Fields and field groups

A field group is a container for fields that store information in OpenPages®.

Definition of fields
An object field represents information that is stored in OpenPages.
Definition of a field group
Field groups are containers that organize fields into logical groups. They also allow you to more easily manage and share common fields across multiple object types. A field group can be assigned to multiple object types.
Requirements for new fields
Before you create a new field, determine the characteristics of the field and the object types that will use the new field.
Field naming guidelines
To create an object field that you can use in reports, you need to consider several factors when you name the field.
Data types
The IBM OpenPages application provides various data types from which you can choose.
Read-only fields
An object field that is set to read-only cannot be modified.
Colors for field value ranges
You can apply colors to value ranges for decimal, integer, and currency fields.
Supported color palettes for field values
Available colors for field values are based on two Carbon color palettes, Categorical and Monochromatic.
Defining field groups
Field groups are containers that organize fields into logical groups.
Adding existing field groups to object types
A field group can be assigned to multiple object types, which allows you to more easily manage and share common fields across multiple object types.
Defining fields and adding them to field groups
A field definition stores the data type and other properties of a field.
Defining Boolean fields
Define a Boolean field by setting the data type and a default value.
Defining business entity selector fields
Define a business entity selector field by setting the data type and additional settings on profiles.
Defining a classifier field
Define a classifier field by setting the data type and additional settings.
Defining currency fields
Define a currency field by setting the data type, Include Conversion, a value range, and defining additional settings on profiles.
Defining a date field
Define a date field by setting the data type.
Defining decimal fields
Define a decimal field by setting the data type, a value range, and a default value.
Defining enumerated string fields
Define an enumerated string field by setting the data type, adding values, applying colors to the values, and defining whether it is encrypted and single or multi-valued. A default value can also be specified.
Defining integer fields
Define an integer field by setting the data type, a value range, and a default value.
Defining long string fields
Define a long string field by setting the data type, string size, display type, encryption, and providing a default value.
Defining simple string fields
Define a simple string field by setting the data type, string size, display type, encryption, and providing a default value.
Defining user/group fields
Define a user/group field by setting the data type, display type, and defining additional settings on profiles.
Configuring reporting fragment fields
Reporting fragment fields are always read-only fields that typically display a component (such as a chart or table) from a larger Cognos® report.
Creating computed fields
You can create, edit, or view an object field whose value is computed from the values of other fields. These computed fields can exist on either the same object or on another, related object.
Using object fields to launch JavaServer Pages and external URLs
You can customize the OpenPages application to launch JavaServer Pages (JSPs) or external URLs from object fields. You can pass arguments to the JSP or external URL in a URL configuration string that is defined on the object field.
Running the Schema Analysis report
If you already have many fields on an object type, run the Schema Analysis report before you add more fields to the object type. Use the Schema Analysis report to determine the number of object fields that you can add to the object type.

Parent topic: Administrator's Guide