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Display Record Based on TEXT typed in Text Box

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    #1

    Display Record Based on TEXT typed in Text Box

    Hi, instead of using a button to activate a search to display a desired record, I wish to create a text box, upon the user typing the disired search criteria e.g. client number or surname in to the text box and pressing enter, I want all associated details for the record identified by that number or surname typed into the text box displayed according to the fields I have placed on the same form e.g. title, surname, first names, address, client number.

    Does anyone have any pointers, thoughts on how to achieve this?
    Tags: None
    #2
    Mark, this sounds like the supplied "find by form" functionality that's already built in, except one pushes the lightning bolt to run the search, and one can search on any field.

    -- tom

    Comment

      #3
      Tom, True, but trying to be difficult, want to achieve a certain desired layout, flow and simplicity to my application with the end user in mind.

      Comment

        #4
        Well, it seems to me that you need two pieces of information from the user. The first would be the name of the field they want to search, and the second would be the search key they want to use. The latter can be obtained using a local variable tied to a text box. Declare the variable in the form layout, and the drag/drop it to the form. Getting the identity of the field to search will depend on the type of interface you wish to present. Could be a check box or radio button choice, for example.

        Once the inputs are set the user could push a button to run the search. The OnPush event script of the button object would use the "field name" input string to set the necessary index primary. It would then do a find by key using the user's search key and navigate to the found record. You may find that the "not found" situation will require special handling. For example, you may want to use the exist() function to do a sneak peek to determine if the search key is present in the index, before attempting the fetch_find. This may give you more graceful options for handling the not found case.

        Considering the fact that Alpha lets you define a custom form to use with the Find by Form tool, you may be working too hard. The custom form could easily limit the number of searchable fields, for example.

        -- tom

        Comment

          #5
          Mark,

          If I am understanding your request...

          I have seen a few programs that function this way. Peachtree Accounting comes to mind.

          Let's say that you are lookng at a screen with customer information on it.

          You place the cursor in the "Company Name" field which currently has the value of ABC Company.

          You type "XYZ Company" and hit enter.

          The software then looks up the customer XYZ Company and displays all of the information related to this customer.

          If this is what you are looking to accomplish...

          1. As a user of software like this, I can tell you that it is less than user friendly.

          2. This is by no stretch of the imagination a Windows standard.

          3. Yes, I think it is easily accomplished and I will be glad to assist if this is in fact what you want to do.

          Let me know either way.

          Kindest Regards,

          Louis

          Comment

            #6
            Tom, Louis, I appreciate your relpies, Louis i'd be keen to hear any suggestions you have to achieve my desired result.

            I thought I would experiment with the 'set index' statement by adding conditions that will distinguish the text entered for the search criteria as numeric or text respectivley client number and client name.

            kind regards


            Mark

            Comment

              #7
              Mark,

              Before I go any further, did I accurately describe the desired effect?

              Louis

              Comment

                #8
                You place the cursor in the "Company Name" field which currently has the value of ABC Company.

                You type "XYZ Company" and hit enter.
                Louis, this approach will be difficult in Alpha Five, of course, because the field objects on the form are bound to the table. When the search key is typed into a field object, the contents of the record buffer for the current record is changed. If the record is then committed to disk on purpose (or by accident) the current record is changed. A result the user will not have intended, I'm sure. Far better to collect the input in variables rather than in field objects bound to the underlying table. I suspect this is why Find by Form works the way it does. -- tom

                Comment

                  #9
                  Tom,

                  I couldn't agree more.

                  Like I said, although I'm sure it's possible to create this functionality, I would highly recommend another approach.

                  The potential problems this can cause are frightning to say the least.

                  Regardless...if this is what Mark wants to do and if it's possible within Alpha5 to create this functionality then...

                  Louis

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Mark,

                    The more I go back and re-read this thread, the more I think I'm wrong in my understanding of what you want to accomplish.

                    Are you looking to place a single textbox on a form then when information is typed into that textbox and enter is pressed...

                    evaluate the data to determine whether it is alpha or numeric, then
                    if it is alpha, look up the record based on the surname...or
                    if it is numeric, look up the record based on client number?

                    What if you have more than one Smith or Jones?
                    Do you want to simply go to the first Smith or do you want to produce a query of all Smiths and give focus to the first or do you want to present the user with a list of all of the Smiths and let the user decide which one they want or...?

                    Louis

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Louis, correct understanding, I was going to tackle the query side after I could verify my initial concept was workable. Ultimatley user able to give focus to desired record in a list of like surnames returned from query e.g. for 'smith'

                      Mark

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