open URL (again)

[domb]

Hello. Trying to make a database of pdfs.

I would like to assign one button (representing the first page of the pdf) to each pdf. When I click the button it would open the desired pdf in Acrobat.

I managed to make it work with the "open URL" script. I made lots of small fields in which I inserted the pdfs (so that the first page would be visible). Then I assigned a button for each field performing the script "open URL" with the path file:///computer/users/myuser/folderpdf/file1.pdf ...file2.pdf ...file 3.pdf etc..

The problems I have are:

1) Is it possible to add the path to each pdf automatically ?

The problem is that I had to manually enter all the paths to each pdfs

It would be better if the paths would automatically be inserted in the open URL script after I inserted the picture in the field. Is it possible and if yes how to do this ?

2) How to make relative paths ? I mean by that, if I move my database to another computer and/or user with the folder "folderpdf" containing my pdfs, will the links be preserved ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[falkaholic]

What you need to use is the 'Specify Field' function in OpenURL. For example, have a calculation field that puts the base path and the file name in one string and use that.

[domb]

Thanks, gonna try this...and what about relative paths ? Will I be able to move my database around without any problems ?

[domb]

I am not able to make it work :-(

Picture 1 is a field type container containing my pdf. I assigned a button over this field to perform the Open URL script: Open URL [No dialog, "Picture 1"] but nothing happens when I click on this button.

I tried to make a "calculation" field instead of a container field but then I was not able to insert my pdf anymore.

??

[domb]

someone ? Please help me...

[-Queue-]

You cannot use a container to provide the string for a URL. It is undefined, I should think. You need a text calculation that concatenates the constant and variable piecies of the URL. I assume you're tracking the name of the pdf in another field. Use that for your calculation.

[domb]

Thanks for your answer but uh ? ....Sorry I am new to this...

How do you actually do this ?

[stuj1026]

Lets back up for a minute.

Why bother using a container field at all..

Each record in you DB will represent a PDF file.

create a text field called "Name_of_pdf" . Create another text field called "Description of PDF" One more field called "path to PDF" this last field "path to pdf is a calculation =

"c:computerusersmyusers" & Name_of_pdf & ".pdf"

Now create a button using the open URL script step which will open the calculation field. This will work..

Stu

[domb]

Excellent works very well !! Thank you very much stuj1026 !!