Purpose Tab

Use the Purpose tab of the Manage Expense Report screen to enter basic background information for the expense report.

If a field is required, an asterisk displays next to the field.

Screen Fields

This table describes the fields that may display on the Purpose tab depending on configuration or the type of expense report selected.

Field	Description
Date	This defaults to the current date.
Type	From the drop-down list, select the expense report type, where more than one type of is available to you. If there is only type available, it displays in the field by default. This field displays in the header area after you successfully create the authorization.
Authorization	This field displays only if the selected expense report type has an authorization type set to Optional or Required. If approved expense authorizations are available, select the appropriate one from the drop-down list. This ID displays as a hyperlink after you successfully create the authorization. When you click the link, the Expense Authorization opens in Manage Expense Authorization.
Close Blanket	Select this check box if you want to close the blanket authorization after this expense report is processed. Blanket authorizations are used to cover expenses that will occur over a period of time, such as for a series of upcoming business trips. Once you close the authorization, it is no longer available for use with other expense reports, which may be desirable if the authorized limit has been reached or if the authorization is no longer needed. Once closed, it can be reopened from the Expense Authorization screen. If you select a blanket authorization, the Close Blanket option displays.
Short Description	Enter a short description for the expense report. There is a limit of 30 characters for this field and it is required. This information displays in the header area after you successfully create the expense report.
From	This field defaults to the current date. To change the date, enter it manually, or select a date from the calendar that displays below the field. In the two-month view, the calendar displays the default month and date on the right and the previous month on the left. Click the arrows at the top of the calendar to change the month. The date you enter or select in the From field automatically displays in the To field. The value you enter must be valid date format, which are numeric characters. The date format is "MM/DD/YYYY." The date you enter or select in this field automatically displays in the Start Date field of the Locations tab. If you change the From date within the Purpose tab of an existing expense report, the system will prompt you to update the Start Date within the Locations tab.
First Day of Trip	Select this check box if the From Date you entered represents the first day of the trip. If it is a continuation of the trip, leave this check box clear.
To	This field is initially blank, but after you select a date in the From field, that date displays as the default date in the To field. To change the date, enter it manually, or select a date from the calendar that displays below the field. In the two-month view, the calendar displays the default month and date on the left and the next month on the right. Click the arrows at the top of the calendar to navigate to a different month. The value you enter must be valid date format, which are numeric characters. The date format is "MM/DD/YYYY." The date you enter or select in this field automatically displays in the End Date field of the Locations tab. If you change the To date within the Purpose tab of an existing expense report, the system will prompt you to update the End Date within the Locations tab.
Last Day of Trip	Select this check box if the To Date represents the last day of the trip. If the trip will continue and be entered on a separate expense report, leave this check box clear. This field displays only if the expense report is for a per diem expense report type.
Purpose	Enter the purpose for the expense report. This can be much longer than the short description. This field is also required.
User Defined #1	The function and purpose of this field is determined by your system administrator. Typically, this field either displays as a drop-down menu, where you must select a pre-determined value, or it is an edit field, where you can directly enter the requested information. If validation attributes have been assigned to this field, you may possibly receive warning or error messages.
User Defined #2	The function and purpose of this field is determined by your system administrator. Typically, this field either displays as a drop-down menu, where you must select a pre-determined value, or it is an edit field, where you can directly enter the requested information. If validation attributes have been assigned to this field, you may possibly receive warning or error messages.
User Defined #3	The function and purpose of this field is determined by your system administrator. Typically, this field either displays as a drop-down menu, where you must select a pre-determined value, or it is an edit field, where you can directly enter the requested information. If validation attributes have been assigned to this field, you may possibly receive warning or error messages.
Exit	In Wizard mode, click this to exit without saving the draft.
Back	In Wizard mode, this button is not enabled on the Purpose tab because it is the entry screen.
Continue	In Wizard mode, click this to continue to the Locations tab.