I could really use some help.

I use my database to track print projects.

Some projects have 2 binding types

Project Number | NumberofCopies | BindingType |NumberofCopies2 | BindingType2

Right now I can pull a report using summary field that says:

BindingType Number of Copies

3-ring Binders 11

Spirals 15

And a separate report that says:

BindingType2 NumberofCopies2

Folders 5

Spirals 7

But what I need to do is combine the two:

Binder Qty

3-ring Binders 11

Spirals 22

Folders 5

Is this even possible?

I've been reading though a lot of Filemaker documentation but I don't see any examples like mine.

Thanks in advance for your help!

You should use a related table (a child of Projects) for the type and quantity. Then produce the report from the child table, sub-summarized by type.

I'm not sure how to set that up.

I make the child table and the fields are project number, bindertype and quantity, and I draw the relationship between project numbers? I think I get that part but I'm not sure about the data entry part then. Can I connect the two tables by all three of the child's fields?

Let me show you my form (attached) and maybe that will help explain what I'm asking. How do I make it make two records for each project number (if there is a second binder type selected--there won't always be)?

I hope that makes sense. I know this ought to be simple but for some reason I've got a mental block about it.

Okay.

I changed my input form to a portal.

This is going to mess up some of my other calculations I think but I can re-work those other relationships.

You know, I tried doing it this way yesterday and couldn't make it happen for some reason. Thanks for your help.

Looking at your picture, it seems you need to move more fields into the child table (Jobs?). Basically, anything that you have two of should move, e.g. paper stock. I believe this should simplify your calcs, rather than make them more complicated.

Note also that you could achieve the same layout arrangement by placing two one-row portals side-by-side, and setting the one on the right side to start at row #2. But I don't see why would you want to limit a project to two jobs at most.

Thank you, that is what I did. It didn't work yesterday because my tables weren't as organized as they should have been.

Thanks a heap, I mean it!

Oh, and you're right. The old way was very limiting. I think having a portal provide more than just two options will be very useful. Thank you for the idea!

Edited October 14, 200916 yr by Guest