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Formatter
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Format
strings of data for more power in Pocket PC Creations, using the
Formatter custom point. (Download below) |
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Formatter enables arbitrary
pieces of information to be combined and formatted into a string, based on
certain formatting parameters. This string is then made available to other
points for processing (eg Math, Logic, plus Session List Columns and Session Identification)
and for output via the Data Pathway.
The Formatter point itself does not appear on a
page, it is always invisible. Its value / string is always accessed from
other points, eg the Layout point
if it is to be displayed. |
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The properties dialog has a format string
editor, which includes a helpful token inserter. This allows points to be
chosen from the project graphically
and inserted. To operate, simply place the cursor where you want to
insert, select a point name from the list, choose the formatting
specifications you desire (string or number, width, precision), and hit
Insert.
The format string follows the standard used in the Layout point
and point captions for parsing. Point names are enclosed in <% x
%> where x is the point name. To add space between items, just add some
> eg < . A constant value or text can be included in the format
string by reference to a 'hidden' Edit point with data set as default.
The additional numeric formatting features
are enabled by placing some brackets after the point name, eg <% x(8.3)
%>. These numbers tell the point to format to 8 characters, with 3
decimal places. So the number will always look like XXXX.XXX. Leading and
trailing zeros are added. The first number is the width, the second the
precision. Both are optional.
Strings can also be formatted to length, eg <%
x(10) %> ensures the string is at least 10 characters
long. If necessary spaces are added to the left (padding).
Download
Download
Formatter custom point now (only 173KB). Before installation, close
Pocket PC Creations on the desktop and Pocket PC, then double click file
to install. The custom point will be available in the "Add New
Point" menu during design of Pocket PC Creations projects.
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