A checkbox field is one that requires a checkmark be placed on the form inside a box. When checked an X is drawn inside the box. When not checked nothing is drawn in the box.
Entry:
A checkbox field does not accept text input. It acts like a normal Windows checkbox button. Click it once to check it. Click it again to uncheck it. Click it a third time to check it again, and so on.
When a checkbox field is active a button is shown in its place. And when a checkbox field is active the space-bar key can be pressed to toggle its checked state instead of using the mouse.
When the mouse is used to activate a checkbox field the checked state of that field is toggled on the first click. So if you just meant to activate it and not to change its checked state then checking it again will change it back to its original checked state.
Uses:
The checkbox can be used by itself or in a group.
The checkbox will be by itself when the line instruction are similar to If the donor died during the year, check here. on Form 709, Part 1, Line 8. In this situation there is no special group processing and the checkbox acts alone.
When a checkbox is part of a group only one can be checked at a time. Often a Yes/No checkbox pair is used for a question that must be answered. If you check the Yes box then it will uncheck the No box. Likewise if you check the No box it will uncheck the Yes box. To uncheck both boxes in a checkbox pair just click on the currently checked box and it will become unchecked. This allows you leave a question unanswered until later.
Note that the checking or unchecking of a checkbox my cause calculations to fire and could likely change the values of other fields on the form. An example is Do you elect alternate valuation? on Form 706 is Page 2, Part 3, Line 1. By checking the Yes box all of the calculations of the gross estate and tax amounts are recalculated to use the Alternate Values (values at the alternate valuation date). And if the No checkbox is checked then the gross estate will be calculated using the Date of Death values.
It is unusual for a checkbox field’s value to be calculated. But if you find that the value of the checkbox can not be changed then it probably is calculated. A calculated checkbox will look exactly the same as one that allows an entry. Determine if it is calculated by checking if the Override Calculation button is enabled. For more information on editing calculated fields click here.
Navigation:
To move to the next field on this page press either the Tab or the Enter key. For more on navigating the fields of a page click here.
Available operations:
If the Drill Down button is enabled for this field then pressing this button will take you to the field from which the active field’s value is calculated. For more information on the drill down operation click here.
If the Drill Up button is enabled for this field then pressing this button will take you to the summary field where this field’s value is carried. For more information on the drill up operation click here.
It is rare that a checkbox field will have field worksheets available to define its value. But if the Add Field Worksheet button is enabled then this field has worksheets that can be attached to build its value. And if field worksheets are available for the active field, they will also be shown in the Attachments List part of the Table of Contents pane.
If a worksheet is already attached for this field then pressing the Add Field Worksheet button will inform you of this and will ask if you want to open that worksheet, and pressing the Drill Down button will take you directly to this worksheet.
Grid row operations:
If this field is in a grid row, then the row operation buttons will be enabled on the Field Actions toolbar shown along the right of the screen. These buttons provide quick access to all grid row operations such as:
For more information on working with grids click here.
Field Formatting:
A checkbox field only has one format option and that is to draw an outline around the field. This is rarely useful. For more information on changing a fields formatting options click here.
Other:
This topic is shown when the More button is pressed on the Brief Help pane. It is also shown when a field on the page is clicked with the Help Cursor.
If the Brief Help pane is not showing then you should open and review its text for two reasons. 1) There may be custom instructions for this field that are shown only in the Brief Help pane. 2) The Brief Help pane will show text that describes the state of the active field, while the help system can not detect a field’s state.