How to enter data on a page 
Author: John P.
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I recently acquired Website X5 and have setup my db. I am at the place where I need to ask the user to enter his/hers data, which will be subsequently communicated to the SQL Server db for action.
I could write html, but was wondering whether an object exists which can be used to prompt the user to enter the data.
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Could you be more specific?
There are many ways to let the user enter data.
By a form and save to database, by the dynamic content object, by secured pages where user has to log in...
Please tell us some more about what it should be used for - then we can better give suggestions on possible solutions.
Author
Hi JohnS,
Basically data collection through a form.
Author
I will create a Web based software package for managing buildings (very specific spec)
Author
The data collected by the form may be stored in the database (SQL Server) or used to retrieve other data from the db.
Author
Can the Contact Form object be used?
Author
The Contact Entry form (a user friendly name for it would be Data Entry form) can probably be used. AT the end of the day we will try to use X5 to create most of the front end, that will eventually be linked through C# .NET technology to an SQL Server on Azure.
In the mean time will try to link to a local SQL Server and may need some assistance in setting the appropriate settings in X5's Data Management,
Hello John
Yes - the contact entry form can be used for that.
But you have no control over the data, and once the data has been sent to the server, the user cannot edit nor see these data. The data can of course be seen ( eventually by the database-viewer) but unless something special is done, then the data can be seen by all.
You could make a secured page where users has to log in, and then create a table-view that selects on the userid ( email) - but this requires special code. Not rocket science - but if you are not familiar with coding and sql then it could be troublesome.
For the simple version :
User puts data in a form. Data is sent to a database ( and eventually also by mail to the user as a confirm ).
The data can be viewed on a page via the database-viewer object.
This requires no special coding.
I have a feeling that you will end up with a too simple solution.
Do you want a user to be able to edit/maintain his own data?
Do you want to join tables together? Example : You have more buildings. A "report" should belong to a building or maybe more specific to a flat.
The user cannot edit the buildings and cannot edit the flats. The user can only see and edit his own entries. A manager can see for all users.
You have a table for a building. and then tables for flats for that building. And data entries should be saved belonging to these buildings/flats.
By reporting the user has to choose from a dropdown the building and for that building a flat. You want to produce reports for a building?
Or could you be even more specific in telling us what you want to achieve with the solution.
Author
Hi JohnS and many thanks for your replies and questions.
The goal is to create a Web based solution to manage buildings, where the backend will be handled through .NET, C# and the data will be stored in an SQL db on Azure.
The communication between the front end and the DB will be through Web services that we have written and the communication will be using JSon.
For me, the most important part of any software project is the functional spec, away from technical limitations. We could write the entire front end with html from scratch but I felt that this is too cumbersome. I have been using X5 for 3 days now and in the worse case I can create a flow of pages, which will help me decide on the method that will be used to code the solution.
Tomorrow I will see if and how the output from X5 can be used and most likely I will return with more questions.
Regarding the software, as I mentioned before, the specs are very specific and there is a need for a bespoke solution, according to the clients wishes. The software will handle buildings and units inside buildings, amount owed by owners to the management committee, amount owed by owners to external contractors, amount that needs to be paid to the government according to a law that will be passed soon, to-do items for management members, reporting to the government and for internal use etc.
Author
I was playing the Table object. Is there a way to define a column as a Checkbox, so that for the specific table cell that user can select True or False?
Author
In addition to a Checkbox inside a Table cell, I was wondering how to include other objects such as Combo box, Date etc.
You can use :
Textfield
E-mail
date
Selection from a drop-down
Selection from a list
Multi choice
Single choice
Password
You can let the user attach ( small) files
Securuty question - as alternative to captcha
Security ( captcha)
Let the user check for agreement.
Author
Hi JohnS,
How do I show a checkbox inside a table cell?
I am not quite sure I understand what you mean. But I will try an answer.
The checkboxes and so is possible for the form where you input data.
When the form is completed the user press "SEND" and then the data is sent to the database. If a user made a choice from a dropdown, it will be the result of the selection the user has made, that is stored in the database.
You can store things in a table cell as images and so, but then we are not talking the simple solution anymore.
Then you have to make a database solution, where you for a table can specify images, dropdowns and so, for a field and then you can have the user edit his own records.
You can see a simple database solution here : http://eksempelsite.dk/side-18.html
In the field "Cashpower" is specified an image and when clicking you are brought to the URL ( not present in the example ).
If you click on the field "Billing" you will be brought to a table with records for what is bought and the payment for it. You will only be able to see transactions when logged in and then only see your own transactions. The manager can see transactions for all. The userr record is the parent record and the transactions is child-records to this parent. ( joined).
On a transactions you can click a record and then you will see a detail view for that transaction.
Another example here : http://eksempelsite.dk/biler/Biler_view.php
Here you see records to the left and detail view to the right. When a record is clicked a detail view is shown and some child-records if made. You can click the ID=4 and then you will see the detail view for ID 4 and then some child-records belonging to ID 4.
The 2 examples is made with a databse tool. It will take few hours to make such a solution when using a tool. Some more time if you have to dig into the tool. I suggest to use a tool as you will then have search facilities and prnt and so on - without to have to make this yourself.
I am not sure it answers your question but then you have to ask with other words - and maybe some more explanation.
Author
Thanks for the reply. When I ask "How do I show a checkbox inside a table cell?" I refer to what appears in the attachment.
Author
Also JohnS you mention
"The 2 examples is made with a databse tool. It will take few hours to make such a solution when using a tool. Some more time if you have to dig into the tool. I suggest to use a tool as you will then have search facilities and prnt and so on - without to have to make this yourself."
Are you referring to a tool such as GetBootstrap? Can you suggest a tool that can be used?
Referring to including a checkbox inside a table cell, do you know whether this can be done using X5?
When you have a checkbox like this, it is to mark one or more rows - the check is NOT stored in a database.
You can check a number of records and then when pressing "print" only the selected will be printed.
You can make something like that with Ajax. You can make many things with html, CSS, js and so on - but as said before : The easiest way to make something like that, is to use a tool.
My two examples is made with a tool. With a tool, an application like the shown can be made in a couple of hours.
Provided you have a full specification ready, you could make your own application in a couple of hours. But add some time for the learning.
Author
Thanks again. So X5 cannot include a checkbox inside a table cell, without special coding, right?
X5 is NOT a database tool.
With X5 you can make rather nice and advanced websites - but apart from viewing one table ( no joining ) and the contact form, you cannot do database operations.
My examples is made with AppGini https://bigprof.com/appgini/
And I just saw it is on sale : https://bigprof.com/shop-discount-offers/
There is also other database tools - you can find them on the net - but I think AppGini is affordable amd gives good value for the money.
Alternative to a database tool is programming ( PHP, JS, Html )
Author
Many thanks. Will look into AppGini.