Relating variable Child records to a Parent Record

[bells_theorem]

I noticed that, when in Table view, Filemaker designates each row a separate record. Is it possible to set this up so that each row is a "child" record (each belonging to a specific parent record?)

Example:

A (parent)

>>>1 (child)

>>>2

>>>3

B

>>>1

>>>2

>>>3

>>>4

The tricky part is that the user also needs the ability to choose a varying # of child records per parent record. For example, for Parent record "A", the user has 3 child records, for "B", 4 child records, "C" 6 records...and so on. I would also like to give the user the ability to "collapse" or "expand" which child records are visible (in table view), so that the table, which will become very lengthy over time, can be minimized when necessary. There will also be a separate layout, related by the Parent record, that summarizes all of the child record information.

Any help appreciated.

[Lee Smith]

Hi bells_theorem,

I think you are looking for a Portal.

Read up on Relationships, and Portals

HTH

Lee

[bells_theorem]

Hello Lee.

I am currently trying to use a portal. The trouble with a portal is I need to have both an "Average" and "Standard Deviation" calculation field that is using only the values from the portal (not the main table the portal is extracting the data from). I have not been able to find out how to do this with a portal. Is there a way? I've tried using summary fields and, as far as I know, these fields cannot work on portals (?)