# Panel Designer

Menu Options |

As with other aspects of NOMADS, there is usually more than one way to access Panel Designer functionality: via the Menu Bar, the Tool Bar, or Controls Toolbar.

The options below are listed in the order that they appear on the menu bar: Panel, Edit, Controls, Options, Utilities, Sizing, Projects, iNomads, Panel Details, Wiki Info, Help, Window and Quit.

Panel | Drop-down menu for panel level options.
Header | Display Panel Definition properties. Same as the Header tool bar button. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Copy to | Copy the current panel to another library or to a new library name. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Print | Print the details of all panel controls. Same as the Print tool bar button. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Menus | Define a menu bar for the panel. See Menu Bar.
Save | Save changes to the panel without exiting. Same as the Save tool bar button. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Lock to Toolbar | (NOMADS+ Only) Locks the Design panel to the NOMADS+ Toolbar to allow these to be moved simultaneously. #### Note: The Design panel can be moved independently at any time.
Show Tooltip | Display a floating tooltip showing the name and position/size co-ordinates for a selected object. When launching the NOMADS Panel Designer for the first time, the default setting of this option coincides with the Hide tips system option, which is found by selecting the PxPlus icon in the upper left corner of the NOMADS Panel Designer. If Hide tips is initially Off, then Show Tooltip will be set to On. To suppress tooltips from displaying each time you access the Panel Designer, set Show Tooltip to Off. (The Show Tooltip option was added in PxPlus 2014.01 Update 0005.)
Default to Pointer | (NOMADS+ Only) Sets the Pointer Tool as the default for the NOMADS+ Toolbar/Design panel. Setting this option to Off changes the default from the Pointer Tool to the Button control. (The Pointer tool and Default to Pointer option in NOMADS+ were added in PxPlus 2019.)
Test | Switch to test mode. Same as the Test tool bar button. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Close | Exit Panel Designer with the option to save/abandon changes.
Delete Panel | Delete the panel from the current library. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.

Edit | Drop-down menu for panel editing options. These may also be invoked via quick key sequences (where indicated below).
Undo | Undo up to 50 changes. Same as the Undo tool bar button. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Redo | Sequentially reapplies the last changes that were undone by the Undo option until a new change is made. After a new change, Redo will recall only changes that were "undone" after the newest change. Same as the Redo tool bar button. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Delete Object | Same function as the Delete key.
Size | Set sizing mode for selected object(s). Use arrow keys to change dimensions. Press Enter to set new size.
Move | Set moving mode for selected object(s). Use the four arrow keys to move object. Press Enter to set new location.
Paste | Paste object(s) from clipboard. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Cut | Cut selected object(s).
Copy | Copy selected object(s).
Select All | Select all of the components in the panel. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Block Paste | Launch the Block Paste dialog for merging objects from another panel.
Duplicate Object | Create a duplicate of a selected object with the same dimensions and properties as the original. See Duplicating Components.
New Object | Create a new object with the same dimensions as the original but with none of its properties. See Duplicating Components.
Align or Distribute | Launch options for group spacing of selected controls.
Grid Alignment | Change grid alignment for the current panel. See Grid Definition Defaults.
Show grid | Display grid lines on the panel.
Tab order | Launches the Tab Order Definition Utility for defining the tabbing sequence. Same as the Tabs tool bar button (Folder Style and Property Sheets).

Controls | These options are also accessible as buttons in the Controls Toolbar.
Pointer Tool | (NOMADS+ and Property Sheets) Use the Pointer Tool (default) for selecting either a single control or for drawing a selection box around multiple controls in a group so that the same function (i.e. copying/pasting, moving, deleting) can be applied to them at the same time. #### Note: (NOMADS+ Only) Setting the Default to Pointer option (Panel menu) to Off changes the default from the Pointer Tool to the Button control. (The Pointer tool and Default to Pointer option in NOMADS+ were added in PxPlus 2019.)
Button | Single button.
Radio Button | Radio button.
Check box | Check box for toggling on/off (or Tri-State) options.
List box | View items as a list.
Drop box | Drop-down menu of items/values.
Multi line | Input field.
Grid | Columns and rows of cells for entering information.
Chart | Chart-style illustrations.
Data Class | Standardized Data Class definitions.
Dictionary | Reference to data dictionary table.
Standard Text | Plain system font for display text.
Fonted Text | Windows fonts for display text (titles, labels).
Image | Bitmap or multimedia item.
Boxes | Frame lines for grouping panel sections.
Shapes | Shapes such as Pies, Arcs, Polygons.
Vertical Sbar | Vertical scrollbar.
Horizontal Sbar | Horizontal scrollbar.
Tab Selector | Create tabbed folder.
External Control | Use External Control.
Embed Panel | Place contents of another panel onto the current panel. Also available from the popup menu when right clicking on the panel.
Group Items | (NOMADS+ and Folder Style) Used for selecting multiple controls in a group so that the same function (i.e. copying/pasting, moving, deleting) can be applied to them at the same time. When this tool is selected, use the mouse to draw a selection box around the controls to be grouped. (Similar functionality to the Pointer Tool.)

Options | Miscellaneous options.
Create Label For Dictionary Element | When selected (displays a check mark), this option generates a fonted text label for a data dictionary Element control (see Data Element Controls) when the control is drawn. At the same time, the Incl. Label check box is selected. (If using NOMADS+ toolbar, the Include Element Label check box is selected.) Both of these options remain selected until either one is deselected or the panel designer is exited. (The Incl. Label check box was added in PxPlus 2018 Update 0001.) #### Note: This option has no effect on Check Box and Radio Button element controls and will be ignored if selected. These controls will be created as normal. To apply this option:
1. | Select the Create Label For Dictionary Element option.
2. | Select an element to be placed on the panel (see Element). The Element button changes to dark red and displays the name of the selected element. At the same time, the Include Element Label check box displays, already selected. becomes selected.
3. | Draw the element control. (At this point, a message displays only if the selected element is associated with a Dynamic Data Class.)
4. | A Fonted Text Properties window displays for the generated element label. By default, the label is positioned to the left of the control but can be adjusted if needed.
Properties Table | (Property Sheets Only) Presents a list of options for adjusting the format and appearance of Property Sheets.
Change Bulk Edit/Property Sort Order | (NOMADS+ and Folder Style) Opens the Change Bulk Edit/Property Sort Order window for customizing how property groupings are displayed in Property Sheets, the Panel Bulk Edit Utility, and the Library Bulk Edit and Search Utility (for the Properties to Edit grid).

Utilities | Drop-down menu for panel/library utilities.
Bulk Edit | Launches the Panel Bulk Edit Utility for changing the design properties of two or more selected panel controls.
Dependency Definition | Launches the Dependency Definition Utility that enables selected controls to be hidden, locked, enabled based on a preset condition.
Drag&Drop | Launches the Drag and Drop Utility that allows selected items to be moved between controls at run time.
Group Assignment | Launches the Group Assignment Utility for assigning controls to a group name for a selected library and panel.
Suppress Groups | Launches the Suppress Groups utility that is used for choosing which group(s) of controls to display or temporarily suppress from displaying on the current panel in the NOMADS Panel Designer. (The Suppress Groups utility was added in PxPlus 2021.)
Visual Class Assignment | Launches the Visual Class Assignment Utility for assigning visual classes to controls.
Resize | Launches the Custom Sizing Definition Utility for defining resizing options for the panel and for all the controls on it.
Tab Order Definition | (NOMADS+ Only) Launches the Tab Order Definition Utility for defining the tabbing sequence.
User CTLS | Launches the User Defined CTL Values Utility for assigning CTL values that are used to associate programs or events with specific function key values when running the current panel. Same as the Ctls toolbar button (if using Folder Style or Property Sheets).
Auto Complete | Launches the Auto Complete Definition Utility for defining auto complete functionality for use in a Multi-Line Control.
Calendar | Launches the Calendar Control Definition Utility for defining calendar functionality for use in a Multi-Line Control.
Assign Substitute Panels | Launches Substitute Panel Maintenance for specifying conditions to apply when loading a substitute panel instead of the original one.
Assign Alternate Panels | Launches Alternate Panel Maintenance for specifying conditions to apply when resizing and displaying an alternate panel instead of the original one.
Nomads+ | Launches a multi-functional dialog that combines Folder Style and Property Sheets and lists all panel controls and specific properties in a grid format. See NOMADS+ Toolbar.
Property Sheets | Displays the properties for a selected control using a two-column table format. See Using Property Sheets.
Folder Style | Displays the properties for a selected control using a tabbed folder format. See Using Folder Style.

Sizing | (NOMADS+ Only) Drop-down menu for panel and/or objects sizing.
Fixed | Panel size is fixed and objects have fixed sizes and locations.
Resizable | Panel is resizable but objects have fixed sizes and locations.
Resizable/Auto Scroll | Panel is resizable, and objects have fixed sizes. However, specific objects can be set to scroll by checking the Enable Scrolling property in their Properties window or in the Custom Sizing Definition Utility.
Resizable/Auto Size | Panel is resizable, and objects are resized and relocated based on the ratio of the original size to the new panel size.
Resizable/Custom | Panel is resizable, and each object can be resized (Auto Size) or remain fixed in size (Fixed). Auto size objects are automatically relocated, whereas fixed-sized objects will have the following Movement options available: Default, Default (Centered), or Anchored (Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Top/Left, Top/Right, Bottom/Left and Bottom/Right).

Projects | Drop-down menu for projects.
Create New Project | Launches the Create Project dialog for entering a new project for the current working directory. Click the Query button to select a different working directory.
Add to Project | Launches the Add to Project dialog for adding the current task to an existing project that is selected from the Project drop box. To manage all the tasks within a project, see Project Maintenance. For information on adding tasks to a project from other locations, see Adding Tasks to Projects from Other Locations.

iNomads | #### Note: iNomads is not available with a base PxPlus activation. Contact your PxPlus reseller or visit the PxPlus website www.pvxplus.com for product information and licensing. Lists options for creating and running a panel in iNomads. (The iNomads menu was added to the Panel Designer in PxPlus 2016.)
Create/Edit Transaction | Launches iNomads Transaction Maintenance for defining the program or NOMADS panel to use for an iNomads application.
Run transaction | Displays the current saved panel in iNomads in "test" mode on a new Web browser page using the admin template. This allows you to preview the panel so you can determine if further adjustments are needed in the NOMADS Panel Designer. If the panel already exists in iNomads Transaction Maintenance, that transaction will be run. #### Note: This "test" functionality is not available when running WindX.

Panel Details | Launches the Panel Details dialog. (The Panel Details dialog was added in PxPlus 2018.)
| Launches the Panel Details dialog, which contains a summary list of panel information and includes the following categories: Alternate Panels, Dependencies, Drag and Drop, Groups, Menu, Substitute Panels, User CTLs and Visual Classes. The category headings are clickable, invoking the associated utility program to edit the panel.

Wiki Info | (The Wiki Info menu option was added in PxPlus 2023.)
| Spawns EZWeb for the PxPlus Wiki (if not already running) and then displays panel information for the current NOMADS panel in a new tab on your default Web browser. Example: When the PxPlus Wiki launches, the panel information for the current panel, Product_Mnt, displays:

Help | Additional help options.
Edit Keys | Provides a list of keystroke combinations that are mapped to NOMADS functionality; i.e. Ctrl + S = Save, Ctrl + C = Copy, Ctrl + V = Paste. #### Note: The standard edit keys Home and End apply only when using the Folder Style and Property Sheet versions of the NOMADS Panel Designer.
About | NOMADS version number.

Window |
| (Property Sheets Only) Provides menu access to toggle focus between the work area and the Property Sheet. Ctrl-Tab performs the same actions.

Quit |
| Exits Panel Designer with the option to save/abandon changes. Same as the Windows close button.