Interaction Modes

  • Article

Users interact with computers in a number of ways, depending on their personal preferences, the type of work they do, and the capabilities of the device.

This topic outlines the typical interaction modes in relation to Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and summarizes the options available to application developers.

Keyboard

The keyboard is the primary input device for users with data entry and business management tasks. Users with repetitive tasks, and users who are using Microsoft Dynamics NAV for extended periods of time, very often take time out to learn using the system by way of the keyboard only. This allows them to keep the hands on the keyboard all the time, and avoids the strain that can result from shifting between using the keyboard and using the mouse.

To support keyboard users well, it is mandatory that shortcut keys are available for the actions they use. By design, Microsoft Dynamics NAV provides shortcut keys for the system actions as well as for the frequently used application actions. System actions are actions such as copy, paste, delete, and refresh that can’t be changed by application developers. Application actions are actions that are defined by application developers as part of the objects they create or modify using the Microsoft Dynamics NAV development tools. Examples of application actions are Post, Post and print, Release, and Statistics.

Accordingly, we recommend you assign suitable shortcut keys to the frequently used application actions in the pages you create and modify.

  • Assign shortcut keys to the most commonly used actions.

  • Give well-known shortcut keys a consistent meaning. For example, always use F9 as the shortcut for Post.

  • For new shortcuts, try to assign the shortcut keys to the first or most memorable characters in the action’s name.

Important

We strongly recommend you follow the precedence for shortcuts set forth by the current application objects. Using the same shortcut for similar actions across pages helps prevent user errors, and increases the number of places where users can apply the shortcuts that they have learned.

Mouse and other pointing devices

The computer mouse and other pointing devices provide direct and random access to any element on screen, and is the typical input device for entry-level users. Over time, users who have repetitive tasks, or who use the system for extended periods of time, will learn keyboard shortcuts.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is fully operable via mouse and other pointing devices, and does not require special attention from the application developer.

Touch

Microsoft Dynamics NAV can be used on devices that support touch with the common set of gestures for the given platform. Touch input does not require special attention from the application developer.

See Also

Concepts

Ribbon and Toolbars
Field and Group Layout
Styling Field Values
User Interface Text