Modify the Monitor’s Contents

You can modify the monitor’s contents by choosing the cells to display and by adjusting their descriptions, width and display order.

By default, the monitor will display the cell value from the active return. However, for any cell in the monitor, you have the option to choose which of the returns in the client file will be displayed in this monitor cell, regardless of whether the taxpayer, spouse or dependant's return is the active return.

Note: When you modify the monitor’s contents, these settings are saved and will apply to later work sessions.

Personal Taxprep displays the following cells by default:

  • Federal taxable income
  • Total payable
  • Balance due or refund
  • Total payable (taxpayer and spouse)
  • Balance due or refund (taxpayer and spouse)

To modify the default display, proceed as follows:

  1. In the Tools menu, click Options and Settings.
  2. Under Options, click Monitor.
  3. Select the check boxes corresponding to the cells you want to display in the monitor.
  4. Click OK.

To add a cell in the monitor, proceed as follows:

  1. Show the monitor.
  2. In the active return, select the cell you want to add.
  3. Drag-and-drop the cell onto the monitor. You can position the new cell either between any existing cells or at the beginning or end of the list.

To remove a cell from the monitor, proceed as follows:

  1. Show the monitor.
  2. In the monitor, position the pointer on the cell you want to remove.
  3. Right-click and click Remove Cell.

The default width for each cell in the monitor is determined automatically by Personal Taxprep according to the length of the cell description and the cell contents.

To manually modify the width of a cell displayed in the monitor, proceed as follows:

  1. Show the monitor.
  2. Move the pointer to the left or right border of the cell.
  3. When the pointer becomes a two-headed arrow, click and hold the mouse button and slide the edge of the cell left or right.
  4. Release the mouse button when the cell is the width you want.
Tip: To fit more information in the monitor, assign shorter names using the Rename Cell command, then adjust the width of the cell to match the shorter name.

To change the order in which cells appear in the monitor, proceed as follows:

  1. Show the monitor.
  2. Move the pointer to the cell you want to re-position.
  3. Drag and drop the cell to the new position. A vertical bar will appear to indicate the place where the cell will be moved.
  4. Release the mouse button.