I've had this same problem with several databases and I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong or if I've stumbled onto a bug in FMP. I'll use my simplest DB to illustrate the problem. I know that the explanation that follows is long, but please, I'm not good at simplifying and I really do need help here.

I have a simple DB I use to keep track of my To Do lists and projects. I have separate tables for Projects and ToDos. I have a portal in Projects that I use to actually create my To Dos. While I need to determine what my To Dos are in terms of projects, I determine when to actually perform the task by a category I call "List" (at home, at office, on phone, etc...). I created a layout using the layout creator function to categorize my To Dos by this "List" field. So as an example I may end up with a list that looks like this:

HOME

Clean out closet

PHONE

Call Joe RE: fixing my database.

Call Jack RE: birthday party

I think you get the idea. "List" also includes the value ON SHELF. I have a script (included below) that omits any record that has O/S in the List field. I do this so as not to have a list that is too long to be useful. When I run the script, however, I lose all the categories in my List Layout. So I may end up with a list that looks like this:

Clean out closet

Call Joe RE: fixing database

Call Jack RE: birthday party

Can anyone tell me why I lost my categories and how to get them back in my layout? If you want to see the script I'm using:

Go to Layout ["ToDo" (ToDo)]

Show All Records

Perform Find [Restore]

Go to Layout ["ToDo List" (ToDo)]

Enter Preview Mode [Pause]

Go to Layout ["ToDo" (ToDo)]

Enter Browse Mode []

Show All Records

Go to Layout [original layout]

I am only guessing here, but you need to sort by category in order to see a sub-summary by Category part in Preview mode. I don't see a Sort Records step in your script.

Thanks for the quick reply...let me try that and see if it works.

IT WORKS!!! Thanks, I've been having this problem with several DBs as I've said. Now I know that I need to sort first.

Hi Akak,

I can also suggest:

1) You don't need to evoke a "Show All Records" right before performing a Find because Finds ALWAYS search all records (unless you are constraining) and 2) You probably don't need to Go To Layout [ "ToDo" ] to perform your find before going to the list view (ToDo List) of the same table to display it. Both layouts are based upon the same table. A find doesn't need to have the field present on a layout to perform a find in them.

So that same script could probably be shortened to:

Go to Layout [ "ToDo List" (ToDo) ]

Perform Find [ Restore ]

... add your sort here

Enter Preview Mode [ pause ]

... etc

A few less steps and layout switches.

Update: Also, after performing a find, you will automatically be in Browse mode so it wouldn't be necessary to evoke it again.

LaRetta

Edited February 29, 200817 yr by Guest

Thanks for the tips. It didn't occur to me until after I had already done it that I didn't need to switch layouts that often, but since it worked I figured I wouldn't mess with it.

As for the other things with Find functions and Browse modes...I'll have to keep those in mind. Thanks again. :