Learning Value Lists

[mdurg]

Hello, I'm a somewhat "advanced newbie" trying to learn how to implement value list with the end goal of using conditional value lists on a web solution. But first I'm trying to figure some things out in plain old Filemaker. These are the basic relationships in my current solution:

I currently enter in the customer number, then calculated fields pull the appropriate information from the Customer and SalesRep files.

What I want to do is create a drop down value list of customers in the RequestLog.fp5 database that includes all the Customers. That much I have figured out. But I don't not know how to pull the CustNo and put it into the RequestLog.fp5 database by using a value list based on customer name. I do believe that CustNo should be the relationship between the two files, but I'm just not understanding how to do this.

I'd appreciate any help on how to do this and can give more info if needed.

Thanks,

Mark Durgee

[Ugo DI LUCA]

I have 0 experience on Web...

But from what you're saying, and moreover from the number of customers you said you have in your list, I'd surely moove away from value lists, and implement portals, may be using a filter with a "Clairvoyance" tool.

The advantage, and this seems to be fitting your need, is that there's no need to display the Customer_Id. A click in the row set a global, suitable for another relationship to the sales...

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Sorry, I was a bit quick.

You'd need a relationship based on a constant match from the Log to the Customer File.

This way, you'd have a full list of customers, that you can scroll. Including a filter Clairvoyance (make a search in the sample section for Clairvoyance and Type-Ahead portals, there are at least 4 or 5 demos available) would be a plus.

You'd finally have a portal showing all customers with say "Am" as the 2 first letters of LastName.

Then, create a global field called g_Customer ID and make the portal row a whole button with a script attached :

SetField(g_customer_Id::Constant:Customer_Id)

This will set the global to the value of the Id, from the row you clicked in.

Then, create a relationship from the g_Customer Field to the Customer Field in your Sales file.

Et voila...

[mdurg]

>You'd need a relationship based on a constant match from the Log to the Customer File.<

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Currently Custno is the related field between the two files. Would I have to set up another field? Does is matter that RequestLog:Custno -> Customers:Custno and not vice versa?

[Fenton]

It is confusing, because what you want to do is relationally "backwards." You want to get the ID of someone by choosing their name. But IDs are what are used in relationships, because they are more reliable than names (you can easily have 2 people with the exact same name).

If, however, you show other data, such as address and/or phone# in a portal, as well as the name, you can make an intelligent choice, and bring in the correct ID.

The Constant relationship is just a way to show all the Customers in a portal. A simple value list cannot do this.

The "clairvoyant" filter helps greatly if there are more than 20 customers (hence is actually essential).

Constant is generally a calculation field, =1. Same in both files.

The "filter" is more involved. There are many posts on the subject, and I've got to run. But it is essentially a global text field on the left, and an indexed "multi-line" calculation field on the right.

Ex.

Left (LastName, 1) & "

[Lee Smith]

Hi mdurg,

Sorry that this is off typic, but how did you insert a picture into your text?

Lee

:confused:

[mdurg]

I did a little diagram, then uploaded to my personal web space. Then when writing to this forum, there are little tags (UBBCode?) One of them is called "image" I believe. Then just insert the hyperlink from my personal web space.

I've always found that giving better information when asking a question yields better answers. It was much easier for me to make the diagram than to try to explain my setup in words.

Mark Durgee

[Lee Smith]

Hi Mark,

Now that is thinking outside the box. Too bad it requires a web site, what great way to illustrate your point.

Thanks for your reply,

Lee

[pmusaev]

anyone point me to more info about using this "clairvoyant" filter please?

[Lee Smith]

BTW, clairvoyant could also be Clairvoyance.

Here are some files at other sites:

Clairvoyance By: John Mark Osborne URL:

http://www.databasepros.com

Type Ahead By: James E. Mastrianni URL:

http://www.fmfiles.com/tnt11.html

TypeAhead2 By: Steve Wilmes URL:

http://www.fmfiles.com/tnt11.html

And here are some available here in the sample files.

Handy Bits By: Russ Baker URL:

http://www.fmforums.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=67635

Type-Ahead Portal for quick finds By: Ugo DI LUCA URL:

http://www.fmforums.com:Sample Files

Finding Names By: Russ Baker URL:

http://www.fmforums.com:Sample Files

[Leb i Sol]

OT:

just attach a JPG or other image supported and it will show the image in te content.......