Re: [libreoffice-users] success: form with detail subform; working list boxes in main form

Hi :)
We do need both docs and devs working on this.  But i think driving the 
documentation forwards might help devs understand how Base works when it isn't 
being temperamental.  That might help them stabilise it in a sensible 
direction.  


In rock-groups people often think the lead singer is the most important person 
in the band.  The more discerning notice that it's often the drummer that starts 
and sets the pace, or the bass player, or both.   OpenSource devs are like rock 
gods, and quite rightly so, but sometimes it's the documenters that need to be 
the driving force.

Regards from
Tom :)





________________________________
From: Tom Cloyd <tc@tomcloyd.com>
To: users@global.libreoffice.org
Sent: Thu, 23 June, 2011 10:37:52
Subject: Re: [libreoffice-users] success: form with detail subform; working list 
boxes in main form

Hi Tom,

I sure prefer top-posting, for what it's worth.

Will chase the bug report tomorrow, OK? I didn't know it was a bug, but 
it is if you say so, and I'm glad to hear it. I absolutely think list 
boxes should work from queries. Right now I need better to separate out 
what causes the problem - queries in main form, subform, or list boxes, 
or some combination, or all three. But it's 3:35 AM here, and I'm off to 
bed. Will be fresh tomorrow.

YOU are the encourager, here, and I appreciate it. I will admit to 
having a fierce drive to get something working, as I love databases, and 
I really want Base to work for all of us, AND I have urgent need for 
this tool immediately. I don't just see the light, I feel the heat!

Yes, let's push this one on through, and get progress on documentation 
(and coding, too, though I can't help there).

Can't wait for tomorrow, 'cause it gets better every day!

t.

On 06/23/2011 03:12 AM, Tom Davies wrote:
> Hi :)
> I think it's a good idea to post a bug-report about list-boxes only working 
> from
> tables.  They really need to work from Queries too
> http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/BugReport
>
> I don't think there are any devs currently working on Base but there will be.
> There is a chance of documentation catching up with the app within this small
> window of opportunity.  It does need a lot of good people so it's good to see
> you building the team up by encouraging other good people :)
> Good luck!
> Regards from
> Tom :)
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Tom Cloyd<tc@tomcloyd.com>
> To: LibreOffice User's Help Forum<users@global.libreoffice.org>
> Sent: Thu, 23 June, 2011 9:36:04
> Subject: [libreoffice-users] success: form with detail subform; working list
> boxes in main form
>
> This is very early in my learning period, but I seem to have achieved a small
> breakthrough.
>
> It now appears that if list boxes are to work reliably, or at all, in a form
> with a subform, they must be created using raw tables - i.e. view or queries
> cannot be used. Likewise for the main form and the subform. Use only raw 
table,
> not views or queries. This means that one cannot take advantage of aliases set
> up in view or queries, but that's no great loss. Aliases mainly affect labels,
> in a form, and they can be altered via the control's property dialog.
>
> A remaining problem is how to get sorted list box source tables. If I have a
> list box that has 250 possible items, I need them sorted, but I cannot see how
> to do this. So far, using a view to achieve this has resulted in screwy or
> totally nonfunctional list boxes. I suspect the SQL needs adjusting, but 
that's
> a bad solution for your average user. I shouldn't have to be an SQL wizard to
> get a sorted list box.
>
> In any case, my initial, test case database is working perfectly. It going 
into
> immediate use, as it details storage of various things I own (books, clothes,
> etc.) in various containers, in various rooms, and even various buildings, 
etc.
> So, the procedure I used tonight was this:
>
> 1. Set up main table, with foreign key field for one or more detail forms.
>
> 2. Set up at least one detail table.
>
> 3. Use the main menu Tool>Relationship functionality to link detail table
> primary key to relevant main table foreign key. (Do not know if this is
> absolutely necessary or not, but it doesn't hurt anything.)
>
> 4. Launch form designer wizard. Use the main and detail tables set up above. 
Do
> NOT use any view or query. Set up main table to display display one record at 
a
> time, as set of text boxes linked to record fields,. Set up the subform as a
> grid matrix (or whatever it's called), so multiple detail records will show.
> Main table order can be set as a property, and subform can be ordered once the
> form is executed, using sort options available in the interface of the 
> activated
> (executing form); they will persist from session to session!
>
> 5. In the form designer, replace all main record field text boxes with list
> boxes, using the list box wizard (be sure the "use wizard" icon on side of 
page
> is depressed, to get the wizard). As before, use raw tables, not views.
>
> 6. In executing the form, one can click the icon at the bottom of the 
interface
> which has the tool tip description that begins "Activates an additional table
> view..." to get a very useful view of the main database at the top of the 
form.
> It is especially interesting to note that in this view, for every field to 
> which
> one attaches a list box in the main form, the main table foreign key is 
> replaced
> by the data field to which it refers, once you make a selection from a list 
> box.
> This makes a database filled with foreign keys sudden very readable. Where the
> foreign keys have not been instantiated, it is readily apparent.
>
> This seems to work without a problem (so far).
>
> If this is the most I get Base to do for me, it's worth the price of admission
> and then some, but I suspect it can do more!
>
> I hope this description of what I have found to work helps some other folks
> struggling with forms and list boxes, and I for damn sure an going to try to 
> get
> the essential information into the documentation, if that proves to be
> appropriate.
>
> All constructive comments welcome...
>
> Tom
>
>
>
>
>
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