Format text string from Database??

kingtut

I have a text string from a database, one field, with FAQs. The Q&A are identified with a Q: and an A:, but otherwise it is one text field.

What I wanted to do was store the string to a variable, then search the variable for the Q: insert the font/color, then look for the A: and change it again. Or maybe with one of the Modulus things, put a <br> before each Q: and A: and do a color change every other line.

Tnx
Tut 🙂

Bunkermaster

I don't want to sound like a wiseass but using 2 fields would be a nice idea on this... if not, use regexp functions.

kingtut

Yes, that would be nice. But the people inputting data, are using a spreadsheet (excel) and they put it in like a document. So I'm basically copying the spreadsheet with headers into a MySQL database.

Now, if I could create new fields on the fly while I'm translating the spreadsheet to MySQL that would work also. Something like Q1, A1, Q2, A2, etc. since the number of Q/A's is different for each record.

Bunkermaster

why not have 2 fields in excel? just curious...

kingtut

They are actually put in excel as if it were a document...

Q: Why do you do this?
A: I don't know.

Q: Why don't you do that?
A: Because I don't know how.

Etc.....

This would be in one cell of the sheet with a header "FAQs".

See my dilema...

Bunkermaster

ok got it,
create a import script that will split incoming file depending on first character between 2 fields in database

example :
Q: Why do you do this?
A: I don't know.

Q: Why don't you do that?
A: Because I don't know how.

will becaume :
"Why do you do this?";"I don't know"
"Why don't you do that?";"Because I don't know how"

should be easy to code 🙂

kingtut

I think I'll export the field to a variable, then search and replace for the Q: and the A: replacing the Q: with "<font blah blah blah> Q:" the the A: with "</font>A:" . I should be able to figure that one out.

Tnx for the advice.