Very simple program to combine some text

AtomBomb

So I was trying to help some very non-technical users who need to create a hyperlink to enter into a "green screen" system. They use a CMS to upload a file to an online library, then they need to create a link to that file and put that into a description on the green screen system.

I wrote the code out for them, and told them what parts they would need to change, but they just didn't get it. I'd like to create a web form (or even a simple program) that asks them for the variable information (file name, what they want the link to say), checks that the first part of the link is under 80 characters (otherwise the green screen breaks the link), and then just spits out the code for them to copy and paste. The CMS seems to stick all the files in the same directory, so I can just hard code that in.

schuss

Worse comes to worse, just put it in an excel doc.
LINKONATOR 5000
A2 (this is where they put the name) B2 (extra text) C2 (=A2&B2) D2 (=IF(LEN(A2))>80, "TOO LONG", "GOOD TO GO")

AtomBomb

Yeah, I've considered that. I'll do it that way if I can, but the less they can fuck up the better. I can see them typing their stuff in the wrong cell, or just pulling up the doc and using the same link every time.

I don't want to treat people like pets with brain injuries, but sometimes they make me do it :P

BlochWave

If you go the Excel route, you can do some pretty severe restrictions on their data entry to make sure they don't screw it up. You can make it where they can't even select the non-input cells.

Use a workbook open event and put something like "Worksheets(1).ScrollArea = "a1:f10" " and they won't be able to even select cells outside that range, then you can just use the normal data validation options in the input cells to make sure they don't do a date of 45$ and a cost of october.

You can have the document open the related excel file when it first opens, and then have the workbook prompt them for inputs, but that may be too cumbersome and annoying for their uses.