How to open pdf files unique within each record ?

[shadowdoc]

I don't know why I can't figure this out, but HELP. I'm trying to create a simple script step to open an external pdf file that will be linked to each record by a field that is set with file path, etc. So when a record is linked to a specific pdf, that file will be launched when the script is activated. This has to be simple, but I've tried "open file" and "send event" with no success....the pdfs will be stored on a server and the whole solution eventually run under FMP server.

I'm running WinXP. When I try to send an event via a calculation to open the path set by a second field, I get the error:"Cannot open the file C:Documents"...as though it's not reading the whole path for the file...

I just tried to make the link field a container and set the Object to a the pdf file via OLE, but the results are inconsistent...many OLE errors...

[transpower]

I'm having a similar problem to yours and am still working on it. Perhaps someone at the "Expert" skill level will help. I downloaded the EventScript Plug-In (which is free from www.softs4humans.com) and perhaps that will solve the problem; it can launch a script from a calculation field.

[MarkWilson]

shadowdoc,

I like to use the Open URL script step. It supports file, ftp, http, and mailto URLs.

Also, if the file path is visible to the user the file can be opened via a right-click option (Windows) or Control-click (Mac).

[shadowdoc]

Sweeeeet...

Open URL seems like the way to go. THANK YOU !

I can get this to work on my local C: drive (after adding the all important .pdf at the end of the filename so it knows which app to launch), but I can't get it to work across the VPN to a file on the server. It is probably a path syntax error...any ideas on the necessary path syntax ?

[MarkWilson]

I am fairly new to VPNs so I may be wrong,but...

I connected to my office VPN.

I have files stored on the H: drive on my Server.

I have mapped the Server's H: drive on my computer as H:.

I has able to open a file by file://H:test.txt as my computer considers the file to be a local file because Windows find the path to the H: drive on the Server.

and I could also open a file on an unmapped drive by using file://Server/F/test.txt as I have specified the path to the file's location on the Server.

Note that the ":" is dropped in the second path.

If you can open the file from Start > Run > it can be opened from a script.

Hope this helps.

Mark

[transpower]

The script step Open URL will display another program in another window; it will not Insert Object into a container field.