Scripting the entry of data into a repeating field

[Weckel]

I wish to script the pasting of a value into the next blank repetition in a repeating field. I could find not a specific function to allow this and have constructed a complex workaroud...though it works, it seems there must be an easier way! What I did:

1. Created a calc to return the number of the next empty repetition by adding "1" to the result of the function that returns the repetition number of the last populated field.

2. Created a series of "IF" "End IF" loops: IF the value of the above calc is 1, paste in repetition 1. IF the value of the above is 2, paste in repetition 2.....and so on until I reached the number of possible repeats.

Any Ideas?

[LiveOak]

What you really need to do is quit using repeating fields. I guarantee that if you need to do this amount of scripting, you should be using a related file instead. The question is kind of like asking the best way to encourage the horses with a buggy whip.

-bd

[Weckel]

I agree with you in theory...but knowing more about the particular application may make my needs more clear; I do make extensive use of related files. The particular repeating field in question is a list of attendees at meetings. Each meeting is a unique record in a "meetings" file, and each attendee is a unique record in the "people" file. The repeating field in the "meetings" file is a pull-down menu based on a a value list which is determined by the complete list of names in the "people" file. If Suzy Q is a meeting attendee but not in the "people" file, she will not be available on the pull-down menu. There is a "new" button which then starts an external script to add a new person to the "people" file, and then bring them back to the meeting file and enter the name in a particular repetition...ie the first empty one.

Any ideas would be appreciated.