How to store repeating table data in a doc library format? Infopath 2007
Hi again!
I have a form I'm creating in Infopath 2007 (non-browser) that pulls records from a sharepoint custom list. Each record in this repeating table requires some input from the user... which I need to store back into sharepoint.
To keep it simple, I won't mess with trying to update the list itself. Instead, I will store it in a document library (the end result will be an excel extract to do lookups on anyway so it doesnt matter where it is)
But when I try to publish my form and map controls to sharepoint columns (via a content type)... it doesnt let me map the fields in the repeating table. I suppose the logic makes sense, because it's an array within one record, so to speak... but I want it to create an entry in the doc library for each of the records in the repeating table.
Is that possible, or am I going down the wrong road here?
I have a form I'm creating in Infopath 2007 (non-browser) that pulls records from a sharepoint custom list. Each record in this repeating table requires some input from the user... which I need to store back into sharepoint.
To keep it simple, I won't mess with trying to update the list itself. Instead, I will store it in a document library (the end result will be an excel extract to do lookups on anyway so it doesnt matter where it is)
But when I try to publish my form and map controls to sharepoint columns (via a content type)... it doesnt let me map the fields in the repeating table. I suppose the logic makes sense, because it's an array within one record, so to speak... but I want it to create an entry in the doc library for each of the records in the repeating table.
Is that possible, or am I going down the wrong road here?
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Qdabra qRules will allow you to submit each row in a repeating table to a sharepoint list. We've had it in testing now for several months, with various iterations, and it is working quite well. The mapping file notes your repeating table name and corresponds the fields within it to existing columns in SharePoint. It's reasonably priced, too, and doesn't require any coding. You can use code with it - we haven't - but there are tricks. Check out infopathdev.com and search for qRules. Lots of help there.
ASKER
My current repeating table is pulling data from a sharepoint list. I want users to be able to comment on each record in the table.
This seems to create a preliminary problem though... because the table itself only seems to allow fields from the sharepoint list data connection. If I try to add in my own text field where I will save the value, it gives me trouble because Im adding a non-repeating element to a repeating list.
When I go to Promotion Properties, if I just leave the "Comments" field in the repeating table as the controlt hat pulls directly from the sharepoint list.... then I can't select it as an option to save back to sharepoint.
Does that make sense? Need to solve this before moving on to the other problem of how/where to save the repeating elements I suppose.
This seems to create a preliminary problem though... because the table itself only seems to allow fields from the sharepoint list data connection. If I try to add in my own text field where I will save the value, it gives me trouble because Im adding a non-repeating element to a repeating list.
When I go to Promotion Properties, if I just leave the "Comments" field in the repeating table as the controlt hat pulls directly from the sharepoint list.... then I can't select it as an option to save back to sharepoint.
Does that make sense? Need to solve this before moving on to the other problem of how/where to save the repeating elements I suppose.
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So... I'm trying to understand your goal and this is what I'm understanding:
5-19-2011-8-50-53-AM.gif
5-19-2011-8-50-53-AM.gif
sorry, too fast with the clicker...
The d-d list in my Task column pulls from the sharepoint list; do you want the comments field to be put into a new list that can be filtered by the Task column, or do you want the entire form to be put into sharepoint, which you'd then have to preview to find particular comments?
The d-d list in my Task column pulls from the sharepoint list; do you want the comments field to be put into a new list that can be filtered by the Task column, or do you want the entire form to be put into sharepoint, which you'd then have to preview to find particular comments?
ASKER
Well my form's format is a bit different. I'll post an image to give you an idea when I'm at work tmrw...
But in the meantime :) My form reaches out to a list to retrieve a number of entries that require comments from the user that's logged in. I want the user to easily be able to go through their list, comment, click submit, and be done. The other methods we're using to accomplish this right now are a bit chaotic, time-consuming, or messy. (It's a monthly exercise that requires feedback from sales reps in 100+ countries).
So, my form pulls the entries needing comments into a repeating table. But because I can't create a comments field I can save back to a library/list inside that repeating table... I'm kind of stuck.
In the end, I want a new library/list that takes an ID from the original master list and adds comments as entered by the user. I can then use a lookup in excel to match the 2 lists back together. If I have to open an infopath form for each response, then the synergy is lost and I'm better off sharing an excel workbook across the company :(
But in the meantime :) My form reaches out to a list to retrieve a number of entries that require comments from the user that's logged in. I want the user to easily be able to go through their list, comment, click submit, and be done. The other methods we're using to accomplish this right now are a bit chaotic, time-consuming, or messy. (It's a monthly exercise that requires feedback from sales reps in 100+ countries).
So, my form pulls the entries needing comments into a repeating table. But because I can't create a comments field I can save back to a library/list inside that repeating table... I'm kind of stuck.
In the end, I want a new library/list that takes an ID from the original master list and adds comments as entered by the user. I can then use a lookup in excel to match the 2 lists back together. If I have to open an infopath form for each response, then the synergy is lost and I'm better off sharing an excel workbook across the company :(
So say a list has 20 items on it and I'm one of the sales people who has to comment. Will I comment on each of the 20 items or just some, and how do I know which ones? Will only the applicable ones show up in my form based on my login?
-- Must the original list remain untouched?
-- What specifically is the business goal of the exercise?
-- Must the original list remain untouched?
-- What specifically is the business goal of the exercise?
ASKER
You'll comment on some portion of the 20 - whichever ones have your username attached on them. It will only show you yours (basically).
The original list doesnt need to remain untouched, but it seems complicated to update data back to a sharepoint custom list, so I'm trying to avoid that. I was going to upload into a new document library using a content type so I can add in the comments and ID# into columns.
The business goal is to get a large amount of feedback on particular customer agreements (only those where the customer is not living up to their end of the bargain) from people all over the world. The file is too large / audience too broad to used a shared excel workbook... and trying to setup views so people can just use a sharepoint list would be too awful I'm thinking.
The original list doesnt need to remain untouched, but it seems complicated to update data back to a sharepoint custom list, so I'm trying to avoid that. I was going to upload into a new document library using a content type so I can add in the comments and ID# into columns.
The business goal is to get a large amount of feedback on particular customer agreements (only those where the customer is not living up to their end of the bargain) from people all over the world. The file is too large / audience too broad to used a shared excel workbook... and trying to setup views so people can just use a sharepoint list would be too awful I'm thinking.
ASKER
attaching the form to give a better idea
untitled.bmp
untitled.bmp
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ASKER
Thanks. I'll presume that this is a fairly complex case without the use of qRules.
I'll look at qRules but any new Sharepoint plugins like this have to get a business case, technical review, and approval from our 6 different business units because plugins have conflicted in the past. All this just to make this one situation work seems like a bit much... but I'll see what the guy (who I'm trying to help) says.
I'll look at qRules but any new Sharepoint plugins like this have to get a business case, technical review, and approval from our 6 different business units because plugins have conflicted in the past. All this just to make this one situation work seems like a bit much... but I'll see what the guy (who I'm trying to help) says.
InfoPath
Microsoft InfoPath is a software application for designing, distributing, filling and submitting electronic forms containing structured data. The product features a WYSIWYG form designer in which the various controls (e.g. textbox, radio button, checkbox) are bound to data, represented separately as a hierarchical tree view of folders and data fields. All the data stored in InfoPath forms are stored in an XML format. Secondary data sources can be built into the form or they can be accessed through an external data connection to SharePoint or a Web service.
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You could look at using a CAML to update lists on www.infopathdev.com or move your data to a database which would support your repeating elements.