User has (lets say) 4 identical widgets which he wants to spread 

the work on so that the spring is not tight on some and loose on others.

 

So I would like a drop down list or pop up menu that the user can

edit so that he can either call it # 1,2,3 or 4 or A, B, C, or D.

 

As he uses it, it starts with maybe #1, than when he duplicates the record

or creates a new record it automatically goes to the next value #2.

When it reaches the end #4 it cycles to #1.

 

It would be best if the value stays in the field so that when they startup

the next day the proper widget is displayed.  So if they stop at #2

the next record will be #3.

 

User should be able to select which widget to start with in case one

breaks and he has to pull it out of line.

 

Thanks

Huh? Why not create assignment records with a start and complete date? Let FM set an ID for each assignment record.

A date will not work, because the widgets are changed multiple times in a 10 min session.

User has (lets say) 4 identical widgets which he wants to spread 

the work on so that the spring is not tight on some and loose on others.

 

I believe the simplest way would be to select a random widget each time a new record is created. Otherwise you would need to look at the previous record - either through a script or through a relationship - then select the next widget.

Wouldn't a random widget possibly select the same one again?, also to help distribute the usage on each widget you would need an even amount to each widget.  How would the script work that you are mentioning? If possible please be specific for this newbie. Thanks

Wouldn't a random widget possibly select the same one again?,

 

Yes, but over time each widget would be selected roughly the same number of times - so that the wear and tear would be distributed evenly.