Create a Text Page

Say you need to have a project scope document available for everyone on your staff. Sure you could attach a document to a record, but maybe you'd like to make the document more prominent. Or, perhaps you're enhancing your QuickBase application with XSL style sheets and need a place to store them.

In this situation, try adding a text page to your application. Text pages are simple HTML documents (you can paste some plain text too, but the result won't win any design awards). This feature lets you fold an HTML page or large document into your application. Users access a text page by clicking a button you create on the Dashboard page (read how to customize the Dashboard).

Tip: If you're not an HTML expert, you can create a QuickBase rich text page instead of a text page. Rich text pages are like text pages, but you make them with an editor. Read more.

You can also include an image in a text page (read how).

To create a text page:

  1. Within the menu on any application page, select Customize> Application.

  2. Click the Pages tab.

  3. On the left side of the screen, click the Create a new page link.

    QuickBase asks you what kind of page you want to create.

  4. Select Create a new text page and click OK.

    A new Untitled Page appears in your pages list. QuickBase calls your attention to it with a black arrow.

  5. Click the Untitled Page's Edit link.

    QuickBase displays an HTML editor in which you can compose your application guide.

  6. Name your page.  Include the file extension in the page name.

    If you're creating an HTML page, you let QuickBase know by adding the suffix ".html" to the page name. For example, a page named Memo would be Memo.html. You should use a name without spaces or other characters that are problematic in URLs. Stick to letters, numbers, underscores and hyphens. If you're authoring an XSL stylesheet, make sure the name ends with ".xsl".

  7. Write the page.

    In the large blank text box, enter or paste the content you want.

    Setting edit display options:

    Perhaps you like to view your code at a certain size or font. QuickBase offers some control over display.


    These buttons above the page let you control font style and size.

    Don't like courier font? You can display the code in a variable font instead. A mono-spaced font gives each character the same amount of space. A variable font squeezes letters together where it can, and usually makes for easier reading. Here's a sample of each:

    I like fonts, don't you? (mono-spaced)

    I like fonts, don't you? (variable)

    To change the font display to variable, click the abc button with variable font on it: (It's the one on the right.) You'll see the difference in your font immediately.

    To return to a mono-spaced font, click the abc button with mono-spaced font on it: (the one on the left.)

    Perhaps your years are starting to show and you like your fonts LARGE. If so, just click the Increase font size button—the one with the large A on it: (on the far right).

    To reduce the font size, click the Reduce font size button—the one with the small A on it: (to the left of the increase font size button).

  8. When you're finished editing, click Save and Done.

Advanced uses of text pages

Coding mavens can use text pages to store XSL / XSLT style sheets. You can then display a report or record gussied up in your XSL styles. (You do so by setting output format options within the Report Builder. See Step 6 in Creating a Table report.)

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