Calculation in Records

[dblback]

Hello,

ok, first I have a pop up menu of all the people that are members, I have a field for month and year, and one for "amount due", "total paid" and one for "Balance owing".

In a new entry, I want to know if it is possible to bring the "balance owing" amount into the new entry that I make (but only for that Specific person).

EX:

Dave Smith in September 2002 owed $200.00, but only paid $100,00 so his balance is $100.00

How do I make this amount show up in the "balance owing" the next time I enter a record for Dave Smith for October 2002

Thanks

[CobaltSky]

You will need a method for allocating individual sequences of serial numbers for your members ('MemberSerial') , a further calculation field ('MemberPreviousSerial') which subtracts one from the serial number within the member serial field of the current record.

Then you will need a self-join relationship called PreviousBalance which matches MemberPreviousSerial with 'MemberSerial', plus a number field defined as a 'Lookup' which brings forward the BalanceOwing field via the PreviousBalance relationship.

To assist you with this, you will find a demonstration of a method for creating independently generated indexable member serial numbers, in an example file which can be downloaded from the following URL:

http://www.nightwing.com.au/FileMaker/demos/CustomSerial.zip

You'll also find a demo file which shows how to carry forward values from one record to another, using a self-join relationship, at the URL:

http://www.nightwing.com.au/FileMaker/CalculateDown.zip

The method I've suggested you use to solve your problem combines the techniques shown in both the above files, to carry each member's balance forward to subsequent records for that member.

If you're interested, have a look at how both the demo files are set up, and you should then be well positioned to tackle the approach I've described above.

[dblback]

I Tried the links below and downloaded the files, but I still don't see how this can relate to my problem, I will attach the file I am working on, maybe you could walk me through it step by step??

Thanks

copy.ZIP

[CobaltSky]

I still don't see how this can relate to my problem

Well, how it relates to your problem is that:

1. The first demo file you downloaded shows a way to individually serial number the records for each member.

2. The second file shows how to carry forward a value from a previous record based on serial numbering.

Put the two together and that was pretty much exactly what you said you wanted to do?!

However, in case you still don't see it, I have actually done it for you. Attached to this message is a modified version of your file, in which, when a new record is created and a member's name is selected, the previous balance for that member is automatically copied forward from the previous record.

You're lucky that I was feeling generous this afternoon...

daveFix.zip

[LaRetta]

As you can gather, Cobalt Sky feels generous ALL THE TIME!