The TAB key on your keyboard may be used to move the cursor from one field to the next within any given data-entry screen. Simply place the cursor in the first field you want to enter data into—and when you"re done entering data, hit the TAB key to move the cursor to the next field.

Also use the TAB key as a shortcut for converting date field entries to the proper format for your system. For example, in a "Start Date" field you might enter the numbers "022503". Then, with the cursor still blinking in the field, hit the TAB key. The date will be converted to "02/25/03"—or whatever the proper date format is for your system. For more information on keyboard shortcuts related to dates, see the Section 1.2.7.4, “ Date Shortcuts”.

Three keyboard shortcuts are available at several points throughout the application when you place the cursor in an "Item Number" field. You saw the "Item Number" field in the Bill of Materials example above. The "Item Number" field appears frequently throughout the application. Use the CTRL key—usually located on the bottom left-hand corner of your keyboard—in combination with either "L", "A", or "S" to reach the three screens shown in the following examples:

Item Lookup (CTRL + L)

Item Alias Lookup (CTRL + A)

Searchable List (CTRL + S)

You will notice throughout the application that several characters—or individual letters within words—are underlined. In the sample Bill of Materials screen, for example, the SAVE button has the first letter, "S", underlined. The first letter, "C", in the CANCEL button is also underlined. Alternately, notice that the MOVE DOWN button has the "W" underlined. The list could go on.

If you depress the ALT key on your keyboard in combination with any of these underlined letters, the effect is the same as if you had used the mouse to select that button or field. For example, the following combination of keys will activate the PRINT button: ALT + P. The following keyboard shortcut will cancel or close a screen: ALT + C. Or, move a component Item down a notch in a Bill of Materials display with the following shortcut: ALT + W.

xTuple ERP supports a number of keyboard shortcuts for dates. These shortcuts are designed to save you time when entering dates in date fields. Keep in mind, you are required to hit the TAB key after entering a shortcut value in a date field. The TAB key is required to complete all date shortcut entries. The following table describes these date shortcuts in more detail:

In addition to the keyboard shortcuts for dates, you also have the option of selecting the calendar button located to the far right of every date field in the application. The calendar buttons are shown in the following screen shot next to the Start Date and End Date fields:

Calendar Widget

The calendar functionality is simple to use. All you do is open the calendar, then select the date you want to be entered into the field. To change a date, simply reopen the calendar and select a new date. You can easily navigate between months—and even between years.

For users who prefer using buttons instead of drop-down menus, the application offers a variety of toolbar button options. The following screen shows the application desktop with all available toolbar buttons turned on:

Toolbar Buttons

To access the function described by a button, simply select the button using your mouse. Toolbar buttons function in the same way drop-down menu selections do—they simply provide a convenient shortcut. The complete list of available toolbar buttons is shown in the following table:

Table 1.2. Toolbar Buttons Master List

Image	Function	Module
	List Item Sites	I/M
	Inventory Availability by Planner Code	I/M
	Item Availability Workbench	I/M
	List Items	P/D
	List BOMs	P/D
	List BOOs	P/D
	Run MRP by Planner Code	M/S
	Planned Orders by Planner Code	M/S
	Shop Floor Workbench	W/O
	W/O Schedule by Planner Code	W/O
	List Unposted P/Os	P/O
	Purchase Requests by Planner Code	P/O
	Customer Information Workbench	S/O
	List Open Sales Orders	S/O
	Uninvoiced Shipments	S/O
	Billing Selections	S/O
	Summarized Backlog by Site	S/O
	Issue Stock to Shipping	S/R
	UnPosted Receipts	S/R
	List Accounts	CRM
	List Contacts	CRM
	Incident Workbench	CRM
	List To-Do"s	CRM
	List Projects	P/M
	List Unposted Vouchers	A/P
	Select Payments	A/P
	Prepare Check Run	A/P
	View Check Run	A/P
	A/P Aging	A/P
	List Unposted Invoices	A/R
	A/R Workbench	A/R
	Cash Receipt Edit List	A/R
	A/R Aging	A/R
	List Unposted Journal Entries	G/L
	Reconcile Bank Account	G/L
	View Financial Report	G/L
	View Trial Balances	G/L
	Event Notification	System
	Database Error Notification	System