Layout controls

Frames

Frames are an effective way of sectioning your form into separate areas. Each frame can be allocated a different heading. For example, you may want to put all the data items which refer to maintenance in one frame. Use the caption property within the Properties bar to enter your caption text, for example Maintenance.

Grids

Grids are useful if you want users to be able to view many records at the same time. You can have more than one grid per data hierarchy subset on a form, but each grid can only contain data items from the same subset.

Drag a data item from the data item list onto the grid. Whichever subset you drag the first data item from becomes the subset permanently associated with that grid.

There is no restriction on how many data items you add to the grid, as long as they are from the same subset. A vertical red line appears when you add further data items which acts as an insertion guide. You can also manipulate the grid by changing the property fields in the Properties bar.

Tabs

If you have many data items on a form, it is useful to organize and segregate them within a tabbed structure. Use the Tab Control button in conjunction with the Add Tab Page button to add as many tabs as you want. When using tabs ensure that all mandatory data items are positioned on the main form and not within the tab. This allows users to set up static data quickly without having to view each tab.

To change the caption of a tab amend the Caption property in the Properties bar.

When saving your form the tab that is currently selected becomes the default tab at run time.

Text Labels

Once you have added a text label to your form you are prompted to add a caption.