Is it possible to change the properties of multiple controls all at one time. I tried selecting multiple controls, but didn't see a way to change all of the properties.
If this in not an option currently, please add it to the wish list.
Thanks,
Gary
No that's not possible. It was on the wish list for FF3 but I did not get it implemented.
I've been thinking more about this feature. It may not be as difficult as I first imagined.
Here are my thoughts:
- Allow setting of common properties whenever a group of controls are selected. The list of properties that will show int he PropertyList are the properties from the current active selected control.
- Currently, when a group of controls is selected, the active control is the one that gets the new property values applied (rather than the entire group).
- How should the common properties be applied? For example, say that I have a group of 10 selected controls but only 7 of them have a "Text" property. When the user types in the new value for the "Text" property of the active control, how should I apply the changes to the other controls? To all 7 controls or none at all because it the property is not common to all controls.
- I imagine that I would need an additional option added so that users could toggle this feature on and off.
What do you guys think?
QuoteTo all 7 controls or none at all because it the property is not common to all controls.
If you consider the way Word, and probably other similar applications, handle similar logic when text with different formatting is selected, you would end up with the seven controls having the property set.
Ever noticed how for instance the size field is blank when such a multi-selection is active? If a number is selected/entered it is applied to the applicable text â€" leaving other items, without the text-size property, alone.
Having nothing done because there is one control that don't have the property available, will probably create frustration as one get nothing done without additional steps.
I'd say it operates on the 7 that have the property, ignore the others.
As for the toggle, instead, maybe a button "Apply to selected controls", next to control name on the top of the properties tab. This would apply the last property set of the active control to the others.
For future, this could be expanded, a checkbox column added to each property or allow multi-select by clicking on the property name, to set multiple properties to other selected controls. In this case I don't even have to change a property setting to perform it. I can select 5 controls, select width, height and text properties. Click the "Apply to selected controls" button and I just set 3 properties for the 4 controls to equal the active selected control.
Just a thought.
Quote from: TechSupport on November 13, 2009, 08:40:58 AM
I've been thinking more about this feature. It may not be as difficult as I first imagined.
Here are my thoughts:
- How should the common properties be applied? For example, say that I have a group of 10 selected controls but only 7 of them have a "Text" property. When the user types in the new value for the "Text" property of the active control, how should I apply the changes to the other controls? To all 7 controls or none at all because it the property is not common to all controls.
What do you guys think?
Well, I have to admit, I like the way the competition does it, in regards to this. Basically, you select multiple controls and then, with the controls selected, you double click one of the selected controls. A dialog will open that indicates you are in 'multiple control mode'. The property dialog only allows those settings (properties) that apply to that set of selected controls and it won't allow mixed controls. For instance, you can't do a text box and a combobox....only multiples of the same type of control...(all textboxes, etc). The other designer won't allow the size to be changed because it is not an option in the properties box, but with FF, it would be handy to be able to adjust the height and width of multiple controls, but not the position. Otherwise, you would make a big mess of your form.
I never used VB much, but if I recall correctly, it would let you change any property for multiple controls that applied to each control, in other words, if you selected a textbox, listbox, combobox...as long as they all shared a common property, it could be changed. I don't think this is necessary and may get real complicated to implement, but "maybe" limiting the multiple changes to similar types only may not be as bad.
This would be a HUGE and valuable addition to the designer!
Thanks,
Gary
Well, we can't have the competition with a better design than FireFly ;) Better get this feature in there quick! :D
Actually, with FF3, adding new features is soooooooo much easier than in FF2 because FF3 is a FF3 application. In FF2 and earlier, I had to code everything by hand so it certainly slowed down development.
So, we have various proposals here. It makes no difference to me at all which direction we take. Per Gary's post, we can't have double-click activate a popup dialog because by default in FF3 double-clicking a control takes you to the code editor and to the default message handler for that control (eg. CommandButton --> BN_CLICKED). I could implement it through a right-click option, menu option on the Format menu, and even a keyboard short cut.
We may need a poll on this one. :)
Paul,
I like the right click approach. :P
Gary
Quote from: TechSupport on November 13, 2009, 02:17:32 PM
Well, we can't have the competition with a better design than FireFly ;) Better get this feature in there quick! :D
I could implement it through a right-click option, menu option on the Format menu, and even a keyboard short cut.
Maybe all 3, if that isn't asking too much. I personally would probably use the right click approach, but I can see where a keyboard shortcut might become addictive as well.
Speaking of the format menu, could I also make a small request for and extra option to the "Center in Form" menu selection. I am finding that when I use that feature, which is frequently for centering tab controls or some other large control on a form, I have to first click horizontal and then go back and click vertical. Could I request a "both" menu option here to do it all in one click. You know how lazy us programmers can be at times. ;D
Thanks,
Gary
Quote from: Gary Stout on November 13, 2009, 02:46:49 PM
Speaking of the format menu, could I also make a small request for and extra option to the "Center in Form" menu selection. I am finding that when I use that feature, which is frequently for centering tab controls or some other large control on a form, I have to first click horizontal and then go back and click vertical. Could I request a "both" menu option here to do it all in one click. You know how lazy us programmers can be at times.
Sounds like a good idea. Not sure why it is not already there. I just checked FF2 and the option for "Both" is missing from that program as well.
Quote from: TechSupport on November 13, 2009, 02:56:10 PM
Sounds like a good idea. Not sure why it is not already there. I just checked FF2 and the option for "Both" is missing from that program as well.
I am guessing the same guy might have had something to do with both ;D
The Centre in Form option for "Both" is now implemented.
The fix will be in 3.04.
Cool!
Thanks!
Gary
Great news!!!!
Finally got this feature implemented. It wasn't as hard to implement as I thought it would be.
Take a look at the attached screenshot to see a group of selected controls (2 labels and 2 textboxes). Seems to be working okay... so far.
This new feature will be in 3.07.
That is gonna be very helpful!
As usual, great stuff Paul!
VERY COOL!!!
Thanks!
Gary
Nice new feature.
Paul,
Yes definitely it will be a great addition to FF.
I'm just curious to know which properties are displayed under "Multiple Selected Controls" ?
Only the common properties of the selected controls ? or do you choose another approach?
Jean-Pierre
Backcolor and fore color in the properties list doesn't match any of the selected controls??? What determines the displayed values when multi controls are selected, the one with focus like when we align and size a group with the menus? You also had Labels and Textboxes selected and it showed Caption but not Text??? Might be a good change to make them consistent too since it may be considering Caption as Text from the looks of it we need to make Labels have a Text property instead of calling it Caption...since that is what it really is anyway is the text of the control, and it matches other IDEs like our buddy Visual Studio.
The selected properties depend on which control in the group is the active contorl (ie. the one with the blue gripper handles). The common properties for the active control are displyed in the grid. If the selection comprises controls of a several different types (ie. Labels, TextBoxes, etc.), then the property change would be bypassed for that specific control if the property is not relevant (eg. trying to set a "InitialDate" property for a TextBox control).
Also, if all controls in the selected group are of the same type then the "WindowStyles" property is also available.
Cool, I like that...sounds better than the competitor since we can select what control has the properties we want to try to change across all. So, what about the Caption thing? If Caption is changed would it have changed Text of Textbox...and would it be good to call it Text to have better properties across the board? Form/Buttons/Check/Radio would be the same way...seems the Textbox is about the only thing to call it Text looking at it now. Not sure which way would be best...I guess that would separate text/richedit and the labels/frames/buttons.
Quote from: TechSupport on November 13, 2009, 08:40:58 AM
I've been thinking more about this feature. It may not be as difficult as I first imagined.
Here are my thoughts:
- How should the common properties be applied? For example, say that I have a group of 10 selected controls but only 7 of them have a "Text" property. When the user types in the new value for the "Text" property of the active control, how should I apply the changes to the other controls? To all 7 controls or none at all because it the property is not common to all controls.
- I imagine that I would need an additional option added so that users could toggle this feature on and off.
What do you guys think?
Paul,
MS Access approach is When you select 10 controls the properties sheet only show common properties for 10 controls. For example 1 of the 10 controls does not have 'caption' propterty the common property sheet will not show 'caption' property at all.
Regards,
KW