Hello Cliff,

Is that the exact error that you are getting?

If it is, then the problem is with your filename. "merge <merge filename>" is not a valid filename. You will want to use something like CustomersExport.txt or MailingList.txt

Instructions for Merge printing via data export are on pages 293-297 of the Sesame 1.1 User guide. Instructions on exporting can also be found on pages 311-320 of the Sesame 1.1 User Guide. Also the Sesame Library, which can be found at http://www.lantica.com/Support/sesame_library.html, has a few OneSheets on the merge process once you are in Word.

-Ray

Here is an image of the ASCII export dialog:

What do you have typed into the field pointed to by the arrow? That should say "mail.txt" before you hit the "Accept" button.

Yes, there is a log file. I'm not sure if it will tell you anything you don't already know. To get to it, select the "File" pulldown. On the "File" pulldown menu select "Server Administration". Type in the administrative login name and password for your system. The Server Administration dialog will appear. Along the bottom you will see a tab labeled "Local Log". Select that tab. You then see the log.

Cliff,

Can you export using another database?

Do you have any of the Sesame sample databases like customers that you could try to see if export works?

Trying the sample will point you in the direction of where the problem might be.

I can tell you I have been successfully exporting from Sesame for a long while now, so hang in their you will get this worked out. 

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks

Yes, I can export a "merge file" from a sample data base but not from an imported Q&A data base.  I believe this substantiates a correct application of the procedure used to create a merge file so will forgo reiterating the steps I have taken to do so.  I am using Sesame in standalone mode at present until we accomplish the conversion.

The problem appears to have something to do with the imported (translated) Q&A data base.  I recreated the database structure (it is very simple) from scratch in Sesame and I was then able to create a "merge file".  I am concerned, however, as we have several Q&A data bases that must be converted and two of them are very complex.  I started with the simplest one to learn the ropes so to speak.  If I have to recreate the datbases, so be it, however...I was hopeful that Sesame would translate them...this is of course why we decided to use Sesame to begin with.

I will try this...

By the way...thanks all for the assistance...!

Cliff

I may have solved my own problem.  It appears that it is necessary to first run a search before exporting data?

When I search the database for any record and then attempt the export it succeeds...

Is this correct?

Thanks...

Cliff

Thanks...I guess I am more of a "newbie" than I thought. 

Carl,

You can do it in Add Data mode, if you have not added any records in that mode since you opened that mode.

-Ray

Yeah, in Q&A for most operations, you pick the operation and then you go get the records to operate on. For each operation (for the most part) you have to re-retrieve records. In Sesame you retrieve records and then operate on them till you are done with those records. Most operations in Sesame are allowed by mode, even if you have no records. Largely, this is because update mode, extend mode, and add mode are all (really) the same mode / code. We divided them into separate modes visually because Q&A had two of the three and we wanted to maintain that familiarity.

I suppose we could disable commands until there were records to operate on, but I find the "pinball" effect of having commands turning off and on, somewhat mysteriously, disconcerting. Maybe I'll build an experimental version that does something like that and see if people like it.

As an experiment, I did build a version of Sesame that had no modes, merely commands. You started with a blank form, and filled it in. Then you either issued the search command or the add command (or any other of the Sesame commands). Sesame then either searched using the values you filled into the form, or it added that record to the database, depending on which command you issued. Technically, the modes are superflous to the operation of the program.

I can't count the number of records I've seen with search specs typed in them (in both Sesame and Q&A), or the number of times someone has typed in a whole record, only to discover that they were on a search spec  when they hit F10. The modes and F10 aren't so bad - no real harm done. But the modes do get to be problematic with F3.

Quote:


Sesame 2.0 now has an alert dialog if there are no LE selected.