The DirectRoute toolbar contains shortcut icons for performing frequent or critical tasks. Some of the icons will not be active or cannot be used unless specific files are open, certain actions have already been completed, or one of the additional software modules has been installed and is in use.

Tip: If a menu or toolbar option is gray/faded rather than colored/clear, it is not accessible at that time. You may need to have specific files open and/or be in the routing mode to access certain functions, or it may be accessible only if licensed for additional Appian software modules (ResourcePro, TerritoryPro, etc.).

File Open: Use to open a spreadsheet, data, or Route File. The file type, directory location, and file name can be chosen from the dialog box that appears.

File Save: Use to save an active spreadsheet and/or route.

Clipboard: Enables copying a portion of the map and drawings you are viewing to the Windows clipboard. Click/drag the mouse in the map window to copy a portion of the Map window to a photo image program (Microsoft Paint, Paintbrush, etc.) or to a Word application.

Print: Print the map (active), records from your spreadsheets, or routes.

Geocode by Zip: Locates the Lat/Long of records within the Stop File and Truck File, and updates the records according to their 5-digit Zip Code centroid.

Geocode by Address: A shortcut to geocoding, which locates the Lat/Long of records within the Stop File and Truck File according to their exact address and ZIP+4.

Address Cleanup: Provides a quick and easy means for correcting address information and attaching the 4-digit extension (ZIP+4) to the Zip Code. Address Cleanup should be used prior to Geocoding records.

Stop Filter: Enables selection and separation of unique records from the Stop File to display on the map alone (without all others). The clear function allows the filter to be cleared when done. When filters are used and saved in the Primary (P) Route Book, the filter becomes available for use in each additional Route Book, as well as in any other open file, and from the map. To access a saved filter:

• While viewing the map, select Map > Filter > Show Filter; select the saved filter from the drop-down menu.
• While in the Stop File and/or Truck File, select View > Stop Filter; select the saved filter from the drop-down menu.

Additionally, Stop Filters can be applied and used in the Preprocess function (route selected records only, versus all records in the entire Stop File). See Routing Preferences and Options Table for additional information on how to use a Stop Filter in the Preprocess function.

Normal Cursor: Used to cancel a DirectRoute action. For instance, to end a drawing tool action such as the circle-drawing tool, select the normal cursor icon on the toolbar.

Tip: Can also be used to cancel the Zoom or Pan Map function.

Map Zoom: Use to zoom in closer to a selected area. Select the icon from the toolbar, then drag to encapsulate the desired area; when the mouse button is released, the screen will jump to the selected area.

Lasso: Use to encircle (select) a group of stops on the map. Can be used to select and edit stops, load or unload stops, move stops to additional routes, etc. See Using the Lasso Tool for additional information.

Manual Routing: Selects specific stops to the route.

Drawing Tools: Activates the toolbar, enabling the drawing of shapes, selection of records, and placement of text boxes on the map.

Get Directions: Provides turn-by-turn directions for each selected route, while in the routing mode.

Generate Route Directions on Route Edit: Regenerates new directions if routes are edited after directions were initially produced. When Generate Route Direction on Route Edit is selected on the DirectRoute menu, the button will be outlined in black ink. When a stop on any route is edited or modified, as soon as that action occurs, the Generating Route Directions info box should appear on the lower left side of the screen, indicating new directions are being generated.

Priority Routing: Used to activate Priority Routing, a tool used to build routes manually.

Selective Routing: Used to reopen the Truck and Stop Grids when working with routes created with Selective Routing.

Sync Map: Sync with other windows. When in the routing mode, use this after editing any data to sync all open windows.

External Utilities: Provides additional configuration utilities for some users. Options are defined in “utils.config.”

Minimize All Info Grids: Will minimize all info panels that are open in the Route Book and create a tab to each on the left side of the screen.

Rate Orders: Used with Transportation Modeler to apply rates from a designated Rate File to a Shipment File (this icon is normally only visible when using the TM module).