Input fields – PB Docs 125

Column input fields

The columns you select for the DataWindow object become input fields
in the rich text. Because the input field’s name matches
the column name, PowerBuilder displays the column’s data
in the input field.

To insert a column input field in the text:

1. Select Insert>Control>Column
   from the menu bar.

2. Click in the text where you want the column input
   field to appear.

   PowerBuilder displays a list of the columns selected for the DataWindow object.

3. Select a column for the input field.

Properties for input fields

You select an input field by clicking inside it. A computed
input field is selected when the whole field is highlighted.

To set properties for an input field:

1. Click in the input field in Design view.

2. Display the pop-up menu and select Properties.

3. On the Font page, specify text formatting.

4. On the Format page, specify a display format.

5. On the Validation page, specify a validation rule
   for the column.

Computed field input fields

When you display the dialog box for a computed field, the
settings are a little different. You can specify the input field name
and its expression on the Compute page and there is no validation.

Data Value in preview

For both columns and computed fields, you see a value in the
Data Value box when you preview the DataWindow object. The user sees a
value in the Data Value box when the current row has a value. For columns,
users can change the value.

Computed fields

Computed fields have an expression that specifies the value
of the computed field. In rich text, they are represented as input
fields, too. You specify a name and an expression. The data value
comes from evaluating the expression and cannot be edited.

To define a computed field:

1. Select Insert>Control>Computed
   Field.

   Predefined computed fields

   You can also select one of the predefined computed fields
   at the bottom of the menu. PowerBuilder provides several predefined
   computed fields, but in a RichText DataWindow object, only the page number
   (Page n of n) and today’s date (Today())
   are available.

2. Click in the text where you want the computed
   field to appear.

   If you do not select a predefined computed field, PowerBuilder displays the
   dialog box for the computed field:

   

3. On the Compute page, name the computed field and
   specify its expression.

4. (Optional) On the Font page, specify text formatting.

5. (Optional) On the Format page, specify a display
   format.