Copy attachments in LotusScript without detaching

View member feedback to this tip.

This procedure copies file attachments from the current Web document to an existing document (but it can be modified to work for the Notes client as well just by changing the docSource object).

There is no direct way to copy file attachments -- copying the $FILE item with CopyItemToDocument and using doc.ReplaceItemValue do not work on $FILE items. Using doc.CopyAllItems works, but that is not desirable, as I only want to copy the attachments.

The normal workaround is to detach attachments from the source document to the hard drive and re-attach them to a rich text field on the target document. However, that's often restricted on a server, so I'd like to avoid it.

Here is a better strategy:

1. Call the function below, passing in the database handle along with the source document and target document objects.

2. Create new docTemp as blank document.

3. Copy all items from docSource to docTemp.

4. Loop through docTemp and delete all items not named $File. Now you have a docSource that only has the attachment(s) on it!

5. RemoveItem($File) from docTarget (to clear existing attachments).

6. Call docTemp CopyAllItems to docTarget (this should only copy the attachment).

7. Save docTarget.

MEMBER FEEDBACK TO THIS TIP

This is a very easy way to do a very useful thing.

—Alejandro M.

******************************************

This is a great tip. However, I was trying to e-mail attachments to another person using a new document I created in LotusScript, but the attachments did not send.

&...

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT LotusScript LotusScript agent parses ACL to Microsoft Notepad LotusScript finds the first occurrence of a string from the right Clear Recent Contacts view and prevent repopulation in Lotus Notes 8.x Search Microsoft Active Directory with LotusScript Three steps to trap and handle save conflicts with LotusScript Troubleshoot agents by displaying LotusScript variables online LotusScript sorts lists alphabetically LotusScript code rebuilds corrupted busytime.nsf file Soft-code item names to facilitate LotusScript management LotusScript agent automates selective mail file replication LotusScript LotusScript agent parses ACL to Microsoft Notepad LotusScript finds the first occurrence of a string from the right Clear Recent Contacts view and prevent repopulation in Lotus Notes 8.x Search Microsoft Active Directory with LotusScript Three steps to trap and handle save conflicts with LotusScript Troubleshoot agents by displaying LotusScript variables online LotusScript sorts lists alphabetically Run or restart Notes/Domino agents via text messages LotusScript code rebuilds corrupted busytime.nsf file Soft-code item names to facilitate LotusScript management

RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary

#151;Annonymous

******************************************

I'm pretty sure you would need to save the document for the attachments to be stored on it. This isn't necessary with most types of fields, but it is usually the case with rich text data. (You just don't normally save documents that are created in the background only to be e-mailed out.)

—Brad Balassaitis, tip author

******************************************

Thanks for the tip. I'm using R5, and have no chance of testing whether this is required for other versions, but in my case I also had to copy the rich text field in which the file was originally attached to have it work properly. Without it the docTemp that contained only the $FILE field lost its Items-property entirely.

—Jukka D.

******************************************

When I created this code, I tested it in a web application, where attachments are not tied to specific rich text fields. This user probably used it in a Notes client application where the attachment was stored in a specific field, so this makes sense.

—Brad Balassaitis, tip author

Do you have comments on this tip? Let us know.

Please let others know how useful it is via the rating scale below. Do you have a useful Notes/Domino tip or code to share? Submit it to our monthly tip contest and you could win a prize and a spot in our Hall of Fame.

Rate this Tip To rate tips, you must be a member of SearchDomino.com. Register now to start rating these tips. Log in if you are already a member. Submit a Tip DISCLAIMER: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.