Memo Fields

[Charles Hoens]

I came across a small problem that perhaps someone has a workaround for. I need to provide my server users with a memo field to type notes in etc. At the same time, the memo field needs to be written to programatically when users log in, etc.

I can't find out how to write to a memo field. I can write to an RTF Memo, but then A5 complains when I put this field on a grid for general writing purposes.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on this?

Thanks.

[Charles Hoens]

Re: Memo Fields

OK. Answered my own question.

The answer is not to use RTF Memo fields. You can use regular memo fields for this.

There is a bit of a trick to it however. You need to put your data into a text file and then append it.

dim info as c=time("0h:0m")+" - "+"Fire Coordinator "+alltrim(session.cfirstlast)+" logged in for duty."
	t=table.open("[PathAlias.ADB_Path]\opstat.dbf")
	query.filter="dtoc(opdate)=dtoc(date())"
	t.query_create()

	lfl="[PathAlias.ADB_Path]\fCoord.txt"
	file.create(lfl,file_rw_exclusive)
	
	save_to_file(crlf()+info+crlf(),lfl,.F.)
	
	t.change_begin()
    t.information.memo_read_from_file(lfl, MEMO_APPEND)
	t.change_end()
	t.close()

The first part of the code locates the desired record in the OPSTAT log. This dbf has two fields i.e. date and information. I then put the data into the info variable and write it to a new .txt file called fcoord.txt. Then I append it to the existing memo field.

I hope this helps someone!

Charlie

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Memo Fields

Charlie

Action scripting has another method to add to a memo field..

Add text to memo is listed under all actions...

Fill out an example and then look at the xbasic that is generated..

[Charles Hoens]

Re: Memo Fields

Al,

Not sure what you are talking about here. I am using a dialog2 and then writing to a memo field. There is no action scripting that works for this. The other thing that I wanted to point out was that the use of RTF Memo fields is fine to write to, but cannot be edited in a grid. I haven't tried HTML Memo, but for most applications where someone wants to have the user write notes about a particular item AND allow the user to add or modify those notes, the only method I see is to use regular memo fields and append in the manner I have given.

Am I wrong?

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Memo Fields

Charlie

You are writing xbasic code - probably in the serverside aftervalidate event - although you didn't specify where the code is located.

The action scripting I'm talking about is from the desktop side where you can generate the xbasic that can be used in the same event as your code is located...

It's probably 'safer' code and faster than going out to an external file and coming back..

Also what you haven't shown us is how the whole dialog that you have works.. So an example would fill in the gaps...

[Charles Hoens]

Re: Memo Fields

Hi Al,

Far be it from me to quibble, but I just don't see how this code would be helpful to me. The code generated from the action scripting is related to a memo field on a form and looks for a place to enter the addition. I've inserted it here:

'Insert text into a memo field: 'Information' in  current window.
Dim TextToInsert as c
Dim InsertPos as n 
TextToInsert = "here you go"
TextToInsert = crlf()+TextToInsert 
TextToInsert = TextToInsert  + crlf()
InsertPos = -1

Dim TempObj as p
dim readonly_flag as l	
'Get a pointer to the Object on the Form/Browse that has the memo field.
TempObj = obj(parentform.name(16)+":"+"Information")
'Check if the RTF memo is readonly
readonly_flag = TempObj.field.readonly
if readonly_flag = .t. then 
	ui_msg_box("Error","Cannot insert text into Memo field '"+"Information"+"' because it is read-only",UI_STOP_SYMBOL)
	end 
else
	Dim MemoText  as c 
	MemoText = TempObj.text
	If InsertPos = 1 then 
		MemoText = TextToInsert + MemoText 
	Else if InsertPos = -1 then 
		MemoText = MemoText + TextToInsert
	Else
		MemoText = substr(MemoText,1,InsertPos - 1 ) + TextToInsert + substr(MemoText,InsertPos)
	End If 	
	
	'Now set the Memo field's text property to the next text..
	TempObj.text = MemoText
	
	'Now activate the memo
	tempobj.activate()
	'...and set the insertion point in the memo field after the inserted text
	if InsertPos = -1 then 'inserting at end of field
		tempobj.topparent.cursor_set(9999999)
	else
		tempobj.topparent.cursor_set(InsertPos + len(TextToInsert))
	end if 
end if

I respect your opinion as you have helped me on any number of occasions, but I just don't see it. I have made my code work, but the interesting thing is that I am getting stray Ascii characters in the memo field. Strange behavior or bad code on my part?

Charlie

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Memo Fields

Action scripting can be used as a basis for other code.

In this case it's not exactly what you need, but shows you the methods to use and modify for your use.