FM4 Mac Self Relationship within a Contacts file

Have Portal with linked Value List - select CARS and all garages are listed etc.

First time I have done this and it is very fast and really useful.

I would like to know how to make it as flexible as possible. In particular, if a Contact does several things, e.g. Plumbing, Electrics and Joinery, how can these be shown on different lists etc? Obviously, I am trying to avoid lots of layouts and additional fields.

In addition, are there any other ways this can be improved?

As always, thanks in advance for any comments.

Keith

There is a construct called a multi-key in FM. A key field (a text key field) can have multiple values and matches by inserting multiple keys separated by carriage returns. For example, if each of your Contacts has a category used in the right side of your self-relationship, you can make this Contact match multiple categories by entering in the category field:

cars <cr>

plumbing <cr>

electrical <cr>

A convenient way to do this is to set up the category field as a checkbox field. When multiple boxes are checked, all that is really placed in the field are the multiple checked selections separated by carriage returns (just what you want, format a copy of the field as "normal" and take a look).

-bd

Not exactly what I was looking for but points the mind in a different direction...thanks.

Thank you, that works but:

When listing on the Portal, the various supply types are shown for the Contact but then the multiple choices gradually switch off until the Contact only shows one in its record, i.e. multiple check box crosses revert to one in the Contact record.

The Value list on the Portal is set to pick up info from the field in the Contact record but I don't understand why this is happening.

Also, as there are numerous supply types, is there any other way of displaying these other than Check Boxes which take up so much space?

Thanks again.

Keith