Setting up a field to auto-complete during data entry

You can set up a field to use auto-complete (type ahead) to help users quickly enter values in Browse mode or Find mode. Users see suggestions based on what was previously entered into the field, or based on values in a value list.

You can use auto-complete only on text fields displayed as:

  • edit boxes
  • drop-down lists
  • drop-down calendars

Note  To set up fields to automatically enter information when a record is created or modified, see Defining automatic data entry.

To set up a field to auto-complete during data entry:

  1. In Layout mode, select the field.
  2. In the Inspector, click the Data Data tab.
  3. In the Field area, for Control style, choose Edit Box, Drop-down List, or Drop-down Calendar.
  4. For

    Select

    Edit Box or Drop-down Calendar

    Auto-complete using existing values

    Suggestions are based on the field’s index, so indexing must be enabled. See Defining field indexing options.

    Drop-down List

    Auto-complete using value list

    Suggestions are based on the value list specified. To prevent suggestions from displaying in a list, select Include arrow to show and hide list.

Notes 

  • Auto-complete is not supported in drop-down lists when the value list used is configured to use Also display values from second field, Show values only from second field, or Sort by second field. See Defining value lists.