Restart Serial Number based on Group change

[gschepp]

Is it possible to restart the numbering when the group changes back to 1?

Example

Area1 Judge 1
Area1 Clerk 1
Area1 Greeter 1
Area1 Greeter 2
Area1 Greeter 3
Area2 Judge 1
Area2 Clerk 1
Area2 Greeter 1

The position (Judge, Clerk, Greeter) would be grouped within areas as shown. In the Greeter example when it will serial count until Area1 Greeter changes to Area2 Judge. At that point it would start at 1 again and continue to add 1 until there is another change.

I am hoping that by accomplishing this in two different tables. The first table consists of only authorized positions and identified with unique id. The second table consists of all former and current workers with the corresponding unique id. Former workers are included due to the fact that they may work one election and not be available for the next until a election later.

A set would be created with the first table as the primary table. From this particular set open positions would be viewed and reports generated when needed.

Right now I have a set with the worker file as the primary table and linked with precinct and election sites. Each election site has different number of workers assigned.

[MoGrace]

Re: Restart Serial Number based on Group change

If you have a fixed number of Areas and a default list of Positions, it might not be a bad idea to create a static or validation table to use for a lookup. You can also create an auto_increment field rule that works only as the default data so that the user can overtype it (different than the Type of field in field rules). And perhaps use 2 or 3 fields which are then added together to create a key_linking field.

[gschepp]

Re: Restart Serial Number based on Group change

The areas are fixed for the particular election but could be more or less the following election. At least 2 of the positions only have 1 in each area. At least 2 have varying openings in each position.

The position file would only be used until it was completed. The user would only do entry in the worker file. In the worker file I don't want the user to create this particular ID on their own. It would be created based on the area, position and whether it is the first, second or third Asst Clerk or Greeter.

It is the position file that I need the ability to create the code via an operation or xbasic program that will increment when the next record has an identical position for the group or start back at 1. In this election there are a total of 559 positions available.

Possible positions:
(1) Judge
(1) Asst Judge
(1) Clerk
(1-2) Asst Clerk
(1-3) Greeter

[MoGrace]

Re: Restart Serial Number based on Group change

But that makes a list of only 8 selections which is not too bad for a drop down list. But I know what you want to do. Perhaps someone else has an idea.

Unless... you could figure out a way to populate a table with all the Area-Positions, and then you could cycle thru the list by setting a flag (L) after each was used and offer the next one available in a list.

Excel might be helpful for making the list, then you could import it into a table.

[gschepp]

Re: Restart Serial Number based on Group change

The list came from Excel and except for the numbering it was all done. There should be a way to do it. I remember being able to do it in Symantec's Q&A which was a flat database back in the early 90's.

I already have a drop down list which I will probably add the other additional extra positions.

But I still need to do reports showing positions not filled and believe it won't work unless the position table is the primary and the unique link is working.

But that makes a list of only 8 selections which is not too bad for a drop down list. But I know what you want to do. Perhaps someone else has an idea.

Unless... you could figure out a way to populate a table with all the Area-Positions, and then you could cycle thru the list by setting a flag (L) after each was used and offer the next one available in a list.

Excel might be helpful for making the list, then you could import it into a table.