Understanding the Interface

Understanding the Interface

Navigate OpenEduCat’s user interface effectively with this comprehensive overview of menus, dashboards, and common UI elements.

Time Required: 10 minutes Module: Core (openeducat_core) User Role: All Users

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Table of Contents

1. Main Navigation
2. Dashboard Overview
3. Common UI Elements
4. View Types
5. Search and Filters
6. Keyboard Shortcuts

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Main Navigation

Top Navigation Bar

The top navigation bar provides quick access to key areas:

Element	Location	Function
App Menu	Top-left	Access all installed applications
Search Bar	Top-center	Global search across records
Activities	Top-right	View scheduled activities and tasks
Messaging	Top-right	Access conversations and notifications
User Menu	Top-right	Profile settings, preferences, logout

Application Menu

Click the grid icon (top-left) to open the application menu:

1. OpenEduCat - Main educational modules
2. Settings - System configuration
3. Apps - Install/manage modules
4. Other Apps - Accounting, HR, Inventory (if installed)

OpenEduCat Submenu

The OpenEduCat menu contains these main sections:

Menu	Description
Dashboard	Overview and quick stats
Students	Student records and information
Faculty	Teacher profiles and assignments
Course	Courses, batches, and subjects
Admission	Application processing
Attendance	Attendance tracking
Exam	Examination management
Fees	Fee collection and invoicing
Timetable	Class scheduling
Reports	Analytics and reports
Configuration	System settings

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Dashboard Overview

Main Dashboard Components

The OpenEduCat dashboard displays:

1. Summary Cards - Quick statistics (total students, pending admissions, etc.)
2. Charts - Visual representations of key metrics
3. Recent Activity - Latest actions and updates
4. Quick Actions - Shortcuts to common tasks

Customizing Your Dashboard

1. Click the gear icon on any dashboard widget
2. Select Edit to modify widget settings
3. Drag widgets to rearrange layout
4. Click Save to preserve changes

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Common UI Elements

Buttons and Actions

Button	Action
Create	Add new record
Edit	Modify existing record
Save	Save current changes
Discard	Cancel unsaved changes
Action	Dropdown with additional options
Print	Generate printable reports

Form Fields

Field Type	Description
Text	Single line text input
Text Area	Multi-line text input
Dropdown	Select from predefined options
Many2one	Link to another record
Many2many	Link to multiple records
Date/DateTime	Date picker
Checkbox	Boolean toggle
Tags	Multiple selection chips

Status Indicators

Records often display status using colored badges:

Color	Typical Meaning
Gray	Draft/Pending
Blue	In Progress
Green	Completed/Active
Red	Cancelled/Blocked
Orange	Warning/Review

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View Types

List View

• Displays records in rows and columns
• Click column headers to sort
• Checkbox to select multiple records
• Ideal for bulk operations

Form View

• Detailed view of a single record
• Contains tabs for organized information
• Edit button to modify data
• Action menu for record operations

Kanban View

• Card-based visual layout
• Drag and drop between columns
• Quick overview of record status
• Common in admission and workflow screens

Calendar View

• Date-based record display
• Click dates to create new records
• Drag events to reschedule
• Filter by user or category

Pivot/Graph View

• Analytics and reporting
• Aggregate data visualization
• Export to spreadsheet
• Drill-down capabilities

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Search and Filters

Using the Search Bar

1. Type in the search box
2. Press Enter to search
3. Results filter automatically

Filter Options

Filter Type	Usage
Filters	Predefined filter sets
Group By	Organize results by field
Favorites	Save custom filter combinations

Creating Custom Filters

1. Click Filters dropdown
2. Select Add Custom Filter
3. Choose field, operator, and value
4. Click Apply
5. Save as favorite for reuse

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Keyboard Shortcuts

Navigation Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Alt + H	Go to home/dashboard
Alt + K	Open search dialog
Ctrl + S	Save current form
Escape	Close dialog/discard

Form Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Alt + N	Create new record
Alt + E	Edit current record
Alt + J	Previous record
Alt + L	Next record

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Tips for New Users

1. Explore menus - Hover over menu items to see descriptions
2. Use breadcrumbs - Click path links to navigate back
3. Check tooltips - Hover over field labels for help
4. Use filters - Narrow down large record lists
5. Bookmark pages - Save frequently accessed screens

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Related Topics

• First-Time Setup
• System Requirements
• User Roles & Permissions

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Last updated: January 2026