How to see active box better when entering data

[Marybelle]

Hi. I need help in customizing my file so that when I'm entering data in the Browse mode, I can see which box is active as I tab from box to box. Currently, it is a barely noticable black outline (which doesn't help because my boxes already have a black border. Is there a way to have the cursor flash in red and faster? perhaps a highlight of the entire field?

[coconutt2000]

Change the background behind the field to a color other than white and set the background of the field to transparent. When you tab into the field, the background will turn white. It should stick out better then.

[Marybelle]

Okay, I added a colored box behind all the fields, but how do I get the field boxes to be transparent?

[coconutt2000]

Select the fields in layout mode, and go the background tool in the sidebar. Three boxes representing background color, background pattern, and background style (emboss, engraved,etc). The second box for background patterns, popups a selection of archaic patterns from stripes to dots. The very first two signify transparent and solid backgrounds respectively.

[Marybelle]

I always wondered what those patterns were all about, since I can't imagine the funky ones looking good on anyone's layout.

However, in the Browse mode, whenever I click in the field boxes, all of them still turn white. The active box has a solid thin line whereas the inactive boxes have a dotted line, but they're still hard to visibly identify. Since my tabs jump around a bit I find myself searching for where the active box is once I tab.

Am I just not doing something right?

Please refer to attachment of what I've done. As you can see, all boxes are white, there's a barely noticable text blinker and a light line on the active field.

Thanks for any assistance. It's very much appreciated!

Edited May 4, 2006 by Guest

[LaRetta]

From Layout mode, select Layouts > Layout Setup and uncheck Show Field Frames when Record is Active. Not only does it look better because all the dotted lines will disappear but it will then NOT show the layout background and your 'highlight' will work.

In addition, if you format your cursor to be inside the field by several px, then it will 1) look better because it provides 'gutter breathing room' around your data and 2) allows the cursor to be easily seen. Select the field, then Format > Line Spacing and Custom. You want to Indent left by minimum 5 px. If the indent shows in, then you will need to first View > Object Size. Then click directly on the in until it turns to px THEN go change your left indent to 5 px. I usually indent by 8 px. :wink2:

[LaRetta]

Whoa. "Change the background behind the field to a color other than white "

I confess I skimmed this part because it seemed ON but it is not. It is reversed. Your background (your LAYOUT body) should be WHITE (if you want your highlight to be white). Don't place a rectangle under each field - place a colored rectangle - that peach color - over your entire layout. Then place your fields on top of the peach rectangle. Make your fields transparent fill. Turn off 'Show Field Frames.'

My apology for not catching the inconsistency earlier. ^)

L

Edited May 5, 2006 by Guest

[coconutt2000]

LaRetta's instructions are complete. -)

[Marybelle]

You guys are geniouses...I actually look forward to some data entry later today! Thanks a million!

[Jarvis]

Neat trick LaRetta!

Jarvis