Time Tracker User Manual

Navigating the Interface

This section contains information on how to use the various screens and controls of the system. It is assumed that the user is already familiar with the standard Windows interface and already knows how to use a mouse.

This section describes features that are unfamiliar or are enhancements to the Windows standard.

Dates and Calendars

Each date field in the system has a calendar button associated with it. You can either, enter the date directly into the date field using the keyboard, or you can select from a calendar by clicking on the calendar button. All dates will be in the date format you have defined in Options.

When you click on the calendar button the calendar is displayed.

Double-click on the date desired. To position the calendar forward or backwards select from the month or year listed at the top. Or, click on the buttons 'M+', 'M-', 'Y+' or 'Y-' to control the current year or month as expected.

Editing Tables

See Also: Sizing Forms

Much of the systems behavior is determined by allowing the user to make a selection from a table of choices. These tables are all maintained by way of a standard table editing form. The following is an example of the table editing form used to maintain the shifts.

Each editing form contains two or more tabbed pages. The first page contains a selection list. It allows the user to locate and select items in the list. The row that is highlighted is the currently selected item.

The remaining tabs allow the user to edit information for the item selected. In the above example, the user may select a shift from the list and then click on the 'Details' tab to edit the selected shift.

Sorting the List

Each of the columns in the list has a title at the top of the list. In this example the titles are 'Code' and 'Description'. When a column title is in a bold face font, it means that you can sort the list by that column. You sort the list by simply clicking on the title bar with your mouse cursor. If you click on the same title a second time the list will be sorted in reverse order. In our example, you may sort on either 'Code' or 'Description' by clicking on the associated title.

The column that is currently controlling the sequence will have a title that begins with a left ('<') or right ('>') angel bracket. When the right angle bracket is present the column is controlling the lists sequence in ascending order. Otherwise when the left angle bracket is present the column is controlling the lists sequence in descending order.

Sizing Columns

To alter the size of the column widths; move the cursor between the column headings - the cursor will change to a double arrow when you are positioned correctly. Then click and drag the column divider to the left or right as desired.

Look For:

Sometimes lists can become very long and it makes sense to make use of the built in searching ability. Once you have sorted the list the way you want, you can look for a particular item in the list.

The 'Look For:' field at the top of the list allows you to type in the first few characters of the item you are looking for. The highlight bar will automatically move to the first item in the list that matches the characters you have typed.

Editing an Item

To edit one of the items on the list, either; double click on the list item or, select the item and click on one of the other tabs. Both methods will activate the desired edit tab. In the following example the user has clicked on the 'Details' tab to edit the definition for the afternoon shift.

Most tables will have at least a code field and a description field that may be edited.

The code is a short form description of the item. The code is typically used where there is not enough space to display the full description. You should try to create codes that will give meaning to the people who will read them. In this example 'Aftr' is used to represent Afternoon Shift.

The description should describe as fully as possible what the item in the list is. In addition there may be other tabs and fields that help to define each item in the list.

Cancel and Save

Once you have changed anything in the editing areas, you will notice that two new buttons have appeared at the bottom of the screen.

You have two choices, once you have done some editing and made changes. You may permanently save your changes or cancel the changes you have made.

The cancel button gives you a second chance. If you do not want to save the changes you made, then you may click on the 'Cancel' button and the item will revert to the state it was in before you started changing it.

The 'Save' button permanently records the changes you have made to the database. You may not move to a new item in the list until you have either cancelled or saved the changes you have made.

Add and Delete

The 'Add' button allows you to create a new item in the list. The 'Delete' button is used to permanently remove an item from the list.

Employee List Filter

The employee filter is implemented on any form that contains a list of employees. On the upper right hand corner of any such list is the Filter button.

Many organizations have a very large list of employees and they often wish to access the information for a select group of employees at the same time. This is where the employee filter is beneficial. From here you can filter your list by employee type, whether they are active and by employee attributes.