Multiple images for a record

[egizzi]

Hi- I have a simple question and have been trying to find a solution to no avail.

I am making a patient database. Each patient can have any number of photographs associated with them. So I have one table with a patient name field and a unique ID field (I'll call this the ID table). And I have another table (Photo table) that is an image table with a container field and a field that relates back to the Patient ID. I have made a relationship between the two based on the ID number.

I made a layout with the ID table as the data source. I want to be able to add multiple photo records and relate them back to a particular ID. So I enter a patient ID, and then I try to enter photos into the containers. I tried doing this with portals, but every time I changed one image, all the images in the record changed to that image. I would be happy if the layout had 6 fields to enter up to 6 photos at a time.

I know this is a simple fix but I don't know what the answer is. Thanks.

-egizzi

[Vaughan]

You've got the right idea and are probably really close.

First, make sure the relationship between the patient and photograph tables is set to "allow creation of related records".

Next, make sure the portal displaying the images is set to the correct Table Occurrance (relationship). You only really need to put the container field in the portal, but make sure it's set to the same TO as the portal. It should also be set to allow entry in browse mode. Set the portal to display the scroll bar.

Once all this is done, the portal will always display a blank bottom row. Click into the container field in the blank row and paste or insert the image: no need to type the patient ID FMP will do that for you.

I find that having at least 2 rows (3 is better) in the portal makes it look more obvious that it's a "table" and that there more than one row.

"I would be happy if the layout had 6 fields to enter up to 6 photos at a time."

OK, so make the portal display 6 rows.

[egizzi]

That did the trick. I understand portals much better now.

But I am having a formatting issue. The photos overlap the rows below in the portal. Is there a way to make the portal rows grow vertically in size to accommodate the photos?

thanks again

-egizzi

[IdealData]

The portal rows are fixed in size, however you can set the graphics options on the container to resize to fit.

If you want a bigger view then go with a button on the pitcure and launch a new window with the related container in a bigger view.

[Fenton]

Be aware that choosing "Reduce" in the Format, Graphics option still loads the entire full-size picture. So it will take just as long. If you have very large pictures you'd do well to get a graphics program to create smaller ones for your portal at the correct size. It's often a conflict, speed of loading vs. convenience of entering.

[egizzi]

It appears the portal row height is not fixed in size, though you can only set it for one and the rest will be the same size. Here's from the help file:

To resize a portal row:

1. Select the portal by clicking the border of the portal, or any other area within the portal that doesn't contain a field or object.

You see selection handles at each corner of the first portal row.

2. Drag a selection handle.

The first row resizes and each additional row resizes to match the first row.

3. If necessary, resize the field objects and any other objects that appear within the portal.

I did this and it of course worked fine. Onto the next challenge.