Best way to add multiple rows in a table

[jgrannis]

All,
As I have just started discovered Alpha Anywhere, I am a bit stuck with trying to determine the best way to add multiple rows to a database table at one time.
This is what I'm trying to build as a mobile application (which should be able to work off-line at times):

A truck rolls up to the warehouse and we start to unload it. The boxes in the truck arrive without being grouped on pallets. Someone uses the app to confirm the contents of the truck.
I have a list control with the expected number of boxes of a given article.
They record (or simply confirm) the number of boxes of article x in a detail view. They also confirm how many of those boxes of that article they can fit on each pallet that will be physically created for placement in the warehouse.
Let's say we receive 24 boxes of article x and they determine and save into the detail view that they can create pallets of a max. of 10 boxes each.
The app automatically calculates that we will need 3 pallets (rounded up from the calculated 2.4 pallets).

I have gotten that far. Pretty good I think for having just discovered Alpha Anywhere.

Now I need to insert 3 rows into my pallet database table (and/or into a pallet list control and then later into the actual database table). I will need a pallet list control with detail view because the person using the app will then confirm the real quantities of boxes on each of those 3 pallets. Did they physically create pallets of 10, 10, and 4 or did they finally decide to go for 8, 8, and 8?

Anyway, in Alpha Anywhere, I am just stuck on thinking about how I will take my calculated number "3", click a "Create pallets" button, take them to a "pallets panel" and show them a form, or list control or whatever where they can modify the quantities of 3 new, unique database pallet rows.

[Davidk]

Re: Best way to add multiple rows in a table

Since you'll need to sync with your back end... and you'll your user to enter data then I think you should use the List method .addTableRow(). Have a look in the Release Notes for this, which also leads to a page about Build Disconnected Applications.

You could add your 3 rows (which I imagine will contain other existing data) and once those are added the user would tap on each row and enter whatever else is required. Then save and sync.

[jgrannis]

Re: Best way to add multiple rows in a table

Thanks for the help, David. I was almost there but hadn't thought of that List method. I was kind of hoping that it could have been done with just some clicks in a 'builder/genie' interface. I still don't know at what point to stop looking at the interfaces to try to find out what I can do and just do some coding.
I did also find your Youtube channel; it looks like your videos will help me to understand quicker the limits of 'building through clicking'.

[Davidk]

Re: Best way to add multiple rows in a table

The builders and genies will take you quite a ways. And you could do this without and code. Your uses would tap on a button to add a new record to the List, then fill in the Detail View. They'd do this 3 times.

However, at some point, they'd complain about having to do this 3 times. And so you're now going beyond the purpose of the builders and genies in order to accomplish what you want... in the way you want. The wonderful part is that all the methods that Alpha uses automatically, are also available to you. So you can mix and match what you set up Alpha to do... and what you want to do.