Language Reference Guide > Language Reference Guide > System Classes > EntryField Class
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EntryField Class
The EntryField class represents a field into which the user can enter data. Depending on the data type defined for the field, the data can be character, numeric, or date. An entry field can display either a single line or multiple lines for user entry, depending on the setting of the IsMultiLine attribute.
A single-line entry field:
• Can have an associated variable of any valid scalar type
• Allows the data in the fields to scroll horizontally
• Considers newline and tab characters as field exit commands
Note:  If a default button is defined for the frame, then a newline character executes the event block for the default button. The user may or may not exit the field, depending on the code in the event block.
• Supports the use of format templates to control data entry
• Does not require a toolkit control to be associated with it
Unless a toolkit control is associated with the field, it always displays at the bottom of the field stack unless it has the input focus. When the field has the input focus, it appears at the top of the field stack until focus is removed. This behavior can be changed by setting the RequireRealField Attribute, which associates a toolkit control with the field.
A multiline entry field:
• Can have an associated variable only of the varchar or StringObject data type
• Scrolls the data in the field vertically
• Automatically provides word wrap
• Considers the newline and the tab as valid input to be included in the text and counted as characters
• Allows large amounts of text
• Provides an extended keyboard interface, following
Key
Description
Left arrow
Moves caret one character left. (The caret does not move up to the line above when the beginning of the line is reached.)
Right arrow
Moves caret one character right. (The caret does not move down to the line below when the end of the line is reached.)
Up arrow
Moves caret one line up
Down arrow
Moves caret one line down
Page up
Scrolls one window up
Page down
Scrolls one window down
Home
Moves caret to the beginning of the current line
End
Moves caret to the end of the current line
Ctrl+Left arrow
Moves caret one word left
Ctrl+Right arrow
Moves caret one word right
Ctrl+Home
Moves caret to the beginning of the text
Ctrl+End
Moves caret to the end of the text
To leave a multiline entry field, the user can use the mouse to click another field, use Ctrl+Tab to go to the next field in the tab sequence, or use Shift+Tab to go to the previous field in the tab sequence. All entry fields let the user select and delete text using the mouse.
When you use a StringObject value in association with an entry field, you must use the UpdField method (inherited from ActiveField) on the field to display any runtime changes to the field.
Inherits From
Inherited By
BoxTrim
FreeTrim
Attributes
BufferString
BufferText
CharsPerLine
CurMarkedText
CursorPosition
ExactWidth
ExitBehavior
FirstMarked
ForceCase
FormatString
HasHorizontalScrollBar
HasScrollBar
InputMasking
IsBold
IsItalic
IsMandatory
IsMultiLine
IsPassword
IsPlain
IsUnderlined
LastMarked
Lines
MaxCharacters
StringValue
TextLength
TextValue
TypeFace
TypeFaceName
TypeSize
UseWidestCharacter
WidestCharacterWidth
Methods
MarkAllText
MarkSubText
SetInnerMargins
UnmarkAllText
Last modified date: 12/20/2023