Software Tips And Tricks

Exporting Reports
The CTRL + E feature is often overlooked. Did you know that every report and listing in the Integrated Software Series can be exported in standard file formats? This is handy for chart/graph preparation, data massaging, and electronic communication with a third-party product. All reports in the software first appear as a preview on screen. Of course, at this point you can print the report on paper.

However, if you press the “Ctrl” and “E” key simultaneously, a dialogue box will appear and ask what you wish to do. Simply pick the appropriate file format and check the “Show In Browser” box if you wish the exported file to immediately appear in the appropriate program. Export formats include text, text file (formatted), rich text, Adobe PDF, Excel, Excel (formatted), and HTML.

Keys To Efficiency
Shortcut and function keys also save time. Our programmers have standards to follow just as accountants have GAAP-accepted accounting rules, conventions, and procedures. One such convention programmers follow is the use of short cut keys. Shortcut keys save time. The mouse is the slowest way to use any software system and the keyboard proves to be a much quicker answer. Look at most Windows applications like Word and you will see the menu items have an underlined letter. This designates the quick access key for that function and the Integrated Software Series uses the same conventions.

Function Keys
Each menu item and screen in the Integrated Software Series has shortcut keys. Having a letter underlined in the word indicates the associated shortcut keys. If you are at a menu, hot keys are used by just pressing the corresponding key (Ex: A for Accounts Payable). If in a screen, then you must use the ALT key in conjunction with the underlined key for the shortcut to work. Give it a try! With a little practice it becomes second nature and you’ll find yourself using them in all kinds of Windows-based programs.

Like shortcut keys, Function keys (located at the top of most keyboards) are also nice, timesaving features in any list box. Solana™ has mapped the F2 and F5 through F8 keys to perform certain functions by pressing a single key.

• F2: Look up or browse for an item
• F5: Refresh the list
• F6: View the selected item
• F7: Allow users with rights to add to the list
• F8: Allow users with rights to edit the selection

Adding On The Fly
Adding on the fly is the ability to add to a list or a lookup directly from the transaction screen you are currently working. In lookups, simply press F2. This will direct you to the browse screen. In the bottom left corner of the screen is the add button. Use it to add your item. For drop down lists, there are “hot keys.” Pressing F7 adds an item; F8 will edit the item selected. The F6 key will view the item selected. If it is a user defined lookup, you can also double-click the description and get the view only (F6) feature.

Processing Keys
Processing keys initiate a process. Examples of processing keys are add, edit, delete, and save. In the Integrated Software Series, the processing keys are located at the bottom of the screen.

Error Messages
There is an easy way to forward error messages to Solana Technical Support. When the error appears on the screen, press the "print screen" key located in the top row of most keyboards. Next, launch Microsoft Word, create a new document and paste (Ctrl + V on your keyboard) the image into the new document and save the document. Create a new email and attach the Word file to the email message and send it to support@solanapro.com along with an explanation of what you were doing in the software when the error occurred.

Replace Employee Check/EFT Feature
You asked and we listened! We are pleased to announce that a new method of handling lost employee payroll checks and returned EFT’s has been added to the software. This new feature gives you the ability to create a replacement check without having to void the check/EFT first. Voiding a check/EFT causes the user the need to re-enter an employee’s hours/amounts and reimbursements in order to generate a new check. With this new time-saving feature, the Intergrate Software Series will create the void and immediately set the check back up to be reprinted. Or in the case of an EFT, it will void the EFT and create a check as a replacement for it, all without the need to re-enter any of the original data! For more information about this exciting addition to the Integrated Software Series, please issue a support request.

Sorting Grids
Any information that is available in a grid or column format in the Integrated Software Series is available to be sorted. To sort the date, click on the column in question. An “up” arrow will appear in the column and allow you to sort in ascending order. Click on the column again and you will se a “down” arrow appear and the dates will sort in descending order. If you press and hold the CTRL key and click on a second column, then you will be able to perform a secondary sort. You can sort on up to three columns.

Payroll Inquiry: Summary Inquiry
As a result of multiple feature requests from our customers, we are pleased to announce that a new method of running a payroll inquiry has been incorporated into the software.

In the payroll inquiry menu, you will find that a new option called “summary inquiry” has been added. This gives you the ability to quickly see, at a glance, an employee’s wages, reimbursements, deductions, taxes and net pay. This inquiry can be run for a single pay period or for a date range. It is similar to our YTD register report currently found under standard reports. However, this inquiry has the additional benefit of allowing single pays, months or quarters to be run based on the date range feature.

To access this new feature go to Module > Payroll > Inquiry > Summary Inquiry. You will then be able to select the employee you want to inquire on, as well as a single pay date or pay date range.