InfoPath Dev

I still can't figure out why the sample was able to have a one to many relationship and work, but mine does not.

I am wondering if part of my problem is Outlook. I am able to publish the form, email it, and receive the filled out form. But when I open it, it does not update my database.

Could I email a zip file of my database and form to one of you to take a look at? Maybe you'd be able to see something that I'm not seeing.

Thanks!

Tammy

The form is not going to automatically update your database. You'll have to have a submit connection to the database, and then either use that connection in your Submit Options for the form, or add another button with a rule to submit the data to the database. Without using a web service, the only way you'll be able to use the built in Submit functionality (that is, not writing code) is to make sure your Main Connection allows submit.

Are your tables connected appropriately in the data connection? Does your main table have a primary key that your child tables reference?

Yes, I've done a little more research and it looks like because I have multiple tables, I cannot use the main connection to submit. I don't know how to write the code to get it to work (after three programming classes, you'd think I could {grin}). It looks like web services is the way to go. I know basically nothing about that. Is it expensive? Can a beginner do it?

Thanks!

T

Well, if your relationship in your database is a one - to - many, you *should* be able to submit. That's why I keep trying to figure out why you can't. Your main table needs to have a primary key. Your child tables need to have a column that holds that primary key. Your InfoPath data connection needs to have that relationship defined (you do that in the data wizard when you create or modify the connection). And, as we already talked about, your database can't have certain types of fields. Once you changed your Memo fields are you getting a different message now as to why submit is disabled?

As far as web services go -- Qdabra Software, the company I work for, sells a great one -- but it is for SQL, not Access. We also sell support incidents if you want someone here to take a look at your current form / database -- here's a link if you are interested.

OK - I'm getting to the bottom of this now. Once I changed the memo to text and deleted my submit options, I was able to use the main connection to submit. However, it will only let me select "Database" under "Send form to a single destination" where I had been selecting "Email." Once I save the form, how do I email it to my users and have it sent back? And then will it automatically update the database?

Thanks!

I am so happy you have been able to track it down!

You have different options with this. You could use rules for submit (that should be an option in your submit options) and first add an action to submit to the DB, then to submit using your email connection. If you only want your users to email, and you want to submit to the db yourself, you could add more than one submit button on the form and show/hide them based on user roles, so that the users only have access to the button that sends the email, and you have access to a button that saves the data and emails the initiator.... You can use any button with rules to submit to one or more data connection, too, not just submit buttons....

Thanks! I'll give this a whirl and see what I come up with.

Tammy

Just when I thought I had it figured out!

When I place a button on my form and set it up as an email submission button, then place another button on the form to be an "import to database" connection, the properties of the first button change to an "import to database" connection. I can't make two different buttons do two different things. I'm going to keep looking, but I thought I'd take a short break and update you on my progress.

Thanks!

If both buttons are set to have an action of Submit then they will both do whatever your Submit Options are set to. Instead, have one of your buttons use Rules and Custom Code for its actions. Then, for the rule, add an action. Select Submit using a data connection and then select the data connection....

Thanks Hilary,

I took a few days off - now I'm back. I'll probably work on this form some more this afternoon and play around with the rules on the buttons. I'll let you know how it works out.

Tammy

To automatically update your database. You'll have to submit connection to the database with infopath, without using a web service, the only way you'll be able to use the built in Submit functionality , Select Submit using a data connection and then select the data connection.
http://www.torontowebservices.com/
 

Right now I'm having another problem. I'm unable to get the form to my users to fill out. I did not have the option to email it to them, so I published it to a network location. I asked someone to open, fill it out, etc. but they said it would not let them open it. It asked if the user trusted the sender to which he replied yes. Then it would not open but said he needed to contact the administrator. What do I need to do to make these forms usable?

Thanks!

Usually when there is an error message, there will be button on the message window that says 'Show Details'. Get the user to click that button and provide you with the details for the error that says he needs to contact the administrator.....

There was a problem with user permissions.  I had set myself as administrator of the form so I'd be the only one allowed to import records to Access, but apparently that was causing the problem, so I deleted that.

My user was able to fill out the form and send it to me, however I could not open it. I was able to view it in my email window, but now don't know if I can import the data or how.

Tam

In your email connection, when the form is submitted via email, is it also included as an attachment? Check the email message and see if has an attachment. If it does, could you provide more specific information about the error you received when you tried to open the form?