Defining and changing fields in the Fields tab

You can define fields for the current layout of the current table by using the Fields tab in Layout mode. Several default fields may already be defined (see Defining database tables).

To define fields for a different table, use the Manage Database dialog box (see Defining and changing fields).

To define or change fields:

  1. In Layout mode, choose the layout to work on from the Layout pop-up menu.

  2. Click Objects pane button in the status toolbar, then click Fields.

    To

    Do this

    Add a field

    Click New field button New Field, type a name for the field, and choose a field type. If needed, click Drag Preferences, then change options for the field position, labels, and control style.

    See Adding and changing field labels and Setting up a field to display a pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other control.

    Change a field type

    Select the field type, then choose a new type from the list. See About choosing a field type.

    Change options for validation, auto entry, and storage for a field

    Right-click the field name, then choose Field Options. See Setting options for fields.

    Change advanced options for a field

    Right-click the field name, then choose Advanced Field Options. See Defining advanced field options.

    Delete a field

    Right-click the field or fields, then choose Delete Field.

    Change a field name

    Select the field, then click the field name and type a new field name.

    The name is changed on each layout and any field references used in calculation or summary fields.

    See About naming fields.

    Sort fields in the fields list

    Click Sort fields button, then choose a sort order.

    Locate a field in a long list

    Type the field name in the search box. (If you don't see the search box, click Search fields button.)

    Display fields from a different table

    Choose a table from the list near the top of the tab. (If you don't see the tables list, click Tables list button.)

    Open the Manage Database dialog box

    From the tables list, choose Manage Database.

Notes 

  • To drag fields you've defined to the layout, instead of having fields placed on the layout as you create them, deselect Add newly defined fields to current layout in the Settings dialog. See Changing schema settings.

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