Sequential numbering in a field using another record as part of the formula

Question

Newbie -  so forgive me if this is an easy question to answer. I have a table that has a Project number field for identifying each of our projects (Example 1601, 1602 etc) that get assigned as we acquire a project. I would like to create another field that uses the project number as part of its value and builds sequentially each time I enter a record for that project. For example Contract# 1601-001, 1601-0002.  The next time I go to enter a new contract I select the project and then the contract # field knows that 1601-003 should be the next number.  How do you write that formula?

QuickBaseCoachD · Answer

I don't have time right now to post a full answer, but here is the answer to a similar question.

Basically the idea is to create a [Sequence #] field which is based on a formula which will start off the numbering by Department at whatever number you want to start at.

var number StartNumber =
Case([Department Number],
"10",1234,
"20",2000);

Max($StartNumber,[Sequence # snapshot])

Then we make a field called [Sequence # plus 1] which is the formula of [Sequence #] +1, and make a summary of the Maximum that field.

and then do a lookup back down to the Antiques Table and then take a snapshot of that field called [Sequence # snapshot]

By doing a snapshot we ensure that the numbers don't all get jiggled down when a record is deleted.

The actual Serial # we display is this formula.

[Department Number] & "-" & Right("00000" & ToText([Sequence #]),6)

The concept is to have the contracts be children of the projects.  I'm sure you already have that setup.  Then you do a summary maximum and look that up down to the child ggain but the magic trick is to snapshot the field.  Look up the help on snapshot fields.

Post back if you get stuck and need more help.

Btw, that is not a newbie question.  It's a question with a tricky answer.

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