Adding a new Company record works in the same way as adding a new Contact record. The main difference, however, is that you can create a new Company record from either the Company view or directly from an existing Contact record.
You'll probably create a new Company record from the Company view if you have not already created a Contact record from someone at the company. For example, you might want to start doing business with a company but don't as yet know the names of any of the company's personnel.
Obviously, before you create a new Company record you'll at the very least need to know the name of the company you are creating. In addition, knowing other pertinent information including the address or website will prove to be useful.
- Click the Companies icon on the Navigation bar to access the Company Detail view.
- Click the Companies menu and choose New Company. A new blank Company record will open.
- Fill the necessary information into the various company fields. The only mandatory field is the name of the Company.
- Click the Contacts button on the Navigation bar to return to the Contacts area of ACT!.
When you leave the new Company record the name of the new company will now appear alphabetically in the list of companies that appears on the left-hand side of the Company Detail view.
The directions above assume that you like to access features using the Menu bar. However, some of you might prefer to use the icon bar. If that's the case you can click the New icon bar. Alternatively, if you prefer using a keyboard you can also tap the Insert key and a new, blank Company record will magically appear.
Some people are more comfortable working in the Company List view. For example, you might want to see a list of all the companies you do business with and don't want to be distracted by any erroneous information. If that's the case, you can add a new Company record directly from the Company List view following the directions above. However, you will be automatically transported to the Company Detail view the moment you select New Company from the Companies menu.
Occasionally you might start to create a new Company record but never finish the process. For example, you might inadvertently tap the Insert key or you might get interrupted before you have a chance to finish adding the new Company record to your ACT! database. If that's the case, a friendly warning like the one you see in the Figure below will appear if you try to move away from the new, blank Company record.
If you click Yes you can navigate away from the blank record and no record will be created. If you click No you will remain at the blank Company record until you fill in at least a company name.