When adding a client record, a New Client Record window will be displayed. Depending on the Key Type you are using, you can specify a new Client ID using one of the following options:

Next Available Client ID Select this option or press Alt+I if you want to assign the next available Client ID. If using a Numeric Key Type, by default the next available Client ID will be displayed. This field displays the next unused Client ID that is currently available in Tabs3. For example, if 680.037 is the highest defined Client ID in Tabs3, then the next available Client ID will be 681.000. If there is already a client with the maximum possible Client ID (e.g., a client has all 9s to the left of the decimal, such as 99999999.000), this option will not be available. This option is not available when using a Mixed or Alpha Key Type.
Next Available Matter Select this option or press Alt+M if you want to assign the next available Matter ID. If using a Numeric or Mixed Key Type, by default the next available Matter ID for the client selected in the Client ID field of the Client file will be displayed. For example, if 566.084 is displayed in the Client ID field and the largest matter number for that client is 566.092, then the next available matter will be 566.093. If the selected client already uses the maximum matter number (i.e., the client has all 9s to the right of the decimal such as 100.99), this option will not be available. This option is not available when using an Alpha Key Type.
Specific Client ID Select this option or press Alt+S if you want to specify a unique Client ID. This field displays the Client ID that is currently entered in the Client ID field in the Client file. This field allows you to enter any unused Client ID to create a new client record.

The selected option will default based on whether the text in the Client ID field is selected in the Client file when the new client record is created.

Click OK to create a new client record using the desired Client ID.

Click Cancel to close the New Client Record window without creating a new client record.

Select the Do Not Show Again check box if you do not want the New Client Record window to be displayed each time a new client is created. The default Client ID used will be based on the default behavior detailed above. Once this check box has been selected by a user, this window can be reinstated by running the Reset Optional Messages program.

If adding a new matter for a client, certain information will be inherited from the last active matter when using Numeric or Mixed Key Type. New matter numbers can only be assigned when using a Numeric or Mixed Key Type. They cannot be assigned when using an Alpha Key Type.

See also:   Adding a Client