Creating a constant field

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:
  1. Open a form group in the EGL form editor.
  2. If the form group has no forms, add a form to the form group. See Creating a form.
  3. 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 view
    Field 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.

  4. 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.
  5. When the field is the correct size, release the mouse. The new field is created.
  6. Type the text you want to display in the field.
  7. In the Properties view, set the properties for the new field.

Related concepts
EGL form editor overview
Editing form groups with the EGL form editor
Form part

Related tasks
Setting preferences for the EGL form editor palette entries
Creating a variable field in a print or text form

Related reference
Form part in EGL source format

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