Modifying Standard Fields with Database Designer

By default Database Designer, the tool for creating, modifying and deleting custom fields, does not allow you to modify standard fields. However there are times one would like to modify the definition of the standard fields of Excel Invoice Manager.

For example, you may like to expand the size of the Product Name (Product Description) field. This document explains how to do this.

1. Download the modifying_standard_fields.zip file.
2. Unzip the file you download.
3. Double-click ModifyingStandardFields.reg to import it into Windows registry.

   
   Import registry file (Click to enlarge)

4. Exit Microsoft Excel if it is running.
5. Start Database Designer. You can find it on: Windows Start menu -> (All) Programs -> OFFICE-KIT.COM -> Excel Invoice Manager -> Database Designer.
6. Click Next.
7. Click Open Database Definition File. By default database definition file is stored in the same folder where you store your database file. Database definition file is always named as "FDINFO10.rst". For more information about how Excel Invoice Manager stores files, please see Installing / Upgrading.
8. Click Backup to backup your database definition file. This helps you to restore to a working version in case it is damaged.
9. Click Next.
10. Check Display Standard Fields.
11. Click Product in the Tables list.
12. Click ProductName in the Columns/Fields list.

    
    Select a field (Click to enlarge)

13. Click Modify Field.
14. Modify the size as you need. For example you can set the size to 255 (the max allowed size) if you need more space to store your product descriptions.

    
    Set field size (Click to enlarge)

15. Click OK.
16. Since the ProductName field needs to be stored in the Invoice Body table too, you now click the Invoice Body table in the Tables list.
17. Click ProductName in the Columns/Fields list.
18. Click Modify Field. Set the size to the same as you do for the Product table.
19. Click Save to save the modified database definition file.
20. Click Next.
21. Click Select database file to open your database file.
22. Backup the database file.
23. Click Apply.
24. Click Finish to exit Database Designer.

Please note in this example you need to modify the validations of the invoice template too, in order to make the template allow more text to be entered into the Product Description (ProductName) cells. To do this:

1. Open your invoice template.
2. Unprotect the Invoice worksheet. (How?)
3. Drag your mouse to select all Product Description cells.
4. In Excel 2000/XP/2003, click Excel menu Data -> Validation.
5. Set the Maximum value to the size of the ProductName field, say 255.

   
   Data validation (Click to enlarge)

6. Protect the Invoice worksheet again. (How?)

Note:

1. You cannot delete standard fields with Database Designer.