Select the desired output format. Report headings, report date, column headings, page numbers and subtotals are included only when using the Report format. Available output formats include:

Report Use the Report output format if you will be using Tabs3 Report Writer to create your final product. Headings and subtotals are included in the report.
Fixed The Fixed output format is a sequential file that consists of one client record per line in a fixed field format. Each client record is separated by a line feed and carriage return. Each client record may consist of multiple fields. Each field for each client begins in the same character position for each client record.
Variable

The Variable output format is also a sequential file that consists of one client record per line but in a variable field format. Each client record may consist of multiple fields. Each field within a client record begins following the end of the previous field. Each field is separated by a comma. Alphanumeric fields are enclosed within double quotation marks (to allow use of commas).

When comparing the Fixed Length Format and the Variable Length Format, the variable length format requires less storage space than the Fixed Length Format because the blank spaces are not extracted. However, the format that you select will be dependent upon the requirements of the other software program that you will be using in conjunction with the file you are extracting.

Note: The use of double quotes in Tabs3 data may cause problems for the software that will be used to work with the variable length file.

dBase III The dBase III output format is used for files that will be imported into dBase III. You may want to specify a file extension of "DBF" when exporting the information. After creating a dBase III Output Format file, simply start dBase III and "USE" the dBase file.

Note: Appendix B in the Tabs3 Report Writer manual contains a list of field names that will be used for a dBase III Output Format file.

WordPerfect The WordPerfect output format is used for files that will be imported into WordPerfect. Each client record is separated by a Merge E (^E followed by a hard return). Each field is separated by a Merge R (^R).

Note: The merge codes used in the WordPerfect output format are WordPerfect Version 4.2 merge codes. Later versions of WordPerfect will work with these codes. Additional information regarding how to import WordPerfect Mail Merge files can be found in Knowledge Base article R11078, "How to Import WordPerfect Mail Merge Files for Label Creation" (support.tabs3.com).

MS Word The MS Word output format is used for mail-merge files that will be imported into Microsoft Word. The first record in the file is a header record which includes field names for each of the fields. Each subsequent line consists of a single client record in a variable field format. Each field is separated by a comma and is enclosed within double quotation marks.

Note: Appendix C in the Tabs3 Report Writer manual contains a list of field names that will be used for an MS Word Output Format file.