Understanding very basic relationships

[Mike A]

Absolute newby, trying to get to grips with RDBS and FMP v9.

I read that one feature of relationships is to avoid data duplication, but I'm clearly misunderstanding how this works.

I set up a very simple FMP file as a learning example, but I can't get it to work as I expecetd:

Two tables, each has an auto enter serial number field as I read this is 'best practice'.

Company:

CompanyID (auto enter serial)

CompanyName (text)

CompanyTown (text)

People:

PeopleID (auto enter serial)

FirstName (text)

LastName (text)

CompanyID.fk (number)

I defined a match key relationship on CompanyID to CompanyID.fk

On the people layout I added the CompanyName and CompanyTown fields from the Company table.

I expected that if I added 3 people records, all with exactly the same Company Name and Company Town, I would end up with 3 people records, but only 1 company record. I don't I end up with 3 company records as well.

Where am I misunderstanding?

Thanks,

Mike A.

[comment]

I suspect you have enabled the creation of new company records in the definition of the relationship - so that each time you enter a company name, a new record is created.

You shouldn't be entering anything into the related fields from Company. In fact, it would be best to make them non-enterable entirely. Instead, you should enter the CompanyID into the CompanyID.fk field. A value list based on the CompanyID field, showing also the CompanyName, would work well for this.

[Mike A]

Thanks for that - yes, you're quite correct.

I can see what you are saying, and I've just been having a play with the value lists.

Thanks,

Mike A.