Filtering is a powerful feature that lets you see only certain records, allowing you to trim your lists down to find information more easily. There are multiple ways to filter lists in Tabs3 Billing and PracticeMaster.
Search Box
The Search Box allows you to search all fields in the current column layout of the following windows:
- Tabs3 Billing and PracticeMaster Lists
- Statement Manager in Tabs3 Billing
- Matter Manager in PracticeMaster
- Graphical Calendar in PracticeMaster
You can optionally narrow your search to specific fields by clicking the 
to the right of the Search box.
Filters Automatically Included in Quick Clicks
In Tabs3 Billing, the Quick Clicks pane in the Client List and Contact List automatically includes the options
to show all records for the file or only records that have not been marked Inactive. For example, in the Client List, you have the option to show All Clients or Active Only. Additionally, the Fees, Costs, Payments, and Client Funds Lists include the options to show either Work-in-Process or Archived records.
In PracticeMaster, the Quick Clicks pane in the Client List, Contact List, and Timekeeper List automatically includes the options to show all records for the file or only records that have not been marked Inactive. For example, in the Client List, you have the option to show All Clients or Active Only.
In addition, many Lists include some common filters in the Manage Filters group of the Quick Clicks pane.
These filters vary based on the List you have open. For example, in the Tabs3 Billing Statement Manager, there are filters for All Unpaid, Unpaid 91+, and My Clients Unpaid.
Building Custom Filters
The Filter Builder can be used to create custom filters. For example, you can create a simple filter to show clients opened within a certain date range, or statements ran for a specific matter within a certain date range.
To filter clients opened in the last month
- In the Tabs3 Billing Quick Launch, search for and select “Clients.”
…or…
In the PracticeMaster Quick Launch, search for and select “Client File.” - In the Filter group of the Quick Clicks pane, click Manage Filters.
- Press Ctrl+N.
- Enter a Filter Name.
- In the Filter Builder section, click New Row.
- In the Select Field from the Client window, in the Name column, select Date_Open and then click Select.
- Select a Test Condition of in the last.
- Select a Test Value of 1 months and click OK.
- Click Save and close the Manage Quick Clicks window.
Your filter is now available to select in the Filters group of the Quick Clicks pane.
To filter the Statement Manager for statements older than 30 days on a specific matter
- In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Statement Manager.”
- In the Filter group of the Quick Clicks pane, click Manage Filters.
- Press Ctrl+N.
- Enter a Filter Name.
- In the Filter Builder section, click New Row.
- In the Select Field from the Ledger window, in the Name column, select Client_ID and then click Select.
- Select a Test Condition of equal to.
- In the Test Value column, select the Client ID.
- Click New Row.
- In the Select Field from the Ledger window, in the Name column, select Date and then click Select.
- Select a Test Condition of older than.
- In the Test Value column, select 30 days.
- Click Save and close the Manage Quick Clicks window.
Your filter is now available to select in the Filters group of the Quick Clicks pane.
Custom filters can also be more complex, using expressions. For examples of expressions used in filters, see Knowledge Base Article R11515, “Filter Expression Examples.”
The Advanced Client Costs Report makes it easier to verify that advanced client costs are in balance between Tabs3 Billing, Tabs3 Accounts Payable (AP), and Tabs3 General Ledger (GL). This report compares advanced client costs in Tabs3 Billing, checks and invoices in AP, and account balances of advanced client cost accounts in GL to ensure the balances in each program are accurate.
Setting up a new system to track advanced client costs between Tabs3 Billing, AP, and GL requires certain configuration settings in each application. If a firm has been using the applications for a while, it is possible that the accounts are not in sync and will show discrepancies on the Advanced Client Costs Report. Knowledge Base Article R11757, “Using and Troubleshooting Advanced Client Costs Integration,” will assist you with configuring the software to properly integrate advanced client costs, as well as troubleshoot the “reconciliation” when there is a discrepancy.
You can also check out this video on Tracking Advanced Client Costs in Tabs3 Software:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_oRC3CJFBQ
Our Knowledge Base can be accessed at support.Tabs3.com. You can also access our Knowledge Base in the Quick Launch by searching for and selecting “Knowledge Base.”
Tabs3 Trust Accounting (Trust) is designed to help your firm keep track of the trust accounts you manage.
- Trust tracks an unlimited number of client trust accounts, and can warn you when an account goes below a minimum balance.
- You can print checks, record manual checks, record electronic funds transfers (EFTs), record deposits, reconcile your bank account in the software, and track your trust transactions through a variety of reports.
- The 3-Way Reconciliation Report helps you stay compliant when balancing your accounts. Not only that, but Tabs3 Trust Accounting has a wide range of reports that can be customized to fit your needs.
- Using the Tabs3 Trust Accounting Dashboard, you can easily stay on top of your Trust Account bank balances and quickly monitor any recent activity at a glance.
- Trust Accounting includes a Positive Pay Export program that allows you to export a list of all approved checks that can then be uploaded to your bank or financial institution’s fraud prevention program.
- The best way to accept credit card deposits for your firm is with Tabs3Pay. Securely make credit card or ACH deposits directly through Trust.
Trust provides seamless integration with Tabs3 Billing, PracticeMaster, Tabs3 Accounts Payable (AP), and Tabs3 General Ledger (GL).
- In Tabs3 Billing, trust balances can be shown in the Matter Manager and on work-in-process reports, trust transactions or balances can be shown on billing statements, and payments made to your firm from a client’s trust account can automatically generate a payment.
- Firms using Tabs3Pay can email a request to replenish the Trust balances at any time, giving clients a link to replenish their funds right away.
- In PracticeMaster, trust balances are shown as part of Matter Manager’s Billing Summary.
- In the Platinum edition, check requests can be created in PracticeMaster and sent to Trust.
- You can upload 1099 information to Nelco’s portal to make producing and sending 1099s a snap. Alternatively, IRS 1099 Forms (1099-MISC or 1099-NEC) information can be printed in Trust or be combined with AP 1099 information.
- Payments to the firm from Trust can create journal entries in GL. Additionally, accrual entries for Trust bank balances can optionally be posted in GL.
Trust accounting regulations require strict adherence. Tabs3 Trust Accounting provides peace of mind with the tools to help your firm manage your trust accounts. For more information, contact your local consultant, or contact our Sales Department at sales@tabs3.com.
If you want to learn more in-depth information about individual features in the software, guides are the way to go. A guide is a closer look at how different features work, providing in-depth information and screenshots where appropriate. Guides are a great tool to use when you need to know more. From the table of contents, you can easily jump to the section you most want to learn about, or you can read it straight through. There are over 20 guides available, each focusing on a specific topic within the software such as clients and contacts, statements, Tabs3Pay, Matter Manager, and more.
Guides can be accessed from within the software, as well as on our website.
- To access the guides from within the software, in the Quick Launch, search for and select “Documentation,” or from the Help menu, select Documentation. You can expand and collapse each application to view the desired documentation.
- To access the guides from our website, browse to Tabs3.com/support/docs.html for a full listing of all available guides.
Take a look – you may be surprised to learn how many resources are available!
Your clients use credit cards, and accepting payments from them has never been easier for your law practice. With Tabs3Pay features such as easy invoicing, next day funding, scheduled payments, surcharging*, and more, all within Tabs3 Software, you can make payments effortless for your clients and get paid faster. Tabs3Pay setup is quick and hassle-free. And because credit card processing fees can impact your firm’s profitability, we offer surcharging as a cost-saving solution.
With Tabs3Pay you can:
- Accept credit cards and electronic checks within Tabs3 Software.
- Reduce credit card expenses with optional surcharging – process unlimited credit cards for as low as $50.
- Manage separate trust and operating accounts from Tabs3 Software.
- Securely store payment information for future use.
- Email an invoice with a secure payment link.
- Schedule future and recurring Tabs3Pay payments.
- Request Trust replenishment.
Other Benefits Include:
- Get paid faster.
- Eliminate manual errors.
- Save time and collection hassles.
- Certified PCI compliant and secure.
To sign up for Tabs3Pay
- In the Tabs3 Billing or Trust Quick Launch, search for and select “Tabs3Pay Web Portal.”
- Click the Let’s Get Started button.
For more information on signing up for and configuring Tabs3Pay, see Knowledge Base Article R11869, “Configuring Tabs3Pay.”
*Surcharging laws vary by state and are subject to change. Always check with your local bar association for the most updated information.
When adding features for Version 18, we did not overlook Tabs3 Connect! Check out these new enhancements included when you update to Version 18:
- Tabs3 Connect now uses the Rate from Tabs3 when changing fee or cost transactions. Before, it was necessary to manually enter the desired rate when changing fees and costs via Tabs3 Connect.
- The Amount is recalculated automatically when the Timekeeper, Tcode, Activity Code, or Expense ID fields are changed. Before, making such changes in Tabs3 Connect would require you to manually change the rate and recalculate the amount.
- “Budget exceeded” messages now display when entering fees and costs in Tabs3 Connect. Before, “Budget exceeded” messages could only be displayed in Tabs3 Billing. For steps to set up budgets in Tabs3 Billing, see this month’s Budget Exceeded Messages Q&A.
- Tabs3 Connect now includes the Private check box when adding or changing calendar entries. Before, calendar entries could only be marked Private from PracticeMaster.
- Added the ability to use your Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Text Macros. For more information on text macros and Tabs3 Connect, see our June Tabs3 Connect, Text Macros.
For more information on Tabs3 Connect, contact your reseller and consultant, contact Technical Support at (402) 419-2210, or visit Knowledge Base Article R11480, “All About Tabs3 Connect.”
Aderant, the company who makes CompuLaw Rules, has informed us that they are not planning on updating or supporting CompuLaw Rules that currently integrate with PracticeMaster after December 31, 2016.
As a result of Aderant’s decision, PracticeMaster Version 18 will be the last version of PracticeMaster that will generate or update CompuLaw Calendar Plans. Any CompuLaw Calendar Plans already processed with PracticeMaster will still be accessible.
In order to continue providing up-to-date court rules to our users, we have teamed up with CalendarRules.com, a provider of court rules for law firms. PracticeMaster integration with CalendarRules.com is available with Version 18.1.4, released August 11, 2016.
It’s after hours and you’ve run into some trouble printing. Something doesn’t look right, it’s printing off the page, or you need to make just a few tweaks to finish your project. However, you’re not sure what to do. What do you do? Check out the Knowledge Base, of course!
Knowledge Base Article R10469, “Frequently Asked Questions About Printing,” provides frequently asked questions regarding the following subjects:
- Printing Statements – Using letterhead for statements, centering statements on the page, reference numbers not printing on draft statements, and what the Compress Address check box in Statement Setup does.
- Printing Reports – What to do when the font is too small, and how to print landscape reports.
- Printing Checks – Printing, printing a second copy of checks, printing a duplicate stub, and printing trust information on checks.
- General Printing Questions – Stopping a print job, specifying different margins, adjusting the Preview window, changing the Offset Adjustment, fixed pitch fonts vs. proportional fonts, and configuring an additional printer.
Our Knowledge Base can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at support.Tabs3.com. You can also access our Knowledge Base while in the software by selecting Help | Internet Resources | Knowledge Base.