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Tip
When either changing a size or moving a control, two properties
of the Form Design toolbar should be selected: Snap to Grid, and
Guides when Moving. Your controls will line up better, and an
outline of what you are moving moves as the cursor moves.
You should also have both rulers active (Tools > Options >
OpenOffice.org Writer > View). Since the form is created in
Writer, that is where you have to make sure both horizontal and
vertical rulers have a check in the box in front of them.
Note
I use centimeters when making changes in a form because
centimeters are more accurate than inches. When moving
controls (fields and their labels), placement is also more
accurate. You can change your rulers from inches to centimeters
by right-clicking each ruler and selecting centimeter from the
context menu. You do not have to understand what centimeters
are. You only have to match your controls, labels, or fields to
specific numerals on a ruler.
Step 1: Change the Date field.
1) Control+click the Date field to select it (Figure 201).
2) Move the cursor over the middle green handle on the right side. It
should change to a single arrow (Figure 204).
Figure 204: Single arrow
3) Hold the left mouse button down as you drag the cursor to the
right until the length is 6 cm. The vertical dashed line is lined up
with the 6. (This is approximately 2.4 inches.) Release the mouse
button.
4) Click the Control icon in the Form Controls toolbar (Figure 205).
It is the one circled in red. The Properties: Date Field window
opens. Each line contains a property of the field.
Figure 205: Form Controls toolbar
•
•
Go to the Date format property. This is a dropdown list with
Standard (short) as the default setting.
Click the default Standard (short) to open the list. Click the
Standard (long) entry to select it.
Scroll down to the Dropdown property. Its default setting is
No. It is also a dropdown list.
Chapter 8 Getting Started with Base
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