I have at the moment 3 files (not combined them yet).

Invoices, Projects and Numbers

In the invoice file I have a value list that builds the active projects but rather than coming direct from the projects i have a script that finds the active projects exports to the numbers file where the value list gives all the records in the numbers files.

In the project file there is a project number and a check box that is checked for active

How do I build the list direct from projects?

Patrick,

I'm having a bit of trouble understanding your setup and task--a few more clarifying words here or there would help. But welcome!

Basically, what you want to do, if I do understand, is pretty simple: some of your projects are active at any one time, and a check-box field is your device for marking which ones are active, correct?

I admit I don't understand what's going on with your Numbers file, but it doesn't seem necessary to the task at hand. What you need is a *relation* between any invoice record and *every* project that's currently active. It will then be easy to make a value list based on related values.

To make the relation you need, you'll need a new Text field with Global Storage in your Invoices file. Call it gActive. Put it on a layout just long enough to go into browse mode and fill in the text "Active" (or whatever your text is beside the check-box in the Active? field for Projects). You can then delete the field from your layout until/unless you make major changes to your setup.

Now, make a relation matching the global field gActive (in Invoices) to the check-box field Active? (in the Projects table).

A value list can be built on that relation, showing the ProjectID numbers, or Project names, or whatever, for only the ACTIVE projects. Make sure to choose "Include only related values" from the field you want.

Is this what you were hoping to do?

Thanks that worked a treat.

Even with my confused writing that was exactly what I was after.

I created these files/tables in version 2 of filemaker before related files. So I was using the numbers file to run a script when invoices where opened to find all the active projects and then import the records into itself (numbers table a sort of copy of the projects table). Then the pop up list was linked to the numbers file not the project file. Long wind solution.