Disappearing Records-date changes
Hello,
My question is as follows:.
We are using FIlemaker Server and FIlemaker 6.0 for our clients.
Ocassionally, we have records that we know were in the database the day before disappear and no where to be found.
Also, some of our dates change automatically and we don't know why.
For example: We have a field called INvoice sent date which is a calculation- If (Invoice sent = "X", Today," ")
We actually put an X in the invoice sent field which the trigggers Invoice sent date.
The field option do not evaluate if reference field is empty and we have indexing on.
I didn't think that the today function recalculates each day. We use the invoice sent date to perform other functions and do not want it to recalculate each time program opens?
DO you have any suggestions? APpreciate your help
My question is as follows:.
We are using FIlemaker Server and FIlemaker 6.0 for our clients.
Ocassionally, we have records that we know were in the database the day before disappear and no where to be found.
Also, some of our dates change automatically and we don't know why.
For example: We have a field called INvoice sent date which is a calculation- If (Invoice sent = "X", Today," ")
We actually put an X in the invoice sent field which the trigggers Invoice sent date.
The field option do not evaluate if reference field is empty and we have indexing on.
I didn't think that the today function recalculates each day. We use the invoice sent date to perform other functions and do not want it to recalculate each time program opens?
DO you have any suggestions? APpreciate your help
ASKER
Yes, I am told the records are actually deleted.
Are you saying the invoice sent date should change if any of the a record fields change or if only the INvoice sent and invoice sent date change?
Usually when some one changes the information incorrectly a ? appears in the field.
The reason why we want to use an automatic calculation field is because we have users that forget to fill the required fields in properly.
It's very strange because when I look at lst nights back up the invoice sent date is 4/19/05 but today the date is 4/15/05. It really doesn't make any sense to me.
What is the bug for the today field that you are talking about?
Thanks
Are you saying the invoice sent date should change if any of the a record fields change or if only the INvoice sent and invoice sent date change?
Usually when some one changes the information incorrectly a ? appears in the field.
The reason why we want to use an automatic calculation field is because we have users that forget to fill the required fields in properly.
It's very strange because when I look at lst nights back up the invoice sent date is 4/19/05 but today the date is 4/15/05. It really doesn't make any sense to me.
What is the bug for the today field that you are talking about?
Thanks
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
I just can't get either of your suggested calculations to work.
Can you please give examples of scripts so date automatically updated in a invoice sent date when you put an X in the invoice sent field. I tried to use the Status(Current Date) function but could not get it to work as well as the check box scenario. I do not want the invoice sent date to change.
THanks
Can you please give examples of scripts so date automatically updated in a invoice sent date when you put an X in the invoice sent field. I tried to use the Status(Current Date) function but could not get it to work as well as the check box scenario. I do not want the invoice sent date to change.
THanks
Here is a simple demonstration of the concept.
http://www.milleniumhandandshrimp.com/upload/demo.fp5
Click the check box field.
The field is actually a button, which runs a script. The script checks to see if the box is already checked. If it isn't, then
the script changes the checkbox to checked, and stores todays date in the date field.
If the box IS checked already, then it looks to see if there's a date in the field. If there is, it asks the user if they are
sure they want to clear it. If they say yes, it clears the date AND the checkbox.
If they say no, it doesn't do anything.
http://www.milleniumhandandshrimp.com/upload/demo.fp5
Click the check box field.
The field is actually a button, which runs a script. The script checks to see if the box is already checked. If it isn't, then
the script changes the checkbox to checked, and stores todays date in the date field.
If the box IS checked already, then it looks to see if there's a date in the field. If there is, it asks the user if they are
sure they want to clear it. If they say yes, it clears the date AND the checkbox.
If they say no, it doesn't do anything.
There is a known bug with the today() function, and you should use the Status(CurrentDate) function instead. It's possible that bug could have something to do with your problem, but from what you have described, I would expect the Invoice sent date to change if the record is altered.That could also be causing your problem.
In this case, you would probably be better off using a regular date field instead of a calculation, and use a script to set the date field when someone clicks in the Invoice Sent field. That way you have more control. When the X value changes, you can check to see if there's an existing date already, and prompt the user to be sure they really want to make the change.
It's also possible you could have a corrupted database, but I not try doing any sort of recovery until after you have fixed the date issues and see if that resolves the problem.