Defining an Input Field

Use this procedure as a basic guideline to defining an input field. Depending on the field type, you will need to also follow the steps for additional procedures referred to in the instructions.

To define an input field

  1. On the Format form, press Input (F2) and choose an input field type.

    For a description of each input field type, see the table following this procedure.

  2. The Form Input Field Definition window appears (except when defining an Order, a Range Select, or a Button field). Change the default attributes, if desired. For more information, see Defining Input Field Attributes.
  3. Press OK.

    The field appears on the Format form.

    To label or move the field, see Labeling, Moving, and Deleting Fields.

  4. Press OK twice to save the form.

    The system saves the form and returns to the Database Structure-Program Structure form.

    The following table describes the input field types.

    Choose To
    Database Select a field from the primary file.
    Inquiry Key Select a database field to use as an inquiry key field on detail forms.
    Order Paint an order field on the form. A form can have only one order field. For information on defining multiple access orders, see Defining Access Orders.
    Record Select Paint a record select field on the form. A form can have only one record select field. For information on defining record selects, see Defining a Form Record Selection.
    Condition Select Select a field and define a condition against the value typed in that field. When the Form Input Field Definition window appears, select the desired condition operator (=, ≠, >, ≥, <, or ≤) in the Condition field.
    Command Button Paint a button on the form. For instructions, see Defining a Button Field.
    Range Select Select a field as a range select field.
    Action Paint an action if none is in the detail format.