Seamlessly open file in Container

[eddyb2]

Hi all,

My first request for help would be to see if it was possible to script the opening of a file contained in a container without having to first save the file, but I am now starting to believe that this is impossible and the file must be saved locally first.

So my next question. I can setup the script to export the field contents - I do not want the user to see the save as dialog box or even know they are saving the document, i want them to click a button and the file opens seamlessly.

So, in the script I set the file path to c:/windows/temp/ (this solution will only ever be used on PCs) and I set to automatcially open the file after saving.

But i will not know what the file type is so I cannot specify to save it as temp1.xls or temp1.pdf etc

Is there anyway I can set the file path to C:/Windows:/temp/ ?? I could use getastext getfiled.... and so on but I do not see a way of using a calc to specify the save as filename?

If someone could in fact tell me an easier way of setting a script to open the file from the container regardless of file type withou any user interactiona at all I would be extremely grateful.

Many thanks

Ed

[comment]

You are correct - in order to open a file that is embedded in a container field, you must export it first.

I do not see a way of using a calc to specify the save as filename?

You do this by defining a script variable as the destination path, then using it in the export, for example:

Set Variable [ $path ; Get (TemporaryPath) & GetAsText ( Table::ContainerField ) ]

Export Field Contents [ Table::ContainerField ; $path ; Automatically open ]

[eddyb2]

Thanks Comment - looks like it should work perfectly, but am coming accross a small issue.

The variable idea works great but the temp path is what I am having a problem with

If I use Get(TemporaryPath)& GetAsText(Table::Field) I receive an error when trying to open the file...

"Test.pdf" could not be created on this disk. Use a different name, make more room on the disk, unlock it or use a different disk

I created a temporary field and set this to Get(TemporaryPath) to see where it was going...

/C:/Windows/Temp/S13/

Now I am not sure how Get(TemporaryPath) works but the folder S13 does not exist in the Temp directory on my PC. I even tried creating this folder and running it again but still the same error.

I have full admin rights to the PC.

On the upside, if I set the Path to export to filewin:/C:/Windows/Temp/$Path it works great so thanks for that but I would like to use your suggestion using the Get(TemporaryPath) - didn't know this existed - as this will work on any terminal regardless, but I am having the issue.

Any ideas how to solve the error message please?

Again, many thanks for your help, this is working great but if I could use the Get function it would be even better!

Ed

[eddyb2]

Having read a few other posts on this eror message I have got it working by adding the filewin: to the path so...

Set Variable [$path; Value:"filewin:" & Get (temporaryPath) & GetAsText (table::field)]

Works great now, slight shame because now doesn't work on macs but it never will be used on macs so not an issue for now!

Thanks again

Ed

[bcooney]

If you just use "file:" instead of "filewin:" I believe it'll work cross-platform.

Or, you could use Get (SystemPlatform) to intelligently create the path.

[eddyb2]

Perfect. Thanks for your help all