The DT Max SmartStart input assistant

The SmartStart input assistant is available in the DT Max keyword data editor starting in tax year 2003.

From a client profile screen, simply tick the sections (tax topics) that are relevant to your client, then work through the data entry keywords displayed in each of these sections. The SmartStart input assistant enables new users to become productive right away by instantly creating a customized input list for new clients.

Client profile

The client profile screen appears when you click the Client profile icon on the toolbar or whenever you create a new client, unless you disabled this feature. On the left panel of the client profile screen, select the sections that you believe to be relevant to your client. When you click Continue, these sections will appear in the keyword data editor to create a data entry page customized specifically for that client.

The right panel of the client profile screen is designed for information purposes only. It lists the keywords available in the section highlighted on the left, thereby allowing you to determine whether you really wish to select that section. If you require more information about a keyword you see on the right, double-click it to link to the corresponding keyword help in the DT Max knowledge base.

Certain common sections are pre-selected in the client profile when you create a new client. Note however that there are different pre-ticked sets for family heads, spouses, dependants, corporations and trusts respectively. If you wish to modify which sections are pre-ticked when you create a client, set up the pre-selections the way you want, then tick the box labelled Save as default selection for new ... (this box applies to family heads, spouses, dependants, corporations and trusts, as the case may be). Then, the next time you create a new client, you will get your own pre-ticked selections.

If you are a seasoned DT Max user and do not want the client profile screen to automatically appear for new clients, simply untick the box labelled Use the SmartStart input assistant that appears in the new client dialogue window.

SmartStart mode and data review mode

The keyword data editor has two modes: SmartStart mode and data review mode. Click the SmartStart toggle icon on the toolbar to switch back and forth between these modes.

In SmartStart mode, the keyword data editor displays the section headers that you ticked in the client profile. Each section header can be expanded (by clicking it) to show the keywords available in that section. Remember that for each section, you need only enter information for the keywords that are relevant to your client. Just leave the other ones blank.

You can add or remove sections at any time by clicking the client profile icon and ticking or unticking more sections. Note however that unticking a section will have no effect if that particular section already contains keyword data.

The data review mode shows the client's complete keyword data without the SmartStart section heading. In review mode, you can still modify data and use the [F11] or [F8] functions to add new keywords.

Compatibility with classic DT Max

In both SmartStart mode and data review mode, you can still use [F11] to directly type the keyword you need. When in SmartStart mode, keywords typed in directly will automatically open the corresponding section. Keyword aliases and the [F8] keyword help are fully integrated into the SmartStart input assistant.

Seasoned users who do not wish to use SmartStart should do the following:

1. In the dialogue box that appears for new clients, untick the box labelled Use the SmartStart input assistant.
   

2. Click the SmartStart toggle icon in the toolbar to put DT Max into data review mode.