Using buttons in templates instead of typing text is part of what makes note-taking faster with Kiroku.
Buttons are useful when there is a range of options to choose from - they act as prompts as well as save you from typing out the response.
They are also needed if you want Kiroku to populate lines of notes for you during your appointment (we call this linking).
Button types
There are several types of buttons you can use. Here we show you how they differ and recommend when to use them.
You can have multiple different kinds of buttons on the same line of your notes. You can also change the button type between these if you want to.
These screenshots are from the Template Editor view (with blue annotations) so that you can easily see how different buttons work in templates and behind the scenes. These blue annotations are not visible when you are completing your appointment notes.
Button groups
-
These allow you to add many individual buttons that appear on the same line.
-
They are useful for picking a single response from a handful of options.
-
You can arrange multiple button groups next to each other to complete a line of notes, with text in between.
-
The ‘Other’ option will remove the button group, allowing you to type instead.
![](https://kiroku-f967525cc680.intercom-attachments-1.com/i/o/653118539/0e3e2ae20eacd22f1be3e552/Untitled.png)
When taking notes with Kiroku, button groups appear like this:
![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/706223784/1164230f44b62babe24d632b/GIF-buttongroup.gif)
Multi-select
-
These allow you to pick single or multiple responses from several options.
-
To make it easier to use, these options open in a pop-up.
-
You can easily spot a multi-select button - it will say ‘Select option’:
-
In the note screen, it has a double-headed arrow icon within it.
-
In the editor screen, it has an icon with multiple boxes.
-
![](https://kiroku-f967525cc680.intercom-attachments-1.com/i/o/653118551/07c56dd6ea40d2fce34bbca4/Untitled.png)
When taking notes with Kiroku, multi-select buttons appear like this:
![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/706231979/dd1cbb3d01b7e35823a9bd77/GIF-multiselect.gif)
Dropdown
-
These allow you to pick a single response from a list of options.
-
These are useful for numerical values or options that would otherwise take up space.
-
You can easily spot a dropdown list by the downwards arrow on the button.
![](https://kiroku-f967525cc680.intercom-attachments-1.com/i/o/653118559/35d890eef82c5c6062854184/Untitled.png)
When taking notes with Kiroku, dropdown buttons appear like this:
![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/706226175/27cfa599da4c8949bef9437b/GIF-dropdown.gif)
Universal Blocks are a special kind of block - they can be buttons, but they can also be text!
Selectors
We also have specific buttons called 'selectors' for specific needs.
For example, Dental templates have a tooth selector and tooth option that work in combination.
![](https://kiroku-f967525cc680.intercom-attachments-1.com/i/o/653118565/dfc274dd6fc2056c71238173/Untitled.png)
When the tooth selector button is clicked, a pop-up opens ups and you can select the relevant teeth and add relevant surfaces for each tooth.
![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/706229325/edf0cb13f8493da0d58f3ef2/GIF-toothselector.gif)
You can then use the tooth button to output a previously selected tooth into a line. For example, to make reference to a previously selected tooth. This uses our linking feature.
![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/653295224/03298441493d9ddd1f2a7739/image.png)
If you're using Kiroku for Dentists, you can change the dental notation system used with the Tooth Selector button from your settings.
Find out more about creating or editing existing buttons in our ‘Building and editing Note templates’ article.