How to type ahead regularly used information?

[FreedomFighter]

Hello,

Newbie question....Filemaker 5.5....

I have a database for creating a delivery memo. A basic field at the top of the memo is a "Vendor" field. Since I use a fairly regular set of vendors, I was wondering how I would set up that field in a manner that would let me use a "type-ahead" style feature.

In other words, I want to be able to type the first few letters of the vendor name and for the rest of the information to pop into that field, so I don't have to type the complete vendor info into that field each time I enter it.

When the page prints, I don't want any extraneous fields to print as well...just the field with the vendor name and whatever else I need on there that's relevant.

Any help please?

Many thanks!!!

[bbaliner]

I don't know if "Type Ahead" feature is available in File Maker 5.5, but you could set up a simple pop-up menu (drop-down list) on the field.

Just go to File->Value Lists to create the pop-up menu with the options you want.

Then in the layout format the field as a pop-up list, and you're there.

[FreedomFighter]

Can you also set up a relationship with another database that would do the same thing?

[bbaliner]

Again, I am not sure as to what you mean. You could set up a relationship, and then get a value list from this related file. This is one of the options in File->Define Value Lists menu. Then you'll be using the pop-up menu from your related file.

[jrp]

My favorite solution is to use FM's indexing feature and set the field as a pop-up list, using the value list of that field's index. So, every time you type an entry into the field, that entry is available in a list for the next time you create a record. If you begin to type in the field, it will automagically drop down to an already - entered item. Here's how:

In layout mode, select the field, select Field Format from the Format menu, set it to Pop-up list, using value list - define value list - create a new value list, then select use values from field "your field name" and OK, Done, OK.