Pendragon Forms Parent and Subforms
Creating multiple records related to one item is easily accomplished
using a parent form and subform. A parent and subform have a
one-to-many relationship; for every one record in the parent form, there
can be many records in the subform.
For example, one customer may place many orders. A parent form may
contain customer contact information and the subform could be used to create
invoices for individual orders.
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How it works
The parent form includes a Subform field that references the name of the
subform. This field displays a button with the name of the subform
on the handheld.
Tapping the Subform button in the parent form generates a new record in
the subform.
The new subform record inherits data from matching fields in the parent
form.
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When the record has been completed, the user returns to the parent form.
Subform options
In some cases, such as a form with more than 250 fields, you can use a
special type of subform to extend the length of the form. A Single Subform field will
create only one record in the subform for each parent form.
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Subform Design Tips
Fields
must match exactly
In order
for data to be copied, the field type must be the same.
Field names are case sensitive and any punctuation or spaces must
be the same.
Fields
1-10
Linked
fields are limited to the first 10 fields on the parent form and
subform or reference form.
Unintended Matching
Take care
not to accidentally match fields between the parent and subform.
A common
field name such as "Notes" on both the parent and
subform can be an uwanted fieldmatch if it occurs within the first
ten fields on both forms.
Matching fields Report
In the
Form Designer a Matching Fields Report button is available for
Subform fields. Run this report to quickly check that all
desired fields match and that there are no unintended matches.
Preventing broken links with Read-only fields
If a
matching field is changed on the subform, the link to the parent form is lost. By making
all matching fields on the subform Read-only, you can prevent
broken links with the parent form. |
Additional Information:
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For more information about using Pendragon Forms database
synchronization, please consult these chapters in the Pendragon Forms
Reference Guide.
Chapter 7: Field Types, pages 94-98 and 103-111
Chapter 20: Working with Multiple Forms
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Get
the Pendragon Forms Reference Guide
If you have already installed the Pendragon Forms evaluation, the
Reference Guide is available by clicking the Windows Start btton
... Programs ... Pendragon Forms ... Reference
Guide.
The
Pendragon Forms Reference Guide is also available online. (6.1MB, PDF download. Right-click
on this link and choose Save Target As...)
© 2004-2005 Pendragon
Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
Copyright and trademark information. |