Understanding the five input modes

You can set each cell of the template to one of these five input modes:

Keyboard

This is the default input mode for most cells when you create a new template. It waits for the operator to do one of the following before processing any commands from the Formula or Builder formula boxes:

When a cell is configured for the Keyboard input mode, it will look similar to these examples:

keyboard input mode with no formulas or builder formulas

keyboard input mode with user-entered formulas

keyboard input mode with builder formulas

keyboard input mode with both user-entered formulas and builder formulas

RS232

This input mode reads one ASCII string from a COM port on your computer, before processing any commands from the Formula or Builder formula boxes.

Using this input mode is similar to using the RS232 or RS0 command to read a text string. If you need to perform more advanced RS-232 communication, such as sending a text string to the COM port, you should use the Formula input mode with RS-232 commands instead of using the RS232 input mode.

When a cell is configured for the RS232 input mode, it will display a picture of a COM port like these examples:

RS232 input mode with no formulas or builder formulas

RS232 input mode with user-entered formulas

You can view or edit the RS-232 settings by selecting this cell, choosing one of the COM port numbers (0-12) from the Port list, and then clicking Com n: settings.

Note: If you need to use this input mode to read from COM port 0, you should also use the formula DE_OPT 30, 1 to make this input mode compatible with COM port 0. This DE_OPT command should be executed before the template encounters the first cell in RS232 input mode.

 

File

This input mode reads one line from the specified ASCII text file, before processing any commands from the Formula or Builder formula boxes.

Using this input mode is similar to using the FOPEN and FREAD commands to read a line of text. If you need to perform more advanced operations, such as discarding header rows or appending data to a file, you should use the Formula input mode with file commands instead of using the File input mode.

When a cell is configured for the File input mode, it will display a picture of a file cabinet like these examples:

file input mode with no formulas or builder formulas

file input mode with user-entered formulas

To view or change which file this template will open, select this cell and then view the File box:

GagePort

This input mode provides a special interface for the GageTalker GagePort. It reads data from the GagePort before processing any commands from the Formula or Builder formula boxes.

When a cell is configured for the GagePort input mode, it will display a picture of a GagePort like these examples:

GagePort input mode with no formulas or builder formulas

GagePort input mode with user-entered formulas

For details on using this GagePort interface, see Setting Up a Template for GagePort Entry.

Formula

This input mode will immediately process any commands from the Formula and Builder formula boxes, without waiting for input from the operator or a device.

When a cell is configured for the Formula input mode, it will display the symbol like these examples:

Formula input mode with no formulas or builder formulas

Formula input mode with user-entered formulas

 

More:

Changing the input mode for one or more cells

Template Wizard Step 5

Command Order and Syntax