Database reports - Post ID 851

User 411600 Photo


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My question is not really related to CoffeeCup, but it is CC I am using (HTML Editor 2007, Form Builder 7.6??). I am a real rookie to most of this, and I need help in printing hard copy reports from MySql. Here is my situation...

My site is for a baseball organization of about 500 teams, with up to 15 players per team. This makes for a lot of data input in my form. I have created a roster form for each coach to complete and submit his own roster, and the results are emailed to the coach, and his district director, but the email is not acceptable to print as it would use up about 5 paper pages. The 500 teams are divided into six districts. Each District director needs to be able to print a one page roster for each team in his district. Using phpAdmin, I am able to filter the records, and export an Excel spread sheet for each district. I can then email each District Director his spreadsheet. This is fine for an electronic record, but my spread sheet is over 100 columns wide, and the Directors need to be able to print the hard copy roster for each team in their district.

I need ideas for how to best accomplish my task. Can I set up Excel to filter the records and print an acceptable roster? Or, can I somehow pull data from my MySql database on the server, to then fill in a report that can be printed? I need something foolproof. Am I just in over my head?

My printed roster needs to look similar to my web form. The link to my form is http://www.juniorbaseballorg.com/Forms/ … orm3.html.

Thanks
Todd
User 364143 Photo


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5,410 posts

Can you not use query ony the fields your interested in using MyPHPAdmin?

If you're not a PHP Guru, you can always import the excel spreadsheet into MS Access and then query only those fields you want included in the report.
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
User 411600 Photo


Registered User
21 posts

Thanks Tom. I am a real novice at phpAdmin, but was able to export a filtered list. I do know Access, and that would be a snap, but my issue is making a system that 6 other people can use to call up the data, and print their own reports as needed.

Todd
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5,410 posts

Hey Todd,

I bet if you took a look at some PHP books and bought one with some really nice examples using a mySql database, you could have some PHP pages up and running in no time.

There a plenty of PHP forums around to help you with when you're ready to throw the PC out the window. It's amasing how much the programming community will help each other out.

Then, These people can query their own reports using your PHP pages using combo boxes, etc.

Give it a try.
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
User 411600 Photo


Registered User
21 posts

Thanks Tom. I guess I am just now understanding what mySql really is and what it can do. If I understand your reply, it sounds like I eventually can build a page into my site that will allow a user to query his own report and print it, correct? I am also open to hear the names of any favorite php books floating around out there.

For now, I have set up a Word mail merge with my exported spread sheet. I will create a Word file for each Director and will mail him his rosters.

Todd
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5,410 posts

Todd wrote:
If I understand your reply, it sounds like I eventually can build a page into my site that will allow a user to query his own report and print it, correct?

Yes, that's correct. Your webpage will be a .php page insted of .html page. I am not advanced in PHP and have only messed around with form scripts , counter scripts, and modifying a PHPBB and ZenCart shopping cart using PHP.

The only book I have is http://www.dmcinsights.com/php/ . It's around $20 and a great reference book. There is a second edition. All the Visual Quick Start Guides are pretty decent.

Check this out as well. http://www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp . Really nice free tutorials.

I bet you can have a website querying the database up and running in no a short amount of time. And like I said, Google soome PHP forums for help when you get stuck.

Good luck.
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
User 37670 Photo


Registered User
2,138 posts

I use a Visual Quickpro Guide called PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites. It is a good learning tool to start off with. It sounds like you have solid computer skills, and that is a good background for understanding how this might work.
Todd wrote:
If I understand your reply, it sounds like I eventually can build a page into my site that will allow a user to query his own report and print it, correct?

That is one of the great things about PHP and MySQL. You get to create and retrieve data the way you want. Much of the PHP training books is centered around creating the form. If CoffeeCup form builder is doing what you need, then you will be able to skip large parts of the training tutorials and go straight to the "how do I retrieve and display my data" sections.

Very ambitious project. I would love to see how it all turns out.
E-Learning Specialist
www.mainsites.ca is my website, and yes, some of it is crappy.
User 364143 Photo


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Actually, the book Cliff mentioned is the one I have. It delves into mysql connections and creating query pages, as well.

Here is a full list of his books http://www.dmcinsights.com/bk_pages/books.php?i=php .
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!

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