• The first step boils down quite simply to editing a standard Excel spreadsheet named: 'batik.xls'. This is supplied with the program as a default layout. It is tried and tested and you should only need to make the slightest variations to this default to tailor the batch card to your requirements. In other words should you require different headings, bolding, different fonts/font sizes etc. it would all be done by editing batik.xls and then saving the changes. The next time you print a batch card it will appear with the changes you have made. The great thing about this is that anyone who has the vaguest knowledge of Excel will be able to do it. This is the first step of batch card editing.
   
• The second (and slightly more complex) step is only necessary should you require a more drastic change in the layout, this would typically include shifting the field positions.
  This is done from inside CompuChem.
  MENU OPTION: Configure > Excel Layouts > Excel Batch Card Layout
  
  Each item in this list represents a field that is printed on your batch card. Some of the names should be recognizable from your day to day use of CompuChem. The 'Label' column us simply there to identify the fields, to change where they are printed in the Excel spreadsheet you will change the values of the sheet, row & column sections of the entry. The sheets, rows and columns in this list relate directly to the those in Excel.
  
  A common problem is that Excel defaults to the A1 B1 etc. reference style, however we want to use the R1 C1 reference style where the rows and columns are referenced directly i.e.: row 1 column 2 etc.
  To change the reference style in Excel:
  MENU OPTION: Tools > Options
  On the 'General' tab, under the heading labelled: 'Settings' check the first option box labelled: 'R1C1 Reference Style'
  
  Now the interface between CompuChems field positions dialog and Excels actual rows and columns is literal and much easier (and quicker) to configure.
  A good idea is to have Excel open with 'batik.xls' loaded while you edit the field positions in CompuChem, this way you can select the cell in Excel where you want a field to be printed, lookup its R1C1 reference from the 'Name Box' in the top right corner of Excel and enter what you see there in the Field Positions dialogue in CompuChem.