I have a portal that shows records based on a global field - all works well... except when you first open filemaker. I need to create a new record before the global field is populated. Once the new record is created all the related records show as expected.

So none of the related records show in the portal until after I have created a new record. Then all the expected records show.

Any suggestions?

I need to create a new record before the global field is populated.

Something is missing from your description. A global field CAN be populated with no records in the table. OTOH, creating a new record by itself will not populate a global field.

When the file is first opened, what is the value in the global field? What is in the field after the new record is created?

The value is empty when the file is first opened, then once a new record is created the value "TASK" is auto entered correctly, then everything works fine from that point.

So the specific questions is how to keep the value of "TASK" in the field even before a new record is created? The value never needs to change, I would like it to always exist without needing to create a new record for it to be "auto entered"

Thanks

Don

The value is empty when the file is first opened, then once a new record is created the value "TASK" is auto entered correctly, then everything works fine from that point.

So the specific questions is how to keep the value of "TASK" in the field even before a new record is created? The value never needs to change, I would like it to always exist without needing to create a new record for it to be "auto entered"

Thanks

Don

Why not make the field a calc. with "TASK" and set as global?

:unsure:

So the specific questions is how to keep the value of "TASK" in the field even before a new record is created?

One way would be to set the global field at the opening of the file, using a startup script. Another way would be to create a record once and not delete it. I am somewhat confused regarding the circumstances here: what is the table in which the global field is defined - and why doesn't it have any records when you open the file?