All choices for multi-choice field appear on web

[Barbara Heninger]

I apologize, this is probably a basic question, but I couldn't find it in the first 4 lists of forum questions.

We have FileMaker 5 and only just started using WebCompanion. The table and form views shown

for each record show ALL of the possible values for fields that have multiple-choice entries (e.g.

radio buttons, check boxes, pulldowns). How can I make WebCompanion show ONLY the entry

chosen for this record?

Example: field has two radio buttons, Yes and No. Both Yes and No appear for that field for record #1,

even though the record was entered with only "Yes" checked. In the equivalent FileMaker view, both

choices are shown but the radio button ALSO appears so I can tell which the user checked.

[Unable]

Hi Barbara,

"The table and form views ..." leads me to conclude that you are using IWP and not CWP. The best answer is to learn CWP.

If you must use IWP, then you must know that FileMaker has arranged things such that IWP writes HTML on-the-fly - BASED ON YOUR DB FILE DESIGN. IWP is WYSIWYG. The only way you can control the HTML generation is through good db file design, i.e., a db designed to take advantage of the on-the-fly characteristics of IWP. I surmise one learns this through trial-and-error.

Even with CWP, good design is 99% of a successful solution, but the db file can be designed with just one lay-out for web serving, and the majority of designing is in the format files and code.

[Barbara Heninger]

Hi, could you tell me what IWP and CWP are?

Sorry to be so uninformed!

[ErnieG]

Hi, Barbara

"Life's a dance you learn as you go." IWP is Instant Web Publishing, which is probably what you're using--the FileMaker default that makes things easy. CWP is Custom Web Publishing, which means knowing HTML and how to create Web pages that incorporate CDML, a special coding specific to FileMaker that pulls information from the database. So the "look" of your database is created in the web pages, which only draw on information from the database file.

I just made the switch myself in the last few weeks, and it was worth it for me. The database runs much faster, and you can do a lot more. But it was also a lot of effort and a big leap, conceputally. If you want to head that direction, look on the FileMaker web site for a CDML reference and "CDML tool" that helps incorporate that code into your web pages.

Unfortunately, I can't answer why the correct radio button wouldn't be marked in your IWP page. I used radio buttons in my IWP database, and they showed up OK. I might suggest trying another format in that field, like a "yes" and "no" popup menu. See if that works. If NOT, then there's something wrong with the information being entered, or your local browser. Maybe also go to another computer and try another browser.

Good luck.

Ernie