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Adding a Normal User Defined Field

Set up a normal user defined field (UDF) for common data entry Complete the following steps to add a normal user defined field (UDF):

1. Click Tools > Field and UDF Customizations to open the Field and UDF Customizations window.

2. If you want to select a grid layout theme, follow these steps:

   1. Click Customize to open the Column Selections dialog box.

   2. Click the down arrow in Select a Layout Theme and select a theme in the selection list.

   3. Click Save to close the dialog box and return to the Field and UDF Customizations window.

3. Select an item in the Properties panel that includes the data entry grid you want to add a UDF. For example, double-click Facility Surveys > CPDM > Test Point > Test Point Inspection to display a grid with fields and property settings related to the Test Point Inspection data entry grid (Field and UDF Customizations).

   Clicking the Properties bar collapses the Properties panel allowing you to view more of the grid. Clicking the bar again expands the panel.

   

   Field and UDF Customizations

4. Click Normal in the toolbar to open the Add Normal Field dialog box.

   

   Add Normal Field

5. Type a unique name for the UDF in the Caption field.

6. Choose the type of field you want to add. Click the down arrow in the Data Type field and select one of the following options:

   • Character: Supports characters such as A, B, and C. This data type can be used for both character and numeric data. If you plan to use mixed data, such as a number and a character or dash, define the data type as a character. If you plan to create a picklist for the UDF, use the Character data type. For more information about picklists, see Adding a Standard Picklist User Defined Field.

   • Numeric: Supports values such as 1, 2, 3, and numeric values that use formats such as 999.999 or –99.999.

   • Date: Supports a date format using MM/DD/YYYY (month, day, year), such as 11/12/2012.

   • Logical: Supports a yes/no selection in the form of a check box to enable or disable an option in the data entry grid.

   • Memo: Supports more than 255 characters and carriage returns.

   • DateTime: Supports a date and time format using HH:MM:SS (hours, minutes, seconds) and MM/DD/YYYY (month, day, year), such as 11:15:45, 12/11/2012.

   • Integer: Supports a positive or negative whole number or zero, such as -2, 4, 123, and 3,245.

7. If you selected either the Character or Numeric data type, set the length of the field by typing the number of characters required for the UDF in the Width field.

   Clicking the up arrow in the Width field increases the value; clicking the down arrow decreases the value.

8. If you selected the Numeric data type, set the number of decimal places required for the UDF by typing a value in the Decimals field.

9. If you selected the Numeric data type and want to set up range checking for the UDF, click the Range Checking option and then type a minimum and maximum value in the respective fields.

   Range checking is the acceptable range of values allowed for data entry in a field. Setting up range checking allows PCS to alert the user when an incorrect value has been entered.

10. Click Save to close the dialog box and return to the Field and UDF Customizations window.

    The UDF is now available for adding in a data entry grid. If needed, see Working with Themes and Filter Groups for information about how to add fields in a data entry grid.