Creating Text Fields

Text property type fields store standard text with no markup. Use the Content property type to store rich text values such as HTML.

To create a custom text field, do the following:

  1. Select [Component] > Advanced > Customize. [Component] corresponds to the component for which you are creating a property field.

    The Customize dialog box opens.

  2. Review the Customize dialog box to find the fields that can be customized. The fields and icon graphics accompanying them are as follows:

    • A field with a pencil in the center of the icon is an application field. It is always an enumerated type and is fully customizable. You can add, disable, rename, and reorder its values.
    • A new field icon displays the head and shoulders of a person. It can be one of several types and is fully customizable. If the new field is disabled, the icon is greyed-out.
    • An application field with an icon containing a small yellow lock in the lower left corner is a restricted enumerated type. You can change only the names the application displays for the values of this field.

  3. Click Add.

    The Add Field dialog box opens.

  4. Type the name for the new field to be used by the database in the Field name field. Use only alphanumeric characters and no spaces in this name. The name should be less than 31 ASCII characters (including Usr_) and not contain the following characters, which are not accepted by one or more of the databases that the application supports: = \\.^$@,;!:#*&<>?-//%|[](())+"

    Note: Be careful about selecting the field name, as it cannot be changed once you click OK.

  5. Type the name that the application will display to users in the Display Name field.
  1. Select Text from the Type list.
  2. Use the default maximum length (255 characters) or type a number of characters from 2 to 20,000 in the Length text box.
  3. Verify the Length is adequate, because you cannot change it after exiting the dialog.
  4. Select the Input required check box if you want to make the field required. Required fields are rarely used with files, because they affect the File Properties dialog box only.
  5. Click OK.