DataField is a String name of field, but all DBaware components has also a property Field:TField (Suprise?) it contain the object create for every field in que datasource. And it is used very often. Yopu can see all standard DBware component has it, yours descendent of standard also has, but not the inherited from non-DB ones (I think only the TrDBDateTimePicker and TrDBLabel)
Having only the name you must address the Field using FieldByName, it works but not as quick or nice as access direct to the Field
hugs