FM12 GUI Hints and Tips

Beginner Level

Clicking on the national flag icon on any screen will take you to the nation overview screen.

When a player is listed in dark red, it indicates he is currently on your shortlist.

When a player is listed in faded blue, it indicates he is currently on loan at a club.

When a player is listed in brown, it indicates he is currently co-owned by another club.

When viewing a team screen, players listed in a faded blue are currently out on loan at another club.

When viewing the preferences screen, you can set up your game to save automatically after a specified amount of time by using the 'Auto Save' option.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Wnt' icon indicates that a club is interested in the player.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Bid' icon indicates that a club has made a transfer offer for the player.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Trn' icon indicates that the player has a future transfer agreed with another club.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Req' icon indicates that the player has been placed on the transfer list at his own request.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Unh' icon indicates that the player is currently unhappy.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Fut' icon indicates that the player is unsure about his future.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Ctr' icon indicates that the player is currently out of contract at the club.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Ine' icon indicates that the player is ineligible to play in the next match.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Loa' icon indicates that the player has been made available for loan.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Int' icon indicates that the player is currently away on international duty.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Lst' icon indicates that the player has been placed on the transfer list by the club.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Lmp' icon indicates that the player is lacking in match practice.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Fgn' icon indicates that the player is foreign.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Inj' icon indicates that the player is currently injured.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Frt' icon indicates that the player is leaving on a free transfer at the end of his contract.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'PR' icon indicates that the player has reacted to a media comment.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Cup' icon indicates that the player is cup-tied and ineligible to play in the cup match.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Rst' icon indicates that the player is in need of a rest.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Sus' icon indicates that the player is currently suspended.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Yel' icon indicates that the player is one yellow card away from picking up a suspension.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Yth' icon indicates that the player is on a youth contract.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Hol' icon indicates that the player is currently away on holiday.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Wdn' icon indicates that the player has been withdrawn from international duty by his club manager.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Unf' icon indicates that the player is not fully fit.

When a 'Wp' icon appears next to a player's name, this indicates that the player requires a work permit before he can play.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Slt' icon indicates that the player has a slight concern about something.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Tut' icon indicates that the player is currently acting as mentor for a youngster at the club.

When viewing a team screen or person list, a 'Lrn' icon indicates that the player is currently learning from an experienced player at the club.

You can now see individual coach reports for each position a player can play in. To do this go to the player's 'Coach Reports' screen and select the position from the dropdown box to the left of the coach selection. [New in FM12]

Various statistical information such as the best passer in your team is kept on the 'Information' screen and can be seen by selecting 'View' -> 'Stats'. [New in FM12]

At your fixtures and results screen you can opt to view specific competitions by clicking the 'Competitions' dropdown and choosing the required competition. [New in FM12]

You can view all the past goalscorers from a previous match by selecting 'Views' -> 'Goalscorers' while at your team's fixtures and results screen. [New in FM12]

The coloured dots on your tactics pitch show you how natural the player is at playing their selected position. A bright green dot denotes that a player naturally plays that position, whereas a red dot reveals that a player cannot play that position. [New in FM12]

It is now easy to repeat any incidents missed in a match or relive those excellent moments. Use the timebar to simply scroll backwards and forwards through the match time. [New in FM12]

In order to submit an international squad you can select 'Confirm Squad' from either the news item that asks for the squad submission, or by the actions menu available on the squad screen itself. [New in FM12]

You can keep an eye on what your club's board think of the job you're doing by visiting the board room screen. Select 'Manager' -> 'Board Room' from the menubar.

When viewing your players' profile you can check his progress in training over the past 12 months by selecting 'Attributes' from the tree menu under the training section.

You can place job advertisements for staff on the jobs screen by selecting 'Manager' -> 'Jobs' from the menubar and then 'Place Advert' from the actions menu.

When adding a manager to the game you can choose your past footballing experience by selecting the 'Past Experience' dropdown menu.

When adding a manager to the game you can take control of a random team by selecting 'Randomise' from the select team panel.

When viewing a player profile you can take a look at his injury history by selecting the 'Injuries' section in the tree menu.

You can view all the transfers from around the game world by selecting 'World' -> 'Transfers' from the menubar.

When viewing a league table you can look at a graph of a team's progress throughout the season by clicking on the team's position.

You can view the annual player awards in the game by selecting 'World' -> 'Awards' from the menubar.

To compare attributes and statistics between two players, go to the first player's profile, then go to the second player's profile and click on the 'Compare With' option in the actions menu.

You can interact with any player in the game world by viewing his profile and then selecting 'Player Interaction' from the actions menu.

When viewing a player's profile you can check to see what positions he can play in by selecting the 'Position' section in the tree menu.

When viewing a player's profile from your team you can view a coach report by selecting 'Overview' from his training section in the tree menu.

When playing with more than one human manager you can switch users by selecting 'Manager' -> 'Changer User' from the menubar.

When playing with more than one human manager you can switch users by selecting the pop-up arrow next to 'Home' on the breadcrumbs menu.

You can add a new human manager to the game at any time by selecting 'Options' -> 'New User' from the menubar.

You must respond to all news items that require a response before you can continue the game.

You can find out where a team plays, its stadium capacity and lots of other information on the club information screen.

When viewing another manager's profile you can interact with them by selecting 'Manager Interaction' from the actions menu.

You can go on holiday and choose various holiday options by selecting 'Manager' -> 'Go On Holiday' from the menubar.

You can compare your managerial feats against the all-time greats in the Hall of Fame screen by selecting 'Options' -> 'Hall of Fame' from the menubar.

You can change the look of the game by selecting 'Options' -> 'Preferences' and then choosing a skin from the skin dropdown menu in the 'Display and Sound' section.

To quit the game go to 'Options' -> 'Quit Game' from the menubar. Why would you want to do that though?!

When viewing your team screen you can make a comment about your opposing team's manager by selecting 'Manager Interaction' -> 'Next Opponent Comment' from the actions menu.

When viewing your team screen you can make a comment about the manager of the team you played previously by selecting 'Manager Interaction' -> 'Previous Opponent Comment' from the actions menu.

When viewing a profile of a player from your team you can select any of his attributes and view his training history for that attribute over the past 12 months.

You can view notes and reminders that you have created on the notebook screen by selecting 'Manager' -> 'Notebook' from the menubar.

When viewing a player profile you can view and create notes on the player by selecting 'Misc' -> 'View Notes' from the actions menu.

When viewing the team screen you can see the squads full player information statuses by selecting 'View' -> 'Full Player Status' on the squad panel.

When viewing the team screen, if a player has an icon in the 'Inf' column you can go directly to the related status details section by selecting the icon.

You can retire from the game and remove your manager completely from the game world, by selecting 'Manager' -> 'Options' -> 'Retire' from the menubar.

You can resign from your club and become unemployed by selecting 'Manager' -> 'Options' -> 'Resign' from the menubar.

When viewing a team screen you can check the club's past competition history by selecting 'Competitions' from the 'History' section on the tree menu.

When viewing your manager snapshot screen you can customise which panels are visible by selecting another panel in the dropdown menu on each of the panels.

When viewing the team screen you can see the player's current season statistics by selecting 'View' -> 'Stats' on the squad panel.

When viewing your tactics screen you can set or change player runs by right-clicking and dragging the arrow to the desired position on the pitch panel. Please note that this option is only available in Classic Tactics mode.

When viewing your tactics screen you can set or change player runs by selecting 'Shift' and the left-mouse button, and dragging the arrow to the desired position on the pitch panel. Please note that this option is only available in Classic Tactics mode.

When viewing your tactics screen you can swap two players' positions around by dragging the position button of the player you want to swap onto another player.

When viewing the tactics screen you can save the current tactic to your list of custom tactics by selecting 'Tactics' -> 'Save...' from the players panel.

When viewing the tactics screen, customise your formation by selecting 'Instructions' -> 'Positions' on the tactics panel, and then dragging and dropping the players on the pitch.

When viewing your team screen you can hide the goalkeepers from the squad list by selecting 'Show Filters' and deselecting 'Goalkeepers' from the squad panel.

When viewing your team screen you can hide the defenders from the squad list by selecting 'Show Filters' and deselecting 'Defenders' from the squad panel.

When viewing your team screen you can hide the midfielders from the squad list by selecting 'Show Filters' and deselecting 'Midfielders' from the squad panel.

When viewing your team screen you can hide the attackers from the squad list by selecting 'Show Filters' and deselecting 'Attackers' from the squad panel.

When viewing your team screen you can hide the players unavailable for the next game by selecting 'Show Filters' and deselecting 'Unavailable' from the squad panel.

When viewing your team screen you can hide the players who are on loan or on trial at the club by selecting 'Show Filters' and deselecting 'On loan or trial' from the squad panel.

When viewing player profiles, you can see a graphical representation instead of numbers by turning on the 'Show graphical attributes in profile' setting in the 'Display & Sound' section on the preferences screen.

You can add other teams' players to your shortlist by right-clicking on them and selecting 'Add To Shortlist' from the pop-up menu.

When viewing a team screen you can view a list of staff at the club by selecting 'Staff' from the tree menu.

You can save your game by selecting 'Options' -> 'Save Game' from the menubar.

You can save your game by holding down 'Ctrl' and pressing the 'S' key on your keyboard.

When viewing your tactics screen, if an individual player instruction is not ticked he will automatically carry out the equivalent team instruction.

When viewing your tactics screen you can remove a picked player by selecting the position from the 'PKD' menu and choosing 'Remove From Position'.

When viewing your team screen you can remove a picked player by selecting the position from the 'PKD' menu and choosing 'Remove From Position'.

When viewing your team screen you can drag a player from the squad list 'PKD' button onto the positions in the top row to select or swap a player in that position.

When viewing your team screen you can select a position in the top row to remove a player from that position.

When viewing the add manager screen you can set the favourite club for your manager by using the 'Favourite Team' option.

When viewing a league or cup competition screen you can view the competitions rules by selecting 'Rules' from the competition tree menu.

You can continue the game by pressing the spacebar on your keyboard.

Hovering your mouse cursor over column headings on any screen will pop-up a tool-tip with further information.

When adding a player to your shortlist, you will automatically be informed when another club makes a transfer bid, when his contract is up for expiry or of any injuries he picks up.

When viewing the preferences screen you can change the currency displayed in the game by changing the 'Currency' option in the general section.

You can access the in-game tutorial at any time by pressing F1 on your keyboard.

You can access your home screen at any time by pressing F2 on your keyboard.

You can access your first-team squad at any time by pressing F3 on your keyboard.

You can access your Inbox at any time by pressing F4 on your keyboard.

You can access the player search screen at any time by pressing F5 on your keyboard.

You can access your shortlist screen at any time by pressing F6 on your keyboard.

You can access your scout search screen at any time by pressing F7 on your keyboard.

You can access your staff screen at any time by pressing F8 on your keyboard.

You can access your transfers screen at any time by pressing F9 on your keyboard.

You can access your first-team fixtures screen at any time by pressing F10 on your keyboard.

You can access your club information screen at any time by pressing F11 on your keyboard.

You can access the game status screen at any time by pressing F12 on your keyboard.

When viewing a player profile from your team, you can offer the player a mutual termination of his contract by selecting 'Release' -> 'Mutual Termination' from the actions menu.

When viewing a player profile, you can analyse his performances for the season in more detail by selecting 'Stats' from the tree menu.

When viewing a player profile, you can view their favoured personnel and the players they have good relationships with by selecting the 'Personal' section from the tree menu.

When viewing the game introduction screen, selecting 'Load Last Game' will load the most recent saved game.

When viewing the game introduction screen, selecting 'Check for updates' will automatically search for the latest official updates for the game from Sports Interactive. Please note, you must be connected to the internet for this to work.

The quick flicks, located in the title bar, allow you to scroll through like items. For example, using them on the player profile screen will cycle through all the players associated with the player's team.

When viewing the match overview screen, selecting on the number indicating the minute a goal was scored will show a replay of the goal.

When viewing the match report screen, selecting the time of an event in the match report will show a replay of the incident(s).

When viewing the match preview screen you can view all of the statistical and historical events which may happen over the course of the game by selecting 'View' -> 'Milestones'.

The split view panel enables you to select which two panels you wish to view on the match screen. You may change the type of panel displayed in the split view by using the drop-down menus at the top of each panel.

When viewing the your team's fixture screen you can view past meetings against opponents by selecting the arrow in the row and then selecting the 'Past Meetings' button.

When viewing a national team screen you can find out who is considered a star player for the nation by selecting 'Information' from the tree menu.

You can change your default home page by selecting 'Bookmark' -> 'Set as homepage...' from the menubar.

If you prefer your bookmarks to not be sorted alphabetically, you can turn off the 'Sort Bookmarks' setting in the 'Display & Sound' section on the preferences screen.

You can find out the average age of a squad on the club information screen.

You can find out the general personality of a squad on the club information screen.

You can find out the estimated value of a club on the club information screen.

You can find out a club's fierce rivals and other rivals on the club information screen.

You can find out the kit colours of a club on the club information screen.

You can compare yourself with other managers, and view a wealth of managerial statistics, by selecting 'World' -> 'Managers' from the menubar.

You can customise the keyboard shortcuts used in the game by selecting 'Options' -> 'Preferences' from the menubar, then the 'Shortcuts' section on the preferences screen. [New in FM12]

When viewing your team screen you can add scouting assignments by selecting 'Assignments' from the scouting section in the tree menu.

When viewing the add manager screen you can set a second nationality for your manager by using the 'Other Nationality' option.

Advanced Level

You can wrap up a press conference when you want, provided you have answered enough questions to satisfy the journalists who have gathered there. [New in FM12]

You can now see how many minutes it has been since a goalkeeper last conceded on their 'Stats' screen. [New in FM12]

To restore column sorting on the Squad and/or Tactics screens to their defaults, simply hold down the Shift button on your keyboard before clicking 'Pkd', 'Position', and then finally 'Name'. [New in FM12]

You can select more than one player and perform multiple actions on them by holding down 'Ctrl' and clicking the arrows to the left of a player's name.