InfoPath Dev

Hello,

I'm trying to take a bunch of status reports, saved to a SharePoint library, query all of them to a view (query the data) I created in a form and then be able to provide the user with the capability to manipulate that data (pulled to the form, not affecting the list). For example, one section is Accomplishments. I'd like to be able to take all bulleted items from all users in the Accomplishments section, pull that data into a form, under the heading Accomplishments. And then provide a way for a person to go thru the data, eliminate a bullet here or there, move a bullet item above another (basically move and delete items). The purpose of all of this is to allow the manager to keep items they want, move stuff around, and then allow them to push that data to another form (or view of the same form) formatted as a report. Not sure if this is possible.  

ISSUE: So far, I can't seem to be able to provide a way to have the container controls do what I want on queried data. I would appreciate any advice. I've seen procedures on merging data but I thought there might be a better way to pull the data into a view and then structurally manipulate it.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Jack

 The thing is, if you want to allow changes to a copy of the secondary data, you have to copy it into the main data source of the form. You can do this:

1. With custom code, OR
2. With qRules, OR
3. With default values

The approach of using default values is code free, but has some potential pitfalls. Basically, you have to change the form defaults (Data, Default Values) to include as many instances of the main data source repeating table as you'd ever need, then use formulas to set it to the values of the secondary data source.

 Hello Hilary,  

And thanks for your reply. In terms of setting the node default values in the main data source. I've had no luck in pulling in ALL of the values that are populated in the SharePoint library. It seems to only pull in the first bullet item of the record. So, say I had a bulleted list: 

• the fox
• jumped and ran

I'm only getting "the fox" and not the rest of the bullet points for the node they are captured in. Also, do you know if this solution will give me access to the container controls I'll need to be able to remove items and move items? For example, I'm trying to pull in the data as it went out (was submitted):

• the fox
• jumped and ran

So that it appears in the same format but giving the user the option to delete the second bullet if they so choose. If that makes sense. Basically, I want to do what the "Merge" function does. I just don't want the user to have to go in and select all of the files and then Merge them. In fact, if I could move the Merge button so that it appears on the form itself (and I can make it viewable via the InfoPath Webpart)--that would be sufficient.

 Yeah, I don't think you are going to be able to get what you want with just a query to the library - I'd not read closely enough to realize that you have repeating fields (I'm guessing?) in your XML that you want to return to another XML. The Merge feature in IP won't save the changes back to the original XMLs will it?

 I have bullet lists. I'm trying to create a form that will pull in all of the data and then be able to configure it. So it looks at the library (table), pulls in all Accomplishments (since it's a status report) under Accomplishments and allows the user to move (up and down) or delete those bullet points. I don't need it to be written back to the table. I just need to be able to take that data and push it to another view and be saved from there. Would it be easier to create a Merge button on the form? Is that even possible?