Contents Graph paper 5.

3
Axis 5.3.1
Introduction to EASEL 1.0
Line graphs 5.4
Using Easel 2.0
Selecting a line style 5.4.1
Appearance 2.1
Line colour 5.4.1.1
The Status area 2.2
Symbols 5.4.1.2
The Input line 2.3
Filled lines 5.4.1.3
The Display area 2.4
Line thickness 5.4.1.4
PSION Xchange / PC FOUR The Control area 2.5 Numeric entry for lines 5.4.2
The Crosswires 2.6
3D Bar charts 5.5
Quill word processor Entering numbers 2.7
The cell cursor 5.6
Abacus spreadsheet Expressions 2.8
Pie charts 5.7
Archive database Entering text 2.9
Entering numbers 5.7.1
Entering formulas 2.10
The cell cursor 5.7.2
Easel business graphics The commands 2.11
Text 5.7.3
Deleting a value 2.12
The change command 5.7.4
Inserting a value 2.13
Segment 5.7.5
Bar design 2.14
Easel Reference 6.0
Selecting a bar 2.14.1
The function keys 6.1
Selection by number 2.14.2 Sets of figures 6.2
Selection by example 2.14.3 Representation 6.3
Designing a bar 2.14.4
Easel commands 6.4
Bar colour 2.14.5
Change 6.4.1

EASEL
Border colour 2.14.6
Defaults 6.4.2
Border thickness 2.14.7
Edit 6.4.3
Deleting a bar design 2.14.8
Files 6.4.4
Using text 2.15
Highlight 6.4.5
Ordinary text 2.15.1
Kill 6.4.6
Axis names 2.15.2
Load 6.4.7
Cell labels 2.15.3
Newdata 6.4.8
How to use this republished manual Text direction 2.15.4
Olddata 6.4.9
Several sets of figures 3.0 Print 6.4.10
Text in this style is a reproduction of the original manual The current figures 3.1
Text in bold like this is what is seen or typed in the Computer Quit 6.4.11
The Rename command 3.2 Rename 6.4.12
Text in this font is taken from Dilwyn Jones and others tips trick and comments The Newdata command 3.3
Text in this font are comments from the Author (Martin) Save 6.4.13
Worked Example CashFlow.exp 3.4
View 6.4.14
Using a formula 3.5
Zap 6.4.15
The Olddata command 3.6
Functions 6.5
Viewing the data 3.7
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Keybox 3.8
CELL and CELLMAX 6.6
The text in this republished manual is taken from the QL THOR GPRINT.PRT 6.7
Permanent copies 4.0
Xchange manuals distributed by Gunther Strube & Erling Jacobsen Start Up Parameters 6.8
Printing 4.1
on behalf of QUANTA and downloaded from Dilwyn Jones Sinclair QL
Appendix A Import, Export and Transfer
Photography 4.2 Appendix B Printer Drivers
Pages. Some of the Xchange references and commands are not Graph formats 5.0 Appendix C Zip File Contents
available in the PC FOUR version but the reader will still find the Selecting a format 5.1
manual covers the main aspects of the package. Redesigning a format 5.2
Abacus Manual - Page 2 of 38
1.0 INTRODUCTION TO EASEL Control Area
Easel is a business graphics package with a difference. It is fully interactive, which
means that you see the results of everything you do immediately. From the
moment you start you can just type in a series of numbers and see them
displayed as a graph, as you type them in. You never need to worry about building
up tables of values; EASEL takes care of that kind of thing for you, and keeps
them where they should be - out of sight. You can add text to the graph just as
simply as you enter data and, once it is there, you can edit it or move it around
(easily, of course!) until you are satisfied with the result. EASEL is organised in a
series of levels and exhibits a pyramidal structure. The top level, which is Crosswires
immediately available when you start, allows you to do the most commonly- Display Area
needed operations, for example, entering data or text. The full power of EASEL
becomes apparent as you become more familiar with it and dig more deeply into
the pyramid. Despite this power, EASEL still remains simple to use at all levels.
You do not need to remember lots of numbers and since you are guided through
each process by a carefully designed sequence of prompts which explain what
you can do at each stage. In particular, EASEL has a design by example facility
which allows you to select or design anything from a single line or bar to a whole Input Line (Cursor)
graph, simply by choosing from a set of pictures. With this facility you need never
be in any doubt as to what the final appearance of your graph will be. As with Status Area
other programs, the best way to learn about EASEL is to use it. If you are not sure
about something, try a simple example so that you can see how it works. 2.1 APPEARANCE When you have loaded EASEL the display should look
like this in 80 Column Mode [F3] Design 8 [Enter]. The display is divided
2.0 USING EASEL into three main areas, known as the status area, the display area and the control
area.
EASEL’S 16 bit graphics software will not run in a Command Window
(CMD.EXE). All the examples used in this republished manual use 2.2. THE STATUS AREA The status area uses the bottom of the screen
and tells you about the current state of EASEL. The format tells you how the
DosBox with EASEL in 80 Column mode - [F3] Design 8 [Enter].
values you type in will be shown. There are eight different display formats to
choose from, pre-defined to give an assortment of bar, line and pie chart displays.
This chapter describes how to use the options immediately available when you
When you have just selected an EASEL task the format is set to give you a bar
have just selected an EASEL task. By the end of the chapter you should be able
graph display (format 1). You are also told the name of the current figures. This is
to produce useful graphs and charts, using EASEL's pre-defined displays. Before
the name given to the set of data for your graph. If you have more than one graph
going any further, try typing in a few numbers - for example 3, 5, -2 and so on - to
there will be a named set of figures for each graph. the current set of figures is the
see how easy EASEL is to use (don't forget to press [Enter] after each number).
set that is changed when you type in numbers. When you have just selected an
See how your graph is displayed straight away, without your having to do anything
EASEL task you are provided with an empty set called "figures". In addition you
else. Notice that the scale of the graph adjusts itself automatically to suit the
are told the format number and the style (eg a bar or line number) that you are
numbers you type in. When you have finished, press function key 3 (F3), then the
using to represent your current set of figures. EASEL can show a given set of
'Z' key and finally press [Enter]. You have used the Zap command to erase all the
figures in one of several different representations - as bars, a line, or in a 3-D bar
numbers you typed in, leaving your EASEL task in the state it was in when it had
graph or a pie chart. EASEL initially selects a bar graph representation and uses
just been selected.
bar number 0. The final piece of information in the status area is the name of the
task - ie the name you gave the task when you selected it.

Abacus Manual - Page 3 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 4 of 38

2.3 THE INPUT LINE Just above the status area is a line that starts with a 2.7 ENTERING NUMBERS Type in a number (and then press [Enter]).
question mark. It is known as the input line, and is where anything that you type at EASEL displays it immediately on the graph, at the current position of the vertical
the keyboard will appear. You should always indicate the end of your typed input crosswire. The crosswire will move one cell to the right ready for the next number.
by pressing [Enter]. In many of the commands, EASEL will place suggested input Each time you type in a number that exceeds the range of values shown along the
in this line. You may accept this input by just pressing [Enter], or you may type in vertical axis, EASEL will redraw the graph with a scale that allows the new value
your own input which will replace that suggested by EASEL. to be shown. If you press the [TAB], you will find that each press of the key makes
the vertical crosswire move to the right by one cell. Press [Shift] and, while holding
2.4 THE DISPLAY AREA The display area is, as its name suggests, where it down, press [TAB]. This time the vertical crosswire moves left by one cell. The
all graphs produced by EASEL are shown. When you have just loaded EASEL, position of the vertical crosswire marks the current cell - the cell that will show the
there is an empty bar graph in the display area. The graph is marked with a grid of next number you type in. If you put an incorrect value into your graph you can
horizontal and vertical lines. The horizontal lines correspond to the values shown correct it by moving the vertical crosswire to the cell where the mistake appears
on the vertical axis (called 'Axis 2') and the vertical lines divide the graph into and typing in the correct value. If you spot a mistake before you press [Enter] you
cells. Each cell marks the position where one value of a set of figures will be can correct it by using the line editor. Alternatively you can cancel the number by
plotted. Each cell has a cell label, along the horizontal axis (called 'Axis 1'). pressing [Esc] and then typing in the correct value. Whether you move the
EASEL automatically supplies the text "Jan", "Feb" and so on, up to "Dec" for crosswire with [TAB] or with the cursor keys, the next value you type in will always
these labels. You can change the text to anything you want. Think of each set of be shown in the cell containing the vertical crosswire.
figures as a row of cells, each containing on of the values to be plotted. EASEL
keeps the values separate from the way in which they are displayed, and can 2.8 EXPRESSIONS You can type in an expression, for example: sin(pi()/2) +
therefore show any set of figures in the representation you want. 0.5 [Enter] instead of a number. The expression may include numbers and any of
the functions listed in the EASEL Reference. EASEL calculates the value of the
2.5 THE CONTROL AREA The control area shows the normal options to expression and puts this value into the cell. If, as in this example, the expression
obtain Help [F1], to turn the prompts on and off [F2], to select a command [F3] does not start with a numeric digit then the prompt will change to formula instead
and to freeze the current task and return to Xchange [F6]. In addition, there are of value.
four options that are specific to EASEL. These are to:
2.9 ENTERING TEXT You can add text to your graph by typing a single or
move the crosswires double quotation mark as the first character of your input. The crosswires will
type in a number appear (if they were not already visible) and any following text that you type in will
type in text be written in the display area starting at the intersection of the crosswires - and in
type in a formula the input line. When you have typed in your text, press [Enter]. If the text is not in
the exact position you want, move it using the cursor keys. The crosswires will
2.6 THE CROSSWIRES Press the right cursor key and hold it down briefly. move across the screen, carrying the text with them. When the text is in the
You will se a vertical line moving across the screen, from left to right. This is the position you want, press [Enter]. EASEL will automatically switch off the
vertical crosswire. The left and right cursor keys move it across the screen. Now crosswires. Section 2.15 includes an explanation of how you can edit, move or
press the up cursor key. This moves the horizontal crosswire up the screen. You delete existing text.
can indicate any point in the display area by moving the intersection of the
crosswires to that point. In addition, the vertical crosswire marks the position in 2.10 ENTERING FORMULAS A formula can be used to create a new set
the graph where a number that you type in will be plotted. If the crosswires are of figures, as described in Section 3 - or to change an existing set. EASEL
not visible you can display them by pressing the cursor keys; press either the left interprets any keyboard input that does not start with a numeric digit or quotation
or the right Cursor key to display the vertical crosswire, and either the up or down marks as a formula. For example, we can change the current set of figures (which,
cursor key to show the horizontal crosswire. Once both crosswires are visible you as you can see from the status area, has the name "figures").
can move them around the display area by means of the cursor keys. If you press figures = figures + 2 [Enter]
a cursor key and release it immediately the crosswire will move a short distance in
the appropriate direction, but if you hold the key down the crosswire will move The new graph is similar to the old one, except that each value has been
more rapidly across the display area. increased by 2. If you want to return to the original graph you can type in another
formula: figures = figures - 2 [Enter]

Abacus Manual - Page 5 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 6 of 38

A formula always starts with the name of a set of figures. This name could be the 2.13 INSERTING A VALUE You can insert a new value to the right of the
name of an existing set or it could be a new name. In either case the contents of one marked by the vertical crosswire (in the case of line graphs and bar charts) by
that data set is defined by the expression to the right of the equals sign in the pressing [F5]. A gap is opened up, ready for you to type in a new number. The
formula. It is important to realise that the formula will affect all the values in the new cell will have no label, but you can add one at a later stage. Keep pressing
set, rather than just one value. the [TAB] key if you want to add more empty cells at the right side of the graph.
An extra set of cells is added each time the vertical crosswire reaches the edge of
the screen. Use [Shift] and [TAB] in a similar way to add cells at the left of the
graph. Again, all unused cells are automatically removed from the graph when
the graph is next redrawn.

2.14 BAR DESIGN The previous sections explained the basic methods for
producing a bar graph of your data, and how to add text. At this stage, EASEL
decides the way your graph will appear. This section shows how you can modify
2.11 THE COMMANDS See Section 6.4 for details o each command. the appearance of your graph by using a different design bar. You have great
The commands allow you to use some of the more sophisticated aspects of flexibility in changing the appearance of a graph, ranging from changing the
EASEL. Press [F3] to select a command. The contents of the control area will appearance of a single value - to make it stand out in the display - to designing a
change to show a list of the available commands - the command menu. When the completely new display format with a new graph paper, axis markings and type of
command menu is displayed you can select a command by typing in its first letter. representation for all figures in the graph. You will find out about these
For example, the command to discard the current EASEL task and return to DOS possibilities later. In this section we shall concentrate on how to modify the
is Quit. You can select it by pressing [F3] and then 'Q'. EASEL will give you the appearance of the bars in the graph. all the options to modify the various features
option to press the [Esc] to stay in EASEL (in case you selected the command by of the graph work in the same way. Learning how to change your graph to use a
mistake). If you decide you really do want to discard the task, you press [Enter]. new bar design explains the methods you will use to change any other aspect of
Remember that you can freeze the current EASEL task and return to Xchange by the graph. We assume that you have typed in a few numbers and have a bar
pressing [F6]. You cannot type in a number to a cell or type in a formula when the graph shown on the screen.
command menu is visible. Also, you cannot move the crosswires, except when
given this option as part of the command. In general, at the end of a command,
EASEL remains in the command menu and you must press [Esc] to go back to the
main display.

2.12 DELETING A VALUE You can delete a value from the graph with the
aid of the [F4]. Use the [TAB] key (or the [Shift] and [TAB] keys) to position the
vertical crosswire on the number you want to rub out and then press [F4]. If your
graph is showing more than one set of figures, pressing [F4] deletes all vales
shown in that cell. It has no effect on sets of figures that are not shown. If you
delete the values from a cell that has no label, then that cell will not be included in
the graph when it is next redrawn. EASEL will only delete the whole cell if it has
no label and contains no values. If you want to delete an entire cell you should
delete its contents and also any label that it has (See section 2.15.3 on cell
labels). EASEL will delete all empty, unlabelled cells the next time the graph is
redrawn, either by pressing the [F10] key or by using the view command (ie
pressing [F3], selecting the view command by pressing the V key and pressing
[Enter]). As we shall see later, you use [F4] to delete several types of object from
your graph.

Abacus Manual - Page 7 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 8 of 38

2.14.1 SELECTING A BAR You use the Change command to select a different want. EASEL always draws the bar against a background of the current graph
bar for your graph. Select the command by pressing [F3] and then the C key. You paper.
are offered many options - to change to a Line graph, to modify an Axis, and so on
Select the Bar option by pressing the B key. There are two main routes to using a
new style of bar - selection by number or selection by example.

2.14.2 SELECTION BY NUMBER When you have selected the Bar option of the
Change command the input line shows the text:

COMMAND> Change to Bar?

and EASEL waits for you to type in a number. There are 16 different bars and you
can select any one of them by typing its number, followed by pressing [Enter]. Try
using the Bar option of Change to show your graph with several different bar
designs. This is a very quick method of changing the bar you use, provided you
know the number of the one you want.

2.14.3 SELECTION BY EXAMPLE In many cases you may not know the number
of the bar that you want to use, or you might want to use your own design. In such
a case you can take advantage of the ability to select or design a bar by example.
You select this option by pressing [Enter] when EASEL is waiting for you to type in
a bar number. Try this method of selecting a bar by typing in: [F3] C B [Enter]
(You do not have to press [F3] if you are still in the command menu, after using a
previous command). The display changes to show examples of all the available
bar styles, together with their associated numbers. This is shown on page 8. The
fifth bar in the display is surrounded by a box which indicates that this is the bar PC-FOUR EASEL in 80 column mode displays colours in MONO 4
that will be selected for use if you press [Enter]. You use the left and right cursor shades of grey as shown above - Change Bar Design.
keys to move this box from bar to bar until it is positioned on the one you want.
When you press [Enter] the bar you have chosen will be used in the display of the 2.14.6 BORDER COLOUR The next option in the list, to select a border colour for
current set of figures. the bar is then highlighted automatically. Again you can either select this option by
pressing [Enter], or move onto one of the other options, with the up and down
2.14.4 DESIGNING A BAR When you use the option to select a bar by example cursor keys. If you select this option you can choose the border colour for the bar
you will notice that there is one bar present in the second row, which shows a in the same way as you chose the main fill colour. (If the width of the border is
question mark in place of its number. select this bar if you want to make your own currently set to zero you will not, of course, see the border colour in your bar
design, instead of using one of the pre-defined styles. To see how this works, design). Again you should press [Enter] when you are satisfied with the result.
position the selection box on this bar and press [Enter]. EASEL presents you with
a bar design and a list of options, as illustrated on page 10. 2.14.7 BORDER THICKNESS The third option is to select the width of the border
and, as with all options, you can select it by pressing [Enter] when the option is
2.14.5 BAR COLOUR The first option, which is highlighted, is to choose a colour highlighted. In this case you are asked to type in a number to represent the width
for the body of the bar. You have the choice of either moving to another option, of the border, as a percentage of half the width of the bar - eg if you type in the
by means of the up and down cursor keys, or of selecting the currently highlighted number 50 and press [Enter], the border will extend half way to the centre of the
option by pressing [Enter]. If you accept the fill colour option, a box is drawn bar. You are finally given the option of deciding whether you are satisfied with the
around the first colour in the palette and the specimen bar is filled with that colour. design as shown. If you are you should press [Enter]. The new design will be
You can move from colour to colour by pressing the left and right cursor keys. added to the list of bar designs and it will automatically be used for display of the
Make your selection by pressing [Enter] when the bar is filled with the colour you current set of figures. If you are not satisfied with the design you can go back to
one of the other options, using the up and down cursor keys, and try a new
Abacus Manual - Page 9 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 10 of 38
combination. At any time before you accept the design you can terminate the then gives you the opportunity to use the cursor keys to reposition the text.
command by pressing [Esc]. This will cause you to leave the command without Press [Enter] when you are satisfied with the position.
creating a new bar design.
EASEL treats a graph title in the same way as any other text. The only difference
2.14.8 DELETING A BAR DESIGN You can delete any of your own bar designs is that EASEL supplies the text "title", centred above the graph, when you have
from within the bar design option. When the bars are shown on the screen, press just selected an EASEL task.
the left or right cursor keys to select the bar you want to delete and then press
[F4]. Note that you may only delete those bars that you have designed yourself, 2.15.2 AXIS NAMES Axis names only appear on bar and line graphs. Any text
not the designs that EASEL supplies. If the deleted bar was being used in the used as an axis name is not shown when you select a pie chart representation.
representation of any of your graphs, EASEL will replace it by one of the other Select the Axis option of the Edit command to edit either of the two axis names:
existing bar designs. You may delete any other user-defined object - eg a line or [F3] E A. Press V or H to select the vertical or horizontal axis name. You can
an axis - in a similar manner. then edit, delete or move the text, as described for the text option. The text of the
vertical axis is always drawn in a vertical direction and the horizontal axis name is
2.15 USING TEXT In section 2.9 we described how you can add text at any always drawn horizontally.
point in the display. In this section we shall describe how you can edit existing
text, or move it to another point in the display. In addition we shall describe the 2.15.3 CELL LABELS The cells of the graph are provided with labels which are
changes you can make to the axis names and the title graph. Each time you edit initially set to show the months from January to December. EASEL usually shows
some text, or add new text, it is shown in the direction - horizontal or vertical - that these labels along the horizontal axis of a bar or line graph. You use the Labels
you last set with the Text-direction option of the Change command, as described option of the Edit command to change the cell labels. Select the option by
later in this section. EASEL recognises three basic types of text: pressing: [F3] E L When you do so the crosswires will attach themselves to the
nearest label. This label will then be displayed in full (if the labels are long,
 Ordinary text (including the Title) normally only the first few characters are shown, depending on the width of the
 Axis Names cells). The text is also copied into the input line. You can then delete the label by
 Cell Labels pressing [F4], or edit it with the line editor, described in section 2.3. Press [Enter]
to finish editing the label. You cannot move a cell label; if, for example, you attach
The Edit command has the option to edit the three types of text listed above, and the crosswires to a label and then move them, the label will not move.
a forth option relating to the key. The key option is only relevant when you have
more than one set of figures in your graph. It is described in the next section. 2.15.4 TEXT DIRECTION Use the Text-direction option of the Change command
to select whether ordinary text is vertical or horizontal. Select the option by
2.15.1 ORDINARY TEXT Ordinary text - ie all text except for the axis names and pressing: [F3] C T If the current text direction is horizontal, selecting this option
cell labels - behaves as though it were pasted on the screen. It is always printed will switch to vertical text. Selecting the option again will change the text direction
over the top of the graph or chart. It remains on the screen until you delete it, back to being horizontal. Existing text retains its own direction but EASEL uses
regardless of any other changes you make. Press [F3] E T to select the Text the new direction for all new text that you add to the graph - and for any old text
option of the Edit command. As indicated in the control area, you then use the that you edit. A convenient way of changing the direction of existing text is first to
cursor keys to move the intersection of the crosswires close to the text which you use the Text option of Change, as described above, and then to use the Edit
want to change. It is not necessary to position the crosswires exactly on the start command on the existing text, without actually canging its wording or position.
of the text. When you have positioned the crosswires you should press [Enter] and Note that you may only change the direction of ordinary text - you cannot affect
the crosswires will attach themselves to the nearest piece of text. A copy of the the direction of the cell labels or the axis names.
text also appears in the input line. Then you have two choices, which are to:

 delete the text by pressing [F4] - After deleting the text, EASEL returns to the
command menu.

 modify the text with the aid of the line editor When you are completely
satisfied with the wording of the text you should press the [Enter] key. EASEL

Abacus Manual - Page 11 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 12 of 38

3.0 SEVERAL SETS OF FIGURES So far we have only described 3.4 A Worked Example (Examples.zip - IECshFlw.aba)
how to create and display a single set of figures. On many occasions you may
want to display two or more sets of data on the same graph, for example to
compare the sales figures for two successive years. This chapter describes the
techniques you can use to produce, modify and display graphs containing several
sets of figures. Each set of figures has a name which you use to refer to them.
When you have just selected an EASEL task, you have one set of figures. EASEL
gives this set the name "figures" and shows the name in the status area.

3.1 THE CURRENT FIGURES No matter how many sets of figures you
have in your graph, you can only modify one set at a time. The set that you can
add or change is known as the current figures, and its name is shown in the status
area. It is not necessary shown on the screen but will, however, always be shown
when you are actually making any changes to it.

3.2 THE RENAME COMMAND Suppose that you have typed in a set of
numbers to "figures' and want to change the name to "sales". You do this with the
Rename command. Press [F3] and then the R key to select this command.
EASEL waits for you to specify which set of figures you wish to rename. If you
want to rename current set, just press [Enter] to accept EASEL's suggestion. If
you want to rename another set of figures, you must type in its existing name in Reformatting the data used in the Abacus Manual example CashFlow
full, then [Enter]. EASEL then asks you to type in the new name for the set of into IECshFlw.aba - Save then - Export as CashFlow.exp and Import into
figures and you must again press [Enter] at the end of the name. To change the Easel and change bars and line. View the Sales, Costs, Profits and Net
name the current set to the new name "sales", you should type: [F3] R [Enter] to show the example below.
sales [Enter] The set of figures that you have renamed always becomes the
current figures.

3.3 THE NEWDATA COMMAND The are two methods that you can use to
produce new subsequent sets of figures. These are by using the Newdata
command, or by using a formula. The two methods are described in this and the
following section. Suppose you have created a set of figures calles "sales", as
described above, containing monthly sales figures, and that you now want to
include a display of the monthly costs. You can do this by pressing [F3] and then
the N key, to select the Newdata command. EASEL then asks you for the name to
be given to the new set of figures. You then type in the name, ending by pressing
[Enter]. To create a new set of figures called "costs" you would therefore type
[F3] N costs [Enter] EASEL immediately gives you a new blank graph (assuming
you are in a bar or a line format) with the vertical crosswire set on the first column,
ready for typing in the new set of numbers. The status area shows that the current
figures are the new set, with the name "costs". All you have to do is type in the
new numbers which are immediately displayed on the graph as normal. If you
want to create a third set of figures, you can use the Newdata command again,
exactly as has been described, giving the new set of figures a different name. You
can create as many sets as you like, the only limit is the amount of computer
memory that you have available.
Abacus Manual - Page 13 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 14 of 38
3.5 USING A FORMULA The Newdata command is useful for defining 3.6 THE OLDDATA COMMAND When you use the Newdata command
completely new sets of figures, but on many occasions you may want to produce the set of figures that you create becomes the current figures. Remember that this
a new set that is related in some way to one or more existing sets. You may, for is the set that can be added to or changed by typing in numbers. If you want to
example, have already entered sets of figures for sales and costs, and then want make some changes to an existing set of figures that is not the current set, you
to include a set of figures which represent the resulting profits. Rather than can do so by using the Olddata command. When you select this command you
calculate the profit figures yourself and then enter them by means of the Newdata are asked to type in the name of a set of figures. In this case the name you type in
command, you can use a formula and let EASEL do the work for you. All you have must be the name of an existing set, and that set becomes the current figures.
to do is type in the formula which describes the new set of figures that you want, Suppose that you have the three sets of figures called "sales", "costs" and
for example: profits = sales - costs This creates a new set of figures with the "profits", and that "profits is the current set of figures. If you want to change or add
name "profits", each value being the difference between the corresponding values to the "costs" figures you should select it with the Olddata command. The costs
of the sales and costs figures. The "profits" graph will be displayed immediately, figures will then be shown on the graph and you can modify the data by typing in
and becomes the current figures. You can easily produce a result like that on replacement numbers as described in Section 2.7. Note that any change you
page 14. When you use a formula in this way you will normally have an equal make in the "costs" figures will not automatically change the "profits" graph. (This
number of values in each of the sets of figures referred to in the formula. This, is a job for ABACUS.)
however, is not essential; EASEL will calculate and display all possible values,
even if the sets of figures contain different numbers of values. You can also use a 3.7 VIEWING THE DATA You can see the effect of displaying all of your
formula without having to refer to existing sets of figures. figures on a single graph by means of the View command. Try selecting this
command (by pressing [F3] and then the V key). As you can see, EASEL
suggests that all the sets of figures should be shown on the graph and you can
accept this suggestion by pressing [Enter]. EASEL then suggests the display
format to be used and again you can accept the suggestion by pressing [Enter].
The graph is drawn immediately, containing all the data that you have defined -
together with a key box which shows the name of each set of figures and the way
that it is represented (the key is not shown if you only have one set of figures on
the graph). You can move the key if it is not in a convenient position, using the
Key option of the Edit command, which is described in the next section. If you
have defined a large number of sets of figures the graph will be very crowded and
will make little sense. In general it is a good idea to display only a small number of
sets of figures on any one graph to make the best visual impact. This does not
mean that you should only define a small number of sets of figures, since the View
command allows you to select the sets of figures that you want to see. You do
You could, for example, write a formula such as wave = 10 * sin( cell/2 ) This this by not accepting the "all Figures" suggestion that EASEL gives in the View
formula creates and displays a new set of figures with the name "wave", whose command. Instead of just pressing [Enter] at this point, you can type in a list of the
values are calculated using the sin() function. In this formula we have also used names of those sets of figures which you want to be displayed, separating the
'cell'. This provides a value which is the cell number, counting up from 1 at the left items in the list by commas. When you have typed in all the names of the sets of
hand side of the graph. To see how this works, type in the formula: a = cell and figures that you want to be displayed, press [Enter]. You may also select a
look at the graph that is drawn. When you use 'cell' in a formula, the number of different for the display instead of accepting the suggestion made by EASEL.
values in the set of figures is made equal to the number of columns currently Instead of just pressing [Enter] to accept the suggested format you can type in a
being shown on the graph. There is another reserved word in EASEL - 'cellmax'. number between 1 and 7. EASEL is provided with eight pre-defined formats
It has a value equal to the number of cells currently shown on the screen. You can numbered 1 to 8, providing various styles of bar charts, lines or pie chart. Format
use 'cellmax' to adjust the scale of the horizontal axis in a formula. For example, 8, the pie chart, can only display one set of figures (the current set) at a time. You
the formula: curve = sin(2 * pi() * (cell - 1)/(cellmax - 1)) draws one complete can, instead of typing in a number, type in a question mark to see a menu of all
cycle of a sine curve, regardless of how many cells are shown on the screen. possible formats. Try using the View command to display three or four sets of
figures in a number of the different formats available. Section 5 will describe how
you can design your own graph format. Note that the View command will show
only those cells which contain at least one value, or have a cell label. Suppose
Abacus Manual - Page 15 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 16 of 38
you want a graph containing only a few cells. Use [F4] to delete any values from sent to the printer, so it may take several minutes to print the graph. If you select
the cells you do not want to include. Delete their cell labels by using [F4] in the S for screen dump to a file, EASEL asks you to type in the name for the file. Press
Labels option of the Edit command. When you next use the View command, the [Enter] after you have typed in the name. The default extension of the file name is
resulting graph will include only those cells you want. .pic. This extension, as well as .scr, will cause a 32 kilobytes file to be saved,
containing the raw data from the screen. By using the extension .cut, the screen
3.8 THE KEY BOX When your graph shows two or more sets of figures it will will be saved in a format ready to be loaded into modern graphics programs, such
include a key box. Within this box is the name and the corresponding as QDesign. This format consists of a 10-byte header, followed by the 32 kilobytes
representation for each set of figures. You can reposition or erase the key box if of data from the screen. Using any other extension, will cause the header to be
you so wish. Note that the key box will not be shown if it would be larger than the modified slightly. Use this only if the .cut format is not suitable.
display area. One of the options in the Edit command is to move the key. If you
select this option the key is replaced by its outline, and you are offered the option 4.2 PHOTOGRAPHY The simplest, and fastest, way of obtaining a
of either deleting the key - by pressing [F4] - or moving the key by means of the permanent copy of one of your graphs is to take a photograph of the screen. You
cursor keys. If you choose the move option the cursor keys move a box equal in must, however, take a little care if you want to obtain good results. One of the
size to the key around the display area. When you finally press [Enter] the graph most common causes of a poor photograph of a television screen is using too
will be redrawn with the key in its new position. You may at some time want to short an exposure time. The picture is made up of separate lines, displayed one
restore the display of a key which you had deleted earlier. You can do this by after the other. It takes an appreciable fraction of a second to display all the lines
using the Edit command and selecting the Key option. The outline of the key will in the picture and if you use too short an exposure time the picture will be
appear. You may, if you want, move the key to a new location. Whether you move unevenly lit. It is best to use an exposure time of around a quarter of a second -
the key or not, pressing [Enter] will cause the graph to be redrawn, including a this means that you must support the camera on a tripod. An average colour film
display of the key. (for prints or transparencies) with a speed of, say, 100 ASA will need an aperture
of around [F4]. Use a long focal length lens (about 100mm) if you have one, as
4.0 PERMANENT COPIES In addition to saving your graphs in disk this will reduce the distortion caused by the curved surface of the monitor screen.
files you will, at some time, need to make a permanent copy with the Print Try to take a photograph in a darkened room, to avoid reflections of the
command or you can take a photograph of the screen. surroundings from the surface of the screen. It is surprising how strongly such
reflections show up on a photograph, even if you do not notice any when you look
through the camera viewfinder. Press [F10] to redraw the entire graph, to make
4.1. PRINTING If you have Printing from EASEL running in DosBox sure it contains all the changes you have made. Press [F2] to remove the control
a printer you can make printed requires it to be configured to direct the area and give you a larger graph. You can also press [F7] to erase the text in the
copies of your graphs. The Print printout to LPT1 or similar. As DosBox status area. Before taking the picture make sure that all the text, cell labels, axis
command simply makes a names and the key appear exactly as you want them.
was primarily designed for running legacy
printed copy of the graph
currently shown on the screen. DOS based games the config file doesn’t
It also allows you to save the have a [printer] section. 5.0 GRAPH FORMATS An EASEL graph format determines how your
screen contents to a disk file, so graph will appear. It is a collection of properties of the graph itself, independent of
Experienced users may experiment by the values that are being shown. EASEL is provided with eight graph formats,
that you can load it into another
program for further processing, using the printer driver creator PEDIT each of which is supplied with a unique set of properties when you start an EASEL
etc. Select the command by outlined in Appendix B. task. Some of the properties of each format are fixed, but there are many that you
pressing [F3] and then the P can modify yourself. When you start to produce a graph you will normally have a
key. Press the P key again to select an immediate print-out, or press the S key to good idea of the effect you want to create. In such a case you would select the
select the Screen dump option, to save the screen contents in a disk file. If you format that is closest to your needs and then modify it until it is exactly what you
select P for immediate print-out, EASEL will load a graphics printer driver, by want. The following table lists the fixed properties of each of the eight formats.
default called gprint.prt, from the help drive. The supplied version of gprint.prt,
which will work with Epson or IBM Proprinter compatible printers, will send a
screen-dump to the device currently set as SPL_USE device. It can be configured,
using QJUMP "config", to use another (fixed) device. If you do not have ToolKit II,
this would be necessary. Note that there is a large amount of information to be

Abacus Manual - Page 17 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 18 of 38

Format Representation Direction of plotting (followed by [Enter]) as for the View command. You also have the option of just
1 Bars (side-by-side) + Lines Vertical pressing [Enter], when EASEL shows you the appearance of all 8 formats. EASEL
again asks you for the format number. When you type in a number between 1 and
2 Bars (overlapping) + Lines Vertical 8, and press [Enter], EASEL draws your graph in the chosen format.
3 Bars (stacked) + Lines Vertical
4 3-D Bars Vertical 5.2 REDESIGNING A FORMAT You can redesign the appearance of any
5 Lines and Bars (side-by-side) Vertical or all of the eight different formats provided with EASEL. In all formats you are
6 Bars (overlapping) + Lines Horizontal able to change the design of individual bars, lines or pie segments, highlight
individual values and change the position and appearance of text. Use the options
7 Bars (stacked) + Lines Horizontal
of the Edit command, as described in Section 6.4.3, to change the text of the cell
8 Pie Chart Not applicable labels and axis names. remember that you can use the Change command to
modify the text and bar styles, as described in earlier chapters. In all of the
Format 4 is initially set to show all sets of figures as lines. The three types of bar formats except for format 7 you can alter the appearance of the graph paper and
use different ways of representing two or more sets of figures on a single graph. the graph axes with the following options of the Change command.
Side-by-side bars show the values in a particular cell as separate bars.
Overlapping bars are also shown side-by-side, but each of the bars in a cell 5.3 GRAPH PAPER The graph-paper option of the change command allows
slightly overlaps its neighbour. When you use stacked bars, all the bars in a cell you to select the paper colour and the colour of the grid markings. You can select
are drawn one above the other. The total height is the sum of the heights of the a graph paper from an existing set of 7 styles, or you can design a new one. The
individual bars. method of design is exactly as described for the Bar option of Change.

5.3.1 AXIS The axis option of the Change command allows you to select the axis
style for your graph. You can select an axis from an existing set of 10 styles, or
you can design a new one. The method of design is exactly as described for the
Bar option of Change. The axis design option allows you to select a colour for the
axis line, whether or not the axis line is drawn and the axis limits. EASEL
normally chooses the limits for the range of values shown on the vertical axis. It
chooses a range that allows you to see all the values in your graphs. If you select
the option to change the axis limits you are offered one of three possibilities.
Press the A key to select automatic limits. In this option EASEL selects a suitable
range, depending on the values in your graphs. The range might not include the
zero point if, for example, all the values are large and positive. Press the Z key to
select automatic limits which always include zero. This is the type of axis limits
that EASEL uses if you do not make your own choice. Press the M key if you
want to make your own choice of limits. EASEL asks you to type in the lower limit
and then the upper limit (mark the end of each value by pressing [Enter]). Note
that EASEL will override your selection if it does not cover the full range of values
in your graphs. In all cases the two limits are adjusted so that the intervals in the
scale are sensible ones. Note that the specimen axis shown at the right of the
screen, does not necessarily show the exact range that will be used in the
resulting graph. It is a representative axis and is only intended to illustrate the
general type of axis that you have chosen.

5.1 SELECTING A GRAPH FORMAT You can use the Format option of 5.4 LINE GRAPHS All graph formats except formats 3 and 7 can show sets
the Change command to select one of the eight formats. When you press: of figures by line graphs. You may use lines of various thicknesses and colours.
[F3] C F EASEL puts the text: COMMAND Change to format ? in the input You can also use 'filled' lines where the space between the line and the zero level
line and you can select a particular format by typing in a number between 1 and 8 is completely filled with colour. You may find filled lines useful for showing 'critical
Abacus Manual - Page 19 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 20 of 38
values', such as a break-even level as a background to your graph. Since bars have chosen. The colour of the line changes as it passes over any bars, lines or
and lines are both displayed on the same type of grid, you can mix bars and lines text. EASEL warns you in the status area that the line colour is not being shown
in any combination. Titles, axis labels, general text and the key box all behave in correctly. When you have finished typing in the numbers, use the View command
exactly the same way for both bars and lines. to see your graph with the correct colour and thickness of line.

5.4.1 SELECTING A LINE STYLE If you select the line option of the Change 5.5 3-D BAR CHARTS Format 4 shows your data in the form of a three-
command you can change the representation of a set of figures to use a line dimensional bar chart. Each set of figures is shown as a row of vertical
graph. First make the graph you want to change become the current figures (eg rectangular blocks, with each successive set being drawn in front of the previous
with Olddata). Then select the Line option of the Change command. The are 16 one. The chart is viewed at such an angle that the foreground bars do not
pre-defined line styles and EASEL first asks you to type in the number of the line obscure the ones behind. As you add more bars to the graph, the viewing angle is
you want. Type in the number and press [Enter], or just press [Enter] to see the changed automatically. This ensures that you can always see the height of every
selection available. Select a line by pressing the left or right cursor key. When the bar. In most respects, apart form the appearance, such a chart behaves in the
box encloses the line you want, press [Enter]. EASEL immediately draws the set same way as the two-dimensional bar charts. You may select or design bars with
of figures with the line style that you have selected. Select the line shown with a the Bar option of the Change command. In this case you can select the colours of
question mark instead of a number if you want to design your own style of line. the three visible faces of the bar. Changing the graph paper and the vertical axis
EASEL gives you a list of design options for your line. You use them exactly as markings, adding or editing text and axis names and the View command are all
was described for the Bar option, in Section 2.14. Press [Enter] to select the exactly as described in earlier sections.
highlighted option, or use the up and down cursor keys to step to the option you
want. 5.6 THE CELL CURSOR In a 2-D bar chart the vertical crosswire has two
separate functions.
5.4.1.1 LINE COLOUR selects the line colour. Select the colour with the left and
right cursor keys and press [Enter] to move to the next option. 1) It marks the cell which will show the next number you type in. You can
step the crosswire from cell to cell with the [TAB] or [Shift] and [TAB]
5.4.1.2 SYMBOLS allows you to choose whether to mark each point on the line keys.
with a symbol. ach time you select this option the symbols are switched between 2) Together with the horizontal crosswire, it locates or marks the position of
on and off. text. You can move the crosswires smoothly across the screen by means
of the cursor keys.
5.4.1.3 FILLED LINES switches between a normal line and a line which is filled
with a line colour to the horizontal axis. Each time you select this option EASEL In a 3-D bar chart these two functions are visibly separate. Change to format 4
switches between the two types of line. and type a few numbers into the graph. The cell at which the next bar will appear
is marked by a perspective view of a rectangle, known as the cell cursor. This
5.4.1.4 LINE THICKNESS allows you to choose the thickness of the line. Type in
cursor moves from cell to cell when you press the [TAB] or [Shift] and [TAB] keys.
a number between 0 (thinnest) and 100 (thickest) and press [Enter]. You can step Unlike in 2-D bar charts, these keys have no effect on the vertical crosswire. In 3-
over this option if you have selected a line filled to the axis. EASEL offers you a D bars you use the cell cursor in all cases where you need to identify a particular
final option to check that you are satisfied with the result. Press [Enter] to see the cell. It is therefore not only used when inserting or changing a cell value, but also
graph with your style of line, or use the up or down cursor keys to go back to for editing cell labels. You can edit the label at the cell marked by the cell cursor,
modify your selections. rather than the one nearest to the vertical crosswire. Now press either ¼ or ½.
The vertical crosswire appears and moves smoothly across the screen. You use
5.4.2 NUMERIC ENTRY FOR LINES If you select a format which uses a line the crosswires for locating and editing text and axis names, as for 2-D bar charts.
graph for your current figures, you can enter your data in exactly the same way as
described for bar charts - simply type them in. The only real difference between
line and bar representations appears when you are typing numbers into a set of
5.7 PIE CHARTS Format 8 shows a set of figures as a pie chart. Although a
figures represented by a line. In order to allow you to type new numbers - or pie chart is very different in appearance from a bar chart or a line graph, EASEL
change existing ones - without redrawing the whole graph for each number, allows you to create one in the same way as for any other type of graph. Note
EASEL does not use the true line colour. While you are typing in numbers, the that you can only show one set of figures at a time in pie chart format, and that
graph is drawn using a thin line - or a filled line - depending on the line style you any negative values are ignored since they have no meaning in such a diagram. If
your data contains any negative values EASEL shows a message in the status
Abacus Manual - Page 21 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 22 of 38
area, warning you that they are not included in the chart. Since you can only have options which you are allowed to use are Text-direction, Format and Segment.
one set of figures in a pie chart, the View command offers you the option of The first two of these work in exactly the same way with a pie chart as in any other
viewing the current set of figures - instead of the usual "all Figures". You can type format.
in a replacement name as usual. If you type in a list of names (separated by
commas) EASEL will display the first set of figures in the list, ignoring the rest. 5.7.5 SEGMENT You can only use the Segment option in the pie chart format. It
allows you to change the colour of a segment of the chart. Select the Segment
5.7.1 ENTERING NUMBERS To illustrate entry into a pie chart, use the Change option of the Change command by pressing: [F3] C S Then select the segment
command to change to format 8, which is the pie chart format. Then use the whose colour you want to change - press [TAB] until its label is highlighted and
Newdata command to create a new, empty, set of figures called, for example, then press [Enter]. EASEL draws the palette of possible colours in the display
"costs". EASEL draws a filled circle, labelled with the first cell label which, unless area. Press the left or right cursor keys to select the colour you want and then
you have changed it, is "Jan". Type a number and press [Enter]. EASEL redraws press [Enter]. EASEL redraws the pie chart with the segment in your chosen
the circle, but this time the number you typed in is shown under the label. The colour.
diagram is a pie chart with only one value. Now try typing in a few more numbers,
just as if you were entering values into a bar chart. Note how each section is 6.0 EASEL REFERENCE
labelled, together with its value. Figure 5.3 shows a pie chart with some numbers 6.1 THE FUNCTION KEYS The function keys are used as follows:
entered.
Key Plus Action
5.7.2 THE CELL CURSOR During data entry into a pie chart the next cell to
receive data cannot be shown by the vertical crosswire position. As in 3-D bar [F1] To obtain Help
charts, the cell cursor and the vertical crosswire are visibly different. In a pie chart [F2] Turn the prompts on and off
the cell cursor position is shown by highlighting the cell label. Press the [TAB] or [F3] Call the command menu
[Shift] [TAB] keys to move the cell cursor. If the cell marked by the cell cursor [F4] delete: text, labels, numbers, the key, user-defined objects
contains no value it is not, of course shown in the pie chart. In this case its label is
shown in a special highlighted display box at the bottom left of the display area. [F5] insert a cell
Try stepping through the labels with [TAB]. After the last labelled cell ("Dec" - [F6] Freeze the task return to Xchange - Not used in PC FOUR
unless you have changed it) the highlighting returns to the first cell. Press [F5] to [F7] erase the status area
add another cell after the one whose label is highlighted. EASEL gives each new [F10] Redraw the screen contents rescaling the graph if necessary
cell the label "unnamed". You can edit this text with the Label option of the Edit
command, as for the cell labels in a bar chart. The cell that you can edit is Move the windows, if using the Pointer Environment with
[F4] CTRL
highlighted, and you can step from label to label with the [TAB] or [Shift] [TAB] extended resolution - Not used in PC FOUR
keys before editing one. Cells not containing values are not shown in a pie chart.
Such cells, however, still exist and will be shown if you switch to another format. Note: user-defined objects are bars, lines, graph paper and axes that you have
As in bar charts and line graphs you must delete both the cell label (use the Label designed
option of the Edit command, and press [F4]) and the number in the cell (step to
the cell and press [F4]) before EASEL deletes the whole cell. Once you have 6.2 SETS OF FIGURES A set of figures is the group of numbers that are
deleted the contents of the cell and its label, the cell becomes an "unnamed" cell. shown as a single graph. You must give a name to each set of figures, although
As in the other formats, EASEL deletes such a cell when the graph is next Easel gives the name 'figures' to the set that is available to you when you first
redrawn. enter an Easel task. You name a set of figures when you create the set, either
with the newdata command or by using a formula. You can change the name of
5.7.3 TEXT You can add, delete, and move text and titles exactly as described in an existing set of figures with the rename command. When you create a new set
Sections 2.9 and 2.15. You use the horizontal and vertical crosswires in the of figures, or rename an existing set, it becomes the current figures - ie the one
normal way for adding, editing or moving such ordinary text. which you can affect by typing new numbers. The name of the current set of
figures is shown in the status area. The current set of figures need not be shown
5.7.4 THE CHANGE COMMAND Graph paper, bars, lines and graph axes have on the screen (eg you could exclude it with the view command) but always
no meaning for a pie chart. EASEL does not allow you to use these options of the becomes visible when you change it.
Change command when you are working with the pie chart format. The only
Abacus Manual - Page 23 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 24 of 38
6.3 REPRESENTATIONS A representation is the way that a set of figures is thickness, and (for the colour display) the colour of the symbol used for each point
shown on the screen. For example, you may represent a set of figures by a on the line. You may also select a filled line, where the space between the line
particular style of bar, or by a particular design of line. You may, in general, show and the zero level on the graph is colour-filled. Easel will not allow you to select
a set of figures in any of the many possible line or bar representations. Each of this option in format 7 (a pie chart). Segment - to select the colour of a particular
the eight formats is provided with its own set of representations. You may change pie chart segment. Easel will only allow you to select this option in format 7 (a pie
the representations to match your needs. chart). Text - to select the colour and direction of text. You can select, from a
palette of colours, the colour for all subsequently added (or edited) text. You may
also select whether the text is to be drawn horizontally or vertically. Each time you
select this option the text switches from one direction to the other. Any existing
text will retain its original direction, but new text will appear in the selected
direction, until you change it again.

6.4.2 DEFAULTS Allows you to select whether you use a 40 or 80 character

6.4 EASEL COMMANDS The commands allow you to use many of the more display, and to set up different colours where available. Press '4' to select the 40
advanced facilities. All commands are selected by pressing [F3] and then the first column, low-resolution 8 colour mode, press '6' for 64 column display or '8' for 80
letter of the command. The following commands are provided. column display to select the high-resolution 4 colour mode. The 8 colour mode
may not be available on all hardware platforms, such as the Atari machines
running SMSQ, or similar.

6.4.1 CHANGE Allows you to modify the appearance of any feature of the graph.
Press the first letter of an option to select it. You are offered the following options:
Axis - to select the axis markings. You can alter the colour of the axes and the 6.4.3 EDIT The edit command allows you to modify or move text, labels and the
axis limits. You may also select whether or not the axis lines are to be drawn. key. You are asked to choose between the following four options: Text - you can
Easel will not allow you to select this option in format 8 (a pie chart). The option to move the crosswires to lock on to the nearest piece of text and then use the line
change the axis limits allows you to choose between automatic (chosen by Easel) editor to change the wording. When you are satisfied with the text you should
or manual limits. Press the 'A' key for automatic limits or the 'Z' key for automatic press [Enter]. You are then offered the option of moving the text to a new position
limits which always include zero. Alternatively, press the 'M' key to select manual with the cursor keys. Press [Enter] when you are satisfied with the position.
limits. In this case you must type values for both limits. Easel may modify your Edited text is shown in the direction set by the last use of the Text-direction option
choices of limits to ensure that the whole of your graph is shown, with simple of the change command. The only exceptions are the axis names, which are fixed
numeric values on the scale. Note that the stacked bar formats (2 and 6) will in direction. Labels - the crosswires lock on to the nearest cell label and you can
always include zero on the axis, regardless of your selection of axis limits. Bar - to then edit the text of the label as in the text option. Press [TAB] (or [Shift] [TAB]) to
select or define the style of bar used to represent the current set of figures. You switch between labels. In the pie format the label to be edited is marked by the
may choose one of the 1 previously defined bars by its number, or by example. cell cursor. When you press [Enter] at the end of your editing you are not offered
The choice by example option allows you to select a bar or to design a new one. the option of moving the label; cell labels can not be moved. Key - you are
You can choose the bar fill colour and the border colour and thickness. Easel will immediately offered the option of moving the key box with the cursor keys. When
not allow you to select this option in format 7 (a pie chart). Format - to redefine the outline of the key box is in the position you want you should press [Enter]. The
the appearance of the entire graph. You may choose one of the 8 defined key box is then redrawn in its new position. Axis - you are asked to press either
formats by its number, or by example. Graph-paper - to select one of the 7 the 'V' or the 'H' key to select the vertical or the horizontal axis name. The
different graph papers, or to replace one with your own design. You can select crosswires lock on the chosen name and you can edit the text and then reposition
both the background colour and the colour of the grid markings. Easel will not it as for the Text option. In general, in the edit command you can use [F4] to
allow you to select this option in format 8 (a pie chart). Line - to select one of the delete the item being edited.
16 line styles, or design your own line. You can choose the line colour and
Abacus Manual - Page 25 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 26 of 38
 you to select or design a bar to be used for all negative values in the current set of
figures.

6.4.6 KILL Erases the data for one or more sets of figures. When you select this
command you are asked to type in a list of the names of the figures you want to
delete, separated by commas and ending with [Enter]. You can, if you like, type in
6.4.4 FILES Allows you to modify Easel files previously saved on a disk, or to the text all figures.
transfer data files to or from another of the members of the PC-FOUR family.
Press the first letter of an option to select it. Whenever anoption asks you for a file 6.4.7 LOAD Loads a previously saved graph from a disk. Easel asks you to type
name you can press '?' for a list of the files on a given drive. You are offered the in the name of the file to be loaded. All the design options are loaded with the data
following options: Delete deletes a named file from a disk. Note that this command so that the graph of the loaded data has exactly the same appearance as it had
is not reversible and should therefore be used with great care. Export exports a when it was saved. If you do not specify a file name extension, Easel assumes an
named file. Type the name you want the file to have, then press [Enter]. If you do extension of .grf.
not specify a file name extension for the file, Easel will supply an extension of
.exp. The file will contain all the sets of figures currently displayed on the screen, 6.4.8 NEWDATA Creates a new set of figures, which becomes the "current
the names of these sets of figures and the text of the cell labels. Note that it does figures". You are asked to type in the name of the new set (no quotation marks
not necessarily include all the sets of figures that are in the computer's memory. are needed). When you press [Enter] you are returned to data entry mode, ready
The file is saved in a form suitable for being imported by other members of the to enter values.
PC-FOUR family. If the file is imported into, for example, the spreadsheet program
Abacus, the names and cell labels become spreadsheet labels. See the 'Appendix 6.4.9 OLDDATA Makes an existing set of figures the "current figures". You are
A' for further details. Import imports a named file. Allows Easel to read data files asked to type in the name of the existing set (no quotation marks are needed).
exported from other members of the PC-FOUR family and display them in When you press [Enter] you are returned in data entry mode, ready to change or
graphical form. Type the name of the file which you wish to import. If you do not add to this set of values.
specify a file name extension for the file, Easel will assume an extension of .exp.
Example file structure - from CashFlow.EXP - see 3.4 and Examples.ZIP 6.4.10 PRINT Prints the graph
Printing from EASEL running in DosBox
that is currently displayed on the
requires it to be configured to direct the
screen. 5 options are presented:
Print Press the 'P' key to print the printout to LPT1 or similar. As DosBox
graph directly on your printer. If was primarily designed for running legacy
your printer is not Epson / IBM DOS based games the config file doesn’t
Proprinter compatible, you should have a [printer] section.
first use the 'I' option (see below)
to install a suitable printer driver. Experienced users may experiment by
The default printer driver, for using the printer driver creator PEDIT
Epson / IBM printers, is called outlined in Appendix B.
6.4.5 HIGHLIGHT This command allows you to use a special style to represent a "gprint.prt", and should be located
particular number in a set of figures, or all negative values in a bar chart. Easel on the help device. Screen dump to file Press the 'S' key to send a screen dump
first asks you to press either the 'V' key to highlight a particular value, or to press to a file. You are asked to type in the name of the file, which is assumed to have a
'N' to highlight all negative values. You are not allowed to select this second file name extension of ".pic". This results in a raw 32 kilo-bytes screen dump, as
option for a pie chart. If you choose to highlight a value Easel asks you to select does using the extension ".scr". Using the extension ".cut" produces a file suitable
the value. Press [TAB] (or [Shift] [TAB]) to select the cell you want to highlight and for loading by Qdesign or any other modern drawing program. Such a file consists
then press [Enter]. In the case of a bar graph you are shown the selection of of a 10 byte header followed by 32 kilo-bytes. Using any other extension produces
defined bars, and can choose one - or design a new one - as in the Bar option of a file with a slightly modified header. Epson plotter Press the 'E' key to send the
change. In a pie chart the selected segment is detached from the remainder of the graph to an Epson HI-80 pen plotter connected to the serial port. H-P plotter Press
pie. If you select the option to highlight negative values, Easel immediately asks the 'H' key to send the graph to an Hewlett-Packard 7475 pen plotter connected to
the serial port. Install new graphics printer Press the 'I' key to install a new printer
Abacus Manual - Page 27 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 28 of 38
driver. The default graphics printer driver is called "gprint.prt", and is suitable for 6.5 FUNCTIONS Think of a function as a kind of recipe which converts a
Epson and IBM Proprinter compatible printers. The default graphics printer driver, number of initial values, known as the function's arguments, into a different value,
"gprint.prt", can be configured to send the screen dump to either the current which is said to be the value this is returned by the function. The functions
SPL_USE device, or to a fixed device. The former is the default, the latter will be provided by Easel take one or no arguments. The argument for a function is
necessary, if you do not use ToolKit II, or do not wish to use the SPL_USE device. placed in brackets after its name. You must not leave a space between the name
and the opening bracket, but spaces are allowed within the brackets, even if they
6.4.11 QUIT Discards the current Easel task and returns to DOS. You are offered take no arguments. The presence of the brackets is a useful reminder that you are
the options to press [Enter] to confirm your choice and return to DOS, or to press referring to a function. They allow you to distinguish between the name of a set of
[Esc] to cancel the command and return to Easel's command menu. figures and a function, even if they have the same name. The following functions
are provided:
6.4.12 RENAME This command allows you to rename an existing set of figures.
Easel asks you to type in the old name and then the new name. Press [Enter] at ABS(n) Returns the absolute value, that is the numerical value irrespective of its
the end of each name. The renamed set becomes the current figures. You may sign, of the argument. For example, abs(5) and abs(-5) both return the value 5.
use upper or lower case characters for the name of a set of figures. Easel ignores
the case when you refer to the name in a formula. ATN(n) Returns the angle, in radians, whose tangent is n.

6.4.13 SAVE Saves a graph as a disk file. It saves only those set of figures COS(n) Returns the cosine of the given (radian) angle.
currently shown on the screen. You are asked to type in a name under which the
figures will be saved. If you do not specify a file name extension, Easel assumes DEG(n) Takes an angle, measured in radians, and converts it to the same angle
an extension of .grf. All the properties of the graph, such as the bar colours, are in degrees.
saved with the figures. Note that the saved graph is dependant on the monitor
type you were using when you created it. EXP(n) Returns the value of the constant e (approximately 2.718) raised to the
power n. The returned value will be in error if n is greater than +82, since the
6.4.14 VIEW Re-displays your graph, showing all or any of your sets of figures. result will then exceed the numeric range of Easel.
Easel suggests that all sets of figures are to be displayed and you can either
accept this suggestion, by pressing [Enter], or type in a list of the names of those INT(n) Returns the integer value of a number, by truncating at the decimal point.
sets that you want to be displayed. You should separate the names in the list by The truncation always operates towards zero. For example:
commas and end the list by pressing [Enter]. You are then offered a suggested
format number for the display. You can accept the suggested format (which is int(3.7) returns 3
the last one you were using) by pressing [Enter], or you can type in your own int(-4.8) returns -4
choice of format number, followed by [Enter]. In the pie chart format Easel
suggests only the name of the current set of figures. If you type in a list of names LN(n) Returns the natural, or base e, logarithm of n. An error results if n is
of figures to be shown in this format Easel shows a pie chart of the first name in negative or zero, since logarithms are not defined in this range.
the list and ignores the remaining names.
PI() Returns the value of the mathematical constant pi.
6.4.15 ZAP This command erases all text, all sets of figures and all user-defined
objects (bars, lines and so on) from your current Easel task. It also restores the RAD() Takes an angle, measured in degrees, and converts it to the same angle
original month labels for the cells. It does not, however, restore the original in radians.
appearance of the graph formats, but leaves any changes that you may have
made (for example, a change of graph paper, or of the bar designs that a format SGN(n) Returns +1, -1, or 0 depending on whether n is positive, negative or zero.
uses).
SIN(n) Returns the value of the sine of the specified (radian) angle.

SQR(n) Returns the square root of the number n, which must not be negative.

TAN(n) Returns the tangent of the specified (radian) angle.

Abacus Manual - Page 29 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 30 of 38
6.6 CELL and CELLMAX The following two items are not strictly functions, 6.8 THE START-UP PARAMETERS When you first load Easel it is in
although they do return a value. They may only be used within a formula which the state described by the following list. You can change each of the
creates a new set of figures. properties by the method indicated in the right hand column.

CELL Within an expression or formula, cell returns the number of each cell. It has
a value of 1 in the first cell, 2 in the second, and so on. A simple example, to Feature Initially Change By
create a set of figures called "example" is: example = cell
Default (screen) 40 Column (coloured) [F3] Design C - 4 or 8
CELLMAX Within an expression or formula cellmax returns - in each cell - the Number of cells 12 (months) [F3] Edit Labels [F4]
total number of cells currently being used. You can, for example, find the number
of cells in your graph by creating a new set of figures called, for example, "size" Format 1 [F3] Edit Format (?)
with the formula: size = cellmax Graph Paper 1 [F3] Change Graph (?)
Axis 1 [F3] Change Axis (?)
6.7 GPRINT.PRT The current version of gprint.prt, V1.01, is based upon the
original gprint.prt supplied with EASEL, but with a number of improvements. Bar 3 [F3] Change Bar (?)
Gprint.prt has been altered to work with EASEL even on extended resolution Line 1 [F3] Change Line (?)
machines, in both MODE 4 and MODE 8. This version of gprint.prt should work
with Epson and IBM Proprinter compatible printers, since the printer control codes Text While [F3] Change Text
"ESC A 8" has been replaced by "ESC 3 24". This way of setting the linefeed
distance works on both Epson and IBM, whereas "ESC A 8" only works on Epson.
Gprint_prt works on extended resolution machines, as it now always uses the
correct screen addresses, by reading -4(A5) and -6(A5), in a way similar to the
updated graphics routines in Xchange. Gprint.prt now only prints the necessary After issuing a Zap command some of the parameters are retained..
graphics area, leaving out the area used by the menu and the editing and status
area. Further, the device-name used has been made configurable (using Qjump
CONFIG), and by giving an empty string as device-name, the current SPL_USE
setting will be used. The introduction of these patches means that this gprint.prt
cannot be used outside Xchange, mostly because of it's dependence upon A5
being set up to point to the Xchange "system variables", but also because it does
not dump the entire screen. The assembly-source of gprint.prt is supplied as
epsonibm.asm, in case you need to adapt it for other printers.

Abacus Manual - Page 31 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 32 of 38

 EASEL does not use the first
Appendix A piece of text 'cashflow'. When you
export a set of figures from
Import, Export and Transfer EASEL, it automatically inserts
You can transfer information between the programs of the PC-FOUR family with a the text 'label' in this position to
comprehensive set of import and export commands. The information used by, for maintain compatibility with
example, ABACUS, ARCHIVE and EASEL is very similar in nature, in that it can ABACUS and ARCHIVE. If we
always be represented in the form of a table. Transferring information between were to import this same export
them is therefore straightforward. QUILL handles formatted text which cannot, in file to ARCHIVE, the result would
general, be represented in tabular form. It must be treated in a different way from be a data file containing three
the other members of PC-FOUR. Each member PC-FOUR has its own Export and records, each of which would
Import commands, usually as an option within the files command. ARCHIVE, have four field names cashflow$
however has separate Export and Import commands within its programming (a text field) costs sales and
language. profits (numeric fields).

First consider the direct use of the Export command of one task and the Import Rules
command of another. These commands are described in the commands section. To make sure that export files are compatible with all
Export creates a named file which is automatically saved on disk. This file can members of PC-FOUR there are a few rules to remember
then be imported to another task, or to several tasks. The export file remains about exported data. They mainly affect the export of
available until you decide to delete it. information from ABACUS.

Let us first consider export and import between ABACUS, ARCHIVE and EASEL. (1) When you export the contents of a grid from
The export files produced by all three programs are identical in structure and can ABACUS, the section of the grid being exported must have text in the first
be imported to any of them, regardless of the program of origin. Suppose we cell of each row (or of each column if you export it in column order). The
have an ABACUS grid containing the following information ready for Exporting: text must not include spaces but an underscore, for example net_profit is
acceptable.
(2) If the first cell of any row (or column) of an ABACUS grid is empty, that
row (or column) is not exported. There must be data in the cell
immediately following the text cell in each exported row (or column). The
type of this data (numeric or text) determines the data type used for all the
data in the rest of that row (or column). Each row (or column) must
If we exported this data and then imported it to EASEL, it would be interpreted as therefore contain all numeric or all text data.
(3) You can export files from ABACUS or ARCHIVE which contain several
three sets of figures, named 'sales', 'costs' and 'profits'. EASEL interprets the first
sets of textual data. EASEL can only export a file containing one set of
set of text items that it finds - in this case the month names - as the cell labels for
the graph. textual data - the cell labels.
(4) If you import a file containing several sets of data to EASEL, it uses the
The scheme is: first set for its cell labels and ignores all following sets of text.
cell labels>January,February,March The Export File Structure
sales graph>1000,1050,1100
The export file consists of a series of records. Each record ends with the two
costs graph>500,530,560
profits graph>500,520,540 characters <CR> (ASCII code 13) and <LF> (ASCII code 10). The import
commands will, however, accept either of these characters - or the two together,
in either order - as an end of record marker. The end of the file is marked by a
control-Z (^Z) character (ASCII code 26).Each record consists of a series of
values, separated by commas. The values are either text (which is enclosed in
quotes) or numbers. The first item in each record must be text. If its name ends
Abacus Manual - Page 33 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 34 of 38
with a dollar sign, the following values must be all text. Otherwise the following Appendix B
values must be all numeric. The export file produced by exporting the data of from
ABACUS. Printer Drivers
Use PEDIT to create an appropriate printer driver. For any PC FOUR
"cashflow$","sales","costs","profits"<CR><LF>
application to print it requires a printer configuration file: TPRINT.RES
"January",1000,500,500<CR><LF>
"February",1050,530,520<CR><LF> for text based applications and GPRINT.RES for the Easel Application.
"March",1100,560,540<CR><LF>
^Z
Export and Import for QUILL
Since QUILL works with formatted text ,a file imported to QUILL must be a plain
text file, rather than the normal tabular export file structure. QUILL will accept any
ASCII text containing form feeds and line feeds (ASCII codes 12 and 10
respectively) in addition to the printable ASCII characters. Any other characters in
the file are simply ignored. QUILL interprets a line feed as the end of a paragraph
and a form feed as a page break. The Export commands of ABACUS and
ARCHIVE can produce text files suitable for import by QUILL. ARCHIVE can also
export a formatted report to QUILL. You do this by printing (with lprint ) the report
to a file, using the export option of the spoolon command. A file exported from
QUILL contains only plain text and line feed characters, marking the end of each
paragraph. In general, a file exported from QUILL is not suitable for import to the
other members of PC-FOUR. The main purpose is to be able to produce text files
that are readable by a wide range of other programs. (You can, however, write
text - containing the necessary quotation marks, dollar signs and commas - that
will result in an export file that can be imported to ABACUS, ARCHIVE or EASEL.)
To run PEDIT ensure PEDIT.EXE and PRINTER.RES are in the same
One obvious use of export from QUILL is to allow you to write or edit programs.
You can, for example, write ARCHIVE programs in QUILL. Once you have directory. Use [Edit] to adapt or create a new printer driver. Using
exported them, they are in a suitable form for immediate loading and running. [Install] will place (or overwrite) the TPRINT.RES in the same directory.

Import from PSION Organiser II Pocket Spreadsheet

Connect the Organiser to a PC with Psi2Win select [Plan] and [Load]
the pocket spreadsheet file. Use [Mode][File][export][Dif] filename.
In abacus use [F3] File
Transfer Load Diff
filename. This will
transfer the ‘data’ but
all the formulae and
formatting will be lost.

Abacus Manual - Page 35 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 36 of 38

Appendix C Manual display suggestions
Zip file contents. PCFOUR.ZIP and Examples.ZIP Print the manual pages - 2 up on A4 landscape single sided. Centre cut
to A5 sheets and place in A5 Poly Pocket Ring Binder or A5 Display
PCFOUR.ZIP PCFOUR.ZIP book presentation folder.
Group.aba Example Spreadsheet Blunders.doc
Quill Documents
GemEasel.app GEM OS Application Resign.doc
ABACUS.EXE ABACUS.TSL Xchange Task files
ARCHIVE.EXE PC-FOUR ARCHIVE.TSL try QUILL Import
Applications, including [F3] [O]ther [F]iles
EASEL.EXE EASEL.TSL
the printer driver editor [I]mport name.TSL
PEDIT.EXE (PEDIT) QUILL.TSL
QUILL.EXE
Company.dbf
Expenses.dbf Examples.ZIP
PCFOUR.ZIP
Gazet.dbf Birds.doc Birds list document
Supplied example
Payrol.dbf database files QuillMan.doc Quill Manual
Persons.dbf Template.doc Quill 9.1
Salaries.dbf Examples.aba Abacus 3.3
Blunders.exp Export file for Quill CashFlow.aba Abacus 5.1
ABBA.HOB BarChart.aba Abacus 5.2
ARCHV.HOB Cheques.aba Abacus 5.4
Application Help Files
GRAF.HOB AutoBar.aba Abacus 5.6
QUILL.HOB Mortable.aba Abacus 5.7.1
Expenses.IX1 MortCalc.aba Abacus 5.7.2
Payrol.IX1 IRR.aba Abacus 5.8
Example database
Persons.IX1 HPC02.aba Abacus 5.9
index files
Salaries.IX1 IECshFlw.aba Abacus Appendix A
Persons.IX2 MailList.prg Archive 9.0
*.OVL Easel print overlays QPSION.csv Archive 14.0
Demo.prg Example database QPSION.exp
Persons.prg programme files QuizPack.scn
Printer.res QuizPack.prg
Printer driver files
TPrint.res Qarchive.exp
Gazet.scn Qquill.csv
Database Screen
Helpp.scr CashFlow.exp
Layout files for Archive Easel 3.4
Persons.scn CashFlow.grf

Abacus Manual - Page 37 of 38 Abacus Manual - Page 38 of 38