[SOLVED] Custom starting # for Auto-Increment Field

[Jeremy_Oglesby]

I’d like to be able to choose a custom starting number for the auto-incrementing number field - I have existing records that already have a unique ID # associated with them, but they don’t start at 1.

Thanks!

[Alex_Wolfe]

Not sure when, or if, they will implement this - but a workaround would be to combine your existing ID #s with an auto number field to generate a new, combined ID# that auto increments.

For example, if you have your existing ID# starting number, let’s say 100 for the example, you would make an auto number field, and then another new formula field which would look something like this:

        100+{NewAutoNumberField}

Which would then create new auto numbers starting at 101.

Or check this thread from a while back for some ideas in the interim:

A Better Auto Number Product Suggestions

Katherine, thanks for your reply. I would expect these ghost rows to “give back” their number to the counter. I wouldn’t consider a row that had data that then at some point was deleted a ghost row, but I don’t know if it is a distinction the system could make. I wouldn’t expect/want the autonumbering to fill the blanks created by user-deleted rows as I can see issues arising from there – mainly renumbering items where the autonumber is used as an ID or key. However, maybe there is a way to av…

[Jeremy_Oglesby]

That I will do. Thanks!

[Christopher_Ols]

This doesn’t seem like a good solution, though. This results in numbers 1001 through 1009, and then would begin 10010 through 10019, eventually resulting in 100100 through 100199, etc.

[Jeremy_Oglesby]

It’s not working through concatenation, it’s working through addition. That’s a math equation, not a string equation.

[Christopher_Ols]

🤦

Of course… I’m tired! Thanks!

[Patrice_GOURMEL]

Hi there,
I have an another solution by creating another table with just one record and using one automation.

• Create Table (“Table 3” in my exemple)
  

Calculation Field = “Number” + 1

-Create an automation
Trigger : When a record is created (in your main table)
Action1 : Find Record in “Table 3” with “Name = NumAuto”
Action 2 : Update record (main table) with “Field to auto-increment” = “Table 3” Calculation Flield
Action 3 : Update record (Table 3) With field “Number” = Field “Calculation”

I hope i had well describe my solution (english is not my native) and this will help people