How do I use QAS Pro?

Summary

This document aims to provide answers to frequently asked questions about QAS Pro.

Solution

1. How do I run QAS Pro?

Windows

Pro is opened by going to the Start menu and Programs, then the QAS Pro (or QuickAddress Pro) group. Clicking on QAS Pro (or QuickAddress Pro) will open the welcome screen. After clearing the welcome dialog, Pro minimises and sits on the desktop until the hotkey is pressed to activate it, the default hotkey being {Alt + Q}. The cursor should be in the position for pasting to begin in the database, spreadsheet or word processor before the hotkey is pressed.

DOS

The program qapro2d.exe is run from the qaddress\apps directory. It may be worthwhile placing this in the autoexec.bat file so that Pro loads whenever the PC is started. After clearing the welcome dialog, Pro remains in memory and waits for the hotkey to be pressed to activate it. The cursor should be in the position for pasting to begin in the database, spreadsheet or word processor before the hotkey is pressed.

2. What is the fastest way of capturing an address over the telephone?

The fastest way of capturing an address is by asking for a postcode. When Pro has been popped up, type the postcode into the search box (note that there is no need to type characters in upper case or insert a space in the postcode), and press the return key. If the postcode is unique to a single address then it will be returned automatically, otherwise a pick list of streets or premises will be presented. With a pick list, it is possible to use either the mouse (Windows) or cursor keys to select a premise. Alternatively, the premise number may be typed in directly followed by the return key. When the premise has been selected simply press the return key and Pro will automatically paste the chosen address into the underlying application.

3. What is the fastest way of capturing an address from written sources?

When looking at a written address it is normally possible to read the premise number and the postcode. In this case, type the premise number followed by the postcode into the search box.

In this example, the premise is unique to that postcode, and the premise doesn’t contain sub-premises (e.g. flats) therefore there is no pick list displayed.

If the premise number contains a letter it needs to be separated from the postcode by using a comma.

4. How can I search for an address if I don't know the postcode?

Instead of typing the postcode into the search box, it is possible to type any part of the address that is known. There is no need to allocate address elements to specific fields; whatever is known is typed into the same search box separated by commas. The return key is pressed to start the search.

Pro will accept multiple search components and it will also try to find the correct address if any of the components have been spelt incorrectly.

5. Does QAS Pro accept abbreviations?

Yes, instead of typing the thoroughfare descriptors in full, the Royal Mail approved abbreviations and other common abbreviations may be used (note the inclusion of Cresent, the common misspelling of Crescent).

Royal Mail Approved: Av, Cl, Ct, Cr, Dr, Est, Gdns, Gr, Ind, La, Pde, Pk, Pl, Rd, Sq, St, Ter

Other Common Abbreviations: Ave, Clo, Crt, Cres, Cresent, Drv, Grv, Ln, Squ, Sqr, Str, Terr

Royal Mail approved county abbreviations may also be used.

6. Can I use wildcards in QAS Pro?

Yes, Pro uses standard wildcards whereby a question mark, ?, represents exactly one character in a postcode and an asterisk, *, represents zero or more characters at the end of any address element.

For example: woodbridge*,guildford

will return all addresses with the word 'woodbridge' as the first word of the address element, such as Woodbridge Street or Woodbridge Common.

Adding an operator can restrict the scope of the returned list:

For example: woodbridge*@s, guidford

will return all addresses in Guildford which have streets beginning with 'woodbridge'.

and this: woodbridge*@op, guildford

will return all addresses in Guildford which have organisation or premise names beginning with 'woodbridge'. Note that in this case both the O and P operators are being used.

7. Can I search for a word contained within an address element?

It is possible to use a keyword to search within the Organisation, Subpremise and Premise fields for the presence of a word. You identify a keyword by placing an asterisk at the front of the word.

and this: *bank,birmingham

will return all address in Birmingham with the word bank at the end of the organisation or premise name.

8. Can I change the number of address lines that are returned?

Yes, QAS Pro is fully configurable which means that the number of address lines may be changed. In addition, Pro can be configured to include the capitalisation of individual address elements, the use of abbreviations, where desired, for counties and thoroughfare descriptors, and much more.