Re: renumbering the db

[David Mackinder <davemack>]

I assume you mean that you have a total of 349 entries, but that as a result of
deletions the record number sequence now extends from 1 to 400, with gaps where
some fifty-one record numbers have now become unavailable (so the record number
sequence runs something like 1-10, 14-34, 49-65, 73-120, 150-200, etc.).

The problem with your desire to have an unbroken sequence is that if you tamper
with the record numbers (i.e., renumber records so that, for example, 14-34 now
become 11-31, and 49-65 become 32-48, etc.), any files that contain citations of
altered numbers will thereafter point to a different record when you choose to
update citations (so, if you cite record 14 the program will now point to the
revised content of record 14, namely the material that used to be in record 17).
So, if you have cited any of the database records in any documents, you should not
renumber from 1-349, but introduce instead dummy records 11-13, 35-48, 66-72,
etc., which should contain text such as 'available for editing'. If you then want
to add a new record, you should first search your database to make sure the item
is not already present, then open the next dummy record, delete the 'available for
editing' phrase, and add the appropriate bibliographical details.

But, in order to accomplish either of the renumbering options, you will have to
open your database file in expanded mode and do some direct editing . . . (I'm
afraid I don't have time to give a full set of instructions just now.)

kellybs wrote:

> On the subject of db's
>
> I have only a single db in Ibid but the numbering is out of sequence...so lets
> have say I have 349 entries and the first is numbered #1 and the last #400.
> How do I redo the sequence so there are no skips??
>
> Also, is there an easier way to delete an entry than the current 4 or 5 steps
> needed to delete an entry??  thanks
>
> Maureen
>
> Maureen Kelly
> kellybs
> Boston College