Specifications

8  Lesson 6 Computer Tutorial 3
EXHIBIT 6-7
Spreadsheet with new filename
Columns
With your working copy of the quikbal1.xls specification file open, read the following
description of the purpose of the columns in specification files.
The first four columns of a specification file (columns A through D) are reserved by the
Statement Designer for control information. Columns E and beyond are used for the text,
formulas, and values that will actually appear on a printed financial statement.
Column A
The value in Column A for each row determines the purpose of that row. There are five
possible types of rows that can be entered in Column A in a specification file: Comment
rows, As is rows, Default rows, Title rows, and Body specification rows.
Rows 1 to 5 in the quikbal.xls specification file are comment lines. Note that comment lines
begin with two periods (..). These are not printed or displayed on the report.
Rows 6 to 13 are blank in column A. These are as-is rows. Whatever is in columns E and
beyond will be printed on the report exactly as they appear in the specification file.
Row 14 is a default row (also called a command line). It contains a formula or selection
criteria that the Statement Designer will apply. \\ACCTGROUP lists the accounts in Account
Group order.
Row 16 is a body specification row. It is an account number reference. In this instance “%%”
is a wild card that refers to all accounts in the general ledger.