Relationships and Serial ID's

[tyler_tdf]

Please excuse any brain dead questions...I'm a newbie.

Right now I have two tables, a Client table, each client being assigned an auto enter serial number. I also have a Job table, each job being assigned an auto enter serial number. The tables are related, and each new client entered is added to a value list. The relationship works fine with new records, the same serial number being identified with the correct client, in both tables.

I then import my entire client list, from a tab deliminated text file, into my client table. The imported clients are added to the value list, which is displayed in a pop up list. However when I choose to enter the client name manually, rather than scrolling through a list of 300 + clients, filemaker assigns a new ClientID serial rather than automatically entering the ID serial from the value list.

How do I keep the same ID numbers for the corresponding client? Do I need to specify a lookup, or calculation? If so what would that be.

Eventually there will be tables for clients, a job log and each phase of production for my company. I need to establish a relationship that will identify and maintain the same ID serial for each client and individual job throughout the database.

Thanks for the help!

[Walter B]

First, it sound like your client import process may have a problem. Are you importing a master client list each time you are importing clients? If so, you may be duplicating client records. Then if you are running the perform function on imports, each of your duplication client records is getting a unique serial number.

Now I'm assuming your relationship between Clients and Jobs is the client id, so in the job table you'll need a foreign key field that will allow you to association a job to a client. Such as client:kp_clientid = jobs:kf_clientid

This foreign key field is connected to a value list of client ids from the clients table. To make the lookup easier, in value list use the display second field using the client name. Now, when you create a new job, your select the right client, and you have the relationship.

Hope this help.