Capturing search criteria

[uabresch]

Users in my database can print a number of lists on the fly (names and addresses, names and centres, names and goals, stuff like that). They will print these list after entering a variety of search criteria.

My question is, can I somehow isolate, or capture, the search criteria entered by the user so that it can be printed on the list (e.g., centre="xxxxx" and age=<25).

Thank you.

Ursula

[LiveOak]

The general techinque is to have the users perform searches under script control. In the script you would take the users to a screen where the search criteria are selected/entered into global fields. Upon pressing a button "search" or "continue", the script would then do whatever was necessary to format a display of search criteria for the printed layout and also enter find mode and setup the actual find requests.

-bd

[uabresch]

Thank you, but, that would only work for a set number of search criteria, right? Not for ANY search or "find" the user happens to enter, unless I have a ton of globals and a huge (and totally ugly) search entry screen. Or am I missing something?

[Kurt Knippel]

You are missing something...you will need to place more control on finds in order to accomplish your goal.

I understand you reluctance to do this, but consider this...do users really do searches on that many fields? I'd bet that they do not, ask them.

Here is a suggestion, give the user options: canned/preset or script controlled finds or a custom find. The canned/preset and script controlled finds you can name explicitly, since you know what fields or criteria was used in the find. The custom find you can make as broad or narrow as you would like, but simply label it "Custom Find".

[uabresch]

Thank you. I like your idea of presenting both options to the user. You're right, most finds are routine, but there are exceptions. I still wish it were possible to capture search criteria directly.

Thanks again.