Opening a form to "New Record"

[Sholom Hamada]

How can I open a form to a "new record" without displaying a previously shown record?

I have a form with an embedded browse showing existing records, as well as a button to click to enter a new record. When the user double-clicks on a row in the browse, it opens another form showing the details for that record. However, if you click on the "New" button, it opens that second form, but it shows the previously viewed record for a split second, before it goes to "new record". How can I avoid that record "flicker"?

I am using Action Scripting on the "new record" button. I open the second form in "hidden, normal" mode and then do a "Enter new record" action hoping that the previous record will at least be hidden, but this doesn't work. It still "flickers" the old record.

Any suggestions?

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Opening a form to

Sholom,

The Action Scripting sequence I use goes like this:

1) open the called form, hidden, normal (the form is based on the child table, not the set);
2) begin new record in the called form;
3) assign the link field value to the appropriate
field object on the called form;
4) set focus on the field object where the user should begin typing;
5) show the form (actually, show the window).

Is this what you're doing?

Are you using a very slow machine?

-- tom

[Keith Hubert]

RE: Opening a form to

Tom,

Just as a matter of interest couldn't Sholom set the Tab order so the selected field has focus when the form is opened?

Keith Hubert
London.

[Sholom Hamada]

RE: Opening a form to

I think I'm doing very similar to what you are prescribing, but shorter:

1) Open the form (hidden, normal)
2) Set to new record

I am not actively showing the record because, I believe, the form will automatically show when I do some action to it, in this case set it to new record. That's what's happening, except that it's showing the record before it moves to new record, not after it moves, so it shows the old record for a split second.

I'm using a fast enough machine (1 mHz).

[Scott Emerick]

RE: Opening a form to

Sholom,

As Tom stated, ALL actions before the window is shown should not be seen.

If you open the form in "hidden, normal" then set it to new record THEN show it you would not see anything but the new record.

I am not actively showing the record because, I believe, the form will automatically show when I do some action to it, in this case set it to new record.

Not True! You Must show the window or it will stay hidden and risk giving you another instance of the form and/or leaving your table opened.

Follow what Tom suggested in the order he suggested it and you should be fine.

Scott

[Sholom Hamada]

RE: Opening a form to

I don't know, I must be doing something wrong. The form is showing even though I haven't explicitly told it to show.

I am opening the form hidden, normal. No additional selection criteria.

If that is all I do, the form stays hidden.

But as soon as I add "Enter new record" (using "enter record into another form" and "parent level"), it automatically shows on the previously selected record, and then goes to a new record.

[Scott Emerick]

RE: Opening a form to

Sholom,

Try this. Put your action script for "enter new record" in the forms 'OnInt' event of the form your opening and then the "window show" action.

Scott

[Sholom Hamada]

RE: Opening a form to

Thanks, but it didn't work.

First of all, I get a flash on the screen of some window (I don't know what it is, it goes by so fast).

Second, unless I can differentiate on the form between a request for a new record or a display of an old record, I would need duplicate forms for the same function - one for maintaining old record and one for new records. That would be a maintenance nightmare.

[Scott Emerick]

RE: Opening a form to

Sholom,

I just tried a few things and first I want you to know that you are correct. Opening the form as hidden normal does show when the enter new record action fires. I don't recall that being the way it worked, but so many changes .. its possible thats one of them.

Here is your solution.

Add a new inline xbasic action before the newrecord action with the following line:
ui_freeze(.t.)

See the attached screen shot.

Have a great day!

Scott

[Sholom Hamada]

RE: Opening a form to

That did it! (I was beginning to think that I was crazy.)

Thanks a lot.

BTW, shouldn't there be a "Open to new record" choice in the "Open form or Browse" genie on the "record selection" tab? I would use that many times. Am I the first person to want to open a form in this manner?

[Scott Emerick]

RE: Opening a form to

Sholom,

Sanity checks have been a standard routine for me lately, so don't feel bad, your not crazy.

To be honest with you, your idea is not a bad one at that, and to me, doesn't seem like it would be a hard option to add. I am sure alot of people open forms in enter mode ..

Have a great day!

Scott

[Sholom Hamada]

RE: Opening a form to

Where/to whom would I address such a suggestion?

[Bob Earnshaw]

RE: Opening a form to

I have been able to open a form and enter a new record using the following code which was adapted from Alpha Sports. The form is called "Confirmed".


DIM Shared varP_Confirmed as P
DIM layout_name as c
layout_name = "Confirmed"
varP_Confirmed = :Form.load(layout_name,"dialog")

'Execute inline Xbasic code.
:Confirmed:Button2.activate()
:Confirmed:Button2.push()'This button Enters a New record

'Inline-Xbasic. Converted from: Activate object 'ENQUIRYNON' in Form 'Confirmed' .
'Activate object 'ENQUIRYNON' in Form 'Confirmed' .
DIM window_name as C
window_name = ":"+"Confirmed"
DIM varP_Object as p
'Get a pointer to the specified window
varP_Object = obj(window_name)
'Check if the specified window exists
if .not. is_object(varP_Object) then
ui_msg_box("Error","The window '"+window_name+"' does not exist.",ui_stop_symbol)
else
varP_Object:ENQUIRYNON.activate()
end if

'Show in Form 'Confirmed' .
DIM object_name as C
object_name = ":"+"Confirmed"
DIM varP_Object as p
'Get a pointer to the specified object
varP_Object = obj(object_name)
'Check if the specified object exists
if .not. is_object(varP_Object) then
ui_msg_box("Error","The object '"+object_name+"' does not exist.",ui_stop_symbol)
else
varP_Object.show()
end if

'Refresh data in current form at parent level.
'Can only resynch data in View mode, so save record first to be sure that layout is in View mode.
topparent.Commit()
topparent.Resynch()
topparent.Refresh_Layout()

'Activate the Object that Previously had focus.
dim previous_object_Name as c
previous_object_name = topparent.Active_Prev()
if previous_object_name "" then
dim previous_object as p
previous_object = obj(Previous_object_name)
previous_object.activate()
end if

'The following code must be executed as the last step in the script.
'The user has closed the dialog form, but it is still in memory. Remove it from memory.
if is_object(varP_Confirmed) = .t. then
varP_Confirmed.close()
end if

[Scott Emerick]

RE: Opening a form to

Sholom,

Selwyn Rabins would be the man that would do it if he felt it was worth the time.

Scott

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Opening a form to

Sholom,

Now that you have it working, use the binoculars to check the xbasic code underneath the covers. You'll find it quite simple. When I need this sequence I usually write it in inline xbasic. If an example showing this would be of use, let me know.

-- tom