Edit Field

Edit field object is used for inserting and editing a single line of text.

Source

Connected data source is the dynamic data source that is connected with the object.

  • Variables: variables which are used as object content source, or variables which store the Edit field object content.

  • Databases: database values which are used as object content. The object may also be used for adding or editing the database content.

Tip

This is a read-and-write form object. This means that the object is used for displaying the connected dynamic content, and for entering or editing the connected data sources.

Settings

Settings tab contains two editable properties:

  • Automatically move focus to next control: another object on a form gets focus right after the Edit Field receives a value of certain length. Define the length of the value that moves focus using Limit length in Input rules of the variable.

    Note

    Edit Field must be connected to a variable. Length of the connected variable value must be limited.

    The order in which focus moves from one object to another is defined in Form Properties > Tab Order.

  • Password field: makes the in Edit Field characters invisible. The characters are masked with asterisks.

  • Spell checking: marks incorrectly spelled words when the form is run. Language is defined by your currently selected keyboard. The selection of available languages depends on your operating system.

  • Right to left text flow enabled (RTL): allows you to type content using right-to-left scripts such as Arabic or Hebrew. When enabled, this setting right aligns object content and appends letters from RTL scripts to the left. If you are using letters from left-to-right scripts or any other characters, the content remains right aligned, but the setting appends these letters and characters to the right.

Tip

Edit Field must be connected to a data source and must have a limited length defined.

Style

Style tab defines visual appearance of an object.

Background color defines the object background color.

  • Transparent: transparent object background.

Font color defines the font and underline colors.

Font selects the typeface.

The font may appear Bold, Italic, Underlined or as a Strikethrough text.

Alignment defines horizontal positioning of the entered content.

  • Left: text aligned with the left object border.

  • Center: text positioned centrally.

  • Right: text aligned with the right object border.

Position

Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.

Position group defines the object position.

  • X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.

  • Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.

  • Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.

  • Lock: prevents the object from being moved during the design process.

Size group sets how object's dimensions change when the form is running:

  • Resize anchor point: defines the fixed distance of an object from the form borders.

    Tip

    Choose the most appropriate anchor point to ensure the object's visibility regardless of the current window size.

  • Horizontally resize with form and Vertically resize with form: object size automatically adapts to the changing size of the form.

    • Horizontally resize with form: object width adapts to the resized form.

    • Vertically resize with form: object height adapts to the resized form.

      Note

      If both options are enabled, object width and height adapt to the resized form simultaneously.

Rotation angle group sets the object angle according to the design surface.

Events

Events tab defines the actions that are run by various object-related events.

Tip

See section Actions Editor to read more about this powerful Desktop Designer tool.

Available events for edit field object are:

  • On Focus: action is run when focus is set on the object.

  • On Exit: action is run when focus moves to another object.

  • On Change: action is run when a change in the Edit Field object occurs.

General

General tab defines the object and defines object settings for form startup.

Name sets a unique object ID. It is used for object referencing when defining functions, variables, scripts, etc.

Description allows adding notes and annotations for an object.

Hint helps the form users by briefly explaining why or how to use the selected object.

Initial state on form setup group defines the object behavior while editing and printing a form:

  • Enabled: defines if the object is going to be active (editable) on the print form or not.

    • Condition: an object is enabled if the result of the given condition is "True".

  • Read-only: prevents connected data source input and content editing.

  • Visible: defines if the selected object is going to appear on the form or not.

    • Condition: an object is visible if the result of the given condition is "True".

Content after a print action group defines how the object content is handled after each printout.

  • Reset content after print: object content reset after printing.

    • Clear content: object emptied after printing.

    • Reset to initial content: content reset after printing to the initially defined object content.