Working with Fields in Layouts

When you're working with layouts remember:Adding a field to a layout isn't the same thing as creating a field for the database. Layouts are simply differing views of the same data. Add a layout or delete a layouteither way the database itself isn't changed. The same notion applies when adding a field to a layout: It's just a view of a field that's already been created within the database.

For information on how to create a brand new field, see To define a field on page 96. Once you've created a field, you can easily add it to a new layout directly without having to define it again. In fact, it's common while designing a layout to discover that you need to define a new field. Just keep straight the difference between defining fields for the database versus adding a field to a layout and you'll be fine.

To add a field to a layout

1.	To add already defined fields to a layout, click on the Field button in the left-hand Layout status area and drag the resulting field where you want it within the layout (Figure 11.59). Figure 11.59. To add an already defined field to a layout, click on the status area's Field button and drag the resulting field to where you want it.
2.	When the Specify Field dialog box appears, click on a name for the new field (Figure 11.60). You can add a field defined in another database by clicking on the Current Table pop-down menu above the field list and navigating to the database with the desired field. Figure 11.60. Selecting the Field button opens the Specify Field dialog box, allowing you to select a field definition (and add its name if you leave the bottom box checked).
3.	If you want a field label to appear in the layout, also check the Create label box below the list.
4.	Click OK. The layout reappears with the added field. If you want to further format the field, see Formatting Fields or Objects on page 203.

Tip

• If you want to redefine the just-added field, stay in Layout mode and just double-click on the field. The Specify Field dialog box reappears, allowing you to pick another field definition.

To delete a field from a layout

1.	Make sure you're in Layout mode ( in Windows, on the Mac). Select the field you want to delete by clicking it.
2.	Press .

Tip

• Remember: Deleting a field from a layout merely removes it from that layout. The data and field still exist in the database and, so, can be used in other layouts as you need them.