Informix Error -1105: You cannot use this editing feature because a picture exists.

Cause and resolution

You cannot use this editing feature because a picture exists.

This field is defined (in the form specification file) with a PICTURE attribute to specify its format. You cannot use certain editing keys (for example, CTRL-A, CTRL-D, and CTRL-X) while you are editing such a field. Use only printable characters and the backspace to enter the value.

For 4GL programs, -1303 replaces this error.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-1105 fires when certain editing keys are used on a field that has a PICTURE attribute defined in the form specification — per the official guidance, PICTURE fields specify a fixed input format, and some editing keys (CTRL-A, CTRL-D, CTRL-X) aren't usable against that fixed format; -1303 is the equivalent error for 4GL programs specifically.

A CTRL-A/CTRL-D/CTRL-X editing key pressed on a PICTURE-formatted field, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.
Muscle-memory habits from editing free-form fields carried over to a PICTURE field without realizing the format restricts which editing keys work.

Solutions / Resolution

Enter values using only printable characters and backspace, per the official guidance, on PICTURE-formatted fields.
Avoid CTRL-A/CTRL-D/CTRL-X specifically on these fields.

Examples

The form specification's PICTURE attribute

ATTRIBUTES
  phone = customer_phone,
    PICTURE = "###-###-####";

Pressing CTRL-D (or similar) while editing this field triggers -1105.

Diagnostic Checks

Check whether the field has a PICTURE attribute in the form specification, and use only printable characters and backspace to edit it.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-1303 — The 4GL-program equivalent of this same PICTURE-field editing restriction.

A PICTURE-formatted field restricts editing to printable characters and backspace — avoid CTRL-A/CTRL-D/CTRL-X there (see -1303 for the 4GL-program equivalent).