Layer Area Properties

The identifier of the layer area in the label template. This is not required to match the name of the layer object to which the layer area refers.

Important! The Data Ref for a layer area must not be the same as the Field Name for that layer area.

Note: An area A container for fields or label templates. A layer area can contain fields, and a layout area can contain references to label templates., such as a layer area or a reference area, is not a field In Label Design, any text, control, shape, barcode, image, or that is in a label template, form, or reusable object. A new field can be created by dragging a type of field from the Library. Note that an area is not a field.. Areas and fields are managed by using different scripting methods, and areas cannot be included in reusable objects.

Data Reference. The data source used to provide the full or relative path to the layer object in Loftware Enterprise SP. Until you specify a data source, this property is set to a preliminary value of <Layer Area Name>_REF.

Important! The Data Ref for a layer area must not be the same as the Field Name for that layer area.

Note: This property is available only for Variable Layers.

Tip: You can drag and drop a data source from the Data Sources pane onto the layer area.

Tip: By default, Data Ref fields are case sensitive. If the label template is intended for use with an SAP BC-XOM integration or an SAP RFC integration, use only uppercase text in the Data Ref field.

Tip: You can use the Relative Path check box to control whether the path is represented as an absolute path or a relative path. Using a relative path may be helpful if an object is likely to be transferred to a different Loftware Enterprise SP instance A Loftware Application Server and a Loftware Database Server that are associated with each other by a Loftware Enterprise - SP License.. The check box is available to select after the object has been saved for the first time. For more information, see Relative Paths.

Path in Loftware Enterprise SP to a default layer object for the layer area to refer to. If the layer area is populated by a Data Ref that returns a null value or has not yet received data, this value is used.

The Relative Path check box controls whether the path is represented as an absolute path or a relative path. Selecting or clearing the check box changes the path accordingly. Using a relative path may be helpful if an object is likely to be transferred to a different Loftware Enterprise SP instance A Loftware Application Server and a Loftware Database Server that are associated with each other by a Loftware Enterprise - SP License..

: The path is an absolute path within Loftware Enterprise SP.

: The path is a relative path within Loftware Enterprise SP.

For more information, see Relative Paths.

Tip: For a Variable Layer, browse to select a layer object. For a Fixed Layer, this is the value entered for Layer Path when the layer area was created in the label template, and it cannot be edited after the layer area is created.

If selected, no changes can be made to the properties of the field, and the field cannot be moved or deleted. The order of the field relative to other fields in the label template can be changed regardless of whether the field is locked.

Note: This feature can be used to prevent accidental changes to fields. It does not prevent other Designers from unlocking a field.

Whether the field or area appears on the printed label.

Note: This property is available in Label View only.

Apply cut or copied fields and areas to the workspace.

Remove selected fields and areas, and place them in the system clipboard.

Select all fields and areas in the current view (Label View or Form View, if in a label template) so that you can cut, copy, paste, or delete them.

Deselect all fields in the current view.

: Align to left edge of envelope

: Align to horizontal center of envelope

: Align to right edge of envelope

You can add barcodes to a label template or various other objects. A list of the supported barcode symbologies is displayed in Loftware Enterprise SP. For more information about barcode fields, see Using Barcodes.

Opens a window that allows you to select an image from your computer or network and place it in a label template.

For information about images, see Using Images.

You can add reusable objects An item that can contain components of a label and a form so that you can incorporate them into labels and forms efficiently and consistently. to a label template or various other objects. For more information about reusable objects, see Using Reusable Objects.

Text that does not change for each printed label or each time a form is displayed.

For information about text fields, see Using Text.

Text that may change for each printed label or each time a form is displayed.

Text that may change for each printed label.

Add a round shape.

For information about shape fields, see Using Shapes.

Add a box.

View the name, type, and data ref of each field in this label template or other object.

This command is not displayed when viewing a layout.

View, configure, and manage the layers in this label template or other object. You can add or remove layers and configure the properties of each layer, including visibility. For more information, see Using Layers.

This command is not displayed when viewing a layer object or a layout.

Display the Properties pane if it is closed.

View, configure, and manage the tag values applied to this label template or other object. For more information, see Categorize a Label Template or Other Object.

View, configure, and manage the field data catalogs in this label template, layer object, or reusable object. For more information, see Using Field Data Catalogs.

View, configure, and manage label data sources that are part of this label template or other object. For more information, see Configuring Label Data Sources.

This command is not displayed when viewing a layout.

View, configure, and manage data sets for this label template or other object.

View, configure, and manage format sources for this label template. For more information, see Configuring Format Sources.

This command is not displayed when viewing a layout.

View, configure, and manage linked text boxes for this text box or layer. For more information, see Link Text Boxes.

Run a wizard to guide you through the creation of a new barcode field.

Run a tool to compare label templates.

Align to Grid

Align to Grid

The distance from the left edge of the selected field or area to the left edge of the label. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.

The distance from the top edge of the selected field or area to the top of the label. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.

The distance from the middle of the selected field or area to the left edge of the label. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.

The horizontal span of the selected field or area. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.

For a selected field or area, align its left edge to the left of the label template or other object.

For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their left edges.

For a selected field or area, align its horizontal center to the center of the label template or other object.

For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their horizontal centers.

For a selected field or area, align its right edge to the right of the label template or other object.

For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their right edges.

For a selected field or area, align its top edge to the top of the label template or other object.

For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their top edges.

For a selected field or area, align its vertical midpoint to the middle of the label template or other object.

For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their vertical midpoints.

For two or more selected fields or areas.

For two or more selected fields or areas.

Associate the selected fields or areas so that they can be moved and configured in unison.

Disassociate the selected group of fields or areas so that the they can be moved and configured separately.

Move a selected field or area forward in the stacking order.

Move a selected field or area to the front of the stacking order.

Move a selected field or area backward in the stacking order.

For the job selected, display the status in Status. For more information, see Managing Job and Device Status.

Print a label using this label template and the selected device.

Display a preview of the label in a separate window. The following controls are displayed in the Print Preview window.

• Print: Send the data currently in the form to the selected device or device queue. If running this command in Print , the values for Quantity and Duplicates specified in the main Loftware Enterprise SP window are used. If entering data for a series of labels managed by a layout, the form is reset to receive input for the next label.
• Close: Close the Print Preview window.
• Fit to Window: Scale the preview image to fit within the Print Preview window.
• Zoom Level: The percentage displayed is the zoom level for the preview image. You can adjust the zoom level by clicking the arrows for the field or the Fit to Window button.

Select the device connection to use to print a label using this label template. This may be a physical printer, device queue, or other target for output, such as an image file or a PDF file. Click the browse button to select a device connection.

Tip: Your default device is automatically selected. You can set a default device in Preferences  under Print Preferences. For more information, see Set User Preferences.