How do I navigate to a related file with no record

[Matt Halloran]

Hi,

I am wanting to script a button that allows me to navigate from a customer contact database to a fax cover sheet database. I have tried to use the script for navigating to related records, however, unless the 2nd database actually has an existing record that is related, it won't work.

For example, I may have a customer contact record in my database who I want to send a fax to. I have never sent them a fax before, so there are no related records for this customer in the fax database. I have been trying to script using the navigate to related records scripting, however this will only work if there are existing related records in the 2nd database.

Is there a script I should be using that allows me to navigate to a related database where there may not necessarily be related records, and maybe even creating a new related record as a part of the script?

I know there must be a way to do it, but just need a bit of help...I couldn't see any of the "scriptmaker" options that would be appropriate - maybe I am missing something...

Would appreciate your input!

Kind regards,

Matt Halloran.

[Søren Dyhr]

Only data in the fax should be stored in the related record, use a new layout in the customers record with the textfield from the related file shown, in second page, still in customer contact table.

--sd

[Matt Halloran]

Hi - thanks for that - I am not sure if it answers my question. I have had a look through the Scriptmaker again, and what I need is something that will open the fax database file from my customer contact details file so that I can enter details for a new fax message. I have set up the fax file to enter the customer ID so that the related customer contact is automatically entered, and then I can just type the subject and message of the fax.

The only options I have found for scripting are to open a related record - but if I have never sent a fax to this particular contact before, there will be no related record. So how do I script to open my fax file that has a relation to my customer details file without there necessarily being a related record created as yet? Does that make sense?

As an example, I have details for Customer A and Customer B in my contacts file. I have previously sent a fax to Customer A, so the "related record" script to open the Fax file works, as there is a related record. I have never sent a fax to Customer B, so the script doesn't work, as there is no related record created in my Fax file for this customer. I want to be able to have a script that can open the Fax file database from my contacts file so that I am able to create and send a new fax. Is that possible?

Kind regards,

Matt.

[LiveOak]

You didn't mention which version of FM you are using, but since you have two tables and two files I'll assume you are using FM 6 or a previous version. In FM 6 the "Open" script step will open a file. In FM 7, it's "Open File" script step.

-bd

[Matt Halloran]

Hi - I am using FM 7. I have actually tried the open file script step [open hidden; "fax cover database"], but it doesn't seem to actually open the window. It just seems to refresh the existing window (my customer contacts database), with the Fax database still being hidden....

Are there any other instructions that I need to put in the script?

Kind regards,

Matt.

[Søren Dyhr]

I'd better make a template instead of explaining!

--sd

Faxodex.zip

[Vaughan]

If you want to see the window, don't open it hidden!