Single-criteria relationships
In a single-criteria
relationship, data in one
field is matched to data in another field.
For example, a
record in either
table is related to any record in the other table when the values TextFieldA and TextFieldB are the same.
Using a single-criteria relationship
Use a single-criteria relationship to relate two tables based on a single common value, such as a serial number or an ID number. For example:
1. Create a database with these two tables:
•Customers, which stores names and addresses
•Contacts, which stores phone numbers, types of phones numbers (such as work, home, mobile, and so on), and email addresses
The data is split between two tables because a single customer can have multiple phone numbers and email addresses.
2. Create the following fields:
Table | Field name | Comment |
Customers | Customer ID | Number field |
| First Name | Text field |
| Last Name | Text field |
| Address1 | Text field |
| City | Text field |
| State | Text field |
| Country | Text field |
Contacts | Phone Number | Text field |
| Phone Type | Text field |
| Email Address | Text field |
| Email Type | Text field |
| Customer ID | Number field |
These settings ensure that each record in the Customers table has a unique ID number.
In the Contacts table, the Customer ID is a simple number field, so do not set any auto-entry options, but set the field to validate as not empty.
5. In the Edit Relationship dialog box:
•Select
Allow creation of records in this table via this relationship for the Contacts table. When you enter a phone number in an empty
portal row, FileMaker Pro automatically creates a
related record for that phone number.
Because the relationship is defined to allow the creation of related records in the Contacts table, the Customer ID number from a Customers record will be inserted automatically in the Customer ID field in the Contacts table in each new related record. This allows many records in the Contacts table to be related to a single record in the Customers table.
•Select Delete related records in this table when a record is deleted in the other table for the Contacts table. There is no reason to retain old phone numbers if the matching contact record has been deleted.
6. Add a portal to the Contacts table on the Customer
layout, and add these related fields to the portal: Phone Number, Email Address.
When you enter a phone number or an email address in an empty portal row in the Customers table, FileMaker Pro creates a related record for that phone number or email address in the Contacts table.
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