In a dollar amount field, amounts are entered at the right end of the field and preceding digits "slide" to the left. This is very similar to the way you enter numbers on a calculator. Only digits, decimal points and the minus sign are allowed; commas are ignored. A minus sign (-) inserted before or after a dollar amount makes the number it's opposite. When editing amounts in these fields, press <Esc> then the <Delete> key can be used to remove the rightmost digit(s) and the remaining digits will "slide" to the right. In addition to replace the entire value you can simply move to the field and type the new value.
All numeric fields have an embedded calculator - this means you can type a mathematical expression and NewViews will automatically calculate the result and enter it in the field. For example, if you type 2.5*3 in a numeric field, the value 7.5 will be entered. You can also use parentheses for more complex calculations. For example, if you type (2+3)*7, the value 35 will be entered.
When a field is a dollar amount, such as an amount field on a transaction, the amount entered will be rounded to the nearest cent.
When a field is not a dollar amount, such as a quantity or rate field on a transaction, the amount entered is not rounded. It may appear to be rounded if the current format is limited to less than the number of digits entered to the right of the decimal point, but internally, the amount is recorded in the database as it was entered. NewViews allows up to nine digits to the right of the decimal point for non-dollar amounts.
You can enter a number with up to 11 digits to the left of the decimal point. For example, the biggest amount you can enter on an individual transaction or line item detail is 99,999,999,999.99, i.e. one hundred billion less a cent. The smallest number is correspondingly minus one hundred billion.
Although you are limited to one hundred billion when you enter numbers, NewViews displays many numbers that are totals of other numbers. For example, amounts on reports, or running balances on journals and accounts display amounts that are the totals of many other amounts. NewViews can display numbers with up to 18 digits to the left of the decimal point, i.e. 999,999,999,999,999,999.99, or one million trillion.
All numeric fields let you enter an expression. For example, if you type 2.5*3, the value 7.5 will be entered. You can even use parentheses. For example, type (2+3)*7 and 35 will be entered.
It is anticipated that in addition to the ability to enter expressions, future versions of NV2 will pop up a calculator when <F3> is pressed on a numeric field.
When entering numbers commas are ignored. This is necessary because NewViews lets you edit the existing contents of numeric fields, and they often already contain commas, depending on which number format is currently in use.
Similarly, a minus sign, if any, can be found at either end of the number entered. If there is an even number of minus signs they cancel each out and the number is deemed to be positive. Note that minus signs within the entry (not at the either end) cause the entry to be treated as an expression, subtracting the right side from the left side.
If a number is wrapped in parentheses it will be treated as a negative number. A number can be wrapped in more than one set of nested parentheses. If there is an even number of sets of wrapping parentheses, they cancel each out and the number is deemed to be positive.
Minus signs and parentheses that are found within the number, i.e. not at either end, are assumed to be part of an expression and are interpreted accordingly. For example, if you enter (5-2)*4 then the field is set to 12.