Working with Columns

PerfectForms™ Help Guide > Designing a Form > Laying Out a Form > Working with Tables >

You can select a column in one of two ways:

•	With the Table object selected, in the columns section of the Properties bar double-click on the header cell of the row that describes the table column you want to select.

•	In the Table object within the Layout area, click in the header area of the column. (You will need to de-select the table before doing this.)

Properties

Properties vary according to the data type of the selected column.

•	Name - This is the column name and is the equivalent of the field name for normal field objects.

•	Column: Header - This is the text that appears in the column header.

•	Column: State - This represents the field state for the object (default, normal, hidden, read-only, disabled). Click the Overview button to the right of the State drop-down to load the Edit State dialog. Use this matrix to dynamically set the object state based on conditions of roles and stages.

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Column: Mandatory - Makes the object mandatory in order to submit the form instance. You may enter a custom message in the box to display if the object has not been populated. Click the ... button to load the Mandatory dialog. Use this matrix to make the object mandatory based on conditions of roles and stages.

•	Column: Width - This is the width (in pixels) of the column. This can also be changed by dragging the cell divider within the header area of the table.

Note: You can make all the columns within a Table object the same width by loading the Table properties in the Properties bar and clicking the fit columns evenly button.

•	Column: Data Type Specific - Depending on which column data type you selected, you will also be able to change further properties. These properties behave in the same way as the corresponding standard objects such as Date Input, Text Input, and Button.

To add new columns to a table:

1.	On the Layout canvas, select the Table object you want to add columns to.

2.	On the Table Properties bar, click the Add Column button within the Columns section.

3.	Select the data type for the new column from the drop-down list next to the Add Column button.

To delete a column:

1.	On the Layout canvas, select the Column to delete. You can select a column in one of two ways:

•	With the table selected, in the columns section of the Properties bar, double-click on the header cell of the row that describes the table column you want to select.

•	In the table itself within the Layout area, click in the header area of the column. You will need to de-select (click somewhere outside) the table before doing this.

2.	Press the Delete key on your keyboard or click the Remove Column button.

To reorder columns:

1.	On the Layout canvas, select the Table object you want to reorder columns for.

2.	On the Table Properties bar under the Columns section, find the column you want to move and click the Move Column Up or Move Column Down arrow buttons.

To resize columns:

1.	On the Layout canvas, select the Column to resize. You can select a column in one of two ways:

•	With the table selected, in the columns section of the Properties bar, double-click on the header cell of the row that describes the table column you want to select.

•	In the table itself within the layout area, click in the header area of the column. You will need to de-select (click somewhere outside) the table before doing this.

2.	Change the Width property on the Properties bar or;

3.	Select the Table object in the Layout area and then resize columns by clicking and dragging the column dividers.

Note: When you add extra columns or resize existing columns, the table will extend to the right beyond the normal viewing area. Users will be able to scroll to see these columns.

Updated: 06/12/2011 Page url: http://www.perfectforms.com/Documentation/manual/html/?fl_adding_new_columns.htm
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