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The Standard is divided into chapters and sections; each section holds a number of rules. Rules are numbered according to the section:
FAST SECTION NUMBER-RULE NUMBER
For example, FAST 1.01-2
Exceptions to the main rules are expressed as sub-rules:
FAST SECTION NUMBER-RULE NUMBER.n
For example, FAST 1.10-2.1
Exceptions are listed immediately after rules and are indented.
Rules are, for the most part, prescriptive and use prescriptive language: do not, always, never.
When a rule is suggestive, less strong language is used: avoid, should.
A list of defined terms can be found in FAST Terminology.
Defined terms are given as hyperlinks: “good modelling practice begins at the workbook level”.
Where keyboard shortcuts are referred to, they are expressed in one of two ways:
- Key sequences, where keys are pressed one after the other, are expressed with commas (,) separating the keys: F5, ENTER
- Key combinations, where the keys are pressed at the same time, are shown with the keys separated by plus (+) signs: CTRL + SHIFT + J
Throughout, the Microsoft style for referring to keys is used, so, for example, all keys in a sequence or combination are listed and the letters are always shown in capitals, as they are printed on the keyboard.
