Code On Time: Database Lookups

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Database Lookups

Saturday, September 29, 2012Print Subscribe

Changing the Number of Columns of a Check Box List

The Columns property can be used on a Check Box List lookup data field in order to change the number of columns that the check boxes will be presented in.

The Employees edit form below contains the Territories many-to-many field.

Note that all 53 Territories check boxes are presented in a single column – the form is excessively long. Let’s change the presentation into multiple columns.

Start the Project Designer. In the Project Explorer, switch to the Controllers tab and double-click on Employees / Views / editForm1 / c1 – Employees / Territories data field node.

Change the Columns property:

Property	Value
Columns	5

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

Navigate to the Employees page, and edit a record.

The Territories check box list is now displayed in 5 columns flowing vertically. The presentation is more compact.

Labels: Database Lookups, Web Application Generator

Saturday, September 29, 2012Print Subscribe

Changing the Width of a Data Field

The Columns property allows specifying the width of a data field.

For example, the Employee Last Name field in Orders edit form has been configured as an Auto Complete lookup. Note that the field takes up a lot of horizontal space.

Let’s reduce the width of the field.

Start the Project Designer. In the Project Explorer, switch to the Controllers tab and double-click on Orders / Views / editForm1 / c1 – Orders / EmployeeID data field node.

Change the Columns property:

Property	New Value
Columns	15

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

Navigate to the Orders page and edit an order. The Employee Last Name field will take up the specified number of logical columns.

Labels: Database Lookups, Designer, Web Application Generator

Tuesday, July 24, 2012Print Subscribe

Tooltips

Tooltips, also called hints, are commonly used to clarify application element functions to the end user.

Let’s apply a tooltip to the Unit Price data field in the New Order Details form.

Start the Project Designer. In the Project Explorer, switch to the Controllers tab and double-click on OrderDetails / Views / createForm1 / c1 – New Order Details / UnitPrice data field node.

Change the Tooltip property:

Property	New Value
Tooltip	Please specify the agreed upon price per unit in this order.

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

Navigate to the Order Details page, and create a new order detail. Mouse over the Unit Price input, and the specified tooltip will appear.

Labels: Database Lookups, Designer, Features, User Interface, Web Application Generator