A field's position may be defined relative to the top-left corner of the page (see To define a field, below) or in relation to another field – known as a "tag" – instead (see To set up tags, 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 dialog. It is also possible to convert the field into a tag by filling in the Searching page of the 'Field' dialog as well: see Setting search tag options
An AddText field may be attached to a tag and used, for example, to fill in a form.
The field name definitions are saved in a file with the extension .EE and the same stem name as the input file. You can rename this file in the File page: see Setting fields file options.
| 1. | Display the Field dialog and with the 'Definitions' page on view: |
| o | Right-click on the page and select New Field... from the pop-up menu. |
| • | Enter the new field's From left and From top coordinates, and its Height and Width dimensions in the edit boxes. |
| o | Or sweep over a piece of text on a page to mark-out the new field's area, then right-click and select New Field... from the pop-up menu. |
| • | The selected area's coordinates and dimensions are entered in the dialog automatically. |
| 2. | Use the default Field name (FIELD1, FIELD2, etc.)
or click DICOM name... and set up a DICOM tag – see DICOM Element Tags
or type in a new name.
The field names are listed either on the right of the field definition page or below it. 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: see Fields list/tree. |
| 3. | elect Any content for the field TYPE from the drop-down list.
 EscapeE is often able to detect when field values do not correspond to the selected type: if this happens the caption "Type" will be shown in red and an 'invalid data' warning given. |
| 4. | 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. |
| 6. | The field is enabled by default, but you may "switch off" the field by de-selecting the Enabled check-box: see To disable a field or tag. |
| 7. | Further options may be defined for the field on the set-up window's other pages: |
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You may also use EscapeE to define composite fields: these can comprise a combination of other fields' values, simple text or access pre-defined special fields.
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.
| • | To depict all fields and tags on the page displayed in the EscapeE window, tick the Show fields. To depict only the fields and tags that have been found on the current page, tick If found instead. |
| o | To show the field-names and tag-names along with their areas, tick Show names as well. |
| o | Click Remember to keep this set-up. |
See also Viewing data fields and tags.
| • | If an Action for the field has been set up and found true, the Found circle is colored cyan  to indicate that the action will occur: see Setting field actions. |
| 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...  from the pop-up menu then choose from the following sub-options: |
| o | This size graphic... To find a graphic, line, drawn path or shade with matching width and height. |
| o | Any graphic... To search for any kind of graphic, line, drawn path or shade in this area. |
| o | This text... The text under the mouse or within the selected area (the default). |
| o | Any text... Any text in the area of the field. |
| 3. | The Definitions page of the Field dialog is displayed, showing details of the new tag. Use the default name (TAG1, TAG2, etc.) or type in a new name for the tag in the Field box. See also Editing fields and tags. |
| 5. | Click OK.
Repeat these steps to set up more tags. For convenience, the chosen sub-option is moved to the top of the pop-up menu, e.g. "New Tag This size graphic...". |
 Note
If there is more than item on the page at the chosen position, a dialog will prompt you to 'Choose which item' from a list, e.g.
Graphic 1750 x 1175
Graphic 1745 x 1170
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Tags may be used to add text to a document if/when a tag's Search options are met.
| 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... and choose the Tagged text... sub-option. |
| 3. | The Fields dialog opens with the Searching page on view: edit this as appropriate to set up the tag, see Setting search tag options. |
| 4. | Click OK: the AddText configuration dialog is displayed. |
| 5. | Enter the text string to be added to the document. Set up the font, position and rotation for the string. See To add new text in the Plugins Help. |
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Tips
Configure the symbolset before defining data fields and tags, see About symbolsets.
Choose appropriate units from 'View' menu's Mouse coordinates sub-options, see To switch mouse units.
A field's size and position may be redefined using the Field dialog, see Editing fields and tags, or by dragging it's box/sizing handles on the page, see Viewing data fields and tags.
Fields can be reordered by dragging the names in the 'tree view' window, see Fields list/tree.
Links
About fields and tags
About exporting data
Editing fields and tags
