Dropdown list to filter related records in the brows mode

[ayman]

Hi all

I am new to FM. when I was using MS access it was easy to create drop down lists to filter related records only. you can do that using find mode and after you make your choice you press find.

I was looking for a way that helps me to do this as soon i change the content of the drop list without the need to enter the find mode.

I appreciate your help.

[Fenton]

I deleted your other post, because it was basically a duplicate of this one, with less information. I also moved this remaining post, because it was in the Sample Files forum, which is one place where we just cannot allow posts about other things. So now everything is fine.

Your post seems to combine a few things so that it's hard to answer. You say "filter related records," but also seem to be talking about a value list. A value list is not really related records, in that its values only appear in, well, a value list; whereas related records can be the records in a portal, or you can go to them and view them on a layout, etc.. So, there's similarities, but they're not the same thing. I know this is a confusing explanation; just as your question is confusing to me.

You mention drop down "lists," ie., plural. So do you want the first value list choice to filter the 2nd value list, etc.. That's what is called a "conditional" or "relational" value list (I prefer the term "relational" as it's more "structural", but that's just me).

There are a lot of posts about the above, as it is a common question. But to really give you what want, it's best if you try and build a simple example file with the basics of what you want, and a more itemized explanation. Then we have something to work with.

And welcome to FMforums :-]

[ayman]

Hi

Thx for your reply. the situation is; i have 2 tables. the first table is "Patient Details" this table has fields like "Name""Date of Birth" "Address"

the second Table is called "Visits" this includes fields like "Name of the patient""date of the visit" "Medical History" "diagnosis".

Every patient can have more than one visit in the second table. so, I want to create a drpdown list from the names of the patients of the first table but when I chose a patient name the second table shows only the visits of this specific patient I chosen.

I hope this explained what I wanted to do.

[Fenton]

Why are you choosing a name of the patient when you are in the Patients table? It is easier to just Find the patient. Then go to (or be on) a Form view of that Patient. You could view all their Visits in a portal, sorted descending by date. That's how I'd do it. It does not seem like a job for drop-downs, which can awkward and slow, especially in networked environments.

[ayman]

Portals are not the answer for me because they only show the field in a table which is not suitable for my database project. I would like every record of the visits table is shown separately in the brows mode. This will allow me freedom in arranging the fields of each record (visit) (e.g. in a tab controller) and be less confusing than if all the visits of this patient are listed on top of each other in a portal.

Edited June 7, 2008 by Guest

[Fenton]

It is difficult to advise what you need without seeing something of it. There are so many different ways to organize information, several of which may be good for a particular situation, none of which is good for every situation. It is also possible that when you say something will not work for you, you are making assumptions which are not so. I would have to see an attempt.

[ayman]

Basically, lets assume it is a simple db with one table and one layout (form). in this table there are more than one record for each patient. what I want is a dropdown list with the names of the patients in it. when i chose a name of a patient the form automatically shows only the records related to this patient.

i know u can do that by entering the find mode and then chose your patient's name and then press find button. but i want all of these steps occure as soon as the choice of the dropdown list changes.

Thx

[Fenton]

You would need to use a global field for the patient choice. Then you would need to use a "script trigger" plug-in in order for it to immediately run when you made a choice, and exited the field.

http://homepage.mac.com/jkornhaus/filemaker/plugins.html