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Set Next Serial Value

Purpose 

Resets the next serial value in an auto-entry serial number field.

Format 

Set Next Serial Value [<table::field>; <value or formula>]

Options 

•	Select Specify target field or click Specify to specify the serial number field on which the script step will operate. The field you specify must be defined as an auto-entry serial number field.

•	Calculated result: Click Specify to enter the next serial value or create a calculation to determine the next serial value.

Compatibility 

 

Where the script step runs	Supported
FileMaker Pro	Yes
FileMaker Server scheduled script	Yes
FileMaker Go	Yes
Custom Web Publishing	Yes
FileMaker WebDirect	Yes
Runtime solution	Yes

Originated in 

FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description 

Allows you to use the Manage Scripts feature to update the value. You can define this script step to use any calculation expression to determine the next serial value of a field that has been defined as an auto-entry serial number field. The calculation always evaluates to a text result.

For example, you might want to reset the next serial value after you do one of the following:

•	import records into a FileMaker Pro database with an auto-entry serial number field

•	delete multiple serialized numbers from a FileMaker Pro database

Notes

•	This script step affects the definition of the field you specify instead of the actual contents of the field that you specify.

•

This script step can operate on multiple files. If you specify a field in another file, then FileMaker Pro attempts to update the serial number for the specified field in the other file. To specify a field in another file, define a relationship to that file and use Specify target field to select a field from that file.

Example 1 

Calculates the number of the next available invoice ID, using the Max function to return the highest value in the Invoice ID field. If an invoice ID contains non-numeric data, then the calculation would need to be more sophisticated to maintain the numeric and non-numeric data.

Set Next Serial Value [Invoices::Invoice ID; Max ( Invoices::Invoice ID ) + 1]

Example 2 

Sets the next serial number value in the Invoice ID field options after importing records. Useful if Perform auto-enter options while importing is not selected in order to preserve dates and other auto-entered values.

Import Records [Add; Mac Roman]
Set Next Serial Value [Invoices::Invoice ID; Get ( TotalRecordCount ) + 1]

Example 3 

Prompts the user to input the next serial value.

Show Custom Dialog ["Set the next serial number value"; Invoices::Next Serial Value]
If [Get ( LastMessageChoice ) = 1]
Set Next Serial Value [Invoices::Invoice ID; Invoices::Next Serial Value]
End If

Related topics 

Import Records script step

Defining calculation fields

Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

Script steps reference (category list)