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Editing Data Expression Properties

Overview

Like other elements in the object window, once a data expression is selected it's properties are displayed on the right of the screen. Read through the help topic: Data Expressions to familiarize yourself with the nature of each data expression property.

You are also able to update and maintain your Data Expressions by doing the following:

• Rename an Expression
• Copy an Expression
• Delete an Expression

Exercise 1: Rename a data expression

Field names in databases are often difficult to interpret. Using user-friendly names enables you to understand the field's contents more easily. For example we are unable to tell from the expression Name whether the expression refers to a customer name or salesman name. Changing the expression: Name to Customer Name makes the expression less ambiguous.

Rename the following data expressions:

• Current Name to New Name
• Name to Customer Name
• TotalTax to TotalVAT
• CustSuppID to Customer Code

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Right-click on the data expression to be renamed.
2. Select Rename. The Rename dialog box is displayed.
3. Enter the new name and click OK. The new name is displayed.

Exercise 2: Copying and renaming data expressions

You are only able to create special expressions, for example, formulas and SQL expressions from a copy of existing data expressions. An existing expression is copied and changed to a special expression.

• Copy the TotalVAT expression and paste it into the same data container
• Rename the new expression TotalVAT2

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Right-click the expression TotalVAT and select Copy.
2. Right-click on the data container: Customer Documents and select Paste. The copy of the expression is pasted below the container.
3. Right-click the expression and select Rename.
4. Enter the new name: TotalVAT2 in the Rename dialog box and click OK.

Exercise 3: Deleting data expressions

Delete the following expressions:

• ID
• TotalVAT2

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Right-click on the expression.
2. Click Delete.
3. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

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