Custom Field size

[tantaros]

My manual says I can create a custom field up to 256 characters in length. However, when I create the field and set that character length it still chops off my text somewhere around 60. I need to import notes from Excel and was grouping in 256 blocks. What am I doing wrong?

Laura

 

[M8KWR]

what backend are you using sql or dbase.

To be honest i also thought you could set a normal text field up to 250 characters in length.

The only other field you could use would be the notes field, but i imagine you would not be able to use this by what you have said.

I hope this helps, if you are still having difficulties then please reply and i will try to assist you further.

 

[tantaros]

I have successfully imported into the notes field. However it overwrites the entire field, so I can't use it to append data to existing records.

v.6 Sql

Laura

 

[M8KWR]

that i do not know...

but i think you could do it this way, but i have not tried it...

import the information into a new record, but also import the company and contact details of the original record you need this to go in...

Then you could do a merge and purge which then should combine both the records together and joining the notes fields without clearing any information...

But you may also be able to use goldbox/inaport for this, but again i have not used goldbox, i've only heard of function that is can do

Sorry you have got me thing, if you cross reference your information against goldmine to get the accountno of the records, then we you are importing the information you can match the accountno against goldmine, and this may just import the notes, and not erase any previous information, that worth a try... just use a backup database...

If you unsure about anything which i have said then please let me know as i can explain it in more depth for you.

Hope this all helps....

 

[MIChad76]

You'll want to use GoldBox to do this import so you can bring those into history... While the custom field will hold 256 - it'll only display up to 60 or so on the screen even though the data is in the system.

---
Chad Smith
michad76@gmail.com

MCP - Microsoft SQL Server
Crystal Reports Certified Professional
GoldMine Certified Professional
Microsoft CRM Certified Professional

 

[richardy]

So how will GoldBox help with the field display limits in GoldMine :S

What you can do is use expressions to display the additional lines eg

Mid(contact2->UBIGFIELD,60,60)

Regards,

Richard.
PRIOR Analytics UK

http://www.prior-analytics.com

Winners of the LBA Customer Service Award.

 

[goner]

you can import into any field and APPEND the data already there.. Assuming your record matching logic is all good, the expression would look something like:
contact1->notes+chr(13)+chr(10)+chr(13)+chr(10)+IMPORTEDFIELDNAME

Of course, keep in mind that the notes field is a terrible place to keep much of anything... The above expression will take whatever's in the notes field, add two empty lines and then place the imported data after it...

On truncation with excel imports.. In excel, auto-width the columns and then push them out a little more than that. If the column in excel is 50 characters wide, it'll truncate your data at 50 characters when exporting to DBF. Long-standing bug in all excel versions.. Beyond that, all you're going to get is 255 characters on any given field with an import from excel/.dbf. It's a limitation of the format...

Doug Castell
Castell Computers
(310)601-4738

http://www.castellcomputers.com

 

[richardy]

hmmm you see I'd be suggesting that you could use something like details with a custom tab for that extra information. Avoids the cost of GoldBox and the complexity of setting up... and I just dont see the GoldBox scenario working long term (particular when the notes field gets full...).

Regards,

Richard.
PRIOR Analytics UK

http://www.prior-analytics.com

Winners of the LBA Customer Service Award.

 

[MIChad76]

When he says "notes" I am assuming call notes, etc. which makes history notes the perfect place to do it. Details or a custom tab would work as well but GoldBox doesn't import into details by itself, unless you want to get into XML imports, etc.


---
Chad Smith
michad76@gmail.com

MCP - Microsoft SQL Server
Crystal Reports Certified Professional
GoldMine Certified Professional
Microsoft CRM Certified Professional

 

[richardy]

er GoldBox can import into details...

But if it is call notes, yes history is best.

Regards,

Richard.
PRIOR Analytics UK

http://www.prior-analytics.com

Winners of the LBA Customer Service Award.

 

[goner]

well, when he says notes I assume main contact notes tab as he was looking to create a large userdefined field to begin with, and then re-focused on the main notes tab as an alternative... Details might be a better place to put the information, in the long run, but I guess that depends on the particular need here... Without any additional feedback from the OP, we'll never know...

Doug Castell
Castell Computers
(310)601-4738

http://www.castellcomputers.com

 

[richardy]

Indeed you are correct but I think that should we continue to reply to the thread then we could be accussed of spamming.... but what the hell,

SPAM SPAM WE LOVE SPAM!




Regards,

Richard.
PRIOR Analytics UK

http://www.prior-analytics.com

Winners of the LBA Customer Service Award.

 

[goner]

So, how 'bout them Lakers?

Doug Castell
Castell Computers
(310)601-4738

http://www.castellcomputers.com

 

[tantaros]

I want to thank everyone for continuing to provide excellent input on a solution to my problem. Sorry for my delayed response, other projects took precedence and my sales force just had to call blind for awhile in order to meet marketing deadlines.

However, since I did spend a decent amount of money on a telemarketing campaign to aquire the relatively useless notes they provided, I would still like to capture them in the GM records.

Ideally if I could easily import the notes into the history entry detail I would proceed that way. From an intuitive standpoint, it would serve to reinforce the training I have been preaching to my sales force. I have looked at the Goldbox demo (and XML import) and although the functional claims would assist me in many areas, neither I, nor my IT staff find it particularly user friendly and we are not particularly savvy with Goldmine to begin with. I am tasked with showing value with the current setup in order to justify more $$/resources moving forward. Not a fun spot to be in for a non-programmer on outdated software.

I consider the main notes field a potential solution because this is a one time deal, and not continued storage of call details. Its a relatively easy import process even a techno-dummy like me can handle. With the append logic it should solve my problem. I could use the display logic to accomplish the same goal as well. I just need to do my own non-technical mental translation and see which works best with my limitations.

Thanks for you help and patience.

Laura Tantaros

 

[MIChad76]

Well GoldBox is relatively user friendy for what it is, which is a meticulous, highly customizable data import and manipulation utility. Data is data, it is NOT simple whether it's GoldMine or any other database.

GoldBox will get those 'notes' into history where they belong. A GoldMine consultant could probably get those notes in there and do a little training in GoldBox in less than a couple of hours worth of work. Heck, you might even get GB's creator to spend some time with you on the import.

It's really the only way to go.



---
Chad Smith
michad76@gmail.com

MCP - Microsoft SQL Server
Crystal Reports Certified Professional
GoldMine Certified Professional
Microsoft CRM Certified Professional