Hello,

Can anyone help with this problem please?

I have a basic database which is numbered by unique record Id's.

I would like filemaker to auto enter (lookup) all data to be entered into a particular layout (about 15 fields) but only when I enter the unique Id into a particular field.. the rest by the time it would be entered manually.. If anyone can advise what is the best way to approach this I would be most grateful..

You can auto-enter data by several methods. As you probably realise there is the standard LOOKUP method, but you can also used a CALCULATED method - this is what you will need as the LOOKUP method won't allow you to make a condition.

Your calculation should be based on the CASE function:

Case (

not ( IsEmpty ( enteredfield ); relatedfield );

"")

The CASE function evaluates in the order of the conditions, hence testing the "enteredfield" first, otherwise the default value is null.

You will need a self joined relationship to get the "relatedfield"

I think that you wanted to write the calc so:

Case (

not IsEmpty ( particularField ); relatedField ;

thisField

)

Hi Guys,

Thank you for your Help with this, I really do appreciate it!

But I still can't figure it out..(please see my status is beginner as Idiot wasn't an option)

I want to be able to lookup and enter the data for the entire layout (all 12 Fields) but ONLY when I enter the unique Record ID number into a SINGLE lookup field...

The Looked up data is in the same layout in the same same database, It's purpose is to avoid having having to enter data that exists in prior record having to be re-entered...thanks again for looking into my problem.

Edited September 15, 200817 yr by Guest

the 12 fields would have lookups on it. The single field where you put in your record ID would be joined to whatever other related table you are grabbing the information from.

If its in the same table then you can either use a self join relationship and perhaps getNthRecord, or if you want the data from the last record you were on, you can use the auto-enter option of 'value from last visited record'

I think that the best way to go on and solve your problem is to ask to you :

1) wich data is contained into those 12 field

2) wich data is contained into the remaining 3 fields.

( I think you'll need at least two tables )

Firstly, Many Thanks for Help!

the database is a "Print Specification check list" the data in the 12 fields is usually entered manually by selecting the options via a drop down etc...

Sometimes the next record contains similar data to one in a previous record, so I would like to be able to enter the unique record ID into a field which then looks up the data from a previous record and enters it into the 12 fields.

3 of the fields I need always to blank (so they have to entered manually)

I am still trying to get my head on tables and relationships.

The point is:

How do you remember "the unique record ID" if the data are similar to an "x" other record ID other than the previous one ?

Could you not simply go to the record that you want to duplicate the 12 fields from, then script

Duplicate Record

Set Field [Field A;""]

Set Field [Field B;""]

Set Field [Field C;""]

A Big THANK YOU for your help..

I managed to finally sort my problem by creating a simple script and button using the "insert from last visited" and entering all the fields I wanted to be auto entered..

Amazing I was looking for a complex answer when a simple one would surfice.

Thanks to All who Looked at This! I hope I can help you one day.