Constant fields display a string of text that does not change in a form.
Unlike variable fields, constant fields can not be accessed by EGL code. To
insert a constant field into a form, follow these steps:
- Open a form group in the EGL form editor.
- If the form group has no forms, add a form to the form group. See Creating
a form.
- On the Palette view, click a type of constant field to add. The following
types of constant fields are available by default:
Table 1. Constant fields available in the Palette viewField name |
Default color |
Default intensity |
Default highlighting |
Default Protection |
Title |
Blue |
Bold |
None |
Skip |
Column Heading |
Blue |
Bold |
None |
Skip |
Label |
Cyan |
Normal |
None |
Skip |
Instructions |
Cyan |
Normal |
None |
Skip |
Help |
White |
Normal |
None |
Skip |
These fields are samples of commonly used constant text fields
in a text-based interface. You can customize the individual fields after placing
them on a form. You can also customize the default color, intensity, and highlighting
of the fields available in the Palette view. See Setting preferences for
the EGL form editor palette entries.
- Within a form in the editor, click and hold the mouse to draw a rectangle
that represents the size and location of the field. A preview box next to
the mouse cursor shows you the size of the field and its location relative
to the form.
Note: You can add a field only within an existing form.
- When the field is the correct size, release the mouse. The new field is
created.
- Type the text you want to display in the field.
- In the Properties view, set the properties for the new field.