I am currently in the process of rolling out WebPublisher Pro, having previously only had access to 'Read-only' functionality with our previous version. A long awaited facility has been the ability to issue Report numbers to Authors via a webpage - but I have run into a snag: Reports numbers are in the format AB####, so I planned on using an AutoID field to allocate an author with then next available number in the series. The Author fills in Title, Author name and a few other details then saves the record. However I now have a problem: When the record is saved, the screen DOES NOT indicate the Report Number that has been allocated - and apparently there is no simple way of doing this! The database also contains a field RC (Record Cretion Date), so I thought it MAY be possible to resolve this difficulty by adding a script button to the search screen which would return any records where RC = today's date. At least this would only give a short list, and the author would be able to note 'Their own' report number(s) from the list. Can anyone advise a) if this is possible? b)of a suitable script if it is or c) if they have any better suggestions for how to solve the problem. I am barely getting started on the possibilities of scripting and unfortunately my 'High profile win' from the upgrade is currently looking like it has a BIG problem!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Automatic ID fields do not get populated by WebPublisher edit operations unless...

You set up the Web edit form to specify a default value that is already in use (using "If empty empty use" on the Box Properties dialog box), AND

You make the Automatic ID field have Unique Entries Only validation.

If you do both of these, you'll see the Automatic ID value on the "Your record was saved." screen.

You may be misled into believing the Automatic ID field was populated by Web edit if you look at it using a DB/TextWorks edit window. The Edit window automatically fills in empty Automatic ID fields, but the change is not applied unless you then Save the record. The field is empty unless/until you open it in the Edit window and Save.

Brilliant! - Problem solved....I have also even managed to refined the screen a little by making the report number box 2pt white text on a white background, hidden at the bottom of the screen and skipped - i.e. Invisible....just to discourage the curious from trying to add an entry!

Many thanks.