Functions

Depending on the field type that you select, you can assign conditions to certain functions. For example, you can define a field that executes a macro when you click the field in the document, or a condition that, when met, hides a field. You can also define placeholder fields that insert graphics, tables, frames and other objects into your document when needed.

Type	Meaning
Conditional text	Inserts text if a certain condition is met. For example, enter "sun eq 1" in the Condition box, and then the text that you want to insert when the variable "sun" equals "1" in the Then box. If you want, you can also enter the text that you want to display when this condition is not met in the Else box. To define the variable "sun", click the Variables tab, select "Set variable", type "sun" in the Name box, and its value in the Value box.
Input list	Inserts a text field that displays one item from a list. You can add, edit, and remove items, and change their order in the list. Click an Input list field in your document or press Ctrl+Shift+F9 to display the Choose Item dialog.
Input field	Inserts a text field that you can open by clicking it in the document. You can then change the text that is displayed.
Execute macro	Inserts a text field that runs a macro when you click the field in the document. To assign a macro to the field, click the Macro button.
Placeholder	Inserts a placeholder field in the document, for example, for graphics. When you click a placeholder field in the document, you are prompted to insert the item that is missing.
Hidden text	Inserts a text field that is hidden when the condition that you specify is met. To use this function, choose - Collabora Office Writer - Formatting Aids and clear the Fields: Hidden text check box.
Hidden Paragraph	Hides a paragraph when the condition that you specify is met. To use this function, choose - Collabora Office Writer - Formatting Aids and clear the Fields: Hidden paragraph check box.
Combine characters	Combines up to 6 characters, so that they behave as a single character. This feature is only available when Asian fonts are supported.

For function fields, the format field is only used for fields of the type placeholder. Here, the format determines the object for which the placeholder stands.

Condition

For fields linked to a condition, enter the criteria here.

Then, Else

Enter the text to display when the condition is met in the Then box, and the text to display when the condition is not met in the Else box.

You can also insert database fields in the Then and Else boxes using the format "databasename.tablename.fieldname".

Reference

Type the text that you want to display in the field. If you are inserting a placeholder field, type the text that you want to display as a help tip when you rest the mouse pointer over the field.

Format

Select the macro that you want to run when the field is clicked.

Macro name

Displays the name of the selected macro.

Placeholder

Type the text that you want to appear in the placeholder field.

Hidden text

Type the text that you want to hide if a condition is met.

Characters

Enter the characters that you want to combine. You can combine a maximum of 6 characters. This option is only available for the Combine characters field type.

Value

Enter a value for the selected field.

Macro

Opens the Macro Selector, where you can choose the macro that will run when you click the selected field in the document. This button is only available for the "Execute macro" function field.

The following controls are displayed for Input list fields:

Item

Enter a new item.

Add

Adds the Item to the list.

Items on list

Lists the items. The topmost item is shown in the document.

Remove

Removes the selected item from the list.

Move Up

Moves the selected item up in the list.

Move Down

Moves the selected item down in the list.

Name

Enter a unique name for the Input list.

Choose Item

This dialog is shown when you click an Input list field in the document.

Choose the item that you want to display in the document, then click OK.

Edit

Displays the Edit Fields: Functions dialog, where you can edit the Input list.

Next

Closes the current Input list and displays the next, if available. You see this button when you open the Choose Item dialog by Ctrl+Shift+F9.