Commodore Plus 4 - Page 140

128 The Built-in Software
cell cursor to each cell and press RETURN. The numeric entries will be converted
to the current numeric display format.
FORMAT
Prepares a NEW disk for file storage. Formatting divides the disk into sectors
compatible with your disk drive and establishes a disk directory. You can format
a used disk, but formatting erases everything on a disk, so do not format a used
disk unless you are wiling to erase all the information stored on it.
You can format the disk in two ways:
1. From BASIC by using the HEADER command. Use HEADER if you have
not yet accessed the built-in software and you know you will want to store your
work on a disk. The HEADER command is explained in Chapter 1.
2. From within the built-in software by using the FORMAT command. The
FORMAT command can be issued only from the spreadsheet program. If you
are using a different program and want to format a disk, switch to the
spreadsheet. DO NOT switch back to BASIC to use the HEADER command
because you will lose your work in the built-in program.
Follow these steps to format a disk from the spreadsheet:
1. Insert a new disk into the disk drive. If you have ever used the disk before, DO
NOT format it unless you are certain you do not want to keep anything on the
disk. Formatting erases any information already stored on the disk. Do not
format disks that contain commercial software either.
2. Enter the command mode, type FORMAT, and press RETURN.
3. Type Y in response to ARE YOU SURE? if you are indeed sure you want to
format the disk. This prompt question gives you a last chance to bail out before
the format executes. Be sure the disk is blank or expendable before you type Y.
Type N if you change your mind.
4. In response to the prompt, type in a disk name (up to 16 characters) followed
by a comma and a 2-character identification for the disk. Every disk should be
given a unique identification.
After a short period of time, the disk is formatted and you can save files on it.
Note: Do not store file manager files on a disk that contains any other type of
file, including word processor or spreadsheet files. Each file manager file should
have its own disk.