Value list from a field in another table-how?

[Frank E]

I am constructing a file that includes several tables, including these: 1) an Events table, and 2) a Client table. The purpose of the database is to construct a life-history database which is made up of events (records from the Events table) in a client's life, arranged chronologically. The file will contain data for several clients, but I will only be working with data from one client at a time.

I want to tag the individual records in the Events table (each record is one event in a person

[aaa]

Condition Value List by using relation.

Attach here part of your files we will try to help you if you want.

[SlimJim]

First of all the Theme_list field related to the Client must be of the correct format - descriptions with each description on a new line. You can then make the value list in the Theme table = values of Theme_list from related table Client, Show only related records.

{edit} sorry just noticed that you are using FMP5 I do not know if this works in version 5 as I have no experience with it.

[Frank E]

SlimJim,

I

[Frank E]

Thank you for your help; I have tried to follow SlimJim's suggestions. I had defined the Theme field in the Events table as a calculation field, which was not working. I have now defined the Theme field as a text field with 4 repetitions, using a value list defined from the Theme_list field from the Clients table using related values only. Seems to be working now.

I'm sure I will have more questions as I continue working on this project, and I will post them. Thanks again for the support.

One question: Would it be a better or more elegant solution to use a portal instead of a value list? I have never used a portal, but I would like to know how.

Thanks,

Frank

P.S. In case my signature shows up incorrectly, I am using FM Pro version 7, not 5.

[SlimJim]

Glad to see that it is working. I am not sure why you have defined your Theme field to have 4 repetitions. When you choose a theme for an event for a given client will you in fact be choosing more than one theme? and if that is the case can you be sure that 4 will always be enough? If the number of different themes for a client is relatively small it might be easier to format the theme field as a checkbox with the value list as defined and then just check all the themes which apply to the event.

[Frank E]

SlimJim

[SlimJim]

From a pop-up menu you can choose multiple options by {shift}-clicking. This has the same effect as multiple checks in checkboxes, and will produce the themes as a list separated by carriage returms. The advantage over the repeating field method is that you do not need to make advance decisions which will limit the number of choices.

[comment]

See the attached for a different approach.

lifeThemes.fp7.zip