Overview of Codes and Code Types

Codes are abbreviations that represent something. For example, DEPO might represent a deposition. It is possible in other programs for one person to enter depositions as "DEP" and others to use "DEPO". But, when you print a report of all depositions and filter for "DEPO", you won't see the "DEP" events and your report would be dangerously misleading! Codes avoid this problem by standardizing data and enforcing data integrity.

Codes for a particular field are grouped together as one "code type." For example, CONTRACT (for contract cases), CRIMINAL (criminal defense cases), and DIVORCE (divorce cases) are all codes for the CASECODE field. The field is validated by the codes, meaning only a valid code can be entered in a field that requires a code, and blank (no entry) may be set up as a valid code.

To make using codes convenient, Abacus provides lookup buttons for fields that contain codes. When you click a lookup button, a list of valid codes appears and you can select a code.

NETWORK NOTE: To keep certain users from changing codes, adjust their security access profile appropriately.

Codes and code types are managed from the Code Types window. To open the window, select File > Setup > Codes.

From the Code Types window, you can:

• Add code types and codes

• Edit/delete codes

Also, for codes you can:

• Maintain codes on the fly

• Print a list of codes by code type

Click here for information about Area of Law (AoL) codes.