DreamCalc Professional Calculator 4.1 - User Guide and FAQ

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Interface Layout



The user interface looks and feels like a real hand-held calculator and operates in a similar way. You can click the keys with the mouse or use your keyboard. It is specifically designed to provide a near tactile experience.

The DreamCalc interface emulates a hand-held calculator as far as it makes sense to do so. The [SHIFT] key grants you access to the functions printed above the keys, just as you would naturally expect. You can even control most mode settings using the [MODE] key and on-screen menus.

There are some tasks, however, which are best done with a software style interface using standard window controls. This is where DreamCalc is a real advantage over a separate hand-held.

The entry of list data and graphing are done in a separate floating tool window. If you were wondering why the numeric screen area is small compared to some calculators--it isn't used for list data or graphing, so doesn't need to be any larger.

Keypad Sections

The keypad can roughly be categorized into sections, as follows:

1. Numeric Screen.
2. Shift, Mode, Engineering, Copy & Paste Keys.
3. Extended Financial Keys (Professional Edition Only).
4. Statistical Function Row & Polynomial Solver.
5. Standard Mathematical Functions.
6. Date Input, Memory, Parentheses & Separator Keys.
7. Backspace and All Clear Keys.
8. Numeric Keypad, Calendar, and Number Theory Functions.

Function Key Labels



Each key typically supports several functions or input mnemonics. See right. The colors vary depending upon the chosen skin, however, the color scheme remains consistent. Each is colored uniquely.

1. Primary Function (without SHIFT).
2. Secondary Function (with SHIFT).
3. Base-N Function (must be in base-n mode).
4. Memory Register. Also digit in base-n mode for values A-F.
5. Constant on Numerical Keypad (using CONST).

Financial Keypad



Financial functions are accessible using the financial keypad area available in DreamCalc Pro. If you can't see this, ensure it is "turned on" by selecting Financial Calculator under the View menu. Additionally, ensure that you haven't mistakenly downloaded the Standard Edition of DreamCalc.

The colored keys access the Calculator's Time & Value of Money (TVM) registers and perform compound interest calculations. The [NPV] key provides menu driven access to cash-flow calculations, including Net Present Value. The [CF0] and [CFj] keys allow you to input cash-flows from the keypad interface, although for many users, the Data List Window will be preferred.

Cash-Flow Sign Convention When working with cash values, DreamCalc adheres to a sign convention that money received is positive, while money paid out is negative.

For example, a cash-flow in which the first value is negative indicates an initial investment (i.e. money paid out), whereas further positive cash values indicate money earned (or received) from the investment. This convention applies for all other calculations.



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