Data entry field color change

[GSI]

I have been trying for hours, reading the tutorials and user guide, but can't seem to get it. Can I make the color of a field change when the new record or change record icon is clicked? If so, can you give me step by step directions? If you just give me a line of code to enter I will not know where to insert it. Thanks.

[Keith Hubert]

Re: Data entry field color change

Hi Wendy,

Welcome to Alpha.

Yes this can be done but there are a number of questions to be asked first.

The field that you want to change colour, is it to just change while in enter or change mode?

What is the field, is it just simple block of colour?

If you want to see how to do it in your apo, can you post a sample here.

The bottom line is, testing the Mode of the form.

[GSI]

Re: Data entry field color change

Thanks Keith. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I don't have a lot of time to spend on the internet some days.

Yes, just change color while in enter or change mode.
Is it just simple block of color? I think so.

"If you want to see how to do it in your apo, can you post a sample here."

I am really new to Alpha5 (used Alpha4 for years) and don't want to appear ignorant here but what is APO and how do I post a sample?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Keith Hubert]

Re: Data entry field color change

Hi Wendy,

Excuse typo, for apo read app, short for application.

Is the block of colour to remain changed or is it to just change while in change/enter mode?

What do you want the colours to change from and to?

[GSI]

Re: Data entry field color change

Hi Keith

The database default is Modal. The user must click on "Change" or "Enter" to prevent accidental changes. When the form is first displayed the fields (under properties) are set up as Fill - Style - Translucent. When change/enter is clicked I would like the color to change to Fill - Style - Solid - Foreground Color - Green White so the user is aware they are now able to change the record. Once they click on "Save" I want it to change back to translucent.

[Mike Wilson]

Re: Data entry field color change

Wendy,
The attached example I believe is what you are looking for. I don't have v6 on this machine, so it is written in version 7. It should work in v6, I believe.
Hope that helps.

[GSI]

Re: Data entry field color change

Mike,

Thanks for the example. I am totally new to these message boards, asking others for help, using Alpha5 and zip files. Pardon my lack of knowledge but what do I do with the file you sent me?

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Data entry field color change

Wendy,

Mike's attachment is a complete database - compressed.

Click on the file to download it.
Save it separately from your current work.
Uncompress it.
Open Alpha.
Choose open database and navgate to where you uncompressed it.
Open the database.

You should find a form on the forms tab.
Open the form in view mode to observe the behavior.
Switch to design mode to see how the behavior is obtained.

[Keith Hubert]

Re: Data entry field color change

Hi Mike,

Talk about going beyond the call of duty.

Another interesting method to achieve the desired results.

I was going to go down the road of action script with events and setting the object fill info.

Might have been a little easier for Wendy to get a handle on, perhaps?

[GSI]

Re: Data entry field color change

Keith, Mike and Stan,

Thanks so much for your help. Although I was not able to "get a handle on it" I am very appreciative for your time and effort.

I am not a programmer and I was able to create all the applications for my small business years ago in Alpha4. But it is now time to move on to Alpha5 and must focus on recreating the applications. I just do not have the time to spend on the "small stuff" and must get a working application completed first. Maybe I can try again at a later date.

Thanks again.
Wendy

[Mike Wilson]

Re: Data entry field color change

Keith,
I tried to do this with action scripting and not knowing the field names, I went for the generic approach.

Wendy,
It is quite straight forward really. Replace your table name for what's in red.
1). In the code tab of the control panel, choose the NEW button, the Function menu item, and for the function name make it field_available . Then add the following between the FUNCTION -END FUNCTION lines and save the function:

' this function is called from the "change" and add buttons on the ____ Form

' specify the table name
	dim vtable_name as C
	vtable_name="[COLOR="Red"]YOUR_TABLE_NAME[/COLOR]"

' get the list the fields
	dim vLfields as c
	vLfields = table.external_field_name_get(vtable_name,"N")
	
' loop through the fields and change color
	dim vFW as C
	for each foo in vLfields
		vFW = alltrim(foo.value)
		evaluate_template("parentform:"+vFW+".field.readonly = .F.")
		evaluate_template("parentform:"+vFW+".fill.style = \"solid\"")
		evaluate_template("parentform:"+vFW+".font.color = \"White\"")
		evaluate_template("parentform:"+vFW+".fill.forecolor = \"Dark Green\"")
	next

To the form button to add a new record, place the lines that are in the example OnPush event for the Add button and Change button, to your forms add and change buttons OnPush event, changing the field name (red) to your field name in the last lines: parentform:your_field_name.activate()

2). In the code tab of the control panel, choose the NEW button, the Function menu item, and for the function name make it field_unavailable . Then add the following between the FUNCTION -END FUNCTION lines and save the function:

' this function is called from the "save" button on the Main Form and in the form Ininit event

' specify the table name
	dim vtable_name as C
	vtable_name="[COLOR="Red"]YOUR_TABLE_NAME[/COLOR]"

' get the list the fields
	dim vLfields as c
	vLfields = table.external_field_name_get(vtable_name,"N")
	
' loop through the fields and change color
	dim vFW as C
	for each foo in vLfields
		vFW = alltrim(foo.value)
		evaluate_template("parentform:"+vFW+".field.readonly = .t.")
		evaluate_template("parentform:"+vFW+".font.color = \"light tan\"")
		evaluate_template("topparent:"+vFW+".fill.style = \"transparent\"")
	next

To the form button to save the record, place the lines that are in the example's OnPush event for the Save button. Also call the function in the form Init event by adding the line: field_unavailable().

That should do it. Holler back with any more questions.

[GSI]

Re: Data entry field color change

Thanks Mike.

I guess part of my problem was I was using the icons on the tool bar, I did not have add, change, and save buttons on the form. I can add them.

Also, can I specify field names? Not all of the fields on the form are allowed to be updated.

[Keith Hubert]

Re: Data entry field color change

Hi Wendy,

"can I specify field names?" Yes you can, that is what Mike would have also suggested if he had known the field names.

Please see screen shot of what to select from Action Scripting.

After clicking OK you will have another dialog where you select the fields you want to fill and you can select the colour for each field.

Have a play with that first, then you will be able to set the condition as to when the fields get filled.

Let Action Scripting do the work for you.

[Mike Wilson]

Re: Data entry field color change

Keith is right that I would have lead you through the Action scripting if I had known the field names of the fields that you wished the Object Properties adjusted conditionally. I recommend you try it with the action scripting for learning purposes. If not, you can designate the fields in the code I provided by generating your own list. In the section that captures the field names using the table.external_field_names_get(), you can replace that with your own list as follows (replace what is in red with your field names, and you need to make the list in both the available() and unavailable() functions).

[COLOR="Blue"]' get the list the fields[/COLOR]
dim vLfields as c
vLfields = <<%a%
[COLOR="Red"]your_field_#1
your_field_#2
your_field_#3[/COLOR]
and so on...
%a%