Layout on top of layout

[usat]

I hope I can make this make sense...

I want to track all the different expenses related to the improvement of a product. Specifically I want to track all of the repairs done on a product among the many other types of expenses.

I have one layout with the product info and calculations. I want to put another layout on top of that with just the entry for a single repair. I would like to be able to have several records of repairs linked to only one record for the product.

Also, I would like all the repairs on the repair layout that are related only to this product add up and form a total calculation on the product layout.

Any help would be great. Let me know if I'm not clear. Thanks

[jamesducker]

It sounds like you need two tables: one for products, one for repairs.

Each product in the products table should have a unique identifier (preferably a field with an 'auto-enter serial').

Each repair in the repairs table should have a 'product reference' field which contains the unique identifier of the product it relates to.

Then you must create a relationship between the two, matching the unique identifier field in the products table with the 'product reference' field in the repairs table.

Once you've established that relationship you will be able to add to the PRODUCTS layout a portal (list) of the repairs that relate to the product being shown. The fields in the portal could include the nature of the repair and the cost involved. You would probably then wish to add a calculation field, such as sum(repairs::cost), below the portal.

That's an outline of what you need to do - the FileMaker online help describes pretty well how to do them, or you could ask more questions here.