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Two problems

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    Two problems

    There are probably simple solutions to these problemb
    but I can't find them.
    The first concerns masks. I am trying to set up masks for the Postal
    code (9 digits) and phone number. I choose "simple mask" and either
    "Postal code (US 9 digit) or phone and get the appropriate mask i.e.
    00000.0000 or (000)|0000-000 for phone. When I try to leave this field
    I recieve the message "The Equation must return a character string".
    I can't find an explanation for this message anywhere. The only way I
    can leave the field is to shut down my computer!

    Second question: I have designed a form - how do I access it? I have
    saved the form and given it a name, but when I try to go to the form,
    I get the default form which is the column form which I had before I
    designed the form I want. I can't find any place to choose the form I
    want. Help tells me to click "Forms" on the control panel, but I don't
    have anything on the Control Panel that says "Forms". Have also tried
    choose "Open" from the File menu - everything says "Open Default" I
    have no place to make a choice as in my old version of A5.

    I will appreciate any help you can give me - I really feel stupid, but
    am very frustrated!!
    Phyllis Quarg

    #2
    RE: Two problems

    Phyllis:
    are the phone and zipcode fields defined in the table as charccter?
    The easiest way to see the code to open a form is to
    drag a button on to the form.
    right click on the button
    select actions
    open form and select the form that you want.
    then you can create a scrip called autoexec and put the following
    :form.view("your form name")
    Charlie Crimmel

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Two problems

      Phyllis, I think Charlie's idea on your mask question is a good one. To elaborate further, check the structure of your table to verify that both the postal code and phone number fields are *not* numeric. They probably should be character type fields since you won't ever be doing in arithmetic with them. The mask will restrict data entry of characters that fall in the range of zero to nine.

      If your control panel doesn't have a tab called forms, it probably has one called 'Layouts'. Layouts includes forms, reports and letters. You may optionally discard the 'Layouts' tab in which case separate tabs will appear for Forms, Reports, Layouts, and Labels. Just right click on any tab and select the ones you want to use.

      If you succeeded in saving the form you created, it will appear in the Layouts tab. (or the forms tab, if you elect to discard 'layouts' tab). If it's not there, you probably did not succeed in saving the form in the first place, or possibly you've got it saved somewhere else on your hard disk.

      The recommended arrangement is to put all tables in the same folder with your database files. Everything other than your Alpha Five program files should be in a single folder for each database. Each database should be in its own folder, separate from other databases. If you have things spread across more than one folder or subfolder this may be what's causing the difficulty.

      -- tom

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Two problems

        Charlie and Tom,
        Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I haven't had time as yet to
        try the solution to my problem re finding my Form. However, to answer
        your questions about the phone and zip code fields, yes I have defined
        them as characters. Made the mistake at first of defining them as
        numbers and realized that wouldn't work.
        Thanks again.
        Phyllis

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Two problems

          Charlie and Tom,
          Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I haven't had time as yet to
          try the solution to my problem re finding my Form. However, to answer
          your questions about the phone and zip code fields, yes I have defined
          them as characters. Made the mistake at first of defining them as
          numbers and realized that wouldn't work.
          Thanks again.
          Phyllis

          Comment

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