[sims] SIMS AM7 Template Change resultset script

[vikpaw]

Hi MACIT

 

Sorry for the delay in response, my internet has been flaky all morning, and down for the last couple of hours.

 

Can you confirm that you are using the 7.128 version that i uploaded second. Not the first uploaded file.

 

Also, that the type of column is defo data entry, because if it can't reach the Update button after changing result set it usually means it's a different type of column. Maybe data entry by formula...?

 

If you can post an image of your update screen on that column it would be useful.

 

I've attached mine, it should need 3 TABS to get to the update button, if that is where you think it is getting stuck. [2 for Read Only cols and 4 for Formula]. This is fixed by the ParseReview function at the end of the script based on your choice for parameter 4.

 

The line you specify represents a Shift Tab which is done after the resultset update button is clicked and you are back on the main template screen. It should move focus back away from the icons on the right hand side of panel 2 back to the column that was just edited.

 

Maybe you could try different figures for parameter 4, to see if that makes a difference, but only test it for change to 1 column so it's easier to see.

 

 

I'm intrigued to know if you have yet another variant on SIMS install that can affect the script.

 

Just a final thought before i hit Submit - the script is designed for speed, and so depends very much on the response of your computer, any other background process or application that causes a delay could mean the script gets ahead of itself before SIMS has responded. So perhaps the right number of TABS is being sent, but SIMS isn't responding quick enough and the command is going astray. It's unlikely but worth considering if we find nothing else wrong with the setup. However, if you can send 34 UP commands and the focus hits the correct column it's unlikely you are getting a delay.

To rule out a delay, you could change line 59 "ws.SendKeys d" with

 

ws.SendKeys {TAB}
wscript.sleep wait
ws.SendKeys {TAB}
wscript.sleep wait
ws.SendKeys {TAB}
wscript.sleep wait

 

which would add in some delays and allow you to troubleshoot, but also hard code the script to only work for Date Entry cols.

 

alternatively, you could replace the "wscript.sleep wait" in the above modification with "wscript.echo" so you get a pop up OK box after every TAB.

 

Hope that helps, let me know if you want me to make any changes for you, i'm working on an improved version when i get time. Will be leaving for the day in 45mins though.

 

@LosOjos/Josh - of course i don't mind, not at all. Thanks for covering for me in my absence.

Edited May 18, 2010 by vikpaw
typo

[vikpaw]

I've updated to capture the cancel button, so you have a bit more flexibility in testing, basically it actually works and quits the script!

 

Also got the SLG version created, with a credit for LosOjos

 

I will look to make this a one time selectable option at some point, possibly compiling the script as a .exe in VB, and make it rely on a .ini file

 

I'm also going to put in some validation to ensure only numeric data is entered, but the script is starting to get messy already so will do it as a function i think...

 

The first script has been tested with and works on 7.132. The second script should work on non-SLG sites who have Partnership Exchange.

changeXresultsets7128v2.zip

changeXresultsets7128v2SLG.zip

Edited February 9, 2011 by vikpaw
Update on compatibility

[MACIT]

Vickpaw,

 

WORKING! using your latest script and adding a few waits in the script completes a 49 column template in a little over 18 seconds.

 

I cannot tell you how greatful I am for this!!! Great work and Thank you.

 

Such a shame though we have to go to these lengths to make software do things it should be capable of in the first place

[vikpaw]

Great stuff MACIT.

Maybe i'll consider leaving those waits in, and add another 1 time parameter in the .ini file that will add the pauses as a kind of test mode.

At least it works for you that's the main thing. And you know what you need to modify to change a different type of column.

[vikpaw]

Such a shame though we have to go to these lengths to make software do things it should be capable of in the first place

 

But don't you see, it is capable of doing it. SIMS isn't at fault, you just can't move the mouse and click the keys quick enough!!

[vikpaw]

Just had a tester from SupportNet, and found a couple of extra caveats.

 

The instructions may be slightly wrong. The focus at the start of running the script should be in the template name box. This is where it expects the cursor to be, and is where it is automatically placed when you open a template though the browser.

 

The reference to highlighting the bottom-most column, is merely to make sure that's where it starts, in fact you could highlight a point higher up if required, and change columns immediately above that, so long as the cursor moves to the name field before running the script.

 

Another key issue was, that upon testing with Summer 2010, 7.132, the original script works fine on regular installations. I'm assuming the SLG version works on those sites too - can you check LosOjos please?

 

The extra variant is i think if the school has partnership exchange, i think, based on fact that there was a "partnership type" tab on recent tester's shortcut menu. It was not an SLG school, and thus, by fluke the SLG version of the script works there.

 

I would appreciate any testers that can confirm this is the case, and also need to test a school that has both SLG and this partnership option.

 

I'll build the new efficient versions up, once things are tested. Also need to test on later upgrades, but i'll be going straight to Spring Release so wont have access to the Autumn 2010.

[LosOjos]

Morning Vik,

 

I can confirm that the SLG 7.128v2 script is working with SIMS version 7.136, as it yet again saved me a good hour of pointing and clicking a few days ago

[vikpaw]

And I take it you don't have the partnership type shortcut link and you're not a partnership school?

[LosOjos]

That's correct Vik

[DeeGee]

This is really useful. Thanks Vik. I'll give it a go...

[vikpaw]

This is really useful. Thanks Vik. I'll give it a go...

 

Cool, obviously take note of the caveats, and report back how it goes including your setup. It usually takes a tweak before it works perfectly.

[vikpaw]

This is really useful. Thanks Vik. I'll give it a go...

 

Any joy Dee?

 

I'm hopefully playing with the latest upgrade tomorrow, and no doubt there will be changes to the structure which will require a tweak.

 

In the meantime, i took a video of my last usage and was super impressed at how well it did, because even for me, it sometimes conks out or has a fit:

 

[ajp233]

With an ODBC connection to the relevant table in the SIMS DB, changing the resultset can be achieved with a find and replace in seconds. I realise this is probably unsupported though

[vikpaw]

With an ODBC connection to the relevant table in the SIMS DB, changing the resultset can be achieved with a find and replace in seconds. I realise this is probably unsupported though

 

It's definitely PROHIBIDADO.

Hence our fanciful workarounds.

 

There's lots i have done in SQL on test server, but this has to be done in front end. It's pretty good, the only pain is that Capita developers don't seem to have any standard tabbing order, which means it needs testing with each update. Add to that the fact that depending on your licence you see different options on the screen and it's a bit of a mess and not easily shared, luckily i've got a few friends like Josh who test on other setups.

Edited March 24, 2011 by vikpaw
addition.

[ajp233]

Yes...indeed PROHIBIDADO ... lol

 

Your script is good by the way.

[vikpaw]

Thanks.

There are some tweaks needed, that i've come up with, to make it more user friendly and eliminate some of the prompts, but i was waiting for the next upgrade as it will no doubt change the way it needs to work!

I'd like to compile it as an app at some point too.

[NorthernSands]

Hi Vik.

 

I've tried this script and it's saved me a HUGE amount of time! Thank you very much.

 

It doesn't complete, however. I've only tried on a couple of templates, and it stopped early on both, after having done around the same number of changes. The worst case one has 176 columns, the last 4 of which are forumulae. After I stripped off the Student Details columns at the top (it doesn't like those if you tell the script to zoom all the way to the top, obviously!), I set it to go up 175 columns, then process 172 of them (data review columns, 1 result set down). It only manages to change approx 120 of them before stopping, usually with a column's details box still up. I suspect , despite having a fairly quick PC, that the software can't keep up with the button presses, but I'm not sure. Maybe inserting a Wait prior to each column would help. To finish off the templates, I just re-ran it with modified settings.

 

SIMS Ver.: 7.136, no SLG

 

All in all, truly mind-blowingly fantastic! I wonder how much time I would have saved myself over the year's I've been using SIMS if I'd had this...?

 

Pete.

Edited March 27, 2011 by NorthernSands
Typo!

[vikpaw]

Good to hear from you Pete, useful feedback.

 

You don't have to zoom all the way to the top, so could leave those header columns in there, but then have to count really well.

 

You're right sometimes the systems do suffer at not being able to cope. I've done more than 120 cols before, but you have to make sure you have no other apps open and there are no network glitches or other interruptions. Having outlook open is a killer. I could add another wait i guess but then it wouldn't be as flashy - If it doesn't blow your mind then i've not achieved what i set out to achieve

 

Re-running is easy enough, and in fact it can be set to start from any position with a zero offset, but you just have to make sure you prime it correctly. If i share it, i tend to only give the basic instructions, most people can then modify to their needs once they've seen how it works.

 

The next version will probably have quite a few modifications.

 

I need to get in touch with you actually about my attendance certificate template modification - alters the week to arabic standard - will catch you on a pm bukra insh'allah

[nkh97]

I can see great potential for this but I am struggling with it. I can't cope with counting the hundreds of rows in my templates to work out the sections I need to change. I have big blocks of data entry columns, with the odd formula in between which makes it go wrong. Can I suggest you use Alt U to exit the column details dialog? That would make it work for Data entry columns and Formula columns I believe.

 

I'll try it later but now I need to just get the template changed I am afraid.

[vikpaw]

I can see great potential for this but I am struggling with it. I can't cope with counting the hundreds of rows in my templates to work out the sections I need to change. I have big blocks of data entry columns, with the odd formula in between which makes it go wrong. Can I suggest you use Alt U to exit the column details dialog? That would make it work for Data entry columns and Formula columns I believe.

 

I'll try it later but now I need to just get the template changed I am afraid.

 

Thanks for using it

Apologies it doesn't currently do what you require, you have however guessed some of the changes that i have been alluding to, in terms of making it more efficient and also removing some of those prompts.

 

I was hoping to have the time to make it into some sort of application rather than a .vbs file (which can be seen as having security implications).

 

I can get you a modded version if you'd like that will alt+u, but wont be very well tested. get in touch if you're interested.

Edited April 4, 2011 by vikpaw
sense

[nkh97]

Thanks for writing it.

 

I was suprised our security settings allowed me to run the script but I was plesently suprised when it did! I like it as a script because then it is easy to tweak and requires no special tools, just notepad.

 

I'll tweak my own version thanks - I think I need %{u} according to msdn. I just need more "play time"

 

In spetember I expect my school wll have PX and SLG so if you need a hand with testing please let me know.

[vikpaw]

Thanks for writing it.

 

I was suprised our security settings allowed me to run the script but I was plesently suprised when it did! I like it as a script because then it is easy to tweak and requires no special tools, just notepad.

 

I'll tweak my own version thanks - I think I need %{u} according to msdn. I just need more "play time"

 

In spetember I expect my school wll have PX and SLG so if you need a hand with testing please let me know.

 

Good point about being able to edit if you want, the only thing is, i've had a few off site requests for it, from people who don't really know how to manipulate scripts, so an app would be useful there. Also for that type of user, i think permissions would be more of an issue in running scripts.

 

It's pretty well commented to allow for user customisation though i'm hoping it wont need much after the next gen'. I've tried to make the change you want, and "play time" is the right phrase as it took 5 revisions to get it right, and even now i'm not sure it's fully tested, however it does work for 7.132 Summer 10 that i'm on.

 

The change required was as you thought but slightly different : from sendkeys d , to %u, but also to remove the next line which has the {ENTER}. Also for completeness to take out the prompt for column type. It was only ever a patch in the first place!

 

Try this out and see if it works for you. The biggest issue might be if there is a change in Spring to how many tabs away the columns area is. I plan to change the instructions so to prime the system you have to manually on the bottom column. This is the area that gets most affected by variation of module usage at schools. So your offer to test will be very useful, thanks. Would you prefer to choose the bottom column, or simply scroll to the top of the section straight off and not even have to enter the number to move?

 

CAVEAT: THIS IS A PATCHED FILE - It has worked in all latest tests with 7.138 (Spring 2011)

Use at own risk. Please feel free to test however.

changeXresultsets7132.vbs

Edited May 18, 2011 by vikpaw
test update

[vikpaw]

I forgot to add, i tested on my system with Spring 2011 (7.138) and it seems to work as before.

[NorthernSands]

Thanks once again, Vik. This truly is a huge time saver and I know longer dread having to clone a 170 column marksheet!!

[vikpaw]

Thanks once again, Vik. This truly is a huge time saver and I know longer dread having to clone a 170 column marksheet!!

 

You#re welcome. To be honest i hardly ever use it these days, it#s only when someone on here or SupportNet asks for help with it that i start tinkering to make sure it works.

 

I do have some analysis marksheets that need creating soon though, and it will be pretty powerful for those.