Variable set to hidden still flickers/ shows temporarily

[peterscaramuzzo]

I have a multiple choice variable that I have set as hidden but I still see if flicker / show temporarily at the top of my catalog item on the initial load. It's for debugging and I do not want the users to see it. I have some actions that will set it visible which work, but I want to stop it from initially flickering when the page loads. There is nothing that I have found that I am doing currently that would set it visible. I even have an onload script that has a setDisplay() to false. I would think setting the variable properties to hidden would be an overriding factor but it is not. Also there does not seem to be hidden property on the variable itself but I did find one I could set through the variable listing.  Last, setting it to Inactive resolves this issue but I have no way to set it back to active through a change script.

[Brad Bowman · Accepted solution]

Either use an onLoad Catalog Client Script, or the hidden checkbox on the variable definition (add to your form if it is not displayed), or a Catalog UI Policy.  Try one at a time to see if there is a difference.  I believe the script and UI Policy briefly display on load, I'm not sure about the checkbox.  A workaround is to set the order last, so perhaps it's not as visible during that split second? You can also add the variable to a container / section, then load the form with the section collapsed.  

[peterscaramuzzo]

I have given up on trying to stop the flickering. My hidden variable was at the top and I moved it out view. So by the time the page refreshes it won't be seen. That's the only thing that seems to work at this point!!!

[peterscaramuzzo]

How do I add the hidden checkbox to the form for my variable? I tried different views and nada. People on the web have mentioned it should be on the question tab but I don't see it.

[Brad Bowman]

Mine is in the main section.  If it's already on one you might not be able to add it to another.  There could also be a policy hiding it.  If that's giving you trouble, you can also add it to the related list view and change it from there: