Question

Performing Calculations on a repeating table based on a Secondary Data Source (Sharepoint List).

Asked by: dpeadmin

Hello,
I'm putting together an Infopath form using Sharepoint Lists as a data source.
When I make these connections in Inofpath, I can add the lists as repeating tables in my form.
However, I need a means of performing calulations within the form on the data contained in the lists.
I have already inserted blank fields in the Sharepoint list that show up in the form and allow me to peform the calculations I need but when I submit the form, the user inserted data is refreshed to the original data stored in the Sharepoint list.
Is there a means of breaking the connection for these calculation fields such that they maintain the values inserted by users?
Specifically, the form is for customers to order stationery and have feedback as they fill out the form as to what the staionery will cost. This works fine.
On submit (to a sharepoint document library), when the stationery supplier opens the form, the user inserted information has reverted to the original data stored in the source Sharepoint list, so they can't see the numbers required.
I'll insert some images as illustration of the problem.

If anyone has any clever advise or ideas around this, I'd appreciate hearing them.
DPEAdmin.
P.S. we're using Infopath 2007 and Sharepoint 2007

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Asked On
2009-08-07 at 02:41:52ID24634225
Topics

Infopath

,

MS SharePoint

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: clayfoxPosted on 2009-08-07 at 07:52:46ID: 25043349

Ok.
By default only data in the main data source in any InfoPath form os saved in XML with the form.  Secondary data sources are read-only.

You have two options.
Add fields to your form's data source and copy your calculated values into these fields and they will persist in your saved forms if that is what you need.

Or if you want to actually update the sharepoint lists with the data, you can submit data to them but it is a bit complex.  You can search on CAML on www.infopathdev.com for more information.

Ultimately, SharePoint lists are not an ideal data source since they are flat and not relational.  They also are limited in how you can pass data, especially back to them via a form.  I recommend SQL if you are building an enterprise solution for performance and ease of development.  www.qdabra.com has a packaged solution that gives you the ability to use webservices with both SQL and SharePoint lists.


 

by: dpeadminPosted on 2009-08-07 at 08:02:39ID: 25043456

clayfox,

thanks for the response.

I've been experimenting with a solution similar to your first option. My problem is how to create fields in the data source that will store values calculated in a repeating table. i.e. I could add a proxy field in the source for the 'Number required' field but how to make that take account of a repeating table that iterates 8 times?

It's probably a variation on the same question but is there any way to attach a field in the Main data source to a field in a secondary data source such that it would iterate the same amount of times as the secondary source repeating table and perform the calculation on each iteration.

Hoping my question is clear.

Thanks again for your response.

 

 

by: clayfoxPosted on 2009-08-07 at 09:41:59ID: 25044620

Well typically I would create a repeating node in my data source.  Add fields under it.  Than put that in my view.

The user works on this tables and has drop downs which pull from your SP data.  They build a record and then insert a second one, etc.

This is the simplest and most straightforward.

The stationary request form would open with a blank row.  Maybe they select the category from the first drop down, then see the items in that category in the next dropdown. (cascading dropdowns). And based on their selection you have rules that looks up the cost, etc for that item and populates the rest of the table.  If they need a second item they use the insert new record or whatever you call it.

I would look at some of the sample forms included with InfoPath as example or on www.infopathdev.com

 

by: dpeadminPosted on 2009-08-10 at 02:28:14ID: 25058264

Clay,

thanks again for the response.

I actually started out with the cascading dropdown solution but was asked to change it to make the available options immediately visible as opposed to requiring users to search through dropdowns first.

I will have a look at some of the infopath sample forms.

Thanks.

dpeadmin

 

by: clayfoxPosted on 2009-08-10 at 23:39:51ID: 25066605

You could display the secondary data sources.  What I often do is add another selection type field to the list, could be a true false or what ever.

Then they can use that like a radio button.  When they select a row from the secondary list it copies all the data to the form row using the filter select=true or whatever.
They would need to still insert a second row but then could repeat.

That is one option if they want everything displayed.

 

by: dpeadminPosted on 2009-08-11 at 06:51:21ID: 25068992

Clay,

thanks again for the advice.

I ended up using qRules to copy the data from the secondary to the main source. So far this seems to be doing the trick though I have yet to forensically audition the solution.

dpeadmin

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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