Although
both FormCalc calculations and JavaScript scripts have rules for
structuring code, both rely on the same reference syntax when accessing
form object properties and values. The XML Form Object Model provides
a structured way to access object properties and values through
a compound naming convention with each object, property, and method
separated by dot (.) characters.
In general, each reference syntax has a similar structure divided
into the following sections:
The names of the parent objects in the form hierarchy
that is used to navigate to a specific field or object. You can
use the Hierarchy palette and Data View palette to determine the
location of an object relative to other objects in the form and
in any associated data.
The name of the object you want to reference.
The the name of the property or method you want to access.
This section may also include XML Form Object Model objects that
precede the property or method in the structure but that do not
appear as objects in the Hierarchy palette.
For example, the following illustration shows the reference syntax
for accessing the value of a text field on a form design that uses
the default object-naming conventions:
Note: By default, the subform object that represents
the first page of a new form is unnamed. In the reference syntax
above, the unnamed subform is represented by #subform.
The reference syntax notation structure varies slightly, depending
on the specific situation. For example, a fully qualified reference
syntax works in any situation; however, in some cases, you can use
a shortened reference syntax or a reference syntax shortcut to reduce
the size of the syntax.
