Complex Calculations in FileMaker

Explore conditional text concatenation in FileMaker using ampersand, the substitute and list functions to assemble full names from first, middle, and last names and create mailing labels with dynamic spaces.

Learn to pad numbers with leading zeros or spaces for fixed field length exports using FileMaker, via let and case with the choose function for efficient, update-friendly formulas.

Discover three FileMaker birthday alert methods: a simple today or near-term alert, a month-based birthday search, and an upcoming-birthdays script using let variables, date functions, and indexing considerations.

Learn to build a FileMaker age calculation by comparing current date to birth date, deriving years, months, and days, and testing the formula in the data viewer.

Learn how to correctly use aggregate functions in FileMaker to sum related records, count portals, and calculate max, min, and averages, including filtered portals.

Master a FileMaker formula that converts numbers to text for check writing, and learn to analyze and decompose calculations with the let function, at-sign variable naming, and the data viewer.

Explore creating comma or tab separated lists from portal data using FileMaker’s list and substitute functions, handling returns, and assembling first and last names for compact, readable summaries.

Convert fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions in filemaker using versatile formulas, parsing fraction entries, and looping with while for accuracy and flexibility.

Explore conditional popup menus in FileMaker by filtering value lists through an active field or a relationship, using start-end relationships, constants, and all values versus by relationship.

Implement a per-user preferences system in FileMaker that stores startup layouts and window sizes in a preferences table, enabling auto-adjusted windows on login for admin and other users.

Create a simple, non-interactive calendar in FileMaker that displays the current month using a single calculation and a 42-repetition field, with a custom first-day function.

Highlight search criteria in a FileMaker knowledge-base field using the while function and substitute techniques to reveal matched words in large texts.

Learn practical email validation techniques in FileMaker, balancing data integrity with user efficiency by using pattern counts, at-sign checks, domain formatting, and optional alternatives to validation.

Explore multiple approaches to validate state in FileMaker, including character-count validation, length-based calculations, and script triggers, and compare on-exit, commit, and keystroke timing.

Enter time data in FileMaker without colons by using a two-digit minute input and a let-based calculation, leveraging the time function.

Apply auto enter techniques in FileMaker to remove formatting from pasted text, using text format remove, paste text only, and tools like trim and left words to ensure consistent records.

Learn to implement creation and modification stamps in FileMaker using get current host timestamp and the evaluate function to auto update fields from the server time.

Demonstrate hierarchical menus in FileMaker, using auto enter and evaluate to clear dependent city choices when the state changes, and compare auto enter and script trigger approaches.

Simplify field level tracking with housekeeping fields and reliable backups to keep records auditable. Use timestamps and the evaluate function to capture changes without unnecessary complexity.

apply an auto enter calculation with an append technique and case tests to track only selected fields in FileMaker, avoiding script triggers while building a field change log.

Discover how FileMaker's currency formatting can fail in contexts, and format before or after web browser. Compare two approaches: a direct field format and a calculated field with tested pieces.

Discover how to display a modification timestamp for related data by combining parent and child tables with let and max, showing the most recent account modification.

Explore auto enter calculations to keep notes fields organized by appending timestamps and account names. Compare script triggers and auto enter methods to manage notes with flexible formatting in FileMaker.

Explore three FileMaker phone formatting approaches, from a simple 10-digit format with auto-enter calculation and validation to a recursive custom function and a while-loop version for worldwide formats.

Explore stored versus unstored calculations in FileMaker and learn when recalculation occurs. Examine how indexing and layout rules affect performance and data accuracy.

Learn how the hide object feature in FileMaker 13 cleanly separates find mode from browse mode using get window mode, with on-layout rules to show or hide controls.

Hide actions on empty portal rows by testing a related primary or foreign key and toggling delete button visibility in browse or find modes.

Toggle buttons with the hide object feature to show or hide controls and reclaim space, including list versus table view and per-user script error logging.

Learn how conditional formatting in FileMaker bolds primary contacts, floats the primary to the top, dims inactive records, and color-codes notes and save buttons to highlight data without deleting records.

Show a delete button only on the active portal row to minimize interface clutter and rely on the active record number equaling the record number in a master detail portal.

Explore how tool tips in FileMaker provide on-hover help, reveal record navigation details, counts, and notes, enabling a cleaner interface without calculating until hover.

Learn how to centralize field tool tips with field comments in FileMaker, using get file name and get field name to pull field information and keep tooltips consistent across layouts. Explore adapting formulas with placeholders and tool tips, and deconstruct them in the data viewer to see how changes in one place propagate across layouts.

Create a tool tips table to centralize tool tips and labels, switch languages via a global language field or preferences, and use custom functions to render language-specific tool tips.

Declutter a FileMaker managed database using placeholder text and calculations instead of fields or relationships. Learn to format numbers and dates, and generate aggregates on layouts for cleaner data presentation.

Learn to work with sub summary reports and the get summary function to transfer territory totals into calculations, enabling context-sensitive totals and conditional formatting in FileMaker reports.

Discover how to determine the FileMaker version, extract the numeric version with get as number, and apply version-specific layouts and hosting checks to ensure compatibility across 12 through 18.

Explore how to tailor FileMaker interfaces for desktop, iOS devices, and web by using get application version, get system platform, and get device to select layouts.

Learn how to create a tooltip history of visited layouts in FileMaker. Use a global $$history, a custom function, and script triggers to display back-and-forth navigation.

Implement back and forward navigation across layouts using simple back and forward stacks stored in global variables, triggered on layout exit, with scripts and a navigation menu.

Learn to craft custom messages in FileMaker that adapt scripts to each table, using script parameters and table names for dynamic, plural or singular dialogues.

Learn how to generate random passwords in FileMaker using a password loop and the append technique, with the middle function to pick characters and enforce desired length.

Master window placement in FileMaker by using offset and zero top-left coordinates, then apply move and resize techniques to center, lower right, or floater windows.

Learn four common methods to save a pdf to the desktop, a user-defined location, or via email, using built-in path options and the send mail script step.

Manipulate date ranges in FileMaker by using the date function to compute current, past, and future dates, including last month, workweek, and refine finds with modify last find.

Learn to create and manage new requests in FileMaker using a checkbox list and return-separated values stored in a global field to perform or find.

Explore go to layout strategies in FileMaker, comparing single-step and perform script approaches, and show how parameterized layouts and naming conventions enable adaptive navigation with custom menus.

Explore how the FileMaker calculation engine enables conditional record level access with custom privileges to control who can view, edit, create, or delete records by account name.

Explore a one-field calendar plus in FileMaker, enabling month and year selection, today navigation, day selection, and interactive controls via global fields, a custom function, and scripts.

Explore a highly abstracted one-field logging system that logs field changes via a self-referenced custom function and auto enter, with configurable tracked fields and cross-file reuse.

Learn how to implement conditional record access in FileMaker by using hide objects with not-equals logic, showing or hiding fields and overlays based on creation field and account name checks.

explore a problem-solving technique called weightlifting for your brain, using FileMaker value lists, locate, and position functions to find where a selected color sits in the list.

Discover a free complex calculation solution in FileMaker, with data viewer-style insight, status toolbar access, and evaluate-based formulas that convert field data and determine result types.

Explore free resources, services, and FileMaker tips from the philosophy of filmmaker and database pros, including templates, training, and consulting for building solutions like the invoice and contact manager.