Input fields
An input field can be either a column or a computed field.
Before you retrieve data, its value is shown as two question marks
(??).
The text can include many copies of a named input field. The
same data will appear in each instance of the input field.
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.
If an input field exists in the text, you can copy and paste
it to create another copy. If you need to recreate a column input
field that you deleted, use this procedure.
To insert a column input field in the text
-
Select Insert>Control>Column from the menu
bar. -
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. -
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
-
Click in the input field in Design view.
-
Display the pop-up menu and select Properties.
-
On the Font page, specify text formatting.
-
On the Format page, specify a display format.
-
On the Validation page, specify a validation rule for the
column.If there are multiple copies of an input field, the
validation and format settings apply to all the copies.
Background color on the Font page applies to all input fields.
Other settings on the Font page apply to individual
instances.The user cannot change the format or validation rule. At
runtime, these pages are not available in the dialog box.
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:
-
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. -
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:
-
On the Compute page, name the computed field and specify
its expression. -
(Optional) On the Font page, specify text
formatting. -
(Optional) On the Format page, specify a display
format.If there are multiple copies of a computed field input
field, the expression and format settings apply to all the
copies. Font settings apply to individual instances. For more
about computed field expressions and display formats, see Enhancing DataWindow Objects.