Using [Ctrl]+[C] and [Ctrl]+[V]  to avoid retyping 

If you are bored with retyping you can use these keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste text almost anywhere, including into your algorithm definitions.  As always, keyboard shortcuts are entered using the lowercase letter.  They are written here with uppercase letters for clarity.

The shortcuts [Ctrl]+[C] and [Ctrl]+[V] work the same as the commands Copy & Paste respectively, except that they can be used for copying and pasting text almost anywhere – even between different applications and into (and out of) almost any box requiring a text input.

For example, in question 5, we had:

        AnsB= round(S/(1+p),2)               

        AnsC= round(S*(1+p/100),2)       

        AnsD= round(S/(1+(p+5)/100),2)    

These definitions are all very similar and it would be nice not to have to type them all individually. 

Here is how to do it with EVTG and these definitions, but the actions are same in all applications. 

• Start EVTG and open the question bank: Problems with Percentages.
• Double-click on question 5 to open it for editing.
• Press [Ctrl]+[D] to open the Edit Algorithm Definitions dialog box.
• Delete the definitions of AnsC and AnsD. (Click once on the variable name AnsC, then click on Delete, then click on Yes. Repeat for AnsD.)

Double-click on AnsB to open it for editing.

We are going to highlight (blue background) the definition for copying.  If you are handy with your mouse, use click and drag.  If you are not so handy with your mouse, click the box area with your mouse (to move the cursor to the right of the definition) and then press and hold [Shift].  While holding [Shift], press and hold down the left cursor arrow.

It is easier here to work from right to left since you can click anywhere after the “)” to get the cursor in the correct start position.  Otherwise you have to click exactly in front of the “r”.

• Highlight the definition using one of the techniques described above.
• Press [Ctrl]+[C].
• Click on OK to close this definition.

• Click on New and type in the variable name: AnsC.
• Use [Tab] to move the cursor or click in the Definition field.
• When the cursor is in this field, press [Ctrl]+[V].
• Use the cursor keys to edit this definition to the one given above.
• Now highlight and copy this definition using [Ctrl]+[C].
• Change the format to number: #,###,### and the decimal to 2 fixed places.
• Click on OK.

• Click on New and type in the variable name: AnsD.
• Use [Tab] to move the cursor or click in the Definition field.
• When the cursor is in this field, press [Ctrl]+[V]  (to copy the definition from AnsC).
• Use the cursor keys to edit this definition to the one given above.
• Change the format to number: #,###,### and the decimal to 2 fixed places.
• Click on OK.

With a little practice, this technique will become an enormously useful tool.

By the way, notice that the answer variables are not grouped together anymore.  We can fix this by reordering the variables.  You can use click and drag to get them back into position.

• Click and drag AnsC (the gray dotted line will move as you drag)

• Move the variable AnsD into position underneath the variable AnsC.

In general, it is good practice that the definition of variable or function be positioned above any other variable, function or condition that uses it in their definition.