Documentation: Set Next Serial Value Incorrect (Incomplete) Example (6 Comments)

Issue report by Christopher Edwards

Product

FileMaker Pro

Version

13

Operating system version

N/A

Description of the issue

Example 1 in the Set Next Serial Number script step reference is incorrect or at least incomplete.

URL: http://www.filemaker.com/help/13/fmp/en/html/scripts_ref1.36.44.html
Example: Set Next Serial Value [Invoices::Invoice ID; Max ( Invoices::Invoice ID ) + 1]

This example is attempting to behave as if it was using ExecuteSQL ( "SELECT MAX…. For the example to work correctly as written, it should specify it requires a self-join relationship.

Steps to reproduce the problem

Implement the example as written.

Expected result

The next serial number is set to one more than the maximum value of the field across all records.

Actual result

The next serial number is set to one more than the value of the field in the current record.

Exact text of any error message(s) that appear

One example (exact message will vary with circumstances): "Invoice ID" is defined to contain unique values only. You must enter a unique value.

Configuration information

This report is an issue with documentation. I submitted documentation feedback some months ago with no result, so I am trying here if only so other developers are aware since I have gotten this question more than once.

This same example is also used at http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10947/~/resetting-an-auto-enter-serial-number-in-filemaker-pro.

Workaround

Define a self-join relationship or use ExecuteSQL ( "SELECT MAX….