Navigating Odoo Enterprise UI UX

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UI/UX  Guide for New Users

Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the Odoo Enterprise user interface! Whether you’re a new user just getting started or someone helping others learn the system, this guide will walk you through Odoo’s intuitive yet powerful interface.

Odoo’s design philosophy centers on providing a clean, consistent user experience that balances simplicity with powerful functionality. This guide breaks down all aspects of the UI/UX to help you navigate confidently and maximize your productivity.

The Main Interface Structure

When you first log into Odoo Enterprise, you’ll encounter several key interface elements that form the backbone of your experience.

Top Navigation Bar

The horizontal bar at the top of every screen contains:

  • Company Logo (far left): Click to return to your home screen/dashboard
  • Apps Menu (grid icon): Opens the application launcher showing all available modules
  • Global Search: Find any record across any module in Odoo
  • Notifications (bell icon): Access system notifications and messages
  • User Menu (your profile picture): Access account settings, preferences, and logout

Apps Menu

The apps menu serves as your launchpad to all functional areas in Odoo:

Each icon represents a distinct application module corresponding to business functions:

  • Sales
  • CRM
  • Inventory
  • Purchase
  • Accounting
  • Manufacturing
  • Project
  • Employees
  • Website
  • Point of Sale
  • And many others depending on your installation

Simply click any icon to navigate to that application.

Left Sidebar Navigation

After selecting an application, a sidebar appears on the left with contextual navigation:

The sidebar includes:

  • Module Name: Shows which application you’re currently using
  • Menu Items: Navigation options specific to the current module
  • Collapsible Sections: Group related functionality
  • Configuration Menu: Usually found at the bottom for module settings

This sidebar changes based on which application you’re using, always showing relevant options.

Common Screen Types

Regardless of which module you’re using, Odoo employs several consistent view types that you’ll encounter throughout the system.

List Views

List views display multiple records in a table format with:

  • Column Headers: Click to sort; drag to rearrange
  • Search Bar: Filter, group, and search records
  • Action Buttons: Create, Import, and other functions
  • Selection Checkboxes: Select multiple records for batch actions
  • Record Rows: Click any row to open that record
  • Pagination: Navigate through multiple pages

Pro Tip: Right-click on any record to access a context menu with additional actions.

Form Views

Form views display detailed information about a single record:

  • Status Bar: Shows current state and stage buttons
  • Action Buttons: Save, Discard, and function-specific actions
  • Edit/View Mode: Toggle between viewing and editing
  • Information Tabs: Group related information
  • Smart Buttons: Show related information and counts
  • Chatter: Communication thread at the bottom

Pro Tip: Use keyboard shortcut Alt+S to quickly save forms.

Kanban Views

Kanban views provide a visual card-based interface:

  • Columns: Represent stages or categories
  • Cards: Individual records with summary information
  • Drag and Drop: Move cards between columns to update status
  • Quick Create: Add new records directly in the view
  • Column Folding: Collapse columns to focus on specific stages

Pro Tip: Click the three dots in the top-right of any card for additional actions.

Calendar Views

Calendar views display time-based records:

  • Day/Week/Month Views: Toggle between time perspectives
  • Color Coding: Categorize events visually
  • Drag and Drop: Reschedule by dragging events
  • Quick Create: Click time slots to create events

Pivot Tables

Pivot tables provide powerful analytical capabilities:

  • Measures: Select values to calculate (sum, average, count)
  • Rows/Columns: Choose dimensions for analysis
  • Drill Down: Click values to see contributing records
  • Export: Download data for external analysis

Graph Views

Graph views visualize data with:

  • Chart Types: Bar, line, or pie visualizations
  • Time Comparisons: View trends over periods
  • Measures Selection: Choose what values to display
  • Interactive Elements: Hover for details, click for drill-down

Navigation Techniques and UI Elements

Breadcrumbs

At the top of the screen, breadcrumbs show your current location:

Sales / Orders / SO0123

Click any segment to navigate back to that level.

Action Menu

The Action menu provides context-specific functions:

Common actions include:

  • Duplicate
  • Delete
  • Export
  • Print
  • Module-specific actions

Smart Buttons

Smart buttons appear at the top of form views:

These interactive elements:

  • Show related record counts
  • Provide quick navigation to related information
  • Display summary statistics
  • Indicate status

The Chatter

The “Chatter” is a communication area at the bottom of many forms:

It includes:

  • Message Tab: For permanent communications
  • Log Note Tab: For internal notes
  • Followers: People receiving updates
  • Attachments: Related documents
  • Activities: Scheduled actions and reminders

Search and Filter Tools

The search area provides powerful data filtering:

Features include:

  • Basic Search: Type keywords
  • Advanced Search: Create complex filters
  • Saved Filters: Save and reuse searches
  • Group By: Organize records by categories
  • Favorites: Save complex search configurations

Key UI Interaction Patterns

Record Creation

Create new records using:

  • Create button in list views
  • + icon in kanban views
  • Create option in action menus
  • Quick-create fields in some views

Inline Editing

Odoo supports editing without opening full forms:

  • Click directly on field values in list views
  • Edit multiple records in list view
  • Update kanban cards directly for some fields

Bulk Actions

Perform actions on multiple records:

  1. Select records using checkboxes
  2. Use the Action menu
  3. Complete any dialog that appears
  4. Confirm the action

Drag and Drop

Drag and drop functionality appears throughout Odoo:

  • Reorder kanban columns and cards
  • Reschedule calendar events
  • Reassign items in hierarchies
  • Reorder list view records (when enabled)

Field Widgets

Different field types have specialized interfaces:

  • Many2one Fields: Dropdown with search
  • Many2many Fields: Tag list with search
  • Date/Time Fields: Calendar popup
  • Status Fields: Colorful badges
  • Monetary Fields: Currency symbols
  • File Upload: Click or drag-and-drop

Module-Specific UI Elements

Different modules have specialized interfaces designed for their unique functions.

Sales and CRM

  • Pipeline Visualization: Visual sales funnel
  • Quotation Builder: Visual quote editor
  • Product Configurator: Interactive customization

Inventory

  • Barcode Interface: Scanner-optimized screens
  • Inventory Map: Visual warehouse layout
  • Traceability Reports: Supply chain visualization

Accounting

  • Reconciliation Interface: Bank matching tool
  • Aged Balance Reports: Interactive aging views
  • Tax Grids: Period-based tax layouts

Manufacturing

  • Work Order Tablet View: Shop floor interface
  • Gantt Charts: Production scheduling
  • BOM Visualization: Component hierarchy view

Project Management

  • Task Burndown Charts: Progress visualization
  • Timesheet Grid: Weekly time entry
  • Milestone Timeline: Project progression view

Customizing Your Experience

User Preferences

Access preferences via the user menu (your profile picture):

Options include:

  • Language: Change interface language
  • Timezone: Set local time
  • Email Settings: Notification preferences
  • Signature: Email signature
  • Theme: Light or dark mode (if enabled)

Personal Dashboard

Customize your home screen:

  • Add/remove favorite reports and views
  • Rearrange dashboard elements
  • Configure personal KPIs

Saved Filters and Views

Create personalized ways of viewing data:

  • Save frequent searches as favorites
  • Customize list views by adding/removing columns
  • Share views with colleagues

Mobile Interface

The Odoo mobile app follows similar patterns with mobile-friendly adaptations:

  • Simplified Navigation: Focus on core functions
  • Touch Optimization: Larger tap targets
  • Offline Support: Work without constant connectivity
  • Mobile Features: Camera, GPS integration

Keyboard Shortcuts

Boost your productivity with these common shortcuts:

Shortcut Action
Alt+S Save form
Alt+A Save and new
Alt+D Discard changes
Alt+H Show keyboard shortcuts help
Alt+N Create new record
Alt+E Edit current record
Alt+O Send message in chatter
Alt+L Post note in chatter

UI/UX Best Practices

For the smoothest experience with Odoo:

  1. Master filters and groups to quickly find information
  2. Check your Activities daily to stay on top of tasks
  3. Use global search before navigating through menus
  4. Leverage export/import for bulk updates
  5. Customize your views to show relevant information
  6. Learn keyboard shortcuts for common actions
  7. Follow important records to receive updates
  8. Add frequently used views to favorites

Troubleshooting UI Issues

If you encounter interface problems:

  1. Clear browser cache if elements appear misaligned
  2. Check browser compatibility (Chrome, Firefox, and Edge work best)
  3. Verify screen resolution (minimum recommended: 1366×768)
  4. Disable browser extensions that might interfere
  5. Contact your administrator if features appear missing

Getting Started Checklist

As a new user, complete these steps to become comfortable with the interface:

  • [ ] Set your user preferences and profile picture
  • [ ] Explore the apps menu to understand available modules
  • [ ] Practice switching between list, form, and kanban views
  • [ ] Create a test record (in a sandbox environment if possible)
  • [ ] Try filtering and grouping in list views
  • [ ] Use the global search to find records
  • [ ] Send a message using the chatter
  • [ ] Schedule an activity
  • [ ] Save a favorite filter
  • [ ] Export a list to Excel

Conclusion

The Odoo Enterprise interface strikes an excellent balance between power and simplicity. As you spend time using the system, these interface patterns will become second nature, allowing you to focus on your work rather than how to use the software.

Remember that Odoo is designed to be discoverable—don’t hesitate to explore and experiment with different views and features. The consistent patterns across modules mean that once you’re comfortable with one area, you’ll quickly adapt to others.

This UI/UX Guide is provided by OdooPlanet as a community resource. Operating on our “pay as you wish” model, your contributions help us continue developing practical guides for the Odoo community.