Set Calculation to show 2nd or 3rd related record

[Ninja]

For whatever reason i need to make a calculation field show the first related record, another show the second, another the third upto about 10. I also cannot use a portal simply because the records i wish to show are from various different relationships. I can make it show the first related record easily enough. I just hope that there is a way of doing this.

[RalphL]

You can make value lists using the field fields. The use the ValueListItems function to make lists of the data in the fields. Then determine value from the position in the lists.

Limitaions: The results are text fields, this means there is a maximun number of characters. Also other data type will require conversion from to text to the proper type.

[Ninja]

Sounds good, i'll give it a try. Thanks

[Vaughan]

Ralph: the items in the value list are sorted alpha-numerically, which may not reflect the actual order of the related files.

Sorry to say, but FMP 7 allows portals to display a range of related records. You could create a single-row portal that displays just row 2, another for row 3, etc.

[RalphL]

Vaughan,

You are correct, I overlooked that. Ninja is using FMP5 so the portal idea won't work either.

If you use serial numbers in the related file you can make a calculated field = Serial Number & " " & Field. This will sort in creation order and then you have to separate it with Right or Rightwords.

[Ninja]

Value list method worked quite well, until i tried to use it to display the charges for the related records, these are complex and use a lot of relationships in themselves and so cannot be indexed! think i'm gonna need a copy of FMP7!