Column-dependent references
A column-dependent reference references a component's column definition. This reference can be used everywhere where contents of a specific database table is shown or edited. An instance of the component is generated, depending on which data type and other metadata is linked to the column.
By default, the following components are used as column-dependent references for editing.
| Type | Component name |
|---|---|
| String |
VI_Edit_Default VI_Edit_TextLong |
| Int32 | VI_Edit_Int |
| DateTime | VI_Edit_Date |
| Foreign key | VI_Edit_FK |
| Dynamic foreign key | QBM_Edit_FKDynamic |
| Limited value columns | VI_Edit_LimitedValues |
| Multi-value columns | VI_Edit_MultiValueProperty |
| Multi-value columns with limited values | VI_Edit_MulitLimitedValues (for parameter objects) |
| Multi-value foreign key columns | VI_Edit_MultiFK (for parameter objects) |
| Numeric value range | VI_Edit_NumericRange (for parameter objects) |
| Date range | VI_Edit_DateRange (for parameter objects) |
| Boolean |
VI_Edit_Checkbox |
| Double | VI_Edit_Double |
| Decimal | VI_Edit_Decimal |
By default, the following components are used as column-dependent references for visualizing.
| Type |
Component name |
|---|---|
| Default | VI_Edit_View_Default |
| Binary column with contents "Picture" | VI_Edit_View_Picture |
| Column with contents "URL" | VI_Edit_View_URL |
"Column-dependent references" Tab
A column-dependent reference is a conditional reference to a component. The type of column in a database table (for example, Bool, DateTime or String) determines which component is used to edit the relevant content. To this end, the standard scope of delivery includes VI components which cover all possible column types and finds them automatically.
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NOTE: There are also custom entries in the web project file. You can tell which of the various tabs an entry belongs to by the prefix. |
To open the "Column-Dependent References" tab
- Select Configure project | Column-dependent references in the Edit menu.
This opens the Column-dependent references tab in the definition tree view. The tab lists all existing columns with the corresponding default components, which are each given their own tab.
- Select the desired tab.
The following tabs are available.
Table 44: "Column-dependent references" Tab Tab Description Edit values by column Select columns whose data can be edited in components.
For example, you want to use these components when you add a new employee in the Web Portal.
The prefix "ColumnEditor_" indicates that the entry belongs on the tab Edit values by column.
Display values by column Select columns whose data can only be viewed in components and not edited.
For example, you want to use a specific component for displaying an image.
The prefix "ColumnViewer_" indicates that the entry belongs on the tab Display values by column.
Foreign key filters Create a filter to limit the number of foreign key values.
An example of a filter would be, for the user to limit the number of departments an employee can use in the Web Portal. In this case, the filter should be set in the column "UID_Department" in the "Person" table.
The list of filters includes the filters given on the tab Editor tab as well as the filters that can be used without components.
The prefix "Filter_ColumnEditor_" indicates that the entry belongs on the tab Foreign key filters.
Edit foreign key values Specifies a component for all foreign key references to a table.
This means the user enters a combination of tables and components. The selected components are used in the Web Portal when the table is referenced by foreign key. In the case of the table "Person", this means that the same component is always used if an employee and a group owner or request recipient is selected, irrespective of whether a manager is selected.
The prefix "FkColumnEditor_" indicates that the entry belongs on the tab Edit foreign key values.
Edit multi-valued foreign key values Specifies a component for all multi-value foreign key references to a table.
The user enters a combination of tables and components. The selected components are used in the Web Portal when the table is referenced by multi-value foreign key.
An example for using a multi-value foreign key would be a request for multiple employees. In the case of the table "Person", this means that the component "AutoComplete" is not only used to select the first recipient but also for subsequent recipients that are selected in the same request procedure.
NOTE: You can only delete entries that you added yourself. Default entries are write-protected. The table and columns of a reference can only be edited if the entry does not have any default values.
Detailed information about this topic
Editing Components for Modifying
Components of a column-dependent reference can be edited for modifying.
To edit a component for modifying
- Open the Column-dependent references tab and select the desired entry on the Edit values by column tab.
- Enable the check box for the selected entry.
If there is a custom value for this entry, the value in shown in the Component (Customized).
When you enable the entry a custom value is added, as in configuring the web project, which corresponds to the default value.
The control box cannot be disabled if the foreign key is customized.
- Edit the selected component by selecting another one from the Component menu.
The selected component is the one to be used in the default web application.
NOTE: Instead of selecting a component, you can delete the configured entry using .
- Specify a filter by clicking
in the Filter on and create a filter.
You can limit foreign key values with the help of the filter.
Editing Display Components
Components of a column-dependent reference can be edited for displaying.
To edit a component for viewing
- Open the Column-dependent references tab and select the desired entry on the Display values by column tab.
- Enable the check box for the selected entry.
If there is a custom value for this entry, the value in shown in the Component (Customized).
When you enable the entry a custom value is added, as in configuring the web project, which corresponds to the default value.
The control box cannot be disabled if the foreign key is customized.
- Edit the selected component by selecting another one from the Component menu.
The selected component is the one to be used in the default web application.
NOTE: Instead of selecting a component, you can delete the configured entry using