How to track the last URL and write it into a table automatically?

We are constantly scouring the WEB for items for sale,
copying and pasting descriptive information about the
items into text and memo fields of MS Access tables.
To date, we are going back to the browser page from
the database program to hilite 'n copy the URL from the
ADDRESS line of the browser, then back to the database
again to paste the specific URL in the designated table
field. That's getting old. Everybody thinks that two steps
are not necessary and that we shouldn't be copying text
describing product from browser to database in one step
and then copying URL from browswer to database in a
second, redundant step.

I've been asked if I can automate the process in 32-bit
windoze OSes so that when the user pastes the lines of
text in the form's product information field, the last URL
accessed in the browser is read and the string is auto-
matically pasted into the URL textbox control on the
form. Truth is - I haven't got a clue.

Suggestions please?

re: How to track the last URL and write it into a table automatically?

MLH wrote:[color=blue]
> We are constantly scouring the WEB for items for sale,
> copying and pasting descriptive information about the
> items into text and memo fields of MS Access tables.
> To date, we are going back to the browser page from
> the database program to hilite 'n copy the URL from the
> ADDRESS line of the browser, then back to the database
> again to paste the specific URL in the designated table
> field. That's getting old. Everybody thinks that two steps
> are not necessary and that we shouldn't be copying text
> describing product from browser to database in one step
> and then copying URL from browswer to database in a
> second, redundant step.
>
> I've been asked if I can automate the process in 32-bit
> windoze OSes so that when the user pastes the lines of
> text in the form's product information field, the last URL
> accessed in the browser is read and the string is auto-
> matically pasted into the URL textbox control on the
> form. Truth is - I haven't got a clue.
>
> Suggestions please?[/color]

Investigate the Microsoft Internet Transfer Control. It's an ActiveX
control (the "More Controls" icon on the Form's Toolbox commandbar [a
wrench & hammer, crossed]). I'm not sure if it comes w/ regular Access,
but I know it comes w/ VB 5 & up; also, in the Office Developer's Edition.

--
MGFoster:::mgf00 <at> earthlink <decimal-point> net
Oakland, CA (USA)

re: How to track the last URL and write it into a table automatically?

Thx for reply. I have MSOffice97 Developer Edition Tools, v8.
However, I'm doing this in an Access 2.0 app. Can the ActiveX
control you mentioned be used there? Probably not.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 02:51:51 GMT, MGFoster <me@privacy.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>MLH wrote:[color=green]
>> We are constantly scouring the WEB for items for sale,
>> copying and pasting descriptive information about the
>> items into text and memo fields of MS Access tables.
>> To date, we are going back to the browser page from
>> the database program to hilite 'n copy the URL from the
>> ADDRESS line of the browser, then back to the database
>> again to paste the specific URL in the designated table
>> field. That's getting old. Everybody thinks that two steps
>> are not necessary and that we shouldn't be copying text
>> describing product from browser to database in one step
>> and then copying URL from browswer to database in a
>> second, redundant step.
>>
>> I've been asked if I can automate the process in 32-bit
>> windoze OSes so that when the user pastes the lines of
>> text in the form's product information field, the last URL
>> accessed in the browser is read and the string is auto-
>> matically pasted into the URL textbox control on the
>> form. Truth is - I haven't got a clue.
>>
>> Suggestions please?[/color]
>
>Investigate the Microsoft Internet Transfer Control. It's an ActiveX
>control (the "More Controls" icon on the Form's Toolbox commandbar [a
>wrench & hammer, crossed]). I'm not sure if it comes w/ regular Access,
>but I know it comes w/ VB 5 & up; also, in the Office Developer's Edition.[/color]

re: How to track the last URL and write it into a table automatically?

MLH wrote:[color=blue]
> Thx for reply. I have MSOffice97 Developer Edition Tools, v8.
> However, I'm doing this in an Access 2.0 app. Can the ActiveX
> control you mentioned be used there? Probably not.[/color]

Probably not since ActiveX was developed after Access 2 was. Why not
use Access 97?

--
MGFoster:::mgf00 <at> earthlink <decimal-point> net
Oakland, CA (USA)

re: How to track the last URL and write it into a table automatically?

"MLH" <CRCI@NorthState.net> wrote
[color=blue]
>
> I've been asked if I can automate the process in 32-bit
> windoze OSes so that when the user pastes the lines of
> text in the form's product information field, the last URL
> accessed in the browser is read and the string is auto-
> matically pasted into the URL textbox control on the
> form. Truth is - I haven't got a clue.[/color]

What you can do is automatically copy information from the clipboard into
fields within Access.

Say the user copies the URL first. That data is copied into the URL field.
Then they copy the description, Access recognizes that something new has
been copied into the clipboard and pastes that data into the Description
field. The process continues until the user makes a mistake, at which point
in time he backs up a little and starts again. Its not a complicated
process. You can use the Clipboard Object, which is either listed in help or
somewhere on MS's support website, support.microsoft.com.

Do the words "they're cheap" come to mind when you are asked "Why Access 2?"
I'd be hesitant to get involved in an A2 database if for no other reason
then there not much remaining in terms of a support structure should you run
into any problems.
[color=blue]
>
> Suggestions please?[/color]

Run. There is other work to be found.

Mike

re: How to track the last URL and write it into a table automatically?

Now there you go. That's what I'm talkin' about. I like it - not even
having to go back to the database app at all after copying some
text to the clipboard. Any copied text that starts with "http" can be
automatically inserted into one field and all other text can be put in
the other field. I'll look into the "Clipboard Object" and try to
determine if Access Basic can peek at it's string each time it changes
value. Appreciate further input from all willing.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx

<snip>[color=blue]
>What you can do is automatically copy information from the clipboard into
>fields within Access.
>
>Say the user copies the URL first. That data is copied into the URL field.
>Then they copy the description, Access recognizes that something new has
>been copied into the clipboard and pastes that data into the Description
>field. The process continues until the user makes a mistake, at which point
>in time he backs up a little and starts again. Its not a complicated
>process. You can use the Clipboard Object, which is either listed in help or
>somewhere on MS's support website, support.microsoft.com.
>
>Do the words "they're cheap" come to mind when you are asked "Why Access 2?"
>I'd be hesitant to get involved in an A2 database if for no other reason
>then there not much remaining in terms of a support structure should you run
>into any problems.
>[color=green]
>>
>> Suggestions please?[/color]
>
>Run. There is other work to be found.
>
>Mike
>
>
>
>
>[/color]

re: How to track the last URL and write it into a table automatically?

I have the following 2 files which can be called from Access
97. Forms 2.0 is an ActiveX component that allows text to be
pasted from your Clipboard into a TextBox or ComboBox. Does
anyone know if something remotely similar exists for Access 2.0?

Directory of C:\WINDOWS\system32
07/11/1997 12:00 AM 1,138,688 FM20.DLL
07/11/1997 12:00 AM 36,864 FM20ENU.DLL

re: How to track the last URL and write it into a table automatically?

MLH wrote:[color=blue]
> I have the following 2 files which can be called from Access
> 97. Forms 2.0 is an ActiveX component that allows text to be
> pasted from your Clipboard into a TextBox or ComboBox. Does
> anyone know if something remotely similar exists for Access 2.0?
>
> Directory of C:\WINDOWS\system32
> 07/11/1997 12:00 AM 1,138,688 FM20.DLL
> 07/11/1997 12:00 AM 36,864 FM20ENU.DLL[/color]

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That Forms collection works w/ other Office products (Word, Excel,
etc.). I believe Access' forms are completely different (though you can
use some of the Forms 2.0 controls in Access 95 & higher (test each one,
they can be persnickety). Again, I doubt they can be used with Access 2
since they are ActiveX components.

Does Access 2 have VB modules & the Tools > References menu option?
Maybe you can add the reference to the Forms library.

--
MGFoster:::mgf00 <at> earthlink <decimal-point> net
Oakland, CA (USA)

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