Rich Text Editor (RTE) Instructions

You can use the Rich Text Editor (RTE) to create letters and superbills in CGM webPRACTICE. With the RTE you can insert elements (data-fill fields), insert tables to align text, insert images, use barcodes, and format text.

Prior to using this function you need to know if your system is set up to create letters with Plain Text or with the Rich Text Editor (RTE). All new-client CGM webPRACTICE systems are automatically set up with the Rich Text Editor. You can check the format that your system is set up with in the DMS Integration under System, Database Maintenance Menu.

NOTE: If the integration is set to Plain Text and you switch from Plain Text to Rich Text for the first time, the first time you access any existing Plain Text DMS document using the DMS Letter Processor, it will automatically be converted to Rich Text. After a document has been converted, all future editing for the document can only be performed using the RTE.

NOTE: If you have existing Plain Text documents and switch to RTE, you may have to reformat the Plain Text documents.

NOTE: You cannot switch back and forth between Plain Text and Rich Text because the formatting and integrity of your documents will be compromised.

In the Superbill Wizard, under System, Form Wizards, you use the RTE to create the Header and Footer sections of the superbill.

You also use the RTE in Add or Change a Letter, under Reports, Data Management System, DMS Letter Processor.

The RTE Toolbars contain all the necessary function. Your can select the Font Style, Font Type, and Font Size of the text on the Font toolbar. The Formatting and Insertion toolbars contain basic text formatting functions and the insertion tools. To apply formatting to text, select the text you want to format and click on the appropriate toolbar button. Prior to using the Insertion Tools in the RTE, click in the body of the form and place the mouse pointer where you want to insert.

You should perform the following steps in the order provided.
  1. Analyze Section Layout
  2. Insert Tables
  3. Insert Image(s)
  4. Type in Text
  5. Insert Elements
NOTE: You should save your work frequently while creating superbills or letters. The sample demonstrates using the RTE in the Superbill Wizard.

Step 1. Analyze Section Layout
Determine how many tables will need to be inserted and how many rows and columns each table should contain.

Step 2. Insert Tables
Tables are optional, but extremely helpful in aligning the data, images, and elements that are entered in the Header and Footer. Click in the body of the form to place the mouse pointer and click the Insert Table icon. Type the number of Rows and Columns. You can click Preview to see what the table looks like before inserting it. Click Insert and the table will be inserted in the body of the form.

Multiple tables can be stacked or nested to provide a variety of alignment options. Individual table rows and columns can be re-sized but they cannot be deleted or added after the table has been inserted. It is best to spend a few extra minutes determining your needs during the analyze section layout out step; otherwise you may have to delete an entire table and start over.

If you have to delete a table, select it by positioning the mouse pointer over one of the table's borders. When the pointer changes into a double arrow crosshairs icon, click on the table. The sizing handles display around the table's border confirming it has been selected. Press Delete to delete the table and all of its contents.

Step 3. Insert Image(s)
You can insert any image(s) into a table cell(s). Click within the table cell you want to insert the image to place the mouse pointer and click Insert. The Image Manager window displays all previously used images in the bottom portion of the screen. Click on the image you want and click Insert. Or, click Acquire New to scan a new image or Attach a previously saved image from your hard drive. For detailed instructions on scanning or attaching images, see Image Scanning or Acquire and Attach Images under the Introduction, System Processes Help section. You should only insert one image per table cell.


If an image needs to be re-sized after it has been inserted, click the image to select it. Place the mouse pointer over one of the sizing handles and drag the sizing handle until the image is the size you want. To maintain the image's proportions, drag one of the corner sizing-handles.

Step 4. Type in Text
Type any required text and format it as you want. NOTE: Although the formatting functions in the RTE are similar to Microsoft Word, there are some significant differences. You should type the text first, using the default style, font, and font size, and then any formatting should be applied. You are only able to format existing text that has been selected. For example, if you want text in bold type, type the data first, select the text and click the Bold font icon in the formatting toolbar.

If you are typing multiple lines of text and press Enter to proceed to a new line, the line spacing is defaulted to double-spaced. If you want the text to be single-spaced, hold down the Shift key at the same time you press the Enter key (Shift+Enter).

Step 5. Insert Elements
Insert any Data Element(s) or Special Element(s) into a table cell(s). Click in the table cell where you want to insert the element, to place the mouse pointer then click the Insert Element icon. The Elements window will display all available categories of data elements. Click on a category name to expand the list. Scroll through the list to locate the element you want and then click on it to insert it into the table cell. If you are not sure which category the data element resides in, you can click Alpha List to display the elements alphabetically. You can also click Special Elements to select and insert 'special elements' data.

NOTE: If your superbill was created as a Rich Text document, it cannot be printed directly to a legacy printer (a printer that was manually set up in Cache). You would need to select Print Here in the Printers dialog box to print them to the screen first before selecting the printer. To bypass this, you can set up the printer as an Enhanced Printer.