PDF from bot not displaying all table rows

[lanolot]

Hi i have tried for hours to show the rows from one table on update using the bot.

I have tried all expressions it is still only returning one row

please help this is the base template 

Character	Item Type	Style 1	Image	Style 2	Image	Date Time
<<[character]>>	<<[type]>>	<<[style 1]>>	<<[concept image 1]>>	<<[style 2]>>	<<[concept image 2]>>	<<[Date Time]>>

[lanolot · Accepted solution]

Hi thank you for your advice, I worked out the solution to my problem. To return the list or rows I needed to create a virtual column. In the table I wanted to use. I discovered it requires a reference to return the rows. Example in the table add a virtual column name it what ever you like example "ref" set type as ref, add the column formula to reference in this case column formula  is [id_prop] this points at the column to call. In the template add <<Start:props[ref]>><<[id_prop]>> + <<[any additional required columns]>> +<<End>> in the template.  Finally Solved - Thank you  

[dbaum]

Use Start expressions in templates - AppSheet Help 

[lanolot]

I have exhausted trying this method still only returns one record row

Character	Item Type	Style 1	Image	Style 2	Image	Date Time
<<Start:[character]>><<[character]>>	<<[type]>>	<<[style 1]>>	<<[concept image 1]>>	<<[style 2]>>	<<[concept image 2]>>	<<[Date Time]>> <<End>>

[Lynn]

@lanolot Hi, you need a start expression to tell your template which records you wish to display. @dbaum gave a good link to useful information. Maybe check that out again.

[lanolot]

is my example incorrectly configured? If I modify a row if will show in the report, it will currently only return one row no matter what I have tries following expressions. I have tried for hours with no result

[dbaum]

---

@lanolot wrote:

<<Start:[character]>>

---

A Start expression must return a list of row keys.

[lanolot]

Yes you would think so, unfortunately for some reason it does not work for me at this stage. I still only get one record row either the first row or the one I edit. I will try to make a new template today and start testing again. I can not explain why it wont work for me yet.

[dbaum]

Again, ensure your Start expression returns a list. Potentially, your issue is  Referencing a Column value in a Table, versus refe... - Google Cloud Community . 

[lanolot · Accepted solution]

Hi thank you for your advice, I worked out the solution to my problem. To return the list or rows I needed to create a virtual column. In the table I wanted to use. I discovered it requires a reference to return the rows. Example in the table add a virtual column name it what ever you like example "ref" set type as ref, add the column formula to reference in this case column formula  is [id_prop] this points at the column to call. In the template add <<Start:props[ref]>><<[id_prop]>> + <<[any additional required columns]>> +<<End>> in the template.  Finally Solved - Thank you  

[Lynn]

Brilliant! Sometimes it is hard to be specific with help when not knowing much about your app.

[gougou]

I am troubled by the following matter.

I want to create a CSV file of arbitrarily selected records using the xlsx template in bot. 

Am I correct in saying that I should create a virtual column and specify the original data table as the reference table?
Also, I do not know how to write to Formula.

I believe this topic is the way to solve this problem. Could you please help me to understand it a little more clearly?

[lanolot · Accepted solution]

My solution to generate a pdf with all the table records was to add a virtual column in the data table type is Ref and use a formula to call the tables [id] column this will return all records to the report. Example solution create a  Virtual Column, Type is Ref, Formula [id_name].

(use your own [id_ column] name) You will also need your document template setup to show your column data.

[gougou]

Thank you very much.
I was able to achieve this for a table with a simple structure.
However, I have a problem with what I want to achieve.
In the case of a table with a parent-child relationship, I would like to output both the parent and the child in one file, but it does not work.
Is this impossible?

[gougou]

I was able to implement it in VC by simply setting the fields of the parent table to the child table.
Sorry for the trouble.

[myra_o]

Are you referencing to the same table you are trying to get data from. Wouldn't that result in a loop?