IdealWare Online Users Manual

GS2-01 GENERAL SYSTEM GUIDE INFORMATION
29076 Keyboard

 

FUNCTION KEYS

 

At the top or left side of your keyboard you will see a set of keys marked F1, F2...F12. These are the function keys, so-called because most software applications assign different program functions to each of these keys. Ideal software assigns the following functions to these keys.

 

Keys whose functions are standard in all modules:

  • F2 - display items/selections one at a time; set a numeric data field to zero; clear an alpha/numeric field
  • F3 - backup one field during data entry / one page during inquiry display
  • F4 - end or exit a program, option or menu
  • F5 - display inquiry options or selections

Keys whose functions, when available, vary from program to program and are displayed at the bottom of the screen:

  • F1, F6...F12

 

NUMERIC KEYS

 

There are two sets of numeric keys on your keyboard. One is at the top of the regular keyboard, like the standard typewriter, the other to the right of the regular keyboard, in a calculator style layout. Either set of numeric keys can be used for data entry. You may find the calculator keypad more useful when entering a lot of numeric data because it is numbered in the same way as a regular calculator. Such a layout is much easier for entering numeric data rapidly than the standard typewriter style numeric keys.

 

Depending on the brand and model of your keyboard, you may have to press the Num Lock key in order to use the numbers on the calculator keypad. On some keyboards the Num Lock key toggles between the numbers and the other functions displayed on the calculator keypad.

 

 

ENTER/RETURN/CR KEY

 

When you enter information from the keyboard other than a single keystroke option you must follow each entry by pressing the keyboard's RETURN or ENTER key. This key is usually larger than the other keys and located to the right of the alphabetic keys in the middle line of the keyboard. Depending on the keyboard you are using or literature you read regarding computer systems, this key may be referred to as the ENTER key, the RETURN key or the Carriage Return key, which is also known as CR. Many prompts in Ideal software contain the CR key. This is simply the Enter Key.


In this manual, [Enter] means to press this key. The word enter or Enter is used to instruct you to type or key in data, a menu selection or option and then press the Enter Key. For example:

 

[Enter] to continue MEANS:

 

Press the Enter Key to advance from the current prompt or display.

 

Enter a supplier code MEANS:

 

Type the characters of a supplier code and then press the Enter Key.

 

 

KEYBOARD CONVENTIONS

 

In this manual the following conventions are used when discussing or giving directions for using keyboard commands.

 

When a single keystroke is being discussed or described it is capitalized and put in [] brackets thus:

 

When you have made your selection press [Enter]...

 

Pressing [F5] will display the...

 

Press [F4] to exit...

 

Again, please note that enter, Enter and [Enter] do not mean the same thing. The words enter and Enter are used to instruct you to type or key in data: usually a code, date or description. In a discussion or description, [Enter] is used to instruct you to press the Enter Key. The symbol CR in a prompt means [Enter] - press the Enter Key to exercise that option.

 

When a single keystroke is listed as an element of a procedure it is contained in a keybox thus:

 

[Enter] to accept the default value MEANS:

 

Press the Enter Key to accept the displayed value.

 

[F3] to re-enter previous field MEANS:

 

Press the F3 Key to return to the previous data field.

 

[F4] to exit to menu MEANS:

 

Press the F4 key to exit the program.

 

Enter a description MEANS:

 

Type a description and then press the Enter Key.

 

When discussing or describing a keystroke or keyboard command or option that requires first typing numerals or letters followed by pressing the Enter Key, the numerals or letters are placed in double quotes, thus:

 

Press "1" to select a printer...

 

Press "Q" to choose quality grade...

 

To print to a file press "PD" at the...

 

Enter "CM" to access cost maintenance... 

 

When listed as an element of a procedure a keystroke or keyboard command or option that requires first typing numerals or letters followed by pressing the Enter Key, the numerals or letters are placed in double quotes and contained in a keybox, thus:

 

"Y" to accept and update MEANS:

 

Press the Y Key and then press the Enter Key. 

 

"N" to cancel MEANS:

 

Press the N Key and then press the Enter Key. 

 

When a keystroke or keyboard command or option is a sequence of letters, all the connected letters must be typed and then the Enter Key pressed, thus:

 

"P""M" for price maintenance MEANS:

 

Press the P Key, press the M Key and then press the Enter Key.

 

"C""M" for cost maintenance MEANS:

 

Press the C Key, press the M key and then press the Enter Key.

 

"A""B""O""R""T" to cancel MEANS:

 

Type the letters ABORT and then press the Enter Key.