# Step 6: File Maintenance Field Layout

Adding and Removing Fields |

Data Dictionary fields, any defined Extended Validation descriptive fields (SHOW.xxxxxx) and Fonted Text fields can be added to the Layout Grid in Step 6: Fields, whether you are using the Enhanced Layout or the Two-Column Layout.

Any field, except a Key field, can also be removed from the Layout Grid. See Removing Fields.

## Adding Data Dictionary Fields

When fields from the selected data dictionary table are added to the Layout Grid, they are displayed in blue font. You can add one, some or all fields to the Layout Grid.

To add a single field:

Select the field in the Fields list box. Then, drag and drop it into the desired Layout Grid cell.

To add multiple fields:

Select the fields in the Fields list box using Shift-Click (consecutive selections) or Ctrl-Click (random selections). Then, drag and drop the selections into the Layout Grid row that will be the starting point.

To add all fields:

Click the Select All button to highlight all fields in the Fields list box. Then, drag and drop the selections into the Layout Grid row that will be the starting point.

#### Note:
If the number of fields being dropped at one time will exceed the maximum number of rows (50) based on the starting row, a message will display.
Example:
If you attempt to drop 15 fields starting at row 40, a message will display, and the move will not be performed.

If adding a data dictionary field for which a Multi-Line will be created with no assigned data class and a length greater than or equal to 256, the Multi-Line will be created 5 lines high. It will be 40 columns wide if on a half row or 80 columns wide if on a full row.

(The expanded Multi-Line input was added in PxPlus 2023 Update 1.)

## Adding Extended Validation Descriptive Fields (SHOW.xxxxxx)

A SHOW.xxxxxx field (where xxxxxx is the name of its related field) can be added beside its related field in the adjoining cell or directly below it. It can also be added or moved to the same cell as its related field only if the related field is a non-Key segment. This combines the two fields in one cell and allows another field to be placed beside it in the adjoining cell.

To combine a SHOW.xxxxxx field with its related field, the related field must first be in the Layout Grid. Before the two fields are combined, a message will display.

The placement of a SHOW.xxxxxx field will affect the width of the panel. For example, if a SHOW.xxxxxx field is added beside its related field in the adjoining cell, the panel will not be as wide as when it is added to the same cell as its related field.

If combining the two fields in the same cell using the Enhanced Layout, it is recommended to format the cell as a Full section to accommodate the wide control. This is done by right clicking on the cell and selecting Full Section from the popup menu. Adding a wide control to a smaller section will result in a very wide panel with blank space on the right side.

(The ability to combine a SHOW.xxxxxx field and its related field was added in PxPlus 2021.)

See Extended Class Validation and Display.

When added to the Layout Grid, the SHOW.xxxxxx field is displayed in the following format:

elementname from file

Where:

elementname is the name of the element and file is the data file in the data dictionary.

Example:

Name from Sales Rep (SHOW.SalesRep)

When the panel is generated, the SHOW.xxxxxx field Multi-Line is locked and is not included in the tab sequence.

## Adding Fonted Text Fields

Enter the text directly into a cell in the Layout Grid. See Step 4: Controls for fonted text options.

## Removing Fields

Key fields cannot be removed from the Layout Grid. When a data dictionary field is removed from the Layout Grid, it is automatically returned to the Fields list box. Other controls (i.e. List Box, Chart, Image, Horizontal Line, Fonted Text, etc.) are deleted.

To remove a single field, use one of the following methods:

• Press the Delete key to remove the contents of the currently selected cell from the Layout Grid. (Fields cannot be multi-selected for removal.)
• Drag and drop a data dictionary field from the Layout Grid to the Fields list box. (Fields cannot be multi-selected for removal.)
• Right click on the cell containing the field and select the Clear Current Cell option from the popup menu.

(The ability to use the Delete key to remove a field was added in PxPlus 2021.)

To remove a single row, use the following method:

• Right click on a cell in the row and select the Delete Row option from the popup menu.

To remove all fields on the current panel, use one of the following methods:

• Click the Reset button, which displays a message for resetting the Layout Grid.
• Right click on a cell in the Layout Grid and select the Clear All Cells option from the popup menu.

## See Also

Moving Fields