unable to edit fields in a database

[diadian]

Hello all,

I have inherited a filemaker 5.0 application. It is currently hosted on a Mac OS 8.6. Its running on FileMaker Server 5.

Now that I have secured the main password, I'm trying to make a change to the application. Basically, I'm trying to add a new employee's name to a pull down list.

I've opened up the form in layout mode and I noticed that the values in the pull down menu are not just a list of values typed in with commas between them (I was hoping for that!).

Instead, the values come from the records in another database/file. So I opened that other file, looked at the fields using "define fields" and saw that all the fields in this database are nothing more then fields with indexing, (one field has a 'unique' flag) but no field has a lookup or any kind of link to another field, table, database or file.

So the rational & logical side of me figured this would be easy, I would just insert a new record, fill in all the appropriate fields and I'd be done...

Except that I cannot edit the fields after I create a blank record. Actually I can edit one field (the email address) but nothing else.

Since the two fields that the pull-down (or pop-up) list displays are blank, the pull-down does not reflect that the new employee's record has been entered.

So my question for everyone here is, how do I go about allowing editing of these values again? I've already checked if I'm using the master password and I checked if the master user has permission to edit the fields. That seems correct.

Its possible that the former IT manager (a pagemaker guy) put something into the db to purposely prevent new records from being created. Can someone please give me a hit of where to look?

Oh and I noticed a script in scriptmaker called NoMore but I didn't quite understand what it does.

Any help, tips or pointers to older posts would be appreciated. (yes I did search already)

Thanks,

Victor.

[John Mark Osborne]

Sounds like the fields are set to not allow entry. In FileMaker and earlier, you'll find the option by clicking on a field in layout mode and choosing Field Format from the Format menu. In the resulting dialog, you will see the option to allow entry into a field. I think you'll find it is unchecked. Check it to allow entry into the selected field.

[diadian]

John,

You were right! Thank you so much for your help. I looked and I looked for a setting like this but I couldn't find it.

If you are ever in Brooklyn or Manhattan, email me. I'll happily take you out for a beer.

Victor

[email protected]