Working with edit styles

You work with edit styles in the Database painter and DataWindow painter.

What you do in the Database painter

In the Database painter, you can:

• Create, modify, and delete named edit styles
  The edit styles are stored in the extended attribute system
  tables. Once you define an edit style, it can be used by any column
  of the appropriate datatype in the database.
• Assign edit styles to columns
  These styles are used by default when you place the column
  in a DataWindow object in the DataWindow painter.

What you do in the DataWindow painter

In the DataWindow painter, you can:

• Accept the default edit style assigned to a column in the Database painter
• Override the default edit style with another named
  style stored in the extended attribute system tables
• Create an ad hoc, unnamed edit style to use with
  one specific column

Edit styles and the extended attribute system
tables

When you have placed a column in a DataWindow object and have given
it an edit style (either the default style from the assignment made
in the Database painter for the column or a style assigned in the DataWindow painter), PowerBuilder records
the name and definition of the edit style in the DataWindow object.

However, if the definition of the edit style later changes
in the extended attribute system tables, the edit style for the
column in a DataWindow object will not change automatically. You can update
the column by reassigning the edit style to it in the DataWindow object.

Working with edit styles in the Database painter

Typically, you define edit styles in the Database painter, because
edit styles are properties of the data itself. Once defined in the Database painter,
the styles are used by default each time the column is placed in
a DataWindow object.

To create a new edit style:

1. In the Database painter, select Object>Insert>Edit
   Style from the menu bar.

2. In the Edit Style dialog box, select the edit
   style type from the Style drop-down list.

3. Specify the properties of the edit style and click
   OK.

   For information, see “Defining edit styles”.

   You can use the new edit style with any column of the appropriate
   datatype in the database.

To modify an existing edit style:

1. In the Database painter, open the Extended Attributes
   view.

2. In the Extended Attributes view, open the list
   of edit styles.

3. Position the pointer on the Edit style you want
   to modify, display the pop-up menu, then select Properties.

4. In the Edit Style dialog box, modify the edit
   style as desired and click OK.

   For information, see “Defining edit styles”.

   You can use the modified edit style with any column of the
   appropriate datatype in the database.

To associate an edit style with a column in the Database painter:

1. In the Database painter (Objects view), position
   the pointer on the column, select Properties from the pop-up menu,
   then select the Edit Style tab in the Properties view.

2. Select a style for the appropriate datatype from
   the list in the Style Name box.

   PowerBuilder associates the selected edit style with the column
   in the extended attribute system tables.

To remove an edit style from a column in the Database painter:

1. In the Database painter (Objects view), position
   the pointer on the column, select Properties from the pop-up menu,
   then select the Edit Style tab in the Properties view.

2. Select (None) from the list in the Style Name
   box.

   The edit style is no longer associated with the column.

Working
with edit styles in the DataWindow painter

An edit style you assign to a column in the Database painter is
used by default when you place the column in a DataWindow object. You can
override the edit style in the DataWindow painter by choosing another edit
style from the extended attribute system tables or defining an ad
hoc style for one specific column.

To specify an edit style for a column:

1. In the DataWindow painter, move the pointer to
   the column, select Properties from the column’s pop-up
   menu, and then select the Edit tab.

2. Select the type of edit style you want from the
   Style Type drop-down list.

   The information on the Edit property page changes to be appropriate
   to the type of edit style you selected.

3. Do one of the following:

   • Select an edit style from the Style Name box.
   • Create an ad hoc edit style for the column, as described
     in “Defining edit styles”.

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