Xdialog Text Boxes

Description

Syntax for creating Text Box controls, including Static and Dynamic Text, in an Xdialog.

Name
Description
Dynamic Text

If you want to display text that is stored in a variable on a dialog box, you can use the {text=string} command to create a dynamic text object on the dialog.  Since the size of the dynamic text may change, you must specify a size for the text object. Sizes for most objects on Xdialogs are represented by a columns parameter and an optional rows parameter.

Dynamic Text H Directive

The H=R directive causes the line spacing of dynamic text to be calculated based on the actual font being used, rather than the default font, which is Arial 8.

Dynamic Text O Directive

The O directive allows you to format dynamic text. When you have multiple directives in a Format string, you separate them with semi-colons ";".

Dynamic Text O Directive {@@} Operator

The {@@} operator is used in a Dynamic Text owner draw (O) directive to specify that the text contains embedded formatting commands.

Dynamic Text O Directive {B} Operator

The {B} operator is used in a Dynamic Text owner draw (O) directive to specify background colors.

Dynamic Text O Directive {C} Operator

The {C} operator is used in a Dynamic Text owner draw (O) directive to specify foreground colors.

Static Text

The text "Hello World" is referred to as "static text". Static text is comprised of any characters that don't have special meaning. For example, the '<' and '>' characters have a special meaning.

Static Text Control Syntax

Refer to the {'} command.

Static Text H Directive

The H=R directive specifies that width (character) and height (line) calculations will be performed using the currently specified font and point size, rather than the default Arial 8 point.

Static Text O Directive

The O directive allows you to format static text. When you have multiple directives in a Format string, you separate them with semi-colons ";".

Static Text O Directive {B} Operator

The {B} operator is used in the static text owner draw (O) directive to specify background colors.

Static Text O Directive {C} Operator

The {C} operator is used in the static text owner draw (O) directive to specify foreground colors.

Static Text O Directive {F} Operator

The {F} operator is used in the static text owner draw string to specify font, point size, and style.

Static Text O Directive {I} Operator

The {I} operator adds an image into a static text.  When you have multiple directives in a Format string, you separate them with semi-colons ";".

Static Text Syntax

The {'} syntax allows you to insert static text anywhere on an Xdialog.

Text Box * Directive

The * directive defines the Text Box whose text will be auto-selected. When you have multiple directives in a Format string, you separate them with semi-colons ";".

Text Box A Directive

The A directive allows the text box to accept a Tab as a character, as opposed to moving the cursor to the next control.

Text Box A5W Directive

The %a5w% flag makes the text box behave like an editor for Alpha Anywhere web pages (e.g. .a5w pages). The html tags are color coded. The text inside the <%a5w ... %> tags are interpreted as Xbasic and all of the bubble help and auto-complete for Xbasic works correctly.

Text Box F Directive

The F directive converts a text box into a file selection smart control.

Text Box I Directive

You can turn a standard text box control into a Xbasic Interactive Window using the %I% formatting code. You should define column and row dimensions for the text box that are large enough to display a reasonable size code editor. Here is an example dialog with an embedded code editor.

Text Box K Directive

The K directive maintains highlighting in a Text Box even when it loses focus.

Text Box L Directive

You can turn a standard text box control into a Xbasic Code Editor using the %L% formatting code. You should define column and row dimensions for the text box that are large enough to display a reasonable size code editor.

Text Box M Directive

The M directive creates a multi-line Text Box. You must add CR-LF codes to make the text appear on the second and subsequent lines.

Text Box N Directive

Causes the Change event to fire only when the control loses focus. Normally, the Change event fires as soon as the value in the control changes.

Text Box P Directive

The P directive allows hides the input to the text box, allowing it to be used to accept passwords.

Text Box P= Directive

The P= directive makes the text in a Text Box into a customized smart field.

Text Box + Directive

Defines a Text Box with auto advance. 

Text Box R Directive

The R directive makes the text in a Text Box read-only.

Text Box S Directive

The S directive makes the text in a Text Box into a spin control.

Text Box Syntax

One or more Text Boxes may appear inside the Format section of a UI_DLG_BOX() function. Note that all text box entries are left aligned. To control the left padding of the data in text box controls, see A5.SYSTEM_MODE_SET().

Text Box TF Directive

The TF directive precedes a time or date format. When you have multiple directives in a format string, you separate them with semi-colons ";".

Text Box V Directive

The V directive creates a vertical scroll bar in a Text Box.

Text Box W Directive

The W directive creates a word-wrapped a multi-line Text Box.

Text Box Z Directive

The Z directive is used in combination with the S directive to make a spin control that does not display 0 values.

Xdialog Text Control Methods

Alpha Anywhere provides the following functions for use with a Text Control on an Xdialog box.