FileMaker Pro Resources

Instructions for the novice user

2025-01-31T04:20:00.000-08:00

Re: Welcome to FileMaker Pro!

Welcome to FileMaker Pro Database by Claris® – the software for easy record keeping and so much more.

FileMaker Pro is the database that has been in use within tens of thousands of companies worldwide, for over two decades, helping them manage customer records, create documents, track product data and much more.

This mail contains the instructions to log onto FileMaker Pro.

Please follow the instructions below, exactly as shown - you shall be up and running in no time; if not, feel free to contact me:

Launching FileMaker Pro for the first time:

Before you can use the attached file, the FileMaker Pro Application needs to be installed on your computer.
Your IT Support Department may have already installed it and they may have even set it up so that it appears in your TaskBar.
So, first ensure that FileMaker Pro has already been installed on your PC/Laptop, by the IT Support Department. If not, please drop them an eMail.
If your IT Support department supplied you with an Opener file, check that the file (e.g. “Opener.fmp12”) is on your computer.
Right-Click^(*) on the FileMaker Pro Icon in the TaskBar and if file is there, continue on to Paragraph 12. below.
If the Opener File is not yet on your computer, continue on to the next point.
Download the attached file “Opener.fmp12” from central server (ask your IT Support Department) , as follows:
Right-Click the “Opener.fmp12” File Icon.
Choose Save As…
Preferably, try to find the FileMaker Pro Folder, which you should be able to find in the Programs Folder that comes as standard on your Hard Disk.
Now continue to Par. 12. below.
Open the FileMaker Pro and Right-Click the “Opener.fmp12” file and select and click on FileMaker Pro .
If FileMaker Pro is not listed in this Menu, see Par, 1. above; try again when this has been seen to.
If you are presented with a message to check for the latest update of FileMaker Pro, just tick the CheckBox “Don’t tell me about new versions again”.
If you keep seeing the Register Now message, tick the “Do not show this Option” CheckBox. just click the “Register Later” Button.
Once you are in the default Main Menu File, select “File Options” from the File Menu.
You will now see a Login Dialogue Box with Username and Password Fields.
Remember to tick the CheckBox to “remember your Credentials”.
If you encounter an error message, contact the IT Support Department
Your User Token Privileges currently allows you Full Access to the default Main Menu File. Please be careful with the data; remember that deleting details cannot be easily recovered!
Now that FileMaker Pro is up and running and the default Main Menu File - where all office data is probably stored - is open, you still need to carry out the following one-off task:
Right-Click on the FileMaker Pro Icon in the TaskBar.
You will see the “Opener” file, which you should Right-Click^(*) and select “Pin to this list”.
The next time you want to log on, Right-Click^(*) on the FileMaker Pro icon in your Taskbar and select the Opener file.
From the Edit Menu, choose the last item called “Preferences”
Remove the Tick from the last two Options:
Notify me when an update is available
Notify me when a new version is available

Here are some Every-Day-Tips on using FileMaker Pro:

Search for FileMaker Pro in the Windows search engine.
Right-click^(*) the FileMaker Pro icon and choose Pin to TaskBar

For more information about FileMaker Pro see:

How to find contact details in the default Main Menu File, where all office data is probably stored:

In FileMaker Pro, select New Window from the Window Menu.
Press the F2 Button (on top of the Number Two Key in the Alphanumeric Keyboard) and select “Contacts Layout” from the Layouts Drop-down-menu.
Now press Ctrl+F and enter the name you are looking for in the appropriate Field/s. Press Enter to display the matching Records.
If you fancy a small tour de FileMaker Pro, feel free to your IT Support Department at any time during office hours (use Teams Calls or Teams Chat).
Should you have a problem with FileMaker Pro, press the F1 key on your keyboard for online, context-sensitive help.
Alternatively, log a ticket with the IT Support Helpdesk.

(*) The Mouse Button to the Right of the Scroll-Wheel, or the Right-Hand-Corner on your Trackpad.

(**) So called, because the only function it performs is to Open the default Main Menu File, where all office data is probably stored.

Hope this helps!

Observations of Anomalies in FMP Find Layout

2024-02-12T03:43:00.000-08:00

The "Find" environment is totally different than the "Browse" universe - when it comes to entering data from the Clipboard.

When pasting the contents of a Cell in Excel into a Field, the difference between Find and Browse is this:

in Find it will also paste the LF (aka Paragraph Entry)

in Browse it will paste the text sans the LF

Ask Claris (FileMaker Pro):

When typing fast, many CApitalised WOrds end up with the SEcond LEtter also CApitalised. This should be corrected automatically - PLease!

When typing fast, many Word send up wit hthe last Letter of one word stuck the firstl etter of the next one. This should be corrected automatically - Please!

More FileMaker Pro - Claris Resources

2023-09-19T02:25:00.000-07:00

More FileMaker Pro - Claris Resources:

Claris — build custom apps

DataTherapy - Custom Software Solutions - Claris Partners

Beezwax | Software Development and Consulting

the.fmsoup.org - Independent FileMaker Forum. Help, Discussions & Answers for Developers and Users - A independent discussion forum and knowledge development project for FileMaker users

https://flylib.com/books/en/2.705.1/

https://support.filemaker.com/s/?language=en_US&pn=1&q=template&p=FileMaker%20Pro%20Advanced&v=18.x&d=Any
https://www.filemakervideos.com/the-most-recommended-book-for-filemaker/

http://www.productiveit.co.uk/gCal/apply/apply.php

About Us – Inspirations Software Design LLC

How To Merge FileMaker Files – FileMaker Inspirations

Q. How to write a Startup Script: Access rights details should be fetched from the login details of the workstation.

Q. How to write the following Field Calculation: When you enter a town then the country should automatically be entered

FileMaker Training | Beginner to Advanced Users | Video Training for Learning and Solving Problems (fmtraining.tv)

FileMaker to MySQL/PHP Conversion [MacOS X]: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbJ-OUwbx-wWJX-q9399hrndbQ_y-qPKH

FileMaker to MySQL/PHP Conversion [Windows]: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbJ-OUwbx-wVpgXSz1gSVZAS1z-iaEgS-

FmPro Migrator Developer Edition $200

Order Link: https://sites.fastspring.com/fmpromigrator/instant/fmpromigratorde_fs1

David Simpson, www.fmpromigrator.com, dsimpson@dotcomsolutionsinc.net

Create a WebViewer on a Layout and paste it in your Code Field; this works correctly:

"data:text/html, <html> <head> <script type='text/javascript'> function startTime() {var today=new Date(); var h=today.getHours(); var m=today.getMinutes();var s=today.getSeconds(); m=checkTime(m); s=checkTime(s); document.body.style.overflow = 'hidden'; document.getElementById('time').innerHTML=h+':'+m+':'+s; t=setTimeout('startTime()',500)} function checkTime(i) {if (i<10) {i='0'+i} return i} </script> <style type='text/css'>  </style> </head> <font size='4' face='Arial'> <body style='text-align:left;border:0px;margin:0px;padding:0px;scrolling:'no'; onload='startTime()'> <div id='time'></div> </font> </body> </html>”

Adding Webhooks to FileMaker is Easy with fmRESTor 19 | 24U Software

Development Scheduling in FileMaker Optimized with Web Viewer | 24U Software

On iPad & iPhone FM Go Servers, Automatically enter Kiosk Mode

How can I script FileMaker Go to automatically enter Kiosk Mode on iPad?
We need to deploy an App on BYOD, which will be given out to salespeople, but they will only be able to access FM Go in Kiosk Mode.
Problem: Whenever an iPad goes into hibernation or when it's turned off, the Kiosk Mode is terminated and will not launch by itself when the iPad wakes up / is booted up.
We're looking for a Script Trigger that will poll the system every 30 seconds and if it detects a wakeup / bootup, the Kiosk Mode will be launched.
A. See: https://www.howtogeek.com/252670/how-to-put-an-ipad-into-kiosk-mode-restricting-it-to-a-single-app/, which is the solution you're after.

Map Creation resources

2018-01-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

See the following links, which are not necessarily FileMaker Pro savvy:

http://mapinseconds.com/

http://www.buildyourmap.com/

http://gmap3.net/en/pages/6-presentation-gmap3/

http://scarpettagroup.com/location-which-way/

http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?

https://www.maptive.com/

http://thetechmap.com/company/map

http://www.revolvermaps.com/?target=gallery

http://www.mapdevelopers.com/

Last but not least: http://extensions.joomla.org/category/maps-a-weather/maps-a-locations#

Data Separation Model

2017-05-08T07:39:00.004-07:00

Development work should be kept separate from "live" data, using the Data Separation Model (^{^[i]}).

The Anchor Buoy method

Carsten Levin 16-Jun-2015 15:20 - From 7.0 and onwards this has been recommended by many of most serious developers. And FileMaker did specifically recommend rewriting FileMaker 6 solutions to take advantage of the separation model.

Let me quote: Create a New Solution (Entirely Rewrite) Starting with new files is most appropriate for a new business problem or an isolated information domain. It could be appropriate if you want to take full advantage of the new FileMaker Pro 7 possibilities and you can afford to wait to complete your redesigned solution before deploying. It is also appropriate if the features of the original solution are obsolete or poorly designed in the first place. The foremost requirement when designing a new solution is to determine your solution architecture. The articles on The FileMaker 7 Relational Model and The Separation Model: A FileMaker Pro 7 Development Model are both essential reading.

The Separation Model: A FileMaker Pro 7 Development Model – Colleen Hammersley & Wendy King

FileMaker Pro 7 is a dream come true for those who have long advocated the separation of data and interface. Colleen and Wendy present the new application model in all its glory.

http://www.filemaker.com/downloads/pdf/techbrief_fm7_foundations.pdf

Just for those who may need to know a little bit more about FileMaker and separation: It is a long discussion. The main school is to have all presentation and functionality (programming etc.) in one or more interface files with the main relational diagrammes. And then one or more data files with the tables and only very few relations supporting basic calculation fields. Some are going all the way and are even avoiding calculation fields and their relations in the data file, we are not that rigid at my company.

https://www.geistinteractive.com/2014/01/16/filemaker-separation-model-splitting-file/

Here from tidbits 2004 about the paradigm shift: https://tidbits.com/article/7587

The Separation Model -- When one file references another file, it references everything in that file. In other words, if one file, called My_Data.fp7 has 22 tables in it, another file called My_App.fp7 can access every one of those tables as if they were stored internally rather than externally. What does "reference" mean here? It means that My_App.fp7 can contain layouts that provide form and list views of each of the tables in My_Data.fp7. Not list as in "portal" - a limited interface element familiar to current FileMaker users - but list as in a real list, a list that can print nicely on page after page, a list that can be displayed with subsummary totals. My_App.fp7 can do this even if it does not contain a single table itself. It might contain nothing but layouts and scripts, all taking advantage of the tables in My_Data.fp7

And here are FileMaker's own suggestion regarding separation from the first version of FileMaker 7.0v1. http://www.filemaker.com/downloads/pdf/techbrief_fm7_foundations.pdf

The Separation Model: A FileMaker Pro 7 Development Model – Colleen Hammersley & Wendy King

FileMaker Pro 7 is a dream come true for those who have long advocated the separation of data and interface. Colleen and Wendy present the new application model in all its glory.

Start having a look at Todd Geist FileMaker Separation Model: Splitting Files - YouTube

Or Dwayne Wright (See: http://www.dwaynewright.com/filemaker-thoughts/2011/5/24/why-try-the-filemaker-separation-model.html)

Or FileMakerPapers.com - Data Separation: Ideal and easy with FileMaker by Pam Rotella

Or data modeling by Ray Cologon http://www.nightwingenterprises.com/Resources/filemaker_solution_architectures_en.pdf

http://www.filemaker.com/help/14/fmp/en/html/create_db.8.2.html#1126267
http://filemakerhacks.com/2015/07/06/fm-14-separation-model-data-mining/

^{^[i]} http://www.inspirationssoftwaredesign.com/products/inspired-business-suite

http://www.filemakermagazine.com/videos/data-interface-separation-discussion.html

Ask FileMaker - Part XIV

2017-03-15T02:54:00.005-07:00

Date: 11/11/2009

RFC # 242

There is no Discount feature in the Order Form - why?

Date: 11/11/2009

RFC # 243

We need a Filed for Areas, this will help us categorise engineers and it will also help us with Marketing

Date: 11/11/2009

RFC # 244

The Bill To Copy Function doesn't work properly: It copied ID : 25407 instead of ID: 25406 in Order ID. 23256

Date: 12/11/2009

RFC # 245

The Tab Order in the Job to Engineer Tab in the Products Ordered Layout needs changing

Date: 12/11/2009

RFC # 246

The Address Type Drop Down Menu shouldn't open in the main Layout, only in the Editing Window

Date: 12/11/2009

RFC # 247

In the Quote for Job Layout, can you make a selection: "Passed ON", meaning that we gave the entire job to the engineer and we will charge a commission to him?

Date: 12/11/2009

RFC # 248

In the Quote for Job Layout, where do I put the name of the engineer that we requested a Quote from?

Date: 13/11/2009

RFC # 249

We need to log hours for workers, how much they earned and how much we owe them

Date: 15/11/2009

RFC # 250

When closing an unfinished Order, a warning comes up: You havent's enetered (notice the spelling mistake) a Customer for this job, press OK etc. The moment I press OK, it should page back to the page where I can enter the customer.

Date: 16/11/2009

RFC # 251

The Preferred Payment Method should also include: Deduct from Commission and Mixed (Cash & Cheques)

Date: 17/11/2009

RFC # 254

When entering a quote, the Job should also be tagged automtically

Ask FileMaker - Part XIII

2017-03-15T02:54:00.002-07:00

Date: 03/11/2009

RFC # 228

Create Templates to create standard letters (Example: MPAN_Authority, CORGI Reminder etc.)

Date: 03/11/2009

RFC # 229

Can we have the Address Records expand Abbreviations like : Rd = Road, Ave = Avenue, St = Street etc.?

Date: 03/11/2009

RFC # 230

For every Job there should be a Tab for Stakeholders / third party - for those contacts that are not related to the Tenant, Property, Landlord or Engineer - only to the Job in itself (Example: Local Authority Enforcement Agency who chase the Landlord as they need to install a new boiler, Plumbin Merchant To Advise on which Boiler to buy, Neighbour to facilitate access etc.)

Date: 09/11/2009

RFC # 232

The Entries in the Quote Layout should be incorporated into the Job Diary. This means that the Fields representing Dates, Times, Notes etc. should really be the same Fields from the Job Diary, only that they are displayed inside the Quote Portal.

Date: 09/11/2009

RFC # 233

There should be Up / Down Buttons in the Company / Staff Tab, so that I can associate who is the Main COntact - if there are two companies associated with one peron (Example: David Hager)

Date: 09/11/2009

RFC # 234

The "Copy for Engineer" Button doesn't work

Date: 10/11/2009

RFC # 235

Please place a "Go To Last Record" Button on every Layout

Date: 10/11/2009

RFC # 236

Can you allocate the Ctrl+N Key Combination to open up the New Contact Window in the Contacts Layout? (I tried filemaker ctrl change "key combination" -mac -passwords -browser -ibm in Google, nothing on the first page)

Date: 10/11/2009

RFC # 237

Tip to display the symbols: Try the Font "Lucida Grande "

Date: 10/11/2009

RFC # 238

Eventually we should be able to see a diary of every engineer: what he is doing, where and what slots are free etc.

Date: 10/11/2009

RFC # 239

Please sort out the Search without Spaces in Telephone Numbers, for data entered with a Paste Command

Date: 11/11/2009

RFC # 240

There should be a Copy Engineer Details in the Products Ordered Page in the Edit Order (and New Order) Window, like Copy Job Address and Copy Landlord

Date: 11/11/2009

RFC # 241

The Date Field in the Jobs DIary is too narrow, Wed & Mon don't show the dates

Ask FileMaker - Part XII

2017-03-15T02:53:00.005-07:00

17/07/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker to add one more “Mode” to the three existing ones (Browse/Find/Layout): Data Entry. This will solve so many problems with end users ‘destroying’ the work of the Data Entry clerks etc., which has bugged FileMaker Pro users from day one.

31/07/2014

Menasche Scharf

The Associated_Companies Tab should be the default one, when the Find brings up results that include Records of people (=Associated_Persons) rather than companies (=31/07/2014

31/07/2014

Menasche Scharf

The Associated_Companies), so that the User can immediately see which company this “person” belongs to.

21/11/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker: What is required for FileMaker Pro v12 client, served on a FileMaker Pro Server v12 in order that it should be able to dial-to-connect via the Avaya Office Pro console on Windows?

23/03/2015

Menasche Scharf

Allow the Field Picker to be enlarged and the columns widened

28/05/2015

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker: How to write a formula / function that polls all Fields in a database (NOT the individual Records - only the FIELDS), to see whether they are being used at all or not. This will help when trying to tidy up a databse by deleting unnecessary Fields - as we have with the Main_Menu file, where the total of unused Fields reaches nearly 200(!).

23/06/2015

Menasche Scharf

FileMaker Training: FM Starting Point 4.5 - RELEASED - for FM14

10/09/2015

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker: Why is it that when I save a link with an answer from FileMaker, the link doesn't work a year later?

Date: 02/11/2009

RFC # 223

The list that appears when trying to Associate a Record toi an existing one should not show the Records that are : a) The Record itself and b) The Records that are already Associated to this Record (example EDF)

Date: 02/11/2009

RFC # 224

The Ctrl+2 combination should also work in ALL other Layouts: instead of popping up the Find Tel/eMail Window, it should first switch to the Contacts Layout and then pop the Window

Date: 02/11/2009

RFC # 225

Add an "Add" Button and rename the "Add" Button to "Associate", as this will allow a new Contact to be added on the fly, when adding a new Company Record which also needs a new Employee Record and vice versa

Date: 02/11/2009

RFC # 226

When there is only one Record found in the Find Address (or Tel/eMail) Window, the Focus should automatically go onto the Close Button so that when the Enter Button on the keyboard is pressed twice (once for Find and then for Close) the Window should close and go to the singel Record

Ask FileMaker - Part XI

2017-03-15T02:53:00.002-07:00

23/08/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker: 12-02-2008, 10:22 AM how can I have the cursor start in a specific field in the header as default when using find mode? The cursor goes to the first field in the Body, even though the tab order starts with the Field in the Header, for which entry in find mode is allowed.

12/09/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker how to keep the database footprint small, by using the Same Field in different Tables, instead of creating new Fields with identical names? For example, Date Entered (or Drawn) could be the same in Ingredients_Table as in Formulations_Table – unless it will disturb the sorting or other functions?

23/10/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker which option is better: To place the Unique_ID Filed in the Destination Table, with the data coming from the Source Table - so that the Unique_ID appears on the Destination Table, using a Relationship, or to create a new Field also called Unique_ID in the Destination Table, but then the Record will only become a Related Record when it is populated with an ID that matches the contents of a Unique_ID Record in the Source Table?

06/03/2014 17:52

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker How to manage data

06/03/2014 17:52

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker How to create Data tables to store data

06/03/2014 17:52

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker How to create Dialogue boxes to enter data, assistance for installation, launch, reinstallation and bug reporting

06/03/2014 17:52

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker How to create an alert when the developer creates a new field that already exists somewhere in the same solution although it's not in the same table.

14/05/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker if it is possible to have Conditional Tabbing, based on the contents of the Clipboard: If I copied text that contains the ‘@’ symbol, then when I press the Tab key it should go to the eMail address Field. Likewise if the Clipboard contains digits (numbers, figures) it should jump to the Telephone Number Field next, instead of going to the regular Next Tabbed Field.

14/05/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker how to arrange the Focus to be in the Field that has the text being searched, when pressing the Ctrl+R Key Combination to change the search string.

16/05/2014

Menasche Scharf

How to deal with a situation, where a user changed the wrong record? Roll back to previous backed up version? This would mean losing all the new (and CORRECT!) data that was added in the interim.

30/05/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker to introduce the feature of sub-Folders in the Manage Database Combox, like they have done in the Layouts Combox: it allows the grouping of similar type (or similar Function) Layouts into a Folder that can be expanded or closed to hide the many Layouts.

Layout Questions - Part II

2017-03-07T08:46:00.000-08:00

09/07/2015

Menasche Scharf

Would it help speed up the ysstem if I strip out any fields in tables where they aren't needed?

When a client requests a record from the server, the entire record downloads, even if only a single field is shown on the layout.

More fields, more data, longer download time?

See: https://community.filemaker.com/thread/83870

Layout Questions - Part I

2017-03-07T08:24:00.001-08:00

15/02/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker How to arrange a Watermark in Layouts - See: http://fmforums.com/forum/topic/33588-watermark/

22/04/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker - How do I set the “Tab Distance” in a Checkbox Box, so when two boxes with Check Boxes are one on top of each other (like in the Kashrus Contacts Table), the names in the list are nicely aligned See: http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Apple_Software/Filemaker_Pro/Q_28096476.html

11/11/2013

Menasche Scharf

Limitations to the Map includes “Haversine distance between points - The Haversine formula will not function in FileMaker 8.5 because the 'Asin' function is not available.

This limits the ability to perform radius searches and 'route optimizations' based on distance between points” See: http://docs.proofgroup.com/fmMap/en/1.0/TechnicalSpecifications#toc4

06/03/2014 17:52

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker How to Join tables to display data

See: http://michaelrocharde.me/2015/06/07/what-is-a-join-table-and-when-do-you-need-one/

24/03/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker how to display data from two Fields as a ToolTip (in other words: is it possible to have more than one Field in the Inspector->Position->Tooltip Field?). Try the solution shown here.

See: https://fmdev.filemaker.com/message/134529#134529

04/04/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker how to set up the server so that it can handle email file attachments with unlimited size restrictions

See: http://www.cnsplug-ins.com/Plug-ins/smtpit_Pro, http://forums.filemaker.com/posts/95afef1651, http://www.dacons.net/fmplugins/mailit5/

04/04/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker if instead of using the Sliding Left feature in Sliding & Visibility, concentrate all these functions with Conditional Formatting instead. Much more powerful, logical and dynamic!

See: https://community.filemaker.com/thread/83995

24/04/2014

Menasche Scharf

How to print a Field that might contain varying number of characters See: https://fmdev.filemaker.com/message/112686#112686

Tooltips

2017-03-07T07:29:00.001-08:00

13/12/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker how to allow changing Tooltips, according to the data entered.

Example: I want the explanation of the Grades to be shown as a ToolTip, as the Grade is entered: A1 “These ingredients may be sourced from any supplier/manufacturer”.

SORTED: The ToolTips do show the Field content anyway!

09/07/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker why the text "type one or more words, then press enter" (that appears as a tooltip in the top right hand corner when I hover over the Quick Find tool box located in the tool bar) is not to be found anywhere on the web.

See: http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7604

18/09/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker How do you lengthen the time for the ToolTip to stay displayed when the user hovers over the Notes Field in the Portal Tab “Diary” in the Kashrus_Contacts_Table, so that the whole entry can be read at once, without having to move the mouse over the Field again and again, when the text disappears after 15 seconds

See http://www.troi.com/software/activatordetails.html

Layout Themes

2017-03-07T07:28:00.001-08:00

19/05/2015

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker - how was the Field Format set in the Onyx Layout Theme, so that the text is offset from the Field border?

If the padding doesn't solve the problem, report it to FileMaker

Go to the Inspector->Appearance->Advanced Graphics->Padding and reduce from 8 points to whatever you fancy…

15/05/2015

Menasche Scharf

How to create a calendar

Try Seedcode

See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDbpwg3kAw0

15/05/2015

Menasche Scharf

How to create a calendar with a multi-day view

Try DayBack

See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVObC3oTU5M

Dashboard

2017-03-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

Date: 02/11/2009

RFC # 222

The Dashboard should also have a space to jot down ideas / opportunities, which should stay on the designated space until it has been dealt with.

Example: Customer is prepared to pay commission for those who bring new customers to his Pest Control business.

28/05/2015

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker: Half of a Page is Displayed in Dark Gray When Viewed in Layout Mode

Script every Layout that OnLoad it should Hide Page Margins

See: http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5566/kw/show%20%22page%20margin%22%20%22layout%20mode%22%20-dashboard

How do I center an Object in a Layout?

2017-03-07T07:14:00.002-08:00

06/02/2013

Menasche Scharf

[Case:130206-000183]

Ask FileMaker: How do I center an Object in a Layout? How do you align an object to the center of the page?

Answer: Lock an object exactly in the middle of the page, which will prevent it from moving along with other objects. Possible answer: “you’ve wished you could put the thing in the middle of the window.

Unfortunately, since you don’t know how big the window will be, you can’t. It isn’t entirely obvious at first, but with autoresize in FileMaker 9, you can.

If you turn off all the anchors, FileMaker splits the difference as a window resizes.

If it gets 100 pixels wider, the object moves 50 pixels, so that half the new space is on one side, and half is on the other.

So an object that is centered on the layout in layout mode, and has no anchors, will be centered on any size window”.

http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5427

http://sixfriedrice.com/wp/filemaker-9-tip3-get-the-most-from-autoresize/

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=filemaker+How+do+you+align+an+object+to+the+center+of+the+page

Or google: "align" "graphic" in "middle" of the "screen" "filemaker" -Quick "splash screen" "Kiosk" -"FileMaker Pro"

Searching - Part ?

2017-02-22T03:13:00.000-08:00

09/07/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker why the Quick Find tool shows all results that are related to one Record, which has the found word in it.

See: http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7604

09/07/2014

searched for “Carol”, as she’s part of the United Synagogue Relationship, the results showed 337(!) records. Solution can be found here.

See: http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7604/kw/Status%20indicator

08/02/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker what is the conventional Wildcard in v12, since when you press find and put in a "wildcard" it does not "show all" the record on the database. Answer: “@”.

Value List that has "Today's Date" as an option

2017-02-21T08:22:00.002-08:00

I have a Value List that is connected to the Field "Arrived" and has the following Values:

Not Yet
Not Applicable

How can I add a third option "TODAY'S DATE" that when selected will enter the current date in this Field?

FileMaker Pro Version 13 Crashes When Printing to PDF

2017-02-01T03:47:00.000-08:00

12/02/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker why when I clicked on the Save as PDF Icon it bombed out on me?

01/02/2017

This happened again but now I had a Found Set containing only one Record and I selected Print only Current Record.

Search about https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=filemaker%20pdf%20crash&rct=j#safe=active&q=%22filemaker%22+%22pdf%22+%22crash%22+-portals+-exam+-sound+-test+-containers+-xerox+-chart+-images+%222016%22+-advanced+-mapi+-Yosemite+-picker+-script+-odbc+-konica+-sierra+-container+-web+-ocr

https://community.filemaker.com/thread/156056

Solution:
I restarted the Windows PC Workstation and it now works fine

Save a Record by Print to PDF

2017-01-27T04:14:00.001-08:00

27/01/2017
MS
Ask FileMaker

How do I Save a Record by Print to PDF?
I want to create a separate PDF of each record in the current Find.

How do I set as Default the setting "Save: Current Record" in the Save Records As PDF Dialogue Box?

FileMaker Scripts - Part IV

2017-01-19T07:23:00.000-08:00

25/03/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker how to OnTabSwitch navigate to Tab within a tab script (See: ), so that when the Status is set as Associate, the “Associated Companies” Tab should show, instead of the default “Associated Persons” Tab (See: [cccxcvii]

See: [cccxcvii] https://fmdev.filemaker.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/1121-3-19808/script_triggers_fmp_en.pdf and http://sixfriedrice.com/wp/tab-controls-without-the-tabs/

See: http://forums.filemaker.com/posts/4393e50209?opentoken=QXBpS2V5PTEwYzgwZjlkODliMjcwNmUmcF9jaWQ9MTQ2MzAzNCZwX2VtYWlsLmFkZHI9bWVuYXNjaGUlNDBrbGJka29zaGVyLm9yZyZwX25hbWUuZmlyc3Q9TWVuYXNjaGUmcF9uYW1lLmxhc3Q9U2NoYXJmJlNpZ25hdHVyZVZlcnNpb249MiZTaWduYXR1cmU9UmtkQUJNT0thUmh2YUdHRzJKd08wNG5Td1lNJTNEJnBfc2Vzc2lvbmlkPTF2M2xKNlFsJnBfdGltZXN0YW1wPTEzOTU3NDc5Nzk*

27/03/2014

Menasche Scharf

Sage advice from: The slide up, also shrink enclosing part feature will do what you want.

But.... The feature will only be visible in preview mode or when you print the report.

But... This feature is tricky.

If you have multiple fields on your layout, changing the position of a field even 1 pixel may affect whether the fields slide and shrink correctly.

If I have to make major use of the sliding property, I often set up a script to a) preview the report b) pause c) return to browse mode.

While paused, the user sees what the report will look like if they print it and has the option of either printing hard copy or just continuing the script to return to browse mode.

See: http://forums.filemaker.com/posts/97002a7b31?opentoken=QXBpS2V5PTEwYzgwZjlkODliMjcwNmUmcF9jaWQ9MTQ2MzAzNCZwX2VtYWlsLmFkZHI9bWVuYXNjaGUlNDBrbGJka29zaGVyLm9yZyZwX25hbWUuZmlyc3Q9TWVuYXNjaGUmcF9uYW1lLmxhc3Q9U2NoYXJmJlNpZ25hdHVyZVZlcnNpb249MiZTaWduYXR1cmU9UmtkQUJNT0thUmh2YUdHRzJKd08wNG5Td1lNJTNEJnBfc2Vzc2lvbmlkPUtLMWlUZ1FsJnBfdGltZXN0YW1wPTEzOTU5MTQ1MDM*

01/05/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker if I change the spelling of a Value List, does it ‘scramble’ the Formulations, Scripts and Functions throughout the system, wherever this Value List occurs in them?

15/05/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker how to arrange the Hand over a Button not to show, when the Script will not be able to execute.

Example: A M Todd (the very first Record on the Main_Menu_Table, has no Factory Visits listed against it, so nothing happens when the FV Button is pressed. Same for Followup Button.

20/03/2015

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker -the dragging in the Script List Dialog Box should allow interrupted scrolling; at the moment, you can only drag the full heigth of the Dialog Box, which requires the User to start and stop dragging, after moving the Slider one 'page' at a time.

30/04/2015

Menasche Scharf

Remember: Either do not block user abort or include an end loop if. The latter is extremely important if you run the script on the server.

See: https://community.filemaker.com/thread/83693

FileMaker Scripts - Part III

2017-01-19T07:21:00.002-08:00

13/02/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker how to do this: New Drop Down Menu in the Certificate_Table: KC Layout List.

First create a hidden field, connect to this Value list and Script it OnFieldExit goto the identical Value=Layout name?

See: https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&q=%22filemaker%22+%22value+list%22+%22pop-up%22+%22button%22+%22layouts%22+-Papillon+-portal+-%22Show+Values+Only+From+Second+Field%22+-keyboard+-radio+-iwp+-%22Type+ahead%22+-drop+-nih+-odbc+-FERO+&safe=active

See: http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Apple_Software/Filemaker_Pro/Q_28270887.html

15/02/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker why there is no Enter Layout Mode Script Step? Possibly because there are Scripts Steps that allow you to do many Layout Functions, which will enter and exit Layout Mode for you, obviating the need to Enter Layout Mode(?)

See: https://pauseonerror.pbworks.com/w/page/14902736/Parameter%20Pandamonium, for a list of Custom Functions, which may also help in other areas of FileMaker Development

See: https://pauseonerror.pbworks.com/w/page/21109112/Typed%20Dictionnary

25/02/2013

Menasche Scharf

How can you see on a Script, which Objects/Fields it is connected to? Like you can see on a Field which Script is tethered to it, we also need to reverse.

24/04/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker - As the FileMaker Layout workspace is so large, perhaps we should have all main Layouts in one Layout and the Navigation Buttons should lead the user to another point in the same Layout?

Scripts can be written to navigate around the various Tables, by bringing them in focus of the screen, as and when required.

12/12/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker how to see the last results of the last action in the database.

Say I pressed the Delete Button that invokes the DeletePortalRow Script but nothing happens in the Layout or Portal where it is placed.

Maybe this Script deleted a Record elsewhere in the Database?

It would therefore be nice to be able to see somewhere what are the last changes to the database (Check TimeWyze how the delete Button works in the diary portal).

16/01/2014

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker ("filemaker" -php -calcul* -dates -tool -script -find* -license -relat* -butt* -index -ical -prin* -data -searc* -remote –key)

How to Record a Macro in FileMaker

2017-01-16T09:32:00.003-08:00

See: https://www.google.co.uk/search?safe=active&q=%22filemaker%22%20%22create%22%20%22record%20a%20macro%22%20-newbie%20-access%20-security%20-hotfrog%20-AppleWorks%20-twiname&rct=j

Saved Finds

2017-01-16T09:20:00.003-08:00

How to Scrip the Saved Finds
Need to find out how to capture the strings that appear in the FileMaker Saved Finds Menu Item, which will help when doing repetitive Searches.
There should be a Script that allows the user to select from a list of Saved Finds in a Drop Down Menu inside the Layout, unlike the regular list that appears under Records->Saved Finds->Recent Finds

See: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22script%22+%22saved+finds%22+%22recent+finds%22+%22filemaker%22&ie=&oe=

20/01/2017
MS
Saved Finds only saves successful searches.
Request from FileMaker that they add unsuccessful searches to the Saved Finds List

How to run a Script before the File launches

2017-01-04T03:00:00.000-08:00

04/02/2013

Menasche Scharf

Ask FileMaker: How to run a Script before the File opens up?

For example, I want to enter Username and Password automatically, so the User doesn’t have to do this every time they open a file.

As soon as you set password(s), FMP starts up with a password dialog.

To prevent this you can automatically fill in (populate) a specified password in the document settings.

No dialog box appears.

If you want to log in with the non-standard password, you have to hold SHIFT (Win) or ALT (MAC) during opening the file.

The password-dialog-box will appear.

See: http://compgroups.net/comp.databases.filemaker/disable-the-ctrl-key/171479

Data Import - Part IX

2016-12-20T07:38:00.001-08:00

More pointers on cleaning data in preparation for transferring (or “migrating”) them from one FileMaker Pro file to another, especially if they are in different versions:

1. Try RefreshFM from Goya (See: ^{^[i]}), which is designed to help streamline data transition from one (old) FileMaker solution to another (new) FileMaker system.

2. When trying to find text in FileMaker, remember to work by the rules: Fields containg quotation marks can only be found if you prefix the text string with a backslash:\.

3. Before anything, clean the data first:

a. The text from MSWord will come across with an added – invisible character.

1. In Excel: If the text results with a Question Mark (“?”) at the end of every Cell, copy and paste into Notepad, Find & Replace “?” with “” (no text, blank) and Copy & Paste back into the spreadsheet.

2. In FileMaker: If the text results with a “ý” to the same as the above.

a. Status Check: Is all the Data still intact? Are the IDs in the proper order still?

b. Save the changes in a separate Spreadsheet, so you can roll back to it if the changes in the next step go pear shape.

3. In Chrome: it comes across as “â€Ž”.

ii. Arrange physically entered blank lines:

iii. Find the following: ^l

iv. & Replace all Line Feeds* with ^p^t

(*as opposed to Paragraph Returns or Hard Carriage Returns)

v. Then Copy & Paste the text into a new Excel Spreadsheet

1. Status Check: Is all the Data still intact? Are the IDs in the proper order still?

2. Save the changes in a separate Spreadsheet, so you can roll back to it if the changes in the next step go pear shape.

b. Quotation Marks

1. Sometime there are quotation marks, which are unnecessary; delete them by doing a Find&Replace.

ii. Space Invaders:

iii. Many Records have only visually blank Fields, as during Data Entry, the Clerk sometimes failed to hit the Carriage Return to ‘create’ a blank line, when the last item/s didn’t have anything to enter. However this shouldn’t be a concern as if there is no data then it might as well be without a blank line.

iv. Check wherever the character “0” appears, which was entered in the Manufacturer, Kosher Org, Ingredients Columns - instead of a line entry by Suzy Schleider, as seen in 10857470 and hundreds more.

These blank ‘spaces’ need to stay in the correct place, level with all other corresponding pieces of data: Ingredients, Supplier, Manufacturer, Kosher Organisation, Class.

To solve this problem, we need to replace all occurrences of a Value with a Primary (or unique) ID / Serial Number / Code, so that the system can have a separate list of data sets with their Unique ID’s that are ‘consulted’ whenever this unique ID is looked up.

^{^[i]} http://www.goya.com.au/refreshfm/about