---
title: "Define a Text Entry"
slug: "define-a-text-entry"
updated: 2026-03-03T10:32:57Z
published: 2026-03-03T10:32:57Z
canonical: "documentation.lakesidesoftware.com/define-a-text-entry"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.lakesidesoftware.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Define a Text Entry

The Text Data Control block displays a field into which users can type text to be used as an input to another object. Examples include providing a search entry field connected to a Query data block, or a value entry field instead of using a fixed value for a Data Filter as shown in the example below.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/text_entry_example.png)

## Define a Text Entry Field as Input to a Data Filter

1. Drag a [Data Filter Control block](/documentation/docs/define-a-data-filter) to the workspace and connect a defined Query Data block to it as input.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/data_filter_dash_build.png)
2. Drag a Text Data Control block to the workspace and connect it as an input to the Data Filter Control block.
3. Select the [Data Filter Control](/documentation/docs/define-a-data-filter), and edit it to include a variable, the value of which will come from the Text Entry Filter.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/text_entry_data_control.png)
4. In the Text Data Control block properties, select the **Pane** in which to display the text field. In the example above, this is the Grid.
5. Optionally, enter text to use as a **Prompt**, and specify the **Default content** for the field.
6. You can also open the **Input Bindings** section and select the **Initial Value** to populate the field from another source. To do this, you need to connect the Text Entry Control block to another Data source. For example, you could choose to present an [Option list](/documentation/docs/define-an-option-list) as the initial value so that the user can either select an option, or override it by entering text.
7. Click the **Apply** button to save your changes.