Accessing data sources
The most common use for a form is as the front end of a database. You can provide a
form that allows users to enter information into a contacts database and, because it is
part of a Writer document, the form can contain graphics, formatting, tables, and
other elements to make it look just the way you want. Modifying the form is as simple
as editing a document.
OpenOffice.org can access numerous data sources. These include ODBC, MySQL,
Oracle JDBC, spreadsheets and text files. As a general rule, databases can be
accessed for read and write; other data sources (such as spreadsheets) are read-only.
Tip
To see the list of supported data source types for your operating system,
choose File > New > Database. On the first page of the Database
Wizard (Figure 420), select Connect to an existing database and then
open the drop-down list.
Creating a database
Chapter 8 (Getting Started with Base) in the Getting Started guide covers in more
detail how to create a database. Here we give a short guide to creating a very simple
database with OOo Base.
1) Select File > New > Database to start the Database Wizard (Figure 420).
2) Select Create a new database and click Next.
3) On the next page, select Yes, register the database for me and Open the
database for editing. Registering the database just means that it can be
Chapter 15 Using Forms in Writer 423
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