Data Entry Overview

The system offers many ways to enter and edit data, depending on the type of data and where you are in the system.

Entering Required Data

In any window or dialog box, fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required. You cannot exit the window or continue without entering this data. If you do exit without entering required data, the current task does not complete, and you may not be able to complete a related task.

Entering Validated Data

In many fields, the data you enter is validated. This means the system only accepts specific entries. For example, your company uses a set list of order statuses. When you enter an order status, the system checks your entry against the list of acceptable statuses and only accepts a valid status.

To enter information in a validated field, do one of the following:

Place the cursor in the field and press F10, or click the Field-Specific List button to the right of the field to display a list of acceptable entries.
To reduce the selection list, place the cursor in the field, enter part of the field value, and press Enter. The list now includes only items containing the search string.

Entering Data Using Field-Specific Buttons

Many system fields include a button to the right of the field that gives you options specific to that field. The following four types of buttons exist throughout the system:

Button	Name	Description
	Field-Specific List button	Use this button to select from a list of valid choices for the field with which it is associated.
	Branch/Territory Entry button	Use this button to select valid branches or territories.
	Multiple Values button	Use this button to enter multiple values in a single field.
	Date button	Use this button to select a date from a pop-up calendar.

Note: When one of these buttons is available, pressing F10 opens the same selection list. See Accessing Recently Used Records for related information.

Entering Data in a Calculator Field

Most numeric-only fields offer a calculator function. Use the numeric keypad on the keyboard to enter numbers and operators (+, -, *, /), just like you would with a calculator. The system enters the result of your calculation in the field. For example:

Typing 10*5 in a numeric field displays 50.
Typing *10 in a numeric field multiplies the currently displayed value by 10 and then displays the product.

Note: Use the Enter key as the = key, and use the Space Bar to clear the field.

Typing Data

The following are some key points about typing data in fields:

You can use lower-case or upper-case letters to search; the system returns the same results.
Use special characters for searches.
Before moving into another field, you can reset a field to its default value by pressing Ctrl and Z.
The system offers many keyboard shortcuts you can use when typing data in fields.