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This site was last updated on

17-Mrz-2010

1. How do I get help generally on how to use the software ?

2. How do I ensure a description of goods/packages on all documents ?

3. How I change data from lower to upper case or vice versa ?

4. How do I search for a code if I only know a bit of it ?

5. How do I cut and paste data in Formwise for Windows ?

6. How do I insert a graphic in the Marks etc. ?

7. How do I cope with the one-off documents demanded by a Letter of Credit ?

8. Where can I find more information on Intrastats ?

9. Where can I find more information on NES (New Export System) ?

10. Where is the best place to put weights in Formwise ?

11. Why doesn't clicking on the drop down show all the codes in a list ?

12. Why does the system default to insert mode for text entry ?

13. Why does the system say I have unfinished business ?

14. Why is the printed form cut off at the top or bottom ?

15. Who is the best person to talk to about computer problems with Formwise ?

16. What are "CSV or EDI files" for Intrastats ?

17. What is the difference between Invoice & Fast Invoice Continuation ? 

18. What happened to the drop down lists against F5 in the Dos/Unix version ?

19. When is the best time to do backups ?

20. What do I need to submit NES declarations from Formwise?

How do I ?

Get procedural help:  Obviously the quick way is to call the Help line on 01792-462113 or 01792-457449, or click on blue "i" button for help about the task you are using in Formwise.

Help on a field:    Press the "F1" for an explanation of the data required for the field, or refer to the Box by Box Completion Guide available in the download section of this site. This document covers the fields on the Invoice, Export Cargo Shipping Instructions, Packing List, Despatch Advice and Standard Shipping Note.

Package Description:    Enter in general goods area on invoice screen, using additional are if necessary

Change Text Case:    Highlight text (with shift and mouse) then press the "F7" key

Search for a code:    Clear the code in the drop down and type the "|" (shift and \ keypad - next to the Z) followed by the characters you know. Clicking on the drop down will then give you a list of all codes which contain the characters no matter whereabouts in the code they appear. Technically it is called a sliding string search and does take longer than normal because the system is checking all the codes. Another method is to replace a character with a "?".

Cut and Paste Data:    High light the text you wish to copy and use Ctrl+C to copy the data, move to where the data is to be copied and press Ctrl+V. Alternatively with the mouse on the data you wish to copy right click and select Copy, move to the new position and right click and select Paste. Ctrl+X will delete the highlighted text and Ctrl+V paste.

Insert a Graphics file: Go to the Control / Intrastat / Insurance tab near the top. It is recognised that some letters of credit will insist on marks, descriptions etc having graphics, or be so large that they cannot be held within the standard fields. In that case create a BMP file (Paint does this) and store the name in the consignment. The combination of data and/or graphic can then be printed.Do I cope with the requirement for one-off documents needed to comply with a Letter of Credit? If the document is either invoice or packing list based but needing a special title, then proceed as normal but choose to print the "Variable" formats where you can insert the title required during the printing process.

Sometimes however the document needs not only a specific title, but special text. If this is the case, then there is a static file called Extra Documents where you can store the basic layout of many forms which, when merged with the top half of a UN aligned invoice format, and also the signatory area at the bottom right, and given a title should cover these requirements. Storing a basic format will cut down on the one-off typing of documents merely to conform with an L/C. They can be added to the Extra Documents format on the Specialist tab within the Browse/Amend/Create consignments routine. If you have a number of these formats, then do not forget that when you print you can right click on the document quantity and select which page to print.

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Where  ?

is help on Intrastats: From a Formwise point of view there is a special section within the tutorial which is accessed from the Help + Tutorial selection on the main Formwise Toolbar. The section is available under the heading European Reporting.

do I put Weights:    This is one of the perennial problems as we have three sets of weights in Formwise against products, tariffs and cases. If you put weights against products they will be summarised into Tariffs but they are not checked against the weights put into the cases area. Many customers do not have individual product weights so in this situation put in the products and auto-allocate, then put in the case weights etc, or a total if an individual pack list is not required, then click on the spread weights icon to apportion the weights to tariffs by value. Obvious this is never 100% accurate but is more realistic than putting all the weight against the first tariff description, which is what was happening in a number of user-sites.

do I get help with NES: The electronic submission of entries for Customs Clearance is worthy of a separate section within the Help Tutorial, which is accessed from the Help + Tutorial selection from the main Formwise Toolbar. )Please  note that these options are not available within the EASI range of systems.

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Why ?

Drop down list: The list has a limit of 500 items, so if you know the first few characters of the code type them in before clicking on the drop down.

Default to insert mode:  That is the standard windows way, but if you press the "insert" button the text will be displayed as white on blue, rather than yellow on blue. Press the insert button again to go back to insert mode.

System says I have unfinished business: Some fields have been set as mandatory in certain situations, usually this will be the Intrastat details place for convenience at the bottom right of the invoice screen.

Is the printed form cut off at the top or bottom: Check that the printer's default settings are for A4 paper size, and not Letter, which is an American 11 x 8.5" size.

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Who ?

Best person to talk to: Always talk to us on the support line first as we like to talk and will offer best advice free of charge.

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What is/are ?

CSV or EDI files for Intrastats: Are specially constructed files to enable HM Customs to read the data without re-keying it. See the European Reporting Section of the Help file. The files are created from the Externals option on the toolbar

Invoice / Fast Invoice Continuation: The former will show you the product details as they fit on a page taking into account the number of lines of description, whereas the Fast Invoice will display nine items per page, showing just the first four lines of description. With longer invoices (Maureen Manning at Premier currently holds the  record of over 1000 items in one consignment - unless you know otherwise, but as the top limit is 999 items she had to split the consignment across 2 invoice) they are quicker to display.

Drop down selection lists: If you hold the mouse pointer over a field such as the country code, a hint will appear inviting you to double click for a selection list.

NES Declarations: This is the electronic version of a C88 for export declaration, which is sent to HMCustoms as a specially formatted message attached to an e-mail. You will need to apply to HMCustoms (www.hmce.gov.uk/forms/forms/ce42.pdf)  and obtain a role and location, which should be forwarded to us for inclusion in your system. If however you intend merely to submit full initial declarations, you will need to complete form HA7-2002.doc, (, or contact the support line and we will email you a copy.

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