Defining data fields and tags

A field's position may be defined relative to the top left of the page (see To define a field section, below) or in relation to another special type of field - a "tag" - instead (see To set up tags section, below).

Alternatively, it is possible to set up a field definition manually by selecting New... from the 'Fields' menu and keying in the details on the Definitions page of the 'Field' dialogue. It is also possible to convert the field into a tag by filling in the Searching page of the 'Field' dialogue as well: see Setting search tag options.

The field name definitions are saved in a file with extension .EE and the same stem name as the input file. You can rename this file in the 'File' section: see Reusing data fields.

To define a field

1.	Click and drag over a piece of text on one of the pages to mark it out.

2.	Right-click and select New Field....

3.	The Definitions page of the 'Field' window displays the coordinates and dimensions of the selected area on the page. To adjust these, type over the coordinates or drag the area on the page with the mouse when you have returned to the page - see Editing data fields and tags.

Use the default Field name (FIELD1, FIELD2, etc.) or type in a new name or set up a DICOM name (see DICOM Element Tags).
The field names are listed on the right of this window. If the Tree option is selected, this list shows the hierarchy of fields and their related tags, otherwise it is an alphabetical list of fields. The tree can be expanded and collapsed by clicking on the folder icons or by using the right-click menu.

5.	Select Any content for the field "type" unless you are a specialist Outputting to XML and wish to specify the field TYPE explicitly.

6.	To make a field relative to a tag, select the appropriate field from the Reference Field drop down list. Alternatively, you can drag the field name in the 'tree view' and place it under the name of its parent field.

7.	To set other options for the field, click the Advanced tab: see Setting advanced options in field definitions.

Click OK.

You may also use EscapeE to define "composite" fields: these can comprise a combination of other fields, text or predefined items (such as the file name). A composite field is treated just like any other field, so may be included in a CSV or XML file or used as a file name. It can be manipulated by a plugin such as BARCODE or displayed using ADDTEXT by leaving the added text field blank. See Defining a Composite field.

To set up tags

1.	Right-click on the piece of text or graphic or sweep out an area of a graphic to select just part of it.

2.	Select New Tag... The coordinates of the origin are displayed on the Definitions page of the 'Field' dialogue.

3.	Use the default name (TAG1, TAG2, etc.) or type in a new name for the tag in the Field box.

4.	Click the Searching tab to set more options: see Setting search tag options.

5.	Click the OK when you have finished.

Tips:

•	Configure the symbolset before defining data fields and tags, see About symbolsets.

•	Select Show from the 'Fields' menu to view the position of fields and tags on the page, see Viewing data fields and tags.

•	Click the 'back' and 'forward' buttons at the foot of the dialogue to show the previous page and next page of the document.

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Fields can be reordered by dragging the names in the 'tree view' window. If you release the field under the name of another field then it becomes a sub-field of that other field. Releasing it under the icon of another field merely reorders the fields. This affects the order in which the fields are output.