I corrected the Template.xml file embedded within the .bentoTemplate file. Had to remove a bunch of invalid characters. It imported fine after that.
Sounds like a problem with the embedded Template.xml file that’s inside the .bentoTemplate file. I would need to take a look at it to see exactly what the problem is. Probably just an invalid character at that location described by the error message.
I’m having a similar issue using Tap Forms 5 where no records are imported from a Bento 4.1.2 .bentoTemplate file.
As shown in the attached screenshot, the import completes “successfully” but also returns an error message. After the import, the “Pick Lists” sheet does show 5 of the approximately 20 different “choice” type fields in my Bento db with their corresponding values, but that’s about all I see that was imported… No actual records at all. Any thoughts on what to try to achieve a successful import?
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Same problem here- import Bento template command grayed out..
Hoping to import my Bento db..
Thanks!
Progress report, a couple of days later!
Having got my data onto my iPhone (useful sometimes as it stops me buying a duplicate book in a shop!) I struggled to get the library onto my iPad – on my Mac it found the device, my iPad asked if I wanted to accept the data – I responded but the Mac (Mac Pro early 2008, El Capitan) only reported “Waiting” with nothing happening. A little later I sent the data from my phone the pad with no problem. In passing, I was impressed with the fact that transferred my saved search requests from the Mac master file to both devices.
I’ve just, I think told all 3 devices to sync with each other.
So far, so good – almost totally smoothly!
OK, so, one question which I’m sure is trivial! When does syncing occur, is it automatic when the db is open on all machines or does it need to be ‘forced’, as Bento insisted on?
I thought that I had better register for the forum as I’ve only been reading at odd times so far.
I’ve been using Tap Forms since the demise of Bento, but only committed to Tap Forms the other day – I had been running Bento and Tap Forms in parallel, as it were, whilst Bento continued to sync to my iPhone and iPad. With the recent nearby sync addition with version 5 it was clearly time to commit. So far, so good with my book library database on my phone. The next test will be after I buy more books to test the syncing.
I’m grateful that the developer produced this as I certainly couldn’t justify the expense of Filemaker, my db of choice before I retired
Hi Brandan,
Awesome job you guys do supporting amazing Tap Forms! I can’t see a post or solution after many searches: how to adjust line spacing or leading in text or notes with multiples lines of text? I need to match an existing form that I’ve imported as a background and lay my fields over it to match. All is well until I tried matching multiple lines of text. The only way I see is to fin a typeface or font with inbuilt leading that matches. It’s OK but not so consistent to use a different font. Any ideas? Pleae see attached screen shot. Tap Froms is a life-saver and so much better than Bento!. Truly awesome. Geniuses created this! Cheers, Bob
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Thank you for the reply. I have only been using Tap Forms for 2 days, having come over from Bento. Some of the terms are different and procedures will take some time to get conformable with the new program.
I appreciate the ability to import Bento, the ton of video tutorials, and especially the ability to sync between my MacBook, iMac and iPhone.
I was wondering of either or both of these two features would be possible in Tapforms:
1. When you leave a form and come back to it later, you would start at the last record viewed in that form rather than the first record.
and
2. If there is a photo in a relational record link, if you click on it and hit the space bar, the image would expand (similar) to the view function in the current record. We were able to do that in Bento.
Hi Michael,
Tap Forms does a best guess effort at migrating the layout from Bento to Tap Forms. So you will probably need to tweak it after you do the import.
You have full flexibility in how you want Tap Forms to sort your records and what fields get displayed on the records list view. Click the Form button in the toolbar and then you’ll see the Sort & Group Settings screen plus the Fields tab where you can change the order of the fields in order to be able to see just the information you want to see on the records list view.
New user here. Trying to import a Bento database, but the “Import Bento Template” function under the “File” menu is grayed out. In fact, all the import functions are grayed out.
Can anyone provide some direction on this? I have a great tutorial on how to to the import, it’s just that the import functions in Tap Forms 5 appear to be inop.
Thanks!
Hi Brendan,
sorry to hear all that…
However, before I loose lots of time with the Nearby sync because, forgive me, the manual is a bit terse, I want to clarify some thints. Is it correct that there is no automatic sync with Nearby sync, ie, that I have to initiate the sync manually? (A bit like it was for Bento?)
Also, the sentence
Each device must be on and have the same database document open at the same time in order for Nearby sync to function. The moment you make a change on one device is when synchronization will begin on all your devices.
is not clear to me. Does it mean that I have to make changes on a database (if I want to sync it) while all the devices are on with the corresponding databases open at the same time? It sounds fairly restrictive… It is fine if I have to sync “Bento style”, ie, I have to push a button to get it done, but that description makes me worried…
Adding to my post: in fact the problem seems not to be csv or excel. In fact, neither do work. I discover that in previous cases my workflow was access -> CSV/EXCEL -> Bento -> Tapforms. that works, albeit complicated. otherwise to my experience a Yes/no cannot become a checkmark. Sorry for the confusion.
Dirk
Thank you for the very prompt response Brendan.
I confess to not being an iTunes Fan. It is a very, very long time since visiting any Device > Apps Page and much longer since the ‘File Sharing’ zone has been visited.
My journey ‘down the page’ almost ended when the Scroll Bar ‘Handle’ disappeared just after passing the TF App, and after a couple of pages further the end of the alphabet ‘seemed’ to be the end of the road.
The solution for me is to dispense with the sloppily implemented ‘Show Scroll Bars Automatically via System Preferences > General > Show Scroll Bars > then select ‘Aways’.
There is nil need to scroll ‘through’ the Apps Section, rather scroll the entire Page by using the Scroll Bar at the extreme right hand edge of the Page.
Your information enabled me to immediately send copies of the File to my Devices.
With that task completed it was possible to test the various methods of Syncing that are available.
Initially the clear front runner was IBM Cloudant, after Logging On all updates occurred in seconds. I will post separately about Syncing experiences.
Not satisfied with simply getting my Database up and running on TF5 I was keen to improve and expand it making use of the facilities available.
In short a whole lot of fun has been enjoyed with the added plus of help with climbing up the learning curve.
I love using TF5 and will be working through the remainder of my Databases so that Bento can truly RIP.
Again many thanks for your efforts and attention.
Hi Brendan thanks for your very prompt response.
Regarding iTunes File Sharing:
Within the list of File Options I was unable to find anything appropriate, certainly everything remained greyed out from the File List that I was attempting to send.
Searching for “iTunes File Sharing” offered a link to an Official Apple Help Page on the subject. This indicated the need to have the latest OS version.
The above, with variations, have been tried over and over and over……
I really need to find a solution so will give it my best effort, although being under pressure at my age information overload kicks in attempting to properly understand how to use old Software in new ways a couple of new Software items plus IBM Cloudant.
As the latter will not help until the needed File is on my Mobile Devices it has been set aside for now.
Hi Ron thanks for your input.
Glad to hear that you have had success.
However my attempts were with:
El Capitan Version 10.11.6
and
iOS Version 10.11.
This latest upgrade seems to have rendered Bento almost useless on the Mobile Devices.
