conditional defaults

[Michael Lanzieri]

@ data entry time, I want to update field3 when a value is entered on the form for field1 and field2. I set up the following in field rules, Data entry for field3:
Default: v1 condition: (field1=n1.and.field2=n2)
v2 condition: (field1=n1.and.field2=n3)
When I evaluate the expression using field2 in the expression I get true which is valid for field2;it is always false per the above and field3 is never updated. I do not want to use table lookup unless necessary. Any suggestions??

[smtobias]

RE: conditional defaults

I'm not completely clear as to what you're trying to do, Michael. However, if you want Field 3 to automatically calculate based upon the values in Fields 1 and 2, you can place an equation in the field rules for Field 3. Designate that field as a "calculated" field and in the expression box, place Field1+Field2 or whatever is appropriate. That should be updated automatically once the record is saved whenever something is placed in either Field 1 or Field 2.

Good luck,

Sylvia

[Michael Lanzieri]

RE: conditional defaults

sylvia;

Thanks for your response. My problem is in formulating the calc: e.q. If(field1=6.and.field2=0) is true than field 3=23; otherwise if field1=6.and.field2=1) is true than field3=33. Both fields are numeric and always evaluates to false. Can I combine the logical expression(as I do in sql) to work as if field1=6 then
if field2=0 then
field3=23;
elsif field2=1 then
field3=33;
end if;
end if;
How can I accomplish this within the alpha data base expression builder? Thanks again.

[Stan Mathews]

RE: conditional defaults

Michael,

Bear with me as I work through this. You have a choice of a "nested if" or a case() construction. I prefer the case() because it seeems cleaner to me, but there is a 16 case limit. So the expression for your field rule for field3 which you express as:
if field1=6 then
if field2=0 then
field3=23;
elsif field2=1 then
field3=33;
end if;
end if;

is case(field1=6.and.field2=0,23,field1=6.and.field2=1,33).

or if(field1=6.and.field2=0,23,if(field1=6.and.field2=1,33,0))
assuming you want a zero in field3 when both conditions fail.

[Michael Lanzieri]

RE: conditional defaults

Thanks Stan. I toyed with the second "if" to be on the 'else' portion of the expression but it was the wrong syntax even though I did not get an error. The latter sample evaluates fine based on my first record but the resulting value(23 or 33) is not being stored in the field itself. I temporarily placed it on the form and I also check for it in the view browse. It acts like the focus is not on field3(numeric) where we want to store the value based on the expression. It is setup as a calculated field in data entry. Both fields(1 & 2) are being data entered and as such I would expect an update to field3 when the expression is true or zero which I am not getting. sems to simple not to work!?