12.1.2.1.1.11.1.1.1. Data Grid – Attribute

As the data grid is not directly linked to any entity or attribute created in the Entity Designer, users must instead create a form-specific local attribute for it.

*Local attributes are specific to the form itself. They are used to store data that is relevant to the form, rather than to the entire application.

To create data grids and their associated attributes, follow these steps:

1. Create Custom Entity

   • Access Entity Properties

     • From the Application Tree, navigate to Entities > Entity Designer (double-click to open). It will display the Entity Designer tab and expand the menu bar to show additional options.
       
     • From either the Entity tab or the menu bar, select the Add New Entity option. It will display a set of fields in which you can define the properties of the new entity.
       

   • In the fields of the Entity tab, users can define the properties of the newly created entity.
     
     • In the Name field, provide a name for the entity.
     • In the Title field, either specify a custom title for the entity or let the system automatically generate it based on the provided name.
     • In the Description field, provide a description for the entity, if needed.

2. Create Custom Attributes

   • Access Attribute Properties

     • Once you have created the entity, select the Add New Attribute option from the Entity tab. It will direct you to the Attribute tab where you can define the properties of the new attribute.
       

   • In the fields of the Attribute tab, users can define the properties of the newly created attribute.
     
     • In the Name field, provide a name for the attribute.
     • In the Title field, either specify a custom title for the attribute or let the system automatically generate it based on the provided name.
     • Choose an attribute type— Data Field or Reference.
       • For the Data Field attribute, select the appropriate data type from the dropdown.
       • For the Reference attribute, select the appropriate reference from the System Reference window.
   
   

   • Custom Entity Attributes Example

   !!Remember to select the Save Changes option from the menu bar to finalize the configuration.

3. Create & Design Custom Form

   • Access Form Properties

     • From the Application Tree, navigate to Forms > List of Forms (double-click to open). It will display the List of Forms tab and expand the menu bar to show additional options.
       
     • From the menu bar, select the New option. It will display the Form Properties window.
       

   • In the Form Properties window, users can create a new form for the application.
     
     • In the Name field, provide a name for the form.
     • In the Form Entity field, either specify a custom name for the form entity or let the system automatically generate it based on the provided form name.
     • From the Entity dropdown, select the custom entity.
     • Click OK and confirm both the prompt to start designing the form and the prompt to create a draft.

   !!When using the grid to reference multiple instances or display modal forms, users should carefully design the layout of the custom form. When using the grid to define dropdown options, however, using Inline Add and Inline Edit functionalities, users can simply add the required controls (and their corresponding attributes) without a strict layout.

4. Create & Design Main Form

   • Access Form Properties

     • From the Application Tree, navigate to Forms > List of Forms (double-click to open). It will display the List of Forms tab and expand the menu bar to show additional options.
       
     • From the menu bar, select the New option. It will display the Form Properties window.
       

   • In the Form Properties window, users can create a new form for the application.
     
     • In the Name field, provide a name for the form.
     • In the Form Entity field, either specify a custom name for the form entity or let the system automatically generate it based on the provided form name.
     • Leave the Entity field empty.
     • Click OK and confirm the prompt to start designing the form.

   **Once they have launched the Form Designer, users should drag the grid control from the toolbox and drop it onto the design environment.

5. Create Local Attribute

   • Access Attribute Properties

     • From the Form Designer, navigate to the Form Entity tab.
     • Right-click on the form entity and select New Field from the context menu. It will generate a new field below the form entity, which can then be customized and defined to suit the needs of the form.
       

   • In the Edit Properties pane, users can define the properties of the newly created attribute.
     
     • In the Name field, provide a name for the attribute.
     • In the Title field, either specify a custom title for the attribute or let the system automatically generate it based on the provided name.
     • Select the Complex Type checkbox (because the control will reference data from another form).
     • Select the Is a List checkbox (because the control will hold multiple instances of the attribute’s value).
     • In the Complex Type section, select the custom entity from which the attribute will reference data.
       
     • Click on the button to save your changes.
       

6. Bind Attribute to Grid Control
   • Once users have created the appropriate attribute, they can return to the Designer tab and bind the attribute to the grid control.
     

!Once the control properties are configured, users need to save the form. This will activate the Quick Forms feature, prompting users to confirm the generation of both the main entity and the form behavior for the main form.