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Navigation & Orientation in the system + Layout & functionality of tables

Navigating DataGrows: Your Guide to the Main Dashboard and CRM Navigation

Written by Mariska

Getting comfortable with navigation in DataGrows is the first step to working efficiently within the platform. This guide will walk you through the main dashboard, CRM navigation, favourites, notifications, table structure, and the tools available to help you find information quickly.

Getting Started: The Main Dashboard

When you log into DataGrows, you will land on the Main Dashboard.

Here you will see:

  • A personalised welcome message

  • Your Accounting CRM database

  • Your My Training database

  • Any additional databases assigned to you, such as Prospects

The Main Dashboard acts as your home screen and central navigation hub within DataGrows.

Returning to the Main Dashboard

No matter where you are in the system, you can return to the Main Dashboard by clicking the My Databases button.

Tip: Think of the Main Dashboard as your "home" button in DataGrows.

Understanding the Left Navigation Menu

The left-hand navigation menu provides quick access to your databases, departments, and system tools.

From here, you can access:

  • Accounting CRM

  • My Training

  • Prospect databases (if applicable)

  • Return/Home button

  • Notifications

  • Resource Centre - Blogs and training resources

  • Help and support options

  • Contact details for the DataGrows team

  • Dark Mode settings

  • User Settings

  • Geoff AI Assistant

Meet Geoff, Your AI Assistant

Geoff is available from the bottom-left corner of your screen.

You can use Geoff to:

  • Ask questions about DataGrows

  • Find information quickly

  • Access productivity tools and shortcuts

  • Receive guidance while working in the system

Examples of common questions users can ask Geoff:

  • "How do I create a new client?"

  • "Where can I find VAT reports?"

  • "Show me training on task management."

CRM Navigation

When you open the Accounting CRM, the left navigation menu automatically changes to display CRM-specific navigation options.

You will see:

  • Departments

  • Tables within each department

  • Reporting sections

  • Setup areas

  • Archive tables

This dynamic navigation helps keep only relevant information visible while you work.

Notifications

The Notifications Panel keeps you informed about system updates and activity.

Examples of notifications include:

  • Tasks reassigned to you

  • Completion of file exports & imports

  • System-generated updates

  • Workflow changes requiring your attention

After reviewing your notifications, you can clear them from the panel to keep things organised.

Best Practice: Check your notifications regularly at the start and end of each day.

Understanding Departments and Tables

Within DataGrows, information is organised into Departments and Tables.

For example:

Accounting Department

  • Accounting Tasks

  • VAT Tasks

Each department contains multiple tables designed for a specific purpose.

Archive Tables:

Most active tables are accompanied by a corresponding Archive Table.

Archive tables store historical or completed records, helping keep active workspaces clean and efficient.

Using Favourites

Frequently used tables can be added to your Favourites section for quick access.

To Add a Favourite

  1. Locate the table.

  2. Click the three-dot menu.

  3. Select Add to Favourites.

To Remove a Favourite

  1. Open the three-dot menu.

  2. Select Remove from Favourites.

Some commonly favourited tables include:

  • Clients Master Data

  • Accounting Tasks

  • Frequently used Reports

Best Practice: Keep your favourites limited to your most-used tables to avoid clutter.

Understanding the Navigation Structure

DataGrows is organised to prioritise the information you use most often.

Top Section: Critical Tables

These are the most important and frequently accessed tables, such as:

  • Client Master Data

  • All Tasks Due

  • Reports

Middle Section: Regularly Used Tables

These typically include:

  • Department task tables

  • Operational processing tables

  • Day-to-day workflow management areas

Lower Section: Occasionally Used Areas

These may include:

  • System setup

  • Configuration tables

  • Administrative functions

This structure helps users locate information quickly without needing to search through lengthy menus.

Expanding and Collapsing the Navigation Panel

You can customise your workspace by adjusting the width of the navigation panel.

  • Use the Collapse button to minimise the left menu.

  • Use the Expand button to restore it.

This is especially useful when working on tables with many columns.

Understanding Tables

Every table in DataGrows contains information organised into rows and columns.

Each table includes:

  • A table heading

  • Horizontal scrollbars for viewing additional columns

  • Vertical scrollbars for moving through records

Table Help

Next to every table heading is a Help Icon.

Clicking this icon opens help content relevant to that specific table.

This is one of the quickest ways to access context-sensitive guidance while working.

Tip: Check the Help Icon first before logging a support request.

Opening and Viewing Records

To open a record:

  1. Click anywhere within a row.

  2. The record will open in a detail window.

Expand Your Record View

When working within a record, you can click the Expand button to maximise the viewing area.

Benefits include:

  • Better visibility of fields

  • Easier editing

  • Improved navigation on larger records

When finished, click the Reduce button to return to the standard view.

Important: The Expand button is one of the most useful navigation tools in DataGrows and should be used regularly when reviewing detailed information.

Using the Top Menu

Every table includes a menu across the top of the screen.

Common options include:

Help

Opens the same contextual help available through the Help Icon.

Reports

Provides access to reports related to the current table without needing to navigate to the Reports section.

Filters

You can:

  • Save filters

  • Reuse filters

  • Clear filters

Additional Menu Actions

Depending on the table, additional options may be available to support that specific workflow.

Best Practice: Before searching for information elsewhere, check whether a report already exists within the table's Reports menu.

Working with Multiple Records

DataGrows allows you to select multiple records simultaneously using the selection checkboxes.

Once multiple records are selected, the Actions Menu becomes available.

This enables bulk actions such as:

  • Updating records

  • Assigning tasks

  • Running processes

  • Applying workflow actions

Using bulk actions can significantly improve efficiency when managing large volumes of data.

Key Takeaways

When navigating DataGrows, remember these essentials:

✅ Use My Databases to return to your Main Dashboard at any time.
✅ Access help quickly through the Information Icon or Help Menu.
✅ Add frequently used tables to Favourites.
✅ Use the Expand button whenever you need additional workspace.
✅ Check Notifications regularly for important updates.
✅ Take advantage of Filters, Reports, and Bulk Actions to work more efficiently.
✅ Ask Geoff AI Assistant whenever you need guidance or assistance.

By mastering these navigation tools, you'll be able to move through DataGrows confidently and work more efficiently every day.

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