Church Directory, Phone Numbers and birthdays

[bjwhitson]

I've read all the questions that I could find about printing church directories back to the 2003 postings. I found a few answers but not the one that I really need.

Our current directory lists all contact info that we have for families. Some families only give us home phone numbers, but others give us their home number, both parents' work numbers, their cell numbers, their fax numbers plus work and home emails. Lots of data, but people don't seem to mind our printing it if they gave it to us.

I've looked at all 4 directory options and the topics that have been posted here and still have 2 questions - 1) how can I print ALL the contact information that I have available and 2) can birthdates be added to the directory formats that don't currently have it?

I haven't tried a custom report yet as I'm not that familiar with Access. Can the online class schedule be set up to include a class on Custom reports?

I've used PC+ for a year now and absolutely love it. I've even recommended it to users on other software online forums who can't get that product to print something as simple as a contribution report. And they promote their software as a Non-Profit package!

Thanks, folks, for all you do!

[NeilZ]

I've read all the questions that I could find about printing church directories back to the 2003 postings. I found a few answers but not the one that I really need.

Our current directory lists all contact info that we have for families. Some families only give us home phone numbers, but others give us their home number, both parents' work numbers, their cell numbers, their fax numbers plus work and home emails. Lots of data, but people don't seem to mind our printing it if they gave it to us.

I've looked at all 4 directory options and the topics that have been posted here and still have 2 questions - 1) how can I print ALL the contact information that I have available and 2) can birthdates be added to the directory formats that don't currently have it?

I haven't tried a custom report yet as I'm not that familiar with Access. Can the online class schedule be set up to include a class on Custom reports?

I've used PC+ for a year now and absolutely love it. I've even recommended it to users on other software online forums who can't get that product to print something as simple as a contribution report. And they promote their software as a Non-Profit package!

Thanks, folks, for all you do!

FWIW ... the database is not Access, and you don't need access to create a custom directory.

The only way to add info other than that allowed in the built-in formats is through a custom directory.

Here is an article that gives you the step-by-step directions on how to create such a directory: http://www.powerchurch.com/support/answ ... icle_id=25

[bjwhitson]

Thanks, Neil, for your quick response. This has given me a good starting point. I can recreate the report as described in the example you sent. When I try to add more fields, such as additional phone numbers, I can't see them on the screen to move them around. Can you save the file in any format other than a text file?
BJ

[NeilZ]

Thanks, Neil, for your quick response. This has given me a good starting point. I can recreate the report as described in the example you sent. When I try to add more fields, such as additional phone numbers, I can't see them on the screen to move them around. Can you save the file in any format other than a text file?
BJ

Sorry, I'm not sure what file you're talking about.

If you're following the directions, you should be able to add additional items the same way you added the primary fields If you could explain exactly what you mean by not being able to see them on the screen. Do you mean when you are formatting the directory, or some other area?

[bjwhitson]

Ok, Sorry I'll try to explain while I'm creating the report.

I get to step 5 and have added "address Line2", "profile phone1", "profile phone2", "email" then finished with "birthdate". Steps 6-10 are completed as described.

Step 11 - In the space between "Group Header" and "Detail" the following fields are visible - "lastname", "firstname_a", "nameline", "address" and "address2". Nothing else is displayed. No phone numbers, no email , no birthdate, nothing. The form on the screen stops at about 8 1/2" across the top. When I scroll up the arrows on the side and bottom of the screen, there is nothing to scroll over to to see any additional data.

step 12 - the fields above the "Page Header" section are "Last name, "First Name, "Mailing Name, "Address" and "Address2". Nothing else. I delete them all .

Step 13 - I add "phone1", "firstname_b" and Birthdate (how in the world are we supposed to know that formula?) I also insert "env no" and the expression "qmf_temp.mephn1_desc+qmf_temp.mephn1" which I hope is the description and phone number of each profile within the family.

Step 14 thru 18 - completed as described. Step 19 - when I run the report, it prints 3 familes per page with too much space between lines. In the one family that has so much contact info, it prints 3 of the 4 people in the family, prints the description" Work Phone", but no phone number.

When I try to save the file to manipulate it, it saves the data to a text file and it still doesn't have all the data that I thought I extracted.

Neal, this is a long, drawn-out descriptin of what I've just tried to do. If you think I should call Tech support, I can. We've spent so much time getting this data base up and running, I just hate the thought of having to recreate our directory in MS Word. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
BJW

[Zorak]

To "add" the fields into the report form, click the New Field button on the toolbar. It has an icon with a box and the letters "ab". Once this tool is armed, click into the report form in the general area you would like to add the new field. The "Field Properties" window will open. Click the ellipses button ("...") next to the "Expression" field. Enter the name of the field in the expression field. A list of available output fields is located at the bottom left of the screen.