Multiple portals in sub-summary parts?

[halgreene]

I know this must be a kinda noob question, but I've searched the knowledge base and can't come up with a solution (which I'm sure is obvious.)

I have a DB with three related tables: (1) Parts Bin, (2) Parts Container, (3) Parts. They are all connected by the same key, "Part Type."

I want to print a report showing the contents of the bins. Each bin may contain several containers which themselves may contain several parts. The report should be simple-looking as follows:

Bin 1

Part Container 1

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part Container 2

Part 5

Part 6

Bin 2

Part Container 3

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part Container 4

Part 10

Part 11

Etc.

I can't for the life of me figure out how to combine (two portals?) (in sub-summary parts?) to achieve this. I can put ONE portal in the sub-summary part, say, a portal which displays records from "Parts Container," and then when I sort on Bin Number it works fine ("Bin" is in the body and "Part Container" is in the "sub-summary when sorted by "Bin Number.") So "Part Container" is correctly grouped under its respective Bin. The report looks like this:

Bin 1

Part Container 1

Part Container 2

Bin 2

Part Container 3

Part Container 4

But I can't figure out how to get the second level of detail to show under "Part Container."

When I add a second portal for "Parts," in a second subsummary part (sub-summary when sorted by Container Number) and then sort first by Bin Number and then by Container Number I get this:

Bin 1

Part Container 1

Part Container 2

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Bin 2

Part Container 3

Part Container 4

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

If I put the "Parts" portal in the same sub-summary part as "Part Container" it doesn't work either. I feel like I need to "nest portals?" In other words, the report should break on Bin Number (that works fine) and then again (repeatedly) on Container Number.

I'm sure the solution is simple but I'm just missing it.

Any help?

Thanks,

Hal

Edited June 22, 2008 by Guest

[CobaltSky]

Hi Hal,

Welcome to the forums!

You don't actually need to use portals at all to accomplish what you've described - and in fact, it would be easier if you don't.

I suggest you create a report based on the Parts table, with *two* leading sub-summary parts, the first based on the Bin and the second based on the Container.

When you sort your Parts records by Bin then Container then Part (and preview or print the report) you will get data groupings along the lines of what you've said you need. :wink2:

[halgreene]

Thanks. That worked great. I thought you HAD to use a portal to show "related" records but...obviously you do not.

I heart FM.

Hal