Filling Multi-field Forms

EnableThat can be used to fill several text type fields on a form at once through the use of the special character string: "[tab over]".  For example:

As long as the individual fields can be traversed by the usage of the Tab key (and the individual fields are character strings), a single invocation of EnableThat can "paste" data into several different fields. Usage would be as follows: 1) focus must be in the initial field (First name above) 2) Say "EnableThat" 3) Enter data with the special character string "[tab over]" between your field entries as below:

Upon a "Paste and Close", EnableThat will look for the [tab over] sequence, and whenever encountering it, will send an actual Tab-key  to the application so that multiple fields can be traversed and filled at once.  The result of a "Paste and Close" above would be the following:

Note above that the very last [tab over] positions the focus of the application on the "Save Record" command button. If this last [tab over] had actually been omitted, focus would remain at the end of the Occupation field. Of course, a field can be passed over by the use of two consecutive [tab over] sequences.

"[tab over]" has actually been defined as a built-in command of EnableThat such that if you pause, say "tab over", pause, then "[tab over]" will be inserted into your EnableThat data stream. A slight disadvantage of using this built-in command is that subsequent dictated text will have a leading space (unless you begin the subsequent text with "No-Space"). I suggest that you use the Vocabulary Editor and create a word with Written form of "[tab over]", and spoken form of "tab over", AND set the Properties to "has no preceding or following space".  With the use of the vocabulary "tab over", it is possible to dictate several fields all with one utterance. The above example was dictated in one utterance.

Be sure that you thoroughly understand the tab order of any particular application that you are using so as to guarantee correct results. If results are not as expected, go back to your form, and manually step through the tab order to verify that it works like you expect it to. Some forms will not tab like they look like they should. Due to the myriad of programming methods of data fields out there, I cannot guarantee perfect results in all cases. Experimentation is in order. If your usage works once, it will likely work always, perhaps saving you real time and effort into the future.

Internet forms are also likely candidates for this usage. As above, if results are not as expected, manually step through the tab order of the form to verify that it is what you expect it to be.

Note that the individual data fields MUST be text fields. In particular, it may not work properly if the field you are putting data into is a Listbox or Combobox that only allows predefined choices.

I have implemented this feature on the suggestion of Susan Fulton of Computing Out Loud.

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