I have set up an invoicing table where we have to enter the invoice number based on a complext numbering system. Because of this I don't think I can use the AutoNumber feature. What I would like to do is have another field that will dislplay the invoice number of the previous record as a reference. This would make things a lot easier for us.

How do I go about doing that?

Thanks.

You need to distinguish between an invoice number as used for relationships; and a "display" invoice number. You should keep the standard auto-enter number for all relationships. You can enter the value you are looking at into another "display" field.

Define PrevNumber with an auto-enter of 'value from previous record'.

Well, be aware of the meaning of previous record.

Previous record is the last record EDITED. So if a user last edit record number 2, out of 20, then the auto-enter value for new record #21 will come from record 2.

I think you can use the free number-format plug-in for your complex invoice #. It can format it in any style you want (much better than the original auto-number originally provided by FM).

This is the link to the file:

Windows: http://www.filemakerpros.com/PLUGINEX.zip

Mac: http://www.filemakerpros.com/PLUGINEX.sit