The contents of a text object basically consist of a memo type object, which may include: text, variables, data fields, or any combination of these. The font formatting will be applied to all text contained within the text object.

The fastest way to edit a text object is to select the desired rectangle (by clicking on it) and then double click on it in the report editor. This will bring up the memo editor dialog:

Here is a short description of the toolbar buttons:

Inserts an expression;

Inserts a data field;

clipboard operations;

turns on/off word wrapping;

turns on/off the script editor;

Cancel button;

OK button.

From the editor you may type in text, insert variables, data fields or expressions. Clicking on the "Data field" or "Expression" buttons in the memo editor dialog will display the currently available data fields or variables. You may also use the following keys:

Insert “Variable” button - brings up the variable dialog.

Ctrl+Enter “OK” button - accepts and closes the dialog.

Esc “Cancel” button - closes and cancels editing.

Each text object can also have its own formatting style. You can edit the format by clicking on the "DisplayFormat" property of the text object in the Object Inspector. Formatting options include: no formatting, displaying as a numeric value, date, time or boolean formatting.

The formatting is applied to each and every variable in the memo. If a variable cannot be formatted, it will be shown as plain text. If you use several variables within a text object, but you want to use different formatting for each variable, you may override the default formatting by using the “#” tag followed by the formatting style. Put this formatting tag and the format string inside of the variable brackets, i.e.:

Here are some examples of using the “#” tag:

You cannot use the formatting tag in expressions that have been created in the variables editor (see below).

For reports where you would like to have objects change their font color, background color etc. based on a specific condition or expression, click the button in the Text formatting toolbar. This will bring up the “Conditional highlighting” dialog where you may enter the conditions to be satisfied in the text box and select the various options available.

For example, assume it is necessary to pick out orders exceeding $1,000.00, Demo report "3- level" is an example of this. To achieve this, select the rectangle containing sum order and click on the highlight button in the formatting toolbar. In the textbox of the dialog type the condition “Value > 1000” without quotes. Select an appropriate font & background color then click on the Ok button. Your report will now show any orders over $1000.00 highlighted with the chosen color. Try various combinations of font styles and background colors to achieve the results you need.

By right clicking on the "Text" object you can set the following options:

• Stretched – the object has a variable height depending on the actual number of text strings in it. You should also turn on this option in the object’s parent band. When this band is printed, it will calculate the maximum height of all objects with the Stretched option and stretch itself.
• Word wrap – long strings are wrapped to make several lines of text.
• AutoWidth – before drawing, the object calculates its actual width.

• TextOnly – do not process variables in the object.
• Suppress repeated values – do not show repeated values.