Disappearing Categories

[Akak]

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]

[comment]

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.

[Akak]

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

[Akak]

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.

[LaRetta]

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, 2008 by Guest

[Akak]

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. :