File Name: TwoForOne.fp7

File Submitter: LaRetta

File Submitted: 27 Nov 2012

File Category: Samples

FM Version: 11

Have you ever wanted to add a record into two different tables at once?

It is very easy to do:

• Without script
  
• Without leaving your current layout
  
• Without additional fields
  
• Without additional table occurrences
  
• Taking advantage of your existing setup
  

All it takes is a single one-row filtered portal (please see attached)

Click here to download this file

Why, in a well designed relational database, would I ever want to enter a record into more than one table? I ask the question in earnest, hoping to learn something new.

Hi Rick,

 

We get requests all the time to create a Task in a Tasks table which then can be used to assign that Task in an Activities table (for example).  I do not say it replaces everything. For more complex tables than Types or Tasks or Workers (as in the example), you may still want to switch layouts and/or use scripted techniques but many times those tables are smaller 'lookup' type types or in this case Workers for volunteer road cleanup.  They wanted to gather information on them when they could but still add them on the crew.  Did you read the file?

 

Envision being in the join table and you wish to select a Type from the pop-up but the Type does not exist and you need to add it.  However, you use a Type table with TypeID and TypeName.  Normally you would need to go create the new Type record, grab its ID, return to your join layout, create the new join record and insert the new TypeID.  This can all be scripted and there are various techniques to handle this and none of it is too difficult.

 

But with a single filtered one-row portal, just type the TypeName in one place (into the Types table) and it will create the Type record and also create the join record and insert the new TypeID automatically.  No script ... never leaving layout.  It comes in quite handy. :^)

Edited November 28, 201213 yr by LaRetta

LaRetta,

 

I think your demo could be improved by showing how to add a join record to an existing person alongside creating a new join record AND a new person at the same time.

Normally you would need to go create the new Type record, grab its ID, return to your join layout, create the new join record and insert the new TypeID.  This can all be scripted and there are various techniques to handle this and none of it is too difficult.