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Getting "Formatted" Data Out Of A5V4.0?

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    Getting "Formatted" Data Out Of A5V4.0?

    I have a database of over 10,000 records, with 12 fields per record. I want to extract the data from just three of the fields, of the records that match a fourth field, then get that data into a web page. (Selecting the records and extracting the data from the fields is not the problem that needs solving.)

    If I can get the data into a RTF file, then I can import it into my web designer program for a "static" page. Therefore, I'd like to be able to create a report so I can include group headers, use the expression builder to trim and combine some fields, exclude records that contain empty entries in specifed fields, etc.

    I've tried creating a report, then print to file, but this didn't work as the file was a PRN (printer) file. I've tried "exporting", but this doesn't seem to allow for manipulating or formatting the data before exporting.

    Can this be done in A5V4.0? If so, briefly how, or where do I look for the Info? Maybe I have totally missed some part of A5V4 that is blindingly obvious...

    Thanks.

    Jim B.

    #2
    RE: Getting

    Jim,

    The devil is in the details.

    One approach to this would be to install a Generic Printer, and use it to print the report to file. There are limitations to this approach, but maybe they will not pinch your particular situation too badly.

    Another approach would be to save the report as a PDF file, using a third party program to convert the printer output you generate normally to PDF format. Check this thread if interested:

    http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/alphaphorum/read.php3?sortby=lastreply&direction=desc&num=4&id=60512&thread=60512

    (the previous is one long string, and has been broken into two (or more) lines by the message board)


    Another option would be to upgrade to Vers. 5 since I believe it will let you save the report as an RTF file directly.

    -- tom

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Getting

      I am far from expert in this area but perhaps you should look beyond RTF as the intermediary. There is an article at learn alpha.com which uses xbasic file write commands to create html. You should consult it for inspiration.

      Alternatively you can use the same techniques to create a text file. Alpha also supports export to text format but you certainly know this.

      Doug Chanley does this stuff. You could search for his name on this board and drop him a line. (Hope I'm not violating custom here.)

      Bill
      Bill Hanigsberg

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Getting

        Tom.

        Thanks for your reply.

        PDF is one method that I have considerd, but decided that it won't be suitable for my final goal.

        From what I've read of V5, it seems to do exactly what I want, but the upgrade price!?!?!

        I'll probably end up creating a report, printing at high quality on good paper, then scanning with OCR to get an editable electronic file, then import that into my web program. This seems like a fair amount of effort, but this is a one-time project...

        Jim B.

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Getting

          Bill.

          Thanks for your reply.

          All that I know about XBasic is that it exists. I've never used it for anything, so I think taking the time to learn enough about XBasic would be more than this project merits.

          I've tried other output formats from A5V4, haven't been able to get the results (format) that I want.

          Since this is a one-time project, I'll probably create a report, print it, OCR scan it, then edit and import that file into my web program. Cumbersome, but I think it will work.

          Jim B.

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Getting


            Jim,

            I'm not an expert on scanning and have had mixed results attempting what you describe.

            You may have better control over the final appearance of things if you install the Generic Printer, specify it for your report, print the report to file, and then pick it up with your favorite word processor to fix the fonts and formatting before saving a 'final' version for your web page.

            -- tom

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Getting


              Jim, yet another approach would be to build your document in your word processor, leaving blanks for the computed amounts. Run your regular report. Print or preview it. Then transfer the computed or calculated amounts to the word processing document by hand. Not much fun, but complete control over the final appearance.

              -- tom

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Getting

                If you go that route you could do a data merge into the work processor. Write a template document in the word processor with fields in it and do the merge. I set someone up with a similar thing and it saved them tons of time as they repeated send the same doc out but with different field values.

                Of course V5 would eat this for breakfast. Design the report in Alpha and save it as whatever you want.

                Bill
                Bill Hanigsberg

                Comment

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