[sims] SIMS AM7 Template Change resultset script

[MACIT]

Im sure im being a bit slow here, but when i run the script i get asked the questions but then nothing happens - sims is open. Am i missing something?

 

Running Windows 7

Edited September 15, 2011 by MACIT

[vikpaw]

Haven't tested recently on windows 7, but there are some caveats. You need to make sure that the bottom most row in Template Columns (section 2) is selected / highlighted, which is the default when you open a template. Also the cursor must be in the topmost box. Highlighting the name in section 1, again, the default on open.

The script assumes you are in that start position. Then assuming you have the permission to run scripts which you must if you are getting prompted, then it should do the work.

I know it works on Spring 11, 7.138, but haven't had a chance to test on Summer 11 - are you on that version, 7.140?

If so, count how many times you have to press TAB before it highlights the bottom row in the templates section. If it has changed from 13, then we need to modify the file slightly.

[MACIT]

Yes on 7.140

 

Having tried the tab count and it is still 13.

 

What seems odd is that once all the variables are set for the script it just stalls and i can see no activity at all almost as if Win7 does not seem to underdstand what ws.sendkeys means. Im sure ive used this before on Win 7 so im a little at a loss.

[vikpaw]

I just tried on win 7 as administrator and it worked fine. SIMS v7.138, using the script which is labelled v7132, that i patched most recently. Do you have that one.

Perhaps you could try 'run as administrator' on the script. I think i had to do that with some scripts at the end of last year for printing reports.

[vikpaw]

Is there any flashing of the screen. The next step is to switch to the SIMS screen, execute the tabs. Does it even switch to SIMS and bring it to the foreground? Try hiding it with another window first. I'm pretty sure it must be permissions.

[MACIT]

No does not switch to sims regardless of focus.

 

I agree it must be persmissions but i cant see what as im domain and local admin and am running the script from dekstop and have tried running from root of C:\

[vikpaw]

Sometimes being admin doesn't count with windows 7, unless you are actually using the administrator account, or the account the system was installed with.

 

Didn't run as admin work, i couldn't find the button for it, but if you make a shortcut to the script, then you can tell the shortcut to run as admin, in one of the options i think properties, general, advanced or something like that. i've used that as a workaround before.

 

Failing that, do you have an XP box as a backup?

[GoalPostPorter]

It was well worth the effort hunting around to find this and get it working, using 7.140 with XP.

 

Thanks very much. Now I can go out and do the gardening this afternoon and for so many more this year.

[vikpaw]

It was well worth the effort hunting around to find this and get it working, using 7.140 with XP.

 

Thanks very much. Now I can go out and do the gardening this afternoon and for so many more this year.

 

to the 'Geek. Glad you found it helpful.

There are many other gems hidden around here, so stay a while, i'm sure you'll like it.

[vikpaw]

Just a warning to any exisiting / new users to this script.

 

If you are trying to change a mixture of columns, which is possible with the latest version of the script, do manually try one first and test the displacement for the resultset.

 

I have just been doing a load of changes and realised that a data-entry column has a different set of resultsets shown to a data review column. This may or may not affect you but is worth bearing in mind.

 

For me, there were 3 "Key Stage Validated Result" Resultsets which were imported with the supplier SIMS. To get rid of them i just made them inactive. Now i can use the same displacement for both types of columns. You may need to check this on your systems.

 

Alternatively if the two different types of columns are in contiguous rows, you can just run the script twice with different numbers. Don't forget to reset to inital conditions by clicking on the shortcut to basic, so the system is primed before running again.

 

Good luck and let me know how you get on, both good and bad.

 

[Mirmo]

Hi all, just a note to say thanks for the script, works brilliantly, saved many hours of tedious work! And just to add as I saw one post having trouble with ver 7.140 on windows 7, the tab count has changed to 14 so just edit the script and you're away. Again, many thanks vik!

[vikpaw]

That's excellent @Mirmo glad to hear it worked for you. Can you just let us know if you use partnership exchange and / or SLG, as i know this adds extra focus points on the sheet, requiring a change to the number of tabs.

 

I was actually going to ask the users, if you would prefer the prerequisite starting point to already be focussed on the Template columns section? So basically, before running the script, you need to make sure you are focussed on the columns part with the bottom one highlighted.

 

This eliminates the final hurdle of the initial tabbing, and would make it quite future proof. You can also run it again and again, to cope with multiple sets of columns, e.g. when the first 10 are current and need changing to another year, and the last 10 are historic and need only changing to a different result set in the year.

 

The only downside i can see is that you can't just open a template and run the script you have to click down to the second section first, but it's not such a hindrance is it...?

 

In fact, i think i have automated the jump down to the template section without TABS, using an Alt+2 followed by a Shift+TAB. If that works on people's systems, then it will be awesome as i don't think it matters where your focus is. However, sometimes the Alt button doesn't always bring up the right menu. I have also noticed that it's taken a long delay between hitting Alt+2 and it actually moving to the right place, i think the tabbing was quicker.

 

If you care to try it out, then please amend the code from around line 46, commented as "switch to first column" thus:

 

   'switch to first column
   ws.SendKeys "%2"
   wscript.sleep longwait
   ws.SendKeys "+{TAB}"
   'ws.SendKeys "{TAB 13}"  [this is commented out now]
   ws.SendKeys r

 

i've added a longwait variable at the top where the variables are defined, but you could replace it directly in this excerpt of code with 2000, which is working for my system. Shockingly slow, i've yet to try it on another machine.

Edited October 17, 2011 by vikpaw
code layout

[Mirmo]

Hi Vik, we do have SLG so that would account for the extra focus point. Regarding the changes, I think the amount of work you've saved people is already so huge I doubt users will mind having to click to the second section before running the script! Thanks again mate.

[vikpaw]

Okay so, i've tested the mod with a longwait, and to be honest it's just impractical and i hate telling the system to wait 2 seconds when doing it with a mouse click is almost instant.

 

So i've opted to change the priming system. Basically, now you must click and highlight the bottom-most column in section 2 - Template Columns.

The benefit is that now there is none of the initial tabbing and any users regardless of PX or SLG should be able to use the same script.

Also, if you want to do different types of changes this is possible by just changing the initial displacement each time rather than having to re-prime the system, so it works well for using the script repeatedly on the same template.

 

It took me a while to get used to having to click on the column first, but works a treat now.

 

Feel free to test and provide any feedback.

 

SIMSchangeXresultsets.zip

[LosOjos]

Feel free to test and provide any feedback.

 

[ATTACH]11690[/ATTACH]

 

Works a treat Vik - thanks for updating it!

[vikpaw]

No worries, glad it's still working. Should be a lot more future proof.

[vikpaw]

Im sure im being a bit slow here, but when i run the script i get asked the questions but then nothing happens - sims is open. Am i missing something?

 

Running Windows 7

 

I had exactly the same problem a few days ago, but on XP, and it happened at the end of a day i had been using it all day. In fact i panicked as i'd just modified the script and uploaded it here, and i was worried it was the wrong version.

 

A reboot fixed it, and i'm wondering if it's to do with memory or something. I know i have been having the odd RAM errors, and the machine starts to slow down, so it could have been cached or something funny going on. It asked me the questions but then did nothing. After a reboot it was back to normal.

 

Could be worth a try.

[PhilNeal]

Just to let you know, bulk editing of Result Sets will be standard in Assessment Manager from the autumn release. This is a change requested by our Indy Strategy Group.

[vikpaw]

Great news @PhilNeal I'd be interested to see how it's implemented as a marksheet could contain many different resultsets all with a different mapping required.

I'm happy to beta test if required

Also I hope it extend to ind. reports as I could really use that function right now.

[Mirmo]

Amen to individual reports included!

[PhilNeal]

Sorry its just in the templates at this stage.

[vikpaw]

Sorry its just in the templates at this stage.

That's a shame. If they do put it in to ind. reps. too, then a few people have been asking for it to autovalidate the name of the aspect, and change that too, so if an aspect changes names, it is reflected on the template making it easier to read. thanks.

[coolhands]

Just to let you know, bulk editing of Result Sets will be standard in Assessment Manager from the autumn release. This is a change requested by our Indy Strategy Group.

 

OLD! bump - but does anyone know how to do this? I can't see it. I want to change a whole bunch of Results sets from eg Y11 Data 2 to Y11..... Is this possible? without going into every template & manually updating

[vikpaw]

OLD! bump - but does anyone know how to do this? I can't see it. I want to change a whole bunch of Results sets from eg Y11 Data 2 to Y11..... Is this possible? without going into every template & manually updating

 

I've not used it for a while, but the feature as released at the time was done per template which is reasonable. See this post and the picture http://www.edugeek.net/forums/mis-systems/85606-autumn-release-2011-a-2.html#post762219

 

You can use the replace function at the lower left.

 

There may be other ways using the Assessment Manager Tools, but they will most likely be blanket changes across the whole system. There used to be a filter function so you could filter down which templates to apply it to for example, but unlikely to let you pick certain aspects if that is your use case.