Viewing different value lists in the same field

[bhag]

I work in the print industry and I am in the process of creating an estimation database.

What I would like to do is have two drop down menus for specifying the type of paper depending on the type of printing.

Here is what I mean:

If I choose color printing in the first field then the second field will show the paper choices for color printing. If I choose B/W printing in the first field then the second field will show the paper choices for B/W printing.

I understand how to create value lists but i am unsure of how to set the second field so it will change depending on what is entered in the first field.

Thanks to anyone who can help me with this.

[Søren Dyhr]

Since we have no sign of your skills with relations, might the safest bet be a scripted version with a stacked field, having a valuelist attached to each copy of the same field. Also included is a trick to blank the multilisted field via a never met lookup.

The stuff you need to know is that the taborder is the most important issue with this method. But implemented could many valuelist be stacked in a field.

Please investigate the template uploaded here!

--sd

dependVL.zip

[Ender]

Why not use conditional value lists?

[bhag]

I am unaware of conditional value lists. Can you explain?

Thanks

[Søren Dyhr]

Why not use conditional value lists?

...when the next question will be "how do I make statistics on repeating fields?"

The issue is that you and I know our way around in filemaker but newbe's approach FM as spreadsheet and do not learn relational designs in a jiff.

I've been in doubts how to help ...is the best approach to make a fix right away in shopkeeper style or should the newbe be spanked right away to learn ...I'm here to learn in order to get as much knowledge "realestate" covered. But can we be sure the people approaching the forum here are here for the same reasons.

JT argued that a lot of people inherit systems filled with all kinds of unnormalized issues and only apporaches this forum in order to stay in job. I'm not able to tell how well this point holds in a court?:

--sd

[Ender]

It sounds like you're suggesting this is too complex for a novice. I don't really think it is; no more so than your example.

bhag: A search of the forums for

+conditional +value +list

or

+dynamic +value +list

should yield a number of recent threads on this technique.

[Søren Dyhr]

I don't really think it is; no more so than your example.

Ideally it shouldn't, but I've just been drilling someone with several posts to grasp ValuelistItems( over a dynamic valuelist. Others have been so exited occuppied with IWP so they have let Custom functions been ignored eventhough they've been developing in filemaker for half a decade.

You never know where the holes in knowledge are located in your asking fellow!!! Oftentimes does a coverup disguise what really is the problem.

Admitted the fix i made here is what it is - a fix, instead of Talmuds reference to a reference. I've actually adressed JT off forum with complaints of this practice. He and others have more or less established a practice - where you pretend to submissive and then suddently change direction as the plot thickens. There might be some educational reasons for this practice???

--sd

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi,

I was myself very curious about such settings, from yours. Then, I felt like for some custom value list (these print options wouldn't need more than a few items) and with FM6 where the number of files my be critical, it could reasonably be a solution.

I can't see however what kind of complaints you might address off-list to anyone willing to participate. As you've just demonstrated, some small workarounds, if they are clearly defined as such, and if the questioner agrees and accepts it as such on the end, are totally accepted. Sometimes, they would actually perfectly fit a very small need, without rebuilding the whole thing from scratch.

There are no rule established that we should always criticize and rebuild any file submitted or structure exposed on the Forums, because they don't fall under the classic rules of normalization. Although you're right on the target to tell the poster there *may* be better settings.

And the problem is I still understand half of what you say in between the lines...but then I might not be clear myself even. I perfectly read your "statistics/repeating fields" mention though and understand I'm part of your *black* list.

[bhag]

I appreciate any help that I can get through this forum. This work around solution will work for me. My ears are always open to new ideas and suggestions. I am just looking for solutions to questions that I have about this program so that I can increase my skill level.

Thanks for any help.

>bhag

[Søren Dyhr]

Where I see as a problem is that some uses this place to practice a different ART than developement of software - I've witnessed what's atually is pure Sun Tze:

All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable of attacking, feign incapacity; when active in moving troops, feign inactivity. When near the enemy, make it seem that you are far away; when far away, make it seem that you are near. Hold out baits to lure the enemy

...from:

http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/artofwar.html

I wont hessitate to suggest that I'm much more in favour of:

Given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow

...from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cathedral_and_the_Bazaar

--sd

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi,

I'd go for n

[LaRetta]

Mike (Ender) is absolutely correct. Learn to create conditional value lists. They are not that difficult and extremely powerful. And there are some very simple examples on this forum which, if I wasn't heading out I would find for you (some even I've put together with simple demos). I will do just that when I return tonight if some good examples haven't been given. There are several that use the example of car manufacturer's - Make, Model etc ...

Once you understand the concept of conditional value lists, you will find yourself using them quite a bit. Simply, just because someone is new doesn't mean they shouldn't be given the best methods - which usually are also the simplest and ALWAYS teach great principles for a firm FM foundation.

Nuff said ...

LaRetta

[Søren Dyhr]

Simply, just because someone is new doesn't mean they shouldn't be given the best methods

We're back again - why then... is someone throwing in help and rescue to remedy a bad choise which repeaters usually are for the new??? Just because a solution now and then is bysantine and beautifull ...doesn't it make them particular good! What we need to achieve is that every participant in a thread thinks and rethinks ...instead of being exposed to pleasing eager shopkeepers... Bruce and Vaughan are actually great in their line of participation - they have the guts to tell when things are crap!!!

But I achieved exactly what I wished to ....Ender Eyeballed

--sd

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi,

But here, the fix you've offered does completely answer the request.

With FM7, surely would have I myself stored each choice into some Solution Parameters Table, but with 6, I wouldn't have set a file for this task.

What's great with Forums is that even when asking for a fix, you'd be given ideas for future more heavy needs.

[bhag]

Laretta,

Thanks for the advice. I have found a few examples of dynamic value lists in previous posts. They are a little confusing but I am getting an idea of the direction I need to be heading. It is something that I can handle with more investigation.

Thanks,

bhag

[-Queue-]

I'll say a few things in regard to the ridiculous tangent of this thread.

Stop using my name to drag a completely unrelated issue into the conversation. Black list me if you will, but please limit it to threads that are even remotely relevant. I will not participate in an argument that was over weeks ago anwyay, so moving on with your life seems like the best option now.

I will continue to do things my way and you can continue to do them your way--business as usual. But you may want to re-examine your "tone", as you do quite often present yourself condescendingly. And I don't think conversational stats are to blame, as much as you might want to convince us otherwise.

If you persist in your attempts to provoke me and others into needlessly defending ourselves against your obscure, irrelevant, and tenuous quotes, I may have no choice but to channel the Cheshire cat or Dr. Seuss in response, so that both of us make absolutely no sense and sound like deranged children.

Or if you wish, I can simply make you the sole occupant of my ignore list and you can feel free to talk to yourself all day instead of providing helpful assistance to users who actually need it.

The choice is yours.

--The ShopKeeper