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Using Text AreasLocate this document in the navigation structure

Context

An HTML text area selects an input area on a Web page, which, in contrast to input fields, can consist of several lines. The text area is like a small editor area but, however, formatting is not permitted. Using a text area, the user can enter their own text, for example, feedback about a training course or a product.

You can mark a text node as a text area using the Web attributes in the Form Builder. The text node is then converted in a Web form to a text area, regardless of whether it is a text element, a text module, or an include text.

Procedure


  1. If a text node does not already exist, create one and choose a text type (text element, text module, or include text).

  2. You have to specify a module in the system for text modules or include texts. In the case of text elements, if you want to preallocate text in the text area, simply enter this text.

    Note

    Note that no formatting is permitted in HTML text areas. For this reason, Smart Forms ignores formatting in the conversion to HTML.

  3. Switch to the Web Attributes tab page and choose Text Area in the Text Area list box.

  4. Specify the size for your text area by entering the number of columns and lines.

    Example

    If you text area is to be 80 characters wide and 20 characters high, enter 80 in the first input field and 20 in the second input field. The width and height of a character is "average" according to the HTML specification.

  5. Choose the Display checkbox if the text area is to be displayed as not ready for input.

  6. Activate your form.

Results

Smart Forms generates a text area for the text node in the HTML output. If the text area is too big for the output window, the output is cut accordingly.