Fun with repeating fields!

[jhomer]

I hope this is the proper place for this post. I have an old solution that includes some repeating fields (i know i know its on my list for redesign but for now i need a work around), I need to allow my users the ability to at least "insert" a blank repetition. The user would define where this blank would be inserted. and in a perfect world the users would be able to rearrange the data within a repeating field.

I know im asking for a lot but this is a BIG file (and heavily used) and it would take a long time to really fix it right. If i can provide this functionality it would be a huge benefit to the users.

If anyone has dabbled with this sort of problem please share your course of action. I have a few ideas but i wanted to get some others input.

Thanks in advance!

[Søren Dyhr]

i know i know its on my list for redesign but for now i need a work around)

As long as you're aware how bad it is.... take a look at script snip above, which utilize $variables since you've allowed us!

--sd

[bruceR]

Why waste your time?

You can fix the repeater problem in five minutes by importing into a new table with the split repeat option on. What makes you think this would be so hard to do?

[Søren Dyhr]

Bruce when we are at it, remember what the original question said:

I need to allow my users the ability to at least "insert" a blank repetition

...this will require a sortorder field, which should be altered by looping thru the found set in the related table, giving the new positions and then create a new record where it recieves a position as well.

The methodology could follow the approach shown with the repeaters above, but what a mess if two users tries concurrently to make this reshuffle, and further what if each user have his own prefered positions and wish those to be kept till next session.

You must be right person to recieve feedback from on such and endevour ...and your suggestions are indeed welcome in this thread:

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/183930/post/237336/hl//

--sd

[jhomer]

the field contains steps to building prototype products. being prototypes, there can be some variations on the build process each time an order goes to the floor. That being said the order wont change drastically but a step may need to be added or deleted. this isnt the easiest thing to do with a repeating field.

Yes i know that simply exploding the field into a table wont take long, but its the work to get the whole file working as is again that would take the time and business just wont allow for it at this time.... once we slow down a bit though its a project that needs done...

all of this being said i like the idea of adding another table to the solution and just using that table to break apart and reconstruct the repeater. perhaps i could have the user identify at which step (repetition) they would like to insert.

thanks for the advice, id like to hear more ideas though if there are any more out there

[Søren Dyhr]

id like to hear more ideas though if there are any more out there

Well I'm the same as previously in the thread, but thought that you might benefit from the scrutinization of this template?

It will then only take a few minutes to implement, the donkey work have I done on your behalf relieving you for at least half an hour of your employers apparently expensive time!

--sd

example.zip