All the data used for specifications and catalogs is stored in Microsoft Access format, with each specification or catalog comprising a single database file (.mdb). In addition to specific material data, each database also contains several reference tables, such as Branch Select or Bend Select, that act as lookup tables so that you can limit a material based on a specific bore range.
You can open multiple databases simultaneously. The software displays each open database within its own window, allowing you to quickly and easily switch between and work with the open databases and copy and paste data between them.
Database Window
Whenever you create a new database, or open an existing one, the software uses the Database window to display the associated data. The Database window is divided into three distinct sections, with each section providing specific views of and information about the type of data contained within the open database. The three tabs at the bottom of the Database window, Materials, Text Maps, and Reference Tables, control the type of data that you can view.
1 - Database Window Title Bar
Displays the name of the open database (CS150.MDB) along with the name of the current group (Materials - All). You can use the Show Only commands on the Main toolbar to limit, or filter, the display of material data to specific component types.
For example, to display only the flanges that are contained within the current database,
click Show Only Flanges 
. The title bar updates accordingly.
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You can further control what materials are displayed in the window by creating and applying filters. You can also sort material data and use find and replace functions to locate quickly locate specific material data.
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Using the Show Only commands with large sets of data can speed up the performance of the software.
2 - Horizontal Tabs
Provide quick access to different views of the database. To change the view, click a tab.
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Materials Tab displays all the materials in the database within the current group and using the current filter and is the default view whenever the software displays the Database window. For more information, see Materials.
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Text Maps Tab displays the item codes and descriptions that currently reside in the opened database. The software displays those text maps that are present in the current selected item group. The current filter is not used. For more information, see Text Maps.
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Reference Tables Tab enables you to view reference table data. For more information, see Reference Tables.
Toolbar icons and menu commands are dependent upon which tab is active. For example,
the Sort commands are not available when the Materials tab is active, and the Filter commands are not available when the Text Maps tab is active.
3 - Status Bar
Displays property information about the database. For more information, see View database properties.
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