Specifications

102 Connecting Fields
ID Works Basic Version 5 Administrator’s Guide
order. You use this list to select the report design to which you want
to connect a Production Form field. The Field area lists the report
fields that will change from record to record. If you click on a report
field that is connected to a Production Form field, a line appears
showing the connection.
Static text, static graphic, and non-printable area fields on a card or
report block are not listed because they cannot be connected to a
field on the Production Form.
Connect and Disconnect Buttons
Two sets of buttons let you connect and disconnect fields. The
buttons between the Data Source area and the Production Form area
are for connections between fields in those two parts of the ID Works
project, and the buttons between the Production Form area and the
Production Output area are for connections between fields in those
two parts of the project.
Restrictions on Connections to
Database Columns
A Production Form field can be connected to one and only one
database table column, and a database table column can be
connected to one and only one Production Form field. The ID Works
software enforces these restrictions in two ways. First, if you select a
Production Form field that is already connected to a database table
column, the Table and Column fields in the Data Source area change
(if necessary) to show you the connected table and column name.
You can remove that connection by clicking the Disconnect button.
Secondly, if you still try to make a multiple connection, you will see an
error message telling you to remove the original connection.
You can connect Production Form fields only to compatible database
table columns. For example, if you try to connect a text field on your
Production Form to a database table column with a type of date, the
ID Works software will display an error message. See “Data Types”
on page 88 for compatible field and database types.
Composite fields cannot be connected to a database column.
Instead, connect the fields from which the composite is made.