Whilst on a data entry page, the developer will be able to know if that page is custom or not by the links provided on the developer toolbar.

In a data entry screen, if under the link “Development” there is an option “Create custom page”, it means that no custom definition file has been created yet. If there is an option “Edit custom page”, it means that a custom definition file has been created. The difference from a custom summary page is that a custom data entry page can have multiple layouts, however only one can be active at any time.

By clicking on the link “Page Designer”, the developer can create new layout files, choose which version to use, copy, delete or edit the current custom layout file.

Creating Custom Definition Files

In order to create custom definition files through the page designer, the developer needs to navigate to the data entry page he desires to modify in the system, and click the link “Create custom page”.

This creates an empty template of a definition file, in which the developer can override current components, or add his own.

...
 
	<main>
		<components>
			<component>
				<id>cmpUserField2</id>
				<name>Home Type</name>
				<elements>
					<label>
						<id>lblUserField2</id>
						<value>Home Type</value>
					</label>
					<textbox>
						<id>txtUserField2</id>
						<datapath>userField2</datapath>
					</textbox>
				</elements>
			</component>
		</components>
	</main>
 
...

Creating Custom Layout Files

To create a custom data entry layout page, the developer must first click on the link "Page Designer", and then click on "Create New Page Version". The developer can choose a name to give this layout, since as previously stated, there can be more than one layout page (but only one active). 

This copies the release layout page, and allows the developer to add/remove sections and components, and have complete control over how the page should be viewed. The developer can also choose to copy an existing custom layout instead of the release, or delete any that are no longer in use.

...
 
	<screenareas>
		<screenarea>
			<leftscreenarea>
				<sections>
					<section><id>secMainInformation</id></section>
 
					...
 
	<sections>	
		<section>
			<id>secMainInformation</id>


			...
 
				<component><id>cmpUserField2</id></component>
 
...

The result of this change can be viewed in the newly created custom data entry page.

In the case of having more than one custom layout page, to activate a certain one, the developer must again click on the link "Page Designer", and check the checkbox "Use This Version" of the layout that is required.

Create Custom Data Entry Pages

For an introduction to data entry pages, go to Data Entry Pages.

To create a new data entry page, you need to create two XML files: a layout file and a definition file, in your custom projects directory under ../pages/dataEntry/<module_name>. 

Create Custom Data Entry Definition Files

To extend the system's release functionality, by adding new components to an existing data entry page, the custom data entry definition file must:

1. Follow this naming convention: <release_page_filename>Custom.xml
2. Created under ../pages/dataEntry/<module_name> in your custom project's directory.
3. Include the new components ONLY.

To create a new custom page, the custom data entry definition file must:

1. Follow this naming convention: <new_page_filename>.xml
2. Created under ../pages/dataEntry/<module_name> in your custom project's directory.
3. Include the ALL the components needed.