Elements of the Multipax User Interface

In order to interact effectively with the Multipax system, you must understand the graphic elements that make up the user interface. Although many of these elements are standard to Windowsª, some are specific to the Multipax GUI. Descriptions of all common elements are included here for the benefit of those unfamiliar with Multipax and/or the Windows operating system.

Note: Not every screen will contain all of the elements described below.

Mimimize/Resize/Close Buttons: These three buttons are found in the upper right corner of every Multipax window. They are used as follows:
          minimizes the open window (the window will appear to close, but it will be present on the taskbar).

changes the size of the open window.

closes the open window.

 Menu Bar: The menu bar contains all the menu options that will allow you to access every feature of the open window. The menu bar in the main screen will allow you to access every feature of Multipax. Menu items are accessed by clicking on the menu title and then clicking on the name of the item you wish to select.

Multipax Toolbar: The Multipax toolbar contains buttons that allow you to complete essential tasks within Multipax. Buttons that cannot be used in a specific screen (e.g., record sorting buttons in screens that only display a single record), will be dimmed in the display. Buttons are activated by right clicking on them using the mouse. The following buttons are found on the Multipax toolbar (Note: for instructions on using toolbar buttons to accomplish specific tasks within Multipax, see the Common Procedures section of the manual (p. )):

Insert Record button: This button is used whenever you wish to enter new data into the Multipax system. Clicking on this button will clear any data that is currently displayed and will place the cursor in the first field required to complete the record.

Save button: This button is used to save completed records to temporary storage until the data submission procedure is executed. This button will remain dimmed until all of the fields required to submit a new record have been completed or until a change is made to a retrieved record.

Delete Record button: This button is used to delete the currently selected record in a Multipax window.

Query button: This button is used to select records from the Multipax database for viewing or modification. Clicking on this button will clear any data that is currently displayed and will place the cursor in the first field that is available for entering the search parameters to be used for selecting the record(s) to retrieve.

Retrieve Records button: This button is used to retrieve any records that correspond to the search parameters that you entered after clicking on the Query button.

Navigation buttons: These buttons are used to navigate among the records retrieved after successful execution of a query that returned more than one record.

First Record button: This button is used to return to the first record in a retrieved series.

Previous Record button: This button is used to return to the previous record in a retrieved series. Next Record button: This button is used to advance to the next record in a retrieved series.

Last Record button: This button is used to advance to the final record in a retrieved series.

Print button: This button is used to call up the printing dialogue box which will allow you to print any of the document types that are available in the open Multipax window.

Help button: This button is used to access the Multipax online help feature.

 Window Header: The header section of a Multipax window contains basic information necessary to identify records in the Multipax database (e.g., patient account information necessary to enter or retrieve Office Services records). The header section is found at the top of the open window and can is distinguished from other window sections by the dark gray background surrounding it. The header will include the following types of fields: Editable fields: display blue text.

Required: will have a white background.

Optional: will have a light gray background.

Display Only fields: display red text on a light yellow background.

 Window Body: The body is the section of a Multipax window that contains the actual record(s) that were retrieved from or are being added to the Multipax database (e.g., the actual Office Services records for the account identified in the window header). The body section is found at the bottom of the open window and is distinguished from other window sections by the white background surrounding it. Records in the window body are usually displayed in tabular form with column headings identifying each field in the record. The same field characteristics used in the header are used in the body to identify different field types (see above).

Additional Buttons: Multipax windows may contain buttons that complete tasks which are specific to the window in which they are found. These buttons are usually found at the bottom of the open window. These buttons are labeled to indicate the task they accomplish; however, if required, detailed instructions for completing these tasks can be obtained from the Multipax manual or from the online help feature.

Message Bar/Record Information: The message bar is used to communicate important information from the system to the user. This information can include details about the type of data that is expected to be entered in the field in which the cursor is located, about the contents of the field in which the cursor is located, or about the results of a procedure that you have initiated. In addition, the message bar includes a record information section on the right-hand side that displays the number of the currently selected record (if applicable). The message bar is found at the bottom of most Multipax screens and can be distinguished by display information in red text on a light green background.

Additional Screen Elements that are occasionally encountered in the Multipax interface include radio buttons and drop-down list boxes.

Radio Buttons: Radio buttons are used when you must select one of two or more mutually exclusive options in order to proceed with a task (e.g., if you wish to print a report you must select one (and only one) of the following options: print on printer, print to screen, or print to file).

Drop-down List Boxes: Drop-down list boxes are used when you must select an item from a short list. Clicking on the downward pointing arrow next to the default value will display the entire list of items. An item from the list can be selected by clicking on it.