String Additional Fields

A string field is a field that enables you to enter text. You can link them to Lookup Sets.

Using the string field's KwikSelect in a search dialogue box will display the items in the associated Lookup Set.

See Creating Lookup Sets.

If no Lookup Set has been defined, then the field is used as a string text field.

Once this format is selected, the following options become available on the Validation tab.

  • Maximum Length - determines the total number of characters allowed in the field; this is limited to 255 characters
    • Perform a mandatory spell check - select this option so a spell check must be done on the field. This overrides the corresponding System Options.
  • Use a value from the Lookup Set - select a Lookup Set for this field.

    Lookup Sets are pre-defined sets of data/lists from which items can be attached to objects.

  • Use the following edit mask - this is used to restrict the input that users can enter into the field.

    When the field is used for an object, items in the field must match the format entered here.

    See below for a detailed explanation of formats that can be used in the Use the following edit mask field.

  • Use the external COM Add-In - manually enter the PROGID of a COM component implementing the validation function
  • Value should be a valid Internet URL - the defined value must be a valid internet URL.
  • Value should be a valid Internet Email Address - the defined value must be a valid internet email address.
  • When using an add-in, restrict editing to just the KwikSelect button - the value must be selected from a pre-defined list using the KwikSelect.
  • Default Value - set a default value that will appear in the field when it is attached to an object

The values that can be entered into the mask and their representations are as follows:

  • N = numeric character (0 - 9)
  • A = alpha character (a - z)
  • X = any character
  • Z = any alpha or numeric character (0 - 9 or a - z)
  • \ = Escape - means that whatever is after the \ appears in the final output

Examples of string value masks

A string value mask of could have a final value of Or
NNNAAA 105CAT 534Pad etc.
NNZZAA 1059AT 534Pad etc.
NNXXAA 02^&DP 74!#cg
NN\N\\AAA 10N\BAD 53N\Bat etc.
NNN\N\\FROG 105N\FROG 534N\FROG etc. where only the first three numerals can be changed and those only for other numerals.

Characters after the slash will be interpreted literally until the next variable that is one of the four described above is reached, then the character will be read as a variable again.

For example,

A string value mask of can have a final value of Or
AA\FROGNN TAFROG76 HEFROG34 etc.

You can enter the variables in either upper or lower case. This means nnn is the same as NNN.

If you enter NN\N\\FROGAA then it will accept upper or lower case so that you can have a final value of

  • 12N\FROGER
  • 12n\froget
  • 12N\FroGeR
  • 12n\fROgEe etc.

NOTE: To display the slash (/) in the field on a New Record form, you will need to enter it twice in the String Value Mask field.

For example, a string value mask with a format of NNN\\AAA\\NNN and a default value of 000\ABC\000 will appear as 000\ABC\000.

See also Creating Additional Fields for definitions of the other common fields, for example, Name and Abbreviation, that appear on this dialogue.