Specifications

CHAPTER 8 Displaying and Validating Data
Users Guide 261
If the definition of the display format later changes in the extended attribute
system tables, the format for the column in a report or form does not change. If
you want to use the modified format, you can reapply it to the column in the
Form or Report painter.
Working with display formats in the Database painter
Typically, you define display formats and associate them with columns in the
Database painter, because display formats are properties of the data itself. Once
you have associated a display format with a column in the Database painter, it
is used by default each time the column is placed in a report or form.
Edit style takes precedence
If a column has an associated edit style, the edit style takes precedence over a
display format unless you use an EditMask edit style and check the Use Format
box on the Format property page.
For more information, see “About edit styles” on page 270.
❖ To create a new display format:
1 In the Database painter, open the Extended Attributes view, right-click
Display Formats, and select Add from the pop-up menu.
The Display Format view displays.
2 Name the display format and specify a datatype.
3 Define the display format using masks.
For information, see “Defining display formats” on page 263.
You can use this display format with any column of the appropriate datatype in
the database.
❖ To modify an existing display format:
1 In the Database painter, open the Extended Attributes view.
2 In the Extended Attributes view, open the list of display formats.
3 Position the pointer on the display format you want to modify, display the
pop-up menu, and select Properties.
4 In the Display Format view, modify the display format as desired.
For information, see “Defining display formats” on page 263.