How to display links in a text-field in Portal forms?

Question

In a database the content in a varchar2 field could include a link:
'Shortname <a ref="#" title="Full or long item name">Long name</a>'
In a Portal report this field is displayed like:
Shortname {color:#0000ff}_Long name_
{color}
where the last part is a link. When pointing to this link with the mouse, the full item name is displayed. If this field is displayed in a Portal form, however, it is displayed exactly as written first:
Shortname <a ref="#" title="Full or long item name">Long name</a>
Could anybody tell how this field could be displayed as a link in Portal forms? The field itself does not need to be updated, it serves as an identifier for trailing fields in the details of a MD-form. If the long name should be displayed in the field, you would need to scroll horizontal to see the other details.

Answer 1

Yes your point is clearer now. You wish to see an abridged form of a field data with the facility to see the full data when you hover on that data. just like what we see sometimes in hyperlinks.
Both of the methods I told you work to display a modified data value* (without modifying them in the databse) and I floated them after testing. Have used slightly different functionalities in some applications a while back.
To get the 'mouse hover' display, you may want to use the java-script event-handlers of the form elements.
Both methods work with the premise that we do not want to change field data in DB; only displayed-data needs to be different.
1. The idea to edit info using sql-queries or functions from default value attribute work is the main thing. how and what should we edit the data to produce is a plsql-coding problem. So for instance, for a data example like yours, the following works!
assumption: the desired field is LINKS and is a column in PORTAL.TBL_TEST_FORMLINKS
SELECT DECODE(LINKS, NULL,NULL,SUBSTR(LINKS,INSTR(LINKS,'>','1')+1, LENGTH(LINKS)-INSTR(LINKS,'<','2'))) FROM PORTAL.TBL_TEST_FORMLINKS
If you need a different output or have a different requirement, then the example should be sufficient to guide you how to help yourself.
2. The other case of javascript embedded html in an additional plsql code also works. One such example is this:
<pre>
BEGIN
HTP.PRINT('<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript1.1">
// find the element you want to edit first;
// hint: you may use this scheme and some basic jscript to extract the field LINKS : FORM_NAME.DEFAULT.LINKS.01
// now use javascript to get its value; treat it to fit your requirement; and equate it back to the LINKS element;
</SCRIPT>');
EXCEPTION
When Others THEN
null;
END;
</pre>
-- now follow my other instruction on FORM attributes in my second reply to see what you want to see.
these hints should be more than enough for anyone familiar with these technologies.
AMN