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Getting started

4D Write Pro offers 4D users an advanced word-processing tool, fully integrated with your 4D database. Using 4D Write Pro, you can write pre-formatted emails and/or letters or any documents containing images, tables, bookmarks, a scanned signature, formatted text and placeholders for dynamic variables. You can also create invoices or reports dynamically, including formatted text and images.

The key features of the product are:

  • Word processing: a 4D Write Pro object embedded in a form provides standard word-processing features, including text and style manipulation, image insertion, import and export, and much more.
  • Datastore integration:
    • A 4D Write Pro object can display variable parts which will be filled with data from the datastore, or any data computed by 4D.
    • 4D Write Pro documents can be stored within database fields or on disk.

4D Write Pro comes with:

  • a form object that you can install in your forms. You can load, handle, and save 4D Write Pro documents in this area. This object is configurable through the Property list and includes a comprehensive developer pop up menu at runtime.
  • language commands, added to the 4D Language and allowing you to deeply customize the area.
  • standard actions, to help building a fully customized interface.
  • 4D Write Pro Interface, an extension that offers a set of predefined palettes for end users.

Installation and activation​

4D Write Pro is fully integrated into 4D itself, making it easier to deploy and manage. No additional installation is required; you can add 4D Write Pro areas to your forms and handle 4D Write Pro variables directly in your 4D applications.

However, you need to have a 4D Write Pro license installed in your application in order to enable the feature.

Creating a 4D Write Pro area​

Using the 4D Write Pro area object​

4D Write Pro documents can be displayed and edited manually in a 4D form object: 4D Write Pro. This object is available as part of the last tool (Plug-in Area, Web Area, etc.) found in the object bar:

A 4D Write Pro form area is configured by means of standard properties found in the Property List, such as Object Name and Variable or Expression, Coordinates, Entry, Display, Appearance, and/or Events.

The Variable or Expression property can be used in the language as a reference to the 4D Write Pro area. Note that the variable must be of the Object type.

"Entry" properties manage basic features for text entry:

  • Enterable: enables you to lock/unlock the area in order to allow or prevent editing
  • Auto Spellcheck: available for 4D Write Pro areas
  • Context Menu: allows you to enable/disable the context menu when the form is executed at runtime (see the Using a 4D Write Pro area)
  • Selection always visible: handles text selection as in standard text areas.

Using 4D Write Pro Interface​

You can create preconfigured 4D Write Pro areas using the 4D Write Pro objects found in the Object library of the 4D Form editor ("Entry areas" theme):

These areas come with either a control panel or a toolbar for managing all the attributes of the area (font, color, style, etc.):

For more information, refer to the 4D Write Pro Interface section.