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Control - Autonumber

The autonumber control can automatically generate a custom formatted running number for each record.

Common running numbers such as HT0001, HT-2020-09-10 001, RK-Wuhan warehouse-20201010001 and so on can be generated.

## I. Introduction to the 4 rule elements​

1. Numbering​

The numbers are auto-incrementing counting numbers with the following characteristics.

Numbering method​

If it is a natural number, it will be incremented from 1; if it is a specified number of digits, if the number of digits is not enough, it will be preceded by 0.

Digits​

For example, if the specified number of digits is 3, the record number is 001, 002.... 999.

[Number will continue to increase after exceeding specified digit], if it is checked, it will automatically increase the number of digits, the record number after 999 is 1,000; if it is not checked, the number is 001.

Initial value​

The start value of the new numbering. For example, if the start value is set to 1, the records that follow are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 .... in that order; if the start value is set to 5, the records are numbered 5, 6, 7, 8.

Note: If the start value of the numbering is 1, after creating 5 records, the maximum numbering at this time is 5. If you change the start value to 30, save the settings and add a new record, the number of this new record is 35. If you want the new record to be numbered from 30, you can reset the automatic numbering, and the number of the new record will start from 30 after the reset.

Cycle reset​

Some numbers may restart in a given cycle, such as the queue numbers in restaurants, which start at 1 every day.

The reset cycle includes [Reset every day], [Reset every week], [Reset every month] and [Reset every year]. After setting the reset cycle, the numbering will start again from the initial value when the reset time is reached.

If it is set to [Reset every day] and the initial value is 1, the records added the next day will be numbered from 1 again.

2. Creation time​

For the creation time of the record, you can choose from a variety of formats, or you can set custom format.

3. Fixed characters​

  • Used as a connector

    For example, the symbol [-] is used to connect the creation date and number.

  • Used to identify different business

    Similar business may use the same numbering rules, but in order to distinguish between order numbers of different businesses, you can add a prefix of fixed characters to them, for example, the in-warehouse order number is RK-001; the out-of-warehouse order number is CK-001.

4. Reference fields​

Referencing fields in a form can further identify different businesses. You can reference more than one field.

Types of fields that can be referenced: text, selections, time, region.

5. Ordering of rules​

II. Configuration Example​

For example, if you need a running number in the format RK-Wuhan warehouse-20201010001, the configuration is as follows:

Effect

After modifying the rule, it is only valid for the newly created records, not for the existing records before modifying the rule. Even if the number of the existing record is empty, it will not be numbered according to the new rule.

III. Reset autonumber​

After the numbering reset, the numbering of new records will restart from the initial value you set, and it cannot be restored. For example, if the current number is MD098, after resetting the numbering, the new record will start from 1, which is MD001. (If the initial value you set is 5, the new record number will start from MD005).

Since the numbering can be reset, the number may not be unique.

IV. FAQs​

1. How to modify the numbering of existing records?​

As mentioned above, after modifying the rules, the number of existing records will not be updated automatically according to the new rules. You can modify the number of existing records by import an Excel file or through workflow.

Method A: To modify by importing an Excel file

  1. First export the data in the worksheet. You don't need to export all the fields, just the autonumber field, the record ID field and one other field that can be used to distinguish the records, such as contact.

  2. Open the exported Excel file, set the correct number for each row of records and save it. Do not change the other fields.

  1. Import the Excel file, remember to check [Identify duplicate records], select the "Field ID" based on the record, and overwrite the existing content.

  2. Refresh the view to check the updated number.

Method B: To modify through workflow

  1. Add a new text field named Correct Number.

  2. Create a button to modify the auto-numbering through the workflow.

    After the workflow is triggered, you need to add an [Update Record] node that assigns the contents of the Correct Number field to the Autonumber field.

  3. In the worksheet, first edit the numbers of all history records in the "Correct Number" field.

  4. Batch check the history records, click the button to update the auto-numbering.

  5. Refresh the view to check that the auto-numbering has been modified.

  6. Remember to delete the custom button and the "correct number" field.

2. How can new records be numbered sequentially, not starting from 1?​

For example, there are already 5 records in the worksheet, at this time, if you add a new autonumber control, the autonumber field in these 5 records is empty, you can follow the above mentioned to update the number of existing records, respectively, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and if you add a new record, you want it to be numbered 6, but the actual number is 1.

This is because in the new autonumber field, the default start value is 1, when updating the number of existing records, "1" is not occupied, so the new record is still numbered from 1.

You can reset the "initial value"

If you want the new number to start from 6, the initial value should be set to 6, so that the new records will be numbered 6, 7, 8 in order ....

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