I have two files that need help on relationships. I have one file with things like member name, member number, etc.

The second file has today's information. I need to look up the data from the first file by either member name or member number. I have successfully created relationships by using either the member name with a lookup (pull down) or a member number with a lookup.

If I base the relationship on the number then I can't lookup by name. When I try to put a name in the field, Filemaker comes back and asks for the name first. I would like to have a pull down lookup by either name or number. I have tried to find a book on multi relationships in Filemaker, but the local bookstore has no information on this topic.

Any ideas?

RAD DAD

In my experience, FileMaker is pretty irritable when trying to put two portals using different relationships on the same layout.

Quick solution to your problem, have one layout that will use a relationship with File A and B by member name, and another using member number.

If you want a relationship that uses both, then create a calculation field (member name & " " & member number) in both files and use this as the relationship.

Hope this helps

This sounds like an architectural issue.

Without seeing the files, it's somewhat difficult to diagnose this. But I would say that you shouldn't be using the name as the primary key. Use a guaranteed unique member number. You can then construct a double column value list with the number on the left and the name or the reverse of the name on the right. Sort by the name, and when you click on it, it will enter the ID number.

I still don't understnad what you're trying to do here. However, there is no problem with multipl portals to the same or to different files on the same layout that I am aware of.

HTH

Old Advance Man

Sorry, but not the right answer.

Relate the two files by Member Number. Create a value list for your Member number field using the fields from another file selections. This allows you to show both Member Number and Member Name, sorted by Member Name, and have the only the number entered into the field when you release the drop down menu.

1) File Menu --> "Define Value Lists..." -->"Use values from field:" --> select your first file --> select you member Id field, check "also display values from", select your member name field, check to sort on second field.

2) On your layout, go to layout mode, select the member ID field. Select the Format Menu --> "Field Format..." --> check and select Popup List and select the value list you defined in 1).

-bd