Defining conditional formatting for layout objects
You can format layout objects to change automatically when they meet specified conditions. For example, you can use conditional formatting to automatically display balances that are over 30 days past due in bold, red text. Conditional formatting settings affect only the way data is displayed or printed, not how data is stored in the database.
To specify conditional formatting for objects:
1.
In Layout mode, select one or more objects.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2.
Choose Format menu > Conditional.
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To specify a format based on common conditions, for Condition choose Value is. Then choose one of the following conditions and set the parameters.
 
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To specify a format based on a calculation, for Condition choose Formula is. Then click Specify to define the calculation. For more information, see Specify Calculation dialog box.
Tip  Use the Self function to reference data for the selected object. For more information, see Self.
5.
For example, select bold red text appears in a yellow field, when data meets your criteria.
Tip  Click More Formatting to see additional formatting options.
6.
Note  To see which fields have conditional formatting, choose View menu > Show > Conditional Formatting. You see Conditional formatting badge in fields with conditional formatting.
Changing conditional format settings
Moving, disabling, enabling, and deleting conditional format settings changes the order in which conditional settings are applied to an object.
 
Notes
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You can set conditional formatting on the following layout objects: text, fields (including fields from external ODBC data sources), merge fields, layout symbols (date, time, page number, record number, and so on), text-based buttons, web viewers, tab panels and slide panels. Conditional formatting is not available for non-textual objects (such as a rectangular layout object).
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To see the effects of conditional format settings while you work in Layout mode, choose View menu > Show > Sample Data. Note that your file must contain record data that meets the formatting criteria you have specified for conditional formatting to appear.
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When you use the Value is option with the predefined conditions less than x days passed or less than x days ahead, the current date is included in the number of days you specify.
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Examples
If the current day is 11/20/2014 when you specify less than 4 days passed:
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If the current day is 11/20/2014 when you specify less than 4 days ahead:
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Related topics 
Creating a layout
Selecting and working with objects on a layout
Formatting text
Specifying formats for fields containing numbers
Specifying formats for date fields
Hiding or showing layout objects