The Aleph F8 function gives you choices appropriate for selected MARC subfields.

2. How does the F8 function work?

Put your cursor in the subfield with F8 choices where text is to be entered and press F8 or the Tab key. The choices appear in a window. Double click the choice you want (or highlight and click OK), and the text appears in the cataloging record.

3. Does the F8 function work in items, serials checkin, etc?

F8 only works in the Aleph cataloging application. F8 choices have been set up for bib, authority, admin and holdings records.

4. Some of the lists seem kind of long. Is there a quick way to find what I want?

When the window with the F8 choices appears, type the first letter of the choice you want. The highlight jumps to the first choice in the list beginning with that letter. If more than one choice begins with that letter, keep pressing the letter to move to the next item in the list beginning with that letter.

Another shortcut is to put your cursor in the field with F8 choices, type the first several letters of the choice you want, then press the Tab key. The F8 window will open the list at the first choice beginning with the text you have typed.

5. How do I know what subfields have F8 choices?

See samples of F8 choices for all subfields for which F8 choices are currently available (PDF file).

6. I'd like to add some choices to the F8 list. How do I do that?

Send an email message with your request to the Aleph Discuss listserv (ALEPH-DISCUSS-L@listserv.nd.edu). Tom Lehman, working with Systems, will process the request.

7. I use the tab key to move around in templates, and don't want to have the F8 choices pop up. Can I prevent the tab key from activating the F8 function?

Yes. Go to:

H:\al500\catalog\tab\catalog.ini    and search for tab.

This will bring you to a short section labelled "TabCompletion." Set TabCompletion=N (instead of Y) and save the file. You will have to exit the Catalog application and reopen it to see the change.

This will prevent the Tab key from bringing up the F8 options, but you can still see them when you need to by hitting the F8 key (or selecting Search sub-field options on the Search menu).

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