Click button to find record

[Jim Gatton]

This is such a basic question I felt embarassed to ask it. I've checked "Frequently Asked Questions" and searched for many different phrases on the board and haven't come across the answer yet. So...

I want to have a button on my form that when clicked will take me right to record 18 (could be different but it's actually 18). I performed that little task and copied the following code from the Trace Window to the button:
BASE recno = 18 order= key=:0
When I press the button I get an error code of:
"extra characters at end of expression".
I checked the script window and there doesn't seem to be even an extra space at the end.
Something simple I'm missing?
Thanks.

[Cheryl Lemire]

RE: Click button to find record

Try this:

'Go to a specified record number in current form.
DIM var_recno_target as N
var_recno_target = 18

topparent.recno_goto(var_recno_target)

[Jim Gatton]

RE: Click button to find record

Worked perfectly. Many thanks. So, now a much more important question.
I made a very fundamental mistake in just trying to copy from the trace window. What I copied from the trace window had nothing in common with the actual solution. Is there one best place I should go to learn how to do these basics or is it really ok to pose the occasional simple/basic question here? Is there a downloadable manual I really should be examining first that would have fairly easily given me the answer I needed?

[Cheryl Lemire]

RE: Click button to find record

Hi Jim,

There is never anything wrong with asking questions here as there are typically many different solutions to each issue. The code I gave you is not my code and I found very easily ... I recall seeing an action script that said Go To so I went there and voila :)

I created my button, used action scripting, on the right side I scrolled to GoToRecord ... after I finished this I right clicked on my action to view the xbasic code.

There is a lot of documentation for this product that can be downloaded to use locally or accessed via the web. I normally use the web version:

http://support.alphasoftware.com/AlphaFiveHelp/

Normally there is an 'Index' button at the upper left corner which is how I find most searches to return what I am looking for ..... oooooooooooh ED, if you are reading this, can you give us our Index button back please :)

There are also a lot of tutorials etc online:

http://www.alphasoftware.com/support/tech/alpha5/tutorials.asp

And of course the Learning Center:

http://www.alphasoftware.com/support/tech/alpha5/learningcenter.asp

There is also another wonderful website with info:

http://www.learn alpha.com/index.html

Reading the threads on this messageboard as well as the other messageboards available will also assist you with the learning curve. Don't forget to take advantage of the search feature on this board as well, I have found many of my answers doing just that.

I believe there are others, but these should certainly give you more than enough data to begin with.

Welcome to the Alpha Community and good luck

[Cheryl Lemire]

RE: Click button to find record

btw, I apologize for not giving you the steps I took originally to get that code for you. Typically I am a firm believer in teach one how to fish so they can eat for life rather than giving them the fish so they can eat one time.

Another habit I have made myself find time for is to read and follow all of the threads on all of these message boards. Mind you that I never remember everything that I read, I do however put it in the back of my mind. When I come across an instance where I need to do something, I recall reading about it here and know that I can perform my search to at least give me a place to start.

[Jim Gatton]

RE: Click button to find record

Thanks, Cheryl. You read my mind perfectly. I'd really rather "learn to fish" and that was the reason for my follow-up question. I have to confess however, that after spending quite some time trying to work out a solution and searching threads fruitlessly that it was a bonafide treat to have the solution handed to me on a golden platter. Thank you - thank you - thank you!

I've only put together a few personal (very small business) applications over the years using first Alpha 4 (there was no Alpha 5) then A5 v.1.? since then. Wish I had the time to invest *really* learning the program and writing for others but... just a pipedream. Meanwhile, it's just fun to occasionally put together something simple to steamline processes here at the office.

[Cheryl Lemire]

RE: Click button to find record

I am glad the solution worked for you Jim. I too agree that it can be nice to have a solution given to you when you have spent so much time trying to figure it out. I too prefer to have an understanding of the solution. Without that understanding I am unable to use it again in the future. I am sure you have seen that I certainly ask my share of questions :) (waiting for them to ban me from the boards, hehehe)