FAQ Version 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

updated 03/30/2008

Operational Questions		Click on the link to the left to visit that section of the FAQ webpage or search by keyword. powered by FreeFind
System Requirements
Collections Questions
Contact Management Questions
Conversion Questions
Errors and Technical Support
Virtual Exhibit / PastPerfect-Online
Other Resources


Operational Questions	-	How do I backup Data, Images & Multimedia to CD or DVD from inside PastPerfect?
	-	How do I change dropdown list choices?
	-	On my Report Maker reports, can I insert alternating grey and white bands?
	-	How can I get an update for my PastPerfect Software?
	-	How do I change what I see on the Browse screen?
	-	How do I print out one of my Authority File lists? I want to see all of the terms on the list?



System Requirements	-	What are the system requirements for PastPerfect Software?
	-	What permission and network requirements do we need to run PastPerfect in a Network environment?
	-	How do I check my network throughput speed to see if it meets the 100 Mbps (Mega bits per second) requirement?
	-	What are the Imaging requirements for PastPerfect Software?


Collections Questions	-	Can I print out blank Data Entry forms to do my cataloging on paper first?
	-	What blank forms can I print from PastPerfect, if I want to be able to fill out paper forms?
	-	I have CDs and DVDs in our collection to catalog. How do they fit in to the Lexicon in PastPerfect?
	-	Can I link an accession record with a contacts record when I've forgotten to select the donor name from the list when adding the accession?
	-	How to Catalog Props and Consumable Items in the Museum Setting?
	-	How Do I Sort PastPerfect Records by Object ID#s or Accession #s without leading 0’s?
	-	How do I customize the deed of gift form?
	-	Is there a Keyword-type search for the Container List in the Archives catalog?
	-	How do I change the Object ID number?


Contact Management Questions	-	How do I set up an address to send 1 mailing for 2 contacts (using alternate billing address)?
	-	How do I set up a campaign?
	-	How do I make a list of all of my contacts who have an email address?
	-	How do I enter a complimentary membership?
	-	What is the difference between the “Default Donation Fund Letter” and the “Donation Fund Letter”?
	-	Where can I get a list of filters for PastPerfect Queries?
	-	How can I find out what Contact records show up on my Fixed Lists in the PastPerfect Lists & Labels screen?
	-	How do I export email addresses and contact information for use in Outlook Email?
	-	How do I make a member Active or Inactive?
	-	Is there something I can do to indicate that a Contact is deceased?
	-	How do I set all my Overdue Members to become Inactive Members?
	-	How can I get a list of members who have renewed consistently?
	-	Why do new contact records get filled in with the previous contact’s address information?
	-	How do I use Batch Processing?
	-	How do I create mail-merge letters?
	-	Can I edit my envelopes?
	-	Are there tips for writing filter statements?

Conversion Questions	-	How do I import data from Excel into PastPerfect?
	-	How do I create a data map to provide to PastPerfect conversion services?




Errors and Technical Support	-	When I edit or save records, I get an error message saying “Error 111: cannot update the cursor MASTER, since it is read-only.”
	-	When I try to open PastPerfect, I get this message: "Data files cannot be located in:".
	-	PastPerfect Network Installation on Client-Server or Peer-to-Peer Network

Virtual Exhibit & PastPerfect-Online	-	How do I add a video clip to my Virtual Exhibit website or PastPerfect-Online website?
	-	How do I get detailed information about the artists on my website?
	-	How do I add an Audio clip (or insert a link to another file) to a webpage in my Virtual Exhibit site?
	-	How do I change the order of the information on my Virtual Exhibit screen when I view record information?
	-	How do I update VE records that have had a change in Object ID numbers?
	-	How do I update my VE website to show changes that have been made in PastPerfect?
	-	Can I customize my PastPerfect-Online site?
	-	Can I Add a Counter to my PastPerfect-Online Website?
	-	How do I scan documents so the text can be read online using Virtual Exhibit?

Other Resources	-	Dublin Core Terms
	-	ISAD(G) to DACS to PP4 crosswalk
	-	Special Character Code Chart for ASCII

PastPerfect Software, Inc.
300 N. Pottstown Pike Suite 200
Exton, PA 19341

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS