Navigate fill-in fields

  • 3 minutes

Fill-in fields are placeholders built into AutoTexts that let you enter or dictate variable information during reporting. They help standardize report structure while supporting customization for each patient, finding, or procedure. Fill-in fields are commonly used for sections such as clinical indication, technique, findings, and impression.

Complete AutoText fields

  1. After you insert a template, locate the first field.
  2. Move between fields by:
    • Saying Next Field or Previous Field.
    • Using your configured microphone controls.
  3. Enter or dictate the required information for each field.
  4. Continue until all required fields are complete.

Fill-in field types

Text fields

Text fields are dictation placeholders where you enter free text. They might include:

  • A default value that you can overwrite.
  • Optional formatting behaviors, such as all caps.
  • Support for Ambient Mode mapping when structured correctly.

Pick Lists

Pick Lists provide a predefined set of choices. Selecting a choice inserts standardized wording into the report, which helps reduce variability and speed completion.

Pick Lists appear as selectable options in the Navigator when the field is active.

Merge fields

Merge fields automatically insert data into the report. These fields pull structured information from PowerScribe One or connected systems.

There are two categories:

  • General fields: System-provided fields such as patient or exam data.
  • Custom fields: Site-specific fields that your administrator creates and manages.

Merge fields typically require no manual entry, but you can navigate them if you configure them that way.

How to navigate fill-in fields

PowerScribe One provides multiple ways to move between fields so you can choose the workflow that fits your reading style.

Keyboard navigation

  • Press Tab to move to the next eligible field.
  • Press Shift+Tab to move to the previous field.

Navigation behavior depends on your preferences and whether fields already contain content.

Voice commands

You can use voice commands to move efficiently between fields, including:

  • Next Field
  • Previous Field
  • Field [field name]

You can navigate directly between fields without leaving dictation mode.

Microphone buttons

If your microphone is configured with field-navigation actions, you can move between fields by using programmed buttons (for example, Next Field or Previous Field). This setup supports hands-on-mic workflows common in reading rooms.

Visual indicators while navigating

When navigating through fields:

  • The Report Editor highlights the active field.
  • The Navigator pane or Heads Up Display indicates the current field, so you always know where you're dictating.

These indicators help prevent dictation into the wrong section of the report.

Configure your field navigation preferences

You can customize how PowerScribe One navigates fill-in and merge fields.

To update your preferences:

  1. Select the dropdown arrow next to your username.
  2. Select Preferences.
  3. Select Report Editing.

From here, you can adjust:

  • Fill-in field navigation: Choose whether Tab navigates to all fields, only empty fields, unmodified fields, or none.
  • Merge field navigation: Control whether merge fields are included in navigation.
  • Cursor position on field selection: Choose whether text is selected, or whether the cursor appears at the beginning or end of the field.

Saving these settings tailors navigation to your preferred workflow.