File Menu

The RATS File Menu includes standard file-handling operations, such as opening files, opening new document windows, saving files, and so on. It also includes several operations specific to RATS. The File Menu operations are described below:

New

•Editor/Text Window. RATS input, output and procedure files are all "plain text" and this creates an empty text window for any of those purposes. RATS assigns the window a title of the form NONAMExx.TXT. Note: the new window will not be the input window unless there are no other text windows open at the time. Use Save or Save As... to save the contents of a new window—you'll be prompted at the time to choose an actual name and directory for the file.

•Project... brings up a New Project wizard to help you get a new RATS program started. This creates a new input window, a split output window, and adds comments and possibly data information to the input window. Each window is given a name like NONAMExx.TXT. You can add more instructions to input window by any combination of typing, copy/paste or merging for other files, or using various wizards. Use Save or Save As... to save the contents of a new window—you'll be prompted at the time to choose an actual name and directory for the file. When you save the the input file, we recommend using the (default) extension of .RPF (RATS Program File). You can later open that with File—Open and run it as is, or add to or change it.

•RATSData Window. To create a RATS format file window: the window will be titled NONAMExx.RAT. You can add content to it as described in Series List Windows (typically using Import operations or drag-and-drop from other sources). Use Save or Save As... to save the contents of a new window—you'll be prompted at the time to choose an actual name and directory for the file.

Open...

Allows you to open:

•an existing text file (usually a RATS program file with a .RPF or .PRG extension or a procedure file with a .SRC extension, although it can be any text file). The new window will not be the input window unless there are no other text windows open at the time.

•an existing RATS format (.RAT) data file

•an existing RATS graph (.RGF) file

•an existing RATS report (.RRFZ) file

Recent Files

RATS will show a list of the most recently used files. You can quickly re-open one of these files simply by selecting it from this list.

Closes the active window. If you have unsaved changes in the window, RATS will give you a chance to save the changes to disk. Closing the input window also clears the memory (equivalent to File—Clear Memory). You can use Window—Close All to close all open windows.

Merge.../Import...

If a text window is active, this operation is displayed as Merge..., and it will merge the contents of an existing text file into the active window. If a RATSData series window is open, it will be displayed as Import... and will import the contents of a data file into the RATS format data file.

Save

Saves the contents of the active window to current file. If necessary, RATS will prompt you for a filename.

Save As...

Saves contents of active window to a new file. Can be applied to text windows and graph window.

Export...or

Saves the contents of a report window to a file (such as a spreadsheet), or a graph window to some type of graphics file.

Page Setup...

Selects a printer and allows you to set various printer options. This uses the standard Printer Setup dialog box.

Prints contents (or marked selection) of the active window.

Properties

Shows more detail about the current window (such as a more complete name).

Directory...

Changes the default directory used for file operations by RATS. This only applies to the current session—use Preferences if you want to change the default directory in effect each time you start the program.

Recent Directories

Allows you to set the default directory by selecting from a list of recently-used directories.

Preferences...

Options for customizing interactive mode operation, setting default directories, and more. (This is on the application menu on the Mac).

Batch Mode

Selecting this operation switches from Interactive Mode to Batch Mode, or vice versa. You will see a check mark next to the menu item whenever RATS is in batch mode. The absence of a check mark indicates that RATS is in interactive mode.

Clear Memory

Clears the memory of all data and program information. This does not close any windows, delete any text from any windows, or close any open files.

Exit

Exits the program. RATS will give you an opportunity to save an changes before quitting. (This is called Quit and is on the application menu on the Mac).

Notes

Many of these operations, including New, Open, Merge, and Save As... bring up a standard dialog box that require the user to enter or select a filename.

RATS also provides toolbar icons as shortcuts for the Open, Save As..., and Print operations.