32 Bit RISC OS Table Utility

I have a PC and a fairly modern RISC OS machine. I use RISC OS whenever possible. My work and interests mean I have to create many tables. I use Eureka to do so. However, as everyone will know, Eureka is 26 bit. This posting is a plea for someone who can write RISC OS programs to consider writing a 32 bit table creation program for RISC OS……please?

Are you aware of the Free (older) version of Fireworkz – word processor/spreadsheet (also has a Windows version)

A “Pro” version is available for purchase from R-Comp

They are actually both on the same version 2.24.06.
They are both 32 bit and still being supported and developed.
Fireworkz is a spreadsheet and word processor and is free, there is a support group mailing list for it.

Goto: http://www.croftnuisk.co.uk/coltsoft/fireworkz

For more details on the software, including user guide etc of the free version.

Fireworkz Pro is a chargeable version, available from R-Comp costing 39 pounds and includes a database as well as the spreadsheet and word processor. You can obtain it via !Store. I believe the Pro version handles import/export of Excel XLS better.

Superb program.

Are you aware of the Free (older) version of Fireworkz

So you’re suggesting using its Table feature and then saving that out as a drawfile to incorporate in one’s document?

I’ve not tried this, but it sounds a feasible way of creating a table! Particularly as one can use its spreadsheet functions as well, as I do, to keep track of expenditure!

As far as the use of the tables that I produce is concerned, they either act as free standing tables in their own right or I save from Eureka as a Drawfile to go into Artworks and then be used in a TechWriter document.

I have tried all the existing programs which are 32 bit that I know of (but would be delighted to hear of any I may have missed). I do have Fireworkz Pro but it does not allow boxes in the spreadsheet to be coloured unfortunately, a feature which I use quite a lot.
As I indicated, a dedicated table generation program was what I was hoping for like, for example, Tablemate. Unfortunately Tablemate is 26 bit. Tablemate does work under Aemulor but I am trying to minimise my use of 26 bit programs.

then be used in a TechWriter document

I’m not sure what table features you’re after, but TechWriter is my go-to table-creation application for RISC OS. I create the tables in it, export them as drawfiles (Ctrl-F3) via ArtWorks, and use them in Ovation Pro.

it does not allow boxes in the spreadsheet to be coloured unfortunately, a feature which I use quite a lot

One of the main reasons that I use TechWriter is that it allows cells to be coloured. I tend to use it to colour alternate rows, but I’m fairly sure that it can be applied to a cell level.

Coloured cells is a feature of Fireworkz that you may have missed. You can define a style with a particular background colour (for instance) and apply that to a range of selected cells, or directly from the Effects button. There are some example template files supplied which colour alternate rows (or columns) if that’s desired.

A new version of Fireworkz currently undergoing testing will make using its tables in other documents easier, with the source Fireworkz file wrapped as a non-rendering object within the Drawfile, so it can be launched back to Fireworkz via OLE for updating.

Echoing what Stuart just said, this is pretty much exactly what I did yesterday to test the latest Fireworkz Pro.

Background – at the Dutch show last year, I was approached by a chap who still used Eureka, primarily because he used it for invoices and his invoice “template” was an Impression/Ovation document (I forget which). Eureka allowed him to save an OLE file (which is basically a draw file with embedded euraka data) into his invoice template, and have the content remain editable.

So, Fireworkz Pro now does this too :)

To test, I created a table in Fireworkz (word processor, but it could have been the spreadsheet), put in some values, messed around with it a bit, and saved it into an Impression frame. I also tested (successfully) with Ovation Pro and Techwriter. Once the file is in the respective program, it can be re-edited later by ctrl-double-click (seems to be a fairly standard shortcut). All data remains editable.

Funnily enough, while testing this, I thought “I must suggest to Stuart that we have a direct-click button for cell shading” since, along with borders, it is one of the most common things people do with tables/numbers.

In the meantime, if you haven’t yet investigated the “statement” templates, I recommend doing so. This use automatic cell background “oscillation” (ie. one row/column shaded, one not) to make columns or rows of numbers much easier to follow/read.

Anyway, Fireworkz Pro 2.30 is in beta now, so hopefully it should be available shortly.

So, Fireworkz Pro now does this too :)

Fireworkz Pro, or Fireworkz?

You could always try TableMate which saves a file in Draw format and supports OLE. However it needs Aemulor.