Layout format for displaying and editing

[FMMoron]

Hello - I'm developing a db in V5.5 for creating printed ads. The way I set it up is this: I have a field for every ad piece (8 of them each on different layouts) and a field which identifies which category it is (called "Category" and is prefilled with the appropriate category name). The user selects which record they want with a checkbox from each layout.

Here's where I need help.

When they are done selecting I have a script which finds the selections (based on the category field), goes to another layout and displays them in a list. To display them I placed text in the body like this <><><>> there are 8 total and they display nicely one on top of the other. My problem is that using this method, if the text isn't just right you cannot edit the text. I could have them go back to the appropriate layout and make the changes, but I would prefer to not have them leave this layout.

I am using 5.5 and this will be made into a stand alone with developer 5.

Thanks for your help!

Bob

[ThatOneGuy]

Can't quite follow what you're reporting. Can you explain a little more?

To display them I placed text in the body like this <><><>> ...

You're talking about Merge Fields in a text block with these opening and closing chevrons, right? Or are these true fields?

... and they display nicely one on top of the other.

... you're breaking up ... are you "stacking" these things?

... if the text isn't just right you cannot edit the text.

... and now I'm puzzled (which occurs pretty easily). If you're using Merge Fields, one wouldn't be able to edit their contents in Browse Mode, but it doesn't sound like that's what you mean.

Just trying to offer a hand or at least kickstart your thread.

[FMMoron]

Thanks for helping. It's hard to explain cause I don't know what EVERYTHING is called, but I'll try.

I am using merge fields with the opening and closing chevrons. When displayed in list mode they are listed much like regular fields are in list mode, but you don't have the option of entering or editing text this way, because there is no actual field.

There is no "stacking". I just listed each field in the same merge field text block on one line in that layout.

I know that using this method, you wouldn't be able to edit in browse mode. I was just hoping that there was a dialog/message box type popup or some other kind of scripting function that I don't know about.

I appreciate your reply. I'm sorry if I'm not explaining very clearly. I suppose I could post the db and you (and others) could look at it.

Thanks again for your help.

Bob

[FMMoron]

Ok I've zipped a copy of the file for you to look at. When you open the file, you should see a group of buttons. Click "Headlines" and then click the yellow button on the top right named "Preview The Ad". This will show you the layout I'm having trouble with. You should see 8 records each displaying on their own line.

Here is where I'm having trouble. If you read the words, they don't exactly make sense. I'd like the user to be able to edit right here so there is no confusion as to how edit the text.

Again, I'm not sold on displaying it in this type of layout, so if you feel there is a better way, I'd love to hear it. Of course if this is fine and I just need to tweak something, that's great too.

Thanks again.

Bob

ADWRITERforum.zip

[ThatOneGuy]

Hi Bob!

Thanks for providing the file; it's a big help.

As you noted, editing can occur only in true fields. The script step "Show Custom Dialog" has some Input options for up to 3 fields. I threw one together and verified it would work. However, you're displaying the merged contents of 8 fields, so this won't get us far.

OTOH, I noticed you want to allow users to "reorder" the Ad elements ... it may be time for one of those rhetorical "Is that a critical feature?" questions.

Your current construct is similar to this scenario ... (1) having an Addresses file with fields for Address, City, County, State, Zip while (2) requiring users to enter an Address in one record, a City in a second record, a County in another record, et al., then (3) pulling together the complete address in 5 records in List View.

What about this tack? Since these 8 fields reside in the same file (table), and since you don't have any relationships, could you not simply display all 8 fields from a single record? List View, as it's now built, would not be necessary (although you could certainly display multiple Ads in a list view).

Is there something I'm missing?

[FMMoron]

I don't believe displaying all fields from one record will work because only the appropriate field from each record has content in it. In other words, if the record is displaying the contents from a Headline, all of the other display fields for this record are blank.

Sorting definately isn't the most important feature, but it would be a nice one.

Thanks. I guess I'm stuck.

[ThatOneGuy]

Well, keep thinkin' ... something will click.

Best of luck and post again if you need.

[bruceR]

This would be a lot easier in FileMaker 7 or 8. You don't have to create so many specialized layouts. And your profile says you're using 7. Why try to do this in 5? Structurally you're approaching this completely wrong. You're creating seperate fields rather than related records where type is a record attribute instead of a field name. It's like you're creating seperate fields for Smith and Jones and Adams instead of having a last name field.

[FMMoron]

I do normally use FM 7 but I need to distribute this as a stand alone application using developer. I only have developer 5. I didnt buy FM 7 pro.

As far as my overall structure goes, I did a test with related db's as a test before I started this thing and my relationships all broke once I sent it thru Dev 5.

Have you had any experience with this?

[bruceR]

Yes. It works fine, and people developed solutions and runtimes all the time in FM6. So you must be doing something wrong. But that may be yet another reason to do this in 7 or 8; you can keep everything in one file.