Offset Fields

Fields that print in different positions depending on the amount and location of other data within the output need to be defined as Offset Fields within FormFusion. An offset field should be used when a simple floating field will not suffice. This type of field will search for key text information in the input file and allow you to map a field from the top-left of where the key text was discovered. To utilize an offset field, within MapForm you must identify a text field (and its corresponding data field, or fields) and specify it as an offset field. This field will then appear in the Variable Reference window and can be mapped into FormStamp in the same fashion that Floating Fields are mapped. The text field is searched for by MapForm in order to determine the location of the data.
An example illustrating how to create Offset Fields exists in the FormFusion 3.0 User Guide.

Creating an Offset Field
Click the Create Offset Field tool button to bring up the Field Name dialog box. Type the name of the offset field and then click OK. You are free to create as many offset fields as desired but each name must follow the variables naming convention.

Editing an Offset Field
The Offset Field Properties dialog will assist you in modifying the properties of an offset field. This dialog box can be opened by double-clicking the field in the 'Offset Fields' list or by first selecting the field and then clicking the Edit Field Properties tool button.

Deleting an Offset Field
Select the offset field to be deleted in the Offset Fields list. Click the Delete tool button on the toolbar. If the field has already been inserted into a FormStamp, it will automatically be deleted from the form. Once a field has been deleted, any reference to it, whether in CaptureForm or FormDirector, will no longer be valid and should be manually edited or removed.

Processing Offset Fields
Offset Fields created in MapForm are listed in alphabetic order, by default. To change the order, right-click on the name of the Offset Field, then use the Move Up or Move Down command in the context menu. At runtime the fields are processed in the order listed (alphabetic, by default). All Offset Fields are processed before Floating Fields are processed.