automating data entry on layouts

[michaelxjw]

Post:

I am using an academic gradebook application with FMP 12. I use one of my layouts to enter student attendance and participation credit by class date. For this layout, I create a new record for each class date, class ID and student ID. Because my database records consist of multiple students, multiple classes and class dates, I use a join table consisting of a unique Student ID and a unique class ID for each student and each class. To identify my student, I have placed a student ID field on my layout which is a unique field that relates to the Student ID field in my join table. To simplify data entry in creating new records, I made my layout's student ID field a drop down with a value list consisting of all my student ID's. Nevertheless, it would be better if I could simplify data entry even further because, as it is, for each new record I create (consisting of class date, student ID and class ID), I must look-up my student ID field from a roster before I can find it in my layout drop down value list.

Is there any way to automate this process even further, perhaps through a script, so that, for example, if I choose a related record with a different class date for the same student, all I need to do is choose "new record", enter the new class date and the proper student ID will populate my record? Alternatively, is there any way to setup my database so I do not have to enter a new attendance record for each student ID, class ID and each class date? Other than the tedious manual entry needed in creating so many new records, my database is working well... but I am trying to automate as much as possible to make data entry easier. Thanks for any suggestions.

michaelxjw

[Lee Smith]

Automatic message

This topic has been moved from "FileMaker Product Family → FileMaker Pro 12" to "Database Schema & Business Logic → Managing Scripts"

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Lee