The Dynamic Text Array or DTA, for those of you in need of yet another acronym, is used to display text information in a matrix, or column and row format. Some example DTA projects include Yard Sale information, class schedules, meeting schedules, weather updates, and your programming schedule.  The programming schedule can be updated from VLM, Data Express or user provided applications.  Because the information is in a set format, it allows the DTA to access the information and display it properly without having to reformat any of the information manually, thus saving you and your staff valuable time.

To work with a DTA go to the Stock Objects Tab in Informa Create and select Dynamic Text Array.   Drag and drop it on the Draw Screen.  Multiple DTA's can be used in a project and are identified by the number displayed in the center of the DTA.  DTA's are only available with Informa and FireBird.

To set the DTA's properties, click on the Wrench Button which is the Text Array Toolbox.  The sections in this dialog box are: Array Settings, Gridline Settings, Column Specifications and Text Alignment.

Array Settings

The Array's size can be manually set using the Width and Height adjustments under the Array Settings.  You can also adjust the size by using the mouse to drag the outside border.   Use the two check boxes to either display or hide the Title Bar and Column Headers. 

Column Specifications and Text Alignment

The Horizontal Margin for the Title Bar is set with the Horizontal Margin field along with the number of desired columns (up to 10) using the Column Count.  The Title Bar Alignment is set using the arrows under Title Alignment.

Set the Column widths manually and independently from each other by setting the desired width in the field under each Column. (The column widths can also be set from the Draw Screen by dragging the column width to size.)

There are two alignment settings for each column: the alignment of the column heading and the alignment of the data in the column.

Gridline Settings

The Title Bar, Headers and Data in each column can be enclosed in Gridlines.  Depending on the appearance of your table it may look better with gridlines but you can do it either way and each area can be set independently using the check boxes.  If you select the gridlines you can then adjust the weight and color of the lines.

The Transformation Properties (right pointing arrow button in the tool bar) is used to set the transformation direction.  Use the dropdown arrow and select Left, Right, Up, Down, Fade or None.  If Fade is selected don't forget to set the  Fade Speed.  Set the Hold Time in frames.  Set the Transformation Duration in loops.