OK, this may be impossible, but here goes.

I have a layout where the user selects a radio button on a graphical layout to evaluate a student. The radio buttons are quite far apart, to fit into the pretty table design (See example here if the image doesn't show below)

I originally managed to get the spacing of the radio buttons by putting a lot of spaces in the value list-- i.e., the value list looks like "1....","2.....", "3........", etc. (where the "...."s are actually spaces). Works fine, spreads the radio buttons out as needed to fit the layout.

My problem comes when I try to import data into this file. The source file has the values of "1", "2", "3", etc-- purely numeric, no spaces, so the values don't get imported into the field since there's no match.

So, is there some way to force FM to space out radio buttons w/o perverting the value list as I've done?

is there some way to force FM to space out radio buttons

Yes. Create a Custom value list called 1. Put only a 1 in it. Also create VL called 2 and 3 (with only that selected number in them). Take your radio field. Attach VL1 to one copy of the field. Attach VL2 to a second copy of the same field. Repeat with 3. Even though they are independent from each other, they affect the SAME field so they will react and display as one SET! If you don't want the numbers to show, just resize the text box so it 19 px wide or so (until the number no longer displays) but in your case, it looks like you want them.

Place them anywhere you want, Dane, you will be set free!!

LaRetta

It may take a few more minutes to create all the value lists ... I don't know how many you have but ...

Value lists take such little space and resources. They are almost non-existant in that department. And the purity of your VL numbers are preserved.

I think in this case I would prefer to let go of value lists altogether, and use a repeating field for the display. This opens up all kinds of fun possibilities.

SimRadio.fp7.zip

Egads, Holmes, er, LaRetta, that's brilliant!

Thanks, that's exactly the "outside of the box" thinking I was missing.

Tried using repeating field; didn't work w/radio buttons, should perhaps have tried it with checkboxes (& a script to allow only one box checked at a time?... nah, too much work.) :nahnah:

Repeating fields have a bad reputation. But I noticed that the Masters, ummmm, mastered them instead. I moved them to 'last on my plate to learn' mostly because of their negative reputation. With vs. 7's enhanced repeating field abilities, their power has only increased. They may not be a good option in some cases (storing data which will need to be retrived for reporting, or used in place of relational structure) but they are nonetheless a powerful tool which should be kept in our bag of tricks. This is yet another good example.

I am getting 'Unknown' font and you didn't specify the font in either calculation, Michael. Value is standard verdana. I assume this is webdings or wingdings? But it's not even in my available fonts. Specify button doesn't even specify the font when setting the value. I removed the Value in Browse (assuming you primed the field by setting it with your font first) and then retyped it. But it remains verdana. How did you do this?

Which method would I use after seeing this demo? Value list. Which method would I use after LEARNING this demo? Repeating fields. Thank you!!!

Dane, you don't use REAL radio with this repeating field technique - you make your own. FM's radios are a bit ugly (and sluggish). BTW, thanks, but I'm not clever. The value list trick was stolen/borrowed/learned from CobaltSky.

LaRetta

OK, after taking the time to look at Comment/Michaeil's example (I hadn't noticed there was an attachment at first), I'm convinced you're both brilliant. :

Many thanks for a superb example (although I too was a bit confused by the fonts...). Due to other constraints on my DB, I'll go with FM radio buttons, but it's good to learn the repeating fields technique.

The font is mostly unimportant - EXCEPT the 5 instances of the repeating field that are aligned with the 5 circles - those are in Webdings. I'm not sure the alignment holds on Windows, so perhaps the circles need nudging a pixel or two.