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Amstrad Notebook NC200 Manual

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CONTENTS

Letter from the Chairman of Amstrad   Download section in PDF format (242kb)
 

Section 1 - Notebook Overview and Beginners Tutorial   Download section in PDF format (3.35Mb)

 
1  

Setting Up

5  

Using the Notebook

6  

To Use the Calculator

7  

Using the Word Processor

13    

Some Useful Tips

15    

Using the Spellchecker Dictionary

18    

Using the Spellchecker to Assist You in Spelling a Word Correctly Whilst Writing a Document

20    

How to Print Out Your Documents

21  

What floppy disks are used for

23    

Preparing Floppy Disks for Use - Formatting

25     Copying Files (Documents) to a Disk
26     Listing Files on Disk and Copying Back to Memory
29     Summary
29     Floppy Disk Drive Battery Usage
30   Using the Diary/Clock/Address Book Section
31   Using the Address Book
38     To Print Out a Full List of Names and Addresses
38   Using the Calendar/Diary Section
39     Making a Diary Entry
40     Removing Future Diary Dates
41     Printing Out Diary Notes
41   To Use the Time Manager/Alarm/Clock Section
41     To Set an Alarm
43     Using the Alarm Function as a Reminder
44     To Cancel an Alarm Call
45     Changing Time Zones When You Travel to Other Countries
46   Do You Want to Know a Secret? Using the Secret Function
47   The Notebook Spreadsheet
48   Playing the Blockade and Trikade Games
50   Other Features of the Notebook
51   Conclusion
 

Section 2 - User Guide   Download section in PDF format (3.42Mb)

 
62  

Powering the Notebook

63     Switching Off
63     Automatic Power Off
63     Switching On
64     Backlighting the LCD
65     Using the Floppy Disk Drive from Batteries
65     Battery Usage in the Serial Terminal Program
66   Getting Around
66     Advice for Beginners
66     Short Cuts
68     Single Key Operation
68   Memory
68     Expanding the Memory
69   Word Processor - Introduction
70     Features of the Word Processor
70     Transferring Documents to Other Computers
71     The Template
72   Calculator
74   Address Book
75     Storing the Address Book on a Memory Card
76   Calendar and Diary
77     Diary Reminder
79   Time Manager
79     Setting the Time and Date
79     Time Zones
80     Current Time Zone
80   Alarm Calls
81     To Change the Time, Date or Message of an Alarm Call
81   Secret Information
82     Set Up Your Password
82     Complete Password Protection of Your Notebook
83     Changing Your Password
84     If You Forget Your Password
84     Erasing Your Secret Information and Password
84     Resetting Your Notebook
85   Using the Floppy Disk Drive
85     To Format Floppy Disks Before Use
86     To Copy Files from Memory to the Floppy Disk
86     To List the Files Contained on a Disk
86     To Copy Files from a Floppy Disk to Memory
87     Copying Address Book and Diary Entries to/from Disk
88     Quickly Editing a Word Processor Document from Disk
88     Copying and Editing Spreadsheet Files/BASIC Programs
89     Other Disk Functions
90     Protecting Disk Information
90     Extra Functions for Marking Files
91     Directories on Disk
93   System Settings
93     Automatic Power Off Delay
93     Preserve Context
93     Document Sizes and Date Display
94     Date Format
94     Backlight
94     Document Transfer Format
94     Sticky Shift Keys
94     Time Display Format
94     Audible Diary Message Warning
 

Section 3 - Word Processing Guide   Download section in PDF format (2.40Mb)

 
95  

Starting a New Document

95   Saving a Document
97     Large Documents
97   Deleting a Document
98   Renaming a Document
99   Copying a Document
99   Typing a Document
101     Page Size
101     Correcting Typing Errors
101   Moving Around a Document
102     Inserting Text
102     Typing Over Existing Text
102     Deleting Text in a Document
103     Undeleting Words, Lines and Blocks
103     Changing Case
104     Swapping Characters
104   Formatting text
104   Accented and special characters
105     Special Characters
106   Drawing Boxes
106     Using Single Box Line Characters
106     Double Line Boxes
107   Viewing Codes
108   Viewing Returns, Tabs, Rulers and Spaces
108   Inserting the Current Date or Time into a Document
108   Inserting an Address from Your Address Book into a Document
109   Inserting One Document into Another
109   Moving, Copying, Deleting, Saving, and Undeleting Blocks of Text
109     Marking a Block
109     Copy Block
109     Store a Block as a Separate Document
110     Delete Block
110     Undelete Block
110     To Unmark a Block
110   Changing the Appearance of Text (Bold, Italic etc.)
110     Italics
111     Cancel Italics
111     Bold
111     Cancel Bold
111     Underlining
112     Other Effects Available in Notebook's Style Menu
112     How to Change the Character Size or Style
113   Place Markers
113   Special Formatting Characters
114   The Word Processor Menus
115   List of Documents
115   Headers, Footers and Page Numbering
115     Headers and Footers
115     Inserting Header or Footer Text
116     Page Numbering
116   The Go To Command
117   The Status Line
117   Page Breaks
118   Page Layout
119     Layout Menu
119     Page Dimensions
120   Aligning Text Using "Ruler Lines"
120     Inserting a Ruler Line
121     Deleting or Editing a Ruler Line
121   Using Tabs
122     Decimal Tabs
122     Right Align Tab
123   Find and Replace

124

    Using Find
124     Using Replace
124     Examples
125   Using Macros
125     What is a Macro?
126     How to Record a Macro "Phrase"
127     How to Record a Macro "Command"
128     Displaying the Stored Macros
128   Spell Checking
128     User Dictionary Upkeep
128     View the Words in the User Dictionary

129

    Remove a Word from the User Dictionary
130   Counting Words
130   Configuring the Word Processor
131     Decimal Character
131     Key Repeat Startup Delay
131     Key Repeat
131     Cursor Flash Period
131     View Options
132   Printing from the Word Processor
132     Connect to the Printer
132     Select the Document You Are Going to Print
133     Select One of the Printer Types
133     Printer Character Set
134     Printer Port
134     Serial Port
134     Starting to Print
134     If You Have Printing Problems
 

Section 4 - Sending and Receiving Files   Download section in PDF format (1.19Mb)

 
135   Sending and Receiving Files
136     Serial or Parallel Transfers?
137   Serial Transfers
137     "Local" Connection
137     "Remote" Connection
138   The Cable to Use
140   Making the Software Connect
140   The Notebook's Serial Terminal Program
143     Making Sure the Connection Works
144   Choosing the Correct Transfer Method
144   Document Transfers without Xmodem
147   Xmodem File Transfers
 

Section 5 - Stored Commands   Download section in PDF format (1.89Mb)

 
151   Word Processor Stored Commands
155   Page Layout Commands
155     BM  Bottom Margin
156     EM  Even side Margin
156     FM  Footer Margin
157     HM  Header Margin
157     OM  Odd side Margin
157     PL  Page Length
158     SM  Side Margin
158     TM  Top Margin
159     ZM  Zero Margins
159   Page Formatting Commands
159     CE  CEntre
159     CP  Continuous Printing
160     EA  End printing At page
160     EF  Even page Footer
161     EH  Even page Header
161     EP  Even Page throw
162     FF  Form Feed codes
162     FO  FOoter
163     FP  Format whilst Printing
163     HE  HEader
163     LS  Line Spacing
164     NC  Number of Copies
164     NP  New Page after print
164     OF  Odd page Footer
165     OH  Odd page Header
165     OP  Odd Page throw
165     PA  PAge throw
165     PE  Print Even pages
166     PN  Page Number
166     PO  Print Odd pages
166     RJ  Right Justification
167     SA  Start At page
167   Printer Commands
167     MC  Micro space Code
167     MS  Micro Spacing
168     OC  Output Code to printer
168     PP  Proportional Printing
169   Miscellaneous Commands
169     CO  COmment
169     CS  Clear Screen
169     DM  Display Message
170     IN  INsert
170     ST  STop
171     WT  WaiT and display
171   Mail Merge Commands
171     AV  Ask for Variable
172     CF  Close File
172     DF  Define data File
172     EI  End If
172     EL  ELse
173     ID  If Defined
173     IE  If Exhausted
173     IF  IF
173     IU  If Undefined
174     RP  RePeat
174     RU  Read variable Unconditional
174     RV  Read Variable
174     SK  SKip
175     SV  Set Variable
175     UN  UNtil
175     WC  Write file Close
175     WF  Write File
176     WM  Write Message
 

Section 6 - Mail Merge   Download section in PDF format (781kb)

 
177   Mail Merge
177   Simple Mail Merging
180   More About Reading Data
181   Inputting Data when Printing
182   Other Ways to Set Variables
183     Splitting Data Out from a Variable
184   Using the IF Commands
185   Adding Variables
185   Using Names and Addresses from the Address Book
186   Mail Merge without a Data File
 

Section 7 - BBC BASIC   Download section in PDF format (1.45Mb)

 
188   BBC BASIC
189   Immediate Commands
189   Writing Programs - a Short Tutorial
196   Example BASIC Programs
196     Program 1: Reaction Time Tester
197     Program 2: A Musical Organ Program
199     Program 3: Scientific Graph Plotting
201     Program 4: An Analogue Clock
204   Making Programs Run Automatically
204   BASIC Memory Usage
205   Z80 Assembler
205   Difference Between BBC BASIC on the Notebook and Other Computers
 

Section 8 - BBC BASIC Keywords   Download section in PDF format (1.69Mb)

 
206   BBC BASIC Keywords
206     ABS
206     ACS
206     ADVAL
206     AND
206     ASC
206     ASN
207     ATN
207     AUTO
207     BGET
207     BPUT
207     CALL
207     CHAIN
207     CHR$
208     CLEAR
208     CLG
208     CLOSE
208     CLS
208     COLOUR / COLOR
208     COS
208     COUNT
209     DATA
209     DEF
209     DEG
209     DELETE
209     DIM
210     DIV
210     DRAW
210     EDIT
210     ELSE
210     END
210     ENDPROC
211     ENVELOPE
211     EOF
211     EOR
211     ERL
211     ERR
212     ERROR
212     EVAL
212     EXP
212     EXT
213     FALSE
213     FN
213     FOR
213     GCOL
213     GET
213     GET$
214     GOSUB
214     GOTO
214     HIMEM
214     IF
214     INKEY
215     INKEY$
215     INPUT
215     INPUT LINE
215     INPUT#
215     INSTR
215     INT
215     LEFT$
216     LEN
216     LET
216     LINE
216     LIST
216     LISTO
216     LN
217     LOAD
217     LOCAL
217     LOG
217     LOMEM
217     MID$
217     MOD
217     MODE
218     MOVE
218     NEW
218     NEXT
218     NOT
218     OLD
218     ON
219     OPENIN
219     OPENOUT
219     OPENUP
219     OR
219     OSCLI
219     PAGE
220     PI
220     PLOT
221     POINT
221     POS
221     PRINT
221     PROC
222     PTR
222     PUT
222     RAD
222     READ
222     REM
222     RENUMBER
222     REPEAT
223     REPORT
223     RESTORE
223     RETURN
223     RIGHT$
223     RND
223     RUN
223     SAVE
224     SGN
224     SIN
224     SOUND
225     SPC
225     SQR
225     STEP
225     STOP
225     STR$
225     STRING$
225     TAB
226     TAN
226     THEN
226     TIME
226     TIME$
226     TO
227     TRACE
227     TRUE
227     UNTIL
227     USR
227     VAL
228     VDU
231     VPOS
231     WIDTH
231   Operating System Commands
231     *BYE / *QUIT
231     *CAT / *DIR / *.
231     *DELETE / *ERASE
231     *ESC
231     *EXEC
232     *KEY
232     *LOAD
232     *PRINTER
232     *RENAME
232     *SAVE
232     *SPOOL
232     *|
233   BASIC and the Printer
233   Operating System Error Messages
 

Section 9 - Speadsheet Guide - Introduction   Download section in PDF format (301kb)

 
235   What is a Spreadsheet?
237   The Spreadsheet Section of the Manual
 

Section 10 - Spreadsheet Guide - Part One (a) - Getting Started for Beginners   Download section in PDF format (1.25Mb)

 
239   Getting Started for Beginners
239   Using the Notebook Spreadsheet
240   Details of the Screen
244   The Keyboard
245   Keys Used to Move the Cursor
247   How to Get Help
247   Terminology
249   What to Do When You Make a Mistake
250   Saving Your Worksheets
250   Leaving the Notebook Spreadsheet
251   Running the Sample Worksheets Provided
 

Section 11 - Spreadsheet Guide - Part One (b) - Quick Start Guide for Experts   Download section in PDF format (598kb)

 
253   Quick Start Guide for Experts
253   Starting a New Sheet - the Quick Way
254   Starting a New Sheet
257   Loading an Existing Worksheet
258   Saving a Sheet
259   Printing from the Spreadsheet
 

Section 12 - Spreadsheet Guide - Part Two - Complete Tutorial   Download section in PDF format (7.46Mb)

 
260   Complete Tutorial
260   Tutorial I - Basic Techniques
260     Creating a Worksheet
262   Tutorial II - Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns
264     Moving Around a Sheet
266     A Note on Destinations
267     More on Entering Data
269     Entering Text
272   Tutorial III - More Advanced Techniques
272     Understanding the Difference Between Text and Numbers
273     Using Ranges
273     Formats: Changing the Way the Data is Displayed
276     More on Numeric Formats
278     Text Formats
280   Tutorial IV - More on Changing Column Widths and Formats
282     Editing
283   Tutorial V - Removing Data from the Sheet - Blanking and Zapping
284     Blanking
286   Tutorial VI - Expressions
286     Understanding Expressions - The Heart of the Sheet
291     The Order of Calculation
293   Tutorial VII - Functions
293     Mathematical Functions
294     Utility Functions
295     Statistical Functions
296     Defined Functions
299   Tutorial VIII - More Techniques
299     The Move Command
300     Copying Parts of the Sheet
304   Tutorial IX - Cell References
304     A Note on Adjusting References - Lagged Variables
305     Preparing a Simple Cash Flow
309   Tutorial X - Saving, Loading and Printing
309     A Further Look at the Copy Command
311     MEM, DIF, TXT, DAT
315     Printing from the Notebook Spreadsheet
316     Printing Mail Labels
319   Tutorial XI - Partitioning the Screen
322   Tutorial XII - Database Handling Techniques
322     Searching
323     Sorting the Lines
325   Tutorial XIII - More Complex Use of the Spreadsheet
325     The IF, THEN, ELSE Functions
328     Table Handling Functions
331     A Note on Lists
331     Date and Time Functions
334   Tutorial XIV - An Introduction to 'Command' Functions
335     Multiple Function Lines and Dividing Commas
336     I/O Functions
337   Tutorial XV - Producing Graphs and Charts
338     Graph Functions
338     Business Graphs
339     Statistical, Scientific and Engineering
342     Making a Graph in Practice - Business Type
345     Making a Graph in Practice - Pie Charts
346     Making a Graph in Practice - Scientific Graphs
348     Further Points About Chart Plotting
349   Tutorial XVI - Automating Data Manipulation
349     Using Macro Command Groups
351     Function that Allow Looping
354     Subroutines Using the DO Function
355     Looping Using Functions DO and WHILE
358     Table Filling Using the DO Function
362     Limitations of CRD()
362     Iterative Solutions - Using Circular Reference
363     Solving Simultaneous Equations
 

Section 13 - Spreadsheet Guide - Part Three - Overview and Recap   Download section in PDF format (945kb)

 
366   Overview and Recap
366   The Spreadsheet's Dynamic Data Entry and Error Checking
367   The Spreadsheet and It's Uses
369   Moving Around
370   Types of Entry
372   Circular References
372   More on Formats
373   The Copy Command
374   Saving and Loading
374   Printing
375   Database Functions
375   Advanced Functions
375   Conditionals, Loops and Macros
376   Table Creating and Reading
376   Date and Time Functions
376   Graphic Options
 

Section 14 - Spreadsheet Guide - Part Four - Command Reference   Download section in PDF format (3.37Mb)

 
377   Expression Entry
377   Evaluation of Expressions
378   Building Expressions

380

  The Valid Operators in an Expression
381   Built-in Functions
381   Trigonometric Functions
381   Logical Functions
381   Date and Time Functions
382   Alphabetic List of Built-in Functions
382     ABS
382     ACOS / ASIN / ATAN
382     ACOSR / ASINR / ATANR
382     AND
382     AVERAGE
382     BLEEP
383     CHOOSE
383     COMB
383     COS / COSR
383     COUNT
383     CRD
383     DATE
384     DATEAFTER
384     DAY
384     DAYOFWK
384     DAYOFYR
384     DAYSAPART
384     DEC
385     DELAY
385     DO
385     DPART
385     e
385     ERROR
385     EXP
386     FACT
386     FALSE
386     GROW
386     HOUR
386     IF
386     IN
386     INC
387     INIT
387     INT
387     INTERP
387     LN
387     LOG10
388     LOOKUP
388     MAINTITLE
388     MAX
388     MIN
388     MINUTE
388     MONTH
388     NINT
388     NOT
389     NPV
389     OR
389     OUT
389     PERM
389     PI
389     POS
390     RND
390     ROUND
390     SECOND
390     SET
390     SIMPRULE
390     SIN
391     SINR
391     SQRT
391     STDEV
391     SUBTITLE
391     SUM
391     SUMIF
392     TAN / TANR
392     TIME
392     TIMELABEL
392     TIMELAPSE
392     TRUE
392     TYPEPLOT
392     VAL
393     VAR
393     WHILE
393     XLABEL / XMAXIMUM / XMINIMUM / XTITLE / XVALUE
393     YEAR
393     YMAXIMUM / YMINIMUM / YTITLE / YVALUE
393     ZEROTIME
394   Text Entry
395   Complete Command Reference
395     A  Automatic Calculation
397     B  Blank
398     C  Copy
398        Copying Within the Worksheet
399        Copying to a Printer
399        Copying Formulae to the Printer
399        Preparing Mail Labels
400        Copying from Files into the Sheet
401        Copying to Files
402        Cross Reference Checking
403     E  Edit
404     X  Exchange
405     F  Format
406        Format Types
410     G  Get
411     I  Insert
413     J  Jump
414        Loading a File
415     M  Move
416     N  New
417     O  Out
418     P  Partition
419        Printing a Worksheet
420     Q  Quit
421        Saving a File
422     S  Sort
423     T  Trace Graph
425        Limits of the Graphics Commands
426     Verify
427     W  Which Files
428     Z  Zap (delete)
429     !  Force Recalculation
430     Macro
431   More Detail on Error Messages
 
Appendix 1 - Table of Characters Available in the Notebook  
 
Appendix 2 - Summary of Word Processor Editing Commands   Download section in PDF format (162kb)
 
Appendix 3 - Display of Macro Definitions   Download section in PDF format (187kb)
 
Appendix 4 - Serial Terminal - VT52 Emulator   Download section in PDF format (212kb)
 
Licence Agreement    Download section in PDF format (218kb)
 
Troubleshooting   Download section in PDF format (644kb)
 
453   Q & A
457   When All Else Fails!
458   Memory Usage in the Notebook
 
Legal Information   Download section in PDF format (317kb)
 
Index   Download section in PDF format (863kb)
 
 

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www.ncus.org.uk

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