Filemaker to Indesign CS5 - Exporting Records and Related Records

[lanceomni]

My database includes resume information which is to be exported into an Indesign template. My current solution is to use applescript to push fields into my layout. Using Comment's helpful tips, I have also explored exporting records to XML with stylesheet for import into my layout.

My current issue is in regard to related records and their order. For instance, I have the following tables:

Contacts

Experience

Experience holds multiple versions of narrative to include as a description. The user would choose between a list of narratives from this table and only one would be needed for export to Indesign.

Education_Affiliations

E_A holds a list of degrees, certifications, and affiliations which will be in the form of bullet points in the indesign layout.

Projects

Projects contain each project details. I have a Join table to relate them to Contacts as Projects/Contacts are many-to-many.

Question 1

I would like to create a layout in Filemaker that would allow me to manually sort the order of the related Projects. We revise the order differently for each use and the sort would not be logical enough to actual have filemaker sort the related records. Physically being able to drag or move the order from within a portal is ideal.

Question 2

I would then need to export them. I have much more experience in exporting to a predefined layout via Applescript. My Filemaker Scripts usually load the needed information as $variables and then exports them directly into Indesign using a Calculated Applescript.

I just spent the better part of the day converting old Applescripts created for CS3 so that they work with CS5. There has been significant changes in the syntax.

I am not apposed to a different option such as exporting to XML with stylesheet and using Applescript to load the XML into my layout. Though Comment's help with stylesheets was extremely useful, It is a difficult subject. I have downloaded and purchase a few books on the topic but I am a visual learner and have been searching to no avail for example files of the two questions above.

If anyone has suggestions as to the direction I should take or if you have seen examples of what I am looking to do, I would appreciate the advice.

[anthrob]

Hi,

I actually specialize in this type of database publishing.

I would require more information but I may be able to help.

[lanceomni]

Anthony,

Thank you for your reply. Have you produced layouts which are created from multiple related tables with records sorted manually? If so, how do you handle the sorting prior to export?

What additional information would you require to provide assistance? Do you have any samples I could digg through in order to learn how they have been constructed.

[brian rich]

Question 1

I would like to create a layout in Filemaker that would allow me to manually sort the order of the related Projects. We revise the order differently for each use and the sort would not be logical enough to actual have filemaker sort the related records. Physically being able to drag or move the order from within a portal is ideal.

Excelisys have a demo file thay call Portal Line Shift which allows the user to move portal lines about. This might help you.

http://www.excelisys...o-downloads.php

The last time I built an FM application for publishing package, it was Pagemaker - that shows my age!

I always got the most consistent results by exporting the required text from Filemaker having built style tags around it, then importing the tag file into a Pagemaker template which had the styles defined. Not used InDesign much, so I don't know if it supports tagged text imports. I much prefer the export/import approach as you can look at the data that is being passed.

FWIW I produce a membership handbook directly from an FMP database on a regular basis, which provides information to purchasers about the 100 individual member organisations. One script numbers the pages, creates three separate indexes, adds in-line information about national and regional officers. It's all done though FMs PDF capability and it's ability to append PDF files - no publishing package needed.

I also use tag file techniques to generate in-line HTML files from this database which I load up by FTP to the organisations website. The CSS on the website defines the style, FM adds CSS tags around the data as it concatenates it from the database.

HTH

Brian

[comment]

Re question #1, see:

http://fmforums.com/...post__p__285451

Re question #2:

Records are never "sorted manually". You can change manually the field values by which the records are sorted - but then Filemaker sorts the records (related or found) by that field.

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BTW, when exporting as XML, you can also use the stylesheet to sort the records. But usually it's easier to do it in Filemaker before exporting.

Edited December 9, 2011 by comment

[lanceomni]

Brian & Michael,

Thank you both for your responses.

@Brian - I have not seen this example. It is a free unlocked example. I have found several other similar examples but they have all been paid solutions. In my past, I have automated many of my daily tasks and for the last year have been attempting to encourage my current firm to establish some automation.

It has been frustrating more recently with Indesign 6 and 7. They have significantly changed the syntax for Applescript. This has forced me to rewrite most of the scripts that I have dug up from earlier years. In addition, it has been difficult searching for solutions as most were for version 4 (CS3) or earlier.

My scripts mostly set variables for certain fields and applied them to target frames in my layout. I believe that it I should focus my time on mastering XML and stylesheets. This seems to be the way to go when it comes to dynamic publishing.

Thanks again for your assistance. I appreciate the response.

@Michael - This example is also great. As mentioned in my post, my related records are many-to-many. I believe I can use my join table to store the "rank". Something else of interest, is the ability to Omit certain items from the portal. I know a portal is just a window to related records. Would the best option be to have a field to designate "hidden"? I need to see how this would export. The other option would be to do the same thing but use the stylesheet to only return items that have the Hidden field set to "no".

I will work on your example and respond back with my results.