Form modifications

You use a form to present data fro one or more database files in a visually exciting manner.

Forms contain data objects, such as text boxes used for entering or displaying data. Forms can also have a variety of graphic objects, such as rectangles, lines, images and so on.

Superbase provides you with two tools to help build forms quickly and easily:

The Form Builder - used to create a form quickly using predefined layouts and styles

The Form Designer - used to design a form from scratch, or make changes to an existing form.

In many cases, you can use an existing form as a starting point, and then save the new (similar) form under a new name.

Use the Form Designer to build a form design from new or to create a form design by modifying an existing design.

To create a form design from new:

1. If you're in the Superbase window, choose File/New/Blank Form. If you're already in the Form Designer, choose File/New.

2. Define the form's global graphic properties; for example, the font and point size you want to use for displaying data, and the default foreground color. See Changing the Global Graphic Properties .

3. Add the data objects and graphic objects that make up your form.

You can add a data object from any database file that is currently open in Superbase. To use a file that isn't open, either choose File/Open/File or draw the object and click Open File in the object's Properties dialog box.

4. If you include data from more than one database file, link the files. See Displaying Data from More than One File.

5. Optionally, define the form's tab sequence. See Defining the Tab Sequence.

6. Optionally, save your form design. See Saving a Form Design.

7. Choose File/Exit and Use Form to test your form in Superbase.

8. To make changes to your form, choose File/Modify/Form in the Superbase window.

To create a form design by modifying an existing design:

1. If you're in the Superbase window, choose File/Open/Form, select the form you want to modify, and click OK. Then choose File/Modify/Form.

If you're already in the Form Designer, choose File/Open/Form, select the form you want to modify, and click OK.

2. Make the changes you want. For example, you can add, delete, rearrange objects, or change the tab sequence.

3. Choose File/Save As to save the new form design and give it a new filename.

Exercise:

Create a new form that will display the fields from the PEOPLE file that you have recently created. Add each field on the form until you have them all. Line them up in a visually exciting way, and then add a colored background to the form so that your data is presented on a colored form. Add a title named "PEOPLE" across the top of the form (upper left or centered) and then save the form and look at your data inside of the form.

More:

Different types of forms

Single window vs multiple window applications

Migrating applications forward - form issues