Customizing field properties by using overlays

Unlike most overlay objects, a field overlay is not a copy of the field object. Instead, a field overlay is a subset of the field's properties. The field overlay and the origin field in the origin form share the same data.

A field overlay enables you to modify the field's database properties. You can modify the database properties such as Permissions, Default Value, Length, Associated Menu, Help Text, and Full Text MFS Category Name.

Related topics

Field-overlays

Creating-overlays-for-AR-System-objects

Customizing-applications-using-overlays-and-custom-objects

Tip

To change a field's layout or display properties, you do not need to create the field overlay. Instead, modify the overlay of its associated view and add the field to the view overlay. For more information about overlaying a form view, see Changing-display-properties-in-a-view-overlay.

The other fields in the form view are not part of the view overlay and continue to retain the base properties. This functionality of view overlay is beneficial during upgrades. When you upgrade an application, the fields that are not included in a view overlay inherit the base properties. Customizations to fields are preserved during an upgrade.

Consider the example where a form contains a menu field. Because the menu is attached to a field, you must first overlay the form and then the field. You must also overlay all the views that contain that field.

The following actions affect all the views with which a field is associated:

  • Adding an item to a selection field
  • Adding a character menu to a field
  • Adding columns to a table field

If you want to add any of these fields, you must overlay each of the views that contain these fields.

Field properties for overlays in Best Practice Customization mode

In Best Practice Customization mode, the field properties are categorized to support overlay of granular components of field properties.

The Properties tab separates the granular components that you can overlay from the other components. With the Overlay Type field under Permissions, you can add to (Additive) or overwrite (Overwrite) permissions, or you can select No Overlay.  With the Overlay Type field under Other, if you select Overwrite, the properties that you can changes are enabled.

Field properties in Best Practice Customization mode

FieldProperty_BPC.jpg

For example, if you selected the Alert Text field in a form, the Properties tab displays the following view:

FieldProperty_BPC-1.jpg

To modify the permissions, select Additive from the Overlay Type down-down list under Permissions. Click Set Permissions to open the Permissions dialog box and add permission groups.
FieldProperty_BPC-3.JPG

To modify the help text, select Overwrite from the Overlay Type down-down list under Others. The Help Text property becomes editable.
FieldProperty_BPC-4.JPG

Custom fields in Best Practice Customization Mode

Because you cannot overlay a custom field, the Overlay Type drop-lists are disabled when you select a custom field. You can set permissions for the custom field from the Properties tab. The Set Permissions button is enabled for a custom field. Click the Set Permissions button to assign permissions for the custom field. (See the following image.)

Custom field.JPG

 

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