Memo (long text) fields are presented as a simple multi-line text box by default. For example, Categories.Description field is rendered as a multi-line text box in the image below.
![Description field on Categories edit form rendered as a simple text box. Description field on Categories edit form rendered as a simple text box.](/blog/2012/06/configuring-rich-text-box/image02.png)
Rich text editing can be enabled when necessary.
Start the Project Designer. In the Project Explorer, switch to the Controllers tab. Double-click on Categories / Fields / Description field node.
![Description field of Categories controller in the Project Explorer. Description field of Categories controller in the Project Explorer.](/blog/2012/06/configuring-rich-text-box/image04.png)
At the top of the Designer window, switch to the Data Fields tab. Change the Text Mode property of all data fields:
Property | New Value |
Text Mode | Rich Text |
![Change all Categories data fields to Text Mode of 'Rich Text'. Change all Categories data fields to Text Mode of 'Rich Text'.](/blog/2012/06/configuring-rich-text-box/image06.png)
Save your changes, and click Browse on the tool bar.
When your default web browser opens, navigate to the Categories page and edit a record. Now rich text can be entered into the field. The application client library uses ASP.NET AJAX Rich Text Editor when rendering rich text fields.
![Rich Text editor enabled on Description field of Categories edit form. Rich Text editor enabled on Description field of Categories edit form.](/blog/2012/06/configuring-rich-text-box/image08.png)
Make some “rich” changes to the field value, and save the record. The field value will be displayed in grid view with the styles preserved.
![Description field value rich text styling preserved in grid view. Description field value rich text styling preserved in grid view.](/blog/2012/06/configuring-rich-text-box/image10.png)
On the action bar, select Report | PDF Document option, and open the downloaded file. The styling will be preserved in the generated report as well.
![Description field value rich text styling preserved in a PDF report. Description field value rich text styling preserved in a PDF report.](/blog/2012/06/configuring-rich-text-box/image12.png)