Main Window, Screens & Dialogs
- Matthew Garrett
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The main window is where the majority of the work is performed. Selecting a menu item, a toolbar icon, a wizard, or a sidebar link will display information in the main window area.
Three types of screens appear in the main window:
Grid Screen
List Screen
Dialogs
Article Index
Grid Versus List Screens
Grid Screen
A typical grid screen is made up of one or more grids consisting of multiple columns. The data contained on these screens is divided into groups of related information. Each group has a heading that spans two or more columns. When a screen is in View mode, a Jump To may be displayed on the group heading. Clicking enables direct access to a related screen containing more detailed information.
The left column includes all field labels. The right column displays entered data and provides links to popup dialogs. This column is also used to directly enter field data when the screen is in Edit mode.
List Screen
A list screen displays a list of items. Each list item contains data, which is entered into the application through a dialog. The list displays important information that helps with item selection. For a more detailed view of the information presented, a dialog can be opened either in View mode or Edit mode. Two sets of buttons are displayed below a list. The buttons to the left side control the screen, whilst the buttons to the right control a selected item. When one of the right-hand buttons is clicked for adding, editing or deleting an item, the screen automatically changes to Edit mode.
Dialogs
A dialog is a small window that is displayed when a main screen button or a popup button is clicked. A dialog contains further information about a particular screen or field.
This user guide contains a list of all dialogs, in alphabetical order, in the system.
View Mode vs Edit Mode
Two screen modes are available:
View Mode
Edit Mode
View Mode
By default, any selected screen will be displayed in View mode. View mode allows users to view information for a screen, list, or dialog, but does not permit any changes to be made. When a screen or dialog is opened in View mode, all data fields are coloured yellow. All menus are enabled when the screen is in View mode, allowing users to quickly navigate to other screens.
Some editing commands such as the spell-check are disabled when a screen is in View mode.
Edit Mode
Allowed fields on a screen can be edited. A screen can be changed to Edit mode by clicking the Edit button. Although data can be modified in Edit mode, some fields may still be locked. The information contained in locked fields cannot be modified for security reasons, or because the system automatically updates or calculates the data. When a screen or dialog is opened in Edit mode, the fields that can be modified are coloured white. The Edit menu is enabled when the screen is in Edit mode. All other menus are disabled until the OK or Cancel button is clicked.
Wizards
A software wizard assists in performing a series of related steps or tasks. This is usually presented as a series of dialog boxes that perform a task in a specific sequence.
Example
New Client Wizard
Screen And Popup Buttons
The main window contains a number of buttons that allows users to edit information or open different areas of the system.
Major Screen Buttons
The major screen buttons appear at the bottom of the Main Window. The initial main function is to be able to edit a particular screen. Once in edit mode, users can then view more information, add new data, edit details, or delete data that is no longer relevant.
Across the bottom of most screens are a list of common buttons.
This area of the screen can also contain non-standard buttons. Non-standard buttons are discussed on the individual screen topics.
The following buttons are located on the bottom left side of the main window.
Button | Description |
|---|---|
 | The Edit button allows the screen to be edited. This is known as Edit mode. |
 | The Close button will close the screen, leaving the main window area blank. |
The OK button will close the screen, saving any changes. The screen will return to View mode. | |
The Cancel button will cancel any changes made to a screen, changing the screen to View mode. | |
The Apply button will save any changes made to the screen, keeping the screen in Edit mode. |
The following buttons are located on the bottom right side of the main window.
Button | Description |
|---|---|
The View button is used to view information about a particular list item. The View button only appears on list screens and will typically display a dialog. | |
The New button allows users to enter or create more information. Clicking this button will display a dialog. | |
The Edit button, located on the right side of the Main Window, will allow a user to edit a particular list item. A dialog will be displayed after this button is clicked. | |
The Delete button is used to delete a list item. A confirmation prompt is displayed allowing users to continue or cancel the deletion. |
Popup Buttons
Within a particular screen, on the fields where data can be entered, a number of popup buttons can be clicked to perform a variety of tasks from communicating with a client and jumping to a related screen to copying previous data and making an appointment.
Dialog Toolbar Buttons
Some dialogs contain toolbar icons that are distinct from the main toolbar icons. Some icons are similar, such as the spelling checker, cut, paste, copy, view, new, edit, delete, and set primary icons whilst others are unique, such as apply filter, move items (up or down), increase/decrease row heights, or setting preference defaults.
Jump To Buttons
The Jump To button is used to open a different, but related, screen.
The Jump To button, , located to the right of a group heading label is only available in View mode.
Wizards
A software wizard assists in performing a series of related steps or tasks. This is usually presented as a series of dialog boxes that perform a task in a specific sequence.