When you install the Macintosh version, a new conduit is placed in your Conduits folder. The new conduit reads the expense data from your handheld and formats it into a text file in your user folder. The Windows version doesn't require a new conduit, relying instead on the file created by Palm's existing expense conduit.

Setting up expenses
In line with the Palm philosophy of simplicity, setting up Palm Expense Creator's options is speedy and straightforward. Launching the program presents you with the main expense creation screen, shown in Figure A.

FIGURE A

Once you've set up your preferences, this is the only screen you should ever deal with to create new reports. Click picture for a larger image.

Click the Setup button to display a second row of buttons. Your most important step is to identify the location of your user folder. From there, use the top row of buttons, shown in Figure B, to cycle through the setup screens, inputting your personal and company information, and adding specifics such as the mileage reimbursement rate and currency conversion amounts. If you're using the Advanced version, this is also where you can add an illustration or company logo (as long as it's under 32K in size).

FIGURE B

Get personal with your reports! The top row of buttons lets you customize how reports are generated. Click picture for a larger image.

If your expenses are subject to tax, you have some flexibility in the way the information is presented. Actual amounts need to be expressed in decimal format (such as 0.04 for 4 percent), but you can customize the label that describes it. Let's suppose, for example, that your state has enacted a 43.2 percent tax to renovate sidewalks and nature trails. You would enter 0.432 in the Tax Rate field, then have the flexibility to write "Cracks/Tracks Tax" in the Tax Label field.

The last step before generating a report is to choose a template that represents the best way to display your data. Click the Select Template button and choose from the pre-built templates available on the Choose Template popup menu. It may take a few attempts to determine the one for you. Fortunately, you can click the Preview button to get a thumbnail image and description of the form's purpose.

Reporting for duty
When all the basics have been laid down, you're only a couple of clicks away from owning a completed expense form. Select a category, a start date, and an end date. Then click the Create Expense Form button. A new window will appear with your expenses organized according to that template, as shown in Figure C.

FIGURE C

The finished product, or at least one of several. The templates included with Palm Expense Creator often highlight different data. Click picture for a larger image.

If you have a large number of expense records, there may be a delay while the data is being processed, but otherwise, that's it. If you discover that another template might display more information that's important to you, just close the window without saving changes and change the preferences in the Select Template screen. Then, click the Create Expense Form button again to create a new report.