Multiple-record blocks may allow a user to take an action on several records at once. For instance, a screen designed to post Journals allows selection of any number of records, and then invoking the "Post" function operates on all the currently selected records.
A selected record is displayed with a colored background. This includes all text items and poplists of the record.
All menu items and action buttons which can act on multiple records, display the number of records selected. For example, if four records are selected to be posted in the Post Journals form the Post button label would be displayed as "Post 4."
Note: Initially and anytime no records are explicitly selected the menu items and buttons display "1" as in, "Post 1" to show they will act on the current record.
A single record is selected or deselected by holding down the Control key and clicking on the record.
A continuous range of rows is selected by holding down the Shift key and clicking on the record. This selects all rows between and including the current record and the last record selected.
All records can be selected by choosing "Select All" from the Edit menu.
All records can be deselected by choosing "Deselect All" from the Edit menu.
After the desired function is invoked for the selected records, their appearance onscreen should be altered (typically a status field is updated, or the record is cleared entirely if it can no longer be acted on). If the records are not cleared they should remain highlighted.
A confirmation window should always appear when there is any uncertainty as to what records may be affected or when it is irreversible or destructive, for example, "Delete 3 records?"