Column Properties

The field in the data source object from which / to which the column’s cells should be read/written.

You don’t need to associate a column with a field in the data source object. For example, you wouldn’t want to do this for an action button column.

Similarly, for a calculation column, you may want to store the result of the calculation to the data source object — but equally, you may want to display it to the agent but not store it.

The data type for cells in this column. You can select the following column types:

• Action button: Shows an action button in the cell, which the agent can click to perform one or more actions. The text shown on the action button is the Column title.
• Calculation: Shows the result of a calculation in the cell.
• Check box: Shows a check box in the cell, which the agent can select or clear. Writes 0 or 1 to the database.
• Date: Shows a date picker when the agent clicks the cell. The agent can also manually type a date. Note that if the agent types an invalid date, the field will default to today’s date.
• Date time: Shows a date and time picker when the agent clicks the cell. The agent can also manually type a date and time. Note that if the agent types an invalid date, the field will default to today’s date at 00:00.
• Image: Shows an image in the cell.
• Money: Lets the agent enter an amount of money in the cell. This is prefixed with a currency symbol, such as £ or $ (as defined in the Config property).
• Number: Lets the agent enter a number (only) in the cell, including decimals. Note that, upon saving to the data source object, numbers are truncated rather than rounded if they do not match the field’s format. For example, 4.9 would be saved as 4 (not 5) to a field that does not allow decimals.
• Dropdown: Shows a dropdown in the cell.
• Text box: Lets the agent enter text (a string) in the cell.
• Multiline text box: Lets the agent enter text in a multiline cell.

Shows for the following column types:

• Action button: Select the actions to perform when the agent clicks the action button.
• Calculation: Using the Calculation Builder, write a calculation expression.
• Image: Using the Calculation Builder, write an expression to define the URL source of the image. If the URL will always be the same, then the expression should just be the URL (between ' and '), for example 'https://www.example.com/myimage.png'.
• Money: Type a currency character (such as $ or £) to show before the field’s value.

Defines the width of the column in pixels.

Because a grid always take up the full width of the data entry element container in which it is placed, Syntelate XA will automatically adjust the value that you enter if necessary.

Sorts the grid by this column when the grid first loads.

Once loaded, the agent can choose to sort the grid by any other column for which the Sortable? property has been set.

Set to No to hide this column so that the agent cannot see it. You would want to do this if, for example, you intend to display the field, not in a grid control, but in another data entry control (see Controls Linked to a Grid).