Portal data isn't showing

[Scottish]

New to forum and FMP (level of database "program design" experience is beginner)

I'm developing a mailing database (primary data source) with associated summary and detail reports.

THE PROBLEM - SUMMARY REPORT

Data (linked to the primary mailing database via two portals (which I've entitled "Mailings" and "Follow Ups," respectively) is not showing up in the portal(s). The portals are set up to show related records from the primary mailing database with fields as follows:

MAILING DATE

LOOKUP field (drawing data from the primary mailing database source)

MAILING TYPE

CALCULATION fields (Counting records matching criteria of mailing types "Emails" or "Snails" (whichever the case may be).

NOTE: Also want to include additional criteria within the calculated results, which meets this scenario: count the NUMBER OF MAILINGS of a particular TYPE, on any given MAILING DATE, for any given CUSTOMER)

Thank you in advance for your input.

"SCOTTISH" (from Minnesota)

[Scottish]

Any feedback?

[Inky Phil]

Hi Scottish,

Any chance you can attach a sample file for us to have a look at to see if we might help

Phil

[Scottish]

I've attached snapshots of two files in GIF format (which appeared to be my only option. Snapshots include the RELATIONSHIPS GRAPH and FIELD DEFINITIONS for the Mailing Summary (where the portals are set up). You may also want to view the layout for one or both forms.

I've got a hunch that the problem may (possibly) be in the way I've set the forms up. Possibly because I used an existing template (an expense form) to create the Mailing Summary. I'm not exactly sure.

Let me know if it would be helpful for you to see a snapshot of the forms themselves, field definitions for other files

or any other components.

Thank you SO MUCH for replying!

Scottish

[Inky Phil]

OK Scottish

Unfortunately the gifs that you posted will not open up if I click on them so I cannot make out the detail so lets look at the basics to see if we can bottom this out.

Forgive me if I am stating the bleeding obvious but...

There is a record or records in the child file isn't there?

Assuming that there is, do the fields in the child file that you want to show in your portal have data in them and is it the data you would expect?

Assuming so, can you place any of the related fields from the child file straight onto the layout that the portal is in (but not in the portal) and does it display as you would expect?

Assuming so, check that the portal has been configured to show records from the relationship used thus far.

Then check that the fields you have placed in the portal are also fields from the same relationship (at the top of the box where you choose your fields when placing them)

Lastly check that the top left hand corner of the field does not extend outside of the confines of the portal as this is what defines 'in the portal'

I suspect that going through these steps should fix your portal (they are quite straightforward really). Let me know how you get on

Regards

Phil

ps are you really Scottish?

[Scottish]

Greetings Inky Phil and thank you for your reply.

Sorry you weren't able to open the GIFs as I believed the visuals would be helpful to you. Absent of visuals, I will attempt to supply you with the a good verbal illustration of the steps that I took to develop the database and summary report (so far):

I developed our primary data source (MAILING CAMPAIGN) from an existing template ("Email Campaign Management") in FMPs BUSINESS - PEOPLE & ASSETS component. This file is being used as our primary data (and data entry) source.

The summary report (MAILING SUMMARY) was adapted using an existing template ("Expense Report"), which I borrowed from FMPs BUSINESS - FINANCE component.

On the MAILING SUMMARY report, I want to import (via portals) summaries as follows:

1. Calculated totals of all mailings of a particular type (email, snail) and corresponding follow ups of a particular type (email, snail, phone, in person)

OR

2. Calculated totals of specific (date or company) mailings of a particular type (emails, snails) and corresponding follow ups of a particular type (emails, snails, phone, in person); and (as well) offering a detail report (of follow ups remaining).

Forgive me as well for stating (or over stating) the obvious as well.

By "child" file, do you mean the MAILING SUMMARY? Would it therefore be same to assume that the "parent" file is the corresponding MAILING CAMPAIGN (primary data source). I read something on the "parent" "child" references, but they seemed to be applicable to the Japanese language/user (?) so disregarded them.

Because it was my intention to use the portal to import data (summaries), I do not have any "new records" in this file and did not intend to produce them, except in the event that we wanted to save a particular summary.

The chances that I'm just'a blundering at this point are high. I appreciate your patience.

No, I haven't an ounce of Scottish in me (I'm German and Swede). My boss (who has connections and affection for that region) adopted a Scottish terrior on the same day I registered. You do the math : (Seemed appropriate).

Are you REALLY a loose cannon?

Scottish

[Scottish]

I'm now getting some data, but it does not agree with the data from the source file. Can I start crying NOW?!

[Inky Phil]

Hi Scottish

See private topic re above.

Phil

[Scottish]

Good afternoon Phil (observing the time difference) and thank you (again) for your reply.

Please forgive me as I lost my way out of my private reply to your private message (grrr!), so you get another "public" reply this time (still getting familiar with the features).

In response to yours...

Indeed I like the concept of portals. Thank you for clarifying their functionality (confirming that calculation fields CANNOT be placed within the portals themselves). I will adjust my report accordingly.

Calculation fields apparently CAN be placed on the report where the portal exists and CAN calculate data contained within the portals. See FMP 8's expense report configuration, the same template I adapted for my mailing summary report. I like this configuration; which I believe would, in fact, be ideal for my mailing summary; as well as other reports that I intend to develop as well. So I insist upon using it (smirk).

Thank you so much again for your reply. Will keep you posted.