Project: Users create document, then export RTF

[Christopherblow]

Hi, I have a project that involves the following requirements:

1. Users can build a document (Probably using forms to input new text and checkboxes to include existing items).

2. The document can then be output as an editable file, preferably RTF.

3. The final document will need to have a lot of formatting (headers and tables).

Does anyone have a good idea for how to approach this project?

My biggest problem is getting RTF output. Ideas? Thanks!

Chris

[Weedpacket]

One suggestion I've seen was to write the template as a document, with placeholders for the dynamic bits and save it. Study the RTF to see which bits do what if that will help. Then on the site read in the template you created and replace the placeholders with the real data coming from the form.

cf .Using PHP for RTF.

[Christopherblow]

Thanks for your reply -- I'm trying to do this as you recommended (using an RTF template) but having some difficulty.

I have created a RTF template that has fields such as:

<<FIELD1>> and <<FIELD2>>

in the places that I need to get my data inserted after it is passed from a form. It almost works -- the RTF file gets saved to my desktop. But then the items that I want replaced are just blank.

So this is the script that I am using to do the work.

<?php


//This document is called rtf-builder.php, 
//and it will move form variables into an rtf file. 
//Bear with me, I'm just getting into PHP

//create shortened names for variables passed from survey-builder-1 form. 
$field1 = $POST['field1'];
$field2 = $POST['field2'];
$field3 = $POST['field3'];

//generate headers to help browser choose application
header( 'Content-Type: application/msword' );
header( 'Content-Disposition: inline, filename=teacher-survey.rtf' );  

//suggested file name when saving

//open template file
$filename = 'template.rtf';
$output = file_get_contents($filename);

//replace place holders in RTF file with our variables
$output = str_replace( '<<FIELD1>>', $field1, $output );
$output = str_replace( '<<FIELD2>>', $field2, $output );
$output = str_replace( '<<FIELD3>>', $field3, $output );


//view output in browser
echo $output;

?> 

So, in doing this, I have the user input coming from checkboxes. Each checkbox is a particular paragraph of text. This paragraph should also be in the "value" attribute right? I'm doing the HTML like this:

 
<form action="rtf-builder.php" method="post">

  <p>Please choose the items you want to include:</p>
  <ol>
    <li><input type="checkbox" name="field1" value="What was your purpose for requesting today’s presentation?" />
    What was your purpose for requesting today&rsquo;s presentation?</li>
    <li><input type="checkbox" name="field2" value="To what degree was your purpose met?" />
        To what degree was your purpose met?</li>
    <li><input type="checkbox" name="field3" value="Please explain your rating." />
        Please explain your rating.</li>
  </ol>


  <p align="center"><input type="submit"></p>

</form>

Thanks for any help with my (likely rudimentary) problems.

BTW: This is for an educational, nonprofit project in the U.S.

Thanks -- Chris