copy from one table to another

[mleiser]

When I had two separate fm files and wanted to copy records from one to the other I would go to file a, find records I wanted, go to file b and import records from file a and get the found set. Now I have one db with table a, table b, and table c. I want to find certain records in table a and copy them (some of their fields) to table c. Then I want to find certain records in table b and copy them (some of their fields) to table c as well. When I try to import it asks for a file, doesn't let me do records from a table in the same file. (Table c will have records with first and last names chosen from table a and table :. Any ideas or is it not clear?

[comment]

When I try to import it asks for a file, doesn't let me do records from a table in the same file.

Make sure you are on a layout of the target table before importing (if you are doing this manually).

[bcooney]

Copying data from one table to another is not considered best practice. Why are you doing this?

[mleiser]

I am on the layout for the table I want to import to. When I click on import it asks for file name. I don't get it.

[mleiser]

I have one table called campers and one called staff. I need a report that combines some campers (based on certain criteria)along with some staff (based on its criteria). So I wanted to go to campers, perform find, go to combined table an import. Then go to staff, do its find, go back to combined table and import those. Then I can print combined report. Is there a better way? I really appreciate all of your help. I'm learning more and more each day. Thanks.

[comment]

I am on the layout for the table I want to import to. When I click on import it asks for file name. I don't get it.

Of course it asks for file name - it's not clairvoyant, and cannot know in advance you want to import from the same file. Just select the current file and proceed to select the source table.

[mleiser]

I guess it can't give me the lottery numbers either! Anyway, just tried it and it works beautifully. Thanks. I guess I can script this as well?

[comment]

You haven't scripted this yet?

[bcooney]

I realize I'm a bit late chiming in here, but I would have one table: People. Can a person be both a camper and staff? Probably not. So I'd have a role field that uses a value list set to a radio button choice "Camper" "Staff".

Now you can report easily on both types of people. No importing.

[mleiser]

Not sure I understand this. My report has to have the combination of staff members as well as campers. The criteria for the chosen campers is somewhat different than the criteria for the staff members. Once I get them, they all go on one report, each with the same fields. How would you do that with a "people" table? How do I tell a report to report from two tables into one report? I must be missing something here. Thanks.

Mike

[bcooney]

Read this thread, and search for "Graham". Graham Method