calendar drop down boxes not appearing with timestamp datatype

[YKB]

I'm having a problem with Instant Web Publishing, where my calendar drop down box isn’t appearing on the screen, but only when I am accessing the file through IWP.

I have a SQL backend database, where there are some date fields which are of a date/time data type (which means that in FileMaker these fields are automatically made to be of type timestamp). I have set up the layout so that these fields have a drop down calendar available, to make it easier for the users to enter the date in the correct format.

When I am in browse mode on FileMaker I am able to use and see the drop down calendar. However if I access the file through IWP, the drop down calendar doesn't show up, not in any mode, browse or find.

Originally I thought that IWP wasn't able to display the drop down calendars, but then I created a field, which is of type text and assigned it to have a drop down calendar box. When I opened the file through IWP, only THIS field’s drop down calendar showed up.

Is this a known problem? Is there a way of getting around it? I was thinking to try and change the data type that FileMaker sets up for date/time data types, so change it from being a timestamp to text... but it doesn’t let me change the data type

Any help would be very much appreciated

Regards

YKB

[Vaughan]

Let me check the facts: the trouble is with the fields formatted as drop-down calendar, and the fields are from a back-end SQL database?

My guess is that the fields are read-only because the IWP does not extend to the SQL database.

Is the SQL database accessed using ESS?

[YKB]

No, our database isn't accessed using ESS

The original field, in SQL is a date/time field

When I link the database to FileMaker, it automatically configures this field to be a timestamp field... and I can't change it to be any other field. when I add a drop down calendar to the field I am able to use and see this drop down calendar (when viewing the file through FileMaker itself) but when viewing the file through IWP I can't see or use the drop down calendar, I have to enter the date manually, meaning that I also have to enter a time with it... the users of the application won’t be happy to be entering a time with every date. So I need to overcome this problem.

[Vaughan]

From the FMP Help...

"The drop-down calendar inserts the current date and time in an empty timestamp field."

When entering another date (other than the current date) what time will it enter?

I don't think the drop down calendar is a good data entry format for a timestamp field, regardless of whether it's used through IWP or not. The calendar only enters a date.

[YKB]

On the contrary, when using a calendar you only need to select the date and it will enter the current time for you

[IdealData]

I made a recent topic myself on DATE and TIME fields...

The FM knowledge base shows that SQL Server doesn't have a corresponding entry for DATE or TIME fields (all other variants of SQL do, however!)

So, how do I handle the SQL field if I only have a date, like a transaction date, and I want to update the SQL field.

Conversely, when I read the SQL field will I only get the date part back into my transaction date?

Will I need to redefine my transaction date to be an FM Timestamp.

If any one can give a "heads up" on similar items then that would be great.

Maybe a clue?