sharingsunshine

Hi LaRetta, I think my new title of Tab Master may be premature. I went in and changed the font to Verdana I hadn't done anything to the fonts so it was using only the default. I changed the tab settings very drastically and the 2 blank lines never moved. Perhaps something is wrong with my calc statement because it seems something is overriding what I am trying to do with the tabs. Currently, I can't get it to give me a preview copy via my printer. So can you tell me what to look for in the calc. I just inserted spaces between the ' ' thinking that was how I was supposed to adjust the columns. I am not clear on what you mean by spaces in the heading. I just used the A option on the tool bar and drew a box and then put the text in. Is there another way to do it? You have done so much already. Don't spend much time on the relational. Lastly, can you recommend what book I should get to learn FM better? I took the tutorial and read on the forums and went to databasepros.com and downloaded his scripts and have attempted to find what I can. Thanks, Randal

LaRetta, I am in my last stages of deploying the application. I ran across this problem with the PC version. It works fine for the Mac but on the PC it is not keeping the columns aligned if a person't name is shorter than the longest name in the list. I have a picture attached. I reread what you said about making this relational. I am not opposed to that but I am just confused as to how I would do that with one flat file that gets downloaded daily. If it doesn't take too much of your time can you give me an idea so that I might consider pursuing that objective for the next revision. Thanks, Randal Forum_Zips.zip

LaRetta, Your a great help! Thanks. It works like it should. I am sorry about the duplicates I should have been more explicit that I was using the Global Build and Send. I just had the wrong layout being used. Let me know if I can ever help you. Randal

LaRetta, That was a big help. I had no idea the tab control was available like that. I have attached my latest build. You can see I got the fields and headings to line up nicely. As you know, I am trying to replace the container field because of the poor copy quality. What you have done for me makes the summary page much more legible since it isn't a copy. Once again thanks for all your help on that. Now I am trying to add the gText field to the top of my detailed report that outlines each order on a separate page. I have used the same subsummary part we used for the container field that held the copy from before. However, when I run the Global Build and Send script I only get a list of the products ordered. With no regard to the subsummaries I have set up. Am I approaching this in an incorrect manner because it isn't a container field? If you could take a look and point me in the right direction that would be great. Thanks, Randal Forum_Zips.zip

Hi LaRetta, I am trying to format the summary report from the script you gave me. I can get it working except when the name fields are different sizes. I have looked on the forums under global format align and other terms. However, they talk about using a layout with the global fields but because this script uses only one I am at a loss how to adress the formatting question. I am trying to find the answer but I guess I really don't know the search terms I should consider. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks, Randal

Hi LaRetta, Thanks so much for that code. That looks great. I will look into what can be done about the date. We actually don't keep any of the faxes once the manufacturer has assigned an account number. So no need to know the year. However, I want to have good code so I will see what I can do. I will be studying this deeply to see how you did it on Monday. Thanks for the help. Randal

Thanks for the suggestions: Here is the script I have now: Global Build Enter Browse Mode Sort Records [ Specified Sort Order: Items::Group; ascending Items::ItemID; ascending ] [ Restore; No dialog ] Show All Records Set Field [ Items::gText[" "] ] Perform Script [ “Browser” ] Perform Script [ “Group Navigation”; Parameter: 1 ] // this is liking pressing the button to return to the beginning. Loop Set Field [ Items::gText[items::Group & "tab" & GetSummary (Items::Total Extended ; Items::Group) & "¶"] ] Perform Script [ “Group Navigation”; Parameter: "Get RecordNumber + Count" ] //this advances that layout one order at a time End Loop Enter Preview Mode Go to Layout [ “Build Global” (Items) ] this statement: Set Field [ Items::gText[items::Group & "tab" & GetSummary (Items::Total Extended ; Items::Group) & "¶"] ] I wasn't sure which fields to pull from the GetSummary statement said it has to be a summary field so I just took one to try and see what happened. I am really not sure what I am doing with this statement either. I thought I had to append all the field names like I had in the earlier script. Currently if I run this script after 4 minutes it is still showing that it is active. I have had to stop it each time. Doesn't seem like it should go that long. Thanks for your help on this, Randal

I put this together as to what I could find out about appending and global text fields. Global Build Enter Browse Mode Go to Layout [ “Items” (Items) ] Set Field [ Items::gText[" "] ] Loop Set Field [ Items::gText[(Items::Group & Items::Date of Order & Items::First Name & Items::Last Name & "Account Number" & "Order Number")] ] Go to Record/Request/Page [ Next; Exit after last ] End Loop Insert Text [ Items::gText ] Enter Preview Mode Go to Layout [ “Build Global” (Items) ] When I run the script it doesn't display the global text field in the Build Global layout. Please advise, Randal

Hi Laretta, I am actually having trouble with how to proceed with removing the copy and paste of the summary page and changing it to what Michael outlined here: Another option would be to set a global text field to the contents of the summary report, using a looping script (essentially similar to clicking through the virtual Orders, and appending the current stats to the global field). It seems to me that I would use a loop and read each record but how do you post into a global text field and append the information at the same time. Esentially, I am only wanting to produce a summary page that looks like this: Order ID Date of Order Order Type First Name Last Name Acct. Number Order No. The last two fields the manufacturer fills them in so they are just formatted with a blank line. All the column heading are all on the same line too. I searched on the forum for +"global text" +append but nothing came up that really seems to be close. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks, Randal

Hi LaRetta, Thanks for your suggestions. Before we go to far, I need to clarify that this is an after the fact order entry system. The customer has used our shopping cart and placed their order. We manually process the credit card and fax in the orders to the manufacturer. They do the fulfillment and charging of the card through their merchant account. That is why the card number is showing up on the browser layout. Yes, it does come from the import. The orders are faxed to the manufacturer and we never print them so there is nothing left after it is faxed and confirmation is received. No security risk on the card this way. I appreciate the explanation on the graph and checking the items section I had it checked already and the other side too. I will make that change to get it correct. Normally, I don't have customers calling because they think the order is already completed but the very few we do have can be processed manually. I have started using the app and it is working fine except for the quality of the copy on a Windows system. So rather than spending the time redesigning, I think it will be best to redesign only if I run into an insurmountable problem. I am making the above statement based on the fact I have been on this app for quite a while and switching to a relational approach sounds like it could be lengthy. I realize you know more about FM's ability than I do. So, could you give me an overview of what I would need to change keeping in mind I get a CSV file from the cart as my import file. You are very kind to suggest these improvements and be concerned that I may have some security issues. Thanks, Randal

In post #242159 you gave this link regarding Windows http://fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/182123/ when I clicked on the word here it wouldn't come up. Now that I found a way to copy the link to the clipboard I can get it to work. I even checked it again on the word here and it wouldn't work for me. Nevertheless, it seems it is mentioning what I have ascertained now seeing the results on a Windows system. In this statement: ************ If, in the definition of the relationship, you select 'Delete related records in this table when a record is deleted in the other table' on the "siblings" side, then deleting any single item record will cause a cascading delete of the entire group. ************ I looked in scriptmaker and couldn't find that option 'Delete related records' am I looking in the correct place? In your statement: ************** Another option would be to set a global text field to the contents of the summary report, using a looping script (essentially similar to clicking through the virtual Orders, and appending the current stats to the global field). ************** This sounds like the best way to go in light of what I have seen about the copy quality on a windows system. Logically, I can understand what you are saying. however, I am not sure how to loop the virtual orders and then append them. Do you know of any examples that I could consider? I looked on the forum and filmaker.com and didn't readily notice what I needed to find. This could be because I am a novice, though. Thanks for sticking with the project, Randal

I didn't just sort the records because it appeared to me that I needed to renumber them in order for the directional arrows to work properly. I will use the sort instead to see if that will make it work better, after all. The order entry person will always delete the entire order. Even if an order has multiple items or only one item. Finding the records that need to be deleted is just manually looking at each order that works fine through the browser script. I am on a Mac but the runtime module is being sent to a Windows user. I remember your mentioning something about Windows having a problem with this. At the time, I didn't understand what the ramifications were about what you said. Also, the link you sent didn't work. So, is there anything that can be done? Thanks, Randal

I wanted to get back to you and give you an update and ask two questions. I have found a way around the delete record issue. I have the order entry person just use the browser layout to find the records that need to be deleted. Then just go to the items layout to actually delete the records. By placing the cursor on the orderid on a multi item order and using the record delete option all the respective records are deleted and it works great. My questions: 1. Trying to get the ItemID resorted I came up with this script statement. // Loop // If [ ( Items::ItemID ) > 1 ] // Set Field [ SerialIncrement ( Items::ItemID ; 1 ) ] // End If // Go to Record/Request/Page [ Next; // End Loop This doesn't change anything so I was wondering about the Set Field statement. Does that need to be changed? I know the looping on a counter needs to be put in place but I was wondering if that is what I would do to reset the itemid to 1 each time . 2. Is there a way to improve the quality of the copy to the page container? After the info is actually faxed the summary sheet is barely legible. Thanks for all your help, Randal

Your correct. I was really off base. Thanks for your patience with me. I am having two problems: 1. Using the browser layout it seems to loose track of what record is next using those buttons if I delete something. If I use the button to advance all the way then back up a few records and then delete one. It doesn't seem to go back to the next record it skips several. For example, go to the end and then find 2920 and then back up one and you will see 2644. Go to 2920 and then delete that record it then advances to 3079 but then if you want to find 2644 you can't. You can only find 2622. Is there a way to correct that? 2. The order total on the detailed report and build and send layouts aren't correct. I looked and saw that Total extended was the total of extended price and I tried to use the SUM function, as an alternative, but then the browser amounts were off. So if you could give me some direction as to how to fix that I would greatly appreciate it. I have attached my latest changes. Thanks for all your help. Randal Forum_Zips.1.zip

I tried what you suggested and I must have my setup incorrect because that only makes the script create a summary page after every order. I actually have built a separate layout called Build and Send. Was this the correct approach? I have attached my latest build. So please tell me where I am off. You can make the error occur by going to order 3101 and seeing how many pages in preview mode you have to advance through, because of the multiple items. Thanks for all your help, Randal Forum_Zips.zip

Thanks for the direction on how to do it. I am real close. The summary report works fine. The detail pages that follow show all the order ids but orders with multiple items there is a page for the same number of corresponding items per group (order ID) Here is the script I put together: Build and Send Go to Layout [ “Fax Report Complete” (Items) ] Enter Preview Mode Copy [ ] Enter Browse Mode Go to Layout [ “Build and Send” (Items) ] Paste [ Items::PageContainer ] Enter Preview Mode Fax Report Complete is the summary Build and Send assembles the summary and the individual pages in one string to be faxed. If you can give me and idea on how to get it showing only one page per order ID I would appreciate it. Thanks, Randal

On result2 is it because this last part Items::Order Type ) doesn't have a semicolon and a value does that make it not change the existing value? Also, on the copy preview into the page container I have this script and it will copy the summary report but nothing after it. Build and Send Go to Layout [ “Fax Report Complete” (Items) ] Enter Preview Mode Select All Copy [ ] [ Select ] Enter Browse Mode Go to Layout [ “Build and Send” (Items) ] New Record/Request Paste [ Items::PageContainer ] [ Select ] // Delete Record/Request Go to Layout [ “Browser” (Items) ] Enter Preview Mode Select All Copy [ ] [ Select ] New Record/Request Paste [ Items::PageContainer ] [ Select ] It seems to me I need to have something that says to append the preview pages to browser but I didn't see any using that word append. Can you give me some more direction? Thanks, Randal

I have used the option to print a script and it opens in Mac preview but I didn't see the text select. That works great. That will save me lots of time. I will use the if option. However, I looked in the manual and I couldn't tell what in the line below says to leave what is already there alone. Can you tell me a little more? Also, how did you learn that since the manual doesn't mention it. At least that I understood. Set Field [items::Order Type ; Case (IsEmpty(Items::Order Type) ; "DropShip" ; Items::Order Type)] Order Type is two words actually that is why it is changed above. I made the changes you suggested and they work great. I don't want to keep the orders on my desktop they are kept in the shopping cart database. I am only downloading the orders to fax them into the manufacturer so they can fulfill the order. That is why I want them deleted so we don't place them twice. Now I will be doing the combine layout option and then I will be using Parallels to build a PC build and send it to my order processor. Thanks again for all your help. Randal

I will check that out this coming week about the copy option. In the meantime, I have been trying to update the field Order Type with the word Drop Ship if it is empty, otherwise just leave it what it is already. I have the following scripts in place. It works except it won't update the field if there are more than one item per group (order ID). In other words, if someone buys more than one item it won't populate that field. Here are the scripts 1. Import 2. Import calls the populate script. Please tell me if you see anthing wrong in my scripts. Also, please tell me if using Grab is the best way to get a copy of the scripts. I have tried copy and paste and that won't work the way I am used to. Thanks, Randal Forum_Zips.zip

Thanks again, That is a big help. Lastly, I have looked and even posted a question do you know a way to combine layouts so that I will have both reports in the same fax transmission? Report 1 - Fax Summary Listing of Orders - Page Break Report 2 - Fax Detail of Each Order - each order on own page I looked on the forum and found this post about copy and pasteing into a PDF. http://fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/182440/post/230496/hl/combine+layout/ Wasn't sure if you knew a better way or not. You have been a great help. Let me know if I can ever help you. Randal

Thanks for letting me know that was OK. Is there some special way to produce a one liner report for each group (order id). For Example, Date of Order, Group, Order Type, First Name, Last Name - this is the other report I have to fax in as a prelude to the order detail report. I received these instructions back in November here on the forum: ************** from what you wrote, its seems as if you can create your report with a simple report with grouped data. Go to New Layout --> Columnar/List Report --> Report with Grouped Data --> Choose the fields you want on the report --> Choose the field you want to group by (in your case Order Number) ********** I tried that numerous times and I still get multiple occurences of the record if more than one item is ordered. You have been so helpful I will be glad to pay you or hire you to do these last items. I looked to see if I could PM you and it wasn't where I could find it. Thanks, Randal www.theherbsplace.com

That sure was generous of you to give me that example. I believe that will be a better foundation to work with. I have put in the navigation symbols like you had and I noticed when I use them it skips a number in the status area. When I looked at your example it didn't is that something to be concerned about? I have included my db if you want to look at it. Thanks, Randal GroupBrowse.fp7.zip

That seems like a better approach particulary to get rid of the nav bar approach. However, I don't have anything showing me how that can be done. I went thru the tutorial and it isn't addressed. Do you know any resource that would be helpful to understand how to change this over? Thanks, Randal

Hello, I am new to Filemaker so I am sure my terminology is off and I would ask you to forgive me. Let me explain what I am trying to do. Early on I was instructed that I needed be in preview mode if I wanted to send each orderid with all of its items being ordered on one page. I receive a flat file consisting of a CSV that I import and then need to display it using subsummary parts. That according to my understanding can't occur unless it is in preview mode. The operator then needs to review the orders in preview mode so there will only be one page per order. In the other modes if an order has more than one item it will display the same orderid as many times as there are products on the order. For simplicity if the order needs to be deleted I wanted to keep it in preview mode. Once this list is reviewed it needs to be faxed in preview mode so the order entry personnel will see one page per order with all of the respective items on that page per that orderid. If there is another way to do that I am open to a different approach. Hope that makes more sense. Thanks for your help. Randal

My mistake! I am really wanting to delete the page then. Then I need to change the nav bar to say next page instead of next record. Thanks for pointing that out. Randal