Code-driven Field Selections

Within [i] Merchant, some fields are free form. You either key in the information you want, or you leave the field blank. But many fields are code-driven. These fields, or parameters, require you to select a code that matches the choice you want.

Any code-driven field will have a binoculars icon directly to the right of it. To have access to the selections within that field, click on this icon.

Note:

If you'd rather utilize the keyboard, postion the cursor inside the field you are searching for, and press the F3 key. This performs the exact function of clicking on the binoculars icon.

Once you've clicked on the binoculars icon or pressed the F3 key, a Find screen appears, specific to the parameter you are in. This Find screen will contain a table, separated into rows and columns.

Highlight the row you want (the row that contains the code you want to select), either by using your mouse or by tabbing to the row via the keyboard. Then, either press the Enter key or click on the Select button at the right of the screen. You will be taken back to the program you were in, and the applicable field will now be filled in with the choice you selected.

Example:

You are in the Customer Orders program, and you need to fill in the Location field. Click on the binoculars icon to the right of the Location field, or, with your cursor positioned in the Location field, press F3. The Find Location Code parameter screen appears. From there, highlight the Location Code you want, then press Enter or click on the Select button. You will be brought back to the Customer Orders screen, and the Location Code field will be filled in with your selection.

Note:

When at any Find Parameter screen, if you want to blank out the field you're coming from (for example, in the above Note, if you want to blank out the Location field, you can select Edit-Select None from the menu at the top of the Find Parameter screen. You will be immediately taken back to the screen you came from (Customer Orders in the above Note), and the field in question (Location in the Note above) will be blanked out. Of course, you can always blank out a parameter-driven field directly in said field using your mouse and/or keyboard. Choose whichever method you wish.

Note:

While at any Find parameter screen, you can create a new code and description, if desired. For information on how to create a new basic parameter (new code and description), click here.

Note:

When a Find Parameter (Lookup) screen appears, it cannot be maximized. It will always display as a "mini-screen." Additionally, when you call up a Find Parameter screen, [i] Merchant will not let you go to another window until you either select the parameter you want or close out of the screen without selecting anything. But you will need to perform some action before being allowed to move to another window within [i] Merchant.

Note:

When you key in text (that is not the exact code) in the Author, Customer, Service, or Vendor field in a given window and then click on the binoculars icon--or press F3--you will bypass the Find screen altogether. The system will assume you are searching on Last Name for Author and Customer, Vendor Name for Vendor, and the Description for Service. Essentially, the "Find" step is done for you as a convenience.

While in a code-driven field, you do not need to click on the binoculars icon to the right of it (or press F3 on your keyboard) and access the Find program for that parameter if you know the code of the selection you want. For example, with the Location Code, let us say the Code you want is TS, for Top Shelf. If you know this, all you need to do is key in TS (the code) in the Location Code field, then tab to the next field. The Location Code field will automatically be updated.