• UltraDrop extends the power of the standard Drop List point.
• Supports many columns of information stored with each selection.
• Each column can optionally be used to set the value of a dependent point.
• Selections can be filtered by matching a column with a precedent point.
• Flexible text formatting allows one or more columns to be used to generate selection text (and output values).
• Easy to use data input and editing, including tab-delimited text import.
• Automatically incorporate 'Dynamic' data text files into projects open on the Pocket PC Creations server. Wireless Pocket PCs communicating with the Pocket PC Creations server are prompted for the download of the latest version of the project with the data included.
• Multiple-selection and output of data to Edit points.
• Many applications. Images below are drawn from the Sales Force project.

Within the UltraDrop point any number of independent Columns can be created and named, ready to accept data. In this case, columns have been created to record different information about each product in a catalogue, such as its Name and Price.

Each column can be configured to output its value to another point on the page (or elsewhere in the project). If the Enforce outputs option is checked, these dependent points cannot be overridden manually, thus if output is to be edited on the Pocket PC, uncheck Enforce outputs.

Typically, data from columns is output to Edit and Math points. The output can be used to Filter other UltraDrop points in a series, see below.

Tip: If sentences or paragraphs of text are loaded as 'data' into columns, output to Edit points which are full width and more than one line so the output can be easily read. 

The UltraDrop Data page is used to enter and edit the selections that will be offered to the user. Existing selection items are displayed in the list, and can be edited, deleted, and moved up or down the list. New selections can be added via the Add button.

When adding or Editing a selection, a text entry field is displayed for each column that has been configured.

Data can be imported from a tab-delimited text file using the Import button. Each line in the file will be treated as a single selection, with the value for each column separated by a single tab character. If more columns are present in the file than in the UltraDrop point, they will be ignored. Tab-delimited text files can be generated from programs such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.

Tip: After entering a new item, hold shift and press enter to immediately add another. This avoids having to click the Add button again.

The Options tab displays options which affect the Formatting behaviour of the UltraDrop point and it's Appearance on the project page.

Each selection in the UltraDrop point is displayed as a text string in the drop down list box. To create this text string for each selection item, the Display format string is used. The format string can combine one or more Column values into a string of text, potentially adding other punctuation in the process. A similar format string is available for the Output of the point from values in Columns, which is recorded in the session database, and seen by other points (such as Math points).

The format string is processed by replacing each instance of < ColumnName > with the value associated with that column.

The UltraDrop point supports multiple-selection in the primary drop list and multiple output of data to Edit points where items can be separated by either a semi-colon, comma or period (full stop) to facilitate composition of reports and output to databases and spreadsheets. For example, ending sentences or paragraphs with a period assists composition of statements for reports.

The Advanced properties of the UltraDrop point support automatic Filtering of its selections based on the value of an external precedent point (in this example a Drop List point) and Data Sharing.

Filtering provides three options, exactly matches, is a substring of, and is a prefix of. Applying Filter options, only those selections whose value for the elected column matches the value of the elected point will be displayed in the UltraDrop point. Filtering can be driven by any point; for example, by an Edit point receiving bar code data from a scanner. Try the Filter options to determine what is most appropriate for a particular project.

By default, if there is no value in the elected filtering point, the UltraDrop point will remain empty. This behaviour can be modified so that all selections will be displayed by default.

To use Data Sharing, simply turn it on and then select another UltraDrop point from the list (which will only show UltraDrop points). This will configure the current UltraDrop point to share data from the selected 'base' point. Data cannot be edited data in the current point, as any changes need to be made to the base (copied) point.

A HTML template suitable for use with Pocket PC Creations is a standard HTML file, with one important exception: - whenever Pocket PC Creations detects a tag of the form <%pointIDname%>, it will replace the entire tag with data from the named point, where point ID Name is the name of the point, eg Customer, Company.

The Output requires specification of Save in Folder, for example \My Documents, and Filename or naming pattern, using %pointIDname%.htm to dynamically name files from session data, where point ID Name is the name of the point; for example %Customer% %OrderNumber%.htm .

The control Use non-standard printing is an alternative that will invoke the web browser print process if appropriate print drivers are installed.

In operation Tap to print will display the output to HTML, and make the file available for printing with third party software, such as PIEprint.

Sketch point images (eg signatures) will be output within HTML pages, these should be deleted from the Pocket PC periodically, so they don't use excess storage space.

The Telegram point is a departure from the normal approach in Pocket PC Creations which doesn't require programming to design and deploy projects, because it requires use of Data Script. However, the Telegram point adds powerful functionality for wireless deployments at the enterprise level. 

In point Properties a TelegramName is required to be set, which identifies the telegram. This allows multiple, independent Telegram points in the same project without getting confused. An option is provided to Show popup alert messages on the Pocket PC client.

Data Transfer properties enable selection of either or both Send from client to server and Send from server to client. A field is shown displaying points in the project which could participate in the telegram; click to select relevant points for the the telegram. The GUID is the unique identifier for the session. The option Only if field matches filters a telegram being received; when enabled, the Telegram point will make sure that the telegram contains a value for the check point that matches the value in the current session. If there is no match, the telegram is ignored.