Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

[lvasic]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

I think I'm doing something very close to that. We have about 18 different letter templates. When we create a record we choose the template we want to use. When I print the report the tokens are replaced with the values. It seems like your driver is the table with those details. And then a drop-down with what State Lien they want to use.

[JerryBrightbill]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

You made me start thinking now, Lee. I think I could probably give them a list of strings to insert into their text ...such as [VENDOR_NAME] or [CHECK_AMOUNT]. Then on the report design, I can use a calculated field to replace those strings with field values....

What are trying to do is actually quite easy with build in JavaScript assuming you are using the Alpha HTML editor in a textarea. There are two parts to the process. First you need to insert some text at the cursor position, and then you need to make the editor content "dirty" so it can be saved.

If you want to put a placeholder named [VENDOR_NAME] in the text in the editor, create a button or link and on the onclick event add this

{Grid.ComponentName}_BODYCONTENT_RTEObj._edInsertHTML('','[VENDOR_NAME]');{Grid.ComponentName}_BODYCONTENT_RTEObj._edGetState();

where "BODYCONTENT" is replaced with the name of the control that holds the editor. If the control is named "NOTES", the code would be

{Grid.ComponentName}_NOTES_RTEObj._edInsertHTML('','[VENDOR_NAME]');{Grid.ComponentName}_NOTES_RTEObj._edGetState();

The placeholder will be inserted at the cursor position. This can be used to insert any text or characters into the editor

[RichCPT]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

Lee, when the user inserts a token from the dropdown list it looks like it always gets placed at the end of end of the text field, right? And I assume they can just cut and paste it higher up in the text if they want?

Did you look into a way to paste the token at the cursor's current position?

-Rich

[lvasic]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

Yes. Version 2 will have that. Usually, these templates aren't changed much. The first time through you just click on the drop down and it goes at the end because that's where you want it anyway. But it would be nice to have it at the cursor. I've tried Jerry's code, but because I'm using a drop down it seems to loose where the cursor is and puts at row 1 column 1.

[kingcarol]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

Didn't have time to try any of the above today, but TOMORROW!... playing with it will be fun! Thanks, Lee and Jerry. I'll report back the results.

[chadbrown]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

Carol here is one that I have done which is a standard letter and depending on the type of hire I choose a certain letter. This is done with rtf in a report.

http://www.screencast.com/t/Czi4vNUk1

[kingcarol]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

That's very cool, Chad. Shows that strings are being replaced with values, which is very good to know. Is a user entering the rich text themselves, or are you providing the letters? In my case, I do not plan to become a lawyer and keep up with 50 states and their lien waiver requirements, so my users will be using the html editor to create the main body text. I'm going to try Jerry's idea for that with buttons... today, I hope.

[chadbrown]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

The user is not entering that info as its an in house thing. I have two preset letters but you could basically have a different button for each letter needed. In your case you would definitely need a more dynamic solution.

[kingcarol]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

I am finally getting around to trying to follow Jerry's advice above, but am getting a script error. (I have sent a msg to Jerry via email asking advice.)

I have created a button with the following in-line javascript (field name of the control with the editor is LW_TEXT_RICH) :

{Grid.ComponentName}_LW_TEXT_RICH_RTEObj._edInsertHTML('','[VENDOR_NAME]');{Grid.ComponentName}_LW_TEXT_RICH_RTEObj._edGetState();

When that button is clicked (after I type some text into the editor), I get the following script error:
GRID1_LW_TEXT_RICH_RTEObj is undefined.

Here is video: http://screencast.com/t/QOFjuAWtYiIa

[Steve Wood]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

For mail merge I insert "fields" in the text area like ***firstname*** and then use stritran() to replace that field with an actual value at runtime. As long as the user knows what field names are valid they can insert them in the editor.

[kingcarol]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

I'm planning to do exactly that with the stritran, too, Steve. I like your solution, and I think I'll just give my users a list of the strings they need and give up on Jerry's solution.

[kingcarol]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

Well, Steve, (or somebody).. would you mind helping me out here? I've used stritran_multi several times, but always just replacing strings with hard text.
In my example below, the bodyOutlist needs to be the values of the fields Ap_Vendor_Name and Checktotal. How do you get those values in there? It doesn't like that line right now.

Second question... my calculated field to use on the report will be waiverBodyResult and I don't know how to tell the report that it is an HTML Memo field so that it won't display all the rich text symbols?

waiverBody = Lw_Text_Rich (Lw_Text_Rich is field that holds the user input)
bodyInList = "***VendorName***,***CheckAmount***"
bodyOutList = Ap_Vendor_Name,Checktotal (needs to be list of values. Of course I can't put quotes around it cuz will just get field names)
bodyInRows = comma_to_crlf(calc->bodyInList)
bodyOutRows = comma_to_crlf(calc->bodyOutList)
waiverBodyResult = stritran_multi(calc->waiverBody,calc->bodyInRows,calc->bodyOutRows)

[kingcarol]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

I'm getting there with using stritran one step at a time instead of stritran_multi.... but still don't know how to get the html stuff out of my calculated field.
Here is a screenshot of my report (just a testing report): http://screencast.com/t/yEIUf37F7

waiverBody = Lw_Text_Rich
waiverBodyResult1 = stritran(calc->waiverBody,"***VendorName***",Ap_Vendor_Name)
checkAmount = alltrim(str(Checktotal,250,2,"$"))
waiverBodyResult2 = stritran(calc->waiverBodyResult1,"***CheckAmount***",calc->checkAmount)
waiverBodyResult = calc->waiverBodyResult2

[kingcarol]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

I'm so close... Anybody? Do you know how to make my calculated field above (waiverBodyResult) print in rich text on the report?

[kingcarol]

Re: Can field values be inserted into textarea HTML editor?

I have been trying all kinds of functions to get my calculated field to display as rich text.
Some of my tries are below and all they produce is a bunch of junk. I am completely stumped. HELP?????? pretty please

*plain_to_html(calc->waiverBodyResult2)
*rtf_to_html(calc->waiverBodyResult2)
*plain_to_rtf(calc->waiverBodyResult2)