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

"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.

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

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.