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Use the string pop-up character input

The string pop-up character input is an alternative to the string pop-up keyboard. To use the character input instead of the keyboard, in the Tools menu, select Options > String Pop-Up, and then select Use the string pop-up character input.

The character input opens instead of the keyboard when the operator presses a string input enable button, the User and Password buttons in the Login dialog box, or the buttons in the Change Password dialog box.

To use the string pop-up character input

  1. Press the buttons in the pop-up, or use the keys on an external keyboard or keypad, to enter a string in the pop-up’s scratchpad.
  2. Press Enter Enter symbol.

    Tip:

    • When the pop-up is open, the graphic display does not accept input to any other objects in the display.
    • If the graphic display changes remotely before the operator has pressed the Enter button in the string pop-up character input, the pop-up closes without writing anything out.
    • If the computer’s resolution is smaller than 320 pixels wide by 240 pixels high, the string pop-up character input cannot open.
    • If the string input enable button has its Mask scratchpad option set to True, the string pop-up character input's scratchpad will show # characters instead of the characters entered.
    • When invoked from the Change Password or from the Login dialog box's Password button, the string pop-up character input's scratchpad will show # characters instead of the characters entered.

Use the keys on the external keyboard or keypad

  • SEL [F1]

    Press F1 on the keyboard to write the selected character to the scratchpad.

  • Insert/Overstrike [F2]

    Press the F2 key to toggle between insert and overstrike modes.

  • << [F3]

    Press F3 to move the cursor in the scratchpad to the left.

  • >> [F4]

    Press F4 to move the cursor in the scratchpad to the right.

  • CLR [F5]

    Press F5 or the Delete key to clear the scratchpad.

  • Backspace

    Press the Backspace symbol to delete the character to the left of the cursor. Hold the button down to delete multiple characters.

  • Left arrow

    Press the Left arrow key to move the character highlight to the left.

  • Right arrow

    Press the Right arrow key to move the character highlight to the right.

  • Up arrow

    Press the Up arrow key to move the character highlight up to the next higher row.

  • Down arrow

    Press the Down arrow key to move the character highlight down to the next row down.

  • Escape

    Press the Esc key to close the pop-up without writing the string to the Value connection or text box.

  • Enter

    Press the Enter key to write the string to the Value connection of a string input enable button or to the text field in the Login or Change Password dialog box.

See also

Use the string pop-up keyboard

How the String Input Enable button works at run time

Use the Login dialog box