Add a Document

On the ribbon got to Documents > Add Document. Choose the document by clicking the ellipsis [...] at the end of the File field.

An Open File screen will appear. Select the file to add, then click Open.

The file will be added, a thumbnail image created (where possible), and the Name and File fields completed.

At this point click Save and the document will be added, although the document’s folder, category, tags, and importantly, its security, may need to be changed first.

Similar to adding a document via a file, on the ribbon go to Documents > Add Document and enter or paste the URL or weblink. As already mentioned, a document can be from a file (stored within Jim2) and have a URL linking to an external copy of the same file. This is used when inserting a document into an email (using the URL link, rather than the actual file).

A document can also be added using the copy and paste functionality. Copy the file to the clipboard. On the ribbon, go to Documents > Add Document > Add Document from Clipboard and enter any other relative information required in the New Documents screen.

A document can also be added from the clipboard by clicking Add Document from Clipboard in the Quick Access toolbar:

This is particularly useful when running Jim2 remotely (via RDP) where drag/drop functionality is not supported.

This is by far the simplest and quickest way to add any new document, in particular if adding one related to an object (job, quote, etc.). Locate the file in Windows File Explorer. Now drag the file onto the Jim2 object. When the mouse pointer changes as below, release the mouse button and a New Documents form will appear. See above for information on folders. Fill out the required fields, and click Save.
 

Note: Drag and drop does not work within Jim2Cloud. Please see here for more information on adding documents in Jim2Cloud.

Add multiple documents in the same way as above, by selecting multiple documents from Windows File Explorer, using the standard Windows Control or Shift mouse click. From File Explorer, hold down the Ctrl or Shift key and choose the files to be added. Now, drag them onto Jim2, releasing the mouse button when the appears.

Adding multiple documents in this way is especially useful for bulk adding, for example, when adding an entire directory’s worth of files in one go.

The same New Documents screen will appear for editing the common properties, such as folder and security, for all selected documents.

Adding bulk documents can also be configured to create a link to the external file location or URL, rather than store the document in the Jim2 database.

Select the document in the list, tick Link Only, then enter the URL for that document. Continue in this way down the list.

Often, a file that is related to an object (job, quote, etc.) in Jim2, so it should be added as a document linked to that object.

For example, to add a photo to a job, open the job in Jim2, then drag and drop the file directly onto the job. The New Documents form will appear with an additional ticked box, Link to Job # XXXX, and link it to the open job it was dropped on. Make any other changes/additions before clicking OK.

Any object in Jim2 that has a Documents tab can be a drop target, and can have linked documents.

What if I drop a file onto a new or existing document?

▪If the document is in Edit mode, the following warning will appear:

•If Yes is clicked, the new file will be added to that document.

The added document will appear in the Document Versions screen at the bottom in the Document tab.

▪If it is an existing document in Jim2 of the same name, it is assumed the document is being updated, so choose how to add the document (see Version Control).

Files can also be dragged from some other programs directly into Jim2, ie. Microsoft Outlook emails and attachments. Follow the same drag and drop procedure as above, clicking and dragging the attachment (or entire email) onto Jim2.

Any email that arrives in Jim2 with an attachment allows for dragging that document directly from the email preview pane onto a Jim2 object, ie. job, quote, purchase order, etc. (wherever there is a Comment grid).

This is especially useful when, for example, someone emails a Word document or a spreadsheet, etc. that is to be saved directly against an object. Much simpler than sending different versions of a file back and forth via email. This is also how you can add documents to finished objects.

Another use for this is, when in a purchase order and the vendor's invoice has arrived. You can open the invoice from the Documents tab after dragging onto the purchase order, then you can compare the invoice to the actual order stock grid to validate the purchase order.

Documents can be added in bulk using the Bulk Link Document to Stock report (the document file name must match the stock code, and the document has either Image or Picture usage). The image must already be in Jim2. This is performed via Management > Reports > System Reports.

Using either drag and drop (not available in Jim2Cloud) or copy and paste allows linking of the document to an external file, rather than uploading it to the Jim2 database. As shown here, select the document and tick Link Only, then tick Link to file only (Do not upload file to database). When viewing this document within Jim2, it will actually be opening the external file.

When adding a document to Jim2 that has the same name as an existing Jim2 document, a confirmation message will appear for choosing how to handle the addition. However, if there is more than one document in Jim2 with the same name, there will be no prompt, and it will be added as another new document of the same name.

When duplicate document names are detected, select an action for each document in order to proceed:

▪Add New Version – adds the new document as a new revision of the existing document.

▪New Document – creates a new Jim2 document.

▪Use Existing – retains the existing document, rather than adding the new document.