FileMaker Scripting Reference

Explore how FileMaker scripting blends automation and programming to automate report printing and layout management. It evolved from macros to a programming language with if, else, variables, and loops.

Explore the good, bad, and ugly of FileMaker script steps, learn how to categorize 180 steps into evil, deep, and useful, and identify which ones to prioritize.

Explore the various ways to activate FileMaker scripts beyond buttons, including perform script, server scripts, script triggers, custom menus, and keyboard shortcuts, with emphasis on context and layout correctness.

Learn to navigate the FileMaker script workspace using keyboard shortcuts and mouse actions, organize scripts with folders and separators, and test, debug, and customize preferences for efficiency.

Adopt naming conventions, comments, and organization to improve efficiency and maintainability in FileMaker solutions. The lecture shows a practical system using separators, brackets, and folders to organize scripts and layouts.

Master how context governs FileMaker scripting, including layout, relationships, keys, global fields, and perspective, to ensure correct data flow across tables.

Learn to build modular scripts in FileMaker by using subscripts and the perform script command to reuse code, organize logic, and test components independently.

Learn to build FileMaker scripts in pieces, visualize the workflow, test each component, and duplicate parent records with related lines for robust invoice and quote workflows.

Explore the advantages and disadvantages of common FileMaker find techniques: copy and paste, set field, set variable, and go to related records—emphasizing context, performance, and reliability.

Sign your FileMaker solution to identify the designer and enable support, using the script workspace and an about script to open a site and share contact information.

Explore how allow user abort and set error capture control script behavior, customizing messages and cancel options per script, with Mac and Windows nuances, privilege-based developer overrides, and modular sub-scripts.

Design separate layouts for Macintosh, Windows, iPhone, iPad, and web direct in FileMaker, using get system platform and get device to route the appropriate layout via the open script.

Position FileMaker windows precisely using move resize window, place new windows with a 30-pixel offset, and frame to content and desktop sizes for professional layouts.

Hide the filmmaker interface to maximize screen real estate and maintain interface continuity by turning off the toolbar, formatting bar, and menu bar, with device-specific scripts for iOS.

Global fields are local to each user in a multi-user deployment; initialize them on open with a startup script to set date and first and last day of the month.

Learn how the re log in script step speeds security testing in FileMaker by quickly switching between user credentials, unlocking script debugger, and testing open and close scripts.

Explore scripting an import from the same file by mapping source and target tables and using $$fileName to pass the current file name.

Explore the open script and startup script, including first window open and last window close, and configure system formats to display dates and numbers correctly.

Use close scripts sparingly in modern multi-user, cloud FileMaker solutions; in single-user files they mainly tidy the UI and rarely write to records.

Master handling FileMaker scripting errors. Learn to read error codes, trap them in scripts, and use the debugger to manage common issues like cancel actions and missing layouts.

Explore filemaker scripting for deleting records, managing privileges, and safeguarding related data; implement active checkboxes and clear prompts, and tailor delete permissions to table occurrences with descriptive naming.

Explore how to handle dialog cancellations in FileMaker scripting by testing for cancel events in import and print workflows, using show dialog, new window, and print preview logic.

Explore when to use all errors testing, enable script-specific error logging, and pass error details between scripts with parameters for targeted debugging.

Learn how record locking works in a multi-user FileMaker environment, including how to check for locks with open records requests and handle errors such as 200 and 301 in scripts.

Learn to convert layout merge letters to browse mode in FileMaker, using global fields for input and a calculation field to prevent record locking during bulk letters.

This lecture demonstrates transactional processing in FileMaker by leveling inventory during invoicing, using an on-commit approach with a lines portal to safely update product inventory while handling record locking.

Manage FileMaker scripting and validation conflicts during data imports and moving records between contacts and phones, using commit with skip data entry validation to prevent script halts.

Learn why scripting account creation and deletion risks security, avoid storing accounts or passwords in tables, and restrict users from modifying accounts or privilege sets.

Explore FileMaker scripting reference: enable the set error logging step to log script errors to a local documents folder, view and import errors, and use on/off toggles for troubleshooting.

Reduce script clutter by using adaptive go to layout with one script that adapts to form and list layouts via naming conventions and script parameters.

Discover how the go to related record script step translates a relationship into a found set and navigates to the related table or layout, enabling drill down.

Explore how to display extra information in FileMaker portals and list views using techniques like go to related record, card window, pop over, and expand, with notes on limitations.

FileMaker scripting reference teaches how to implement the ultimate find, looping through find mode with adaptive dialogs, error handling, and layout-aware results across records.

Learn how to preserve and transfer a found set across table occurrences in FileMaker using the new window method, save a found set, and save a table occurrence.

Learn to preserve a found set with a new window by isolating the current record, previewing it, then restoring the full set without changes.

preserve the active tab in filemaker 18 by using get trigger target panel to capture the panel name (second value) on panel switch, then restore it with a global variable.

Learn to implement find-as-you-type filtering in FileMaker by typing in a global field, building dynamic find criteria, and handling results across tables.

Use script parameters to drive a Rolodex-style find, reducing 26 scripts to a single dynamic solution. Emphasize adaptability and indirection to filter the found set efficiently.

Explore handling the blank portal row for new related records with an adaptive plus-button script in FileMaker, including setting foreign keys and creating linked car records for a contact.

Learn to implement an adaptable FileMaker output script that offers view, print, or PDF options, routing output to desktop, email, or PDA, using script parameters and window management.

Learn how script triggers can conflict and disrupt workflows, and discover how to avoid this crutch by prioritizing other features and using triggers only when the best solution.

Explore FileMaker scripting triggers, including object, layout, window, and timer triggers. Learn how pre and post processing affect event order and see examples like on object enter.

Explore how script triggers drive sort and sub summary reports in FileMaker, using object and layout triggers to produce multifaceted sub summaries by state and by city.

Explore dynamic window naming in FileMaker, using get field to derive a fully qualified field name for window titles, and contrast a simpler script parameter approach.

Explore how FileMaker script triggers behave when no field is selected, including on layout keystroke and on object keystroke, automatic field selection, and practical approaches for single or multi-field layouts.

Explore how script triggers enhance FileMaker validation, with on object keystroke and on object exit options, including custom messages, and both field and schema level validations.

Log field changes by batching edits in memory and writing them to a logs table on record commit, using FileMaker scripting or plugins like FM Data Guard.

Learn to format numbers in FileMaker with a custom currency function, exploring three approaches and concluding that formatting on exit is the simplest, most reliable method.

Discover free resources and paid services for FileMaker scripting, including training videos, templates, and method consulting. Explore the philosophy of filmmaker content, relational design, and scripting calculations.