How to Sync Frontpage 2003 With a Website

By Ron Auerbach

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This article, written by an experienced software trainer, will show you how to synchronize Frontpage with a website.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Microsoft Frontpage--version 2000 on up

Step1
Whether or not your website was created using MS Frontpage doesn't matter. Frontpage has the capability of getting the website information off the web so you can start using it to update the site.

This is an excellent feature for those of you who used something else to create or maintain the site, but have gotten Frontpage.
Step2
If you didn't use Frontpage to originally create and maintain your website, you'll need to move that site into Frontpage. This is relatively easy and doesn't require your website be taken offline (down). You can do this while the site is still active and people are accessing or surfing it.

To do this you'll use the IMPORT feature of Frontpage.
Step3
When you open Frontpage, you'll click on the FILE menu and select IMPORT. This will allow the software to go on the web and get all the files and structure of your website.

Once click on IMPORT, you'll click on FROM WEB on the right-hand side. This tells Frontpage that it'll be going on the net to obtain the files it needs.
Step4
A dialog box will appear on your screen asking you where you want to import from--the source. If the choice that says from the web isn't selected, click your mouse in the empty circle.

Right below this where it says LOCATION will be a white box where you can type the web address.

TIP: You must type the http://

For instance, suppose the website where you can find the files you want to import is at www.ron.com, you'll need to type http://www.ron.com

Click NEXT twice (2 times) and then FINISH. This will begin the importing process, which may take a while depending on the size and number of things to download.

Frontpage will download the individual web pages, graphics, and directory structure (site navigation).

TIP: Do not interrupt this process or you'll have to start over again!
Step5
Once Frontpage has finished downloading everything, you can click on the NAVIGATION tab on the left-hand side to see how the pages are related. It'll look like an organization chart showing you which pages are linked to which.

If you have the folder list visible, you'll see a listing of all the file that were downloaded.
Step6
By double-clicking on any page icon in the Navigation window where you see the organization chart layout, you can make changes to the pages.

TIP: If you open the file from the folder list, it'll make changes but when you try to upload those changes, they won't take!

This is because Frontpage will upload the ones in the navigation view. Since the "old" one is in the view, that's the one that will be uploaded. If you want the new one uploaded, you'll need to drag the new one onto the navigation window.

By double-clicking on the page icon in the navigation window, you'll be accessing the "real" one that will be uploaded should you make any changes. I think this will make your life easier and avoid mistakes!
Step7
To upload changes you've made, you'll click on the FILE menu and select PUBLISH WEB.

You'll see a dialog box where you can enter the location where the website located. Once again, you'll need to type the http:// before the website name. It's just like you had to when you imported it.

In my example, I would publish it to: http://www.ron.com.

TIP: Depending on your web host/server, the location where you publish may be different that the website itself!

This is because many hosts have separate address so site visitors (strangers) cannot access and upload changes.
Step8
You may see a dialog box that asks for a user name and password. It all depends on your Frontpage setup. Some configure it so a specific person is authorized to upload changes. This will prevent others from doing it. If that's the case, then the name and password of the person authorized to upload changes will enter that information.

If you are not the administrator and don't have the upload privileges, you'll be able to make changes on your end, but not upload them.

If an id and password weren't created because only one person will be doing this or anybody can upload, then you won't see that dialog box.
Step9
Now you're ready to formally send those changes off to the server where your website is located. Just click PUBLISH on the bottom right and off those pages go!

TIP: If you click on OPTIONS on the bottom left, you can configure the way things are uploaded.

For instance, you can only publish pages that have been modified (changed). This is very useful with larger sites! If you make a change to one or two pages, Frontpage can upload just those pages instead of the whole thing. This can be a big time saver.

Once you set those options, Frontpage will remember it for the next time!

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eHow Article:  How to Sync Frontpage 2003 With a Website

eHow Member: Ron Auerbach

Ron Auerbach

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Category: Internet

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