can't mix fields with text

[microcars]

I can send emails, but I can't seem to grasp how to pull data from a field in each record and place it in the message body with some text.

The only way I can get a Field Name to appear in the message body is if I use:

${microcar-database}::First Name

this is what shows up when I select that field from the dropdown menu.



If I try to add text to the message body as well, FM won't let me continue and says:

[color:red]"An Operator (e.g. +, -,*,...) is expected here"



I've noticed other scripts here for mixing Fields and text like this:

"Dear" & (microcar-database::First Name) & "," & ¶¶ &



"blah blah blah" 

but when I try to format it like that it won't work.

I am missing something here, but don't know what.

The actual emailing part is not a problem, I just can't seem to format it properly even when I have what appears to be a working example to crib off of.

[Genx]

Bad idea to go with that table name in the firstplace, why couldn't you just use microcar_database ??

Anyway:

"Dear " & ${microcar-database}::First Name & ", ¶¶blah blah pursuit of happyness, blah blah, life is not fun¶¶Thank you Mr. " & $(microcar-database}:Last Name & "¶¶¶¶ Sincerely, ¶¶ James Franklin"

Produces:

Dear Will,

blah blah pursuit of happyness, blah blah, life is not fun

Thank you Mr. Smith

Sincerely,

James Franklin

[microcars]

oh...so was the "-" in the table name causing the problem?

I can change that!

I usually hate using underscores, but I will make an exception.

But your version works. I had tried something similar to it in the past using what I *thought* was the same syntax, but I guess I screwed up something.

thanks for taking the time to help

[Genx]

No, that wasn't causing the problem it was just syntax, but if you don't use mathematical operators in your table / field names it becomes:

microcars_database::first name

instead of:

${microcars-database}::first name

[microcars]

I think I will change the name of the table anyways and stay away from "-" from now on.

a whole new world has opened up to me, thank you.

(I'm new to this in case you can't tell....)

[Genx]

Glad I could help :

Edited February 17, 2007 by Guest