Get the most out of using eCSSS through these basic tips.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Save time by keeping your fingers on the keyboard instead of reaching for the mouse.
Use <Alt> Key
- If a function contains an underlined letter, press <Alt>
and the underlined letter. For example, to open the Help
Index, press <Alt><H>.
Save - Press <Alt><S>.
Close - Press <Alt><C>.
Move to next field - Press <Tab>
Move to previous field - Press <Shift><Tab>
Execute a Function
- Press <Enter>. In
the example below, Add is
the active function.
Press <Enter> to add.
Move between Tabs - Use <Right> and <Left> arrow keys.
Scroll - Use <Page Up> and <Page Down> keys.
Navigate in Drop-Down List - Use <Up> and <Down> arrow keys to move up and down the list. Use the <Page Up> key to go to the first list item and <Page Down> to go to the last item.
Entering Information
Read-only vs. editable
fields – Read-only fields are boxed with a light grey line.
Editable fields are inset.
Required fields
- Required fields are labeled in red and marked with asterisks. Note
that these fields are required before you can save the document currently
being edited. There may be other fields, such as the Decision
Date of an Eligibility
Determination, that are not initially required for saving
the document, but are required in order to complete and lock a workflow
process.
Dates - Use MMDDYY format. eCSSS automatically formats date to include slashes and century. (See more tips.)
Phone numbers - Omit parentheses, spaces and dashes. eCSSS automatically formats phone numbers. Please note:
10-digit entry formats with area code. For example, 8081112222 becomes (808) 111-2222.
9-digit entry formats with 2-digit work extension. For example, 955000012 becomes 955-0000x12.
7-digit entry formats with dash. For example, 9221111 becomes 922-1111.
For number with extensions other than 2 digits, do either of the following:
Include an x. For example, 555000x123 becomes 555-0000x123.
Include the area code. For example, 8085550000123 becomes (808) 555-0000x123.
Check a Checkbox - <Tab> to the checkbox and press spacebar.
Select Drop-down List item - Place the cursor in the drop-down field and enter the first character of the entry (a letter or number). For example, if a drop-down menu for "State" lists all 50 states, press <H> key and "Hawaii" will appear in the field.
Enter Zip Code Only - Skip the City and State fields. Once you enter the ZIP Code, the City and State fields are filled in automatically.
Special characters
in eCSSS - Some special characters from other text editors
are not supported in eCSSS, including bullets, ½, ¾., etc. The following
special characters from other text editors are supported in eCSSS:
(Opening single quote, closing single
quote and apostrophe) shown in eCSSS as '
(Opening double quote, closing double
quote) shown in eCSSS as "
- (Hyphen) shown in eCSSS as -
(Dash) shown in eCSSS as --
If you enter an unsupported character into eCSSS (e.g., bullet), the
system will replace it with a different character. TIP: Consider using
dashes instead of bullets when creating lists.
For fields with a red checkmark, please be aware of the following:
If you enter information into the field then save the document, the document is no longer editable. A record of your document is stored in the Audit Log with a Locked status.
To edit the document, click New Version. Provide a short reason for creating a new version (up to 30 characters). Action Plans (AP), do not require reasons. Once you click OK, you cannot edit your reason, which becomes part of the Audit Log.
After clicking New Version and entering a reason, you can begin editing a copy of the document.
The current version is indicated in the window header
(e.g., v2 is version 2).
In the example above, if you enter a date, then click Save, the PWN is no longer editable. However, you are able to edit a copy of the document as a New Version.
Printing
You must click Save before the Print button is displayed.
See Demographics Button for information on how to update demographics before printing.
OK vs. Save
OK temporarily
adds a piece of information to the main record you are working on.
The information is unsaved until you press Save
from the main record.
Save commits
all new information to the main record.
Search
When a document is updated, eCSSS captures the person’s name, update type, date of modification and reasons for versioning. Click the Audit Log button at the bottom left of key screens (e.g., - Student Team, Assessment Report, etc.).
When a window contains a Legacy Log button, this indicates that the referral contains archived information that has been carried over from ISPED to eCSSS. Click Legacy Log to view details.
If a Legacy Log button is not displayed, the referral has no previously archived information from ISPED.
