Can Infopath log data changes?

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CSTGuy - 17 Oct 2005 20:32 GMT

I have been asked to add the functionality to a “medical related” Infopath to
track the user and the data the user changes. Essentially a data change log
file. I did not see any “built-in” functions for this type of
tracking/logging. Does anyone know how I can do this?

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All the best

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Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath] - 17 Oct 2005 20:39 GMT

>I have been asked to add the functionality to a medical related Infopath to
>track the user and the data the user changes. Essentially a data change log
>file. I did not see any built-in functions for this type of
>tracking/logging. Does anyone know how I can do this?

Hi,

You haven't described your scenario in detail, but I will assume that
data is being submitted to a database, say SQL Server.

It's something I think could be most realistically done on the server
side.

It could be done with a trigger on SQL Server, for example. In
response to, say, an UPDATE on the database that InfoPath is
submitting to then a trigger runs which logs information about changes
to an audit table of some kind.

Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath

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CSTGuy - 17 Oct 2005 21:21 GMT

Andrew:

Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately, the database that is currently
being used is MS Access. I may have the option to convert it over to SQL
2005 Express once it is released in Early November. Any advice you have is
greatly appreciated.

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All the best

> >I have been asked to add the functionality to a “medical related” Infopath to
> >track the user and the data the user changes. Essentially a data change log
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Andrew Watt
> MVP - InfoPath

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Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath] - 17 Oct 2005 22:57 GMT

Hi,

As I understand it, Access doesn't have table-level events. That means
that you can't use a trigger-equivalent in Access, as far as I can
figure out.

SQL Server 2005 Express has been stable enough to prototype for
several builds. Bear in mind the limits on database size etc. But if
you are currently using Access that may not be a problem.

Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath

>Andrew:
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>> Andrew Watt
>> MVP - InfoPath

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Franck Dauché - 17 Oct 2005 21:05 GMT

Hi CST,

There is no standard way to do this. I had to do it too, and you can easily
store successive values entered in a field in a secondary doc or somewhere in
your main document as long as you uniquely identify data elements (with ID
attributes on each node in your schema for example). You can of course store
all relevant information in a repeating sections (id, new value, user id,
date time, etc.).

The difficult part is how to display the history behind each node to the end
user. But, this is a direct function of the end-user requirements. Make
sure to gather all requirements first.....trust me.

Regards,

Franck Dauché

> I have been asked to add the functionality to a “medical related” Infopath to
> track the user and the data the user changes. Essentially a data change log
> file. I did not see any “built-in” functions for this type of
> tracking/logging. Does anyone know how I can do this?

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Franck Dauché - 17 Oct 2005 22:03 GMT

Hi,

The solution that Andrew mentioned would work with MS Access (which is
Native to InfoPath too), or with any other DB exposed through a Web Service.

I guess the point is:
Do I want to (or can) use a DB behind your form or not? Looks like you have
the option. If you do, then go for it.

The display option is still key whichever path you take.

Good luck.

Regards,

Franck Dauché

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CSTGuy - 18 Oct 2005 14:43 GMT

Frank:

Thanks for your advice. Maybe a "logging" feature can be added to InfoPath
in the future.

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All the best

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> > file. I did not see any “built-in” functions for this type of
> > tracking/logging. Does anyone know how I can do this?

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cbsmiley - 02 Dec 2005 16:07 GMT

I could use this as well for "stand-alone" InfoPath forms in SharePoint, not
connected to a data source.

> Frank:
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> > > file. I did not see any “built-in” functions for this type of
> > > tracking/logging. Does anyone know how I can do this?

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Rajeev. - 08 Aug 2007 17:34 GMT

Hi,

I have a app created using Infopath/Access 2007. I am also looking to track
changes to a record made on the infopath form in some manner. The programming
for Infopath is in VBScript.

I am trying to see if I can implement some VBScript code to capture changes
on the form and then update a Table in Access that stores the changes to the
fields.

Any ideas on this is highly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rajeev.

> I could use this as well for "stand-alone" InfoPath forms in SharePoint, not
> connected to a data source.
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> > > > file. I did not see any “built-in” functions for this type of
> > > > tracking/logging. Does anyone know how I can do this?

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