===== Maintaining and Using Flags =====

Flags can be used throughout the system to apply specific labels to contracts, location screens, and invoices.\\ 
[{{:cats:settings:contractsettings:contractsettings_flagsymbolonmainscreen.png|The Flag symbol in CATS.}}]\\ 
This wiki will explain how to create and apply flags in CATS.

==== Modifying Flags ====
To review the list of flags in the system, from the CATS main menu select **File > Maintenance > Setup > Contract Setup**. Select the **Contract Settings** tab. 

[{{:cats:procedures:contract:contractsettingflag.png?400|Manage flags from contract settings}}]

Click on the button labeled **Edit Contract Flags...**
[{{:cats:procedures:contract:manageflag.png?400|Use this to add/edit/remove flags}}]

<note tip>You can also access the Contract Flags from the [[cats:procedures:codes:certification|Certifications]] scan by selecting **Tools > Contract Flags** from the menu.</note>

=== Adding or Modifying a Flag ===
You can use the Manage Custom Flags dialog to add/remove/edit flags. Flags use a unique code (//Flag//) to identify the flag in the system (and on reports). The longer name (//Text//) will be displayed on the screen.

Click on the **Add Flag** button to create a new flag.
[{{:cats:procedures:contract:addflag.png?400|Use this to add flags}}]

  * **Certification** associate this flag with a [[cats:procedures:codes:certification|certification group]]. Contracts with this flag will prompt the user to select a matching certification when adding/modifying contract items.
  * **Restrictions** limits where the flags can be applied. The valid entries are 'C' 'M' 'I' (or any combination). C - contracts, I - Invoices, M - Traffic Screens. (Ex. If you don't want others to put a certain type of flag on an invoice, you can set the restrictions to CM and they will only be able to enter them on Contracts and Traffic Screens)\\ 
  * **Linked Flag 1 and 2** instructs CATS to pull additional flags when you select this one.\\ 
  * **FLO#** pull the FLO information onto related documents.
  * **FTUSA#** pull the FTUSA information onto related documents.
  * **Copies from** automatically copy flags from the purchase to the sale (or from the sale to the purchase).

==== Adding Flags to a Screen ====
Once you've set up the flags, you can add (or modify) the flags on a particular contract/location/invoice by clicking on the blue flag on the corresponding screen.
[{{:cats:settings:contractsettings:contractsettings_flagsymbolonlocscreen.png|Click on the flag symbol to change the flags.}}]

You can then add or remove flags as you need. 

Or, you can type the first few characters of the flag in the field and CATS will suggest a match. Fill in the box and click on the + button to have CATS fill in the corresponding flag. 
[{{:cats:features:contract:flags_addflagflo.png?nolink|After typing "FLO" CATS fills in the rest.}}]

Alternatively, you can click on the button labeled **Lookup** to select from a list of available flags. 
[{{:cats:settings:contractsettings:contractsettings_lookupaflag.png|Select Lookup to search for a flag.}}]

Select the flag you want from the list and pick Continue to proceed. 
[{{:cats:settings:contractsettings:contractsettings_flagchooser.png|Choose the flag you want from the list and pick Continue.}}]\\ 

Click on the [x] or click out of the box to stop adding flags. 
[{{:cats:settings:contractsettings:contractsettings_closetheflagsbox.png|Close the change flags box.}}]

The flags will now be displayed on the screen. 

=== Removing a Flag ===
You can remove a flag by selecting it from the list and clicking the button labeled **Remove**.

==== Adding a "One-off Label" to a Screen ===
"One-off" labels of 10 characters or less can be added in the same way. Enter the label in the field and click on the **+**. If the label doesn't match an existing flag, CATS will ask you if you want to create the label. 

[{{:cats:features:contract:flags_oneoffprompt.png?nolink|Creating a "One-off Label".}}]

Click on **Yes** to apply the label to the screen.

==== Creating Flags on the Fly ====
If you decline to create a one-off flag (or if the entry is longer than 10 character) CATS will prompt you to create a new flag.

Click on **Yes** to create a new label that will be available throughout the system.

==== Using Flags in Reports ====
You can filter reports based on the flags. You can also use the flags as a column in your report.