Help Within FIS Banner

Five types of on-line assistance are available within FIS Banner:

Auto Hint
Show Keys
List
Dynamic Help
Object Search

Auto Hint

This highlighted line runs across the bottom of the screen. As you move from field to field, it provides information on options available in that field. Auto Help also shows you error messages. If you have typed something that is not allowed in the field, read the error message.

Show Keys

When you select an incorrect key and Auto Hint displays a message that those keystrokes are not permitted, select Show Keys from Menu: Help to see a list of functions and the corresponding keys on your keyboard.

List

When you are unsure what to enter in a field, select List of Values (LOV), click on the Search icon next to the field, or type [F9]. List usually takes you to a Validation Form and occasionally to a Query Form. In the Validation Form, the values are automatically displayed. Both forms allow you to enter and execute queries.

In the Query Form you will see fields with blank values. Position the cursor on the fields where you want to enter search values. Execute the query by clicking the Execute Query icon from the toolbar or typing [F8]. Exit with Value or click Select to place the value in the calling form. See Query Techniques for more information about performing queries.

In the Validation form, position the cursor in the FIND field, enter the query, and then execute the query by clicking on the Find button. When a single value meets your search criteria, the system automatically returns back to the field and inserts the value selected When multiple values are displayed, highlight your selection and click OK or type <enter> to return the value back to the field.

Dynamic Help

Dynamic Help explains the form, block, and field you are in and provides a general description and usage. When you select the Dynamic Help function from the Help Menu, the Dynamic Help Menu Form appears. From this menu, select Form, Block, or Field help.

If you want to read about the form, just select the radio button. To read about the block, select it. To read about the field, select it.

The system displays the level of help you requested. Click on Cancel to return to the Dynamic Help Menu Form. From there, you may select another level of help or select Cancel again to return to the form you were originally viewing.

Form-level Dynamic Help tells you:

• Purpose of Form (what the form does)
• Processing Notes (usage information)
• Form Dependencies (prerequisites)

Block-level Dynamic Help tells you:

• Purpose of Block (describes the block)
• Functions Allowed (which function keys are allowed)
• Block Dependencies (prerequisites)

Field-level Dynamic Help describes the field and how to use it. It also describes numerous field characteristics, including data type, the maximum number of characters allowed, and whether the field is required.

Object Search

If you don’t know the name of the form, go to the main menu and enter GUIOBJS, or go to Menu:File and select Object Search, to open the Object Search Form. Query for the name (see Query Techniques). When you find the name of the form you’re looking for, click Start or double-click the form name to go to the requested form.