Hello -
I've looked for some discussion of this on the group but haven't found
exactly what I need. I'm designing a database for an organization
that needs to output data to their graphics design firm for an annual
catalog. The complexities of the catalog and the database's limited
budget both constrain me from trying to build a solution that will
allow them to output the catalog directly from FM, though I'm sure it
would be possible given the time. But as it is, there are plenty of
other re****ts included, and I'd rather keep their design firm involved
in catalog production.
In the past, the organization had tracked their data in spreadsheets
and Word docs, then provided the firm with a single Word doc
containing all the data with text styles more or less how they wanted
to see it in the catalog -- font sizes, bold, italic, underline, caps,
etc. Moving to the database, they can of course still apply
formatting, but if it's ex****ted as a text do***ent, the formatting
won't be retained for the design firm. I've looked at solutions like
EZxslt to create Word docs from FMP, but frankly find it too expensive
for this project and would use an FM-native solution.
Is there a way to output an HTML or XML do***ent from FM that picks up
on text formatting within fields? Despite the fact that I've been
designing databases for nearly a decade, I've avoided any but the most
basic familiarity with HTML and XML for fear of having an obsessive
interest in them swamp my time. Kind of the same reason I don't own a
TV set. But is this the way to go? I've tried ex****ting records as
an HTML table, but this does not retain formatting within fields. Any
suggestions would be welcome.
FYI, this is FM9 Advanced for posting to FM Server on a mixed Win/Mac
environment.
Thanks again.
-J.
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