How to show a message for users in a text field for a matter of seconds

[liltbrockie]

I want to provide users with some feedback in a text field on our layouts so they know what they have just done...But I don't want this message to appear forever I'd like it to dissapear after a few seconds... Is there any way of doing this? The only way I could think of to get rid of the message would be to use script triggers on the layout but I don't like the way this could mean the users doesnt actually get to see the message because the script trigger has deleted it...

[eos]

Does it have to be a field, or would a $$variable do? Here, the user must dismiss the message; maybe use a timer script.

LayoutAlert.fp7.zip

[liltbrockie]

Does it have to be a field, or would a $$variable do? Here, the user must dismiss the message; maybe use a timer script.

Yes I dont want to have them dismiss it. I just want it to disappear after a few seconds.

[eos]

Yes I dont want to have them dismiss it. I just want it to disappear after a few seconds.

Well, then try this one.

LayoutAlertWithTimer.fp7.zip

[liltbrockie]

Well, then try this one.

Incredible... Thanks a lot!

While this simple example works.. .will there/ could there be any issues with this in a larger solution where the user may go off and run other scripts on the layout while the 2 second timer is running?

[Christensen Design]

One other note on displaying global vars as static text...

Rather than use 'Refresh Window' to update variables on a layout, you can use 'Freeze Window'. This forces an update of the global vars and conditional formatting of the layout without the flicker/flash effect that you often get with the refresh command.

[comment]

Wouldn't a pause in the script do?

[eos]

One other note on displaying global vars as static text...Rather than use 'Refresh Window' to update variables on a layout, you can use 'Freeze Window' …

Good tip, this seems to work. Another one for the toolkit.

Wouldn't a pause in the script do?

I had thought about that, but AFAICS, the user would remain in the field for the duration of the pause and see the Cancel/Continue buttons.

Incredible... Thanks a lot! While this simple example works.. .will there/ could there be any issues with this in a larger solution where the user may go off and run other scripts on the layout while the 2 second timer is running?

I did a brief test with a script and a button to open a custom dialog during the interval. If you click the button during the interval, then the message remains on-screen until the user dismisses the dialog; i.e. the timer script is postponed until the execution of the next script is finished.

I think you must consider which other scripts or actions the user could initiate during that time, and judge if it's worth the effort; e.g. after switching to another record the message is still correct, but now would be misleading.

[comment]

the user would remain in the field for the duration of the pause ...

Not sure why.

...and see the Cancel/Continue buttons.

Only if the status area is shown.