Overview
This self-guided practice guide helps you master the foundational navigation skills taught in Product Learning Session 1. Complete these hands-on exercises in your sandbox environment to build confidence navigating the Housing.Cloud admin portal before advancing to more complex configuration tasks.
Who this is for: All admin users completing PLS-1 training—housing directors, residence life staff, operations teams, and anyone new to the admin portal.
What you'll practice: Logging in, navigating primary and secondary menus, using Quick Search, working with tables and detail pages, understanding the list-to-detail pattern, and exploring the inventory hierarchy.
Time required: 60-90 minutes
Companion resources:
Product Learning Session 1: System Navigation & Core Concepts - Session overview and module links
Product Learning Homework: Try It Yourself Exercises - Configuration exercises for PLS-1
Before You Begin
Ensure you have:
Sandbox access: Login credentials for your institution's sandbox environment (yourschool.housing.cloud/admin)
Admin permissions: At least read access to Profiles, Applications, Residents, and Inventory sections
Sample data: Your sandbox should contain test student profiles, buildings, and rooms
Notebook or document: For recording your observations and questions
Pro Tip: Complete these exercises sequentially—each builds on skills from the previous one. Take screenshots as you go to document your progress and reference later.
Exercise Set 1: Logging In and Exploring the Dashboard
Related Module: PLS-1A: Logging In and Basic System Navigation
Time: 10-15 minutes
1.1 Access the Admin Portal
Open your browser and navigate to your sandbox admin portal:
yourschool.housing.cloud/admin(replace "yourschool" with your institution's subdomain)Log in using your SSO credentials or email/password
Observe the landing page—you should see the Dashboard with two tabs: Overview and Calendar
Document: Which tab opens by default? What widgets do you see on the Overview tab?
1.2 Explore Dashboard Widgets
On the Overview tab, identify at least three widgets (examples: Recent Applications, Occupancy Summary, Open Tasks)
Click on a widget to see if it navigates you to a detailed view
Use your browser's back button to return to the Dashboard
Document: List the widgets you see. Do they display real-time data or static placeholders?
1.3 Switch Between Dashboard Tabs
Click the Calendar tab
Observe the calendar view—what events or milestones are displayed?
Click the Overview tab to return to the widget view
Document: What types of events appear on the Calendar tab? (Examples: housing cycle phases, move-in dates, application deadlines)
1.4 Access User Settings
Locate your user avatar or initials in the top-right corner
Click to open the user menu
Identify options available: Profile, Settings, Sign Out
Click "Profile" or "Settings" to view your account details
Return to the Dashboard using the "Dashboard" link in the primary navigation
Checkpoint: You've successfully logged in, explored the Dashboard, and accessed user settings. You're ready to navigate the primary sidebar.
Exercise Set 2: Navigating the Primary Sidebar
Related Module: PLS-1B: Navigation Panel (Primary Sidebar)
Time: 15-20 minutes
2.1 Identify Primary Navigation Sections
Locate the primary navigation sidebar on the left side of the screen
Scroll through the sidebar and list all visible sections (examples: Dashboard, Profiles, Applications, Residents, Inventory, Setup)
Document: How many primary sections do you see? Which sections have an icon next to the name?
Note: The sections you see depend on your role and permissions. Super admins see all sections; other roles see a subset based on their assigned permissions.
2.2 Navigate to Profiles Section
Click "Profiles" in the primary sidebar
Observe the main content area—you should see a table of student profiles
Notice the breadcrumb trail at the top: "Profiles"
Document: How many student profiles are displayed? What columns appear in the table?
2.3 Navigate to Applications Section
Click "Applications" in the primary sidebar
Observe the Applications table
Document: What is the default filter or status shown? (Examples: "All Applications," "Under Review," "Approved")
2.4 Navigate to Residents Section
Click "Residents" in the primary sidebar
Observe the Residents table
Document: What columns appear? How is this different from the Profiles table?
2.5 Test Mobile Navigation (Optional)
If you have access to a mobile device or can resize your browser window to simulate mobile, do so
Observe how the primary sidebar collapses into a "hamburger menu" (three horizontal lines)
Tap or click the hamburger icon to expand the navigation menu
Navigate to a different section and verify the menu auto-collapses
Checkpoint: You've explored the primary navigation sidebar and visited at least three major sections. You understand how to move between sections using the sidebar.
Exercise Set 3: Using Secondary Navigation
Related Module: PLS-1C: Secondary Navigation
Time: 10-15 minutes
3.1 Access Inventory Secondary Navigation
Click "Inventory" in the primary sidebar
Observe a secondary navigation menu appear (usually to the right of the primary sidebar or as a horizontal submenu)
Identify subsections available: Buildings, Suites, Rooms, Beds, Furniture, Keys, RCR, etc.
Document: List all subsections visible under Inventory. Which subsection is selected by default?
3.2 Navigate Between Inventory Subsections
Click "Buildings" in the secondary navigation
Observe the Buildings table
Click "Rooms" in the secondary navigation
Observe how the main content area updates to show the Rooms table
Click "Beds" in the secondary navigation
Observe the Beds table
Document: Notice how the breadcrumb changes: "Inventory › Buildings" vs. "Inventory › Rooms" vs. "Inventory › Beds"
3.3 Access Setup Secondary Navigation
Click "Setup" in the primary sidebar
Observe the secondary navigation menu with subsections: Housing Cycles, Forms, Tags, Roles, Integrations, etc.
Click "Housing Cycles"
Observe the Housing Cycles list
Click "Tags"
Observe the Tags configuration page
Document: How many subsections are under Setup? Which ones are most relevant to your role?
Navigation Tip: Secondary navigation only appears for Inventory and Setup sections. All other sections (Profiles, Applications, Residents) display their content directly without a secondary menu.
Checkpoint: You've mastered secondary navigation in Inventory and Setup sections. You can confidently navigate between subsections without getting lost.
Exercise Set 4: Mastering Quick Search
Related Module: PLS-1D: Quick Search
Time: 15-20 minutes
4.1 Open Quick Search with Keyboard Shortcut
Press
Cmd+K(Mac) orCtrl+K(Windows/Linux) on your keyboardA Quick Search modal should appear overlaying the screen
Observe the search input field and placeholder text
Document: What placeholder text appears? (Example: "Search for students, rooms, tasks...")
4.2 Search for a Student Profile
In the Quick Search field, type a student's first or last name (or a partial name if you don't know full names)
Observe search results populate below the input field
Results should show student names with their profile information
Click on a student's name to navigate directly to their profile detail page
Document: How quickly did results appear? What information is displayed for each result? (Examples: name, student ID, email)
4.3 Search for a Room or Building
Open Quick Search again (
Cmd/Ctrl+K)Type a building name or room number (example: "East Hall" or "201")
Observe search results for inventory items
Click on a room to navigate to its detail page
Document: Did the search return buildings, rooms, or both? What additional details are shown?
4.4 Use Navigation Shortcuts
Open Quick Search again
Instead of typing a search term, look for navigation shortcuts (example: "Go to Profiles," "Go to Applications")
Click on "Go to Profiles" (or type "Profiles" and select the navigation shortcut)
Verify you're instantly navigated to the Profiles section
Document: List at least three navigation shortcuts you can access via Quick Search
4.5 Close Quick Search
Open Quick Search
Press
Escto close the modal without selecting a resultVerify you remain on your current page
Power User Tip: Quick Search is your fastest way to navigate. Memorize Cmd/Ctrl+K and use it instead of clicking through menus. This saves significant time during daily workflows.
Checkpoint: You've mastered Quick Search and can find students, rooms, and navigate to any section using keyboard shortcuts. This will dramatically speed up your daily work.
Exercise Set 5: Working with Tables and Filters
Related Module: PLS-1E: Working with Tables, Filters, and Bulk Actions
Time: 20-25 minutes
5.1 Explore the Profiles Table
Navigate to Profiles
Observe the table columns: Name, Email, Student ID, Class Year, etc.
Click on a column header to sort ascending
Click the same column header again to sort descending
Document: Which columns are sortable? What happens when you click a column header twice?
5.2 Apply a Simple Filter
Locate the "Filters" button or panel (usually above or to the side of the table)
Click to expand the filter panel
Apply a filter by class year (example: select "First-year" or "Freshman")
Observe the table update to show only filtered results
Document: How many results appear after filtering? What indicator shows a filter is active?
5.3 Apply Multiple Filters
Keep your class year filter active
Add a second filter: housing status (example: "Applied" or "Resident")
Observe the table narrow to show only students matching both criteria
Clear filters by clicking "Clear All Filters" or removing filters individually
Document: How does the table change when you apply multiple filters? Where is the "Clear Filters" button located?
5.4 Create and Save a Custom View
Apply filters for a specific use case (example: First-year students with housing status "Applied")
Locate the "Save View" button (usually near the filter controls)
Click "Save View" and enter a descriptive name: "First-Year Applicants"
Save the view
Clear your filters
Locate the "Saved Views" dropdown
Select "First-Year Applicants" to reload your saved filter configuration
Document: Where are saved views stored? Can you edit or delete a saved view?
5.5 Export Table Data to CSV
Apply any filter or load a saved view
Locate the "Export" button (usually top-right of the table)
Click "Export" and select "CSV" format
Download the file
Open the CSV in Excel or Google Sheets
Document: Do the exported rows match your filtered view? What columns are included in the export?
5.6 Select Rows for Bulk Actions
In the Profiles table, use checkboxes to select 2-3 student profiles
Observe a "Bulk Actions" button or menu appear
Click "Bulk Actions" to see available operations (examples: Add Tags, Send Message, Export Selected)
Do NOT execute any actions—just explore the menu options
Deselect all rows by clicking the checkbox in the table header
Document: What bulk actions are available? How many rows can you select at once?
Important: During practice, avoid executing bulk actions like "Delete" or "Send Message" to prevent accidental changes to sandbox data. Only explore the menus without confirming actions.
Checkpoint: You've mastered table sorting, filtering, saved views, CSV exports, and bulk action selection. These skills apply across all table views in Housing.Cloud.
Exercise Set 6: The List-to-Detail Pattern
Related Module: PLS-1F: The List-to-Detail Pattern
Time: 15-20 minutes
6.1 Navigate from Profiles List to Profile Detail
Navigate to Profiles
Observe the table of student names—names should be blue and underlined (clickable links)
Click on a student's name
Observe you're navigated to the student's profile detail page
Notice the breadcrumb trail at the top: "Profiles › [Student Name]"
Document: What sections or tabs appear on the profile detail page? (Examples: Overview, Tags, Applications, Residencies)
6.2 Use Breadcrumbs to Navigate Back
While on a student's profile detail page, locate the breadcrumb trail
Click "Profiles" in the breadcrumb
Verify you return to the Profiles list view
Document: Do breadcrumbs always show your navigation path? What happens if you use your browser's back button instead?
6.3 Explore Section Tabs on Detail Pages
Navigate to a student's profile detail page again
Observe section tabs (sticky navigation below the student's name): Overview, Tags, Applications, Residencies, etc.
Click each tab and observe the content area update
Scroll down the page and notice the tabs remain visible at the top (sticky behavior)
Document: How many tabs are available? What type of information is displayed in each tab?
6.4 Navigate from Residents List to Residency Detail
Navigate to Residents
Click on a resident's name (blue underlined link)
Observe the residency detail page
Notice section tabs: Overview, Assignment, Meal Plan, Documents, etc.
Click through tabs to explore available information
Use breadcrumbs to return to the Residents list
Document: How is a residency detail page different from a profile detail page?
6.5 Navigate from Inventory List to Item Detail
Navigate to Inventory › Buildings
Click on a building name
Observe the building detail page
Notice breadcrumb: "Inventory › Buildings › [Building Name]"
Explore available tabs on the building detail page
Click "Buildings" in the breadcrumb to return to the list
Document: What information is displayed on a building detail page? Are there section tabs like on profile pages?
Pattern Recognition: The list-to-detail pattern is universal in Housing.Cloud. Anytime you see a blue underlined name in a table, you can click it to view details. Breadcrumbs always provide a path back to the list.
Checkpoint: You've mastered the list-to-detail navigation pattern and can confidently drill down into records, explore detail pages, and navigate back using breadcrumbs.
Exercise Set 7: Understanding Inventory Hierarchy
Related Module: PLS-1G: Understanding Inventory Hierarchy
Time: 20-25 minutes
7.1 View the Buildings List
Navigate to Inventory › Buildings
Observe the table of buildings with columns: Building Name, Code, Capacity, etc.
Document: How many buildings are in your sandbox? What information is displayed for each building?
7.2 Drill Down: Building → Suites
Click on a building name to view its detail page
Locate the "Suites" section or tab (if your building has suites)
Click on a suite name (if available) to view suite details
Notice the breadcrumb: "Inventory › Buildings › [Building Name] › Suites › [Suite Name]"
Document: Does your building use suites? If not, proceed directly to rooms.
7.3 Drill Down: Suite → Rooms (or Building → Rooms)
From a building or suite detail page, locate the "Rooms" section or tab
Click on a room number to view the room detail page
Notice the breadcrumb extends: "Inventory › Buildings › [Building] › Rooms › [Room Number]"
Document: What information is displayed on the room detail page? (Examples: room type, capacity, status, amenities)
7.4 Drill Down: Room → Beds
From a room detail page, locate the "Beds" section or tab
Observe the list of beds in this room (example: Bed A, Bed B for a double room)
Click on a bed name to view the bed detail page
Notice the breadcrumb: "Inventory › Buildings › [Building] › Rooms › [Room] › Beds › [Bed Name]"
Document: What information is displayed on the bed detail page? Can you see who is currently assigned to this bed?
7.5 Drill Down: Bed → Furniture
From a bed detail page, locate the "Furniture" section or tab
Observe the list of furniture items assigned to this bed (examples: mattress, desk, chair, dresser)
Click on a furniture item name to view its detail page
Notice the breadcrumb hierarchy extends to show the full path
Document: What details are tracked for furniture items? (Examples: furniture type, condition, serial number)
7.6 Navigate Back Up the Hierarchy Using Breadcrumbs
While viewing a furniture item detail page, use breadcrumbs to navigate back
Click "Beds" in the breadcrumb to return to the bed list
Click "Rooms" to return to the room list
Click "Buildings" to return to the buildings list
Document: Can you navigate to any level of the hierarchy by clicking breadcrumbs? Is this faster than using the back button?
7.7 Navigate Directly Using Secondary Navigation
While deep in the hierarchy (viewing a bed or furniture item), use the secondary navigation menu
Click "Rooms" in the secondary navigation
Observe you jump directly to the Rooms list view (across all buildings)
Click "Beds" in the secondary navigation
Observe you jump directly to the Beds list view (across all buildings and rooms)
Document: How is secondary navigation different from breadcrumb navigation? When would you use each?
7.8 Document Your Institution's Inventory Structure
Choose one building from your sandbox
Navigate through all levels: Building → Suite (if applicable) → Room → Bed → Furniture
Take screenshots at each level
Document: Create a visual diagram or list showing your institution's inventory hierarchy with example names at each level. Example:
Building: East Hall (Code: EH)
Suite: 2A (if applicable)
Room: 201 (Code: EH-201)
Beds: Bed A, Bed B
Furniture: Mattress, Desk, Chair, Dresser
Understanding the Hierarchy: Housing.Cloud uses a strict hierarchy: Building → Suite → Room → Bed → Furniture. Every item has its own detail page. This structure ensures accurate occupancy tracking and assignment management.
Checkpoint: You've mastered the inventory hierarchy and can confidently navigate from buildings down to individual furniture items and back. This foundational understanding is critical for managing housing assignments and occupancy.
Final Practice Challenge
Test your mastery of all PLS-1 navigation skills with this comprehensive challenge:
Challenge: Complete a Full Workflow Using Only Navigation Skills
Find a student: Use Quick Search (Cmd/Ctrl+K) to find a specific student by name
View their profile: Click the student's name from search results to open their profile detail page
Check their application: Navigate to the "Applications" tab on their profile
View their residency: Navigate to the "Residencies" tab to see their housing assignment
Locate their room: Click the room number link to navigate to the room detail page
View the bed: Navigate to the "Beds" tab and click their assigned bed
Check furniture: Navigate to the "Furniture" tab to see items assigned to their bed
Return to Dashboard: Use the primary sidebar to click "Dashboard"
Create a saved view: Navigate to Residents, apply a filter (example: "Current residents in East Hall"), and save the view as "East Hall Residents"
Export the data: With your saved view loaded, export the data to CSV
Navigate to Setup: Click "Setup" in the primary sidebar, then "Tags" in secondary navigation
Return to start: Click "Dashboard" to return to where you began
Time yourself: How long did it take to complete the full challenge? Aim to complete it in under 5 minutes as you build proficiency.
Success! If you completed the challenge without getting lost or confused, you've mastered PLS-1 navigation. You're ready to advance to PLS-2 configuration tasks.
Common Navigation Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: "I can't find a section I need"
Solution: Your role may not have permission to access that section. Contact your super admin to verify your role assignments and request additional permissions if needed.
Challenge: "I'm lost and don't know how to get back"
Solution: Click "Dashboard" in the primary sidebar to reset to the home screen. Or use breadcrumbs to navigate back step-by-step.
Challenge: "Quick Search isn't returning results"
Solution: Ensure you're typing at least 3 characters. Quick Search requires a minimum query length. If still no results, verify you have data in your sandbox (contact your implementation team if sandbox is empty).
Challenge: "I accidentally deleted a saved view"
Solution: Saved views can be recreated. Simply reapply your filters and save a new view with the same name. There's no way to recover a deleted view, so document your important filter configurations externally.
Challenge: "The secondary navigation disappeared"
Solution: Secondary navigation only appears for Inventory and Setup sections. If you navigate to Profiles, Applications, or Residents, you won't see secondary navigation—this is expected behavior.
Challenge: "Breadcrumbs are too long and get cut off"
Solution: On narrow screens, breadcrumbs may truncate. Hover over breadcrumb items to see the full text, or widen your browser window.
What's Next
After completing these self-guided practice exercises, you should feel confident navigating the admin portal. Next steps:
Complete PLS-1 Homework: Move on to the configuration exercises in the PLS-1 homework section (creating table views, adding admin users, documenting inventory hierarchy)
Advance to PLS-2: Begin learning about housing cycles, phases, and cycle configuration
Practice daily: Use Quick Search and saved views in your daily workflow to reinforce these navigation patterns
Help colleagues: Share navigation tips with team members who are also learning the system
Continued Learning: Navigation mastery comes with repetition. Spend 10-15 minutes each day exploring different sections, creating saved views, and using Quick Search. Within a week, navigation will feel natural and intuitive.
Need Help?
If you encounter issues while completing these practice exercises:
Review module articles: Revisit the specific PLS-1 module that covers the skill you're practicing
Ask your implementation team: Bring questions to your next training session or office hours
Check for sample data: If your sandbox seems empty, contact your implementation team to request sample student profiles, buildings, and rooms
Submit a support ticket: Contact Housing.Cloud support if you encounter technical issues or error messages
When contacting support, include:
Which exercise you were attempting (example: "Exercise Set 4.2 - Searching for a student")
Specific step where you encountered an issue
Error messages or unexpected behavior
Screenshots showing what you see vs. what you expected
Your role and permissions in the system
Congratulations on completing the PLS-1 Self-Guided Practice! Your hands-on navigation skills are now ready to support all configuration and operational tasks ahead.