Customizing field entry order in layouts

On any window, you can use the TAB key to move through fields sequentially or use the ENTER key to move between the most commonly used fields. ACT! provides default field entry orders, but you can customize, clear, or add Enter Stops and Tab Stops to make data entry more efficient.  

To assign a Tab Stop to a field

1. Display the Tab Stops or Enter Stops.

2. Locate the field you want to assign the Tab or Enter Stop to, and then click the field.

The next available number in the Tab or Enter Stop order is assigned to the field.

To switch the Tab Stop or Enter Stop order for fields in a layout

1. Display the Tab Stops or Enter Stops.

2. Click the first field to clear the number from the field.

3. In the field that you want to switch with the first field, click that field, and then click it again (do not double-click) to assign the first field's number to the second field.

4. Click the first field to complete the switch.

For example, to switch field orders 6 and 8, first click number 6. Then, click number 8 two times (without double-clicking). Then, click the empty field (where number 6 was).

Tab Stops and Enter Stops are chronologically numbered with the next consecutive and free number. That is, when you click a field to set a Stop, the number assigned to it is the next consecutive number available on the layout. For example, if you set Stops 0 through 10 and 15 through 30, the next time you click a field, the number assigned to the Stop will be "11."

To set a specific number for a Tab Stop or Enter Stop in a layout

1. Display the Tab Stops or Enter Stops.

2. Point to the field you want to change, and then right-click.

3. In the Set Index dialog box, type the number you want to use for the Stop.

You cannot assign a number that is already in use on the layout.