Repeating Fields or Portal?

[machtenx]

This is what I'm trying to accomplish:
I need to make a form for a clerk to enter orders into. Clients request one type of product to be delivered on several dates, each date has a quantity delivered.

I created repeating fields for this purpose and this works fine so far until I was recently presented with the task of being able to export these to an excel file listed by shipment date. I used an html table to export the records just fine, however the repeating fields are listed horizontally.

I need the shipping dates and quantities to be listed vertically, and if possible it would be great to have them with the whole record attached to each.

Should I create a separate database and use portal rows or is there another way I can manipulate the repeating fields for my desired effect?

any help much appreciated!
Matt

 

[ImStevenB]

I prefer to use portals in these situations - in fact whenever there are multiple entries involved.

It's easier to manipulate the information when each line is a separate record.

Just my opinion though.

HTH

Im Steven B

http://www.myarcadia.net

 

[machtenx]

so if I use portals, i'd probably end up doing my export from the Database that the portals are from, correct? whats the best way to link them since I've linked them using invoice number, and now when i create a new record in the portal database, it creates a new record in the original =/

 

[machtenx]

Ok that will work pretty well. I'm kind of a newb to portals. Is there any way I can allow the user to edit/create records in the portal?

 

[ImStevenB]

When you create the file that will have the portal entries, you want to have a field for the invoice number because that is the relationship the portal will be based on.

You can allow the user to edit the fields in the portal and allow them to add a new record. Once they click on the next blank line - the new record will create and the invoice number will fill in automatically since that is what the relationship is based on.

When setting up the fields to be displayed in the portal make sure the field format allows for Entry into the fields.

HTH

Im Steven B

http://www.myarcadia.net

 

[machtenx]

Hmmmm everything seems to be working EXCEPT I still cannot create new records in teh portal, even though I've set all teh fields to allow entry

 

[machtenx]

When I setup the portal I clicked allow creation of related records is there anywhere else I need to allow the creation of records?

 

[machtenx]

Wow ok I knew it was something stupid. I simply had the fields in the wrong position in the portal, I'm definitely a portal Newb Thanks guys