Multi-Line Properties
When creating or editing a Multi-Line control, the Multi Line Properties dialogue (pictured below using the Folder Style version of the NOMADS designer) is displayed:

Dynamic Control Properties
PxPlus 2018 introduces the capability to create dynamic control properties for Multi-Line controls when combined with Data Classes. Dynamic data classes are created by selecting the Dynamic check box in Data Class Definitions maintenance. At run time, dynamic control properties are evaluated and automatically populated with values based on what is defined in the data class.
When a data class is entered for the Multi-Line control, information from the data class is loaded into the Multi-Line properties. If the data class is dynamic, the dynamic control properties are automatically set to Dynamic initially and assigned a %NOMADS'class' variable that corresponds to a data class field (i.e. %NOMADS'class'length).
Multi-Line control properties designated as dynamic can be manually switched to dynamic or non-dynamic. A Multi-Line control can have a combination of dynamic and non-dynamic control properties only when a data class is entered.
See Dynamic Control Properties for information and examples.
Multi-Line Properties
This dialogue is divided into the following tabbed panels for viewing and/or changing Multi-Line properties: Display, Font/Color, Attributes, Logic, User Aids, Validation and Query.
Name | Unique name of the Multi-Line control (NOMADS provides a default). Naming conventions for variables apply. Click the Browse Library button to copy parameters from an existing object (via the Library Browse dialogue). If using Property Sheets, click the Control Name button to launch the Multi-Line Browse Options dialogue. With the Library Browse option already selected, click OK. (The Multi-Line Browse Options dialogue was added to Property Sheets in PxPlus 2019.) Extended Class Validation If creating a display-only Multi-Line control for an Extended Class Validation data element, the Multi-Line Name must have the following format: SHOW.name.element Where:
Example: SHOW.SALES.DEPARTMENT (where DEPARTMENT is the name of the element in the data dictionary) (Extended Validation was added in PxPlus 2019.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Browse Extended Class Variables) | (Available when Data Class is blank) Click this button to launch Extended Class Browse if creating a display-only Multi-Line control for an Extended Class Validation data element. If using Property Sheets, click the Control Name button to launch the Multi-Line Browse Options dialogue and select the Browse Extended Class Validation Variables option. If a Data Class is entered, this button is not available. (The Multi-Line Browse Options dialogue was added to Property Sheets in PxPlus 2019.) (The Browse Extended Class Variables button was added in PxPlus 2019.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class | Enter a Data Class to load the information from the data class definition into the control's properties. If using Property Sheets, click the Data Class button and enter a data class in the Data Class Options dialogue. (The Data Class Options dialogue was added in PxPlus 2018.) To enter a data class, use any of the following methods:
If the data class is changed, a message will display prior to overwriting any information. This works similar to using the Reapply Data Class button. If the data class assigned to the control has been deleted in Data Class Definitions, the text ** Class not on File ** will display (will be a message box if using Property Sheets). (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Data Class Maintenance) | Click this button to launch Data Class Definitions for creating or editing a data class. If using Property Sheets, click the Data Class button, then click the Data Class Maintenance button in the Data Class Options dialogue. (The Data Class Options dialogue was added in PxPlus 2018.) (The Data Class Maintenance button was added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Reapply Data Class) | (Available when a data Class is entered) Click this button to update control properties with current information from the selected data class. A message displays before any control properties are overwritten. If using Property Sheets, click the Data Class button and select the Reapply Class check box in the Data Class Options dialogue. (The Data Class Options dialogue was added in PxPlus 2018.) (The Reapply Data Class button was added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dynamic Class | (Display Only) Indicates whether the selected data Class is Dynamic. See Dynamic Control Properties. If using Property Sheets, click the Data Class button to display the Dynamic Class check box in the Data Class Options dialogue. (The Data Class Options dialogue was added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preview | Displays how the visible properties of the control will appear at run time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Display ( * indicates a Dynamic property) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Initial Value | Value to be loaded when the Multi-Line is drawn. Can be a Fixed value, string Expression, Message Library Reference or Dynamic. (Dynamic is available only when a data Class is entered.) If a dynamic data class is entered, this property will be automatically set to Dynamic and assigned a %NOMADS'class' variable, which is locked. If the data class is not dynamic, this property can be manually set to Dynamic. See Dynamic Control Properties. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Input Length | Maximum input characters. Can be a Fixed value, numeric Expression or Dynamic. (Dynamic is available only when a data Class is entered.) If a dynamic data class is entered, this property will be automatically set to Dynamic and assigned a %NOMADS'class' variable, which is locked. If the data class is not dynamic, this property can be manually set to Dynamic. See Dynamic Control Properties. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Empty Value | Text to display if null input (Fixed, Expression or Dynamic). (Dynamic is available only when a data Class is entered.) If a dynamic data class is entered, this property will be automatically set to Dynamic and assigned a %NOMADS'class' variable, which is locked. If the data class is not dynamic, this property can be manually set to Dynamic. See Dynamic Control Properties. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Implied Decimal Point | Determines implied decimal support for numeric Multi-Lines. Click the drop-down arrow for a list of selections: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Input Format | Format mask for Multi-Line. Can be Fixed, string Expression or Dynamic. (Dynamic is available only when a data Class is entered.) If a dynamic data class is entered, this property will be automatically set to Dynamic and assigned a %NOMADS'class' variable, which is locked. If the data class is not dynamic, this property can be manually set to Dynamic. See Dynamic Control Properties.
(Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position |
(Support for increased Column and Line maximums was added in PxPlus 2021.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Size |
For Multi-Line sizing, see the 'MF' parameter and the MULTI_LINE directive. (Support for increased Width and Height maximums was added in PxPlus 2021.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attributes | Optional attributes for Tab Stop, Numeric, Initially Disabled and Initially Hidden. See Attributes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Font/Color ( * indicates a Dynamic property) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Font Specification |
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Color |
(The Color Selections Query button and dialog were added in PxPlus 2020.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attributes | Optional attributes. See Attributes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Visual Class | Assign a visual class to the control. Can be Fixed, Expression or Dynamic. (Dynamic is available only when a data Class is entered.) Click the Visual Class Maintenance button to launch the Visual Classes Maintenance utility for creating or editing visual classes. To assign visual classes to controls at the library level, see Visual Class Assignment. If a dynamic data class is entered, this property will be automatically set to Dynamic and assigned a %NOMADS'class' variable, which is locked. If the data class is not dynamic, this property can be manually set to Dynamic. See Dynamic Control Properties. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*iNomads Class | Assign an iNomads class to the control. Can be Fixed, Expression or Dynamic. (Dynamic is available only when a data Class is entered.) If a dynamic data class is entered, this property will be automatically set to Dynamic and assigned a %NOMADS'class' variable, which is locked. If the data class is not dynamic, this property can be manually set to Dynamic. See Dynamic Control Properties. The iNomads class contains class attribute references used when defining the control in the HTML code generated in iNomads. An iNomads class reference must start with an alpha character (A-Z or a-z), followed by any combination of A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore or dash. Multiple references may be entered, separated by a space. For a list of pre-defined iNomads classes, see iNomads Classes. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attributes ( * indicates a Dynamic property) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attributes |
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Load Options |
(Support for EZ Load and enhanced Smart Load capability was added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
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Logic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Default Program | Displays the name of the Default Program used in the Panel Header definition. (The Default Program was added for display in PxPlus 2019.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Post Create | Logic to be processed after the control is drawn. Click the drop-down arrow for a list of selections. See Events Logic. Click the Program Logic button beside the Perform or Call action to launch the default program editor, which is typically the *IT - Integrated Toolkit. To make Ed+ the default program editor, change the setting for the %NOMADS'Program_Editor property to Ed+. (The ability to set Ed+ as the default program editor was added in PxPlus 2023.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
When Receiving Focus | Logic to execute when the control receives focus. Click the drop-down arrow for a list of selections. See Events Logic. Click the Program Logic button beside the Perform or Call action to launch the default program editor, which is typically the *IT - Integrated Toolkit. To make Ed+ the default program editor, change the setting for the %NOMADS'Program_Editor property to Ed+. (The ability to set Ed+ as the default program editor was added in PxPlus 2023.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On Change | Logic to be executed when focus leaves the control or the state of the control has changed. Click the drop-down arrow for a list of selections. See Events Logic. Click the Program Logic button beside the Perform or Call action to launch the default program editor, which is typically the *IT - Integrated Toolkit. To make Ed+ the default program editor, change the setting for the %NOMADS'Program_Editor property to Ed+. (The ability to set Ed+ as the default program editor was added in PxPlus 2023.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
User Aids ( * indicates a Dynamic property) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dynamic (from Data Class) | (Available when a data Class is entered) If selected, identifies which Help Reference properties are dynamic. If a dynamic data class is entered, this check box is automatically selected. If the data class is not dynamic, this check box can be manually selected. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Help Reference | Help text to be invoked at run time by pressing Shift - F1 while focus is on a control.
If the Dynamic (from Data Class) check box is selected, the Help Reference properties will be dynamic and locked. See Dynamic Control Properties. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Floating Tip | Mouse pointer message for the control. Can be a Fixed value, string Expression, Message Library Reference or Dynamic. (Dynamic is available only when a data Class is entered.) If a dynamic data class is entered, this property will be automatically set to Dynamic and assigned a %NOMADS'class' variable, which is locked. If the data class is not dynamic, this property can be manually set to Dynamic. See Dynamic Control Properties. You can customize the floating tip by adding a tip title, descriptive tip text and a hyperlink. These features enhance the visual display and functionality of the tip by providing users with much needed information at their fingertips. You can define either a Standard tip or an HTML tip that provides a simplified HTML Editor for customizing the tip text. To do this, click the button to the right of the Floating Tip Multi-Line input to invoke the Define Info Tip dialogue. See Defining an Info Tip. NOMADS Wiki Help The floating tip text can be used when displaying the Wiki Help. Info tips, however, are not supported and will be ignored. (Support for customizing Floating Tips was added in PxPlus 2016.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Message Bar | Text to be displayed in the panel's status bar when focus is on the control. Can be a Fixed value, string Expression, Message Library Reference or Dynamic). (Dynamic is available only when a data Class is entered.) If a dynamic data class is entered, this property will be automatically set to Dynamic and assigned a %NOMADS'class' variable, which is locked. If the data class is not dynamic, this property can be manually set to Dynamic. See Dynamic Control Properties. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Validation ( * indicates a Dynamic property) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dynamic (from Data Class) | (Available when a data Class is entered) If selected, identifies which Data Validation/Display Logic properties are dynamic. If a dynamic data class is entered, this check box is automatically selected. If the data class is not dynamic, this check box can be manually selected. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Data Validation/Display Logic | If the Dynamic (from Data Class) check box is selected, the Validator, Formatter and Rules properties will all be set to Dynamic and assigned %NOMADS'class' variables, which are locked. (All three properties must be either dynamic or non-dynamic.) See Dynamic Control Properties.
(Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Size Override on Focus |
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Query ( * indicates a Dynamic property) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dynamic (from Data Class) | (Available when a data Class is entered) If selected, identifies which Query Type and its associated properties are dynamic. If a dynamic data class is entered, this check box is automatically selected. If the data class is not dynamic, this check box can be manually selected. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Query Type | Type of query to associate to the control: Panel, Query Program, Non-Query Logic, Spinner Controls, Calendar. Valid formats include a NOMADS query object or query list, a custom query panel, or user-supplied query program. Depending on the Query Type selected, different information is entered. See Query Type. For information on assigning a query to a control, see Assigning a Query. For information on using the query to launch a service program, see Service Queries for Web, Email, Map and Open File. To view a video presentation on how to add a Google map query, go to How to Add a Google Map. To view a video presentation on how to use the embedded query feature, which includes the %NOMAD_Qry_Attr$ property, go to How to Use Embedded Query. If setting up the Multi-Line as a Smart control (see Smart Load attribute above), you can define a query for the Smart control. See Defining Smart Controls. If the Dynamic (from Data Class) check box is selected, the Query Type and its associated properties will be dynamic and locked. See Dynamic Control Properties. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auto Complete | (Available if Query Type is Panel, Query Program or Non-Query Logic) Assign a specific auto complete definition to the Multi-Line. Click the drop-down arrow for a list of existing entries (if defined using Auto Complete Definition). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Query Button Options | (Available if Query Type is Panel, Query Program or Non-Query Logic) Options for setting the appearance of the query button for the Multi-Line. See Query Button Options. If the Dynamic (from Data Class) check box is selected, the query button properties will be dynamic and locked. See Dynamic Control Properties. (Dynamic data classes and properties were added in PxPlus 2018.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Security | Security restrictions. See Restricting Access for information on Object Security Definition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Groups | Assign the control to a group. See Group Assignment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Popup Menu | Associate a popup menu that will appear when you right-click the mouse over the selected control. See Popup Menu. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes | Add notes/comments for the control. Maximum 1024 characters. These notes also display in the Wiki Help documentation for the panel. See NOMADS Wiki Help. (The Notes button was added in PxPlus 2023.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||