Sage 50cloud Accounts keyboard shortcuts

Summary

Using the keyboard shortcuts to navigate and access options within the software can be quicker than constantly switching between your mouse and keyboard. Sage 50cloud Accounts includes shortcut key tips that you can view just by pressing your Alt key.

Description

Help us drive improvements. If you find this article useful, you can let us know now >

TIP: To play the video full screen, click play , then press F, or click .

Accounts Desktop

The Menu bar

This is directly below the title bar and consists of separate menu headings each with its own set of options.

Press Alt, a letter appears next to the relevant menu, press the letter for the menu you require. For example, to open the File menu, press Alt then F.

To Access an option from an open menu, either:

Use the arrow keypad to choose the relevant option then press Enter or
Press the letter that appears next to the relevant option, for example, to open Back up , press Alt then F then B.

The toolbar

These are at the top of each module and display the options available for that module.

To open an option, press Alt, a letter or combination of letters appear next to the toolbar options, press the letter or letters for the relevant module. For example, to open VAT Return, from the VAT window, press Alt then R then E.

The Navigation pane

This is on the left of the Accounts desktop and displays the modules available.

To open a module, press Alt, a number appears next to the module headings, press the number for the relevant module. For example, to open Nominal codes, press Alt then 9.

Module lists

In the module lists, you can jump to the required record using the keyboard. For example,click Nominal codes, then press 3 then 2 in quick succession and nominal code 3200 is selected.

TIP: The record highlighted depends upon the current sort in the module. For example, if your customer list is sorted by the Name column, pressing the S key highlights the first customer whose name begins with S. The active sort for any column is indicated by a small triangle in that column heading.

General navigation

Alt, then Letter or Number

Use these keys to either open options, where the letter or number appears next to the option. For example, to open the Tools menu, press Alt then T, or to open the support homepage press Alt then H then A.

Tab key

Use the Tab key to jump between options within a window. For example, in a Customer record, use the Tab key to jump between fields.

Arrow keypad

Use the arrow keypad to scroll a list when highlighted. For example, on the customer list, use the arrow keypad to scroll between customers.

Space bar

Use the space bar when you are in one of the modules, and have highlighted the option you want to use. When you press the space bar, the selected item opens or activates.

Ctrl + Page Up, Ctrl + Page Down

Use these keys to open information windows accessible by tabs. For example, in the Customer, Supplier, Nominal and Product Record windows, use these keys to open the various tabs associated with the record you are currently accessing.

This also allows you to move through the tabs available on the invoice, sales order and purchase order entry windows.

Alt + F4

Use these options to close Sage Accounts.

Function Keys - F1 to F12

This section explains the automatic routines attached to the function keys on your keyboard when using Sage Accounts.

F1	Opens the online Help system and is specific to the window or option you are currently accessing.
F2	Opens the Calculator where you can enter calculations by using the keyboard number pad.
F3	When creating invoices, sales orders or purchase orders, this opens the Edit Item Line window. This displays the information relating to that particular item on the invoice or order. When creating a customer or supplier receipt, this pays the receipt in full.
F4	If pressed in a box that refers to a module, a list appears for that module. TIP: If a search is applied against the module, then it will also apply here. To toggle between the search and All records, click the option. If pressed in a date box, a date picker appears. If pressed in a monetary box, a calculator picker appears.
F5	If pressed in a monetary box the currency calculator appears. If pressed in a text box, the spell checker appears.
F6	Duplicate key. If pressed in a batch data entry windows it copies information from the field above. TIP: If you use shift and F6 in the batch data entry windows it copes information from the field above and increments it by one.
F7	Used to insert a blank line when entering data. For example, in the batched data entry windows, or in the Edit Chart of Accounts window.
F8	Used to delete the whole line of information being entered.
F9	Activates the Calculate Net Amount option, which splits the total you enter in the Net box into the net and VAT amounts.
F11	By default, this opens the Windows Control Panel. This key may be configured to call up alternative software. For further information about this, please refer to the section To configure the F11 or F12 function keys.
F12	By default, this function key calls up Sage Report Designer. This key may be configured to call up alternative software. For further information about this, please refer to the section To configure the F11 or F12 function keys.

Function Keys - Configuring F11 and F12

Although by default, there are routines attached to these two function keys, you can configure them to activate the software of your choice.

Click Tools, then click Options.

Click the Environment tab then complete the Environment window as follows:

F11	Enter the path and program file that you want to activate with the F11 function key.
F12	Enter the path and program file that you want to activate with the F12 function key.
Configure F12 as Hide Key	To configure F12 to minimise Sage Accounts, select the Configure F12 As Hide Key check box.

Click OK.

More support and information is available

Get the most out of your software, stay ahead with trending topics and get answers from thousands of articles using the Sage Knowledgebase. Visit the Help Centre >

Need more help?

Chat to one of our Sage Ambassadors now.

Chat now