The FieldNotes menu-bar allows access to the full range of program functions, including a number of less-frequently used options. The most frequently used options are also provided as Tool-bar or Task-bar buttons, for rapid access.
The menu-bar includes the following sub-menus:
This document briefly outlines options provided by the menu.
The 'File' menu is mainly used for file-related activities, including the following options:
| Menu option | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Open | Open a new database. |
| Close | Close the current database. |
| Save | Save the current database state. |
| Import records ... | Open the 'Import records' form, for importing suitably-formatted data into the FieldNotes database. |
| Level-of-detail | Change the working level-of-detail (Quick/Standard/Advanced). See Level-of-detail help pages. |
| Delete Database | Delete the FieldNotes database contents, and optionally the database itself. |
| Exit | Close FieldNotes application. |
The 'Records' menu includes the main data record-related functions, and is particularly useful if the Task-bar or Tool-bar controls are hidden (using the and keys respectively).
The 'Records' menu contains the following options:
| Menu option | Sub-menu | Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| Add | Observations Surveys Sites Localities Contacts Recorders Organisations Checklists Bibliography |
Add a new record to any of the named tables: |
| Edit | Observations Surveys Sites Localities Contacts Recorders Organisations Checklists Bibliography |
Edit a record in any of the named tables: |
| Browse | Observations Surveys Sites Localities Contacts Recorders Organisations Checklists Bibliography |
Browse records in any of the named tables: |
| List | Observations Surveys Sites Localities Contacts Recorders Organisations Checklists Bibliography |
List records in any of the named tables: |
The 'Tasks' menu includes the main data-processing tasks, and is particularly useful if the Task-bar controls are hidden (using the key).
The 'Tasks' menu contains the following options:
| Menu option | Sub-menu | Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| Session | Actions Errors Copy Save |
Display Session activities (full window) Display Session errors/warnings (full window) Copy log data to clipboard Save log data to file Print log data |
| Data | Add record Edit record Delete record Browse records Filter Copy Save Create Report Create Map |
Add a new record to the current table Edit selected record Delete selected record Browse records in the current table Set filter criteria for current table Copy records from window Save records to file Print records from window Create a report using currently selected records Create a map using currently selected records |
| Map | Select Observations dataset Select Site dataset Select Overlay dataset Select background map Display Settings Copy Save |
Specify a new Observations dataset for mapping Specify a new Site dataset for mapping Specify a new Overlay dataset for mapping Specify a new background map Choose datasets to be displayed Update Map settings Copy map to clipboard Save map to file Print map |
The 'View' menu contains the following options:
| Menu option | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Session mode | Set FieldNotes display to Session mode |
| Data mode | Set FieldNotes display to Data mode |
| Map mode | Set FieldNotes display to Map mode |
| Taskbar | Display / hide the FieldNotes task-bar |
| Toolbar | Display / hide the FieldNotes tool-bar |
| Image Player state | Pause - stop the Picture Panel from updating Shuffle - display images randonly in Picture Panel |
| Database details | Description - display database description Summary - list FieldNotes database contents |
| Session details | Current - display current session summary History - list FieldNotes session history |
| Password hint | Show the password hint for a given user |
The 'Reports' menu is used to create data-based reports, and contains the following options:
| Menu option | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Document-style report | Create a document-style (single-page) report from selected FieldNotes records |
| Web-style [multipage] report | Create a web-style (multi-page) report from selected FieldNotes records |
| Map-based [online] report | Create a single-page map report from selected FieldNotes records and online map resources |
The 'Classifications' menu lists interfaces to the many classification schemes and data compilations that underpin FieldNotes.
The 'Classifications' menu contains the following options:
| Menu option | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Species database | Explore the Species database - a range of text-based search tools |
| Taxon database | Explore the Taxon database - hierarchical display and relevant search tools |
| Artifacts classification scheme | Explore the Landscape Artifacts classification scheme - hierarchical display and search tools |
| Geology classification scheme | Explore the Geological classification scheme - hierarchical display and search tools |
| Soil classification scheme | Explore the Soil classification scheme - hierarchical display and search tools |
| Vegetation classification scheme | Explore the Vegetation classification scheme - hierarchical display and search tools |
| Freshwaters classification scheme | Explore the Freshwaters classification scheme - hierarchical display and search tools |
| Vice Counties system | Explore the Vice Counties system - data display and relevant search tools |
| Priority Species list | Explore the Priority Species list - data list and relevant search tools |
| Priority Habitats list | Explore the Priority Habitats list - data list and relevant search tools |
The 'Tools' menu contains a number of stand-alone tools and utilities, including the following options:
| Menu option | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Database | Verify - check database structure and contents Compress - minimise database size Rebuild - repair damaged database |
| Data-exchange | Export records - supply a copy of selected records to another recorder or organisation View export log - display a list of data-exchanges to date |
| Online update | Check if a more recent version of FieldNotes is available and update if required |
| Calendar | Set the default data-entry date using the Calendar tool |
| Grid reference locator ... | Lookup an OS Grid reference using online map resources |
| Coordinate converter ... | Convert data points between commonly-used coordinate systems and formats eg. OS Grid reference / OS Point / Latitude and longitude (OSGB36 and WGS84 models) |
| Log-file archives | Session - display archived session logs Error - display archived error logs |
| Options ... | User preferences |
The 'Licence' menu relates to FieldNotes subscription-based licence, and contains the following options:
| Menu option | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Register | Register your copy of FieldNotes (to receive relevant news) |
| Details | Display the current licence details, and request a licence renewal |
| Renew | Renew your FieldNotes licence |
| History | List FieldNotes licensing history |
The 'Help' menu lists a number of sources for information about FieldNotes, including the following options:
| Menu option | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Documentation | Display top-level help description (in web-browser) |
| Help library | Display Help information (in web-browser) |
| Answers library | Display Answers information (in web-browser) |
| Tutorials library | Display Tutorials information (in web-browser) |
| Web-manual | Help library - Display online Help information (in web-browser) Answers library - >Display online Answers information (in web-browser) Tutorials library - Display online Tutorials information (in web-browser) |
| Recorders Network | Signup for FieldNotes Wildlife Recorders Network (forum) |
| Feedback / suggestions | Offer criticisms, suggestions or comments about FieldNotes software |
| About FieldNotes | FieldNotes software information |