2011-03-29
Dismiss this until next updateThis documentation has been updated

The latest version of PrintShop Mail is currently 7.1. This documentation was updated on 2011-03-29 and covers the changes made in this version. If you are still using an older version of PrintShop Mail, you can access its documentation by using the Version: menu at the top-right corner of this screen.

If you wish to upgrade to PrintShop Mail7.1, you can do so via the Upgrade Request page. Note that in order to upgrade, you will need a valid OL Care contract as of 2010-09.

Building Expressions

Expressions are built from the following components:

You build your expression by adding these components so they work together. You can do this manually by starting to type any of the component's name in the Expression Edit field.

The Expression Editor tries to automatically complete variable names, database fields, functions and constants for you. For example, if you type "P" in the Expression Edit field, a list of functions will automatically appear, starting with the ones with the letter P. You can use the up/down arrow keys to navigate this list and press Enter to select it from the list.

You can also add components to the expression automatically by using the function list, data field list and operators box below the Expression Edit field. For example, double-clicking on the PROPER() function will automatically add PROPER(Text) to your Expression Edit field.

View   the window

The Expression Assistant

When using functions in your expression, you can use the Expression Assistant to help you fill in the function's parameters and values. To do this, click on the [...] icon next to the function name. You can also double-click on the function name in the Expression Edit field to open the Expression Assistant.

View   the window

To help you to add the correct names of database fields, variables or functions, you can select those items from the pop up menu on the right hand side of the edit box.

View   the window

The result of the function you created here, will be pasted into the Expression Edit field. For example: PROPER ([First name]).

Result and debugging

You can always see the result of the expression itself just under the Expression Edit field. If there are any errors in the expression or if your expression returns no result, this box will be empty. If the result is a constant such as PRINT or SKIP, or if it is a number, the result is always shown as a string of text in the Expression Results box.

If there is any error in your expression, a few things can happen:

When you click OK to save the expression and close the Expression Editor, further validation is done, and any error will be shown in the Expression Edit field as a tooltip. The expression will not be saved until you correct the error and click OK again.

Variable Dependencies

You can use regular and global variables within your expression the same way you would use them in your document by entering the variable name surrounded by the variable marker (by default the @ symbol, e.g. @MyVariable@). If you attempt to use the name of a variable within its expression (such as entering @MyVariable@ while editing the MyVariable expression), this causes a "Deadlock" error, also known as a circular reference. This permits you to re-use expressions by calling their variable within another expression, as well as break up complex expressions into smaller parts.

Variables names are case-sensitive. This means that @myvariable@ is not the same as @MyVariable@, or @MyVaRiAbLe@. If you type in a variable name that does not exist, it will be created in the Variables panel and given an empty string ("") expression.