After populating and organizing the Data List, the second step in Batch Processing is to define which processes to perform. FCS Express allows you to perform actions and reports during the batch process.

 

To add actions to the batch process, use the Batch & Export→Batch Export to PDF, PowerPoint, Excel, Prism, ...→Actions and Reports command to bring up the dockable Batch Actions and Report window (Figure 8.1).

 

 

 

 

To add a new process to the Batch Process Actions and Reports list, click on the process from the list of available items on the left of the Batch Actions and Reports window. An appropriate dialog box will appear to further specify the action for each process. For example, to add a Print action, you must specify the printer, the number of pages, and the number of copies to print.

 

Once a process has been added to the Batch Process Actions and Reports list, it is automatically set as active and will execute when running the Batch (the box to the left of the process in the Batch Process Actions and Reports list will be checked). To deactivate a process so that it will not execute in the Batch, uncheck the check box to the left of the process name.

 

Multiple actions of the same type can be added to the Batch Process Actions and Reports list. For example, two print processes can be active at once. The first print process could print pages 1-5 on printer #1 and the second print process could print pages 6-10 on printer #2.

 

Because both of the actions in the previous example will be listed as "Print" in the list, it could be helpful to change the process names in a complex batch list. To rename an action in the list:

 

1. Select the process name and press F2 (or right-click on the action and choose Rename from the pop-up menu).

2. Type in the new process name.

3. Press Enter.

 

Figure 8.2 shows an example of a Batch Process with several actions defined. The two active print actions have been renamed with descriptive text. The Save Picture of Plot action has been deactivated, indicating that it will not be used the next time the Batch Process is run.

 

 

 

 

Right-clicking on a process in the Batch Process Actions and Reports list brings up a pop-up menu with the following options:

 

•Cut/Copy/Paste: Allows copying and pasting processes. This facilitates moving tokens from one report to another.

•Delete: Delete the selected action.

•Rename: Enter a meaningful name for the selected action.

•Add Items: For Reports, you can add Items that can be found in the Add Item To Report section.

•Properties: Display the dialog box for the selected action to allow changes to the action properties.