Controls Overview

Use

The controls in the Compose task panel are divided into two groups: Basic Controls and Advanced Controls . Following is a list and description of the controls available in each group. For information about adding controls to a view element, see Adding Controls .

Basic Controls

Control

Description

Input Field

A single-line text box that supports all data types.

Checkbox

A dual-state selection control used for setting or clearing Boolean (yes/no) fields.

Dropdown List

A list showing the possible values that can be selected and also the currently-selected value.

Button

A control used to trigger actions when it is clicked with the mouse or activated using the keyboard.

Hyperlink

An unbound control used to display a hyperlink that triggers a specific action when clicked.

Date Picker

A date selection control that allows the user to select a date using a dropdown calendar.

DateTime Picker

A selection control that allows the user to select a date, time and optional time zone using a dropdown calendar and time selector.

Progress Bar

A read-only control for displaying numeric values using a bar that is filled to display the current value relative to the total size of the bar.

Plain Text

A control used to display a text message with uniform formatting.

Text Editor

A multi-line text editing control with support for line breaks, word wrapping and scrolling.

Melting Group

A control that can be used to group other controls, enabling more layout flexibility. More information: Adding Controls in a Melting Group .

Advanced Controls

Control

Description

Combo Box

A combination dropdown list and input field, enabling the user to choose an option from a dropdown list or else enter values not available in the list.

Radio Group

A selection control consisting of radio buttons, one for each value that a user can select. Only one radio button can be selected at any time.

Toggle Button

A dual-state selection control used to set or clear Boolean fields using a button.

Calendar

A date selection control that allows the user to select a date or a range of dates using a navigable monthly calendar.

Spinner

A numeric range control with up/down buttons for stepping through the values in the range.

Horizontal Slider

A numeric selection control that enables the user to select a value by moving a slider thumb between the end points of a horizontal slider track. The current value of the slider is determined by the relative location of the thumb between the end points of the slider, corresponding to the slider's min/max values.

Vertical Slider

A numeric selection control that enables the user to select a value by moving a slider thumb between the end points of a vertical slider track. The current value of the slider is determined by the relative location of the thumb between the end points of the slider, corresponding to the slider's min/max values.

Gauge

A read-only control that displays numeric values on a radial scale. The current value of the gauge is determined by the angle of the gauge's needle relative to the total angular extent of the gauge.

Horizontal Separator

A horizontal line that visually groups items or separates content areas.

Vertical Separator

A vertical line that visually groups items or separates content areas.

Image

A control used to display an icon from the image library or an image by specifying its URL.