Trying to do something and running out of ideas how (could be I'm missing something simple). I've been asked to create a form whereby a 'submitter' (who is not a system user and cannot be) uploads a document (PDF, Word etc) and also completes a few rudimentary details, their name, brief description of document etc. Their name is then listed on one page with a link to a page with the rest of the details (brief description, etc) which in turn has a link to the file. I'm sure you can see what I mean.
Anyway approaches tried so far…
Standard Page with metadata… file would have to be uploaded and linked into the system which requires a system user
Asset Builder Page - even if you attach the metadata to the file no way of displaying it?
Custom Form - came closest but two problems:
When viewing a form submission cannot seem to link to the file just lists its name when using the %question_answer_X_qY% keyword.
Gives the asset name as 'Form Submission #1000' or whatever could probably do custom design to overcome this tho…
Anyone any better ideas on how to achieve the result I'm after?
I think you were on the right track, I would keep it simple and just use an asset builder for a file asset that also applies the metadata for the details you need.
[quote]Their name is then listed on one page with a link to a page with the rest of the details (brief description, etc) which in turn has a link to the file.[/quote]
To expose the metadata and link to the file probably simplest way is to just use an Asset Listing page to list the persons name, details and link to the file (from the assets created). using the %asset_metadata_<fieldname>% keyword. With this option you are missing out on that intermediate page you talked about. However if space is an issue you may be able to use something like tool tips to expose more of the metadata without cluttering the screen.
To get the intermediate page you were talking about i'm not sure if you can set a paint layout on a file, where you can expose all these things as you mentioned. I think that might be only possible if the file is not public or not possible at all.
I would go the Asset Builder route as well – you can allow anonymous/public users to use asset builders, just assign Write permission to the create location to the Public user. Then you can use metadata to provide all the other information. I would use the Asset Builder to create the file-based asset itself.
Edited to add: Why can't you display metadata associated with a file uploaded using an Asset Builder? I'm confused about that one. It seems like the simplest option to me.
[quote]I would go the Asset Builder route as well – you can allow anonymous/public users to use asset builders, just assign Write permission to the create location to the Public user. Then you can use metadata to provide all the other information. I would use the Asset Builder to create the file-based asset itself.
Edited to add: Why can't you display metadata associated with a file uploaded using an Asset Builder? I'm confused about that one. It seems like the simplest option to me.[/quote]
Well been playing around a bit more and still can't get it. The issue I guess is step 2 below.
Step One -
Asset List with
Name - Document Title
Name - Document Title
Name - Document Title
Etc
(can be generated by Metadata)
Step Two -
Click on a document you see more info (again from metadata) such as a brief (one para) description of the document that you wouldn't want to appear on a multi-entry list. So
Name
Title
Description
Download Link
Step Three - click DL link to get the file
So its step 2 - how to show the metadata of a single asset? can you create an asset listing page that takes the ID as a parameter to show just that one asset?
Showing just one asset with an asset listing is tricky, because you can only specify a new root node, not a specific asset. You could probably do it with a Paint Layout, though. If you created a URL like http://www.domain.com/?a=1234&SQ_PAINT_LAYOUT_NAME=file_data where "1234" is the asset ID of the file itself. Then, the Paint Layout contains metadata keywords as you want them to display, with a link to the file itself.
if you even just type that in to the URL bar it returnd the file (in this case a pdf)
I have the paint layout called file_data. I have the Custom Asset Types to have a PDF and on the Type Format PDF content I have a couple of keywords (just to see if I can get it working)
Where 1234 is the asset ID for asset listing number 2.
Then, on the second asset listing, you configure it exactly the same way as the first one, but with 1 asset per page displayed. Then, in the Type Format bodycopy for PDF, you provide all the metadata you want. When the first asset listing links to the second, it'll load up the same asset as selected. And, because you only list 1 asset per page, you'll just see that file's information.
This relies on both asset listings having exactly the same settings, root nodes, asset types, and particularly sort order.
Where 1234 is the asset ID for asset listing number 2.
Then, on the second asset listing, you configure it exactly the same way as the first one, but with 1 asset per page displayed. Then, in the Type Format bodycopy for PDF, you provide all the metadata you want. When the first asset listing links to the second, it'll load up the same asset as selected. And, because you only list 1 asset per page, you'll just see that file's information.
This relies on both asset listings having exactly the same settings, root nodes, asset types, and particularly sort order.[/quote]
Thanks - you are a star. (although maybe edit the HTML above replacing the amp with a q-mark
Where 1234 is the asset ID for asset listing number 2.
Then, on the second asset listing, you configure it exactly the same way as the first one, but with 1 asset per page displayed. Then, in the Type Format bodycopy for PDF, you provide all the metadata you want. When the first asset listing links to the second, it'll load up the same asset as selected. And, because you only list 1 asset per page, you'll just see that file's information.
This relies on both asset listings having exactly the same settings, root nodes, asset types, and particularly sort order.[/quote]
Hi
I'm trying to achieve the same. However, I used "A-Z listing" list format, when I tried to define 1 asset per page for asset listing number 2, the Matrix Note says "This option is only valid when using the standard or custom grouping list formats." Any suggestions?
I'm trying to achieve the same. However, I used "A-Z listing" list format, when I tried to define 1 asset per page for asset listing number 2, the Matrix Note says "This option is only valid when using the standard or custom grouping list formats." Any suggestions?
Many thanks![/quote]
Since early 3.18 you can specifiy min and max depth=0 on an asset listing to just list the root node, so I dont think you have to use anything so roundabout!
Sorry, I actually can see the 'Minimum Depth/Height' & 'Maximum Depth/Height' fuctions in the Matrix 3.16.4 I'm using. I hope you don't mind I'm asking here how to achieve showing the metadata of an asset in the asset listing by clicking the asset name.
I've created an asset listing for comment assets. The first level shows say asset id and asset name. By clicking a choosen asset's name, it should bring up some metadata fields I want to display for that specific asset clicked on. In essence, the first level listing shows all assets and the second level only shows a chosen asset's metadata details.
[quote]Sorry, I actually can see the 'Minimum Depth/Height' & 'Maximum Depth/Height' fuctions in the Matrix 3.16.4 I'm using. I hope you don't mind I'm asking here how to achieve showing the metadata of an asset in the asset listing by clicking the asset name.
I've created an asset listing for comment assets. The first level shows say asset id and asset name. By clicking a choosen asset's name, it should bring up some metadata fields I want to display for that specific asset clicked on. In essence, the first level listing shows all assets and the second level only shows a chosen asset's metadata details.
Thanks in advance for your guidance.[/quote]
In 3.16 you cant set min depth and max depth both to 0 to create an asset listing that only lists the root node. This is what you need to do, and attach this to a paint layout to display the actual asset metadata.
