A field with Character data type (see Data types) can contain any characters – letters, numerals or symbols. You can enter up to 255 characters, which includes multiple sentences, but only one paragraph. If, during data entry or when editing, the amount of text you type into a character field exceeds the column width of the display column, Ability scrolls the field box to show the text as you type it. You then need to adjust the width of the field by dragging the right edge of the bar at the top of the column (hold down the left-hand mouse button to do this).
The formatting properties available on the General page in the Format dialog are:
Width (this is the number of characters allowed in the field, not the column width, up to a maximum of 255 characters - the default is 50) – see Character field size
Initial Value (enter a default value that will automatically appear in this field every time a new record is created, unless another value is entered instead of it - see Initial value)
Caption (enter a caption to replace the field name above the column in Table View - see Captions)
Validation Rule (set a rule to validate possible data entries - see Validation rule)
Validation Text (write a display message for cases of invalid data - see Validation text)
Required (when checked a value is required in field - see Required property)
Allow Zero Length (allows zero-length string in field - see Allow zero-length property)
Index (choose from Primary Key, Indexed, No Index & Indexed (Unique) - see Indexes and primary keys)
The formatting properties available on the Format page are:
Case (Mixed, Upper & Lower - the default is Mixed)
Mask (various options that control the pattern for certain types of data, such as telephone numbers and zip (post-) codes). See Masks in database fields.