Create a Reusable Object

You can use a reusable object to include components for use in a form for data entry, a label for printed output, or both. After you create and save a reusable object, it is displayed in Label Design  so that it is available for use in label templates, forms, layer objects, and reusable objects. For more information, see Using Reusable Objects.

Note: Changes made to a reusable object are not reflected in copies already incorporated into label templates, forms, layer objects, or other reusable objects. Also, after a reusable object is incorporated into a label template or other object, the copy of the reusable object in the label template or other object can be modified.

Tip: You can include any aspect of a label template or a form in a reusable object except for Label Specific Options, Database data sources, and layer areas.

To create a new reusable object, use this procedure.

1. In Label Design , click > Reusable Object.
2. Configure the Label Template Properties and Commands for the reusable object.

   Note: To view or configure the unit of measurement, in Home tab select Units.

   Tip: To configure a custom label template size, select Custom from the Size field in the Home tab. Specify the dimensions of the label template in the Canvas Width and Canvas Height fields.

3. Click OK. The Label and Form views are displayed.

Best Practice

Save your reusable object immediately after creation. Always save reusable objects in the Reusable Objects folder or a subfolder within it so that they can be displayed in Label Design  and incorporated into label templates. If you want some reusable objects to be version-controlled, create them in a version-controlled subfolder of the Reusable Objects folder.

Save the Reusable Object

To save the reusable object, use this procedure.

1. Click File > Save As.
2. In the Save As dialog box, select the Reusable Objects folder or a subfolder within it so that the reusable object can be displayed in Label Design , and enter a Name.
Characters permitted in names

The following characters are permitted in the name: letters, numbers, parentheses, square brackets, ampersands, plus signs, commas, semi-colons, and tildes. Additionally, the following characters are permitted but cannot begin or end the name: spaces, double quotation marks, single quotation marks, hyphens, underscores, periods, and grave accents. For letters, the case that you specify is displayed, but case is ignored when Loftware Enterprise SP interprets a name. If you will be installing the Loftware Enterprise SP application on a computer running Windows Server, and transferring data between Loftware Enterprise SP instances, see the "Transferring Data in a Compressed File" section of the Loftware Enterprise SP Data Transfer Guide.

3. Click OK.

Note: The first time you save a reusable object to a version controlled folder, the reusable object is automatically checked out. When you are finished editing it, be sure to click File > Check In to save and check in your version and make it available for others to check out.

Create a Reusable Object Containing Existing Fields

To create a reusable object that includes existing fields from a label template, form, or another reusable object, use this procedure.

1. Open the label template, form, or reusable object that contains the fields you want to reuse.
2. Select the fields you want to include in the reusable object by holding the Shift key and clicking the fields.
3. Right-click on one of the fields selected, and click Create Reusable Object.

   Tip: If the Create Reusable Object command is not displayed, ensure that you have not selected any layer areas and that you have selected more than one field.

4. In the Create Reusable Object dialog box, select the Reusable Objects folder or a subfolder within it so that the reusable object can be displayed in the Label Design , and enter a Name.
Characters permitted in names

The following characters are permitted in the name: letters, numbers, parentheses, square brackets, ampersands, plus signs, commas, semi-colons, and tildes. Additionally, the following characters are permitted but cannot begin or end the name: spaces, double quotation marks, single quotation marks, hyphens, underscores, periods, and grave accents. For letters, the case that you specify is displayed, but case is ignored when Loftware Enterprise SP interprets a name. If you will be installing the Loftware Enterprise SP application on a computer running Windows Server, and transferring data between Loftware Enterprise SP instances, see the "Transferring Data in a Compressed File" section of the Loftware Enterprise SP Data Transfer Guide.

5. Click OK. The reusable object that you created is added to the library.