use of an externally linked custom variable

[completerookie]

I want to link a chunk of text to a custom Variable.
I create, the cusVar, define the place settings etc, and then go to "External Links"
(theres a bug here in 8.5.3, the variable doesn't show up until you close down and re-open actinic)

Now I can choose the custom variable and link it to a field on the external database.

Whats the maximum text length of that customVar in the external database., how do I create "new lines" within the field and also what "Type of field" should it be

then help text mentions these, but no mention of custom vars

maximum lengths of
------------------------------------
Product reference      20 
Short description      255
Full description       20,000
Report Description     20,000
Image Filename         50
Date prompt text       50
Other info prompt      50
Detail Link Text       20,000
Extended Info Text     20,000
 

kev

[completerookie]

potential bug - linked files, v8.5.3

Just found another related bug (v8.5.3)
swap sites (ie create a brand new one) and then create a new custom variable within that site.
go to external link on the file menu and all the variables (custom ones included) relate totally to the original site you've just swapped away from.
theres no re-fresh of the linking when you swap files.

haven't experimented to see if the actual linking is truly swapped, but the inferenece is that its not.

work-around, close actinic and re-open, the linked file list is re-freshed