Mac Form: Adding Hidden Text Feature to Fields

Article ID: Q102423
Creation Date: 03-AUG-1993
Revision Date: 01-DEC-1994

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Mail for AppleTalk Networks, versions 3.0, 3.1, and 3.1a

SUMMARY

Versions 3.0 and 3.1 of Microsoft Mail for AppleTalk Networks allow you to create custom forms using the Form Designer stack and HyperCard.

In addition to a familiar design interface, the HyperCard program includes a powerful scripting language. When a form is compiled and installed, however, common HyperCard scripts are ignored.

You can add "compile" scripts to a form to add complex features. When you choose the Compile button, it sends out a Compile command.

To customize a form, you can add code to the Compile command to tell the compiling script to set certain attributes for a particular object.

MORE INFORMATION

One security feature available through these compile scripts allows you to make all characters entered into a field appear as bullets (similar to the password box in the Sign-On screen). To do this, follow the steps below to add a script to a field on the Send screen:

Create a generic single-line field named "Password" on the Send screen.

Set the HyperCard user level so scripting is available. (Press COMMAND+M to bring up the message box. Type the following command and press ENTER:
```
      set userlevel to 5
```
Choose the Field tool and double-click the Password field to display the Info box. Choose the Script button.

Add the following script to the field:

      on compile
         global objType, fieldHiddenText
         put fieldHiddenText into objType
      end compile

Recompile the Send screen by choosing the Compile button.

NOTE: The text will display as bullets on the Send screen but will be visible on the Read screen. This feature is useful for entering confidential information, such as passwords.

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