Multi Layout Definition Function
In this manual, "multi format file" means that the file has various record formats;  each record in a multi format file has its own format. In this section, you will see how to operate a multi format file using the Multi Layout Definition Function.
By specifying the extraction condition in the Multi Layout Definition Function, you can select specific records to which a created layout definition is applied. Using this function, you can also extract records from a input file.


The procedure to make Multi Layout Definition File
To make a multi layout definition file:

1. Starting the Layout Definition application
Click on the Layout Definition icon to start Layout Definition from the Start menu or Program Manager.
Starting the Layout Definition application
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2. Creating a new Layout Definition File
Create a new layout definition file by reading an existing layout file or analyzing an existing COBOL library. After reading or analyzing the existing file, Data Converter creates all of the item definitions in the new layout definition file.
Creating a new Layout Definition File
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3. Editing the multi layout
Specify the comparison imformation in the Layout Definition Template dialog box.
Editing the multi Layout .
4. Adding a new layout
Click on the Add new layout button to add a new layout after the last layout.
Adding a new layout .
5. Inserting a new layout
Click on the Insert new layout button to insert a new layout in front of the displaying layout.
Inserting a new layout .
6. Deleting a layout
Click on the Delete layout button to delete the displaying layout.
Deleting a layout .
7. Saving a Multi Layout Definition File
Select Save as from the file menu to save the multi layout definition file.
Saving a Multi Layout Definition File .


Layout Definition Dialog Boxes

1. Layout Definition Dialog Box
Click on the Layout Definition icon to start Layout Definition from the Start menu or Program Manager.
Layout Definition Dialog Box .
2. Specifying Layout Definition Dialog Bar
1. List of layout names
    The list of layout names in the multi layout definition file is displayed. Select a name from the list to display the layout definition.
2. Control strings of selected layout
    The control strings of the selected layout are displayed.
    - Format op pos:len comp min-max
    op : The operator EQ/NOT/OTHER/NONE is displayed.
    pos: The starting position of comparison data is displayed.
    len: The length of comparison data is displayed.
    min: The minimum value of comparison data is displayed.
    max: The maximum value of comparison data is displayed.
Specifying Layout Definition Dialog Bar .
3. Layout Definition Template Dialog Box
1. Layout name
    Specify the layout name, up to 90 bytes. This layout name must be different from the existing layout name that is specified in the Basic Information dialog box.
2. Condition
    Specify the conditional expression. This field is required. EQ means Equal, NOT means Not Equal, OTHER means Other, and NONE means None.
3. Base position
    Specify the base position in records from which comparison of data starts. This field is required. The minimum is 1 and the maximum is 32767.
4. Length
    Specify the comparison data length in bytes. This field is required. The minimum is 1 and the maximum is "32767 - base position".
5. Minimum
    Specify the minimum value that is to be compared to the record data. Specify a hexadecimal value or a character string enclosed in double quotations. When the specified value length is shorter than the     comparison data length specified above, Data Converter inserts NULL in the part of the comparison data that exceeds the minimum value length. When the specified value length is longer than the comparison data length, Data Converter truncates the part of the minimum data that exceeds the comparison data length.
If you specify a minimum value and you do not specity a maximum value, Data Converter compares only the minimum value with the input file records.
6. Maximum
    Specify the maximum value that is to be compared to the record data. Specify a hexadecimal value or a character string enclosed in double quotations. When the specified value length is shorter than the comparison data length specified above, Data Converter inserts NULL in the part of comparison data that exceeds the minimum value length. When the specified value length is longer than the comparison data length, Data Converter truncates the part of the maximum data that exceeds the comparison data length.
If you specify a maximum value and you do not specity a minimum value, Data Converter compares only the maximum value with the input file records.
7. Previous
    Click on the Previous button to save the specified conditions and display the previous layout conditions. If the first layout is specified, a warning dialog box will be displayed.
8. Next
    Click on the Next button to save the specified conditions and display the next layout conditions. If the final layout is specified, a new layout will be created and displayed.
9. OK
    Click OK to check the specified conditions. If the conditions are valis, they are saved and the window closes. The relationship between Base position/Length and the actual record length is checked when the layout file is saved.
10. Cancel
      Click on the Cancel button to clear the editting conditions and close the window.
11. Help
      Click on the Help button to display the online help window.
Layout Definition Template Dialog Box .