Create your own .MCP or .MDB files

Intro

You can use ATSCmon to create your own .mcp or .mdb files, even if you don't have MS Excel or MS Access installed. This is a very helpful feature under many circumstances, particularly in the creation of the much smaller .mcp files. When you're out in the field with a laptop without Office installed, trying to send the entire ATCSdb.mdb file can be a hassle, not only becuase of its's size, but also that .mdb files are considered viruses by many free internet e-mail providers (Hotmail, Gmail, etc)... i.e, they permanently block the attachment.

Creating the File

No matter your file format preference, creating them is the same.

• With ATCSMon open, go to the 'Configure' tab, click on it, then go down to 'MCP Information' tab and click on it (or just press Alt-C, then M).
  • You should now have another window titled 'Configure MCP Information' with the address to your ATCSdb.mdb file in the right of the title block.

• To make it easier to sort through the MCPs, maximize the window (Alt-Space, then X).

• You can now select the MCPs you wish to export.
  • You can sort the MCPs by any of the headings by simply clicking on that heading. One click will sort ascending, another click will sort descending. An arrow will appear denoting which sort is occurring. Note that blanks come before any letters.
    • Note that filling in the MCP fields completely (i.e, Subdivision) will make sorting and finding them much easier

• If the MCPs you wish to select are not separated by other MCPS, you can simply left-click on the open space in the right of the window and hold the left mouse button, then drag the selection box over the MCPs you want to export. Note that the window will automatically scroll up or down while dragging this box.

• If the MCPs are separated by other MCPs that you do not wish to export, hold down either Control (Ctrl) key to select more than one.
  • You can still use the selection box with the Ctrl key, but you must release the Ctrl key in order to scroll to your next group, then press it agian BEFORE making you next selection(s)
  • If you are selecting them individually, you must release the Ctrl key in order to scroll, then press it again BEFORE making your next selection(s).
  • Do not click anywhere in the white window without having the Ctrl key pressed. If you do, all prior selections will be lost. (You can use this to clear your selections).

• You can sort with MCPs selected, just be sure to click on the heading, and not the white area underneath.

• Once you have selected the MCPs you wish to export, click on 'Export' in the lower right-hand of the window(Alt-X).

• • A standard Windows save box will appear. Select the save location and type in a filename.
  • Next to 'Save as Type' you can select which format you wish to save as... MDB is the default, you'll have to click the down arrow and then click on MCP to save it as such (or Tab to it and use the down arrow key and enter).
  • Save it! (Alt-S)

Comments/Questions

-- RobbFisher - 02 Mar 2007