Using two sets of records

[macman_84]

Hello, I am a complete newbie to FileMaker and I need help creating an application. I would like to create two databases.

The first one would contain a log of communications containing date/time, contact's name, company, and notes from the communication. I would like the information in a form and a table so I can sort by company, most recent, etc.

The second would be similar to an address book. It would contain a contact list. Then in the form view it would contain detailed contact information, company information, as well as a small table (on the form) that would contain a list of the most recent communications with that contact's company from the other database.

I would like to keep this as one application however since it deals with two different types of records (conversation log & contact) I don think that is possible. So that means it will need to be two different applications, which is alright but I don't have the first clue how to have them talk like that. Any help would be appreciated. If someone could even help me lay out a template that I could further edit and modify I would really appreciate it. Thank You.

Edited March 1, 2007 by Guest

[Brett W]

This is pretty simple to get started. Make the two tables, with the respective fields, and link them together with an Relationship. You could use the name of the person, but it is usually best to use ID's. The reason is that the ID's will never repeat, where name could (if two people have the same name).

Now from the contact layout, when a new record is created the contact person could simply insert the ID or FM could do this for you with an Calc under the automatic entry upon creation for that field. That record will now be available to show through a portal in the contact form, via the relationship you created.

[aldipalo]

Go here first:

http://www.foundationdbs.com/downloads.html

Read:

White Paper for FMP Novices

Database Design for FMP

Recommended reading for all new users. It will save you hours and hours of redevelopment time. IMHO

HTH

Al