I want to define a field with an automatically generated serial number, each one greater than that for the previous record. This seems easy (Define Fields>enter field name (type is text)>click Options>choose Serial number and enter a starting value (e.g. 1)...but nothing appears in the field thus created! I'm doing something bone-headed, but don't see what the problem is. Thanks...

Did you specify the amount the serial number is supposed to increment by?

Also, keep in mind serial numbers are assigned when the record is created. If you already have records in your db, and this is a new field (or newly-modified field), there won't be any values in the field. If there are already records in your db, you can use Replace to populate the field with serial numbers.

Auto-entered data or calculations only take effect when a new record is created. I suspect your confusion is over records that already exist. If that's the case, first Unsort and reserialize the existing records using either a manual Replace or a scripted Loop using Set Field, with a global incremented to track the next number. Then go to your last record, record the serial, open Define Fields, and enter the recorded number plus one as your next serial number.

makes sense...thanks