JP3969926B2 - Form creation device, form creation method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage medium storing a form creation program for generating form data, a form creation apparatus, and a form creation method. In particular, in form software that flows data into a predefined area using a database, data file, or programming language, a memory area (hereinafter referred to as a field) in the program that receives the data, and a sheet that displays and prints the data received by the field The present invention relates to a form creation method, a form creation apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium on which a control program for executing form creation is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, form overlays and techniques have been used to create printed matter that is created by writing data in a fixed form (form) such as a form. In form overlay, form data representing the form part is created in advance, and non-fixed data (hereinafter referred to as back-end data) such as numerical values and character strings is overlaid (overlaid) on a predetermined part of the form data. Print or display it.
[0003]
In order to realize such a form overlay, software for creating a form operating on a computer has been developed. In this form creation software, when the user creates a field figure that indicates the field at the position where overlay data is to be overlaid, for example, the menu command “Generate date field” and the field attribute (corresponding to the Western calendar, how many digits) Then, a field figure connected to the field is created by specifying a position on the form using a pointing device such as a mouse.
[0004]
More specifically, when there are two types of data, date and name, as the retrofitting data to be inserted into the field, first, the user performs the operation of creating the field twice according to the instruction on the menu bar of the form creation application, The operation of designating each data attribute, designating a position on the form on the screen, and creating a field figure was performed twice.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As in the above-described example, in the conventional method, it is necessary to create fields as many as the number of data to be inserted, and there are many operations to be performed by the user.
[0006]
In addition, when the detailed attributes of the data, for example, the type of data (numeric or character) and the input format (number of digits, etc.) are not decided, only the arrangement of the field figure on the paper is decided. Conventional methods have not been intuitive to the user. In other words, when date, name, numeric value, numeric value, name, numeric value and data follow as postfix data, the user creates a date field, name field, numeric field, ..., and sets the field attribute of each field. After that, it is necessary to create a field figure (position and size) sequentially by designating a position on the form, which is difficult for an unfamiliar user.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a form creation method, apparatus, and storage medium that allow a user to create a field type and a field figure associated with the field at the same time in one operation, and is easy for the user to operate. The purpose is to do.
[0008]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is, a form creation device that provides a creation operation of a form including a field into which retrofitting data is to be inserted on a layout window, the field item that is a source for generating a field into which retrofitting data is to be inserted, and the field Field management means for managing both field attributes of items, and a field figure having field attributes corresponding to the field items as the fields into which the postscript data is to be inserted when the field item is dropped on a layout window Display control means for simultaneously displaying a user interface on the field generation means for generating the form, the layout window on which the form is displayed in a pseudo manner, and the field window on which the field item is displayed. The field creation means generates a field figure by dragging and dropping the field item of the field window to the layout window, and the field item can apply its field attribute to the field attribute of another field item. A determination unit that determines whether the field item dropped in the layout window is a master item or a field item, and includes a master item and a field item that inherits the field attribute of the master item; When it is determined that the selected field item is a master item, the field figure based on the field attribute of the master item and the field attribute of the master item A field item generating means for generating a new field item based, and further comprising a.
[0010]
Preferably, the field object includes a basic master icon and a field icon that can be generated at any time.
[0011]
Preferably, the determination unit determines whether the field object dropped on the layout window is a master icon or a field icon, and the determination unit determines that the dropped field object is a master icon. In this case, a field icon generation means for newly generating a field icon on the field window is further associated with the generation of the field graphic.
[0014]
Preferably, the apparatus further includes attribute changing means for changing a field attribute of the field.
[0015]
Further preferably, the change object determining means for determining whether the object instructed to change the field attribute by the attribute changing means is a master item, a field item, or a field graphic on the layout window. And when it is determined that the change of the field attribute of the master item is instructed by the change target determination means, a field icon having the changed field attribute is newly generated on the field window.
[0016]
Preferably, when it is determined by the change target determining means that the change of the field attribute of the field item is instructed, the field attributes of the field figure of the layout window corresponding to the field item are changed collectively.
[0017]
Preferably, when it is determined that the change of the field attribute of the field graphic is instructed by the change target determination means, a field icon having the changed field attribute is newly generated on the field window, and the field It corresponds to the figure.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer having a form creation function in this embodiment. Reference numeral 1 denotes an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This form creation function operates when the CPU 10 executes a basic input / output (I / O) program, an operating system (OS), and a form creation program. The basic I / O program is written in the ROM 11, and the OS is written in the external storage device 15 such as a hard disk (HD). When the computer is turned on, the OS is read from the external storage device 15 into the RAM 12 by the IPL (Initial Program Loading) function in the basic I / O program, and the operation of the OS is started. The control procedure of the form creation program having the form creation function will be described later using a flowchart. This form creation program and related data are recorded in the FD 14, and the configuration of the recorded contents is shown in FIG.
[0019]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 40 denotes a state in which a program and various data are stored in the storage medium. 41 is volume information of this storage medium, and 42 is directory information indicating what is stored. Reference numeral 43 denotes an execution format file of the form creation program of the present invention, which causes the information processing apparatus to realize a control flow to be described later. Reference numeral 44 denotes a related data file containing related data used in the form creation program.
[0020]
The form creation program and related data recorded in the FD 14 can be loaded into the computer system through the FD drive 13 as shown in FIG. When the FD 14 is set in the FD drive 13, the form creation program and related data are read from the FD 14 under the control of the OS and the basic I / O program, and loaded into the RAM 12 to be operable. FIG. 4 shows a memory map in a state where the form creation program is loaded into the RAM 12 and can be executed.
[0021]
In this embodiment, the form creation program and related data are loaded directly from the FD 14 into the RAM 12 and executed. However, in addition to this, the form creation program and related data are temporarily stored (installed) in the external storage device 15 from the FD 14. In addition, it is possible to load the form creation program from the external storage device 15 to the RAM 12 every time the form creation program is operated. In addition to the FD, the medium for recording the form creation program may be a CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, IC memory card, or the like. It is also possible to record the form creation program in the ROM 11 and configure it as a part of the memory map and execute it directly by the CPU 10. The storage medium itself that stores the form creation program of the present invention constitutes the present invention.
[0022]
A form creation user interface screen is displayed on the display unit 17 via the display control unit 21, which is a display controller, by the form creation program. On the user interface screen, fields and the like in the form are generated based on an operation instruction from the keyboard 16 via the input control unit 20 that is a keyboard controller or an operation instruction from the mouse 23. In addition, an operation instruction may be input using a pointing device 23 having a degree of freedom more than that of a keyboard, for example, a mouse or an electronic pen having a digitizer function that can indicate an arbitrary position on the screen. .
[0023]
Further, the form data created by the form creation program is stored in the external storage device 15, is overlaid with data by another application program that realizes overlay printing, and is output from the printer I / F printer 18.
[0024]
<Overview of form overlay processing>
Before describing the details of the form creation function, an overview of the entire form overlay process will be described. FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing for the entire overlay printing including the form creation program. The form creation program (hereinafter also referred to as a form editor) 311 of the present invention is a form (a file with an extension “fcx”) or a composite form (a file with an extension “fcx”) that combines a plurality of forms. create. The form and the composite form are stored in a form data storage unit 312 prepared in the external storage device 15 or the like. Each form (including a composite form) includes form data 312a that represents the form itself, and field attribute data 312b that represents the position, character type, and the like of the retrofit data combined with the form. Hereinafter, the composite form data may be referred to as FCX data, and the form data that is not combined and is the smallest unit may be referred to as FCP data.
[0025]
These form data are converted into form print data 316 a in an output format for the OS by a predetermined runtime library 315 and stored in a printer data storage unit 316 secured in the external storage device 15.
[0026]
On the other hand, post-installation data to be printed by form overlay is generated by an appropriate business file 313 and stored in the text data storage unit 314. This data may be in a format that can distinguish each field to be overlaid. For example, a commonly used comma-separated format called CSV format can be used. The back-end data is also converted by the runtime library 315 into print print data 316b in the OS output format simultaneously with the form data, and stored in the print data storage unit 316. In this way, drawing data in the OS output format created by the runtime library 315 is called a GDI function (Graphical Device Interface) in the Windows OS, and is passed to the GDI which is a drawing unit of the OS.
[0027]
The form print data and print print data created in this way are output to the printer 21 by the operating system 317 and printer driver 318, where they are combined and printed.
[0028]
<Function of form editor>
The above is an overview of form overlay printing. Here, a conventional form creation application will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows an example of a user interface screen when the user designates the creation of a new form after starting up the form editor, which is a conventional form creation application. Inside the window 501, a menu line is displayed at the top thereof, and a window 502 for selecting what an object to be newly created is displayed below the menu row. Here, three types of field data, form, and composite data can be selected. When the field data field 403 is selected, the process thereafter proceeds to a procedure for editing the field attribute file 312b of FIG. 5, as described in the prior art. Select new creation of field data in the menu in this way, then field data attributes “field type (character, numeric, date, etc.)”, “input format (full-width / half-width, Western / Japanese calendar, input digits) Number, etc.) "is specified for each field in detail. In order from the field list generated by this operation, the position on the form data is designated using a pointing device such as a mouse.
[0029]
When the form field 404 is selected, a procedure for editing one page of form data or component form data used in a composite form is entered. The component form data can be form data for one page by itself.
[0030]
When the composite form field 405 is selected, a display unit having a tree structure is displayed, and an operation for creating a composite form by combining component forms is entered. However, the description is omitted because it is not related to the present invention.
[0031]
Next, the form creation program (application) of the present invention will be described.
[0032]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit via the OS based on the source information of the GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen generated from the form editor after the form editor which is the form creation application of the present invention is started. is there. In this GUI screen, two windows are simultaneously displayed: a layout window 701 that displays the layout of field graphics on paper and a field window 702 that displays a list of field formats in a tree shape, and closes each window as appropriate. be able to. A tree-like display in the field window 702 is called a field tree, and field items 704 representing individual fields are displayed side by side under a master item 703 representing a field format.
[0033]
Each field has field attributes. As shown in FIG. 8, the field attribute includes a field ID, a field format, a data type, a field name, and the like.
[0034]
The field ID is a unique number that identifies the field within the program. By specifying “field ID = XXX” as the postfix data, the postfix data “XXX” can be overlaid on the specified field and output.
[0035]
The field format takes a fixed / variable / automatic value. A field having a fixed field format (hereinafter referred to as a fixed field) receives data common to each print page. For example, a fixed field in a payment slip can be used for a company name, name, address, and the like. A field whose field format is variable (hereinafter, variable field) receives data that changes for each print page. For example, the variable field in the delivery form is used for the product name, quantity, price, and the like. A field whose field format is automatic (hereinafter, automatic field) receives data automatically generated by the form creation program. For example, the date and time at the start of printing and the print page. Therefore, retrofitting data corresponding to the automatic field is not necessary.
[0036]
The data type represents the type of data to be received and takes a value such as character / numerical value / date / time / bar code. The character takes a value of whether it is a half-width character field (XXXXXXX) or a full-width character field (KKKKKK). The numeric value takes a value that determines the number of digits or whether to enter a comma. The date takes values that determine the Western calendar, Japanese calendar, number of digits, and presence / absence of day of the week. For example, 'YY / MM / DD' is displayed in the two-digit year display, 'YYYY / MM / DD' is displayed in the four-digit year, and 'GGgg / MM /' is displayed in the four-digit Japanese calendar day. DD / W ′. The time takes a value indicating whether it is a 24-hour system, a 12-hour system, minutes or seconds. When the attribute “AAHH: mm: ss” is set and the retrofit data is “130203”, data “PM01: 02: 03” is input to the field. The barcode takes a value indicating which barcode type is JAN8, CODE-39, or NW7.
[0037]
The field name is a unique character string for the user to identify the field. Similarly to the field ID, by designating the postfix data as “field name = XXX”, the postfix data “XXX” can be overlaid on the designated field and output. Whether the field ID or the field name is used as the specification of the retrofitting data is left to the user specification. In addition, in the case of back-end data that does not specify a field ID or field name, the fields are overlaid sequentially in the order of the generated field list, but if the attributes do not match, the runtime library Care must be taken because the data format cannot be converted.
[0038]
In the master item 703, field attribute values of a field newly created in a field format of a predetermined master item are set. Therefore, the field figure 705 is generated simply by dragging and dropping the master item 703 to the layout window 701. The field attribute of the field graphic generated here is the same as that of the master item. In addition, the user can change the field attribute (data type) of the master item 703, and the changed item is added to the field item 704 and displayed. However, the field format (fixed / variable / automatic) of the master item is determined from the beginning and cannot be changed by the user. Attributes that must be unique, such as field IDs and field names, can no longer be set. A field figure 705 can also be generated by dragging and dropping a newly created field item 704 in the layout window 701 using a pointing device such as a mouse. The field attribute of the field graphic generated here is the same as the field item.
[0039]
Each field graphic 705 has a field graphic attribute. As shown in FIG. 9, the field graphic attribute is composed of position, size, link field ID, output format, and the like.
[0040]
“Position / size” represents physical coordinates / size of the field graphic on the paper. The link field ID is a field ID of a field (master item or field item) that receives data to be displayed by the field graphic. The output format represents a format for displaying and printing data received from the field indicated by the link field ID.
[0041]
As described above, form data, field data (master item, field item, field attribute (FIG. 8)), field graphic attribute (FIG. 9), field list in which field attributes are stored in the order of fields, field graphic overlap A field graphic list, which is data in which field graphic attributes are stored in order, is generated and stored in the related data area 24 of FIG.
[0042]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the CPU 10 of the information processing apparatus based on the form editor which is the form creation program of the present invention. Here, control of the form editor based on an operation by the user using the mouse 23 on the GUI screen shown in FIG. 7 will be described. The operation control of FIG. 10 is a flow started when the user performs an operation of dragging and dropping an item from the field window 702 to the layout window 701 using the mouse 23.
[0043]
In step S1001, the CPU 10 determines whether the target dragged in the field window 702 and dropped in the layout window 701 is an item. If it is determined that none of the items are dropped, the process ends. If it is an item drop, in step S1002, the CPU 10 determines whether the target dropped in the layout window 701 is the master item 703 or the field item 704.
[0044]
If it is determined in step S1002 that the item is a master item, the process proceeds to step S1003 to determine whether a field item 704 and a field graphic can be newly created. Although the form editor of this embodiment can create up to 4000 field items, it does not support any more, so in practice it is determined whether the number of fields exceeds a predetermined number. If it is determined that new creation is not possible, error processing is performed in step S1004, and the process is terminated.
[0045]
If it is determined that new creation is possible, the process proceeds to step S1005, and the CPU 10 creates a new field item 704. In the field creation process, a field attribute (FIG. 8) is acquired from the selected master item 703, a field item having the same attribute as this attribute is generated and stored in the related data area 24, and the field window 702 is created. A field item 704 is newly displayed and generated on the tree under the master item. This process simultaneously adds a new field to the field list. The added field attribute may be the same as the other field, and the attribute value set in the master item is used. The attribute value that must be unique is automatically determined. For example, since the field ID and field name must be unique, the value is automatically determined, the field format is the same as the master field that was dragged and selected, and the data type is the value set in the master item. The attribute values of field items other than the field ID can be changed later by the user.
[0046]
When the field item is created in step S1005, in step S1006, the CPU 10 acquires the field ID of the field attribute in the created field item. If it is determined in step S1002 that the dropped item is the field item 704, the field ID of the field attribute in the dropped field item is acquired in step S1007.
[0047]
Subsequently, in step S1008, a field graphic attribute (FIG. 9) is generated based on the field ID acquired in step S1006 or S1007, the field graphic 705 is created on the layout window 701, and the process ends. In the process of creating a field graphic, a new field graphic is added to the field graphic list at the same time by dropping the field item 704 onto the sheet of the layout window 701. The field graphic attribute (FIG. 9) of the added field graphic is determined by the field indicated by the field ID acquired in steps S1006 and S1007. The value of the link field ID is the field ID acquired in steps S1006 and S1007, and the output format is a predetermined value corresponding to the data type of the field indicated by the link field ID. The position / size values are determined in advance at the dropped position. The attribute values other than the link field ID can be changed later by the user.
[0048]
In this way, it is no longer necessary to create a field with field attributes previously set before creating a field graphic, and drag and drop field items from the field window when a field graphic is required. It is only necessary to improve operability.
[0049]
In addition, since it has a master item and a field item, a field figure of that attribute is generated by using an item with a suitable attribute, so it is not necessary for the user to set the attribute for each field figure and then create a field figure. The effect is obtained.
[0050]
Next, a field attribute changing process based on a user instruction will be described with reference to FIG.
[0051]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the CPU 10 of the information processing apparatus based on the form editor which is a form creation program of the present invention. Here, the control of the item attribute change based on the operation by the user using the mouse 23 in the field window 702 of the GUI screen shown in FIG. 7 will be described. In the operation control of FIG. 11, the user selects “Edit” from the menu bar of the field window 702 by using the mouse 23, or clicks on an item and right-clicks the selected icon to omit the setting window. Is a flow that is started by performing an operation of selecting “edit attribute” there.
[0052]
In step S1101, the CPU 10 determines whether the item whose attribute is to be changed is the master item 703 or the field item 704. This is realized by determining which item is selected by the user.
[0053]
If it is determined in step S1101 that the item whose attribute is to be changed is a master item, in step S1102, the field attribute (FIG. 8) of the master item 703 is copied to temporarily change the field attribute. The attribute is generated based on an instruction that the user inputs and sets the data inside the field attribute. When the attribute change is completed, in step S1103, a field item 703 corresponding to the changed field attribute is created and displayed in a corresponding portion of the field window 702. At the same time, add a new field to the field list.
[0054]
If it is determined in step S1101 that the item whose attribute is to be changed is a field item, the field attribute (FIG. 8) of the field item is acquired in step S1104, and the field attribute is input and set by the user. Change attributes based on instructions. When the attribute change is completed, in step S1105, the attributes of all the field graphics having the field ID of the changed field item as the link field ID are changed. The field attribute change is selected when “edit” in the main menu of the form creation program is selected and an attribute change is instructed while the field figure 705 in the layout window 701 is selected. The attribute of the field graphic 705 is changed, a new field item 704 is created in the field window 702, and the newly generated field item 704 corresponds to the selected field graphic.
[0055]
In this way, when the field attribute of the master item is instructed to change when the field attribute is changed, a new field item is generated, and when the field attribute of the field item is instructed to change Will change the attributes of a field item and will change the attributes of all field shapes linked to that field item accordingly, and will change the field attributes when the field shape is selected. When the change is instructed, a new field item is generated.
[0056]
As explained above, it is possible to add new field items with a simple operation, and when changing field attributes, it is possible to change related fields at once, or change attributes only for specified field shapes. It is also possible to provide an instruction desired by the user with a simple operation, and the user can intuitively and flexibly design a form.
[0057]
The functions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in the present embodiment are also executed by the host computer by a control program installed from the outside, as described above, which is also applicable to the present invention. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.
[0058]
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0059]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0060]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM, or the like is used. it can.
[0061]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0062]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to create a field in which field attributes are set in advance as in the prior art before creating a field figure. All you have to do is drag and drop the field item from to improve operability.
[0064]
In addition, since it has a master item and a field item, a field figure of that attribute is generated by using an item with a suitable attribute, so it is not necessary for the user to set the attribute for each field figure and then create a field figure. .
[0065]
In addition, it is possible to add new field items with a simple operation, and when changing field attributes, it is possible to change related fields at once, or change attributes only for specified field figures. Since it is possible, it is possible to provide an instruction desired by the user with a simple operation, and the user can intuitively and flexibly design a form.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing system to which a form creation method, a form creation apparatus, and a storage medium storing a form creation program according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a medium in which a form editor program, which is a form creation program, is stored.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating that programs and data are supplied from the medium of FIG. 2 to a computer or system.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a memory map when a form creation program according to an embodiment of the present invention operates.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of form overlay processing;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a startup screen of a form editor that is a form creation program.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen that provides a layout window and a field window in a form editor that is a form creation program.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of field attributes of a field.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a field graphic attribute included in a field graphic.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a form creation processing procedure (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a form creation processing procedure (2) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
311 Form creation program (form editor)
312 Form data storage
316 Print data storage
701 Layout window
702 Field window
703 Master Item
704 Field item
705 Field figure

Claims (21)

A form creation device that provides a creation operation of a form including a field into which retrofitting data is to be inserted on a layout window,
Field management means for managing both a field item that is a source for generating a field into which postscript data is to be inserted, and a field attribute of the field item;
Field generating means for generating a field graphic having a field attribute corresponding to the field item as a field into which the postscript data is to be inserted when the field item is dropped on a layout window;
A display control means for simultaneously displaying the layout window in which the form is pseudo-displayed and the field window in which the field item is displayed at the same time;
The field creation means generates a field figure by dragging and dropping the field item of the field window to the layout window, and the field item can apply its own field attribute to the field attribute of another field item. A determination means for determining whether the field item dropped on the layout window is a master item or a field item, and a master item and a field item that inherits a field attribute of the master item.
A field for generating the field graphic based on the field attribute of the master item and a new field item based on the field attribute of the master item when the determining unit determines that the dropped field item is a master item. Item generating means;
A form creation device characterized by further comprising:   The form creation device according to claim 1, wherein the field item generation unit permits generation of field items until the field items satisfy a limit number.   The field attribute includes at least a field format for designating fixed / variable / automatic as a format of data to be inserted and a data type for designating a type of data to be inserted. The form creation device according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The form creation device according to claim 1, further comprising attribute changing means for changing a field attribute of the field. A change item determining means for determining whether the item instructed to change the field attribute by the attribute changing means is a master item or a field item;
The field item having the changed field attribute is newly generated on the field window when it is determined that the change of the field attribute of the master item is instructed by the changed item determination unit. Item 4. A form creation device according to item 4.   The field attribute of the field graphic of the layout window corresponding to the field item is collectively changed when it is determined that the change of the field attribute of the field item is instructed by the change item determination unit. Item 6. The form creation device according to Item 5.   When a change in field attribute of the field graphic is instructed, a field item having the changed field attribute is newly generated on the field window, and is associated with the field graphic. Item 7. The form creation device according to Item 5 or 6. A form creation method in a form creation apparatus that provides a creation operation of a form including a field into which retrofitting data is to be inserted on a layout window,
Field in which the field management unit manages both a field item that is a source for generating a field into which postscript data is to be inserted and a field attribute of the field item. Management process;
A field generation step of generating a field graphic having a field attribute corresponding to the field item as a field into which the postscript data is to be inserted when the field item is dropped on a layout window;
The display control means further includes a display control step of simultaneously displaying the layout window in which the form is pseudo-displayed and the field window in which the field item is displayed, on a user interface,
The field creation means generates a field figure by dragging and dropping the field item of the field window to the layout window, and the field item can apply its own field attribute to the field attribute of another field item. Master items and field items that inherit the field attributes of the master items,
A determination step of determining whether the field item dropped in the layout window is a master item or a field item;
When the field item generation means determines that the dropped field item is a master item in the determination step, the field figure based on the field attribute of the master item and a new field based on the field attribute of the master item A field item generation process for generating an item;
A form creation method characterized by further comprising: 9. The form creation method according to claim 8, wherein the field item generation step permits generation of field items until the field items satisfy a limit number in the field item generation step. The field attribute includes at least a field format for designating fixed / variable / automatic as a format of data to be inserted and a data type for designating a type of data to be inserted. The form creation method according to claim 8 or 9. The form creation method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the attribute changing unit further includes an attribute changing step of changing a field attribute of the field. The change item determination means further includes a change item determination step for determining whether the item instructed to change the field attribute by the attribute change step is a master item or a field item.
The field item having the changed field attribute is newly generated on the field window when it is determined that the change of the field attribute of the master item is instructed by the changed item determining step. Item 11. A form creation method according to Item 11. The field attribute of the field graphic of the layout window corresponding to the field item is collectively changed when it is determined that the change of the field attribute of the field item is instructed by the change item determination step. Item 15. A form creation method according to Item 12. When a change in field attribute of the field graphic is instructed, a field item having the changed field attribute is newly generated on the field window, and is associated with the field graphic. Item 14. The form creation method according to Item 12 or 13. A storage medium storing a form creation program executed by a form creation device that provides a form creation operation including a field into which retrofitting data is to be inserted on a layout window,
A management means for managing both a field item that is a source for generating a field into which postscript data is to be inserted and a field attribute of the field item;
Field generating means for generating a field graphic having a field attribute corresponding to the field item as a field into which the postscript data is to be inserted when the field item is dropped on a layout window;
A display control means for simultaneously displaying the layout window in which the form is pseudo-displayed and the field window in which the field item is displayed at the same time;
The field creation means generates a field figure by dragging and dropping the field item of the field window to the layout window, and the field item can apply its own field attribute to the field attribute of another field item. A determination means for determining whether the field item dropped on the layout window is a master item or a field item, and a master item and a field item that inherits a field attribute of the master item.
A field for generating the field graphic based on the field attribute of the master item and a new field item based on the field attribute of the master item when the determining unit determines that the dropped field item is a master item. A storage medium storing a computer-readable form creation program that causes a computer to function as item generation means. 16. The storage medium according to claim 15, wherein the field item generation unit permits generation of a field item until the field item satisfies a limit number. The field attribute includes at least a field format for designating fixed / variable / automatic as a format of data to be inserted and a data type for designating a type of data to be inserted. The storage medium according to claim 15 or 16. The storage medium according to any one of claims 15 to 17, further comprising attribute changing means for changing a field attribute of the field. A change item determining means for determining whether the item instructed to change the field attribute by the attribute changing means is a master item or a field item;
The field item having the changed field attribute is newly generated on the field window when it is determined that the change of the field attribute of the master item is instructed by the changed item determination unit. Item 19. A storage medium according to Item 18. The field attribute of the field graphic of the layout window corresponding to the field item is collectively changed when it is determined that the change of the field attribute of the field item is instructed by the change item determination unit. Item 20. The storage medium according to Item 19.   When a change in field attribute of the field graphic is instructed, a field item having the changed field attribute is newly generated on the field window, and is associated with the field graphic. Item 19. The storage medium according to item 19 or 20.

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