Data Entry Screen

Most master-data forms in dsGST use this layout — for example Account Groups, Account Master, Manufacturers, Items, Users and To-Do Entry. A list on one side shows what exists, a locked form on the other shows the selected entry, and a row of buttons changes it.

Parts of the Screen

• Selector Panel — the list of existing entries
• Filter Panel — narrows that list and moves through it
• Data Panel — the details of the selected entry
• Action Panel — the buttons that change the data

The content, size and format of each part varies with the data the screen handles.

Selector Panel

The Selector Panel is a list box of the entries already on record. Click an entry to show its details in the Data Panel.

Double-click an entry to open it for editing. This is the same as selecting it and pressing Edit.

Filter Panel

The Filter Panel controls what the Selector Panel lists.

• Type the text to search for and press Filter. The panel turns orange to remind you that the list is filtered.
• Press Clear to remove the filter and list everything again.
• First, Previous, Next and Last move through the entries in the Selector Panel.

Data Panel

The Data Panel is where you enter data. It is locked by default, and nothing can be changed until you start an action from the Action Panel.

Many screens also show a small usage summary for the selected entry, such as how many items or accounts use it. Check it before you change or delete an entry, because it shows how far a change will reach.

Action Panel

Action	Description
Add New	Clears the Data Panel and unlocks it for a new entry. Save creates a new record.
Edit	Unlocks the Data Panel for the selected entry. Save replaces the existing record with your changes.
Repeat	Unlocks the Data Panel for a new entry without clearing the current data. Save creates a new record from the changed data. Handy for several similar entries.
Delete	Deletes the selected record, if it can be deleted.
Close	Closes the screen.

After you press Add New, Edit or Repeat, the Selector, Filter and navigation buttons are hidden and the Action Panel changes to:

Action	Description
Save	Saves the entry and locks the Data Panel again.
Drop	Discards your changes and shows the entry as it was.

Modes and Colours

The background colour tells you which mode you are in.

Colour	Mode
Normal (grey)	Display — nothing can be changed
Light yellow	Add New
Light pink	Repeat
Light cyan	Edit

Entering Data

• Press Enter to move to the next field, like Tab. Enter on a button presses the button.
• Fields that must be filled are checked when you press Save. dsGST tells you what is missing, and the entry stays open until you fix it or press Drop.

When a Button Is Missing or Disabled

• The Add New, Edit and Delete buttons show only if your user has the matching permission. See User Permissions.
• Edit and Delete are enabled only when an entry is selected.
• Delete stays disabled when the entry is used elsewhere, such as an account that already has transactions. Use the usage summary to see where it is used.