# Set up the string pop-up (String tab)

Use the String tab to specify which pop-up the string input enable button will use, the number of characters shown, the display's fill characters, and whether the data entry will be masked.

Tip: | To use the string pop-up character input instead of the keyboard, from the Tools menu, select Options > String Pop-Up, and then select Use the string pop-up character input. The character input opens instead of the keyboard when the operator presses a string input enable button, the User and Password buttons in the Login dialog box, or a Password button.

## Pop-up settings

- String pop-up

  Select whether to use the keyboard or the scratchpad. To use the scratchpad, the computer running the application must have an external keyboard or keypad.

- Number of input characters

  Select the maximum number of input characters for the pop-up to accept, up to 82 characters.

- Fill character

  Select a character to fill the entered string if the operator enters fewer than the maximum number of input characters.

  When the value is sent to the Value connection, the fill characters are placed after the string the operator enters. They do not appear in the pop-up window.

- Mask scratchpad

  Check this box to show all the characters the operator enters as the # character.

## See also

Create string input enable buttons

Use the string pop-up keyboard

Use the string pop-up scratchpad

Use the Login dialog box