Field Types

There are different types of fields available for data entry. For example, some fields require numerical data while others require text.

Field Type

Description

Code-description fields

 

Code-description fields are based on a preset list of values. These values are made up of a code number and description. These fields can be filled out in several ways.

  • Type the code into the code box. the grayed out box to the right will automatically be filled out with the corresponding description.
  • Click on the field caption for a popup list of all available values.
  • Click in the code box and press F9 for a popup list of all available values.

Code-description fields expedite the entering process and ensure data consistency.

Note: Limited users should have access to modify code-description fields (i.e. add items to the pick list) to ensure consistent data entry.

Alpha code-description fields

Alpha code-description fields are similar to regular code-description fields, only they allow letters and numbers as part of the code. For example, the code can now be DEP1=department one, DEP2=department 2, etc...

These fields also have special search functions. Users can click in the code field and begin typing the code. At any time they can push F9. The list of available values will come up, but they will be filtered to only the values that match what the user originally typed in.

Numeric (decimal) fields

Numeric fields only allow a number to be entered. Depending on the field, the numbers may or may not contain decimals. For example, the first box in the "Address" field only allows a street number to be entered.

Text fields

Text fields allow letters and/or numbers to be entered.

An example of a text field is the "Apartment Number" field.

Note: Do not use the Pipe character | in text fields as this character is unsupported by some databases and may cause the system to crash.

Logical (checkbox) fields

 

Logical fields allow users to enter a checkmark in the box if they wish to select that field.

An example of a logical field would be one of the user-defined fields.

Note: User-defined field captions can only be modified by your system administrator.

Long Comment fields

Long Comment fields allow users to enter multiple lines of text in paragraph form. Long comment fields have copy/paste abilities and carriage returns Ctrl + Enter.

Short Comment fields

Short Comment fields allow users to enter a single line of text. Short comment fields can be filtered.

Grid Comment fields

Grid Comment fields also allow you to enter multiple lines of text in paragraph form. These fields support copy/paste and carriage returns Ctrl + Enter.

An example of grid comment forms can be found in the Work Order and Request modules.

Address fields

Address fields have special search functions. These fields also have special search functions. Users can click in the field and begin typing the street name. At any time they can push F9. The list of matching street names will come up.

For example, if a user is looking for the street name "Old Manor", they can type in "Old" and hit <F9>, a list of all the street names with the prefix "Old" will appear. They can then select their street name from that Street Name Validation list.

Date fields

Date fields can filled out three different ways:

  • To manually enter a date, use the mm/dd/year format. Use the arrow keys in place of the backslash.
  • To automatically enter the current date click in the field and push the space bar. It will default to todays date
  • Use the drop-down menu to select the date from a pop-up calendar. Use the arrow keys at the top of the calendar or click on the month or year to quickly select a different month or year.

Time fields

Time fields can be manually or automatically entered.

  • When manually entering time, use the arrow keys in place of the colon. To identify AM or PM, enter an "A" or "P" after the time or use the up or down arrow keys on your keyboard.
  • To automatically enter the current time, hit click in the field and push the space bar.

Required fields

Required fields are those fields that demand to have data entered before the record can be saved.

Shared fields

 

 

Shared fields are fields within a program that share caption names and code-description pick lists. For example, "Inflow Dish" is a shared field between the Sewer Structure Inventory module and the Structure Inspections module. If the field caption is changed the change will appear in both modules. Likewise the if the code-description pick list is changed for a shared field the changes will reflect everywhere that field is shared.

See Also

Fields and Field Captions

Field Properties

Modifying Code-Description Fields (Pick Lists)

Carry-Over Button

Field Captions

Field Definitions

Global Edit

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