SI Explorer Setup Menu - Options: General

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  1. Selectable Options
    1. Re-open Last-Used Job or Master When SpecsIntact Starts
    1. Confirm Successful File Operations After completing them
    1. Show 'Tailor Sections' window automatically when adding Sections to a Job or Master
    1. Allow specifiers for divisions not used in project MasterFormat version
    1. Hide text on menu buttons to display more content on main window
    1. Make processed files read only
    1. Prompts to back up Job or Master before deleting it or saving it to xML Format
    1. Automatically select last-used SpecsIntact printer
    1. Use Excel to open HTML files in Exported Files Folder
    1. Save user name in section properties when saving sections
    1. Optimize Performance for network Working Directories
    1. Optimize Performance For Network Jobs and Masters
  2. Check for Updates
    1. Agency requirements
  3. Standard Windows Commands
  4. Technical Support Information

Illustration Icon Indicating How To StepsClick the tabbed commands on the image below to see how to use each function on the Options menu.

Selectable Options

Illustration SI Explorer's Setup Menu - General: Selectable Options

Illustration Icon Indicating Helpful HintThe checked items are the default settings for SpecsIntact.

Re-open Last-Used Job or Master When SpecsIntact Starts

When selected, the software will select the last JobA specific facility construction project that consists of a group of guide specifications (Section (.sec) files) that are adapted to the project or Master that was open when SpecsIntact was closed.

Confirm Successful File Operations After completing them

By unchecking this feature, you will no longer get a confirmation message when copying, deleting, overwriting or renaming Sections or other files.

Show 'Tailor Sections' window automatically when adding Sections to a Job or Master

When unchecked, the TailoringTagged elements <TAI> </TAI> inserted by the Master Specification writer to indicate specific elements within a specification. These tags allow them to include or exclude requirements based on factors like agency or product. This pre-editing removes irrelevant requirements, simplifying customization for each project Options window will no longer appear when opening a SectionA set of files within the Division of a Master or Job that covers specific aspects of construction that contains Tailoring Options.

Allow specifiers for divisions not used in project MasterFormat version

By checking this feature, you can assign specifiers to Divisions not used in the project.

Hide text on menu buttons to display more content on main window

By checking this feature, the text on the SpecsIntact ToolbarToolbars assists the user in preparing and editing specifications by allowing quick access to commonly used commands. If you place your mouse pointer over any toolbar button, you will see a tool tip telling you the command associated with that button buttons will be hidden, thereby providing more viewing space.

Make processed files read only

When checked, the Processed files has a read-only attribute to prevent editing the Processed File (.prn) instead of the Section files (.sec).

Prompts to back up Job or Master before deleting it or saving it to xML Format

By unchecking this function, the software will no longer prompt you to backupA process used to backup a Job, Master, Supplemental Reference List, or Templates from the specified location (Drive or other device) the Job or Master when deleting a Job or Master or when saving to the Extensible Markup Language (XML)Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a general-purpose markup language. It is classified as an extensible language because it allows users to define their own tags. The primary purpose is to facilitate the sharing of structured data across different information systems, particularly via the Internet. It is a mechanism for defining and tagging elements of information within documents format.

When this option is checked, and you choose to delete a Job or Master, a window opens so you can choose to back up the Job or Master by opening the Backup and Restore dialog first, Delete the Job or Master without backing it up or Canceling the operation.  

Illustration Icon Indicating CautionDeleting a Job or Master will remove it from the Working DirectoriesA designated location on your systems hard drive or network drive where the Jobs, Masters, and Templates are stored and send it to the systems Recycle Bin.  If the Working Directory is located on a server, the delete function will be permanent.

Automatically select last-used SpecsIntact printer

This feature allows you to set the last-used printer within SpecsIntact without changing the default Windows printer.  This is particularly useful when Jobs are published to PDF.  By unchecking this option, SpecsIntact will use the default Windows printer.

Use Excel to open HTML files in Exported Files Folder

When this option is checked, SpecsIntact will automatically open the Exported HTML files with Microsoft Excel.  These files are as follows:

Save user name in section properties when saving sections

This feature must be checked if you wish to save and display the Windows user name of the last person to edit a Section for a Job or Master within the SI Explorer and Section Properties. When checked, this option also controls the SI Editor's 'Save user name in Section Properties' found in Tools menu > Options > Save tab.  Any  process that significantly modifies a project will also save the user name, such as Tailoring, Executing Revisions, Removing English or Metric Units, Renaming a Section or making text replacements through the Search and Replace feature.

Illustration Icon Indicating Important Information To NoteTo see the user name in the SI Explorer, you will need to go to the View menu > Columns and check 'Last Edited by' option.

Illustration Icon Indicating Helpful HintIf you wish to clear all the last saved user names, select the option 'Delete all Section properties' during released processing for a Job or Master.  To learn more about Release Processing, see the Process menu > Release Processing topic.

Optimize Performance for network Working Directories

To improve performance, the SI Explorer will not read titles and other data for Jobs and Masters located within a networked Working DirectoriesA designated location on your systems hard drive or network drive where the Jobs, Masters, and Templates are stored until the Job or Master is moused over or selected.  Until a Job or Master is selected, the Job title will display '(Select Job to See Job Title).'

Illustration Icon Indicating Important Information To NoteDisabling this feature will greatly reduce SpecsIntact performance.

Optimize Performance For Network Jobs and Masters

Improves performance opening networked Jobs and Masters once they have already been opened.

Illustration Icon Indicating Important Information To NoteIf you encounter an issue with this feature, regenerate the pull table through Process > Release Processing.

Check for Updates

Illustration SI Explorer's Setup Menu - Options: General - Check For Updates Topic

These functions will separately check for newer software, UFGS Master and Unified Master Reference and Submittal Lists (UMRL and UMSL) updates and offer to restoreA process used to bring back a backed-up Job, Master, or Supplemental Reference List from the specified location (Drive or other device) to the SpecsIntact system them to your system.  To discontinue receiving notifications at startup, uncheck the item(s) you do not want SpecsIntact to check automatically.

Illustration Icon Indicating CautionWe do not recommend that you uncheck any of the options above to keep your software and its elements updated.

Illustration Icon Indicating Important Information To NoteAgency requirements

The software has to be certified and pushed to the users system.  In this situation, you can discontinue the notification at startup by unchecking the option to 'Check for newer SpecsIntact software when SpecsIntact starts.'   By unchecking this you will continue to receive the UFGS Master, UMRL and UMSL updates.

Illustration SI Explorer's Setup Menu - Options: General - Check For Updates Topic

Standard Windows Commands

Illustration SI Explorer's Dialog Box OK buttonThe OK button will execute and save selections made and make them partAll sections are divided into three parts: General, Products, and Execution of your Master's properties.

Illustration SI Explorer's Dialog Box Cancel buttonThe Cancel button will close the window without recording any selections or changes entered.

Illustration SI Explorer's Dialog Box Help buttonThe Help button will open the Help Topic for this window.

Users are encouraged to visit the SpecsIntact Website's Support & Help Center for access to all of our User Tools, including eLearning (video tutorials), printable Guides, a Knowledge Base containing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Technical Notes and Release Notes, and Web-Based Help.

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SpecsIntact@usace.army.mil
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