Custom Layouts Toolbar

What do the tools on the left side of the screen do?

All versions of Goldenseal small business software include a Custom Layouts command, which allows you to change the appearance of any data entry screen, printed form or report. The Custom Layouts window is like a drawing program, with a tool palette on the left that controls what the mouse does.

Here is a listing of functions for each tool button in the tool palette:

Select Tool-- Click here to turn the mouse into a selector, so you can "grab on" to any item in the layout. Once you have selected an item with the selection pointer, you can then drag it elsewhere, double-click on it to change its settings, or use one of the menu commands on the selected item.

HINT-- You can also select multiple items via shift-click, or by click-dragging a rectangle around a group of neighboring items. Most menu commands and appearance settings will work on all selected items.

Drawing Tools

Text Tool-- Click here to draw a text box on the layout. Goldenseal will fill the selected rectangular area with text.

HINT-- To add or change text in a text box, choose the Select tool, and then double-click on the text box.

Line Tool-- Click here to draw a line. The line will start at the point where you click the mouse button down, and end at the point where you lift the mouse button.

Rectangle Tool-- Click here to draw a square or rectangle. One corner of the rectangle will be at the point where you click the mouse button down, and the opposite corner will be at the point where you lift the mouse button.

Rounded Rectangle Tool-- Click here to draw a square or rectangle with rounded corners. One corner of the rectangle will be at the point where you click the mouse button down, and the opposite corner will be at the point where you lift the mouse button.

HINT-- If you double-click the rounded rectangle with the Select tool, you can change the amount of rounding. .

Oval Tool-- Click here to draw an oval or circle. One corner of the rectangle will be at the point where you click the mouse button down, and the opposite corner will be at the point where you lift the mouse button.

HINTS-- When you click once on any of the drawing buttons, it will turn gray and Goldenseal will draw a single item, and then revert to the Select tool. If you double-click the button, it will turn black, and keep drawing that type of item until you choose another tool button. You can also use keyboard modifier keys to limit the drawing actions. For example, if you hold down the Command key (Macintosh) or Control key (Windows), the Rectangle tool only draws squares, and the Oval tool only draws circles.

Data Tools

Field Tool-- Click here to draw a data entry field onto the layout. First drag a rectangle where you want the field to be. When you lift the mouse, Goldenseal will show a list of possible fields, to fill in data there.

Calculated Field Tool-- Click here to draw a calculated field onto the layout. First drag a rectangle where you want the field to be. When you lift the mouse, Goldenseal will show a list of possible fields, to fill in data there.

Button Tool-- Click here to draw a button onto the layout. First drag a rectangle where you want the button to be. When you lift the mouse, Goldenseal will show a list of possible button.

Table Tool-- Click here to draw a breakdown table onto a layout. First drag a rectangle where you want the table to be. When you lift the mouse, Goldenseal will show a list of possible tables.

HINTS-- Some of these tool palette items are not available (grayed out) on each type of layout. After you add a field, button or table, you can double-click on it and change its appearance and settings.

Appearance Settings

Fill Settings-- Click the button on the left to choose a color for the interior of fields or drawn objects. Click the button on the right to choose a pattern for their interior.

Pen Settings-- Click the button on the left to choose a color for the exterior border of fields or drawn objects. Click the button in the middle to choose a pattern for their border. Click the button on the right to choose the border thickness.

HINT-- If you change the fill or pen settings when no item is selected, Goldenseal will use those settings for items you create in the future.

Sample Pane-- Goldenseal shows the current fill and pen settings for new items you draw.

Click here to return to customizing topics for Goldenseal accounting software.

Topics | Previous | Next | Getting Started Manual | Reference Manual | Site Map | Website