Reports with data from numerous tables

[keckfmp]

This is probably a very simple question, but I'm still trying to convert from a FM4 way of thinking to FM8. I have a "sample" table where records are entered as samples are submitted. I also have several "service" tables, each representing a different "service". Any combination and number of services may be performed on a particular sample. I need to generate reports for invoices and packing lists as follows:

Sample (from Sample table)

   Service 1

      Record 1 (from Service 1 table based on sample)

      Record 2 (from Service 1 table based on sample)

      Record 3 (from Service 1 table based on sample)

   Service 2

      Record 1 (from Service 2 table based on sample)

      Record 2 (from Service 2 table based on sample)

      Record 3 (from Service 2 table based on sample)

   Service 3

      Record 1 (from Service 3 table based on sample)

      Record 2 (from Service 3 table based on sample)

      Record 3 (from Service 3 table based on sample)

etc.

 

Again, probably a total newbie type question, but I can't get out of this brain freeze. Any thoughts?

[Razumovsky]

It would be helpful to know why there are several different service tables in the first place?

-Raz

[keckfmp]

Thanks for your reply. Each service is fundamentally very different so it was just easier to set it up this way. In actuality, I should have referred to each "service" as a "technology" or "discipline" with each consisting of multiple "services".

[Razumovsky]

Can you provide some sample data? I would think that all technologies should be in one table related to their services in a second.

Shovels and cement are fundamentally very different, but still both products at a hardware store.

[keckfmp]

I think my solution here is going to be to script a bunch of finds and import records temporarily into a "merge" table to just use for reporting. After each report is printed, the "merge" table's records will be deleted. Kind of a clunky solution, but I think it will work. Does anyone have a better suggestion, or see serious flaws in this approach?

[Søren Dyhr]

The only thing I came to think of, is to be aware of this:

http://network.datatude.net/viewtopic.php?t=128

--sd

[comment]

Does anyone have a better suggestion

I think Raz has already made it.