Trying to create complex calculation

[Lougee]

Basically, I'm trying to get FileMaker to wash the dishes and walk the dog. Probably not possible, but I thought that the combined wisdom of this forum might have some tips and tricks.

I'm registering teachers for a professional development seminar. Right now, I can register the teacher and all registrants show up as expected in a portal that shows name, school, attending status (yes, no, no response).

Now I want to add 2 pieces of information to the portal. If the teacher is coming -- a definite YES -- I want to show a field called meals_lodging. This has checkboxes and a value list with values such as Breakfast_monday or Lodging_monday, etc for all the seminar meals and lodging. The user can select those meals and nights' lodging appropriate for each teacher. Works fine.

If the teacher is a definite NO, I need to document their reason for not attending. That's a field called attending_NO_reason. The 2 fields have conditional formatting such that meals_lodging isn't visible unless attending_status = yes and attending_NO_reason only shows up when the NO is selected as the status.

Now for the walking the dog part. Is there any combination of functions, custom functions, tricks or magic that makes it possible to show meals_lodging OR attending_NO_reason depending on the teachers attending status IN THE SAME SPACE. A calculated field that shows the field meals_lodging or attending_NO_reason.

Actually, I can do this using conditional formatting and stacked fields. But I can't select and enter data into the fields. Into the top of the stacked fields, whichever field I have on top, but not into the bottom. I need magic to show the appropriate field, or bring the appropriate field to the top so the user can enter data.

I hope I'm explaining this clearly. Happy to give more information if requested.

And TIA. I find the information from this forum invaluable.

[Vaughan]

If you were using FMP 10 you could create a different layout for each variation and use script triggers to display the appropriate one as needed.

Yes I know there could be a huge number of layouts, but maybe combined with other techniques the number could be reduced to a manageable amount.

[Inky Phil]

I don't know if this will help but there is a way of conditionally selecting the bottom field for entry and I have prepared and attached a simple file to demonstrate it.

All credit to comment for the method

Phil

bottom_chooser.zip

[Lougee]

Vaughan, I wish I did have FM 10, but it's not going to happen for a while.

Inky Phil (), thanks for the sample file. Sounds like a great option. Off to play with it right now and report back soon.

Abbe

[Lougee]

Well, I've had a lot of fun, and learned a lot too, but I think I still need some more help.

Inky Phil, your solution works -- I can enter data into either the top or the bottom field depending on the state of the chooser field. But even if I enter text into the bottom field, when I tab out, the top field remains on top. I need to figure out how to keep the field that corresponds to what was selected in the chooser field on top and visible.

Any more suggestions, anybody?

Abbe

[comment]

It's kind of awkward, because you need to click twice to select a checkbox - but I don't think you can do better if you want it in a portal.

ConditionalEntry.fp7.zip

[Lougee]

Thanks much, comment. Working on it. I'll shout it to the world when I get it working!

IS there any way to show multiple related records other than a portal? Something new or tricky or more knowledgeable than I am (I've so much still to learn..)

[comment]

IS there any way to show multiple related records other than a portal?

Directly (i.e. modifiable)? Not really. Well, you could use another window - but if it's in list view, it comes down to the same thing.

I believe the best approach to your problem is to make the portal display-only, and open up an edit window/area when clicking in the portal.

[Lougee]

Comment,

Thanks for the suggestion. Guess I'm getting a little better at understanding how to approach these problems. I had just started to play around with the pop-up window for entering or editing attendance details, with just the results showing in the portal.

I will post my end result. Or be back for more help, whichever comes first.