Hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I am working on an audio reference app. I am going to use speaker data as an example. I currently have a bunch of speaker data such as manufacture, height, weight, coverage patterns, ect in a rather large excel spreadsheet. The concept of the app is to make available a quick reference solution when not by a computer. Can I point or reference particular cells in the excel file for data from the master excel file? Is it better if I make a single excel file for each speaker and reference the whole file. Or is there a completely better way to go about this that I don't know of? Hope I explained that ok, thanks in advance! Shane

Seems like a html file could do this very well. Fred

So a different html file for each speaker type?

Hi Shane, Welcome to buzztouch! How do you normally view the data in the spreadsheet? Do you do it by mfg, or perhaps watts, or what? If this is fairly static data, I like the idea of creating PDF files for the different sections of data you are interested in. So, you'd create one with speakers listed my MFG, perhaps another one with speakers listed by wattage, and perhaps another one with speakers listed by size. Then create a Menu List that links to each of these files. You could also include the master Excel file, in it's entirely, and have a menu list item that links to the entire thing, just in case you need something that hasn't be available as a PDF. Mark

So a different html file for each speaker type? I would think one file that displays the info as you wish. Think templates & data, just like Buzztouch works. Each screen created dynamically. Seems like it'd be a lot less work to set up and a lot easier to manage. Fred

Thanks for your input Mark and Fred. The html route seems most logical as far as management goes. Just need to convert my excel file to html. Any super easy suggestions on this on? Shane

There are tons of Excel-to-HTML converters on the web. Don't use the Save As...HTML function in Excel. It puts in too much extra garbage code that will just cause you problems. Mark

Thanks again for your support. I can't say enough good things about buzztouch and their network or programmers. I jumped into this project out of necessity as the guy I wanted to do it really doesn't have the time, and I don't have a budget for developing an app. Thanks again! Shane

We're here to help! Each time we help somebody solve a problem, we learn something as well. Please let us know how it works out, and if you run into any problems. Mark

thank you @Mark didn't know the "save as HTML" function in Excel did that! =)

OK friends, next question.... I found a converter that seem simple enough, made some simple html code based off cells from a spreadsheet. Saved them in text editor as a html document. When I ask that the button pressed loads the html file created, only the html code is displayed, not the table that the html code is supposed to display? Am I using an incorrect screen in the BT control panel? Thanks!!! Shane

The BT screen you want to use is called HTML Document. And your HTML file needs to end in either .html or .htm. Mark

Hmm... That is what I tried first. I copied the created html code from an online converter to a TextEdit doc and saved as webpage (.html) Then i told iOS to load that doc, and when loaded it only displays code?

Then i told iOS to load that doc, and when loaded it only displays code? How did you do this? Fred

@Fred When selecting menu item "Speaker" , Load this Screen/Data "Speaker Data" Where "Speaker Data" = the html I created from an online excel to html converter Online converter: http://tableizer.journalistopia.com/

Perhaps the problem is with the html code? I can't get the table to load in Safari either. It just displays the code as well? Yet another thing I am new too....HTML.... Shane

My question is more along the line what screen are you using? That's the problem and where you'll find the solution. Fred

Perhaps the problem is with the html code? I can't get the table to load in Safari either. It just displays the code as well? Yet another thing I am new too....HTML.... Shane

@Fred, thanks for your patience. I am using the menu simple screen. My thought process is that by selecting "speaker type" row from the menu simple screen will load the "speaker data" html doc? Shane

The menu (simple) row doesn't load the HTML doc It loads a screen type. Small but important difference. Now which screen type should you use. The type you use with HTML it can have consequences. You're probably using Custom URL If so try HTML doc.

So if I don't use Menu Simple to allow the user to chose speaker type, which upon choosing would load the HTML doc, what screen do I use to allow the user choices in speaker types?

Can you put the file on DropBox or somewhere so we can check it out? Or email it to me? MrkFleming at gmail dot com. I'm happy to check it out. Mark

Also I can confirm that I am not using custom URL, my understanding is that this is for online data, and the data that I want to load is offline in a separate html doc. Does that sound correct?

So if I don't use Menu Simple to allow the user to chose speaker type, which upon choosing would load the HTML doc, what screen do I use to allow the user choices in speaker types? You use Menu (Simple) to get the user to the HTML doc screen. If your using HTML Doc screen embedded, then the problem is probably with the file extension Should be sampleFileName.html Fred

@Mark Here is a DB link. If this doesn't work, let me know and I'll email you the files. (2) files here. the excel spreadsheet (sheet2) which I created the html doc from. And also the converted html doc. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kfwk15v9h7fkfsh/tm_NWh5ljZ

at I am not using custom URL, my understanding is that this is for online data, and the data that I want to load is offline in a separate html doc. Does that sound correct? Almost correct. Use HTML Doc via URL for online html files. Fred

The problem is not with the html doc or type but with Dropbox. You're using the wrong link. Try placing the doc in a public folder and (very important) grab a public link. You're using a share link. Fred

@Mark Here is a DB link. If this doesn't work, let me know and I'll email you the files. (2) files here. the excel spreadsheet (sheet2) which I created the html doc from. And also the converted html doc. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kfwk15v9h7fkfsh/tm_NWh5ljZ

@Mark Here is a DB link. If this doesn't work, let me know and I'll email you the files. (2) files here. the excel spreadsheet (sheet2) which I created the html doc from. And also the converted html doc. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kfwk15v9h7fkfsh/tm_NWh5ljZ

@Mark Here is a DB link. If this doesn't work, let me know and I'll email you the files. (2) files here. the excel spreadsheet (sheet2) which I created the html doc from. And also the converted html doc. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kfwk15v9h7fkfsh/tm_NWh5ljZ

Lets try this as a way to share files. I know how this works. http://ppl.ug/MfKbCEUswDI/ Shane

Hi Shane, DropBox says nothing is in that folder. The screen you want to use is the HTML Doc screen. You can configure it to point to a local file (meaning one that is part of your project), or to a URL where the files lives. Most people would put that in the public folder of their DB account, or perhaps on a web server somewhere. Then link this screen to the menu list item that you created on the Menu List screen. Mark

Sorry my bad thought momentarily you were accessing the file via online. Try that either way and see if it works. Fred

Mark, try the link above to view my files. They live on my pogo plug .

Hi Shane, Took a look at the file, and basically, it's <p> tags that describe HTML, instead of HTML that describes the table! That's why you're seeing actual HTML code instead of the table info. I did try exporting to HTML using Excel, and it appears that might work. Give it a shot and see what happens. Mark

Perhaps : <!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <title>Title </title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="http://code.jquery.com/mobile/1.1.0/jquery.mobile-1.1.0.min.css" /> <script src="http://code.jquery.com/jquery-1.7.1.min.js"></script> <script src="http://code.jquery.com/mobile/1.1.0/jquery.mobile-1.1.0.min.js"></script> </head>

Ahhhh....I'll give it a shot and let you know. Do you know of a mac excel to html converter that I should look into? Shane

Excel should have a "Save As...HTML" option in it. Every version of Excel I've used does. You can save a worksheet, a section, or whatever. @Fred - the problem with the file was that, in between <p> tags, it used characters to try and portray the HTML. But, since it was in between <p> tags, which are used for text, it gets displayed as text, instead of rendering the correct HTML. Mark

My version of excel saves as .htm file. Is that a deal breaker? I can change the extension to .html. when I double click on the file it loads in Safari and looks correct (both with the .htm and the .html extension) however I am still getting just the html code when running on the simulator? Shane

It should not matter .htm vs. .html, but I think most people use .html. You can change it without affecting anything. Post the file and I'll check it out on my test app. You need to make sure you're using either the "Custom URL" screen, and linking to a URL for that file, or the "HTML Doc" screen, and specifying the location of the file. Mark

I think I see the issue here. When I save excel file as Webpage (.htm) (my only option for saving as html in my version of excel) This creates not only the .htm file but a folder titled DATA files. When I delete the DATA files folder the .htm file no longer works. So I am guessing that the app has no way to reference what is in the DATA files folder like my computer does? Maybe using Excel to convert to html won't work with my version of Excel? I need to run into the office (my real job) for a couple of hours. Thank goodness I don't make a living programming, I'd be starving. :) Thanks for your help all, will check in later this afternoon. Shane

Hooray! Success! And onto the next step... I need to change the font size to make the html doc fill the screen. Whats the best way? Make it larger in Excel, then save as an html? Is there some way to do that by editing the html doc I already have? Is this accomplished in a BT control panel? Whats the best, easiest way? Shane

<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">

The part that Fred mentions goes in the <head></head> section of your HTML document. It will resize the document based on the device viewing it. Mark

One last question for this post, and then I think I can warrant a new post for my next big hurdle. One the html doc screen, do I want to load the file from URL or from the file name in the project? I would think that loading from URL would help keep the app size lean. However, I would have to be connected to access the data? Correct? And thanks so much for working me through this!!!

The html doc screen, do I want to load the file from URL or from the file name in the project? Depends more on the content. I would think that loading from URL would help keep the app size lean. Very minor issue. However, I would have to be connected to access the data? The data can be cached for offline use. If you wish to update the file frequently use online. Fred

If the file is going to be static (won't change very often), and you want it accessible in areas with no network connection, then via file name for sure. If it may get updated frequently, and you always want the latest copy, then via a URL is a good idea. HTML files are pretty low on size, so unless you have thousands, it's probably not an issue. If you add them locally, make sure to include them in your project files: http://www.buzztouch.com/resources/Adding_Files_To_A_Project_v1.0.pdf Mark

Good point from Fred...if you use the URL, it will get cached when the user retrieves it first, but the app will check for an update each time that screen gets loaded, and if there is no connection, then an error message will get thrown up. So, consider that scenario with respect to user interaction. Mark

Sounds like online is most flexible. Use BuzzTouch for storage?

No, you need to use something like a web server, or the public folders of DropBox or some service like that. If you don't have DropBox, you can sign up here, and I get some free space! http://db.tt/TCxVvk8 I also wrote this tutorial on using DropBox with buzztouch: http://www.buzztouch.com/forum/thread.php?tid=29CFBC4838EA742473BF2CE&command=isSearching&currentPage=1&topicTitle=&createdBy=GoNorthWest&repliedBy=&minViews=-1&maxViews=-1&minReplies=-1&maxReplies=-1&forumCategory= Mark

Actually I find the best method is both methods. By including (embedding) the html doc you have a good solution, but if you need to make changes you can point the app to a online html doc until you publish a new binary. Then you point the app to the embedded html doc again. Repeat as necessary. The whole online vs offline concept should not be seen as a static concept. Fred

WHen I put the source html file in my public DB folder, copy the public link and replace the buzz touch link, i get the following in the iOS simulator: "Data for this screen has not been downloaded. Please check your internet connection." Notification

What screen are you using? Fred

HTML doc screen using the load from this URL instead field.

Did you refresh the app?

Yes. By going to the home screen and refreshing I also stopped Xcode complier and hit Run again? Its like the iOS simulator can't get an internet connection??? Shane

HTML doc screen using the load from this URL instead field.

Does any other file need to be in the DB other than the HTML source file?

Try updating the JSON data. Fred

There's no place other than the field you used to specify the file URL. Have you verified that you don't have a firewall or something blocking connections to your simulator? Others have experienced that problem. Try accessing a site using Safari on the simulator. Mark

I confirmed I can get to the outside world via mobile Safari. This is the link to my DB public folder I am using: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3112854/%283%29%20KIVA.html Thoughts?

I get an Error 404 when I try to view that file in my browser. Make sure the file is in your Public DropBox folder. Also...remove any spaces in the filename...both Android and iOS hate that, and the %2 that replaces it messes things up! Mark

The URL works for me. Fred

I removed spaces and ( ) from the file name and works like a champ! File name was (3) KIVA.html Now working with 3KIVA.html no problem. Thanks!!!

Always, always, always avoid spaces in file names for your apps (it's OK to use them on Windows or even Mac, but not in apps). And, if you want the true ability to get code for both Android and iOS from the same control panel, I would suggest only using lowercase letters (to appease Android) and avoid weird characters like - and _, which tend to cause problems. Mark