Cell Formatting Options in Forms

Use the Format/Validation Rule Builder dialog box to enable format/validation rules, mark rules as format only, and to define formatting for cells in forms.


Screen shot of the Format/Validation Rule Builder

  • Enable format/validation rule: Select to make the format/validation rule available in forms. You can temporarily disable a format/validation rule by clearing this checkbox.

  • Format Only: Select to mark a rule as format only. This option is automatically enabled when a format-only rule is created.

In the Actions column for a rule, click Process Cell icon (Process Cell) to add formatting instructions.

Note:

If the Process Cell icon isn't displayed, ensure that the rule is valid and that it permits cell processing instructions. For example, cell processing instructions are included for Else, Range, Then, and Format conditions. The icon isn't displayed until all required columns are selected for a rule.

There are options under Format Cell for Font and Alignment and Border and Shading.

Figure 14-1 Format Cell Pane in the Format/Validation Rule Builder Dialog Box


Dialog box showing the Format Cell options

To format cells:

  1. In the Format Cell pane, select options to set how the cell should appear in forms. Select options for Font and Alignment and Border and Shading.

    Click options on the right for Font and Alignment, including Font, Size, Color, Format, Vertical Alignment, Horizontal Alignment, and Wordwrap.

    Click options on the right for Border and Shading, including Border (Left, Top, Right, Bottom, and All) and Background Color.

    As options are selected, the Current Format displays how it would appear when displayed on the form.

  2. Optionally, you can add tooltip text to the Message field. At runtime when a user hovers their mouse over the location on the form that is formatted, they'll see the tooltip.

    Note:

    The Show in Format/Validation Messages page checkbox is disabled for Format only rules and, consequently, messages will not appear in the Data Validation Messages pane in forms.

  3. Click OK.

    Cell formatting for each rule is displayed in the Process column for that rule.