I have two files, the parent has a running record list of all the transactions of people checking in and out items(could have mutltiples in and outs). The child is a list/records of each individual item in the inventory and lists the item and other basic info. I need a script that automates the status of an item based on a find through the parent transactions file. I have have gotten as far as isempty and some basic if statements. Having difficulty with automating the find and then sending the results to my child file with a portal, maybe? Any thoughts?

From your post above I can't work out what it is you want to achieve. However the general prcess for writing scripts always begins with performing the process manually issuing the commands yourself. This in turn requires you to work out what commands you need to issue... and until you know that, you cannot make a script to automate the process.

I think I got it figured out with a portal and a limiting relationship quary between my two tables/files. Just go my new 7 book! and am reading it cover to cover!

thanks for the reply!