Automation- DocProcessing-FolderAsATableExample.zip (405.9 KB)
Sample assets for trying out Folder as a Table feature of Document Processing.
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BIG DEAL ALERT:
This gets rid of all kinds of code-y workarounds (apps script). For example. if you connect to a folder of images (1), you can create a virtual field (2) with this expression (3):
"https://drive.google.com/uc?id=" & [_ID]
Because we now have access to the Drive ID’s (4), you can get these images inline (5) in your app without any extra security fiddling, sharing, or coding. Nifty Nifty Nifty! Thanks for sharing, @prithpal
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Wait a flipping minute
This has 0 use for myself as I don’t have any situations that call for this type of feature but I know that there’s always a question every other month or so about something like
Looking forward to testing this new feature soon.
UK looks exactly same as table config.
To add google target folder as a table, it is posible that we may have “folder picker” to add a new table? Or do we need to add new data source first for those folders? Just wondered how to add new folder as a table as user experiences.
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@tsuji_koichi you choose "new table, and then you pick “Documents” as a type, then “folder”. Then you get the file picker, the assumption here is that you are picking a folder of existing images.
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Also, putting a reference to the general announcement that has a link to the Primer pdf, which has instructions for how to use this feature…in case you are clicking on the zip file above and wondering what to do with it
[About the AppSheet Automation channel](https://community.appsheet.com/t/about-the-appsheet-automation-channel/31369) AppSheet Automation
Welcome to the AppSheet Process Automation channel! The objective of this channel is for creators to collaborate (community style) with other participants to provide feedback (i.e. identify bugs, make feature requests) in order to drive product improvements in AppSheet Automation. Rules of Engagement: Please provide cordial and respectful feedback Optional: Read the optional Primer for in-depth information. The Primer also highlights the use cases to test. We’ve included test data below if y…
I for one could actually use this functionality, however I am wondering what additional features are planned for this especially in regards to being able to add a REF column? Currently I have a table that has a file column [OrderDocument], so based on Appsheet if I choose a file from my computer/device a file will get created in my Appsheet repository for the application with the name key.OrderDocument.timestamp.pdf for example. Then in my file folder table in Appsheet I created a virtual column to extract the key from this file like so:
It could be helpful coming up with an internal mechanism that automatically appends a Ref Column to a document.
Also, of course the ability to add/delete/replace(version) from within Appsheet might be helpful. Last item would be to assign a category like in my case OrderDocument or something like Category so that files could be grouped in an inline table.
Just some ideas. As I am trying to incorporate some of these additional functionalities but have not yet due to the current limitations.
@prithpal @Scott_Haaland this is a very cool feature. Thank you!
I found one issue:
When you click on “New Table” you can choose “Documents on Google Drive”.
After adding as Folder as a Table, I want to change the Folder. So I would click on “browse for more data”.
Here I can’t see “Documents on Google Drive”.
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@tsuji_koichi Are we able to get the thumbnail to PDF files?
One possible workaround is this, but need third party service, like Filestack
- Get file ID for PDF, using read folder as table.
- Construct url to reach to the file, using file ID. Make sure to publish the whole folder. At the end of url, add path of “/preview”
https://drive.google.com/file/d/PDF_FILE_ID/preview1. Using external service for screenshot out of URL, take the snapshot for this PDF preview page and return as image.
Not a perfect solution, but at least do a bit of jobs for us.
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Once the planned iframe view feature comes and plays, then we should be easily set this up, that is one of my other hopes.
Thank you @tsuji_koichi
I found a way inside AppSheet that doesn’t need a 3rd party service. You also don’t need to publish your files.
This is also only a workaround. Not perfect. Just thumbnails
[Show PDF Thumbnails when using Folder as a Table](https://community.appsheet.com/t/show-pdf-thumbnails-when-using-folder-as-a-table/51204) Tips & Tricks ?
We can add a Google Drive folder as a data source. See this Post. I thought it would be cool to have the PDF’s thumbnail like we have in Google Drive. [image] We can do this in AppSheet with Card View and XY column Type. It will look like this: [image] Here is how to do it: Add your Google Drive folder as a new data source with “Documents on Google Drive”. This will generate a virtual table inside your App. In my case I called the table “Formulare”. [image] Add 3 Virtual Columns to …
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Nice and hacky approach
Thank you for sharing @Fabian
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Prithpal,
I am struggling with this new feature. If I have a folder full of files and folder inside - will I need to add EACH folder as a table? Or the Parent folder only - then it can drill down?
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Hi @Tiger you have to add each single folder as a table. At the moment subfolders are not supported.
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Thank you for telling me…
If we have over 100 folders - do you have suggestions or thoughts on organizing it?
If your files are located on your local server, you can install Google Backup & Sync on your Server, to upload your files to Google Drive.
You can then use Integromat to copy all your files (located in Google Drive) in one folder. You can automate this process.
So every time a new file is created or changed on your local Server, Backup & Sync uploads it to Google and Integromat copies it to your 1 folder.
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I have actually thought about that route - Google Backup and Sync. However, If , by accident, one of the files gets deleted in Google Drive- doesn’t it also delete it in the server? I would hate for something like that to happen.
Instead, could I copy/paste ALL files into Google Drive, then each day copy/paste ONLY new created ones?
Tiger:
However, If , by accident, one of the files gets deleted in Google Drive- doesn’t it also delete it in the server?
Yes.
Tiger:
Instead, could I copy/paste ALL files into Google Drive, then each day copy/paste ONLY new created ones?
You mean manually?