How to customize forms
Description
Available Form Objects

Below are brief definitions of each type of object.

  • Logo or Image - Bitmap, JPEG, and GIF files are typical image files. If you need to add a different type of file (such as a Microsoft Word document) to your form, you will need to insert the file as an OLE object. For more information please refer to the Sage 50 Help files.
  • Data From Sage 50 – Data Fields, Text Fields.
    Data fields are fields that pull data from the Sage 50 database to populate the field. These fields can only have one possible value on each form. An example of a data field on an invoice would be the Customer Name. Each invoice is created for one customer so there is only one possible value for this field on the form.
  • Individual Fields – These fields have the ability to be place on the form in almost any location.
  • Columns – These fields are fields that pull data from the Sage 50 database to populate columns or lists on a form. These fields can have multiple values on the same form.
  • Text fields - Text field are fields that display the exact text that you enter in forms design on the printed form itself. You could use a text field to create a label for a data field such as "Invoice Number:" or you could use a text field to create a message that prints on the form such as "Thank you for your business".
  • Shape – Adds a shape such as an Ellipse, Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle or Polygon to the form.
  • Line – Adds a line to the form.
  • Column to Table – Adds a new column to an existing table on the form.
  • Other Object – Columnar data (group object), OLE Object, Command Object.

Note: For additional information on Adding objects to a form please refer to the Sage 50 Help files.

Cause
Resolution
[BCB:5:Third-party support:ECB]


If you would like for Sage Expert Services to customize a form for you, see SES - Sage Expert Services for Sage 50—U.S. Edition Customization Services for more information.

Note: For hands-on instruction on how to customize forms, refer to Customizing forms training

Section 1: Open the form customization window

  1. Select Reports & Forms, Forms, and then select Type of form.
  2. Select the Form you need to modify, and then select Customize.

Note: If you are not sure which form you need to modify, go back to the entry screen and pull up a previous transaction. Select Print and then select Form Design

Section 2: Moving individual fields

  • To move a field, click the field with your mouse, which will place a selection box around it
  • You can move the field by dragging with the mouse or by using the arrow keys on your keyboard (using the arrow keys is more precise)
  • If the field names are represented by xxxxx and nnnnn, select the Options button at the top, clear the Placeholder text box, and then click OK

Section 3: Moving groups of fields

  • If you select more than one field at a time, they will move together as a group
  • To select more than one field at a time, hold down the Ctrl key as you click each field
  • Alternatively, you can lasso the fields by drawing a box around all the fields you want to select

Section 4: Adding data fields from Sage 50

  1. Select the Add icon, and then select Data from Sage 50. Select OK
  2. Select the Field Type and the Field Name for the data you would like to add. Select OK
  3. Drag the newly added field with your mouse to the desired location.

Section 5: Adding columns to a table

  1. Double-click the table to open the Column Data Options window
  2. Click Add Field
  3. Select Field Name you wish to add, and then click OK
  4. Use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to move the order of where the column appears in the table, and then click OK.

Section 6: Adding or editing Field Heading text

  1. Double-click the table to open the Column Data Options window
  2. Manually add or edit the text in the Field Heading column
  3. Use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to move the order of where the column appears in the table if desired, and then click OK.

Section 7: Adding text fields for static text

  1. Select Reports & Forms, Forms, and select the type of form you want to customize
  2. Select the specific form you want to customize in the list, and then click Customize button
  3. Select the Add icon, and then select Text
  4. In the window that opens, confirm the Text option is selected, and then click OK
  5. In the field that appears, type in the desired text and click outside the newly added field
  6. Drag the new field with your mouse to the desired location.

Section 8: Customizing fonts

  1. Select Reports & Forms, Forms, and select the type of form you want to customize
  2. Select the specific form you want to customize in the list, and then click Customize
  3. Click the field you wish to customize the font. To select all fields, select any field, and then press the Ctrl+A keys
  4. Use the text formatting toolbar at the top of the window to set the desired font, size, color, weight, or highlighting color
  5. If the text formatting toolbar is not present, click Options, and then select the Formatting toolbar.

Section 9: Saving the form

  1. Click Save
  2. If customizing a standard form or wishing to create a new copy of an existing custom form, enter a new Form Name
  3. Click Save
  4. When test printing the form after changes, be sure to choose Select Form and then the form name you entered in Step 2.

DocLink: How to increase the line spacing on a customized invoice.
Attachment: 362_20230425110208_Forms Design Sage 50.docx

[BCB:25:My Sage - issues:ECB]



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