Add grids, fields, and groups to a form

  • 10 minutes

When a table is listed under the Data Sources node on the left pane of the Form designer window, it can then be used to add fields to the Grid node of the pattern design. The pattern that you select will determine the presence and/or location of the grid. Individual fields can also be dragged from the Fields node under the individual table in the Data Sources node to the right pane in the Grid node under the Design node.

A grid contains columns and rows and will display to the user as a table in a finance and operations apps page. Groups are part of multiple form patterns and are added to the form as filters. You can add quick filters and customer filters by applying a subpattern to the Group control.

Follow these steps to add more controls to your form:

  1. In Visual Studio, ensure that you have applied your desired form pattern by right-clicking the Design node on the right pane and selecting Apply pattern.
  2. After adding a data source by following the steps in the previous unit, you will now begin adding controls to the form by following the steps in the correct order on the Pattern tab on the bottom pane of the form designer window. For example, in a Simple List form pattern, you need to add an Action Pane, then a Group, and lastly, a Grid.
  3. Right-click the Design node on the right pane of the form designer and select New > Action Pane.
  4. Right-click the Design node and select New > Group. Notice that the Group control requires a pattern. Based on the form type, you will choose a desired subpattern.
  5. Right-click the Design node and select New > Grid.
  6. From the left pane, expand the Data Sources node and then expand your table.
  7. Expand the Fields node of your table.
  8. Select the fields that you want displayed in the grid on your form, in the order that you want them displayed in the form. You can select multiple fields by using the Ctrl key.
  9. Drag the selected fields from the Fields node on the left pane to the Grid node on the right pane.

For the Simple List form pattern, you have now fulfilled all necessary controls. Depending on your selected form pattern, there could be additional required controls and subpatterns.