Parts of an FIS Banner Form

An FIS Banner Form is a screen or series of screens that perform various functions within the FIS system. Think of FIS Banner forms as paper forms. Each form represents a specific body of information, such as a Purchase Order Form or an Invoice Form. Like paper forms, FIS Banner forms can be composed of one or more pages or screens. Forms may be designed to allow navigation to other forms, or to insert, update, delete, and query data.

Many forms are divided into the following five areas:

Menu Bar
Tool Bar
Title Bar
Information Areas - Data Blocks (usually several)
Auto Hint / Status Line / Record Count

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Menu Bar

Every form in FIS Banner has access to the Banner Menu Bar. The Menu Bar provides an alternative method of navigating through FIS Banner. Similar to a Windows environment, the Menu Bar provides drop-down menus where you select specific functions.

You can use the drop-down menus at almost any time. If a menu, or a selection on a menu, is dimmed, then it is disabled. You cannot select disabled areas at that time. The Menu Bar is not accessible if you are in a dialog box, an alert box, or a List of Values. You must first respond to the window and exit out of it; then you can drop-down any menu.

See Navigation: Menu Bar for specific Menu Bar navigation methods.

File Menu

The file menu contains standard FIS Banner functions.

Tip: You may return to a recently used form by selecting it from the File menu, where up to ten form names are displayed.

Menu Command	Explanation
Direct Access	Displays the Direct Access Form GUACSUB
Object Search	Displays the Object Search Form GUIOBJS
QuickFlow	Displays the QuickFlow Form (used to link common forms together)
Select	Returns to the calling form with the selected value (Exit with Value)
Rollback	Clears the form and returns the cursor to first editable field in form
Save	Saves all changes (commit)
Refresh	Redraws the screen
Print	Prints the screen
Exit	From a Form: Exits the form From System Menu: Exits FIS Banner From Query Mode: Cancels the Query
Exit QuickFlow	Exits from a QuickFlow
Exit FIS Banner	Prompts user to exit FIS Banner
Return To Menu	Exits current form and returns to General Menu
Preferences	Displays Personal Preferences Maintenance Form GUAUPRF
(Items below the line, at bottom)	Lists and provides navigation to the last forms (up to 10) accessed in the current session

Edit Menu

The Edit menu contains functions used to edit text items such as descriptions. The text editor window can be displayed from most fields and provides text editing functions.

Menu Command	Explanation
Cut	Cuts selected text and places it on the clipboard
Copy	Copies selected text to the clipboard
Paste	Pastes text from the clipboard to current cursor location
Edit	Displays the editor window

Option Menu

The Options Menu lists available choices within a form. These options change from form to form and as the cursor location within the form changes. Click on an option, and the form, window or block appears. The Option Menu is available from the menu bar and by right-clicking in the body of a form. Regularly-used Options Menu items can sometimes be accessed via a specific F key (F3, F5, etc.). The Auto Hint Status Line will typically alert a user to any available Option Menu F Key shortcut.

Menu Command

Commands are form-specific and block-specific. The example at upper left is from the Header Block of the FAAINVE form.

At lower left is the Options Menu from the Accounting Block of FZAJVCD.

Block Menu

The Block menu contains functions for navigation among the information areas (blocks) in a form.

Menu Command	Explanation
Next	Moves cursor to next block if it has at least one editable field
Previous	Moves cursor to previous block (information area) if it has at least one editable field
Clear	Clears all information from block, when the user has maintenance access to the form

Item Menu

The Item menu contains functions for navigation among the items in a form.

Menu Command	Explanation
Previous	Moves cursor to previous editable field
Next	Moves cursor to next editable field
Clear	Clears all information from the field
Duplicate	In a blank row of repeating records, duplicates the contents of the same field in the previous record and copies it into the new record.

Record Menu

The Record menu contains functions for working with the records in a form.

Menu Command	Explanation
Previous	Moves cursor to the previous record.
Next	Moves cursor to the next record.
Scroll Up	Scrolls up the list of records, putting the second record at the bottom of the list.
Scroll Down	Scrolls down the list of records, putting the next-to-last record at the top of the list.
Clear	Clears all fields in the record.
Remove	Removes all information from the record. (The Save function then deletes all removed information.)
Insert	Inserts a new, blank record into the list of existing records.
Duplicate	Duplicates the contents of all fields in the record and copies them into a new record.
Lock	Temporarily locks the contents of the record so no other FIS Banner user can update it. (Save, Rollback, and Exit release the lock.)

Query Menu

The Query menu contains functions that search the database and display information based on specified criteria.

Menu Command	Explanation
Enter	Puts the form in query mode; allows entry of search criteria.
Execute	Queries the database for all records that match the search criteria.
Last Criteria	Enters the criteria from your last search. (Enabled only when you are in query mode.)
Cancel	Cancels the query. Takes the form out of query mode.
Count Hits	Counts the number of records that meet the search criteria and displays the number in the Auto Hint
Fetch Next Set	If more records meet the search criteria than can fit in the window, replaces the current set of displayed records with the next set.

Tools Menu

The Tools menu is not used at this time.

Menu Command	Explanation
Banner Xtender Solutions	Feature not used at this time.
Workflow	Feature not used at this time.

Help Menu

The Help menu contains various kinds of help tools including Oracle help, Show Keys, Lists of Values, and Dynamic Help.

Menu Command	Explanation
Online Help	currently unavailable
Dynamic Help Query	Displays the Dynamic Help Form (GUAHELP) in query mode.
Dynamic Help Edit	Displays the Dynamic Help Form (GUAHELP) in edit mode.
Help (Item Properties)	Displays a list of property values for a particular field.
Show Keys	Displays a list of function keys.
List	Displays a List of Values (LOV).
Display Error	If an Oracle error occurs, displays the error code in Auto Hint area.
Display ID Image	If you’re in an ID field, displays the image associated with the ID, if available
Calendar	Displays the Dynamic Calendar Form (GUACALN)
Calculator	Displays the Dynamic Calculator Form (GUACALC)
Extract Data with Key	Data extract feature not currently used
Extract Data No Key	Data extract feature. For instructions on using this feature, go to: http://finaff.ucsc.edu/resources/pdf/fis/DataExtractDoc.pdf
Technical Support	For use by FIS administration only.
About Banner	Displays the About Banner window.

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Tool Bar

The Tool Bar allows you to perform many of the common FIS Banner functions by clicking the desired button with the mouse instead of using the Menu Bar or keystrokes. The Tool Bar is located under the Menu Bar and contains icons representing common functions.

	Save Saves or commits all changes entered since the last time you saved.
	Rollback Clears information (except key information) and returns to the first enterable field in the key information area.
	Select Returns to the calling form and enters the selected value into the field that called the form.
	Insert Record Inserts or adds a blank record into a list of existing records.
	Remove Record Removes or deletes all information for a record. When you Save, the removed information is deleted.
	Previous Record Moves the cursor to the first enterable field in the previous record
	Next Record Moves the cursor to the first enterable field in the next record of the current information area. If the cursor is in the last record, a new record is created.
	Previous Block Moves the cursor to the previous information area (block) that has at least one enterable field. If the previous area is in another window, that window is opened.
	Next Block Moves the cursor to the next information area (block) that has at least one enterable field. if the next area is in another window, that window is opened.
	Enter Query Puts the form in query mode and lets you enter search criteria to see what information is already in the database. “Enter query” appears on the Status Line.
	Execute Query Searches the database and displays any records that match the search criteria.
	Cancel Query Takes the form out of query mode and cancels the query.
	View/Send Message Accesses the Oracle message-sending function via GUAMESG form - to send a message to another user.
	Print Accesses the Oracle Print function to print an image of the menu or form that is displayed.
	Extender Solutions Functionality disabled in FIS Banner.
	Extender Solutions-Document Functionality disabled in FIS Banner.
	Broadcast Messenger Functionality disabled in FIS Banner.
	Access Control Security Functionality disabled in FIS Banner.
	Online Help Functionality disabled in FIS Banner.
	Exit Exits from the form or window. From Main Menu, exits from FIS Banner. From Query mode, cancels the query and takes the form out of query mode.

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Title Bar

The Title Bar is located at the top of each form. It identifies the form and displays the following information:

the full-text form name
the seven-letter Banner form code name
the version number of the specific form
the database being accessed

For further information on form code names, see Form Naming Conventions.

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Information Areas - Data Blocks

The data area of each form is organized into blocks or areas of related information. Forms usually consist of a Key Block, one or more Information Blocks, and a Completion Block. A solid line often marks the top and bottom of each block. Within blocks are fields. Data within a field is the value. Fields logically grouped together are called records.

To navigate from block to block, use the [control page up] Previous Block and [control pagedown] Next Block keys, the Block drop-down menu, click on the Previous Block and Next Block toolbar icons.

Key Block

Each form has a key information area called a Key Block which appears at the top of the form’s data area. You must supply information in this block before you can enter data or query the rest of the form. Every Key Block has a Key Field. The Key Field is usually a number, such as a vendor ID number or a document number. The Key Block is repeated as the first block of each page of the record and retains the key information or selection criteria for this record.

Fields

Within a block, the labeled spaces are called fields (also referred to as items). Fields are the areas where you enter, query or change information and where existing information is displayed. Examples of fields are Name, Address, and Description. Some fields are to the right of their label, other fields are below their label. Generally, the field navigation pattern moves across the screen, down to the next line and across.

The Current Field is the active field where data may be entered. The flashing cursor is always displayed in the Current Field. When a field is enabled or enterable, the field text appears in black. When a field is disabled or display only, the text is grey.

There are three different types of data entry fields:

Required Fields require the user to enter data into the field.
Default Fields require the system to enter data into the field. Some default fields can be edited, such as a date field.
Optional Fields may be entered or skipped depending upon applicable policies and procedures.

To navigate from field to field, use the <TAB> Next Field and <shift TAB> Previous Field keys. You may also use the Field drop-down menu.

Values

Data that is entered or displayed in a field is the value. Values are either free format or come from a list on a validation form. Examples of free format or variable values are names and street addresses. An example of a fixed value are vendor codes. If a value is fixed, you must enter the value exactly as it appears on the validation form. You can display the validation form for a field by performing the list of value (LOV) function.

Records

A record is a group of fields that make up a logical unit. For example, an address is made up of several fields (street address, city, state, and ZIP code) and a vendor may have multiple address records. Records generally display as vertical lists. See Auto Hint / Status Line for details on the Record Indicator and Record Counter.

To navigate from record to record, use the [] Previous Record and [] Next Record keys, the Record drop-down menu, or click on the Previous Record and Next Record icons in the toolbar.

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Auto Hint / Status Line / Record Count

Auto Hint

The Auto Hint line runs across the bottom of the screen. Always keep an eye on auto hint for information about the field where the cursor is located. This information may explain the purpose of the field, what can be done next, or how to move to another window or form. Error messages also appear here.

Status Line

Status information appears at the bottom of the screen.

Record Count

Record displays how many records are retrieved and displayed. There will be a question mark when all records are not yet displayed. For example, "Record: 14/?" will display in the Status Line when you have scrolled to the 14th record: this indicates that there are more records to view.