Auto-Resize portal based off record count

[OffTheDeepEnd.com]

I have a database with two related tables, Processing Systems and Processing Records. My relationship is based off of the processing record status (Complete or Active) and the machine that it is tied to which allows me to determine which system is available. Currently everything is displayed in a nice list with a one row portal view, which works well for an available system view but not for reporting. I need a way to list all records assigned to the system but also show available systems (with a 0 record count). Below is an example:

Current Display: (list view with a one row portal)

Tower1 John Doe

Tower2 Jane Smith

Tower3 (Blank - 0 related records)

Tower4 John Keller

There are three other records assigned to Tower one but due to the one row portal size, you can't view them in the list. I would just increase the portal size but sometimes there can be up to 20 records on a processing system which leads to a lot of wasted space since this report gets printed.

What I would like to display:

Tower1 John Doe

Tower1 Roger Smith

Tower1 Brian Whatever

Tower1 Running OutofNames

Tower2 Jane Smith

Tower3 (Blank - 0 related records)

Tower4 John Keller

It is almost like I would need a dynamic resizing portal or someway to include the systems with 0 related records in a list.

[TheTominator]

It could be useful to create an unstored calculated field

cNamesOnTower = List(OtherTable::NameOfPerson)

Display this as a merge field inside of a tall text box instead of the portal. Set the text box to slide up and shrink the body part.

[Vaughan]

Don't print portals, print from the related table as a list view. Use sub-summary parts to group the records appropriately.

[TheTominator]

Don't print portals, print from the related table as a list view. Use sub-summary parts to group the records appropriately.

In the above data how would you get Tower 3 to show up as having zero names when you print from the related table as you suggest?

[comment]

sometimes there can be up to 20 records on a processing system which leads to a lot of wasted space since this report gets printed.

For printing, you could use a 20-row portal set to slide up (also resize enclosing part).