Features and FAQ - EZ Address Book Software
 

EZ Address Book

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get technical support?
Email us at support@ElwoodSoftware.com or select Email Elwood Software from the Help Menu. We will call you if you email us a phone number and time to call. We're happy to help.

Is there a printed help manual?
No. Help is built into the program. Press F1 anywhere in the program for screen specific help. You can always email us with your questions and concerns.

How often should I backup my database?
VERY OFTEN because it's easy to do and will protect the changes you made since your last backup. Select Back Up Database from the File Menu to make a backup. It's a good idea to back up your database to your hard drive and an external storage device like a Flash Drive. Backing up to a Flash Drive is one way to protect your database from a hard drive crash. To restore from a backup, select Restore Database from the File Menu. You can also backup the pictures in the EZ Pictures Directory by selecting Back Up Pictures from the File Menu. Clip art and Pictures for labels in the EZ Graphics Directory must be backed up manually.

Can I have more than one database?
Yes. Select Add Database from the File Menu to add, select, copy, rename, or delete a database. You could use one database for home and one for business. The EZHO.mdb database that comes with the program cannot be renamed or deleted. Databases cannot be merged so consider using categories instead of multiple databases. You can switch to another database by selecting from the drop-down list on the toolbar.

How do I remove the sample names and other samples that come with the program?
Select Delete Database Records from the Tools Menu to delete the sample data that comes with the program. However, ALL records will be deleted so if you have added names or other items you need to delete the samples one at a time.

Can I password protect the program?
You can add a password to each database by selecting Database Password from the File Menu. If a password is added, the Delete Database Records function is also password protected.

Can I change the program colors?
Select Options from the Tools Menu to set screen colors, report colors, a phone number format, a birthday and anniversary reminder day range, and more.

How many names can I add?
Any number of names can be added.

How many categories can I add?
Any number of categories can be added. Categories are used to group names. Names can be in 1 to 5 categories. You could even add a temporary category named Anniversary Party and then add names to it for easy display in the address book and to print labels.

How do I add names for a family?
Here's an example. On the Name and Address Entry Screen you could enter:

       First Name: Bob
       Last Name: Smith
       Group Name: Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith
       Other Names: Add each person in the family.

Then check 'Use First and Last Name for Sorting Only' so "Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith" will be sorted by S and not M everywhere in the program and the First Name and Last Name won't appear in the Printable Address Book, Phone Book, or on labels. The Group Name can also be used for a business or organization so then you probably wouldn't check the box. You can also add each person separately to the address book if you want.

How can I select which names are listed on the EZ Address Book Screen?
Click All Names on the EZ Address Book Screen to list all names in the address book. Click Search EZ to search for names in the address book. The search function is very powerful. Click Select Names to individually select names from the currently listed names. Select from the category drop-down list to list names for a specific category.

I know I can select one category on the EZ Address Book Screen but can I select two?
Yes. Click Search on the EZ Address Book Screen and then select any combination of categories.

Can I print the address book?
Yes. Actually you can print 3 different address book formats:
       Picture Address Book
       Select Fields Address Book
       5 1/2 x 8 1/2 Address Book
Click Printable Address Book on the EZ Address Book Screen or select Printable Address Book from the Features Menu to display and print an address book. There are many options for customizing the address book.

Can I export the address book?
Yes. All printable reports can be exported to other formats including PDF. With Dropbox (Free) reports can be shared with other computers and smart devices.

Can I email name and address information?
Yes. Click Email Name and Address on the EZ Address Book Screen to send an email that includes the name and address for the selected name or all names listed.

How do I add birthday and anniversary reminders?
On the Name and Address Entry Screen check 'Birthday and Anniversary Reminders' and set a day range in Options. When the program starts, all names with the 'Birthday and Anniversary Reminders' checked and have a birthday or anniversary within the day range will be displayed on the Birthday and Anniversary Reminders Screen. There's also a Birthdays and Anniversaries Report. The year is not required when adding a birthday or anniversary.

Can I add other reminders?
Yes. Select Reminders from the Features Menu to add and display date specific reminders. Reminders can be added for appointments, special occasions, paying bills, or whatever you want. You can select to show reminders Always, If Reminders Exist Within 0-99 Days, or Never when the program starts.

What is the purpose of the Christmas checkbox on the EZ Address Book Screen?
The Christmas checkbox is primarily to make it easy to print Christmas labels but can also be used to select names for the Printable Address Book, Phone Book, and Email Lists. You can check Christmas when you add or change a name. On the Search EZ Address Book Screen you can select Christmas to display those names and then print labels. You can also click the Christmas button on the Select Names for Labels and Envelopes Screen. Adding names to a category named Christmas is another way to accomplish the same thing. The Christmas checkbox can be renamed or removed in Options.

What mailing labels and envelopes can I print on?
You can select the following labels and envelopes to display and print:

       Avery 8160, 5160 Label (30/Sheet) 1" x 2-5/8"
       Avery 8161, 5161 Label (20/Sheet) 1" x 4"
       Avery 8162, 5162 Label (14/Sheet) 1-1/3" x 4"
       Avery 8163, 5163 Label (10/Sheet) 2" x 4"
       Avery 8164, 5164 Label (6/Sheet) 3-1/3" x 4"
       Avery 8167, 5167 Label (80/Sheet) 1/2" x 1-3/4" Return Address Labels
       Avery 8195, 5195 Label (60/Sheet) 2/3" x 1-3/4" Return Address Labels
       Size 10 Envelope (4-1/8" x 9-1/2")
       Size 6 3/4 Envelope (3-5/8" x 6-1/2")

Other label forms will work if they match the label dimensions and layout of the label sheets.

Can I skip used labels on my label sheet?
Yes. Click Skip on the Labels and Envelopes Screen to skip labels already used. You can also click Select for the Select Names for Labels Screen where you can skip noncontiguous labels.

Can I adjust the alignment of the address lines on my labels and envelopes?
Yes. You can change the indentation and adjust the text up or down by selecting from the drop-down lists at the top of the screen. You can also change the font and font size. The changes will be saved specifically for each label or envelope.

Is there a way to capitalize addresses on labels
Yes. Check Capitalize Address on Labels in Options. Everywhere else in the program the address will appear as how it was entered.

Can I change the color of the text on labels and envelopes?
Yes. Click Custom on the Labels and Envelopes Screen to change the color.

Can I add a return address to labels and envelopes?
You can add a return address to Avery 8163/5163 and 8164/5164 labels, and on the envelopes. Click Custom on the Labels and Envelopes Screen to add a return address.

Can I add clip art or a picture to labels and envelopes?
You can add a graphic (clip art or picture) to all labels but not to envelopes. Click Custom on the Labels and Envelopes Screen to add a graphic. EZ Home and Office comes with sample graphics which you are free to use.

What can I use a Lockbox for?
A Lockbox can be used to store User IDs, Passwords, and other sensitive information. The Lockbox Key and any information added to the Lockbox are encrypted on the database.

What is the Picture Gallery?
With the Picture Gallery you can view pictures in any directory on your computer and it has a slide show function. You can view 1, 4, or 16 pictures at a time.

What is the EZ Pictures Directory?
C:\Elwood Software\EZ Home and Office\Pictures\

The EZ Pictures Directory is the default directory (folder) for the Picture Gallery although you can view pictures in any directory. Pictures selected for the EZ Address Book must be in the EZ Pictures Directory. When a picture is selected for the EZ Address Book, it is automatically copied to the EZ Pictures Directory if not already there. The EZ Pictures Directory is created when the program is installed.

What is the EZ Graphics Directory?
c:\Elwood Software\EZ Home and Office\Graphics\

The EZ Graphics directory is the default directory (folder) for selecting a graphic (clip art or picture) for labels. When a graphic is selected for a label, it is automatically copied to the EZ Graphics Directory if not already there. The EZ Graphics Directory is created when the program is installed.

Can I import information from other programs?
Yes but only from a CSV (comma separated values) file. Select Import from CSV File from the File Menu to import names, addresses, and other information. CSV files can be exported from Microsoft Outlook, the Parsons Address Book, and many other programs.

Can I export my address book?
You can export to a CSV file. Select Export to CSV File from the File Menu to export your address book.

Can I open the EZ Home and Office Database?
No. The database design is proprietary.

Are you planning an upgrade to the EZ Home and Office Address Book?
We upgrade the software often so let us know what you would like to see in the next upgrade. Many of the new features in EZ v7.1 are from customer suggestions.

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