Main
PrimaSoft DB-HTML Converter PRO - Help

Introduction

What's New

Program Description

Examples/Tutorial

Main Window

Database Page

MS Access Support in DB-HTML Converter

Index Page

Filters Page

SQL Page

Functions

Custom HTML Templates

How to use your favorite HTML Editor

Custom HTML Templates

HTML Report Wizard Window

General Settings Page

Data Page

Report Elements Page

Report Attributes

Report Header

Report Body

Report Footer

Hyperlinks Page

Maintenance Page

Functions

Other

Picture Control

Text Attributes Control Elements

Templates

General

About PrimaSoft PC

Contact Information

How to Register


Program_Description
Program Description

DB-HTML Converter

DB-HTML Converter PRO is a tool that generates HTML reports from database files (Dbase, Paradox, Fox Pro, MS Access, DB2, Informix, InterBase, MS SQL, Oracle, Sybase,...). Without any additional HTML editor you can create a set of linked web pages that can be put immediately on your web server or viewed with your favorite browser.

DB-HTML Converter PRO can be used by beginners as well as advanced users. Report creation is easy and fast. You can only select a database and fields to be included in the report and press GO push button. DB-HTML Converter PRO, then, begins generating HTML file(s) for the selected database. Advanced computer users will find many additional functions that give them flexibility in the report creation process.

Features

•	In a simple and fast way converts database into html files. Computer users with basic HTML and database knowledge can create pages within several minutes.

•	Provides flexible HTML and Database Maintenance functions that can satisfy advanced computer users (filters, indexes, SQL, html tags, ...).

•	Creates reports in plain or tabular form. Creates one page reports or grouped reports split into separate pages.

•	Allows to define general attributes for all report elements (color, size, style, alignment, column colors, font type....).

•	Allows to define menus, header, footer, graphic, and background colors for all html pages.

•	Converts graphic from your database into image files in the format accepted by all browsers.

•	HTML report parameters can be saved as templates.

•	Loads databases from the network server.

•	Creates report(s) that can be viewed on any computer.


How_To_Register
How To Register ?

Choose the most convenient way to register/order the program:

1) Money Order, Check, or Cash

(Price:  103 $US)

Please send your money order, check (only Canadian or American), or cash with a registration form to the following address:

PrimaSoft PC, Inc.

P.O. Box 456

Surrey,   BC   V3T 5B7

CANADA

2) Credit Card Orders

We accept VISA/MASTER Card orders. Please send us a registration form with the card number, the cardholder name and the expiration date. You may send all this information to the address mentioned above or by:

Phone:  	1-604-951-1085 (or 1-800-371-7520 USA and Canada)

Fax:  	1-604-951-7797

Internet:  	support@primasoft.com

3) INTERNET Registration Through Our WWW Home Page or First Virtual (all Credit Cards)

You need a World-Wide Web browser. You may visit our HOME PAGE :

http://www.primasoft.com


About_PrimaSoft
About PrimaSoft PC

PrimaSoft PC, Inc., a Canadian software company, specializes in developing utility software for PC users. To date, the company has developed a number of Windows-based utility packages, such as text editors, organizers, catalogues which are currently distributed all over the world.

Over the past four years, PrimaSoft PC has designed and implemented about 25 Windows programs that are distributed as PrimaSoft Windows Collection. All programs use a book-like user interface that seems to be well received by most users, especially computer novices.

Beginning with PrimaSoft Internet Organizer, PrimaSoft PC has introduced a new product line based on greatly improved user interface and powerful DBase database engine (industry standard). New products should appeal to both beginners as well as sophisticated users and corporations (the software can be used in multiuser environments).

We will also be releasing small, user-friendly utilities that can make your life easier. Some examples are: PrimaSoft Dialer, PrimaSoft AutoFTP, PrimaSoft Text, and PrimaSoft Label Printer.

Contact Information


Contact_Information
Contact Information

PrimaSoft PC, Inc.

P.O. Box 456

Surrey,   BC  V3T 5B7

CANADA

Phone:1-604-951-1085

Fax:1-604-951-7797

Compuserve:  primasoft@compuserve.com

Internet:  support@primasoft.com

Internet - PrimaSoft's WWW Home Page:

http://www.primasoft.com


Select_Database
Main Window - Select Database

Select a database

Select the database format of the file. The program can use the following database formats: Dbase, Paradox, Fox Pro, MS Access, DB2, Informix, InterBase, MS SQL, Oracle, Sybase,.... Click on the Dbase or Paradox in the Database Format section. Go to the directory where the database file is stored. All databases for the selected directory are listed in the Select a File list box. Click on the file to open it. The selected file is listed in the edit box at the bottom part of the window in red color.

Report Push Button

Initially, when the database is not opened, the button is disabled. When you open the database the button is enabled. Click here to display the HTML Report Wizard Window.

Open Databases from the server

The program can read databases from the database server (DB2, MS SQL, etc.). In this case you  have to open a database through a database Alias. Just click on the Database Alias dropdown box and select the Database Alias name. The Database Table drop down box contains all databases from the selected Database Alias. Read more: Database Alias (how to create, what is it,...)

Related Topics

Database Index

Database Filter

Database SQL


Database_Index
Main Window - Database Index

Selecting an Index for a database allows you to specify in which order the database records will be processed. In other words, an index will determine in what order the records will be listed on generated HTML pages.

Select Index

Some databases already have some indexes created and you can just select an index you want from the Selected Index combo box. The Selected Index options will be listed below. If you cannot find the index you need you can create one by clicking on Create New Index button.

Related Topics

Select Database

Database Filter

Database SQL


Filters
Main Window - Filters

Filters allow you to select only a subset of records in your HTML reports. You create a filter by entering a filter expression into the multi-line edit box. The easiest way to do it is by selecting parts of your filter expression from the popup menu (right-click). In addition to a filter expression you can select two options: Case Sensitive, and Partial Compare. Case Sensitive option means that the filter expression will be evaluated in a case-sensitive mode (the text must match exactly). Partial Compare allows you to use a * character as a wildcard. For example, A* will match all words beginning with a letter A.

Typically, a filter expression consists of one or several sub-expressions joined by logical operators (AND, OR, NOT). A filter sub-expression usually consists of a data field name, a comparison operator, and a constant (constants must be surrounded by a single quote character).

   Some filter examples:

•	this filter expression will select only records in which the LAST_NAME field begins with letters K-X:  (LAST_NAME >= 'K') AND (LAST_NAME <= 'X')

•	this filter expression will select only records in which the ENTRY_DATE field is greater than 10/01/97: ENTRY_DATE > '10/01/97'

Related Topics

Select Database

Database Index

Database SQL


SQL
Main Window - SQL

Structured Query Language (SQL)

SQL is a database industry standard language for retrieving information from relational databases. SQL allows you to select columns and rows from a database (or a set of databases) based on specified conditions. SQL works in a similar way as Filters but is much more flexible. Unlike filters, SQL allows to specify complex query conditions involving more than one database file. The SQL query results can also contain data fields from more than one database file.

How to use SQL in DB-HTML Converter?

Just click on SQL tab in the main screen and, then, click on the Run/Edit SQL Query button. Once you are in the SQL Builder main screen you have to do the following:

- Add one or more tables to the query;

- Select the fields (columns) that you want to be included in the query;

- Specify the query conditions by clicking on '...' button next to   "Where value is" clause;

- Run the query by clicking on the "Show Result Table" button.

- Once you are happy with the result table click on the OK button to close the SQL Builder window; answer "Yes" in order to save the query result to your hard disk (DB-HTML Converter saves query results in Result.dbf table in Sql subdirectory);

- In order to generate an HTML report based on the SQL Query select Result.dbf table in Sql subdirectory (you may want to create an alias for your SQL queries).

Note: SQL Builder contains separate Help file.

Related Topics

Select Database

Database Index

Database Filter


General_Page_Setting
HTML Report Wizard - General Settings

General Page Settings allow you to select a report directory and an image files format.

Generate HTML Report in this directory

Select a directory where all html and image files will be saved. Additional files like a background images, a header images, a footer images will also be saved in this directory.

Images Format

If your database contains images they can be used in the HTML report. The HTML Report Wizard will have to save them as graphical files. Select the file format that you would like to use. All graphical files will be stored in the report directory. File names are created in the following way: letter (optional) + field number + underscore + record number, for example: a11_23.gif => a(letter selected by you) + 11(graphical field position in the record) + "_" + 23(record number)

Start Image Names With (a..z)

If your database contains images they can be used in the HTML report. The HTML Report Wizard will have to save them as graphical files. File names are created in the following way: letter (entered in this box/optional) + field number + underscore + record number, for example: a11_23.gif => a(letter entered by you) + 11(graphical field position in the record) + "_" + 23(record number). This option will allow you to control the file names. It can be useful in the following situations: you generate multiple reports for different databases in the same directory; you generate different reports for the same database and store results in the same directory. If you enter different letters for image files the HTML Report Wizard will not overwrite them.


Page_Header
HTML Report Wizard - Report/Page Header

This page allows you to enter text and select graphics that will be displayed at the top of the main page. You can define some html attributes for both elements.

Source

Select the source of the page header here.

Defined Attributes: DB-HTML Converter will create header elements defined on this page.

HTML File: DB-HTML Converter will use the content of this file as a report header.

Header Title

Enter the title of the page here. The header title will be displayed at the top of the page. You can control several attributes of this text. Read: Text Attributes

Picture

This control allows you to define an image that will be display at the top of the main page. The Picture control has several useful functions. All are listed in the form of small push buttons on the toolbar (bottom part of the picture control) or are included in the popup menu (right mouse click). Read: Picture functions

Picture Alignment

This function allows you to set the position of the image.

Left: image will be displayed on the left side of the window.

Right: image will be displayed on the right side of the window.

Above Title: image will be displayed above the title.

Below Title: image will be displayed above the title.

Header Text

Here you can enter descriptive information about your html report. You can include HTML tags in the header text. The most useful HTML tags for formatting text are included in the popup menu (right mouse click). You can enter the tags in two ways. Insert a tag from the popup menu at the cursor position or highlight text and then select a tag from the popup menu. Additionally you can set some attributes for the whole text included in the Header Text edit box: color, text style, and text font size. Read: Text Attributes


Page_Footer
HTML Report Wizard - Report/Page Footer

This page allows you to specify text and graphics that will be displayed at the bottom of the main page. You can define some HTML attributes for both elements.

Source

Select the source of the page footer here.

Defined Attributes: DB-HTML Converter will create footer elements defined on this page.

HTML File: DB-HTML Converter will use the content of this file as a report footer.

Footer Title

Enter the footer of the page here. The footer title will be displayed at the bottom of the page. You can control several attributes of this text. Read: Text Attributes

Picture

This control allows you to define the image that will be display at the bottom of the main page. The Picture control has several useful functions. All are listed in the form of small push buttons on the toolbar (bottom part of the picture control) or are included in the popup menu (right mouse click). Read: Picture functions

Picture Alignment

This function allows you to set the position of the image.

  Left: image will be displayed on the left side of the window

Right: image will be displayed on the right side of the window

Above Footer: image will be displayed above the footer title.

Below Footer: image will be displayed above the footer title.

Footer Text

Here you can enter text that will be displayed at the bottom of the main HTML page (e.g. the footer can be useful for including a copyright information, page modification date, etc.). You can include HTML tags in the footer text. The most useful tags for formatting text are included in the popup menu (right mouse click). You can enter the tags in two ways. Insert a tag from the popup menu at the cursor position or highlight text and select a tag from popup menu. Additionally you can set some attributes for the whole text included in the Footer Text edit box: color, text style, and text font size. Read: Text Attributes


Data_Fields
HTML Report Wizard - Data Fields

This page allows you to select fields from a database that will be included in the HTML report and define some general options for your Internet document.

All Data Fields List Box

All data fields from the selected database are listed here. To select a field you have to highlight the field, and then click on the 'green arrow' push button. If you want to include next field in the same line or column then press on the 'plus' button.The selected field will be displayed in the Selected Fields list box. The push button with double green arrow selects all fields. + Field Separator: enter a separator for fields listed in the same line.

Note: If you want to use Custom HTML Template file then select data fields here. You do not have to set Field Attributes. They are already defined in your HTML template file.

To Remove a Field

Highlight the field. Click on the push button with a red arrow. The selected field will be removed from the Selected Fields list box. Click on the push button with double red arrow to remove all fields.

To Change the Order of Fields

There are push buttons with up and down red arrows below the Selected Fields list box. When you click on one of them the selected field will move one position up or down.

To Group Records

Select a "group by field" from the Group By dropdown box. NOTE: When you want to Group records by a data field your database MUST BE SORTED by this field.

Read: Select Index.

To Group Records in Separate Files

Select a "group by field", go to the Report Elements Page and select Report Type: 2-Level, or 3-Level.

In this case the report main page (index.htm) contains the list of group names with hyperlinks to the corresponding group files.

Field Attributes

The Field Attributes controls allow you to set different attributes of the selected field. To activate the field click on the field name in the Selected Fields list box . The following attributes of the text can be defined.

•	Name (field header/label): Contains the name of the field. Initially the name is taken from the database structure information. You can enter new name here.

•	Width in Pixels: for tabular report format you can define each column width here (note: some browsers ignore this value).

•	Use Individual Field Attributes: Do you want to set different attributes for each field (different text color, background, font type, ....)? Set this option.

•	Label Attributes, Data Attributes: Select Label when you define label/header attributes. Select Data when you define data attributes.

•	Text Color: This control sets the color in which text will appear in on the screen. Click here to display the Color dialog box. To select the color click on the color box. Click on the OK push button. The selected color will be displayed in the text color control.

•	Text Style, Text Font Size, Text Font Name: These controls set the font size, style, type. Refer to HTML specification to find out more information about H1-H6, FONT tags.

•	Text Attributes: This group of options allows you to set additional text attributes: bold, italic, underlined, centered.

•	Table Background Color: This control sets the background color of the whole table. You can set the color for each column if Use Individual Fields Attributes option is selected.

•	Numeric Fields Attributes: options are displayed when the numeric field is selected. Specify how many digits should be displayed after decimal point. If you want to calculate totals select the Calculate Total options.

User-Defined Fields

Program allows you to define 5 additional fields (text and/or URL addresses). Instead of creating additional data fields in your database with constant text or URL address you can use User-Defined Fields.

URL Link for User Field

The user-defined field can be used as a hypertext link. The URL address, entered here,  will be used as the hypertext reference.


Report_Body
HTML Report Wizard - Report/Page Body

This page allows you to define the appearance of the actual report. You can define the type of the report (tabular, plain, from record template - Custom HTML Templates, table options (width, transparent..), text and header attributes (color, size,..).

Report (Body) Format

Click on Plain if you would like to have each field on a separate line. Click on Tabular if you want to display selected fields in the form of a table. Click on From Record Template if you would like to insert selected data fields into HTML template file.

Table Options

This part allows you to define some table attributes. You can define the table's border width. In the box, enter a number. It will represent the table's border width in pixels. Click Transparent Table to make the table transparent. Click Table Center to make the table appear horizontally centered.

Table Width

This part allows you to specify the width of the table in three ways: as needed (browser decides), in pixels, and as a percentage of the browser display window.


Group_Page
HTML Report Wizard - Group Page (BODY)

This page allows you to define attributes of the group names. If the group index is very long you might want to display it in several columns. Enter the column number in the Number of Columns control.


Functions
HTML Report Wizard Window- Functions

 Go

Click here to generate an HTML report. Note: If your HTML Report Directory contains old html report files they can be overwritten. Move your old html report files to a new directory or select different HTML Report Directory for every html report. You can also define different names for your html report files but storing your html reports in separate directories is safer.

 Close

It will close the HTML Report Wizard Window.

 Load

Displays the template window with all available templates. Click on the template name in the Existing Templates list box. Click on the OK push button. Note: A template created for one database can be used with other databases. However, if the current database has different data fields (field names) than the one for which the template was created the non-existing data fields will be automatically removed from the list of selected data fields. Read: Load Template

 Save

You can save all settings from the HTML Report Wizard Window that you want to reuse in a template. Just define the settings on all tab pages click on the Save push button and enter the template name. Later, when you use the HTML Report Wizard instead of changing the settings one by one you can change the settings by loading them from the template. Select the template in the Template List. Clicking on the OK push button activates the new settings. Read: Save Template

 Delete

Click here to delete the contents of your HTML report directory (use with caution).

 Clear

Click here to set default parameters for all options included in the Report Wizard window.

View in Browser

Click on this option if you want to display the report in the browser immediately after the Go push button is pressed.


Picture_Control
Picture Control

Picture Control allows you to select easily any graphical image that you would like to include in the report. Control functions are listed in the popup menu (right mouse click) or in the tool bar (bottom part of the control).

Clear: clears the contents of the picture control.

Load: displays an Open File dialog box. Go to the directory where the image file is stored. Select the image file and click on the OK push button. The selected image will be displayed in the picture control.

Save: saves the contents of the picture control to a file. You can save the image as a new file or just overwrite the existing one.

Copy: copies the contents of the picture control to the clipboard.

Paste: copies the contents of the clipboard into the picture control.

Screen Capture: allows you to capture any screen element. Click on the upper left corner of the image you would like to capture, hold the mouse button, and release in the lower right corner of the image. The selected part of the screen will be loaded automatically into the picture control.

Print: prints the contents of the picture control.

Scan: loads the image from a selected scanner.

Select Scanner: displays a dialog box with available scanners. Select the scanner here.

Full Screen: allows viewing the image on the whole screen.

Auto Stretch: stretches the image in the picture control (just for better viewing). It will not resize the image.

Hide Tool Bar: hides tool bar.


Text_Attributes_Control
Text Attributes Control Elements

Text Control Elements allow you to set different attributes of the selected text. The following attributes of the text can be defined: size, color, alignment, and type.

Text Color

This control sets the color in which text will appear in on the screen. Click here to display the Color dialog box. To select the color click on the color box. Click on the OK push button. The selected color will be displayed in the text color control.

Text Style, Text Font Size

These controls set the font size. Refer to HTML specification to find out more information about H1-H6, FONT tags.

Font Type

This control selects the font type.

 Text Attributes

This group of options allows you to set additional text attributes: bold, italic, underlined, centered.


Templates

You can save in a template all options that are set in the HTML Report Wizard tab windows. HTML attributes of all elements, html report layout, fields selection, hyperlinks associations, grouping, .... all will be saved in the template.

To Create a Template

Set required options in the HTML Report Wizard tab windows. Click on the Save push button. Enter name in the Template Name edit box. Click on the OK push button.

Notes

•	Templates are reusable entirely by the same database. For future reference include the database name in a template.

•	Templates created with one database are reusable with another database. Selected data fields, hyperlink associations between data fields, and grouping will be loaded if your new database contains data fields with the same names as those listed in the chosen template. The template mechanism only considers field names it does not check the type of data fields!

Related Topics

Save Template

Load Template


Save_Template
Save Template

You can save in a template all options that are set in the HTML Report Wizard tab windows. HTML attributes of all elements, html report layout, fields selection, hyperlinks associations, grouping, .... all will be saved in the template.

Template Name

Enter the template name here and click on OK push button. The new template will be saved for future reuse.

Template Description

Enter descriptive information about a template.

Existing Templates

All previously saved templates are listed here. You can save current settings in already listed template (replace). Click on the template name. The selected template will be displayed in the Template Name edit box. Click on the OK push button.

CFG Button in Load/Save Template

CFG button allows you to store the currently selected options into a Configuration File. The Configuration File lets you control DB-HTML Converter Pro remotely. For example, another application (e.g. an HTML server application or a Java application) could launch DB-HTML Converter Pro, force it to load a selected database and create an HTML Report. This is done by passing a Configuration File name as the startup parameter e.g. "html.exe c:\test\example.cfg". The following options can be set through a Configuration File:

•	DbAlias: a database Alias

•	DbFormat: a database format e.g. DBase (not used when DbAlias is specified)

•	DbPath: a database path (not used when DbAlias is specified)

•	DbTable: name of the database table

•	DbIndex: name of the database Index (optional)

•	DbFilter: a Filter expression (optional)

•	DbFilterCaseSensitive: a Filter option

•	DBFilterPartialCompare: a Filter option

•	AutoClose: if YES DB-HTML Converter Pro will be terminated automatically after performing its functions;

•	Report: if YES DB-HTML Converter Pro will generate an HTML Report

•	ReportTemplate: specifies the HTML Report Template to use


Load_Template
Load Template

Displays the template window with all available templates. Click on the template name in the Existing Templates list box. Click on the OK push button. All controls in the HTML Report Wizard will take values from the selected template.

Template Name

It displays the name of the selected template.

Existing Templates

All previously defined templates are listed here. Click on the template name. The selected template will be displayed in the Template Name edit box. Click on the OK push button. All controls in the HTML Report Wizard will take values from the selected template.

CFG Button in Load/Save Template

CFG button allows you to store the currently selected options into a Configuration File. The Configuration File lets you control DB-HTML Converter Pro remotely. For example, another application (e.g. an HTML server application or a Java application) could launch DB-HTML Converter Pro, force it to load a selected database and create an HTML Report. This is done by passing a Configuration File name as the startup parameter e.g. "html.exe c:\test\example.cfg". The following

options can be set through a Configuration File:

•	DbAlias: a database Alias

•	DbFormat: a database format e.g. DBase (not used when DbAlias is specified)

•	DbPath: a database path (not used when DbAlias is specified)

•	DbTable: name of the database table

•	DbIndex: name of the database Index (optional)

•	DbFilter: a Filter expression (optional)

•	DbFilterCaseSensitive: a Filter option

•	DBFilterPartialCompare: a Filter option

•	AutoClose: if YES DB-HTML Converter Pro will be terminated automatically after performing its functions;

•	Report: if YES DB-HTML Converter Pro will generate an HTML Report

•	ReportTemplate: specifies the HTML Report Template to use


Create_Index_Window
Create New Index

You can create new index in the Create New Index window. Selecting an Index for a database allows you to specify in which order the database records will be processed. In other words, an index will determine in what order the records will be listed on generated HTML pages.

Data Fields

All data fields from the selected database are listed here. To select a field you have to double-click on the field. The selected field will be displayed in the Index Fields/Index Expression edit box. Instead of entering field names manually just select them from this box. You have to use exact field names in index expression.

Existing Indexes

All already defined indexes from the selected database are listed here. To select an index you have to double-click on the index. The selected index will be displayed in the Index Fields/Index Expression edit box. Do required changes in the index expression and save this as a new index. Just enter a new name in the Index Name edit box and click on the OK push button.

Index Name

Enter a new index name here.

Index Fields or Index Expression

Define your new index here.

Related Topic

Create Indexes


How_Create_Index
How to Create Indexes

Simple Indexes

Simple Indexes are based on a single data field. For example, if your database contains a field called LAST_NAME you can create an index based on this field by double-clicking on LAST_NAME in the list of all data fields.

Complex Indexes

Complex Indexes involve 2 or more data fields. By using complex indexes you can create multi-level sorting. For example, you can select CATEGORY as a primary sort field and LAST_NAME as a secondary sort field. Your records will be ordered by CATEGORY and within each CATEGORY they will be sorted by LAST_NAME. This type of index may be useful when generating an HTML Report with Grouping (in this case you would select Group By CATEGORY option in HTML Report Wizard). In Paradox, you create a Complex Index by selecting more than one data fields (the fields must be separated by a semi-colon). In DBase, you create a Complex Index as an Expression Index (see below).

Indexes are defined differently in DBase and in Paradox and they have different limitations:

DBase

•	a Simple Index can be any data field; the index name can be different than the data field name; a Simple Index can be ascending or descending, unique or nonunique, however it cannot be Case InSensitive;

•	a Complex Index must be an Expression Index; XBase functions can be used in Expression Indexes; an Expression Index cannot evaluate to a string longer than 99 characters (longer strings will be truncated);

Some examples:

•	to sort by CATEGORY (Character Field) in ascending order and then by ENTRY_DATE (Date Field) in descending order you could use this Expression Index: CATEGORY+STR({12/31/3099}-ENTRY_DATE, 10, 0)

•	to sort by CATEGORY (Character Field) and LAST_NAME (Character Field) you could use this Expression Index: CATEGORY+LAST_NAME or SUBSTR(CATEGORY+LAST_NAME, 1, 99) (you can set the index options to Descending Order, but you cannot have one Character Field in ascending order and the other Character Field in descending order)

•	to sort by CATEGORY (Character Field) in ascending order and then by VALUE (Numeric Field) in descending order you could use this Expression Index: CATEGORY+STR(999999999999999999-VALUE, 20, 4)

Paradox

•	before you can create an index you have to create a Primary Index; a Primary Index MUST be the first data field (or the first consecutive data fields);

•	a Simple Index can be any data field; the index name MUST be the same as the data field name; a Simple Index can be descending ONLY in Paradox 5 and up database format;

•	a Complex Index is created by selecting more than one data field (all data fields MUST be separated by a semi-colon); Paradox does not support Expression Indexes so is less flexible in this area than DBase.


Supported_Browsers
Supported Browsers

Browsers

DB-HTML Converter currently supports the following Web Browsers:

•	Netscape Navigator;

•	Microsoft Internet Explorer;

•	NCSA Mosaic 2.0;

•	Spry Mosaic - Compuserve Edition;

•	America Online Web Browser;

View HTML Reports in your browser

The DB-HTML Converter starts your browser automatically. When the html report is created the program sets your browser to activate the first page of the report.

Internet Push Button

Sets your Web browser to activate the Program Home Page - http://www.primasoft.com/dbhtmlp.htm

Stay tuned for future releases of our products. Any new versions will be announced on our Web Home Page.


Examples_Tutorial
Examples, Tutorial

Examples

DB-HTML Converter Pro Home Page (on the Internet:   http://www.primasoft.com/dbhtmlp.htm

Program Home Page. We will list some examples on this page.

DB-HTML Converter Pro Help System (on your computer:   ..../html_ex/dbhtmlp.htm)

Additionally to the standard Windows help system we have created help system in the form of the HTML document. All topics have been entered into a database. This example is included in the program package, listed in the .../html_ex/ subdirectory. Please load dbhtmlp.htm file into your browser.

Tutorial

How to Create HTML document from a database in 3 easy steps.

1) Select Database

Start DB-HTML Converter Pro. The program opens the Select Database window. In this window click on the DB_EX subdirectory. It will display pspc.dbf file in the Select a File list box. Click on the pspc.dbf database file (DBase file). The database file is loaded into the program. Click on the Report push button [image] .

2) Select Fields and Select Format

The HTML Report Wizard Window is displayed. Don't worry about all options. Click on the Data Tab  [image] . It will display Data Page. Click on Include All Fields push button [image] . It will select all fields from the database. All will be included in the HTML report. Click on the Report Elements Tab [image] . It will display Report Elements Page. In the Page Body part click on the Define push button [image] , it will display Page(Report) Format window . In the Body Format part click on the Plain [image] , click on the OK push button.

3) Generate HTML Report

You have been selected fields, and report format. You are ready to create html document. Set the option View in Browser [image] .  Click on the Go push button  [image] . DB-HTML Converter creates report and sets your Web browser to activate the html report page. View report in your browser.

Please repeat three steps with Paradox database. When you start the program select paradox format. Repeat all above steps with biolife.db database file.

4) Custom HTML Templates


Report_Elements
HTML Report Wizard - Report Elements

This page allows you to select the report type. You can create one page report(s) or grouped report(s) split into separate pages.

Report Type

1-Level: generates one html page with report body

2-Level: report is split into separate html pages, main page contains index with hyperlinks to grouped pages

3-Level: report is split into separate html pages, main page and the second level pages contain indexes (groups), the third level pages contain report body.

Note

The 2-Level and 3-Level report can be selected only if you define Group By 1 and Group By 2 data fields (Data Page).

Four Sections

Each report page is split into four sections. Depending on your requirements select sections that will be included in your report.

Page Attributes (define background, meta tags, menus, margins, .... )

Page Header (define header title, header text, header graphic,...)

Page Body (define report layout, or select custom HTML template file....)

Page Footer (define footer title, footer text, footer graphic,....)

Insert into this  HTML Page

You can insert each section of the report into any html document. Just include section tags in your html file. DB-HTML Converter will replace each tag with the corresponding part of the report.

<!-- PRIMASOFT:A -->  - Page Attributes tag

<!-- PRIMASOFT:H -->  - Page Header tag

<!-- PRIMASOFT:B -->  - Page Body tag

<!-- PRIMASOFT:F -->   - Page Footer tag

Brackets are part of the section tag. Each tag should be listed in a separate line.


Hyperlinks
HTML Report Wizard - Hyperlinks

To Create Hyperlinks

Select a field from Use As a URL Link dropdown box that will be used as a hypertext link. Select the field from Target for URL Link dropdown box that will be use as the hypertext reference. Click on the Add push button. The defined association between fields will be displayed below in the list boxes. As Target for URL Link you can use fields that contains a valid network address like http://www.primasoft.com, support@primasoft.com.

To Remove Defined Hyperlinks

Select the unwanted association. Click on the Delete push button.


Page_Attributes
HTML Report Wizard - Report/Page Attributes

Include HTML Prolog/Epilog tags

Check this option if you would like to create reports in the form of the HTML documents that could be loaded by any browser. The html report will contain all tags that are required by the HTML compliant documents. Uncheck this option if you want to create reports that will be copied to other HTML documents. In this case only the BODY of the document will be created.

HTML Page Title

Enter the title of the page here. The TITLE html tag will use this text. The title is displayed in the browser's window title bar. It is also used in bookmark files.

Background Graphic/Background Color

You have two ways to define the background of the html report. Use Picture control if you would like to use a tiled image as the background. Use Background Color control to set the background color of the report. The selected color in the Background Color is ignored when the Background Graphic control is not empty.

Meta Tags

Meta tags provide additional information about your HTML document. Some search engines support meta tags and display the contents of these tags as the description of pages in search results. Keyword Meta Tag: Provides keywords for search engines.

Description

Enter a description of your document here. Some search engines use this meta tag.

URL Link Colors

These color boxes allow you to control the color of links text (hyperlinks). Initially the program uses default colors (blue-link text, purple-visited link, and red-active link). You can change them especially when the background of your html report is dark.

Embed Page In Table (check if you want to create Menu)

Use this option if you want to create margins or menus.

Page Left Margin: enter number here. It will represent left margin in pixels.

Page Top Margin: enter number here. It will represent top margin in pixels.

Left Margin Color: select this option if you want to define unique color of a margin.

Top Margin Color: select this option if you want to define unique color of a margin.

Page Menu: select which menus should be created.

Create Menu: click on this push button to define menus.

Read more: Page Menu


Page_Menu
Page Menu

Menu: Select menu type here.

Menu Items: All menu elements are listed here. To check current settings for a menu item just click on it.

Add Push Button: Adds blank menu item.

Delete Push Button: Deletes selected menu item.

Do not display Item Text: Select this option for graphical menu items.

Item Text: Enter menu text here. This text will be displayed on the html document.

Item Hint: Hint is one line message displayed close to the mouse pointer. The hint message corresponds to the menu image. When the image cannot be displayed, the browser should display the hint text instead.

Item URL Link: Enter hyperlink address here.

Item Picture: Define graphical menu items here (load from a file, capture from other program,...)

Menu Text Attributes: Define different attributes of the menu text. The following attributes of the text can be defined: size, color, alignment, and type.

How to create menu item

1) select menu type (horizontal or vertical)

2) click on the Add push button

3) enter menu text in the Item Text edit box

4) enter menu hint in the Item Hint edit box

5) enter URL link in the Item URL Link edit box

6) load graphic using Item Picture Control (If you want to have only menu with graphics, select: Do not display Item Text)

7) define text attributes for menu items with text

DONE, click on Add push button to define second menu element.


Alias

What is it?

Database Alias is a "shortcut" to a database. In case of desktop database systems (DBase, Paradox, MS Access, FoxPro) it is not much more than a pointer to a directory containing the database tables. In case of Database Servers such as DB2, MS SQL, etc. an Alias contains important information necessary in order to establish a connection with the database server.

When should I create a Database Alias?

In order to use one of the desktop databases it is not necessary to set up an Alias. Instead, you can manually browse your hard disk and select the desired file. However, if you are going to use a database more frequently creating an Alias will make accessing the database much faster. In order to use a database server an Alias MUST be created.

How to create an Alias?

First, click on the Alias button in the main screen. It should bring up BDE Administrator program. If it doesn't you may want to download the latest version of BDE from our home page (http://www.primasoft.com/demo/bde32.zip). In the main screen, click on Object/New menu item and select the database format. Depending on your database server you may need to modify some settings (e.g. User Name, Database Name, etc.) - contact your database administrator for assistance. In some cases, instead of using a BDE native database driver you may have to use an ODBC driver. In this case you have to select  Object/ODBC Administrator menu item. Again, you may need your database administrator assistance.


Main_Window_Functions
Main Window - Functions

 Exit

Click here to exit the program.

 PrimaSoft

Sets your Web browser to activate the Program Home Page - http://www.primasoft.com/dbhtmlp.htm Stay tuned for future releases of our products. Any new versions will be announced on our Web Home Page.

 Edit

It will open the Table window. You can use table window to enter data.

 New

It will open the Create New Database window.

 Alias

It will open the Alias Manager window. Use the Alias Manager window to create or modify aliases for local or network directories.

 Register

It will open the Register window.

 Report

It will open the DB-HTML Report Wizard window. Use the DB-HTML Report Wizard window to create HTML report(s).


New_Database_Window
Create New Database Window

Use the New Database window to create new Paradox or dBase table.

How to create new table?

•	Select the database format (DBase or Paradox) and click on the Next push button

•	Specify the structure of the database:

Field Name - enter the field name here (up to 10 characters).

Field Type - select the field type from the popup menu.

•	Character : character fields can contain any printable character (including blank spaces). The maximum size of a character field is 254.

•	Number : The size of a number field can be from 1 to 20 (can contain digits after the decimal point)

•	Date : Date fields contain dates.

•	Logical : Logical fields contain a single character representing True or False (Yes or No) values. Logical true can be entered as T, t, Y, or y. Logical false can be entered as F, f, N, or n. The size for a logical field is always 1.

•	Memo : Use memo fields for text strings that are too long to store in a character field. Memo fields do not require a size because they are not stored in the table, but in separate files.

•	Graphic : Graphic fields contain pictures. You can create graphics in a painting or drawing application, or scan in images. Graphic fields do not require a size because they are not stored in the table, but in separate files.

Field Size - select the size of the field according to the field type and your requirements.

•	When you define all fields for the table click on the OK push button. Enter the file name for your new table in the Save As window.


Report_Wizard_Maintenance
HTML Report Wizard - Maintenance

Maintenance options are for advanced users. They can be used for two purposes:

•    to allow more flexible naming of the generated HTML and graphic files.

•    to allow more efficient HTML files maintenance - users can select which files will be generated.

When HTML Files radio button is selected you can set maintenance options for HTML Files. For 2-Level Reports (Report Elements) "HTML Files - 2nd Report Level" options can be set. For 3-Level Reports (Report Elements) both "HTML Files - 2nd Report Level" and "HTML Files - 3rd Report Level" options can be set.

Those options are the following:

Start File Names With: this option allows you to specify the prefix for all HTML  files that will be created automatically by the program;

Start Numbering From: this option also controls how the file names are created by the program; for example, if Start File Names With is "test" and Start Numbering From is "100" the program will create the following files:  "test100.htm", "test101.htm", etc.

HTML File Name Field: this options allows the user to designate one text field in  the database that will be used for HTML file names. You can now keep the file  names unchanged even when new records are added to the database. File Naming Mode options are active only when the above HTML File Name Field is selected.

File Naming Mode options:

•	Create All Files/Create All Names: this option causes the program to generate file names for all records (according to Start File Names With and Start Numbering From settings) and to store those file names in the selected database field (HTML File Name Field);  this option is useful for a new HTML Report;

•	Create Only Files With Empty Names: this option means that the program will go through all records and when it finds no file name in the HTML File Name Field it will create the file name automatically, store it in the field, and create an HTML file; this option is useful when you add some new records and want to update the HTML Report (only files for new records will be created); it makes updates very easy;

•	Create Files According to Update Rule: this option allows you to specify which HTML  files should be created; this option allows you to update only HTML files for which the Update Rule is satisfied; the Update Rule is defined by selecting a database field (Update when Value of the Field), the operator and the operand (a text, date, or  numeric value); for example, the Update Rule could be: Last_Name <= B  (create only pages for which Last_Name is A or B);

•	Create All Files / Don't Update Names: this option allows you to recreate all HTML  files without changing the file names stored in the HTML File Name Field;

When Graphic Files radio button is selected you can set maintenance options for Graphic Files. Those options are the following:

Start File Names With: option allows you to specify the prefix for all graphic files that will be created automatically by the program;

Start Numbering From: option also controls how the file names are created by the program; for example, if Start File Names With is "test" and Start  Numbering From is "100" the program could create the following files: "test100_1.gif", "test100_2.gif", "test101_1.gif", "test101_2.gif", etc.

Graphic File Name Field: this options allows you to designate one text field in the database that will be used for graphic file names; using this field you can now keep the graphic file names unchanged even when new records are added to  the database; File Naming Mode options are active only when the above Graphic File Name Field is selected;

File Naming Mode options:

•	Create All Names: this option allows you to generate names for all graphic files and  store them in the database;

•	Create Only Missing Names: this option allows you to keep the graphic file names unchanged; only names missing in the database (e.g. for new records) will be created by the program.


T_251459080037
What's New

February 20, 2000; New features in version 1.4 are:

•	Maintenance release. New Borland Database Engine (BDE).

December 15, 1998; New features in version 1.3 are:

•	Custom HTML Templates. Design a HTML document with the tool you know very well, your favorite HTML Editor. Use this document as a template for generating your WEB pages (HTML reports, catalogs, stores, tables,....).

September 10, 1998; New features in version 1.2 are:

•	Maintenance release. New Borland Database Engine (BDE).

March 10, 1998; New features in version 1.1 are:

•	New File Maintenance function. DB-HTML Converter PRO provides flexible features that give you control on the process of naming and upgrading HTML and graphic files.

•	Improved functionality of the HTML Report Wizard. You can display several data fields in the same line or column. There are new User-Defined Fields.

•	New Configuration File (CFG). CFG lets you control DB-HTML Converter Pro remotely. For example, another application (e.g. an HTML server application or a Java application) could launch DB-HTML Converter Pro, force it to load a selected database and create an HTML Report. This is done by passing a Configuration File name as the startup parameter e.g. "html.exe c:\test\example.cfg".


Custom_HTML_Templates
Custom HTML Templates

You can create automated reports with the DB-HTML Converter PRO. The DB-HTML Converter PRO allows you to define all sections of the final HTML Document (header, footer, body, menu,....). The process of defining every section of the HTML document could be time consuming for new users who have to learn how the program operates, and for advanced users who would like to create complex WEB pages. The Custom HTML Templates feature is the solution for this. Just design a HTML document with the tool you know very well, your favorite HTML Editor. Use this document as a template for generating your HTML reports, catalogs, stores, ....

How to use Custom HTML Templates

1) HTML Editor -> Create HTML document (template).

•	Create HTML file with your favorite HTML editor.

•	Define the layout of your HTML document (toolbars, menu, tables, background, graphics, footer, header,.....). Decide where you would like to have information from your database fields. Just try to create the whole document with the sample data from one data record.

•	When you are satisfied with your HTML page delete the sample data and insert at the same position Keywords that represent data fields:

<!--PrimaSoft:1-->FIELD 1  ,....           <!--PrimaSoft:4-->FIELD 4 ...  <--PRIMASOFT:1-->

2) Keywords <!--PrimaSoft:N--> Field N

•	Rule 1: Keyword has the syntax of the HTML Comment Tag with the word "PrimaSoft", the ":" character, and the "Number". The text following the keyword (like FIELD 1) is not required. We suggest to enter descriptive text after the keyword. It will allow you to view the template and the exact position of the data field in your browser or HTML Editor viewer.

•	Rule 2: Each keyword has to start at the beginning of the new line. Any HTML code that will be placed after the keyword will be omitted by the DB-HTML Converter PRO.

•	Rule 3: The Number in the keword represents the position of the data field listed in the Selected Fields list box (Data Page). NOT THE FIELD POSITION IN THE DATABASE RECORD.

•	Rule 4: You can put L indicator in front of the Number. In this case the field name will be listed at the beginning of the field contents. <!--PrimaSoft:LN--> Field N with the field name.

3) DB-HTML Converter PRO -> Custom HTML Templates.

•	Start DB-HTML Converter PRO.

•	Select a database.

•	Click Report push button (opens HTML Report Wizard window).

•	Click on the Data Page.

•	Select data fields.

•	Selected fields will be listed in the Selected Fields List Box.

•	The number  included in the keyword represents the position of the data field in the Selected Fields List Box. Example: <--PrimaSoft:4--> COMMENT  this keyword represents the data field that is on the 4th position in the Selected Fields List Box.

•	Click on the Report Elements Page.

•	Click on the Define push button in the Page Body Section.

•	In the Define Attributes Window select From Record Template option.

•	Click on the Select push button and select your HTML template file.

•	Close the window, and click on the Go push button. The report will be generated.

4) Examples:

Example 1 (HTML Template file is used for the whole HTML document)

Example 2 (DB-HTML Converter PRO generates the whole HTML document, HTML Template file is used only for the body part)

Example 3 (This example shows how to use two template files)


Custom_HTML_T_Ex1
Example 1 / Custom HTML Templates

Example description.

•	Custom HTML template created with HTML Editor.

•	Template is used for the whole HTML document.

•	DB-HTML Converter PRO replaces keywords with the contents of the corresponding data fields and creates a HTML document. The HTML file name is defined in the Maintenance Page Section.

DB-HTML Converter PRO Options.

•	Data Page: four fields selected from the database

•	Report Elements: Only Page Body section is selected. Page Attributes, Page Header, Page Footer are unselected.

•	Page Body -> Define Attributes Windows: From Record Template is selected and the HTML template file is loaded.

Template Code.

<HTML>

<HEAD>

<TITLE>

<--PRIMASOFT:1--> FIELD 1

</TITLE>

</HEAD>

<BODY>

<BR>

<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH="400" HEIGHT="300" BORDER="1" ALIGN="CENTER" CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="1" BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FF99FF" BORDERCOLORDARK="#FFFFFF">

<TR>

<TD WIDTH="0"></TD>

<TD ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="30%">

<!--PRIMASOFT:2-->FIELD 2

</TD>

<TD ALIGN="LEFT" ROWSPAN=5 WIDTH=70%>

<--PRIMASOFT:3-->FIELD 3

</TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

<TD ROWSPAN="4" ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">

<--PRIMASOFT:4-->FIELD 4

</TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

</TR>

</TABLE>

</BODY>

</HTML>


Custom_HTML_T_Ex2
Example 2 / Custom HTML Templates

Example description.

•	Template Document created with HTML Editor. Template is used for generating only the part of the final HTML document.

•	DB-HTML Converter PRO generates the whole HTML document according to the settings defined in the Page Attributes section, Page Header section, Page Footer section.

•	DB-HTML Converter PRO replaces the body part with the template. Keywords in the template are replaced with the contents of the corresponding data fields.

DB-HTML Converter PRO Options.

•	Data Page: three fields selected from the database

•	Report Elements: Page Attributes, Page Header, Page Body, Page Footer are selected.

•	Page Body -> Define Attributes Windows: From Record Template is selected and the HTML template file is loaded.

Result.

Template File.

  <TABLE WIDTH="400" HEIGHT="300" BORDER="1" ALIGN="CENTER" CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="1" BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FF99FF" BORDERCOLORDARK="#FFFFFF">

<TR>

<TD WIDTH="0"></TD>

<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="30%">

<!--PRIMASOFT:1-->Field 01

</TD>

<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP" ROWSPAN=5 WIDTH=70%>

<!--PRIMASOFT:2-->Field 02

</TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

<TD ROWSPAN="4" ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">

<!--PRIMASOFT:3-->Field 03

</TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

</TR>

</TABLE>


Custom_HTML_T_Ex3
Example 3 / Custom HTML Templates

Example description.

•	Template Documents created with HTML Editor.

•	This example shows how to use two template files. Actually you can play with different options of the DB-HTML Converter PRO and create versatile results (remember, the layout options you can also save in a template).

DB-HTML Converter PRO Options.

•	Data Page: three fields selected from the database

•	Report Elements: Page Body is selected.

•	Page Body -> Define Attributes Windows: From Record Template option is selected and the HTML template file is loaded (table.htm).

•	Insert into this HTML  Page: HTML file is selected (main.htm).

main.htm file:

<HTML>

<HEAD>

<TITLE>

</TITLE>

</HEAD>

<BODY>

<!-- PRIMASOFT:B -->  - Page Body Tag

</BODY>

</HTML>

table.htm file:

<TABLE WIDTH="400" HEIGHT="300" BORDER="1" ALIGN="CENTER" CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="1" BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FF99FF" BORDERCOLORDARK="#FFFFFF">

<TR>

<TD WIDTH="0"></TD>

<TD ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="30%">

<!--PRIMASOFT:1-->FIELD 1

</TD>

<TD ALIGN=CENTER ROWSPAN=5 WIDTH=70%>

<!--PRIMASOFT:2-->FIELD 2

</TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

<TD ROWSPAN="4" ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">

<!--PRIMASOFT:3-->FIELD 3

</TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

</TR>

<TR>

<TD></TD>

</TR>

</TABLE>


MS_Access_Support
MS Access support in DB-HTML Converter Pro:

1) You must have either MS Access or some other Microsoft software (e.g. MS Office 98) which contains MS Access drivers installed on your system.

2) Donwload and install the full version of BDE from our Web site: http://www.primasoft.com/demo/bde32.zip

3) Start Bdeadmin.exe in BDE directory (e.g. c:\Program Files\Borland\Common Files\BDE).

4) Expand Configuration/Drivers/Native/MSACCESS.

5) Select IDDA3532.DLL in the DLL32 field if you have MS Access 97/98 or IDDAO32.DLL if you have MS Access 95.


T_251459080042
Table Viewer

Table Viewer allows you to display and edit your data in columns and rows. Each row contains information about one item (record). Each column represents one field.

Toolbar Commands

Move Commands:

1-Selects the first record of the table

2-Selects the previous record of the table

3-Selects the next record of the table

4-Selects the last record of the table

New/Edit/Delete Commands:

5-Insert Record

6-Delete Record

7-Edit Record

8-Post Edit

9-Cancel Edit

10-Refresh Data

You can move to different fields and records using the keyboard as follows:

Left arrow: Selects the field to the left of the selected field.

Right arrow: Selects the field to the right of the selected field.

Down arrow: Selects the same field in the record below the current one.

Up arrow: Selects the same field in the record above the current one.

Home: Selects the first field in the current record.

End: Selects the last field in the current record.

Ctrl+Home: Selects the active field of the first record in the table.

Ctrl+End: Selects the active field of the last record in the table.

PgDn: Displays the next set of records.

PgUp: Displays the previous set of records.

How to edit data in fields

1) Select the field that you would like to edit. Double click on this field. It opens the Data Entry Window. Enter data.

2) You can also enter data directly into the selected field (no multiline and image fields). Select the field, enter data from the keyboard.

How to create a new record

Click on the Insert push button in the Toolbar. It creates empty new record.

Double click on each empty field. Enter your data in the Data Entry Windows.