New User Basics

Collect! has many built-in features to make your work easier and more enjoyable. Learn your way around by reviewing the topics listed below.

Click on a topic to take you to the Help page for that particular subject.

Once you are on the help page, please do not select the additional live links that you see at various places in the document. These may take you to related areas but in the beginning, they tend to be confusing and it is best to just read the topic you are on.

Signing On

How To Sign On - explains how to get into Collect!.

Finding Help

Using the Help System - These topics explain how to use available help resources most effectively to learn anything about Collect! more quickly.

How To Use The Index For Help - a comprehensive index of all topics in the Collect! knowledge base.

How To Enable HTML Help in Collect! - If help is not enabled already, this is how to switch it ON.

How To Use Hyperlinks In Help Pages - live links to related topics in all Collect!'s help pages.

How To Use Menus And Toolbars

Menus - introduces the topic.

How To Use The Help Menu - gives details about the options available from the Help menu.

Toolbar Icons - tells what each icon is used for.

Status Bar - tells what information the status bar shows.

How To Use Mouse, Keyboard And Buttons

Mouse or Keyboard - explains the basics of these two ways of getting around the program.

Tabs and Buttons - explains what typical buttons do and how to use them. Tabs are also mentioned.

Field and Column Icons - explains what the small icons do that are seen in many fields and column headings.

Keyboard Tips - shows all the key combinations and shortcuts you can use to edit text and navigate in forms and fields.

How To Use Dialogs, Forms And Screens

How To Use Dialogs In Collect! - navigating through Collect!'s many types of forms, windows and screens.

How To Use Editing Keys And Function Keys

Keyboard Tips - shows all the key combinations and shortcuts you can use to edit text and navigate in forms and fields.

Edit Fields - shows key combinations applied secifically to editing fields.

Edit Forms - shows key combinations and function keys applied specifically to editing forms.

How To Exit From Collect!

Quitting Collect! - how to exit from the program.

How To Open A Database In Collect!

Opening a Database in Collect! - tips for opening different databases.

How To Work With Text

Text Editor - explains how to use Collect!'s Text Editor.

Scrolling Through Text - explains how to use the keyboard and mouse to move around text documents in Collect!

Notes - virtually unlimited notes can be recorded for Clients and Debtors.

How To Work With Records

Add Record - new record commands and procedures explained.

Select Records - use Search Criteria to show only certain records in a list. There are examples given.

PERFORM COMMON OPERATIONS

Edit Record

Delete Record

Cut Record

Copy Record

Paste Record

How To Search For Records - use Search Criteria to find records in the database.

How To Work With Lists

List and Form Views - how to view a list or form.

How To Select Multiple Records From Lists - use keys or mouse to move, select, add and edit records in a list.

How To Edit Lists Using the Mouse - all operations pertaining to records in lists described here.

How To Edit Lists Using Keys - all operations pertaining to records in lists described here.

How To Use The Calendar

Calendar - many date fields in Collect! and range prompts use the Calendar for chooses dates and ranges.

Pick Lists

How To Use Pick Lists - choices can be attached to any field, making data entry each and less prone to error.

Printing Features

How To Use Quick Printing Features - use this useful feature to print quick output anywhere in Collect!.

How To Print A Sample Report Or Letter - outlines the procedures that you will use for printing any letter or report.

How To Create A Letter - gets you started creating your own letters in Collect!.

Importing And Exporting

How To Import A Report - walks you through bringing an RPT file into your list of reports, so that you can try out samples or custom reports created just for you.

How To Export A Report - walks you through creating an RPT file, so that you can send a report to Member Services for troubleshooting, for instance.

How To Import A Contact Plan - walks you through bringing in a CPL file into your list of contact plans, so that you can try out a plan sent to you from Member Services, for instance.

How To Export A Contact Plan - walks you through creating a CPL file, so that you can send a contact plan to Member Services or import it into another database, for instance.

Summary

The topics listed on this page are selected to give you an overview of Collect!'s basic operations. As well, several suggestions are offered for using the Help system.

There is an extensive Knowledge Base accessible through the Collect! Help features. The topics covered range from beginner to highly technically experienced. They touch on almost all of the features available in Collect! and include examples and guidelines for performing tasks in Collect!.

Collect! ships with many samples for setting up all areas of your program including operators, user levels, reports, contact plans and more. Please use these samples to learn how to set up your own.

Starting Right

Visit the Collect! web site to view Starting Right. This video in FLASH format introduces you to the areas and advantages of Member Services.

View Starting Right