Overview

Creating and Editing Data consists of information about entering data in a data editing form. The purpose is to inform the user and make them more efficient in using the program.

Operation

Creating a New Record

To create a new record, click the New button. The New button is only enabled in Search mode. The effect on the toolbar of changing from Search to New mode is shown below.

In this example when the form is in Search mode prior to clicking Edit,  the form is dirty. In other words it does not contain a valid record. This is identified by the Edit button being disabled. 

Once the form is in New mode, enter your data and click Ok to attempt to save the record. Before the record can be saved, WebTools will validate all fields and grids on the form. If a field is invalid the cursor will move to that field but no error message is displayed. Usually an invalid field will contain either an invalid value, or it will contain no value and will be a required field. If a grid record is invalid, usually an error message will be displayed and the invalid row is selected. You will be unable to save the record until all invalid entries are corrected.

To cancel the operation without saving the record, click the Cancel button. The form will revert to the values it contained prior to clicking New.

Editing An Existing Record

To edit an existing record you must:-

1. Search for an existing record as described in Searching For Data. 
2. Click the Edit button

Because the Edit button is only enabled when the form contains a valid record (i.e. the form is not dirty), you cannot press the Edit button until you have successfully searched for a record.

Note: If after successfully searching for a record you edit one of the search fields before you click Edit, the Edit button is immediately disabled and you must re-search to enable it again. 

The effect on the toolbar when the edit button is clicked is shown below.

Notice that both the Edit and Delete buttons are enabled while the form is in Search mode. This is because the form contains a valid record (i.e. it is not dirty). Notice also that the Delete button is disabled in Edit mode. This is because you can only delete a record in search mode.

Make changes to your data and click Ok to save them or Cancel to abandon them as described in the section above.