File Drop Interface Overview

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The File Drop interface displays the status and configuration of your automated printing templates. This guide explains all interface elements and how to use them.

Accessing File Drop Templates

  1. Open QRlogix Software
  2. On the dashboard, locate the File Drop section
  3. Click on a File Drop template to open it

File Drop Homepage

File Drop Interface

Interface Elements

Template Status Indicator

Green = Active and ready to print

Shows whether this specific template is active and monitoring for print jobs.

  • Green: Template is active, watching folder
  • Red/Gray: Template inactive or error

Template Name

The name of the currently displayed File Drop template.

Click to switch between different File Drop templates if you have multiple configured.

Shared Folder Path

The folder location that the service application is monitoring for new print jobs.

Example: C:\QRlogixPrintJobs or \\Server\PrintShare

This is where you (or your LIS/LIMS) will save TXT or CSV files to trigger printing.

Active Since

Date and time stamp showing when the current template was activated.

Helps track uptime and when monitoring started.

Sample Print File Data

Example of print job formatting with the sample data used from Data Settings.

What it shows:

  • Exact format of data string expected
  • Field separator characters
  • Order of data fields
  • Sample values for each field

Example:

S22-1234,A1,H&E,BILLY BOB,DR JONES

This preview is crucial for:

  • Verifying your data format is correct
  • Troubleshooting printing issues
  • Sharing with IT/LIS teams for integration

Copy Button

Copies the Sample Print File Data string to your clipboard.

Use this to:

  • Share format with LIS/LIMS team
  • Create test files
  • Document data format
  • Troubleshoot formatting issues

Test Print Button

Sends the sample text file data to the shared folder as a test print job.

What happens:

  1. Creates a TXT file with sample data
  2. Saves it to the monitored folder
  3. File Drop service detects the file
  4. Prints label on active printer
  5. File is deleted or archived (per settings)

Use for:

  • Verifying configuration works
  • Testing label design
  • Checking printer connectivity
  • Troubleshooting issues

Label Preview

Visual preview of how the label will look using the Sample Print File Data.

Shows:

  • Label layout
  • Text positioning
  • Barcode placement
  • Font sizes and styles
  • Overall appearance

Important: This preview uses sample data. Real labels will look the same but with actual data from print files.

Service Status Indicator

Indicates if the Windows File Drop service is running and actively monitoring the shared folder.

  • Green/Active: Service running, monitoring folder
  • Red/Inactive: Service stopped, not monitoring

Must be green for File Drop to work!

Opens the Windows Services application.

Quick access to:

  • Check service status
  • Start/stop service
  • Configure service properties
  • Troubleshoot service issues

Opens the log.txt file that records File Drop activity.

Log file contains:

  • Print job timestamps
  • Files processed
  • Errors encountered
  • Service start/stop events
  • Troubleshooting information

Location: Usually in the File Drop installation directory

Inactive Since

Timestamp showing when the service or template was last stopped.

Only visible when status is inactive. Helps track when issues started.

Settings Dropdown

Access to template configuration options.

Options:

  • Folder Settings - Configure watch folder and archive settings
  • Data Settings - Map data fields and separators
  • Label Settings - Design label layout
  • Properties - Template name and description
  • Edit Template - Modify configuration
  • Export Template - Save for backup or sharing
  • Delete Template - Remove template

Status Indicators Explained

Both Green = Ready to Print

When both indicators are green:

  • ✅ Service is running
  • ✅ Template is active
  • ✅ System monitoring for new files
  • ✅ Ready to print automatically

Service Green, Template Red = Template Issue

  • ✅ Service is running
  • ❌ Template has configuration error
  • Check template settings
  • Verify data mapping
  • Test template configuration

Service Red, Template Green/Red = Service Issue

  • ❌ Service not running
  • Start service in Windows Services app
  • Verify File Drop installation
  • Check for service errors

Sample Print File Data Explained

Sample Data String

The sample string is built from Data Settings:

Example breakdown:

S22-1234,A1,H&E,BILLY BOB,DR JONES
│        │  │   │          │
Field 1  │  │   │          Field 5 (Physician)
         │  │   Field 4 (Patient Name)
         │  Field 3 (Stain)
         Field 2 (Specimen)

Separator: , (comma)

This format must match exactly what your LIS/LIMS or other system sends!

Using the Interface

Starting Your Day

  1. Open QRlogix Software
  2. Open your File Drop template
  3. Verify both status indicators are GREEN
  4. Check Shared Folder path is correct
  5. Optionally run Test Print to verify system

Monitoring Operation

Throughout the day:

  • Template stays open (or minimized)
  • Service runs in background
  • New files appear in folder → labels print automatically
  • Check log file if issues arise

Testing Configuration

After any changes:

  1. Click Test Print
  2. Verify label prints correctly
  3. Check label preview matches output
  4. Confirm data formatting is correct

End of Day

  • File Drop can run 24/7 (no need to close)
  • Or close QRlogix Software (service continues running)
  • Service keeps monitoring even when app is closed

Troubleshooting with the Interface

Problem: Both Indicators Red

Check:

  1. Is File Drop service running? (Open Services app)
  2. Is shared folder path accessible?
  3. Are there configuration errors?

Fix:

  • Start service if stopped
  • Verify folder permissions
  • Check Settings → Folder Settings
  • Review error log file

Problem: No Labels Printing

Check:

  1. Are indicators green?
  2. Are test files appearing in folder?
  3. Is printer online and has labels?
  4. Check log file for errors

Fix:

  • Run Test Print to isolate issue
  • Verify printer selection
  • Check folder permissions
  • Review log file entries

Problem: Wrong Data on Labels

Check:

  1. Sample Print File Data format
  2. Data Settings field order
  3. Separator character
  4. Label Settings field placement

Fix:

  • Compare sample string to actual files
  • Verify field order matches
  • Test with known good file
  • Update Data Settings if needed

Settings Access

From the interface, access configuration:

Folder Settings:

Data Settings:

Label Settings:

Next Steps

Now that you understand the interface:

Need Help?

Questions about the File Drop interface?

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