Spreadsheet Options

Spreadsheet Options - File

Auto Update GenStat

If this is enabled, GenStat data is updated from the spreadsheet whenever input focus is switched to another window or menu. If the spreadsheet is loaded from a file, the entire data set is sent on the first update. Subsequent updates only send modified values. If a new spreadsheet is opened with GenStat data, only the modifications are transmitted. If you disable this option, you have to use one of the Update items from the Spread menu to ensure that changed data values are updated before proceeding to use other menus to analyse data.

For very large spreadsheets updating the data to GenStat can be time consuming. The Maximum file Size option allows you to specify a limit for the size of spreadsheets that allow automatic updating data to GenStat. Therefore, any spreadsheets greater than the value given will have the automatic updating disabled and the spreadsheet must then be updated using one of the Update items from the Spread menu.

Auto Refresh sheet from GenStat

If this is enabled, data in the spreadsheet is updated from the GenStat server whenever changes have been made due to calculations in the server. Newly calculated columns will be automatically be added to the end of the spreadsheet.

Remove Empty Rows and Columns on Save

If this item is enabled, empty rows and columns will be removed when saving spreadsheets to files or as GenStat data.

Prompt for Update on Close

Controls whether a prompt appears if a spreadsheet is closed without updating the server for any changed data values.

Paste Missing as Asterisk (*)

Missing values (or empty cells in text columns) can be represented as null fields or asterisks (*) when copying cells to the Clipboard. When null fields are written to the Clipboard the <TAB> separators are still included. The appropriate choice will depend on the intended destination of the pasted data; for copying to a spreadsheet via the Clipboard a null field should be used, whereas if the data is being inserted in a text file asterisks may be a better representation, particularly if it is intended for use as a GenStat data file.

An asterisk (*) is displayed in the status bar when this option is selected. The current default is applied to each spreadsheet on opening; subsequent changes to the Options menu do not affect open spreadsheets. However, the shortcut Control+Shift+F8 can be used to toggle the setting for the current spreadsheet; the presence or absence of an asterisk on the status bar indicating the current state.

Paste with full precision

By default the data pasted to the clipboard is just what is displayed in the spreadsheet. If the number is 1.996745 displayed with 1 decimal place in a cell, then 2.0 will be put on the clipboard. With this option turned on, the number in the cell (i.e. in this example 1.996745) will be put on the clipboard.

Clear Selection after Operation

Enabling this option will automatically remove spreadsheet selections on completion of editing operations that use the Clipboard (Copy, Cut, Paste and Paste Special).

Show New from Clipboard options

Controls whether a dialog specifying the options for creating a spreadsheet from the clipboard is displayed on the New from Clipboard menu item.

Copy Dates as displayed

This option is enabled when the Paste with full precision option has been selected. When selected, dates are copied to the clipboard as displayed within the column (e.g. as text). If this option is not selected, then dates will be copied to the clipboard using its numerical data/time value. GenStat stores a date/time value as an 8 byte double precision real value. The integer part of the value is interpreted as the number of days from a base date, and the fractional component as the time during the day, as a fraction of 24 hours (e.g. 0.25 = 6 hours).

Use Excel Binary Clipboard

Controls how data copied from Excel to GenStat using the clipboard. When copying data to the clipboard within Excel the data are copied as text exactly as they are currently displayed within Excel. This means that numbers displayed with a fixed number of decimals will be only be copied with that number of decimals and this can result in the loss of some precision. When this option is selected, GenStat will read the underlying binary values for the data on the clipboard, and the associated formats (e.g. date format) rather than the text displayed on the clipboard. Therefore numerical data will be copied with full precision and date/time data will be copied as dates.

Prompt for Save on close

When selected, GenStat will generate a pop-up dialog prompting you to save changes when closing a spreadsheet. This will only appear when changes have been made.

Always save as GenStat spreadsheet file

If this is enabled, when saving a spreadsheet containing data read in from a foreign file format (e.g. Excel, Quattro, SPlus, etc.) will be saved in a (*.GSH) file format rather than in the native format read in. This avoids overwriting the original source data with a new version written by GenStat.

Save GenStat spreadsheet file (GSH) in same version as opened in

Controls whether a GSH file is saved in the same version as it was read in. Spreadsheet file versions summarises the different versions.

Maximum Undo Operations

Sets the limit on the number of spreadsheet operations that are recorded in the Undo history. Setting this value to 0 will disable Undo for spreadsheets which reduces the memory used by a spreadsheet and increases the speed of many operations.

Maximum Columns

This sets the limit on the number of spreadsheet columns that one spreadsheet can contain. You may enter any value between 250 and 16000 columns. The new value will not take effect until you exit GenStat and restart it. Setting to a value much higher than you use will create an unnecessary memory overhead.

View/Edit all SQL statements

Controls whether the SQL statement from any ODBC operation is displayed before being run. The SQL statement may be edited while it is being displayed.

Automatically Resize window width

If this is enabled, GenStat will automatically change the width of a window displaying a spreadsheet to show as many columns as possible. If columns are inserted or made wider, the window width will be increased, if they are deleted or narrowed, the window width will be decreased.

Use Excel Import Wizard on File Open

Controls whether the Import Wizard is to be used when opening Excel files. This provides you with a step-by-step guide for importing data from the file. If you choose not to use the Import Wizard you will instead be able to set all the options via a single menu that appears when you open an Excel file.

Defaults

Resets the spreadsheet options to their built-in default values.

Action Buttons

OK	Save the options and close the dialog.
Cancel	Close the dialog without making any changes.