The Function Key #9 (F9) will bring up the lookup screen on most entry fields which are referenced key, such as Supplier Number, Terms Code, Item Number, etc. Due to screen space limitations and to be consistent, the "F9=Lookup" prompt is not shown on the Prompt Line even when it is available.

A lookup screen example:

 F1=ACCEPT F4=CANCEL F5=DELETE
                   +--LOOKUP------------------------------------+
                   | F1=SELECT F3=ANOTHER SET F4=CANCEL         |
                   |+------------------------------------------+|
                   ||    *** [SSI] USER POSITION LOOKUP ***    ||
                   ||                                          ||
        +----------||   CODE DESCRIPTION                       ||------+
        |          |+------------------------------------------+|      |
        |          |    [CA] CASHIER - SELLING AREA             |      |
        |   USER CO|     CK  CHECKER - RECEIVING DEPARTMENT     |      |
        +----------|     DM  PURCHASER                          |------+
        | ADD: 1999|     DV  DELIVERY PERSON                    |7.867 |
        |          |     EN  ENCODER                            |      |
        |   USER NA|     FM  FINANCE MANAGER                    |: Y   |
        |    POSITI|     GM  GENERAL MANAGER                    |      |
        |    LOGIN |     GS  GM'S SECRETARY                     |      |
        |  BARCODE |     IC  DEPT/SECTION-IN-CHARGE             |      |
        |          |     IK  INVENTORY CLERK                    |      |
        +----------|     OK  OFFICE CLERK                       |------+
                   |     OM  OPERATIONS MANAGER                 |
                   |     PK  PAYROLL CLERK                      |
                   |     PR  PROMO PERSON                       |
                   |                                            |
                   +--------------------------------------------+

Some of the lookup screens will load all the values automatically while other will not. This autoload feature normally depends on the size of the table being looked up. If the table is small, the autoload feature will most likely be turned on. Generally, if it is quicker to load the entire table into the lookup screen than it takes for the user to realize that he has to hit F1 to load everything, then the autoload feature is most likely set.

When the autoload feature is off, the initial lookup screen is turned into a mini Query By Example screens. The user can enter a value to search in the lookup screen. The Function Key #9 will not work in the lookup's Query By Example screen since it is already in the lookup screen. Hitting "F1=SELECT" will execute the search and bring up the selected records. When no records are selected, the message "No Match Found!" will be displayed and the control goes back to the mini-Query By Example mode.

One of the hidden features of the lookup screens lets the user change the sorting sequence of the selected records. Each lookup screen field corresponds to a database column, so, depending on which screen field the cursor is when the "F1=SELECT" key is hit, the sorting order will be on the corresponding database column.

One useful feature of the lookup screen is the ability to fire up the Reference Maintenance program of the lookup table. If the record being looked up does not exist during the lookup process, the Reference Maintenance Program of the table being searched may be brought up by pressing "F3=MAINTENANCE" in the lookup query mode. The program will transfer control over it and the missing records may be enter right away without having to exit the entry program which requires the lookup code.

After the matching records are selected and shown on the lookup screen. The lookup function goes into a scan mode which is like a mini-inquiry screen where the user can scan and select the desired record.

Another useful features of STARSol is the availability of the lookup function even within another lookup screen or multiple level lookup screen.