Open file dialog for capturing file path

Guy wrote:
> I know it's an old topic, but I stll can't get a good answer.
>
> Simple ...script step to open a file dialog to capture the file path for
> subesquent attaching as an email.
>
> How do I capture the file name and path?
>
> fm8.5 ADV WinXP sp2
>


#grab the �lepath
Set Field [ uAdmin::FilePath; Get ( FilePath ) ]

should have added:
in FM9A
 >> Stay informed about: Open file dialog for capturing file path 

MooPlug (http://mooplug.com) is a free plugin which can show a file
open dialog and return the path to FileMaker.

Adam

On Oct 14, 8:17 pm, "Guy" wrote:
> I know it's an old topic, but I stll can't get a good answer.
>
> Simple ...script step to open a file dialog to capture the file path for
> subesquent attaching as an email.
>
> How do I capture the file name and path?
>
> fm8.5 ADV WinXP sp2
>
> --
> -------------------------------------------------
> Captain Guy
> s/v Island Time (Beneteau 352#277)
> AICW 845.5
> 386-689-5088
 >> Stay informed about: Open file dialog for capturing file path 

Yes, BUT, I want file name _and_ path...

e.g.

Many records... want to select a PDF File, then send to entire list. SO,
need to capture the file path INCLUDING file name into a variable.

Then use variable for ATTACH file.

Thanks,

Guy




"Adam Dempsey" wrote in message

MooPlug (http://mooplug.com) is a free plugin which can show a file
open dialog and return the path to FileMaker.

Adam

On Oct 14, 8:17 pm, "Guy" wrote:
> I know it's an old topic, but I stll can't get a good answer.
>
> Simple ...script step to open a file dialog to capture the file path for
> subesquent attaching as an email.
>
> How do I capture the file name and path?
>
> fm8.5 ADV WinXP sp2
>
> --
> -------------------------------------------------
> Captain Guy
> s/v Island Time (Beneteau 352#277)
> AICW 845.5
> 386-689-5088
 >> Stay informed about: Open file dialog for capturing file path 

I don't need to know the file path of the FM file... read again... I need
the full path to any file.

e.g. C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\Output folder\Report
10-31-2008.pdf

Guy


"Chris Brown" wrote in message

> Guy wrote:
>> I know it's an old topic, but I stll can't get a good answer.
>>
>> Simple ...script step to open a file dialog to capture the file path for
>> subesquent attaching as an email.
>>
>> How do I capture the file name and path?
>>
>> fm8.5 ADV WinXP sp2
>>
>
> #grab the ?lepath
> Set Field [ uAdmin::g_FilePath; Get ( FilePath ) ]
>
> etc
 >> Stay informed about: Open file dialog for capturing file path 

There is no dialog built into FileMaker to do this as simply as you
would like. Some options:

1) Use a free plugin that provides such dialogs, such as the one at
MooPlug.com

2) Use the Insert File script step to insert a file reference into a
global container field. You can then grab that referenced
path/filename, clear the container, and use that path s your email
attachment path.

3) Use an email plugin like SMTPit, which allows multiple attachments,
with file/folder dialog, as well as many other great features.


Guy wrote:
> I don't need to know the file path of the FM file... read again... I need
> the full path to any file.
>
> e.g. C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\Output folder\Report
> 10-31-2008.pdf
>
> Guy
>
>
> "Chris Brown" wrote in message
>
>> Guy wrote:
>>> I know it's an old topic, but I stll can't get a good answer.
>>>
>>> Simple ...script step to open a file dialog to capture the file path for
>>> subesquent attaching as an email.
>>>
>>> How do I capture the file name and path?
>>>
>>> fm8.5 ADV WinXP sp2
>>>
>> #grab the ?lepath
>> Set Field [ uAdmin::g_FilePath; Get ( FilePath ) ]
>>
>> etc
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Open file dialog for capturing file path 

On 2008-10-15 15:01:50 -0700, "Guy" said:

> Yes, BUT, I want file name _and_ path...

I remember doing this. I think you create a FilePath text field. Then
use a script to

Set Field [FilePath; GetAsText(ContainerField)]

I think that does it. If not, there is a way using some text function
to derive the file path from the contents of the container field. The
metadata is there behind the scenes, you just have to get it out.

If the above works, then just set up a looping script to do all your
existing records, and then set it up in your linking script to do new
ones.

Also, be aware that there may be additional text to add to your
variable to get a *complete* path for your emails.
--
Lynn Allen
--
www.semiotics.com
Member Filemaker Business Alliance
Long Beach, CA
 >> Stay informed about: Open file dialog for capturing file path 

On Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:17:04 -0400, "Guy" wrote:

>I know it's an old topic, but I stll can't get a good answer.
>
>Simple ...script step to open a file dialog to capture the file path for
>subesquent attaching as an email.
>
>How do I capture the file name and path?
>
>fm8.5 ADV WinXP sp2

It's kind of a chicken-or-egg issue, isn't it? We want to capture the
file path from an Open File dialog for use in some kind of automation,
so it doesn't have to be entered manually. But how does the Open File
dialog navigate to the right place? Someone has to do that. So we're
back where we started. I'm guessing that what's needed is an absolute
path; a relative path won't work for you.

This (or something similar) *should* work, I haven't had a chance to
try it though:

1) Set Variable # create a relative path to the desired directory
(based on the directory the database is in)
2) Send Event ( cmd.exe cd [ absolute path to your database ] # so
the variable will work in the next step
3) Send Event ( cmd.exe cd [ your variable ] ) # open the desired
directory
4) Send Event ( cmd.exe cd > pathcap.txt ) # save the absolute path
to a text file
5) Import Records ( pathcap.txt ; pathcap_g ) # import the absolute
path into a global to hold it
6) Send Event ( cmd.exe del pathcap.txt ) # clean up afterwards

If you try it let me know if it did the job.

hope this helps

--
FW


FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced on Windows XP Pro SP2
FileMaker Server 8.0 on Windows 2003 Server R2
 >> Stay informed about: Open file dialog for capturing file path 

On 2008-10-16 10:00:08 -0700, "Guy" said:

> I got it to work see below

You're welcome. Ingenuity wins again.
--
Lynn Allen
--
www.semiotics.com
Member Filemaker Business Alliance
Long Beach, CA
 >> Stay informed about: Open file dialog for capturing file path 

Well there's selecting a file and then typing in a file name... which do you
do?

It's obvious that you jsut want to select a file for attaching to an email
(the origianl problem).

Sometimes, there is a need to capture just the path, like for backup (to a
thumb drive or external disk).

This does require a plug-in like MOO, but Moo has tons of issues with
compatibility, requires MS Runtime modules be installed, etc.

Way back in the late 80's early 90's, Apple had a tool called Hypercard.
File dialogs were a snap to call, use and capture data. You'd think with
the origins of FM from the Apple world (1986), that't plug-ins and
workarounds for simple tasks like get a file name, or path would be included
in the tool box.

Guy

"FastWolf" wrote in message

> On Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:17:04 -0400, "Guy" wrote:
>
>>I know it's an old topic, but I stll can't get a good answer.
>>
>>Simple ...script step to open a file dialog to capture the file path for
>>subesquent attaching as an email.
>>
>>How do I capture the file name and path?
>>
>>fm8.5 ADV WinXP sp2
>
> It's kind of a chicken-or-egg issue, isn't it? We want to capture the
> file path from an Open File dialog for use in some kind of automation,
> so it doesn't have to be entered manually. But how does the Open File
> dialog navigate to the right place? Someone has to do that. So we're
> back where we started. I'm guessing that what's needed is an absolute
> path; a relative path won't work for you.
>
> This (or something similar) *should* work, I haven't had a chance to
> try it though:
>
> 1) Set Variable # create a relative path to the desired directory
> (based on the directory the database is in)
> 2) Send Event ( cmd.exe cd [ absolute path to your database ] # so
> the variable will work in the next step
> 3) Send Event ( cmd.exe cd [ your variable ] ) # open the desired
> directory
> 4) Send Event ( cmd.exe cd > pathcap.txt ) # save the absolute path
> to a text file
> 5) Import Records ( pathcap.txt ; pathcap_g ) # import the absolute
> path into a global to hold it
> 6) Send Event ( cmd.exe del pathcap.txt ) # clean up afterwards
>
> If you try it let me know if it did the job.
>
> hope this helps
>
> --
> FW
>
>
> FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced on Windows XP Pro SP2
> FileMaker Server 8.0 on Windows 2003 Server R2
 >> Stay informed about: Open file dialog for capturing file path