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Frequently Asked Questions  ( FAQ )     

This page provides Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) submitted to our Customer Support group.

 
The AIM software includes several Quick Reference Guides  ( QRG )  for each application component.  The first thing you should do, after installing the software, is to review these User Help guides.  They provide a wide range of help topics that will answer your questions and demonstrate how to use the features and functionality within the product.   To display the Quick Reference Guide, simply select the F1 keyboard key, or the Help | Quick Reference Guide menu item.

We understand that you may be anxious to get started using the software and will most likely overlook the QRG recommendation.  The questions on this page are those that initially occur to new users.

 

  How Do I Enter Animals into AIM?

 

This is the first question that everyone asks!   Every user  wants to install the software and immediately begin entering animals into the database.   Since every software product has a learning curve, if you are not familiar with AIM, then it may not be obvious.  Here's a quick tip (also available in the QRG) to get you started.

  1. Double-click the Data Records desktop icon to launch the AIM Data Records application.

  2. Select the View | Overview menu item, or press the F2 keyboard key.  Notice that the Overview data entry form is displayed.

  3. Select the Insert toolbar button (blank page located directly above the Information Editor).  Notice that this will place the Editor into Insert mode.

  4. Enter the desired information into the Information Editor.

  5. Select the Save toolbar button (blue floppy disk located directly above the Information Editor).

That's It!    Repeat the above steps for each animal that you want to enter into the database.
 
 
  How Do I Show or Hide Data Entry Fields on the Overview Form?
 
When you first install the AIM software, the Overview Information Editor displays identification, breed specific and miscellaneous data entry fields.  These are the obvious data entry fields required by most users, however, there are additional fields to choose from.  With AIM, you can choose which data fields you want to show or hide within the Information Editors ... allowing you to only see and use the data fields that you need.  To show or hide data entry fields, take the following steps:

  • Select the View | Themes and View Groups | User Interface Themes menu item.  Notice that the User Interface Themes Workshop form is displayed.  On the left side of the form is the Overview Information Editor, which displays the data fields currently visible.  On the right side of the form is a list of available data entry fields with check boxes to set their visible state.

  • To Hide a data entry field that is currently visible:

    • Click the data entry field in the Information Editor.  Notice that the data entry caption is bolded.  Also note that the pointer is moved to the same data entry field in the field list on the right side of the form.

    • Uncheck the check box in the In Editor column.

    • Click the refresh display toolbar button.  Notice that the previously visible data entry field is now hidden in the Information Editor.

     

    NOTE:  AIM data entry forms have a consistent look-and-feel, with an Information Editor located on the left side of the data entry form and a Record List located on the right side of the data entry form.  To also hide the data field in a Record List, uncheck the check box in the In Grid column for this data entry field.

     

  • To Show a data entry field that is currently hidden:

    • Click the data entry field in the Default Caption column ... notice that the pointer is moved and points to the selected data field.

    • Place a checkmark into the check box in the In Editor column.

    • Click the refresh display toolbar button.  Notice that the previously hidden data entry field is now visible in the Information Editor.

    • To reposition the visible data entry field, simply select the data entry field in the Information Editor and use the move up or move down toolbar buttons.

AIM data entry forms have a consistent look-and-feel, with an Information Editor located on the left side of each data entry form and a Record List located on the right side of each data entry form.  To also show the data field in a Record List, place a checkmark into the check box in the In Grid column for this data entry field and click the refresh display toolbar button.
 
NOTE: The above instructions can also be used to show or hide data entry fields on the Acquisition and Disposition data entry forms.
 
 

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