PastPerfect User Guides
The digital User Guides are equipped with a search that allows you to type in the word or phrase you are looking for. We recommend using the digital copies when available as the PDFs might not have the latest information. Bookmarking a digital User Guide as a favorite in your web browser will allow you to have easy access to it when you need it.
Additional resources can be found in our Knowledge Base, including answers to frequently asked questions and resources that may assist with technical support. If you have difficulty finding the answers you seek, please contact our support office at 1‑800‑562‑6080 or support@museumsoftware.com.
Web Edition
The Web Edition User Guide is available in an easily‑searchable, digital format.
Version 5.0
The PastPerfect 5.0 User Guide is available online in an easily‑searchable, digital format and as downloadable PDFs of individual chapters.
Access the PastPerfect 5.0 digital User Guide
| User Guide Chapter | PDF Download | Page Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Table of Contents and Introduction | PP5-Introduction.pdf | 1-10 |
| Chapter 1: Installation and Upgrade | PP5-1.pdf | 11-24 |
| Chapter 2: The Basics | PP5-2.pdf | 25-38 |
| Chapter 3: Getting Started | PP5-3.pdf | 39-74 |
| Chapter 4: Temporary Custody | PP5-4.pdf | 75-84 |
| Chapter 5: The Accession Process | PP5-5.pdf | 85-108 |
| Chapter 6: The Objects Catalog | PP5-6.pdf | 109-148 |
| Chapter 7: The Photos Catalog | PP5-7.pdf | 149-168 |
| Chapter 8: The Archives Catalog | PP5-8.pdf | 169-198 |
| Chapter 9: The Library Catalog | PP5-9.pdf | 199-208 |
| Chapter 10: The Lexicon (Revised Nomenclature 2.0) | PP5-10.pdf | 209-220 |
| Chapter 10: The Lexicon (All New Nomenclature 3.0) | PP5-10lex3.pdf | 209-226 |
| Chapter 11: Incoming Loans | PP5-11.pdf | 227-240 |
| Chapter 12: Outgoing Loans | PP5-12.pdf | 241-250 |
| Chapter 13: Exhibits | PP5-13.pdf | 251-262 |
| Chapter 14: Research | PP5-14.pdf | 263-284 |
| Chapter 15: Catalog Lists | PP5-15.pdf | 285-300 |
| Chapter 16: People & Sites | PP5-16.pdf | 301-316 |
| Chapter 17: Reports | PP5-17.pdf | 317-330 |
| Chapter 18: Report Maker | PP5-18.pdf | 331-352 |
| Chapter 19: Advanced Report Modifications | PP5-19.pdf | 353-382 |
| Chapter 20: Contacts | PP5-20.pdf | 383-436 |
| Chapter 21: Contact Lists | PP5-21.pdf | 437-458 |
| Chapter 22: Letters, Labels & Email | PP5-22.pdf | 459-502 |
| Chapter 23: Campaigns and Pledges | PP5-23.pdf | 503-512 |
| Chapter 24: Processing Receipts | PP5-24.pdf | 513-526 |
| Chapter 25: Utilities | PP5-25.pdf | 527-550 |
| Chapter 26: Multimedia | PP5-26.pdf | 551-576 |
| Chapter 27: Barcode Printing | PP5-27.pdf | 577-584 |
| Chapter 28: Virtual Exhibit | PP5-28.pdf | 585-612 |
| Chapter 29: PastPerfect Software Support | PP5-29.pdf | 613-616 |
| Chapter 30: Inventory Manager | PP5-30.pdf | 617-624 |
| Bibliography & Index | PP5-Bibliography | 625-643 |
Version 4.0
The PastPerfect 4.0 User Guide is available online as downloadable PDFs of individual chapters.
| User Guide Chapter | PDF Download | Page Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Table of Contents and Introduction | pp4-introduction.pdf | 1-8 |
| Chapter 1: Installation and Update | pp4-1.pdf | 9-22 |
| Chapter 2: The Basics | pp4-2.pdf | 23-32 |
| Chapter 3: Getting Started | pp4-3.pdf | 33-56 |
| Chapter 4: Temporary Custody | pp4-4.pdf | 57-64 |
| Chapter 5: The Accession Process | pp4-5.pdf | 65-82 |
| Chapter 6: The Objects Catalog | pp4-6.pdf | 83-112 |
| Chapter 7: The Photos Catalog | pp4-7.pdf | 113-128 |
| Chapter 8: The Archives Catalog | pp4-8.pdf | 129-152 |
| Chapter 9: The Library Catalog | pp4-9.pdf | 153-160 |
| Chapter 10: The Lexicon | pp4-10.pdf | 161-170 |
| Chapter 11: Incoming Loans | pp4-11.pdf | 171-178 |
| Chapter 12: Outgoing Loans | pp4-12.pdf | 179-186 |
| Chapter 13: Exhibits | pp4-13.pdf | 187-196 |
| Chapter 14: Research | pp4-14.pdf | 197-210 |
| Chapter 15: Reports | pp4-15.pdf | 211-246 |
| Chapter 16: Contacts | pp4-16.pdf | 247-284 |
| Chapter 17: WordRite | pp4-17.pdf | 285-298 |
| Chapter 18: Utilities | pp4-18.pdf | 299-312 |
| Chapter 19: MultiMedia | pp4-19.pdf | 313-330 |
| Chapter 20: Scatter/Gather | pp4-20.pdf | 331-342 |
| Chapter 21: Barcode Printing | pp4-21.pdf | 343-348 |
| Chapter 22: ezMARC | pp4-22.pdf | 349-360 |
| Chapter 23: Virtual Exhibit | pp4-23.pdf | 361-402 |
| Chapter 24: PastPerfect Software Support | pp4-24.pdf | 403-406 |
| Bibliography & Index | pp4-index.pdf | 409-424 |
PastPerfect Online
The current User Guide is available online in an easily‑searchable, digital format and as a single PDF download.