How to use the Brandstar Address Book v1.2a

Apr.02, 2008 in Applications, Reviews, Tutorials

A couple of months back Brandstar designed and published a free Address Book tool. The Address Book is ran on Microsoft Access, however don’t stop reading now if you’re thinking ‘I don’t have Access’, you can download for free Access 2007:Access Runtime. The download allows those who don’t have Access to run Access files. It’s great!

The tool came about when Graham, from the Brandstar and pctoolbox team, noticed that many people want a simple tool that can be used for storing information such as; people’s contact details so they can print off labels at Christmas or email address’s for email newsletters.

The database has many features:

Easily store Friends, Family, Customers, Subscribers or Supporters Contact Details: Name, Address, Phone, Email, Website etc.
Sort users by first/last name
Easily add/edit/delete records from a simple user friendly interface
Print individual records
Print labels of those registered to receive a newsletter
Email direct from the system those who you have registered to receive an email newsletter
- These emails are sent BBC (Blind Carbon Copy) so that you are not spreading everyone’s email address
Search Contacts
The latest version (1.2 standard) comes with a new style user interface, just as easy to use as before, but a bit more … interesting!
And most importantly….it’s free!!

Now you know what it is, I better tell you how to use it……

How to add a contact:

Adding a contact is extremely simple, firstly open your database. You will then see a similar screen to the one below, (To make the picture larger click on the image)

Then click the ‘Add New Contact’ button.

Then just add the contact details of the new contact. If you wish for the contact to be added to the newsletter and/or email newsletter just tick the box.

It’s so easy it’s scary!

Edit Contact Details:

If you thought adding a contact was easy you’ll be shocked how easy it is to edit a contact. All you do is click on one piece of the contacts information from the list of All Contacts, for example their first name, so that the information appears in the boxes above.

Then just change the information that you wish to change, done, it will automatically save those changes when you move away from the contacts details to do something else, or when you close the program.

Delete Contact Details:

Click on the contact like above so the details are shown in the main form.

Then simply click ‘Delete Contact’.

To confirm you wish to delete the record click yes on the small window that appears.

Print Record:

Click on the contact so that their details appear on the information boxes, e.g. First Name, Last Name, Address 1 etc. Then click ‘Print Record’.

Print Labels:

By clicking ‘Print Labels’ you will be able to print off all the name/addresses of all those that have had the newsletter box ticked. The program is set to use Avery Label layout L7160.

Email Newsletter:

If you click ‘Email Newsletter’ the application will open up a window with the addresses all added and ready to send to. All you’ll need to do is type the newsletter! (Unfortunately this will not work with web based email systems like Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail)

Sort:

You can sort your contacts by first or last name by clicking on the drop down and selecting.

Close Program:

To close the program safely click ‘Close Program’.

Please let us know what you think of the Address Book and How we can make it even better!

The more observent reader will notice the “search” feature in some of the screenshots, this didn’t quite make it into the 1.2 release but is a sign of more to come