$F() function

$F() returns the value of any field input control (e.g. text boxes or drop-down lists). The function $F() can take as argument either the element id or the element object itself.

In Lotus Notes, when you create a field, it will only generate the fieldname.
eg <input type="text" name="Name" value="my name"/>

When using $F("Name") to retrieve the value, it works on IE but not on Mozilla. To get it working cross browser an id need to be inserted.

At the Field Property 'HTML' tab, key in the Name of the field into the 'ID'. This would create
<input type="text" name="Name" id="Name" value="my name"/>