How to retrieve data from your database to update your infopath fo

[abrown]

I have created an InfoPath form and linked it to an Access database. This
form allows users to be able to submit report requests. When users submit the
form it is sent via email to our manager & to the database. At that time our
manager "assigns" the request, updates the database (with the new info) &
forwards the email to the "assigned" person to complete the request. Once the
request is complete, the "assignee" will alter the form to include a
"completed date", refresh the database & then forward the form back to our
manager.
In the event that the form is not saved, either by our manager or the
"assignee". How can our manager retrieve the data from the database back to
the form so he can view the most current information on the form?
I'm assuming I need to add a Run Query button, but I don't know where to go
from there. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Clay Fox]

Right you would build into your form a look up view.
They would open a new form, switch to the view.
They could then enter an idea or some search criteria.
You create a button with a rule action to save their input to the
appropriate query field and then query the main data source.

then the data they wanted would be loaded.

I would recomend create a new test form and follow the default layout
Drag in the query fields and data fields and experiment with how it works.

If you would like to see a demonstration of enterprise methods of how to tie
SQL and InfoPath together via web services let me know.

You will likely encounter som of the limitations of the default data base
connectivity built into InfoPath if you have not already. InfoPath was
designed to use web services for the most flexibility and performance. If
you want real integration, being able to query and submit multiple tables,
etc then that is the way to go.