Customizing Fixed Length and Delimited ASCII Formats

You can change the ASCII file specifications to customize Allocator to your specific needs. Select Options from the Tools menu. Two tabs allow you to customize you ASCII file:  ASCII format and Premium Type. The format is customized on a state by state basis, so you must select the appropriate state from the dropdown box on each tab before making changes.

ASCII File Format tab: You can edit Allocator to use different starting positions and lengths for each field. It is not necessary to do this if you choose a delimited format. The default values are displayed in the text boxes. You can change the starting position and length of a field and for each subsequent field.

If you change the length of any field, the starting position for subsequent fields will automatically be updated. When the checkbox is selected, you may not change the starting position, only the length. Click Apply when you are finished making changes.

Premium Types tab: You can change the Premium Type codes recognized by Allocator for Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and New York Fire. Replace the default code with a custom code as necessary. Select the checkbox to Adjust Field Lengths for Premium Type if the new code is greater than one character.  You may set one premium type equal to as many as 10 custom codes.  Each code must be separated by a comma and the total amount of characters that may entered in the Custom Code box including commas is 50 characters.  

Each tab allows you to restore settings to the default values.

Note: If you make any changes to the ASCII File Format tab, please ensure that your source ASCII file fits the new specifications before processing premiums.