Lesson 1.5: Conventions, Icons, and Interface Tips

Conventions, Icons, and Interface Tips

To work efficiently in FastFund Online, you must understand the standard conventions and icons used throughout the application. This lesson covers the visual language of the software, data entry requirements, and how to personalize your interface for a better user experience.

Standard Buttons and Navigation Icons

FastFund uses a consistent set of icons across all modules to help you add, edit, and manage your data.

• New (+): The Plus Sign icon is used throughout the system to add new items, such as account segments, vendors, or gifts.

• Save: Used to commit new entries or updates to the database.

• Delete: Used to remove items. Note that the system employs strict controls; if a record has transaction history, the Delete button will be grayed out.

• Drilling Down: In lists and registers, hovering your mouse over a field will often reveal an Edit box or hint. Clicking this allows you to “drill down” directly into the record to review or update details.

• Navigator Box: Represented by a grid of dots or arrows, this allows you to click and drag items to change their order in lists or report sets. 

Data Entry Conventions

• Required Fields (*): Any field marked with a red asterisk is mandatory. If you attempt to save a record with a blank required field, the system will notify you, and the field will be highlighted in red.

• Segment Lookups: When entering account numbers, you can click into a segment field and press the Up Arrow key on your keyboard to display a list of valid segments.

• Hover Hints: Placing your mouse pointer over an icon will display a small text “hint” explaining that icon’s specific function.

Transaction Grid Icons

When working in the account distribution area of a transaction, specific icons help manage line items:

• Green Plus Sign: Adds a new line to the transaction distribution.

• Red Minus Sign / Red X: Clears all lines or deletes a specific individual line.

• Navigator Arrows: Allows you to drag a transaction line up or down to reorder the distribution.

Personalizing the Interface

You can customize your workspace by navigating to My Account > Preferences.

• Items Per Page: Set the number of records (20 to 100) that appear in lists before they carry over to a new page.

• Report Font Size: Adjust the default font size for all printed reports to suit your visual needs.

• Check Offsets: If your laser printer does not align perfectly with pre-printed check stock, you can adjust the Printed Check Offset up or down in quarter-line increments. [INSERT SCREENSHOT: The Preferences window showing the Items Per Page dropdown and the Report Font Size slider].

Mobile Interface Tip

FastFund is a responsive application. If you are working on a tablet or phone and find the Vertical Task Menu has disappeared, click the Hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner to bring it back.