The Action Menu provides a quick way for users to view data and reports without opening the Department pages, and to access external files hosted on a shared drive or locally on a user's computer.
 

Overview
The Action Menu can be configured by anyone with Editor Access to provide shortcuts to all users to Reports (from the Report Designer), Quick Views (using data queries) and network-shared files and folders.  Users can also add personal File and Folders links that are only visible to them.

Click here to view the demo video.

Automating Reports
You can use this option to give access to reports that users may run frequently without requiring them to open the Department page where the data is stored.

Designing The Report
Open the Print Menu Designer Department and click on the Report Designer to build the report. See the Print Menu Designer User Guide for specific help on designing and distributing reports.

Selecting the Report
Click on the Report name in the list, then enter a meaningful name in the 'Enter Action Name' field, so users can identify this action correctly when choosing it from the Action menu.  Click 'OK' to save your choices and add it to the Action Menu.
 

Using Quick Views
Quick Views display the results of the query in a DataGrid, giving you a 'quick view' of the selected field data. You can also double-click on any row to open the record in its form on the Department page.  Click the 'Open Query Builder' button to use the Query Builder to create the query. Remember to only choose the fields you want to display on the DataGrid.

Naming the Action
Enter a meaningful name in the 'Enter Action Name' field, so users can identify this action correctly when choosing it from the Action menu.  Click 'OK' to save your choices and add it to the Action Menu.

Custom Exports
Custom Exports can be built to copy data to another application, by exporting it to Excel or Access.  While you can export data from any form or datagrid, custom exports use the power of the Query Builder to link two tables together to combine the data from the Parent and Child tables.  For example, if you want to keep all Contact information associated to the correct Company record you would need to link the two tables on the common field (Company.GuidID --> Contacts.Company_GuidID).

Using File Links
This option automates opening a file located on a shared or network drive, such as a Word document or Excel spreadsheet. Please note that all users MUST have a physical connection to this file's location for this to work. Remote users may not have access to a file selected on a shared network drive, for example.  For linking to a file only on YOUR computer, see the "Personal Links" section below.

Choosing The File
Click the 'Browse' button to locate the file; the file's path will be displayed in the text box when you click 'Open'.

Naming the Action
Enter a meaningful name in the 'Enter Action Name' field, so users can identify this action correctly when choosing it from the Action menu.  Click 'OK' to save your choices and add it to the Action Menu.

 

Using Folder Links
This option automates opening a folder located on a shared or network drive. Please note that all users MUST have a physical connection to this folder's location for this to work. Remote users may not have access to a folder selected on a shared network drive, for example.

Choosing The Folder
Click the 'Browse' button to locate the folder; the folder's path will be displayed in the text box when you click 'Open'.

Naming the Action
Enter a meaningful name in the 'Enter Action Name' field, so users can identify this action correctly when choosing it from the Action menu.

Click 'OK' to save your choices and add it to the Action Menu.

Personal Links

Users can link to files that reside only on their own computer by checking the "Personal Link" checkbox on the File and Folder Links setup dialog.  This information is stored on the user's computer and never seen by other users.  This is especially helpful for users who work offline or outside of the company network.