Typically, you define display formats and associate them with columns in the Database painter, because display formats are properties of the data itself. Once you have associated a display format with a column in the Database painter, it is used by default each time the column is placed in a report or form.
Edit style takes precedence
If a column has an associated edit style, the edit style takes
precedence over a display format unless you use an EditMask edit
style and check the Use Format box on the Format property page.
For more information, see “About edit styles”.
To create a new display format:
In the Database painter, open the Extended Attributes view, right-click Display Formats, and select Add from the pop-up menu.
The Display Format view displays.
Name the display format and specify a datatype.
Define the display format using masks.
For information, see “Defining display formats”.
You can use this display format with any column of the appropriate datatype in the database.
To modify an existing display format:
In the Database painter, open the Extended Attributes view.
In the Extended Attributes view, open the list of display formats.
Position the pointer on the display format you want to modify, display the pop-up menu, and select Properties.
In the Display Format view, modify the display format as desired.
For information, see “Defining display formats”.
To associate a display format with a column in
the Database painter:
In the Database painter Objects view, position the pointer on the column, select Properties from the pop-up menu, and select the Display tab in the Properties view.
Select a format from the list in the Display Format box.
The column now has the selected format associated with it in the extended attribute system tables.
To remove a display format from a column in the Database painter:
In the Database painter Objects view, position the pointer on the column, select Properties from the pop-up menu, and select the Display tab in the Properties view.
Select (None) from the list in the Display Format box.
The display format is no longer associated with the column.
