I'm back for my latest public tutorial on how to use FileMaker. I'm not
sure how to describe what's going wrong, so I'll start with what I'm
trying to do.
Conceptually, I want to create a list of values in a "file". I write
"file" because I don't really want to use an external file, I want to
use a table in my database. So I create such a table (call it "the value table") and populate it with a few values. I also create a value list
(call it "the value list") whose values come from a field in that table.
Then I create a field (call it "the value field") in another table that
is going to get its values from the value table. On a layout that has
the value field, I set things up using the Inspector so the value field
gets its values from the value list as a drop-down list. At least, I
think that's what I've done.
It doesn't work. To begin with, when I click in the field that is
supposed to be a drop-down list, I get a protest that the value table is
an unrelated table. In desperation, I create dummy link fields in the
two tables, just so I can say that they are related. Now when I click in
the field that is supposed to be a drop-down list, I no longer get the protest, but nothing happens at all.
Help?
Charlier
I'm back for my latest public tutorial on how to use FileMaker. I'm not
sure how to describe what's going wrong, so I'll start with what I'm
trying to do.
Conceptually, I want to create a list of values in a "file". I write
"file" because I don't really want to use an external file, I want to
use a table in my database. So I create such a table (call it "the value table") and populate it with a few values. I also create a value list
(call it "the value list") whose values come from a field in that table.
Then I create a field (call it "the value field") in another table that
is going to get its values from the value table. On a layout that has
the value field, I set things up using the Inspector so the value field
gets its values from the value list as a drop-down list. At least, I
think that's what I've done.
It doesn't work. To begin with, when I click in the field that is
supposed to be a drop-down list, I get a protest that the value table is
an unrelated table.
On 2018-03-18 23:39:33 +0000, Charles H. Sampson said:
I'm back for my latest public tutorial on how to use FileMaker. I'm not sure how to describe what's going wrong, so I'll start with what I'm
trying to do.
Conceptually, I want to create a list of values in a "file". I write
"file" because I don't really want to use an external file, I want to
use a table in my database. So I create such a table (call it "the value table") and populate it with a few values. I also create a value list
(call it "the value list") whose values come from a field in that table. Then I create a field (call it "the value field") in another table that
is going to get its values from the value table. On a layout that has
the value field, I set things up using the Inspector so the value field gets its values from the value list as a drop-down list. At least, I
think that's what I've done.
It doesn't work. To begin with, when I click in the field that is
supposed to be a drop-down list, I get a protest that the value table is
an unrelated table. In desperation, I create dummy link fields in the
two tables, just so I can say that they are related. Now when I click in the field that is supposed to be a drop-down list, I no longer get the protest, but nothing happens at all.
Help?
Charlier
The word "file" may be confusing things.
- In the "Edit Value List" window you should be using the
option "Use values from field", and specify the field
from your Value List Table.
- Also check in the "Specify Fields for Value List" window
that it is using the option "Include all values".
All done. Just set the data field format in the (horrible!) Inspector
window to use this Value List.
You don't need a relationship link at all, unless you only want some of
the Value Table data to be shown in the Value List.
On Sun, 18 Mar 2018 16:39:33 -0700, Charles H. Sampson wrote:
I'm back for my latest public tutorial on how to use FileMaker. I'm not sure how to describe what's going wrong, so I'll start with what I'm
trying to do.
Conceptually, I want to create a list of values in a "file". I write
"file" because I don't really want to use an external file, I want to
use a table in my database. So I create such a table (call it "the value table") and populate it with a few values. I also create a value list
(call it "the value list") whose values come from a field in that table. Then I create a field (call it "the value field") in another table that
is going to get its values from the value table. On a layout that has
the value field, I set things up using the Inspector so the value field gets its values from the value list as a drop-down list. At least, I
think that's what I've done.
Which name did you give to your value list?
It doesn't work. To begin with, when I click in the field that is
supposed to be a drop-down list, I get a protest that the value table is
an unrelated table.
It works. I just created a dummy file which works just perfectly. I'll
send it over to you.
Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> wrote:
On 2018-03-18 23:39:33 +0000, Charles H. Sampson said:
I'm back for my latest public tutorial on how to use FileMaker. I'm not
sure how to describe what's going wrong, so I'll start with what I'm
trying to do.
Conceptually, I want to create a list of values in a "file". I write
"file" because I don't really want to use an external file, I want to
use a table in my database. So I create such a table (call it "the value >>> table") and populate it with a few values. I also create a value list
(call it "the value list") whose values come from a field in that table. >>> Then I create a field (call it "the value field") in another table that
is going to get its values from the value table. On a layout that has
the value field, I set things up using the Inspector so the value field
gets its values from the value list as a drop-down list. At least, I
think that's what I've done.
It doesn't work. To begin with, when I click in the field that is
supposed to be a drop-down list, I get a protest that the value table is >>> an unrelated table. In desperation, I create dummy link fields in the
two tables, just so I can say that they are related. Now when I click in >>> the field that is supposed to be a drop-down list, I no longer get the
protest, but nothing happens at all.
Help?
Charlier
The word "file" may be confusing things.
I hope not. I was only usomg t to explain my concept.
- In the "Edit Value List" window you should be using the
option "Use values from field", and specify the field
from your Value List Table.
I did this.
- Also check in the "Specify Fields for Value List" window
that it is using the option "Include all values".
Also did this.
All done. Just set the data field format in the (horrible!) Inspector
window to use this Value List.
I'm not clear here. The Inspector has a Data Formatting section, but it doesn't have anything relevant that I can see. In its Field section are
a bunch of things that are like what you're describing. Specifically,
I've set Display Data From to the field of the values table that I want,
I've set Control Style to Drop-down List, and I've set Values From to
use the list.
And it doesn't work. (But see below.)
You don't need a relationship link at all, unless you only want some of
the Value Table data to be shown in the Value List.
Without the bogus link, <Unrelated Table> is displayed in the space for
the drop-down list that I want. If I go ahead and click in that space, I
get a pop-up that says, "This operation could not be completed because
the target is not part of a related table."
Here's breaking news of more bizarre behavior. Something inspired me to
try a Find using that space. When I click in it while setting up a find,
the drop-down list appears! I can even select one of the items to
populate the field! However, when I try to perform the find, I get the
pop-up above ("This operation ...").
It works. I just created a dummy file which works just perfectly. I'll
send it over to you.
How? Do you remember that I once set up Drop Box? It was so long ago
that I've forgotten how to use it.
Martin ?rautmann <t-usenet@gmx.net> wrote:
On Sun, 18 Mar 2018 16:39:33 -0700, Charles H. Sampson wrote:
I'm back for my latest public tutorial on how to use FileMaker. I'm not
sure how to describe what's going wrong, so I'll start with what I'm
trying to do.
Conceptually, I want to create a list of values in a "file". I write
"file" because I don't really want to use an external file, I want to
use a table in my database. So I create such a table (call it "the value >>> table") and populate it with a few values. I also create a value list
(call it "the value list") whose values come from a field in that table. >>> Then I create a field (call it "the value field") in another table that
is going to get its values from the value table. On a layout that has
the value field, I set things up using the Inspector so the value field
gets its values from the value list as a drop-down list. At least, I
think that's what I've done.
Which name did you give to your value list?
I'll get specific instead of writing generally. The table is named Orchestras. The list is name Orchestra List.
On Mon, 19 Mar 2018 13:32:37 -0700, Charles H. Sampson wrote:
It works. I just created a dummy file which works just perfectly. I'll
send it over to you.
How? Do you remember that I once set up Drop Box? It was so long ago
that I've forgotten how to use it.
I had sent it to csampson@inetworld.net as a simple mail. It's just 60
kB file size.
On 2018-03-19 20:32:37 +0000, Charles H. Sampson said:
Martin ?rautmann <t-usenet@gmx.net> wrote:
On Sun, 18 Mar 2018 16:39:33 -0700, Charles H. Sampson wrote:
I'm back for my latest public tutorial on how to use FileMaker. I'm not >>> sure how to describe what's going wrong, so I'll start with what I'm
trying to do.
Conceptually, I want to create a list of values in a "file". I write
"file" because I don't really want to use an external file, I want to
use a table in my database. So I create such a table (call it "the value >>> table") and populate it with a few values. I also create a value list
(call it "the value list") whose values come from a field in that table. >>> Then I create a field (call it "the value field") in another table that >>> is going to get its values from the value table. On a layout that has
the value field, I set things up using the Inspector so the value field >>> gets its values from the value list as a drop-down list. At least, I
think that's what I've done.
Which name did you give to your value list?
I'll get specific instead of writing generally. The table is named Orchestras. The list is name Orchestra List.
You might want to take the space out: "OrchestraList"
The usually recommend approach is to prefix value list names with
something like "vl" ... vl_Orchestra" perhaps.
I'm not sure if "List" by itself is a reserved / special word, which
could (although shouldn't) cause problems.
<Unrelated Table> is displayed in the space for
the drop-down list that I want. If I go ahead and click in that space, I
get a pop-up that says, "This operation could not be completed because
the target is not part of a related table."
Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> wrote:
On 2018-03-19 20:32:37 +0000, Charles H. Sampson said:
Martin ?rautmann <t-usenet@gmx.net> wrote:
On Sun, 18 Mar 2018 16:39:33 -0700, Charles H. Sampson wrote:
I'm back for my latest public tutorial on how to use FileMaker. I'm not >>>>> sure how to describe what's going wrong, so I'll start with what I'm >>>>> trying to do.
Conceptually, I want to create a list of values in a "file". I write >>>>> "file" because I don't really want to use an external file, I want to >>>>> use a table in my database. So I create such a table (call it "the value >>>>> table") and populate it with a few values. I also create a value list >>>>> (call it "the value list") whose values come from a field in that table. >>>>> Then I create a field (call it "the value field") in another table that >>>>> is going to get its values from the value table. On a layout that has >>>>> the value field, I set things up using the Inspector so the value field >>>>> gets its values from the value list as a drop-down list. At least, I >>>>> think that's what I've done.
Which name did you give to your value list?
I'll get specific instead of writing generally. The table is named
Orchestras. The list is name Orchestra List.
You might want to take the space out: "OrchestraList"
The usually recommend approach is to prefix value list names with
something like "vl" ... vl_Orchestra" perhaps.
I'm not sure if "List" by itself is a reserved / special word, which
could (although shouldn't) cause problems.
If you use a word that's going to cause problems - I always want to use
"and" - you get a warning about it.
That's the problem. I don't publish my email address. Use c1936sampson@inetworld.net. That's a disused email box that is cluttered
with a lot of junk. I've just freed up enough for your 60KB file. I'll
make sure to look for it.
On 2018-03-19 20:27:03 +0000, Charles H. Sampson said:
Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> wrote:
On 2018-03-18 23:39:33 +0000, Charles H. Sampson said:
I'm back for my latest public tutorial on how to use FileMaker. I'm not >>> sure how to describe what's going wrong, so I'll start with what I'm
trying to do.
Conceptually, I want to create a list of values in a "file". I write
"file" because I don't really want to use an external file, I want to
use a table in my database. So I create such a table (call it "the value >>> table") and populate it with a few values. I also create a value list
(call it "the value list") whose values come from a field in that table. >>> Then I create a field (call it "the value field") in another table that >>> is going to get its values from the value table. On a layout that has
the value field, I set things up using the Inspector so the value field >>> gets its values from the value list as a drop-down list. At least, I
think that's what I've done.
It doesn't work. To begin with, when I click in the field that is
supposed to be a drop-down list, I get a protest that the value table is >>> an unrelated table. In desperation, I create dummy link fields in the
two tables, just so I can say that they are related. Now when I click in >>> the field that is supposed to be a drop-down list, I no longer get the >>> protest, but nothing happens at all.
Help?
Charlier
The word "file" may be confusing things.
I hope not. I was only usomg t to explain my concept.
- In the "Edit Value List" window you should be using the
option "Use values from field", and specify the field
from your Value List Table.
I did this.
- Also check in the "Specify Fields for Value List" window
that it is using the option "Include all values".
Also did this.
All done. Just set the data field format in the (horrible!) Inspector
window to use this Value List.
I'm not clear here. The Inspector has a Data Formatting section, but it doesn't have anything relevant that I can see. In its Field section are
a bunch of things that are like what you're describing. Specifically,
I've set Display Data From to the field of the values table that I want,
I think this is the cause of the problem. You shouldn't really ever
change "Display Data From" option. You want the main data entry Field
to display its data from its own Table, not the "Values Table" - that
does require a Relationship link.
Delete that Field form the Layout, and put a new copy of the main
Table's data entry field. Select the Field, and then in the silly
Inspector's "Data" tab:
- The "Display Data From" option must stay the same as the default.
This is for the what the record's stored data the field displays
is.
- Underneath that is the "Control Style", which you want to be
"Drop-down List".
- The options under that then change and you can set the "Values
from" option to be your defined Value List - these are the items
that will be displayed in the Drop-down List for the user to
choose from.
I've set Control Style to Drop-down List, and I've set Values From to
use the list.
And it doesn't work. (But see below.)
You don't need a relationship link at all, unless you only want some of
the Value Table data to be shown in the Value List.
Without the bogus link, <Unrelated Table> is displayed in the space for
the drop-down list that I want. If I go ahead and click in that space, I get a pop-up that says, "This operation could not be completed because
the target is not part of a related table."
Here's breaking news of more bizarre behavior. Something inspired me to
try a Find using that space. When I click in it while setting up a find, the drop-down list appears! I can even select one of the items to
populate the field! However, when I try to perform the find, I get the pop-up above ("This operation ...").
The reason the field list works in Find Mode is because FileMaker is displaying all the possible values you might want to Find, rather than
only the related values that setting the Field to display values from
the Values Table would
Yet again, the process in newer versions of FileMaker Pro is far more complicated that it used to be, and far more complicated than it needs
to be! :o(
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