Increasing a number in a custom user field by one every year.

[GregFinn]

I use ACT Pro 2011 on Windows. I created a custom user field for anniversaries. Every year I need to increase that number by one.  Is there a quicker way then going in file by file, erasing the old number and typing the new number?

[GLComputing]

What are you using it for?
Why not use a date field?

[GregFinn]

I send them a mail mereged letter congratulating them on their state bar anniversary with that number inserted into the document.  Every year that number is one year larger.

[GLComputing]

What I'd suggest is that you use a date field and then a second field that calculates the number of years since the date...
You can use this add-on to do the calculations: http://exponenciel.com/actaddons/actaddon.aspx?ID=111&ResID=Aff_glc0742

[JonTaylor]

I'd agree that, for your needs, having one field for a date and another for number of years would work best.

Just to add to what Mike said - it's possible to display "Years Since Date" using the calculated fields already present in Act! 

[GLComputing]

He'd need to upgrade Act! for that feature, Jon

[JonTaylor]

Ah, of course. My bad for not reading the initial post thoroughly!

[GregFinn]

Thanks everyone.

[GregFinn]

I now have the most up-to-date ACT: Act! Pro Version 20.1.120.0, Update 3. Can you please tell me how to use the "Years Since Date" you mentioned back in '16?  Or is there a better way to add 1 to a number in a user field?

[JonTaylor]

Of course!

You simply need to add a new 'calculated' field to your database. To do this you'll need to be logged in as the administrator, and you'll need to make sure you're the only user logged into your database. I also highly recommend you back up your data before making these changes.

First, go to Tools > Define Fields

Next up, choose the area of the program you want the new field to be (Contacts, Companies, Groups etc) and then click Create new field

Name the new field whatever you'd like, and set the field type to Calculated

Finally, on the next page, set the Calculated Field type to Date, choose the field you are calculating FROM, and select the formula - in this case Years since - then you can click finish.

Lastly, you'll just need to add the new field to your layout so it's visible!