4D Write Pro documents: a useful new parameter
4D Write Pro has been designed to create all kinds of documents, from the most simple to the most sophisticated. To achieve this diversity, documents can hold distinct parts, like paragraphs, sections, headers, footers, etc. Once filled in, 4D Write Pro behaves in such a way that all of these parts can be read. However, sometimes some parts must be resized according to their content. This is typically the case for headers and footers whose height can change automatically. This functionality is generally very useful, but sometimes it’d be more practical to set the heights of headers and footers to constant values (even if their content may be truncated and no longer be fully visible).
On resize… On resize… On resize…
Wondering how to create a nice and dynamic user interface? Typically when a form is resized, the form objects whose horizontal sizing or vertical sizing properties are set to move or grow, are automatically resized. In some cases (e.g., finer user interface management), developers choose to manage form object size and position by programming. To do so, they check the “on resized” event which is triggered within the form method. But what happens when the form contains one or more subforms? On many levels? This blog post gives you the answers!
Using 4D libraries within project databases
4D provides libraries to help you develop applications. One of these libraries is standard and contains preconfigured form objects and widgets, while other libraries are custom. The standard library is “read-only” and its behavior doesn’t change when developing project databases (with the exception of minor, cosmetic interface differences). You also have the ability to create your own custom libraries to save your own form objects or group of objects. In this case, a few changes have been made to make them even more powerful. The following is everything you need to know about these changes:
4D Write Pro – Insertion and deletion of rows and columns
You already know that 4D Write Pro allows you to create tables and append rows to them. With 4D v18, we’ve got more thrilling news! We’re excited to announce that managing the insertion and deletion of rows and columns is not only possible, it’s also very easy. This can be done either by programming, thanks to four new commands, or by using the interface (via the widgets or the contextual menu). Keep reading for more details!
4D Write Pro and tables- Easily resize columns
4D v16 R4 made your dreams come true with the delivery of a huge feature: tables. Real tables where text automatically wraps to fit the column size and don’t “break” when your data changes! Since then, you’ve been able to create tables with as many rows and columns as desired. Plus, you can define the style of the table, each row, column, or cell, including the width of the columns. Most of these operations were achieved by programming, but what if we told you that with 4D Write Pro v18, the width of columns can be resized by end users?
4D Write Pro: Style sheets are here
For 4D Write Pro, 4D v18 brings good news: the arrival of style sheets! We’re thrilled to announce that you can now manage your own style sheets for paragraphs or characters.
4D Write Pro: More simple, more powerful
A shout out to everyone using 4D Write Pro and letting us know your thoughts about the product. This lets us better understand your needs and difficulties. Thanks to this input, we’ve realized that some commands have become unnecessary, complex to use, and/or difficult to learn. Sometimes it could be the smallest things that make learning a challenge. For example, if you just want to insert some text in the footer, you first need to create an empty range! Why so complicated? Good question!
Thus, many commands that previously only used ranges have been extended in order to manage almost any kind of target (ranges, elements, sections, documents, etc.). Code is now easier to write and read. If you need to insert text … in a document, a footer, a range, (wherever!) … just use it as the target and you’re off and running.
And that’s not all! Six commands have been renamed with shorter names, so they’re easier to remember.
4D Write Pro: a new way to set TABS!
We’re thrilled to announce an exciting enhancement in 4D Write Pro! In addition to the features we’ve rolled out so far, 4D v17 R5 also includes a new feature for tabs.
4D Write Pro: Handle view properties by programming
4D Write Pro documents can be displayed in different modes (draft, page and embedded), each with their own viewing options. For example in Page view mode, you can choose to hide both the vertical and the horizontal rulers, but keep the headers and footers visible. The same goes for many other display properties such as zoom, spell check, page frames, etc. Thirteen different viewing options can be defined. The good news is that rather than handling all of these properties manually, it can now be done programmatically.
Links in 4D Write Pro documents
As a developer or end user, you know how convenient hyperlinks can be. Without them, you would need to know the URL for every page on the internet! They let you turn your text or pictures into links to allow easy transitions from one place (e.g., a 4D Write Pro document) to another (typically a website).
What if links could offer more? What if they could launch the execution of 4D code or simply move the cursor to a different area in the same document? They can!
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