Configuring Siebel Business Applications > Configuring Applet Layouts > Using Grid Layout for an Applet >

Guidelines for Working with Grid Layout

If you use a grid layout, then use the following guidelines:

• Controls snap to a grid where each grid cell measures 8 pixels by 8 pixels.
• A grid layout only partially resizes a field according to the monitor resolution that is set on the computer where the Siebel client runs. For example, if a grid form applet is designed to run on a monitor with a resolution of 1024 by 768, and if Siebel CRM displays the applet on a monitor with a resolution of 800 by 600, then the user must scroll to the right to view the right-most edge of the layout. If Siebel CRM displays the same applet on a monitor set to a resolution of 1280 by 1024, then the form does not occupy the entire width of the screen.

  To reduce the potential for horizontal scroll, the browser eliminates as much padding as possible. Siebel CRM does not modify field sizes, but it does modify empty characters that reside at the beginning or end of a label. For example, an applet that is 150 grid cells wide is 1200 pixels wide, and can display in the width of a screen that is set at a width resolution of 1028. The Tools Preview mode reflects this functionality. You can use the preview mode to track how many cells the form crosses, and to approximate how wide the form is when Siebel CRM displays it in the browser.

• If you configure a control in an applet that uses a grid layout, then place controls marked for More mode at the bottom of the applet. The grid layout applet does not compress empty space in the applet.
• In the Applet Layout Editor, Siebel CRM displays a label as an item that is separate from the corresponding control. It allows you to independently position the label. Siebel CRM uses labels in the Applet Layout Editor only. A label does not exist as a separate control in the Siebel repository. A label is defined as an applet web template item. It uses the Caption and Text Alignment- Label properties of the corresponding control. Other properties from the control do not apply.
• The Item Identifier property of the applet web template item indicates the position of the label or control in the grid. For example, in the Edit applet web template of the Account Form Applet, the value of the Item Identifier for Country is 8,072. The label is CountryLabel and is located at 8,064. For more information about the item identifier, see Properties of the Applet Web Template Item.
• If you save an applet layout, then the Applet Layout Editor checks for overlapping controls. If an overlapping control exists, then Siebel Tools displays an error message and you cannot save the layout.
• If you use the alignment buttons on the Format toolbar, then the last item you choose on the canvas is the item that Siebel Tools uses to align, center, and space all other items.

Guidelines for Arranging Controls in Grid Layout

The Format Toolbar includes several tools that help you arrange controls that Siebel Tools displays in the Applet Layout Editor. If you arrange controls in grid layout, then use the following guidelines:

• To determine the action a tool performs, scroll over the tool and view the small pop-up label that Siebel Tools displays.
• A tool in the Format Toolbar is only active if the action that the tool performs in the Applet Layout Editor is actionable. For example, the Align Lefts tool is only active if you choose more than one control.
• To resize or position a control, always use the Applet Layout Editor. Do not modify the property of a control in the Controls list.
• You can use the arrow keys to move a control or controls to the position.