Customizing the Sample Page Layouts Provided with the Tabs3 Statement Designer

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The Firm Information page layout is a sample layout for the first page of a statement that provides a professional looking statement that is ready to print without requiring any modifications on your part. The firm name, address and phone number used in the heading are obtained from the firm information entered in System Configuration. Client information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and detailed statement information is included as well.

The Statement Customization page layout is another sample layout for page 1 of a statement that uses the information entered in Statement Customization (Statements | Statement Setup | Statement Customization) to generate the statement heading. Once you have entered your firm's information on the Headings tab of Statement Customization, no further modifications to this page layout are required. Client information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and detailed statement information is included as well.

The Letterhead page layout is another sample layout for page 1 of a statement that provides a stylized appearance to improve the presentation of your communications with your clients. The firm name, address, phone number, fax number and Federal ID are obtained from the firm information entered in System Configuration. Client information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and detailed statement information is included as well.

There are two modifications that need to be made before you use this page layout for your statements. The following procedure will walk you through making the needed changes:

1. From the Tabs3 menu, select Statements | Statement Setup | Statement Designer to open the Statement Designer window.
2. In the Layout Tree pane at the top left of the Statement Designer window, click the Letterhead page layout to select it.
3. In the Page Layout pane on the right-hand side of the window, double-click the text box containing the text firm_email@yourfirmname.com.
   
   Note:  You may need to use the Zoom In button on the toolbar to get a better view of the elements on this page layout.
 
4. Enter the e-mail address that you want to appear at the top of statements that will use this page layout.
5. Double-click the text box containing the text A Law Firm Specializing in {Insert Your Specialty Here}.
6. Replace the text {Insert Your Specialty Here} with your firm's specialty, as you want it to appear at the top of statements that will use this page layout.
7. Press Ctrl+S to save your changes. The page layout is now ready to be assigned in the Page 1 field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

The Letterhead with Columns page layout (not shown in the Layout Tree image at the beginning of this article) is a sample layout for page 1 of a statement. It provides another method of displaying firm information on statements. Client information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and detailed statement information is included as well.

There are two modifications that need to be made before you use this page layout for your statements. The following procedure will walk you through making these modifications:

1. From the Tabs3 menu, select Statements | Statement Setup | Statement Designer to open the Statement Designer window.
2. In the Layout Tree pane at the top left of the Statement Designer window, click the Letterhead with Columns page layout to select it.
3. In the Page Layout pane on the right-hand side of the window, double-click the text box containing the text Attorney 1. Enter the first attorney name to be included as part of the letterhead.
4. Repeat step 3 for each of the Attorney text boxes. You may need to delete some of them, or add additional text boxes for additional attorney names.
5. Double-click the text box containing the text www.bjplaw.net and enter your firm's Web address in place of the sample address provided.
6. If desired, modify or delete the text ATTORNEYS AT LAW that appears directly beneath the firm name.
7. Press Ctrl+S to save your changes. The page layout is now ready to be assigned in the Page 1 field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

Note:  If the Sample Layouts group does not include this page layout, follow the simple procedure in KB Article R10899 to download the Statement Designer export file that contains the three sample page layouts added in Version 12.

The Logo page layout is another sample layout for page 1 of a statement that includes an image of the "scales of justice" at the top left corner. This image can be replaced with your firm's logo if desired. The firm name and phone number are obtained from the firm information entered in System Configuration. Client information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and detailed statement information is included as well.

There are two optional modifications that you might want to make before you use this page layout for your statements. The following procedure will walk you through making these optional changes:

1. From the Tabs3 menu, select Statements | Statement Setup | Statement Designer to open the Statement Designer window.
2. In the Layout Tree pane at the top left of the Statement Designer window, click the Logo page layout to select it.
3. If you want to change the image of the "scales of justice" to use your firm's logo instead, perform the following:
   
1. In the Page Layout pane on the right-hand side of the window, double-click the image of the "scales of justice" to open the Image Properties dialog box.
2. Click the Image File field, and then click the browse button (...) next to it.
3. Browse to the location where your logo file is saved, and double-click the file to insert it in the Image File field. Close the Image Properties dialog box.

Note:  You may need to click and drag or use the fields in the properties dialog box to adjust the size and/or placement of your logo and the other elements around it on the page layout.

4. If you want to change or delete the text "Attorneys at Law" that appears at the top of the page layout, perform the following:
 
1. In the Page Layout pane, double-click the "Attorneys at Law" text box, and then enter the new text that you want to appear at the top of the page layout.
   -OR-
   To remove the text box entirely, click it once and then click the Delete button on the toolbar. If you delete the text object, you may want to click and drag or use the fields in the properties dialog box to adjust the size and/or placement of the elements around it on the page layout.
 
5. Press Ctrl+S to save your changes. The page layout is now ready to be assigned in the Page 1 field on the Layouts of Statement Templates tab for one or more statement templates.

The Logo Right page layout (not shown in the Layout Tree image at the top of this article) is a sample layout for page 1 of a statement. This page layout makes an impression with a large graphic and the firm name presented in high contrast at the top right-hand corner of the page. Client information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and statement information is automatically included as well.

There are two modifications that need to be made before you use this page layout for your statements. The following procedure will walk you through making the required changes:

1. From the Tabs3 menu, select Statements | Statement Setup | Statement Designer to open the Statement Designer window.
2. In the Layout Tree pane at the top left of the Statement Designer window, click the Logo Right page layout to select it.
3. Replace the text Burns immediately below the graphic with the name of the first attorney or partner to be included. (Note:  You may need to reduce the font size to make the name fit.)
4. Repeat step 3 for each of the names provided with the page layout by default. (Note:  You may need to make the background rectangle taller or shorter, depending on the number of attorney names you are including on the page layout.)
5. If desired, replace the graphic with your firm's logo. You may need to adjust the size and/or placement of the image.
6. At the bottom of the page layout, replace the address and contact information in the text box with your firm's address and contact information.
7. Press Ctrl+S to save your changes. The page layout is now ready to be assigned in the Page 1 field on the Layouts of Statement Templates tab for one or more statement templates.

Note:  If the Sample Layouts group does not include this page layout, follow the simple procedure in KB Article R10899 to download the Statement Designer export file that contains the three sample page layouts added in Version 12.

The Attorney List page layout is another sample layout for page 1 of a statement. This page layout presents the firm name in large, bold letters on a gray backdrop, together with a statement reflecting the firm's history, to provide your statements with a traditional look and feel. Basic client information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and the statement date is included as well.

There are several modifications that need to be made before you use this page layout for your statements. The following procedure will walk you through making the required changes:

1. From the Tabs3 menu, select Statements | Statement Setup | Statement Designer to open the Statement Designer window.
2. In the Layout Tree pane at the top left of the Statement Designer window, click the Attorney List page layout to select it.
3. In the Page Layout pane on the right-hand side of the Statement Designer window, double-click the text box containing the text Timekeeper 1.
4. Replace the words Timekeeper 1 with name of the timekeeper whose name will appear first at the top of the page layout.
5. If the title "Senior Partner" does not apply to the first timekeeper, replace "Senior Partner" with the appropriate title.
6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 for each timekeeper whose name and title you want listed at the top of the page layout, and delete any unused text boxes.

Note:  You may wish to add text boxes for additional timekeepers' names and titles, or if you have a large number of timekeepers whose names should be printed, you might consider replacing the title text boxes with additional timekeepers' names.

7. When all timekeepers' names and titles have been entered correctly, double-click the text box that contains the words - Since 1979 - and enter text appropriate to your firm. For example, if your firm has been in business since 1982, you might enter - Since 1982 - in this field. As another example, if your firm has a slogan, you might prefer to have the slogan printed at the top of the page layout rather than a reference to your firm's history.
8. When you are finished making the above modifications, press Ctrl+S to save your changes in the Statement Designer. The page layout is now ready to be assigned in the Page 1 field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

The Draft Statements page layout is designed for use as page 1 of internal pre-bills and includes an information box at the top to help you keep track of the pre-bill's status. In addition, a watermark behind the statement makes it easy to recognize that statements printed using this page layout are for internal use only. This page layout is ready to use and does not require any modifications on your part. The name of the client's primary timekeeper is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, along with the client's information. Detailed statement information is included as well.

The CC Payment Remittance page layout is designed to be used in conjunction with other page layouts, as a background page. Details on using a page layout as a background page in another page layout are provided in KB Article R10923, "Frequently Asked Questions About Statement Designer". This page layout essentially adds a payment coupon to the bottom of any statement. The Client ID from the Tabs3 Client file, and the statement date and statement number are also included as part of the payment coupon.

Note:  Due to the height of the payment coupon, you may need to increase the Footer Height for any page layout that uses the CC Payment Remittance page layout as a background page.

The Invoice page layout is another sample layout for page 1 of a statement that incorporates a watermark. The firm's name is obtained from the firm information entered in System Configuration, and is centered across the top of the page layout in bold lettering. The firm's address, phone and fax information are centered across the bottom of the layout just below the watermark. Client information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and detailed statement information is included as well.

There is one optional modification that you may want to make before using this page layout for your statements. The following procedure will walk you through this optional modification:

1. If you want to change or delete the text "Attorneys at Law" that appears at the top of the page layout, perform the following:
1. In the Page Layout pane, double-click the "Attorneys at Law" text box, and then enter the new text that you want to appear at the top of the page layout.
   
      ...or...
   
   To remove the text box entirely, click it once and then click the Delete button on the toolbar. If you delete the text object, you may want to click and drag or use the fields in the properties dialog box to adjust the size and/or placement of the elements around it on the page layout.


2. Press Ctrl+S to save your changes. The page layout is now ready to be assigned in the Page 1 field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

The Two Offices page layout (not shown in the Layout Tree image at the top of this article) is for use on page 1 of a statement. This page layout can be useful if you want to include address information for two offices at the top of your statements. Your firm's name and federal tax ID number are obtained from the data entered in System Configuration. Client information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and detailed statement information is included as well.

There are two modifications required before you use this page layout for your statements. The following procedure will walk you through making these modifications:

1. From the Tabs3 menu, select Statements | Statement Setup | Statement Designer to open the Statement Designer window.
2. In the Layout Tree pane at the top left of the Statement Designer window, click the Two Offices page layout to select it.
3. In the Page Layout pane, replace the address and contact information for each location with the information for your firm's offices (see the Address Note at the end of this list).
4. If desired, modify or delete the text ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW.
5. Press Ctrl+S to save your changes. The page layout is now ready to be assigned in the Page 1 field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

Note:  If the Sample Layouts group does not include this page layout, follow the simple procedure in KB Article R10899 to download the Statement Designer export file that contains the three sample page layouts added in Version 12.

Address Note:  If the firm address information entered in System Configuration matches the address you want shown for one of the two locations, you may want to consider replacing the text boxes for that address with the Address field found under the Firm Fields section of the Field Selection pane at the bottom left-hand corner of the Statement Designer window. Likewise, you may want to replace the text boxes containing telephone and fax numbers with the corresponding fields from the Firm Fields section. In either case, you may need to adjust the placement of the fields to make everything fit correctly. To see how the firm information will appear on printed statements, right-click the Page Layout pane and select Display, then make sure the Field Names menu option is turned off. Also note that if the address information entered in System Configuration includes the initials for your state rather than the name of the state, that is how it will appear on statements as well. Since the address information in System Configuration is printed in other products as well (e.g., 1099 forms printed in Tabs3 Trust Accounting Software), you may not want to change the way the address information is entered in System Configuration.

The Page 2 - Invoice page layout is designed to be used for page 2 (and subsequent pages) of your statements and is specifically intended for use when the Invoice page layout is selected as page 1. The watermark in the Page 2 - Invoice page layout matches the watermark in the Invoice layout. Detailed client, statement and firm information are provided in the same format as on the Invoice layout. This page layout does not require any modification on your part; it is ready to be assigned in the Page 2 field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

The Page 2 - Simple page layout is designed to be used for page 2 (and subsequent pages) of your statements. This basic page layout can be used regardless of which page layout is being used as page 1 for a statement template. The client's name and Client ID are retrieved from the Tabs3 Client file and printed at the top of the page layout. The statement date and statement number are automatically printed at the top right corner of the page layout, and the page number is printed at the bottom right corner below a horizontal rule. This page layout does not require any modification on your part; it is ready to be assigned in the Page 2 field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

The Page 2 - Detail page layout is similar in appearance and function to the Page 2 - Simple layout. The main differences between the two page layouts are that the client's work description is included on the Page 2 - Detail layout, and all client and statement information is printed at the top of the statement rather than printing the page number at the bottom. This page layout does not require any modification on your part; it is ready to be assigned in the Page 2 field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

The Cover Statement page layout is designed to be used for a cover statement to accompany your printed statements. This page layout presents a clean, businesslike cover sheet for your statements. The client's information is obtained from the Tabs3 Client file, and detailed statement information is included on the page layout as well. This page layout does not require any modification on your part; it is ready to be assigned in the Cover field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

Note:  Cover statements only print for clients that have a value other than None selected in the Cover Statement field on the Statement Options tab of Client Information.

The Envelope page layout is a special type of page layout called an envelope layout, as indicated by the special envelope symbol that appears next to it in the Layout Tree pane of the Statement Designer window. Unlike other page layouts, envelope layouts can only be selected in the Envelope field on the Layouts tab of the Statement Templates program. Likewise, envelope layouts cannot be selected in the Page 1, Page 2 or Cover fields of the Layouts tab.

This page layout prints standard mailing information on a Number 10 envelope. The firm's name and address are obtained from the firm information entered in System Configuration, and the client's name and address are obtained from the Tabs3 Client file. This page layout does not require any modification on your part; it is ready to be assigned in the Envelope field on the Layouts tab of Statement Templates for one or more statement templates.

Note:  Envelopes are only printed when the Final option is selected on the Options tab of the Generate Statements program (the Print Statements program in Version 11), and only if the Print Envelopes check box is selected in Statement Setup for the designated statement printer.

The Envelope - Statement Enclosed page layout is a special type of page layout called an envelope layout, as indicated by the special envelope symbol that appears next to it in the Layout Tree pane of the Statement Designer window.

This page layout functions identically to the standard Envelope page layout above, except that the words "Statement Enclosed" are printed below the return address.