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The Linguist's Shoebox

Integrated data management and analysis for the field linguist


Shoebox can automatically provide a "template" of data fields for new records.

If a record does not contain a particular data field, you might forget to enter the corresponding information even though you know it. However, the presence of a field marker can serve as a reminder. When you insert new records, Shoebox can automatically provide a "template" of data fields—like a blank form to be filled in. This reduces typing and improves data consistency. We recommend that you define a database template that corresponds to a "normal" record. For a "minimal" record, you can leave the unneeded fields empty. For an "expanded" record, you can insert additional fields. For more information about minimal and expanded lexical database records, read section 4.5 in Making Dictionaries. Here is a procedure for defining or modifying the database template:
  1. From the Database menu, choose Insert Record.
  2. In the Insert Record dialog box, press the Delete key (to clear the Record to insert box).
  3. Click OK.
  4. If Shoebox displays the Multiple Matches dialog box, click Insert.
  5. Add or remove data field markers to produce the structure of a "normal" record.
  6. From the Database menu, choose Template.
  7. In the Set Template dialog box, click the Include field contents check box if you have
    • provided default values for any data fields
    • inserted blank lines to separate groups of fields
  8. Click OK. Shoebox stores the template in the database type (.typ) file.
  9. If you have new data to enter, fill in the the record that you have inserted; otherwise, from the Database menu, choose Delete Record, then click Yes.

Index of tips: consistency; data entry, consistency; records, new; template, database
List of tips