I need a refresher. File A contains a list of student names and student ID numbers. File B contains teacher, class name and student ID fields and from file A I have inserted the student name field. The one to one relationship is based on the student ID number. There is a single record for every class taken and thus the students appear on numerous class lists. A new record is created by pasting in the students ID number and then selecting the teacher name and class. This works fine.

File C is a form on which you record the progress of the students in each teacher's class. On the top of the form would be the teachers name and class and on the left hand side, using a portal, I want a list of the teacher's students for that class. The problem is, I don't know how to create the relationship(s) (many to many?) that will do the job.

In File B you should have a class number (a different number for each class taught during the day/week/whatever) so that, for example, Freshman English at 9am M/W/F is 0001, Freshman English at 11am M/W/F is 0002, etc. Then, when creating your form in File C, you actually pick the class by number (not really, you can list the specific names of the classes instead by using a value list of class name from File : which then populates the rest of the data.

So, the relationships are:

File B to File A : Student_ID

File C to File B : Class_Number

-Stanley

Thanks. I understand some of it. Question. With one student attending several classes how does each class number become a part of the student's record? I don't understand the fields required to record this information.

Use a portal on the student record file - the relationship is between that file (A) and your file B with the ID no. as the matchfield.

If you create a list layout, sorted by class numbers in your file B, you can enter grades, assignments, etc. for each student - these fields can be added to the portal in the main record for each student (A) if you wish.