Form Controls

A form control is a mechanism that allows you to interact with data on a form.

CSM provides the following types of form controls:

Field form controls: Displays/stores data from a Business Object field (example: Text box, Combo box, Rich Text box, Text box with calendar, and check box).
Standard form controls: Enhances design and data entry.
Buttons and link labels can execute a single Action when selected (example: Run an Action). Labels may or may not be tied to a field control. Radio buttons are associated with a field.
Special form controls: Built-in CSM controls with enhanced functionality (example: Embedded form, matrix selector, and related item picker).

The following table describes the different form controls:

Icon	Form Control	Description
Field Controls
	Text Box	Rectangular frame into which you can type text. This can be a single-line text box or a multi-line text box (field property determines the number of lines). Use for: Text fields and Number fields.
	Combo Box	Rectangular frame into which you can either type a value or select a validated value from a list. If validation is enforced on the field, you can only enter valid values into the control. Use for validated: Text fields and Number fields.
	Rich Text Box	Rectangular frame into which you can type/paste rich text (formatted text and/or images). Use this control for access to formatting options the use the Rich Text Zoom window (F8). See About Rich Text. Use for rich text: Text fields.
	Text Box with Calendar	Rectangular frame with a pop-up calendar. Type a date or select a date from the calendar pop-up window. Use for: Date/Time fields.
	Number Box with Spinner	Rectangular frame that you can either type a number or select an incremental number from a list. Use for: Number fields.
	Check Box	Square box that you select or clear to indicate a logical decision (example: Enabled/disabled, on/off, yes/no). Use for: Logical fields.
Standard Controls
	Banner	Title and image (example: Company name and logo).
	Button	Capable of executing a single action when selected (example: Run an Action).
	Group Box/Tabbed Group Box	"Container" shape around other controls you use to organize other controls and enhance the appearance/usability of the form.
	Image	Custom image you use to enhance the appearance/usability of the form.
	Label	Text that identifies or enhances other form elements (example: The form itself, area, control, group of controls, and such like). Often, a label is tied to and identifies a field control.
	Link Label	Underlined text that is capable of executing a single action when you select it (example: Run an Action).
	List Box	Rectangular box with multiple values.
	Radio Button	List of choices; stores a value for the selection.
	Shape	Various shapes (ellipses, lines, and rectangles) that organize other controls and enhance the appearance/usability of the form.
Special Controls
	Embedded Form	Provides a "container" frame for one or more embedded forms. The control's properties define when and how the embedded forms are displayed. See Embedded Forms.
	Lifecycle Progress Indicator	Shows users where their Business Object (example: Incident) is in its lifecycle. Current status and stage is shown; this is a read-only control.
	Matrix Selector	Displays a configurable matrix.
	Related Item Picker	Allows you to quickly access related information to view or populate a field with a value. In CSM, you can access the following related information: Customer (example: Contact Manager and Customer Record ) CMDB (example: CI database and CI Record ) Configurable list of values (example: Incident categorization)
	Related Item Viewer	Allows you to see a list of related items that you can select and open in a new window (example: Similar Incidents or Knowledge Articles).
	Transition Status Control	Allows you to transition a Business Object from one status to another in its lifecycle. A tooltip is present to explain why a particular transition may not be possible.

The following figures show some of the different form controls.