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Setting Up Input Fields

Input fields can be used in various processes to collect information in a structured manner. They are suitable for a wide range of use cases where additional data is required and allow for flexible adaptation to individual requirements.

Info

Input fields can only be set up for Actions process and form. If you want to use a form, please note that the associated dataset in the web content must have the style type "Form".

The configuration is done directly in the dataset and allows for precise adaptation to the respective process. This ensures structured data collection that supports efficient further processing.

Follow these steps to set up an input field:

To configure input fields in an action, follow these steps:

  1. Select the desired dataset in the dataset table or create a new dataset.
  2. Open Actions in the dataset table menu.
  3. Create a new Action with the type Process or Form.
  4. Click on Input Fields.
  5. Create a new input field by clicking on Input Field Code and then on + New.
  6. Assign a unique Code.
  7. Create or select a Label for the input field.
  8. By clicking on Type, a dropdown menu opens. Select one of the available Input Types.

Available Input Field Types

Type Description
Text Single-line text input
Text Multi-line Multi-line text input
Boolean Active/Inactive selection via checkbox
Date Date selection
Time Time input
Number Numeric input
Selection Selection from predefined options
Table Option Selection from table options
Email Input of an email address
Phone Input of a phone number
URL Input of a web address
Password Password field
Upload Uploading files

Input Type Text

With the input type Text, users can enter any string, such as names, short descriptions, or questions. This type is suitable for free text entries without predefined selections. Optionally, minimum and maximum lengths, placeholder texts, and validation rules (e.g., patterns for specific formats) can be defined.

Follow these steps to set up a Text Input Field:

  1. Select the type Text and a suitable description.
  2. If you want to display a value in the field by default, you can set a value in the Default Value column.
  3. Alternatively, you can configure a Placeholder for an input field. The placeholder will be displayed until the user makes their own entry.
  4. Open the Settings on the right side in the FactBox area.
  5. You can define a Minimum and Maximum Length and configure appropriate Error Messages.
  6. You can also set a specific Pattern for the input.
  7. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Text Multi-line

With the input type Text Multi-line, users can enter longer texts over multiple lines. A minimum and maximum character count can be set to limit the input. Appropriate validation error messages help to correct invalid entries understandably.

Follow these steps to set up a Text Multi-line Input Field:

  1. Select the type Multi-line and a suitable description.
  2. Open the Settings on the right side in the FactBox area.
  3. Navigate to the Multi-line section.
  4. Under Min and Max, you can define the minimum and maximum values and configure appropriate Error Messages.
  5. You can also set a specific Pattern for the input.
  6. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Boolean

With the input type Boolean, users can make a simple yes/no decision. The field is usually represented as a checkbox that can be either checked or unchecked. This type is suitable for options that have only two states.

Follow these steps to set up a Boolean Input Field:

  1. Select the type Boolean and a suitable description.
  2. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Date

With the input type Date, users can select a specific date via a calendar. This field is suitable for processes where temporal information is required, such as orders or appointment bookings. It can be configured to prevent users from selecting dates in the past, ensuring that orders or actions are only possible for future periods. Additionally, start and end date filters and validations can be defined to further restrict the input.

Follow these steps to set up a Date Input Field:

  1. Select the type Date and a suitable description.
  2. Open the Settings on the right side in the FactBox area.
  3. Navigate to the Date section.
  4. Optionally, you can configure a start date filter. This will be displayed in the input field as a selection option via a calendar.
  5. Optionally, you can configure an end date filter. This will be displayed in the input field as a selection option via a calendar.
  6. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Number

With the input type Number, users can enter numeric values. For order processes or similar applications, a minimum and maximum quantity can be configured to ensure that the inputs are within a valid range. Additionally, appropriate validation error messages can be set up to provide clear guidance to the user when the input does not comply with the defined rules.

Follow these steps to set up a Number Input Field:

  1. Select the type Number and a suitable description.
  2. Open the Settings on the right side in the FactBox area.
  3. Navigate to the Number section.
  4. Under Decimal Places, you can specify whether and how many Decimal Places should be displayed.
  5. Under Min or Max, you can define the minimum and maximum values and configure appropriate Error Messages.
  6. When you configure Min and Max, it represents a Range.
  7. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Time

With the input type Time, users can enter a time or select it via a time picker. This field is suitable for processes where precise time information is required.

Follow these steps to set up a Time Input Field:

  1. Select the type Time and a suitable description.
  2. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Table Option

With the input type Table Option, users can make a selection from a predefined table in Business Central. The data source is displayed as a dropdown in the portal and allows for targeted selection, e.g., of customers, items, or projects. This ensures that only valid and consistent values can be selected.

Follow these steps to set up a Table Option Input Field:

  1. Select the type Table Option and a suitable description.
  2. Open the Settings on the right side in the FactBox area.
  3. Navigate to the Table Option section.
  4. Under Popup Code, you can select a desired popup with a corresponding table or set up a new popup.
  5. By activating Modal, the input field will open in an overlay window.
  6. By enabling Show Search, a search can be displayed that shows matching search results within the table information.
  7. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Selection

With the input type Selection, users can choose a value from a predefined list. Minimum and maximum values as well as step sizes can be set. Optionally, Show Search can be activated to provide a search function within the list.

Follow these steps to set up a Selection Input Field:

  1. Select the type Selection and a suitable description.
  2. Open the Settings on the right side in the FactBox area.
  3. Navigate to the Selection section.
  4. Under Min and Max, you can define the minimum and maximum values and configure appropriate Error Messages.
  5. Under Steps, you can set the step size in which the values within the defined range should be displayed.
  6. By enabling Show Search, users can perform a search within the available values.
  7. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type URL

With the input type URL, users can enter a web address in the portal. The input will only be checked for a valid URL format once a description for the validation error has been provided. This ensures that only correctly formatted links are accepted, provided that such a check is desired.

  1. Select the type URL and a suitable description.
  2. Open the Settings on the right side in the FactBox area.
  3. Set up a description under Validation Error that will be displayed in the portal if no URL is entered or if the validation fails. This makes the field a required field.
  4. You can also set a specific pattern for the input and define a suitable description for the validation error.
  5. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Phone

With the input type Phone, users can enter a phone number in the portal.

Follow these steps to set up a Phone Input Field:

  1. Select the type Phone and a suitable description.
  2. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Password

With the input type Password, users can enter a password in the portal. The input is automatically censored, so that instead of letters or numbers, only placeholder characters are displayed. This serves to protect sensitive information during input.

Follow these steps to set up a Password Input Field:

  1. Select the type Password and a suitable description.
  2. Open the Settings on the right side in the FactBox area.
  3. Under Min and Max, you can define the minimum and maximum values and configure appropriate Error Messages.
  4. You can also set a specific pattern for the input and define a suitable description for the validation error.
  5. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Email

With the input type Email, users can enter an email address in the portal. The input field automatically applies a predefined format to ensure that only valid email addresses are accepted.

Follow these steps to set up an Email Input Field:

  1. Select the type Email and a suitable description.
  2. Open the Settings on the right side in the FactBox area.
  3. Set up a description under Validation Error that will be displayed in the portal if no email is entered or if the validation fails. This makes the field a required field.
  4. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Input Type Upload

With the input type Upload, users can upload files via the portal. The uploaded files are then available in Business Central for further processing or download.

Follow these steps to set up an Upload Input Field:

  1. Select the type Upload and a suitable description.
  2. Once you are done with the setup, you need to add the input field to the detail layout.

Note

Make sure that you have added the configured input field to the detail layout, as it will not be displayed correctly in the portal otherwise.

See also: