Custom Form entity

A Custom Form is a form for which the code remains free.

Examples of custom forms include:
  • A non-database form, such as a login form.
  • A database form with only a single operation, such as an insert-only form.
  • A form that serves as the user interface for JSON calls.

A Custom Form entity is represented as a 4fdc file which can be opened and edited in Form Designer.

When a Custom Form entity is implemented from the diagram, the 4fdc file is created as well the following generated code:
  • The PUBLIC TYPE definition related to the records of the custom form.
  • The uiOpenForm function used by incoming relations to open the custom form (and uiOpenFormByKey if the records of the custom form contain a unique key).
  • The functions related to the outgoing relations.
Important: If you create a non-database custom form and involve it in a relation with a form that specifies a database, update the non-database custom form to specify the name of the database in its databaseName property.

The generated code can be customized.

Custom forms provide features not supported by CRUD forms:
  • Multiple master records are supported.
  • A form without any record is supported. This is typically a form with a static field.

Right-click the Custom Form entity in the diagram to display a context menu of options.

Table 1. Context Menu Options
Menu Option Description
Open Opens the selected form in Form Designer.
Implement Custom Form Creates a new blank Custom Form definition file (4fdc) to design from scratch.
Implement Custom Form from Database Provides a wizard to create a Custom Form definition file (4fdc), allowing you to pick the columns and general display of your form. This option is generally preferred. The form can be modified after it is created.
Convert to Converts entity from one type to another.
Add Relation To Add a relation starting from the selected item.
Locate in Project Locates and highlights the selected item in the project.
Hide Hide the selected item.
Show All Items Show all hidden items in diagram (menu is active if items are hidden)
Filter Items... Select items to show in the diagram by filtering. Allows you to select items or search for items by name in the Filter View dialog.
Cut (Ctrl+X) Cut the selected item.
Copy (Ctrl+C) Copy the selected item.
Paste (Ctrl+V) Paste an item from the clipboard.
Rename (F2) Rename the selected item.
Delete (Del) Delete the selected item.
Select Relation Select a relation by selecting from the menu list. The options for selection are:
  • By relation name in the diagram
  • By relation type (form, report, phone, etc) to/from the selected item
  • All listed relations to/from the selected item
  • All relations in the diagram
Select item Select an entity by selecting from the menu list. There is an option to select all items in the diagram.