The DP4 Text Editor is called DP4ED and can be accessed from the DP4 menu by selecting Other Facilities and then the ColorWrite Text Editor option (DP4ED is only available in the "real" DP4 menu, and not the Start Menu work-alike). The DP4 File Editor (DP4ED) appears:
The cursor is positioned in the first character of the first column. DP4 displays the name of the current file in the Title Bar. Initially the file is called "Untitled". You can save it under a more suitable name on exit.
The picture above shows the 4.621 version of DP4ED. In this version the size of the editing window changes when you resize the application. In earlier releases the screeen looks slightly different and the edit window is limited to at most 80*25 characters, and scroll bars appear if the application is resized too small.
Type the text into the Editing area. You do not need to press <Enter> at the end of the line; the editor wraps the text automatically at the wrap column. This is normally column 80, but you can change it if you like.
If you press <Esc> while you are in the Editing area, the menus become active. To return to the editing screen, press the <Esc> key twice.
The text editing facilities, for which Keys Help is displayed, are fully described in Text Editing Facilities
The File menu is accessed by pressing <Esc> or <Alt+F>. It provides these menu options:
| Menu Option | Purpose |
|---|---|
|
New |
Opens an empty file called "Untitled" |
|
Open |
Allows you to open an existing file. Enter the drive, path and the name of the file. If you only enter the name, DP4ED looks for the file in the current or working directory |
|
Save |
Saves your edits in the file. If the file is untitled, you are prompted to enter its name. (Name the file as above) |
|
Save As |
Allows you to save the file under a different name. (Name the file as above) |
|
Reformat F4 |
Wraps the existing text to the new wrap column |
|
Print F5 |
Prints the file at the selected output destinations |
|
Exit F8 |
Exits from DP4ED |
The Options menu is accessed by pressing <Esc+→> or <Alt+O>. It provides these options:
| Menu Option | Purpose |
|---|---|
|
Status line |
Toggles the Status line on and off |
| Keys help |
Toggles the help for editing keys on and off |
Colour F7 |
Pops up a window that allows you to change the text colour |
| Wordwrap column F3 |
Changes the number of characters that are allowed before the text is wrapped onto the next line. This is set to 80 characters as a default |
Select the Exit, <F8>, option when you are ready to save the file. DP4 prompts you to Save file, Abandon changes or Continue editing
Select the Save file option, type the name of the file and press <Enter> to leave the editor