There are 15 types of fields that are used in Tabs3 Software. The field types are:

  Alpha Alpha fields allow entry of alphanumeric information and accept entry of all keyboardable characters. There is no format to alpha fields.
  Boolean Boolean fields have a value of Yes or No (e.g., True or False). A Boolean field can be shown as a drop-down list or as a check box.
  Contact The Contact field is used to refer to a record in the Contact file. During data entry, when the cursor is placed in a Contact field, the drop-down button or Alt + Down-Arrow will display the Contact Lookup window window. This allows you to view a list of existing contacts and select any contact by double-clicking it.
  Date Date fields allow entry of dates using a month-day-year format (i.e., mm/dd/yyyy). The "/" characters are automatically inserted.
  Email

Email fields can be used for email addresses. Email fields will be shown in an Editor window with a button. Clicking this button will open a new message in your default email program with its To field filled in.

Tip: If a contact needs more than three email addresses defined, multiple email addresses can be entered in a single email field, separated by a semicolon (;) or comma (,). However, keep in mind that if the same email field is used in reports or document assembly, the full contents of the email field will print.
  File The File field is used to store file names. Any drive letters or paths that are included with the file name must be common to all users in order for all users to successfully access the file. Universal naming conventions and long file names are supported; however, there is a maximum limit of 259 characters.
  Lookup A Lookup field is used to refer to a record in another file. During data entry, when the cursor is placed in a Lookup field, the drop-down button or Alt + Down-Arrow will display a lookup window for the specified file. This selection window allows you to view a list of existing records and select any record by double-clicking it.
  Memo

Memo fields are used to store variable length text. Memo fields are useful for notes (where each field contains a different number of characters). A memo field allows up to 45,000 characters, depending on the file. Memo fields are very similar to alpha fields except that the length is not a fixed length. Rich text attributes can be used in Memo fields. You can zoom the font size between 100% and 500% by pressing the Ctrl key while scrolling up or down with your mouse. Hyperlinks to websites, network addresses, and local files are allowed in Memo fields.

Memo fields can be spell checked and are shown with a button to the right of the field. Memo fields can be searched by using the Ctrl+F Find Text function. Special right-click menu options are available in Memo fields.
  Money Money fields are used to store dollar amounts. Money fields allow amounts to be entered using the numerals 0-9, minus signs and decimal points. Dollar signs and commas cannot be entered in; however, they are automatically shown in the field. Money fields automatically have two decimal places. A range of -99,999,999.99 to 999,999,999.99 is allowed. Negative dollar fields are shown on the screen with a minus sign. A popup calculator is available when editing this field.
  Number Number fields are used to store numerical data. Number fields allow numbers to be entered using the numerals 0-9, minus signs and decimal points. A popup calculator is available when editing this field.
  Phone

Phone fields are used to store area codes, telephone numbers, and extensions. The area code, phone number, and extension can be separated by a hyphen, space, or period as desired. Parentheses characters and other characters can be used in the field.

A button is shown next to Phone fields in the Editor window. This button opens the Phone Dialer and automatically dials the phone number. The Phone Dialer can accept any of the following formats. Area codes for local phone numbers are not required.

(402) 423-1440

(402)423-1440

402-423-1440

402.423.1440

423-1440

 

International phone number fields must be entered with a + as the first character in order to use the international dialing conventions configured in your Phone and Modem software. The Phone Dialer can accept any of the following formats:

+39 (033) 3456789

+39(033)3456789

Secure Client Note: When a secure client is defined, four Phone fields are provided on the Address tab of the Client file: Business, Business Fax, Home, and Mobile.
  Time

Time fields require entering a clock time using an HH:MM format (hours:minutes). A 24 hour clock can be used or you can include an "a", "A", "p", or "P" to indicate morning or afternoon. For example, 3:00 p.m. could be entered as 3p, 3:00 p, 15:00 or 15 (military time). The time 9:30 a.m. could be entered as 9:30 or 9:30 a.

Noon (12:00 p) is shown as 12:00 PM. Midnight (12:00 a) is shown as 12:00 AM.

  User

A User field is used to refer to a record in a lookup window that is maintained in the System Configuration program. User fields store a link to a user record in this file.

User fields should not be confused with Timekeeper fields. Users represent any user who is set up to use any of the software applications. However, a timekeeper is a generic label for personnel whose time is billed to clients.

  Virtual

A virtual field is a field that links to a field in another file. The virtual field is based on information from a lookup field in the file.

The primary use of virtual fields is for displaying information from other files on the data entry screen. For example, the Client file includes address and phone information which are stored in a Contact record.

When working in data entry windows, virtual fields can be copied, but cannot be edited. They are read-only.
  Web Page

A Web Page field is used to store links to website addresses or locally accessible HTML files. This feature will not work for website addresses unless you have Internet access.

A button is shown next to a Web Page type field in the Editor window. When you click this button, the specified page will be displayed using your default Internet browser. This feature will not work for website addresses unless you have Internet access.

Web page fields are most commonly used to store website addresses, the names of word processor documents, PDF files, or HTML files. However, any type of file can be listed in a Web page field, provided it is accessible via a web server.