Modifying Segment Properties

You can modify the properties of any segment, including the minimum and maximum number of times the segment can repeat, whether the segment is mandatory or conditional, and whether it is a loop start or loop end segment.

Use this procedure to modify the properties of a segment.

  1. Right-click the segment you want to modify and select Properties.
  2. To change the segment name, type the segment name in the first box on the Name tab.
    Note: If a segment occurs more than once in a form it is identified by its name <ID>. The second and subsequent occurrences are identified by <ID>:n, where "n" is the number of the occurrence in the form.
  3. To change the segment description, type a new description in the second box on the Name tab. This box is used to provide a brief explanation of the segment that allows you to differentiate it from similar segments.
  4. To flag this segment as containing the binary data, click the Special tab.

    If you select "Binary," you must define an element of data-type "Bin Length" and another element of data-type "Bin Data." The "Bin Length" element must precede the "Bin Data" element.

    See Modifying Element Properties for more information about defining an element data-type.

  5. To use a key field, click the Key Field tab and make your selections. The key field function enables you to specify a second qualification in selecting a segment (the segment name is the first qualification). Data must be provided in the order designated through the use of key fields.
  6. If you want to change any display or print options, do one of the following:
    • For a screen entry form, click the Display tab and make your changes.
    • For a print form, click the Print tab and make your changes.
  7. Click the Looping tab.
  8. In the Min Usage box, type the minimum amount of times the segment must repeat.
    Note: If the Min Usage box contains a "0" (zero), the segment is "conditional." If the Min Usage box contains a "1" or greater, the segment is "mandatory."
  9. If this segment is a looping structure, type the maximum amount of times it can repeat in the Max Usage box.
  10. Select one of the following options:
    • Loop Start - This segment marks the beginning of the loop.
    • Loop End - This segment marks the end of the loop.
    • Normal - This segment is in the loop but is not the beginning or ending segment.
  11. To specify an extended rule for this group, click the Loop Extended Rules tab and make your selections.

    See Defining a Form Component Extended Rule for more information.

  12. Click OK to save the changes to the segment.