Forcing a Stopping point in a text field.

[Mac the Flash]

This is probably and easy thing, but I just can't find it anywhere.

I had a database with a form for logging activities at my company. Originally, I had it set up as memo fields, giving the user plenty of space to explain events. Though, I had to redo this form due to the Access 2003 glitch where when exporting to HTML, the ends of the entries were being cut off.

So I went to a simple form of text fields where a user can type a line of text, and if he needed it, just tab to the next line and add more. Comes out good in HTML.

Here is the problem. There is no good number of Text characters to allow a line. I set it at 110 and most of the time, this stops the user when he reaches the end of the form's text box. But, as you know, some characters are wider than others, so sometimes, a user can get to the end of the text box and keep typing causing the text to scroll over.

This causes a problem when exporting the report to HTML, it cuts off what was typed past the Text box size. I already did the "Can Grow" on the report, but this just causes that extra word or two to fall to a line below it, messing with the format of the text lines.

So here is my question, is there some setting that will force the user to stop typing at the physical end of a text box, even if he has not reached the limit of characters?

Thank you for any help.

 

[WTE]

The only thing I can think of that would be helpful would be to shorten the 110 characters to less, if it is not a necessary that it be that long. You can also widen the physical field on the form to accommodate the text (instead of making it long, perhaps you can make it taller if you are running out of space horizontally.

 

[SteveSchapel]

Mac,

Three ideas...

1. Set the character limit to the practical limit if there are an exceptionally large number of wide characters typed (you would have to experiment to figure this out).

2. Use a fixed-width font.

3. Check out the following, and see if either can be applied to your situation:
http://www.lebans.com/textwidth-height.htm
http://www.lebans.com/limittextinput.htm
http://www.lebans.com/autosize_textbox.htm

 

[missinglinq]

Sorry, afraid not!

Never use the HTML thing, but I assume that the behavior you're reporting is correct. I can see two possible solutions, both of which involve sizing the texbox to the maximum possible length needed.

You'd have to experiment until you found the correct size.

Simplest way would be to use a fixed-pitch or mono- width font, where all characters have the same width.

Other method would be to enter sample data with all Ms or all Ws, which are the widest characters in most fonts.

Welcome to the AWF!

Linq ;0)>

 

[missinglinq]

Sorry, Steve, didn't mean to step on your toes! Was half way thru answering when the dog came in dancing the two-step and had to take her out!

Linq ;0)>

 

[SteveSchapel]

No worries, Linq. That's not toe-stepping! Never hurts to have the same information presented in 2 different styles.

 

[Mac the Flash]

Thank you all a lot, I think I will follow your advice and just use a fixed-limit font, seems like the simpliest solution for me.

Yea, I am not a fan of exporting in HTML, but upper management wants to be able to get the reports on their smart phones and HTML was the only one they could easily open and read. they had trouble with RTF (Don't know why, it is word) and they didn't want to download the free snapshot viewer.

But, thanks again, this should help me a lot and I wasn't even thinking of something as obvious as changing the font.