Variable Update (Layout)

Overview

The Layout tab of the Variable Update window provides options for the variable formatting. If no layout is specified the variable will follow the layout specified for the Variable Group on the Layout tab of the Variable Group Update page.

Content

• Layout Template Type
  • Use Variable Group Layout:  The variable will follow the layout specified on the Layout tab of the Variable Group Update page (for example, if the Variable Group layout specified is Vertical, the variable will also have a vertical layout). 
  • Horizontal:  The variable will be displayed with the data entry prompt followed by the answer on one row

  • Reverse Horizontal (Prompt on Right):  The variable will be displayed with the answer followed by the data entry prompt on one row

    This is a common layout for Checkbox variable types

  • Vertical: The variable will be displayed with the answer below the data entry prompt

  • If yes: "If Yes:" will be displayed above the data entry prompt and the data entry prompt will be indented

    You can use the Dependencies tab to define relationships between variables and hide or disable variables that are not required for data entry based on an answer to a previous question.

  • If no: "If No:" will be displayed above the data entry prompt and the data entry prompt will be indented

  • Heading: The variable will only display the data entry prompt (there will not be an answer) with a blue background and centered data entry prompt with white font 

    A Heading variable type should be marked as not required and not exportable on the Attributes tab

  • User Defined: This feature should not be used as it is no longer supported   

    Custom layouts can be created using the Layout tab of the Variable Group Update page.  Click here to see how to add a custom variable group layout.

• Not Numbered:  If the variable group is marked as Display Variable Numbers on the Layout tab, unchecking the Not Numbered box for a variable will keep the variable from being numbered

• Display Required Indicator:  This box is checked by default and only applies to variables marked as required on the Attributes tab.  Unchecking this box will not display an asterisk next to the variable indicating it is required (the variable will still be required for data completion). 

  There is also a Display Required Indicator checkbox at the variable group level on the Layout tab

• Indent Level:  Optionally enter a value between 1 and 10 to indent the variable 
• Left Column Width:  Optionally enter a value in pixels to override any Left Column Width that may be specified at the variable group level on the Layout tab.  The left column width is not applicable with a Vertical or Heading layout type.  The left column width specifies the width for the data entry prompt, variable numbers (if included) and the required field indicator.
• Right Column Width:  Optionally enter a value in pixels to override any Right Column Width that may be specified at the variable group level on the Layout tab.  The right column width is not applicable with a Vertical or Heading layout type.  The right column width specifies the width for the answer and an answer suffix (if included)
• Prompt Width: Optionally enter a value in pixels to override the Prompt Width that is specified at the variable group level on the Layout tab.  The value entered is the amount of space allocated to the data entry prompt.  If the data entry prompt exceeds the prompt width it will wrap.

• Answer Width:  Optionally enter a value in pixels to override the Answer Width that is specified at the variable group level on the Layout tab.  For a horizontal radio button variable type the answer width controls if the pick list elements will wrap.  For a numeric, date, pick list, text, or memo variable type the answer width controls the size of the answer box. 

  Checkbox and horizontal radio button variable type will not wrap even if they exceed the answer width specified 

• CSS Class:   The name of the CSS class applied to this variable.  CSS classes are defined in the *Global Code *tab of the Project Update page.