Data Entry Using the F3 Key
If you are entering several records into the same window during a single work
session, you can use the F3 key to increase the speed and accuracy of data
entry. Pressing F3 duplicates the contents of the same field from the record that
was saved immediately prior to the current record.
For example, suppose you are entering data in the CONTRACT WINDOW and there are several contracts with identical descriptions to be added for
the same company. After typing the appropriate data in the CONTRACT ID, COMPANY ID, TYPE CODE, and all other required fields for the first contract record (and saving the
record with the SAVE command), you can press F3 when you reach the field in the subsequent
records that can use the same entry. Then press ENTER to move to the next field.
As soon as you make a different entry in the field and save another record,
that new entry becomes the one duplicated by F3 in subsequent records.
Obviously, F3 will not provide the exact entry required for a field in every
case, but remembering this shortcut can often save time when you are creating
multiple records within the same window.
F3 is disabled in the following features:
• Windows that run Processes or produce Notices/Reports.
• All multi-valued fields, such as phone number fields.
• The entire Payment Window.