The Text tool allows for the entry of alphanumeric information into a mobile form. If a user taps a Text field in a form on a mobile device, an alphanumeric keyboard will open, allowing the user to enter letters, numbers, and special characters into the field (if a device has voice-to-text functionality or handwriting recognition, those methods can also be used to enter text into the field).
Note: If you wish to create a field that requires users to enter numbers only (i.e., no alpha characters or special characters accepted), use the Numeric tool.
The image below shows an example of a Text field used to capture a person's street address:
Properties
Default value: The value of the field first presented to the user when they see the question. Unless the question is marked as “Read Only”, the mobile user will be able to change the value. This is very useful where the answer to a question is likely to repeat itself over and over. Setting a default value minimizes the work for mobile users. Note that repeating values can also be set on the mobile app using the “Remember Answer” option.
Number of lines: Determines the number of lines of text included in the text field.
Format
Use social security format: Only allows 9 numbers to be entered an displays the information in 111-11-1111.
Use phone number format: Allows up to either 10 or 11 numbers entered (depending on which number format is selected). Once Use phone number format is selected there is an additional drop down of 4 possible phone number formats.
Use custom format: Allows for text fields to have a format for basic validation of input answers. By default uses "a" for alphabetical characters and "n" for numerical characters. These representative characters can be customized to whatever character is wanted. Input the custom format using the representative characters in the textbox in the form builder. When used in a form, the textbox will prevent input of characters not corresponding to the required format. If Show format string is checked, the textbox will display the required format, as input in the form builder.
Uppercase lock: When checked will only allow uppercase letters to be entered into the text field.
Gray caption text: Only visible when the text box is inside of a free form grid container. This setting removes the fields caption text and places it in the answer box with gray text. Once the user starts typing an answer the text disappears.
Length: Sets the minimum and/or maximum length of text that the mobile form user must enter if they choose to enter anything in the text field (Note: Use the Required settings to force a user to enter text into the text field before submitting a form).
Security: Select Encrypt field to encrypt the value entered.
Appearance
Keyboard: Allows the user to select either a text or numeric keyboard when using the text box. Numeric will only allow for numbers to be entered. There is also a none option that can be turned on for bar code users who don't need a keyboard and simply want to scan a bar code into a text field.
Lock screen: Don't automatically scroll the screen when the field is selected. Useful when the field is automatically selected by using Jump to.
Rules & Permissions
Actions & Logic
Parse: This setting allows the text field to parse the value entered based on the amount of characters entered. Parse fields can also include table columns. First enter the number of characters to parse and set the field that this value will be parse into. For example, if I set two fields to parse 4 characters each and I scan the tag 12345678, 1234 will parse to field 1 and 5678 will parse to field 2.
This setting can also be used with any keyboard interrupt Bluetooth or RFID device. Simply connect the device and scan the tags into a text field to have them parsed to your settings.
Verify duplicates: Compare with a question in the form and do not allow entry of a value that has already been entered. See also the Verify duplicates option in the Table control.