Open topic with navigation

The Payroll desktop

Sage Cover Extra webinars

Sage 50 Payroll has all the tools and information necessary for you to run your payroll. Whether it's something you must do every pay period, something you'll do to improve your employee layout or information to help you every month, everything is easily located from the main payroll desktop.

Navigation groups

Navigation groups, on the left-hand side of the desktop, provide access to the major features in your software.

	The options in the Tasks pane vary depending on which navigation group is selected. They provide you with access to particular functions.
	You can quickly access certain tasks in your software using the options in the Links pane. For example, creating new employee records or dealing with leavers.
	These are navigation groups. When you choose a group, the Tasks pane updates to show the tasks for that area.

Payroll menus

There is a menu across the top of your desktop that you can use to quickly access many of the tasks in your software. For example, from the File menu you can open the Backup and Restore options.

Note: If a task involves updates to employee records, you must select the appropriate employees from the employee list before performing the task.

Each menu item has a letter underlined meaning the option is available as a short cut from your keyboard. Press and hold the Alt key, then press the underlined letter on your keyboard to open the task you want. For example, to open the Backup Wizard press > hold the Alt key > press F > press B.

The horizontal toolbar

	Use this option to show the tree view and the employee list or the employee list only.
	Use the Swap option to quickly select a large group of employees at the same time.
	If you've selected employees from the employee list, clicking Clear removes your selection.
	Using the Find option you can search the data in your software to locate specific employee records. Those found are highlighted on the employee list. Find out more.
	Use the Criteria option to define which employees appear in the employee list, saving you time sorting through numerous records to find ones that you want. Find out more.
	Use the Reports option to produce the business reports, payslips and cheque layouts you need. Find out more.
	Use the Pension Centre to find all the information you need on pension reform and automatic enrolment.
	Show Me How contains information and videos on some of the more complicated areas of processing payroll.
	Use the Health Check option to run through the information in your software and highlight anything unusual or inconsistent. For example, an employee with a date of birth in the future or pay periods that haven't been updated. Find out more.

The employee list

Your desktop is divided into two main areas - the tree view and the list of your employees.

The tree view:

• Can be set up to filter the way in which you list your employees.
• Can be set up for each user to group employees together in a list of their choice.
• Can be used to identify employees who've something in common.
• Can be used to choose a list of employees quickly.

Tip: Click Outline on the horizontal toolbar to hide or display the tree view.

The employee list:

• Can display some or all of your employees.
• Can exclude employees who are on hold, holiday or are leavers.
• Re-order the columns in your employee list to suit your own needs.
• You can use the Employee Groups option to list employees who have something in common. Find out more.

Need more help? The Ask Sage online database is available to Sage Cover members.

If you have any feedback about this topic, we'd love to hear from you.

If you have Sage Cover and you have a general support query, you can get in touch at https://my.sage.co.uk/contact-us/

If you don't have Sage Cover, you can find out more about it here.