Working with display formats in the Database painter

Typically, you define display formats and associate them with columns in the Database painter, because display formats are properties of the data itself. After 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 DataWindow object.

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 properties page.

For more information, see “About edit styles”.

What you do in the Database painter

In the Database painter, you can:

Create, modify, and delete named display formats

The named display formats are stored in the extended attribute system tables. When you have defined a display format, it can be used by any column of the appropriate datatype in the database.

Assign display formats to columns and remove display formats associated with columns

Formats that you associate with columns are used by default when you place the columns in a DataWindow object in the DataWindow painter.

To create a new display format:

In the Database painter, select Object>Insert>Display Format from the menu bar.

The Display Format view displays.

Name the display format and specify a datatype.

Define the display format using masks.

You can use this display format with any column of the appropriate datatype in the database.

For information, see “Defining display formats”.

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.