Action Objects

For interactive worksheets with scripting Action Objects may come handy. There are four types of them:

Checkboxes

Checkboxes are graphical representations of Boolean values. See Check Box Tool for details. Checkboxes can be created using the aforementioned tool or the Checkbox Command.

Input Boxes

Input Boxes work as text inputs for scripts. The script is triggered by changing text in the Input Box and either pressing enter or leaving the Input Box. The inserted value may be accessed using the %0 variable.

Input Box with a=a+%0 in its OnClick script will increase number a by the entered value. Works only if a is free.

If you want the Input Box to change value of a free object (or redefine dependent object), you may define that object as linked. This way you don’t have to insert any script. Input Boxes can be created using the Input Box Tool or the InputBox Command.

Buttons

Buttons are meant to trigger scripts by being clicked. Although scripts can be triggered by clicking any other object (e.g. an image), using buttons for this makes your worksheet more intuitive. Buttons can be created using the Button Tool or the Button Command.

Drop-down lists

If you want to show the contents of a list, organized in a drop-down list:

in the Graphics View: check the Draw as drop-down list box in the Basics tab of the Properties Dialog of the list.
in the Spreadsheet View: enter a list into the spreadsheet, then check the Use Buttons and Checkboxes box in the Spreadsheet Options.

The selected element of a drop-down list may be also obtained using SelectedIndex and SelectedElement commands.

To create a drop-down list with three functions x+1, x^2, sqrt(x), first create a list by typing L={x+1, x^2,sqrt(x)} in the input bar. Then right-click the list in Algebra View and select Object Properties…. Select the Draw as drop-down list option in the appearing dialog window. You can also enter a caption that describes the drop-down list. In order to plot in Graphics View the currently selected function, enter the command SelectedElement(L) in the input bar .