Manipulate Data From Another File ?

[Anh_Tran]

Hi All,

I would like to know that let's say I have 2 files , File A and File B . From File A , I create layouts so that I could manipulate data of File B, like I could delete or add data of File B or I can view data of File B. It is just like ACCESS . Can it be done in Filemaker?? Somebody can give me a hint, I really appreciated it.

Thanks

Anh Tran

[ESpringer]

Of course! That's the wonder of portals. Indeed, you may want to have one "Birdseye" layout which allows peeking into, say, the most recent entries for several files at once, with full access to all.

Since each portal is based on a relationship, you want to make sure for each relation you want to access this way, "Allow creation of related records" is enabled in your relationship definition.

(If you want to see *all* the records in another database, create a relationship that connects *each* record in A to *each* record in B, using a Constant field as the key from each end: a number field in file A is defined to auto-enter 1 (make sure to fill previously-created records with 1 as well), and a number field in file B is set up the same way. Then, create a relation that joins any record in file A with any record in B that match the data in Constant.)

Separately, in the *portal* options in your layout, you have the choice to "Allow deletion of related records". Note, this is a much more [color:"red"] dangerous thing to enable, because once you're in the habit of "remote deleting", it's very easy to get confused and delete the record you're *in* rather than the related record, if you mess up and hit the delete command and confidently confirm that you really want to delete this record. At any rate, if you enable this option, you still need to set up a button within the portal to "delete portal row" -- under "Records" in button definition dialogue

[Anh_Tran]

Thanks Espringer

I will think about it ...

Anh Tran

[ESpringer]

Anh Tran,

If you have further curiosity about how to approach making relationships or using portals, there are very helpful threads in the Relationships and Portals forums here... or ask more questions specific to your task...