Changing our billable labor rate in calculations

[Fighter of Foo]

How do i create a field that returns the same numeric value for all records?

In my application, our billable labor rate is used in various calculations and or fields. When our rate goes up I have to track down everyplace it is used and increase the value. Can't I just create a field for the labor rate and increase the value there instead.

I tried using Auto Enter and placing the rate in the Data field but this didn't work. There must be a simple way to do this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[RalphL]

Welcome Fighter,

I use a 1 record table to store this type of information. (Labor rates, tax rate, etc.) I add a field to store this in the working table. I make this field a lookup of the field in the 1 record table. Use an X relationship for the lookup. Use this field in your other calculations.

The reason for the lookup is to prevent changes to rate in existing records when a change is made to the rate.

[Fighter of Foo]

Sorry but I may be as dumb as I seem - what do you mean by 'use an X relationship'.

Thank you for you infinite patience.

[RalphL]

You can have equal, not equal, greater than, less than, greater than or equal, less than or equal and X relationships. The X relationship relates all records in one file with all records in the related file regardless of values in the match field.

Double click on the relationship (the box with an = in it) in the relationship graph. You will get a dialog box about the relationship. Change it in this dialog box.