Allow users to save changes in FMD7 question

[Brewser]

Hello,

Two questions:

Is there a way to have the user select if they want to save changes to a field after making changes. I know this can be turned on or off under layout setup -> save changes automatically. I would like to put a check box or something on the layout so the user can select this. Why didn't they put this under the preferences?

Is there a way to create a check box so it would lock down all the fields for a certain record in a layout. I would like the user to be able to select this to protect the records of their choice.

Actually 3 questions -

I would like to export records to Excel, I know you can create a .csv, but it doesn't include the field names. You can use the .mer ext. but then the user would have to change the ext. manually. Is there a way to convert the ext. from .mer to .csv so the user wouldn't have to mess with this?

I am ready for 3 no's, but I need to see if any of these are possible.

Thanks for all your help.

[jonathanstark]

Brewser: Hello,

Is there a way to have the user select if they want to save changes to a field after making changes. I know this can be turned on or off under layout setup -> save changes automatically. I would like to put a check box or something on the layout so the user can select this. Why didn't they put this under the preferences?

js: I am not aware of any way to alter this setting without entering layout mode.

Brewser: Is there a way to create a check box so it would lock down all the fields for a certain record in a layout. I would like the user to be able to select this to protect the records of their choice.

js: yes (and it is not unique to 7):

- Create a number field named "Unlocked"

- Add calculated field validation to all of your user facing data entry fields that just contains the text "Unlocked" as the calulation

- Opt to display a custom message like "Are you sure you want to edit this record?"

- Opt to allow user override during data entry

- Create a value list called "1" with a single custom value of "1"

- Add the "Unlocked" field to a layout

- Attach the "1" value list to the field as checkboxes

- Resize the field so only the checkbox is showing

Now, whenever a record is edited, it will display a field validation warning if "Unlocked" is false. An example file is attached.

Brewser: I would like to export records to Excel, I know you can create a .csv, but it doesn't include the field names. You can use the .mer ext. but then the user would have to change the ext. manually. Is there a way to convert the ext. from .mer to .csv so the user wouldn't have to mess with this?

js: There are a couple ways to do this, the coolest of which is XML export with an XSL stylesheet. You can also do it with Applescript or shell scripting on the Mac, or batch files on the PC, but those are not as shiny and new.

Refer to the filemaker XSLT library here:

http://www.filemaker.com/technologies/xslt_library.html

UnlockedExample.fp7.zip

[Brewser]

Thanks Jonathan, The unlock feature is exactly what I was looking for. This over rides the field lock per layout. It works great and exactly what I was looking for. I haven't tried the Excel export through XML yet. I have done the HTML reports through XML using the XSL Stylesheet and it works great. I had to do some minor adjustments to the stylesheet (and I have no idea what I am doing with XSL), but with enough playing around I was able to get it to work. The only thing I couldn't figure out is how do I add a link to my web site on the bottom of the HTML document using the XML export through the XSL stylesheet. What I have done is just put my url on the bottom, but you can't click on it.

Do you have a good example of how to do this?

Thanks,

Brad

[alt_de_lete]

to see the export files heading save the export as an html file when asked to choose file type

[Brewser]

Alt, that is the easiest fix I have seen. You can actually name the file .xsl and save file type as .htm. It works great.

Do you guys know how to add a url hyperlink to the bottom of html output that has been created with XML using the XSL Stylesheet that comes with FMD7?

Wow you guys are great. Thanks again.

[Brewser]

I found one problem with the lock fields. If you have the default set to lock records and you made a duplicate, you will have to go through a series of answering yes in the dialog box several times. Is there a way to do this for a group of fields instead of individually?

Thanks again