With the EGL Text Form editor, you can edit a FormGroup
part graphically.
The Text Form editor works with FormGroup parts, their form parts,
and the
fields in those form parts in much the same way as other graphical
editors
work with files such as web pages and web diagrams. At any time, you
can click
the Source tab at the bottom of the editor
and see
the EGL source code that the editor is generating.
The Text
Form editor has these parts:
- The editor itself, which displays
the graphical representation of the
form group and that form group's source code. You can switch between
the graphical
representation and the source code by clicking the Design and Source tabs
at the bottom of the editor. Changes to the Source view or Design
view are
reflected immediately in the other view.
- The Properties view,
which displays the EGL properties of the form or
field currently selected in the editor.
- The Palette view,
which displays the types of forms and fields that can
be created in the editor.
- The Outline view, which displays
a hierarchical view of the form group
open in the editor.
The Text Form editor has these
features:
- The Text Form editor can edit the size and properties
of a form group.
To edit the properties of a form group, open the form group in the
Text Form
editor and change its properties in the Properties view. To resize
a form
group, open it in the Text Form editor and choose a size in characters
from
the list at the top of the editor.
- The Text Form editor can
create, edit, and delete forms in a form group.
To create a form, click the appropriate type of form on the Palette
view and
draw a rectangle that represents the size and location of the form
in the
editor. To edit a form, click it to select it, and then use the Properties
view to edit its properties. You can also drag a form to move it,
or resize
it using the resize handles that are on the border of a selected form.
Many
of the same options are available when you right-click a form to open
its
menu. See Creating a simple text or print form.
- The
Text Form editor uses templates to create commonly used types of forms,
such as popup forms and popup menus. These forms have pre-made borders,
sections,
and fields. Creating a form from a template.
- With
the Text Form editor, you can create, edit, and delete fields in
a form. To create a field, click the appropriate type of field on
the Palette
view and draw a rectangle that represents the size and location of
the field
in the editor. You can add a field only within an existing form. To
edit a
field, click it to select it, and then use the Properties view to
edit its
properties. You can also copy and paste a field, drag a field to move
it,
or resize a field using the resize handles that are on the border
of a selected
form. Many of the same options are available when you right-click
a field
to open its menu. SeeCreating a constant field or Creating a variable field.
- Filters can prevent
forms from being shown in the Text Form editor, enabling
you to mimic the appearance of the form group at run time. To switch
filters,
create a filters, or edit filters, use the Filters button
at the top of the editor. See Filtering the editor.
- You can customize the appearance of the Text Form editor by using
the
display options at the top of the editor and by setting the editor
preferences
in the Preferences window. For example, these options can display
a grid over
the form group, increase or decrease the zoom level, and show or hide
sample
values in fields. SeeDisplay options for the EGL Text Form editor or Setting preferences for the Text Form editor.