Empty Container Field Replace with text?

[stann]

Hi

I would like to make a script which would allow me to insert text into a container field for a container field when there is an empty container field. I would like a script to go to each record and determine if the container is empty and if so replace it with text.

Is this doable.

Thanks

STan.

Version: v6.x

Platform: Mac OS X Panther

[bruceR]

No.

Instead, create a calc field ContainerMessage, case(isEmpty(container, "This field is empty"). Format not to allow entry, make it transparent, and put it over the top of the container.

[CobaltSky]

Hi Stan,

It is possible, however the text will have to be in vector graphic form (and therefore not directly editable) in order to be stored in the container.

How I suggest that you go about it is:

1. Go into layout mode, select the text tool and type the text that you want to place into the empty containers.

2. Create a global container field called 'gVectorText', then copy the text from layout mode, go to browse mode and paste it into the gVectorText field.

3 Create a script along the following lines:

Show All Records

Go to Record/Request/Page [First]

Loop

If ["IsEmpty(YourContainerField)"]

Set Field ["YourContainerField", "gVectorText"]

End If

Go to Record/Request/Page [Exit after last, Next]

End Loop

Your default text will then appear in all of the container fields which were previously empty, but existing container field contents will not be disturbed.

If you want any new records to start out with the text appearing in the container field, you'd need to set an auto-entry calc to reference the gVectorText field, on your container field.