InfoPath Dev

I haven't found anything that addresses this specifically and I'm not sure how to do this. I have a SharePoint (MOSS) Document library that I need to get information from.  Specifically, I need to be able to select possibly 20 items from this library, that could potentially hold hundreds of items.  In order to prevent user error I would prefer that this was done with a drop down list. That way I could filter other column information to insert into the InfoPath form.  Any time that I try to create a dropdown, it creates a dropdown for every item in the list. I don't know how I could explain this better.

1) Create a view in your list which holds properly filtered amount of data

2) Create receive XML connection to the link

http://<yourServerNameHere>/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll?Cmd=Display&List={Place your list ID Here}&View={Place your view ID here}&XMLDATA=TRUE

IDs are the numeric values you can get on settings pages (%2D have to be replaced with "-") also you have to remove first and last 3 symbols.

 IMPORTANT: Dont forget to choose "Access data from specified location" radiobutton.

Not quite what I had in mind.  The number of files on each infopath form generated from this would be different each time in all likelihood.  The users would need to be able to select as few as 1 file, or as many as the form will hold, or any number inbetween.  Basically, I want them to be able to choose a file from the document library, so that other form column fields can be automatically filled appropriately.  I do not want the user to have to change the view they have simply to fill out a form. (This will not be a one time use but rather a heavily used form.)

So? Create that view one time and define the items limit on that view as the number you calling "as many as the form will hold". It will work. If you need to rotate items in that view just use simple workflow to parametrize filters on the view.

I tried your approach and when I try to create the data connection, I get an error message that states that "The Internet address is not valid."

Sorry, I forgot last parameter of the link - &XMLDATA=TRUE

http://<yourServerNameHere>/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll?Cmd=Display&List={Place your list ID Here}&View={Place your view ID here}&XMLDATA=TRUE

You can check if your link is valid by navigating to it in a browser. If link is constructed properly you will see XML structure of the server response.

 An example:

http://msd000a/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll?Cmd=Display&List={5B8F5886-FE3A-4008-86AE-4615E1264F47}&View={C377D266-92C5-4B0D-9A27-5805BFDBA0F6}&XMLDATA=TRUE

Still having issues.

 "Select a valid XML file to create the data connection. The file is not a valid XML document." 

Under details; "A document must contain exactly one root element. Line 1, Position 0"

Can you see your list data in a browser?

well, it's not a list, it's a document library, and unless I'm misunderstanding your meaning, yes.

It doesn't actually matter if its library or list it will work anyway. The only problem i could think of is maybe your view you trying to retrieve items from is empty. Make sure your view has at least 2 items in it.

I have 4 items in the list now for testing purposes.  This library will potentially hold hundreds of documents though.

Well, if you able to navigate to constructed link and chosed "Access data from cpecified location" option it should work.

Below you will see example of resulting data you should be able to see in browser if your link is constructed properly.

<xml xmlns:s="uuid:BDC6E3F0-6DA3-11d1-A2A3-00AA00C14882" xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882" xmlns:rs="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:rowset" xmlns:z="#RowsetSchema">

<s:Schema id="RowsetSchema">

<s:ElementType name="row" content="eltOnly" rs:CommandTimeout="30">

<s:AttributeType name="ows_dwTitle" rs:name="dwTitle" rs:number="1">

  <s:datatype dt:type="string" dt:maxLength="1073741823" />   </s:AttributeType>

</s:ElementType>

Sorry, it's been a while since I've been able to try.  Unfortunately, it still doesn't work. I get an error when I try and enter the link into IE.  Below is my link.

http://moss-dev/client%201/dem-001-01/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll?cmd=Display&List={6F68895B%2D8001%2D45D6%2DAD64%2DA86223E93727}&View={EF160A6D%2D51D5%2D401A%2DA93A%2DAE48FA11F985}&XMLData=True

not sure what I'm doing wrong here. The error message that I get is "cannot complete this action."

nvm, I think I got it.  Damn capitalization.

Well I got it to work, but that's not what I needed. It does the exact same thing as connecting to the sharepoint datasource.  I don't know how to explain without actually "showing" it to somebody what I'm trying to accomplish.  Thanks for your help though.