Use the ProFile options package

Types of options packages

There are three types of options packages in Profile: Individual, Shared, or Custom.

• Individual options packages save on an individual computer and are loaded when ProFile launches.
• Shared options packages save to a network/shared server where one or more individual computers have access to the package. This is the ideal option if you are using a network environment, Client Server, or Terminal Server environment.
• Custom option packages allow the same ProFile options to be utilized even if an individual computer is disconnected from a network/server/terminal server. A Profile user creates custom options packages in different locations and instructs ProFile which to use.

Below is a guide to help get you started and using options packages in ProFile:

Table of contents:

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Create a new options package

1. Start ProFile.
2. Select Options. A list of options displays.

3. Set up the package options—these choices become the new option package settings.
4. Select Options Administration… from the Options menu.

5. Select the options package type (1, 2, 3, or 4).
6. Check the option Include preparer and discounter name with Option packages., if applicable.
7. Check the option Prompt to save changes, if applicable. This feature only works with packages types 2, 3, and 4. When you choose this option, ProFile asks you to save any changes you made to an options package when you close ProFile.

Note: Any changes made to an options package prior to ProFile being closed are not saved if the Prompt to save changes feature is not activated. Users must explicitly use the Save function to save any changes or they will be lost when closing Profile.

8. Select New. The New Settings window will display.
9. Enter the name of the new options package.

10. Select OK.

The new options package file saves to the designated location and displays in the Options Packages list.

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Load an existing options package

1. Start ProFile.
2. Select Options Administration… from the Options menu.

3. Select the options package to be loaded in the Options Packages section.
4. Select OK.

The selected options package loads.

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Update an existing options package

1. Open ProFile.
2. Select Options Administration… from the Options menu.

3. Select an existing options package in the Options Packages section.

4. Select Load, the options package loads.
5. Select the Options menu in the top toolbar. A list of options will display.

6. Set the necessary options for the package.
7. Select Options Administration… from the Options menu.
8. Select Save. The changes made to the options package settings will save.

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Delete an options package

Note: Only someone with administrator privileges or the creator of the options package can delete an options package.

1. Open ProFile.
2. Select Options Administration… from the Options menu.

3. Select an existing options package in the Options Packages.

4. Select Delete. The Confirm window will display.
5. Select OK to double-check the deletion.

The options packages deletes from the Options Packages list.

Note: If an error message displays, the customer lacks sufficient privileges to delete the options package or it's password-protected.

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Transfer an existing options package

It may be necessary to copy an options package to an individual computer that will not have access to the network/server/terminal server at a future date. For example, a preparer is travelling to visit a client, but still requires the same options package shared amongst preparers connected to that office network.

There are three options for transferring an existing options package:

• USB key or other external media device
• Email
• From a network’s shared folder

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Transfer via USB key/external media device

1. Open ProFile.
2. Select Options Administration… from the Options menu.
3. Identify the options package being transferred in the Options Package section.
4. Select Browse in the Options package directory section. The Option Package Directory navigation window displays.
5. Identify the location of the options package being transferred.
6. Close the Option Package Directory window.
7. Navigate to the option package directory in Windows Explorer.
8. Select and copy the options package being transferred.
9. Put a USB key or other external media device into the network/server/terminal server computer. Put the copied options package on the key/media device.
10. Remove the key/media device and insert it into the non-network computer.
11. Create a directory location on the non-network computer matching that of the directory the options package file was copied from.
12. Paste the copied option package file to the new directory on the non-network computer.

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Transfer via email

1. Open ProFile.
2. Select Options Administration… from the Options menu.
3. Identify the options package being transferred in the Options Package section.
4. Select Browse in the Options package directory section. The Option Package Directory navigation window displays.
5. Identify the location of the options package being transferred.
6. Close the Option Package Directory window.
7. Navigate to the option package directory in Windows Explorer.
8. Select and copy the options package being transferred.
9. Create an email, address it to yourself, and attach your options package file.
10. Send the email.
11. Create a directory location on the non-network computer matching that of the directory the options package file was copied from.
12. Copy and paste the emailed options package file to the new directory on the non-network computer.

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Transfer via a network’s shared folder

1. Open ProFile.
2. Select Options Administration… from the Options menu.
3. Identify the options package being transferred in the Options Package section.
4. Select Browse in the Options package directory section. The Option Package Directory navigation window displays.
5. Identify the network’s shared folder location for the options package being transferred.
6. Close the Option Package Directory window.
7. Navigate to the network’s option package shared folder in Windows Explorer.
8. Select and copy the options package being transferred.
9. Create a folder location on the non-network computer matching that of the shared folder that the options package file was copied from.
10. Copy and paste the options package file to the new folder on the non-network computer.

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Using multiple, or custom, options packages

A computer that is utilizing an options package on a network/server/terminal server will lose access to it if the computer disconnects from that location.

ProFile is able to access other local options on your computer's hard drive instead of the network/server/terminal server options. First, ProFile looks for the options in the original spot. If it's not there, ProFile will check the next one on the list.

Note: ProFile doesn't sync changes between options packages. Any changes to a local options package while offline won't be saved to the server.

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Manage files in multiple option packages

Use the options package from the network/server/terminal server when your laptop is connected. When disconnected, you can use an options package stored on your laptop.

Keep in mind that two sets of options mean two databases. Files made or changed when offline won’t show up in the database stored on the network, server, or terminal server.

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Create and assign multiple option packages

Set up at least 2 options packages if you plan to disconnect from a network/server/terminal server and keep working. Create one package for use when connected and another for when disconnected. This lets your workstation use the same settings whether it’s connected or not.

1. Open ProFile.
2. Select Options Administration… from the Options menu.

3. Select the Allow Multiple Option Package Groups option. The Option package groups section expands.

Note: The Option package directory field shows the default path for option packages.

4. Select option 4, Custom, to load packages from option package groups. This will search until the available package is found in the Options Administration window.

5. Select the Default entry under the Group Name column.

6. Enter a descriptive name for the group.

7. Select the file path listed under the Folder column.
8. Select the [...].

9. The Option Package Directory navigation window displays.

10. Identify the location of the options package and select the folder.
11. Select OK to close the Option Package Directory navigation window. The options package is created.
12. Select New.
13. Enter a descriptive name for the new group.

14. Select the blank path under the Folder column.

15. Select [...].

16. The Option Package Directory navigation window displays.

17. Identify the location of the options packages and select the folder.
18. Select OK to close the Option Package Directory window.

You have created both a network/server/terminal server options package and a local options package in ProFile.

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Order multiple option packages

ProFile will search for option packages first on the network/server/terminal server and then on the local computer when starting.

It is critical to arrange the options packages in the correct order in order to preserve ProFile’s search-and-select process. For example, if the options package Local incorrectly lists before Network, ProFile will load and use the Local options package first, even if connected to the network/server/terminal server.

In the following example, the Local options package is incorrectly listed prior to the Network options package:

Click and hold the Network options package; drag the Network options package above the Local entry and drop:

The Network options package correctly orders prior to the Local options package.

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Troubleshooting

The new location is set as the default directory.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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