Foreign Keys

A foreign key provides a method of forming a parent-child relationship between two databases. The database containing the foreign key acts as the child. This foreign key, once configured, points to another database which in turn acts as the parent in the relationship.

Upon adding and updating records, the child's foreign key will store a link to a record in the parent's database. This link on the record detail page, summary table, and search result pages will bring you to the detailed page of the parent's record.

When configuring foreign key fields, it is important to consider both the common and field specific properties that are available for use. The field specific properties are defined below.

Example: Company and Product Database Relationship

A corporation may wish to form two databases to store and track information. As example, database "A" forms a list of companies and their respective information such as company name, country, address and customer contact information. Database "B" forms a complete blanket list of products that are sold by all companies in database "A".

To track which company produces certain products a foreign key field is added to the product database. Each time a new product is added or updated, you are able to select which company from database "A" created the current product in database "B".

Upon viewing a record from the product database you are provided with a link, which brings you to the company that created the product. Upon viewing records from the company database you are provided with a link to all products the company produces, as well as the opportunity to add new products to the product database. This provides an easy way of forming and managing relationships between multiple databases.

Note: All field types  have common field properties which are described separately.

Field Specific Properties

This set of properties is used specifically for configuring foreign key fields.

Parent List

Press the button labeled "Browse" to open the pop-up search window.  Select a database from this window to be the parent. Once a parent has been selected, this field cannot be updated or modified.

Input Width

Enter a number that represents the desired width or space provided to enter content for this field on the form (i.e. enter 50 for 50 pixels).