Protected Field Component

Prev Next

Overview                                                

The Protected Field is a Centauri (v1.0) component that masks data entered in Express View. Masking is useful when your end-user needs to enter PII they do not want the information to be seen, like a Social Security or account number.

Consider using a Protected Field component when:

  • Preventing the field from being viewed in real-time by anyone other than your end-user. Using a Protected Field component helps prevent "shoulder surfing", which is when someone physically views the end-user's screen to collect information.

  • You do not need to store sensitive data in the database. The Protected Field component does not include the Store Data in Database setting.

A Protected Field component works like a Text Field or Number component, but values entered in a Protected Field component do not display in the field. Instead, the field displays a substitute character, like asterisks or dots.

The Protected Field component does not support built-in encryption or other security features. It only masks the end-user's input in Express View. Therefore, the Protected Field component is not a good option for storing passwords.

You'll find the Protected Field component under the Secondary Fields group to the left of the Module Builder.

About the Configuration Window

To learn more about general component settings, view our General Component Settings article.

Display Settings

Field Text

Setting

Description

Label Text                                                                        

Label Text conveys what the input component is and what information it displays. Enter the purpose of the corresponding component or field.

User-friendly labels make your module more accessible. Keep labels short and descriptive (a word or two) using title case. For longer entries, use sentence case.

Placeholder Text                                                                        

A short prompt telling end-users the expected value of an input field. For example, Enter your Social Security Number. Placeholder Text displays inside the input field until the end-user begins an entry.

Prefix                                                                        

Alphanumeric characters append to the start of the value entered in the field. If called by another component, the prefix stores with the value.

Suffix                                                                        

Alphanumeric characters that append to the end of the value entered in the field. If called by another component, the suffix stores with the value.

Contextual Help

Setting

Description

Tooltip                                                                        

A quick tip describing the expected value of an input field. Unlike a Tooltip, Helper Text stays visible under the input field and displays on a single line.

A static image dispaying the Protected Field component's Display settings.

Default State Options

Setting

Description

Hide Field                                                                        

Displays or hides the component from view. Setting Hide Field to A toggle switch indicating an on/off state for a user interface element. (ON) hides the component in Express View. Setting it toA toggle switch in the 'on' position, indicating an active setting or feature. (OFF) displays the component. The component is always visible in the Module Builder.

By default, Hide Field is set to A toggle switch in the 'on' position, indicating an active setting or feature. (OFF).

Input Behavior

Setting

Description

Input Behavior                                                                        

Controls how end-users interact with the component. Choose from the following options:

  • Enable User Input: Allow end-users to view and enter data in this field.

  • Disable User Input: Prevents end-users from entering data in the field, but lets them view it. In the Module Builder, the field’s background displays as gray. In Express View, when end-users hover over the field, their cursor displays with a prohibited symbol.

  • Read Only - Legacy: Prevents end-users from entering data and replaces the field with the component’s data value. If no value is provided, the component displays None.

Validation Settings

Input Required

Setting

Description

Required                                                                        

When set to A toggle switch indicating an on/off state for a user interface element. (ON), the end-user must enter a value in the component's visible fields. When set to A toggle switch in the 'on' position, indicating an active setting or feature. (OFF), the input is optional.

By default, Required is set to A toggle switch in the 'on' position, indicating an active setting or feature. (OFF).

Required Error Message                                                                        

A custom error message that displays below a required field. The error message displays when the end-user tries to save or submit the module without completing the required field.

A static image dispaying the Protected Field component's Validation settings.

Advanced Settings

Additional Validation Options

Setting

Description

Min Length                                                                    

Sets the minimum  number of characters that an end-user must enter for valid input.

Min Length Error Message                                                                    

A custom error message that displays below the input field. The error message displays when the entry does not meet the minimum  character length rule.

Max Length                                                                    

Sets the maximum number of characters that an end-user must enter for valid input.

Max Length Error Message                                                                    

A custom error message that displays below the input field. The error message displays when the entry does not meet the maximum character length rule.

A static image dispaying the Protected Field component's Advanced settings.

Additional Styling

Setting

Description

Custom CSS Class                                                                        

Enter a Custom CSS Class to apply to your component. Custom CSS lets you maintain a consistent look and feel when the field or element is part of a template or multiple modules.

Updated CSS styling applies to all components that reference this custom class name.

Adding a Protected Field Component

Configure a Protected Field component to collect an account number. You'll use validation settings to ensure the account number is exactly 10 characters in length. These instructions assume that you have an open module saved with a title.

  1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop a Protected Field component onto your canvas.

  2. In the Property ID field, enter accountNumber.

  3. In the Label Text field, enter Enter Account Number.

  4. In the Min Length and Max Length fields, enter 10.

  5. Navigate to the component's Advanced settings.

  6. In the Min Length Error Message and Max Length Error Message fields, enter Account number must be 10 digits long..

    A static image displaying the Protected Field component's Advanced settings. The Min & Max Length fields, and the Min Length & Max Length Error message fields are highlighted.

  7. Click Save Component.

  8. Save your module.

Preview your module in Express View to see the following functionality:

Overview                                                

The Protected Field component masks data entered in Express View. Masking is useful when your end-user needs to enter sensitive information like a Social Security or account number, and they don't want the information to be visibly seen.

Consider using a Protected Field component when:

  • Preventing the field from being viewed in real-time by anyone other than your end-user. Using a Protected Field component helps prevent "shoulder surfing", which is when someone physically views the end-user's screen to collect information.

  • You do not need to store sensitive data in the database. The Protected Field component does not include the Store Data in Database setting.

A Protected Field component works like a Text Field or Number component, but values entered in a Protected Field component do not display in the field. Instead, the field displays a substitute character, like asterisks or dots.

The Protected Field component does not support built-in encryption or other security features. It only masks the end-user's input in Express View. Therefore, the Protected Field component is not a good option for storing passwords.

You'll find the component under the Secondary Fields group to the left of the Module Builder.

About the Configuration Window

Display Panel

A static image dispaying the Protected Field component's Display settings.

Field Text

Setting

Description

Label Text                                                                                

Label Text conveys what the input component is and what information it displays. Enter the purpose of the corresponding component or field.

User-friendly labels make your module more accessible. Keep labels short and descriptive (a word or two) using title case. For longer entries, use sentence case.

Placeholder Text                                                                                

A short prompt telling end-users the expected value of an input field. For example, Enter your Social Security Number. Placeholder Text displays inside the input field until the end-user begins an entry.

Prefix                                                                                

Alphanumeric characters append to the start of the value entered in the field. If called by another component, the prefix stores with the value.

Suffix                                                                                

Alphanumeric characters that append to the end of the value entered in the field. If called by another component, the suffix stores with the value.

Contextual Help

Setting

Description

Tooltip                                                                                

A quick tip describing the expected value of an input field. Unlike a Tooltip, Helper Text stays visible under the input field and displays on a single line.

Default State Options

Setting

Description

Disable User Input                                                                        

When set to A toggle switch indicating an on/off state for a user interface element. (ON), end-users cannot interact with or edit the Express View's input field or element. When end-users hover over the field, their cursor changes to alert them to the status change.

By default, Disable User Input is set to A toggle switch in the 'on' position, indicating an active setting or feature. (OFF).

Hide Field                                                                        

Displays or hides the component from view. Setting Hide Field to (ON) hides the component in Express View. Setting it to A toggle switch in the 'on' position, indicating an active setting or feature. (OFF) displays the component. The component is always visible in the Module Builder.

By default, Hide Field is set to A toggle switch in the 'on' position, indicating an active setting or feature. (OFF).

Validation Panel

A static image dispaying the Protected Field component's Validation settings.

Input Required

Setting

Description

Required                                                                        

When set to A toggle switch indicating an on/off state for a user interface element. (ON), the end-user must enter a value in the component's visible fields. When set to A toggle switch in the 'on' position, indicating an active setting or feature. (OFF), the input is optional.

By default, Required is set to A toggle switch in the 'on' position, indicating an active setting or feature. (OFF).

Error Message                                                                    

A custom error message that displays below a required field. The error message displays when the end-user tries to save or submit the module without completing the required field.

Advanced Panel

A static image dispaying the Protected Field component's Advanced settings.

Additional Validation Options

Setting

Description

Min Length                                                                                

Sets the minimum  number of characters that an end-user must enter for valid input.

Min Length Error Message                                                                                

A custom error message that displays below the input field. The error message displays when the entry does not meet the minimum  character length rule.

Max Length                                                                                

Sets the maximum number of characters that an end-user must enter for valid input.

Max Length Error Message                                                                                

A custom error message that displays below the input field. The error message displays when the entry does not meet the maximum character length rule.

Additional Styling

Setting

Description

Custom CSS Class                                                                                

Enter a Custom CSS Class to apply to your component. Custom CSS lets you maintain a consistent look and feel when the field or element is part of a template or multiple modules.

Updated CSS styling applies to all components that reference this custom class name.

Adding a Protected Field Component

Configure a Protected Field component to collect an account number. You'll use validation settings to ensure the account number is exactly 10 characters in length. These instructions assume that you have an open module saved with a title.

  1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop a Protected Field component onto your canvas.

  2. In the Property ID field, enter accountNumber.

  3. In the Label Text field, enter Enter Account Number.

  4. In the Min Length and Max Length fields, enter 10.

  5. From the component's configuration window, click the Advanced Icon Advanced tab.

  6. In the Min Length Error Message and Max Length Error Message fields, enter Account number must be 10 digits long..

    A static image displaying the Protected Field component's Advanced settings. The Min & Max Length fields, and the Min Length & Max Length Error message fields are highlighted.

  7. Click Save & Close.

  8. Save your module.

Preview your module in Express View to see the following functionality:

Structure of a Protected Field Component's Data

A Protected Field component stores its data as key/value pair. The value is stored as a string data type.

A static image displaying the Developer Console view, the Submission Data displays the Protected Field component as a key-value pair.

Resources