Inquiry Help

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Table of Contents

Inquiry Screens

A Typical Inquiry Screen

	Toolbar
		Used to navigate around Callista's Inquiry facility. Click on each icon above, to find out how it is used.
	Menu Bar
		Alternative way of executing toolbar commands. Refer also to Keyboard Shortcuts and Accelerator Keys.
	Checkboxes
		Provides Yes/No information. For example, a tick or cross in the Staff Member checkbox indicates YES - the person is a staff member, a blank checkbox means NO.
	Iconic Buttons
		Navigation buttons whose function is identified by an icon (representative picture). Clicking on a button usually displays another screen.
	Navigation Buttons
		Navigation buttons with a text label. Clicking on a button usually displays another screen. Some buttons are 'greyed' indicating that they are inactive or that the function is not available. Some buttons have a plus or minus sign, in brackets, after their text label (e.g. Unit Level details [+]). Plus indicates that there is data to be displayed on the screen activated by the button, minus means that there is no data to be displayed.
	Data Fields	Fields containing data. Most fields are labelled. Fields that are highlighted in a different colour to other fields are part of the currently selected record. A record is selected by clicking in one of its fields.

Instructions

How to Perform a Query

To see information in a blank screen you must execute a query by clicking the Query button . A query can return more than one record. Some screens display more than one record at a time with a scroll bar to move through the records. Some screens display only one record at a time. In this case, click on the Next Record icon to view the different records.

A query can be refined so that less (or more relevant) records are returned, by entering query criteria (known data) in some of the fields on the screen and then clicking the query button. To execute a new query:

• Click the query button to clear the screen
• Enter search criteria in one or more of the context fields. (I.e. in only one block in a multi-block screen.)
• Click the query button a second time.

Any records matching the query will be returned to the screen. If no records exist in the database that match the query, a message confirming this is displayed in the bottom left hand corner of the screen.

The percentage sign (%) can and should be used as a wildcard in query criteria. For example, a search for Katherine Elisabeth Macleod could be problematic if the exact spelling of the given or surnames is not known or if she most commonly uses her middle name. Therefore to find this record when we think we are searching for Elizabeth McLeod we could enter query criteria such as Surname: M%LEOD and Given Names: %ELI%.

It is a wise precaution to always truncate query criteria and add a wild card unless absolutely certain of the format of the query criteria. For example, the code for an unconfirmed student course attempt status is UNCONFIRM. If UNCONFIRMED is entered or UNCONF (without a wild card), the required records cannot be displayed. In this case UNCON%, or similar, could be used.

How to Move Between Screens

Most screens contain navigation buttons with either text or iconic labels. Clicking on one of these buttons displays a new screen in which different information can be viewed. To return to the previously displayed screen, click on the Back button if there is one or click on the Exit icon on the toolbar. The Inquiry Navigation Map shows the different paths that can be followed between screens. Refer also to Zooms, below.

How to use the Zoom

Some screens have zooms created that provide a quick way to navigate to other Inquiry screens and Callista data entry forms.

Clicking on the Zoom item on the menu bar displays a list of screens and forms. Click on one of these to display that screen or form. Use the Exit button to return to the original screen. Further information about zooms is available in Callista's system-wide features.

How to Print

To print what is currently displayed on a particular screen, click on the Print icon on the toolbar.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Most functions in Callista can be performed in three ways, either by clicking on a toolbar button, selecting a function from the menu bar or using a keyboard shortcut. A keyboard shortcut can be a function key or a combination of keystrokes. They make it possible to use the keyboard rather than having to change to the mouse to perform system functions. Keyboard shortcuts relevant to the Inquiry Facility are:

Accelerator Keys

Accelerator keys are combinations of keystrokes used instead of clicking on menu items or navigation buttons. Most menu items and navigation buttons have one character underlined. The accelerator key in each case is the combination of Alt and the underlined character, for example, the accelerator key for this navigation button is Alt + i.

Toolbar Icons

See Callista's 'System Wide Features'.

Last Modified on 01-Jun-2012 11:56 AM

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