4.2.1 Settings Tab

The panel Element Properties shows the editable properties of the element selected in the Elements panel.

The first tab Settings shows the general properties of the selected element, such as its label, ID and positioning:

The following is a list of some of the Settings properties that can be adjusted. Only properties relevant for the element type you have selected are shown in the Designer.

Label text

The name that the user will see for this element, e.g. Name, Part number, Comment.

Hide Label text

Hides the label but keeps other parts of the element visible, such as an input field.

Element Type

The type of element, e.g. Date, Text Input, Single Select. Press the down arrow to change to another type of element.

ReadOnly

Sets the default state of the element as read-only. This state can be changed with a rule.

Disabled

Sets the default state of the element as disabled. It will be displayed in the form in a pale grey color. This state can be changed with a rule.

Mandatory

Sets the default state of the element as mandatory. If not filled in, users will get a warning next to the element and on the Summary page, but they will still be able to save the form. This state can be changed with a rule.

Hidden

Sets the default state of the element as hidden. This state can be changed with a rule, e.g. for displaying the element only if the user have made a specific selection.

Span columns

In grids, each grid cell can be set to span from 1 to 12 vertical columns. In a horizontal grid row, the sum of the columns in its cells must always be 12.

Placeholder text

A text displayed in an empty input field. It disappears when the user enters data.

Help Text

A help text popping up when the user presses a ? next to the element.

Reference

Element ID of another question or link definition e.g. repeat://elementX or http://link.to/this.pdf

Element ID

A unique ID to be used for this element in the form database. Special characters, capitals or spaces are not allowed. Usually the Label text you type will automatically be converted to an Element ID, e.g. Home Address will get the ID home_address. You may then change the proposed ID.

Automatic Element ID

Check this to automatically create an ID, usually based on the label and suffixed with $ and a number, e.g. name$90. If you then copy and paste this element, the new element’s ID will get a new label with an increased suffix number, e.g. name$91. This means that you will not get a yellow error message when you copy and paste this element.

Use Template for Element ID

Use codes from Description Formula to enter a template for the automatic ID, but do not put @ or # in front of the code. See the example in the picture above: {this} retrieves the element’s own label name, {parent} retrieves the parent element which in this case is the page the element is placed in. The $90 is added because we have checked Automatic Element ID.

Layout of subelements

For Single or Multiple Select elements, you can choose to display their subelements (options to choose from) in a horizontal row or a vertical list.

Label placement

In an element with label and an input field you can decide where to put the label in relation to the answer in the field, and how large the space for the label will be compared to the answer.

Label align

In the allotted space – either a full screen or grid cell, the label can be aligned to the side you want.

Element tags

Tags are used to easily refer to multiple elements in rules or in database integration. Type a word and press enter or space to make a tag. Continue typing and pressing enter if you wish to create more tags for the same element. See more information on tags here: 6.7 Element Tags.

Tip: If a Properties input field has “stretch marks” in its bottom right corner, you can drag this corner downwards to expand the field.