insert recs via Portal in layout

[MarcZ]

Part of my crude "beginner" status: record inserted to portal apparently locks so I'm unable to see record in lookup field

Want to be able to push button on layout form enabling moving to another layout with common buttons left side, single hidden record that enables display of portal of many records (made table with single field, value "A", linked same fieldname in data table so all records contain field with value of "A"--link enabling portal), then be able to return to initial layout where data entry performed.

Problem I seem to be having now is that after inserting data into previously empty record (within lookup layout), inserted record seems to be locked--newly added record does not appear within pop-up menu link.

Would actually like to be able to add several such button "shortcuts" enabling view/edit of particular lookup lists.

Is there another method that'd be better for displaying in a layout a table-view appearance with slider that portal can supply?

Thanks for your thoughts!