populate attributes in documents i.e. ms-word

[Erik Huizing]

Hello all,

Is it possible to use document attributes from DDM to be populated into a ms-word document?

[Chris Mann]

Erik,

We have discussed this internally and decided that due to the limitations and complexities of trying to support all the different versions of the Microsoft Office products, we will not be implementing this feature ourselves.
However, if you wanted to populate the attributes yourself, by writing a word macro that updated them when a document was opened, this could be made possible. We plan on including an xml file in the same directory as the document that is checked out of DDM, which will contain the DDM attribute names and values. - Using this file, it would be possible to read the values and set attributes on the file in Word.
This has been logged as DDM Enhancement #3729 - "Would like an xml file containing the attribute names and values for a document being loaded, to be included in the same dir as the native file. (To allow third-party populate of attributes)" and scheduled for inclusion in the next major DDM release, later this summer.

Thanks,
Chris.

[Mark Blatherwick]

Hi Erik,

Just to let you know that in DDM 2009.2 it is possible to display DDM attributes inside your MS Word (and other) office documents.

This requires enabling a macro in the office application to read the attributes supplied in an xml file. Details of this process can be seen in the following overview movie:
Displaying DDM Attributes in Office Documents

The sample macro is attached here.

[Ewan]

Hi Mark,
Now that you've lifted the 2009.2 veil of secrecy, can you give us an idea when it will be released to the masses? :)

On a totally unrelated note, it looks like the forum notifications aren't working again.

Ewan

[Mark Blatherwick]

Hi Ewan,

Good to hear from you.
Release announcement should be made in the last week of October.
More movies of new functionality on the DDM website! ;-)

Forum notifications appears to have a life of their own.. we will take another look..

[Ewan]

Hi Mark,
Good to hear from you too.

I just refreshed the Install Media page and 2009.2 appeared... nice!
I gather the CSI Installer application will now replace the ftp site for accessing the download media... will there still be a way to access the release history text file and installation instructions?

Curiously, I did get a forum notification for your most recent posting, but not for your original reply to Erik.

Ewan

[Chris Mann]

Ewan,

The new downloader, when run, includes two links on the first page - One for "Release History" and the other for "Whats new".
They are small, blue hyperlinks so they may be missed on the first viewing!

Thanks,
Chris.

[Ewan]

Hi Chris,
They were indeed missed on the first viewing... thanks. I like the new downloader... very slick.

As an aside, it looks like the release history file is incomplete... I can't see any of my enhancement requests listed ;)

Ewan

[Mark Blatherwick]

Back to the original subject of this thread!!!
I have updated the MS Word macro previously posted..
the new macro ensures that any 'fields' used in headers and footers are automatically updated when the document opens.

Mark

Good things are worth waiting for!! Just noticed attachments are not working... watch this space!!