excel database search not working

[Guest]

Can someone help please?
I have raised this issue before, but perhaps it was in the incorrect forum.
I have also read this knowledgebase article
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=268948

But I cannot get my excel database search to work. The field headings
appear, but nothing appears when I input a search term.

I want any surfer to my site to be able to search for a
product by specific productcode or description.

The result must appear, then they can either click BACK &
perform another search or surf away.

The result does not need to be saved anywhere.

I defined a range name then imported the excel file in to my web.

I created a new database, edited the list of
fields I want them to see in the results, selected the 2
criteria above (productcode "equals", description "CONTAINS" and using "OR"
for each.)

I have selected output of 1 per row. Display all records
together, and checked the Add search box. Then saved the
page as ASP.

That doesn't work so I edit the form properties changing
the method to "GET" but I don't know what to put in the
ACTION field apart from the filename (productcode.asp).

Can anyone advise me please? I would appreciate any help
The actual search page is at www.kleeneze-people.co.uk/productcode.asp

Thanks
Michael

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

Is there a reason that you are not using Access which is better suited for use on the web?

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[Guest]

Because the data is already in an excel file & frankly haven't used access
very much.

Also, to me the search seems such a simple one - to find an entry in a
simple list. I guess I could import or convert the file to access format &
try that (which I will), but every time there are updates to the spreadsheet
(weekly), I would have to run database queries to merge the new data from the
excel file & back into access to avoid duplications.

-Michael

 

[Guest]

Hi Thomas,
Did you have any further thoughts on this?

I have another example page but the same issue occurs
http://www.kleeneze-people.co.uk/products-temp2.asp
(a possible description field is "shampoo") but nothing appears.

Thanks
Michael

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

No, because you really need to use Access, not Excel as a data source.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[Clark]

Well since Access is the better tool for doing the searches can you
consider doing the updates directly to Access?

Are you doing the updates? Are others doing the spreadsheet updates and
sending you an updated spreadsheet? If you are doing them, can you just
use Access or is this something you have to Excel for because its
spreadsheet features are important for other reasons? Often people use
Excel as a basic database just because they know Excel, but if that is
how Excel is being used then consider switching to Access. Once you have
the database set up in Access it is easier to update than a spreadsheet is.

And as you know, it is easy to set up searches with Frontpage and Access

 

[Guest]

Thanks Clark, but unfortunately I am very familiar with excel and use the
same database for other functions, reporting & analysis.

I did import the database into access but initially there was no "record
source" in the drw yet I thought I selected & named a table, so there is also
a massive learning curve about tables, queries etc.
But I went though all the same steps & finally uploaded the files to my web.
My database file is now in access & was imported into the fpdb folder.

But when I go to the webpage, it still displays the headings, but there is
no error message when I do a search & no data is displayed.

Can anyone advise me the following; what should the "form handler" name be?
and should I use the method field of "POST" or "GET"
Also, the FORM NAME is confusing. Should it be the same as the file name or
the ACTION name?

Thanks
Michael

 

[Clark]

After you import your Access database into Frontpage, did you let
Frontpage make a database connection to it?

Once you have made a database connection, then you make a page on your
site using the Database Results Wizard (at least that's what it is
called in FP2000). Insert / database results and the wizard should lead
you thru the process.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply. I have created the database connection worked the drw
but the result is the same.

I have raised the issue with my web host, as there may be something missing
from my install and not me doing something wrong with the coding.

Will advise.

Thanks
Michael

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all your help but my host has advised that they don't support ASP.
I can use mySQL or some cgi scripts...

Michael

 

[Clark]

Well if you are free to change hosts, there are good providers that
support ASP and databases for $10 per month and less