Enable User to Download "Odd" File

[Rich Hartnett]

I'm working on a parking citation database, and the user needs to be able to download a file generated from data in the table, that can then be uploaded to a state DMV database.

The state requires that the resulting file have all of the data in one long continuous string, with no field names, no spaces between fields, and no extention of the file type. In other words it is similar to a TXT file, but with no ".txt" on the end.
Additionally, the resulting file name must always be the same, and must reflect the "User Code" of the agency creating the file, which is available from any of the records in the table.

Here is what the resulting file would look like with one record:

AABC123499990220119999999999999999999901052012

The first character is the "Action Code." (A)
The next 7 characters are the vehicle tag number. (ABC1234)
The next 4 characters are the agency "User Code." (9999)
The next 2 digits are the tag expiration month. (02)
The next 4 digits are the tag expiration year. (2011)
The next 20 characters are the parking citation number, padded left. (99999999.....)
The last 8 digits are the date of issuance. (01/05/2012)

I've been trying to accomplish this using the "Export Data" feature, but I can't find any way to get the resuting file name from a field in the table or grid, plus I don't see any way to remove the field names or the file extension.

Any thoughts on how to do this?

[[email protected]]

Re: Enable User to Download "Odd" File

Rich,

I have xbasic call back function which is triggered from an icon and it sets the name as I want it.
I have isolated the parts for naming the file so this is not the total actual code

dim strFilename as c = Request.GetRequestTempFileName("xls") temporary filename given by alpha

flag = rs.toExcel(strFilename) I get my data from sql into the filename, of course in your case you will have to create the contents otherwise

dim strFilenameuser as c
strFilenameuser = "check_testinvoices.xls" (This you will have to give the name you want and this is how it is downloaded)

if file.exists(strfilename)
Session.SaveDataAsFile(strFilenameuser,file.to_blob(strfilename))
jscmd = "window.open('"+Session.FormatFileDataURL(strFilenameuser)+"');"
end if

And this shows the usual download thing.

hth

Pieter