Bound fields in forms

[delsandberg]

I want to use 2 forms to hold info for 1 contact record. In both forms I'm using fields created from 1 table. When I access the second form in Browse the field contents are not bound to the same record as displayed in form one. How do I "bind" the 2 forms together?

I'm not yet strong in xbasic so hopefully there is an "easy" solution.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: Bound fields in forms

Two ways come to mind.

1) Filter the display in the called form to match a key value in the calling form; or

2) Open the called form but keep it hidden; set the index to suit; then do a find by key; finally, show / activate the called form to the user.

I believe the first can be done entirely with Action Scripting. The second will require a bit of xbasic coding.

If you don't really need to open a second "form", you might investigate the "companion browse" for your primary form. It's available with the F8 key. And is explained in the user's guide.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Bound fields in forms

Forms don't hold any information. Forms display records from a table, generally one record at a time.

If you are opening two different forms and locate the same record by some unique identifying field both forms will display whatever fields from that record they are designed to display.

Your question seems to indicate that you expect/want to open one form, then the second, and have the same record displayed. That would require opening the first and then opening the second filtered to the same identifying field. That should be fairly easy to do with action scripting a button on the first form. The genie for action scripting a form open button should lead you through the process.

(Slow typing, Tom got there first.)

[Ted Giles]

Re: Bound fields in forms

Del,
Why 2 forms?
Try this:
Create Form based on one Table using default.
Add an embedded Browse - on the right say - and use a field from the Table.
As you move through the record in the Browse, the Record data is also changed.

Else as Stan says, displaying Forms with the same record identifier is easy using ActionScripting.

[delsandberg]

Re: Bound fields in forms

Fantastic. Thanks fellows.
I have so many fields displayed one form1 that it is necessary to incorporate a second form.
I'm learning that Alpha 5 can do virtually anything you want if you spend enough time with it.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Bound fields in forms

I have so many fields displayed one form1 that it is necessary to incorporate a second form.

Generally tabbed objects or conditional objects are employed to let the user choose which fields to display on the current form.

I can't help but wonder if your table structure is part of the issue. Are all of the fields in the table necessary to the task. IOW, do you have, say a product part number, the part description, the vendor number for that product, and the vendor name in one table? Normalization moves all product details to their own table, linked back through the part number when needed. Likewse for vendor details.

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Bound fields in forms

You can use file - open(not open database) - and choose another form.

That is available as an action script from a button that can 'switch' from form1 to form2 and back and keep you pointed to the same record.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Bound fields in forms

Generally tabbed objects or conditional objects are employed to let the user choose which fields to display on the current form.

This might well suit your requirements Del.
You can set the Tabs up so it looks like a series of screens you are swapping between.
If you go this route, and use Memo fields in the tabs, suggest you put a [Save] when departing the Memo Field in case you loose the data.