Section 5: Storing and Recalling Numbers and ALPHA Strings70
Storing ALPHA Strings
ALPHA strings that you have placed in the ALPHA-register can be stored into any storage registers, even into the stack register. (An ALPHA string is a series of ALPHA characters.) In ALPHA mode, the shifted functions on the STO end RCL keys are the ASTO (ALPHA store) and ARCL (ALPHA recall) functions. All you do is press g ASTO or g ARCL and specify the register address. The HP-41C prompts you with ASTO _ _ and ARCL _ _.
ASTO stores the left-most six characters in the ALPHA register into the specified register. An additional function, ASHF (ALPHA shift), helps you store strings longer than six characters by shifting the contents of the ALPHA register left six characters. When you execute ASHF , the first six characters in the ALPHA register are lost. ASHF is most useful in programs and is covered in part II of this handbook.
The ASTO , ASHF , and ARCL functions operate on the ALPHA register only. The stack is not disturbed by these operations unless you specify a stack register address (more about this in a moment).
To store an ALPHA string that is in the ALPHA register into any primary storage register:
  1. In ALPHA mode, press g ASTO (press g STO in ALPHA mode). The HP-41C will prompt you for the address with ASTO _ _.
  2. Press the number keys of the address of the desired register (00 through 99). Since the HP041C prompts you for the register address, you need not go out of ALPHa mode to key in the numbers.
For example, to store the ALPHA string MICRO into register R05:
Keystrokes Display    
ALPHA       
MICRO  MICRO _    
g ASTO   ASTO _ _   The HP-41C prompts: In which register?
05  MICRO   MICRO is stored into R05.
g CLA      Blanks the ALPHA register.
The string MICRO is now stored into R05. Remember, each storage register can hold a maximum of six ALPHA characters.
Recalling ALPHA Strings
Now, to recall an ALPHA string that is stored in any storage register: (Remember, ARCL does not disturb the stack, it only brings strings into the ALPHA register.)
  1. In ALPHA mode, press ARCL (press g ARCL in ALPHA mode). The HP-41C will prompt you for the address with ARCL _ _.
  2. Key in the desired register address (00 through 99).