"Echo" user typing?

Report · Jul 26, 2011

I am training on a software product that has some open text entry fields. There are multiple correct ways that a user could enter data here and it's not realistic to try to anticipate all of them.

(1) Is it possible to "echo" the user's text entry and then have it appear on the screen overlaid on the data field?

For example:

Name: ________________________________ (appears on screen)

Instructions: Please enter your name

(User enters his/her name)

Name: Adar Kane (appears on screen)

I don't need anything complex like watching the typing text appear as the user types it.

Taking the entry, storing it, and then magically making it show up on the screen in the right place after the user clicks Enter or after they take another action (clicking submit button) is fine.

(2) As long as I'm asking, now is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? That is, echo the user's entry but *also* check some or all of the user data for accuracy.

For example:

Email: __________________ (appears on the screen)

Instructions: Please enter your email address

(User enters adarkane)

Response: Your email address should include an @ sign. Please try again.

I'm sorry if this is basic and does not belong in the advanced section. If so, please let me know.

Report · Jul 26, 2011

Standard Captivate text entry boxes are not very sophisticated as far as their ability to validate entered text. Fortunately, there is a widget by Jim Leichliter that takes them to a whole new level via Regular Expressions.

http://captivatedev.com/2011/04/11/adobe-captivate-5-widget-text-entry-box-validator/

As for your other request about displaying entered text: Any text entered into a text entry box can be stored in a variable and then displayed anywhere in the course via a text caption.

Report · Jul 27, 2011

Hello,

For your second question, be sure to go for Jim's validator widget.

I learned that you get more control over the user input sometimes by replacing the TEB by a TextArea widget. And again I want to point you to Jim's site where he offers an extended version of that TextArea widget (comes with Captivate) for free:

TextArea widget with variables

You'll find a link there as well to one of my blog posts that illustrates the extended functionalities.

Lilybiri