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Using Field Types
9.4. Using Field Types
LincDoc provides a rich set of field types to choose from. Setting the field types is a critical step in the forms setup process, because it will dictate how each field can be used in the DANG system.
Tip: The field types for all fields should be assigned very early on in the setup process, as changing field types later in an eForm can lead to confusing behavior, in particular when the field is used in calculations for other fields.
The field types fall into the following main categories:
- strings
- custom strings
- numbers
- dates/times
- check boxes
- signatures
- barcodes
- upload
Strings
- text. Allows for alphanumeric entries such as names, addresses, etc.
- text area. Provides a larger text area (compared to the text field type) to capture larger, multiple-line text inputs. For example, a field that allows a user to enter comments.
Custom Strings
- codelist. Displays specific choices as a drop-down list. For more information, click here.
- codelist-custom. Similar to a codelist, but also allows users to enter a value that does not already appear in the defined list of choices.
- email. Forces the user to enter an email address with the address@domain.com format.
- phone.Forces the user to enter a full phone number, including area code. For convenience, numbers can be entered with no dashes/punctuation, and LincDoc will format it automatically. For example, an entry of 5855551212 will be reformatted to (585) 555-1212.
- social security number (ssn). Forces to user to enter a social security number with nine digits, and formatting is automatically updated. For example, 111223333 is automatically updated to 111-22-3333.
- state. Allows for the choice of a U.S. state or territory.
- zip. Enter a standard five-digit US ZIP code.
- zip+4. Enter a standard five-digit US ZIP code with the addition of the four-digit code (plus four code) to further refine the ZIP code to a specific geographic segment within main five-digit code area.
Numbers
- currency. Allows for currency values (with two digits after the decimal place).
- decimal. Allows for numeric values that use a decimal point.
- integer. Allows for numeric values only - no decimal point or values.
Dates/Times
- date. Provides access to a calendar selection tool. Dates are formatted as month/day/four-digit year.
- time. Allows you to specify a time. Abbreviated inputs are automatically converted. For example, an entered value of 9a is automatically converted to 9:00 AM.
- datetime. Allows you to specify a combination of a date and time, so you can specify a particular time on a particular day.
Check Boxes
Check boxes cannot be directly selected from the Field type drop-down list. For more information, see Check Boxes.
Signatures
This field type is exclusive to fields that are defined as signatures in your form.
For more information on signature fields, see Configuring Signature Field Settings.
Barcodes
Code 128, Code 39, and PDF 417 barcodes are supported. You can use a calculation to control the data going in to the barcode.
There are options also for orientation, alignment, and scaling. Generally, the default settings are acceptable.
Upload
The upload field type allows you to upload a file to your eForm of Document Package.
Note: Uploaded files are not inserted into the generated document, only the names of the files will be shown. You can add an external file to your final form using the Append Uploaded Files to Document action.