A-Shell Preview and EXtensions ("APEX") is a built-in component of A-Shell for Windows and ATE. At the user’s option or under program control, APEX receives a print file and re-directs it into a preview window. That window displays an image of the report and provides the user with various viewing options (zoom, multiple pages, single page, etc.). After previewing the report, the user may then print the report as it was originally intended to be printed (i.e., to the originally-specified printer), print it under user control (different printer, say, or landscape instead of portrait), or discard it. The purpose of the viewer, as with all such print preview functions, is to make sure that you are printing what you think you are printing—and to save time, energy, money and paper in the process. In some cases, viewing the report may eliminate the need for printing entirely.
APEX is documented in the A-Shell Reference, which see for more information.
