Timer
Solution No. 88
The Timer object inserts a stopwatch type object allowing the user to start, pause, stop and track elapsed time. This is especially important for time tracking or time-billing.
So Where Do We Use It?
This action is useful for tracking the amount of time spent on tasks and could be particularly useful for tracking time-billing information.
Add a Timer
A Timer can be added to a screen from the Toolbox on the design screen page.
To add a Timer, follow these steps:
1. Follow the steps to Edit an Existing Screen or Add a New Screen.
2. Click Add Objects from the Toolbox.
3. Click and drag the Timer object to the desired cell in the design screen.
4. Release the mouse button.
5. To finish, select the appropriate option below:
A. If you are ready to activate your changes to the screen, but wish to keep the design screen open, click Publish.
B. If you are ready to activate your changes to the screen and wish to close the design screen, click Save & Close, then select Ok.
C. If you wish to close the design screen and not publish changes, click Save & Close, then select Cancel.
Edit a Timer
1. Follow the steps to Edit an Existing Screen or Add a New Screen.
2. Click Add Objects from the Toolbox.
3. Add a Timer or go to an existing Timer in the design screen.
4. Click Edit in the upper-right corner of the Timer object you wish to edit.
5. The Timer Properties Wizard appears. The wizard is divided into 4 steps that follow:
Step 1 of 4: Timer Properties
1. Enter Default Value.
2. Select Border Style from the dropdown list.
The choices are:
A. Solid
B. Dotted
C. Dashed
D. Double
E. Groove
F. Ridge
G. Inset
H. Outset
3. Select Border Color by clicking the blank field. A color picker pops up, allowing you to select the color of your choice.
4. Enter Border Width (pixels).
5. Click Formatting (click to show) to show Formatting Options or Advanced Options (click to show) to show Advanced options ; otherwise click Next and proceed to Step 2 of 4: Timer Actions.
If you opted to show Formatting Options you can:
1. Select Text forecolor by clicking the blank field. A color picker pops up, allowing you to select the color of your choice.
2. Select Text backcolor by clicking the blank field. A color picker pops up, allowing you to select the color of your choice.
3. Check the Use default font size box to use the pre-assigned font size selected for your Method account.
4. Uncheck the Use default font size box and manually enter a font size in the corresponding field.
5. Check the Underlined box for the caption to be underlined.
6. Check the Italic box for the caption to appear in italics.
7. Check the Bold box for the caption to appear in bold.
8. Enter Width (pixels).
9. Select Alignment for Timer
The choices are:
A. Left
B. Center
C. Right
10. Click Next or click on Advanced Options (click to show) to go to Advanced Options
If you opted to show Advanced Options
1. Check the Hidden box if you wish for the object to be hidden from the screen.
Step 2 of 4: Timer Actions (Optional)
1. Fill the Add Action or Copy Action button.
2. Select Event from the dropdown list.
The choices are:
A. On Start
B. On Pause
C. On Stop
D. On Reset
E. On Time Interval
3. Select Action from the dropdown list.
4. Click Add Action (See Method Actions Reference Guide for assistance).
5. Click Next.
Step 3 of 4: Timer Rules
1. Enter the Time Interval in Seconds.
2. Check the checkbox labeled The Timer is editable if you want the user to be able to edit the time displayed. If you do not want users to edit this section, leave the box unchecked.
3. Click Next.
Step 4 of 4: Time Roles
1. The choices are:
A. Accountant
B. Administrator
C. Customizer
D. Director
E. Guest
F. Manager
G. Staff
2. Click Finish
4. To finish, select the appropriate option below:
A. If you are ready to activate your changes to the screen, but wish to keep the design screen open, click Publish.
B. If you are ready to activate your changes to the screen and wish to close the design screen, click Save & Close, then select Ok.
C. If you wish to close the design screen and not publish changes, click Save & Close, then select Cancel.
Delete a Timer
1. Follow the steps to Edit an Existing Screen.
2. Find the Timer you wish to delete in the design screen.
3. Click the ‘X’ in the upper-right corner of the Timer you wish to delete.
4. Click OK when prompted to confirm.
5. To finish, select the appropriate option below:
A. If you are ready to activate your changes to the screen, but wish to keep the design screen open, click Publish.
B. If you are ready to activate your changes to the screen and wish to close the design screen, click Save & Close, then select Ok.
C. If you wish to close the design screen and not publish changes, click Save & Close, then select Cancel.
Change the Timer Size
1. Follow the steps to Edit an Existing Screen or Add a New Screen.
2. Add a Timer or go to an existing Timer in the design screen.
3. Click the ‘<->’ icon in the upper-right corner of the Timer you wish to resize. With each click, the Timer will grow to occupy the cell to the right. Once the Timer has occupied all cells in its row, the next click will decrease the Timer size to only the cell it was originally placed in.
4. To finish, select the appropriate option below:
A. If you are ready to activate your changes to the screen, but wish to keep the design screen open, click Publish.
B. If you are ready to activate your changes to the screen and wish to close the design screen, click Save & Close, then select Ok.
C. If you wish to close the design screen and not publish changes, click Save & Close, then select Cancel.
| Created by | John C. on | Nov-19-2012 |
| Last modified by | John C. on | Nov-19-2012 |
