The list windows in Sage 50/Peachtree can do a lot more for you than what most people realize. Of course we all know them as a way to choose a transaction we want to look at in one of the task windows. But do you realize how many ways they can help you locate a transaction, or how they can take you to other related information?
Finding Things – Obviously you can scroll through a list to locate the customer, vendor, transaction, etc that you are looking for. But even that can be made simpler by sorting your list. Click on any column heading to re-sort your list by that column. Click it again to reverse the sort order. Want to narrow down your list? Enter anything in the Search for box in the upper left corner, choose a column to search from the “In” drop-down list and click the Search button. Use the Clear Search button to go back to seeing everything. What if you need to search on a field that’s not shown?
Customizing Lists – Every list has a Settings button in the row of buttons at the top of the window. Click it and you can choose which columns to display in the list. Select anything in the Available Columns on the left and click the Add button to move it to the list of Selected Columns. To get rid of a column you don’t use, highlight it in the Selected Columns and click the Remove button. Use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to rearrange your columns. You can also change the order of columns without using the Settings button. Just drag a column heading and drop it where you want it. Column widths can be adjusted by placing your mouse pointer between two column headings. When you see the double arrow, click and drag to change the column width.
Launching Tasks and Reports – Down the left side of every list window are shortcuts to related tasks and reports. For example, from the Customer List you can create a sales invoice or view an aged receivables report for the customer you have highlighted in the list. Or right click on anything in the list and, depending on which list you are in, you’ll get options such as create new…, copy, or view details.
Take just a few minutes to explore list windows and you’ll probably be surprised at how much you’ve been overlooking.
