Filling in the key linking field when opening an entry form from another form

[seaken64]

When I first started setting up this database in A5 I was the one doing most of the data entry and viewing the data in a browse, etc. Now, several years later I have mostly other users entering the data and sometimes the results are not as good as I want. We also have a lot more data to input. I am trying to learn how to set up better controls to help make sure I get good data and I want to make it easier and faster to input the data.

One of the things I have always struggled with is getting a form to open to enter a �new record� and automatically enter an associated key field in the form. For instance, I have a form we use to track customer requests called �Requests�. If I put a button on the form used to view a customer's record (we call this form �Customer Contact Manager�) and name this button �Enter New Request� I want the customer number to automatically fill in to the Cust_Num field on the Requests form. I've never been successful getting that to happen.

I have another form called �Transactions� that we use to track sales slips. On that form I have a button to enter payments received. I managed to get it to work with a browse to automatically fill in the transaction number but I am now trying to open a separate form for entering a new payment record. I can't figure out how to automatically fill in the key field (Trans_Num) that already exists on the Transactions form.

I have a set with the following tables

Transactions
==Payments
--PaymentDetail

Each Transaction can have multiple Payments (one-to-many)
Each Payment can have one Detail (journal entry) (one-to-one)

When I click the �Add a Payment� button I want to open a new data entry form and I want the Trans_Num from the Transactions table to automatically fill in to the Trans_Num field of this entry form. Next I want the Payment_Number to automatically generate in the Payments table and the PaymentDetail table. The rest of the entries are user entered.

In my own words I would say it like this
OnClick open the SalesJournal form and begin entering a new record.
Populate the Trans_Num field with the same Trans_Num as is now on the Transactions form, from which this button was pressed.
Autogenerate the Payment_Num field with the next available payment number

I've used the Action Script to open the form but I can't figure out what commands to use to enter the Trans_Num.

Does the entry form I open have to based on the same set as the form from which the button is pressed?

Thanks for the help,
Sean

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Filling in the key linking field when opening an entry form from another form

An oldie but a goodie.

http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...een-forms-Full

[seaken64]

Re: Filling in the key linking field when opening an entry form from another form

Ahh, I wasn't using the term "passing values". I don't always know the right terms as a programmer might. Thanks for the link.

Sean

[seaken64]

Re: Filling in the key linking field when opening an entry form from another form

Thank you Tom! And Stan!

All these years I've failed to find this. I'm studying it now and I'm sure I will finally be able to fix my forms.

Am I correct in that this feature of passing values is not available from the menu/genies? If it's there I've never found it.

Thanks again,
Sean

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Filling in the key linking field when opening an entry form from another form

All these years I've failed to find this.

Sean,

Different folks have different needs and priorities. You've been using Alpha for seven years and you haven't studied all the submissions in the code archive? Wonder what else might be in there that you could use?

Not criticizing, just a thought.

[seaken64]

Re: Filling in the key linking field when opening an entry form from another form

The sample shows me three options for passing the value from one form to another. I can follow each example and it all makes sense. My question is - does it make a difference which method I use? Why would I choose one method over another?

I like the idea #2 which does not use variables but just passes the value from the parent form into the appropriate field on the newly opened form. But is there an advantage to using the variables? Or a disadvantage to using the direct form values?

Sean

[seaken64]

Re: Filling in the key linking field when opening an entry form from another form

Actually, I haven't studied any code at all. My day job is managing our contracting business. I've never taken the time to learn how to code. I just pull down menus and click on genie choices and layout forms. It worked for me so far. But like I said, maybe in another post, I am starting to see the need to go beyond the genies and start making this application better and easier for my employees to use. Up until now I've been the primary user of A5, and A4 before that (more like 15 years?).

Thanks Stan, and everyone else. I appreciate the tips and the suggestions.

Sean