I want to lock records based on a field that is a binary checkbox (invoice sent;1,0). This is easy enough; now the wrinkle. I want to be able to quickly get into a mode where I can still edit the records without logging out/back in with a higher level password.

I have played with creating a separate database that holds an "access toggle" but can't seem to come up with a calculation for the permissions that;

1) disallows editing of record when invoice sent=1

2) allows override of this when access toggle=1

Anyone have an idea?

You haven't said, but I assume that your permissions (or validation) calculation formulae are set to "not InvoiceSent" - or something similar - at present, in order to prevent modification of records once the 'sent' checkbox is checked.

If that is the case, you could activate the toggle field idea you are contemplating, by changing the permissions (or validation) calculation formulae to: "InvoiceSent - Toggle < 1".

Alternatively for a quite different approach, you could use a permissions formula of "Case(Status(CurrentModifierKeys) = 4 or Status(CurrentModifierKeys) = 6, 1, InvoiceSent, 0, 1) ". The effect of this would be that you would not need a toggle field. Instead, to make a change after the invoice is sent you would have to hold down the control key while clicking into the record to edit it (ie the control key would act as a temporary over-ride for the permissions).

There are numerous other possibilities - and which is most appropriate is a matter for your judgement - but hopefully the above suggestions will give you some ideas to work with.

Thanks, that approach (modifier key) looks interesting. I'll have to give it a try.

John

Worked great, thanks. Much better than my "Toggle" solution.

John