When creating fields in JMagic, the most important parameter to properly define is the Field Name.  This single value determines what the field will print and how the field will act on your format.  For example, should the field be a simple static text field or maybe it should be a variable data field that will have information passed into it at print time?  Should the field retrieve and print the system date instead?  These cases and many more are all determined by the Field Name.  For most field types, this parameter is presented as pull down menu displaying the various options.  


Click on any of the field names below for more information:


  • *HEADING - The field will print or contain static information.  Anywhere you see *HEADING in MarkMagic and JMagic, you are dealing with static data.
  • *DATE - The field will retrieve and/or print the system date.
  • *TIME - The field will retrieve and/or print the system time.
  • *LINK - The field will be defined as a *LINK field.  The Link Fields panel will become available once this option is set.
  • *CALC - The field will be defined as a *CALC field.  A special Link Fields panel will become available once this option is set.
  • *SEQ - The field will be defined as a Sequence Number field.  Sequence Group and Name will now be available on the Properties tab.



Please note that the Field Name parameter is not just a simple pull down menu.  You can also directly type a custom field name within the parameter as seen below.  In fact, providing your own custom field names like this is the main method for defining variable data elements on your format.  Fields you define in this fashion could then have variable information pushed to them at print time from various data sources (database, XML, CSV files, JSON, etc.) allowing you to print that variable information on your label or form.



Most fields require the Field Name to be defined.  Some field types, however do not necessarily require a field name.  These being Lines, Boxes and Other fields as seen below.  JMagic will allow you to create these types of fields without specifying a Field Name or Description.  Providing a Field Name is accepted, though it ends up being more of a descriptive element in these cases.