Does anyone know if it's possible to have a submit button on a basic html form that when clicked will save the form results to a formatted text file, such as an RTF file...Something that preserves the layout of the original form?

Thanks alot

You'll need some server side code for that, PHP, ASP etc, certainly.

Yes, it's fairly easy to do something like that. RTF, I'm not so sure about. But you can make somewhat of a layout in a txt file.

You'd have to do some research to figure out how to make an RTF file with just code. It's very possible, though.

Can it be done without server side scripting? I really need this done w/ out server side scripting because it's going to be for an order form that will be for a cd-rom catalog.

Thanks again!

I would appreciate a link for examples on how to modify the submit button code, or a working example would even be better.

Thanks again!

If you want the form information saved on the server, you will need server-side scripting.

"it's going to be for an order form that will be for a cd-rom catalog." ? The way you may be able to do it is to hijack a script that is already on your system. Slim chance though. Otherwise you will definitely definitely definitely need server side stuff for writing files.

Ok,

Let me explain this really, really quick. I am going to need this script to run WITHOUT a server, it's going to go on CD-ROM, maybe even DVD, but it's not going to be 'hosted' on a web server. So it's going to need to be html with javascript, or any other 'client side' language. Again, it's not going to be hosted on a webserver. I appreciate any help that you can give.


Thanks again!

Okay, apologies for my last post, but you can't really do it with JavaScript. I do a bit of Flash myself, and I think that may be the most distributable option.

What EXACTLY is this script going to do?

If you are more specific we may be able to help more.

Like i say, it's going to be used for a catalog order form...I know I could always create a 'univerversal' doc file for the person to print out and they would then have to fill it in with a pen or pencil afterward, but my main objective here is to make an 'interactive' order form (not fancy with flash) just one that the person can fill in, then 'hit' the submit button, and the java script, advanced html or some other client side code will export the form contents (their order details) in a formatted document like rtf (rich text format) or something similar so they can either print that file which already contains their order details to be faxed or emailed to me.

I just thought of another idea that might make more sense. How about the form being printed to a file...Don't know if that would be considered the same as exporting to file, but that's another option I am trying to get working.

Thanks again!

javascript cannot create files other than cookies clientside, it simply does not have the access and nor should it.
Same with printing.

It will have to be a "real" application (exe file) written in Delphi, C++ or Visual Basic running from the CD or installable with the database on CD
A dot net app could also be used but it would have to include the dot net framework installation should it not be already on the client machine.

FileMaker or Foxpro can also produce standalone database apps

Hey chris,

Thanks for that information. My question now would be this. What would you recommend as far as putting an order form on the cd-rom.

I originally wanted to have an order form where the person can fill-in the form on-screen via the keyboard, then via a submit button the form details could be saved as a file which could be printed or emailed from their computer to me with the least amount of problems.

Since you say that couldn't be possible w/ out a server side script...What would you recommend for this situation? I was thinking as another option to just create a link to a .doc file and a pdf file that's already got the basic order form for them to print. But is there anyway to make the form interactive, and have it part as a cd-rom catalog?

Thanks again!

It's certainly possible without server side stuff, just not a chance with HTML and client side scripting.

I did a similar thing several years ago as a party pre booking system for a night club chain.
The CD based exe played some videos of the clubs and showed some stills then presented a ticket booking form with a choice of dates and clubs to fill in which could then be printed, faxed or emailed.
All pretty run of the mill stuff now but 15 years ago was a pretty novel idea, just a shame I was a wage slave at the time so the project ended up being owned by my employers.

Any competent programmer should be able to put together a database application, it's basically a simple "shopping cart" on CD.
It would be just a matter of price.

Chris,

Do you have time available where you could work on this? I would be willing to pay you for doing it. Or do you know of a reliable source online to have this done?

Thanks again!

I'm somewhat tied up for a few weeks but email me a sample of the data and a brief of how you want it to work and I'll see what can be done in terms of price and timescale.
use my forum username @ the first site in my signature. (lets see a spambot figure that out )

I'd also suggest a look over at some "freelance" sites and the freelance programming forum here.

Make sure before you actually part with any money, You have a clearly defined scope for the project that is agreed on by both ends of the deal. Programming projects have a habit of getting out of hand very quickly and some programmers will try for extra payments because they put something in because "it was a good idea"

I have figured this one out...Thanks anyway for all help.

-Brian