Printing Related Data

[kcrossley]

Okay, hopefully I haven't boxed myself in here. I have three files with the following relationships.

1. [Customers] --> 1 to many with [Publications]

-- linked with Customer_ID --

2. [Publications] --> 1 to many with [Options]

-- linked with Publication_ID --

3. [Options]

I'm printing a report using a layout that I created in [Options]. Inserting information from either [Publications] or [Options] is no problem. However, the only way that I can include information from [Customers] is to add a [CustomerID] field, relate [Options] to [Customers] and physically enter in the Customer's ID number in the [Options] file. So here are my questions.

1. Is there anyway I can enter the Customer_ID automatically?

2. Is this the right place for the report, assuming that I want to include data from all three files?

3. Is there an easier solution?

Thanks for your help, especially CaptKurt.

- Kelly

[Keith M. Davie]

"I'm printing a report using a layout that I created in [Options]."

"1. Is there anyway I can enter the Customer_ID automatically?"

That depends. If you add the field and set the relationship, a script would be one approach. Perhaps when you navigate to the layout where you are printing would be the appropriate time for a ScriptMaker script to include the navigation and the data entry and whatever other actions may be desired. It may be possible to include the printing as well in this script.

[kcrossley]

Hi Keith,

Is there anyway to easily copy the Customer_ID from one file to another linked file without using the [Copy] --> subscript --> [Paste] method?

Thanks,

Kelly

[Keith M. Davie]

Is there some reason to not include the customer_id at record creation in [Options]?

Is there some reason to not use the cut / paste subscript? (Realize that one can cut / paste one piece of data and use relationships to transfer all the rest of the data.)

In lieu of a cut / paste, if you can establish the right relationship for your design, you may be able to use a SetField command with that relationship.

Have you considered using a portal to display any of this related data?

I really don't have all the details necessary to design the solution. I hope that your answers to these questions will help to point you to the right solution for your design.