Data Controllers / Actions
Navigate

The application framework supports Navigate action to allow directing end users to any web resource. This includes internal pages.

For example, the Orders edit form is displayed below. Let’s create a button on the form that will allow viewing the details of the customer that made the order.

Orders edit form created by Code On Time Designer.

Start the Project Designer. In the Project Explorer, switch to the Controllers tab. Right-click on Orders / Actions /ag2 (Form) node, and press New Action.

New Action context menu option for Orders controller.

Assign the following values and save the action:

Property Value
Command Name Navigate
Command Argument Customers.aspx?_controller=Customers&CustomerID={CustomerID}&_commandName=Select&_commandArgument=editForm1
Header Text View Customer Details

The command argument is using data controller URL parameters.

On the toolbar, press Browse.

Navigate to the Orders page, and select an order. Take note of the customer.

Orders edit form with 'View Customer Details' button.

Press the View Customer Details button to navigate to the Customers page. The customer record associated with the order is activated.

The customer relevant to the order has been accessed.

When Insert, Update, Delete, or Cancel actions are activated, the user will be returned to the Orders page. For example, if the user presses Close button, this activates the Cancel action and the client library will return the user to the previous page.

Open in New Window

The Navigate action can also open a new window.

Go back to the Project Designer and change the command argument:

Property New Value
Command Argument _blank:Customers.aspx?_controller=Customers&CustomerID={CustomerID}&_commandName=Select&_commandArgument=editForm1

Press OK to save. On the toolbar, press Browse.

When the user presses the View Customer Details button, the customer will be opened in a new tab or window.

Customers form opened in new tab.

Using Hyperlink Format String

The Hyperlink Format String property of a data field can be used as an alternative to Navigate action.

In the Project Explorer, double-click on Orders / Views / editForm1 / c1 – Orders / CustomerID –> CustomerCompanyName data field node.

CustomerID data field in editForm1 view of Orders controller.

Change the following:

Property New Value
Tool Tip View Customer Details
Hyperlink Format String Customers.aspx?_controller=Customers&CustomerID={CustomerID}&_commandName=Select&_commandArgument=editForm1

Press OK to save. On the toolbar, press Browse.

The Customer Company Name will render as a link.

Orders form with Customer Company Name formatted as a hyperlink.

Clicking on the link will navigate to the details of the customer.

Customer details activated.