Introduction to the Interface

Abacus includes the following key elements:

Menu Bar

Virtually every task performed in Abacus can be accessed from a menu. You use the menu bar to select menu options in Abacus. To select a menu, click the menu option once. A sub-menu appears. Click the menu option to select it.

In the help, when you read instructions like "Select Names > Find," click Names on the menu bar. A sub-menu appears. Click Find from the sub-menu options.

Toolbar

The most common functions in Abacus can be accessed easily by clicking a button on the toolbar instead of using a menu option. Click here for a description of each button on the toolbar.

NOTE: For a description of the button's function, position the cursor over a button (without clicking). In a few seconds, description of the button's function will appear. These descriptions are called "ToolTips." (These ToolTips can be turned off when adjusting user preferences.)

Message Bar (Status Bar)

The message bar (or status bar) provides information about the status of the program. For example, it might tell you about the function of an item on a window or it might tell you the status of a process in action.