Input fields

An input field can be either a column or a computed field. Before you retrieve data, its value is shown as two question marks (??).

The text can include many copies of a named input field. The same data will appear in each instance of the input field.

Column input fields

The columns you select for the report become input fields in the rich text. Because the input field's name matches the column name, InfoMaker displays the column's data in the input field.

If an input field exists in the text, you can copy and paste it to create another copy. If you need to recreate a column input field that you deleted, use this procedure.

To insert a column input field in the text:

Select Insert>Control>Column from the menu bar.
Click in the text where you want the column input field to appear.

InfoMaker displays a list of the columns selected for the report.
Select a column for the input field.

Properties for input fields

You select an input field by clicking inside it. A computed input field is selected when the whole field is highlighted.

To set properties for an input field:

Click in the input field in Design view.
Display the pop-up menu and select Properties.
On the Font page, specify text formatting.
On the Format page, specify a display format.

If there are multiple copies of an input field, the format settings apply to all the copies. Background color on the Font page applies to all input fields. Other settings on the Font page apply to individual instances.

Computed field input fields When you display the dialog box for a computed field, the settings are a little different. You can specify the input field name and its expression on the Compute page.

Computed fields

Computed fields have an expression that specifies the value of the computed field. In rich text, they are represented as input fields, too. You specify a name and an expression. The data value comes from evaluating the expression and cannot be edited.

To define a computed field:

Select Insert>Control>Computed Field.

Predefined computed fields You can also select one of the predefined computed fields at the bottom of the menu. InfoMaker provides several predefined computed fields, but in a RichText report, only the page number (Page n of n) and today's date (Today()) are available.
Click in the text where you want the computed field to appear.

If you do not select a predefined computed field, InfoMaker displays the dialog box for the computed field:
On the Compute page, name the computed field and specify its expression.
(Optional) On the Font page, specify text formatting.
(Optional) On the Format page, specify a display format.

If there are multiple copies of a computed field input field, the expression and format settings apply to all the copies. Font settings apply to individual instances. For more about computed field expressions and display formats, see Chapter 6, “Enhancing Reports.”