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Interesting new found capability of "Display format" property.

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    #1

    Interesting new found capability of "Display format" property.

    I've been "hacking" at some of the features of A5V8 just to see how some things work and how far I could push the envelope on many functions that are "right in front of our faces".

    I don't know whether the below has been exposed before but I found it important enough to share for those who just might be at "THAT POINT" in their app development to make good use of what I'm going to explain.

    I wanted a way to display data in a field that may be blank during Grid update, in essence creating a DEFAULT value. I've only tried this in a Columnar grid but I suspect it will work in other places also.

    If you enter in the below in the "Display format" property for a field, you may benefit from being able to easily display "alternate" data. Below are three examples, one
    for each data type of Character, Date and Numeric.

    iif(len(trim(<value>)) > 0,<value>,"no entry yet")

    iif((<value>)> ctod("11/11/1111") ,<value>,date()+30 )

    iif((<value>)> 0 ,<value>, 5 * 22 )

    I'll explain just the first of the three here:
    It says "If the length of the current field value is greater than zero, then print the field value, otherwise enter 'no entry yet' into the blank field.

    Basically this iif() functionality says that if the first parameter is true, then print the next parameter,otherwise print the last parameter.

    You must create your own ligitimate logical conditions but the above should get you well on your way. What I find nice about this is if you structure your condition(s) well, you'll automatically save the inserted data the next time you click submit.
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Interesting new found capability of &quot;Display format&quot; property.

    Very interesting Tom, although I haven't been able to make it work yet. I have a typical character field with a 12 digit allowance. I pasted in this code:

    iif(len(trim(<value>)) > 0,<value>,"no entry yet") and published the page.

    Nothing happens when opening the web page containing this field.

    Are you saying that "no entry yet" (without the quotes of course) should be showing up in the textbox upon opening the web page? If so that would be great, because many message board members have been clamoring for a way to place a default value in a grid field for a new record (which I believe is easily done with a dialog component), but were never able to figure out a way to do it.

    Your experimentation may lead us to something very big. If I can just get it to work.
    Sergeant Richard Hartnett
    Hyattsville City Police Department
    Maryland

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Interesting new found capability of &quot;Display format&quot; property.

      Originally posted by Rich Hartnett View Post
      Very interesting Tom, although I haven't been able to make it work yet. I have a typical character field with a 12 digit allowance. I pasted in this code:

      iif(len(trim(<value>)) > 0,<value>,"no entry yet") and published the page.

      Nothing happens when opening the web page containing this field.

      Are you saying that "no entry yet" (without the quotes of course) should be showing up in the textbox upon opening the web page? If so that would be great, because many message board members have been clamoring for a way to place a default value in a grid field for a new record (which I believe is easily done with a dialog component), but were never able to figure out a way to do it.

      Your experimentation may lead us to something very big. If I can just get it to work.
      I suspect the post was referring to existing records (where some fields aren't filled in yet) rather than new entries but hope the original poster will prove me wrong...

      However this opens the way to a new workaround - you can use Xbasic to create a new blank record and display THAT in a grid, using the above-mentioned method to pre-populate the grid...

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Interesting new found capability of &quot;Display format&quot; property.

        Rich,

        I have not experimented enough with this process for NEW records but have found it very consistant and effective for existing records.
        My early trys with a new record have failed. I don't know why. I suspect that A5 treats the data collection methodology different "behind the scenes" for a new record vs an existing one.

        I like Andrea's suggestion, create a blank record ( in the background) an then use that blank record as your NEW record, which is actually an Update.

        One thing to realize however. This method (the data) does not actually get saved to the record until you "Submit". It is in fact more of an optical illusion. To that end, I like it even better.

        You said it didn't work for you, are you sure you are putting this code in the "Display format" property for a field?

        I have found it to work with both a "Textbox" and "Label" control.

        Tom

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Interesting new found capability of &quot;Display format&quot; property.

          Hi Tom,

          Yeah it's my fault. I thought this was for a new record, so while I did put the code in the correct Display Format location, I have the particular web page set to 'ADD RECORDS ONLY," and to that end, it is only working with new records.

          Still, it is something to played with. And yes I do understand that the data is not actually inserted into the record until the submit button is pushed, but with a new record, that would be all the better.

          Anyway, thanks for the heads up and ............ keep experimenting!!!!
          Sergeant Richard Hartnett
          Hyattsville City Police Department
          Maryland

          Comment

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