Access of hidden databases?

[Melee]

I am not a notes developer, but am resonably cognizant of the processes.

Problem: We have a Lotus database that was created by a VAB to IBM. The supplier no longer supports theis database. I am trying to retrieve the data in a usable format. So far nothing has worked well. Even getting the data into a lotus spread sheet would be ok. This database does not allow development of new views or forms, and it is hidden so that I cannot access it through designer. (the database is CPAS)

Tried: I have tried creating reports in the allowed format and exporting to a 1-2-3 format. This did not display the contents. I tried doing this also with the exiting views. I have been able to export the data in text format, but it needs extensive clean up.

Question: Is it possible to get around the hidden database problem to retrieve the data? or Can someone suggest an alternate approach?

 

[suesloan]

Try a worksheet view of the data - that will show you the fields in a tabular format.

If you need to "export" summary fields, you will not succeed with a report view. You can however, copy and paste the contents of a crosstab view into a spreadsheet!

Let me know if you need more help with this problem!

Sue Sloan
XpertSS.com

 

[Melee]

Thanks for the suggestion, however ..... the set up of the databases we are trying to access have very limited accessability. The worksheet view is not available.

What I am attempting to do now is write a routine to pull specific fields from a massive word document -- (I have been able to retrieve the contents of one database into word). It comes out in one very long column. There are about 20 fields that I want to pull out. So, I'm thinking macro. I am open to any suggestions.