Adding a global parameter

You can define your own global parameters.

About this task

To add a user-defined global parameter:

Procedure

  1. You can open the Insert Parameter window in one of the following ways:
    • From the Project Explorer view, expand the Globals node. Right-click the Parameters node. Select Insert Parameter from the pop-up menu.
    • From the Project Explorer view, expand the Globals node. Double-click the Parameters node. The Insert Parameter window opens.
  2. Type a unique name for the global parameter in the Name field.
  3. Select a data type from the Data type list box. The data type will describe what type of data will be included in the parameter. Your choices are:
    • Boolean: True or False
    • Color: Color
    • DateTime: Date and time value
    • DateTimeSet: Multiple data and time values
    • FilePath: Path to a file
    • FontName: Valid font type
    • Integer: Whole number
    • Literal: As is data. This data type only applies to query parameters.
    • Number: Floating point number
    • NumberSet: Multiple floating point numbers
    • Percentage: Value that will be used as a percentage
    • Point: Single x,y point value
    • PointSet: Multiple x,y point values
    • PolySet: Multiple point variables that can be used to construct a polygon
    • Text: A text string
    • TextSet: Multiple text strings
  4. To add a description, type the text in the Description field.
  5. To specify that the parameter be available to the user, select the Public at runtime check box. When checked, a Runtime Settings window will be issued at runtime and the user can enter information.
  6. To specify a default value, select the Has default value check box. A field is displayed where you can type a default value for the global parameter.