ValStorm Basics: A Step-by-Step User Guide

Welcome to ValStorm! This step-by-step guide walks you through the essential interface layout and fundamental workflows of ValStorm CRM, from creating contacts in bulk to mastering navigation shortcuts and quick-action sidebars.

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Step-by-Step Guide

Section 1: User Interface Overview

ValStorm's interface consists of five core regions:

1. Left Panel (Navigation): Houses workspaces, modules, lists, and quick-access records.
2. Main Content Area: The central workspace between the side panels where you do your core work.
3. Right Utility Panel: Displays contextual tools and helper windows.
4. Top Navigation Bar:
   • Top Left: Global Search bar (quick navigation to any page, workspace, or list).
   • Far Right: Utility shortcuts including Support, Record Search, Command Palette, Panel Toggles, and your Profile Icon.
5. Profile Menu (Top Right): Allows you to manage user settings, access billing (admins only), or sign out.

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Section 2: Step-by-Step CRM Workflows

Step 1: Accessing the CRM Workspace

1. Navigate to the top-left corner of the screen and click the Workspace Selector icon.
2. Select CRM from the dropdown menu.
   • Note: This customizes and consolidates the left panel to display only the features and lists relevant to your CRM role.

Step 2: Creating a Record (Single Record View)

1. In the left panel, click on Contacts to open your contact list.
2. In the header of the main content area, click the Create button.
3. Enter the contact's name (e.g., John Doe) and click Save.
4. You will transition from the list view to the Individual Record View.
   • Console Tabs: As you open more records, tab headers will grow in the top-left console. You can close tabs at any time by clicking the X icon to return to the list view.

Step 3: Bulk Adding Records via Table View

1. Open the contact list, and in the header, click the Table view button to switch to an Excel-like grid.
2. Click the Add Row button at the top of the table.
3. Type the contact names (e.g., Jane Doe, Joe Smough) directly into the new grid rows.
4. Click Save Changes in the header to write all contacts to the database in bulk.
   • Tip: This bulk-adding technique works for any object in ValStorm, including Tasks.

Step 4: Mastering Keyboard Shortcuts & Panel Control

To maximize your screen workspace, learn to toggle panels using your keyboard:

1. Open the Command Palette by pressing Command + P (Mac) or Control + P (Windows).
2. Type left to view the toggle shortcuts.
3. Use the global toggle shortcuts to hide or show panels instantly:
   • Mac Shortcut: Control + Command + Arrow Left or Control + Command + Arrow Right to open/close panels.
   • Windows Shortcut: Use the equivalent Windows key commands displayed in your palette.
4. Resizing Panels: You can click and drag the inner borders of the left and right panels to resize them. This is especially useful when expanding detail drawers (such as drafting/reading emails).

Step 5: Global Search & Object Jump

1. Press Command + G (or Control + G on Windows) to trigger the Global Search.
2. Type the name of any database object (e.g., Tasks) and press Enter.
3. This allows you to jump directly to any page, list, or object in the system—even if it is not enabled in your current workspace layout.

Step 6: Advanced Left-Panel Navigation

You can browse records and perform actions without constantly returning to list views:

1. In the left panel navigation list, click the small down arrow next to any object (e.g., Contacts).
2. This reveals a quick dropdown of your recent records.
3. Click any name in this dropdown list (e.g., Joe Smough, Jane Doe) to quickly cycle through details in the main content area.

Step 7: Performing Rapid Outreach (Lead Pinning)

Optimize your call and email outreach using list pinning:

1. In the left panel, navigate to the Leads list.
2. Click your desired filter (e.g., All Leads).
3. Click the Pin (pin icon) next to the list filter.
4. Expand the pinned list using the dropdown arrow in the left panel.
5. You can now call or email leads in rapid succession directly from the sidebar without needing to open full list views or click back and forth between records!

Video Guide

Watch the following video to see all the steps in action and get a visual walkthrough of ValStorm basics.