Preventing creation of records...

[Northpak]

Is there any way you can prevent a record to be created/added unless there's a specific field that is entered? If not, is there any way to prevent a field from being entered unless a certain field is entered in first?

We have a QUOTE database for our sales people, and we are trying to limit the number of quotes that are being sent out, unless the sales person enters a delivery date for our product. We're seeing way too many quotes being generated, and we are not sure those quotes are valid. We'd like to add a "required date field" to be entered in first, before any of the customer information is entered beyond that.

Thanks for any help in advance!

[corn]

There are two options you can take here.

First, you can use Validation to prevent the "saving" of the record until a delivery date is entered. This doesn't prevent them from entering the data, just from saving the record. Validation options are set in the field Options in Define Database.

The other option is to script the record creation process. You might have two layouts, one with basic and required information (like the delivery date) and a second layout with the rest of the customer information. They would need to press a button labeled "Next" which is attached to a script. That script checks to see if the date is empty and if not proceeds to the next layout.

That's the technical solution, but you don't have a technical problem per se. You either have an HR problem you're unwilling to address or your system is missing key functionality for your sales people (an area for entering non-firm quotes). I'd suggest talking to your sales people to figure out what questions you should be asking.

[LaRetta]

One could also simply ask for a delivery date in Custom Dialog. If empty or date invalid, no new record. In this way, you won't have to deal with multiple layouts or field validation or a record created that you may end up having to delete.

LaRetta :wink2:

Edited July 31, 2008 by Guest