InfoPath Dev

I hope this is not a duplicate question. I scanned this forum and could not find a match.

My question/problem is this: I have a RETRIEVE data connection set up in my form that points to a SharePoint list. However, there are three multiple line text fields in the list that InfoPath will not recognize (i.e. they don't show up as fields to select in the data connection). I've done a little checking and it appears other have had the same issue... but I have not seen a resolution. I own and use QRules (and love it). Does QRules perhpas have some backdoor approach to making this work. I need to get the multiple line text into the form. I can pull in the rest of the fields. Just need these last three.

Thanks

What version of SharePoint are you using? If you are using SharePoint 2010, I wonder if an OData data connection would return these -- If you are using SharePoint 2007, you might be able to use an owssvr.dll connection.

thanks Hilary. I'm using SharePoint 2007. Sorry, but I'm still learniing. Can you elaborate a little on what you mean by "use an owssvr.dll connection", or point me to some reading material please. I appreciate your help and quick response!

Dennis

Here's a link to a document with a how-to - give it a try and if you have trouble, post back so I can give you a hand.

thanks !

will do

Well, I read through that document and even followed step by step with high hopes.
Alas, it also fell short in the same area. I actually went through the entire example but truth is, if I had read the XML output of:
https://myserver/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll?Cmd=Display&List={D6764E13-1C0B-42B7-834F-94918228120D}&XMLDATA=TRUE

I could have stopped right there. Oddly enough (or maybe there is a logical reason for it), the List fields with the Multi Line text data types still do not show up - even in this XML output.

I have a work around but it adds several steps to the process of retrieving this data. Worse yet, probably about 10 minutes per record. However, one has to do what one has to do. I think Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang said this.

Thanks again for your help Hilary. Actually I learned something by going through the document to which you referred. I feel strongly that it is something I'll be able to use in the future.I appreciate your help.

I just tested this with a SharePoint 2007 list - in my case, looking at the XML output, the multi-line data is returned. Is the column in your default view? If not, add &Query=* to your URL and check the XML output again.

duh... I forgot that I had removed those fields from the default view. I did this some time back because they created a hard to follow view with seemingly gaping holes. I of course have created other views that facilitate user requirements. I just forgot I had pulled these out of the default view long ago.No one really looks at that view anymore.

You hit the nail on the head. I went back, added ALL the fields back into the default view and... you know the rest of the story.

Qrules once again helped me to accomplish my needs. thanks for pointing me to the write up. QRules is enabling me to move data in either direction... form to list... lis to form.

thanks!

Hi Hilary,

I have the same requirement of showing one of the multi-line text column value from SharePoint list in InfoPath (calculated value control) via Data Connection.

When I choose to modify the existing Data connection, it lists all columns except this multi line text column in Data connection window. I do not get to see and hence cannot choose. I changed the column type to Single line text and it appears in the Data Connection window in InfoPath.

But, single line truncates the text box to 255 characters and some of the values in that column are more than 255 characters and hence I have to work with multiline text.

My org will not pay for 3rd party software and hence I cannnot buy qrules though I would want to :-)

Is there any other round about way of pulling this information from Sharepoint List to InfoPath?

Thanks