Mac Form: Adding Functionality to Custom Forms (123374)

SUMMARY

The Form Designer, included with versions 3.x of Microsoft Mail for AppleTalk Networks, allows administrators to create custom forms to install on their Mail servers. The Form Designer utilizes HyperCard as its design environment. While it is possible to add and position specific fields and buttons on a form within HyperCard, only limited functionality can be added using common HyperTalk scripting commands.

MORE INFORMATION

When a form is compiled and installed on the Mail server using the Form Mover button, all the information appearing on the form is converted to Mail specific resources and embedded in the Microsoft Mail Server Datafile. Common HyperTalk scripts added to buttons or fields are ignored when the form is installed.

It is possible to add functionality to a custom form using specific commands in the forms compile scripts or through a Form Control Procedure.

The compile script is used when the form is compiled and converted to resources for the Mail Server's Datafile. It is possible to add a limited number of commands to the compile script to modify the functionality of fields on a form.

For more information on using compile scripts, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

99303 Mac Forms: Adding Unavailable Choices to Custom Forms

Information on writing Form Control Procedures (FCPs) is included with the Microsoft Mail MPW C Software Development Kit (SDK). FCPs are application specific Form code that is written in C and attached to the Form. Examples of FCPs include the Sound form, which interfaces with sound driver software, the Resizable Note, and the 80-column form included with version 3.1d of Mail for AppleTalk Networks. It is important to note that writing FCPs for Mail for AppleTalk Networks is intended for advanced developers only.

The Microsoft Mail MPW C SDK currently sells for $445 (US). More information on the Microsoft Mail MPW C SDK is available by contacting Microsoft Consumer Sales at (800) 426-9400.