1. Adding a New Field 1
Adding a New Field
Overview
The Form Designer is an interactive design tool which provides you with the ability to configure your forms and
databases to meet your needs. The Detail page shows all the information for a single record in a database.
For example, if you go the Asset List and click the Magnifying Glass icon in the leftmost column, you will see the
Detail page for that record. When you click Edit on the Detail page, you are given a chance to enter information into
all of the fields.
Forms are laid out with fields from the database in rows and columns, similar to a spreadsheet. Typically, the
information flows from top to bottom, with one to three columns (although you may choose to have more) and as
many rows as required to display your data.
When placing fields from the database on to your forms, you have the option of selecting an existing field from the
database or creating a new field to hold your data. If you do not see an appropriate field in the list of existing fields,
then the better option is to create a new field.
Selecting Existing Fields
Selecting an existing field allows you to place fields that have already been defined in the database on to your form.
Locate your desired field in the drop-down list. Note that only those fields that are not already on your form are listed
in the drop-down. Once you find the desired field, select it from the drop down list and click the Select Field button
below the list. A confirmation screen will appear with a Close Window link. Click the link and your form will refresh
itself with the selected field in place.
Remember, if you do not see an appropriate field in the list of existing fields, then you will need to create a new field.
Creating New Fields
When you add a new record to your database, you enter information in the fields that are in the database. These
fields can be several different types. For example:
A Text field where you can type any text you like up to 254 characters.
A Text box that has no text limit or contains HTML coding.
A Numeric box for storing numbers and currency.
A Logical field for True/False and Yes/No data.
A Date field where you choose a date.
A Date & Time field that records the date and the time using a simple calendar/time box.
The fields you create can appear in two places:
On the Detail page. The Detail page shows all the information for a single record in a database. For
example, if you go the Asset List and click the Magnifying Glass icon in the leftmost column, you will see
the Detail page for that record. When you click Edit on the Detail page, you are given a chance to enter
information into all of the fields.
©2007 eMaint Enterprises LLC

2. Adding a New Field 2
In the Query Tools. A query shows a selected set of fields for multiple records. Using the Query Tools, the
user creates views of the data that are of interest to the database users.
As the administrator, you can customize the fields that appear on the Detail page and specify the order in which they
appear. You can also customize the field properties, including:
The name of the field
The description text that appears next to the field
The type of field (for example Text, Numeric, or Logical)
The length of the field (ie, how much data can the field hold)
You can add up to 254 fields to each database.
Next Step: The Data Dictionary
Now that you've created fields and placed them on your form, you can further define how these fields appear and
behave. Use the [DD] link on the form designer to access many of the advanced features of the Data Dictionary
which give you a high level of control over your data.
Last updated: November 21, 2007
©2007 eMaint Enterprises LLC