Lesson 2.3 – Working in the Main Workspace

Welcome back! Once you have made your selection from the Horizontal Main Menu and the Vertical Function Sub-Menu, the actual day-to-day tasks—such as entering donations, updating donor records, and running reports—take place in the Main Work Space.

The Main Work Space is the large, dynamic white area occupying the center and majority of your screen. In this lesson, we will explore how data is displayed in this area, how to interact with records, and how the system uses pop-up windows to guide your workflow.

1. Displaying Lists and Forms

The Main Work Space dynamically updates based on your menu selections. When you select an option from your task menus, this space will display your constituent databases, data entry forms, transaction screens, registers, and reports.

If you are viewing a list (such as your Constituents or Appeals), the workspace will display the data in a grid format with sortable column headers. You can click on any column header to sort the data in ascending or descending order.

2. Drilling Down into Records

FastFund is designed to minimize the time you spend searching for information. Throughout the Main Work Space, you can easily “drill down” from a high-level list directly into a detailed record.

• Hover and Edit: If you hover your mouse pointer over a linked field (typically indicated by blue text), an Edit box and hint will appear. You can click directly on this data to drill down into the record to review or edit it.
• Magnifying Glass Icon: When viewing a Transaction History Register, you will frequently see a Magnifying Glass icon next to the transaction date. Double-clicking this icon will drill down and open the original source transaction for viewing or editing.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT: Display a list in the Main Work Space, highlighting a blue linked Constituent Name and the Edit hint that appears on hover, alongside a Magnifying Glass icon in a transaction register.]

3. Navigating Record Tabs

When you drill down into a detailed record—such as an individual donor or an organization—the Main Work Space changes to a detailed form view. Because these records hold a vast amount of information, FastFund organizes the data using horizontal text links, or Tabs, located at the top of the record.

For example, when you open a Constituent record, you will see tabs for:

• Details: The primary demographic and header information.
• Contact Info: To add or manage multiple addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.
• Codes: To view assigned attributes, affiliations, and roles.
• Notes: To review communication history and attachments.
• History / Summary: To view the donor’s financial giving history.

Clicking these tabs instantly changes the form displayed within the workspace without forcing you to leave the constituent’s master record.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT: Show an open Constituent record in the Main Work Space, highlighting the horizontal text links/tabs like Details, Contact Info, Codes, Notes, and History across the top.]

4. Pop-up Windows and Data Validation

While working in the Main Work Space, FastFund relies on pop-up windows to ensure your data entry is accurate and intentional.

• Verifying Data Entry: If you attempt to save a form while missing data in a Required Field (always marked with a **red asterisk ***), a pop-up warning will appear in the workspace to alert you that the entry is incomplete.
• Confirming Deletions: If you click the red Delete button on a record or transaction, the system will never delete it immediately. A confirmation pop-up window will appear in the center of your workspace, asking you to click OK to proceed or Cancel to abort the deletion.
• Adding Data on the Fly: Certain pop-up windows allow you to perform actions without losing your place. For instance, if you are entering a donation and realize the donor is not in your database, the system will launch a quick-add pop-up window, allowing you to create the new constituent and immediately return to your transaction.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT: Display a confirmation pop-up window in the center of the Main Work Space asking “Are you sure you wish to delete this record?” with the OK and Cancel buttons clearly visible.]