The word "iframe" means, "Inline Frame". Where iframes can be useful is very broad but what this tutorial covers is what I call an "interactive iframe". I call it "interactive" because the user sets variables that call different files to be displayed in the iframe. If there's a more proper name I'll be glad to adopt it. This effect can be very useful when you want a user to be able to view past issues of a newsletter or ezine. You can use this type of thing to pull up records or even specific names of files. You could use it to display pictures or whatever you want actually -- your imagination is the only limitation. Click here to see an example. The first thing you need to do is make sure you have the extension for inserting iframes into your pages. I don't know if earlier versions of DW had this packaged with it. You can find and install the extension via the Macromedia Extension Manager. (If you don't have the Extension Manager you can get it here and I highly recommend getting and using it.) This command is accessed in DW MX by going to Insert > Frames > IFRAME This tutorial assumes a certain level of ability with DW. If you need help on any of these points let me know and I'll guide you in the right direction. In this tutorial we're going to make an iframe that will call up files by the year they were made. At the end of this tutorial a user will be able to specify what file and what year they want and have the results pulled up on the page for them to view. We have a folder of .htm files named 012000, 022000, 032000, etc. all the way to 052002. Your file names may be different but I stress the value in using a very straightforward alpha, numeric or alpha-numeric file structure for any sort of archive. If you name things by their content it's pretty much impossible to find them with the method outlined below (or with any other method for that matter). After deciding on where you want the iframe placed, make your form. Our form will have a choice of five (5) files values and three (3) years to choose from (total of 15 files). This mean's we'll need two List Menus and one Button. Don't forget to name your form (in our case "file") and set the Action to Post.
Here we've given the Item Labels to the 5 files (plus a default one) and given them a value that corresponds to the files we already have (01, 02, 03, etc.)
Here we've given the Item Labels to the 3 years and given them a value that corresponds to the files we already have (2000, 2001, 2002)
Now insert the iframe by going to Insert > Frames > IFRAME
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