How to Use This Guide

The table of contents leads you to headings and subtopic headings that provide information ranging from simple notes to a thorough review of what to do and why, with frequent examples. Sequential tasks are numbered, notes and action results are indented, and user interface element references are formatted to enhance readability. Mouse pointer icons and callouts are used frequently to show you what to click on at each process step.

User Guide Structure

Each chapter is comprised sections that correspond to modules within Rice. In order to reduce the required effort for documentation maintenance, the documentation is structured so as to not repeat the same material across various chapters.

Likewise, the chapters are designed to cross-reference appendices such as the Data Element Dictionary, Glossary of Terms, Report Catalog and Index, to reduce redundant information within the chapter bodies and give you one common location for information lookup.

Typographic Conventions

This document adheres to specific documentation standards and style conventions to optimize readability. The formatting of text used to name user interface elements is typically bold to enhance visual comprehension and improve usability.

Versioning

If you have received a printed copy of this user guide, please note that as Rice is improved and enhanced, corresponding updated releases of the documentation are available online. To ensure you have the latest and most current user guide at any time, consult the links from the Documentation page on the Rice web site and compare the versioning.

Electronic Navigation

Cross-references, indexes, and the electronic table of contents are provided wherever possible to allow for efficient navigation to sections and subsections of instructional information (or external Web resources). Each underlined topic functions as a hyperlink that causes a new section to appear.

Printed Documentation

User documentation made available for online viewing, download and printing may require the use of Portable Document Format (PDF) reader software, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader. Refer to http://www.adobe.com for complete instructions regarding downloading and installing this free software.

Note

A plug-in may be available to allow you to view .pdf documents in Web browsers as either .pdf or HTML formats. Consult your Web browser's Help links to explore these viewing options. HTML pages can be printed using your computer's default printer.