How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

[werder101010]

I have a table with customer information and a table with components for a letter. The components for the letter are chosen in a embedded browse and these components are multi selectable. I would like to know what's the best approach for storing the multi selected fields. Each field (letter component) has a length of 100 to 240 characters.

[Mike Wilson]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Werder,
Because I have been following your threads, I can help with this a bit.

If you took MikeC's approach to using and embedded browse to display the multi selections, then you have marked the records in the table. You have then the ability to filter the table for the marked records and generate a variable for each choice. You can open the table filtered, then fetch through the table and create a variable for each choice. It will require you to use a for-next loop and use the eval(), functions. I appended an example for you. hope this helps.

[werder101010]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Thanks for the example Mike. Do you also now if it possible to store the selected components for each customer and how this is done. Should I store the selected components (item_ID's) or should the text field (text1) be stored all together.

[Mike Wilson]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Werder,
Are you saying that the choices lists will be specific to a given customer or set of customers? If so, the item table would have another field with values somehow related to each customer so the table can be sorted such that the items presented would be customer specific. Is that what you are asking?

[werder101010]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

I believe you understand me correct. The choices list will be specific to a given customer. It's like a customer who orders different products only in my case for each customer there are different letter components. Is this easy to accomplish or is it actually quit difficult?

[Mike Wilson]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Werder,
Not difficult.

1. Added a customer table with customer ID.
2. Added a customer_assign field to the items table
3. Made customer assignments (cust_id) to the items.
4. Made a customer select function to filter the items table for the chosen customer, clear the table and display the chosen customer.

hope his helps

[werder101010]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Mike, I'm glad it can be done and thank you for taking the time to build an example. I will try to implement your concept within my database. Thanks!

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Mike, I like your example. However, have you considered what might happen if two workstations are trying to assemble different letters to the same customer at the same time? You might want to set an edit flag that gets raised by the first workstation, then lower it after the letter is finished. Your script could then alert the second user that someone else on the network is using the table. Otherwise, couldn't the text selected by both workstations show up in both letters? Or am I missing something?

The select customer button clears all the selections in all the records. This, too, is problematic in a networked environment. Right?

-- tom

[Mike Wilson]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Tom,
Thanks very much for the network perspective. As you can guess, I wasn't of a network mindset when I crafted this example. So, with a network mindset, I'd have to craft a different strategy. Thanks for the bump.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Mike W, a solution that works well in a networked environment would be a good addition to the Code Archive forum. Let me know if I can help. -- tom

[Mike Wilson]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Tom,
Scout this update out and see what you think. It is changed by:

1. The form is opened with selection of the customer up front and clearing check boxes as part of the current session (probably unncessary- see below).

2. I created a second form to mimick networking against one table.

3. The script that collects the currently checked items for the letter collects the items cycling through the browse records directly from the form Browse object and not by filtering the table and at the table level. I left the table level script and button in place so one could see the difference that you were referring to, and with opening the two forms and playing with the two methods.

4. So there are no true values generated in the table, the script that generates the letter runs a UDF that clears the boxes and this UDF also runs in the CanExit form event.

I added a script on the main menu button when opening the form to check whether the table is open as you suggested. I am not really seeing the need to have access limited with the new method. But I could be wrong. There is probably something missing for a network environment. See what you think, and thanks again for the bump to "think networked".

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

The way I have done this in a network is create a separate table w. user_id & record_id (of the 1st table). After records have been selected, I auto-delete that user's records (in the separate table).

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Peter, that's very good. Hadn't thought of that. Tell us more about the sequence you use. Does the separate table get a new record after each "selection" is made? or do you wait until they've all been selected? How are selections made? What events trigger the new record(s) in the separate table? Thanks.

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: How to save multiple selections from a embedded browse

Does the separate table get a new record after each "selection" is made?

Yes

How are selections made? What events trigger the new record(s) in the separate table?

I use doubleclick on the browse.