merge field within a field?

[beenet]

I currently use <<merge field>> to print out form letters. However, I just purchased a FM plug-in that now allows me to email letters from within FM. Therefore, I'd like to start sending customized emails, or "form emails."

My problem is, how do I create a field that contains <<merge field>> dynamic content?

I've set up the email plug-in to email content within the field "email_letter." I would like to learn how to create a cusomized letters within this field. For example:

Dear <<username>>,

Thanks for your interest in <<producet_name>>

This currently works within a Layout. But, how do you create custom letters within a field?

Thanks.

-David

[yafreax]

Probably the same way they do it in there example. Define Email Letter as a calc field:

Email_Letter (Calc, text)

"Dear " & username & ",

[beenet]

Using a "calc field" works great!

However, am I limited to only 256 characters? I tried placing a long "form" letter within this calc field, but I get an error prompt telling me that i've exceded 256 characters. Can I somehow merge 2 calc fields or can I create a calc field that can exceed 256 characters?

-David

[JPaul]

Hello Beenet,

insterad of use calc. field try to use a standard global field.

Certainly you have a button to send the mail, then assign to this button the right actions to fill in this global field with the proper contents.

I had no problems with this.

For questions here we are.

Regards & greetings from Holy Lands.

[beenet]

I don't follow. The calc fields works great, but it's limited to 256 characters. A global field doesn't seem to make sense because the content needs to be dynamic, ie. dear "Dear " & username & ",

[JPaul]

Hi Beenet,

global fields aren't, by definition, static or dynamic but their condition depends exclusively from the use you intend to do !!.

If you script, you can treat them as they would be calculated fields.

For example, i can put in globals other fields and add to them portions of fixed / floating text or anything the application flow needs.

I suggest you to put the fixed portion of your letters in globals, for short:

g_header="Dear"

g_body="Thanks for your interest in "

g_greetings="Best Regards"

then launch a script that, looping thru the selected items of your customer db, paste the proper fields into the general global (g_letter), then, in metastatements:

define g_letter=""

goto first record (of the found set)

loop

define g_letter=g_header & db_customername & "

[proton]

quote:

---

Originally posted by beenet:

I currently use <<merge field>> to print out form letters. However, I just purchased a FM plug-in that now allows me to email letters from within FM. Therefore, I'd like to start sending customized emails, or "form emails."

My problem is, how do I create a field that contains <<merge field>> dynamic content?

I've set up the email plug-in to email content within the field "email_letter." I would like to learn how to create a cusomized letters within this field. For example:

Dear <<username>>,

Thanks for your interest in <<producet_name>>

This currently works within a Layout. But, how do you create custom letters within a field?

Thanks.

-David

---

beenet,

Just an observance. Did you know that filemaker has an email script step that allows you to email records or merge fields or whatever? I'm just wondering. Because with the filemaker email step, you can just find the records you want to email, and you can email them and that's that, using whatever layout and merge fields you want.

I think maybe you got the plugin for extra functionality that filemaker doesn't have in email. If so, why can't it use the same layout that filemaker does (with your merge fields and so on). Seems strange that it can't. Anyways, was just wondering...

[Addam]

QUESTION!?!?

Where can I get that plug-in!? It would be great to email some of my documents/layouts to my clients...

That would help sooo much!

can anyone help?

~Addam~

[JPaul]

Hello Addam,

for your troubles take a look to the plugins sections at:

www.filemaker.com

www.fmfiles.com

Hope this resolve your problems.

[ June 04, 2001: Message edited by: JPaul ]