Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

[Chuck Bytes]

Before I go researching too far, maybe someone can answer if this is possible.

My client wants to know if Alpha is able to create an email template then go and find and attach multiple non-Alpha files based on a currently viewd record fields value.

I'm only just starting to read how to create the email template, but I haven't found anything on how to choose a directory and grab the attachements based on a field value.

Example.
Field1 - Site_ID = "TORON000"
Field2 - Address = "123 Queen St"
Field3 - Date1 = "Jan 25, 2010"
Field4 - Name = "Mr. Smith"
Field5 - email = [email protected]

Create a button so that - 'on push' a template email is generated to the name specified in Field5 and do the following


To: "[email protected]"


Hello "Mr Smith"
In regards to Site "TORON000" we have reviewed the location and found "123 Queen St" to be satisfactory for the installation on "Jan 25, 2010" and are including these documents containing photos and specifications



Automatically look for a directory named same as the field and pull the files within them

("S:\"+alltrim(Site_Id.value)\"+alltrim(Site_Id.value)+".PDF")
("S:\"+alltrim(Site_Id.value)\"+alltrim(Site_ID.value)+".JPG")

= S:\TORON000\TORON000.PDF
= S:\TORON000\TORON000.JPG


I learned and used the last two command lines from Stan to open files for viewing, can they also be used for attaching documents

[Garry Flanigan]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

Yes, look at the function EMAIL_SEND()
Garry

[Chuck Bytes]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

Yes, I'm viewing that help
Not sure if I don't see it or am not typing the command properly.

It's making sure to choose files from the right directory that I'm having difficulty with. I won't be choosing the same path each time. So it's several files from different locations that are constantly changing.

The only thing I can guarantee Alpha, is that the folder name is in a specificed root and each folder is named based off a field value followed by text.

Will Alpha look for a directory by the same name, or are paths fixed.

I'll keep working at it... Nothing great is easy.

[Garry Flanigan]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

Alpha must be told where to look or have a formula so that it knows what to look for.

In your case it is always s:\ and then a folder named as your Site_ID is the folder name and you want every file from that directory then no problems. If you need to look only for file with name = site_id.* then again this can be done.
If it is something else maybe look at filefind.get() or look at all filefind functions including filefind.list_new_files()

All this info is in the help files. Did you look at these before posting?

Garry

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

I learned a good bit of how to construct such things by experimenting in the interactive window. Still play there a bit to refresh my memory on less used functions.

Example below....

lst = filefind.get("c:\temp\*.txt",FILE_FIND_NORMAL,"PN")
? lst
= c:\temp\lyrics in a little while.txt
c:\temp\lyrics one hundred years.txt
[COLOR="Blue"]'sweet, filefind works[/COLOR]

lst2 = filefind.get("c:\temp\*.bmp",FILE_FIND_NORMAL,"PN")
? lst2
= "c:\temp\HOUCHENS INDUS logobmp.bmp"
[COLOR="blue"]'twice in a row[/COLOR]

mast_list = lst + lst2
[COLOR="blue"]'what if I wanted two file types?[/COLOR]

? mast_list
= c:\temp\lyrics in a little while.txt
c:\temp\lyrics one hundred years.txtc:\temp\HOUCHENS INDUS logobmp.bmp
[COLOR="blue"]'oops, need a crlf() in there[/COLOR]

mast_list = lst + crlf()+ lst2
? mast_list
= c:\temp\lyrics in a little while.txt
c:\temp\lyrics one hundred years.txt
c:\temp\HOUCHENS INDUS logobmp.bmp
[COLOR="blue"]'that's the ticket[/COLOR]

tbars = filefind.get("c:\temp\toolbars.*",FILE_FIND_NORMAL,"PN")
? tbars
= c:\temp\Toolbars.ALB
c:\temp\Toolbars.ALM
c:\temp\Toolbars.Alx
[COLOR="blue"]'now we're getting somewhere[/COLOR]

[COLOR="blue"]'how to replace the fixed values with variables?
'step 1[/COLOR]
rt_dir = "c:\temp"
tbars = filefind.get(rt_dir+"\toolbars.*",FILE_FIND_NORMAL,"PN")
? tbars
= c:\temp\Toolbars.ALB
c:\temp\Toolbars.ALM
c:\temp\Toolbars.Alx
[COLOR="blue"]'eureka[/COLOR]

[COLOR="blue"]'step 2[/COLOR]
filname = "toolbars"
tbars = filefind.get(rt_dir+chr(92)+filname+".*",FILE_FIND_NORMAL,"PN")
? tbars
= c:\temp\Toolbars.ALB
c:\temp\Toolbars.ALM
c:\temp\Toolbars.Alx
[COLOR="blue"]'double eureka[/COLOR]

[Mike Wilson]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

Here is an example I had in my files I modified slightly to fit your request. Hope it helps.

[Chuck Bytes]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

Alpha must be told where to look or have a formula so that it knows what to look for.

In your case it is always s:\ and then a folder named as your Site_ID is the folder name and you want every file from that directory then no problems. If you need to look only for file with name = site_id.* then again this can be done.
If it is something else maybe look at filefind.get() or look at all filefind functions including filefind.list_new_files()

All this info is in the help files. Did you look at these before posting?

Garry

Gary, I always try to look at help files before posting. I don't want to flood the forum with a question on every little thing, but i have to admit I tried to accomplish my goal focusing on using email_send(). Stan and Mike gave me a good direction to research - filefind.get()

Going forward to avoid the obvious, is there something you may be able to suggest that would be a good reference point, a manual I might purchase or a web site, I'm even willing to pay for a support package that will provide me diretional help. I don't want the technician to do the command for me, just tell me what command is best to use.

I tried searching the forum, but finding the right words to bring up results can be difficult at times. Plus Alpha is so versitile, I don't think there is a manual that provides every instance of command uses.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

When trying to work out how to do something, I would suggest you start with the webhelp, Contents tab, References, Functions and Methods, Xbasic Functions and Methods Listed by Type

Try to determine what type of function you need and select that line. Scan down through the descriptions to see if anything sounds like it would work. (make mental or physical notes of things that sound like they can be used later while you search,, possibly even click on some and print them out) Don't neglect the See Also links at the bottom of the listing.

Screenshot is example of looking for File related entries.


(Real easy for me to say because I know what I'm looking for.)

[Chuck Bytes]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

Alpha must be told where to look or have a formula so that it knows what to look for.

In your case it is always s:\ and then a folder named as your Site_ID is the folder name and you want every file from that directory then no problems. If you need to look only for file with name = site_id.* then again this can be done.
If it is something else maybe look at filefind.get() or look at all filefind functions including filefind.list_new_files()

All this info is in the help files. Did you look at these before posting?

Garry

When trying to work out how to do something, I would suggest you start with the webhelp, Contents tab, References, Functions and Methods, Xbasic Functions and Methods Listed by Type

Try to determine what type of function you need and select that line. Scan down through the descriptions to see if anything sounds like it would work. (make mental or physical notes of things that sound like they can be used later while you search,, possibly even click on some and print them out) Don't neglect the See Also links at the bottom of the listing.

Screenshot is example of looking for File related entries.


(Real easy for me to say because I know what I'm looking for.)

Very good, I will try this method

[Chuck Bytes]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

When trying to work out how to do something, I would suggest you start with the webhelp, Contents tab, References, Functions and Methods, Xbasic Functions and Methods Listed by Type

Try to determine what type of function you need and select that line. Scan down through the descriptions to see if anything sounds like it would work. (make mental or physical notes of things that sound like they can be used later while you search,, possibly even click on some and print them out) Don't neglect the See Also links at the bottom of the listing.

Screenshot is example of looking for File related entries.


(Real easy for me to say because I know what I'm looking for.)

These are really great commands, shows what years of experience amounts to.

[Chuck Bytes]

Re: Is Alpha able to create a doc with attachments

Here is an example I had in my files I modified slightly to fit your request. Hope it helps.

I like your example Mike, I'm learning a lot from it. Thank you