ok so i got my display to work with the above linked menu by adapting the pin values in the code to match my lcd now i cant get the butons to work i am not sure as how to make that happen i have looked through the code and do not quite understand were to adjust if to fit my shield

i understand that is where i had to change values to get the display to work

//Edit your particular harware setup here - See LiquidCrystal documentation for details
const int LCDD7 = 7;
const int LCDD6 = 6;
const int LCDD5 = 5;
const int LCDD4 = 4;
const int LCDE  = 9;
const int LCDRS = 8;

but what should i look for to change it where it recognizes my button inputs from the shield as well

cant get it to work with my lcd shield the sainsmart 1602

I am in need of an LCD menu and I would like a suggestion for a starting point.
I am currently working on a project where an lcd with 5 button lcd keypad is used to control an led matrix.
I need to create a menu to do this for me where it has pre-loaded display options and i can choose which one to output.
I am not asking for a hand out on this,all i would like is a starting point, maybe an existing lcd menu that i could adapt to my use.
-thanks
Junior

do you have a recommendation for an lcd shield that would work?

would it be possible to use a lcd shield with 5 buttons like the sainsmart 1602 lcd shield with an arduiono mega 2560 to say input letters and then output it to a lcd matrix.
would be used for entering text and previewing it before it was output to the matrix.

was wanting to do a project with this but i want to know if i would be wasting my time before i start.

thanks,
-junior