiful, completely customized and jurisdictionally-correct pleading sheets from blank pixels. This video belongs in every law office computer library. You can

Doxserá, Doxserá DB, and Aurora Expert User Guide

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The Doxserá, Doxserá DB, and Aurora Expert User Guide is just that. It will take you from installation to rocket science. Filled with detailed "how to" examples, The Expert User Guide is an invaluable aid to being an expert. tags: manual, instruction  

TLC 4 After the Basics, Building an Efficient Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

After you've mastered the basics, when you've conquered Fields, Lists, and Conditions, that's the time to go back and look at your early forms. Can they be improved? Made faster? Simpler? Even less prone to errors? The very best way to improve an intelligent form is to reduce the number of Questions needed to drive it. Every question that is unneces

TLC 3 Managing Blank Lines

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

How to Count all the Fields, Lists, or Conditions in Your Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

One of the steps we like to take when evaluating a form is to count the number of variables it contains. This gives us one of the clues we use to determine the form's overall health and level of sophistication. To get an accurate count, first Reset the form so that all the code types are visible, then put the cursor at the beginning of the form. Cli

TLC 6 Folios and Passages: EVERYTHING There Is To Know (Doxserá)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

For those who want to know and experience everything there is to know in one fell swoop, this is the place. This video, at nearly an hour long, takes the viewer through every facet of creating and using Folios and Passages. For those who like their learning in bite-sized pieces or who want greater detail, the section on Doxserá 2.0 has 16 videos to

Does the "Starter" version of Word support TheFormTool?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

No.

TLC 5 Creating a PDF

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

While Word's own PDF function is fine for individual documents, the ability of Doxserá and Doxserá DB to create thousands of documents at a time calls for automation. Here's how to automatically save your documents as PDFs.  

Form Sets, Part Two

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The conclusion of the deep dive series on Form Sets discussing Set Categories, determining the order of questions in a Compiled Questionnaire using: Order of the Forms in the Set, order of the Questions in the forms, Dividers, and GRIDs. It discusses the critical importance of Labels in Sets and how the phrasing of the Question is related to the Lab

How to create a list of all the variables in your Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The easy part is to select and copy whichever column of the Questionnaire that will provide the information you most want: Labels or Questions. Now, for the Form itself. THIS IS LIKELY TO RUIN THE FORM, SO ONLY USE A COPY! 1. In Word, go to Find>Advanced Find>Replace>More. In the lower left corner list of checkboxes select Use wildcards 2.

TLC 7 Moving External Sources

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

You're using an external source—SQL, Access, Excel, or Outlook—with Doxserá DB. This video explains how to change the Links for your forms to recognize the change.   tags: Path, server, local, C drive, data, source, rename, file, external

TLC 6 Paragraph Numbering in Passages (Doxserá)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Word's autonumbering feature seems designed to test our patience. It "guesses" what the author intends, then does what it thinks best. Because it is based on Styles rather than characters, it is particularly troublesome when used in conjunction with Passages. The solution is Snapnumbers and bookmarks. Snapnumbers does exactly what the form Author wa

Lesson #9 Lists with Linked Answers (11:09)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lists are the workhorses, Linked Answers are the wagons.   tags: Series, link, children, dob, field, kid, first, middle, last, born, birthdate, current, format, date, children, add item to list, green button, refresh, update

TLC 4 Complex (Boolean) Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Complex Conditions are those that act on more than two parameters. They often require the use of parentheses to set the order of precedence, of operations, that the conditions will be considered.   tags: felony, Seattle, Idaho, Alaska, misdemeanor, firearm

TLC 5 Managing Changes in Sets

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

You've built a Set. Now, after running it you decide that changes are needed to the Answers used. What's the most efficient way of hanging Answers, Forms and Documents when they are used by or generated in a Set? tags: set, manage, change answer

TLC 5 Converting Numerals to Text

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

While our programs have more than a score of features that will automatically convert numbers to text, there are instances that aren't covered. Here is a relatively simple way to accomplish a fairly complex task, to convert 3.57 to three point five seven, an approach that can be expanded to as many units or decimal places as necessary.   tags: integ

TLC 7 Building an Excel Relationship Source for Doxserá DB

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Creating access to a spreadsheet is easy. Managing spreadsheets so that relationships can be created is a bit more complex. This video lays out the requirements and the process for building Excel spreadsheets that allow data to be linked to other data in dynamic relationships.   tags: columns, rows, sheets, workbook, normalizing, library, books, DB

Lesson #31 Adding a Data Source (9:01)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #24 Asking for Passage Names from a Folio (6:43)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #15 Math (13:01)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TLC 7 Creating Lists with Fields Using an External Source (Dox DB only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lists are a core feature of our software. The ability to generate Lists and the Fields they contain from external sources, from SQL, Access, Excel and Outlook makes Doxserá truly amazing.    tags: Doxserá, Excel, data, checkbox, library, author, first name, last name, Fetch, source, database, Lesson 9, birthdate, spreadsheet, find, locate, store, fi

TLC 7 Pronouns from Outlook Contacts (Doxserá DB)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

It is helpful to personalize documents with accurate pronoun information. Outlook captures gender data for Contacts, though not as easily as we might wish, but Dox DB makes it easy to get and use the data. Here's how.   tags: gender, personal, unspecified, male, female, m, f, x, list display, field chooser, signer, he, she, him, her, condition

Lesson #29 Folio Facts in Lists (3:49)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #33 Using Dividers in the Questionnaire (4:32)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Manual Installation

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes there is a need to avoid using the program's automatic installer and perform a manual installation. This happens when Microsoft's security systems are overwrought and have a breakdown, or a DMS interferes with Word's normal save function, or when installing a large number of instances across a network when automating installations make sen

"Hidden" Folders

Published January 26th, 2024 by Service Desk

The Windows Operating Systems goes to some effort to protect its mot valuable items, the programs, Apps, and files that actually operate your computer. One of the tools it uses is to hide folders so that a casual user can't break them. The single file and separate folder that comprise our programs' brains and brawn are typically stored in just such

Lesson #6 Conditions: This OR That AND The Other Thing (30:39)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

 Complex Conditions are the source and solution for sophistication and    tags: Compound, parenthesis, hard returns, add row, tab, yes, no, conditional, logical, operator, more than, $1000, multipart, AND, OR, left, right, red border, XOR, exclusive, empty, blank, missing question, warning, n/a, omission, 

Lesson #13 Derived Series Answers (21:14)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #23 Advanced Folio Editing (9:42)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #16 Dates, Math and Derived Answers (14:23)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #32 Adding a Data Source to a Form (21:52)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lesson #12 Lists with GRIDs (29:42)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

GRIDs are the better way of capturing relational data, information that is connected to a specific item. Most commonly items such as the addresses, phone numbers, emails, and roles association with a series of names; or, catalog information related to a product or service, such as SKU, color, size, price, etc. This form of information often ends up

Lesson #4 Conditions (9:14)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Conditions are the basic building blocks of any intelligent form.   

About Word for WIndows 365 Online

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

From Microsoft: "Microsoft Word Online lets you make basic edits and formatting changes to your document in a web browser. For more advanced features, use Word Online’s Open in Word command. When you save the document in Word, it is saved on the website where you opened it in Word Online. "The document you open in Word Online is the same as the docu

TLC 6 Doxserá: Introduction to Folios and Passages

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The ability to create documents that can "bring in" external text or graphics is one of Doxserá's core features. This video provides a through introduction to the creation and uses of folios (repositories of passages) and passages (information to be included in the document).  For detailed, step-by-step instructions of exactly how to create, organiz

4. Basic Lists and Sublists, with Fields and Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Learning Time: 12 minutes This video will take you through the step by step process of building simple combinations of Lists and Sublists with embedded and related Fields and Conditions. This is the beginning of a truly intelligent form.     Transcript: I'm gonna start off with, talking about series type answers and using both fields and lists with

TLC 1 Formating Fields, Lists, or Conditions in the document

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We're sometimes asked how to format specific instances in a document, perhaps something as simple as making text bold or a certain color. While our programs allow capitalization formatting from within the Author's variable creation window in the Form, even more flexibility is possible. A form's Author can apply any Word format to the variable itself

TLC 7 How to Master Complexity Building an Intelligent Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

A number of our more expert users have asked what approach we use internally to build a particularly complex component in a form or to diagnose a form. This is an approach that we’ve found very helpful. It recognizes that really intelligent users tend to over-complicate their searches for solutions to a form that doesn’t work as intended. We call it

TLC 6 Troubleshooting Sets

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video demonstrates tools available in Doxserá and Doxserá DB to check Form Sets for consistency.  tags: Sets, Labels, Check Form tool, Signer, List, compile, Series, Answer

Easy Installation

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here are the steps to TheFormTool installation. It will probably take longer to read this than it will to install the program. For those who prefer instruction by example, we've linked to a two-minute video at the end of this post showing step by step how to download and install TheFormTool. If you prefer, there's a video demonstration at the end of

TLC 4 Wrappers from PRO to Dox to DB

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Wrappers grow with our programs and with our users. They can instantly define the look and feel of a document or of hundreds of documents, from your most informal note to very formal letterhead. Even better, Wrappers allow you to change the character of a document in one place and instantly prepare for all its uses.   tags: Header, footer, headings,

TLC 2 What Now?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Yes, Word's own date function is handy, but when you want something a little more robust, perhaps to add to an Offset or other function, use the Now function included with the Math set of features and formulae. You can find it at Field>Nmbr>Math>Now   tags: Date, today, calendar  

TLC 1 Make the Q&A Table go away before printing?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

To prepare your completed document for printing, filing or sharing, save it first, then click TheFormTool>Petrify. This will remove all the grey text, erase (eliminate) the Q&A Table and any TFT metadata. What you'll be left with is a perfectly completed and normal Word document. Note that "Petrify" is irreversible, so save the document first

TLC 3 Diagnosing and Fixing Path Errors

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes things go wrong. A "Path error" certainly qualifies. If, when you click on the very first command, any command, you receive a runtime error, you're likely experiencing a Path error. In a Path error, the program has lost its way, lost its bearings, its map. Path error means that the program can no longer access "home base" and has no idea w

TLC 1 Sharing the Questionnaire

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The ability to share Questionnaires with others who don't have TheFormTool PRO or Doxserá and to then incorporate their answers into your intelligent document is a powerful and impressive feature of the software. This video describes how to "tear off" the Questionnaire from your master document, share it with a customer, vendor or client, and upon i

TLC 2 Conditions, a Logic Primer

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video demonstrates the how and why of documents making decisions to include or exclude text based on circumstances as determined by an answer or combination of answers. It shows basic Boolean logic, binary (yes/no) decisions, checkbox choices. It also shows how to identify and remove Conditions. This is the primer for adding logic to a document

Organizing a (More Sophisticated) Network

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes customers can get a bit carried away over-reaching for sophistication on their networks. Here are some general guidelines derived from thousands of experiences with the various document management systems (DMS) by our customers. The essential point is that DMS is for organizing and storing documents. Not forms, not our programs' internal f

TLC 3 Attention Markers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is the complete encyclopedia of everything about Attention Markers.    Tags: Message, action, note, notice, code, highlight, custom message, reminder, 

TLC 3 Date Offsets and a Discounted Price Quote

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video demonstrates nearly everything needed to created any kind of a date offset. It goes the extra mile with an example of a price discount based on a date.   tags: discount, quote for service, add/subtract/go to a day or date, days of the week, calendar, number, math, payment, max/min, integer, tax, price, lease, prorate, pro rate, pro-rata,

DB User Owner's Guide

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The manual built especially for those who will be using the DB User version of our software.

Lesson #1 Fixed Date Offsets (10:38)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

tags:formats, calendar, future, past, term, appointment, one

TLC 2 Installing Across a Network

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool and Doxserá can do network installs in a two-step process: 1.  Install normally on one computer, add Registration Name and License Code, and set Path to desired shared server location. After you've successfully installed the program on one machine, then 2.  Copy these two files from the first computer and distribute them to the same loca

TLC 7 Choosing Multiple Outlook Contacts (Doxserá DB)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This demonstrates how to allow the selection of multiple contacts from Outlook.   tags: multiple contacts, series, signer, dropdown, list, checkboxes, Fetch 

TLC 6 Doxserá: When Forms Disappear from Sets

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Every once in a while, forms seem to disappear from Sets in which they were previously present. This video will explain how that can happen and lay out the principles in play in the expectation that doing so will help you avoid the next episode. The good news is that just because a form has gone MIA from a Set does not necessarily mean the form itse

TLC 6 The Authoring Button (Doxserá Only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When there's a need to protect your forms against inadvertent changes to the Questionnaire, Administrators can use Doxserá's Authoring button to restrict access to the changing the Questionnaire. The forms you save might be your own! tags: video, author, protect, save, prevent, change, Questionnaire

TLC 5 The Basics of Creating a Set (Doxserá Only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is the basic steps, 1-2-3, how to create a Set in Doxserá. This is the primer for allowing the software to create multiple related documents at one time. tags: Set, corporate, formation, company, LLC, minutes, certificates

TLC 3 When the Program Tab Disappears from Word's Menu Bar

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes when your computer has crashed while Word is open and in use, Word will take its revenge on its add-ins. Generally this happens without provocation, just MSFT taking its frustrations out on the nearest program. The symptom is program tab, TheFormTool or Doxserá button in the menu bar, has suddenly disappeared following a Word shutdown. Thi

TLC 6 Using Word Styles in Folios

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Word's Styles feature can be useful but confusing. Here's a terrific demonstration of making it work for you.    tags: font, heading, body, color, look, format, blue, red, italic, bizarre, target, passage, fetcher, fetch, conform, 

TLC 7 Connecting Doxserá DB to Access and SQL

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Connecting Doxserá DB to your neighborhood Access or SQL database is just as easy and straightforward as all of its other features once your IT personnel have provided the name of the DNS for the SQL connection. From that point, your less than five minutes from realtime access to all of your stored data. If you are a do it yourself type, you might b

Golden Rules for Every Form Author

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here are four rules for authors who are engaged in in any level of document assembly and automation, that will make you a hero to those who sign the paychecks. Ignore them at your peril.     tags: productivity, authors, video

TLC 2 Rounding Numbers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a demonstration of how to create a rounding up or rounding down math function.     tags: round, integer, truncate

TLC 1 Uninstalling the program

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Completely uninstalling TheFormTool or its siblings takes about 20 seconds and requires the removal of a single file. Just go to Options>Manage Licenses and click remove. To uninstall the free version of TheFormTool, click on TheFormTool>Options>Uninstall and follow the one-step direction.

TLC 2 Basic Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Series answers come in several varieties: simple, linked, GRID, checkboxes. They are used to generate several different kinds of Lists or information about a List in a document. If there is "more than one," a combination of Series/Lists is likely to be part of the equation. Learn here how to create a Series Smart Answer, how to create simple textual

TLC 7 Using Outlook Contacts in 1st Column of a GRID (Doxserá DB)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

How to access external data sources for the left column in a GRID.   tags: GRID, first column, signer, dropdown, Fetch, left 

Reducing Word's Irritating Features

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Microsoft Word is a real marvel, with more than 1 billion users and nearly that many features and functions. This booklet points out ways to turn off eleven of the program's most intrusive "features". Word's Most Intrusive Features tags: autocorrect,; auto formatting; spelling and grammar; copying, pasting and selecting text; insert and overtyping;

Online Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Is it possible to create an online platform for gathering the information that will then be inputted by your system into a word document?  For example, I would like to gather information from a customer, such as their name, address, etc using an html form or link that could be completed online.  I would then like to have this information automatical

Lesson #3 Pronouns and Plurals (28:03)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The end-all, be-all of pronouns and plurals. The complete story.     

TLC 5 The Quick-Fill Button (Doxserá Only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Long, complex forms with lots of variables, particularly compound Conditions, can take a while to Authoring. Doxserá's Quick Fill button can cut the time by avoiding several built-in checks used to validate the Questionnaire. If you want to just go full steam ahead for awhile, the QF might help. tags: quick, fill, speed, fast, faster, shortcut

TLC 4 Deciding Between Conditional Text and Folios (Doxserá)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When to use Conditional Text from within a documents? When to go to Doxserá's Folios instead? The answer is straightforward, and you'll find it here. tags: compare folios and conditions, conditionals, text, external text

We'll install TheFormTool on your Mac

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

If you don’t have a Mac and aren’t planning to get a Mac, we’ve just freed up about five minutes of your time. Go spend it wisely! Here’s Our offer to Mac Users For a limited time only, if you’re running a current version of a Mac OS on a recent machine, a Mac, MacBook, or MacBook PRO. Sorry, no iPad or iPhone. The version of Word that Microsoft is

TLC 7 Formatting Excel to Feed Doxserá DB

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here are a few simple rules to make importing data from external sources, specifically Excel, to Doxserá DB so that the Number or Date formatting works as expected.   tags: Excel, date, number, text, format, cell

TLC 3 Using Basic GRID Answers to Organize Related Data

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

GRID Answers are a great way to organize data that relates to other information, for example: given a name, also capture address, phone number, email, title. Or given a catalog number, relate product name, color, size. GRIDs make life easier on the form's user while entering information and help make a document more intelligent, the perfect combinat

The How and Why of Aurora

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This 35 minute video will take you through an explanation of Aurora's enormous impact on office productivity, how it can expand your reach to the farthest corners of your market and how it works.   tags: full length demonstration of Aurora's features, functions, customer view

TLC 6 Using Passages for Images (Doxserá and Doxserá DB)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When you need to include a graphic in repetitious forms, perhaps a signature, logo, sketch, rendering, photo, then Passages is the answer. Passages can include any graphic that Word can manage, and it is easy to build a searchable reference so that the graphic you need can be uploaded as necessary.   tags: image, signature, photo, graphic, picture

TLC 1 Navigating the Questionnaire without a Mouse

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is the answer for those adverse to mice.   Here's another look at the same subject   tags: mouse, mice, tab, key, navigate, access, Q&A Table, keyboard, video

TLC 4 Using the Show/Hide Button

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The Show/Hide button can be used to make your forms simpler and easier to use. Here's a short lesson on the hows and whys. tags: video, show, hide, derived, label, simple, user-friendly, first column, two column

TLC 3 Using Lists to Create Repeating Paragraphs

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Lists, driven by Series or GRID answers, are extremely flexible tools that can create text, repeating paragraphs, tables and other formats within a document. This video shows how a List can be used to create repeating paragraphs, such as signature blocks, where all the information remains the same for each item in the list. video 3:26 Tags: list, si

TLC 7 Building an Outlook Relationship in Doxserá DB

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Microsoft Outlook is a data source for everyone, with more than 80% of companies using Outlook for their emails and contact lists. It's just too big and far too valuable to ignore, so we've included it as a data source for Doxserá DB, making contact's names and other data available for use in intelligent forms.   tags: mail, address, phone, address,

TLC 6 Q & A Table in Folios

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video demonstrates how to maximize the power of Passages by making them as intelligent as the document into which they are added by including a Q & A Table in the Folio from which the Passage is drawn. This allows Doxserá to automatically complete Fields within a Passage as the Passage is inserted.   Keywords: Doxserá, Folio, Passage, Q &am

Lesson #5 Compound Conditions: This AND That (7:03)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

  Conditions often come in pairs or groups, instances where AND is needed for efficiency. The Compound Conditions feature allows a form Author to string together as many conditions necessary.    tags: Boolean, complex, compound, multiple, conditional criteria, Oregon, shipping, $100, more than, AND, OR, criterion, contain, criteria

TLC 5 Numbering in Wrappers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Numbering in Word can be complex, there's no getting around it. This video will lay out several helpful steps to make the job easier and mare for perfect results while using one of our most sophisticated features, Wrappers. tags: numbers, numbering, paragraph, autonumber, sequential, style

Lesson #17 Lists in Table Formats with Master Lists and Math (24:50)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Starting to bring some features together into a "real" use.

TLC 1 The Anatomy of an Intelligent Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is an overview of all of our software that is based on TheFormTool decisioning engine, illustrating the relationships between and uses of the pieces and parts. Click to expand tags: map, graphic, relationships, family, sources

Lesson #18 Creating Master Lists (6:41)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TLC 5 Using Dropdown Answers with Linked Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sometimes all the information you need is at hand, it just needs to be coaxed into usefulness. This video demonstrates how to create a list of names in a GRID, then use a Linked answer in the Questionnaire in order to allow the form user to easily choose from a dropdown menu in order to assign a pre-designated role to each person or entity on the Li

TLC 2 Find & Paste

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

It’s late and the document you need to automate must have at least a hundred “John Does” in it, each of which need to be made into smart fields instead, a process that might take an hour or two and still result in errors. Well, here’s your answer; with Find & Paste you can automate the automation and smarten further even your smartest document.

TLC 3 Managing the Order of Items in a List

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

There are times when the order of items in a list is too important to be left to chance, that it needs to be specified. This video shows how a form Author can make certain that a downstream User wll pay attention to order and specifically choose it while completing the form. tags: Lists, order, item, rank, first, last, video

TLC 2 Gathering Name and Address Information, Choices

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

What are the various ways of collecting names and addresses and the advantages of each?   tags: address block, street, city, state, zip, block style, hard return, enter, single field, multiple address lines, One Union Square, list, repeating paragraphs, narrative style, GRID, series, Address2, tab in questionnaire, optional line in address, conditio

TLC 2 Creating Envelope Addresses

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's a video short course in how to create addresses and mailing labels for envelopes   tags: mail, labels, address

TLC 7 Names and Addresses by the Thousands (DB only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Doxserá DB is built to handles hundreds or thousands of related items. Here is a demonstration how to create lists of names and addresses   tags:  name, address, service list, multiple recipients, format

TLC 5 Wrappers: The Definitive Demonstration

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here you'll find everything you'll ever need to know to create and use Wrappers, where your documents are empowered to change their appearance entirely. With Wrapper, you can set letterheads, captions, catalog formatting, styles, all the different pieces that make a brand a brand. tags: style, format, font, watermark, margins, header, footer, letter

TLC 1 Basic Math: Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a video demonstration of Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division;using the Integer function to limit the size of an acceptable answer; Derived Answers; and Show/Hide Rows. tags: Math 101, integer, derived answer, show/hide

TLC 4 Conditional Page Breaks

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

 Here is how to include a page break in a Condition. tags: format, exhibit, signature page

Lesson #20 Creating Folios (7:30)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TLC 3 Letterheads on Letters to Multiple Recipients

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

One to one. Many to one. Many to many. These phrases describe the three legs to our software stool. TheFormTool PRO is designed to complete a single document at a time for a single matter. Of course, it allows users to store data for use on a form that requires repeating as well as for several forms in the same matter that need completion over time.

TLC 3 Text Boxes? No. One-Cell Tables, Yes

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Word doesn't allow for auto-inserting text or graphics into text boxes, so what is an Author to do? The answer: Substitute a 1-cell table instead. It works great.   tags: Word, cell, table, box, insert

TLC 4 Customized and Complex Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's the complete demonstration how to build a customized List and how to add Fields to the items with a List. tags: video, Fields within Lists, Condition, comma, semicolon, and, clauses

A SImple Solution to the "a/an" Problem

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

If you've created forms in the past, you may have already encountered the "a/an" problem. Consider this one-sentence form, where a state of incorporation is required: The owner is a ________ corporation. When the state of incorporation is Washington, you end up with: The owner is a Washington corporation. But if the state of incorporation is Idaho,

TLC 1 Conditions, Basic Principles

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is your starting point to truly intelligent documents. In just six minutes, learn how Conditions work and how to construct simple decisions so that your documents can automatically include or exclude language based on user inputs. Runtime (HD): 6:08    

TLC 6 Folios — Passage Tags

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Using Passage Tags allows us to group Passages by subject matter, use, or other criteria; in other words, to categorize Passages. A tag allows the form or the form User to sort, filter, and select external text or graphics for inclusion in the document depending on circumstances. This video demonstrates the use of Tags and the proper way to create T

TLC 3 Custom Lists

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

A step up from "basic," this video demonstrates how to lightly customize a list, to differentiate between each of its clauses. tags: Lists, custom, TheFormTool PRO, Doxserá

3. Creating Your Very First Intelligent Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Learning time: 25 minutes This is great as a starting point and, if you're a person who doesn't read manuals, follow instructions, or care about online tutorials, an ending point as well. The video's 25 minutes will get you going in the right direction in near-record time. For those who aspire toward a more professional level, we suggest you continu

TLC 1 Basic Pronouns

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The Pronoun function drives all sorts of powerful features. This video describe a few of the basic uses, including the ability the ability to help generate singular/plural adjustments.   tags: pronouns, TheFormTool PRO, Doxserá  

TLC 2 Basic Lists and Sublists, with Fields and Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video will take you through the step by step process of building simple combinations of Lists and Sublists with embedded and related Fields and Conditions. This is the beginning of a truly intelligent form.   tags: versus, contrast, explain, compare

TLC 4 Saving and Repurposing a Questionnaire

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Once you have a Questionnaire created that serves your basic needs, this video demonstrates how to save it and re-use it for other purposes. The benefits are substantial, particularly establishing labeling consistency among your forms. video: 5:18  tags: buyer, seller, plaintiff, defendant, grantor, grantee, role, GRID, Q&A Table

TLC 3 Lease Term and Proration

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Leases and contracts can be very specific when concerned with dates, when does it start, when does it end, is a pro-rata calculation needed. This demonstrates everything necessary to build a truly impressive treatment of dates into your documents.   tags: date offset, math function, month, date, variable date, prorate, partial month, Derived Answer,

Lesson #21 Tagging Passages (4:32)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TLC 5 GRIDs, SubLists, Links, Checkboxes and Roles

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This is the expert-level description on how to manage roles and lists by integrating GRID answers with the Questionnaire to very selectively include data within a document. tags: video, Lists, linked, beneficiaries, executors

TLC 1 The Check Form Tool

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The Check Form Tool is one of the most important tools on the Menu Bar. It should be the very first diagnostic used when there is a problem but also the very last step before publishing a new or revised form. While it won't find or fix every problem, those it does will save lots of time and aggravation. Use it!   tags: error, work, working, broken,

Lesson #27 Questionnaires in Folios (26:49)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Create Personalized Letters to Multiple Recipients

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The ultimate form letter, completely automatic but wonderfully personalized, can be yours in just 5:20. tags: personalized letters  

Convert fractional numbers to words

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I am making a promissory note form. When inputting the interest rate, how do I get the form to use the fractional number and not to round up/down?  E.g. 6.25 to “six and one quarter”.  Thanks for your help! Micahel Naseef   Thanks, Micahel!   Here's an article on how you do that:  https://kb.theformtool.com/202713463-Intermediate/214843103-TLC-5-Con

TLC 6 Wrappers in DB's Multidocs: Sophisticated Magic

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Sets are cool. Wrappers are magic. Put them together for something really special. Even more? Use Multidocs running on Doxserá DB and watch your colleagues back away in awe!   tags: Acme, Widget, style, letterhead, stationary, appearances, cosmetic, database, sources, Excel, SQL, multidocs  

Saving Templates

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I have several templates saved, and thought I knew what I was doing (always a mistake). I painstakingly put together a new one today, saved it as a Word Template, closed it, reopened it, filled in the table, filled the form, then petrified. It petrified the original template, and now I have none. What am I doing wrong?

TLC 3 Formatting Conditional Paragraphs

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Word can make managing paragraph formats it a little tricky when using Conditions to include, exclude or modify them. Paragraph numbering can present special issues. This video lays the foundation for understanding what happens and teaches how you can create the results you want. tags: format, indent, number, condition

TLC 5 Removing Unused Network Licenses

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The time comes in every organization when people leave or machines need replacement. What to do about the license that then needs to be recycled? This video demonstrates use of Doxserá's very cool automated removal command and the manual approach to use for TheFormTool PRO. video: 3:01   tags: license, computer, person, network, multiple, remove use

Data: The Who, What, When, Where and Why of Information

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a primer on the different types of data used in a document, its sources, timing, responsible party, best storage locations, everything you need to fully understand the dataflow in a good document assembly process. tags: data, information, organize, organization, how to use, video    

Misusing Word's Track Changes feature can turn your form to garbage

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Clicking the "Fill" command starts a cascade of changes, perhaps thousands of them. Some you see, many more happen behind the scenes. If you have Word's Track Changes feature turned on when that happens, there's no telling what will happen, except it will be bad!   tags: comments, garbage,markup, review, compare, tracking, track change, comparison,

TLC 3 Dates with Multiple Offsets and Complex Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This has been described as a "story problem" in a math class, but using dates. The most important lesson is the steps to organize a problem logically.   tags: future date, variable, list, redemption expiry, foreclosure, if, conduct of sale, outline, organizing, CSD, dropdown, split screen, subsidiary question, yes/no, calculation, derived answer, 

TLC 4 Creating an Invoice from Scratch

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's everything you'll want to know to build an invoice template from scratch. Whether for a product or service, taxable or not, this covers it. tags: price, discount, math, tax, total, subtotal, calculate, calculation, list, GRID, ListSum function, ListLastDate,youngest, oldest, ListCount, Products List, bill

Removing a Q&A Table

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool protects the Q&A Table as though it is critical to functioning. It is. Still, there are times when it's necessary. While not recommended, you can bypass the built-in protections for the Q&A Table by selecting Word>Developer>Design Mode, then selecting and deleting the Table. Some users may need to "customize" their Word rib

TLC 7 Form Letters (DB only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's how to create hundreds or thousands of letters, each a bit different to match its recipient.   tags: form letters, mass mailing, automated letters, Doxserá DB

TLC 7 Multi-Party, Multi-Role Decisioning in Specific Order

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Most of us are familiar with multi-party or multi-item uses of our software, where there are several signers, several choices from a sale catalog, or several symptoms described in a neurological exam. The “answer”, of course, is a List. Piece of cake. It’s a little more complex to combine multiple parties and multiple roles. The best approach will t

TLC 1 Optimizing the Questionnaire

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

The Questionnaire is not only the heart of the program, it is also the key to the creation of an elegant intelligent forms, to user efficiency, and to error-free production. This very short video illustrates a few key components of the optimal questionnaire. tags: Q&A Table, questions, clear answers, default answers, hide Labels, adding rows, Ad

TLC 1 The Math Screen

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

How to access the Math window and build and edit a basic equation.   tags: add, subtract, multiply, divide, number

TLC 6 Using Folios to Increase Security (Dox only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Several larger customers use Folios to provide an extra measure of security. By saving the entire intelligent document as one or more Passages within a Folio, the user doesn't even see the alternative document texts prior to its completion. To the user, the document can be as small as a single word on an otherwise empty page. After completion of the

TLC 4 Barcodes

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Updating your program

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We issue updates fairly often, both to correct issues that users have identified as well as to add terrific new features and functions. In fact, if you compare any one of our programs that are one or more years old, you'll find dozens of improvements, many of them major. When performing an update, DO NOT remove the old program; that will only cause

TLC 4 Managing Derived Answers

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Best practices for managing Derived Answers so as to make life easy on you and your users.   tags: show, hide, Questionnaire, order, questions, hidden

TLC 6 Converting Numerals into Text

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

While our programs have a number of number formatting options for converting numbers into text, particularly in terms of dollars and cents, every once in a while we need something different. This video describes how to build a simple snippet to convert a number such as 3.57% into text as three point five seven percent. This video describes how to do

TLC 1 Golden Rules for Every Form Author

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here are four rules for authors who are engaged in in any level of document assembly and automation, that will make you a hero to those who sign the paychecks. Ignore them at your peril.   tags: video, Questionnaire, Q&A

Roles determined by Conditions

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

I'm looking for an automatic way to set the object of the sentence based on the subject of the sentence. Requiring the respondent to pay for the maintenance of the petitioner; Given that there are only two roles in the document, respondent and petitioner, if I choose respondent as the Answer for who pays in this or similar clauses, is there an elega

TLC 1 The Math Screen, Directions and Tips

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This video explores access to the Math screen and how to best use the built-in commands offered there.   tags: pets, cans of food, pet food, number, function,formula box,multiply, multiplication, abbreviate, formula,list math functions, listcount,mortgage, payment, pmt,loan, amount, interest, lastdate, parenthesis, unlock, freeform. GRID

Doxserá and Doxserá DB Quick Start Guide

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

When you have no time, here is a step-by-step that you can easily get through in less than ten minutes. But remember, you'll want to know more, be more productive. For that, see one of our Expert Manuals.

What TheFormTool Can Do For You

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here's the answer to the most basic of questions, "What's in it for me?" This short video will take you on a tour d'horizon of TheFormTool PRO and the basic Doxserá features and demonstrate a dozen different ways TFT can prevent nearly 100% of documentation errors while speeding your document creation by 70% or more. tags: video, basics, start, fund

TLC 2 How to Secure Your Forms Against Accidents

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Accidents happen. Part of our job is to protect our sometimes substantial investments in IP against loss, specifically including intelligent documents. This can take two forms: prevention and recovery. This video discusses several ways to prevent accidental or deliberate erasure or over-writing of forms using tools provided by Doxserá, Word, Windows

Is there a way to save a "corrupt" Word document?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

This sometimes works and is at least worth a try: For your need to exorcise the hidden and troublesome fields left behind that may corrupt your forms,  this procedure is kind of a sledgehammer approach, but works. It's called a "round trip to XML", and it fixes several (but not all) types of Word document corruption.  1.  Temporarily save the file i

Can we have others answer the Questions in the Q&A Table?

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We’re planning on rolling out TheFormTool to our attorneys shortly.  A question has come up as to whether or not we can create TFT-ized documents and send them to clients.  If the clients use the free version, would they be able to fill in our documents, and if so would they ever receive any sort of pop-up regarding license purchasing?

TLC 6 Using Passages for Lengthy Text (Dox only)

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Although Doxserá doesn't really care how long a passage or block of text is, people seem to. So we thought to answer the question once and for all: How do we use Passages to manage lengthy text? The short answer: The same way we manage short snippets of text. But here is a more elaborate answers.   tags: passage, folio, external text, section, docum

TLC 5 How to Copy a GRID to a New Form

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We've talked about copying Questionnaires between forms; here's how to do the same for GRIDs, simply, easily, safely. tags: video, GRID, copy, move, reuse

TLC 2 The "Perfect" Age

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

TheFormTool PRO and Doxserá have always been capable of computing the passage of time with perfect accuracy, but doing so required some detailed work by the form author; the more accuracy desired, the more time required to program. Now, in versions 3.1 of PRO and Dox, the programs include a new “Age” function in their Math menus. Determining age is

TLC 4 Managing File and Folder Locations

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

As your use grows, your storage needs and arrangements will change. You'll expand or contract practice areas, clients will grow into mega-clients, lawyers will come and go. This video will teach you the two best ways at present to move Answer and other Files and how to create and manage Folders in which to store them.

Troubled Installations

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here is a primer on installations that don't go quite right and on how to manage to make it perfect. tags: zip folder, Windows, desktop, runtime error, startup, stall, reboot, restart, uninstall

TLC 6 Truly Sophisticated Role Management

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

We're big believers that Authors should invest the time, energy, and thought so that Users can save on all three. This video demonstrates an extremely sophisticated approach to managing roles within a form — clients on the one hand and the temporary part they play in the current matter — so that data need be entered only once. This is the approach f

Using Dropbox, Box or OneDrive as a virtual network

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Dropbox and its competitors are increasingly popular, not only for storage but as virtual networks to allow smaller offices the benefits of a server and enabling larger companies to share files on the go. This video provides step-by-step instructions on the best ways to structure Dropbox to maximize the benefits of using and sharing Answers, Master

TLC 2 Creating Clues for Navigating Questionnaires

Published July 29th, 2022 by Service Desk

Here are some great ways to ease the User's workload and reduce error by using indented questions, section dividers, and colors to simplify the Questionnaire with visual clues,.   tags: Dividers, color, indent, questions, rows, labels, QAT, Q&AT