Storing Word doc etc in Filemaker 7

[ddinisco]

If you use the insert file script option to actually store the file within FMP in a container field, how do you either open the stored file or copy it out of filemaker? I don't want to store the reference path. I wish to store an actual Word doc. And then I want to either launch the word doc from within filemaker, or be able to copy to the desktop to open it. What am I missing here?

[Michael Myett]

The easiest way is to create a script

Set Error Capture [On]

Export Field Contents [Your Field]

and run from a button next to the container field storing your documents. Leave the "specify output file" unchecked.

If you make any changes to the file, reimport the newly edited file back into the database to replace original.

You can also export and launch the file by hard coding the export to a known folder, for example ...windowstemptemp.doc

then using "Send Event" script step to launch temp.doc.

If you store several different file types, you'll need to create a conditional script parsing out the file extension and then opening the proper temp file based on this information. Once again, if you make chamges you will need to reimport the newly edited file back into your database.

You can even script the reimport of the edited file with some careful error trapping and a working knowledge of command line functions.

HTH

[ddinisco]

Michael

Thanks for your response. That seems like it may work. I guess the one draw would be that two people could be modifing the same document (if save to their local desktop) at the same time. Do you know if there are any other drawbacks (like speed or file size) to storing numerous files within a database?

David

[andygaunt]

You could set another field with the person's name who exported the document and then the next person who tries to get it can be told it is being edited by someone else.

As to drawbacks on speed and file size it comes down to your hardware and network speed.