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Last updated: before December, 1998
To do this, link every record in your database to a single record in a specially created database. Fields in this record in the special database can be easily changed by putting the fields on any form, and can be used to input information required by any macro or formula. The method for doing this in Approach v2.1 is as follows:
1) In your existing database (let's call it EBASE) create a new field called (say) DUMMYLINK, and set the field definition options so that a '1' is automatically entered into DUMMYLINK every time a new record is created. Then enter a '1' into the DUMMYLINK field in all existing records. The end result of this is that every record in EBASE will always have a '1' in the DUMMYLINK field. Once it is set up there is no need for DUMMYLINK to appear on any forms.
2) Then create a new database (INPUTDBASE), with two fields INPUTDATA, and DUMMYLINK. Create one (and only one) record and enter '1' into the its DUMMYLINK field. Then join INPUTDBASE to EBASE by the DUMMYLINK fields. The data you enter into the INPUTDATA field is now linked to every record in EBASE.
3) Put the EBASE:INPUTDBASE field onto any form or forms you commonly use.
4) Create the macro or formula using the EBASE:INPUTDBASE
field where you want to input data.
e.g. In an phone book database you could enter your current location into the INPUTDATA field. This information could then be used by various formulas to calculate the actual phone numbers you need to dial from there, including any national, or international codes, as well as perhaps giving the time and date at the destination.