SPC Express for Windows Revision Log

SPC Express for Windows - Revision Log
Click Here for Version 1.3 (01-15-2001)

Click Here for Release 5 (01-24-2023)

This list is in Chronological order. (The NEWEST entries are at the bottom.)

Release 1:

Added Special Option "SGENTER=TAB" to make the Enter key act like a Tab key during Subgroup data entry. (08-23-96)
The ability to have different size subgroups for every characteristics within a given part file. (12-05-96)
Support for Attribute characteristics and P, U, NP, C, and Pareto charts. (12-05-96)
Fixed a bug which occurred when trying to add a characteristic to a Part File that had no characteristics in it yet. (12-17-96)
Added the Special Options "PAPERTALL=1000" and "PAPERWIDE=800" to allow you to over-ride the default paper size in dots. (Note: Enter your own numbers.) (12-17-96)
Added the Special Option "PAPERLEFT=100" to allow you to specify a left margin in dots. (Note: Enter your own number.) (01-11-97)
Attribute "buddy" window - assists entering non-conformities by eliminating the need to type in the non-conformity reason. A sample file (EXAMPLE.ATT) is provided. (01-14-97)
The ability to save your AutoTile Options value. This really helps you organize the look of your SPC Express on-screen charts. (01-14-97)
Fixed a bug - Numeric user-defined traceability fields weren't getting propagated properly. (01-23-97)
Added an option to read and convert SPC Express (DOS) Data Files. (03-13-97)
During Attribute subgroup data entry, non-conformities are summed automatically and the result put into the "NC pcs" field unless the user has already entered his own. (04-16-97)
Added the Special Option "QUERY=G" to specify that the latest user-query should be remembered globally (across characteristics) instead of just within a given window. (04-16-97)
Allow 1000 subgroups to be read instead of only 200. (04-28-97)
Gage readings can now be terminated with a LF or CR, instead of just a CR. (04-28-97)
Added the Special Option "RainbowGreen=.67" to specify how much of the Rainbow Chart should be green before it turns yellow. (Enter a number between .01 and .99) If you do not use this Special Option, it defaults to .50 (or 50%). (04-30-97)
Added the Special Option "HotWindow" so that only the highlighted window can take a gage reading. (05-05-97).
Spoken Voice Messages - Now says several spoken messages in the case of electronic gage errors. (05-05-97)
Moved User Query from the Edit menu to the View Chart Options screen. (05-16-97)
Added Standard Deviation Method to the Global Preferences screen. (05-21-97)
Added choice of "R/d2, RMS, Global" to the Characteristic's Required Info Tab. (05-21-97)
Blank Data Sheet report allows users to fill in and chart their own samples. (06-25-97)
Provided a Special Option "BLANK=nn" for the default number of Subgroups on a Blank Data Sheet (defaults to 16) (06-25-97)
Action Report for Initiating and Documenting Corrective Action. (06-25-97)
Ability to optionally show Min, Max, Average, Range, Median, Std Dev, Inspection Info on the Subgroup entry screen and/or the yellow pop-up window. (07-30-97)
Added Special Option "MostRecent=100" to cause newly opened charts to default to the most recent 100 subgroups. The value may range from 5 to 200. (10-06-97)
Subgroup numbers are now shown on the Blank Data Sheet Report (10-06-97)
More room is now provided on printed reports for the Description field. (10-06-97)
Repositioned the horizontal scroll bar on Attribute Charts. (10-16-97)
Improved communications from gage. Allow the .WAV files to be renamed without causing the System default sound to play. (10-16-97)
Increased disk buffer size from 5,000 to 25,000 to allow more subgroups (1000) to get read even if they have up to 25 samples per subgroup. (10-16-97)
Mitutoyo DP3 handler added. Use Special Option "DP3". (10-16-97)
Increased most recent subgroups allowed from 200 to 2,000. (10-30-97)
Increased maximum number of active subgroups from 1,000 to 2,000. (10-30-97)
Added Special Instruction "PropDate" to propagate the Date field on new subgroups. (10-30-97)
Added Start-up Switch: /FOLDER=mydatafiles to specify a default folder name for file opens. (11-24-97)
Added Formula "NetNextSG" which takes 5 readings, displays them as the "a)" readings, then takes 5 more readings, displays them as the "b)" readings, then nets them and then saves the subgroup. (12-03-97)
Added Formula *[Fieldname] to use the contents of a traceability field (sample fields will also work). For example, if you have a field called "Nominal" and you define a formula +[Nominal], then when you enter a number into a sample field, the value that is in the field called Nominal will be added to it. (12-03-97)
The Formula "MIN= -2.00" accidentally caused 2.00 to be subtracted. (12-03-97)
Added Special Option "COMM#n" to over-ride the defined comm port for Part Files as they are opened. This is especially useful if you run SPC Express from a different computer and that computer has gages connected to comm port 2 instead of comm port 1 (use COMM#2) or no gages at all (use COMM#0). (12-15-97)
Added Formula @ABS to take absolute value. (case insensitive) (12-21-97)
Formula "*-1.00" now works properly. (12-21-97)
AutoTile behaves more intelligently. (01-26-98)
Added Special Instruction: BlankNC to suppress Attribute Non-Conformities from getting propagated into the next SG. (01-27-98)
Added Formula #An (just like in AutoTrans) to take the average of n readings (items) and use the result for the sample value. The WAV file gageitem.wav gets played until all items have been received. (02-06-98)
Special Option QUERY=G (Global) now works properly, across all part files - even after they've been closed and re-opened. (02-18-98)
Added command line switch: /FILE= For example: expwin.exe /FILE=e:\spcdata\pn101;diameter;welding; (02-19-98)
Added Special Option "CommParms=4800,e,7,1" (or whatever) which can be used in case the [comm parms] button doesn't work. (03-23-98)
The statistics were not being displayed at the bottom of some on-screen graphs. (03-31-98)
Support added for International Date Format such as dd/mm/yy. (04-05-98)
Support added for subgroups sizes greater than 25 (04-20-98)
Query Wizard didn't handle embedded blanks well. (04-20-98)
Auto-detect the number of decimal places during DOS file conversion. (05-04-98)
Added Special Option "AutoSave=Off" to suppress automatic saving of subgroups when the last gage sample comes in. (06-25-98)
Changed maximium characters for attribute description wrapping from 16 to 17. Reduces the need for taking up two lines for each description on the printed reports. (08-18-98)
Added automatic scrolling of the Subgroup Entry Window during data entry if fields don't all fit vertically. (09-21-98)
Allow DDE logic to handle data coming in on a POKE. (10-01-98)
Added support for PPM (attribute data, parts per million), Special Option: ATTR=PPM (10-26-98)
Fixed a problem opening data files when all 45 characters were used for Characteristic and Department. (11-09-98)
Added Special Option "AutoTime=Off" to prevent the automatic time-stamping of subgroups. (11-13-98)
Added Special Option "SGTime=ampm" to use a 12 hour clock instead of a 24 hour clock. Time would be entered and displayed as 03:30:00 pm for example. (11-13-98)
Added an AutoTile Checkbox to the AutoTile Menu so that the user's AutoTile On/Off preference can be remembered. (11-18-98)
Allow the Cloning of Characteristics. (11-18-98)
Improved DOS File Conversion when leading zeros were missing from time stamps. (11-24-98)
Added a line called "SUM" to the Blank Data Sheet Report. (12-15-98)
A New Report has been added called Directory Cpk Report (on the File Menu) to provide a One-line Summary of every file in a specified directory (folder). Some additional cosmetic work still needs to be done to display column headings on multiple pages. Thank you for your patience. (01-28-99)
Improved the DOS File Conversion Utility to handle Dates where users had a 1 digit Day such as "12/6/97" in their DOS files. (01-28-99)
Fixed a bug which caused the Date field to display as blank when editing, if Special Instruction PropDate was being used. (02-01-99)
Ability to use the Period key (Decimal point) in the Time Field for easier entry of time. Example 12.45 would mean 12:45 (02-01-99)
DOS File Conversion is now smarter. If the afternoon time stamps were entered as 1:00 in DOS, they will be converted to 13:00 (or 1:00 pm) for Windows. (02-05-99)
Added Special Option "PropDate" to cause the latest Date stamp to be used on new subgroups instead of the current date (today's date). It behaves just like the Special Instruction "PropDate" except it is applied globally to all part files instead of just the one. (02-05-99)
Added Special Option "oosColor=Red" to cause any out-of-spec sample values to appear in red on color printers. (02-05-99)
Improved the DOS File Conversion Utility to handle user-specified traceability fields that were spelled the same but had different capitalization (ie: Operator/OPERATOR). (02-12-99)
Added Alt-key short-cuts to the buttons on the Subgroup Entry Screen. (02-12-99)
Fixed a problem handling some Keyboard Formulas. (02-15-99)
Version 1.3 is released. New Features have been incorporated into the Manual and On-Line Help. (02-19-99)
Improvements have been made to the LaserMike interface. (02-26-99)
Added Function RatioNextSG (similar to NetNextSG) to take the ratio of the sample values in two consecutive subgroups. (03-15-99)
Clear the Comm Buffer better upon opening a subgroup entry window (reduces comm errors). (03-15-99)
Added Special Option "ConvertDebug" to turn on debug messages during DOS file conversions. (03-26-99)
Several improvements to the LaserMike interface, including compatibility with Series 192 controllers. (03-31-99)
Added a Check Box for the Directory Cpk Report for whether or not to include empty files on the report. (04-09-99)
Allow gage inputs on two or more comm ports at the same time. (04-14-99)
Added Formulas ODD and EVEN. This causes gage readings to toggle between two windows. (04-20-99)
Added Special Options HOTCOM1 and HOTCOM2. This disables gage input from a selected comm port unless that window is highlighted (04-21-99)
Added Special Options: TitleBar=File, TitleBar=PartNo, TitleBar=Char to give the user control over what is displayed in the window titlebars.(04-29-99)
Added Special Option PrintStats for printing AVG and RGE on page 2 of printed reports. (05-10-99)
Added Special Option OOCLOG for generating an OutOfControl Log file called OOCLOG.TXT if Extended Limits are used. Also use OOCLOG=D:\spcfiles\mylog.txt" to specify a log file with any path and name you want except it must end with .txt. (05-17-99)
Added better diagnostic message for comm overflow errors. (05-24-99)

New Features in version 07-13-99:
- Allow user to specify a Chart AND a SG Entry window for the Start-Up View Type(s).
- Remember the folder of the last file opened.
- Allow periods in the Char and Dept/Process fields.
- Fixed a problem handling NULL bytes from a gage.
- Added "Save as Default" functionality to save the Traceability fields when Creating or Editing a Part File.
- Suggest the FileName as the Part Number when creating a New Part.
- Added a "Are You Sure?" dialog when the user clicks OK when Creating a New Part File. It is just too easy to hit enter, then it's too late.
- Increased the default maximum number of different NC Reasons from 100 to 150.
- Special Instruction MAXATTR=500 (maximum) to change the number of different NC reasons that can be charted.
- Attribute "All others" didn't always work right.
- Added a warning message and further instructions when user enters a TimeStamp = 24:00 for midnight. (must use 0:00 of the next day)
- Added a warning message when an unfixable error occurs when user enters two identical timestamps of 23:59:59.
- FIX: You can now enter SG's with the same time stamp. This was intended to work all along, but only worked when user entered a full 8 character time stamp such as 01:00:00.

New Features in version 08-25-99:
- Fixed a problem using the "most recent subgroups" on a Directory Cpk Report
- Added Special Option "StampWhenSaved" to cause the SG to be time-stamped when it is saved instead of when it is started.
- Added Special Option "CopyTrace" to cause traceability entries to be written into all open SG entry windows for the same Part File.
- Added Special Option "Folder=" to define the default folder name for File Opens. It acts just like the /Folder Command Line Switch.

New Features in version 12-03-99:
- Fixed a problem when trying to chart subgroups from just the month of December.
- Allow Trace Info to come in the serial port. Example: ##Machine#M101## 01 [CR]. A record can contain either a Sample or Trace Info (not both).
- Play a wav file when a sample is out-of-spec (either keyboard or gage).
- Allow up to 8,000 subgroups or 48,000 samples on a chart.
- Added Special Options "CommDelay=2" and "CommDelay=OK" to delay reading the comm port for 2 seconds (or any number) or until the operator clicks OK.
- KB AutoSave is now implemented for keyboard samples. It causes a SG to be saved as soon as the last sample is typed in and [Enter] is hit.
- Added CP Index to the Directory Cpk Report.
- Automatically Invalidate SG's during DOS conversion if they are missing any samples.

Set the Default Year to 2000 when entering Chart Options. (01-03-2000)

New Features in version 01-25-00:
- Allow User-Defined Query to work on a Directory Cpk Report
- Added Special Option TracePlaces=3 ( use 0 - 4 ) to specify how many decimal places are desired in numeric traceability fields.

New Features in version 04-19-00:
- Added Special Option "LockTimeStamp=New" and "LockTimeStamp=Always" to prevent the users from altering the Date and Time fields in the SG's
- Added Special Option "TitleBar=CharDept" in addition to TitleBar=File, TitleBar=PartNo, TitleBar=Char
- Added Formula "NetPercentNextSG1" computes (|a-b|) / a * 100.
  Added Formula "NetPercentNextSG2" computes (|a-b|) / b * 100.
  Added Formula "NetPercentNextSG3" computes (|a-b|) / a
  Added Formula "NetPercentNextSG4" computes (|a-b|) / b
- Added Special Option "DeleteManySGs" for deleting multiple SG's at a time.
- Added Special Option "PickandChoose" to allow user to select an individual sample from within the subgroups to be charted.
- Allow re-select of folder on DIR Cpk Report when no MDB files are found.
- Added Special Option "CustomBlank" to let users define additional lines to be printed on Blank Data Sheets. Uses files: CustomBlank-V.txt and CustomBlank-A.txt. Up to 5 additional lines are allowed. (also see 06-19-00 below)
- Bug Fix: Occasionally, when a new Characteristic was created and another window was open, a system error would occur upon saving the first subgroup.

New Features in version 05-11-00:
- Added Special Option "Trend=XR" (or just Trend=X or Trend=R) to perform Trend and Shift checking on the Range Charts. Default is still just Averages Chart only.
- Fixed the problem that the N and U 'start-up type' radio buttons were reversed on the Edit Char screen.

New Features in version 06-19-00:
- Improved Error Handling when trying to open a damaged Table.
- Fixed problem of no yellow pop-up if Special Option "NoMovingRange" was set.
- Added Special Option "CustomBlank" to read files CustomBlank-V.txt and CustomBlank-A.txt. Up to 12 lines are allowed. They totally replace the default lines on the Blank Data Sheet Report. (details)
- Allow Single Quotes in a Trace Field name without damaging the Part file, rendering it unusable. This often caused the error of the last field not being the "invalidated" field.
- Removed a messagebox that warned of attribute button names longer than 17 characters in example.att files. This caused the application to crash if a SG entry and P chart were on the screen at the same time and this warning needed to be displayed.
- Always Reset the Invalidated Flag after every subgroup (when in new mode).
- Added More TRACE Info during Gage opening (when Trace=1).

New Features in version 07-18-00:
- Default the year to the current year on the Directory Cpk Report Chart Options dialog screen.
- Program could encounter a memory error when using the Chart Options Dialog during a Directory Cpk Report and a Graph was open and the user moved the Chart Options Dialog.

New Features in version 11-27-00:
- AutoMod is now implemented.
- Fixed a possible memory error that could occur if different Chart Options were defined while a Data Entry window was in the New mode.
- Changed the keyb-oos.wav to be played in the background instead of in "Sync".
- Added support for Comm Port 3.
- Added support for Median/Range Charts (Special Option: "Median=1")
- Disallow Modified Limits if Median Charts are requested.

New Features in version 01-15-2001:
- Added additional info to the "DeleteManySG's" Confirmation Screen.
- Fixed a few minor glitches when Median Charts are requested.
- Fixed an RBar calculation on some Directory Cpk reports when Individual Charts were used with a User-Defined Query.

SPC Express for Windows - Revision Log
Click Here for Version 1.3 (01-15-2001)

Click Here for Release 5 (02-25-2022)

This list is in Chronological order. (The NEWEST entries are at the bottom.)

Release 5:

08-13-2001 Released Click for details
- Access 2000 Compatibility.
- Out-of-Control Pop-up Window to prompt for Notes (or any other traceability).
- Out-of-Control Log to record all out-of-control occurrences and operator's Notes.
- Password Protection to prevent unauthorized use of various functions.
- CAD/Graphics File Viewing Capability.
- Show Check Boxes, Radio Buttons, Edit Boxes, etc. for all available Special Options.
- Save and Activate Layouts containing multiple characteristics.
- Ability to Clone Part Files.
- Ability to edit the Characteristic and Dept/Process Names (Change Identification).
- Do not re-apply Keyboard Math Functions when editing.

New Features in Version 08-31-2001
- New Gage Option (in Global Preferences) for 'Fowler Continuous' gages.
- Use the 11 characters after a Formula Operator instead of only 7 (example: *1.123456789)

New Features in Version 10-03-2001
- Added ability to perform Math Functions between windows (Publish/Use) Click for details
- Added ability to define an 'Auto-Increment' Traceability Field Click for details

New Features in Version 12-12-2001
- If a Custom Blank Title ends with an underscore (_) then do not draw a horizontal line.
  If the last n lines end with an underscore, do not draw the vertical lines either. Click for Example
- Improved the way the Date Format (mm/dd/yy, etc in Regional Settings) is detected.
- Added ability to choose font size for the on-screen charts.
- Improved the ease-of-use of the Create User-Defined Traceability Screen.
- Fix: Could not delete a User-Defined Traceability Field if it contained a single quote ( ' ).

New Features in Version 04-05-2002
- When editing the Characteristic Name and Dept/Process, be sure they do not exceed the allowed lengths of 25 and 20.
- Improved the algorithm for computing font sizes on screen.
- If a user-defined trace field ends with "(Req)" then that field will be a required field (case does not matter).
- New Formulas added for processing data from 2 or 4 gages:
  - @MAXTRUE4 - Computes the maximum of Sqrt(a^2+b^2) and Sqrt(c^2+d^2)
  - @MAX2 - Computes the maximum of a or b
  NOTE: Set GageID to "~02~03~07~08" (assuming your readings are coming from GageID's 02, 03, 07 and 08.
- Added Special Option to prompt operator before downloading an LMK file. This allows you to skip doing the download.
- Increased maximum number of characteristics per Part File from 100 to 150.
- Increased maximum number of characters in a Path name from 40 to 100.

New Features in Version 05-07-2002
- Fixed a problem with "uncoupled" windows when Layouts were used.
- Fixed a problem trying to open a part file from the root of a drive.

New Features in Version 05-30-2002
- New Feature: Special Instruction = *START=Filename.txt. This will cause a pop-up window to appear whenever this characteristic is opened. The window will display the Part No., Char, and a text message (up to 10 lines long). Don't forget the ASTERISK!!

New Features in Version 10-17-2002
- New Special Option "CpkGroups=1.00/1.33/1.50" to let users define their own Cpk Summary Groups.
- Hitting UpArrow through the last sample field would save the SG if a KB Prefix was defined. That was bad when user wants to enter the trace fields first then go back up to enter samples.
- New Special Option "GrayAttr=1" to gray-out the attribute description fields to prevent operators from typing their own reasons.
- Fixed Interwindow Math for Gage samples (it just worked for KB data).
- Attribute SG's with more than 48 reasons was blowing up.
- Increased maximum number of characteristics per Part File from 150 to 300.
- If there are more than 127 fields in an UPDATE SQL, divide it up into 2 parts. This can happen if you have more than 66 attribute reasons (SG Size=66).
- Made the "Light" Background even lighter for Rainbow Charts.
- If user entered a "Network Neighborhood" filename for the att file, the path was incorrect.
  Example: \\P600\Data\SPCFiles\Example.att
- Added Special Instruction Sample1=Angle(deg), (or whatever) to change the name of Sample1 on SG entry screen, yellow pop-up, and printed report. Be sure to put a comma at the end.
- Added an "Are you sure?" when exiting SPC Express
- When user chose to Clone a Char and then picked "NO, not from this Part File", the File Open Dialog that came up did NOT show just mdb files only. Now it does.
- Give the user control over text color on SG entry forms. NOTE: The options are on the Global Pref screen on the 2nd tab.
- Fixed a resource leak that could cause program halts under certain conditions.
- Force the user to enter something (non-blank, you can't just click OK) for a reason when the process goes out of control and the OOCNOTE Special Instruction is specified. Even took off the Cancel button.
- Allow user to specify a Fowler Continuous Gage on a port-by-port basis (ports 1-3).
- New Special Instruction DisplayMetric to generate reports in mm instead of inches.
- Allow up to 35 characters for the Part Number (was 20).
- Allow up to 35 characters for the Customer Name (was 20). (added since 10-10-2002)
- Added a Cp Summary to the bottom of the Directory Cpk Report. (added since 10-10-2002)

New Features in Version 01-31-2003
- AutoScope Option is Released.
- Added support for Comm Ports 4-6.
- Fixed a bug in handling the Date Format: yyyy/mm/dd.
- Font size will auto-adjust on printed reports to accomodate long trace fields.
- X-Bar S Charts are now available.
- Improved handling of graphing SG's which have illegal data (like no samples in a ATTR SG).
- Added logic to Kill any exisitng windows if they belong to the Layout that is now being opened.
- Fixed: When a Layout was opened, the icon in the window's titlebar could be the wrong type.

New Features in Version 03-25-2003
- New Feature: Text File Data - You can now read samples from a txt file on disk. Each record in the text file will look like it came from a gage, so all of the formatting rules for gages apply. Click for details
- New Special Option "LAYOUTKEYS=1" to allow for Layout activations using a single keystroke. The Layout file should be named: KEY_NodeID_01.la2 for ALT-1. You may use ALT-1 through ALT-8.
- Added 4 new Special Options for Converting DOS Files:
  - DOSCONVERT=NOTES - Makes a trace field call Notes(15) instead of Other 1-5. The first 15 characters of Other 1-5 will go into the Notes field.
  - DOSCONVERT=NOSGS - Converts structure but no subgroups.
  - DOSCONVERT=NOATTR - Will not convert Attribute Files.
  - DOSCONVERT=999 - to handle DOS Data Files up to 999.
- Show the Most Recent UCL (instead of the maximum UCL) on P-Charts.
- Changed the display of the UCL on an Attribute chart from the maximum value to the most recent value.
- When opening a Layout, if the user had positioned the upper-left corner of a window off the screen (negative coordinates), force it back into the viewable area.
- New Special Instructions: DisplayMultiply=xxx, DisplayAdd=yyy (multiply first, then add). Similar to DisplayMetric.
- Force the Attribute Buddy window into Button Mode (not Edit Mode) upon start-up.
- Prime the VERY FIRST Subgroup with the first "n" non-conformity reasons from the buddy (.att) file.
- Added safety check for computing UCL on P Charts if there were more non-conforming pieces than there were pieces.
- Don't try to update the user's Private AutoScope.txt file upon exit, if AutoScope is disabled.
- Fixed a bug when trying to Clone a Characteristic into a Part File and no Characteristics exist yet in this Part File.
- Increased maximum number of characteristics per Part File from 300 to 400.
- Added Special Option PrintDelay=nnnn to help compatibility with some printer drivers.
- Speed improvements to FileData.txt processing. Also, added Special Option FileDataDone=DELETE to delete the FileData.txt when done processing the last record in the file.
- Added d2 factors for SG sizes 41 through 50.

New Features in Version 07-22-2003
- Better Trouble-Shooting of Printing problems
  Use Special Options: PrintDelay=Show, PrintFP=Clear
- Allow Remembering a User Query, then opening the char using that query the next time it is opened.
  Use Special Option: QueryInsert=Yes
- New Feature: AutoQuery. Just put AutoQuery=[Batch] (or whatever) in the Special Instructions field. Then whenever the user enters a new subgroup, it will perform a user query based on whatever he entered into that specified field.
- New Feature: Send an Email Alert when a process goes out-of-control.
- Added new Special Option "DataEntryFont=Large". (or XLarge) to change the Font Size on the SG entry screen.
- Automatically switch into Extended Limits if user just defined or changed the Extended Limits.

New Features in Version 01-06-2004
- New Report: Directory Summary Report - prints a text summary showing the definitions of each Part and Characteristic. (It is a new option on the File Menu.)
- When you "Browse for Folder" on the Directory Reports, the proposed folder is now the current working folder, instead of going all the way back to "My Computer". This is a convenience improvement.
- Numerous Improvements to AutoScope.
- On Attribute Blank Data Sheets, show a Blank Data Area Grid below the P Chart instead of a Pareto Chart.
- More powerful features for Importing TXT Files: You can now specify fields by field number (assumes comma separated values), instead of just by byte position. Also, you can now specify where a Date and Time Stamp can be found.
- Ability to type in the Histogram Trace Info (Audit Date, Label Check, etc). Click on: "Edit/Enter Histogram Notes"
- Pop-up a warning window if a sample is entered whose value - after any applicable formula is applied - exceeds the MIN and MAX values as defined in the Math Formula. Enter "Popup=Deny" in the Math Formula field to let the operator know that the reading will be denied, or "Popup=Warn" if you want to allow the operator a chance to use it anyway.
- Fixed a problem - If a Keyboard Formula was defined, it could get re-applied during SG Edit just by arrowing through the sample field.
- Added Box & Whisker Charts for analyzing the distributions of individual samples. This is helpful for multi-process inspections, such as multi-cavity molds or multiple fill-heads. Click here for sample (then click Back)
- Added new Special Option "DataEntryFont=Small" (Now includes Small/Normal/Large/XLarge) to change the Font Size on the SG entry screen.
- Opening an Attribute file with an empty Buddy File could cause a hang.
- Doing a "SaveAs" on an Attribute Buddy File now works properly.
- Cad Driver is now optional in Global Preferences. If left blank, SPC Express will let Windows launch the file using the default program associated with that file type. This allows you to use different file types with different characteristics.
- Fixed a glitch in KeyBoard AutoSave if Predefined Keyboard Prefix was also defined. Subgroups could accidentally get saved prematurely, especially if SG Size=1.
- Allow user to "CHAIN" to another SG Entry Window when doing gage input. Specify this in the Math Formula field. Example: #P001, #CHAIN002. I am "Publishing" myself as Window 001. "Chain" to Window 002. Always use 3 characters (may be alphanumeric). Be sure to turn on "HotWindow" in GlobalPreferences.
- Added new Special Option "KBAUTOSAVE=ALL" to turn on KB AutoSave on all open windows.

New Features in Version 05-05-2004
- Now able to Edit Passwords and Functions from within SPC Express . . . you no longer need to use Microsoft Access. You must be a System Administrator, then click on File / 'Change Level & Passwords'. Click here for sample screen (then click Back)
- Added Password Protection to the EXIT Function (Function #12).
- AutoScope Improvements:
  Refresh now works on a programmable timer, including scanning for new stations.
  Added 'Manager' Mode - See other stations but they won't see you.
  Password Protect the 'View All Stations' Function (#13)
- A new Math Function has been added (#G) to compute "Group Percentages". This allows you to compute the fractional amount of one or more readings as a percentage of the total. For example, say you want to know the fractional percentage of beans in your soup. Weigh the broth, weigh the noodles, weigh the beans. SPC Express will calculate the weight of the beans as a percentage of the total weight. Click for more info
- A new report has been added called a "Long Report". For those of you familiar with SPC Express for DOS, you'll recognize it right away. The Charts are printed vertically instead of horizontally and can span multiple pages. This Long Report can be 160 pages long or 8,000 subgroups. (This feature must be enabled by entering LongReport=YES in the Extra Options field.)
- Fix: Trends and Shifts near the beginning of a Moving Average/Moving Range Chart could be improperly highlighted if the window size was greater than 1.
- Fix: The Chart Options' radio buttons for Action Report, Blank Report, and Long Report weren't getting remembered if the Characteristic got edited.
- Allow Blank Data Sheets to have up to 16 samples per subgroup.
- New Global Preference, "PLUS=DITTO", to make the Plus key copy the previous sample on a subgroup entry form.
- "Remember Queries Globally" now works with fewer mouse clicks. You must still choose "View Chart Options" to select User-Defined Query, but you no longer need to edit the User-Defined Query to cause the Global Query to take effect.
- You can now Copy/Paste/Cut in the fields on the SG entry form.
- Added ESCAPE handling to the SG Entry Screen. If you start typing (or over-typing) in a field and want to abandon what you are doing, hit ESC and it restores that field to what it was before you started typing in it.
- Added Special Option [TERM]=[3B3B] to use 2 semi-colons for a terminator on gage input, like AutoTrans for DOS used to have.
- DataEntryFont choices (Small, Normal, Large, XLarge) are now in a droplist in Global Preferences. (It used to be a Special Option - see 7-22-2003.)

New Features in Version 08-30-2004
- Subgroup Flagging . . . you can now specify a field to use (such as "Notes" or "Assignable Cause") and the X-Bar R Charts will display a symbol to let you know that a Note has been entered in that Subgroup. Define which field to use in GlobalPreferences (on the 'Graphs and Layouts' Tab). Click here for sample screen (then click Back)
- Allow Void Samples . . . you can now leave a void in a subgroup and still save it. For example, if you have a subgroups size of six, but can only collect 5 samples, you can leave a sample value blank. To enable this feature, type 'AllowVoids' in the Formula line.
- New Special Instruction: Sample1=Cavity ##, and the sample number will get substituted on all n sample titles, like this: Cavity 1, Cavity 2, Cavity 3, etc. Be sure to put a comma at the end.
- You can now define a User-Query: [Date] = Today and even remember it for the next start-up.
- Scatter Plots with Linear Regression Analysis including Correlation Coefficient & R-Squared. Uses the existing "Publish" (#P) function and the new "Scatter With" (#SW) function. Click here for sample screen (then click Back)
- Fixed a problem when a User-defined Query got 'saved for next start-up' and it had a SQL syntax error in it. Now, you can at least open the file so that you can correct the improper syntax.
- Added new Special Option "DirCpk=Surplus" to see how much product you're wasting. This value will appear on the Directory Cpk Report and will include an accumulation of all the values which exceed the Lower Spec Limit. For example, if you are bottling hand lotion and you're making 12 oz. bottles, anything over 12 ounces is product that you're giving away!
- Automatically use a 2-line "TextArea" box instead of a long single "edit box" on the Subgroup Entry Screen when a custom traceability field width exceeds 20 characters. If it exceeds 40 characters, use a 3-line scrolling TextArea.

New Features in Version 11-30-2004
- Fix: Occasionally, printed reports would have no decimal places on the vertical scale numbers. This was due to the 'PartsPerMillion' flag not being initialized properly for Attribute charts.
- You now have the option to remember the screen position when exiting SPC Express. Then when SPC Express is started again, the SPC Express window will be located where it was last (unless you are starting in Full Screen Mode).
- Added Special Option BoxColor=Cpk to use the current Cpk value to determine the color of the background for the on-Screen process chart's information area. Green if over 1.33, Yellow if between 1.00 and 1.33, Red if less than 1.00
- The Difference Function (#Dnn) has been added. For example, use #D06 to take 6 readings from a gage, compute the difference between the largest value and the smallest value and then use that difference as the sample value. It works in a very similar manner as the Average Function (#Ann).
- The Minimum Function (#MINnn) has been added. For example, use #MIN06 to take 6 readings from a gage and only use the smallest value of those 6 samples. It works in a very similar manner as the Average Function (#Ann).
- The Maximum Function (#MAXnn) has been added. For example, use #MAX06 to take 6 readings from a gage and only use the largest value of those 6 samples. It works in a very similar manner as the Average Function (#Ann).
- AutoScope can now Drill-down on a single process instead of just on an entire Station.
- Redraw the Red Out-of-Spec Triangles on the Subgroup entry screen when the window is resized.
- Fix: Layouts now can handle Characteristic and Dept names with embedded Comma's.
- CHAINING now works with either a gage reading coming in OR the SAVE or SAVE-> button being clicked. This allows Attribute screens to be a part of the Chain.
- Convert all 40 characters of DOS Notes (Other1 - Other4) instead of just the first 15 during a DOS Convert, if Extra Option DOSCONVERT=NOTES is set.
- OOCNOTE= can now be defined Globally. But use the Local definition if one is defined in Special Instructions
- Added support for the MetraLight laser mike. Added a new Special Option MetraLightPort=1 or MetraLightPort=2. This causes a command to be issued every 2 seconds (2 is the default) out the serial port IF there is a SG entry window open for port 1 (or 2) and it's in the NEW mode. The command sent is "d[CRLF]". This is used for the MetraLight Laser mike model RX Series.
  Uses Special Options: MetraLightPort=n, MetraLightPeriod=60 (seconds), MetraLightSound=ON.
- Added a Special Instruction "NoKeyboardData" to prevent the user from typing in sample values.

New Features in Version 02-04-2005
- Increased the number of digits from 2 to 4 for #A, #D, #MIN, #MAX, allowing #A9999 for example.
- Added the ability to Filter on specific Part Numbers, Characteristics, and Departments when doing a Directory Cpk Report.
- Speed improvements to AutoScope. For example, re-sizing the AutoScope window no longer forces re-reads of the AutoScope disk files.
- During DOS File Conversions, Characteristic Names can have periods instead of converting to underscores. For example: when converting a DOS file with a characteristic of "Flange Ht. at Top", it used to convert to "Flange Ht_ at Top".
- New Formula: #TRIGGERnnn to "trigger" another window. A value of zero will be passed to the triggered window - just as if some "phantom gage" sent in a value of zero. It is then up to the triggered window to get its own data. This is great for doing differences and ratios. It works for both keyboard and gage entries. A simple example: Window 001 reads a tare weight. Window 002 read a gross weight and triggers window 3, using #TRIGGER003 in the Formula line. Window 003 uses the formula +{002} -{001} to compute the net weight. Window 003 could even trigger another window to pass along its results for further processing and charting. Also see InterWindow Math ... Click for details
- Fixed a potential problem using Traceability fields in the Formula line. For example, "+[Nominal]". (This feature was added in December 1997, but no reports of any problems.)
- Fixed a problem - 'possible uclmax problem' - which could occasionally occur if Modified Limits were used with Attribute files.
- Fixed a problem - SPC Express could abort if a ScatterMate was not found. This is now fixed, but you can still make SPC Express generate an error if you try to do a print preview on a scatter plot with a missing mate.
- Added a "Back-Door" feature to display the Math Formula on the Subgroup Entry screen. Enter "ShowSGFormula" in the Extra Options line of Global Preferences. It is meant to help users more easily see what's happening during part set-up. It really makes it a lot easier to see what's going on - especially when doing #CHAIN's and #TRIGGER's.
- AutoScope Improvements:
  ... could miss seeing a station if there were two or more Manager stations in a row.
  ... sometimes aborted when trying to view more than 40 stations.
  ... had trouble reading station information correctly if the Characteristic Name (or Department) had a comma in it.
  ... made Station Names easier to read when viewing more than 30 stations.
- Added Special Instructions: *HotWindow=ON and *HotWindow=OFF. This allows you to modify the HotWindow setting on-the-fly (probably you would use this in a characteristic within a Layout). This could be very useful, because some Layouts might require HotWindow and some Layouts might not.
- Added an On-screen Indicator of the HotWindow status.

New Features in Version 04-22-2005
- New Special Option: AutoChart=X (or R, or H). This causes the SG Entry window to automatically switch to an X-Bar R Chart (or Rainbow or Histogram) as soon as the SG is saved. Notes:
  a) If the data type is Attribute, the window will be changed to a P-Chart.
  b) New Behavior. When a SG Entry window is opened, it will now always open in the New Mode.
- New Formula items: {00n:F} and {00n:L}. These math terms will use the First and Last readings from another window's Multi-value formulas.
  For example: If Window 1 is using a Difference function and Window 2 is using an Average function, then the formula +{001:F} -{002:L} will add the FIRST reading of the series from Window 1's #D function, then it will subtract the LAST reading of the series from Window 2's #A function. Also see InterWindow Math ... Click for details
- Added Special Option Reasonable=x.xx to globally define reasonable limits (MIN/MAX) for all windows which use Bi-lateral tolerances. Individual characteristics can over-ride this global definition by defining MIN and MAX values in the Formula field. If you set Reasonable=0.5 that means that sample values must fall with a half a tolerance of the specs. Example: If your specs are 5.00 to 6.00, then the reasonable range will be 4.50 to 6.50
- Users can now copy the Computer Calculated Control Limits into the Extended Control Limits fields without having to retype them.
- Auto-repair files that got damaged when old part files had characteristics with trailing spaces.
- Path names can now be 200 characters. They had been limited to 100 characters. It used to be if the path name was too long, the Windows File Open Dialog wouldn't even come up, after any part (with a long path name) was opened.
- Fixed the Formula sequencing so CHAINING won't occur until the multi-sample formula (such as #A08) is complete.
- You can now use the left and right arrow keys to move the orange hilite on an XBar R Chart when viewing the yellow Subgroup Information window. Note: This feature is only enabled when the chart is not a scrolling chart.
- Fixed a problem with focus going to the wrong window following a Trigger and a Chain and both subgroups became full.
- Publish/Use/Chain/Trigger only worked if upper-case letters were used. Now you can use upper or lower case letters, plus they are case-insensitive.
- Added Global Options CpkScreen=Hide and CpkPrinter=Hide. This option suppresses the display of the Cp/Cpk values on the screen/printer.

New Features in Version 08-08-2005
- Fixed a problem - SPC Express mistakenly allowed subgroups with blank Required Fields to get saved when the 'AllowVoids' option was turned on.
- Deleted Part Files will now go into the Windows Recycle Bin.
- Fixed a problem - SPC Express could terminate while printing if a Traceability field on a printed report exceeded 133 characters.
- Added a Command Line Switch for starting a Layout.
  Example: Expwin.exe /Layout=E:\data\startme.La2;
- If a Part Filename contained periods, you would get a 'file not found' when attempting to do a "Change Identification" function.
- Added Special Option DOSCONVERT=NOSHIFT to eliminate the Shift field during DOS file conversions.
- Fixed a problem with POPUP=WARN. The operator would get the warning that the reading was outside the user-defined limits, but acted like POPUP=DENY instead or WARN.
- You can now specify a different filename (other than filedata.txt) to be used for test file importing. Type: *Filedata=whatever.txt in the Special Instructions field. You can only be processing one text file at a time, meaning you can't have two different characteristics processing two different text files at the same time.
- Improved compatibility with Thin Client serial ports.
- The printed reports will now show the first 255 characters of a long Traceability field instead of only the first 85.
- Added Paging Option to allow the user to display up to 8 Pages of charts. The user can then toggle between pages by typing Ctrl-1 through Ctrl-8. This feature must be enabled (checkbox) in Global Preferences. Click here for Demo
- Every time a Directory Cpk Report is printed, SPC Express now creates 2 CSV files in that folder. One is for the Variable data and the other is for the Attribute data. The files are named DirCpkVar.csv and DirCpkAtt.csv. They will over-write any CSV files from previous Directory Cpk Reports.
- Added a Special Option MakeBuddyBigger to increase the field size for the filename of the Attribute Description File from 50 to 70 characters.

New Features in Version 12-14-2005
- The TRIGGER function has been enhanced to allow a different Trigger definition for each individual sample. Each sample can now trigger a different window! Click for details
- You may now specify more than one Traceability field in the Math Formula field.
  For example: +[Nominal] -[Thickness]
- Fixed the glitch where the CAD Drawing path could not contain spaces. (Now it can.)
- If using Unilateral specs (upper spec only) and LCLx is set to 0.00, then do not show a lower yellow band on the Averages Chart.
- When AutoTile is clicked, arrange the windows in alphabetical order as follows:
  by PN / by Char / by Type (SG then Chart)
- Added the ability to specify and remember Most Recent SG's and Chart Width on a Characteristic basis. These 2 fields were added to the 'Misc Options' Tab on the 'Edit the Current Characteristic' screen.
- Fixed a problem with the Password not being checked properly when user tried to exit SPC Express.
- Added a new Global Preference checkbox to display the most recent sample value on the Chart window in large numbers.
- If the Moving Range is suppressed, draw the Individuals Chart bigger.
- Added the ability to Sort by Part Number on the Directory Cpk Report.
- Added Special Instruction *OOCMSG=filename.txt to pop-up a message window when a subgroup is out of control.
- Added Special Instruction *OOSMSG=filename.txt to pop-up a message window when a sample value is out of spec.
- You may now specify CustomBlank definition files on a folder-by-folder basis. Click for Details
- If a Part File is Read-only (such as on a CD) SPC Express will issue a reminder message when you first open the file that you won't be able to make any changes.

New Features in Version 05-31-2006
- Added Special Option "FileDataStart=Keep" so that upon opening a characteristic that reads a text file, the initial delete question won't be asked and the text file will be kept as is.
- Added Special Option "AutoTileRule=1" to redefine the placement order of windows on the screen during an AutoTile. By default they are placed (left to right) SG, XBAR, HIST, AUTOSCOPE. Rule 1 changes the order to this: XBAR, HIST, SG, AUTOSCOPE.
- Added Command Line Switch: /FASTLOGO to speed up the drawing of the "splash screen".
- Added Command Line Switch: /Minimized to start up minimized.
- You can now have multiple sample values (for the same feature) per record in Filedata.txt.
  Example:
  Width, .501, .502, .503, .504, .505 [CR]
  Just set Starting Byte=702 and Sample Length=706 (for fields 2-6)
- Improved compatibility with Windows 95/98 when issuing a "View Picture" command.
- Allow Multiple GageID's so that a window can take readings from up to 4 different gages.
  Example: GageID field = M:01,02,003,DIA4
- A gage reading can now terminate with a ETX character (instead of - or in addition to - a Carriage Return). Simply put TERM=ETX in your Extra Options field.
- FIX: The Info Box under the Xbar R-Chart was accidentally Green even if a point was in the yellow zone above the Averages line when Extended Limits were used on Unilateral parts and the Extended LCL was set to zero.
- New Special Option "OOCALERT=YELLOW" to generate OOC Alerts (including email) if a point is in the yellow zone.
- Added an "Email TEST" Button on the Global Preferences screen.
- Added a Subgroup Back-up function which copies old subgroups from an ENTIRE FOLDER to a \BACKUP folder then deletes those subgroups. This function is a checkbox option in the Directory Summary Report.
- FIX: When an "OOC Note" was entered and the system's date format was dd/mm/yyyy, the user's note didn't get saved.
- You can now program a "Subgroup Entry Reminder Timer". To activate this feature, use SGREMINDER=015 in the Global Extra Options field, or *SGREMINDER=015 in the Special Instructions field. Each characteristic can have its own timer value.
  For example, use SGREMINDER=015 and you'll get a reminder at 8:00, 8:15, 8:30, 8:45, 9:00, etc.
  The increment is based on "minutes past midnight" (**), so if you use SGREMINDER=045, you'll get reminders at 12:00 midnight, 12:45 am, 1:30 am, 2:15 am, etc. The "reminder" consists of the subgroup entry window turning yellow to draw attention to its need for data entry. The color will return to normal after a subgroup has been entered and saved, or the Cancel button is clicked.
  (**) Note: SGReminderOffset=nnn has been added in 2015 to allow you to specify an offset from midnight.
- Added a new FORMULA called #SGCHAINnnn which will CHAIN to the next window only after the SG is full (from a gage reading). Click for details
- Added a new feature to "bring to the foreground" the chart which corresponds to the active Subgroup Entry window. Note: The chart window will be second only to the Subgroup Entry window itself. By default, it will reveal the X-Bar R (or rainbow) Chart unless otherwise specified. To alter this behavior, you can use the Extra Option called RevealChart=X (or H, or NONE) (Default="X")
- Added Special Option QueryInHeader=ON to print the current query in the Header section of the printed reports, instead of printing the Special Instructions field.
- FileDataDate=Auto now supports both 2 and 4 digit years. FileDataTime=Auto now supports both 12 and 24 hour time formats.
- The Operator's name (if any) will be written as an additional field to the OOCLOG.txt file. If the Part File does not have a Traceability field named 'Operator', then the words "Operator unknown" will be written.
- Added a new math (Trig) function called #T:ARCTANGENT. It takes 2 readings, X and Y, then takes the ArcTangent(Y/X). (Note: Case does not matter.)
- Let the Yellow pop-up window automatically grow (and shrink) in width as required to fit the widest trace field data... up to a maximum of 40 characters.
- Better behavior of AutoTile - especially when AutoScope is open on a page not currently visible. Also, AutoTile now counts and tiles only those windows which are currently visible.
- A gage reading can now terminate with a SemiColon (instead of - or in addition to - a Carriage Return). Simply put TERM=SEMICOLON in your Extra Options field.
- Text file data can now use SemiColons as Delimiters instead of Commas. Simply put DELIMITER=SEMICOLON in your Extra Options field.
- Chaining now only looks at windows on the current page.
- Highlight the 'correct' window (the one that was previously highlighted) when returning to a page.
- Added Special Option OOSFLAG=LEFT to draw the red OOS triangles on the left side, too
- Allow the left and right arrow keys and the Ctrl-1 through Ctrl-8 paging keys to function even if the Yellow Pop-up Window is highlighted.
- Show the Subgroup Number (relative to the currently selected subgroup set) in the Title Bar of the Subgroup Information (Yellow Pop-up) Window.

New Features in Version 11-14-2006
- Added Special Option ChainSkip=ON to draw a button on the SG Entry Window. When clicked, SPC Express will advance to the next SG Entry Window in the chain, allowing you to 'skip' the entering and saving of subgroup data for that particular window.
- If CopyTrace is on, only copy to the same part numbers if they are on the SAME PAGE.
- Fix: Typing Ctrl-8 (to go to page 8) would cause SPC Express to terminate.
- Allow (properly handle) the same part file to be active on 2 different pages at the same time.
- Disable certain menu options on blank pages to prevent accidental manipulation of open windows on other (non-visible) pages.
- When the user clicks on "Close All Windows" and there are windows on other pages, ask the user to specify if he wants ALL windows closed or just those on the current page.
- Added Special Option CopyFields=[Lot Number,Operator] (up to 10) to specify that certain fields be copied instead of using the global CopyTrace Function, which copies ALL traceability fields which have the 'P' flag set.
- Added Special Option StartQuery=[Lot Control No] (or whatever) which prompts the user to enter a Lot Control No as each Char is opened.
- Added an Extra Option called SGDelay=nnn where nnn = hundredths of seconds. This will create a pause before the subgroup gets saved following the entering of the last gage sample, giving the user time to see the value on the screen before the subgroup gets saved. Example SGDelay=150 will pause for one and a half seconds.
- Added SMTP Authentication for the email interface.
- OOCMSG=filename.txt can now be defined Globally in addition to within a single characteristic. This feature will pop-up a window on the screen with up to 10 lines of user-defined text, whenever the process goes out of control.
  If Local (*OOCMSG=filename.txt), the txt file must be in the Part File Folder.
  If Global (*OOCMSG=filename.txt), the txt file must be in the Start-up folder.
- OOSMSG=filename.txt can now be defined Globally in addition to within a single characteristic. This feature will pop-up a window on the screen with up to 10 lines of user-defined text, whenever a sample is out of spec.
  If Local (*OOSMSG=filename.txt), the txt file must be in the Part File Folder.
  If Global (*OOSMSG=filename.txt), the txt file must be in the Start-up folder.
- Fixed a problem with the OOSMSG message not getting displayed on gage input, only on keyboard input.
- Added Special Option SG=CloseOnSave to close the SG Entry window when either Save button is clicked. This would be useful where you open several characteristics for which the operator only needs to enter one subgroup. After the data has been entered and saved for the characteristic, that windows disappears.
- Added a check upon start-up to see if another copy of SPC Express is already running on that computer. If so, a warning message will appear. The user is then allowed to proceed with launching a second copy if desired, unless the Special Option DenyMultiple is specified, in which case a second copy CANNOT be started.
- Fixed a problem with the user-defined query, when [Date]=Today is used. BTW ... [Date]=Today-1, [Date]=Today-2, etc also works! Do NOT put spaces around the '=' sign.
- Now, whenever the user changes the Std Dev Type in the Characteristic Definition, it will automatically go into effect immediately.
- Added an Extra Option called FileDataTrace=[Serial Number]:98:4. This is used if your TXT file being read on "comm port 7" contains one field of Traceability information that you want to capture. This Traceability information can be in the same record as sample data (unlike the existing method). You can specify the field name (such as Serial Number), the starting byte (such as 98), and the number of bytes of Traceability information (such as 4). This is in addition to the existing method of getting traceability information using the ##Serial Number#1234# technique. Click for details
- Added Special Option SGShow=PartInfo to display the Part Number, Characteristic, and Dept/Process on the SG Entry screen.
- Added Special Option Layouts=SameFolder to ignore whatever folder name has been stored in the Layout and ASSUME that the Part File is in the same folder as the Layout file. This allows you to move entire folders of part files and layouts to other drives and/or folders.
- Increased the size of the communications "Guest List" from 50 to 160, allowing up to 160 characteristics to read gages simultaneously.
- Added Special Option DirCpkSamples=125000 to print all of the individual sample values on a Directory Cpk Report. The number that you specify will be used to dimension an array to remember the values until they are actually printed. Take your best guess as to how many TOTAL samples you think you'll have. If it's too low, you'll get a warning. If it's too high, no harm is done.
  Invalidated samples will be marked with a '( I )'.
  Samples which are outside the Extended Control Limits will be marked with a '( * )'.
  (Do NOT use if DirCpkSubgroups is specified)
- Added Special Option DirCpkSubgroups=750 to print all of the subgroup averages on a Directory Cpk Report. The number that you specify will be used to dimension an array to remember the values until they are actually printed. Take your best guess as to how many TOTAL subgroups you think you'll have. If it's too low, you'll get a warning. If it's too high, no harm is done.
  (Do NOT use if DirCpkSamples is specified)
- If a file named ReportLogo.BMP exists in the start-up folder, it will be used at the top of the printed pages instead of printing the text title at the top of the printed reports. The BMP image will be automatically STRETCHED to fit the area. The recommended aspect ratio is 24:1.
  Click here for sample report (opens in a new window).

New Features in Version 06-06-2007
- Added Trend and Shift checking when Extra Option, OOC=Dynamic, is turned on. Also, set OOC=DynamicShow to see a debug window pop-up with calculations in it. (Good for trouble-shooting.) It allows for the alert checking of Trends, Shifts, and Computer Calculated Control Limits on-the-fly. A Control Chart does NOT need to be open for this to work. Previously, only Extended Control Limits were checked for alerts.
- Added a safety check to prevent program crashes when LaserMike Setup files (.LMK files) are specified and AutoTile is enabled.
- Added a new Command Line Switch, /SHOWSYSTEM, to display the Windows version upon start-up.
- Improved compatibility with Windows NT 4.0 system. Please contact Major Micro Systems if you are using Windows NT 4.0.
- SPC Express can now PURGE the Comm Buffer if you specify a SGDelay like this: ClearCommSGDelay=050
  For example, use ClearCommSGDelay=050 to delay for one half second, then clear the comm buffer, then advance to the next subgroup.
- Added a Hypotenuse Function #T:HYPOTENUSE acts similar to #T:ARCTANGENT. It takes 2 readings (labeled a and b), then performs the hypotenuse function.
- Fixed a problem when writing OOCLOG records which were over 200 bytes long.
- Added Special Option FileDataDelimiter=Tab to let SPC Express know that the Filedata text file uses Tabs as delimiters instead of Commas.
- Added a File Menu option to allow the user to Pause/Resume Port 7 (the port used for reading data from text files).
- Increased maximum number of characteristics (to be sorted) on a Directory Cpk Report from 1000 to 3000.
- Added additional trouble-shooting information on the AutoScope Nag Screen. (View the Scopelog.txt file and log over-rides into the KickLog.txt file)
- If the file, ActionReportText.txt, exists in the "start-in" folder, then use that text in the Action Report box (up to 10 lines).
- Added Formulas for Squaring a "used" value. To square a "used" value, enter +{001}^2 or +[FieldName]^2.
  For more information on Inter-Window Math, click here.
- Added a Formula for taking the Square Root. Use: @SQR
  Example: +{001}^2 +{002}^2 @SQR (This would most likely be used with a TRIGGER from window 2.)
  Remember, math operations are handled left to right.
- Pop-up a "Trigger Warning" if a Trigger was requested but no appropriate target window (in new SG Entry Mode) could be found.
- The Special Instruction, "Sample1=xxx," can now be used to re-define the "# of pcs" title. Be sure to put a comma at the end.
- Added a "Query Library" called QueryLib.txt in the main start-up folder. It appears as a button on the User Query screen. You can have up to 25 lines of text. Be sure to put a comma at the end.
- Added an AutoScope "Activity Report" to display when the most recent activity took place at all of the AutoScope stations. This would help you identify which stations aren't being utilized as they should.
- Fixed a problem with User-defined Queries on Directory Cpk Reports. SPC Express had incorrectly assumed that all user-defined traceability fields in a Directory Cpk Report would be text fields. This resulted in incorrect SQL being generated if a user-defined Traceability field was numeric. (This problem only occurred on Directory Cpk Reports.)
- Fixed a problem - SPC Express could terminate if a User-defined query was requested during a Directory Cpk Report and a chart was open on the screen at the same time. This problem existed in PRE-RELEASE VERSIONS ONLY since 01-08-2007.
- Added Special Option DefaultReport=Action (or) DefaultReport=Blank to change the default printed report from 'Standard' to 'Action Report' or 'Blank Data Sheet'.
- Added Special Option BlankStartingSG=Prompt to ask the user what SG number he wants to start at on the Blank Data sheet.
- Easier use of wildcards when using the Query Wizard. Example: [Operator] LIKE 'Rob*' finds all subgroups whose Operator starts with 'Rob'.
- Added a Check box on the Input Options Tab called 'Prompt for Port No' to ask the user what comm port to use whenever a Characteristic is first opened. This gives him the ability to over-ride the comm port which was specified in the Characteristic definition.
- Added Special Option AttrDesc=25 to increase the length of the attribute description fields from 17 to 25 characters. Note: This may require the use of smaller fonts (automatic) on printed reports.
- Fixed a problem - When AutoChart was specified and electronic input was used and HotWindow was off, the wrong window could get converted to a chart because the window getting the sample was not necessarily the highlighted window.

New Features in Version 11-27-2007
- Added Special Option SGEntry=Pareto to dynamically sort the non-conformity reasons on the subgroup entry screen as they are being entered. It also displays a pareto chart of the current subgroup on the subgroup entry window.
  Click here for Sample (opens in a new window)
- Fixed a problem - The "Like" radio button on the Query Wizard screen could occasionally get stuck in the ON position. This problem existed in all versions since 04-26-2007.
- Fixed a problem - Subgroup Chaining would not work if samples were entered from the keyboard and KeyBoard AutoSave was enabled.
- Let the user define a forced line break by putting "[CR]" in the Inspection Information on a SG Entry Form.
- Added a Special Option called CopyAllTrace so that ALL traceability fields will get copied (if CopyTrace is ON), not just the 'P' fields.
- Make CHAIN work after an individual sample is entered on the keyboard, rather than waiting until the SG is full. Now #CHAIN and #SGCHAIN apply to Keyboard data exactly as they do with Gage data. WARNING: This may impact users who assumed that KB data wouldn't CHAIN until a SG was full. Those users will need to use #SGCHAIN instead if that's what they really want.
- Added a new Formula, +{00A:01} to use the first sample from Window 00A. (Valid samples are :01 through :10)
  For more information on Inter-Window Math, click here.
- Added a new Formula, AutoSynch. It causes "Used" samples to be taken from corresponding samples in another window's subgroup. For example, if you have +{001} and you are typing or gaging in the value for the 3rd sample of your subgroup, it will add in the value of the 3rd sample from Window 001. (Note: If AutoSynch is NOT specified, it will add in the value of the most recent sample from Window 001.)
  For more information on Inter-Window Math, click here.
- Fixed a problem - Directory Cpk Reports didn't always handle 'Voids' properly.
- Inspection Information is now a scrolling text box so you can enter more lines (you're still limited to 120 characters).
- Added the ability to MOVE a Traceability field UP the list when creating a new part file. Just highlight the Field Name and click the "Add/MoveUp" button.
- Inspection Information after a double asterisk (**) will be hidden from the operator on the Subgroup Entry screen.
  Example: Use the 6 inch caliper. ** Our customer does an audit every Friday.

New Features in Version 06-06-2008
- Added Special Option FileData=C:\junk\junk.txt (or whatever) to allow for defining the FileData file name globally, instead of in the Special Instructions field for every characteristic.
- Added a new Command Line Switch to let the user define the size of the MRU (Most Recently Used list).
  Example: /MRU=11 (valid values are 0-20)
- Added Special Instructions: Shift=0 and Trend=0 to suppress trend and shift checking on a char-by-char basis.
- If AutoSynch is specified and the subgroup size is one, always use sample 1. This could be useful if subgroup sizes are different with an interwindow math formula. Also, interwindow math can use readings from another window even if no new readings have been taken yet - it will use samples from the last subgroup saved.
- You can now use {MRS} in the formula line to "use" the Most Recent Sample regardless of which window it went into. This is very useful for use with Triggered windows.
  For more information on Inter-Window Math, click here.
- Added a Formula called "AlwaysHot", which means that this window will be hot even if HotWindow is set and another window is highlighted.
- New feature for Custom Blank Data Sheets: You can put 'Sample #' in your definition file (CustomBlank-V.txt) to print the correct number of blank sample fields based on the actual subgroup size. Click for Details
  For example:
  Date
  Time
  Sample #
  Lot Number
- New Special Option "GrayAttr=2" to gray-out the attribute NC pcs, Description, and Count fields to prevent operators from typing their own reasons and counts. In this case only the attribute buddy window can be used to enter data. See also GrayAttr=1 (10-17-2002).
- New Special Option TraceRequired=ALL to force all traceability fields to be required.

New Features in Version 12-03-2008
- Added a Special Instruction DataCollectionOnly to not show charts or any calculations on the screen or printer. Also, suppress Email alerts and exclude these characteristics from the Directory Cpk Report.
- Added a Special Option SMTP=Exchange for SMTP email servers.
- Added a Special Option OOSEMAIL=YES to cause email alerts when a sample is out-of-spec.
- Fixed a bug if TRIGGER:(Trigger Colon) was used and samples came from keyboard instead of a gage.
- A new feature has been added called "FileData Chapter Processing". It is especially useful for processing data files coming from CMM machines. For more information click here.
- Display additional information on the StatusBar for Gage Record contents.
- Added a Special Option CSV=PRINTEDREPORT which will cause subgroup data (with a header row) to be written to a CSV file whenever a report (X-Bar R, P, U, N, C, or Histogram) is printed. The CSV file will be created in the same folder as the Part File (.mdb) The name of the CSV file will be: 'PartFile ---- Char ---- Dept Data.CSV'. If a file with that name already exists, it will simply be over-written.
- WARNING: SPC Express now counts the leading spaces (instead of ignoring them) when reading text files. This could change the way your filedata.txt parameters need to be defined.

New Features in Version 09-09-2009
- You can now specify a Layout to be started in the first record of your FileData.txt file. For more information click here.
- Be able to specify and handle Multiple TRIGGERS. For example:
  Formula: P001, #TRIGGER002, #TRIGGER003
  For more information on Inter-Window Math, click here.
- Fixed a problem - Initialize the NC Pcs field to zero (instead of blank) so if GrayAttr=2 and there are no defects entered, the SG wouldn't try to get saved with a blank NC Pcs field causing an error.
- Added a Special Option OOCEMAIL=NO to suppress sending Out-of-Control emails, even if the user had defined email parameters. This allows for Out-of-Spec emails and Out-of-Control emails to be specified independently.
  (Note: The default values are OOCEMAIL=YES and OOSEMAIL=NO)
- Added a Special Option OOSATTREMAIL=YES to cause an email alert when any one attribute sample is out-of-spec on the high side.
- Added a Special Option PREDICTION=OFF to hide the Prediction values on printed reports.
- Added a Special Instruction RainbowGreen=.50 (or whatever) to let the user specify the green zone size on a char-by-char basis. This will over-ride whatever is specified in Global Preferences.
- Fixed a problem - there was an incorrect alert generated when both OOC=DYNAMIC and OOCALERT=YELLOW were used at the same time.
- Added a Special Option LaserMikeChar=R (or whatever) to send a single character out the comm port each time the Laser Timer goes off. For more information see MetraLightPort=1. This would typically be used to request a gage reading on a periodic basis. Note: This feature is not limited to 'LaserMikes'. It could actually be used in conjunction with any serial gage.

New Features in Version 03-11-2010
- Fixed a problem - CopyTrace would not work if the Traceability info came in from a text file (port 7).
- Automatically defer a formula if the trace field involved in the formula hasn't been filled in yet. The formula will then be applied as soon as something is entered into the trace field. Just in case the user doesn't like this, set Special Option:
  TRACEFORMULA=NODEFER (and then it will behave the way it used to)
  NOTE: Up to 2 traceability fields can be used in a formula and if either of those 2 fields are blank, the entire formula will automatically be deferred until both are filled in. If the subgroup is saved and either traceability field is still blank, the subgroup is saved without the Formula being applied.
- You can now set the Invalidated field in addition to the traceability fields when importing data from a txt file.
  Example: ##Invalidated##True## (or Yes, or Y, or 1)
- You can now use {MR2} in the formula line to "use" the 2nd Most Recent Sample regardless of which window it went into. This is very useful for use with Triggered windows.
  For more information on Inter-Window Math, click here.
- New Formula: CopyRaw which will copy the contents of the raw sample value - before any formula is applied - and save it in a trace field called "Raw Value" or "Raw Value n". Note: "Raw Value" (without the sample number) could be used effectively if SG Size=1.
- New Special Option CopyRaw=[fldname] to over-ride the default COPYRAW field name of "Raw Value". Example: CopyRaw=[Measured]
- Show the red OOS indicator arrows on the yellow pop-up window.
- Added a built-in Communications Test Utility on the Global Preferences Screen.
- Windows 7 (64 bit) compatibility
- You can now create and use DropLists for Traceability fields.
  The DropList definitions are in a file called "DropList_tracename.txt" in the Start-in folder.
  They can be easily edited with NotePad or by Double-Clicking on the traceability field name on the "Edit the Current Part Info" screen.
  If the first record in the definition file contains "AllowUser", then users can enter their own value or pick from the List.
  If any record in the definition file contains "_", then that DropList entry will be a blank.
- SPC Express can now respond out the serial port when a request for feed-back comes in (like from a PLC). A variety of queries can be answered, including telling the PLC the current difference between the Mean and the Target. (contact MMS for additional info)

New Features in Version 09-10-2010
- Fixed a problem - If a Required Traceability field was defined as a DropList, the check would always fail, even if a value was entered.
- Attribute data will now generate OOSMSG's if any one non-conformity exceeds the USL.
- Better handling of OOS alerts when multiple reading samples come in. For example, don't check for an OOS condition until all 3 readings come in for a #D03 formula.
- A GageID Position can now be a field number, like 702, instead of just a byte position (when reading text files). For more information click here.
- Fixed a problem - If 'Cancel' was clicked when first opening a FileData.txt file (port 7), it would not properly cancel if there was more than one characteristic in the Layout.
- Fixed a problem - SPC Express could potentially crash if a Trace field came from a text file (port 7) and that Trace field was the last field before the Invalidated field or a DropList.
- Added a new Special Instr/Extra Option called SpecsOnControl=3. It draws the rainbow zones based entirely on the spec limits - even lop-sided ones (ex: 1.5, +0.2, -0.1)
- Fixed a problem - Do NOT sign out a comm port and re-sign-up the comm port if the Input Options Tab was visited during an EditChar and the comm port was 7 and didn't change. Otherwise, filedata.txt could get re-processed.
- Added a Special Option MRULOCATION=STARTIN to let SPC Express keep its INI file in the Start-in folder instead of in C:\WINDOWS.
- Fixed a problem - The command line switch /MRU=0 would crash on start-up. In fact, anything less than 10 might have been a potential problem.
- New Special Option "Invalidated=OffScale" to prevent an invalidated SG from influencing the vertical scale. Any invalidated SG's which are "OffScale" will be shown right at the top (or bottom) edge of the chart.
- Fixed a problem - couldn't create the first characteristic in a new part file. This problem first appeared in the 09-07-2010 version.
  Please download the latest update (09-10-2010) from the Main Menu.
- New feature. Enter OOS=INV in the Formula field to automatically Invalidate a SG if any of its samples are out-of-spec. You can also use OOS=INVNOTIFY if you want to show a messagebox to notify the user.

New Features in Version 06-09-2011
- New Special Option "AutoScope=JustMe" to only display the one local station on the AutoScope screen even if more stations are currently active.
- New AutoScope behavior: If the user clicks on one of his own proceses, instead of offering to open that chart, simply highlight (top Z-order) the chart (it should already be open) according to the RevealChart=X or H option (X is the default). Also, if only one station is being displayed in AutoScope (like if you have set AutoScope=JustMe), it will automatically become highlighted, saving you a mouse click.
- New Special Options ChartClose=Disabled and SGClose=Disabled to gray out (disable) the Close [X] button from the Chart or Subgroup window.
- New Special Option "DropListPath=" to Globally specify where your DropList definitions will be kept. For example: DropListPath=L:\SPC\DropLists, (Note: The comma at the end is REQUIRED!)
- An AutoScope window can now be saved as part of a Layout.
- Extended Control Limits now get converted when 'DisplayMetric' is turned on. Also, properly print VOID samples on printed reports if 'DisplayMetric' is turned on.
- Numerous improvements to the way we handle OOC=DYNAMIC ... especially for Modified Limits, which didn't work at all.
- Fixed a problem - SPC Express would only read the most recent 25 subgroups when the Part File was first opened if a StartQuery was specified.
- Added Special Option DefaultReport=Long (in addition to the previously available options of DefaultReport=Action & DefaultReport=Blank) to change the default printed report from 'Standard' to 'Long Report' (or 'Action Report' or 'Blank Data Sheet').
- Added Special Option Customer=Supplier to change the title on the charts from Customer: to Supplier:
- Added Special Option PartNumber=PartNumberRevision to show the PartNumber and the Revision where just the Part number would go.
- Added Special Option ChainDelay=050 (in hundredths) which will delay chaining for a time so the operator can see the SG Entry form for a while before it loses focus.
- Added Special Option Prop#ofPcs to cause the "# of pcs" field to be propagated on Attribute Subgroup Entry screens.
- Improved Windows Vista/7 compatibility on "File Open Dialogs" (mainly button legends).
- Make it easier to turn off/on various spoken messages and sounds.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are using SPC Express on older Windows (98, 2000, NT, ME, or XP ServicePack1), you may need a slightly different version of SPC Express for compatibility. Please contact Major Micro Systems and request version "06-09-2011 C6".
  Windows XP SP2 or greater, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 will work fine.

New Features in Version 03-26-2012
- Make the Remember Queries Globally option to apply to all open windows.
- If the subgroup size is 1, show the Individual and Moving Range in the Yellow Pop-up window instead of simply showing the Subgroup Range (which would always be zero)
- The pop-up window for an Out-Of-Control Note (OOCNOTE) can now contain a DropList.
- Allow Attribute Files to read from a Text File (Port 7) Click for details
- Fixed a bug: If a field named "Operator" was a DropList, the selected name would not get saved with the subgroup.
- Copy Trace information to other windows for the same part file even if they are on different pages. This reverses a previous behavior. See 11-14-2006. If this is a problem for you, please let us know.
- Cleaner operation of switching pages, especially if Attribute entry screens are being used.
- Fixed a bug: System could crash when paging to a blank page. Click here for Demo
- New Special Option DirCpkColumn2=Desc to print the Part Description in the 2nd column of the Directory Cpk Report instead of the Dept/Process.
- Added Special Option (and Special Instruction) PRED=TARGET to count and print the number of samples Above, At, and Below the Target. This will get printed in place of the Prediction values.
- We now print the letter "E" on all characteristics that are outside the Extended Control Limits on a Directory Cpk Report.
- Made all FileOpen Dialogs resizable.
- Allow a Target of zero on Unilateral Specs without caring if it is less than the LSL.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are using SPC Express on older Windows (98, 2000, NT, ME, or XP ServicePack1), you may need a slightly different version of SPC Express for compatibility. Please contact Major Micro Systems and request version "03-26-2012 C6".
  Windows XP SP2 or greater, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 will work fine.

New Features in Version 11-08-2012
- Attribute files can now initiate OOC and OOS alerts and emails.
- Re-order the windows during a Layout Save, so they open up in the correct z-order.
- Disregard case on Part Number match when doing a CopyTrace.
- Added Special Options AttrDesc=25, AttrDesc=40, and AttrDesc=50 to increase the maximum length of the descriptions on the attribute buttons. Still, only the first 17 characters will actually be used.
- "View the Characteristics in the Part File" button on the File Open screen now works again. It had been disabled for a while (since May 2011).

New Features in Version 02-05-2013
- Make it easier to turn off/on various spoken messages and sounds using Global Preferences.
- Make it easier to configure text file processing using Global Preferences.
- Be able to send periodic read commands to external gages. see Tech Tip #12-I.

New Features in Version 12-02-2013
- FileData Processing: Allow each Page to have its own text file name defined. If more than one page is being used, each page MUST point to a DIFFERENT text file. Note: If you want the old behavior (treat all pages together) use the new Special Option, FileDataPages=ALL
- Allow Comm Over-ride of 0-6 not just 0-4. Also, do NOT apply a Comm Over-ride to Port 7.
- Added Special Option StartUpViewType=X (or R, H, E) to over-ride what was in the Characteristic definition.
- Added the ability to show just the Part Number and Characteristic in the TitleBar.
- Added an option (a droplist option in Global Preferences) AutoScopePurge=UponExit so that all previously opened characteristics will continue to show up on the AutoScope screen until that station exits SPC Express.
  Choices now include: UponClose (default), UponExit, UponNextStartup, UponLayoutOpen, Never.
- Allow the user to specify a variable filedata name in Special Instructions (or Global Pref), like this:
  *FileData=H:\SPCXW\[FldName].txt
  and if STARTQUERY=[FldName] is specified, that entered value will be substituted in.
- New Behavior! If you want to look for "LAYOUT=" in the first record of a filedata file, you must now explicitly specify the Special Option FileDataRec1=Layout.
  (Note: Specifying "LAYOUT=" in the first record of a data file was never a released option... and still isn't.)
- Added Special Option FolderBlock=On to prevent users from opening Part files in folders other than in (or below) their own "Default Data Folder".
- Added Special Options SMTPPORT=587, SMTP=LOGIN (same as SMTP=EXCHANGE), SMTP=PLAIN, SMTP=LOGFILE to allow for greater customization of email parameters. For more info, see Email Setup .
- Better handling of screen resolutions that exceed 1600x1200.
- Improved error handling and diagnostic message when asking for an improperly configured ScatterPlot.
- Fixed a bug that could cause a crash if a Drawing file name exceeded 78 or so characters.
- Fixed the problem of Trace fields not getting copied into other windows when the Trace fields are DropLists. Also fixes deferred formulas not getting applied when a DropList value is being used in the formula.
- Improved Default Data Folder behavior on Windows 7/8.
- Added Special Option FolderOpen=Default to force a File Open (and Layout Open) to ALWAYS go back to the default data folder.
- Added a new Special Option called KBAUTOSAVE=NONE. It over-rides the KB AutoSave checkbox (if set) for every characteristic.
- Tabbing through a blank sample field would chain to the next window. Now chaining will only happen if the field contents changes.
- A new Extra Option and Special Instruction has been added called OOSNOTE=[fieldname]. It handles Out-of-Spec samples and behaves much like OOCNOTE.
- Better automatic sizing of fonts on Directory Cpk Report for Part Number, Description, Characteristic, Dept/Process.
- The Characteristic Start File (*Start=xxx.txt) can now contain an expiration date. Any line that starts with "Expires:" will contain the expiration date (the last date that the text file will be used).
  Example:
  Line 1
  Line 2
  Expires: 2013/11/06 (MUST be in the form yyyy/mm/dd)
- Added support for Access 2003 format in addition to Access 97 and Access 2000.
- AutoScope will now detect the latest Cpk values, even if no chart is currently open on the station. But if only a subgroup entry screen is open on the station, the station must have OOC=DYNAMIC turned on.
- Added Special Option SGSpecs=ON to display the specs on the Subgroup Entry Screen.
- Improvements to Edit/Run an Update to Change Subgroups.
  Note: to change the Invalidated field, use: [Invalidated] = 0, 'n', 'N', 'Y' (must be Upper Case Y)

New Features in Version 09-18-2014
- New Feature for reading gages: "Burst Mode". This is useful when your gage sends multiple readings in a "burst" and no identifying ID information is provided. For example, if your gage sends:
  1.125
  2.356
  3.105
  and you want these 3 readings to go into 3 different characteristics, then specify the following GageID's for the 3 characteristics: Burst:1, Burst:2, Burst:3
  (Note: GageID Position should be set to 1)
  It is assumed that this burst of readings will come in fairly quickly. If nothing new is received for 3 seconds, the burst sequence starts over.
- Added a new Special Option called ChainSkip=OnManual. This acts similar to ChainSkip=On. You will get a "Skip" button (now labeled "Chain") on the Subgroup Entry Screen but Chaining will NOT occur until the user explicitly clicks the Chain button. This will give the user the opportunity to review the chart before moving on to the next characteristic.
- Allow the user to put (double) quotes around the GageID to help visualize trailing spaces, if any. Trailing spaces have always been allowed and worked fine, but just difficult to see.
- Added a new Formula, #LASTnnn. This will take the Last of nnn readings. For Example, use #LAST005 to skip 4 readings then use the fifth, take 4 more readings then use the 5th, etc.
- Incoming data can now use "Blanks" as Delimiters instead of Commas. Simply put DELIMITER=BLANK in your Extra Options field.
- If scale factors were defined for the Averages, then a zero for the Range increment would kill autoscaling for the Range chart. Now you can define a scale for the Averages chart and let the Range chart autoscale.
- New Behavior for DropLists that are not propagated:
  When starting a new subgroup and a DropList is not getting propagated, set the contents of the field to the first entry in the DropList definition file (was getting set to blank). If AllowUser is set, then initialize the field with a blank.
- Added a new Special Option called OOSNoteDefer to defer the activation of the OOSNote prompt until all samples have been entered and the SG is full. This solves the problem of two or more samples being out of spec and your second comment over-writes the first.
- Added a new Special Option called SGDelinquent=010 which will turn a yellow SG Entry Window (see SGReminder=nnn) red after 10 minutes and send an email alert saying no one has entered a new subgroup for a while. (Enter any number from 001 to 999.)
- Added an option to SGDelinquent so that it will repeat sending emails.
  Example: RepeatSGDelinquent=010 (will send an email after 10 minutes and every 10 minutes after that)
- Fixed a glitch that existed since 11-11-2013. An error message would appear if the AutoScope path (in Global Preferences) was undefined even if AutoScope was Disabled.
- When starting to read a FileData text file, if it already exists, show the Length and TimeStamp of the existing text file in addition to just the name, when asking if you want to keep or delete it.
- If SPC Express is minimized and the SGReminder goes off, first restore (un-minimize) the SPC Express window, then paint the SG background yellow.
- SPC Express would crash if the AutoQuery field pointed to a DropList field.

New Features in Version 03-16-2015
- Added a new Special Option, DIRCPKCSV=NONE to suppress the creating of Directory Cpk Report CSV files.
- Added the ability to easily enter a specific date on the View Chart Options Screen (without having to define a custom query).
- SPC Express could crash if the StartQuery/AutoQuery field pointed to a DropList field and the user entered a value that was not on the pre-defined DropList.
- Added a "Notes" button on the Histogram window to more quickly get to the Enter Histogram Notes screen.
- Added Special Option AttributesCase=Ignore | MakeUpper | MakeLower to ignore case when accumulating non-conformities. Example: If AttributesCase=MakeUpper is used, the Non-conformity Descriptions reported will be shown in all CAPS.
- Added fields to the CSV file when doing a Directory Cpk Report. The Capability field was split into 3 columns (CapType, Capability, OOC) and a new column for Description was added at the end.
- Increased maximum Layout size from 200 to 400 windows.
- Be able to handle (ignore) leading and trailing spaces in Traceabilty fields in text files, like this:
  ## Operator ## Bob ##
- Strip leading spaces from GageID fields when 70x is used in text files.
  Example: If the datafile record contains: ", DIA ," pick off just the DIA.
- Added Station Name, Part No, and Char to Subject of Email Alerts.
- Added new Special Option SGReminderOffset=nnn. This allows users to "start the reminder clock" at some number of minutes past midnight. For example, if SGReminder=060 and SGReminderOffset=015, then you will get a reminder every 60 minutes at 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, etc. (Also use Special Instruction *SGReminder and *SGReminderOffset to specify these values on a Char-by-Char basis.)
- Fixed a problem - We have fixed the problem of the Gage Out-of-Spec sound file, Gage-OOS.wav, not getting played when that sample is the last sample of the subgroup.

New Features in Version 10-29-2015
- Added new Special Option DirCpkMinSGs=15 (or whatever number you want). This allows you define the minimum number of subgroups (in the Directory Cpk Report) that need to be included before a Cp and Cpk will be computed.
- Added new Special Option TERM=FF to define a terminating character to be a 'Form Feed'. (Electronic input or FileData)
- The CSV file(s) that get created when a Directory Cpk Report is run, will now include two new columns for USL and LSL (upper and lower spec limits).
- Fixed a problem - SPC Express would hang when doing a Directory Cpk Report and the previous CSV file was currently opened in Excel. Now you will get a warning that the CSV file is "locked" and the report will continue without hanging.
- Fixed a problem - If a SGReminder was defined locally on one open part file, but not on another open part file, a SGReminder could inadvertantly get activated on the part that did not have a reminder defined.
- Added a new Special Option OOSFLAG=NONE to suppress the display of the out-of-spec triangles on the subgroup entry window.
- You can now tell SPC Express to make an existing traceability field bigger - up to 250 characters.
  User Special Option MakeTraceBigger. Example syntax: "MakeTraceBigger=Notes:200"
  Then the next time a Part file gets opened, that modification gets applied.
- Ability to easily define the Extended Control Limits to be some percentage of the Spec Limits. For Example, enter Special Option ExtendedLimits=.80 to define the Control Limits to be 80% of the Spec Limits. Then, on the Optional Info tab of the 'Edit Characteristic' screen, click the "Set..." button to lock them in.
- Added a new Formula called EXCLUDE. This will exclude (as unreasonable) anything between MIN= and MAX=

New Features in Version 07-29-2016
- Added 4 new Special Options (both Global and by Characteristic):
  Undersize=OnScreen, Oversize=OnScreen, Undersize%=OnScreen, Oversize%=OnScreen
  This will display (below the chart) the number of samples that are either below the Lower Spec or above the Upper Spec. You can choose either the actual number or the percentage.
  Note: This will be placed where the Cpk value would normally go.
- Added a new Special Option (or Special Instruction) OOCNOTE=[AC/CA]. This will prompt the user to enter BOTH an Assignable Cause and a Corrective Action.
- Added new Special Option (or Special Instruction) KBSampleSound=On to play the "sample received" sound when a keyboard entry is made.
- Fixed a Windows 10 compatibility issue: Error messages would be displayed when the application window was resized.
- Added new Special Option (and Special Instruction) AlertLatchOOC=nn to specify how many SG's to latch before sending another email alert. For example, if you set the Latch to 5, we'll send an email on the first OOC SG, but then not another alert until 5 more (consecutive OOC SG's) have occurred. Legal values are 0 to 500. Note: A good subgroup resets the counter.

New Features in Version 06-09-2017
- Added Special Instruction OOCEMAIL=NO in addition to the already existing Special Option (Global) OOCEMAIL=NO. Now the user can turn off Out-of-Control email notifications on a char-by-char basis.
- Fixed an issue with computing OOC Range alerts on Individuals charts. We never really knew what the previous SG value was, so we couldn't know what the range was, even with OOC=Dynamic turned on. Also, on the very first subgroup in an individuals file, we now skip the check for the OOC Range alert as there is no moving range yet.
- Rewrote the Help Screens. These CHM help files are now compatible with Windows 7/8/10.

New Features in Version 03-15-2018
- Added Special Instruction for user-defined rainbow transitions.
  Example: RainbowZones=1.1/2.2/3.3/4.4
- Minor updates to Help Screens.
- The Special Option COMMPARMS=4800,E,7,1 now works better for defining default comm parameters.
- A new Special Option has been added for COMMHANDSHAKING=HW|SW|NONE (HW is the default).
- The wording below "Subgroups Included In Report" on the printed reports has been modified to be more clear about what is being shown. This is especially helpful when horizontal scrolling is happening.
- Automatically skip the checking of range limits if Extended Limits are defined and UCLR and LCLR are both zero.
- Allow over-ride of email alert addresses on a char-by-char basis.
  In Special Instructions, enter: MailTO=mark@mms.com, MailCC=joe@yahoo.com, MailTO=None (case does not matter)
  to over-ride whatever is in Global Preferences.
- Make the input box larger on the OOCNOTE dialog so users can enter up to 200 characters when a process goes out-of-control. The text that is typed in will automatically auto-wrap and auto-scroll vertically.
- Added Special Option (and Special Instruction) for OOCNOTE=[Notes/CA] similar to OOCNOTE=[AC/CA]. This will prompt the user to enter both Notes and Corrective Action. Also, allow commas to work in addition to the slash. For example, enter OOCNOTE=[Notes/CA] or OOCNOTE=[Notes,CA].

New Features in Version 01-09-2019
- Fixed a glitch where the Invalidated prompt, "click to change", would sometimes get truncated to just say "click to ch".
- Modified the format of the Email Alert Messages for Attribute Data to provide more useful information.
- You can now specify a text file (for input) on a per characteristic basis - up to four different text files per page on each of the eight pages. Example --- Special Instructions: FileData=c:\data\filename.txt:2
  Click for details
- Increased the size of the EmailTO field from 100 to 250.
- Increased the size of the EmailCC field from 200 to 250.
- Added a Command Line Switch for Specifying an initial User Query.
  Example: Expwin.exe /Query=Date Between #6/1/2018# and #6/30/2018#;
- Added a Special Option TERM=ACK to have an 'Ack' character (ASCII 6) act as a terminator for gage inputs.
  Also, added 38400,57600,115200 to the list of baud rate options in the Comm Utility.
- Restore (un-minimize) both SPC Express and the SG Entry window before turning them Yellow or Red (if SGReminder or SGDelinquent is being used).
- When a subgroup was saved, the SG window would float to the top of the z-order. While this is normally not an issue at all, in some applications (such as reading text files) it might be desirable to just leave it where it was, such as hidden behind a chart.
- Momentarily suppress AutoTile while a Layout is being opened. Then, if a Part File (not a Layout) is opened after that, allow AutoTile to occur (if specified).
- Added a Special Option SGII6 to display 6 lines of Inspection Information (instead of 3) on the subgroup entry screen.

New Features in Version 11-13-2019
- New Special Option "OOCALERT=CPK" to generate OOC Alerts (including email) if the newly added subgroup causes the Cpk (not Ppk) to drop below 1.33. This must be used in conjunction with OOC=DYNAMIC and SD Type=R/d2 (not RMS)
- Make CpkScreen=Hide and CpkPrinter=Hide a local (Special Instructions) option in addition to a global option.
  (This option suppresses the display of the Cp/Cpk values on the screen/printer.)
- Added a new Special Instruction, TooSoon=nnn, to define the minimum time (in seconds) between gage or txt samples. If found, TooSoon.wav will be played. Samples arriving too soon will simply be discarded.
- Added a new Special Instruction and Special Option, ShowExtendedMean to draw the Mean (XDB) line on a control chart (in light blue). This works for both variable and attribute charts.
- Added new Special Instructions TimeStampSave and TimeStampUse to remember then use the Time Stamp from a specific characteristic's subgroup. This would allow you to "synch" subgroups together even though it took some time to enter all the measurements for the various characteritics. They can now all share the time stamp of the first characteristic that was entered.
- Added Special Option and/or Special Instruction BoxColor=Last to define the color of the bottom box to be the color of the last subgroup. Note: If SpecsOnControl=(blank) or SpecsOnControl=3 is also being used, the Bottom Box Color may not agree with the color of the zone of the last point. But it DOES represent the correct color based on the Control Limits.
- Added an Integrity Check to see if the number of fields in a subgroup record equals the number of fields expected. This is meant to catch problems if Access was incorrectly used to edit the SPC Express data tables outside of SPC Express, causing damage to the file. The error message will say: "Not the expected number of fields!"
- Added a new feature called AllowVoids=ALL. AllowVoids has been a Formula feature of SPC Express since 2004. It allows you to save a subgroup even though it is not completely full (but had a least 1 sample entered). Now, the subgroups can be completely empty of samples and still get saved, making it nice for documenting perhaps a change in a traceability field. So now if you use AllowVoids=ALL the empty subgroup will get saved and automatically flagged an invalidated. The sample(s) will be automatically populated with whatever the target specification value is. (This is done so as to not mess up the vertical scaling on the charts.) If you use AllowVoids=ALLP, you will get a prompt before the subgroup is saved in case you made a mistake or changed your mind. Also new is that you can specify any of these AllowVoids options either in the Formula field (for just that one characteristic) or in the Extra Options field in Global Preferences to make that feature be applied globally across all Part Numbers and Characteristics.
- Updates to the Help files.

New Features in Version 08-11-2020
- Added a new Special Option and Special Instruction called SGEditLog=ON. This will generate a log record in a file called SGEditLog.txt. This file should be located in the user's "Working Path". When a record is edited (being viewed) a record is written which contains the current contents of the SG. Then if/when the record is saved, another record gets written with the new contents of the SG. Fields being saved are: Date, Time, Samples (Variable or Attribute), all Trace fields, and the Invalidate Flag. Also written are the Station Name, Part Number and Characteristic.
- Added a new Special Option called IgnoreOldShifts. This will cause historical Shifts to NOT get highlighted. Only the current Shift will be highlighted as long as the most recent subgroup is still within the shift. The purpose of this is to prevent "false" shifts from getting highlighted. This could be subgroups that were NOT considered a shift at the time, but became a shift when the current mean moved.
- Added new Special Options called TERM=EXCLAM and TERM=TILDE to allow for new end-of-record delimiters of ! and ~.
- Bug fixes: Minor glitches were corrected with these features: AllowVoids=All, InvWithoutPW, Moving Average with window sizes of 7/8/9, Prompt for Port number.
- Added a Special Option MakeCADFileBigger to increase the field size for the filename of the CAD/Drawing File from 80 to 130 characters.
- Added a new Special Option called CommPort=[TraceFldName]. This will cause the current comm port number to be recorded in the subgroup in whatever traceablilty field you specify. Example: CommPort=[Line]
  NOTE: The traceability field to be used MAY NOT be a Drop field.

New Features in Version 01-08-2021
- Added a new Special Instruction, ReadButton=1 (single channel FlexPort), or ReadButton=2 (multi channel FlexPort). This will display a "read" button on the subgroup entry window, which when clicked will send a "Host Command" to the connected gage to initiate a reading. This is especially useful if your gage does not have a send button. Only specific gages are currently supported. If you need support for other gages, please let us know.
- Fixed an issue when math functions from other windows were used in a triggered window. Sometimes the raw reading was used and sometimes the calculated value was used. Now the triggered window will always use the calculated values from the other windows.
  Example:
  Window 1 Formula: #P001 -10
  Window 2 Formula: #P002 -10 #TRIGGER003
  Window 3 Formula: #P003 {001} - {002} AutoSynch
- Fixed a problem when auto-starting a Layout from the command line using the /LAYOUT= parameter.
- New Feature added: If a text file is being read and "runs away", the user can hold down BOTH the Left Ctrl and Left Shift keys to bring up the Port 7 Pause/Resume dialog. This would give the user a chance to close the characteristics or delete the text file, or otherwise correct the problem.
- Added a Global Preference Checkbox on the FileData (6th) tab: "... but Rename before Deleting". This will cause the data file to get renamed instead of deleted if the user had checked the "Delete Text File upon Completion" box.
  The renamed file will be (for example): FILEDATA_20201006_105114.txtR where the time stamp is the time that it was last modified.

New Features in Version 02-25-2022
- The Date in the timestamp field of text files wasn't always interpreted correctly if the date format (such as mm/dd/yyyy) was not strictly followed and the user chose to "Automatically find the Date field". Now it is a little more forgiving.
  As an example, if your text file record looked like this:
  "1,2/3/2021 14:45,Dia,10.625"
  the date would appear to be invalid (we were expecting a 2 digit month and day). Now it's OK.
- Traceability field printing: Font Size would not resize (shrink) properly when character count was 17 or less and the characters wouldn't fit in the column.
- When looping through a Layout open, give the user the opportunity to abandon the rest of the Layout if a Part File (.mdb) is not found.
- When looping through a Layout open, display a progress message on the StatusBar.
- Added a new feature (Special Instructions or Global Pref) GrayVar=1 to prevent users from typing or pasting into a variable data sample field.
  Note: This new feature replaces the Special Instruction "NoKeyboardData", which still would work but the new way is better.
- New Special Instruction EmailTrace=[Lot,Material,Humidity] to specify additional trace fields to be included in the email alerts. There is no limit to the number of specified fields. Note: you may enter this option in either the Special Instructions field or the Inspection Information field.
- Added better database error handling when a characteristic was listed in the Characteristics table but the Subgroup table didn't exist (or was spelled differently).

New Features in Version 01-24-2023
- The Attribute Buddy Window did not behave well when more than one Attribute subgroup entry window was open.
- Added a new Global Preference Option, AutoDock=OFF which changes the default behavior of the Attribute Buddy Windows from AutoDocked to NOT AutoDocked.
- Better handling of blank records in the ScopeLog.txt file.
- Connection time-out values were increased for the sending of emails.
- You couldn't successfully Create and Open a Layout if a characteristic name contained a double quote ("), such as: Length 3" Overall.
- If you did a CreateNewPart before you opened an existing file, the create dialog might be pointing to a folder other than the Default Data folder as specified in Global Preferences. This has been fixed so that it will point you to the Default Data Folder, unless you have opened a file from a different folder. Then, as before, it will assume you want to create the New Part File in that most recently used folder.

PRE-RELEASE (Features added AFTER the 01-24-2023 Release)
New Features in the next version (Coming Soon . . . ) Contact us via email for a FREE Advance Copy!
- More features coming soon!

SPC Express for Windows is a very easy-to-use SPC Software package. For more information, please visit: www.majormicro.com .

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