help with counter

[emerywang]

Hi. I have created a running counter to keep track of which record I'm on. Since my file contains multiple account numbers, I first created a self-joined relationship called "self," where account number =::account number. My counter, then, is a number with an auto-entered calculation that looks like this: Count(self::account number)

It works fine while I create new records. The counter dutifully enters the correct number of the record I'm on, after I enter the account number for the new record. So the 5th record with account number "3443" would have a counter value of 4, while a new record with a new account number yields a value of 0 (I know it doesn't start at one, but that's okay).

It gets messed up, however, if I delete a record, or change the account number of that record, because the counter does not dynamically change. So, is there a way to create a counter that dynamically updates if I change the account number, or if I delete a record?

Thanks.

-Emery

Ps: a calculation field won't work, because it dynamically updates all instances of that field, so it gives me the total number of records on each page. What I need is a running counter, not a total counter.

[-Queue-]

Auto-enter calculations only evaluate when the record is created. You will have to script the field to change when a record is deleted or the account number is changed. I think the best way to accomplish this would be as follows:

When a record is deleted,

Go to Related Record [show, "self"]

Go to Record/Request/Page [First]

Loop

Set Field [counter, Status(CurrentRecordNumber) - 1]

Go to Record/Request/Page [Exit after last, Next]

End Loop

When a record's account number is modified, you would need a global to hold the original account number. Perform the above script steps, then run the same script, but use a relationship from the global to account number. This will reset both accounts with the proper counters.

[emerywang]

Thanks, I'll try that. BTW, I've only activated scripts thru the menu, or via a button. Is that what you're thinking of, or is there a way for this script to automatically run?

thanks for your help.

-Emery

[transpower]

Have your own Delete button and attach -Queue-'s script to it, in addition to the regular delete command for the record in question.