Editing Labelled Form Fields

Owned by Anthony George
Last updated: Aug 31, 2022 by Fiona Sargeant (Unlicensed)

Understanding Labelled Fields

A labelled field is a composite component, see Using Composite Components, which means it acts as a single component. It is made up of:

When a labelled field is created from a table the label value and the names of the static text and data field will be set to the name of the attribute used to create it. When a labelled field is created directly from a palette, the name you give the component is used.

PhixFlow binds labelled fields to attributes with the same name, when one is present in the table or view used to back a screen.

Properties

The outer area for a labelled field has the properties:

  • Basic Settings → Composite Component ticked.
    This groups the child components together. If you drag the data field, the text field moves with it: see Grouping Components.
  • Advanced → View Type: Field container, to link the component with an attribute.
    When the area or data field name is the same as an attribute in the backing table or view, PhixFlow display the attribute data in the field.

Changing Names and Labels

If you change the name of the labelled field, PhixFlow automatically:

  • updates the name of the other components, so the names always match.
  • looks in the backing data for an attribute with the new name.
  • displays data from the attribute if there is one that matches.

The static text is called Label. Edit its properties to change it's Display Text.

Changing a Labelled Field

You may want to add another component to a labelled field. For example, you could add:

  • a static text component, to explain what the user can do.
  • a dynamic text component, to show validation issues.

The property View Type Field container prevents additional components being added to the container. To add another text field:

  1. In the dashboard right-click the existing labelled field and select  Find in Repository.
    1. If you are struggling to select the outer area use hold Shift when clicking.

  2. PhixFlow opens the repository listing Layouts, with the selected item highlighted.

  3. Double-click the labelled field to open its properties.

  4. Untick Composite Component. 

  5. In the Advanced section, the View Type is set to Field container. Expand the drop-down list and select the empty row. 

  6.  Save the properties. Now you will be able to add new components to the labelled field.

    1. Use shift-click and drag to add new components from the palette into the labelled field.

  7. Go back to the Labelled Field properties to tick Composite Component and set Advanced →View Type back to Field container and  OK.