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Auto increment

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    Auto increment

    I have a database looseley based on the sample supplied with A5.
    My main index is a character field with a size of 6.
    I use auto increment in the field rules of the set.
    This works great if I start with a number (e.g. 334001,) the next number on new entry is (334002);
    If I change the next new entry (should be 334003) into a character (SHIP 12)the next new entry becomes SHIP13;
    Thats OK, but if I try to change back to all numeric 334003 instead of SHIP 13 it will not accept the change. Even if I try a totally new number (e.g. 334010 it still will not accept the change;
    If I change to another character (e.g. FEDEXR) it accepts the changes.
    To correct the sequence I must disable the field rules, enter the number that is next in sequence, re-enter the field rules, it will now continue in numeric sequence.
    I would like not to have to keep chaning field rules. Any body got any ideas please ?

    #2
    RE: Auto increment

    Perhaps you'd be happier using a default expression based on the value of the previous record + 1 ?

    i.e. do not specify the field as auto-increment, but define a default value to be entered during data entry... one which you can easily change...

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Auto increment

      This is the way that the auto increment is suppose to work you can change to a higher value but not a lower value. This is so that you won't get duplicate numbers as auto increment is often use for key values. There is an article on Dr Wayne's site http://www.learn alpha.com/menubar.htm near the bottom for setting up your own auto increment rule.

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Auto increment

        Thanks for the thought.
        I have tried that, but I could not get it to work properly.
        I now know why it does not change, I never even thought of letters being higher and numbers being lower. (standard 0-256)
        I will try again with the previous + 1

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Auto increment

          Yes, it's easy to forget that to the computer numerals and letters of the alphabit are both represented by numeric values... and it's those numeric values that are used to sort lists alphabetically, for example...

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Auto increment

            Another thought...

            If you are really only going to be rotating between two different numbering schemes, you could probably display the last in each sequence on the form, and let the user pick which to use with a mouse click. Will get messy in a multi-user environment, but perhaps that's not the case???

            -- tom

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Auto increment

              Actually there are 5 Users on the system. So messy would not be good.
              Thanks again

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Auto increment

                Thanks for the kick in the behind. Some things we should not forget. But when you are getting old some things drift away.

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Auto increment

                  Another approach to this might be to make two separate fields. The first (field 1)could default to if(isblank(field 2), previous +1, "". The second (field 2) could default to if(isblank(field 1), previous +1,"" or something like this. The first default statement might not be necessary because you need to have the ability to leave this field blank so maybe you could add a button to skip this field, and if you enter it put in the default.
                  Anyway another approach to the problem.

                  Russ

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Auto increment

                    I use the field as my main index and xref for the entire set.
                    I am not sure how this would work for me. Maybe I need to play with it.
                    Thanks

                    Comment

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