> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ecrypt.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manage Locations

Location Management is built for merchants who operate multiple MIDs (Merchant IDs) under a single Ecrypt login. From one set of credentials, a user can:

* Switch into any individual MID to run transactions, manage customers, send invoices, etc.
* Select multiple MIDs at once for **consolidated reporting** across locations.
* Choose which MID is their **default location** — the one Ecrypt automatically loads when they log in.

This guide covers both the **Location Management settings page** (where the default location is configured) and the **Merchant Accounts switcher** in the top-left of the dashboard (where users move between locations day-to-day).

> **Single-location vs. multi-location mode**\
> Most actions in Ecrypt — running a transaction, creating a customer, building an invoice, pairing a terminal, configuring webhooks, etc. — are MID-scoped and require exactly **one** location to be active. If multiple locations are checked in the switcher, the dashboard enters consolidated **reporting-only** mode and transactional actions are unavailable until the user narrows the selection back to a single MID.

***

## The Merchant Accounts Switcher (Top-Left)

The button immediately under the Ecrypt logo shows the current scope:

| Mode                      | Button label example           |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Single location active    | `Reporting on [Location Name]` |
| Multiple locations active | `Reporting on N locations`     |

Clicking the button opens the **Your Merchant Accounts** panel.

### Panel Elements

* **Search field** — `Search for a merchant account`. Filters the list as you type.
* **All Merchants** — master checkbox that selects every MID at once (use cautiously on accounts with many MIDs).
* **Merchant list** — scrollable list of every MID the user has access to. Each row shows:
  * The merchant/location name
  * A status badge such as `Demo` or `TEST` (production MIDs have no badge)
  * A checkbox on the left
* **APPLY** — commits the selection and reloads the dashboard in that scope.
* **Clear all** — unchecks every selection in the panel.
* **X (top right)** — closes the panel without applying changes.

### How to Switch Into a Single Location

1. Click the location button in the top-left.
2. Click **Clear all** (if multiple are currently selected).
3. Check the box next to the location you want to work in.
4. Click **APPLY**.

The dashboard reloads scoped to that MID and the button now reads `Reporting on [Location Name]`. All transactional features become available.

### How to Run Consolidated Reports Across Multiple Locations

1. Click the location button in the top-left.
2. Check every location you want included in the consolidated view (or use **All Merchants**).
3. Click **APPLY**.

The button now reads `Reporting on N locations`. Reporting and transaction-list pages aggregate across the selected MIDs.

> While multiple locations are selected, the dashboard is in reporting-only mode. You cannot run a transaction, create or edit customers, send invoices, build subscriptions, or change MID-level settings until you re-select a single location. Pages that require a single MID either redirect or display a prompt to narrow your selection.

***

## Location Management Page

**Path:** Settings → Account Settings → Location Management

This page is where the user picks which MID Ecrypt should open by default each time they log in.

### Layout

A simple two-column table:

| Column                      | Description                                                                                                  |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Locations**               | Every MID the user has access to (same list as the switcher). The currently selected default is highlighted. |
| **Set as default location** | A toggle switch per row. Exactly one row should be toggled on.                                               |

A **SAVE** button sits below the list.

### Setting a Default Location

1. Navigate to Settings → Account Settings → Location Management.
2. Find the desired MID in the list (the list is alphabetical and may scroll).
3. Toggle on **Set as default location** for that row.
4. Click **SAVE**.

Next login, the dashboard opens already scoped to that MID. The user can still switch into any other MID at any time via the top-left switcher.

> Setting a default location is a **per-user** preference. Each team member chooses their own default — useful for staff who primarily work out of a specific store, region, or business unit.

***

## Typical Use Cases

* **Multi-store retailer.** A regional manager defaults to the flagship store but switches into individual store MIDs throughout the day to spot-check transactions.
* **Franchise operator.** Each franchise location is its own MID. The owner runs end-of-week consolidated reporting by selecting all locations, then narrows back to one MID to issue a refund.
* **Holding company.** Multiple business entities share one Ecrypt login. Each entity has its own MID with separate processing, deposits, and statements; consolidated reporting gives a portfolio view.
* **Test + production side-by-side.** TEST MIDs let developers and admins verify integrations without affecting live processing. The TEST badge in the switcher makes it obvious which environment is active.

***

## Tips & Best Practices

* **Default to your most-used MID.** If you spend 90% of your time in one location, set it as default to skip the switcher on every login.
* **Always confirm your scope before transacting.** Glance at the top-left button before running a payment or issuing a refund — it tells you exactly which MID the action will hit.
* **Use consolidated mode for reporting only.** When you need to take action on a specific transaction or customer, re-select that single MID first.
* **Search before scrolling.** On accounts with many MIDs, the search field in the switcher is faster than scrolling the list.
* **TEST MIDs are clearly badged.** If you see a `TEST` tag in the switcher or location list, transactions in that MID will not settle real funds — useful for training new staff or validating new integrations.
* **Permissions still apply per MID.** Even though one login spans multiple locations, a user's permissions (Transactions, Customer Vault, etc.) are configured per MID under User Management. Access to a location in the switcher does not imply the same permissions in every location.