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# xxMN - Menus

The xxMN file contains the main menu and submenus for an application. This file will be merged into the OSMN when applications are installed. Create and maintain your application menus with the Create xxMN File function in the Software Developers Kit. After this file is merged in, the Application Menus function in Resource Manager is used to maintain the new entries. To build menus, follow the conventions below.

- Do not use verbs in menu and function titles except to avoid awkward wording or to clarify the meaning. For example:

Use | Not
Department List | Print Department List
Payroll Transactions | Enter Payroll Transactions
However: |
Use | Not
Calculate Checks | Check Preparation
Delete Transactions | Transaction Deletion
Post Expense to GL | Expense Posting

- The function title should describe the function fully - for example, Payroll Information List.
- Make menu titles as specific as possible.
- Group menu items logically.
- Put function titles on submenus, rather than on the application main menu.
- Do not repeat information inferred from the menu title. For example:

Use | Not
File Maintenance | File Maintenance
Payroll Information | Payroll Information Maintenance
Departments | Department Maintenance

- List menu items by the frequency with which they are used. For example:

Use | Not
File Maintenance | File Maintenance
Employees | Payroll Information
Departments | Departments

- Use initial capital letters in menu or function titles. Do not capitalize articles, prepositions and conjunctions unless at the beginning or end of a title.
- Define no more than three menu levels (if possible):
  - The OSAS main menu contains applications only.
  - The application menus point to submenus. Place no tasks at this level.
  - The application submenus execute programs to perform tasks. Do not place submenus at this level, if possible.
  - Transaction entry programs should have their own submenu displayed on the header screen in the entry chain. Use this menu to reduce the number of entries on application submenus.