robrsla

I get your variable counter suggestion. regarding the portal and rows. I dont have the time to try it now but I will soon. Sorry my script isn't very good. I'm still a novice. What it does is goes to the last record (the last project created) then it runs the script contact picker which allows me to create a new project (new sequential project # & new client (puts their info into the new project) jumps back and copies the last record and pastes that info into the new project. It jumps back and forth a few times between the new project and the last project, to copy all the info, which I know is bad methodology but I'm just a simple guy. like I said the only problem is I can only get the first row of the portal which contains the project tasks. I think adding your looping will help me pick up the next "X" rows til blank. I know copy is a bad idea but I'm not sure I'm using variable correctly either. My goal is to be able to create a project (or find a project I want duplicated) then copy it into a new project containing all the same info except for the client info (name address) which is taken care of by embedding contact picker. I can provide more details about my tables etc if you would like. I know there are probably many area that could be improved. Thanks

the [copy last project] script reads like this right now go to record/request/page [last] perform script["go to contact picker" from file:"contacts"] duplicate record/request select window[current window] goto layout ["form view- projects" (projects)] set field [projects::contact ID; contacts::temp data] goto record/request/page[previous] copy[tasks project ID::task name] goto record/request/page [next] paste[tasks project ID::description] insert from last visited [ tasks project ID::description] [select] this allows me to run the contact picker script form within the copy script. The contact picker script essentially displays a table from the contacts table of all "active" clients from which we select the desired client assigns that client ID to a new project record with a unique ID, workorder_# (along with location and other info) then copies other work order layout information (date, week number, location, etc. It copies the portal which contains tasks from a pull down menu, but only the first line. I need it to copy from 1-12 lines depending on the tasks assigned to that project. I hesitate to use a looping copy type solution because I believe its flawed in concept. If I use a script from within the portal wont I lose all the other information that is being copied over to the new work order? I know this script is rudimentary but it is functioning as I need it to EXCEPT the portal rows. an improved version is welcome as long as we get all the rows of the portal

I've seen similar questions relating to coping portal rows, first, last etc. But I would like to copy the entire contents of a portal, all rows. Here's the scenario as it relates to three of my tables: I use a contacts, tasks and projects table (FM pro 10A) I have a layout (workorders) in my projects table which allows us to create work orders specific to work our clients request. Work orders are a combination of the client information, the project requested and a list of task that that project requires. We have a great deal of duplicated work, example 20 clients may all want the same service during the same month. So to make creating those 20 work orders easier I have written a script (copy last project) where i manually create a new work work order ( ie client bob smith wants a project consisting of 4 tasks completed this week) then execute the script (copy last project) ( because his neighbor John Jones, also a client, wants the same work) this script lets me select the new client (john jones) from our client table then duplicates all the fields from the previous work order (bob smith's) onto the new work order for John jones. The problem is only the first row in the tasks portal will copy. I don't want to jump back and forth using a "copy next row" type loop because I know that's flawed with problems. I named the portal "project tasks" and I think I should be looking at a "go to object" line in the script IE go to object [portal "project_tasks"] but how do I copy the entire contents of the portal then paste it in the new work order? Or is there another solution I should explore? I guess I should mention my portal is 1-12 rows and not all rows are used all the time as in bob smiths and john jones work orders there will be only 4 rows of tasks

Thanks, This worked like a dream. I had to change a few things around and re-work some reports but the concept and method you proposed will work better overall in the long run. One thing that holds me back is my lack of knowledge of what's available within this great program. Thanks for the solution.

I'm tracking work orders by using an auto enter serial number. Each time we add a new project a new work order number is generated. We are using the work order numbers to track work assignments in the field and track our work with a paper trail. Now that the year is closing out I need a solution to the following. Can I set the numbers to be year specific. Example, I currently us the prefix 10 in a number field set next to the serial number so the work order number appears as 10- xxx I would like to set a solution to calculate the work order number based on the last 2 digits of the date (11 for next year) coupled by a auto entered serial number to appear the same way on our paperwork 11-xxx yet still be able to sort and search by prefix number and or know that a certain work order was generated in a certain year. ( I can reset the serial number to 1 at the start of each calendar year) thoughts suggestions, solutions or better ideas more than welcome.

I developed a solution that is being used by others. On the top bar (tool bar? Menu? I'm not sure what its called) are default buttons. Show all, new record, delete record, Find etc, I want to deny the users via privileges or whatever, the ability to use these buttons, commands, tools, whatever they are called. I want to prevent all other users (except me) the right to delete records. How is this done? I have set up an account for each employee with a log in. so whats next? I'm clueless mostly because I don't know the nomenclature.

I added a new file to work with my solution. I've established a relationship between the new file and a file within the solution. (solution has 5 files/ modules that all open upon opening the main file) I cannot get the new file to open as the others do when I launch the solution. What am I doing wrong? More over, what controls which files launch upon opening a files within a solution. I always thought it was the relationship. WHen I open the main menu. the related files open but not the new file which has an established relationship.

So can I set up a vista machine as a host and have the other users utilize the solution via out LAN? To set up my workstation as a host do I just have to have FMPro10 A running and the solution files available on that drive?

I recently developed a solution at work using FMpro 10 A. I have it installed at my workstation and the solution files (6) are saved to the server's drive. Lets call is N: The server is running unix and the workstations are running vista and xp, mostly vista. How do I enable the other work stations to access my solution. I can I, and/or do I have to install FM PRO10A on the server?? I don't think its compatible. can I set up my workstation as the host? What to do?? where can I find literature

My solution crashed and burned. pieces worked well but the interface was amateurish. I downloaded from Fm site a solution called business productivity solutions. It has several modules that are very close to what we are looking for and includes a very pleasing interface. Then I tried to modify it to be more in tune with our needs. I can't seem to get the relationships right. Example I want to jump back n forth between related projects and their tasks and the clients data in contacts table. and can't seem to do it. I used "go to related record" but every time it executes I get a new client window or I get table is not available. are you available for consultation.

The portal button worked great. Thing are really starting to come together. But everytime I show the boss whats been done he asks for MORE. (typical right) We number our work orders sequentially and I have a Work order field that fills in each time a new record is created. What I've been thinking about is this. Our work orders are numbered 09-XXX for this year. Next year they will be numbered 10-XXX is there a way I could take the last two digits of the creation date and use it as the prefix to the work order? then each year we could start over at 1 for the work orders numbers with the prefix of the current year. I'm thinking a calculation for the work order # but its over my head. thanks

That looks really cool but I'm not sure how to work it. (i'm not to bright) I have another question. As I mentioned, I have a client table and a project table linked by ID's all works well between then and I'm finding ways to do what I am looking to do. Here's one function I've set up. I placed a pull down portal (projects) on the client form which lists all the projects by name for that specific client. so when I look up/ (find) a client I can also see all the projects we have done there and or are scheduled to be done there via the portal. now here's what I'd like to do. I would like to be able to then click on any of the projects in the portal and be taken to that specific project on the projects table. (each project has a unique identifying number "project_ID") Is this possible? I'm thinking I need to nest a button in the portal which "goes to" am I on the right track? how can I use the popup select demo you sent me for the client id pull down ? Thanks for your help.

Without your past advice I'd be lost forever. I've upgraded to pro 10 and found a solution that's working great. Now what I'm looking to do is use the client ID field (which links the clients table to the projects table ) as a pull down menu in the project table. I'm using a projects table as the hub of my solution, instead of the clients where I was, and as I'm preparing a project (also linked to a tasks table) I'd like to be able to use the Client ID field as a pull down list from the available clients. Right now I look up the clients ID # on a print out and type in. My clients info comes across and all the data comes together in that work orders table that was giving me such trouble. Is there a way to have the client ID field from the client table available as a pull down in the projects. Right now this # also defines the relationship. Never Mind I got it. use a value list defined from the relationship and field

I don't know if you recall trying to help me. But a while back you gave me some good advice, basically Do some reading/ learning. THANK YOU! after reading your recommendations and doing some research I came up with the following solution. Keep my contact table and create a project table which relates to a task table. each of our services is now a project type and the corresponding task or tasks are selected from a huge list of services we offer so we can mix and match each service to a project. each project can now be sorted by type or scheduled date or by client and the work orders I was aching over are created as a report of the finds. within the solution. I went form 19 tables to 4 and its all looking pretty good. I reached this point to heeding your advice and rethinking my problem. thus finding a programmer type solution. It all works really really well. NOw I'm polishing it and was wondering if I could use my unique client ID field from the clients table as a pull down list in my project file. this field is currently the relationship field between the two. I can't thank you enough for the advice. I was way off track. THanks PS I figured it out. use a value list as defined through the relationship and cust ID field. It works beautify. I'm scaring myself/ but really enjoying this challenge.

I don't think so because we are a company that offers 17 different services of which a client can retain us for 1 or all 17 or any combination therein. Within each service there are sub tables if you will of work to be performed for that service. As the hub of my design (solution) I'm using clients file and each client has a client ID #. from there I'm attempting to design the 17 tables (I'm attacking them one at a time, easiest to hardest) related via client ID that breaks down the service features. For instance we do pruning. A client can retain us to do tree pruning, ornamental (shrub) pruning and/or hedge pruning. I can either create a prunning table related to the clientID and break that down to pruning types or I can create 3 pruning tables that handle the specifics of those 3 different services. Bottom line is I'm a mess and should hire a programmer to help me get this sturctured correctly before moving forward. the info here is great but I''m well out of my element. any suggestions.

After readign the white paper you referred me to I decided to scrap the files I had and start fresh after following the recommendations I've recieved. I will keep you posted certainly. You have helped me spot several flaws, IE using a client type as a field instead of having a field client type then using the actual type code as the data, Thank you. I also was starting at the wrong point and now understand where to start better. My reference to a years worth was not that I would create work orders a year out but be able to update them over the course of the year to keep a historical record. We'll be creating them on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Retooling my client file should I break out their data like billing address and site address into tables? Where I am now is a client dB which will have avaiable in related tables all the types of services we provide (17) each of those tables will contain the data for that specific service. I will try to complete one as an example and post it. I'm using data imported from an old spreadsheet as sample date so I can see how it's processesed when I do things. It's not the end user data. Learning slowly, Thanks

What are the price points for this type of help and if not you, who would I use. I'm in a remote area. Not a lot around. a web course of web based contract would have to do. I think it's very important I get this off the ground correctly. if not like you said I'll be fighting myself, and so will everyone else that wants to use the data. What I have now is a mess bucause I've been jumping around with different concepts. Plus I don't know how to post it. (i guess I could figure it out. ) What I don't get is the difference between using tables in one file versus multiple files. I downloaded a business solutions demo from FM site and it uses seperate files. can I pay you to correct my structure? do we use email instead of the forum? I'm reading the white paper you suggested and it seems it will be very helpful .

where can I find more information on proper relational structure? I really want to set this up right. I was using jan feb mar as fields based on when we do work. for instance I want to find all clients the get x done in july. I made july a radio button that got marked yes/no when the work was contracted. etc. whats the proper way to set this up?

If I use this import method over a script how then can I deliniate which file to import from? I need to import from different files at different times. Is there a script command for import that I could set variable to?

Thanks for the tips there. I'm going to go ahead with upgrading to v 10 pro before I get to far along. Secondly. we are using mostly vista machines with one older xp so things should work ok but our server is linix. I don't see it specifically on the FM site but it should work fine, RIGHT?? And one more thing. I'm a bit confused about files v. tables. What;s the difference? my plan (working in v4) was to create up to 14 different files that are all related. (the Files are all similar in content like containing scheduled work etc so using seperate files allows me to use the same field names like, jan feb mar, for instance. I can't do that if I use one file with 14 layouts without having "jan1" "jan2" "jan3" etc. which will get confusing plus each file contains unique data too. ) Here's the question, In the responses to my script question it looks like the respondants referred to one file containing several tables. Is this the same as having multiple files.? are tabel fields unique to the table? The work order file has to relate to multiple files (or tabels) and draw scheduled work from each of them. example, our companny does turf care (one file), pond andfish care(second file), plowing and snow removal(third file), IPM (fourth file. etc etc. Each of those files contain menus of work options (tables). Is this right? if so how then do I "call" workorders in the script? IE CLIENTS Find (find set) Clients that need their pond checked in august) 28 found go to record (first) set variable ( client_id) [color:red]now what?? ??[Go to Work order File]?? how go to field (client_id) set variable (client)id to client_id) return to client file go to record next set variable...... loop this??? The sturcture of the company is 10 different work type groups, each containg their own details and one master work order file that will pull work for each of them and sequentially number and track the workorders. Before I get to far into design I want to make sure my logic is right. Thanks for all the help as a newbie it's all very exciting.

I am using version 4 for now but wanted to use the current "lingo" I'm actually using several different files. Since joining the site I have convinced the boss to upgrade to v 10 pro advanced. hopefully this will help my programming. What are your thoughts on this upgrade idea?

This is EXACTLY it!!! I just couldn't figure out the script steps. Thank you sooo much. Now I can replicate this in all my other tables and create a years work of work orders from the data in the clients file. Thank you so much. I'll keep you posted on my design.

I probably wasn't clear. When I find my "found set" in clients table. For instance the 46 clients of 184 that need a spring cleaning. I need to "copy" those "found" clients that need work done to the work order table. I can't link the tables by client id because the work orders tables does not "know" which clients need the work done. I'm trying the copy field function, "go to client id, copy, open work orders, go to client id paste go back to client table. once I can figure this out I have other modules to use this feature in. I think I need to use lookups but am not sure how this feature works. lastly, once a work order is created I don't want the data to be changed, even if the client data changes in the client file.

I'm new at this but what I want to do is be able to find data in a table for instance which clients need work done then export that find to a new table (work orders) that creates and tracks work orders, sequentially numbering them, using the client profile from the client file. IE name, address. is this a lookup? portal? what? as time goes the work order file would compile all the work done for each client.