creating summary report

[Chris Burr]

I have just starting exploring tap forms and really like it. I am trying to set it up so that I can pull the DB data created by the forms into an updating summary report. What is the best way of doing this? I am thinking the obvious thing is to pull the export csv file into ms excel. I am keen to make the process as automatic as possible. The ideal would be to have the excel file constantly updating automatically ( or at least on periodic basis and or on manual export/syncing). Is there a way of automatically creating the csv export file for a given set of forms and having it saved in a particular drop box file location? I can see that this can all be done manually. However is there a way of predefining/fixing the dropbox file location and name. This would enable me to use an excel macro to pick up the updated csv file to generate/maintain the MS Excel summary report. Perhaps someone has already done this or they have found a better solution? Thanks.

[Brendan]

Hi Chris,

There’s no automated way of doing this unless you dig into the TapForms_db.sqlite file, figure out my data model, and extract the data yourself. That would be more of a job for a programmer though.

If you use the Export Records command, Tap Forms will always name the CSV or XLSX file the same name as the form itself.

[Chris Burr]

Thanks Brendan

OK Brendan, I think having an easy way of creating realtime external reports off the back of these forms would be a great enhancement to your App. For example I want to create reports from which I can export details into Xero accounting.

In the meantime I will try and work by pulling the export CSV file into Excel. However when I look at the CSV file it is NOT always there/updated. I am Syncing via Drop Box. When I sync on both iPhone and Mac the forms are updating but the csv file is not always there on dropbox in the Share Exports folder (either on the Mac or on dropbox.com). I can see that I can go into the App say on the iPhone click on the csv file and select ‘upload to service’ and this will update the file on dropbox. However I then have to manually click through the correct folder each time. Is there a way of setting this and exporting/saving the csv to the same location in dropbox automatically or at least on one click from the iPhone or mac?

Thanks

Chris

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