This tip has to do with tweaking your layout so that you can work more efficiently. Running the 'Play Tabs' is a feature greatly appreciated by a few and perhaps lost among the details to far too many users.

 

Setting up to 'Play Tabs' refers to the ability to pre-set the order in which each field on a particular form will be highlighted as the "Tab" key is pressed.  This ability will be of most value to data entry people that routinely fill in the same fields in the same order when using the various Add or Change Mode forms.  The reason is that the layout of the particular form may not relate at all to the order in which the fields are normally filled in.  Secondly, a form may have many fields on it and if by pressing the Tab key the next field will be found and highlighted ready for data entry, this will save time and promote accuracy.  The alternative is to try to move the mouse pointer to the next field on the form each time a new field is to be filled in or updated, and this requires the data entry person to take one hand off the keyboard each time to use the mouse.

 

Directions:

 

  1. On the Form’s menu select Options/Arrange Fields…
  2. The Show, Hide, Sequence Tabs window will appear.
  3. The Visible Fields column will list the field that will be displayed on that form.
  4. Using your mouse pointer you may press and hold down the left button on any field listed and drag it up or down the list then release the mouse button to drop the intended field to its’ new position on the list.
  5. The order in which the fields are listed from top to bottom mimics the order in which fields on your form will be highlighted for possible data entry.
  6. Click on the Play Tabs button on this window and then observe the fields on your form automatically highlighted in sequence to the order in your list of visible fields.
  7. When you are satisfied with the order in which fields are highlighted, click the ‘Save’ button on this window.
  8. You are now finished. However, this procedure can be repeated at any time.  Setting up the Play Tabs will save some users time.