How to Use a Builder to Change a Text Box Name to a Field Name

MORE INFORMATION

There are several ways to register and call a custom builder. This article explains a method that includes two basic steps.

1. Create a new program file that executes the desired changes by entering the following code:

      * Builder code to change name of selected text boxes
      * to underlying control
      x =""
      nObjects = 0
   
      *The ASELOBJ() function creates an array referencing the selected
      *controls. It also returns the number of selected controls
      *Hence, nObjects is the number of selected controls
      *aSelobjects is the name of the array created by ASELOBJ()
   
      nObjects = ASELOBJ(aSelobjects)
   
      *The FOR loop cycles through the array of selected controls
      IF nObjects > 0
        FOR nCnt = 1 TO nObjects
           *store the name of the table and field to a variable x
           x = ASELOBJECTS(nCnt).ControlSource
           *The ATC() function locates the decimal separating the
           *table name and field name.
           *The SUBSTR() function then extracts the field name
           *and resets the control's name to that of the field
           ASELOBJECTS(nCnt).Name = SUBSTR(x,ATC('.',x)+1)
        NEXT
      ENDIF
   						

2. Register the program properly in the Builder.dbf table. The program must be properly registered before the builder becomes available in the Form Designer.
   
   
   1. Open the Builder.dbf table located in the \Vfp\Wizards directory.
   2. Append a new blank record. Three fields in the table must be filled: in: Name, Type, and Program. The Name field is the name you want to give to the builder. For example, the Name field can contain "Field name builder."
   3. Enter Multiselect in the type field. With this keyword, the builder is used when multiple controls are selected.
   4. Enter the name of the program including the path in the program field.
   5. Close the Builder.dbf table. When you select multiple text box controls and call a builder, your new builder should appear as one of the available choices.

NOTE: as mentioned previously, this builder is designed to change the name of the text box control to the field name specified as the control source. It derives the field name from the entry in the ControlSource property, assuming that the entry is of the type:

   table.field
				

You could modify the code to rename the controls differently.