Object Purpose
This object is used to allow the operator to manually enter data (numeric values with the possibility of decimal values) with the keyboard. This data is stored in a user variable and can, then, be further processed or stored. See Variable Definition.
This input object is added to a screen by dragging an "Input Cash" object from the top section of the "Control" tab OR the "Preview" section onto the screen.
Step-by-Step
1. Drag the object onto the screen:
•If dragged from the "Control" tab, the object will assume the default style. (See Set Default.)
•If dragged from the "Style Preview Section", it will assume that particular style.
2. Now, double-click the selected object on the screen OR the tree view to open the "Properties" window.
The "General" tab is open by default.
3. In the "Variable" option, define the variable that will store the time data by clicking and creating/selecting the appropriate variable (Global or Program variable). See To Select/Create a Variable.
4. Enter a "Default Value" on the corresponding box or click and select the variable with the appropriate value See Variable Definition.
5. Define the number of characters for the whole numbers(integer) and the decimals.
6. If required, select a "SIP Mode" from the available options:
<Default> |
The SIP (virtual keyboard) assumes the default system configuration. |
Automatic |
The SIP (virtual keyboard) is automatically displayed when needed. |
Manual |
The SIP (virtual keyboard) is called when the operator clicks the current input field. |
None |
The SIP (virtual keyboard) will not be displayed for the current input field. |
7. Go to the "Layout" tab.
8. Define the object's style by selecting an option from the drop-down list or by clicking . See Editing and Creating Styles and Editing and Creating the "Input Cash" Style.
9. Position the default value (defined in step 4), within the object, with the alignment buttons.
10. Maintain the given values or specify the object's position/size, within the screen, by providing the "X" and "Y" coordinates as well as "Width" and "Height".
Detail of Position/Size values
11. In the "Control Settings" section, attribute a name to the object. This name is displayed in the tree view.
12. Consider whether or not to check the following options:
"Enable"
Activates the object's input feature.
"Tab Stop"
Must be checked to enable a "Change Tab Order". This provides the possibility to change the order (between data input objects) in which the information is keyed in by the device operator.
"Visible"
Controls the object's visibility in the device's screen.
Use the right click in MCL-Designer's input boxes to access certain features regarding the input box's option as well as general actions such as "Copy"; "Paste"; "Search".
Ex: If you right-click the "Text Data" input box (included in a "Display Text" properties window), you are provided with the "Paste", "Search..." and "Variable Select" options.
If you right-click any other input box, it will provide other possibilities.
13. Go to the "Actions" tab.
Keep in mind that there is always a default event (ex: "On Change"; "On Timer"; "On Hotkey"; etc.) attached to the object (in this case, an "On Change" event). If you want the event to trigger an action, you must add processes to it (ex: "Go To"; "Check File"; "Set Focus"; etc.).
14. To edit the default event, double-click the event row ("On Change") OR right-click the event row and select "Edit..." in the resulting menu. Either of these choices opens an "Edit Event" window.
15. Select from the drop-down (G) or (H) list:
F |
This event, performed by the device operator, is the "trigger" that enables an action to advance the application. It cannot be modified. Default event: "On Change" - Is triggered when the operator enters data via the "Input Cash" object. |
G |
Provides targets for a "Go to" action (see Working with the Branch Processes Group). After the device operator has fulfilled the "On Change" event, the workflow will proceed to the selected destination. If you want to add processes other than a "Go to", select the <Action> option. |
H |
Provides quick links for a "Go to" action ("Next Screen"; "Exit"; etc.) to be executed when the event is fulfilled. See Detail of a |
Detail of a window
This window is an alternative to the drop-down list of destinations. Select a destination screen or routine within the same program as this object, in the left table. Specify the target even more by selecting from the table to the right. The available options are a consequence of your choice in the left table. If you want to add more processes, select the <Action> option. Finish this operation by clicking |
16. If required, add processes to the default event. See Adding and Editing Processes.
At this stage, the processes are being added to the default event (in this case, an "On Change"). The default event can, however, be ignored/overridden by adding other events (step 18).
This object has predefined local variables (only available in event context). See Input Cash's Predefined Local Variables.
17. If there is no need to add more events, click in the "Actions" tab to conclude the operation. If the project requires more events, proceed to step 18.
18. Click (at the bottom of the "Actions" tab) to add a new event.
19. Select one of the available events (A) for this object ("On Timer" or "On Hotkey") and edit it (B or C,D and E).
|
On Timer |
On HotKey |
A |
This event is an exception. The device operator does NOT trigger an action, it is his lack of activity, associated to a predetermined period of time that triggers the action/process. |
This event is used to attribute a keystroke function (in a virtual or hardware keyboard) to the Input Cash object. |
B |
Define the target/action to be executed. Select one of the available destinations OR <Action> if you want to add other processes. |
Define the target/action to be executed after the event is triggered. Select one of the available destinations OR <Action> if you want to add other processes. |
C |
This alternative to B provides quick links for a "Go to" action ("Next Screen"; "Exit"; etc.) to be executed when the event is fulfilled. If you want to add other processes, select <Action>. See Detail of a |
This alternative to B provides quick links for a "Go to" action (ex: "Next Screen"; "Exit"; etc.) to be executed when the event is fulfilled. If you want to add other processes, select <Action>. See Detail of a |
D |
Set the time interval, after which, the target/action (B or C) is executed. |
Select the keystroke function that the Input Cash object will represent. |
E |
If required,check this option to set a repetition cycle. |
N/A |
Detail of a window
This window is an alternative to the drop-down list of destinations. Select a destination screen or routine within the same program as this object, in the left table. Specify the target even more by selecting from the table to the right. The available options are a consequence of your choice in the left table. If you want to add more processes, select the <Action> option. Finish this operation by clicking |
It is possible to add as many of the available events as required by the project. (Repeat steps 18 and 19)
20. Edit the new event(s). Double-click the event row to be edited and open the "Edit Event" window. (Repeat steps 14 and 15)
Ex: The editing of an added "On Hotkey" event.
Define which keystroke function(in a virtual or hardware keyboard) the object represents.
Define the objective/action to be executed after the event is triggered. Select one of the available destinations from the drop-down or list OR <Action> if you want to add other processes.
21. These new events can include processes. See Adding and Editing Processes.
If you have more than one event, remember to select the event row you want to add processes to.
If you use the drag-and-drop method to add processes, make sure to drop the process on the row below the intended event.
Before concluding the addition operation, check the following:
Remember that the "Enable" option (located in the "Layout" tab) must be checked so that the added actions/processes run.
If required, use the icons located on the upper right corner of the "properties" window:
Click this icon to open a "Localization" window where you can edit the text element within that object or add translations to it. See Localization.
Click this icon to attach any relevant notes to this object. Enter your text in the resulting window. This information is displayed in the "Developer report". See Report.
22. Click in the "Actions" tab to apply the choices made.
The "Input Cash" object has been successfully added to the screen.
If any subsequent edition of the object's properties is required, double-click the "Input Cash" OR select " 'Input Cash' Properties" (in its right-click menu) to open the properties window.
Input Cash's Predefined Local Variables
This object has predefined local variables (only available in event context).
Event |
On Change |
|
Variable Name |
L_Control_Name |
L_Value |
Variable ID |
&0a |
&1a |
Description |
Stores the object's name (*) |
Stores defined cash value |
Event |
On Hotkey |
On Timer |
|
Variable Name |
L_Object_Name |
L_Keycode |
L_Object_Name |
Variable ID |
&0a |
&1a |
&0a |
Description |
Stores the object's name (*) |
Stores defined hotkey code |
Stores the object's name (*) |
* Defined in the object's "properties" window ("Layout" tab).