Filling Field B with data triggered from Field A

[zoddie]

Hello, would love to RTFM (and have Nolan Hester's beginners book as well as Cynthia Baron/Daniel Peck Advanced) to find my answer but apparently the words are getting in the way. My Senior Engineer refers to this problem/solution as using Jump Tables but I can't find anything like this.

Point me in the right direction please (Windows users): Field A provides test type. Field B provides the associated report type. Is there an easier way (other than If-Then-Else) to trigger the correct report type based on the test type selection? Both fields are in the same db. It appears that it would be simple if the fields were in different databases.

Much obliged!

Lisa

[-Queue-]

Do a search on this site for +conditional +value +list or +conditional +valuelist. You'll find some examples of what you're looking for.

[QuinTech]

Hi Lisa. Have you tried auto-enter looked-up value in the Define fields dialog? It sounds like that could work for you.

Create a relationship from Field A to Field A, called SelfFieldA. Now in the field definition for FieldB, select Auto-Enter>Looked-up Value. Select the relationship SelfFieldA and then the field FieldB. If the report type is consistent for each test type, i think this will accomplish what you are looking for.

HTH.

Jerry

[Lee Smith]

Hi Lisa,

Another great resource is FileMakers Online Help that is available when FM is open.

Open the help and in the Index window type or paste the following:

Defining a list of values for data entry

HTH

Lee

[zoddie]

Hi Jerry, I must be doing something wrong. I want to make sure I understand you correctly. The first Field A should be the test type and the second Field A should contain values for the corresponding report type?

Thanks for walking me through this!

Lisa

[zoddie]

Thanks Lee but the system I have FMP on is a closed system and I don't have access to on-line help.

[QuinTech]

Well, let's say you have a file called Foods.fp5. Some sample data:

 

FoodType     FoodName

--------     --------

Fruit        Apple

Fruit        Orange

Meat         Salami

Vegetable    Celery

 

Now, every time you enter "Apple" into the FoodName field on a new record, you want to have "FoodType" automatically filled in with "Fruit."

I'll pause now to point out that if this is not at all similar to your question you can just ignore the rest of this.

To implement this, you would first create a self-join relationship from Foods::FoodName to Foods::FoodName. Now, in your field definitions, double-click on FoodType. On the Auto-enter tab, select Looked-up value. Choose the relationship you have created, and then under that, the field FoodType.

See the attachment to watch this in action.

J

foods.zip

[zoddie]

Thanks Jerry! That is exactly the scenario I'm talking about. I got through most of it but am having a problem getting the 'FoodType' to auto fill. Let me noodle through it and I'll let you know if I was successful.

You DA MAN

[QuinTech]

It should auto-fill whenever you enter an already-existing FoodName into the FoodName field.

[zoddie]

You're right, I believe I have a mapping problem between the two fields. I'll keep you posted.