Take Your Web Site to New Levels

Using the Database Results Wizard in Microsoft FrontPage

One of the main reasons that I designed this training course was to make sure that YOU have the tools available to take your existing databases and integrate them with you website.

Why am I going through all this trouble?

When I began this process, it was instantly obvious that there was NO source, written, online or otherwise, that focused on non-programmers like you and me.

I had to beg, borrow and invent solutions to what I thought should be simple challenges. During my quest, I met many talented web designers, and hundreds of amazing programmers. As I queried discussion forums, I was often rewarded with an email telling me that someone had responded to my plea for help. I would click on the attached link, all a quiver with anticipation, only to meet crushing disappointment. The solutions invariably included dozens of lines of cryptic ASP (Active Server Pages) code that I had NO idea how to use.

Eventually though, I discovered many unique solutions. I invented creative work arounds. I modified existing tutorials to make it easy to plug into your existing project.

In this section, we'll show you how to get the most out of the Database Results Wizard (DRW) in Microsoft FrontPage. This tool is your key to linking your website to your online database. We'll teach you how to add, edit and delete records from a database. We'll help you format your results and create unique ways to key out the data your customers need to see.

Before you get started

In order to make these tutorials work, you need to make sure that your web host has Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions installed AND that they support Active Server Pages. Without these basic features, you WILL NOT be able to host interactive database pages on your website.

Once you've confirmed that your host has all of the basic tools installed, you're ready to roll. But don't get too excited yet. You still have a few decisions to make.

Do I need interactive database pages?

Often, you may find that your needs can be met using static web pages. You CAN create static web pages in Microsoft Access that you can display on your website. If your data does not change on a regular basis, then this may be all you need.

If you want to create a static web page, follow this simple process. Create a report in Microsoft Access and then select File-Export. In the file type drop-down, select html file. This will create a simple html file that you can import into your FrontPage web.

These static pages, because they DON'T need to run any ASP code, will load faster and with less inherent problems. For simple solutions, this may be all you need.

OK, let's get started

Still keen on creating an interactive database application, then begin with importing your database into FrontPage. Click here to get started