A Synergy Alpha field stores alpha-numeric data. The amount of storage available is determined by its size. From a user interface perspective you can define a display left less that the field length, thus providing a scrolling text entry box.

You should define a prompt value for your Alpha fields. Prompts are used in the user interface to define field labels and report headings (you can also define a report heading). Do not include special characters like > and <. If you need these in the prompt you must escape the character.

Alpha fields are exposed as a standard TextBox. This allows entry of any characters, up to the maximum size of the associated field. If an alpha field has a drill method assigned the base field type is defined as a SearchTextBox, which is a Symphony Framework type. This allows for the “lookup” of associated data.