About User Defined Types

User-defined type refers to a named group of data values that can be used as a list source for a component. For example, a user-defined type named "Size" could invoke a list of values consisting of "Small," "Medium," and "Large."

You create user-defined types and add values to them in the User Defined Types form. Value and Description pairs display in a two-column list for each type that you define. The list of all values for all user-defined types are included in the User Defined Type Values form.

After a user-defined type is specified as the source for a component that supports lists (a combo box, for example), users can add values to the type directly through the right-click Add function. In the example above, a user might add the value "X-Large."

User-defined types are useful with user-extended tables. They can also be used with user-defined fields. Users can add list-type components to forms without modifying the schema or IDOs or writing special form code.