"Home" screen client search design options

[db_tragic]

Planning to have a 'home' screen where the user can search for clients, then go to the relevant record.

 

Options so far that I can think of;

1. Quick search field of surname, then tap a button to go to the record. 

2. Have a surname field that when tapped, opens a drop-down list of all surnames, from which user scrolls though then selects and is taken to relevant record. 

 

A contacts list would be around 20-40 entries typically, but should allow for up to 200-300. (Effect on size of drop down list?)

 

99% of the time, the surname will be unique, however may have to consider the possibility of more than one. Perhaps if there is more than one, have a pop-up window/new layout open showing the list of clients and perhaps another field to assist identifying them such as location.

 

Ultimately this will be used on an iPad. 

 

Any thoughts on what might be considered 'best practice' for this scenario?

[LaRetta]

I would suggest using global text field without drop-down or pop-up. Script trigger could be attached OnObjectExit. Set field behavior (Inspector > Data tab to go to next field by checking all three ... Return, Enter and tab. Now script will fire when the leave the field by any method and pseudo-script could look something like:

If [ IsEmpty ( global ]

Exit Script

End If

... Ready to continue ...

Freeze Window

Go To Layout [ layout based upon clients ]

Enter Find Mode [ uncheck pause ]

Set Field [ clients::surname ; global ]

Set Error Capture [ on ]

Perform Find [ ]

If [ not Get ( FoundCount ) ]

Go To Layout [ original layout ]

Show Custom Dialog [ "No client found" ]

EXIT SCRIPT

Else If [ Get ( FoundCount ) = 1 ]

Go To Layout [ client form ]

Else

Go To Layout [ client list ]

End If

Edited added capp'd exit script

Edited December 13, 2012 by LaRetta

[db_tragic]

Darn, I thought I was doing well after the 'Case' post you made on my other post. Now you've thrown this at me! lol I was hoping it would be something simpler than that. Gonna take me a while to work through this one! What if the user selected a name from the popup, and I had a button next to it that when tapped (iPad), would go to the related record using the Client Details layout? (At least as an interim till I figure out your suggestion). Cheers Chris