Setting database field options

Most types of fields have options that you set when you define or change a field definition. The options available depend on the field type. (Calculation and summary fields have formulas rather than options.)

To set field options:
1 Choose Define Fields from the Layout menu.
2 Select a field in the list, then click Options.
For some field types, the Options dialog box appears automatically when you click Create.
3 Select options (see the table below).

Common field options

  Option   Function    
Cannot Be Empty Field must always contain data.

Must Be Unique Field will not accept a value that exists in the same field in another record.

Automatically Enter Automatically inserts specified text whenever you create a new record.

Must Be In Range Field will not accept a value outside the specified number range.

Current Date or Current Time Automatically inserts the current date or time whenever you create a new record.

User's Name Automatically inserts the name of the registered AppleWorks owner whenever you create a new record.

Popup Menu and Radio Button options

  Option   Function    
Items for control Lists items that appear in the pop-up menu or next to radio buttons.

Item Label Lets you add, edit, and delete items in the "Items for control" list.

Automatically Choose Specifies which item from the "Items for control" list is selected as the default.

Label for control Displays the specified text as the name of the menu or list.

Checkbox options

  Option   Function    
Label for Checkbox Lets you edit the text next to the checkbox.

Initially Checked Determines whether the checkbox is selected when you first create a new record.

Serial Number options

  Option   Function    
Next Value Specifies the serial number to be added in the field for the next record you create.

Increment Specifies the increment to be added to the serial number in each successive record you create.

Value List options

  Option   Function    
Items for control Lists items that will appear in the scrolling value list.

Item Text Lets you add, edit, and delete items in the "Items for control" list.

Alerts for Unlisted Value (in Data Verification area) Displays a dialog box whenever you enter a value that doesn't appear in the scrolling value list.

Multimedia options

  Option   Function    
Crop Image to Frame Inserts the image in the field at its full size (to see the entire image, you may need to resize the field)

Scale Image to Fit Frame Resizes image so that all of it is visible in the field

Maintain Original Proportions Keeps a resized image's aspect ratio

Alignment Determines where the image is placed inside the field

Record Info options

  Option   Function    
Date Created or Time Created Inserts the date or time the record is created.

Name of Creator Inserts the name of the user who created the record.

Date Last Modified or Time Last Modified Inserts the date or time whenever the record is modified.

Name of Modifier Inserts the name of the user who last modified the record.

Related topic

  Defining and working with database fields

 
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