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Quick Summary: Allows you to use SQL to select what is displayed in Time Logger's main window

How to Get There: Advanced/SQL Command

 

This option is for users who know SQL (Structured Query Language), and wish to use it to customize how the time records are displayed in the main window.  SQL is a type of programming language used to access databases.

 

For example, to see the Start Date and Person fields for all of Mary Smith's records, and order them chronologically, the SQL command would look like this:

Select Key, StartDate, Person from TimeRecords

Where Person= 'Mary Smith'

Order By Start

 

If you'd like to learn SQL, please visit the SQL page on our web site, http://www.ResponsiveSoftware.com/sql.htm.

 

What You Need To Know

 

IMPORTANT: Do not edit the data unless you know exactly what you are doing. Time Logger uses the content of certain fields to relate and group the data and modifying the data could break that relationship.

 

1.You must always include the Key field, as show in the above example.

 

2.You must use Time Logger's field names, even if you have changed the terminology.  For example, if you changed the descriptor "Person" to "Programmer," you must still use "Person" in the SQL command.  See: Time Logger's Databases for a list of these names.

 

3.When you set a Filter, or modify the Sort Order/Subtotals or change the column layout, Time Logger re-generates  the SQL command (the SQL command is always present and being used).  You can then view this SQL command through this window.

 

4.You can cause problems or potentially cause Time Logger to crash with some commands.  If you cannot see any time records after you use this command select: Reset Filter, Layout, and Sort Order.  If as a result of your command you cannot open a database, choose Advanced/Compact/Repair databases.

 

IMPORTANT: Once you customize your SQL, some of the standard Time Logger functions (such as View->Subtotals) might not work.  Depending upon what SQL you provide, they might work fine, or display a pop-up window notifying you that they will not work, or display an error, or crash Time Logger.  This is because these features are not designed to be used with certain types of custom SQL.  To get back to your original settings, either delete the customized portion of your SQL or select Reset Filter, Layout, and Sort Order.  Note that before you customize your SQL, you may wish to save your "default" Environment with Tools->Save Environment.

 

More:

SQL Command Window

Database Editor