Create simple sequential numbers

This example illustrates the process of setting up sequential numbering using Format Control.

To create simple sequential numbers:

1. Create the form for simple sequential numbers.
2. Create a database file for simple sequential numbers.
3. Create a Format Control record for simple sequential numbers.
4. Open the number file.
5. Add a numbered record to the database file for simple sequential numbers.

Create the form for simple sequential numbers

Create a form using the Form Wizard in Forms Designer called employees. The form will record simple employee data, such as name, address, and telephone number. Be sure to include a field labeled Employee ID with an input value of employee.id.

Create a database file for simple sequential numbers

To create a database file for simple sequential numbers:

1. Click Tailoring > Forms Designer.

2. Type employees in the form field, and click Search.

   Service Manager opens the employees form.

3. Click Create File in the More Actions menu.
4. Type employees in the filename field.
5. Click OK to create the new data file.
6. Change the Employee ID field of the employee file to a number data type.
   1. Select the employee.id field with the cursor.
   2. Click Edit.
   3. Click number in the Type field menu.

   Important: A data type of number is required for all simple sequential numbering.

Create a Format Control record for simple sequential numbers

To create a Format Control record for simple sequential numbers:

1. Click Tailoring > Format Control
2. Type employees in the Name field.
3. Click New.
4. Click Subroutines in the More Actions menu or click the Subroutines button.
5. Click Show Expanded Form in the More Actions menu.

6. Use the following values to complete the Subroutines process:

   Application Name	Add	Before	Error Message
   getnumb.fc	true	true	Sequential number did not process correctly!

   
   

   Names	Definition	Values
   record	The record in which the number will be placed. In this example, the employees data file.	$file
   name	The name to appear in the Class field of the Number file generated by the Format Control record.	employees
   prompt	The field within the record receiving the sequential number.	employee.id

7. Click OK to save the record.

Open the number file

To open the number file:

1. Click Tailoring > Database Manager.
2. Type number in the Form field of the Database Manager dialogue box.
3. Click Search.
4. When the blank Sequential Number File form opens, click Search to open a record list.
5. Select employees from the list of records. Service Manager opens the Sequential Number File for the employees file.

Add a numbered record to the database file for simple sequential numbers

To add a numbered record to the database file for simple sequential numbers:

1. Click Tailoring > Database Manager.
2. Type employees in the Form field.
3. Click Search.
4. Add data to the blank Employee Database record, but leave the Employee ID field blank.

5. Click Add.

   Service Manager adds the sequential number to the Employee ID field before the record is added to the database.