Input Mask |
An input mask is a template that provides precise control over each individual character of data received. At print time, it acts as a template to force data into a specified pattern. When you select Set by Input Mask from the Allowable Characters option on the Character Filter dialog, you can define your input mask by entering input mask characters or choose a predefined input mask from the Select Sample Mask dialog.
An input mask is comprised of three parts separated by two semicolons:
Data Template: The first part of the input mask, to the left of the first semi-colon, is the template that you want the received data to follow.
Specifying Whether to Print Literal Characters:
A value of 0 indicates that the literal characters will be displayed and printed; a value of 1 indicates that the literal characters will not be printed.
Placeholder Character: The third part of the input mask, to the right of the second semi-colon, identifies the character placeholder that will be displayed in the Test option of the Character Filter dialog and in the reply box on the data entry form.
Requirements for Individual Characters
The characters that you enter into the Input Mask determine the type of data which can be received for each individual character position in a data field. By using control characters, you can state explicitly whether the character in any position should be a number, letter, symbol, or space.
Specifying Symbols to Act as Separators
You can also enter characters, such as spaces, dots, dashes, and parentheses, into the input mask to separate the variable data entered. These characters are called literal characters.
For more information, see Understanding Input Mask Characters.