Defining a String Field or a Group Field

String fields and group fields are two of the five types of derived fields that you can define. A string field connects fields and values together. A group field allows the concatenation of multiple whole fields that participate together as a single compound key. Use this procedure to define them.

For more information on string and group fields, see String Fields and Group Fields.

To define a string field or a group field

On the File Definition form, move the cursor to the blank line below the last defined field in the Field Name column. (If you do not want the field added at the end of the list, highlight the field just below where you want a new field inserted and press Insert (F8).)
Type a field name and press Tab.
In the Element field, type an element name and press Tab.

The Select an Element Type for Element subform appears.
To define a string field, choose the String Field derived type. To define a group field, choose Group Field.
In the Select String Fields or Select Group Fields subform, mark as many fields as desired. The order in which you select fields determines their order in the string or group field.
Press Enter.

A subform appears showing the fields in the order you selected them.
To insert a field, a value, the current date, or the current time, select the line you want to insert the new item on, press Insert (F8), and choose Field, Value, Current Date, or Current Time.

To replace a field, a value, the current date, or the current time, select the line you want to replace, press Select (F4) and choose Field, Value, Current Date, or Current Time.

If you chose Field, select a field. If you chose Value, type a value. Press Mark or Enter to insert the new field or value.
To give the field a size, press Size (F6), type the field size, and press Enter.

If you do not give the field a size, the system determines the type and size of the string or group field based on the type and sizes of the fields used to define it.
Press Enter twice.