Operation Manual

288 Adding Dynamic Content
As well as text, it is even possible to merge picture data (for example, a digital
photo library) into single fields or even auto-create a grid layout of pictures
and text suitable for catalogs or photo albums. WebPlus can even create a
photo database automatically—a simple database using the .SDB (Serif
Database) format—for a set of images in a folder. You can merge images into
single fields or even auto-generate a repeating layout with a grid arrangement
suitable for catalogs or photo albums.
Overview
For your basic database merge needs, WebPlus provides its own Serif
Database file format. "SDB files" as they're called (since they use the *.SDB
extension) are ideal for storing unformatted, plain text data typically used for
product lists, but are suitable for other tasks as well. You can build a list by
creating a new SDB file and then "fill in the blanks." One advantage of using
the Serif Database format is that you can
edit your data (even add new fields
and information) directly within WebPlus. Of course, more complex data
sources have their own advantages, and WebPlus can also merge external data
from a variety of other formats. You can import plain text files (for example,
as exported from a email program), tables from HTML Web pages, database
files from programs such as Access, Outlook, Excel... even live ODBC servers!
Whatever your source of data, once you've chosen it in WebPlus you can edit
the merge list (the actual data to be merged) by specifying which records to
include or exclude, and apply advanced filtering/sorting capabilities to refine
the data. You'll need to
Insert placeholder fields on a placed repeating area on
your Web page; data will then be merged into such repeating areas.