Simple Newbie Question

[schampeau]

I am an experienced database/SQL developer just getting started in FMP 7. After poking around for several hours and looking over the documentation, I cannot see how to update a set of records, like the SQL UPDATE statement. I have imported 100 records with a "quantity" field that I would like to set to "1" for every record. How would I do something like that?

Thanks,

Steve C.

[schampeau]

I am an experienced database/SQL developer just getting started in FMP 7. After poking around for several hours and looking over the documentation, I cannot see how to update a set of records, like the SQL UPDATE statement. I have imported 100 records with a "quantity" field that I would like to set to "1" for every record. How would I do something like that?

Thanks,

Steve C.

[schampeau]

I am an experienced database/SQL developer just getting started in FMP 7. After poking around for several hours and looking over the documentation, I cannot see how to update a set of records, like the SQL UPDATE statement. I have imported 100 records with a "quantity" field that I would like to set to "1" for every record. How would I do something like that?

Thanks,

Steve C.

[Ted S]

Hi Steve,

Welcome! You have my sympathy - it's tough coming into FileMaker if you have experience with other DB packages. I think it's easier if you have no experience.

To answer your question. First thing; find all the records you want to update. If its all records then RECORDS | SHOW ALL RECORDS. If not then do a find to find just the ones you want to update. Enter your "1" into the field.

Next put your cursor in the field you want to update and pull down: RECORDS | REPLACE FIELD CONTENTS.

From the it's self explanitory but be aware that there isn't a ROLLBACK like there is in Oracle for instance.

[Ted S]

Hi Steve,

Welcome! You have my sympathy - it's tough coming into FileMaker if you have experience with other DB packages. I think it's easier if you have no experience.

To answer your question. First thing; find all the records you want to update. If its all records then RECORDS | SHOW ALL RECORDS. If not then do a find to find just the ones you want to update. Enter your "1" into the field.

Next put your cursor in the field you want to update and pull down: RECORDS | REPLACE FIELD CONTENTS.

From the it's self explanitory but be aware that there isn't a ROLLBACK like there is in Oracle for instance.

[Ted S]

Hi Steve,

Welcome! You have my sympathy - it's tough coming into FileMaker if you have experience with other DB packages. I think it's easier if you have no experience.

To answer your question. First thing; find all the records you want to update. If its all records then RECORDS | SHOW ALL RECORDS. If not then do a find to find just the ones you want to update. Enter your "1" into the field.

Next put your cursor in the field you want to update and pull down: RECORDS | REPLACE FIELD CONTENTS.

From the it's self explanitory but be aware that there isn't a ROLLBACK like there is in Oracle for instance.

[schampeau]

Ted-

Thanks very much for the info. Not exactly obvious - but NOW I get it.

The documentation leaves much to be desired - are there any books you would recommend?

Thanks,

Steve C.

[schampeau]

Ted-

Thanks very much for the info. Not exactly obvious - but NOW I get it.

The documentation leaves much to be desired - are there any books you would recommend?

Thanks,

Steve C.

[schampeau]

Ted-

Thanks very much for the info. Not exactly obvious - but NOW I get it.

The documentation leaves much to be desired - are there any books you would recommend?

Thanks,

Steve C.

[Ted S]

I can't really recommend anything since its been years and years (probably since v3) since I read a book on FileMaker. Do a search on the Forum and you should find something. Also, don't be tempted to get book on v6 because its selling at a good price. Version 7 is radically different from the earlier versions so there is a lot of new and different stuff in 7.

I agree; trying to learn FileMaker by reading the help section is a bit like trying to learn english by reading the dictionary.

[Ted S]

I can't really recommend anything since its been years and years (probably since v3) since I read a book on FileMaker. Do a search on the Forum and you should find something. Also, don't be tempted to get book on v6 because its selling at a good price. Version 7 is radically different from the earlier versions so there is a lot of new and different stuff in 7.

I agree; trying to learn FileMaker by reading the help section is a bit like trying to learn english by reading the dictionary.

[Ted S]

I can't really recommend anything since its been years and years (probably since v3) since I read a book on FileMaker. Do a search on the Forum and you should find something. Also, don't be tempted to get book on v6 because its selling at a good price. Version 7 is radically different from the earlier versions so there is a lot of new and different stuff in 7.

I agree; trying to learn FileMaker by reading the help section is a bit like trying to learn english by reading the dictionary.

[melmitts707]

I am there... As a former Clipper/FoxPro user, I am working my way up. I found the QUE Using FileMaker 7 Special Edition to be very helpful. Then there is always the FileMaker Pro 7 DVDs from studioeworks.com but more expensive.

[melmitts707]

I am there... As a former Clipper/FoxPro user, I am working my way up. I found the QUE Using FileMaker 7 Special Edition to be very helpful. Then there is always the FileMaker Pro 7 DVDs from studioeworks.com but more expensive.

[melmitts707]

I am there... As a former Clipper/FoxPro user, I am working my way up. I found the QUE Using FileMaker 7 Special Edition to be very helpful. Then there is always the FileMaker Pro 7 DVDs from studioeworks.com but more expensive.