How to add a value via “Other” in pop-up menu

August 21, 200718 yr

I have a data entry layout in a Student table which requires the user to select a language in each of 19 different language fields (pop-up menus). 8 fields come from the Student table, 8 fields come from the Parent table, and 3 fields come from the School table. I’d like each Language field pop-up to offer a list of common values (e.g., Spanish, English, French…Other) that will grow when “Other” is selected and new language choices are added. This way, data entry would be a simple process of selecting choices from pop-ups with an occasional new value/language added to the list (via “Other”). I have a Language table with one text field (languageName). The Language table is related to Student, Parent, and School tables. The cumulative list of languages works great and is displayed nicely via three value lists when I add new languages directly to the languageName field in the Language table, but I’d like users to be able to add new languages via “Other” in the pop-up menus. I’ve checked the “Allow creation of records…” in the relationship dialog. I'm missing something.

I’ve read several resources and consulted FMP Help about value lists from a field, and have tried (many times) unsuccessfully to get the 19 fields to cooperate to the point where new languages can be added via “Other” in the pop-up menu. Hope I didn’t make this sound to confusing. Let me know if I need to provide more info/details.

I hope you can help… Thank you! lpm

FMP8 Adv on Win XP

August 22, 200718 yr

I have a data entry layout in a Student table which requires the user to select a language in each of 19 different language fields (pop-up menus).

This doesn't sound like the best structure. Can you share with us why a Student would have 19 different language fields associated with him? It suggests Language types (primary, secondary, for example). Also, you probably should add a key field to the Language table, such that Language ID is what you use in your relationships.

But, to answer your question, when using a popup menu, you cannot use Other. Your choice is to switch to a drop down list or take the user to the languages table directly and let him add a new record (this may be a restricted layout by privilege set).