Data entry into the top row of a portal

[Helpful Harry]

This example solution shows a portal which allows the user to always enter data into the first row instead of the usual last row. This eliminates the need for users to scroll to the bottom of a long portal list before entering a new related record.

The method used to do this is not highly complicated and requires [color:"red"]NO buttons, [color:"red"]NO scripts and [color:"red"]NO plug-ins. It only needs a couple of extra fields and an extra relationship, so works in FileMaker 4.x and 5.x for both MacOS and Windows. Although not tested, it should also work with 6.x as well as any future versions of FileMaker Pro (unless FileMaker Inc. makes major changes to the way the application works).

The files are completely unprotected so you can explore them to your hearts content and freely use this method in any of your own databases.

This was actually designed in response to a semi-challenge in the comp.databases.filemaker newsgroup for top-entry in portals which started me thinking. I got it fully working within hours, but never posted it there and it's taken me about one and a half years to get around to finishing the cleaning up of the files.

Just reply here if you have any problems, questions or suggestions about this solution.

Large gifts of money to show your appreciation should be sent to ...

Portal Top Entry.zip

[Lee Smith]

Hi Harry,

Thanks for sharing.

Lee

[Lee Smith]

I couldn't fix the link to the files, so I have attached them to this post.

Lee

Portal_Top_Entry.zip

[Genx]

Can someone convert this to at least .fp5?

Cheers

[Lee Smith]

You can convert these your self. Drop the Folder on you FileMaker Application.

Lee

[Genx]

Hmmm, i was trying that... i thought FM 7/8 could only convert .fp5 -- thanks lee.

[Genx]

Hmmmm, useful technique, all the way from fm3... but still, very useful. Thanks for reposting the file Lee.

[theyetti]

Could someone please post this in a single file version typical of FileMaker Version 7.0 and above?

I'm having a bit of trouble getting this to work and think that having the individual tables in the same file would help.

Thanks Pedro -)

[mr_vodka]

Here you go. Updated for version 7 and up; with combined files.

Portal_Top_Entry.zip

[theyetti]

Thanks mr_vodka, this makes it much easier,

Cheers Pedro -)

[kassab mahareeq]

Something is wrong with the Zip file you have attached, it gives an error 404 and I could not opening it.

[Søren Dyhr]

Read further in the thread, has been relocated! I downloaded and opened the latests upload without hickups!

--sd

[Lee Smith]

As Søren stated, the files have been updated, and are above.

The Error you received is because of a change in the Forum last year. Any thread with files posted earlier than June 2006 (other than the ones in the Sample File Topic Area), may give you a similar. If this happens to you, all you need to do is to Report the Posts. The Button to do this is the Icon Circle with a line through it. This in the Icon that appear in each post along with the Print, Reply, Email, etc..

BTW, my post above was a repost of the original files, and Mr_Vodka post is the files converted.

Lee

Edited January 14, 2007 by Guest

[kassab mahareeq]

Thanks Lee, on the zip file fixing for entering data in the first row.

The other problem is My Portal scrolls from the top to bottom when creating a new record each time? Do you have any idea how to fix it?