Skipping numbers in a serially numbered field

[pfrings]

Apologies if this is a silly question...

I have a job number field which is set to serially increment each time a user sets up a new record. Users cannot delete a record. But I'm getting a few missing records in the sequence (which is a major problem because my Filemaker database has to link up and correspond with another database).

I think this is happening because User A starts entering a new record, while this is happening User B enters a new record... and then occasionally User A abandons setting up a new record for whatever reason, leaving one missing number in the sequence.

Any thoughts on the best way to prevent this from happening?

[comment]

Try changing the serial number to generate on commit, rather than on creation.

Another option is to have users fill out a "scratch record" using global fields only. When ready, they can call a script that creates a new record and fills out the 'real' fields.

[pfrings]

Thanks very much, I feel I should have worked out the first option myself... with hindsight its staring me in the face when you define the field!!!