Need help with multiple variables, looping variables...? $Item + 1?

[geraldh]

Hello,

Here is what I wish to achieve (I am in the event management industry):

I have a final Estimate and from the information in its related EstimateLines table I wish to pull out a value of a certain field to use to populate fields in a PlanningDocument table.

Working with Loop, and moving to next record, I have it working somewhat, but I can't seem to find a way to assign a different variable for each Loop/EstimateLine.

I understand how to Loop with a counter; but what I can't seem to figure out is to script a different variable for each Loop?

In other words can I do something like this: $Item + 1

Or is this the wrong approach? Might an export/import work better?

I hope I have been somewhat clear.....

Thank you in advance for any help

[David Jondreau]

How about: $item & ¶ & 1 That makes a list of the values in one variable, then you can use GetValue to pull them out. Alternatively you can use variable repetitions, where the repetition is the $counter.

[geraldh]

Thank you David for your quick response!

I'm still quite new to scripting; but, I think I can do this.

I'll play around with this, but I might show up here again!

Thanks again

[geraldh]

Ok....I'm stuck already...

I have a couple of questions.

In the Set Variable dialog box, I would put "$Item" in the "Name" box?

And in the "Reptition" box I would put "$Item & ¶ & 1"?

However, I can't seem to see if this working properly because I want to then put the whole list of items (not just one), into another field. But I can't seem to figure out how to (with GetValue or even simply Set Field) to dump the whole lot into another field.

I'll try and explain a little clearer (I hope...) what I'm trying to achieve:

What I'm looking to do is aggregate all the values of a certain field from a found set.

I scripted a find for the EstimateLines related to a certain Estimate and a certain category of items. Let's say "non-alcoholic beverages" found in Estimate #23.

I want the values of ALL the items of ALL the EstimateLines of the found set (for example: "Orange Juice", "Cola", "Bottled Water")

I want to then put this aggregated list (if possible with a carriage return in between) in a field in a PlanningDocument table so that the wait staff can see what non-alcoholic beverages have to be prepared.

In other words, I want it to display:

Orange Juice

Cola

Bottled Water

I will then do the same for other categories (such as "alcoholic beverages" and then "food"...)

Thank you, for any extra help you can give.

[David Jondreau]

You've got three boxes in a Set Variable[] script step. Name, Value, and Repetition. Let's ignore the Repetition (just leave it at 1).

The name of the variable is $item. As you loop through each record set the variable value to $item & ¶ & EstimateLines::Item (or whatever your field is named). At the end of your loop you will have a variable with a list of all the items.

You can Set Field[] with $item or make it a global variable to show using Insert Merge Variable.

[geraldh]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

It all makes sense now.

A small note. I'm getting a carriage return at the beginning of the field in which I'm Setting. Not a big deal, but I can't understand why that might happening.

[David Jondreau]

The first time it loops $item is empty. Try this instead: $item & If ( not isEmpty ( $item ) ; "¶" ) & EstimateLines::Item )

[eos]

The first time it loops $item is empty. Try this instead: $item & If ( not isEmpty ( $item ) ; "¶" ) & EstimateLines::Item )

You don't have to declare a variable before you use it. So it's easier to write

Set Variable [ $item ; List ( $item ; EstimateLines::Item ) ]

within the loop, which prevents a leading CR.

EDIT: Here's a simple example.

SimpleLoop.fp7.zip

[geraldh]

Worked like a charm.

It all makes so much sense when it is shown to you.

I hope some day I can think more clearly through these things.

Thanks again

[comment]

I have a final Estimate and from the information in its related EstimateLines table I wish to pull out a value of a certain field

Instead of looping, you could be on a layout of Estimates and set the variable to =

List ( EstimateLines::CertainField )

[geraldh]

hmmm...reviving this post because I've ran into an odd problem.

I've adapted the script that David Jondreau suggested to transfer lines from our Run Sheet to a Planning Doc field.

It worked beautifully until one day, it refused to carry over any Lines that had a date before the Event Date.

There is nothing in my script that would instruct to do something...

I've watched the script in action as much as I can, and I can't see where it might be going wrong.

The data viewer also shows the info not being attached to the variable....

I find it really odd. I was wondering if someone might be able to point me in some direction....

Thanks

[geraldh]

Sorry, figured it out.....sort of

It had to do with my sort when in my Run Sheet Lines layout....

Got rid of all the sorting options - it is carrying all the info now....but gotta find a way to make it sort...

If I can't figure it out -- I will be back here!

Thanks