Calculation field as Value List

[Ninjason]

I have a DB in which I have a drop down list displaying a primary key field from a related table. Although the primary key uniquely identifies the record, it is just a serial number and not very user friendly. So I created a calculation field that combines the vaules from a few different text fields to help describe the record better. I then attempted to "display values from second field" using the calculation field, but FileMaker gives me this message:

"This value list will not work because this field cannot be indexed..."

Does anybody know a work-around for this? I want to display the result of the calculation field in the value list.

[jteich]

You can't use related fields in such a calculation. Use lookup fields instead.

-jens

[Ninjason]

I created a lookup. The message no longer shows, but now my drop-down list will not drop down anymore. It just enters the field as if it is a regular data entry field.

[jteich]

Is the lookup field filled with data? It doesn't get it's data automaticly as a related field does!

-jens

[Ninjason]

If it says "Indexed" next to the name, that means there's data in it right? I know there is data in the field it is looking up.

Edited October 25, 2006 by Guest

[jteich]

Can you post your db here oder a sample db explaining the construction?

-jens

[Ninjason]

Okay, I've attached a simplified version of the file I'm working on. I appologize for taking this long to respond, but I was trying to get some other things done on the file.

The value list called "Fathers" contains the primary key from the table of the same name. However, I also want it to display values from the "name_full" field which is a calculation that combines the "name_first" and "name_last" fields. I've placed the value list on the portal in the "MOTHER" table which looks through the relationship with the "CHILD" table at the "FATHER" table.

As you can see the portal is not very functional because the portal records are not independent. If you change the second one, the first one changes as well. Also, I cannot clik into the third portal row.

See if you can make sense of it. Thanks for taking the time to look it over!

simple.fp7.zip

[Ninjason]

I think I've figured out my problem. The calculation field in the database I'm working with (not the one I've posted) references a related table. These calcuation results cannot be stored because of this.