Digital Workshop

finally got it working. The reason why it wouldn't work---I had entered the password when creating the DSN and in the pub properties under EDITOR, BUT NOT under PUBLISHED, because I wasn't publishing, but it's still needed there. If you delete the password at the EDITOR section, it still works. What is a bit confusing....if you delete the DSN and create a new one, it prompts for a password and also asks if you want to use this password in the publication and subsequently automatically enters it into the password slot in the EDITOR box, but not in the PUBLISHED box and without that, it won't work??? If I had signed in and seen macavi's screenshot, I might have spotted it!!!
SO...to sum up---DSN access database ...if you are using a password protected access database, the password must be entered in BOTH the PUBLISHED and EDITOR boxes of the database tab of the publication properties.

Thanks macklavi

This one is kind of critical. I can't depend on each end-user having an up to date Access program or latest driver in order to use the database inside the Opus pub.

Anyway, am stuck on the step of storing new data to the database. Have added a check to allow the query to update, tried to select the correct fields and connect to the variables, set up a text input with an any key pressed trigger and update current record action.

Not working in preview. Must be something I'm missing, though logically it should work.

Again, the end-user needs to be able to enter a large amount of data in runtime, which would need to be stored in the database, a file copy of which would be sent as an email attachment to me or others. Hope database actions can do this! Otherwise, all for naught.

Again, thanks for your continued help.

Kind Regards,

Hi Sandy

Good news that it now works! Mackavi's discovery, not mine.

OK if your up to it: a quick list of what I now need to do to allow the end-user to enter new data in to 3 text input boxes, each connected to one of the 3 variables: NAME, AGE, OCCUPATION, so that the Access database table updates to the new data. As mentioned in the previous posting, can't seem to get it to work correctly. Placed the check to allow changes but probably set the next screens incorrectly. Anyway, whatever variations I try, won't work.

Or, even better, if you have a moment to post the .imp with a page added which will update the database, it would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Well Stephen,

It seems I'm wrong, the Publication can connect to the ACCDB file with an ODBC connection. Just to make sure, DL the attached zip and run the publication, as most my settings will be different to yours, if you see the data, then it does work!!!!

Mack

OK stephen,

Have created a working example for you. Included is the ILM and an EXE.

Page one will display the data and update and changes to the fields when next or previous are click.

Page two is for adding a new record(s).

Your saves will fail for numerous reason including data type mismatches and problems with the primary key (auto number).

In your MDB create an ID as auto number and set this as the primary key. In Opus, ensure that your queries all return the ID field, but don't display it as an editable text both and DON'T include this field when updating records.

Mackavi

Hi Mack

Thanks for your help.

So far, I ran the DB2 executable and the data was there. It sounds like this is good news: the user won't need Access or an ODBC driver installed, let alone the latest versions, to use the database. Hope this holds true for the user entering data in runtime, as well.

Next, I'll try out the other download. Again, thank you for this help.

Kind Regards,

Hi

Thanks Mack. I reviewed the interactiv pub and .imp. Since I didn't have the same connection on my computer, the update current record action was difficult for me to follow.

So, I'm still stuck trying to figure out how to update the DB with new data. I tried using Robin Garrett's tutorial (see link below), step-by-step, but can't get the DB to save and then re-display a change.

I wondered if part of the tutorial instruction is missing?

http://www.digitalgrapevine.info/viewtopic.php?t=9&highlight=database+tutorial

Points 9, 10 and 11 are not available choices when selecting the update current record action.

In any event, although I carefully followed the instructions and choices that were available (tried it a few times), it doesn't seem to work in terms of saving a changed data item to the Access DB.

Any help with updating a DB would be appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Hi Stephen,

I thought that it might be a problem trying to recreate the links. That might be an ongoing problem.

I've included a flash demo of creating the database and one for creating the first part of the opus pub. It will allow you to review the data in the MDB and edit it BUT not add a new record yet.

If you can get it set up, then at least we are working from the same example. However, it will work first time, but let me know. I'll work on the new record part after we get the basic updating working.

Mackavi

Stephen,

This is part II of the above files, because the first hit the upload limit for attachments.

Hi Mack

Thank you very much. So far:

I've downloaded and viewed both folders, including demo's. Learned quite alot: I've been doing a few things "differently" (translation="wrong").

I suspect that now we are on the "same page."

I'll await your next posting.

Kind Regards,

OK Stephen,

If everything is working OK so far, which means that your records are updating when you edit the any of the fields and then click next or previous then all is well.

We might be able to do the next part on instructions along:

1. Copy review&update page and call this newrecords and then remove the ONSHOW action from the newpage.
2. on review&update page create a new button that first blanks (EG ='') myName, myAge and myJob and then goes to newrecordspage.

3.On newrecords page delete Previous and Next buttons

4. Create button called Add another record. Assign Insert New Record from Database actions. On DB tab, select the OpusDB connection and the Employees table. Match the fields to the corresponding variable BUT set ID to database default!!!!!!!

5. Also on this button - assign a script that blanks the three variables above.

This button will insert a new record into the MDB using an autonumber primary key. It will then blank the fields ready for another New record.

6. Copy the above button and call this Insert and return. Edit actions. Delete the script action and add a goto Review&Update page.

This button does the same as the first, but doesn't reset the variables, instead it goes back to the first page for review.

Hope this makes sense

Hi Mack

I didn't realize that I will first need to reproduce the .imp on my computer, get it working by establishing the connections. This may take a while: take some notes on the demo steps (can't find controls in the demo to pause and work on the .imp), then build the .imp from scratch, test to see if it works correctly. Also, not familiar with the 2007 Access GUI (haven't used Access much), so can't find some of the options to construct the DB.

Then I can try to add the insert new record steps.

Let me see what I can do.

Thanks for your help.

Kind Regards,

Hi Stephen,

The flash control are at the bottom right of the presentation, but will probably be truncated. Move the mouse of the bits sticking up and the mouse over will point you to the pause / play. It's a delightful quirk of another slapdash Adobe product.

As for the 2K7 file, you can always use the 2003 included in the zip for now. I've got 2K7 run as a demo on the dual boot but am not getting attached as it doesn't seem worth the upgrade (that and I'm saving the pennies for Opus VI).

If you can get it working with the included MDB, I'll delve into 2K7 and see how it works (please tell me it hasn't got ribbons )

Mackavi

Hi Mack

Just finished getting my .imp to follow your's and work on my computer. Next I'll try to tackle the insert new record instructions, see if I can get my .imp to work with that.

I'm using your DB for now. Hopefully, later I will be able to figure out the 2007 GUI enough to create a new accdb database with password encryption. I think all of these new Office GUI's have ribbons: totally different interface than I am used to, so takes some effort just for basics. Finally am mastering Word enough to do what I used to do easily in the previous version. Ugh!

The Flash controls, I'm afraid, are no where to be found: not even little bits that can be maneuvered to display more. But, it looks like I'm past need for this demo, having gotten what was needed to replicate the "frontend."

Thanks again for your extraordinary assistance.

Kind Regards,

OK, Mack

I almost have the new insert working. Strangely, it will add a new record, but first places next in sequence (before the new additions), a screen with name blank, age 0 and job blank. Click next and the new insert shows, click next and another screen with only the age=0 displayed, then one more click next and the next inserted data displays fully. I checked the Access DB and the blanks (with age =0) are there too (I restored the original DB from the zip folder).

Not sure why these semi-blank screens are inter-leaved between each new insert? Is there something I'm adding or omitting that causing this?

Kind Regards,