Help please...

[richwalden]

This is my first attempt at learning filemaker. I am enjoying its features, but have ventured upon some difficulty.

I have ten fields with drop down lists that have the same value lists: Admit, Deny, Unknown. Sometimes the fields are not used in the document, so the way I currently have it set up is that you do not select any thing for the field if you do not intend to use it.

In the layout mode for the document I am attempting to automoate. I inserted merge fields for all of the ten field in descending order down the page. After the ten fields, I have more information that I would like to type.

The problem that I am running into is that if I do not select any drop-down value for fields 8-10, then the document leaves a space where fields 8-10 would have been before inserting the remainder of the document. I have selected everything under the sun under the sliding/printing options, but nothing seems to work.

One thing, all of my text is within the body. I do not have separate parts. This may be part of my problem, but I haven't been able to find a solution. Do you guys have any suggestions for a beginner? Thank you in advance.

[Lee Smith]

Read about the Printing Option of Slide Print Link and take note of the Part about Merge Fields.

HTH

Lee

[richwalden]

Thanks for your help. However, I still can't get it to work. Is there something I should do with a field that is listed as part of an entry, but no entry is made? Once again thanks for your help.

[Lee Smith]

I'm not understanding what your problem is then.

Attach a copy of your file.

Lee

To attached a file:

Besure to make it an "archive" by finding the file on your HD, select it using the Right Button, and then go to your post, and either edit your current one above, or reply to this post.

Towards the bottom, there is a secontion called:

File Attachments: 0

Valid file types:

zip, txt, pdf, bmp, gif, jpg, png, sit, mov [color:red]Manage files, click on the "Manage Files" link. A popup window will open allowing you to browse and select file(s) off your hard drive, then click "Add". When finished click "Finished" and the window will close so you can continue making your post.

Edited November 22, 2008 by Guest

[richwalden]

Here you go. Thank you for your patience and help.

Help1.zip

[Lee Smith]

Now I see the problem.

Merge fields with in a text block like you have, will not close the gaps. These should all be broken into separate fields, Regular, or Merge.

I have modified, added a couple of layouts for you can see what I mean. One is using the Regular fields, and the other show briefly how to do it with Merge

There is a problem I think in how you have set up the numbers, but maybe each has to have the numbers, and skipping a couple is what you want. The reason is easily seen by looking at your original layout, when you add the Number 10 answer. There is a gap in the numbers.

HTH

Lee

Nassiri.fp7.zip

Edited November 22, 2008 by Guest

[richwalden]

Now, the values from the value list are varied lengths. If I make the text area too small, then when I use the longer value, the entire value doesn't appear. However, if I make the text area larger, then when I use the shorter value, there is a gap between first text area and the second text area. Is there any way to fix this? I imagine you are getting tired of my questions, but I really appreciate your help. Thanks.

Edited November 22, 2008 by Guest