Chapter 10.1.2

5
VISUAL FOXPRO - MENU
SYSTEM

5.1 INTRODUCTION
The Visual FoxPro is a menu driven Relational Database Management
System. It is easier to communicate with the Visual FoxPro menu
system without programming. The in-built menu system of the Visual
FoxPro helps the user to work without actually remembering the
command. Visual FoxPro is suitable for multi user environment. It
provides the facility for locking of Records when many users are
simultaneously working on same database.
5.2 OBJECTIVES
After going through this lesson you would be in a position to
explain the Visual FoxPro Menu System
work with the various Menu Items of the Visual FoxPro
explain the functionality of various options of the Toolbar
5.3 FILE MENU
The File menu contains options that permit you to create and save
new files, open and close the existing files, settings for printing
information on the paper, print files, enter printer information and
to exit Visual FoxPro, as shown in Fig. 5.1

Visual FoxPro - Menu System:: 45

Fig. 5.1: File Menu

There are various options available in the File Menu option. The
description of each option is given below:
Option Description
New… Allows you to create any type of File (Table/DBF,
Program, Index, Report, Label, Form, Menu,
Query Projects, Text File.)
Open… Allows you to open any type of existing files.
Close Closes the current window. If the window’s
contents have changed, you will be asked to
save the changes.
Save Allows you to store any changes you have made
to the current text, program, label, report, screen,
query, menu or project file without closing the
file.
Save As… Allows you to name and save a newly created
file, or save a copy of a current file with a new
name.

46 :: Computer Applications

Save As Class… Allows you to save a form, or selected controls
on a form, as a class definition. This option is
available when you run the Form Designer.
Save as View… Allows you to save a query into a database (DBC)
file. This option is available when you run the
Query Designer.
Revert Allows you to return to last saved version of file.
Note that the Revert option is only enabled when
you have made changes to a text file, program
file, label file, form file, report file, query file,
menu file, project file or memo field since the
file was last saved.
Import… Allows you to use file from other application
Export… Allows you to use Visual FoxPro file in other
applications.
Print Setup… Allows you to select the printer you want to use
and other several Options about the printer.
Print… Allows you to print only the sources listed below:
- The contents of the Command window.
- The contents of a file that is not currently
open.
- The contents of ASCII file or clipboard.
- The contents of any open editing window.
Page Setup… Allows you to give settings for the page.
Page Preview Allows you to display, the printed image of the
page on the screen.
Exit Allows you to leave Visual FoxPro and returns
you to the windows desktop. Exit option of File
menu is same as typing Quit in the Command
Window or pressing <Alt+F4> key.
5.4 EDIT MENU
The Edit menu contains options that allow you to edit text in editing
windows as shown in Fig. 5.2. You can also manipulate Object
Linking and Embedding (OLE) objects in Visual FoxPro files.


Fig. 5.2: Edit Menu

The Edit menu options are described as follows:
Option Description
Undo Allows you to reverse the last action that you have
performed on any text within a field, record or
file, and in text editing regions in dialogs.
Redo Allows you to restore the last action after it was
undo.
Cut Allows you to remove selection and put it on the
clipboard.
Copy Allows you to copy selection and put it on the
clipboard.
Paste Allows you to place a copy of the clipboard
contents at the current cursor position.
Paste Special… Allows you to place an OLE (Object Linking and
Embedding) object from the clipboard and to
establish a link to its source.
Clear Allows you to remove the selected text, data, or
object without placing it on the clipboard.


Select All Allows you to select all objects or all lines of text,
or all fields in current window.
Find… Allows you to search for specified text.
Replace… Allows you to find and replace specified text.
Goto Line… Allows you to move the cursor to a designated
line in a text, Program or memo editing window,
or in the Command window.
Insert Object… Allows you to place an OLE object on the clipboard
and to establish a link to its source.
Object… Allows you to activate OLE object, to edit the object
or listen to it if it is a sound.
Links… Allows you to edit the link from a source
application to an OLE object in a file.
5.5 VIEW MENU
The View menu displays Reports, Label, and Form designers and
toolbars and allows you to customize the way you work in a table.

Fig. 5.3: View Menu

The View menu options are described as follows:


Option Description
Toolbars… Allows you to create, edit, hide and customize
toolbars.
Properties… Allows you to display the Properties window
so you can set or change the properties of forms
and controls. This option is available when
you open the Form or Class Designer.
Browse <table>… Allows you to display the contents of the
current table horizontally in a Browse window.
This option is available when you use a table.
Edit… Allows you to display the contents of the
selected table vertically. This option is available
when you use a table.
Append Mode… Allows you to add new records automatically
to the end of the current table. This option is
available when you use a table.
Database Designer… Allows you to display the Database Designer.
The option is available when you use a table
that is associated with a database.
Table Designer… Allows you to display the Table Designer for
modifying a table’s structure. This option is
available when you use a table that is
associated with a database.
Grid Lines Allows you to remove or add lines in various
windows. This option is available when you use
a table or open the Label, Report, or Form or
Class Designer.
Design… Allows you to put a new or existing label, report,
or form in design mode. This option is available
when you open the Label, Report, or Form or
Class Designer.
Tab Order… Allows you to set the tab order for objects on a
form. This option is available when you run
the Form or Class Designer.
Code… Allows you to display the code window to write,
edit and display event code. This Option is


available when you open the Form or Class
Designer.
Form Controls Allows you to display the Form Controls
toolbar, which you
Toolbar… use to create controls on a form. This option is
only available when you open the Form or
Class Designer.
Layout Toolbar… Allows you to display the Layout toolbar, which
you use to align, size, and position controls.
This option is available when you open a Label,
Report, or Form or Class Designer.
Color Palette Allows you to display the Color Palette toolbar,
Toolbar… which you use to specify foreground and
background colors for a control. This option is
available when you open the Label, Report, or
Form or Class Designer.
Show Position… Show in the status bar the position, height,
and width of the selected object in a form,
report, or label. This option is available when
you open the Label, Report, Form or class
Designer.
Preview… Allows you to display a report or label in a
print preview. This option is available when
you open the Label or Report Designer.
Report Controls Allows you to display the Report Controls
Toolbar… toolbar which you use to create controls on a
report. This option is available when you Open
the Label or report Designer.
General Options… Allows you to specify code for an entire menu
system. This option is available when you open
the Menu Designer.
Menu Options… Allows you to specify code for a specific menu.
The option is available when you open the
Menu Designer.
Maximize Top To enlarge the top pane of the Query and View
Pane… Designers. This option is available when you


open the Query Designer or View Designer.
Minimize Top To reduce the top pane of the Query and View
Pane… Designers. This option is available when you
open the Query Designer or View Designer.
Data Environment… Allows you to display the Data Environment
Designer. This optionis available when you
open the Form Designer, Report Designer, or
Label Designer.
5.6 FORMAT MENU
The Format Menu contains option for fonts, spacing, alignment,
and object positioning, as shown in figure 5.4.

Fig. 5.4: Format Menu

The Format menu options are described as follows:
Option Description
Text Alignment… Allows you to adjust alignment and spacing
of text within a field or label control. This
option is available when you work with a
report or label.


Fill… Allows you to fill selected control with a
pattern. This option is available when you
work with a report or label.
Pen… Allows you to set point size and the design
pattern of lines and outlines for rectangles
and rounded rectangles on your label or
report. This option is available when you work
with a report or label.
Mode Determines whether the selected control is
opaque or transparent. This option is available
when you work with a report or label.
Font… Allows you to select the font type, style and
size. This option is available when you work
with a text file, field or label control in a report
or label, or the Command Window.
Enlarge Font Allows you to increase the font size by the
next-larger size available. This option is
available when you work with a text or program
file or the command window.
Reduce Font Allows you to decrease the font size by the
next-smaller size available. This option is
file.
Single Space Allows you to display the text with no blank
lines between lines of text. This option is
available when you work with a text or
program file.
1 ½ Space Allows you to display the text with one-and-
a-half blank lines between lines of text. This
option is available when you work with a text
or program file.
Double Space Allows you to display the text with two blank
lines between lines of text. This option is
file.
Indent Allows you to indent the selected line or lines
by one tab. This option is available when
you work with a text or program file.


Remove Indent Allows you to remove previously inserted
indents one at a time. This option is available
when you work with a text or program file.
Align Aligns controls on a form or in a report, label
or class. This option is available when you
work with a report, label, form, or class.
Size Allows you to change control size. This option
is available when you work with a report,
label, form, or class, and create and select a
control.
Horizontal Spacing Allows you to set the horizontal spacing of
selected objects. This option is available when
you work with a report, label, form, or class.
Vertical Spacing Allows you to set the vertical spacing between
selected controls. This option is available
when you work with a report, label, form, or
class.
Bring To Front Allows you to send selected controls to the
back layer so that any overlapping controls
show up on top of them. This option is
available when you work with a report, label,
form, or class, add an object or objects, and
select one or more of them.
Send To Back Allows you to send selected controls to the
back layer so that any overlapping controls
show up on top of them. This option is
available when you work with a report, label,
form, or class, add an object or objects, and
select one or more of them.
Group Allows you to join selected controls so that
they can be manipulated as a single control.
It is equivalent to dragging the mouse to select
all controls at once. This option is available
when you work with a report or label and
select more than one control.
Ungroup Allows you to separate previously grouped
controls so that they can be manipulated
individually. This option is available when


you work with a report, or label, and have
grouped controls.
Snap to Grid Allows you to move controls in grid increments
when you select and drag them. The option
is available when you work with a report,
label, form, or class, add an object or objects,
and select one or more of them.
Set Grid Scale Allows you to define horizontal and vertical
increments of the grid in pixels, and specifies
whether the ruler displays inches or pixels.
This option is available when you work with a
report, label, form, or class.
5.7 TOOLS MENU
The Tools menu contains options that set system options, run
wizards, create macros, and trace and debug source code, as shown
in Fig. 5.5.

Fig. 5.5: Tools Menu

The Tools menu options are described as follows:


Option Description
Wizards Allows you to display a submenu of Visual
FoxPro wizards.
Spelling Allows you to run the spell checker.
Macros.. Allows you to define Key combinations to
perform a series of keystrokes.
Trace Window Allows you to open the Trace Window to watch
program execution.
Debug Window Allows you to open the Debug Window to
monitor the values in programs.
Options… Allows you to set many categories of system
options.
5.8 PROGRAM MENU
The Program menu contains options that are used while
programming in Visual FoxPro, as shown in Figure 5.6

Fig. 5.6: Program Menu


The Program menu options are described as follows:
Option Description
Do… Allows you to execute a specified program file.
Cancel Allows you to stop a currently running
program.
Resume Allows you to restart execution of a suspended
(not cancelled) program at the line where
execution paused when you choose Trace
option.
Suspend Allows, you to stop running the program, but
keeps it open to resume program execution.
This option is available when you run a
program.
Compile… Allows you to compile the specified program.
5.9 WINDOW MENU
The Window menu contains options that allow you to control
windows, as shown in Fig. 5.7.

Fig. 5.7: Window Menu


The Window menu options are described below:-
Option Description
Arrange All Allows you to display all open windows in an
arranged fashion so that they don’t overlap.
Hide Allows you to remove the current window from
view, but does not close it.
Hide All Allows you to remove all windows from your
view, but keep them open. This command is
available when you hold down <Shift> Key
while choosing the Window menu.
Show All Allows you to display all open windows. This
option is available When you hold down
<Shift> Key choosing the window menu.
Clear Allows you to remove the current output
window. The command equivalent for the
Clear option is to type clear in the command
window.
Cycle Allows you to rearrange open windows to bring
successive ones to the front. The front most
window moves to the back and the Next
window becomes the front most window.
Command Window Allows you to display the command window.
View Window Allows you to open table files, establish
relation and set work area properties.
1,2,3,…9 Displays the names of all open windows and
allows you to choose from them.
More Windows Allows you to display the More Window dialog
box, in which you select a window to activate.
This option is available when you have more
than nine (9) windows open.
5.10 HELP MENU
The Help menu contains options that open Visual FoxPro online
Help, direct you to technical assistance, and display information
about your computer’s configuration, as shown in figure 5.8.


Fig. 5.8: Help Menu

The Help menu options are described as follows:
Option Description
Contents Display the Contents panel of Help Window
as shown in figure 5.9. which you can select
and read. You can also display the contents
panel by typing HELP in command window.
Search for Help on… Allows you to search for help topic by typing
or selecting a Keyword.
Technical Support Allows you to display information about
Microsoft Product Support Services and
common questions about Visual FoxPro.
About Microsoft Visual FoxPro… Allows you to display information
about Visual FoxPro and your System as
shown in figure 5.9.


Fig. 5.9: About Visual FoxPro

INTEXT QUESTIONS

1. In order to open an existing table, which menu option will you
choose?
(a) Edit Menu (b) File Menu (c) Tools Menu (d) Help Menu
2. Which command physically removes the records from a table
marked for deletion
(a) Delete (b) Append (c) Pack (d) Erase
3. Which option of the Edit Menu allows you to insert an OLE
object?
(a) Paste (b) Copy (c) Link (d) Insert object

5.11 DATABASE MENU
The Database menu is added when you open an existing database
or when you create a database schema to define persistent


relationships among the tables of a relational database (as shown in
figure 5.10). The database schema contains the logically related
tables, forms, reports, query etc.
The Database menu option are described as follows.
Option Description
New Table Allows you to create a new table using
a wizard or a designer
Add Table Allows you to add an existing table to a
database
New Remote View Allows you to create a new remote view
using a wizard or a designer
New Local View Allows you to create a new local view
using a wizard or a designer
Remove Allows you to remove the selected table
from the database or delete it from the
disk.
Modify Allows you to open the selected table
in the table designer.
Browse Allows you to display the selected table
in the Browse window for editing
Rebuild Table Indexes Allows you to generate keys and rebuild
indexes for the selected table.
Remove Deleted Records Permanently removes all records from
the active table that are marked for
deletion.
Edit Relationship Allows you to modify the relationship
between tables.
Referential Integrity Allows you to display the Referential
Integrity Builder, in which you set up
rules to control how records are
inserted, updated or deleted in related
tables.
Editing stored Procedures Allows you to display a Visual FoxPro
procedure in an editing window.
Clean Up Database Allows you to run the PACK command
to decrease the size of the database by
removing rows that have been marked
for deletion. The PACK command
physically removes the record from the
table marked for deletion.


Fig. 5.10: Database Menu

5.12 FORM MENU
The Form menu that is added when you open a form, is used to
create and modify forms ( as shown in figure 5.11) . The Form menu
options are described as follows:
Option Description
New Property Allows you to create a new property.
New Method Allows you to create a new method.
Edit Property / Method Allows you to edit an existing property
or method. The property or method is
scoped to the standalone form or form
set, as applicable. For a classes, it is
enabled when you add a new property
or method.


Include File Allow you to specify a reader file of predefined
compile-time constants for a user-defined
class, form, or form set.
Quick Form Allows you to display the Form Builder dialog
box, which helps you to create a simple form
that you can customize by adding your own
controls.
Create Form Allows you to display a new form set, which is
a parent container for one or more forms.
Remove Form Set Allows you to remove an existing form set.
This is applicable only if you have created a
form set.
Run Form Allows you to run a form after you have
designed and saved it.

Fig. 5.11: Form Menu


5.13 QUERY MENU
The Query menu is added when you work with query. The Query
menu is used to display selected records and fields of a table in the
desired order. A Query provides you to retrieves selected records
based on the selection criteria out of a table in a form which is
convenient to use. The Query menu contains options that allow you
to create, modify, and run queries ( as shown in figure 5.12).
The Query menu contains options are described as follows:
Option Description
Add Table Allows you to display the Add Table or view
dialog box to add a table or view to the
designer window.
Remove Table Allows you to removes the selected table from
the top pane of the designer window.
Remove Join Allows you to remove the selected join line
from between tables.

Condition
Selection Criteria Allows you to specify the Selection Criteria
tab on top in the Query or View Designer
window.
Output Fields Allows you to specify the Fields tab on top in
the Query or View Designer window.
Order By Allows you to specify the Order By tab on top
in the Query or view Designer window.
Group By Allows you to put the Group By tab on the
top in the Query or View Designer window.
Update Criteria Allows you to put the Update Criteria tab on
top in the View Designer window.
Query Destination Allows you to display the Query Destination
dialog box. The dialog box allows you to send
the results of your query to eight different
outputs.
View SQL Allows you to display the SQL statement your
query is building


Advanced Options Allows you to display the Advanced options
dialog box, in which you can fine-tune how
records are retrieved in a view or how updates
are made to the server or source tables.
View Parameters Allows you to set up views that prompt for a
value entry to complete the query.
Comments Allows you to display notes or comments that
you have written to identify the query or view
its purpose.
Run Query To execute the SQL select statement you built,
and send the results to the output destination
you specified.

Fig. 5.12: Query Menu


5.14 REPORT MENU
The Report menu is added when you are working with the designing
of a printed report. This option is used to create, modify and
customise reports ( as shown in figure 5.13).

The Report Menu contains options are described as follows:

Option Description

Title/Summary Allows you to display the Title/Summary
dialog box, in which you specify the Title and/
or Summary for the report.

Data Grouping Allows you to display the Data Grouping dialog
box to create data groups and Specify their
properties

Variables Allows you to create memory variables within
a report.

Default Font Allows you to specify the persistent fonts. Font
styles, and font sizes for report, Label and
field controls.

Private Data Session Allows you to set the report to have a data
session that does not change if you Open or
use tables in other designers.

Quick Report Allows you to place selected fields
automatically in an empty Report Designer
Window

Run Report Allows you to display the Print dialog box, to
send the report to a printer.


Fig. 5.13: Report Menu

5.15 TABLE MENU
The Table menu is added when you open a table and is used for
working with data. The Table Menu contains options for examining
and editing the active (selected) table.
The Table menu contains options are described as follows:


Option Description
Properties Allows you to open the Work Area Properties
dialog box, in which you can modify the
structure of a table, select index files and field,
and define data filters.
Font Allows you to open the Font dialog box, in
which you can specify the font, font style, and
font size that controls the type in a table or
view in the Browse or Edit window.
Go To Record Allows you to positions the record pointer on
the record you specify.
Append New Records Allows you to add record to the end of the
current table.
Toggle Deletion Mark Allows you to place or remove a deletion mark
at the beginning of a selected record to mark
or unmark it for deletion.
Append Records Allows you to open the Append From dialog
box, to add records to the active table from
the another table.
Delete Records Allows you to open the Delete dialog box, in
which you mark records for deletion.
Recall Records Allows you to open the Recall dialog box, in
which you unmark records that are marked
for deletion.
Remove Deleted Records Allows you to permanently remove records
that are marked for deletion.
Replace Field Allows you to change field information in one
record or in a range of records.
Size Field Allows you to change the width of the selected
field using the Keyboard.
Move Field Allows you to move the selected field using
the Keyboard.
Resize Partitions To activate the window splitter so that you
can partition the window or change the size
of the existing partitions using the keyboard.
Link Partitions When the Browse window is split, the two
partitions are linked and they scroll vertically
together as you move to different records and
fields. To scroll each partition independently,


choose the Link Partitions from the Table
menu to remove the check mark(P) to the left
of the option. This option is enabled only when
Browse window is split.
Change Partitions Allows you to move from one partition to
another. This Change Partitions option is
enabled only when the Browse window is
split.
Rebuild Indexes Allows you to rebuild any open index files
associated with the active table so that they
accurately reflect the current status of the
table.

5.16 STANDARD TOOLBAR
The Standard toolbar contains buttons for performing the most
common actions in Visual FoxPro. This toolbar is displayed by default
as shown in figure 4.5.
The Standard toolbar contains buttons are described as follows:
Button Description
New Allows you to create new files using designers
and wizards.
Open Allows you to open an existing file or create a
new file.
Save Allows you to save changes to the active file.
Print Allows you to save changes to the active file.
Print Preview Allows you to show you the results of your
work without printing it in WYSIWYG format.
Spelling Allows you to check spelling. Available when
editing text or memo field.
Cut Allows you to remove selected text, controls,
or anything else that is selectable, to the
clipboard.
Copy Allows you to duplicate selected text, controls,
or anything else that is selectable.

Paste Allows you to place cut or copied text, controls,
or anything else that is selectable at the
insertion point position.


Undo Allows you to reverse the most recent action.
Redo Allows you to reverse the most recent Undo
command.
Run Allows you to run a query, form, or report
after you have designed and saved it.
Database Allows you to specify the current database.
Command Window Allows you to show commands as they are
executed, and provides space for typing
commands.
View Window Allows you to provide an easy way to open
tables, establish relations, and set work area
properties.
Form Wizard Allows you to run a Visual FoxPro form wizard.
Report Wizard Allows you to run a Visual FoxPro report
wizard.
AutoForm Wizard Allows you to create a form without using a
wizard.
AutoReport Wizard Allows you to create a report without using a
wizard.
Help Allows you to display online Help.

5.17 WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT
In this lesson you have learned about the various options of the
Visual FoxPro Menu Systems. Now you are in a position to the
functioning of additional Menu System such as Database Menu,
Form Menu, Query Menu, Report Menu and Table Menu.

5.18 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1. Explain the concept of OLE.
2. Define Database Schema.
3. What is a Query ?
4. Explain Query Menu.
5.19 KEY TO INTEXT QUESTIONS
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (d)

Chapter 10.1.2

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