GetAsText returns "?"

[Philip Sommers]

I've looked at many posts regarding the use of [color:red]GetAsText to return the path of files stored in a container field, but I've yet to see one that explains my problem.

We have a database hosted on Server 7 that has Excel spreadsheets inserted as an object from file (link, display as icon) in a container field. The Excel files were initially stored locally but, of course, we want to move them to a server where everyone can access them. I want to use GetAsText to return the file name, then use another calculation to generate the new path to the file on the server.

However, when I created a field using GetAsText (mycontainer), Filemaker 8 returns only "?". I have tried moving the file directory where the spreadsheets are located into the Filemaker 7 Server folder and re-inserting a few of the files, but I still get the "?". I even tried creating a new database on my Desktop with only two fields (the container and the GetAsText calculation)and inserting a spreadsheet that is also on the desktop, but it still doesn't work.

I am using Windows XP. Does GetAsText work in Windows? What am I doing wrong here?

[wonfuji]

This is, admitedly a Mac'ish note, but I get the "?" on a container when I do GetAsText on a pasted image.

[Lee Smith]

From the online help.

Description

Returns data as data type text, for use with formulas involving text or text functions. data can be data type number, date, time, timestamp, or container.

For a container field, GetAsText returns external path information, text (when the container contains text that does not resolve into a valid path), or a question mark [color:blue](?) if the container data is embedded in the database.

Lee

[Vaughan]

Reading the online help is CHEATING. :

[Philip Sommers]

Thanks, guys. I guess linking by inserting constitutes embedding, based on the "?" that is returned.

Next question: How do you return the filename of the file "embedded" in the container field?

[Lee Smith]

Embedded = placed in File. Therefore there isn't a file path or file name.

Lee

[Philip Sommers]

Thanks, Lee.