Several Calc Problems (SN and index)

[n7mafia]

I am almost done with my books database even thanks to Bcoon that helped me out with a (for me) complicated calculation field, nonetheless I encountered a few problems that I have no clue how to solve, I know I am asking a lot but I truly can't manage with my limited FMP knowledge at the moment and I was wondering if anyone can lend me a helping hand. I attached the DB so far below, basically what I can't manage is:

1) On the layout "List" I created a number field where supposedly should go an increasing auto-entered serial number (not record ID) that, when I display the list and sort it by author, year or subject should end up displaying results accompanied by an increasing serial number (not related to the particular record), such as:

[1] Author1, Title3 etc..

[2] Author2, Title1 etc..

[3] Author3, Title2 etc..

And if I decide to order the records by title:

[1] Author2, Title1 etc..

[2] Author3, Title2 etc..

[3] Author1, Title3 etc..

This thing, should help me out figuring how many books per page I have and the number of total books by looking at the last entry. Meaning, no matter how I order the records it should always display numbers in the same order (1,2,3 etc)

2) I created a field "Tot.Libri" in the "List" layout, there I would like to have displayed the total number of records present which would show me the total of books I own, I tried with a "Summary" field, but I can only find fields to summarize and not number of records.

3) This is the most difficult part I reckon. I created a fourth layout (Argomenti) with only two fields: a serial number (see point 1) and the subject of books field (Argomento), what I would like to achieve here is this:

The field should take all values from (Argomento), eliminate redundancies and display a self-organized alphabetized index of subjects. Instead, the only thing I can get is a list of all subjects. So, instead of getting for instance:

Art

Art

Art

Concorso

Concorso

Manuale

Manuale

Manuale

Storia

I would like to get:

Art

Concorso

Manuale

Storia

Once I got the data organized in such fashion, it would be awesome if I could click on a specific subject and get FMP to make a targeted find and have displayed a list of all the books pertaining the same argument.

[comment]

1. Type the text @@ directly onto the layout (or choose Insert > Record Number Symbol from the menu).

2. Use a summary field of type Count. Count a field that cannot be empty, such as a serial ID.

3. There are several ways to achieve that. I'd suggest you set the layout to contain a sub-summary part (when sorted by Subject) and no body part. Then sort your records by Subject.

[n7mafia]

1+2 I managed, thanks to your input.

As for 3, I am afraid I don't understand the suggestion, would you mind to elaborate a bit, please?

Also, I omitted creating a Record ID number field, should I create it otherwise I'll regret later? And if yes, the "on commit" instead of "on creation" will save me from reentering all 52 records?

[comment]

I omitted creating a Record ID number field, should I create it otherwise I'll regret later?

Assuming you mean a serial ID, yes: you should create it otherwise you'll regret it later.

Note: RecordID is something else:

http://www.filemaker...56.html#1030601

And if yes, the "on commit" instead of "on creation" will save me from reentering all 52 records?

No. But it's easy to populate by showing all records, clicking into the field and selecting Records > Replace Field Contents… > Replace with serial numbers (with Update).

As for 3, I am afraid I don't understand the suggestion, would you mind to elaborate a bit, please?

In Layout mode, select Layouts > Part Setup. Create a new Sub-summary part when sorted by [YourTable::Subject] (this can be leading or trailing, it doesn't really matter) and delete the Body part.

Place the Subject field in the sub-summary part. Enter Browse mode and sort your records by Subject.

[n7mafia]

File updated.

Okay, I managed to create a serial ID as per your instructions (thanks), I was wondering if I have to create a RecordID as well?

I am pretty sure I missed something on #3, by following your instructions I got a list of all the subjects but: there are repetitions, they can't be really sorted alphabetically and I am not sure I understood how to make it so that once I click on a subject I get displayed the pertinent records with the same subject?

[comment]

I was wondering if I have to create a RecordID as well?

No.

I got a list of all the subjects but: there are repetitions, they can't be really sorted alphabetically

You really, really, really should change Argomento into a Text field...

[n7mafia]

File updated.

*ashamed* anyways thanks, I have done it and now it sorts correctly by alphabet and repetitions are gone.

Is there a way to make it so that on THIS layout (argomenti) clicking on the sorted list and achieve:

- field (argomento) become not modifiable on this layout only, since in the form and list layouts it HAS to be modifiable

- clicking on a subject leads to a find pertaining the subject (like a button or something)?

[comment]

Do you mean like this?

biblio2.zip

[n7mafia]

Yes, exactly

I was wondering, is it possible to tell FMP that when I switch to "Argomenti" layout it displays all records already alphabetically sorted like the image attached? Since it's quite a pain everytime I click on "Argomenti" having to click on the green ball icon and then on "Sort Argomento" button, also it's not related but I was wondering why it displays 49/52 records? What's up with the 3 records not displayed?

[comment]

There already is a script in my file that does all of that: goes to the "Argomenti" layout, shows all records and sorts them.

Clicking the green circle switches between found and omitted.

[n7mafia]

Oh, I got what you mean and I saw the scripts, thanks a lot man. You were incredibly helpful.