Concatenating Multiple Text Fields into One

[Dana G]

OK lets say for example that I have 3 text fields that all contain different strings of notes for their specific department. Now we need to combine all of those notes into one field so that all departments can see exactly the same thing in one field. To me, the simplest way to do this would be to create a new calc field that concatenates all three text fields. Then go back to each layout and replace the individual text fields with the new calc field.

I am thinking ahead and forseeing that each department will not want to go to a centralized location to add their notes. They are going to want to type directly into the calc field that is placed on their layout and will want it to then auto-update the other departments. Now I know that they can't do that unless I leave the department note field on the layout and then add the calc field below it. The problem with that is that the most current notes will not be grouped together. All of department A's notes will be together, all of dept B and so on.

So...Is there a way to combine the notes fields, still allowing each department to enter new notes but then update everyone as new ones are entered?

Wow, that's probably only going to make sense to me but I'll give it a shot.

[Lee Smith]

Maybe something like this simple down and dirty file shows.

SetTextFields.fp5.zip

[Dana G]

Yes.

'Text All' field should then combine all three and contain:

"This is Field A"

"This is Field B"

"This is Field C"

That accomplishes the first part of what I thought would be the simplest way.

I now have all of the notes in one field (Text All).

Next I would like to do away with 'FieldA', 'FieldB' & 'FieldC' and replace each with the 'Text All' field.

Each department would now have a modifiable field called 'Text All'. If Department C types in "conference call on friday" in their layout, the 'Text All' field for all three departments would update to read:

"conference call on friday"

"This is Field A"

"This is Field B"

"This is Field C"

What I don't want is for it to show up like this:

"This is Field A"

"This is Field B"

"This is Field C" "conference call on friday"

[Lee Smith]

So, are you saying that Text All contains data not in the other fields to begin with?

If so, change the calculation in the first script to this:

Text All & "

[Dana G]

No the way you had it was right. I need to do that first to be able to get all of the data together and have a place to start from. I missed that there was a script.

So after I run the first script and get all of the data together, I can delete the fields that originally contained that data. Wow that seemed like it should have been much harder than that.

Thanks for your help! You all are great. I am so happy to have a forum like this!

SetTextFields.zip

[Lee Smith]

I've been thinking about this some, and decide that if it were me, I world do it differently. Why, because this way would compound the data in Text All.

See attached.

What I changed was:

1). Created a relationship based on a constant of 1, and you would place the Text All using the Relationship back on the users Files.

2). I deleted the second one, it isn't needed now.

3). The script now test for data in the Field A, B, and C, so that it there isn't any data, it excludes the blank field when updating the filed Text All

HTH

Lee

SetTextFields.fp52.zip

[Lee Smith]

Sorry, I was off changing the file when this posted.

Compare what you said to what I posted, if there are any questions left, let me know.

Lee

[Dana G]

Seems to work well. Thanks again for the help, I appreciate it!