Form elements

Actions

Actions automate tasks for the user. Add actions to the menu in the Notes® client, or add actions with buttons or hotspots on a form, subform, or page. For more information, see the topic Actions in the chapter "Adding Automation to Applications."

Applets

Use Java™ applets to include small programs, such as an animated logo or a self-contained application, in a form, subform, or page. For more information on including Java™ applets, see the chapter "Including Java™ Applets in Applications."

Attachments

You can attach files to a form, subform, or page so users can detach or launch files locally.

Automation

You can create form actions, buttons, or hotspots on a form, subform, or page to automate simple or complex tasks. For more information on creating these elements see the chapter "Adding Automation to Applications."

Computed text

Use computed text to generate dynamic text based on formula results.

Embedded elements

You can embed the following elements in a form, subform, or page:

• Embedded outline
• Embedded view or folder pane
• Embedded navigator
• Embedded date picker

You can embed the following elements only in a form or subform:

• Embedded file upload
• Embedded scheduler
• Embedded editor

You can use any of these embedded elements alone or combine them to control how users navigate through your application.

Fields

Fields are the design elements that collect data. You can create fields only on forms or subforms. Each field on a form stores a single type of information. A field's field type defines the kind of information a field accepts. You can place fields anywhere on a form. For information on fields, see the chapter "Designing Fields."

Graphics

You can place a graphic anywhere on a form, subform, or page. The graphic appears on the page or on any document created with the form or subform. For example, on a form for correspondence, placing your company logo at the beginning of the form creates a letterhead. For more information on using graphics on a page, form, or subform, see the topic "Using graphics" in the chapter "Designing Pages."

Horizontal rules

You can add horizontal rules to separate different parts of a form, subform, or page.

HTML

You can use HTML on forms, subforms, and pages. You can either write your own HTML or use existing HTML by importing or pasting the HTML. You can also convert a form or page to HTML and use the HTML editor.

Imagemaps

Imagemaps are graphics you enhance with programmable hotspots that perform some action when clicked by a user. Imagemaps are often used as navigational structures in an application. You can use them on a form, subform, or page.

JavaScript™ libraries

You can find and insert JavaScript™ libraries into a page, form or subform. For more information on inserting JavaScript™ libraries, see the topic "Inserting a JavaScript™ library" in the chapter "Designing Pages."

Layers

Layers let you position overlapping blocks of content on a form, subform, or page. Layers give you greater design flexibility because you can control the placement, size, and content of the information. For more information on layers, see the topic "Layers" in the chapter "Designing Pages."

Layout region

A layout region is a fixed-length design area in which related elements can be moved easily and be displayed in ways not possible on regular forms and subforms. A layout region can contain static text, graphics, buttons, and all fields except rich text fields. You can hide or collapse a layout region and all its components under certain conditions. Layout regions are not supported for Web applications. For more information on layout regions, see the topic "Layout regions" in this chapter.

Links

Within a form, subform, or page, you can add links to databases, views, specific documents, or URL links that open pages on the Internet.

Sections

A section is a collapsible and expandable area defined on a form or subform. It can include fields, objects, layout regions, and text. For more information on sections, see the topic "Creating sections" in the chapter "Designing Pages."

An access-controlled section allows only certain users to edit the fields in the section.

Shared resource

The following shared resources can be added to a form or subform:

• Images
• JavaScript™ libraries
• Shared fields
• Subforms
• Style sheets
• HTML Files

Style sheet (CSS) shared resources

You can find and insert a cascading style sheet (CSS) as a shared resource on a page, form, or subform. For more information on style sheets, see the topic "Creating style sheets as shared resources" in the "Designing Pages" chapter.

Subforms

A subform is a collection of form elements stored as a single object. A subform can be a permanent part of a form or can appear conditionally, depending on the result of a formula. Subforms save redesign time. When you change a field on a subform, every form that uses the subform changes. Common uses of subforms include adding a company logo to business documents or adding mailing label information to mail and memo forms. For more information on including subforms, see the topic Subforms in this chapter.

Tables

Use tables in forms, subforms, and pages to summarize information or to align elements such as fields and graphics in rows and columns. For information on creating programmable tables, see the topic "Creating programmable tables" in the chapter "Designing Pages."

Text

Text is often used to label fields so users understand the purpose of each field.