Notes

Outline

FrontPage Data Access Workshop


	VAMAP Fall 2001 Conference
	Chuck DeHart, James Madison University
	Evan Davies, Christopher Newport University
	November 11, 2001

FrontPage 2000-Creating Web Search Pages with MS Access


	Minimum Requirements
	Prepare MS Access.mdb
	Establish data connection
	Make search/results page
	Additional features to learn and explore

Minimum Requirements


	FrontPage server extensions
	Microsoft Data Access Components
	Database connection types
		MS Access
		FoxPro, Paradox, dBase, other PC-based*
		Database running on web server*
		Database running on network server*
		*System DSN required

Prepare MS Access.mdb


	Create query (view).
	Determine display field/column names.
	Create select (distinct) query SQL.
	Make “Last Updated On (date)” table for searches on files periodically updated.

Create query (view) in MS Access.

Establish Data Connection


	Create/open web
	Create subdirectory ../fpdb
	Copy access.mdb to ../fpdb
	Global.asa created

Create/open web

Copy Access.mdb to ../fpdb

Add Database Connection dialogue box

Global.asa created

Make Search/Results Page


	Make a template or copy existing template to a new name .
	Edit “Title” under properties (rt. Click in Folder view)
	Be careful to SAVE AS .asp, not .html, or code will be lost.
	Templates can include database results objects.

Insert Database Results Design Time Control


	Select desired location.
	Launch Database Results Wizard (Insert-Database-Results)

Database Results Wizard Step One:


	Use existing db connection or Use new db connection

Database Results Wizard Step Two:


	Select record source
	MS Access queries delivered as “(VIEW)”
	Note: Custom Query option

Database Results Wizard Step Three A:


	Edit field list if necessary
	Select “More Options…”

Database Results Wizard Step Three B:


	Consider message to display if no records returned.

Database Results Wizard Step Three C:


	Select “Criteria…” “Add”
	Field name… compare …submit value
	Check box “Use this search form field”

Database Results Wizard Step Four:


	Choose “Table – one record per row”
	Examine other options.
	Include header row with column labels

Database Results Wizard Step Five:


	Determine number of records to display
	Check box for “Add search form”

Examine Objects Created by DB Results Wizard

Insert Drop-Down List into Search Form Text Box

Drop-Down List Step One:


	Select database connection

Drop-Down List Step Two:


	Select “Custom query” “Edit”
	Insert Distinct SQL: SELECT Distinct (<field name>) FROM <record source name>

Drop-Down List Step Three:


	Note that only one field is displayed.

Drop-Down List Step Four:


	Choose format option “Drop-Down List – one record per item”

Drop-Down List Step Five:


	“Display all records together” should be your only option.

Examine Drop-Down List Objects

Browser View of Drop-Down List

Browser View of Table Default Format

More to Learn and Explore


	Multiple results from a single form
	Reusing objects
	Deliver “Database Last Updated On….” to many web pages
	Creating a bookmark
	Redirecting browser on form submit
	Formatting tables

Multiple Results from a Single Form


	Use Database Results Wizard to create the next table
	In Step 5, turn off “Add search form”

Reusing Objects


	DB results objects may be reused, e.g., pull up search page for prior year, save in a new name, change controls to connect to current year data file.
	DB results objects can be copied, cut, and pasted to other locations or pages.

Deliver “Database Last Updated On….” to Many Pages


	Create a MS Access table containing a memo field and one record with your update message.
	Select this table in step 2 of the Database Results Wizard.
	In step 4, consider display options and turn off header/column.
	Copy to next page or to template.

View “Last Updated On…”

Creating a Bookmark Step One:


	Select text to be book marked.
	From menu select Insert-Bookmark.

Creating a Bookmark Step Two:


	Edit Bookmark name in dialogue box.

Creating a Bookmark Step Three:


	In Normal view, text area should have a dashed underline.
	In Preview, check for format loss.
	If format is lost, in HTML view check code.
		Error: <h2 align="left"><a name="Results">Results: Building with Instruction Related Space</a></h2>
		Edit to: <a name="Results"><h2 align="left">Results: Building with Instruction Related Space</h2></a>

Redirecting Browser On Form Submit Step One:


	Right click on Submit button to select it and launch menu screen.
	Select “Form Properties…”

Redirecting Browser On Form Submit Step Two:


	In the Form Properties box select “Options…”.
	In the Options for Custom Form Handler box enter the bookmark name in the text box for “Action:”

Formatting Tables


	Avoid side bars
	Set table properties to fixed pixels
	Set column widths to percent

FrontPage Data Access Workshop


	Thanks for coming
	Enjoy the rest of the conference

	Chuck DeHart, James Madison University
		dehartcg@jmu.edu (540) 568-6881
	Evan Davies, Christopher Newport University
		edavies@cnu.edu (757) 594-7172