Ticket Format Designer

The Ticket Format Designer allows you to fully customize the layout of tickets, receipts and gift cards.

A PDF printer friendly version of this page can be downloaded here.

From the main menu bar, select Maintenance > Ticket and report formats

Overview

The Ticket Format Designer enables you to fully customize tickets, cards, receipts or labels. All elements (text, images, shapes and lines) are entered as object boxes which can be edited and customized as you wish. These elements are grouped as follows:

Unlinked elements (text, images, shapes, lines)

Label	Adds a single line of text
Memo	Adds a text box which can be set to a precise size and position. A single line only of text can be entered in a Memo box
Rich Text Memo	Adds a rich text box which can be set to a precise size and position. When opened with the inbuilt Rich Text Editor, multiple lines of text can be entered in the box. NOTE: Do NOT use the Rich Text function if you are creating formats to use with PDF Print-at-home tickets. If any Rich Text is used on PDF tickets, the link to a customer's ticket will not be displayed in their emailed confirmation.
System Variable	Inserts date and/or time etc
Variable	Inserts a variable
Image	Enables logos or other images to be inserted. NOTE: Do NOT insert images in .GIF format if creating PDF tickets or the links to the PDF tickets will not display in the email a customer receives. You MUST insert images in .JPG or .PNG format.
Shape	Add squares, rectangles, circles or ellipses
Line	Adds horizontal or vertical lines
Bar Codes	Adds 2D bar codes
Check Box	Adds check boxes

 

Database linked elements (linked to database fields)

DB Text	Adds a single line of database linked text
DB Memo	Adds a database linked text box. Text can be wrapped within the box by selecting the KeepTogether command from the left click Sub-Menu
DB Rich Text Memo	Adds a database linked rich text box. NOTE: Do NOT use the Rich Text function if you are creating formats to use with PDF Print-at-home tickets.
Image	Adds database linked images
DB Bar Code	Adds database linked bar codes
DB 2D Bar Code	Adds database linked 2D bar codes
DB Check Box	Adds database linked check boxes

Data entry & Field selection boxes

Object info box	Displays the name of the selected object. Used as a text entry box when Label, Memo or Rich Text is selected
Field selection box	Used to select the database field from the drop down list when inserting database linked elements

Ticket Formats

When designing tickets, labels, receipts or gift/discount cards please note that:

1. You MUST you start with the specific pre-installed format as a base and modify this format . Do not for example start with a Ticket format, modify it and then save it as Label format.

2. Only data fields which are relevant to specific formats should be used. 
In the Group column in Maintenance > All Report Formats you will notice the following five format types are currently available, which are pre-set to pick up data from the corresponding database fields.

Ticket formats	TicketPl & ItemRatesPL
Receipt formats	TicketReceipt PL
Gift card formats	DCardPL & ProgramsPL
Season ticket formats	Season PL & EventsPL & SeatsPL`
Label formats	TicketLablePL

Creating or Editing Formats Editing an existing format

Select the format you wish to edit, then click the Edit button.

After completing your editing as described below, click on Save to File from the main menu and save the file on your computer.

In All Report Formats, click on the name of format you have just edited and saved to file, then click the Load button and locate the file you have just saved.

Click on Open and the edited file will now replace your existing format.

NOTE: It’s a good idea to save a backup of the original format file before undertaking any editing.

Select the original unedited file, and click on Save to save the file to your computer.

Creating a new Format

Select an existing format in the same Group as the format you wish to create and click the Edit button.

After designing your new format as described below, click on Save to File from the main menu and save the file on your computer.

Now click the New button, enter a name for your new format and select the relevant ticket format Group from the drop down list.

Click the Save button.

To make the new format active, click on the name of your new format to select, then click the Load button and locate the file you have just saved on your computer.

Click on Open and the new format you created will be saved for use by the program.

Basic editing actions

To add an unlinked object	Click on the unlinked element icon in the menu bar, then click on a location on the ticket where you want the object to appear. See the Menu Action section below for more details about entering specific objects.
To add a database linked object	Click on the database linked element icon in the menu bar, then click on a location on the ticket where you want the object to appear. Choose the group of fields that contain the fields you require from the Object Info Box, then from the drop down list of data fields in the Field Selection Box, select the required field.
To select an object	Left click on the object
To select multiple objects	Either draw a rectangle around all the objects with your mouse OR Select the first object, hold down the SHIFT key, and select additional objects with a left mouse click. The small circles in the corners of all selected objects will turn light grey. Left click again on any object whilst still holding down the SHIFT key to deselect or left click anywhere outside the selected boxes to deselect all objects
To move an item	Left click to select and drag the object to the new position
To copy objects	Click on the object to select, select Edit > Copy from the main menu bar, click anywhere on the ticket then select Edit > Paste from the main menu bar Drag the item to reposition or select Position from the right click context menu
To change the size of any box	Select the box and drag the small circles on the edges of the box
To allow text boxes to expand to the content entered	Right click on the object to bring up the context menu and select AutoSize
To resize an image and maintain its aspect ration	Right click on the picture to bring up the context menu, select MaintainAspectRatio and Stretch, and adjust the image size by dragging the small circles on the edges of the box
To select additional editing options	Right click on the object box

Tool Bar Icon Actions

Standard Components
	Select	Selects the object
	Label	Adds a Label box. The Label box automatically expands as you add text. To add/modify text to a box you have inserted, double click with your mouse on the box.
	Memo	Adds a Memo text box. The font type and other font attributes can be set from the main menu bar. To add/modify text to a box you have inserted, double click with your mouse on the box.
	Rich Text	Adds a Rich Text box. To edit text or apply font attributes, right click on the box, and select edit to open the Rich Text Editor. Here you can past text from another application if you wish. NOTE: Do NOT use the Rich Text function if you are creating formats to use with PDF Print-at-home tickets.
	System Variable	Adds a system variable. From drop down menu, select Date or other attributes as required.
	Variable	Adds a variable
	Image	Adds an image. Right click on the object box to bring up the sub menu, and select Picture to insert a picture from a file. NOTE: Do NOT insert images in .GIF format if creating PDF tickets or the links to the PDF tickets will not display in the email a customer receives. You MUST insert images in .JPG or .PNG format.
	Shape	Adds shapes. From drop down menu, select rectangle, square, rounded rectangle, rounded square, ellipse or circle. Right click on the box for additional customization.
	Line	Adds a line inside the box. From the drop down menu, select if line is to be positioned horizontally at top or bottom of box or vertically at left or right of box. Right click on box for additional customization.
	2DBar Code	Adds image only of 2DBar Code
	Check Box	Adds image of checkbox. From drop down menu, select checkmark & box, X and box, checkmark only, X only.
Data Components
	DB Text	Adds a Text box for linking with a selected field in the database.  Click on the inserted box then select the required field from the drop down menu in the Field Selection Box. Adjust the position and other properties of the box such as AutoSize by right click on the Text box. To see what each of the Database fields will print on a ticket, download the PDF summary sheet here. The first page shows what will be printed for a standard non discounted ticket where a tax rate of 10% has been set. The 2nd page shows what will be printed where a discounted rate called “Senior” has been applied where the option Price not printed has been selected when setting up this Rate in Maintenance > Rates >Rate
	DB Memo	Adds a Memo box for linking with a selected field in the database.  Click on the inserted box then select the required field from the drop down menu in the Field Selection Box. Adjust the position and other properties of the box by right click on the Memo box. NOTE: If you have a long field name such as a Program name, it is best to use the DBMemo option rather than DBText since you can then select Keep Together  from the right click Context Sub-menu which will wrap the text within the width of the Memo box. You can also select CharWrap but this will wrap the text on a character basis and not at the end of a word
	DB Rich Text	Adds a Rich Text Memo box for linking with a selected field in the database.  Click on the inserted box then select the required field from the drop down menu in the Field Selection Box. Edit the text, adjust the position and other properties of the box by right click on the Rich Text box.
	DB Image	Adds an Image box for linking with a selected field in the database.  Click on the inserted box then select the required field from the drop down menu in the Field Selection Box. Adjust the position and other properties of the box by right click on the DB Image box.
	DB Bar Code	Adds a BarCode box for linking with a selected field in the database.  Click on the inserted box then select the barcode field from the drop down menu in the Field Selection Box. Select the bar code type from the BarCode Type drop down box in the Report Tree. Adjust the position and other properties of the box by right click on the DB Bar Code box.
	DB2D Bar Code	Adds a DB2D Bar Code for linking with a selected field in the database.  Click on the inserted box then select the barcode field from the in the Field Selection Box. Select the bar code type from the BarCode Type drop down box in the Report Tree. Adjust the position and other properties of the box by right click on the DB2D Bar Code box.
	DB Check Box	Adds a box for linking with a selected field in the database.  Click on the inserted box then select the required field from the in the Field Selection Box. Adjust the position by right click on the Check box.
Advanced Components
	Region	Adds an outline box. The borders and fill attributes can be customized  from the Report Tree Appearance sub menu
	Sub Report	Used when multiple lines of data are inserted e.g. with Group sales tickets or Season tickets where a single ticket is issued rather than printing multiple tickets
	Page Break	Inserts a page break
	Cross Tab
Format
	Font Color	Changes the text color of any box object. Click on the object then select the color from the color picker.
	Highlight Color	Changes the background fill color of any Memo or Label objects. Click on the object then select the color from the color picker. (use the Fill Color button to change the color of Rich Text or Shape boxes)
	Anchors	Changes the anchor points of the boxes on the ticket
	Border	Inserts a border around any data box.  Click on the borders in the drop down box to select borders on specific sides or All to place borders on all sides. Border color can be changed from black default by clicking on Line Color icon.
	Bring to Front	Click on the box object to bring it to the front of other objects.
	Send to Back	Click on the box object to send it to the rear of other objects.
Size
	Shrink Width to Smallest	Resizes the width of 2 or more box objects to the width of the smallest box. Select the first object you wish to resize, hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be resized.
	Grow Width to Largest	Resizes the width of 2 or more box objects to the width of the largest box. Select the first object you wish to resize, hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be resized.
	Shrink Height to Smallest	Resizes the height of 2 or more box objects to the height of the shortest box. Select the first object you wish to resize, hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be resized.
	Grow Height to Largest	Resizes the height of 2 or more box objects to the height of the tallest box. Select the first object you wish to resize, hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be resized.
Align or Space
	Align Left	Select the object to which you wish to align the other objects in the vertical plane , hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be aligned. (the circles in the corner of the boxes with turn grey). Alternatively draw a rectangle around the objects with your mouse. Then click on the Align Left button and all the objects will now be left aligned with the left side of each box in the same vertical plane as the left most object in the group. (If you have drawn a border around a section you wish to align, hold down the Ctrl key whilst you draw around the objects. Then hold down the Shift key and click on the border to deselect it from the group.)
	Align Middle	Select the object to which you wish to align the other objects in the vertical plane, hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be aligned. (the circles in the corner of the boxes with turn grey). Alternatively draw a rectangle around the objects with your mouse. Then click on the Align Middle button and all the objects will now be centered with the middle of each box in the same vertical plane.
	Align Right	Select the object to which you wish to align the other objects in the vertical plane, hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be aligned. (the circles in the corner of the boxes with turn grey). Alternatively draw a rectangle around the objects with your mouse. Then click on the Align Right button and all the objects will now be right aligned with the right side of each box in the same vertical plane as the right most object in the group.
	Align Top	Select the object to which you wish to align the other objects in the horizontal plane, hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be aligned. (the circles in the corner of the boxes with turn grey). Alternatively draw a rectangle around the objects with your mouse. Then click on the Align Top button and all the objects will now be aligned with the top of each box in the same horizontal plane as the initial object you selected.
	Align Center	Select the object to which you wish to align the other objects in the horizontal plane, hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be aligned. (the circles in the corner of the boxes with turn grey). Alternatively draw a rectangle around the objects with your mouse. Then click on the Align Center button and all the objects will now be aligned with the center of each box in the same horizontal plane as the initial object you selected.
	Align Bottom	Select the object to which you wish to align the other objects in the horizontal plane, hold down the Shift key and select all the other objects to be aligned. (the circles in the corner of the boxes with turn grey). Alternatively draw a rectangle around the objects with your mouse. Then click on the Align Bottom button and all the objects will now be aligned with the bottom of each box in the same horizontal plane as the initial object you selected.
	Space Horiz.	Select three or more objects in a horizontal plane by holding down the Shift key and selecting each object or  draw a rectangle around the all the objects with your mouse. Click on the Space Horizontally in a Band button and the left hand side of all the object boxes will now be aligned equidistant from each other in a horizontal plane
	Space  Vertically	Select three or more objects in a vertical plane by holding down the Shift key and selecting each object or  draw a rectangle around the all the objects with your mouse. Click on the Space Vertically button and the top of all the object boxes will now be aligned equidistant from each other in a vertical plane.
	Center Horiz. in Band	Select the first object you wish to align in the horizontal plane, hold down the Shift key and select the second object to be aligned. Click on the Center Horizontally in a Band icon and the left hand side of the left most object will be the same distance from the edge of the ticket as the right hand side of the right most object.
	Center Vert. in Band	Select the first object you wish to align in the vertical plane, hold down the Shift key and select the second object to be aligned. Click on the Center Vertically in a Band icon and the top of the upper box object will be the same distance from the edge of the ticket as the bottom of the lower box object.
Nudge
	Nudge Up	Click to nudge the object slightly upwards
	Nudge Down	Click to nudge the object slightly downwards
	Nudge Left	Click to nudge the object slightly to the left
	Nudge Right	Click to nudge the object slightly to the right
Draw
	Fill Color	Changes the text color in any Shape or Rich Text objects. Click on the object then select the color from the color picker. (use the Highlight Color button to change the color of Label or Memo boxes)
	Line Color	Changes the line color
	Line Thickness	Changes the line thickness
	Line Style	Changes the line style – dots and dashes

Setting Text Boxes to Accommodate Long Text

 

In most cases when setting up your fields for Program name, Venue name etc., right clicking on the text box to bring up the context menu and selecting AutoSize will print the text satisfactorily on your ticket. But if you have a particularly long name, then uncheck the AutoSize box and instead, select WordWrap. Then drag the corners of the text box to the size you require, making sure the depth of the box will allow for (at least) two lines of text. The text will now automatically wrap to the second line if needed.

 

Setting Number Formats

In several fields including Face Value, Ticket price - only number, Price w/o tax - only number, Tax value - only number and Ticket price + service charge, the default setting does not include a currency symbol nor does it specify the number of digits after the decimal point.

If you wish to set a "$" symbol for currency and restrict the digits after the decimal point, select the data field, right click on it and select Display Format....
Choose the option $#,0.00;-$#,0.00 to display the $ sign and set 2 decimal places.

 

Setting Date Formats

You can choose from various date formats (Event date, Event date (short), Event date - only date etc) which will display the date and time with either short day format/long day format, 24hour clock/12 hour clock, in different order etc. If you cant see the specific format you require, please contact Customer service and we can set it for you.

Setting the Ticket and Paper Size for your Printer

Single ticket formats refers to tickets printed individually by e.g. a Boca thermal printer.

A4/4 ticket formats refers to tickets printed on a Letter or A4 sized sheet of paper with multiple tickets printed per sheet e.g. with a laser or in jet printer.

Assuming a base ticket is loaded, click on the Edit button to bring up the Format Editor. Click anywhere on the body of the ticket to change the left panel Report Tree to Detail view.

(If the Report Tree is not displayed as the left panel, select this from View >Toolbars >Report Tree)

Under Layout, click the Column Traversal drop down box where you will normally select TopToBottom if printing tickets on a sheet or LeftToRight if printing with a thermal printer where the text is aligned across the wider side of a ticket.

In the PrintCount box, enter the number of tickets to be printer per page if printing on a sheet (typically 4). If printing single tickets with a thermal printer, enter 0.

Under Layout, enter the height of the ticket.

Click the icon that looks like a page in the upper left corner of the ticket to display the Report view.

In the Report Tree panel, find Layout and expand PrinterSetUp by clicking on the + sign.

If printing tickets on a sheet, in PrinterSetUp, select the paper size from the PaperName drop down box or enter a custom size in PaperWidth and PaperHeight.

In ColumnWidth you normally set this the same as your PaperWidth but you can enter a smaller size if you wish.

If you have a problem in changing the ColumnWidth, be aware that the PageWidth equals the ColumnWidth plus MarginLeft or MarginRight settings in PrinterSetup.

If the ticket does not print correctly with your printer, you may need to modify some of the above settings. Also check the setting Orientation in Layout which can be set either Portrait (default) or Landscape.