Creating multiple fields

[markjoy]

I am trying to create an estimate form that includes multiple fields that will have the same field name, but different values within the same layout. Is there an easy way to do it, or will I have to create a separate field for each section with a unique name for each field?

[Lee Smith]

I am trying to create an estimate form that includes multiple fields that will have the same field name, but different values within the same layout.

huh?

[mr_vodka]

Perhaps your mean different field labels? or a repeting field?

[Fenton]

Or the same field, but different Value Lists? (like you might for checkboxes). Yes, you could do that, though it's kind of a strange concept. But you'd best remember that no one of them could show all values, which would matter if you were doing a Find. The field without a value list attached (or with one that had all values) would be needed if the field was only on a layout once.

[comment]

Or perhaps a separate RELATED record for each section, shown in a portal (as long as we're guessing).

[markjoy]

Sorry, I guess I wasn't too clear! What I want is different SECTIONS within the body that have the same information. For example, I want a main title that says "LIVING ROOM" and have subtitles below it that say: ROOM LENGTH, ROOM WIDTH, DESCRIPTION, GALLONS USED, PRICE PER HOUR, TOTAL and have about 6-8 fields below each title so I can fill in information. Then, I want to have another section with a title of DINING ROOM with the same fields below it as the first title. The problem is, if I do not rename the fields, it duplicates the info. Since I will have at least 5 sections (as mentioned above) in each layout, is there a easier way (like a cut and paste???) of defining the fields (maybe defining an entire section??) instead of having to go through each section and giving each field a unique name? I know I can make repeating fields. I have tried that it does quite accomplish what I want to do.

[Fenton]

First, what version of FileMaker are you using; still using 4?? If not, please update your info, under My Profile (top left of this page), FileMaker Questions...

The relational way to do what you want is to create another file (table if FileMaker 7+). It would be a "Rooms" file/table. It would have a field "RoomType", which would have values like: "Living Room", or "Dining Room", etc..

Then, in your main file/table you'd create "constant" calculation fields, like so:

_cLivingRoom_txt = "Living Room"

_cDiningRoom_txt = "Dining Room"

These would be either stored or unstored (likely) calculation fields, with result of type Text.

[P.S. I don't know that you really need the word "Room" here; depends on what you use it for later; possibly useful on reports. What matters is that the values must be the same in each table. In fact, they would be used to create records.]

Then create relationships to your Rooms file/table for each of them. These relationships can then be used for portals to the other file/table, each one of which would only show records for that type. The relationship would have the unique ID of the main table (Property?), AND the above RoomType. You would [x] Allow creation of related records on the Rooms side.

[i won't go into setting up the relationship for FileMaker 4, unless you need to, as it would be a clunky concatenated field.]

They would all share the same fields (more or less) in the Rooms file/table. Though each portal could show some fields that would only be relevant for that type of room; kitchens & bathrooms for example.

Edited June 22, 2008 by Guest

[comment]

I don't know, it seems to me this could be a lot simpler: two tables (files in version 4), one for Houses (or is it Jobs? The 'Gallons' field suggests this may be a solution for paint jobs), one for Rooms, linked by HouseID.

Place a portal to Rooms on a layout of Houses, and you're practically done.

[Fenton]

Yeah, that's what I meant, 2 files/tables. The multiple calculation fields and their relationship would just be used to simulate a "section" for each of the different types of rooms, so each would appear separately, with their own record. Each "House-section" relationship would be 1-to-1.

[comment]

Well, it's up to markjoy to clarify, but the way I understood it is that a 'section' is a room. So it would be a simple one-to-many relationship: one house has many rooms.

[markjoy]

Yes, each section is a different room. Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I will see what I accomplish from your feedback! Thanks again.