To enter a value in a field it must be the active field. The simplest way to activate a field is by clicking on it with the mouse but the keyboard can also be used to activate fields. Once the field becomes active you can start entering a value in it, or editing the existing value.
There are many different types of fields, each having different formats and limitations. Some field types only accept numbers, some allow multiple lines of text, some provide a formatted date. To see a list of all field types and how to edit each of them click here.
Notice that each time the active field is changed the Brief Help pane shows text describing the active field. This brief help text describes the field’s type, whether it is calculated or entry, whether field-worksheets can be attached, whether field-worksheets are attached, etc. In some cases this brief help text will describe what to enter in this field or how the field is calculated.
To active the next field on the page use the Tab key or click on it. To learn more about navigating the fields on a page, and changing the active field, click here.
All fields show a specific background color when they are not active to indicate which are entry fields and which are calculated fields. In the picture below line 7 is an entry field and line 8 is a calculated field when using the default color scheme.
The color scheme can be changed using the Field Colors dialog.
A calculated field get its value by running a calculation that uses the entries made in other fields. You can use the Drill Down button to find the source of their value. To learn how to edit a calculated field click here.
Each field is given a default appearance. You can modify the appearance any field on the page. You can change the text alignment, font, and more. For more on changing a field’s appearance click here.
Some fields have field worksheets available. A field worksheet is used to provide further detail in determining the value of a field. They are optional but can be quite helpful. When a field worksheet is attached to a field the field becomes calculated and gets its value from the attached worksheet. To find the worksheet attached to a field use the Drill Down button. To learn more about field worksheets click here.
Note that if the active field has field worksheets available, they will be shown in the Attachments list in the Table of Contents pane. And if a field already has a worksheet attached to it, this will be described in the Brief Help pane.
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