17003: Letters (DAS)

Beginning with Drake Accounting^® 2021, letters can be printed from the software.  Go to Firm > Letters to create templates for cover letters, engagement letters, and compilation letters.  Easily insert information, such as firm information and client information , into the body of the letter where appropriate. 

Creating a New Letter Template

To create a new letter template:

1. Go to Firm > Letters.
2. Select New.
3. Enter a name for your template in the Letter Template field.
4. Select a font under Text Options and use the arrows () to choose a size for the font.
   • From left to right, the text options are:
     • Font Name
     • Font Size
     • Bold
     • Italic
     • Underline
     • Strikethrough
     • Color
     • Left Align, Center Align, and Right Align

You can also enter page numbers, header and footer information, custom body text, and additional formatting for date fields.

1. Enter page numbers
   • The text inside the Page Number Format field is limited to one formatting style (i.e. same font name, font style, font size, font name, color, and alignment).
   • There are a few formats available for entering page numbers:
     • Method 1: <Page.Number> - To enter page numbers in the Page Number Format field, click once in that field, and then click on the Page node.  Double-click the Number child node to insert the current page number.  It will appear as "<Page.Number>" in the field.
     • Method 2: <Page.Total> - To insert the total number of pages, double-click the Total child node.  It will appear as "<Page.Total>" in the field.
     • Method 3: <Page.Number> of <Page.Total>​ - You can either insert both the Number and Total child nodes and the type "of" in between them, or type out "<Page.Number> of <Page.Total>" to have it display as "1 of x" on the print preview, where "x" represents the final page.
2. Enter the Header and Footer information:
   • Click in the Header or Footer section, and enter information under these sections, as applicable.
     • Double-click child nodes on the left to insert information. 
     • The Header and Footer sections will be repeated on each page of the letter when it is printed.
     • To insert an image into the top right corner or bottom right corner of the letter, click the folder () icon and browse to the image.  Select the image and select Open.
3. Entering Body text:
   • In the Body section, type information or insert information from the child nodes on the left, as applicable.
   • Inserting a page break:
     • There are three ways to insert a page break:
       • Click the  tab to add another page.  
       • Expand the Page node (on the left) and double-click Break, or
       • Type <Page.Break> into the body of text where you want the break to be.
4. Inserting date formats:
   • Below are some of the supported date formats:
     • Start of Year Date:
       • <Client.SOYDate(MM/dd/yyyy)> - 01/01/2021
       • <DateTime.SOYDate(MMM-dd-yy)> - Jan-01-21
       • <Client.SOYDate(MMMM yyyy)> - January 2021
     • End of Year Date:
       • <Client.EOYDate> - 12/31/2021
       • <Client.EOYDate(d-M-yyyy)> - 31-12-2021
       • <DateTime.EOYDate(yyyy gg)> - 2021 A.D.
     • Current Date:
       • <DateTime.Now(MMM dd. dddd - yyyy)> - Dec 23. Wednesday - 2020
       • <DateTime.Now(hh:mm:ss tt zz)> - 02:59:42 PM -05
       • <DateTime.Now(HH:mm:ss)> - 14:59:42​
5. Select Print to view a preview of the template.
6. To save the template while in Print Preview, type in a name for the template in the Name field and click the Save button .​

If you do not see the Save, Print, Reset, Delete, or Exit buttons on the right-hand side, you may need to close the tree menu or use the Restore Down option on the window.