Map columns to import

[Masa Ito]

I have to create code to allow our end users to map import data to our
existing columns. I have not done this before - and thought others might
have good ideas on ways to do this so it is simple for an end user.

I was thinking simplest would be a grid with two columns. One locked is
our base fields. Second is a combobox of their import fields - when they
select one it is taken out of the choices - they basically would have to
click each one with the list getting shorter as they go.

I would love a visual way to do it - like dragging connections similar to a
table mapping in a database app, but I don't know any tools to do this? I
guess I could have a list, and allow a user to drag items from his list
onto our choices - but how could I show them linked?

The company has enough budget that if there is a tool that will do this in
a slick, simple GUI I would love to hear about it.

Thank you.

 

[Cor Ligthert [MVP]]

Masa

I probably don't understand you because I do not understand this sentence.

I have to create code to allow our end users to map import data to our
existing columns. I have not done this before - and thought others might
have good ideas on ways to do this so it is simple for an end user.

However if I from the rest from your text understand what you want than it
is the DataGridView. Although this Control has a lot of possibilities to
drag and drop (more than most controls), Should you be aware that you have
to set than some code to do the update. As well do you need some code to
handle your error as can be concurrency. (Two users are updating the same
data at almost the same time).

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k39d6s23.aspx

That coding you will have to do by every control.

I hope this helps,

Cor

 

[Masa Ito]

I probably don't understand you because I do not understand this
sentence.

Thanks for trying to answer, Cor. I think I need to explain it differently.
I have an xml data structure - let's call it the base structure. My users
have data they would like to import - or match - to this data structure.
They have their own fields from their data (coming from various sources) -
I would like to create a way to match the fields from both of this data. I
have done it in a grid - with two columns (base being readonly on left). A
combobox in the column to the right allows a user to select a field from
his data fields.

This setup will work ok I guess - I was just thinking that it is a common
enough task that there might be components or visual ways to do this.

Thanks,
Masa

 

[Cor Ligthert [MVP]]

Masa,

I don't think this is a common problem to fulfil, in other words I have
never seen it, while I see a lot.

I would therefore not know how you could use a drag and drop option of
Visual Studio to fulfil this.

Sorry

Cor