WORD Docs and ASP.NET

[cgia]

The question is very general, I know.
I am reading a lot of info on the subject but can't really make up my
mind on the way to attack this.

I have portions of formatted text into the database (kind of
sentences, with the space for the address blank for example). The user
will choose the correct address from another table in the database. At
this point I would like to generate a Word document with the formatted
text including the right chosen address.
Ideally, the user will type additional text in the document (which I
would display in the browser with MS Word). At this point I would like
the complete document to be saved into the database or printed as a
pdf and the pdf saved into the DB.
Another question is how to save the document into the database when I
have it embedded in the web form.

Thanks!

[Steve C. Orr [MVP, MCSD]]

For such advanced functionality I suggest you look into this product:
http://officewriter.softartisans.com...ewriter-8.aspx

--
I hope this helps,
Steve C. Orr, MCSD, MVP
http://Steve.Orr.net

"cgia" <cg*****@katamail.com> wrote in message
news:b3**************************@posting.google.c om...

The question is very general, I know.
I am reading a lot of info on the subject but can't really make up my
mind on the way to attack this.

I have portions of formatted text into the database (kind of
sentences, with the space for the address blank for example). The user
will choose the correct address from another table in the database. At
this point I would like to generate a Word document with the formatted
text including the right chosen address.
Ideally, the user will type additional text in the document (which I
would display in the browser with MS Word). At this point I would like
the complete document to be saved into the database or printed as a
pdf and the pdf saved into the DB.
Another question is how to save the document into the database when I
have it embedded in the web form.

Thanks!

[Kevin Spencer]

Using any Office product on the server side of a web application is
dangerous at best, and becomes more so with an increasing number of users.
Is there some reason that this text must be formatted and stored as a binary
file type? There are also performance issues with storing binary files in
any database. Perhaps you could just store and retrieve the text?

--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
..Net Developer
Microsoft MVP
Big things are made up
of lots of little things.

"cgia" <cg*****@katamail.com> wrote in message
news:b3**************************@posting.google.c om...

The question is very general, I know.
I am reading a lot of info on the subject but can't really make up my
mind on the way to attack this.

I have portions of formatted text into the database (kind of
sentences, with the space for the address blank for example). The user
will choose the correct address from another table in the database. At
this point I would like to generate a Word document with the formatted
text including the right chosen address.
Ideally, the user will type additional text in the document (which I
would display in the browser with MS Word). At this point I would like
the complete document to be saved into the database or printed as a
pdf and the pdf saved into the DB.
Another question is how to save the document into the database when I
have it embedded in the web form.

Thanks!

[cgia]

Frantically :) reading on the subject, I see that the only way to make
word executable at the same time by several people is to execute it on
the client. In order to do it I guess I have to use client side
Javascript which opens word. But how abot the security settings in
these case? And how about the other steps of the process?

[Kevin Spencer]

> What is the process to use an Office product on the client side of a

web application, conversely?
The client machine has the application installed, and downloads a document
that the application can read.

Is there some reason that this text must be formatted and stored as a binary file type? There are also performance issues with storing binary files in any database. Perhaps you could just store and retrieve the text?

That would be perfect, but how to produce the contract document at
user's request?

That all depends on your requirements, which are ...? In other words, what
does the client require? Do they require that they can download a
dynamically-created document immediately, get one emailed to them, wait a
period of time, etc? Is it a requirement that this be a Word document? For
example, an RTF document is not a proprietary format.

--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
..Net Developer
Microsoft MVP
Big things are made up
of lots of little things.

"cgia" <cg*****@katamail.com> wrote in message
news:b3**************************@posting.google.c om...

Using any Office product on the server side of a web application is
dangerous at best, and becomes more so with an increasing number of users.
What is the process to use an Office product on the client side of a
web application, conversely?

Is there some reason that this text must be formatted and stored as a

binary file type? There are also performance issues with storing binary files in any database. Perhaps you could just store and retrieve the text?

That would be perfect, but how to produce the contract document at
user's request?

[cgia]

Thanks for your reply.

Actually my requirements are that user are able to produce a contract,
and that the final copy is stored in the database.

In order for them to perform spell checks and formatting I have to let
them download the document locally (RTF generated in the server using
DB info) and edit it.
But once thay've done that, how can I save the final version of the
document back into the DB, in a kind of transparent way. Of course
they could:

1) save the document in a local folder
2) click an import button in the asp.net form
3) remove the local copy of the document

Any ideas to make it a bit smoother?