Placing and removing fields on a layout

After you define a field, you can add it anywhere on a layout. Fields can be from the same table or a related table.

You can place related fields directly on a layout or in a portal, but the results are different. See Deciding where to place related fields.

To place and remove fields on a layout:

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

To

Do this

Place a field using the Fields tab

In the Fields tab, drag a field from the fields list to the position on the layout.

If you're placing a field in a portal, position it in the first row of the portal.

  • For related fields, make sure each field in the portal is from a table related to the table that the portal is set up to display records from. (See Creating portals to display related records.)
  • To choose a field in a different table, choose the table from the tables list above the list of fields. (If you don't see the tables list, click Tables list button.)

    Or choose Manage Database from the tables list, and create a relationship or a table, then select a related field from the list of fields.

You see the field name in the field unless you chose to display sample data (View menu > Show > Sample Data). Fields from related tables appear as ::Field Name.

All fields except container fields display text baselines to indicate where the data appears in Browse mode and to help you align fields with each other.

See Defining and changing fields in the Fields tab.

Place a field using the Field tool

Drag a field from the Field tool Field tool in the status toolbar to the position on the layout, then choose a field name in the Specify Field dialog box. To include a field label, select Create label.

Add and resize a field

Click the arrow next to the Field/Control tool Field/Control tool (Windows) or click and hold the Field/Control tool Field/Control tool (macOS) in the status toolbar. Drag the crosshair to draw the field, then choose a field name in the Specify Field dialog box.

Add a field with a specific control style

Click the arrow next to the Field/Control tool Field/Control tool (Windows) or click and hold the Field/Control tool Field/Control tool (macOS) in the status toolbar, then select a field or control style. Drag the crosshair to draw the field, then choose a field name in the Specify Field dialog box.

Replace a field with another field

Double-click the field on the layout, then choose a field name in the Specify Field dialog box.

Remove a field from a layout

Click the field on the layout, then press Backspace or Delete. Removing a field this way does not delete the field or its data from the database. See Defining and changing fields.

Notes 

  • When you add a field to a layout, its format is based on the theme applied to the layout. You can apply a custom style to change the display attributes of the field. See Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
  • To help determine an appropriate size for a field, display sample data in the field from the current record instead of the field name. Choose View menu > Show > Sample Data.
  • To have field data inserted into a line or block of text, use merge fields. See Placing merge fields on a layout.
  • To put a static image (like a logo or graphic embellishment) on a layout so that it appears in every record, create, paste, or import the graphic directly onto the layout, then place the graphic in the body part. See Drawing and inserting objects on a layout.
  • If you can't read a field name within the field's borders in Layout mode, double-click the field—its name is selected in the Specify Field dialog box.
  • You can place fields in the gray area to the right of the layout. This lets you store fields on the layout or use them in script steps but prevents them from appearing in Browse, Find, and Preview modes. Users cannot select or work with such fields, and the fields do not print.

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