Automatic Periodic Table Import – what happens if…

Hi!

Thanks for your question!

No, the table will not be deleted in TablePress! However, depending on what is returned by the URL then, instead of the file, it is possible that “garbage” data might be imported (like a “404 Not found” error file), if an import is scheduled for a time when the file does not exist. Therefore, when deleting the source file permanently, I recommend to also deactivate/pause the automatic periodic import of that file in TablePress. If you only remove the file temporarily, e.g. to replace it, this won’t be a problem, as the updated file will then be imported when the import is triggered the next time, according to its configured schedule.

Best wishes,
Tobias

Ok, little bit background: I have an 3d-cad software that includes small plug-in to export product structure data (basicly bill of materials) to e.g. csv, xls and upload it to server where my WP is. I would like to show that data inside WP- pages, with some kind of structure/categories similar to cad. So it’s imported to sheet, without interaction (automated scheduled import).

Problem is that data gets updates (revisions) and data in one sheet should also be updated (cell data updated, row deleted/added etc.). So it’s kind of lightweight PDM (or DMS if you have links to files as well in your sheet). Please, consider adding something like this to Tablepress, it would be great for many small companies that can’t afford expensive systems.

br, Markku

Hi,

thanks for your explanation! So does this mean that you want a table to be deleted in TablePress if a file is deleted? Or am I misinterpreting this?

The idea of the “Automatic Periodic Table Import” feature is to relieve the user of the tedious repetitive boring task of manually having to import a table file. It can’t really do anything beyond that, because it can not make guesses. And even if it would delete the table in TablePress, there would still be the Shortcode or block that embeds that table on a WordPress page or in a post.

So, to proceed, it might make sense for you to test if your workflow works with the normal manual import. If yes, you can then automate it with the “Automatic Periodic Table Import” feature module.

Best wishes,
Tobias

“does this mean that you want a table to be deleted in TablePress if a file is deleted?”

Probably not, but it might be a good idea to move it to another folder so that Tablepress does not have to read it every scheduled time. With cad, we use “item numbers” that are unique. Item number could be used in filename and Tablepress would check that if the item is new -> import to new table, if it has been imported earlier -> modify existing table. So Tablepress should monitor folder instead of one file. To delete, there is probably several ways, maybe add something to filename to mark that item to be deleted from the WP side. Just ideas, there might be better ways too ?? Shortcode/page should be handled somehow too…there as well, item number could be use to make it easier

• This reply was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by sloworks.
• This reply was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by sloworks.

Hi,

thanks for this suggestion! To be honest, these feels very special to your custom use case already, and it’s beyond what TablePress can do, as a general-purpose table plugin. So, I’m afraid that this is not something that I can directly integrate into the plugin. Sorry.

Best wishes,
Tobias

Hi,

it’s not just me. There are maybe about 10 different 3d-cad’s that use similar product structure feature and bill of materials and every one of those has millions of users. Now they have to buy very expensive software packages probably filled with features that they don’t actually need. Also, there is one other advantage…anything like this do not exist. I would like to make you a business proposal, but I can’t find any email or similar to contact you…here’s mine: Contact, about, ota yhteytt?

Hi,

I totally understand that there might be a use case here, and that there is no real and inexpensive solution yet — however, I don’t believe that the “Automatic Periodic Table Import” is a good fit for this, or that the demand that you mention translates to WordPress and TablePress. In over 15 years of TablePress, you are the first user asking for something like this. So, this is simply not something that would benefit the majority of the users at this time. Thanks for your understanding.

Unfortunately, due to time and resource constraints, this is also not something that I can offer my help with as a separate project. I’m really sorry.

Best wishes,
Tobias