<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Changing the names of objects

Every object in a document must have a unique name. This is necessary so that you can, for example, perform calculations on the contents of table cells or text fields.

Normally, you do not have to worry about these names as they are automatically assigned by TextMaker: If you insert a rectangle into an empty document, it is automatically called "Rectangle1". If you insert a picture, it is called "Picture1", the next picture is called "Picture2", etc.

Tip: The name of the currently selected object is displayed on the left in the status bar.

However, you can change the names of objects at any time. If, for example, you have created a Form that contains a text field for entering the place of residence, you would naturally name this field "Place of residence". To do so, right-click on the text field to access the context menu and select the last entry Properties to open the dialog box. Switch to the Properties tab and change the entry in the Name field.

Remember that names must be unique. If you attempt to assign a name to an object that is already in use for another object, TextMaker will reject it and display an error message.

The purpose of names

Why is it necessary to assign unique names to objects?

First and foremost, these names are necessary for performing calculations on the contents of objects. For example, to multiply the contents of cell C3 in a table called "Table1" by two, you can insert the following calculation:  Table1.C3 * 2

For more information on calculations with objects, see Objects in calculations.