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entering a new record and checking for dups

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    entering a new record and checking for dups

    I have a table with employeename and softwarename fields that has an index built on both of these fields combined. On a entry form that has a browse object listing all the software titles for a specific employeename...I want to check to make sure a new entry/change for softwarename is not duplicated for that employeename. How and at what level (form or table) do I accomplish this?

    #2
    RE: entering a new record and checking for dups

    you could create a calc field combining the 2 fields
    calc fld = employeename+softwarename
    then make the validation rule - value of field must be unique

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      #3
      RE: entering a new record and checking for dups

      I have done this approach with other databases and found that, if you create a calculated field and tell it that it should be unique that it does not work properly. The best soluion that I have come up with so far is to create the field and make it the baseis of a self join relationship. Create another field with the value of one. Then create another function of if sum of parent and child is greater than 1 it is invalid.

      hope that this helps.

      Comment


        #4
        RE: entering a new record and checking for dups

        Hi all,

        Mark wrote "...if you create a calculated field and tell it that it should be unique that it does not work properly."

        I think the problem with the calc field approach is that the validation may preceed the filling of the calculate field.

        I have had reliable results using a custom validation rule in field rules where the uniqueness test is based on an expression rather than on a calculated field based on the expression.

        Bill
        Bill Hanigsberg

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          #5
          RE: entering a new record and checking for dups

          I basically agree with Bill about using a validation rule based on an expression. I was thinking of the built-in Uniqueness rule but Bill referred to a 'custom' validation rule. I think the results should be the same other than the fact that a Custom validation allows you to create your own warning message which can be very helpful because the standard warning isn't terrible intuitive - one of the problems of standard warnings designed to fit all situations.

          The real reason for my reply: I would suggest in cases like this that you put a matching validation on both fields in case someone decides to enter/change the fields in reverse order. It's sometimes amazing to see what kinds of unexpected things people will do with your data.

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