This post is an extension of a precedent post here where I was looking for a way to show unique "summary records" from my line item - made using selfjoin- in a portal in my Product File.

I'll get to the point in a second. Just imagine a "consumption good" and its inventory system (this is the closest example I found) where each set of articles has a unique ID, but a different consomation date.

So we have to subcategorize the Inventory on the Date of Consomation for each Product_ID...

In my system, the Inventory is kept in the Product File using constant relationships from line items (operational file) to "import" the Totals of goods in stock. This work fine so far.

In the Product File, for each Product record, I actually use a conditional Value List (based on a calc in line item) to create a concanated_ID (Product_ID&DateConsumption) that allow the relationhip with the Line Item (same ID).

From that step, all records from the line items fill in a portal and my calcs displays next to this portal for each Date of Consumption selected.

So where is the problem.

Take it easy guys as the nightmare comes now.

I want to avoid using the value list to select the different dates of consomation. I would prefer having a portal to show four/five lines (no need for more), one for each consumption date linked to the Product_ID.

This will be more efficient for the user as he will see at the fly what quantities are left and could select the exact product to pull in the lines.

I tried using a multikey m_Key = Product_ID&Date & "P" & Product_ID&Date... and created a selfjoin in the Product File using this m_Key. It just lead me nowhere

The last idea I had to solve this case (and that is where the nightmare is) was to pull each values of the Value List (my dates) into repetition fields, and then make a calculation c_repetition_ID that would display each Product_ID&Date in stock into this field.

So I just wondered if there was :

- a way to make a relationship from repetition fields

- another way to extract the value list and pulls it into a portal (I saw this suggestion on the Forum -Bob Weiver- but there wasn't any guidelines for such a suggestion)

- any other way to solve this.

So the repetition wouldn't be used as a real relationship. It's only a trick for a better display.

Many regards to Razumovsky and Capkurt that almost did support my "not condensed" posts on this inventory issue. I'm almost there guys. Thanks again.

I finally try another way. For those who would like to perform the same thing, here is the catch.

Using a can of MinuteMaid Orange Juice as an example

This is still the same product, but with different consuption dates.

Dates are coded in the example.

Serial number. That is the way to go...

[color:"red"]Edited : This is one way to go. Obviously, there was a better solution using Andy's solution.FMForums But the method is still the same.

Using a selfjoin based on the concanated field Product_IDanddatecode = Product_ID&Datecode.

1. Create a autoentered Serial_per_Productanddatecode

2. Created a c_NextSerialN