Excuse my newbie-ness, but I would like to write a find script that, when it doesn't find the exact fname and lname, returns a found set of the 20 closest records for a portal pick list. This would solve variations in spelling and cut down on duplicating client records. If the user didn't find the client, then he or she would be presented with the option of adding a new record.

Could this be done with a pop-down value list that also contained "New" as a choice? How to get the ten closest matches into a value list...worry, worry. Any hints?

This can be done by a lookname lookup. First create a calculated field called LookName something like this:

Left(Name First; 1) & Left(Name Last; 1) & "

Thanks DJK, I got that to work. It's going to take a little tweaking, but in principle, it's a solid thumbs-up. What I am trying to duplicate is the "soft seek" of the SQL command Recno(0) which returns the record number of the closest indexed value--so much more helpful than "No records found."

In this same category...does anyone know how to set up a find-as-you-type entry in the Insert From Index list? Can you search the index list or is it just a scroll affair? Or is searching on the indexed field the same thing?...oh yea, duh.

I love the way the dictionary works in the OS X version of Word. I wonder if something like that could be done in FM7?

Search this web site for type ahead, you will find some solutions but still quite lacking in FM.