newbie question - creating a data entry layout?

[putnam]

Hi! Using FMP6 on Mac.

 

I have created my first database. I am trying to make the data entry layout smarter than it currently is. After the first two fields are entered, the third field is a list. After a selection is made from this list, a further set of fields must be filled. However, each selection has a different set of fields to be satisfied. Currently, I show all fields. How can I get my layout to display only the appropriate fields based upon the selection from the third field? By the way, all the fields are text entry, except for the third field which is a pull-down list of text items.

 

Let me know if I can provide any further details.

 

Thanks!

[aaa]

You must enter to layout mode(by pressing CTRL+L) then construct your layout how you want.

[putnam]

Yes, I'm in the layout mode. I have placed all my fields the way I want them in the layout mode. However, I wish for several fields, say two groups of fields, to be present based upon the selection made in another field. For instance, if I select "A" from the pop-up list in field #3, fields #4-8 become visible and allow entries, but fields #9-12 only become visible and allow entries if selection "B" is chosen from the pop-up list.

 

It's like fields #4-12 are conditional upon what is selected in field #3. Only when "A" is selected from field #3 are fields #4-8 necessary. Likewise, only when "B" is selected from field #3 are fields #9-12 necessary. I don't want to clutter up the entry field and confuse the person entering data with unnecessary fields.

 

Hmmm ... I want FM to be able to prompt the user with the appropriate fields based upon the result of a previously entered field.

 

I hope I'm clarifying what I want to do.

 

Thanks,

 

P

[Ted S]

Putnam,

 

Congratulations! You have stumbled upon a FileMaker shortcoming very early in your FileMaking career.

 

FileMaker doesn't offer any tools up front to make this happen. What you WOULD need is the ability to change the attributes (hidden / not hidden) of an object or objects based on the value on another field and perhaps trigger the action after leaving that field - another FM shortcoming.

 

Like I said, FileMaker doesn't offer this up directly, however... You MAY be able to create a portal and base it on the value contained in field #3 which MAY be able to display the correct fields that way. I have not used this method myself so I can't tell you for certain whether this idea would work or not.

 

I tend not to use portals for this kind of stuff myself but I know that a lot of the 'old hands' do. Maybe one of them will weigh-in here.

[FileMakin' Tom]

Please email me at fmguru@tampabay.rr.com and I will send you a couple of files that have exactly that for which you are looking. The use of simple portal makes buttons appear and disappear (as well as fields) based upon a condition of another field.

 

Be well . . .

 

Tom

[putnam]

Yes, I've suspected that the portal function may be a solution. I've been reading about how they work and am beginning to understand it. I am encouraged by the comments, so I will continue along this line of investigation.

 

I've also been looking into a script ... I understand that scripting is quite good in FM. I utilize AppleScript a lot, so I've begun to play around with the scripting within FM. My initial thoughts are that it may take more time to develop than the portal method alluded to above, but may be a more elegant solution in the end.

 

Thanks for the info and encouragement.

 

PS: Tom, I've sent you an email.

 

P