Creating Subsequent Records

After you create the first record, you can define subsequent records at the same level. You can also define groups, if your application includes looping structures.

You may need to define a loop if your application requires a group of related records (and/or subgroups) that repeat in sequence. See Creating a Group for more information.

Use this procedure to create additional application records.

  1. Select the map component that precedes the record you are creating and select Edit > Insert > Record or Edit > Create Sub > Record, depending on the level.
    The system displays the Positional Record Properties dialog box.
  2. On the Name tab, type the record name and a description of the record.
  3. Select the Tag tab.
  4. In the Tag box, type the record identification code <TAG>. The record tag for each record enables the system to recognize that record and then determine the mapping requirements.

    For example, a record is recognized by the system as:

    <TAG>[Field_1][Field_2]

    Define the record tag on the Positional Record Properties dialog box, instead of defining fields with the purpose of explicitly containing the record tag.

  5. In the Position box, type the starting column position of the tag in the data record.
  6. Select the Special tab only if you want to specify floating or wildcard options. Otherwise, accept the defaults.
    • Floating - The record does not have a fixed position in the file.
    • Wildcard - Generally only used with build or break maps.
  7. Select the Looping tab only if the record is a looping structure. Otherwise, accept the defaults and continue with step 9.
  8. If this record is a looping structure, on the Looping tab, enter the minimum and maximum number of times the record can repeat. Type 1 to make the header record mandatory.
    Note: If the Min Usage box contains 0, the record is conditional. If the Min Usage box contains 1 or greater, the record is mandatory.
  9. Click OK to create the record.