User Documentation

Rozan Anderson · December 2015

Hi, does anyone have experience with using a screen capture tool as the basis for user documentation? It looks like there are plenty out there, some free.

My system is not documented at all, and it sure would be a huge help to have a good basis. This is for regular data entry, as well as for running reports, mailings, and all sorts of other routines, including Crystal Reports.

Thanks!

Rozan Anderson

Jewish Federation of Madison (Wisconsin)

Joshua Bekerman bCLO bCRE · December 2015

I use the Snipping Tool built into Windows. On Windows 8 I also use Windows logo key + PrintScreen, which automatically saves it as an image file that I can insert into the document at a later time. Sometimes it's easier to get all my screenshots first and then insert them into the document.

Renee Klish · December 2015

Like Josh said, we too use the Windows Snipping Tool. To find it just click on the start key in Windows, then type in Snipping Tool into the program lookup area and it will come right up, it pretty much walks you through how to use it.

Jen Claudy · December 2015

Print Screen will do a screenshot of the entire screen, including both monitors if you're using a dual monitor system. Alt + Print Screen will do a screenshot of only the active window. Works on Windows 7, I'm 99% sure XP, and possibly earlier.

F. O. · December 2015

I use snagit and it's been really quick and easy to capture the whole screen or any part I choose, and it automatically saves it within the program for later use. The useful part is that it also lets you easily edit the image (text, hightlights, etc.)

Tracy Forkin · December 2015

I do my training documents in Word and us the insert function to paste screenshots. Alt + Print Scrn if I want to past cascaded screens. I find that creating the docs based on the function works better than creating an entire RE manual.

Emmet O'Conlon 2 · December 2015

The snipping tool is nice, but I think it was only implemented in Windows 7. The Print Screen button on the keyboard will take a snapshot of your screen that can be pasted into Paint, Word, etc. ALT-Print Screen will print only the currently selected/active window. I do not know, unfortunately, about Mac, but imagine the capabilities are similar. I personally am a big fan ALT-Print Screen.

Elaine Tucker · December 2015

We started using iMovie to create user documentation videos. It goes so much faster and with the voice over included you can easily explain site specific settings or reasons why you do this. To "document" our entire gift processing options/process it took me 10 minutes. i have our exec admin to thank for this solution- she mentioned it to me and wow it's great

Shaun Grace · December 2015

On a Mac you can use Command-Shift-4 to capture part of your screen. It saves an image to your desktop you can then use in your documentation.

Christine Cooke 2 · December 2015

I use Jing, which can be downloaded for free if I want to capture just part of what is on the screen. Otherwise I use PrnScn button for everything open on the monitor/screen.

Jacki Balon · December 2015

I use Snagit 8 - for all my screen shots... works great.for whole screen or just areas..... easy to use..

Rozan Anderson · December 2015

Thanks for your responses so far! I was actually talking about software that does more than just capture single screen shots. I'd like to have it automatically document all the steps that I take when I enter data or run reports - as a flow, rather than just a screen at a time. then, I'd go in an edit whatever is the document that gets created.

It looks like there are some programs out there that do that. Anyone have experience with something like that?

Joanne Felci 2 · December 2015

I use Jing as well and it is great. You can capture just the snippet of the screen you want and copy/paste into anything. Nice, free tool

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