A matrix field appears as a rectangle that contains fields arranged in rows and columns. The component fields stay aligned even if you rearrange or reorder them. The matrix field can include any combination of fields.

A matrix field is useful for forms that you intend to port to other systems, because the individual fields stay aligned when you port the form. For more information about using matrix fields to create portable forms, see the Programming Guide.

A matrix field is made up of cells, some of which can be empty. After creating a matrix field, you can add fields, move fields between cells, and remove fields. You can expand the matrix field by adding rows or columns or shrink the matrix field by deleting rows or columns.

By default, fields within a matrix field are centered in their respective fields. You can change the position of fields within the cells by using the Property Inspector to change the ChildGravity property of the matrix field. To change the position of an individual field within its matrix field cell, set the field's Gravity property. (You may use either the Property Inspector or the Gravity command on the Layout menu to change a field's gravity setting.)

You can create a matrix field to align multiple fields. You can either group existing fields, or insert new fields. See the appropriate procedure, following.

All the properties for matrix fields are described under Common Field Properties, with the exception of the following properties or values that are specific to the matrix field type: