Stephen,
Actually, I believe IMHO that the ebase system is both easier and quite clever.
Although it does limit your choices of merge fields, it allows users to create letter
texts without giving them layout-level access to the database. If you've ever
developed databases, you probably know that allowing structure-level access to end
users is a very bad idea.
Matt
At 11:35 AM 12/13/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Matthew,
> That makes sense. Seems like it should be easier to customize
>letters and use the letter wizard if you can customize ebase. Thanks
>for your response.
>
>Stephen
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Matthew Scholtz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
>Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2000 8:38 PM
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: Re: [SUPPORT] customizing merge fields
>
>
>Stephen,
>
>The merge fields in the letter texts aren't real FMP merge fields - they
>just look like them. They're really just text that ebase then parses
>with a calculation and replaces with values from fields. So only the
>fields that have been setup in the calculation will be recognized. So
>in order to add a new one, you'd have to add it to all of the relevant
>calculations. So you can't just type in a field that's not in the list.
>
>Does this make sense?
>
>If you want to make a letter that contains other merge fields, you can
>make it as a separate layout through layout mode and the master
>password.
>
>Matt
>
>At 02:20 PM 12/12/00 -0500, you wrote:
>>We have created a lot of new fields in ebase, and I am having trouble
>>putting our customized fields into merge letters or emails. The email
>>and letter wizard only offers some standard ebase fields, and when I
>>type in a custom field surrounded by << >>, it doesn't recognize the
>>field in the letter/email. Can anyone who has done this share a
>>solution?
>>
>>______________________________
>>Stephen Bobb
>>Program Associate
>>Leadership for a Changing World
>>ADVOCACY INSTITUTE
>>1629 K St., NW #200
>>Washington, DC 20006
>>tel: (202) 777-7563
>>fax: (202) 777-7577
>>email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>web: http://www.advocacy.org
>>web: http://www.leadershipforchange.org
>>
>>
>>
>Matthew Scholtz
>Evaluator and IS Coordinator
>Health Initiatives For Youth (HIFY)
>www.hify.com
>
