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field look up formula

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    #1

    field look up formula

    Hi

    Think I've made a basic error in design!

    I created a table and it contains two fields one is part_number the other is description.

    I used a form look up- combibox etc to fill the part number but forgot I want the description to be filled in automatically.

    Can I use a lookup for the field or do I have to do my lookups from the table and use a set?

    thanks

    Ian
    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: field look up formula

    Ian,

    If you used a table lookup in the field rules for your id you can simply add to that rule to auto fill the description field.

    Under the source select your description field, select the matching description field under fill, you can choose to display or not display depending on your needs there.

    Cheryl
    Cheryl
    #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
    http://pagecrazy.com/

    Comment

      #3
      RE: field look up formula

      Another alternative that some would consider to be more correct in this case (assuming the name for a given part number never changes) would be to use a set. In that case, only the part number would be stored in the parent table and the name would be in the related child table. This avoids the issue of having the same name copied into possibly hundreds or thousands of records depending on the amount of data.

      Here are a couple of links to simple tutorials on database normalization that may be helpful: (I think the first one does a better job of explaining the why.)

      http://stat18.stat.auckland.ac.nz/stats220/resource/DevShed/norm.html

      http://www.flws.com.au/showusyourcode/codeLib/code/normalize.asp?catID=3

      RECOMMENDATION: If you are not familiar with normalization, and many A5 users are not, don't start by studying these tutorials - just read through the text first. That way you will get an idea of the reasons for normalization and that is often the key to understanding the rest. Then go back and study the examples to understand the process better.

      One somewhat controversial aspect of normalization revolves around the need for normalization. Some people feel that normalization is mandatory but I believe most database developers feel it is something you should know about but there are still some situations where full normalization is not justified. In other words, developer discretion is allowed.

      Comment

        #4
        RE: field look up formula

        Hi

        Sorry if I seem dense.

        In my table I have two fields part and description.

        If I right click and select properties set the box to combo look up and then go choices abd select computed automaticaly and the select values from a table/set. Select my products table and then the part number I then get a dropdown box to select a part number.

        If I follow you I should have a way to link in my description field?

        Cheers

        Ian

        Comment

          #5
          RE: field look up formula

          Ian,

          Sounds to me like you are talking about a field on a form?

          I am talking about setting a table lookup in the field rules for your table under the ID.

          Cheryl
          Cheryl
          #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
          http://pagecrazy.com/

          Comment

            #6
            RE: field look up formula

            Ian,

            So you have TWO tables: a products table and table2 with the fields part and description.

            You made a form based on table2 and want to be able to enter/lookup the part and the description to be filled in. The part and description coming from the products table.

            The combobox is not the way to go, just use a plain text entry field. As Cheryl mentioned, you just have to set the field rule in table2. So not in a form or browse.

            Right click the table, choose design - field rules. Select the part field and go to the Lookups tab. Here you select the Table Lookup style, set the table to your products table, link field is the part(number). Select the field you want to show when the user click the arrow next to the field on forms/browses and which fields in table2 are to be filled in (part and description). You have further options to select from.
            If you don't want the user to be able to change the description in table2 make that read-only.

            Jos

            Comment

              #7
              RE: field look up formula

              Thanks Jos. I guess I should have given the details on 'how to', I must be losing my touch.

              http://support.alphasoftware.com/alphafivehelp/Xbasic/Using_Field_Rules_for_Table_Lookups.htm

              You can also use Object Properties:

              http://support.alphasoftware.com/alphafivehelp/Xbasic/Using_Object_Properties_for_Table_Lookups.htm

              The above has a link to a Table Lookups sample database as well.

              And third: Overview of Development Approaches

              http://support.alphasoftware.com/alphafivehelp/Xbasic/Overview_of_Development_Approaches.htm

              Hope this better clarifies some of your options.

              Cheryl
              Cheryl
              #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
              http://pagecrazy.com/

              Comment

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