`Balance' dialog box.. what is it for.

[BOB GOODWIN]

Elizabeth Dodd wrote:

>On Wednesday 04 August 2004 13:09, Harry Putnam wrote:
>
>
>>First time user:
>>After creating a couple of test accounts, I go to the register to
>>enter some transactions.  Just simple deposit withdrawal stuff.
>>
>>After filling in appropriate fields I hit the `enter' button on
>>toolbar.  Each time it gives me a dialog box with 3 choices.
>>
>>[] Balance it manually
>>[] Let GnuCash add an adjusting split
>>[X] Adjust current account split
>>
>>The default always is set as above.  But with that default if I say ok
>>my newly added transaction is erased
>>
>>It seems I can't just ignore this useless (for my primitive use) dialog
>>box.  At this point, why would I need to balance anything? I'm only
>>doing transactions.  Further why would the default be something that
>>erases my input?
>>
>>To get on past this I've been checking `Balance it manually'.  At
>>least that seems to leave my transaction intact.
>>
>>How can I avoid having to click this tiresome choice just to enter the
>>simplest transaction?  Or at least have it default to my last choice,
>>like many other aspects of gnucash do.
>>
>>I'm trying to use this register as one would a check register, is that
>>not how it is supposed to work?
>>
>>This little dialog box is making the process at least 3 times slower
>>than it needs to be.  I don't understand the point.
>>
>
>You have missed a step further back.
>when you write a cheque, you have to allocate the money to 'something'
>you could use less than useful 'somethings' like 'household expenses'
>or you can subdivide them into power / electricity/  gas/
>food/ grog / eating out.
>once you have the money spent being allocated to some purpose, you will not 
>have the irritating dialogue box
>
>BTW would it suit others to have it default to 'manually fix' ??
>Liz
>
>
"when you write a cheque, you have to allocate the money to 'something'"

Where/how is this done? I don't see any place to "allocate."

BobG