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Common Features

Overview

SARA uses a consistent interface across all transactions. This page documents the shared UI components and behaviors that appear throughout the system. Individual feature documentation references this page instead of repeating these patterns.

Page structure

Every transaction in SARA follows a standard page layout. Understanding this structure helps you navigate any module, even if you're using it for the first time.

The top navigation bar is present on every page:

  • Burger menu — Opens the side navigation panel with all available transactions (filtered by your permissions).
  • Logo — Links back to the SARA landing page.
  • Favorites — Quick access to transactions you have marked as favorites.
  • Dark / light mode — Toggles the interface color theme.
  • Square menu — Grid view of available transactions.
  • Notifications — Shows pending notifications.
  • Profile — Access to your user profile and session options.

Title area

Below the navigation bar, every transaction displays its name and a breadcrumb trail (e.g., Home / Projects).

Tabs

Some transactions organize their content into tabs (e.g., Projects and Deliverables). When tabs are present, they appear directly below the title area. Each tab contains its own independent record list following the standard layout described below.

Standard record list layout

Most transactions in SARA display records in a standard list layout. This layout is divided into the following zones, from top to bottom:

Status filters

A row of checkbox badges at the top of the list, one per status that exists in the current dataset. Each badge shows the status code (e.g., ACTV, PEND, FINA) with a color indicator. Check one or more badges to filter the table to only those statuses.

Tip

Status filter badges are dynamic — only statuses that have at least one matching record will appear. If no records have a given status, that badge is not shown.

For status definitions and behavior, see: Status

Action buttons

Positioned to the right of the status filters. These are the transaction-level action buttons, such as:

  • + New [record] — Creates a new record.
  • Report / Metrics / Settings — Transaction-specific tools or views.

The specific buttons available depend on the transaction and your permissions. Not every transaction has the same set of action buttons.

Table controls

Located between the status filters and the data table. This area contains:

  • Custom columns — A dropdown to select which columns are visible in the table, with an Apply button to confirm. To restore the default column set, deselect all columns and click Apply.
  • Show [X] records — A dropdown (left side) to choose how many records to display per page (e.g., 10, 25, 100, 300, 500, All).
  • Export buttons — CSV, Excel, and Print buttons (center) to export the current table view in the selected format.
  • Search — A text field (right side) that filters the table in real time across all visible columns.

Data table

The main content area displaying records as rows. Standard data table features include:

  • Column sorting — Click any column header to sort ascending or descending (indicated by ↑↓ arrows).
  • Record-specific columns — Each transaction defines its own set of columns relevant to that domain. Columns typically include an ID or code, key business fields, and a status column.
  • Row action menu — The last column (typically the status column) includes a dropdown button (▼) with contextual actions for that record. Available actions depend on the record's current status and your permissions. Common actions include View, Edit, and status transitions such as Approve, Cancel, or Deactivate.

Note

The row action menu is the primary way to interact with individual records. If an expected action is missing, it is usually because of your current permissions or the record's status.

Pagination

Located below the data table:

  • Record count — A summary line showing how many records are displayed (e.g., Showing records from 1 to 100 of a total of 652 records). When a search filter is active, it also indicates the filtered count.
  • Page navigation — Previous, page number buttons, and Next to move between pages.

Modals

Many transactions use modal dialogs for creating, editing, or viewing individual records. Common modal patterns include:

  • Quick-create modals — Request only the minimum required fields to create a new record quickly. After creation, editing the record reveals the full set of fields and options.
  • Edit modals — Full-featured forms with all fields available for the record type.
  • View modals — Read-only display of a record's data, using the same layout as the edit modal but without editable fields.

Fast creation, richer editing

SARA is designed so that creating a record is fast (few required fields). Once the record exists, editing it reveals additional options and sections. This pattern applies across most transactions.

Naming conventions

Records and documents in SARA use a standard folio format to make them easy to identify:

Format: [PREFIX].[ID]

Prefix Record type
PO Purchase orders
PR Purchase requisitions
PL Logistic plans
QUO Quotations
MNT Maintenance records
CPO Customer purchase orders
INS Instructives

Some records add version suffixes (e.g., QUO.0984.01, QUO.0984.02) when versioning applies.

Text conventions

SARA uses sentence case for all UI text — labels, buttons, column headers, and messages. Only proper nouns (names of people, places, organizations, and trade names) use capitalization.

✓  Save changes
✓  Pending review
✓  Carlos Hernández

✗  Save Changes
✗  Pending Review

FAQs

Why is a button or action missing? Actions and buttons are controlled by permissions. If you cannot see an expected button, you likely need an additional permission assigned. See: Permissions & Access

Why don't I see a status filter badge? Status filter badges only appear when at least one record in the current dataset has that status. If no records match a status, the badge is hidden.

Can I save my column preferences? Yes. Use the Custom columns dropdown to select your preferred columns and click Apply. Your selection is remembered for that transaction.

How do I export data? Use the CSV, Excel, or Print buttons in the table controls area. The export includes only the currently filtered and visible data.