Filemaker Help M2 Guide File Maker Pro 13 Fmp13 En

User Manual: filemaker FileMaker Pro 13 - Help Free User Guide for FileMaker Software, Manual

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FileMaker Pro 13
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© 2007–2013 FileMaker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
FileMaker, Inc.
5201 Patrick Henry Drive
Santa Clara, California 95054
FileMaker and Bento are trademarks of FileMaker, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. The file folder logo,
FileMaker WebDirect, and the Bento logo are trademarks of FileMaker, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
FileMaker documentation is copyrighted. You are not authorized to make additional copies or distribute this documentation
without written permission from FileMaker. You may use this documentation solely with a valid licensed copy of FileMaker
software.
All persons, companies, email addresses, and URLs listed in the examples are purely fictitious and any resemblance to
existing persons, companies, email addresses, or URLs is purely coincidental. Credits are listed in the Acknowledgements
documents provided with this software. Mention of third-party products and URLs is for informational purposes only and
constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. FileMaker, Inc. assumes no responsibility with regard to the
performance of these products.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.filemaker.com.
Edition: 01

Contents
Using FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
FileMaker Pro basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
New features in FileMaker Pro 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Using Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Using FileMaker Quick Start to learn more about FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Converting the trial version to the full version of FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
About FileMaker Pro databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
About FileMaker Pro modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Performing menu commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Using the status toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Using shortcut menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Conversion overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Converting a single file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Converting multiple files at once . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Reading the Conversion.log file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Converting FileMaker Pro databases earlier than version 7.x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Troubleshooting conversion problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Preserving user dictionary information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
How layouts are converted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Layout mode changes and improvements (FileMaker Pro 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Managing files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Starting FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Using FileMaker Quick Start to open files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Working with favorite files and hosts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Opening files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Opening files with different system formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Opening files troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Using the zoom controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Opening multiple windows per file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Arranging windows in FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Closing windows and files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Closing files troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Saving and copying files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Quitting FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Adding and viewing data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Working with records in Browse mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Viewing records as a form, list, or table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Selecting the current record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Moving through records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Scroll wheel support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Navigating in web viewers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Working with data in Table View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Displaying and hiding fields in Table View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Creating dynamic reports in Table View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Adding, duplicating, and deleting records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Adding and duplicating records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Adding and duplicating related records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Deleting records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Entering data in records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

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Selecting a field in Browse mode or Find mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Entering and changing data in fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Moving text and data with drag and drop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Exporting the contents of a field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Working with data in date fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Entering Japanese Emperor Year dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Conversion of dates with two-digit years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Working with data in time fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Committing data in records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Using URLs in a field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Copying and moving data in records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Entering preset data from a value list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Restoring data in records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Using a field index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Inserting the current date or other variables into a field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Editing and formatting text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Selecting text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Editing text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Formatting text in Browse mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Using data in container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Inserting graphics into container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Inserting QuickTime movies and multimedia into container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Inserting files of any type into container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Pasting graphics and movies from the Clipboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Playing QuickTime and QuickTimeVR movies in container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Playing recorded sounds in container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Working with content in interactive containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Working with PDF files in interactive containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Deleting data from container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Checking spelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Checking spelling as you type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Creating and selecting spelling dictionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Editing user dictionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Replacing the contents of a field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Adding and viewing data troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Records are missing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Wrong or missing data in field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Dates are not as expected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Summary data is missing or incorrect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Text or objects are clipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Data does not appear correctly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
List View or Table View refreshes when adding records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Can't click or tab into a field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Alerts when entering data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Value lists troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Finding, sorting, and replacing data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Finding records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Performing a quick find in Browse mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Finding records based on criteria in a single field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Making a find request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Finding text and characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Finding numbers, dates, times, and timestamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Finding ranges of information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Finding data in related fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

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Finding empty or non-empty fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Finding duplicate values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Finding duplicate values using a self-join relationship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Finding records that match multiple criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Finding records except those matching criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Viewing, repeating, or changing the last find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Hiding records from a found set and viewing hidden records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Constraining (narrowing) a found set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Extending (broadening) a found set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Finding records troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Saving a find request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Managing saved find requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Sorting records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Options for sorting records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Sorting records by subsummary values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Sorting records troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Finding and replacing data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Find/replace troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Previewing and printing information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Specifying a default printer and paper options (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Specifying printer and paper options (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Previewing data on a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Printing records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Printing scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Printing table and field information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Printing the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Printing labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Printing envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Printing troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Document appears as expected in Preview mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Document does not appear as expected in Preview mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Records not printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Printing troubleshooting techniques (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Printing troubleshooting techniques (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Designing and creating databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Creating a database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
About planning a database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Best practices for designing layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Tips for designing layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Creating a FileMaker Pro file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Setting file options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Defining database tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
About defining database fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Defining fields in the Field Picker dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Defining fields in the Manage Database dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Defining fields in Table View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
About naming fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
About choosing a field type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
About text fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
About number fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
About date fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
About time fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

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About timestamp fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
About container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Defining calculation fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Defining summary fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Setting options for fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Defining automatic data entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Defining field validation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Defining global fields (fields with global storage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Defining repeating fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Defining field indexing options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Defining Furigana options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
About setting up container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Setting up container fields to store data externally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Managing external storage of container data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Managing performance with thumbnails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Transferring container data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Changing field definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Changing field names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Duplicating field definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Changing field types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Changing calculation formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Changing summary fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Reordering field definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Deleting table definitions, field definitions, and data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Creating file paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Using variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Working with formulas and functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
About functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
About formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Using operators in formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Identifying text constants and special characters in formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Adding a new line to the results of a formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Adding comments to a formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Using a reserved word or symbol for a field or table name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Getting the contents of a repetition in a repeating field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Working with plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Creating custom plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Installing plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Updating plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Plug-in update example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Creating and managing layouts and reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Creating a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Switching between layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Managing layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Duplicating, deleting, or renaming layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Saving and reverting layout changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Reordering and excluding layouts in the Layout pop-up menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Editing layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Setting up form, list, and table views for a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Changing the table that a layout shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Setting the automatic record-saving option for a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Showing or hiding field frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Showing field borders and fill for the current record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Specifying a menu set for a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

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Changing the theme of a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Changing the width of a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Working with layout parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
About layout part types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Adding a layout part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Changing a layout part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Defining page breaks and numbering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Reordering layout parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Resizing layout parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Deleting layout parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Adding fields to a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Placing and removing fields on a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Placing merge fields on a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Creating portals to display related records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Selecting and working with portals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Drawing and inserting objects on a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Working with the layout tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Adding text to a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Inserting the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Inserting merge variables onto a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Drawing lines and other shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Inserting graphics onto a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Working with panel controls on layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Adding a tab control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Changing a tab control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Adding a slide control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Changing a slide control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Selecting and working with objects on panel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Moving and resizing panel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Copying, duplicating, and deleting panel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Working with popovers on layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Adding a popover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Changing popover settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Moving and resizing popovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Copying, duplicating, and deleting popovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Selecting and working with objects on popovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Working with web viewers on layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Adding a web viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Changing a web address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Defining a custom web address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Controlling how layouts print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Specifying page margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Showing page margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Setting up to print records in columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Removing blank spaces in printouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Preventing objects from printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Setting up script triggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Setting script triggers for layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Setting script triggers for objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Changing object data without activating script triggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Troubleshooting layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Troubleshooting layouts with summary or subsummary parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Troubleshooting label printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Troubleshooting layouts that do not appear or print as expected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

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Troubleshooting layouts designed for both Windows and OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Troubleshooting layouts with web viewers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Selecting and working with objects on a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Selecting objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Using the Inspector to format objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Moving objects on a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Resizing and reshaping objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Setting auto-resize options for layout objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Specifying the display state for an object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Formatting graphics on a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Protecting objects from change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Naming objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Formatting objects, layout parts, and the layout background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout background
304
Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with a color gradient . . . . . . . . . 307
Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with an image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Adding shadows and padding to layout objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Formatting portals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Formatting panel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Formatting popover buttons and popovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Hiding or showing layout objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Creating and working with styles for layout objects, parts, and the layout background . . . . 318
About layout object, part, and background styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Viewing and applying layout object, part, or background styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Editing layout object, part, or background styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Renaming layout object, part, or background styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Reverting changes to layout object, part, or background styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Deleting layout object, part, or background styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds . . . . . . . 324
Saving and managing layout themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Renaming a layout theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Saving a layout theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Managing layout themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Importing layout themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Specifying text formats for fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Specifying formats for fields containing numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Specifying formats for date fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Specifying formats for time fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Specifying formats for timestamp fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Specifying formats for container fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Adding borders, fill, and baselines to fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Adding scroll bars to fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Defining value lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Setting up a field to display a pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other control . . . . . . . . . 343
Setting up a field to display a keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Setting up a field to display a drop-down calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Setting up a field to auto-complete during data entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Setting up the display of repeating fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

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Adding tooltips on layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Identifying badges on layout objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Making layout objects accessible to screen readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Controlling data input behavior of fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Setting the tab order for data entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Allowing or preventing entry into fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Configuring quick find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Setting the keys for exiting a field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Setting the text input method for fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Setting spell checking for individual fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Formatting text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Making text bold, italic, highlighted, or setting other styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Specifying paragraph attributes and tab settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Formatting fields and text for vertical writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Arranging objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Grouping and ungrouping objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Moving objects forward or backward on a layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Rotating objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Aligning or distributing objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Using tools to precisely position objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Using the Inspector to position objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Using the rulers and grid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Using guides and dynamic guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Sizing layouts for different devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Showing text or field boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Working with related tables and files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
About relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
About the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
About match fields for relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
About the types of relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
About single-criteria relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
About multi-criteria relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
About relationships using comparative operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
About relationships that return a range of records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
About self-joining relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Working with the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Creating relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Changing relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Adding tables to the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Selecting related tables in the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Duplicating tables in the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Moving tables or notes in the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Resizing tables in the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Aligning tables in the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Adding text notes to the relationships graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Summarizing data in portals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Filtering records in portals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
About lookups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Defining lookups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Updating lookup values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Creating charts from data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
About chart types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Chart planning guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Creating quick charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400

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Creating and editing charts in Layout mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Column, bar, line, and area charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Pie charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Scatter and bubble charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Formatting and scaling chart axes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Specifying the data source for a chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Changing the look of a chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Placing your chart in the appropriate layout part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Charting tips, tricks, and troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
Example: Charting delimited data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
Creating scripts to automate tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Planning a script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Creating and editing scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
Managing scripts using folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424
Saving a script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426
Deleting a script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426
Copying and pasting scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
Running scripts on FileMaker Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
Importing scripts from other FileMaker files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
Scripting with ActiveX Automation (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Using FileMaker Pro ActiveX Automation (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
ActiveX Automation objects, methods, and properties (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
ActiveX Automation example (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434
Scripting with Apple events (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Apple events troubleshooting (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Apple events error: "Apple event timed out" (-1712) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Apple events error: "Expected expression but found unknown token" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Apple events error: "Invalid object containment" (-1723) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Apple events error: "Object not found" (-1728) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Apple events error: "Data is being accessed by another user, script, or transaction" (-10011)
439
Apple events error: "Set Data failed. Invalid data was supplied" (-17005) . . . . . . . . . . 439
Apple events error: "Event failed. User canceled the event processing" (-17006) . . . . 440
Apple events error: "Create failed. Invalid data was supplied" (-17007) . . . . . . . . . . . . 440
Working with the Scripts menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440
Using buttons with scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440
Defining a button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441
Copying a button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442
Changing a button definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
Deleting a button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
Script examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
If structure examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Loop structure examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Startup script examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445
Perform Script and script parameter examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445
Protecting databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447
About protecting databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447
About accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448
About the Admin and Guest accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450
Using the predefined privilege sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450
Planning security for a file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 451
Password-protecting a file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453
Creating and managing accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453
Viewing and reordering accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454

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Creating accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
Editing existing accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456
Duplicating and deleting accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458
Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459
Tips for creating account names and passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 460
Creating and managing privilege sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461
Viewing privilege sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461
Creating new privilege sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
Editing existing privilege sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
Duplicating and deleting privilege sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
Editing record access privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464
Editing layouts privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468
Editing value list privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470
Editing scripts privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472
Editing extended privileges for a privilege set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474
Editing other privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476
Managing extended privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479
Viewing extended privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479
Editing which privilege sets may use an extended privilege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479
Creating and deleting extended privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480
Opening files protected with passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
Changing your password for a file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482
Authorizing access to files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483
Setting up access to a file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483

Sharing data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485
Sharing databases on a network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 486
Sharing and hosting files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487
Opening files as the host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487
Closing shared files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489
Working with shared files as a client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489
Opening shared files as a client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 490
Opening shared databases remotely using a URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 492
Sending the URL of a shared database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 494
Sharing files with FileMaker Go clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 494
Uploading files to FileMaker Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495
Saving, importing, and exporting data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 498
Saving and sending records in other formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 498
Saving and sending records as an Excel file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 499
Saving and sending records as a PDF file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 499
Saving and sending records as a snapshot link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500
Sending email messages based on record data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 502
Sending one email message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 502
Sending multiple email messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504
Entering or editing SMTP options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506
Importing data into FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507
Methods of importing data into an existing file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508
About creating a new table for imported data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510
About validating data during import . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 511
Importing data into an existing file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512
Setting up recurring imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513
Importing a folder of files all at once . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
Importing Bento data (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517

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Importing XML data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520
Setting the import action and mapping fields during import . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522
Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526
Exporting data from FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 527
Exporting repeating field data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 529
Supported import/export file formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 530
Comma-Separated Text format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531
dBASE III and IV DBF format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531
FileMaker Pro format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 532
HTML Table format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533
Merge format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533
Microsoft Excel format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534
Tab-Separated Text format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534
XML format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535
XML FMPDSORESULT grammar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535
XML FMPXMLRESULT grammar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536
Importing and exporting dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539
Working with Microsoft Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 540
Publishing databases on the web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541
Publishing databases with FileMaker WebDirect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541
Publishing data on static webpages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 542
Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544
Sharing FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or JDBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Accessing external data sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548
Configuring an ODBC client driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548
Connecting to data sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 550
Working with data sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 552
Editing external FileMaker data sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 552
Editing ODBC data sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553
Enabling ODBC data source single sign-on (Windows only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 556
Updating data between FileMaker and ODBC data sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 557
Restoring links to ODBC data sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 557
Using supplemental fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 558
ODBC data sources troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 558
Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 559
Constructing an SQL query for importing via ODBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561
Executing SQL to interact with data sources via ODBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561
Storing an SQL query in a field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562
Automating ODBC import using the Import Records script step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562

Using FileMaker Pro Advanced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 564
FileMaker Pro Advanced basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 565
About FileMaker Pro Advanced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 565
Your responsibilities as a developer (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 565
Customizing files with FileMaker Pro Advanced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567
Copying and pasting field schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567
Copying or importing table schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567
About custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 569
Using custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 569
Importing custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571
Custom Function dependency rules (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 572
Defining custom menus (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 573
Creating and editing custom menu items (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577

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Creating and editing custom menu sets (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 580
Using FileMaker Pro Advanced tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583
Debugging scripts (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583
Disabling script steps (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586
Using the Data Viewer (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587
Encrypting database files (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589
Encrypting a file (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589
Decrypting a file (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 591
Working with encrypted files (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 591
Documenting database schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 592
Setting up files for developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 594
Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 595
Specifying options for developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 596
Removing Admin access to databases (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 597
Adding filename extensions to files (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 599
Documenting developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 599
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601
Preparing files for a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 605
Distributing runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607
Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . 608
Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609
Recovering runtime files (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 610
Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611
Creating Kiosk solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611
Using scripts and buttons to control Kiosk solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . 613
Creating dynamic buttons (FileMaker Pro Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 614

Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 617
Setting preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 618
Setting general preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 618
Setting layout preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620
Setting memory preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620
Setting plug-in preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621
Setting font preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 622
Customizing the font menu (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 622
Keyboard shortcuts (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 624
General keyboard shortcuts (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 624
Mode keyboard shortcuts (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 627
Text keyboard shortcuts (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630
Manage database keyboard shortcuts (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 633
FileMaker Pro Advanced keyboard shortcuts (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635
Keyboard shortcuts (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 636
General keyboard shortcuts (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 636
Mode keyboard shortcuts (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639
Text keyboard shortcuts (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 643
Manage database keyboard shortcuts (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 646
FileMaker Pro Advanced keyboard shortcuts (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648
Functions reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 649
Functions reference (category list) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 649
Functions reference (alphabetical list) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 656
Aggregate functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662

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Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662
Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 664
List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665
Max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 667
Min . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668
StDev . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670
StDevP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 671
Sum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672
Variance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 674
VarianceP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 675
Container functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 677
Base64Decode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 677
Base64Encode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678
GetContainerAttribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 679
GetHeight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 683
GetThumbnail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 684
GetWidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685
VerifyContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685
Date functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 686
Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687
Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 688
DayName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 689
DayNameJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 690
DayOfWeek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 691
DayOfYear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692
Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 693
MonthName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 694
MonthNameJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 694
WeekOfYear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 695
WeekOfYearFiscal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 696
Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 697
YearName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698
Design functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 699
DatabaseNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700
FieldBounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701
FieldComment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703
FieldIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703
FieldNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704
FieldRepetitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705
FieldStyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 706
FieldType . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 707
GetNextSerialValue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 709
LayoutIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 709
LayoutNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 710
LayoutObjectNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711
RelationInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 712
ScriptIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714
ScriptNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714
TableIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715
TableNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716
ValueListIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 717
ValueListItems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 718
ValueListNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 718
WindowNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719

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External functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 720
External . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 721
Financial functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722
FV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722
NPV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 723
PMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724
PV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725
Get functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 727
Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 732
Get(AccountName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 733
Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 735
Get(ActiveFieldContents) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 736
Get(ActiveFieldName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 736
Get(ActiveFieldTableName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737
Get(ActiveLayoutObjectName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 738
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 739
Get(ActivePortalRowNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740
Get(ActiveRepetitionNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741
Get(ActiveSelectionSize) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 742
Get(ActiveSelectionStart) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 742
Get(AllowAbortState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743
Get(AllowFormattingBarState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 744
Get(ApplicationLanguage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 745
Get(ApplicationVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 746
Get(CalculationRepetitionNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 747
Get(ConnectionAttributes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748
Get(ConnectionState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 749
Get(CurrentDate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750
Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 751
Get(CurrentHostTimestamp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 752
Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753
Get(CurrentTime) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 754
Get(CurrentTimestamp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 755
Get(CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 756
Get(CustomMenuSetName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 757
Get(DesktopPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 758
Get(Device) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 759
Get(DocumentsPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 759
Get(DocumentsPathListing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 761
Get(EncryptionState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762
Get(ErrorCaptureState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762
Get(FileMakerPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 763
Get(FileName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764
Get(FilePath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 765
Get(FileSize) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766
Get(FoundCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 767
Get(HighContrastColor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 767
Get(HighContrastState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 768
Get(HostApplicationVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 769
Get(HostIPAddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770
Get(HostName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 771
Get(InstalledFMPlugins) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 772
Get(LastError) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 774
Get(LastMessageChoice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 775

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Get(LastODBCError) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 776
Get(LayoutAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777
Get(LayoutCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 778
Get(LayoutName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 778
Get(LayoutNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 779
Get(LayoutTableName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780
Get(LayoutViewState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 781
Get(ModifiedFields) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 782
Get(MultiUserState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 783
Get(NetworkProtocol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 784
Get(NetworkType) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785
Get(PageNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785
Get(PersistentID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786
Get(PreferencesPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 787
Get(PrinterName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 788
Get(QuickFindText) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 789
Get(RecordAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 790
Get(RecordID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 791
Get(RecordModificationCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 792
Get(RecordNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 793
Get(RecordOpenCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 794
Get(RecordOpenState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 795
Get(RequestCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 796
Get(RequestOmitState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 796
Get(ScreenDepth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 797
Get(ScreenHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 798
Get(ScreenWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 799
Get(ScriptAnimationState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800
Get(ScriptName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801
Get(ScriptParameter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801
Get(ScriptResult) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 803
Get(SortState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 804
Get(StatusAreaState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 805
Get(SystemDrive) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 806
Get(SystemIPAddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 806
Get(SystemLanguage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 808
Get(SystemNICAddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 808
Get(SystemPlatform) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809
Get(SystemVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810
Get(TemporaryPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 812
Get(TextRulerVisible) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 813
Get(TotalRecordCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 814
Get(TriggerCurrentPanel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815
Get(TriggerGestureInfo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 816
Get(TriggerKeystroke) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817
Get(TriggerModifierKeys) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 818
Get(TriggerTargetPanel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 819
Get(UserCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 820
Get(UserName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 821
Get(UseSystemFormatsState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 822
Get(UUID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823
Get(WindowContentHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 824
Get(WindowContentWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 825
Get(WindowDesktopHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 826

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Get(WindowDesktopWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 827
Get(WindowHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828
Get(WindowLeft) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828
Get(WindowMode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 829
Get(WindowName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 830
Get(WindowOrientation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 831
Get(WindowStyle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 832
Get(WindowTop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 833
Get(WindowVisible) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 834
Get(WindowWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 835
Get(WindowZoomLevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 836
Logical functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 838
Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 839
Choose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 840
Evaluate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 841
EvaluationError . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 842
ExecuteSQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 843
GetAsBoolean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 845
GetField . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 846
GetFieldName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847
GetLayoutObjectAttribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 848
GetNthRecord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850
If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 851
IsEmpty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 852
IsValid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853
IsValidExpression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 854
Let . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 855
Lookup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 857
LookupNext . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858
Self . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 859
Mobile functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 860
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 861
LocationValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 862
Number functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863
Abs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 864
Ceiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865
Combination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865
Div . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866
Exp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867
Factorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 868
Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869
Int . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869
Lg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870
Ln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 871
Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 872
Mod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 873
Random . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 874
Round . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875
SetPrecision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875
Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 876
Sqrt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877
Truncate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 878
Repeating functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879
Extend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879

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GetRepetition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 880
Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 881
Summary functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882
GetSummary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882
Text functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 884
Char . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 885
Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 887
Exact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 889
FilterValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 890
GetAsCSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 891
GetAsDate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 892
GetAsNumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 893
GetAsSVG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894
GetAsText . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 895
GetAsTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 896
GetAsTimestamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897
GetAsURLEncoded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 898
GetValue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 899
Hiragana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900
KanaHankaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901
KanaZenkaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901
KanjiNumeral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 902
Katakana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903
Left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903
LeftValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904
LeftWords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 905
Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906
Lower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907
Middle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907
MiddleValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 908
MiddleWords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 909
NumToJText . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 910
PatternCount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 912
Proper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 913
Quote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 914
Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 915
Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 916
RightValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 917
RightWords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 918
RomanHankaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 919
RomanZenkaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 919
SerialIncrement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920
Substitute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921
Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 922
TrimAll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 923
Upper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 924
ValueCount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 925
WordCount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 926
Text formatting functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 927
RGB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 928
TextColor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 929
TextColorRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 930

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TextFont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 931
TextFontRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 932
TextFormatRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934
TextSize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934
TextSizeRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 935
TextStyleAdd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 936
TextStyleRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938
Time functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 939
Hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 940
Minute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 941
Seconds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 941
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 942
Timestamp functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943
Timestamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943
Trigonometric functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 944
Acos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945
Asin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945
Atan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 946
Cos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 947
Degrees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948
Pi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949
Radians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949
Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950
Tan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 951
Script steps reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952
Script steps reference (category list) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 956
Control script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 960
Perform Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 960
Perform Script On Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 962
Pause/Resume Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 964
Exit Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 965
Halt Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 967
If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968
Else If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 970
Else . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 972
End If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973
Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 974
Exit Loop If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 975
End Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 976
Allow User Abort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 977
Set Error Capture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 978
Set Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 980
Set Script Animation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982
Install OnTimer Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 983
Navigation script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 984
Go to Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 984
Go to Record/Request/Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 986
Go to Related Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 988
Go to Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 990
Go to Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 992
Go to Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 993
Go to Next Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 994
Go to Previous Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 995

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Close Popover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 996
Enter Browse Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 997
Enter Find Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 998
Enter Preview Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999
Editing script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1000
Undo/Redo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1000
Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1001
Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1003
Paste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1004
Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1005
Set Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1006
Select All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1008
Perform Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1009
Fields script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1011
Set Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1011
Set Field By Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1012
Set Next Serial Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1014
Insert Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1016
Insert Calculated Result . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1017
Insert From Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1019
Insert From Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1021
Insert From Last Visited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1022
Insert From URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1023
Insert Current Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1025
Insert Current Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1026
Insert Current User Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1027
Insert Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1028
Insert QuickTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1029
Insert Audio/Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1030
Insert PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1032
Insert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1033
Replace Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1035
Relookup Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1037
Export Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1038
Records script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1039
New Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1039
Duplicate Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1040
Delete Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1041
Delete Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1043
Delete All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1044
Open Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1045
Revert Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
Commit Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1048
Copy Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1049
Copy All Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1050
Import Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1051
Export Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1054
Save Records As Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1057
Save Records As PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1058
Save Records As Snapshot Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1060
Found Sets script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1062
Perform Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1062
Perform Quick Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1064
Find Matching Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1065

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Constrain Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1067
Extend Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1068
Modify Last Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1069
Show All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1070
Show Omitted Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1071
Omit Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1072
Omit Multiple Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1073
Sort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1074
Unsort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1076
Sort Records by Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1077
Windows script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1079
New Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1079
Select Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1081
Close Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1083
Adjust Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1084
Move/Resize Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1085
Arrange All Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1087
Freeze Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1088
Refresh Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1090
Scroll Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1091
Show/Hide Menubar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1092
Show/Hide Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1093
Show/Hide Text Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1094
Set Window Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1095
Set Zoom Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1096
View As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1097
Files script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1098
New File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1098
Open File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1099
Close File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1101
Convert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1102
Set Multi-User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1103
Set Use System Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1105
Save a Copy as . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1106
Recover File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1107
Print Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1108
Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1109
Accounts script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1111
Add Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1111
Delete Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1113
Reset Account Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1114
Change Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1115
Enable Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1117
Re-Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1118
Spelling script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1119
Check Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1120
Check Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1121
Check Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1121
Correct Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1122
Spelling Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1123
Select Dictionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1124
Edit User Dictionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1125
Open Menu Item script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1126
Open Edit Saved Finds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1127

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Open Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1128
Open File Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1129
Open Manage Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1130
Open Manage Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1131
Open Manage Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1132
Open Manage Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1133
Open Manage Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1134
Open Manage Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1135
Open Manage Value Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1136
Open Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1137
Open Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1138
Open Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1139
Open Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1140
Upload To FileMaker Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1141
Miscellaneous script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1142
Show Custom Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1143
Allow Formatting Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1146
Refresh Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1147
Beep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1148
Speak (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1149
Dial Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1150
Install Plug-In File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1152
Install Menu Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1153
Set Web Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1154
Open URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1156
Send Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1158
Send DDE Execute (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1160
Perform AppleScript (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1162
Execute SQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1163
Send Event (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1165
Send Event (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1167
Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1168
Flush Cache to Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1169
Exit Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1170
Script triggers reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1172
OnObjectEnter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1172
OnObjectKeystroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1173
OnObjectModify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1174
OnObjectValidate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1175
OnObjectSave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1175
OnObjectExit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1176
OnPanelSwitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1177
OnRecordLoad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1178
OnRecordCommit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1178
OnRecordRevert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1179
OnLayoutKeystroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1180
OnLayoutEnter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1181
OnLayoutExit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1182
OnLayoutSizeChange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1182
OnModeEnter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1183
OnModeExit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1183
OnViewChange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1184
OnGestureTap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1185
OnFirstWindowOpen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1185

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OnLastWindowClose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1186
OnWindowOpen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1187
OnWindowClose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1187
FileMaker Pro features by version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1189
Maintaining and recovering FileMaker Pro databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1198
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1198
Example backup script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1199
Saving a compacted copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1200
About recovering FileMaker Pro files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1200
Preventing database damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1201
Damaged files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1201
Damaged layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1202
Checking file consistency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1203
Recovering files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1203
Setting advanced file recovery options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1205
Troubleshooting file recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1207
FileMaker Pro error codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1211
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1219
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1245
Customer Support and Knowledge Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1246
Copyright information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1247

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Using FileMaker Pro

Using FileMaker Pro

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FileMaker Pro basics

FileMaker Pro basics
This section contains:
• a description of the new features of FileMaker Pro 13 and FileMaker Pro 13 Advanced
• an introduction to FileMaker Pro databases and modes
• information on the basics of working with FileMaker Pro commands and files

New features in FileMaker Pro 13
FileMaker Pro 13 includes the following new features and improvements.

New layout styles and theme saving
• Enhanced options for managing styles and themes – Apply formatting styles to layout
objects, parts, and backgrounds to promote a consistent look throughout your solutions.
Define custom styles and save them to themes to apply formatting changes automatically,
or import themes from other files. See Creating and working with styles for layout objects,
parts, and the layout background and Saving and managing layout themes.
• Enhanced and new themes – The existing 40 themes have been updated to add alternate
style options. New themes in the Aspire family provide a variety of style options for extra
versatility. See Changing the theme of a layout.

Improved layout creation
• Redesigned New Layout/Report assistant – Create layouts and reports that are optimized
for the devices they'll be used on, with predefined screen dimensions, views, and themes
for viewing on computer, iPhone, and iPad screens, or for printing in a variety of formats.
See Creating a layout.

Improved layout design tools and controls
• Control object visibility – Hide or show layout objects by indicating whether an object is
hidden or displayed depending on a specific condition or calculation. See Hiding or showing
layout objects.
• Define fields in Layout mode – Define fields in Layout mode using the Field Picker dialog
box, then drag the fields to the layout. See About defining database fields.
• Slide controls – Create multi-panel slide controls to allow you to group objects in separate
slide panels. See Adding a slide control.
• Popovers – Create popovers to allow you to work with fields and other objects without
having to move to another layout or window. See Working with popovers on layouts.
• Object type selection – Use the drop-down list in the Appearance tab of the Inspector to
select and style objects with multiple parts (such as portals or slide controls). See Specifying
the display state for an object.
• Layout design enhancements:
• Undo and redo changes to layouts even after you've saved the layout or previewed the
layout in Browse mode. See Saving and reverting layout changes.
• Screen stencils now include dimensions for the 4-inch screen on iPhone 5. See Sizing
layouts for different devices.

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• Show or hide page breaks in Layout mode by choosing View menu > Page Breaks.
See Defining page breaks and numbering.
• Enhanced effects for layout objects:
• Shadows and padding – Apply shadows and padding to objects in the new Advanced
Graphic area of the Inspector. See Adding shadows and padding to layout objects.
• New object display states – The fill for the current record in List View or an active portal
row is specified by the Active display state. The primary and alternate fills in List View or
a portal are specified by the Primary and Alternate display states. See Specifying the
display state for an object.
• Text baseline – New options for modifying text baselines are available in the Text area
(previously in the Graphic area) in the Inspector. See Adding borders, fill, and baselines
to fields.
• Layout background – Customize the layout background with full-screen images, colors,
or gradients. See Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with a color
gradient and Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with an image.
• Improved object moving and resizing:
• Duplicating objects with “snap-to” – When you Ctrl-drag (Windows) or Option-drag
(OS X) to duplicate an object, the duplicated object “snaps to” the grid, guides, or
dynamic guides as needed. See Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects.
• Resizing multiple objects – Resizing multiple objects maintains the difference in objects’
lengths or widths, and opposite edges of the objects remain fixed in position. See
Resizing and reshaping objects.
• Dynamic guides – Dynamic guides appear when you use the keyboard arrow keys to
move objects on a layout. See Using guides and dynamic guides.

Sharing and collaboration
• Upload files to FileMaker Server – Upload FileMaker Pro databases and externally stored
container data to FileMaker Server. See Uploading files to FileMaker Server.
• FileMaker WebDirect ™ – Use FileMaker WebDirect technology to access layouts from
FileMaker Pro databases in a web browser. FileMaker WebDirect solutions are hosted by
FileMaker Server. See FILEMAKER WEBDIRECT GUIDE.

Integration with other applications and data sources
• Enhanced support for FileMaker Go – FileMaker Pro includes new script steps, functions,
and script triggers, as well as new layout themes optimized for the iPad and iPhone, that
support the use of FileMaker Go.
• Container fields in ODBC and JDBC – When files are inserted in container fields via ODBC
or JDBC, FileMaker Pro can detect each file’s format based on its file extension. See
FILEMAKER SQL REFERENCE.
• SQL statements – FileMaker Pro supports range query syntax with the FETCH FIRST and
OFFSET keywords. See FILEMAKER SQL REFERENCE.

Improved performance and usability
• Getting Started tour – You can explore FileMaker Pro through this interactive tour. Practice
creating, modifying, and deleting records; and learn about searching for data values and
sorting records, displaying data in charts and reports, and importing and exporting data

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between files. You'll also get to know the rich features FileMaker Pro provides for creating
your own custom solutions. See Using FileMaker Quick Start to learn more about FileMaker
Pro.
• Improved iOS device usability – Swipe with two fingers to move to the next or previous
record in FileMaker Go. Define text, number, date, time, and timestamp fields to use a
specific type of keyboard to let you quickly enter values. See Setting up a field to display a
keyboard.
• Importing data from a URL – You can use an HTTP POST request when you specify a URL
for importing from an XML data source, import XML data using the Import Records script
step or Convert File script step, or insert data in a field using the Insert From URL script
step. See Importing XML data.
• New badges in Layout mode:
• A
badge on a layout object indicates that the object on which the badge appears is a
popover button.
• A
badge on a layout object indicates that a calculation has been specified to hide
the object when View menu > Show > Hide Condition is selected.
See Identifying badges on layout objects.
• Current record in List View – In List View, the current record is indicated by default with a
different fill from other records. See Selecting the current record and Setting up form, list,
and table views for a layout.
• Automatic theme updating – FileMaker Pro loads the latest version of a theme whenever
you switch to Layout mode, switch to a different layout in Layout mode, or change the
layout's theme. During file recovery, FileMaker Pro loads the same version or any newer
version of a theme. See Changing the theme of a layout and Setting advanced file recovery
options.
• Enhancements to container fields – Improvements in data storage, file metadata retrieval,
and performance have been made to container fields. See About container fields.
• File version management – Prevent a file from being opened with a version of
FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go, or FileMaker Server that's earlier than the specified version.
See Setting file options.
• Summarize data as a list – You can use a summary field that produces a list of values in a
field from multiple records. See Defining summary fields.

Script steps, script triggers, and functions
Script steps
Enhancements to script steps
• Improvements to Edit Script dialog box – The Desktop option in the Show
Compatibility drop-down list has been replaced with Macintosh and Windows, with
the current operating system selected. See Creating and editing scripts.
• Default folder location – When you run a script that creates a file on a hosted solution,
the path and location default to your Documents folder. This affects the following script
steps: Save Records As PDF, Save Records As Excel, Save Records As Snapshot
Link, and Export Records. See Save Records As Excel script step, Save Records As
PDF script step, Save Records As Snapshot Link script step and Save Records As PDF
script step.

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• Improvement to Show Custom Dialog script step – You can create a button label based
on a calculation. See Show Custom Dialog script step.
• Execute SQL script step compatibility – The Execute SQL script step is compatible with
FileMaker Server, FileMaker WebDirect, and Custom Web Publishing when performed
without a dialog box. See Execute SQL script step.
New script steps
• Insert From Device – In FileMaker Go, enters content into a container field from the
following sources: music library, photo library, camera, video camera, microphone, and
signature. Also enters content into a container field or a text field from a bar code
source. See Insert From Device script step.
• Open Manage Themes – Opens the Manage Themes dialog box, where you can
manage new or edit existing layout themes. See Open Manage Themes script step.
• Perform Script On Server – Performs a script on the server that’s hosting the current
file. See Perform Script On Server script step.
• Refresh Object – Updates the content, conditional formatting, and visibility state for the
specified object. See Refresh Object script step.
• Set Script Animation – Enables or disables animations while a script is running. See Set
Script Animation script step.
• Upload To FileMaker Server – Opens the Upload to FileMaker Server dialog box. See
Upload To FileMaker Server script step.

Script triggers
New script triggers
• OnGestureTap – Triggers a script to run when a tap gesture is received on a layout in
FileMaker Go. See OnGestureTap script step.
• OnLayoutSizeChange – Triggers a script to run after a layout or window has changed
size as a result of the following:
- In FileMaker Go: Rotating the iOS device, hiding or showing the status toolbar, or when a
window is first opened.
- In FileMaker Pro and FileMaker WebDirect: Changing the size of a layout or window by
user interaction, by script step, by hiding or showing the status toolbar or formatting bar via
menu command, shortcut, or script step, or when a window is first opened.
See OnLayoutSizeChange.
Changed script triggers
• OnTabSwitch is now OnPanelSwitch. See OnPanelSwitch.

Functions
New functions
• Base64Decode – Returns container content from text encoded in Base64 format. See
Base64Decode function.
• Base64Encode – Returns the contents of the specified container field as text. See
Base64Encode function.
• Get(ConnectionAttributes) – Returns the name of the current file’s host and the name of
the certificate authority that issued the SSL certificate used to secure the connection.
See Get(ConnectionAttributes) function.

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• GetContainerAttribute – Returns the file metadata of the specified container field. See
GetContainerAttribute function.
• Get(CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds) – Returns the current time in Coordinated Universal
Time (UTC) to the nearest millisecond. See Get(CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds)
function.
• Get(Device) – Returns a number indicating the type of computer that is currently
running FileMaker Pro or FileMaker WebDirect, or the type of iOS device that is
currently running FileMaker Go. See Get(Device) function.
• Get(EncryptionState) – Returns a value representing the file's current encryption state.
See Get(EncryptionState) function.
• Get(NetworkType) – In FileMaker Go, returns a number indicating the type of network
being used to access the current file. See Get(NetworkType) function.
• Get(ScriptAnimationState) – Returns a value indicating whether or not animations are
enabled for the current script. See Get(ScriptAnimationState) function.
• Get(TriggerGestureInfo) – In FileMaker Go, returns details about the gesture that
activated an OnGestureTap trigger. See Get(TriggerGestureInfo) function.
• Get(WindowOrientation) – Returns a value indicating the orientation of the window on
which the script is acting (not necessarily the foreground window). See
Get(WindowOrientation) function.
Changed functions
• GetLayoutObjectAttribute(): isFrontTabPanel is now isFrontPanel; isObjectHidden
returns 1 (True) if objectName is hidden on a record. See GetLayoutObjectAttribute
function.
• Get(TriggerCurrentTabPanel) is now Get(TriggerCurrentPanel). See
Get(TriggerCurrentPanel) function.
• Get(TriggerTargetTabPanel) is now Get(TriggerTargetPanel). See
Get(TriggerTargetPanel) function.

Changed and removed features
• Increase in cache size – The default cache size has been increased to 128 MB.
• Instant Web Publishing – FileMaker Pro no longer hosts database files via Instant Web
Publishing. Use FileMaker WebDirect or Custom Web Publishing, which require
FileMaker Server. See Publishing databases on the web.
• Support for inserting sound into container fields – Menu commands that support recording
sound into container fields have been removed from FileMaker Pro. (Inserting audio/video
and QuickTime files is still supported.)
• Exporting and saving records in Excel .xls format – FileMaker Pro no longer supports
exporting or saving records in Excel 95-2004 Workbook (.xls) format.

FileMaker Pro 13 Advanced
• Database Encryption feature – Encrypt database files to protect them from unauthorized
access while the files are being stored on disk, by requiring all database clients to open
encrypted database files with an encryption password. See Encrypting database files
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

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Related topics
FileMaker Pro features by version

Using Help
FileMaker Pro Help provides comprehensive step-by-step instructions on FileMaker Pro features.
You can open Help from the Help menu in FileMaker Pro.
There are three ways to access Help:
• Browse the Help table of contents to locate topics by subject.
• Search for particular topics by entering keywords.
• You can get information about the currently displayed dialog box by pressing F1 (Windows)
or Command-? (OS X). Some dialog boxes display a
(Windows) or
(OS X) button
or a Learn More link, which you can also use for getting information about the dialog box.

Using FileMaker Quick Start to learn more about FileMaker Pro
The FileMaker Quick Start Screen gives you quick access to additional information about
FileMaker Pro, including the FileMaker Resource Center online library, instructional videos, the
Getting Started tour, and FileMaker Forum, a user group communication center.

To access additional information about FileMaker Pro:
1. Do one of the following:
• Start FileMaker Pro.
• If FileMaker Pro is running or if you start FileMaker Pro and you don’t see the Quick
Start Screen, choose Help menu > Quick Start Screen.
2. On the right side of the Quick Start Screen, select a link to learn more about FileMaker Pro.
• Click Visit the Resource Center to watch instructional videos about FileMaker Pro and
explore an online library that offers links to tutorials, electronic documentation, and
more.
• Click Start now to explore FileMaker Pro and learn about creating custom solutions.
You can also start the tour by choosing Help menu > Product Documentation >
Getting Started Tour. Don’t worry about spoiling the tour — if you make changes as
you work, you can start again by deleting the file, FMP13 Getting Started.fmp12, from
your Documents folder and then restarting the tour.
• Click Go to the FileMaker Forum to collaborate with other FileMaker users through an
online bulletin board.

Related topics
Starting FileMaker Pro
Using FileMaker Quick Start to open files
Creating a FileMaker Pro file

Converting the trial version to the full version of FileMaker Pro
You can convert your copy of the trial version of FileMaker Pro 13 to the full version without
uninstalling the trial version. All of your settings, recent files list, and Favorites are preserved, so you
can continue working with your FileMaker Pro data uninterrupted.

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You can also use the steps below to upgrade your retail copy of FileMaker Pro version 9, 10, 11, or
12 to the full version of FileMaker Pro 13. During the installation process, you’ll be asked to provide
the license key for your current product.

Notes
• You must have an internet connection to install FileMaker Pro 13 as described below.
• You can use the following steps to upgrade your retail copy of FileMaker Pro Advanced
version 9, 10, 11, or 12 to FileMaker Pro 13, but you can’t upgrade to FileMaker Pro 13
Advanced.

To install FileMaker Pro 13 from the trial version:
1. Start your trial copy of FileMaker Pro 13. In the FileMaker Pro Trial dialog box that appears,
click Buy Now.
If the trial version is already running, choose Help menu > Buy FileMaker Pro.
The FileMaker Store web page appears.
2. Select the version of FileMaker Pro 13 that you want to purchase.
If you’re upgrading from FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced version 9, 10, 11, or 12, you
can only select a FileMaker Pro 12 or FileMaker Pro 13 product on the Retail page. If you’re not
upgrading, you can select from the Retail or Licensing page.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions for purchasing your product.
Your license key for that product will be sent to you by email. Print that email and keep it in a
safe place.
4. After you’ve received your license key, return to the FileMaker Pro Trial dialog box, and click
Enter License Key.
5. In the next FileMaker Pro Trial dialog box, enter your user name, organization (optional),
and the license key for your new product. Click OK.
• If you’re installing FileMaker Pro 13 for Windows, you may be asked to provide
administrator login credentials for your computer.
• If you’re upgrading from an earlier version of FileMaker Pro and you entered an
upgrade license key in the FileMaker Pro Trial dialog box, the FileMaker Pro Upgrade
dialog box appears. Enter your user name, (optional) organization, and the license key
for the earlier product. Click OK. See Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier
for information about changes that might affect your databases created in earlier
versions of FileMaker Pro.
6. Begin working with the full version of FileMaker Pro 13.

About FileMaker Pro databases
A database is a collection of information, or data, that you can organize, update, sort, search
through, and print as needed. A FileMaker Pro database is a file or files made up of one or more
tables. A table consists of records and fields, which store and display your data.
Each FileMaker Pro database file contains information about the file’s structure, like fields and their
definitions, passwords and access privileges, calculations, layouts, and scripts. A FileMaker Pro
database file also contains the data you enter and work with.
FileMaker Pro includes an interactive tour that helps familiarize you with the product. To start the
tour:

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• Choose Help menu > Product Documentation > Getting Started Tour
• Choose Help menu > Quick Start Screen, and under Getting Started Tour, click
Start now.

What are tables?
Tables contain all the records, fields, and data in a file, for example a Contacts file, which holds
information pertaining to your friends or customers. A file can also contain multiple tables that,
together, contain all the information about a particular topic, or related topics (a relational database).
For more information on tables, see Defining database tables.

What are records?
To enter data in a database file, you make a new record and enter data into the fields that belong to
that record. After you create records in a file, you can work with them in various ways: you can edit
them, sort them, find a group of records that contain a particular value or share the data across a
network. For more information on records, see Adding and duplicating records.

What are fields?
Fields store, calculate, and display the data you have entered into a record. The information you put
into a field — by typing, pasting, or importing from another application — is its value. Field values in
a FileMaker Pro file can be: text, numbers, dates, times, timestamps, pictures, sounds, movies,
enclosed files, calculated values, and summary values. Each piece of information in a record — like
a name, address, or telephone number — is stored in a field. For more information on fields, see
About defining database fields.

What are layouts?
FileMaker Pro layouts present data (the text entered into fields) contained in a database. Layouts
determine how data is organized for viewing, printing, reporting, finding, and entering data. Layouts
do not store your data; they just display it. When you change the design for a layout, it doesn’t affect
the data or other layouts in the file. However, when you change data in a field on a layout, the
changes are reflected in the same field on all the layouts in the database. You can set a layout to
display and print one record, or as many as can fit on a page.
Within one database file, you can design separate layouts for entering data, summary reporting,
printing mailing labels, or publishing a database on the web. You can have as many layouts for each
file as disk space or maximum file size allows. For more information on layouts, see Creating and
managing layouts and reports.

In a layout, you:
• choose which fields to display
• arrange and format fields
• add or modify field labels
• create reports to group or summarize data
• specify how records are printed
• add graphics and text to add emphasis and interest

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About FileMaker Pro modes
You work with data in FileMaker Pro in Browse, Find, Layout, or Preview mode. You can choose a
mode from the View menu or from the Mode pop-up menu at the bottom of the document window.
Mode pop-up menu

Each mode provides different menu and toolbar options, so choose a mode after deciding what work
you need to do. If you’re working with a database and you can’t find the command you need, you
may be using the wrong mode. (It’s also possible that your access privileges may prohibit you from
using the command.)
Use this mode

To

Browse

Work with the data in a file. You can add, view, change, sort, omit (hide), and delete
records. Browse mode is where you’ll do most of your work, like data entry. For more
information, see Adding and viewing data and Finding, sorting, and replacing data.

Find

Search for particular records that match a set of criteria. You can then work with this
subset of your records, called the found set. After you find a group of records,
FileMaker Pro returns to Browse mode so you can begin working with them. For more
information, see Finding records.

Layout

Determine how information is presented on your screen or in printed reports, labels,
and forms. Design layouts for specific tasks, like data entry or printing invoices. Select
and arrange fields to modify an existing layout, or create new layouts. For more
information, see Creating and managing layouts and reports.

Preview

See how data in forms or reports will look before you print. Preview mode is
especially useful for viewing layouts with multiple columns (like mailing labels) and
reports with summaries. For more information, see Previewing data on a layout.

You can also switch modes by clicking buttons in the status toolbar. The buttons in the status toolbar
vary depending on which mode you’re in. You can customize the buttons available in each mode by
customizing the status toolbar. For more information, see Using the status toolbar.
To switch from this
mode

To this mode

Click this button or series of buttons

Browse

Find

Find

Layout

Edit Layout

Preview

Preview

Browse

Cancel Find

Layout

Cancel Find, then Edit Layout

Preview

Cancel Find, then Preview

Find

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Notes
• Edit Layout is not available in Table View. If you are in Table View, you must switch to Form
View or List View to access the Edit Layout button.
• To switch from Layout mode to another mode, click Exit Layout.
Exit Layout returns you to the mode in which you were previously working. For example, if you
were working in Browse mode and you switched to Layout mode, clicking Exit Layout would
return you to Browse mode. To switch to another mode, see the table above.
• To switch from Preview mode to another mode, click Exit Preview.
Exit Preview returns you to the mode in which you were previously working. For example, if you
were working in Layout mode and you switched to Preview mode, clicking Exit Preview would
return you to Layout mode. To switch to another mode, see the table above.

Performing menu commands
There are a variety of ways to access menu commands in FileMaker Pro.
You can access menu commands by:
• choosing them from the menu bar
• pressing a keyboard shortcut
• clicking buttons in the status toolbar or formatting bar
• selecting them from shortcut menus
• activating them from Apple events (OS X only)
Important Your menu choices may be dimmed if your access privileges for the file are limited. For
more information, see Protecting databases.

Using the status toolbar
The status toolbar provides quick access to many FileMaker Pro menu commands. In all modes, it
includes navigation controls, customizable buttons, and a layout bar for working with layouts. In
Layout mode, it includes layout tools. Move the pointer over a button to see its description.

To show or hide the status toolbar:
• Choose View menu > Status Toolbar.
• Click the status toolbar control

at the bottom of the document window.

To customize the status toolbar:
1. Choose View menu > Customize Status Toolbar.
The Customize dialog box (Windows) or sheet (OS X) appears.
2. Make your changes to the status toolbar:

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To
Add a button

Do this
• Windows: In the Commands tab, select Customizable or
Standard from the Categories list, then drag the desired
button from the Commands list to the status toolbar.
• OS X: Drag it from the dialog box to the status toolbar.

Remove a button

Drag it from the status toolbar to the dialog box.

Rearrange buttons

Drag them to the desired locations in the status toolbar.

Restore the default set of
buttons

• Windows: In the Toolbars tab, select Status Toolbar, then
click Reset.
• OS X: Drag the default set from the dialog box to the status
toolbar.

Display only icons or text
(OS X)

Choose an option from the Show pop-up menu.

Make the toolbar icons
smaller (OS X)

Select Use small size.

Insert a vertical separator Drag the Separator icon to the desired location in the status toolbar.
between buttons (OS X)
Insert a fixed amount of
space between buttons
(OS X)

Drag the Space icon to the desired location in the status toolbar.

Insert a flexible amount
of space between
buttons, which adjusts
depending on the
window size (OS X)

Drag the Flexible Space icon to the desired location in the status
toolbar.

3. When you are finished, click Close (Windows) or Done (OS X).

Notes
• Windows only: You can also customize the status toolbar by using the Toolbar Options
menu. Click the down arrow on the right side of the status toolbar, choose Add or Remove
Buttons > Customize, then continue with step 2.
• You can customize the status toolbar for each mode. For example, if you customize the
status toolbar in Browse mode, it does not affect the status toolbar in other modes.
• Changes to the status toolbar are application-wide. For example, if you customize the status
toolbar in one window in Browse mode, it affects all windows in Browse mode.
• Buttons in the layout bar cannot be customized.

Using shortcut menus
You can quickly edit an object or data by choosing commands directly from a shortcut menu, also
called a “context menu” or “contextual menu.”

To display a shortcut menu:
Right-click or Control-click an object or an area to see a list of commands.

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Notes
• Shortcut menu commands vary based on what mode you’re in, the item the cursor is over,
and whether an item is selected. For example, when a field is selected in Layout mode, you
have access to commands that pertain to Layout mode.
• You can use the Control Panel (Windows) or System Preferences (OS X) to configure your
mouse, trackpad, or input device. For example, you can set up a secondary button on a
mouse.

Related topics
Working with data in Table View
Checking spelling as you type
Finding records based on criteria in a single field
Sorting records

Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier
You must convert files created in FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier to the FileMaker Pro 12 format in
order to use them with FileMaker Pro 13.
When you convert a file, FileMaker Pro creates a Conversion.log file, so you can view the
conversion status and any problems that may have occurred during the conversion process.
When you convert files:
• You can only convert files created in FileMaker Pro version 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, or 11.x to the
FileMaker Pro 12 format. See Conversion overview and Converting FileMaker Pro
databases earlier than version 7.x. After conversion, files will only be compatible with
FileMaker Pro 13 or later supported versions.
• Manual corrections may be necessary. You might need to correct items in the converted file
that did not convert properly. In some cases, you may need to correct items in the original
file and then convert the file again. After you convert any file, you should review the
Conversion.log file for items that may need to be corrected.
• You should test the converted file. The Conversion.log file may not indicate every item in the
file that needs to be corrected. Before you begin using a converted database solution, you
should test it thoroughly to make sure every aspect has converted successfully. For
example, make sure every script works as you expect, and that accounts and privilege sets
provide the required file security.
• Converted files may be larger than the original files. Part of the conversion process
increases the file size of databases. Though the size increase is typically not significant, the
increase varies by file. Make sure you have adequate storage space before converting files.
This section describes the basics of file conversion. It contains:
• an overview of the conversion process
• instructions on how to convert single files or multiple files at once
• information on how to view the Conversion.log file after converting one or more files
• a summary of the top conversion issues you may encounter
For additional information about converting databases, refer to the FileMaker Knowledge Base
available at http://help.filemaker.com.
If you have FileMaker Pro Advanced, after you have converted files you can consolidate tables from
a multi-file solution into one file. See Copying or importing table schemas (FileMaker Pro
Advanced).

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Note Snapshot links cannot be converted. You must convert the database from which the records
were found and then re-create the snapshot link.

Conversion overview
Before you convert any FileMaker Pro database, you should plan the conversion carefully. The
general steps for file conversion are:
1. Convert the database file.
2. Review the Conversion.log file.
3. Test your converted database.
4. Use the converted file.
FileMaker Pro 13 can only convert files created with versions 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, and 11.x. (To
convert files earlier than FileMaker Pro 7, see Converting FileMaker Pro databases earlier than
version 7.x.)
When you convert files, FileMaker Pro 13 preserves the contents of your original files and creates
new, converted files in FileMaker Pro 12 format. The content of the original files are not modified,
and you can open them in the previous version of FileMaker Pro that created them. The converted
files can be opened only in FileMaker Pro 12 and FileMaker Pro 13.
You can convert a single file or convert multiple files at once:
• Use the single-file conversion method for stand-alone database files that don’t display
related data from other files. See Converting a single file.
• Use the multiple-file conversion method to convert all the files in a relational database. See
Converting multiple files at once.
Note Any FileMaker Pro application preferences remaining from prior installs of earlier versions of
FileMaker Pro are ignored. The installer does no conversion work.

Converting a single file
To convert and open a single file:
1. If the file you want to convert is currently open in the previous version of FileMaker Pro,
close the file.
If you attempt to convert a file that is currently open, an alert message will appear indicating that
the file is already in use, and the file won’t convert.
2. Start FileMaker Pro 13.
3. Do one of the following:
• If you see the Open File dialog box, continue with step 4.
• If you see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, click Browse.
• If you don’t see any dialog box, choose File menu > Open.
4. In the Open dialog box, select the file to convert, then click Open.
Note You can also begin conversion by dragging the file onto the FileMaker Pro 13 application
icon.
The Conversion dialog box appears, where you can choose to rename the existing file prior to
conversion. By default, FileMaker Pro does not rename the file.
5. Do one of the following:

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• To skip renaming the old file, make sure the Rename old file checkbox is cleared, then
click OK. It’s not necessary to rename the old file if it includes the .fp7 filename
extension, because your converted file will have the .fmp12 extension.
• To rename the old file, select Rename old file. Either accept the default name (which is
the original filename appended with “Old”), or enter a new name. Then click OK.
Note If a filename includes a period (.), other than the one that precedes the filename
extension, remove it. If a period exists in a filename, FileMaker Pro won’t add the .fmp12
extension to the converted file.
6. In the Name Converted File dialog box, enter the filename that you want for the new file.
If you did not rename the file in step 5, the default filename for the new file is the old filename
(with the .fmp12 extension, if the original filename had an extension). If you renamed the file, the
default filename for the new file is the new name (with the .fmp12 extension, if the original
filename had an extension).
7. Click Save to start the conversion.
During a prolonged conversion, the File Format Conversion dialog box appears and shows the
conversion progress. If a file being converted contains indexed fields, you can save time by
clicking Skip when the index is being re-created, which postpones indexing until later.
8. Using a text editor such as Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (OS X), open the Conversion.log
file located in the folder that contains your converted database.
The Conversion.log file is located in the same folder as the converted file. The Conversion.log
file contains a journal of the conversion process that you just completed. Much of it contains
status messages that indicate the different file components that were converted. It also may
contain error messages that indicate areas where you may need to make manual corrections to
the converted file before testing it further.

Related topics
Troubleshooting conversion problems
Reading the Conversion.log file

Converting multiple files at once
FileMaker Pro 13 can convert multiple files at the same time. You should use the multi-file
conversion method when you need to convert a database composed of multiple related files, or you
simply have many FileMaker Pro files that you want to quickly convert without being prompted to
individually rename each file.
When you convert multiple files at the same time, FileMaker Pro prompts you to specify a folder
where you want the converted files to be saved, leaving your original files unchanged.
FileMaker Pro automatically names each converted file without prompting you. FileMaker Pro won’t
overwrite any existing files in the folder. Instead, it adds a number to the end of the filename, and
increments that number if necessary until a unique name is found.
There are several ways to select the files that you want to convert; you can drag and drop the files
(or a folder containing the files) onto the FileMaker Pro 13 application icon, or you can select
multiple files in the FileMaker Pro Open dialog box.
Note If a filename includes a period (.), other than the one that precedes the filename extension,
remove it. If a period exists in a filename, FileMaker Pro won’t add the .fmp12 extension to the
converted file.
To convert multiple files at once:

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1. If the files you want to convert are currently open in the previous version of FileMaker Pro,
close the files.
If you attempt to convert files that are currently open, an alert message will appear indicating
that the files are already in use, and they won’t convert.
2. In Windows Explorer or in a Finder window (OS X) create a new, empty folder for the
converted files.
3. Do one of the following to select and open the files you want to convert:
• Files method: In Windows Explorer or in a Finder window (OS X) select the files you
want to convert, then drag them onto the FileMaker Pro 13 application icon.
• Folder method: If a folder contains all of the files you want to convert, drag the folder
onto the FileMaker Pro 13 application icon.
Note When multiple files from separate folders are converted, all converted files are created in
the same folder. The original files’ locations are not preserved. To make converting files easier,
convert all the files from a multi-file relational database at the same time. After the conversion,
you can move either set of files into a duplicate of your original file structure.
• Open dialog box method: In FileMaker Pro 13, choose File menu > Open, and select
the files you want to convert in the Open dialog box by holding down Ctrl (Windows) or
Command (OS X) and clicking each file. (You can also select a range of adjacent files
by clicking the first file and then Shift-clicking the last file in the range.) Then click Open.
The Open Multiple Files dialog box appears.
4. Choose Open all files and convert when necessary.
5. Click Specify, choose the folder you created in step 2 where you want to save the
converted files, and click OK (Windows) or Choose (OS X).
Important Do not choose a folder that contains any of your original files. If you do, then
converted files may be renamed (by appending a number to the filename) to prevent the
converted files from replacing the original files. This renaming of files could cause data
sources (formerly known as file references) to convert improperly, which affects
relationships and other features that rely on data sources.
6. Click Open in the Open Multiple files dialog box to start the conversion.
During a prolonged conversion, the File Format Conversion dialog box will appear and show the
conversion progress. If a file being converted contains indexed fields, you can save time by
clicking Skip when the index is being re-created, which postpones indexing until later.
FileMaker Pro 13 creates converted files in the folder you specified and opens them, leaving
your original files unchanged. The filename extension .fmp12 is added to all converted files.
7. Using a text editor such as Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (OS X), open the Conversion.log
file located in the folder that contains your converted database files.
The Conversion.log file contains a journal of the conversion process that you just completed. Much
of it contains status messages that indicate the different file components that were converted. But it
also may contain error messages that indicate areas where you may need to make manual
corrections to the converted files before testing them further.
Note If you later need to convert the same files again, make sure you convert the files into an
empty folder; move or delete any files from the previous conversion attempt, or create a new folder
for the next conversion. This prevents converted files from being renamed during the next
conversion, which could cause data sources (formerly known as file references) to convert
improperly.

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Related topics
Troubleshooting conversion problems
Reading the Conversion.log file

Reading the Conversion.log file
You should open and read the Conversion.log file after converting one or multiple files. It lists the
conversion status and possible problems found during conversion, such as fields with invalid
names.
The log file is created in the same folder as your converted files. If you used the multi-file conversion
method to convert more than one file at a time, the Conversion.log file contains information for all
the converted files.
In most cases, you can correct problems in converted files. If the log file indicates a problem that
would be complicated and time-consuming to fix after conversion, you may want to try correcting the
problem in the original file using a previous version of FileMaker Pro, and then convert the file again.
Important The Conversion.log file may not indicate every item in the file that needs to be corrected.
Before you begin using a converted database solution, you should test it thoroughly to make sure
every aspect has converted successfully. For example, make sure every script works as you expect,
and that accounts and privilege sets provide the required file security.

Converting FileMaker Pro databases earlier than version 7.x
FileMaker Pro 13 cannot convert databases created with FileMaker Pro 1.x or 2.x. To use these files
with FileMaker Pro 13, first convert them using FileMaker Pro 6.x. Then use the most recent trial
version of FileMaker Pro 11 to convert the files to version 11. You can download this file at http://
www.filemaker.com/downloads.
Note Pre-7.x versions of FileMaker Pro for Windows can convert only 2.x files.

Troubleshooting conversion problems
Here are some suggestions for correcting problems that could occur during conversion.

FileMaker Pro 13 can’t open my file
If the file you want to convert is open in an earlier version of FileMaker Pro (for example, an
Inventory.fp7 file is open in FileMaker Pro 11), close the file in the earlier version.

My file didn’t convert properly
• If you are converting a copy of a file, make sure that the original file was closed before you
copied it. Otherwise, the copy will not convert correctly.
• Check the Conversion.log file located in the folder with the database you are attempting to
convert.
• Try recovering the file first using a previous version of FileMaker Pro and then convert the
file again.

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I received a consistency check or auto-repair message when I opened my
original file with that version of FileMaker Pro
Try recovering the original file using your version of FileMaker Pro. Then open the recovered file
with that same version, close the file, and then try converting it with FileMaker Pro 13.

The converted file won’t accept my password
Passwords are case-sensitive in FileMaker Pro. Make sure you enter your password exactly as it
was created in a previous version of FileMaker Pro. If you are not the owner of the file or the
database administrator, consult your database administrator for password information.

I can’t open a snapshot link
You cannot open a snapshot link that was created using FileMaker Pro 11. You must convert the
database from which the records were found and then re-create the snapshot link. See Saving and
sending records as a snapshot link.

I can't edit a layout object that I copied from a FileMaker Pro 11 file
You cannot edit layout objects that were copied from files created with versions of FileMaker Pro
earlier than FileMaker Pro 13. Either convert the file to FileMaker Pro 13 and edit the object, or recreate the object in a new FileMaker Pro 13 file. See Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout
background.

Related topics
Reading the Conversion.log file
Recovering files

Preserving user dictionary information
During conversion, the reference to a user dictionary is handled differently depending on whether
you are using the default user dictionary or a custom user dictionary.
• Default user dictionary: When you convert a database file that uses the default user
dictionary (user.upr), the converted file points to the FileMaker Pro 13 user.upr file.
Therefore, you should export information from your user.upr file to the latest FileMaker Pro
user.upr file before using the converted database. See Editing user dictionaries.
• Custom user dictionary: When you convert a database file that references a custom
dictionary file, the converted file continues to look for the dictionary in its previous location. If
you move or delete the dictionary from that location, the converted file will no longer have
access to information in the custom dictionary. This could happen accidentally if the original
custom dictionary file is located in the previous FileMaker Pro folder and you later uninstall
the previous version of FileMaker Pro.
Tip To preserve a custom user dictionary, move the dictionary file to your Documents folder
(Windows), or your home folder (OS X). Then, after converting a database file, specify that it
use the dictionary file in the new location.

Related topics
Creating and selecting spelling dictionaries

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How layouts are converted
When you open a file converted to the FileMaker Pro 12 format, the Classic theme is applied to the
layout. The file will look as it did in the previous version. Any new layouts you create or new objects
you add to the file will have the attributes of the Classic theme. You can choose a different theme for
each layout.
If you want to change the appearance of a layout, you can change themes or use Layout tools and
features to modify the converted layout.
You’ll notice the following differences in converted layouts:
• Patterns in pre-conversion layouts are converted to images tiled to resemble the preconversion pattern.
• Line patterns are converted to an appropriate line style.
• If the View menu > Show > Buttons option is selected in a file before conversion, a button
badge
appears in the lower right corner of any buttons that reference a script or script
step.
• If View menu > Show > Script Triggers is selected in a file before conversion, a Layout
displays in the lower-right corner of the layout for which script
Script Trigger badge
triggers have been set. In the Manage Layouts dialog box, a badge appears on the folder
icon

next to a layout name for which script triggers have been set.

• Any merge symbols used on layouts are converted to a new format. For example, the
merge symbol for page number (##) changes to {{PageNumber}}.
Note If you used any of the former variable symbols as static text on a layout, they will be
converted to the new symbol format. You can retype symbols after conversion to correct static
text.

Layout mode changes and improvements (FileMaker Pro 12)
If you converted a FileMaker Pro database to FileMaker Pro 12 format for the first time, you may
want to know about the following changes that were introduced in FileMaker Pro version 12 that
affect layouts.
Note For information about new and changed features in FileMaker Pro 13, see New features in
FileMaker Pro 13.

Behavior changes
• The formats for objects and text you add to a layout are based on the current theme’s
default formats. You can customize formats after adding objects to a layout, if you want. You
can no longer set custom default formats (such as text and border style) in Layout mode.
You must select a layout object before you can set options in the Inspector.
• Objects placed in tab controls (or portals) stay with the tab control when the tab control is
copied, moved, or deleted even when the objects on the tab control are locked. In addition,
objects must be explicitly added to or removed from tab controls. Sending an object on a tab
control to the back places it in back of all objects on the tab control, not behind the tab
control.
• FileMaker Pro manages layouts using points instead of pixels. On most computer screens,
1 point equals 1 pixel. On some high-resolution displays (such as the Retina display on
iPhone), FileMaker Pro manages the display conversion to ensure proper screen rendering.

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By default, layout objects can be moved in 1 point increments. You can use the Inspector to
place objects at intermediate values for precise sizing and placement of printed output.
• You can specify the width of a layout.
• When working in Layout mode, you can click an object’s border or anywhere inside the
object to select it.
• Objects may be positioned anywhere on a layout, even outside the layout’s visible boundary
when viewed in Browse mode. See Changing the width of a layout.
• You can set attributes based on the current state of the object (Normal, In Focus, Hover, or
Pressed).
• If you change the width of an existing text object, the object will retain that width until you
change the width again.
• If you change the alignment of text within a text object, the object does not resize to fit the
text.
• New text objects shrink dynamically as you delete text, rather than after you exit the object.
• Borders around drop-down and calendar controls that users open in Browse mode display
the border color setting for the current state of the object.
• Activating a field in a portal will not bring it to the top of any objects that are on top of the
portal.
• To copy objects by dragging them between FileMaker Pro windows or other applications
and FileMaker Pro, you must press Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) while you drag.

Feature enhancements
• You can change the theme of an existing layout. All attributes of the layout change to the
theme defaults, and new objects added to the layout match the new theme.
• You can fill fields, layout parts, objects, tab controls, and portals with color, color gradients,
or images.
• You can set individual borders on fields, layout parts, text objects, rectangles, rounded
rectangles, buttons, portals, charts, and web viewers.
• You can set a different radius for each corner of a field.
• You can set different line attributes for the border around each tab panel in a tab control.
• New rulers, guides, and grids help you create, position, resize, and align objects.

Feature changes
• The default theme for new layouts is Millennium Cool Gray.
• The following controls were removed from FileMaker Pro, renamed, or relocated within the
Inspector:
Previous versions FileMaker Pro 12
Fill pattern

Removed
You can set line styles or create patterns by tiling images for fill. See
Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the
layout background.

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Previous versions FileMaker Pro 12
Field border effects Removed
In files created in earlier versions of FileMaker Pro, field border effects will
appear in converted files. Obsolete effect styles display in the Line dropdown menu, but you can’t apply them to new fields. However, you can copy
and paste fields with effects to display effects on new fields.
Pen color

Renamed Line color

Pen pattern

Renamed Line style (Solid, Dashed, or Dotted)

Pen width

Renamed Line width

Tooltip

Moved to Position tab and area

• Buttons are inserted as single objects, not groups of objects. (You can still group objects
and create a single button area.)
• When you choose View menu > Show > Buttons in Layout mode, badges
each button instead of a gray outline.

appear on

• Options for changing a color palette were removed from in the Layout preferences.
• OS X: The keyboard shortcut for Paste Text Only was changed to Command-Option-Shift-V.
• In the Inspector, values in the Position and Size controls are right-aligned. If more than one
object is selected, FileMaker Pro displays a hyphen (-).

Managing files
This section describes the many standard ways of interacting with your FileMaker Pro files.

Starting FileMaker Pro
There are several ways to start the FileMaker Pro application:
• double-click the FileMaker Pro application
• double-click a FileMaker Pro file
• drag a FileMaker Pro file on top of the FileMaker Pro icon
• Windows 7: click Start, then choose Programs > FileMaker Pro
• Windows 8: from the Start screen, click the FileMaker Pro application

Using FileMaker Quick Start to open files
The FileMaker Quick Start Screen provides a central place where you can open and create files in a
variety of ways. You can:
• Open existing FileMaker Pro files located on your computer or on remote computers as
described in this topic.
• Create and design a new empty FileMaker Pro file. See Creating a FileMaker Pro file.
• Convert a file of a different format (such as Microsoft Excel) that already contains data. See
Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file.
• Create files using empty predesigned Starter Solutions provided by FileMaker, Inc. See
Creating a FileMaker Pro file.

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To open FileMaker Pro files using FileMaker Quick Start:
1. Do one of the following:
• Start FileMaker Pro.
• If FileMaker Pro is running or if you start FileMaker Pro and you don’t see the FileMaker
Quick Start Screen, choose Help menu > Quick Start Screen.
2. Do one of the following:
To

Do this

Display a list of
FileMaker Pro files
that you have recently
opened

Click Recent Files in the box at the center of the Quick Start Screen.

Display a list of
FileMaker Pro files
that you have marked
as favorite

Click Favorite Files in the box at the center of the Quick Start Screen.

Locate the local or
remote files that you
want to open

Click Browse.

If no recent files are listed, choose Edit menu > Preferences (Windows)
or FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences (OS X), select Show recently
opened files, enter a value from 1 to 30 indicating the number of recent
files you want to display in the list, then click OK. (To remove the list of
recently opened files, choose File menu > Open Recent > Clear Recent
Files.)
To add or change the order of favorite files, see Working with favorite files
and hosts.

For more information about accessing remote files, see Working with
shared files as a client.

Tip You can place the pointer over a recent or favorite file in the list to display the full path to its
location (local or remote).
3. Double-click a file to open it.

To narrow the list of files that appear in the recent and favorite files list:
Type a few characters in the Open a database text box. Filenames and host names containing the
characters you type appear in the list.

To hide the FileMaker Quick Start Screen when you use FileMaker Pro:
Clear Show this screen when FileMaker Pro opens, then click Close.

To display the FileMaker Quick Start Screen if it has been hidden:
Choose Help menu > Quick Start Screen.

Related topics
Opening shared files as a client
Opening files
Using FileMaker Quick Start to learn more about FileMaker Pro

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Working with favorite files and hosts
You can add a FileMaker Pro file located on your computer or on a remote computer to your list of
favorites in the File menu and in the Quick Start Screen. You can also add a remote host to the list of
favorites.
To add the current file to your list of favorites, choose File menu > Open Favorite > Add Current
File to Favorites.

To manage favorite files and hosts:
1. Choose File menu > Open Favorite > Manage Favorites. Or, in the FileMaker Pro Quick
Start Screen, click Manage Favorites.
The Manage Favorites dialog box appears.
To
Add a favorite local file

Add a favorite remote file

Do this
Click
to open the Add a Favorite dialog box (Windows) or Open
dialog box (OS X), select one or more files in the list, click Select, then
close the Manage Favorites dialog box.
Click
to open the Add a Favorite dialog box (Windows) or Open
dialog box (OS X). Click Remote. Select the host on which the file
resides, select a remote file, then click Add to Favorites. Click Close
to return to the Add a Favorite dialog box (Windows) or Manage
Favorites dialog box (OS X). Click Cancel to return to the Manage
Favorites dialog box (Windows).
Tip When you double-click a collapsed host name or IP address, the
list of remote files is refreshed.

Change the order of
favorite files

Select a file and drag it to a new location in the list.

Open a file

Double-click the file in the list.

Add a favorite remote
host

Remove a file or host
from the favorites list
Change the remote host
settings

Update the list of
expanded hosts

Click
to open the Add a Favorite dialog box (Windows) or Open
dialog box (OS X). Click Remote. Select the host, then click Add to
Favorite Hosts. Click Save in the Edit Favorite Host dialog box. Click
Close to return to the Add a Favorite dialog box (Windows) or Manage
Favorites dialog box (OS X). Click Cancel to return to the Manage
Favorites dialog box (Windows).
Select a file or host name and click

.

Select a host, click
. Choose Edit Host. For information about
changing the settings for the remote host, see Opening shared files as
a client.
Click

. Choose Refresh Expanded Hosts.

2. Close the Manage Favorites dialog box.

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Related topics
Using FileMaker Quick Start to open files

Opening files
You can open FileMaker Pro files located on your computer. You can open single files or multiple
files at the same time.
There are other methods of opening files and other types of files that you can open. You can:
• Use the FileMaker Quick Start Screen to open files. For more information, see Using
FileMaker Quick Start to open files.
• Open FileMaker Pro files that may be available as shared databases on your network. For
more information, see Working with shared files as a client. If you have marked any files as
favorites in the Remote Hosts dialog box, the FileMaker Quick Start Screen gives you quick
access to them.
• Convert files created with an earlier version of FileMaker Pro into the current FileMaker Pro
format. For more information, see Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier.
• Convert compatible files created in other applications — such as Microsoft Excel files,
Bento 4 (or a later supported version) files, or tab-delimited text files — to FileMaker Pro
format.

To open a file if FileMaker Pro is already running:
1. Choose File menu > Open.
Tip You can also choose File menu > Open Recent or File menu > Open Favorite.
2. In the Open File dialog box, select the filename and click Open.
Note If the file was created using a version of FileMaker Pro earlier than 12, see Converting a
single file.
3. If you’re asked to enter an account name and password when the file opens, type them in
the Password dialog box, then click OK.
For more information, see Opening files protected with passwords.

To open a file if FileMaker Pro isn’t running:
• Drag the file onto the FileMaker Pro application icon.
• Double-click the FileMaker Pro file.

To open multiple files at the same time:
1. Do one of the following:

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To open multiple files

Do this

From within FileMaker Pro

Choose File menu > Open, and select all the files that you want
to open in the Open File dialog box:
• To select multiple files, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Commandclick (OS X) each file.
• To select a range of adjacent files, click the first file, then
Shift-click the last file in the range.
Then click Open.

In a Windows Explorer window or Select the files you want to open, then drag them onto the
FileMaker Pro application icon.
an OS X Finder window
That are in a folder

Drag the folder onto the FileMaker Pro application icon.
Note FileMaker Pro only opens files located directly in the
folder. Any files that exist in any enclosed folders are not opened.

2. If you see the Open Multiple Files dialog box, choose whether to convert files, and then click
Open.
The Open Multiple Files dialog box only appears if one or more of the files you open are in a
format that FileMaker Pro can convert, such as Microsoft Excel, tab-delimited text, or
FileMaker Pro 6. You can choose to do one of the following in the Open Multiple Files dialog
box:
• Open current FileMaker Pro files only. Do not convert any files.
• Open current FileMaker Pro files and convert any compatible files into FileMaker Pro
files. FileMaker Pro saves the converted files into a folder you specify, automatically
naming each file based on the name of the source file.

Notes
• To display recently opened filenames in the File menu and Quick Start Screen, choose Edit
menu (Windows) or FileMaker Pro menu (OS X) > Preferences and select Show recently
opened files. To remove the list of recently opened files, choose File menu > Open
Recent > Clear Recent Files.
• When you open a file saved with date, time, and number formats that are different from the
system formats set on your computer, you might see an alert message. See Opening files
with different system formats.
• If a file opens with a default password, you can specify a different password by pressing the
Shift key (Windows) or the Option key (OS X) when opening the file.
• You can open a FileMaker Pro for Windows file on the OS X, and vice versa. If you intend to
move files across platforms, it’s best to include the .fmp12 extension in the filename. If you
add or remove filename extensions, you must re-specify the data source (formerly known as
file references) for related files and files with external scripts.
• For information on displaying a specific layout when a file opens, see Setting file options.
• If you have FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can:
• rename a set of database files and automatically update references to related files or
scripts. See Setting up files for developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

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• add the .fmp12 filename extension to a set of files. See Adding filename extensions to
files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Related topics
Opening shared files as a client
Opening files troubleshooting
Closing windows and files
Closing files troubleshooting

Opening files with different system formats
When you create database files, FileMaker Pro uses your computer’s system formats to determine
how dates, times, and numbers display and sort. If you open or share a database file created with
different system formats, you can use your computer’s system formats or match the formats used
when the file was created.
To use your computer’s system formats: Choose Format menu > Use System Formats. The
Use System Formats command appears in the Format menu when you open a file on a computer
with different system formats or when you change system formats from what they were since the file
was last opened.
The Use System Formats command doesn’t interfere with any date, time, and number formatting
you may have specified in Layout mode.
Note You can also set a data entry file option that determines what should occur when the system
formats in a file differ from the operating system. For more information, see Setting file options.

To change your system formats:
• Windows: Use the Regional and Language Options control panel or the Date and Time
control panel.
• OS X: Use the Language & Text System Preference.
Click System’s settings to use the new settings when you reopen the file.
Note A cloned database file inherits the system formats of the first operating system it is opened
on. For more information, see Saving and copying files.

Related topics
Opening files
Closing windows and files
Closing files troubleshooting

Opening files troubleshooting
 is damaged and cannot be opened.
See Maintaining and recovering FileMaker Pro databases.

 is currently in use and could not be opened. The file is singleuser, or the host could not be found on the network.
• All clients should access shared databases by choosing File menu > Open and clicking
Remote or by choosing File menu > Open Remote. Do not try to open a shared file directly
on its server through the networking features of your operating system. For more
information, see Working with shared files as a client.

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• Contact the host of the shared file and have the host open the file and make sure it is being
shared properly. For more information, see Sharing databases on a network.
• Make sure you are using an account with privileges to see the file on the network.

I forgot my account name or password.
FileMaker Customer Support cannot retrieve lost or forgotten account names and passwords. If the
file is shared, contact the owner of the file, who may be able to provide the information. For more
information, see Creating and managing accounts.

I want to log in with a different account name or password but I can’t log out.
To switch from one account to another, close the file, then hold down Shift (Windows) or Option
(OS X) while opening the file.

I’m having problems converting a file to the current FileMaker Pro format.
Try recovering the file first using the version of FileMaker Pro used to save the file. A file that
displays consistency check or auto-repair messages on opening should be recovered before
converting it. If you are converting a copy of a file, make sure that the file is closed before it is
copied. Otherwise, it will not convert correctly. Also try checking the Conversion.log. For more
information about converting files, see Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier.

It took a long time for a file to open.
FileMaker Pro may have detected a consistency problem with the file and performed a consistency
check. This process can cause a file to take longer than usual to open. Once the file opens, try
saving and then reopening it. You can perform a consistency check on a file that you suspect is
damaged, and you can choose which components you want FileMaker Pro to recover in a damaged
file. For more information about checking file consistency and recovering files, see About recovering
FileMaker Pro files.

I received a consistency check or auto-repair message when I opened a file.
Common causes of file damage are the file was closed improperly and hard disk failure (in which the
operating system cannot read parts of the file). Try recovering the file.

Using the zoom controls
Use the zoom controls,
and
, (located at the bottom of the document window) to enlarge or
reduce the image on your screen.
• You can reduce the image by 75%, 50%, and 25%.
• You can enlarge the image by 150%, 200%, 300%, and 400%.
Note In Windows, you can only zoom in to 300% when Enlarge window contents to improve
readability is selected in the General tab of the Preferences dialog box, or if your system is
using a HiDPI display.
• Click the zoom percentage box to quickly return to 100% from a magnified or reduced view.
Tip If you can’t use the zoom controls, it is likely that a script has been performed that locked
the zoom level. To restore the zoom feature, run a script that has the Zoom Level script step with
the Lock option turned off.
Note You can also access the zoom controls by choosing View menu > Zoom In or Zoom Out.

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Opening multiple windows per file
You can open more than one window per file. This allows you to view the same layout in separate
windows, or to simultaneously view different layouts in the same file. You can perform sort
operations and find operations independently in the different windows.

To open an additional window:
Choose Window menu > New Window.
The window displays the same layout, sort order, and found set as the previously active window. To
view a different layout in the new window, choose a layout from the Layout pop-up menu. For
information on sorting and finding records, see Finding, sorting, and replacing data.
The following table describes the behavior of some FileMaker Pro actions when there are multiple
windows open.
Action

Behavior when there are multiple windows open

Editing data

Changes made to fields in Browse mode are reflected in other windows
when you commit the record. For more information, see Committing data
in records.

Creating a new record

In other windows that display records from the same table, the new
record may or may not initially appear:
• In each window that is displaying a found set of records, the new
record is added as an omitted record and is not immediately visible,
even if the new record matches the layout’s find criteria.
• In each window that is displaying all records, the new record is added
as a visible record. However, the active record in each window does
not change to display the new record.

Deleting a record

The record is removed in other windows that display records from the
same table, regardless of whether the windows are displaying a found set
or not.

Finding and sorting records

You can find and sort the same records differently in each window.
Note When you switch within a window between layouts that display
records from the same table, FileMaker Pro maintains the same found
set. (For a particular window, every layout that displays records from the
same table shares the same found set.)

Closing and reopening files

When you close a file, FileMaker retains the state of the last-used
window. When you reopen the file, it opens a single window in that
retained state. The information retained for a window includes:
• the current layout, window size, and position
• the current record
• the current found set and sort order
• the found sets for any other tables viewed with the window
Note FileMaker Pro only retains the window state for locally opened
files. It does not retain the window state when a shared file opened by a
client is closed.

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Action

Behavior when there are multiple windows open

Switching modes

You can display the same layout in different modes in different windows.
For example, if one window is in Browse mode, another window can be in
Layout mode.

Switching between Form
View, List View, and Table
View

When multiple windows are displaying the same layout, only the window
in which you switch views changes.

Changing a layout design in
Layout mode

Layout changes appear in other windows that display the same layout
when you save the layout, switch to another layout, or switch to another
mode.

Scripts

Scripts act on the active window unless you design them to work in a
particular window. There are script steps that you can use to open and
manipulate windows. For more information, see Windows script steps.

Working with web viewers

If a layout contains a web viewer, and the same layout is open in multiple
windows, you can navigate each web viewer to a new location after its
initial web address is loaded. However, if the web address is a fieldbased calculation, when the field value changes, the web address is reevaluated and the new web address is loaded.

Related topics
Arranging windows in FileMaker Pro
Saving and reverting layout changes

Arranging windows in FileMaker Pro
You can use the following commands on the Window menu to work with open windows in
FileMaker Pro.
You can also open multiple databases at the same time, as well as open multiple windows for a
single file. For more information, see Opening files and Opening multiple windows per file.
To

Choose Window menu >

Hide a document window

Hide Window

Show a document window that has been hidden

Show Window > window name

• Windows: Place an icon of a document window at
the bottom of the FileMaker Pro window

Minimize Window

• OS X: Move a document window to the Dock
Arrange document windows horizontally

Tile Horizontally

Arrange document windows vertically

Tile Vertically

Arrange document windows so they overlap

Cascade Windows

Align minimized windows along the bottom of the
FileMaker Pro window (Windows)

Arrange Icons

Move all document windows in front of other application
windows (OS X)

Bring All To Front

Switch to another window

window name

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Note If a window’s ability to resize is restricted by a script, the window can’t be arranged using
commands in the Window menu.

Closing windows and files
You can close FileMaker Pro windows and files as you would in most Windows and OS X
applications. FileMaker Pro saves changes as you work and whenever you close a file.
For information on how to quit FileMaker Pro, see Quitting FileMaker Pro.

To close a window:
• Windows: Click the close box in the upper right corner of the document window.
• Windows: Double-click the document icon in the upper left corner of the document window.
• OS X: Click the red close button in the upper-left corner of the document window.
• Choose File menu > Close.

To close a file:
Use the procedures above to close all the open windows for a file.

Notes
• Even if you close a file, it may remain open as a hidden file if the window of any other file is
displaying data from that file. (For example, another window may be displaying related data
from the file you attempted to close.) FileMaker Pro will close the file when you close all the
dependent windows.
• If you are hosting a shared file that is being accessed by one or more clients, those clients
must close the file before you can close the file.

Related topics
Opening files
Closing files troubleshooting
Closing shared files

Closing files troubleshooting
Can’t close all files (they keep reopening themselves)
• Keep trying (a few times).
• Quit FileMaker Pro.
• In each file, use the Layout pop-up menu to switch to a layout without related fields, then
close each file.
• In each file, create a script that closes each file in the file system. Then, in the Script
Triggers tab of the File Options dialog box, set that script to run when the file is closed
(using the OnLastWindowClose script trigger). For more information, see Setting file
options. An example script in a Products.fmp12 file might be:
Close [Invoices.fmp12]
Close [Customers.fmp12]
Close [LineItems.fmp12]

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Saving and copying files
By default, FileMaker Pro automatically saves changes to your data as you work, so there is no
Save command. You can, however:
• save a copy of your file as a backup
• save a clone of your file with no data
Some actions do not cause a file to be saved. For details, see “What FileMaker Pro doesn’t save,”
below.

To make a copy or clone of your database file:
1. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As.
2. Navigate to where you want to save the copy on your disk.
3. For File name (Windows) or Save As (OS X), type a filename.
4. For Save as type, choose FileMaker Files (Windows only).
5. For Save a (Windows) or Type (OS X), choose one of the following options:
Choose

To

copy of current file

Duplicate the current file.

compacted copy (smaller)

Optimize the file (remove blank space). See Saving a
compacted copy.

clone (no records)

Save a file’s tables, layouts, scripts, page setup options, and
field definitions without the data.

self-contained copy (single file)

Create a copy of the current file with all container data that is
stored as a file reference or stored externally (by both open and
secure storage) embedded in the file’s container fields.

Note To have a copy of a file that includes container data that's stored externally, choose selfcontained copy. The copy of current file and compacted copy options do not copy externally
stored data. If you want to use either of those options, you'll need to embed data in the container
fields first. For more information, see Setting up container fields to store data externally.
6. For After saving, choose one or both of the following options if you wish:
Choose

To

Automatically open file

Open the file after it is saved

Create email with file as
attachment

Create an email with the saved file attached

7. Click Save.

What FileMaker Pro doesn’t save
FileMaker Pro doesn't save changes to the state of a file, if they are the only changes you make
while the file is open. For example, here are some changes that are not saved:
• Displaying a different record or layout
• Sorting records or modifying a sort order

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• Performing find operations such as Find, Show All Records, Omit Record, or modifying a
find request
• Changing the position and size of windows or opening a new window
• Showing or hiding the status toolbar
• Changing ruler display settings
• Changing the unit of measure
For example, if you open a file, sort records, and then close the file, FileMaker Pro does not save
the sort order. However, if you open a file, add a new record, sort the records, and then close the
file, FileMaker Pro saves the sort order as well as the new record.

Notes
• FileMaker Pro constantly saves changes to your computer’s RAM, or cache. You can set
the interval at which FileMaker Pro saves your work to disk, which can help preserve battery
power on portable computers. For more information, see Setting memory preferences.
• You can also specify when FileMaker Pro saves changes by creating (and then executing) a
script that contains the Flush Cache to Disk script step. This script command moves
anything stored in RAM to the hard disk.
• By default, FileMaker Pro does not save layout design changes automatically. Therefore
you should save your work periodically while you are designing a layout in Layout mode.
You can also set a preference so that layout changes are saved automatically. For more
information, see Saving and reverting layout changes.
• If you want more control over when record data is saved, you can clear the Save Record
Changes Automatically option on a layout-by-layout basis. For more information, see
Setting the automatic record-saving option for a layout.
• You can save FileMaker Pro data to Excel and PDF file formats. For more information, see
Saving, importing, and exporting data.
• The Save a Copy As menu command is not supported in FileMaker Pro database files
hosted by FileMaker Server.
• FileMaker Go: before you transfer a file with container fields that store data externally, you
must first embed the container field data. In FileMaker Pro, choose self-contained copy
(single file). Container data will be embedded in the copy. Then transfer the copy to the
device.

Related topics
Opening files
Closing windows and files

Quitting FileMaker Pro
FileMaker Pro saves changes to open files whenever you quit the application.

To quit FileMaker Pro:
• Windows: Choose File menu > Exit.
• OS X: Choose FileMaker Pro menu > Quit FileMaker Pro.
Important Make sure you shut down your computer properly using the method specified by your
computer and operating system. (See your computer and operating system documentation for

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FileMaker Pro basics

details.) If you turn off your computer improperly (such as by unplugging it) while FileMaker Pro is
running and a file is open, you may damage the file.

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Adding and viewing data

Adding and viewing data
There are many ways to view and work with data in a FileMaker Pro database. You can:
• view records in a database
• add, duplicate, and delete records
• add and edit data in fields
• work with text in fields
• check the spelling of your data
• work with multimedia files in fields

Working with records in Browse mode
After you create a database file and define tables and fields, you can start entering data. Each set of
fields is called a record.
Field label

Record

Tour ID
12345
Tour ID
12345
Tour ID Tour 12345
Name
Go Alaska
Product ID TourFB9
Name
Go Alaska
Tour NameOrigin
Go AlaskaNewark
Product Name
Rye Bread Newark
Origin
Origin
Newark Fairbanks
Destination
Fairbanks
Category Destination
Breads
DestinationUnit Fairbanks
Cost
$2,299.00
Unit Cost
$2,299.00
Unit Price
Unit Cost $7.95
Tax $2,299.00 $183.92
Tax
$183.92
Total$183.92 $2482.92
Stock Tax
12
Total
$2482.92
Total
$2482.92
Discount
$1.59

Field data

You work with the data in your records in Browse mode. You can view, add, change, omit, or delete
records in your database. FileMaker Pro saves the changes you make to your file as you work. If
you’ve entered data in a record but haven’t yet saved it, you can also revert the record back to its
previously saved state.
Your database can contain multiple layouts that display your data in different ways. If your database
has several layouts, you can choose a different one from the Layout pop-up menu. For more
information, see Switching between layouts.
For information on switching to Browse mode from another mode, see About FileMaker Pro modes.

Related topics
Committing data in records
Restoring data in records
Working with data in Table View

Viewing records as a form, list, or table
You can change the way records display or print.

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Adding and viewing data

To view records
Individually
In a list

Do this in Browse mode, Find mode, or Preview mode
Click Form View
Click List View

in the layout bar.
.

In a spreadsheetClick Table View
.
like table
Each row displays a record, and each column displays a field.

Notes
• Some views may not be available for each layout. If you have layout design privileges, you
can select the views that are available.
• For layouts that contain panel controls, in Form or List View, click the panel control to bring
the associated panel to the front for viewing. Table View displays all fields from each panel.
• Subsummary parts appear in Table View and List View when sorted by break fields, and
update dynamically when you change data in the file.
• To display field borders and field fill on only the current record in List View, see Showing
field borders and fill for the current record.
• Popover buttons appear in Form View and List View. Clicking a popover button in List View
displays the popover for that record only. Popovers do not appear in Table View unless they
are in the header or footer part.

Related topics
Working with data in Table View
Creating a layout
Protecting databases
About FileMaker Pro modes

Selecting the current record
In Browse mode, a database has one active record at a time for each open window. For more
information on multiple windows, see Opening multiple windows per file.

To select a record in Form View:
• In Form View, the record you’re displaying is the current record. To select another record to
make it the current record, see Moving through records.

To select a record in List View:
• In List View, the current record has a different fill from the other records. To select another
record and make it the current record, click that record or use controls in the status toolbar
(see Moving through records).
For information on changing the current record’s appearance, see Specifying the display state
for an object. The current record can also be indicated by a solid vertical bar along the left side
(see Setting up form, list, and table views for a layout).

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Adding and viewing data

To select a record in Table View:
• In Table View, the margin to the left of the current record is highlighted. To select another
record and make it the current record, click that record or use controls in the status toolbar
(see Moving through records).

To select a related record in a portal:
• Select the portal row (click inside the row but outside any fields in the row).

Moving through records
You can move from one record to another using the navigation controls in the status toolbar or by
using commands in the Records menu. You can also use keyboard commands to move through
records. See Keyboard shortcuts (Windows) or Keyboard shortcuts (OS X).
Number of records in
the found set / Total
number of records

Current record number

Book

Slider

Pie chart

Sort status

To

Do this

Go to the next record in a file

Click the right arrow in the book or choose Records menu > Go to
Record > Next.

Go to the previous record in a
file

Click the left arrow in the book or choose Records menu > Go to
Record > Previous.

Go to a specific record

• Click the current record number above the slider or press Esc. Then
type the record number of the record you want, and press Enter
(Windows) or Return (OS X).
• Choose Records menu > Go to Record > Go To, then type the
record number of the record you want in the Specify Number dialog
box, and click OK.

Move quickly through records Drag the slider left or right.
Move through records in a list
or table

Use the scroll bar on the right side of the window.

Show only those records that
are not in the current found
set

Click the pie chart.

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Adding and viewing data

Scroll wheel support
You can use a pointing device (mouse) equipped with a scroll wheel with FileMaker Pro to browse
through records, scroll up and down, and scroll in a field or portal formatted with a vertical scroll bar.
In Windows, you can also change the magnification of the image on your screen (zoom in or out).
To use the scroll wheel
To move through records in
Browse mode

Do this
• Windows: Make sure no fields or objects are selected, then
rotate the scroll wheel.
Note In Form View, rotating the scroll wheel scrolls through records
as if you were clicking the left and right pages of the book. In List
View or Table View, rotating the scroll wheel scrolls through the list of
records as if you were clicking on the up and down arrows in the
vertical scroll bar.
• OS X: In Form View, hold the mouse cursor over the book or
slider in the status toolbar, then rotate the scroll wheel.
FileMaker Pro scrolls through records as if you were clicking the
left and right pages of the book.
• OS X: In Form, List, or Table View, hold the mouse cursor over
the document window, then rotate the scroll wheel.
FileMaker Pro scrolls through the list of records as if you were
clicking on the up and down arrows in the vertical scroll bar.

In Layout, Preview, or Find
modes

• Windows: Rotate the scroll wheel to scroll up and down in the
layout, preview, or find request, as if you were clicking on the up
and down arrows in the vertical scroll bar of the document
window.
• OS X: Hold the mouse cursor over the document window, then
rotate the scroll wheel to scroll up and down in the layout,
preview, or find request as if you were clicking on the up and
down arrows in the vertical scroll bar of the document window.

To move up or down in a field
formatted with a vertical scroll
bar in Browse or Find mode

• Windows: Click in the field, then rotate the scroll wheel.
• OS X: Click in the field, hold the mouse cursor over the selected
field, then rotate the scroll wheel.
See Adding scroll bars to fields.

To move up or down in a
portal formatted with a
vertical scroll bar in Browse
mode

• Windows: Click in the portal (but not in a field), then rotate the
scroll wheel.
• OS X: Click in the portal (but not in a field), hold the mouse
cursor over the portal, then rotate the scroll wheel.
See Creating portals to display related records.

To enlarge or reduce the
image on your screen (zoom
in or out) with the scroll wheel
(Windows)

While holding down the Ctrl key, rotate the scroll wheel.

Notes
• Windows: FileMaker Pro does not support autoscroll, panning, or DataZoom.

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Adding and viewing data

• For more information about using the scroll wheel, refer to Windows Help and Support and
the documentation that came with your pointing device.

Related topics
Viewing records as a form, list, or table
Finding records
Sorting records

Navigating in web viewers
Web viewers are similar to web browsers, except that they display web pages directly within
FileMaker Pro. The unique feature of web viewers is that they can display web content that is
related to the current record. For example, as you browse each record in a table of names and
addresses, a web viewer can display a map of the location specified in that record.
In web viewers, you can view web pages, click links, fill in forms, and perform other tasks that you
can in web browsers. Use the shortcut menu in a web viewer to do the following:
To

From the shortcut menu, choose

Go back or forward one page

Back or Forward.

Copy text or images

Copy or Copy Image (OS X). You can then paste into a text, container,
or other type of field.

Perform other web browser
tasks

Available commands on the shortcut menu. These commands differ in
Windows and OS X.

Notes
• If you can’t click links, enter text, scroll, tab into, or use the shortcut menu in a web viewer,
then interaction is disabled. See Adding a web viewer.
• Web viewers display web pages in Browse and Preview modes.
• If you click a link that requests a new window, the new web page opens a separate web
browser window, not a new FileMaker Pro window.
• If you perform a find in Find mode or use the Find/Replace command, FileMaker Pro does
not search content in web viewers.
• If you log into a secure website in a web viewer, be sure to log out before you close the
FileMaker Pro document window. Otherwise, the web server might keep the secure session
active.

Related topics
Working with web viewers on layouts

Working with data in Table View
When you view records in a table, FileMaker Pro displays data in rows and columns. Each row
displays a record, and each column displays a field. In Table View’s spreadsheet-like format, you
can add, modify, and delete data, create quick reports, and create charts. For information on quick
reports, see Creating dynamic reports in Table View. For information on quick charts, see Creating
quick charts.

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Adding and viewing data

Working with fields
While viewing data in Table View in Browse mode, you can create, modify, or delete fields.
Note You must log in using the Full Access privilege set to modify fields in Table View.
To

Do this

Create a field

For the first field, click Create Field in the column heading for the first column of the
table. To create additional fields, click + in the column heading. A new column is
added on the right in the table.
To cancel creating the new field press Esc before submitting the change.
You can prevent new fields that you create from being automatically placed on the
current layout by deselecting Add newly defined fields to current layout in the
Preferences dialog box. See Setting layout preferences.

Change a field
name

Double-click the column heading for the field you want to rename, then type the
new name.
To discard changes to the field name, press Esc before you exit the column
heading.
Tip You can press Tab or Shift-Tab to edit the field names. If you press Tab in the
far right column heading, FileMaker Pro creates a new column.
For information about field names, see About naming fields.

Choose a field type Right-click the column heading, choose Field > Field Type to display a shortcut
menu, and choose a field type. For more information about field types, see About
choosing a field type.
The default field type is Text.
Set field options

Right-click the column heading, then choose Field > Field Options. See Setting
options for fields.

Sort records by
one or more fields

Select a column heading and optionally Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click
(OS X) additional headings. Right-click one of the selected column headings and
choose Sort Ascending or Sort Descending. A sort icon appears on the column
headings indicating the sort setting.
If you select multiple columns, the order in which columns are selected determines
the sort order.

Remove a field
from a multi-field
sort order

Select an unsorted heading to deselect the columns you are sorting by, then rightclick the heading you want to remove from the sort order and choose Remove
 from Sort. You can Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X)
multiple headings to remove more than one field from the sort order.

Sort records by a
predefined value
list

Select any column heading, right-click, then choose Sort By Value List, and
choose a value list.

Remove one or
more fields from
the sort order and
re-sort

Sort the file by two or more fields, select then right-click the column heading you
want to remove from the sort order, choose Remove  from Sort.
When you release the mouse, data re-sorts based on the fields that remain in the
sort order.
Tip Click Sort in the status toolbar to view the current sort order.

Unsort the file

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62

Adding and viewing data

To

Do this

Display more fields
or hide fields

• Click Modify in the layout bar and use the options in the Modify Table View
dialog box. See Displaying and hiding fields in Table View.
• Or, right-click a column heading, then choose Field > Hide Field to hide the
selected field. To display a hidden field in Table View, right-click the + column
heading, then choose a field from the list of existing fields.

Delete a field

Right-click the column heading, then choose Field > Delete Field. See Deleting
table definitions, field definitions, and data.
Important Before you delete a field, confirm that you don’t need any of the data it
contains.

Working with records
While viewing data in Table View in Browse mode, you can add, duplicate, sort, or delete records.
To
Add a new record

Do this
In the blank record at the bottom of the table, enter the data. Click
in the left
margin at the bottom of the table. A new row is added to the end of the table:
• if the records have not been sorted
or
• if Keep records in sorted order is cleared in the Sort Records dialog box
For sorted data, a new row is added to the last row of the sorted category for the
currently selected row.
When you add a new record, the new record becomes the current row.

Duplicate a record

Right-click the left or right margin of the record that you want to duplicate, then
choose Duplicate Record.

Copy the data in a
record

Right-click the left or right margin of the record that you want to copy, then choose
Copy Record. You can paste the copied, tab-separated data into a field or into
Microsoft Excel.

Sort records

Right-click the left or right margin, then choose Sort Records. Use the Sort
Records dialog box to specify how to sort records. See Options for sorting records.

Save data as a
Microsoft Excel file
or Adobe PDF file,
or save the current
found set of
records as a
snapshot link

Right-click the left or right margin, then choose one of the options from the Save/
Send Records As shortcut menu.

Send email
messages based
on record data

Right-click the left or right margin of the record, then choose Send Mail. See
Sending email messages based on record data.

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Setting display options for Table View
While viewing data in Table View in Browse mode, you can resize or reorder the columns, change
the background or alternate color, or restore the default display settings.
To

Do this

Reorder columns

Drag a column heading to a new location.

Resize a column

Move the pointer to the edge of the column heading. When the pointer changes to a
double arrow, drag it to the desired size.

Set a precise
column width

Select one or more column headings. Right-click, then choose Table View > Set
Column Width from the shortcut menu. In the dialog box, type a width, choose
units from the list, then click OK.

Edit Table View
properties

Right-click a column heading or the right or left margin and choose Table View >
Edit Properties.

Change the color
of the background

Right-click the left or right margin of a record, choose Part Color from the shortcut
menu, then choose a color. The color of the row for adding new records and the
column for adding new fields will be slightly darker than the main background color.

Display a different
background color
for alternating
records

Right-click the left or right margin of a record, then choose a color from the
Alternate Color shortcut menu. If you customized the color or filled the part with an
image, the part is locked.

Create a dynamic
report

You can group data by a field, display subtotals for a field, or create subtotals for
each group of data. If you customized the color or filled the part with an image, the
part is locked.

Restore the default
display settings

Right-click a column heading or the left or right margin and choose Table View >
Reset from the shortcut menu.
Note Resetting Table View only changes the settings for the appearance of the
table. For example, it removes any leading and trailing subtotals and fill colors that
you added to the table. Resetting a table doesn’t have any impact on the data. For
example, if you created fields and added records to the table, resetting the table
doesn’t delete the fields and records.

Notes
• To use the column heading to create fields in Table View, you have to select the Include
column headers option in the Table View properties. To display Table View properties,
right-click a column heading or the left or right margin and choose Table View > Edit
Properties. See Setting up form, list, and table views for a layout.
• You can’t use Table View to change the schema for related tables or external data sources.
To change the schema for related tables, use the Manage Database dialog box.
• To reorder, resize, or sort data in Table View, you can select multiple columns but you can't
select multiple cells.
• Table View displays fields from the body part of the current layout. If a layout contains a
portal, Table View displays the data from the first related record (the first row of the portal).
• Global fields display one value for all records. You can edit a global field in any row of the
table. See Defining global fields (fields with global storage).
• Popovers do not appear in Table View unless they are in the header or footer part.

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Displaying and hiding fields in Table View
After you define a field, you can use Layout mode to place the field on any layout (assuming you
have access privileges to do so). See Placing and removing fields on a layout. When you are
working in Table View, you can display additional fields that are not on the current layout and hide
fields that show in Table View.
Note When you display existing fields that are not on the current layout in Table View, they are not
added to the layout so they do not appear in any view other than Table View. Likewise, if you hide
fields in Table View, fields are not removed from the layout and are visible when users view the
layout in other views.

To display fields in Table View:
1. In Browse mode, right-click the table column heading, and choose Table View > Modify or
click Modify in the status toolbar.
The Modify Table View dialog box appears, listing the fields currently displayed in Table View.
2. You can use the Modify Table View dialog box to do the following:
To

Do this

Hide fields

Clear checkboxes for the fields you want to hide in Table View.

Reorder columns
Display additional fields

Remove fields you added

Drag the

next to a field to reorder fields in the list and in Table View.

Click
to open the Add Fields dialog box, then choose a field to add
and click OK. To choose a field in another table, choose the table from
the list above the list of fields, then choose a field. To define a new
field, choose Manage Database from the list.
Select one or more fields and click

.

3. Click OK to save changes or click Cancel to discard changes.

Notes
• Fields on the current layout are marked with a lock icon
in the Modify Table View dialog box,
indicating they can’t be removed from the list. You can prevent these fields from displaying in
Table View by clearing their checkbox.
• When you add fields (columns) in Table View, the style and point size of the font are determined
by the layout theme’s default font settings. If you want to change the font characteristics for a
field, you must use Layout mode to format the field.

Related topics
Viewing records as a form, list, or table

Creating dynamic reports in Table View
You can use Table View in Browse mode to group your data by a field, display subtotals for a field,
create subtotals for each group of data, or display a grand total for a group of data.
Note You can view the quick report only in Table View. The changes you make have no impact on
the current layout.

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Adding and viewing data

To group data by a field:
1. In Browse mode, right-click the column heading for the field that you want to use for
grouping the data, then choose Add Leading Group by  or Add Trailing
Group by .
For example, if you want to display the sales data by City and add a summary row at the end of
the records for each city, choose Add Trailing Group by City. If you want to add the summary
row before the records for each city, choose Add Leading Group by City.
Adding a leading/trailing group automatically sorts the records by the field that you used for
grouping the data. For example, the cities will be listed in alphabetical order.
2. If you want to change the color of the summary row for each group, right-click the left or right
margin of the summary row and choose a color from the Part Color shortcut menu.
3. If you want to display the name of each group in the summary row, right-click the left margin
of the summary row, then choose Add Group Field ().
Tip You can add leading/trailing groups for multiple fields to display different categories for each
group of records.

To remove a group:
• In Browse mode, right-click the column heading for the field that you used for grouping the
data, then choose Remove Leading Group by  or Remove Trailing Group
by .

To display subtotals:
1. In Browse mode, right-click the column heading of the field that you want to display
subtotals for.
2. Choose Leading Subtotals or Trailing Subtotals, then choose options from the shortcut
menu.
Select

To

Total

Calculate the total of values in the field.

Running Total

Show the cumulative total for the current and all previous sorted groups.

Average

Calculate the average of values in the field.

Count

Count the number of records that contain a value for the field. For
example, if a field contains 100 values (one value for each record), the
result of the count is 100.

Running Count

Show the cumulative count of the current and all previous sorted groups.

Minimum

Show the lowest number, or earliest date, time, or timestamp for a field.

Maximum

Show the highest number, or latest date, time, or timestamp for a field.

Standard Deviation

Find how widely the values in a field differ from each other. This option
calculates the standard deviation from the mean of the values in a field.

Standard Deviation By
Population

Calculate population standard deviation.

Fraction of Total

Calculate the ratio of the value in the field to the total of all the values in
that field. For example, find what fraction of total sales can be attributed to
each salesperson.

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Adding and viewing data

A new row in the beginning of the table (for leading) or at the end of the table (for trailing)
displays the subtotal for the field.
If you have also added leading or trailing groups to the table, the group summary rows also
display the subtotal for each group for the specified field. You have to choose a leading subtotal
to display subtotals for leading groups and a trailing subtotal to display subtotals for trailing
groups.
3. (Optional) To change the color of the row that displays the subtotal for the field, right-click
the left or right margin of the row, then choose a color from the Part Color shortcut menu.

Notes
• Creating subtotals in Table View creates a summary field for each subtotal.
• You need to have Full Access privilege set to create summary fields in Table View. If you
don’t have Full Access privilege set, only existing summary fields are available in the
shortcut menu.

To remove subtotals from Table View:
1. In Browse mode, right-click the column heading of the field that displays subtotals and
choose Leading Subtotals or Trailing Subtotals.
2. Deselect any options that you want to remove from the Leading Subtotals or Trailing
Subtotals shortcut menu.
Note Removing subtotals from Table View does not remove the subtotal summary fields from
the database. To remove the summary fields from the database, choose File menu > Manage >
Database, click Fields, then choose the summary fields to remove and click Delete.

To display grand totals:
1. First group and subtotal data as described earlier in this topic.
2. In Browse mode, right-click the column heading of the field containing subtotals.
3. Choose Add Leading Grand Summary or Add Trailing Grand Summary.
A new row in the beginning of the table (for leading) or at the end of the table (for trailing)
displays the grand total for the field.
4. (Optional) To change the color of the row that displays the grand total for the field, right-click
the left or right margin of the row, then choose a color from the Part Color shortcut menu.

To remove grand totals from Table View:
In Browse mode, right-click the column heading of the field that displays grand totals and choose
Remove Leading Grand Summary by  or Remove Trailing Grand Summary by
.

Adding, duplicating, and deleting records
You can add, duplicate, and, delete records in Browse mode.

Adding and duplicating records
You can add and duplicate records in Browse mode.

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Adding and viewing data

To add a new record:
• In Browse mode, click New Record in the status toolbar.

To quickly add a record with the same or similar data as an existing record:
1. Select the record you want to duplicate.
Use Find mode to locate the record, if necessary.
2. Choose Records menu > Duplicate Record.

Notes
• If the file is locked or write-protected, or you don't have access privileges to create records,
FileMaker Pro doesn't add new records. For more information, see Protecting databases.
• FileMaker Pro stores new records at the end of the table. If records are unsorted, the new
record appears after the last record in the found set.

Related topics
Adding and duplicating related records
Deleting records
Finding records

Adding and duplicating related records
You can add records to a related table when you enter data in a record in the current table.
To

Do this in Browse mode

Create a record in the current
table

Click New Record in the status toolbar.

Add a record in a related table

• If the related field is in a portal, type data into the field in the
last row of the portal, then commit the record (for example,
by clicking anywhere outside the record or selecting another
record).
• If the related field isn't in a portal, type data into the field,
then commit the record (for example, by clicking anywhere
outside the record or selecting another record).

Duplicate a record that is
displaying related data

Make sure that no records are selected in a portal, then choose
Records menu > Duplicate Record.

Duplicate a related record in a
portal

Select the related record in the portal (making sure the whole row is
highlighted), then choose Records menu > Duplicate Record.

Note You can only add related records from the current table if the relationship has been defined to
allow the creation of related records. If a related table is in a write-protected file, or the user doesn't
have access privileges to create records, FileMaker Pro doesn't add new records.

Related topics
Adding and duplicating records
Deleting records
Protecting databases

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Deleting records
You can delete single records, a group of records, all the records in a table, or all the records in a
database. When you delete a record, you permanently discard the data you entered in all the fields
in that record.
Important You can't undo the action of deleting records. Before you delete anything, consider
making a backup copy of your database.
If you’re working in a relational database and the option to delete related records is selected in the
Edit Relationship dialog box, FileMaker Pro also deletes related records when you delete a record.
To delete

Do this

One record

In Browse mode, select the record you want to delete. (If your layout displays related
records in a portal, select anything other than a portal row.) In the status toolbar, click
Delete Record, then click Delete.

A related record

In Browse mode, select a portal row in the current table by clicking inside the row but
outside any fields in the row. Click Delete Record, then click Delete.

A group of
records

Make sure the found set contains only the records you want to delete. (For more
information, see Finding records.) Choose Records menu > Delete Found Records,
then click Delete.

All records in a
table

In Browse mode, Click Show All, then choose Records menu > Delete All Records.

All records in a
database

Create a clone of the database with no records. For more information, see Saving
and copying files.

Notes
• You can temporarily omit records from the found set without deleting them from the
database. For more information, see Hiding records from a found set and viewing hidden
records.
• You can permanently delete a field definition and all the data in the field in all records. For
more information, see Deleting table definitions, field definitions, and data.
• To use one of the procedures in this topic to delete related records in a portal, Allow
deletion of portal records must be selected in the Portal Setup dialog box. For more
information, see Creating portals to display related records. The Allow deletion of portal
records option does not need to be selected when you use the Delete Portal Row script
step to delete related records. See Delete Record/Request.

Related topics
Adding and duplicating records
Adding and duplicating related records

Entering data in records
In Browse mode, you add information in a database file by entering data in records. You can:
• type information into fields using your computer keyboard.
• enter preset data from a value list.
• copy and paste data, or insert special information into a field.

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• copy and paste images, QuickTime movies, and insert files (such as word processing files
or PDF files) into container fields.
• use drag and drop to move data between fields, from one file to another, or from another
application. See Moving text and data with drag and drop.
• import data. See Saving and sending records in other formats.
• use lookups or relationships to copy or display data from other database files.
Note If you're working with a database that doesn't have any records, you must create a record
before entering data.

Selecting a field in Browse mode or Find mode
In Browse mode, you select a field to work with data. In Find mode, you select a field to enter a find
request.
To

Do this

Select a field

Click in the field.

Select the contents of a field

Select the field, then choose Edit menu > Select All.

Move to the next field in a record (in the
established tab order)

Try pressing Tab, Enter, or Return.
Notes
• You can set which keys move to the next field. See Setting
the keys for exiting a field.
• Fields on tab panels or slide panels that are not on the
front-most panel are skipped.

Move to the previous field

Press Shift-Tab, Shift-Return, or Shift-Enter.

Notes
• The boundaries of a selected field are solid lines; boundaries of other fields are dotted lines.
• When you select a rotated field in Browse mode or Find mode, the field is temporarily
displayed unrotated while the field is selected. See Rotating objects.
• To change the order in which pressing a key moves you through fields, set the tab order for
the layout. See Setting the tab order for data entry.
• You can't press a key to move to some fields:
• You can't move into fields omitted from the tab order.
• In Browse mode, you can't press a key to select summary or calculation fields.
• In Find mode, you can't press a key to move into summary fields.
• If you cannot select a field, the field could be formatted to prevent entry. See Allowing or
preventing entry into fields.
• You cannot tab into or out of a popover; however, you can tab to a popover button and
display its associated popover by pressing the Space bar. Then you can tab between the
objects on the popover.

Related topics
Finding records
Selecting the current record

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Entering and changing data in fields
You can enter data into text, number, date, time, timestamp, and container fields. You can also
change or delete data in fields.
If a field contains a valid URL, you can open it in another application that you specify. See Using
URLs in a field.
You can enter data in a field up to the character limit for the field type.
To enter data into a Click in the field in Browse mode, then
Text field

Type the text.

Number field

Type the value (from 10400 to 10-400).

Date field

Type the date in the format used when the file was created. See Working with
data in date fields. If enabled, use the drop-down calendar to select a date.

Time field

Type the time of day (or time duration) as hours; hours and minutes; hours,
minutes, and seconds; or hours, minutes, seconds, and fractional seconds. See
Working with data in time fields.

Timestamp

Type the date in the format used when the file was created, followed by hours and
minutes; or hours, minutes, and seconds. For example: 2/2/2014 12:00 AM
or 12/31/2014 11:59:59 PM.

To enter data into a container field, see Using data in container fields.
Important To avoid confusion when using dates in FileMaker Pro, always enter four-digit years.
See Working with data in date fields.

To delete data from a field without putting it on the Clipboard:
• Select the data, then press Backspace or Delete.

To type a tab character into a field:
• Click where you want to insert the tab, then press Ctrl+Tab (Windows) or Option-Tab
(OS X).

Notes
• When you start typing data into a text field set up to auto-complete, FileMaker Pro attempts
to match what you have entered against either the field’s index or a value list. The best
match automatically appears in the field. Other matches may also appear in a drop-down
list. For more information on auto-complete fields, see Setting up a field to auto-complete
during data entry.
• In Browse mode, you can use the keyboard to enter values for radio buttons and
checkboxes. Tab into the field and type the first letter of the value that you want to enter, or
use the arrow keys to select it. Then, press the Space bar to enter the value.
• To enter or change the value in a global field, in Browse mode, select the field and enter the
new value.
• The way data appears depends on how a field is formatted in Layout mode, on the system
formats used when the file was created, and on your computer's system formats. See
Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode.

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• If you use the drop-down calendar to enter a date into an empty timestamp field,
FileMaker Pro enters the date you select and inserts midnight as the time portion. If you use
the drop-down calendar to change an existing timestamp, FileMaker Pro changes the date
portion only, preserving the existing time portion.
• When working with files created on a computer using different system formats, you can
choose whether to view data in its original system formats or in your own system formats. To
use your own formats, verify that Use System Formats is checked on the Format menu.
See Opening files with different system formats.
• A field can be defined to make sure data is entered in a specific format, or within a certain
range. For example, you may be required to enter a four-digit year in a date. See Defining
field validation.
• You may not be able to enter or change data in some fields (for example, calculation or
summary fields, or fields that are formatted to prevent entry). You can copy the contents of
calculation and summary fields to other fields.
• If you mix numbers and text in a number field that's used in a calculation or summary field,
FileMaker Pro ignores the text when performing the calculation or summary.
• Numbers can be entered using scientific notation, for example: 1.23e+15 or 1.23e-15.
• You can view and print only the data that fits within the field boundaries. You can change the
boundaries by resizing the field in Layout mode. See Resizing and reshaping objects.
• There are other ways to enter data, like importing or copying it from another source, pasting
a value from the field index, using a related table, and setting options to automatically enter
the data when you create a record.
• You cannot type text directly into a container field. To enter text in a container field, copy the
text, then paste it into the field.
• As you type text into a field, you can undo and redo your entries by choosing Edit menu >
Undo Typing or Edit menu > Redo Typing.
• For information on entering special characters such as accent marks, see the Help for your
operating system.

Related topics
Copying and moving data in records
Entering preset data from a value list
Restoring data in records
Using a field index
Inserting the current date or other variables into a field
Using data in container fields

Moving text and data with drag and drop
You can use drag and drop to transfer information within a FileMaker Pro database, between
databases, or between FileMaker Pro and other applications that support drag and drop.
For example, you can drag a number or text from one field and drop it into another field in the same
database. Or, you can drag text from a Microsoft Word document into a FileMaker Pro text field. You
can also drag and drop data between layouts, between container fields, and between layouts and
container fields, either in the same database or between different databases.
In FileMaker Pro, you can use drag and drop in Browse mode, Find mode, or Layout mode.
Note Drag and drop must be enabled in Preferences. See Setting general preferences.

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To

Do this

Copy text from one field to another field

Select the text, drag it, then drop it into the new
location.

Copy data from one container field or layout to
another container field or layout

Select the contents of the container field or the
layout object, drag it, then drop it into the new
location.

Move text to another location in the same field (in
Browse mode or Find mode)

Select the text, drag it, then drop it into the new
location.

Copy text to another location in the same field

Press Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X), select and
drag the text, then drop it into the new location.

Copy text between FileMaker Pro and another
application

Select the text, drag it, then drop it into the new
location.

Notes
• If the source application displays dates, times, and numbers as text (the way FileMaker Pro
does), you can also drag and drop them into a number, date, or time field.
• When you select a rotated field in Browse mode, the field is temporarily displayed unrotated
while the field is selected. See Rotating objects.
• In Browse mode or Find mode, dragging text to a field other than a text field overwrites the
existing data.
• You can't drop text into a record or field that is being edited by someone else or that you
don’t have access privileges to edit.
• You don't have to select a field before you drop data into it.
• If validation options are set for the field, data is validated as follows:
• If the field isn't selected before you drop the data, the data is validated immediately after
you drop it.
• If the field is selected before you drop the data, data is validated when you deselect the
field.
For more information on field validation, see Defining field validation.
• Windows: You can move text from FileMaker Pro to some applications by selecting and
dragging the text, then dropping it into the other application.
• You can drag a file from Windows Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (OS X) into an
interactive container. See Working with content in interactive containers.

Related topics
Setting general preferences
Using data in container fields

Exporting the contents of a field
You can export the contents of a field to a file. The content of most field types is saved to a text file.
Content in container fields is saved with a file type that matches the content type.

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To export the contents of a field:
1. Click the field.
2. Choose Edit menu > Export Field Contents.
Tip You can also right-click the field and choose Export Field Contents from the shortcut
menu.
3. In the Export Field to File dialog box, choose a location and type a filename.
FileMaker Pro saves the field’s content to a new file in the specified location.
4. For After saving, choose one or both of the following options if you wish:
Choose

To

Automatically open file

Open the file after it is saved

Create email with file as
attachment

Create an email with the saved file attached

5. Click Save.

Related topics
Selecting a field in Browse mode or Find mode

Working with data in date fields
When entering data in date fields, type dates as follows:
• Enter the date in the system format used when the file was created.
• Type one date on one line in each field.
• Type the day, month, and year as numbers separated by a backslash or other separator
character. (Use the same character for each separator; for example, 2/3/2014. You can use
any character as a separator except a letter, a colon (:), or a “+” sign.)
• If enabled, use the drop-down calendar to select a date. Use the month and year controls to
locate the desired date and then select it to close the calendar. The date is inserted using
the current date format. For more information, see Setting up a field to display a drop-down
calendar.
• FileMaker Pro supports dates ranging from 1/1/0001 to 12/31/4000.
Note If you don't type a year in a date field and you haven't typed a separator character for a year,
FileMaker Pro enters the current year. If you enter dates with two-digit years, such as 5/12/14,
FileMaker Pro converts them to four-digit years, as described in Conversion of dates with two-digit
years.

Related topics
Entering Japanese Emperor Year dates
About date fields
Specifying formats for date fields
Setting options for fields
Inserting the current date or other variables into a field

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Entering Japanese Emperor Year dates
You can enter Japanese Emperor Year (Wareki) dates in date fields. FileMaker Pro converts the
Emperor Year to a Western Gregorian (Seireki) year and saves it internally in the format specified by
the file. The display format of the date—Western or Japanese—depends on the date field format.
There are two ways to enter Japanese Emperor Year dates:
• Era abbreviation: Enter the date in the format era letterY/M/D, where era letter designates
the era (see the table below for a list of valid era letters), followed by the year, month, and
day. For example,“M1/12/30” is converted to “1868/12/30” (M1 = the 1st year of Meiji, or
1868). Similarly, “T1/12/30” becomes “1912/12/30”, “S1/12/30” becomes “1926/12/30”, and
“H1/12/30” becomes “1989/12/30”
Era letter

Era name

Era formats

prior to 1868/09/08

A.D. (anno
domini)
m, M
t, T
s, S

Reign

,

, A.D.

Meiji

,

,M

Taisho

.

,T

Showa

,

,S

h, H

1868/09/08 - 1912/07/29 (M1 - M45)
1912/07/30 - 1926/12/24 (T1 - T15)
1926/12/25 - 1989/01/07 (S1 - S64)
1989/01/08 - (H1 - )

Heisei

,

,H

• Using a “+” as the date separator: Enter the date in the format Y+M+D. When you use the
“+” separator, FileMaker interprets the year according to the Year Input table below. Only 1and 2-digit years are interpreted as Emperor years; 3- and 4-digit years are treated as
Western years. For example, “2+1+2” is converted to and saved internally as “1990/01/02”
(2nd year of Heisei, January 2nd).

Year input

Seireki (Western)
year

Wareki era name and era year

0

1988

S63

1

1989

S64 through Jan. 7, H1 from Jan. 8

2 - 25

1990 - 2013

H2 - H25

26 - 63

1951 - 1988

S26 - S63

64

1989

S64 through Jan. 7, H1 from Jan. 8

65 - 99

1965 - 1999
(70/30 rule)

S40 - S64 (1965 - 1989), H1 - H11 (1989 - 1999)

100 - 999 (3-digit year)

0100 - 0999

A.D. 100 - 999

0001 - 4000 (4-digit
year)

0001 - 4000

A.D. 1 - A.D. 1868 (0001 - 1868)

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Notes
• You can enter era abbreviations in lower- or upper-case, and as full width or half width
characters. Full width numbers (but not the date separators) are converted to half width
when you exit the field in Browse or Find modes.
• An era abbreviation letter followed by a “0” is interpreted as the year prior to the first year of
that era. For example, “M0” = 1867, “T0” = 1911, and so on. A “0” year entered without an
era abbreviation but with the “+” date separator is converted to 1988, the year prior to the
first year of the current era, Heisei.

Conversion of dates with two-digit years
FileMaker Pro permits you to enter dates with two-digit years, such as “12/1/99” and “3/2/09.”
However, these dates are ambiguous because they do not specify the century; entering “5/6/53”
could be in the year 1953, 2053, or the 53rd year in any other century.
Important When you enter dates with two-digit years into a date field, FileMaker Pro converts them
to four-digit years using the two-digit year conversion method described below. This conversion
method may not convert the two-digit year dates that you enter into the century that you expect,
which may result in inaccurate date entries.
You should familiarize yourself with this conversion method and, for date fields where inaccurate
date conversions are a possibility, take the following precautions to improve the accuracy of entered
dates:
• Always enter dates with four-digit years.
• Use the FileMaker Pro field validation option that requires entering four-digit year dates. An
error message will appear when an attempted date entry contains a two-digit year. For more
information, see Defining field validation.
• On your layouts, always format date fields to display four-digit years. For more information,
see Specifying formats for date fields.
Note This conversion method is used for all forms of two-digit year date entry into FileMaker Pro,
not just data entry into fields. For example, date conversion occurs during import of two-digit year
dates into FileMaker Pro. For a list of situations where the conversion method is used, see the
conversion information below.

Two-digit year date conversion method
FileMaker Pro converts two-digit year dates into four-digit year dates based on the year in which the
date is entered, always assuming that the four-digit year date should be in either the next 30 years,
or the preceding 70 years. The following table shows how two-digit year dates entered in three
different years will convert to four-digit years.
In 2013,
In 2015,
In 2030,
Two-digit year converts to converts to converts to
02

2002

2002

2002

15

2015

2015

2015

42

2042

2042

2042

43

2043

2043

2043

44

1944

2044

2044

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In 2013,
In 2015,
In 2030,
Two-digit year converts to converts to converts to
45

1945

2045

2045

46

1946

1946

2046

47

1947

1947

2047

50

1950

1950

2050

76

1976

1976

1976

87

1987

1983

1987

95

1995

1995

1995

The following illustration depicts how the conversion method is skewed. It assumes that any twodigit year that you enter is more likely to be in the past than in the future.
Current year

- 70 years

+ 30 years

Past

Future

This conversion method is used for all forms of two-digit year date input, including:
• entering and modifying dates in date fields.
• dates entered in a web-published database that is being accessed via a web browser.
• dates input or modified via importing. This includes data imported into an existing
FileMaker Pro file as well as data converted into a new FileMaker Pro file, but does not
include conversion of FileMaker Pro files created in previous versions of FileMaker Pro. See
the important note below.
• dates input or modified via Apple events, ODBC, and JDBC.
• dates input via drag-and-drop or script commands to a non-active field.
• dates input as part of a calculation expression in the Specify Calculation dialog box.
• dates entered for the Auto-Enter Data option in the Options for Field dialog box.
• dates entered for the Validation In range option in the Options for Field dialog box.
• dates entered as literal values by scripts.
Important This two-digit year date conversion method is not used when you convert a
FileMaker Pro file from a previous version to the current version of FileMaker Pro. FileMaker
assumes that dates in older files constitute legacy data. Therefore, during file conversion, any twodigit year dates that still exist in the old file convert to “19xx” (not the current century, but actually
“19xx”) in the converted file. If you have any concerns about two-digit year dates in older files,
ideally you should review and correct the data in a previous version of FileMaker Pro prior to
converting the file to the current version. For more information about converting files, see
Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier.

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Notes
• FileMaker recommends that you only enter dates into fields defined with the Date type.
Don’t use text or numeric fields to store dates. FileMaker software is not intended to support
dates in such fields.
• FileMaker Pro supports the entry of dates ranging from 1/1/0001 to 12/31/4000.
• If you need to enter the creation date or modification date for a record, use auto-enter
options, which are more accurate and easier than entering the data by hand. For more
information, see Defining automatic data entry.
• In FileMaker Pro 3.0 through 5.5 and FileMaker Pro 6.0v3 and 6.0v4, the processing of
dates with two-digit years is different depending on how they are entered. Also,
FileMaker Pro 6.0v1 and 6.0v2 have some date handling issues that are corrected in
FileMaker Pro 6.0v4.

Working with data in time fields
When entering data in time fields, type the date in the system format used when the file was
created. Type the time of day (or time duration) as one of the following:
• hours: 12
• hours and minutes: 12:20
• hours, minutes, and seconds: 12:20:45
• hours, minutes, seconds, and fractional seconds: 12:20:45.89

Notes
• If you type a single digit, FileMaker Pro assumes it's the hour (typing 5 in a time field
indexes it as 5:00:00).
• Type the time of day in 24- or 12-hour format, with or without AM or PM. (AM is assumed for
a time less than 12:00).
• You can type a negative time duration in a time field, like –08:40:00. You can't type a
negative time if Strict data type validation is defined for the field options. See Defining field
validation.
• For more information on system formats, see Opening files with different system formats.
• Each time field parameter (hours, minutes, and seconds) can store values up to
231 - 1 (2,147,483,647).
• For ODBC data sources, the time field parameters are restricted. Minutes and seconds
must be in the range of 0 to 59, and hours must be in the range of 0 to 23. Negative time
values are not supported.

Related topics
Finding numbers, dates, times, and timestamps
About time fields
Specifying formats for time fields
Setting options for fields
Inserting the current date or other variables into a field

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Committing data in records
Unlike most word processing applications, FileMaker Pro saves your data as you work. This is
called committing data. Data is committed when you:
• select another record
• click anywhere outside of the current field
• Windows: Press Enter on the numeric keypad, or Ctrl+Enter on computers without a
numeric keypad
• OS X: Press Enter (not Return), or Fn-Return on computers without a numeric keypad
• switch to another mode

Notes
• If you enter data incorrectly in a record, you can restore the original data to the record as
long as the information is not committed. For more information, see Restoring data in
records.
• When you change related data (such as related records displayed in a portal), these
changes are not committed until you commit the record that is displaying the related data.
• In FileMaker Pro 10, there was a change to how FileMaker Pro performs the Replace Field
Contents and Relookup Field Contents commands and script steps. Replace/relookup
operations are now performed without committing the active record. This change only
affects multiple uncommitted records in a window transaction, as when you do a replace/
relookup on related records in a portal. If there are uncommitted records in the window that
are affected by the operation, these changes will be made using the window's transaction
and remain uncommitted until you choose to commit the changes following the completion
of the operation. All other records will be modified and committed during the operation as
before.

Related topics
Saving and copying files
Opening multiple windows per file
Saving and reverting layout changes

Using URLs in a field
You can open a valid URL that appears in a field. FileMaker Pro opens the URL with the default
application configured on your computer for the URL type. For example, http URLs will open in your
default web browser.

To open a URL from a field:
1. Click the field to select it, and select the entire URL.
2. Right-click any part of the URL.
3. Choose Open  from the shortcut menu.
You can also hold down the Alt key (Windows) or the Command key (OS X) while clicking any
part of the URL text to open the URL.
FileMaker Pro supports the fmp: protocol and the following URL schemes:
• https://
• mailto:

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• ldap://
• ldaps://
• ftp://
• http://
• gopher://
• shttp://
• file://
• mailto://
• news://
• nntp://
• telnet://

Related topics
Entering and changing data in fields

Copying and moving data in records
You can copy or move data to a field in the same record or a different record.
To

Do this in Browse mode

Copy or move a value from one field to
another

Select the contents of the field, then choose Edit menu > Copy
or Cut. Display another record, if needed. Click the field to hold
the data, then choose Edit menu > Paste.

Copy a value from a field in the last
record that you accessed

Click the field that you want to hold the data, then choose Insert
menu > From Last Visited Record.

Copy values in a record to another
application, like a word processor

With no field selected, choose Edit menu > Copy. In the other
application, paste the record that's on the Clipboard.

Copy all data in a record (including any
related records in a portal and fields on
tab panels or slide panels that are on
the front-most panel)

With no fields selected, choose Edit menu > Copy.
Note Fields on tab panels or slide panels that are not on the
front-most panel and fields on closed popovers are not copied.

Copy all records in the found set to the
Clipboard (but not data from tab panels
or slide panels that are not in front)

With no fields selected, press Shift (Windows) or Option (OS X)
while choosing Edit menu > Copy.

Paste text from the Clipboard without
formatting (like bold or italic)

Click the field you want to hold the text, then press Ctrl+Shift+v
(Windows) or Command-Option-v (OS X).

Notes
• You can copy values from any field type (number, text, and so on).
• You can copy values from fields formatted as radio buttons, checkboxes, drop-down lists, or
pop-up menus.
• When you paste data into a field formatted as radio buttons, checkboxes, a drop-down list,
or a pop-up menu, the matching value is selected, replacing the entire contents of the
selected field. When you paste a value that's not in the field's value list, the Other value is
selected, if applicable.

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• When you copy a record, everything is copied except data in container fields. Data is copied
in tab-delimited format, in the order the fields appear on the layout.
• Text styles, like font, color and size, are copied and can be pasted into other applications.
• Multilingual text can be copied and pasted into other applications.
• When you copy all the records in the found set, records are separated by carriage returns.
• When you copy a record containing repeating fields to the Clipboard, FileMaker Pro inserts
the group separator character between each repetition. You can use most word processors
to replace these characters with another delimiter such as a tab or space.
• You can copy and paste the contents of individual cells in Table View. You can't copy and
paste the contents of multiple cells, but you can copy the current record or found set to the
Clipboard.
• You can duplicate records to quickly add a record with the same or similar data. See Adding
and duplicating records.
• You can drag and drop information between fields, records, and applications. See Moving
text and data with drag and drop.

Related topics
Saving and copying files
Moving through records
Finding records

Entering preset data from a value list
A field can display predetermined values as a radio button set, a checkbox set, a drop-down list, or
a pop-up menu. You can use these value lists to quickly enter preset data.
To

Do this in Browse mode

Choose a predefined value from a
drop-down list or pop-up menu

Click the field, then choose the value from the drop-down list or
pop-up menu.

Type a value that isn't included in a
drop-down list

Click the field again, then type the value.

Open or close a drop-down list of
suggestions

Press Esc. If the field has an arrow control next to it, you can also
click the arrow.

Select a different suggestion in the
drop-down list

Use the arrow keys, Page Up and Page Down keys, or Home and
End keys.

Select a radio (option) button

Click the button to select the value. To clear a button, Shift-click it.

Select one or more checkboxes

Click a checkbox to select or clear values.

Enter a value that isn't included in a
value list

Choose or click Other. Type a value in the dialog box, then click
OK.

Clear an Other value

Choose or click Other. Delete the associated value in the dialog
box, then click OK. (This action clears the field.)

Edit a value list

Choose Edit, then change the values in the dialog box. Click OK.

Notes
• The options available in a value list depend on the field setup. For example, the setup
determines whether the Other or Edit items appear in radio button sets, checkbox sets,

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drop-down lists, or pop-up menus. For more information, see Setting up a field to display a
pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other control.
• If the field is defined with the Member of value list validation setting, you can't type a value
that doesn't appear in the value list. See Defining field validation.
• When you select a rotated field in Browse mode that is formatted as a value list, the field is
temporarily displayed unrotated while you enter data.
• To use the keyboard to enter values for radio buttons and checkboxes, tab into the field and
type the first letter of the value that you want to enter, or use the arrow keys to select it.
Then, press the Space bar to enter the value.
• You can Shift-click a radio button to clear it, but in some cases this may not clear the field.
For example, a field called Color is formatted on Layout #1 to display two radio buttons,
Black and White. The same field, Color, is formatted on Layout #2 as a text entry field that
accepts any value. If a user has entered Red in the field on Layout #2, the information is
now stored in the field, but doesn’t display on Layout #1. To clear the field from Layout #1,
select the field, then choose Edit menu > Clear.

Related topics
Defining value lists
Defining automatic data entry
Value lists troubleshooting

Restoring data in records
By default, FileMaker Pro saves changes to records automatically when you commit each record. If
you enter data incorrectly in a record, you can restore the original data to the record as long as the
information is not committed. Data is committed when you:
• select another record
• click anywhere outside of the current record
• Windows: press Enter on the numeric keypad, or Ctrl+Enter on computers without a
numeric keypad
• OS X: press Enter (not Return)

To restore original data to a record in Browse mode:
• Choose Records menu > Revert Record.
Data has already been committed if Revert Record is dimmed.

Notes
• You can select Edit menu > Undo to revert changes at any field level before you commit a
record. Changes to the record are removed incrementally each time you select Edit menu >
Undo.
Edit menu > Redo restores changes incrementally, enabling you to restore a record to a
specific state when you have made multiple changes before committing. The number of actions
that can be undone or redone is limited only by the amount of available memory on your
computer.
• You can prompt the user to save changes before committing a record. For more information,
see Setting the automatic record-saving option for a layout.

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• When you revert a record, any changes made to related data (such as related records
displayed in a portal) are also reverted. For more information, see Committing data in
records.

Related topics
Working with data in date fields
Selecting the current record

Using a field index
FileMaker Pro can create an index of values for each text, number, date, time, timestamp, and
calculation field. You can view the values in the index, and insert them into a field to prevent typing
values incorrectly.
Note To use index values, indexing options must be enabled for the field. See Defining field
indexing options.

To insert values from the index:
1. In Browse mode or Find mode, click the field you want to insert an index value into.
2. Choose Insert menu > From Index.
3. In the View Index dialog box, choose a value, then click Paste.

Notes
• While the View Index dialog box is open, you can view the list of values as individual words
by selecting Show individual words.
• You can enter two or more words in a field and have them treated as one word by the index.
For example, you may want a name like Jean Louis to appear as one word in the View
Index dialog box, even when Show individual words is selected. To have two or more
words treated as one, enter the space between words by pressing Ctrl+Space bar
(Windows) or Option-Space bar (OS X) instead of the Space bar alone.
• For a text field, FileMaker Pro sorts the value index according to the index order of the
field’s default language. If you want to display the values in a specific language’s dictionary
sort order, select Re-sort values based on and choose a language. Note that the re-sorted
index lasts only while the View Index dialog box is displayed. The next time you access this
dialog box, values will be displayed in the original order. For more information, see
Choosing a language for indexing or sorting.

Inserting the current date or other variables into a field
You can insert the current date, time or user name into a field.
After you insert one of these values into a field, that value doesn't change unless you change it. To
display a value that updates, place a date, time, or user name symbol on the layout. For more
information, see Inserting the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout.

To insert the current date, time, or user name into a field:
1. In Browse mode, click the field.
2. From the Insert menu, choose one of the following menu items:
• Current Date to insert the current date in a date, number, text, or timestamp field.

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• Current Time to insert the current time in a time, number, or text field. (You can also
choose Current Time to insert the current date and time in a timestamp field.)
• Current User Name to insert the current user name as specified in preferences. (To
change the user name value, see Setting general preferences.)

Notes
• If a field formatted to display a drop-down calendar is empty or contains an invalid date, the
calendar will default to the current date when opened. Press Enter (Windows), Return
(OS X), or click to insert the current date. If the field already contains a valid date, find and
click the current date in the drop-down calendar to replace the existing data with the current
date.
• FileMaker Pro determines the current date and time to insert from your operating system
settings.
• FileMaker can automatically enter values such as dates and times into fields when a record
is created or updated. For more information, see Defining automatic data entry. If you need
to track who creates or updates records in a file protected with accounts, a more secure and
accurate method is to automatically enter the account name, because any user can easily
change the user name in preferences.
• To create custom formats for date fields, see Specifying formats for date fields.

Editing and formatting text
You can enter, edit, format and check the spelling of text in Browse mode and Layout mode. In Find
mode, you can enter and edit text in find requests.

Related topics
Checking spelling

Selecting text
You must select text before you can edit it.

To select text:
• In Browse mode or Find mode, position the pointer over any selectable text.
• In Layout mode, use the Selection tool
in the status toolbar to manipulate a block of
text as if it were an object. For example, copy or move it, change fonts, or resize it (which
changes the margins of the text). When a text block is selected with the Selection tool,
typing replaces the text in the text block.
• In Layout mode, use the Text tool
the Selection tool to edit the text.

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In Layout mode,
manipulate a text block
with the Selection tool.

In Layout mode, doubleclick with the Selection
tool or use the Text tool
to edit text.

In Browse or Layout
mode, select the text
with the I-beam pointer.

To select

Do this with the I-beam pointer

Individual characters

Drag through the characters

A word

Double-click the word

A line of text

Triple-click anywhere in the line

A paragraph

Click four times anywhere in the paragraph

An entire block of text

Click five times anywhere in the block or choose Edit
menu > Select All

Nothing, just place the insertion point

Click once

Related topics
Entering and changing data in fields
Editing text
Formatting text in Browse mode
Selecting and working with objects on a layout
Working with the layout tools

Editing text
In Browse mode, you can edit or format any selectable text in a field. Use Browse mode to edit or
change the data stored in your database. You can also edit text objects in Layout mode.

To edit text:
1. Select the text you want to edit.
2. Type new text or make changes.
Whatever you type either replaces the text that was selected or is inserted after the insertion
point.

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To

Do this

Put selected text on the
Clipboard

Choose Edit menu > Cut (to remove the text) or Copy (to
duplicate it). The text stays on the Clipboard until the next time
you use Cut or Copy.

Insert the contents of the
Clipboard at the insertion point

Choose Edit menu > Paste.

Insert a tab character into a field Press Ctrl+Tab (Windows) or Option-Tab (OS X).
Delete selected text

Choose Edit menu > Clear, or press Backspace or Delete.
FileMaker Pro doesn't place the text on the Clipboard, and you
can't paste it anywhere.

Note When you select a rotated field in Browse mode, the field is temporarily displayed unrotated
while you edit the text in the field. See Rotating objects.

Related topics
Entering and changing data in fields
Selecting text
Formatting text in Browse mode
Checking spelling
Changing field names

Formatting text in Browse mode
You can change the text attributes (like font, size, color, and style) for data in text, number, date,
time, and global fields. You can also change the paragraph alignment, margins, and line spacing.
Important You can change text attributes for field data in both Browse mode and Layout mode.
Layout mode formatting is specific to a particular layout. Browse mode formatting is stored with the
data and applies in any layout that displays the field. For more information on whether to format data
in Browse mode or Layout mode, see Formatting text.

To change text attributes in Browse mode:
1. Select the text in a field.
For more information, see Selecting text.
2. Choose a command from the Format menu or the formatting bar.
If you don’t see the formatting bar, click Formatting

in the layout bar.

Related topics
Editing text
Specifying text formats for fields

Using data in container fields
A container field can store pictures, multimedia files, or any other type of file that you want to keep in
a database. The way you insert the data determines how you see and interact with the data in the
container field.

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For a list of files that FileMaker Pro supports, see the table below.
To insert

Do this

A picture

Choose Insert menu > Picture, then choose the picture to insert.
FileMaker Pro displays the picture in the field.

A QuickTime file

Choose Insert menu > QuickTime, then choose the file to insert.
FileMaker Pro displays the contents of the QuickTime file in the
container field. You can play a QuickTime movie or sound using
the standard QuickTime controls.

An audio or video file

For an interactive container, choose Insert menu > Audio/Video,
then choose the file to insert. You can then play the audio or video
file in the field. See Working with content in interactive containers.

A PDF file

For an interactive container, choose Insert menu > PDF, then
choose the PDF file to insert. See Working with PDF files in
interactive containers.

Any file

Choose Insert menu > File, then choose the file to insert (such as
a spreadsheet file, word processing file, or any other file type that
you want to track). FileMaker Pro displays the file’s icon and name
in the container field, but not the actual content.

Note To insert packaged files such as Keynote files into a container field, archive or zip the
packaged files.
Container field with an inserted picture

Container field with an inserted file

FileMaker Pro supports the following picture, audio/video, and QuickTime formats.
Picture formats

Audio/video formats

QuickTime formats

Encapsulated Postscript (.eps)

AIFF Audio file (.aif, .aiff)

AVI (.avi)

FlashPix (.fpx)

AVI movie (.avi)

MPEG (.mp4, .m4v, .mpg,
.m4a)

GIF (.gif)

MP3 Audio File (.mp3)

QuickTime Movie (.mov, .qt)

JPEG/JFIF (.jpg)

MPEG-4 Audio File (.m4a)

QuickTime VR (.mov)

JPEG 2000 (.jp2) (OS X)

MPEG-4 movie (.mp4)

AIFF (.aiff)

MacPaint (.mac) (OS X)

MPEG movie (.mpg, .mpeg) AU (.au, .snd)

PDF (.pdf) (OS X)

MPEG-4 video file (.m4v)

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Picture formats

Audio/video formats

QuickTime formats

Photoshop (.psd)

QuickTime Movie (.mov, .qt)
(see notes below)

WAV (.wav)

PNG (.png)

Sun Audio file (.au)

QuickTime Image File (.qif)

WAVE Audio File (.wav)

SGI (.sgi)

Windows Media Audio
(.wma)

Targa (.tga)

Windows Media Videos
(.wmv) (see notes below)

TIFF (.tif)
Windows bitmap (.bmp)
Windows Metafile/Enhanced
Metafile (.wmf/.emf) (Windows)

Notes
• For QuickTime Movie (.mov, .qt) formats inserted as audio or video, some formats, such as
QuickTime VR, aren’t supported.
• Windows: QuickTime is required for QuickTime movies inserted using Insert menu >
QuickTime.
• OS X: For the Windows Media Videos (.wmv) format, requires Flip4Mac to be installed.
• Insert menu > QuickTime supports all media file types supported by QuickTime.
• You can export the content of a container field to a file. You can also choose to automatically
open or email the exported file. See Exporting the contents of a field.
• When you insert a very large file into a container field, a dialog box appears showing you
the progress.

Inserting graphics into container fields
You can add a graphic (or image) to a container field by inserting it, using drag and drop, or pasting
the graphic from the Clipboard.
For a list of supported image formats, see Using data in container fields. Some supported image
formats require QuickTime technology, which is installed by default as a component of OS X. To
install QuickTime in Windows, refer to the instructions and system requirements on the QuickTime
website, http://www.apple.com/quicktime.

To insert a graphic:
1. In Browse mode, click the container field.
When you select a rotated field in Browse mode, the field is temporarily displayed unrotated
while the field is selected.
2. Choose Insert menu > Picture.
3. In the dialog box, choose the graphic file.
Choose a graphic file type for Files of type (Windows) or Show (OS X).
4. Choose a storage option, then click Open.

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If you select Store only a reference to the file, FileMaker Pro doesn't import the graphic file; it
only keeps track of where it is on your hard disk. This option may reduce the size of your
FileMaker Pro file, but if you move or delete the file, FileMaker Pro won't be able to display it.

Tips
• To display the same graphic in all records (for example, a company logo), insert the graphic
onto a layout. See Inserting graphics onto a layout.
• If you select Store only a reference to the file, one way to see the location of the file on
your hard disk is to create a calculation using the GetAsText function.
• FileMaker Pro uses the orientation attribute set by many cameras to display photographs
right side up in container fields.

Related topics
Adding and viewing data troubleshooting
Deleting data from container fields
Specifying formats for container fields
About container fields
Inserting QuickTime movies and multimedia into container fields

Inserting QuickTime movies and multimedia into container fields
You can add a QuickTime or QuickTime VR movie to a record by inserting it into a container field.
You can also insert other multimedia file formats supported by QuickTime. For a list of supported
formats, see Using data in container fields.

To insert a movie or other file format supported by QuickTime:
1. In Browse mode, click a container field.
2. Choose Insert menu > QuickTime.
If this menu item is dimmed, either you do not have Apple QuickTime software installed on your
computer (Windows), or the field is an interactive container. See Working with content in
interactive containers.
3. In the dialog box, select the file (change folders, if needed).
4. Click Open.
Note FileMaker Pro doesn't import the file; it only stores a reference to the file and keeps track of
where it is on your hard disk.

Related topics
Adding and viewing data troubleshooting
Playing QuickTime and QuickTimeVR movies in container fields
Deleting data from container fields
About container fields

Inserting files of any type into container fields
You can use a container field to store files of any type, such as spreadsheet files, word processing
files, or any other file type that you want to track. When you insert a file, FileMaker Pro displays the
file’s icon and name in the container field, but not the actual content.

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Note To insert packaged files such as Keynote files into a container field, archive or zip the
packaged files.

To insert a file of any type into a container field:
1. In Browse mode, click a container field.
2. Choose Insert menu > File.
3. In the dialog box, choose the file.
If you select Store only a reference to the file, FileMaker Pro doesn't import the file; it only
keeps track of where it is on your hard disk. This option may reduce the size of your
FileMaker Pro file, but if you move or delete the file, FileMaker Pro won't be able to display it.
Choose this option if you want to be able to open the file from the container field.
4. Click Open.
You see the file’s icon and name in the container field.

Notes
• To open a file that has been inserted into a container field (using Store only a reference to
the file), select the container field and then press the Space bar, or double-click the
container field.
• You can drag a file from Windows Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (OS X) into the field.
• OS X: Plug-ins stored in container fields are compressed by default.
• If you select Store only a reference to the file, one way to see the location of the file on
your hard disk is to create a script using the GetAsText function.

Related topics
Adding and viewing data troubleshooting
Deleting data from container fields
About container fields

Pasting graphics and movies from the Clipboard
You can paste graphics and movies from the Clipboard into a container field.

To paste graphics or movies from the Clipboard:
1. Copy a graphic or movie to the Clipboard.
In most applications, use the Copy command.
2. In the FileMaker Pro file, switch to Browse mode and view the record to paste into.
3. Click the container field, then choose Edit menu > Paste.

Related topics
Adding and viewing data troubleshooting
Deleting data from container fields
About container fields

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Playing QuickTime and QuickTimeVR movies in container fields
You can play QuickTime movies and view QuickTime VR movies that are stored in container fields.
For more information about QuickTime files in container fields, see Using data in container fields.
Note Windows: If you’re resizing a window in which a QuickTime movie is playing, the movie briefly
stops displaying until you’ve finished resizing the window.

To play a QuickTime movie:
In Browse mode, click the container field that contains the movie. The following table describes
QuickTime controls.
To

Do this

Set the volume level (if the movie contains sound)
Play or pause the movie

Click

and then drag the volume control.

Click

or

Move the movie backward or forward one frame at a
time

Click

Move to a specific frame in the movie

Drag

.
.

.

To view a QuickTime VR movie:
In Browse mode, click the container field that contains the movie. The following table describes
QuickTime VR controls.
To

Do this

Change your view

Press the mouse button and drag across the
movie.

Zoom in or out to magnify or reduce your view
Move a magnified or reduced object

Click

or

.

Zoom in or out, then click
object.

Locate hot spots that trigger actions

and drag an

Click
, or move your pointer over the
movie until the pointer changes to a hand.

Return to your previous view after clicking a hot spot

Click

.

Related topics
Adding and viewing data troubleshooting
Deleting data from container fields
About container fields

Playing recorded sounds in container fields
You can play sounds that were recorded in container fields (using versions of FileMaker Pro earlier
than version 13). The sound icon

is displayed in a container field that contains sound.

To play a sound, do one of these in Browse mode:

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• Double-click the container field where the sound is stored (only if the field is not an
interactive container. See Specifying formats for container fields and Working with content in
interactive containers).
• Click the field, then press the Space bar.

Related topics
Adding and viewing data troubleshooting
Deleting data from container fields
About container fields

Working with content in interactive containers
You can work interactively with PDF, audio, and video files in an interactive container. For example,
you can scroll through the pages of a PDF file, zoom in and out, and copy text.
You can drag a file from Windows Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (OS X) into an interactive
container. If you drag multiple files, only the first file is inserted in the field.
For more information about working with PDF files in interactive containers, see Working with PDF
files in interactive containers.

Working with audio files in interactive containers
When you work with audio files in interactive containers, keep the following points in mind:
• To insert an audio file into an interactive container, in Browse mode choose Insert menu >
Audio/Video. This menu item replaces Insert menu > QuickTime.
• When the Start playback automatically option is selected in the Inspector, the audio file
starts playing when you display the record. If the option is not selected, you start playing the
audio file by clicking the play control.
• To delete an audio file from an interactive container, choose Edit menu > Clear or Cut.

Working with video files in interactive containers
When you work with video files in interactive containers, keep the following points in mind:
• To insert a video file into an interactive container, in Browse mode choose Insert menu >
Audio/Video. This menu item replaces Insert menu > QuickTime.
• When the Start playback automatically option is selected in the Inspector, the video starts
playing when you display the record. If the option is not selected, you start playing the video
by clicking the play control.
• To delete a video file from an interactive container, choose Edit menu > Clear or Cut.

Notes
• You cannot work interactively with container fields that are in portals.
• In FileMaker Go, content in container fields is displayed by the iOS like other iOS audio,
video, and PDF files.

Working with PDF files in interactive containers
When you work with PDF files in interactive containers:
• To insert a PDF file into an interactive container, in Browse mode, choose Insert menu >
PDF. (This menu item is unavailable if the container field is not an interactive container.)

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• Windows: Be sure that a web browser plug-in (such as Adobe Reader) is installed on your
local computer. If it is not installed, Insert menu > PDF will be unavailable.
• You can scroll through the pages of the PDF and zoom in and out of the PDF.
• You can copy, paste, and delete a PDF file in an interactive container; and copy text from
the document. For more information, see below.

To copy text from a PDF file in an interactive container:
• Windows: Click the PDF file to select it. Then select the text to copy and press Ctrl+C.
• OS X: Click the PDF file to select it. Then select the text to copy and press Command-C. Or,
choose Edit menu > Copy Text.
To paste copied text, select an area outside of the field and choose Edit menu > Paste. Or, press
Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command-V (OS X).

To copy a PDF file in an interactive container:
• Windows: Click the PDF file to select it, then choose Edit menu > Copy.
• OS X: Click the PDF file to select it. Then hold down the Option key and choose Edit
menu > Copy.
Note You cannot copy a PDF file using Edit menu > Copy, which copies text from the PDF. You
must also press the Option key.

To delete a PDF file from an interactive container:
• Click the PDF file to select it, then choose Edit menu > Clear.
Note Pressing the Delete key does not delete a PDF file from an interactive container.

To insert a different PDF file in an interactive container:
• Select the PDF file, then choose Insert menu > PDF.
The new file replaces the previous one.

Notes
• When you don’t have a shortcut menu or a keyboard, you must use the Edit menu on the
menu bar. You can also script a button to insert a PDF in the field. For example, create a
button that uses the Insert PDF script step. To insert a PDF, select the field, click the button,
and choose the PDF to insert.
• When a PDF file is selected in an interactive container, some keyboard shortcuts may work
differently. For example, you cannot press Ctrl+L (Windows) to switch to Layout mode. You
cannot press Ctrl+Shift+D (Windows) to display the Manage Database dialog box.
• Hosted PDF files are rendered quickly, because the host sends a thumbnail of the first page
of the PDF until you begin working with the PDF file.

Deleting data from container fields
You can delete the content of a container field.

To delete data from a container field:
1. In Browse mode, click the container field.

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2. Do one of these:
• Press Backspace or Delete.
• To delete data from an interactive container, choose Edit menu > Clear or Cut.

Related topics
Working with PDF files in interactive containers
Adding and viewing data troubleshooting
Inserting graphics into container fields
Inserting QuickTime movies and multimedia into container fields
Inserting files of any type into container fields
About container fields

Checking spelling
FileMaker Pro can check the spelling of text in the following locations:
• a selected word or passage in a field
• the visible fields in the current record only (including any related fields)
• the visible fields in all records in the current found set (including any related fields)
• while in Layout mode, all the text objects in the current layout (including any text objects on
tab panels or slide panels that are not in front)
You can set FileMaker Pro to check spelling as you type or to indicate possible misspellings with a
red dotted underline in text that’s being edited. You set these options on the Spelling tab of the File
Options dialog box. See Setting file options.
You can also set FileMaker Pro to check spelling on a field-by-field basis. You set this option in the
Inspector. See Setting spell checking for individual fields.
When you check spelling, FileMaker Pro compares your text against two dictionaries, the main
dictionary and the user dictionary. The main dictionary is preset to match your local language (for
example, in the United States, usenglsh.mpr). You can’t edit the main dictionary, but you can change
it to another language. The main dictionary is always available.
FileMaker Pro includes spelling dictionaries in the following languages: Dutch, French, Italian,
German, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Spanish, Swedish, Swiss German, UK
English, US English, and US English (Medical).
The user dictionary, user.upr, is your second, editable dictionary. You can create multiple user
dictionaries, but only one can be used at a time. You can change user dictionaries at any time, or
turn off the user dictionary entirely and use just the main dictionary.

To check spelling in the current field, record, found set, or layout:
1. Display the record or layout, find the set of records, or select the text to check.
2. Choose Edit menu > Spelling, then choose a spelling command.
To check spelling of

Choose

A selected word or passage

Check Selection

Text in the current record

Check Record

Text in the current layout

Check Layout

Text in the found set of records Check All

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3. In the Spelling dialog box, choose one of the following options if a questionable word
appears in the Word box.
Note You can't change a word in a restricted or password-protected file or field. In that case,
click Next.
To

Do this

Replace a misspelled word with
one in the dictionary

Select a suggestion in the list and click Replace.

Revise a misspelled word that
isn't in the spelling dictionaries

For Word, type your replacement. Click Check if you want the
new word's spelling verified, or click Replace.

Leave the word as it is

Click Ignore All. FileMaker Pro skips every occurrence of the
word.

Leave the word as it is and add it
to the user dictionary

Click Learn.
Note You must have a user dictionary selected before you can
edit it (see Creating and selecting spelling dictionaries).

4. When the spelling check is complete, click Done.
Note You cannot check spelling in a web viewer, summary fields, or container fields.

Checking spelling as you type
FileMaker Pro can alert you to spelling errors in text you’re editing.

To check spelling as you type:
• Set options in the Spelling tab of the File Options dialog box. For more information, see
Setting file options.

FileMaker Pro can alert you to spelling errors in two different ways:
• Set an option to have FileMaker Pro mark questionable words with a red dotted underline.
To display suggested spellings, right-click the underlined word, then choose Suggested
Spellings from the shortcut menu. You can then choose a replacement, select Ignore All or
Learn, or open the Spelling dialog box.
• Set an option to have FileMaker Pro play the system alert sound when you type a
questionable word. You can then manually correct the word or choose Edit menu >
Spelling > Correct Word, then use the Spelling dialog box to correct the word.
The Correct Word command is unavailable if you’ve committed your latest changes by tabbing
or clicking out of a field, or pressing Enter (OS X).
Note Checking spelling as you type is slower than using the other spelling options.
For more information on these options, see Setting file options.

Related topics
Creating and selecting spelling dictionaries
Editing user dictionaries

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Creating and selecting spelling dictionaries
Before you check spelling, you can select the spelling dictionaries to use. You can use the main
dictionary by itself, or in combination with a customized user dictionary. (For more information on the
main and user dictionaries, see Checking spelling.)
FileMaker Pro is preset to use the user dictionary user.upr, but you can create other user
dictionaries (for example, a dictionary containing special financial or medical terminology).
You need to select dictionaries when:
• you want to use a main or user dictionary other than the preset one.
• you want to check the spelling a second time using a different main dictionary (for example,
a foreign language dictionary).
• you want to ignore your user dictionary.
• your dictionary files are not present in the default folder location: the
Extensions/Dictionaries folder in the folder where FileMaker Pro is installed.

To switch your main dictionary:
1. Choose Edit menu > Spelling >Select Dictionaries.
2. Use Spelling Language to select a main dictionary. The default choice matches your
operating system language.
3. Click OK.

To switch your user dictionary:
1. Choose Edit menu > Spelling > Select Dictionaries.
2. Select Use Main Dictionary and User Spelling Dictionary. The name and path of the
currently selected user dictionary is displayed.
3. Click Select to switch to another user dictionary.
4. Click OK.

To ignore the user dictionary:
1. Choose Edit menu > Spelling > Select Dictionaries.
2. Select Use Main Spelling Dictionary only.
3. Click OK.
You must reselect a user dictionary to use it again.

To create a new user dictionary:
1. Choose Edit menu > Spelling > Select Dictionaries.
2. Select Use Main Dictionary and User Spelling Dictionary.
3. Click New. Type a name for the dictionary, then click Create.
4. Click OK.

Related topics
Editing user dictionaries
Setting file options

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Editing user dictionaries
You can review the FileMaker Pro user dictionaries to edit, add, and remove entries. You can also
export the user dictionary to a text file or import a text file into a user dictionary.
Note You must have a user dictionary selected before you can edit it. For more information, see
Creating and selecting spelling dictionaries.

To place a word in the user dictionary during spell checking:
• In the Spelling dialog box, click Learn.

To edit, export, or import a user dictionary:
1. Choose Edit menu > Spelling > Edit User Dictionary.
2. In the User Dictionary dialog box, choose an option:
To

Do this

Add a word

Type it in the Entry box, then click Add.

Remove a word

Select the word in the list, then click Remove.

Change a word

Remove the word, type its replacement in the Entry box, then click Add.

Export the dictionary Click Export. Enter a name and location for the text file, then click Export.
as a text file
Import a text file into
a dictionary

Click Import. Select the text file, then click Import.

3. Click OK.

Notes
• If you have added words to your user dictionary in FileMaker Pro 3.x or earlier or in a Claris
product, you can add those words to your FileMaker Pro user dictionary. First export the
words from the previous user dictionary to a text file, then import the text file into the
FileMaker Pro user dictionary.
• You can import dictionary text files in ASCII or UTF-8 character formats. (UTF-16 text import
is not supported.)

Related topics
Checking spelling as you type
Setting file options

Replacing the contents of a field
You can replace the contents of a field in all records or in a found set with a new value, a calculation,
or a serial number.
Important This process overwrites a field in every record (or every record in the found set) with a
new value. You can't undo replacing field values. Before you begin, consider making a backup copy
of the file.

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To replace field values in every record in the found set:
1. If necessary, find, omit, or sort the records in the database table.
For more information, see Finding, sorting, and replacing data.
2. In Browse mode, in the current record, select the contents of the field you want to replace.
3. If you're replacing data with a constant value (instead of serialized numbers or a calculated
result), type the value.
4. Choose Records menu > Replace Field Contents.
5. In the Replace Field Contents dialog box, select an option:
To replace each value with

Select

The value in the currently
selected field

Replace with “”. FileMaker Pro replaces the contents of
the field for the entire found set.

A serialized number

Replace with serial numbers, then type the starting value for the
serial numbers in Initial value, and the incremental value in
Increment by.
If the field is defined to automatically enter a serial number, you
can select Update serial number in Entry Options to reset the
next value in the Options for Field dialog box.

A calculated value

Replace with calculated result, then click Specify. In the Specify
Calculation dialog box, enter the calculation you want evaluated.
(The result must match the field type of the replaced field.) Click
OK.
Note For more information about the Specify Calculation dialog
box, see Specify Calculation dialog box.

6. Click Replace.

Notes
• You can't replace calculation or summary fields or fields defined with the global storage
option.
• You can't reserialize calculation, summary, container, or global fields.
• If the field that contains the replaced data is validated, FileMaker Pro doesn't validate the
new data. See Defining field validation.
• If you select Update serial number in Entry Options, the next automatically entered value
for this field (after the replace is performed) follows in sequence. If you clear this option, the
next value isn't changed in the Options for Field dialog box. The next automatically entered
value is based on the current settings (not in sequence with the records reserialized by this
replace task).
• You can modify a field's existing values by using a calculation that includes the field. For
example, you can change the value Gross Pay to the results of the calculation Gross Pay +
1000. See Defining calculation fields.
• You can use a calculation to add a suffix or prefix to an existing field value. For example, to
append “-01” to all the values in the “Partnumber” field in the found set, enter Partnumber &
“-01” in the Specify Calculation dialog box. The result must match the field type of the
replaced field.

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• In FileMaker Pro 10, there was a change to how FileMaker Pro performs the Replace Field
Contents and Relookup Field Contents commands and script steps. Replace/relookup
operations are now performed without committing the active record. This change only
affects multiple uncommitted records in a window transaction, as when you do a replace/
relookup on related records in a portal. If there are uncommitted records in the window that
are affected by the operation, these changes will be made using the window's transaction
and remain uncommitted until you choose to commit the changes following the completion
of the operation. All other records will be modified and committed during the operation as
before. For more information about committing data, see Committing data in records.
Important To avoid confusion when replacing dates in FileMaker Pro, always enter dates with fourdigit years. For more information, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Related topics
Entering and changing data in fields
Finding records
Adding and viewing data troubleshooting
Saving and copying files

Adding and viewing data troubleshooting
If you're having trouble adding or viewing data, review the tips in one or more of the following
sections.

Records are missing
Records are “lost”
• Make sure that any FileMaker Pro file shared over a network has a unique filename,
whether open or not. Use an archiving or compression utility to make all copies of your files
unavailable to FileMaker Pro, or store them on removable media and remove the medium.
• You might have entered the records in Find mode. In Browse mode, in the status toolbar,
click the down arrow next to Find (Windows), or click and hold Find (OS X). Choose Modify
Last Find and see if the “lost” records appear. If so, you can:
• Flip back and forth between Modify Last Find and Browse mode and copy and paste
the contents of each field, or
• For one “record”: exit all fields, choose Edit menu > Copy, then paste into an
application like Notepad or TextEdit. (To copy multiple “records”, press Shift (Windows)
or Option (OS X) while choosing Edit menu > Copy.) Then import this text document
into your database. (Note that this will not work for data entered into related fields.)
• Manually re-enter the records in Browse mode.

Only one record appears in a list
• Check the found set. (Look in the status toolbar.)
• Check the layout in Layout mode. If the top boundary of a field object is touching the line
that separates layout parts, FileMaker Pro displays and prints that field in the layout part
above the line. Thus, for example, fields which appear to be in the body part and which you
would expect to print a number of times down the page will appear only once at the top of
the page if they are touching the header line.

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Related topics
Placing and removing fields on a layout
Printing troubleshooting

Wrong or missing data in field
• In networked databases, global field changes made by a guest are available only to that
guest, and only until the guest closes the file. Each guest can have a different global field
value. If all guests must have the same value, define a calculation field with a constant value
(in quotes).
• A ? in a field means that:
• A field object is too small to display the number, date, or time data in the field. For
information on resizing the field object, see Resizing and reshaping objects.
• A date or time is invalid. For more information, see Working with data in date fields and
Working with data in time fields.
• If the field uses a value list (list, menu, radio buttons, or checkboxes), the value in the field
might not be visible if it does not match a value in the value list. To see all values a field
holds, place a copy of the field on a layout, but don't format it to use a value list. In Browse
mode, click in the field to see all of its contents, or perform a find for a specific value.
• If the field is a repeating field, make sure it is formatted on the layout to display all repeats.
• In Table View, only the first matching record in a portal is displayed.
• A number field or calculation field could be formatted on the layout to display a limited
number of decimal places. Calculations based on the field use the number the field actually
holds, not the number displayed. See Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout
mode for more information.
• Use field validation to prevent the wrong data from being entered. For more information, see
Defining field validation.
• Data could have been entered before field validation options were created.
• If the field is supposed to be displaying related data, check to make sure there is a match for
the relationship that would cause related data to appear. For more information, see About
match fields for relationships.
• Check the alignment of the field in Layout mode. For example, data might be aligned right,
and that end of the field might not be visible on the layout.

Related topics
Finding records troubleshooting
Dates are not as expected
Records are missing

Dates are not as expected
To avoid confusion when entering dates, always use four-digit years.
• Check the date formatting applied to the field. See Specifying formats for date fields.
• Make sure dates are entered into fields of type date. Choose File menu > Manage >
Database, click the Fields tab, and check the field type of the field.
• Use field validation to prevent the wrong dates from being entered. For more information,
see Defining field validation.

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• Dates could have been entered before field validation options were added to the file.

Related topics
Working with data in date fields
Opening files with different system formats

Summary data is missing or incorrect
To make sure that subsummary data displays correctly, consider these points:
• If you’re in Browse mode, make sure you are viewing the file in List View or Table View.
• Before printing, sort by all of the break fields on which your subsummaries are based.
• Records with no value in the break fields will sort to the top, giving the appearance of no
data. You can omit records with blank values in the break field before running a
subsummary report.
• Make sure you're working with the intended found set. (Look in the status toolbar.)
• Make sure data has been entered consistently in the break field. For example, be sure that
FileMaker, Inc. is not sometimes entered as FM. Use a value list to ensure consistency
during data entry.
• In Layout mode, make sure fields aren't touching or crossing the part boundaries.

Related topics
Creating and managing layouts and reports
Troubleshooting layouts with summary or subsummary parts

Text or objects are clipped
If an object on a layout is clipped, in Layout mode:
• Resize the field or text object to make it taller or wider. For more information, see Resizing
and reshaping objects.
• Make sure no other object is stacked in front of the clipped object. Use the commands in the
Arrange menu to move objects backward or forward in the stacking order, or move the
offending object, or make its background transparent. For more information, see Moving
objects forward or backward on a layout and Setting auto-resize options for layout objects.
• Make sure fields do not cross page boundaries (marked by a heavy dotted line in Layout
mode.) For more information, see Moving objects on a layout.

Related topics
Document does not appear as expected in Preview mode

Data does not appear correctly
Problems with fonts, alignment, or text clipping
• If the file was created on another platform and then moved or shared cross-platform, these
issues can occur because of operating system differences. See Troubleshooting layouts
designed for both Windows and OS X for ways to minimize these issues.
• See also Text or objects are clipped.

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Text formatting (for example, bold or underline) is not as expected
• Check formatting in Browse mode. See Formatting text in Browse mode. Formatting applied
to data in Browse mode affects that data in any layout it appears.
• Check formatting in Layout mode. See Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout
mode.

Related topics
Document does not appear as expected in Preview mode

List View or Table View refreshes when adding records
When you commit a new record to a sorted found set displayed in List View or Table View, the
record moves to its proper location in the sort order. Therefore, the new record may move elsewhere
in the list or table and might not appear in the current window. To have FileMaker Pro display a
confirmation dialog box before each record is committed, thereby preventing an accidental commit
operation, see Setting the automatic record-saving option for a layout.
Note To keep new or changed records in the same position in the sort order, see Options for sorting
records.

Can't click or tab into a field
If you cannot enter data in a field, consider the following possibilities:
• You could be in Layout or Preview mode. To enter data, switch to Browse mode.
• The field could be a merge field. To enter data, choose a different layout from the Layout
pop-up menu.
• The field could be formatted to prohibit entry. If your access privileges allow, in Layout
mode, select the field. In the Behavior area of the Inspector, for Field entry, make sure the
Browse Mode and Find Mode options are selected.
• Access privileges may prevent you from changing the field.
• The field could be a related field and:
• Allow creation of related records is deselected in the relationship definition.
• The portal and the related field in it don't use the same relationship.
• The file containing the related data has been moved or renamed, or you don't have
access to it. In Layout mode, the field displays .
• The match field in the related file is a global field.
• You can't tab into fields that are not in the tab order; click instead, or add the field to the tab
order.
• The field could be a global field or summary field (no data can be entered in Find mode).
• You can’t tab into or out of a popover; however, you can tab to a popover button and display
its associated popover by pressing the Space bar. Then you can tab between the objects on
the popover.

Related topics
Alerts when entering data
Setting the tab order for data entry

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Alerts when entering data
If you receive one of these error messages, check the possibilities listed.

This field is not modifiable
• Prohibit modification of value could be selected for auto-entered data in Options for
Define Fields.
• The field could be a calculation field or summary field.
• You might not have the correct access privileges. See your database administrator.
• The file containing the field could be read-only, or you might not have write access to the
volume the file resides on (for example, if it's on a CD). See your database administrator.
• If you have copied the field from a layout in a different file, you might need to specify which
field it is in this database.

Your password does not enable you to do this, or the file is not modifiable
• If you're sure your password allows this action, the field might be a related field from a file in
which your access privileges don't allow you to edit records.

This field cannot be modified until  is given a valid value
• You're trying to enter data into a related field, but the match field does not yet have a value.
Enter a value in the match field, then enter data in the related field.
• The value in the match field is the wrong type for the field's data type (for example, text in a
number field).
• The value in the match field is non-alphanumeric (for example: @). If you need to use these
characters in match fields, set both match fields' language for indexing to Unicode. See
Defining field indexing options for more information.

The relationship is not valid and must be corrected before this field can be
modified
• The field is a related field that has been deleted from the related file.
• The match field in the related file:
• has been deleted
• is a calculation or summary field

Related topics
Can't click or tab into a field

Value lists troubleshooting
During data entry, a value list may not work or display data as you expect it to. If you’re having
trouble with a value list, review the following troubleshooting tips.

Value list is blank; checkboxes or radio buttons do not display
• Be sure the field is formatted to display a value list. In Layout mode, select the field. In the
Inspector, click Data, then set Control style options in the Field area.

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• If the values are from a field in another table, check the relationship (make sure it is valid
and contains values). For more information, see About relationships.
• If the value list uses values from another file, the file may have been moved or renamed, or
your access privileges may not allow you to access it.

Items or characters are missing from the value list
• If the value list is obtaining its values from a field, make sure the field type matches the
values you’ve entered. For example, if a number field contains values without numeric data,
these values won’t be indexed, and any value list based on that field won’t display the nonnumeric values.
• If the value list is defined to display information from two fields, items will not be duplicated
for the field on which the value list is sorted. For example, if the value list displays
information from the Company field and the Name field, and if the values are sorted by the
Company field, only one person from each company will appear in the value list.
• If certain characters within value list items are missing or display as squares, make sure the
font you select for the field object is capable of displaying all the characters in your value
list, particularly if your values contain multiple languages or character sets. For more
information, see Specifying text formats for fields.

Error: Invalid Value List Usage
• If a field is formatted to use an external value list that is defined to use related values, the
field and value list must be defined in the same file. The field must be a related field from the
same file.

Value list displays 
• If the value list uses values from a field in another file, the file has been moved or renamed
or your access privileges don’t allow you to access it.

Related topics
Defining value lists
Setting up a field to display a pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other control

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Finding, sorting, and replacing data
This section describes three ways that you can manipulate data in FileMaker Pro:
• Find records: you can find records that meet criteria you specify, such as records entered on
a certain date or addresses in a particular city.
• Sort records: you can rearrange records in a particular order by sorting fields. For example,
you can sort alphabetically, numerically, by date, or by a custom sort order.
• Find and replace data: you can search for and replace text across multiple fields, similar to
the way you find and replace text in most word processing programs.

Finding records
When you perform a quick find in Browse mode, FileMaker Pro searches across all the fields that
are enabled for quick find within the selected layout. Quick find is helpful if the data you are looking
for might be in multiple fields or if you don’t know which field contains the data. See Performing a
quick find in Browse mode.
When you perform a find in Find mode, FileMaker Pro searches through all the records in a table,
comparing the search criteria you specify with the data in the table. See Making a find request.
Records with data matching the criteria become the found set, which is the subset of records being
browsed. Records that don’t match are omitted. You can then constrain (narrow) or extend
(broaden) the found set in Find mode.
You can work with just the records in the found set. For example, you can view, edit, calculate
summaries for, sort, print, delete, export, or replace data in these records. You can also open
another window in order to perform different find requests on the same data. See Opening multiple
windows per file.
You can also perform a find in Browse mode based on an entire field or a selection of text within a
field. See Finding records based on criteria in a single field.

Related topics
Configuring quick find
Finding and replacing data

Performing a quick find in Browse mode
You can perform a quick find to search across all the fields that are enabled for quick find within the
current layout.

To perform a quick find:
1. In Browse mode, type one or more words in the search text box
the upper-right corner of the status toolbar.

in

2. Press Enter (Windows) or Return (OS X).
The search includes all the fields on the current layout that are enabled for quick find. Your find
request returns a found set of records.The light green area of the pie chart
toolbar indicates the portion of the total records displayed.

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To view a list of recent quick finds:
1. In Browse mode, click the down arrow in the search box.
2. Do one of the following:
• Choose a search term from the search history list to perform a quick find for the term.
• Choose Clear Recent Searches to remove the search history.

Notes
• The only operator supported by quick find is the match phrase operator, double quotation
marks (" ").
• If you type more than one word in the search box, FileMaker Pro searches for records that
have all of the words you typed.
• Quick find does not search summary, container, or global fields.
• You can also include merge fields in quick find. By default, merge fields are set to be
included in the search. For more information about quick find for merge fields, see Placing
merge fields on a layout.
• The search history is only available for the current session and will not be saved for the next
time you open the file.
• If you don’t see the search box in the status toolbar, maximize the window until the search
box is visible. If you still can’t see it, your status toolbar may have been customized to hide
the search box.
• If you want to find records that match at least one set of criteria you specify, perform a find in
Find mode. See Finding records that match multiple criteria.

Related topics
Configuring quick find

Finding records based on criteria in a single field
You can perform a find based on an entire field or a selection of text within a field. The commands to
perform finds based on field data are available on the shortcut menu. See Using shortcut menus.

To find records based on data in a field:
1. In Browse mode, do one of the following:
• Click in a field that contains the entire text you want to use for the find.
• Select specific text within a field to use for the find.
2. Right-click the field or selection. From the shortcut menu, choose Find Matching Records.
The found set changes to include only the records that match the text you indicated. If the text
you indicated contains multiple words, FileMaker Pro performs a phrase search, returning only
those records that include the words in order.
You can also quickly narrow or broaden a found set by clicking in a field (or selecting specific text)
and choosing Constrain Found Set or Extend Found Set from the shortcut menu. For more
information and examples, see Constraining (narrowing) a found set and Extending (broadening) a
found set.

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Notes
• Performing one of the find commands creates a new find request and deletes any existing
set of requests associated with the current window.
• The find shortcut menu items are only available if you are allowed to enter the field being
used for the find. See Allowing or preventing entry into fields.
• In Browse mode you can save the find for future use. See Saving a find request.
• If you don’t have the correct privileges to perform the find, the find commands on the
shortcut menu are disabled. See About accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges.
• The find commands on the shortcut menu are disabled if a script is running, but has been
paused.
• If the field type selected does not support finds (for example, summary fields, container
fields, and global fields), the commands on the shortcut menu won’t appear.
• If no records match your selected data, an alert box appears. Click Modify Find to go to
Find mode and correct your search criteria. Click Cancel to return to Browse mode; the
found set won’t be changed.

Related topics
Finding records that match multiple criteria
Constraining (narrowing) a found set
Extending (broadening) a found set

Making a find request
To find records, work in Find mode. You type search criteria (the value or values to find) into fields in
a find request, which looks like a blank record. When you perform the find, FileMaker Pro searches
for records that match the criteria you entered. Matching records replace any previous found set.

To make a find request:
1. Switch to Find mode by clicking Find in the status toolbar.
2. From the Layout pop-up menu, select a layout that contains the fields you want to search
for.
If necessary, you can change layouts and enter criteria on more than one layout.
3. In the find request, select a text, number, date, time, timestamp, or calculation field to use
for finding, and then type a value in the field.
You can use the Insert Operators list in the layout bar to help you enter criteria. For example,
the search criteria Jo@n can be used to find the first names John and Joan. See Finding text
and characters for more information on using operators.
You can click Omit to exclude records matching a specific set of criteria.
4. Click Perform Find.
Your find request returns a found set of records.The light green area of the pie chart
status toolbar indicates the portion of the total records displayed.

in the

Tips
• You can click the pie chart to toggle between your found set and the omitted records in the
database. When all records are displayed, the pie chart is a solid color.

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• You can see the last several find requests you have performed in a Recent Finds list.

To access a list of recent finds:
1. Do one of the following:
• In Find mode, click Saved Finds.
• In Browse mode, click the down arrow next to Find (Windows), or click and hold Find
(OS X).
2. Choose a find request from the Recent Finds list.

Notes
• You can do one or more of the following during or after performing a find request:
To

Do this

Cancel a find operation before it is finished and
leave the previous found set unchanged

Press Esc (Windows) or Command-period
(OS X).

Change or refine a find after performing it

See Viewing, repeating, or changing the last find.

Narrow an existing found set

See Constraining (narrowing) a found set.

Broaden an existing found set

See Extending (broadening) a found set.

Show all records

• In Browse mode, click Show All, or choose
Records menu > Show All Records.
• In Find mode, choose Requests menu >
Show All Records.
Note You do not need to choose Show All
Records before performing finds. FileMaker Pro
always searches all records in the tables you
specify unless you have narrowed the existing
found set.

Open another window to perform a different find
request on the same data

See Opening multiple windows per file.

Save a find request

See Saving a find request.

Access a saved find request

See Managing saved find requests.

Save and send a snapshot link of the found set of
records

See Saving and sending records as a snapshot
link.

• Finds on unindexed fields (for example, calculation fields referencing related fields) can take
longer than finds on indexed fields. See Defining field indexing options.
• If a field’s values are indexed, you can use the index to enter values in find requests. See
Using a field index.
• You can’t enter search criteria in container fields, summary fields, global fields, or web
viewers.
• To find data in container fields, create a text or number field that describes or identifies the
contents of the container field. Then perform a find on that field. See Using data in container
fields.

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• To delete recent finds, click the down arrow next to Find or click Saved Finds (Windows),
or click and hold Find or click Saved Finds (OS X). Then choose Clear All Recent Finds
from the list.
• In Find mode, a badge

indicates a searchable field.

Related topics
Finding text and characters
Finding numbers, dates, times, and timestamps
Finding ranges of information
Finding data in related fields
Finding empty or non-empty fields
Finding duplicate values
Finding records that match multiple criteria
Finding records except those matching criteria
Viewing, repeating, or changing the last find
Hiding records from a found set and viewing hidden records
Constraining (narrowing) a found set
Extending (broadening) a found set
Finding records troubleshooting
Finding records based on criteria in a single field
Saving a find request
Managing saved find requests
Specify Find Requests and Edit Find Request dialog boxes

Finding text and characters
You can search for text in fields of type text, or in calculation fields that return a text result.
Unless you search for phrases or an exact match, the field can contain other values in addition to
the one(s) you specify, and the values can be in any order. For example, typing hotel in a field
named Accommodation finds records for Hotel, Discount Hotel, and Hotels, Luxury.

To find text and characters:
1. Start a find request.
See Making a find request.
2. Refer to the following table for examples of different ways to search for text.
To find

Type this in the field

Examples

Words that start with
specific Roman characters
(works with fields that use
any language except
Japanese)

The characters

Chris Smith finds Chris Smith, Smith
Chris, Chris Smithson, and Smith
Christenson

Words that start with
Japanese Hiragana,
Katakana, or Kanji
characters

The characters between =
and *

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, and

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To find

Type this in the field

Examples

A phrase or sequence of
characters that match when
they are the first characters
in a word (match phrase
from word start)

The literal text
(characters), including
spaces and punctuation,
between double quotation
marks (")

"Marten and Jones Interiors"
finds Marten and Jones Interiors but not
Jones and Marten Interiors
", Ltd." finds all companies with ", Ltd."
in the name, but not those without the
comma
“Spring” finds Springville but not
ColdSpring Harbor or HotSpring

Words with one or more
unknown or variable
characters (any one
character)

One wildcard character (@)
for each unknown
character

Gr@y finds Gray and Grey

Invalid characters in a text
field

?

Invalid characters display as blank
characters

@on finds Don and Ron but not Bron

Note To find the ? character, search for
"?"
Digits in a text field (any
one digit)

A # character for each digit # finds 3 but not 30
## finds 30 but not 3 or 300
#3 finds 53 and 43 but not 3

Words with zero or more
unknown or variable text
characters in a row (zero or
more characters)

* for all unknown
characters

Jo*n finds Jon and John
J*r finds Jr. and Junior
*phan* finds Phan and Stephanie
S* finds Sophie, Steve, and Sven

Operators or other nonalphanumeric characters,
such as punctuation or
spaces
A character with special
meaning, such as the find
operators recognized by
FileMaker Pro:

The literal text
(characters), including
spaces and punctuation,
between double quotation
marks (")

"@" finds @ (or an email address, for
example)

\ followed by the special
character

\"Joey\" finds "Joey"
joey\@abc.net finds the email address
joey@abc.net

The literal text
(characters), including
spaces and punctuation,
between double quotation
marks (")

"òpera" finds òpera but not opera

"," finds records containing a comma
"

" finds three spaces in a row

@, *, #, ?, !, =, <, >, "
(escape next character)
Words with accented
characters

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(òpera without quotation marks finds
both òpera and opera)

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Finding, sorting, and replacing data

To find

Type this in the field

Examples

Partial phrases, a sequence
of words or characters
(match phrase from
anywhere)

Characters, punctuation,
and spaces between
double quotation marks
("); use * to find this text in
the middle of a longer text
string

*"son & Phillips" finds

Exact matches of the text
you specify (match entire
field)

== (two equal signs) for a
field content match

==John finds John but not John Smith

Exact matches of whole
words you specify (match
whole word)

=

=Market finds Market, Market
Services, and Ongoing Market
Research but not Marketing or
Supermarket

Johnson & Phillips and Paulson &
Phillips

==John Smith finds John Smith but
not Smith, John or John Smithers

=Chris =Smith finds Chris Smith or
Smith Chris but not Chris or
Christopher Smithson
Words that contain
Japanese Hiragana,
Katakana, and Kanji
characters (Japaneseindexed fields only)

The characters

Kana characters in a
Japanese-indexed field
without differentiating
between Hiragana/
Katakana, Voiced/SemiVoiced/Unvoiced Kana,
Small/Regular Kana, and
Kana Voiced/Unvoiced
Iteration Marks

~ (tilde) and the character,
to do a relaxed search

finds

finds

,

,

, and

,

,

,

, and

3. When you’ve entered the find criteria that you want, click Perform Find in the status toolbar,
or choose Requests menu > Perform Find.

Notes
• Normally, finds are not case sensitive or width sensitive. For example:
• A find for fred finds Fred and FRED.
• A find request that includes Japanese half-width characters will match results that
contain the equivalent full-width characters.
You can perform case-sensitive and width-sensitive finds on a field by changing the default
indexing and sorting language for the field to Unicode. However, this procedure will change the
order in which the field sorts. If you do not want the original field to sort in Unicode order, create
a calculation field whose formula is simply the field in which you want to perform case-sensitive
or width-sensitive finds, and change the default indexing and sorting language of this field to
Unicode. Then you can sort one of the fields, and perform find requests on the other. See
Defining field indexing options and Defining calculation fields.

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Related topics
Finding duplicate values
Finding ranges of information
Choosing a language for indexing or sorting

Finding numbers, dates, times, and timestamps
When you enter criteria in a find request, numbers, dates, times, and timestamps should be entered
in the corresponding field types (or calculation fields returning the corresponding field type) to
ensure correct behavior when finding them.
Important Entering two-digit year dates along with Find operators in a find request will be
interpreted as four-digit dates based on a conversion algorithm. For example, entering a find
request as 1/1/14 .. 12/31/15 will find the years 2014 through 2015 if the current year is 2014.
It is strongly recommended that complete four-digit years be used to avoid possible confusion. For
more information about the conversion algorithm, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

To find numbers, dates, times, and timestamps:
1. Start a find request.
See Making a find request.
2. Refer to the following table for examples of different ways to search for numbers, dates,
times, and timestamps.
To find

Type this in the field

Examples

A number in a number
field or in a calculation
field that produces a
numeric result

The number

.50 finds .5, .50, and $.50

One or more digits in a
number field or in a
calculation field that
produces a numeric result

A # character for each digit

# finds 3 but not 30
## finds 30 but not 3 or 300
#3 finds 53 and 43 but not 3

A Boolean number in a
1 to find True values
number field or in a
0 to find False values
calculation field that
produces a Boolean result

1 finds 1

Invalid data (fields with no
numeric digits) in a
number field or calculation
field that produces a
numeric result

?

? finds twelve but not 12 or
twelve30

A date in a date field or in
a calculation field that
produces a date result

The date as digits, separated by a
valid date separator character (such
as a slash or hyphen)

3/3/2014 finds 3/3/2014,
March 3, 2014, and 3-3-2014

0 finds 0

Note For help entering dates with
the drop-down calendar, see
Working with data in date fields

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To find

Type this in the field

Examples

Today's date in a date field
or in a calculation field that
produces a date result

//

// finds April 4, 2014 (when the
current date is 4/4/2014)

A time in a time field or in
a calculation field that
produces a time result

The time as digits, separated by
colons

12:53:09 finds 12:53:09

A timestamp in a
timestamp field or in a
calculation field that
produces a timestamp

The date as digits, separated by a
valid date separator character, then
the time as digits, separated by
colons

3/3/2014 12:59:09 PM
finds 3/3/2014 12:59:09 PM

Invalid dates, times,
timestamps, or calculated
date or time results

?

? finds Next Tuesday or 2/33/
2014 in a date field, or midnight
in a time field

Dates on a day of the
week in a date or
timestamp field

The day of the week

Tuesday finds all dates that
occur on a Tuesday
=Thu finds all dates that occur
on a Thursday

Note Full or short day names (for
example, Friday or Fri) are
acceptable in day of week searches

Any valid value for a date
or time component in a
date, time, or timestamp
field

* or leave component unspecified,
while specifying the other
components you want to find

Ranges of information

See Finding ranges of information

5/12/* finds the 12th day of
May in any year
5/12 finds the 12th day of May
in the current year
*:15 finds times 15 minutes
after any hour
1/1/* 7 PM finds timestamps
in the 7 o’clock PM hour on
January 1st in any year

3. When you’ve entered the find criteria that you want, click Perform Find in the status toolbar,
or choose Requests menu > Perform Find.

Notes
• When you enter numbers, dates, days of the week, times, and timestamps into find
requests, always enter them using the appropriate system or file settings that are in use.
• When you perform day of the week searches on systems set to a language other than
English, you may use English day names and abbreviations if you wish. The English names
are supported in all system formats. See Opening files with different system formats.
• When you perform day of the week searches, the first day of the week depends on your
system settings. Sunday is the first day of the week in English, Japanese, and Korean, but
Monday is the first day of the week in German, French, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, Spanish,
and other system formats that FileMaker Pro supports.

Related topics
About number fields
About date fields
About time fields

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About timestamp fields

Finding ranges of information
You can find ranges of information, such as all records that contain a field value that is greater or
less than a number, or between two particular dates. A range is different based on the data type:
• Numbers: least to greatest
• Dates, times, and timestamps: earliest to latest
• Text: first to last word, based on the index order of words (not the sort order). A word can be
a single character; for example, a find on a field for 

>95129
>9/7/2014
>M

Greater than or equal to a specified value

>= or ≥

>=100
>=9/7/2014
≥8:00
≥M

Within the range you specify

.. or ...
(two or three
periods)

12:30...17:30
1/1/2014..6/6/2015
A...M
Mon..Fri

Within the sub-range you specify

{..} or {...}
(two or three
periods)

7/{1...15}/2014
{1..3}/{10..16}/2015
12:{30..45}
{7...9}:15 PM

Based only on certain date or time components
such as month, year, or minutes (see more
examples below)

* or type nothing for
each component
you don’t want to
specify

3/*/2014
2/*
2014 *:30 PM

3. When you’ve entered the find criteria that you want, click Perform Find in the status toolbar,
or choose Requests menu > Perform Find.

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Notes
• When searching for ranges of information in date, time, and timestamp fields, you don’t
have to specify all date or time components. For example, you can type 5/2014 instead of
5/1/2014...5/31/2014 to find all dates in May 2014.
• You can combine operators to simplify range searches. For example, type */{10..15}/
2014 to search for all dates in 2014, but only for days from the 10th through the 15th.
• For information on writing scripts to find a range of dates, see http://help.filemaker.com.
• Refer to the following tables for examples of different ways to search for dates, times, and
timestamps.
To find dates

Type this in the field

In June 2014

6/2014

From July 2014 through October 2015

7/2014...10/2015

That occur on a Friday

=Friday

From the 10th through the 16th of October or
November 2014

{10..11}/{10..16}/2014

That occur on March 1st between 1868 and 1912
in the Japanese Emperor Year era of Meiji

m*/3/1

That occur on December 31st between 1930 and
1940 in the Japanese Emperor Year era of
Showa

S{5..15}+12+31

To find times

Type this in the field

In the 3 o’clock hour, not including 4:00 PM

3 PM

Between 8:00 AM and 8:59:59 PM

8 AM...8 PM

In the morning

AM

Any of the times 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 PM

{4..6}:30 PM

To find timestamps

Type this in the field

In the 3 o’clock hour today

// 3 PM

In the 7 o’clock hour in May 2014

5/2014 7 PM

That occur on a Monday in 2015

=Mon 2015

From the 10th through the 16th of November
2015 and from 3:00 PM to less than 6:00 PM

11/{10..16}/2015 {3..5} PM

Related topics
Finding text and characters
Finding numbers, dates, times, and timestamps

Finding data in related fields
You can enter find criteria in related fields that are displayed in a portal or directly on a layout.

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To find data in related fields:
1. Start a find request.
See Making a find request.
2. Enter the find criteria you want.
When you perform a find in a related field, FileMaker Pro displays all the records that have a
related record matching the criteria you enter. For example, in an Invoice file that is displaying
line items as related records in a portal, you could find all invoices listing a computer by typing
Computer in the Item field in the portal.
You can also omit related records. See Finding records except those matching criteria.
3. Click Perform Find in the status toolbar, or choose Requests menu > Perform Find.

Related topics
Adding and duplicating related records
Creating portals to display related records

Finding empty or non-empty fields
You can find fields that contain no data or some data.

To find empty or non-empty fields:
1. Start a find request.
See Making a find request.
2. Refer to the following table for examples of different ways to search for empty or non-empty
fields.
To find fields that are

Enter this in the field

Not empty (i.e., fields that have data)

*

Empty

=

3. When you’ve entered the find criteria that you want, click Perform Find in the status toolbar,
or choose Requests menu > Perform Find.
Note If any value is empty in a repeating field, then a search using “=” returns that field.

To enter data in empty fields:
1. Create a find request that returns the empty field you want to replace.
2. Enter a value in the empty field in one record in the found set.
3. Choose Records menu > Replace Field Contents.
4. Click Replace.
The value you entered is placed in every record in the found set.

Finding duplicate values
You can find all records in which one or more fields contain duplicate values (for example, the same
company name in the Company field in multiple records).

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To find all duplicate records:
1. Start a find request.
See Making a find request.
2. Refer to the following table for examples of different ways to search for a range of
information.
To find

Use this operator

Examples

All duplicate values

!

! in the Company field finds
all records that contain the
same company name in the
Company field. (ABC
Company and DEF Ltd.
when duplicate values exist
for these companies in
multiple records)

Duplicate values of a specific type

!characters

!ABC in the Company field
finds all records containing
ABC Company when
duplicate values exist for
this company in multiple
records

Notes
• One field by itself is often not sufficient to determine the uniqueness of a record. If several
fields taken together determine uniqueness, you can create a calculation field (returning a
text result) that concatenates the values of several fields, and then perform a find for
duplicate records on that field. For example, you could use the formula First Name &
Last Name & Phone Number to concatenate three fields. See Defining calculation fields.
• Values are duplicates only if word order is the same.
• When determining uniqueness in text fields, FileMaker Pro looks at the first 100 characters
in each field.
• ! does not find records in which duplicate values are entered in the same field (for example,
ABC Company ABC Company in one field).
• To delete duplicate records, see Deleting records.
• You can also identify duplicate records using a self-join relationship. See Finding duplicate
values using a self-join relationship.

Related topics
Replacing the contents of a field
Defining automatic data entry
Defining calculation fields
Working with related tables and files
Summarizing data in portals

Finding duplicate values using a self-join relationship
This procedure uses a self-join relationship and a calculation field referencing the relationship to
determine when duplicate records exist.

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To find duplicate records except the first instance:
1. If you plan to delete the duplicate records that you find, make a backup copy of the file.
See Saving and copying files.
2. Identify a field that determines a unique entity in your file.
For example, in a Contacts database, the Last Name field is probably not a good choice,
because you might have several people with the same last name. Employee ID is a better
choice. You can also create a calculation field (returning a text result) that combines data in
several fields to make a unique identifier. An example formula is First Name & Last Name
& Phone Number.
Note The field you choose should not be a repeating field.
3. Define a self-join relationship.
Use your chosen identifying field as the match field in both tables in the relationship. See
Creating relationships.
4. Create a new calculation field named Check Duplicate with the formula:
If(Count(::) > 1;
“Duplicates”; “Unique”)
5. Click Show All in the status toolbar.
6. Perform a find for Duplicates in the Check Duplicates field.
All records with duplicates are marked Duplicates.
Once set up as above, this system will identify duplicate records automatically as they are created.

Finding records that match multiple criteria
You can narrow or broaden your search by using multiple criteria.

To find records that match multiple criteria:
1. Start a find request.
See Making a find request.
2. Decide whether you want records matching all or at least one set of criteria you specify.
• To find records matching all criteria specified (logical AND search):
Narrow your search by entering criteria in as many fields as needed to make your find
request specific.

Example
To find all people named Smith who work in Sales, type Smith in the Last Name field and
Sales in the Department field.
You can narrow a found set after you have created it. See Constraining (narrowing) a found
set.
• To find records matching at least one of the sets of criteria, but not necessarily all
(logical OR search):
Broaden your search by entering criteria in the first find request. Click New Request. Enter
the second (set of) criteria. Continue adding requests for each (set of) criteria.

Examples

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To include customers in New York and customers in Paris in the found set, type New York
in the City field in the first request then type Paris in the City field in the second request.
To include companies with more than 100 employees and companies with more than $100
million in assets, type >100 in the Number of Employees field in the first request, then type
>100,000,000 in the Capitalization field in the second request.
To include 6th grade students who are in Honors Algebra and 7th grade students who are in
Honors Geometry, type 6 in the Level field and Honors Algebra in the Course field in the
first request, then type 7 in the Level field and Honors Geometry in the Course field in the
second request.
3. When you’ve entered the find criteria that you want, click Perform Find in the status toolbar,
or choose Requests menu > Perform Find.

Working with multiple find requests
Requests are stored in the order they are created. To move between find requests, use the
navigation controls. Click the left and right arrows in the book, type a request number in the current
request number field and press Enter (Windows) or Return (OS X), or move the slider left and right.
Current request number

Book

Total number of requests

Slider

You can also choose Requests menu > Go to Request, and choose one of the following options
from the submenu:
• Next
• Previous
• Go To
Note These menu items are not available if the status toolbar is hidden and locked by a script
step.
• To duplicate a request, including the criteria entered in it, choose Requests menu >
Duplicate Request.
• To delete a request, go to the request you want to delete, then click Delete Request.
• To restore a request to the way it was when you last committed it, choose Requests
menu > Revert Request. Requests are committed, for example, when you click out of all
fields, go to a different layout or request, or perform a find.

Notes
• You can broaden a found set after you have created it. See Extending (broadening) a found
set.
• To narrow your search by excluding records that meet specified criteria (for example, to find
vendors in New York state that are not in New York City), see Finding records except those
matching criteria.

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• You can open another window in order to perform different find requests on the same data.
See Opening multiple windows per file.
• You can save a find request for later use. See Saving a find request.

Finding records except those matching criteria
You can omit records while performing a find. In other words, you can find information in your
database that “does not equal” your specified criteria. For example, you can find all invoices except
those created in the past 30 days.

To find records that don’t match criteria:
1. In Find mode, type criteria for the records to omit.
For example, to find all sales records except those for the city of London, type London in the
City field.
2. Click Omit in the layout bar.
3. Click Perform Find in the status toolbar.

To find some records while omitting others:
1. In Find mode, type the criteria for the records to find.
For example, to find vendors in the state of New York, except those in the city of Albany, start by
typing New York in the State field.
2. Click New Request in the status toolbar.
3. Type criteria for the records to exclude, and click Omit.
To exclude Albany, you would type Albany in the City field and click Omit.
4. Click Perform Find.

Notes
• You can have omit criteria in more than one request.
• FileMaker Pro works through the requests in the order you create them. For example, in a
Clients database with clients in the US and France:
• If the first request finds all clients in Paris and the second request omits all clients in the
US, the found set contains all clients in Paris, France but none in Paris, Texas or
anywhere else in the US.
• If the order of the requests is reversed (the first request omits all clients in the US and
the second request finds all clients in Paris), the found set includes all customers in
France and in Paris, Texas, but no records for clients elsewhere in the US.
• To omit a related record from a portal row (or set of related records), you must change the
relationship or the value in at least one of the match fields so that the record is no longer
related. For more information about related fields, see Working with related tables and files.
• You can also omit records from a found set after performing a find. See Hiding records from
a found set and viewing hidden records.
• You can open another window to perform different find requests on the same data. See
Opening multiple windows per file.
• You can save a request for later use. See Saving a find request.

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Related topics
Finding duplicate values

Viewing, repeating, or changing the last find
You can view, repeat, or change a recent find request.

To view or repeat the most recent find criteria:
• In Find mode, click Saved Finds in the status toolbar, and choose a find request from the
Recent Finds list.
• In Browse mode, click the down arrow next to Find (Windows), or click and hold Find
(OS X). Then choose a find request from the Recent Finds list.

To change the most recent find criteria:
1. In Find mode, click Saved Finds in the status toolbar, and choose a find request from the
Recent Finds list.
2. Modify the criteria.
3. Click Perform Find to perform the find using the criteria.
Note In Browse mode, you can also change the most recent find criteria by choosing Records
menu > Modify Last Find.
For information on viewing and changing a saved find, see Saving a find request.

Hiding records from a found set and viewing hidden records
All records that are not in the found set are omitted, or hidden. You can omit additional records from
the found set without doing a new find.
Important Omitted records are temporarily excluded from the found set. They still exist in the
database.

To

Do this

Omit a specific record Display or select the record to omit, then click Omit in the layout bar. You can
also choose Records menu > Omit Record.
Omit a series of
records

Display or select the first record in a number of consecutive records to omit, then
choose Records menu > Omit Multiple. In the Omit Multiple dialog box, type the
number of records to omit, then click Omit.

View the omitted set

Do one of the following:
• Click the pie chart

in the status toolbar.

• Choose Records menu > Show Omitted Only.
Bring back all the
records in the file

In Browse mode, click Show All in the status toolbar.
In Find mode, choose Requests menu > Show All Records.

Related topics
Finding records except those matching criteria

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Constraining (narrowing) a found set
Constraining a found set lets you narrow find results incrementally, looking for more specific detail
as you search your database. To find records based on multiple criteria in separate fields (a logical
AND search), perform a find, specify the next criteria, then choose Requests menu > Constrain
Found Set.
For example, after searching for all of the employees who work in Sales, you can narrow the search
to find all of the employees within Sales named Alvarez.

To constrain or narrow a found set:
1. Perform a find so that your database contains a found set.
See Making a find request.
2. Switch back to Find mode and type the criteria to narrow the search.
3. Choose Requests menu > Constrain Found Set.
FileMaker displays the constrained found set in Browse mode.

Example
To first search for all the employees in Sales, and then constrain the found set to Sales employees
named Alvarez:
1. Perform a find for Sales in the Department field.
2. Go to Find mode and enter a second find request: type Alvarez in the Last Name field.
3. Instead of clicking Find, choose Requests menu > Constrain Found Set.
The found set would then consist of employees in Sales named Alvarez.

Related topics
Extending (broadening) a found set
Finding duplicate values
Finding records based on criteria in a single field

Extending (broadening) a found set
Extending a found set lets you expand your search to include additional applicable records without
starting over, if you’ve constrained a previous find request too much. To find records that match
multiple criteria in the same or different fields (a logical OR search), perform a find, specify the next
criteria, then choose Requests menu > Extend Found Set.
For example, after searching for customers in New York, you can broaden the search to also find
customers in Hong Kong.

To extend or broaden a found set:
1. Perform a find so that your database contains a found set.
See Making a find request.
2. Switch back to Find mode and type the criteria to broaden the search.
3. Choose Requests menu > Extend Found Set.
FileMaker displays the extended found set in Browse mode.

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Example
To first search for customers in New York, and then broaden the search to also include customers in
Hong Kong:
1. Perform a find for New York in the City field.
2. Go to Find mode and enter a second find request: type Hong Kong in the City field.
3. Instead of clicking Find, choose Requests menu > Extend Found Set.
The found set would then consist of customers in both New York and Hong Kong.

Related topics
Constraining (narrowing) a found set
Finding duplicate values
Finding records based on criteria in a single field

Finding records troubleshooting
Can’t click into a field to enter find criteria
• Finds cannot be made on summary fields, container fields, or fields defined with the global
storage option.
• See also Can't click or tab into a field.

Can’t find records
• Check your spelling carefully.
• Use the index to enter criteria accurately.
• Data is entered into the wrong field type.
• A range was entered backward; it must be smallest to largest.
• If a field is formatted to display as checkboxes or radio buttons, some values in the field
might not be visible. For example, if the value list item was changed from Jr to Junior, any
records entered under Jr will not be found by clicking the Junior checkbox/radio button. To
find all possible values in a field, use a copy of the field that is not formatted to use a value
list or radio buttons, and enter find criteria into this field.

Finding records that shouldn't be included
• More than one value is in the field and you can’t see it. Click in the field to see all the data
the field holds.
• Words in your find criteria are too long to be indexed (for example, a long chemical formula).
FileMaker Pro indexes the first 100 characters of each word in a text field, including spaces.

Finding the wrong records
• See also the previous two items.
• If finding in portals, see Finding data in related fields.
• In most finds using Omit, define Omit requests last. (First include all the records you want to
select from, then exclude undesired records from the group.)
• See Finding duplicate values.

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Finding the wrong date
• The date field may not contain dates entered in a valid date format. This can happen, for
example, if the dates were imported.
• The date entered in the find request may be in an invalid format. For information on finding
dates, see Finding numbers, dates, times, and timestamps and Finding ranges of
information.
• Dates might not have been entered with four-digit years and thus could be inadvertently
placed in a different century than you intended, either in the find request or during data
entry. To avoid confusion when entering dates, always use four-digit years. See Conversion
of dates with two-digit years.
• The dates might not be in field that uses the date type (or a calculation field that returns a
date result).
• Check the system formats currently and previously used.
• If the file was converted from a previous FileMaker Pro version, it’s possible that your date
data is using a date separator that is no longer supported. (FileMaker Pro no longer allows
the month, day, and year to be separated by an alphabetic character or the time separator.)
If your dates use an invalid date separator, use one of the following methods to manually edit
date data that uses alphabetic characters or the time separator:
• Choose Edit menu > Find/Replace.
• Use the Substitute function. For example:
Before conversion, use: Substitute(DateField,”:”,”/”)
After conversion, use: Substitute(DateField;”:”;”/”) .

Finding is slow
Finds might take longer than usual in:
• fields that are not stored or indexed. To see if a field is stored and indexed: choose File
menu > Manage > Database and click the Fields tab. Select the field, click Options, then
click Storage.
• searches on related fields.
• searches in networked files.
If a file is shared and it contains global fields, you may be able to improve the performance of certain
client find requests by moving some global fields into a separate table. See the Notes section in
Defining global fields (fields with global storage).

Results vary when using wild cards in an external ODBC data source
When you do searches in an external ODBC data source using wild cards, your results might vary
from wildcard searches in FileMaker Pro.

Related topics
Finding records
Saving a find request

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Saving a find request
You can see your last several finds in a Recent Finds list. When you have a complex find request
that you want to use on a regular basis, you can name it and save it for later use. After you create a
saved find, you can access it in future sessions.
Note The saved find is also available to any network clients that share the account.

To save a find request:
1. Create a find request or choose a recent find.
For information on creating a find request or accessing a list of recent finds, see Making a find
request.
2. After you have selected the find request you want to save, choose Records menu > Save
Current Find, or do one of the following:
• Windows: Click the down arrow next to Find and choose Save Current Find.
• OS X: Click and hold Find and choose Save Current Find.
3. In the Specify Options for the Saved Find dialog box, enter a name for the saved find.
4. Do one of the following:
• If you do not want to change any of the search criteria, click Save. The saved find
request is now available from the Saved Finds button in the status toolbar.
• If you want to change the search criteria, continue with the next section.

To change search criteria in a find request:
1. Follow steps 1 - 3 in the section above.
2. In the Specify Options for the Saved Find dialog box, click Advanced.
3. In the Specify Find Requests dialog box, do one of the following:
• Click New to change search criteria and save a new find request.
• Select a find request and click Edit to change search criteria.
• Select a find request and click Duplicate to make a copy of the find request and its
search criteria, then double-click the request or click Edit.
You can also select a find request and click Delete to delete the request.
4. In the Edit Find Request dialog box, choose either Find Records or Omit Records.
Finding records adds them to your found set. Omitting records excludes them. An individual
request can find or omit records; use multiple requests if you need to find and omit records.
5. Specify search criteria:
To specify a

Do this

Field

Under Find records when or Omit records when, double-click a
field name.
To select a field from a related table, click the name of the current
table at the top of the list and select the related table you want.
Select a related field from this new list.

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To specify a

Do this

Find operator

For Criteria, type your search criteria for the selected field or click
Insert Operator to further refine your search criteria. See Finding
records.
You can also include variables in the search criteria.

Particular cell of a repeating
field

For Repetition, type the number of repetitions to search for. For
more information about repeating fields, see Defining repeating
fields.

6. Click Add.
7. Repeat the steps above for other search criteria you want to use.
• To change existing criteria, select the line containing the field and criteria from the top of
the dialog box, and make your changes to the field or criteria. Click Change to store
your changes.
• To delete existing criteria, select the line containing the field and criteria from the top of
the dialog box and click Remove.
8. Click OK or Cancel to return to the Specify Options for the Saved Find dialog box.
9. Click Save.
The saved find request is now available from the Saved Finds button.

Related topics
Using variables
Creating scripts to automate tasks
Specify Find Requests and Edit Find Request dialog boxes

Managing saved find requests
Whether a saved find or recent find is available to a user depends on the account that is used and
the table that the layout is based on, including any related tables that are referenced in the find
criteria.
• Users logged in as one FileMaker account will see the same saved finds and recent finds as
other FileMaker users sharing that account. You can edit, duplicate, or delete a saved find.
• Users logged into the same external authentication account will see different lists of saved
and recent finds, depending on the account ID and the username passed to the external
authentication server. You can clear saved finds for external user accounts that are no
longer active.
Note For users logged into the same FileMaker account, only one user at a time can modify a
saved find.

To edit, duplicate, or delete a saved find:
1. In the status toolbar, click the down arrow next to Find (Windows), or click and hold Find
(OS X). Then choose Edit Saved Finds from the list.
2. In the Edit Saved Finds dialog box, specify options for the saved find:

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Click

To

New or Edit

Create another saved find request, or rename or change this
saved find. See Saving a find request.

Duplicate

Make a copy of the saved find and its search criteria.

Delete

Delete one or more selected saved find requests from the list.

View by

Reorder the list of saved finds.

3. Click OK.

To delete all saved finds for a user from an externally authenticated account:
1. Follow the steps in Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server to access the
Edit Account dialog box.
2. In the Edit Account dialog box, click User Data.
3. In the Manage User Data for External Account dialog box, select the user name and data
you want to delete.
4. Click Clear.

Sorting records
FileMaker Pro stores records in the order they were added to the file. Sorting rearranges records, so
you can view, update, or print them in a different sequence.
You choose the fields whose contents you want to sort by. The first sort field arranges the records
based on the field’s contents. The second sort field arranges records when two or more records
have the same value in the first sort field, and so on. You can sort records in ascending order,
descending order, or in a custom order.
By default, the records remain sorted until you perform a find or sort records by different criteria.
When you add a new record in a sorted found set, or change the data in a sort field of a sorted
record, the record appears in the correct position in the sort order when you commit the record. To
change the way new and changed records are sorted, see Options for sorting records.

To sort the records in the current found set:
1. In Browse mode, click Sort in the status toolbar.
2. In the Sort Records dialog box, choose fields for sorting, in the order you want them sorted.
For details about the sort options in the Sort Records dialog box, see Options for sorting
records.
3. Click Sort.

To quickly sort records by a single field:
1. In Browse mode, click Table View

.

2. Right-click the column heading of the field that you want to sort by.
3. From the shortcut menu, choose Sort Ascending or Sort Descending.
See Working with data in Table View.

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To cancel a sort operation before it is finished:
Press Esc (Windows) or Command-period (OS X).

Notes
• Data sorts differently in different field types:
This field type Sorts data in this order
Text

Alphabetically. Numbers sort by character position. (Example of an ascending sort:
1, 11, 2.) Numbers sort before letters. Non-alphanumeric values before the first
word are ignored (unless you change the sort language to Unicode).

Number

Numerically. Non-numeric characters are ignored.

Date

Chronologically.

Time

Numerically. Times using AM/PM are sorted according to their 24-hour-clock
equivalent (for example, 8:00 PM is 20:00).

Timestamp

Chronologically. Times using AM/PM are sorted according to their 24-hour-clock
equivalent (for example, 8:00 PM is 20:00).

• Automatic record sorting:
• occurs when changes to records are committed
• does not occur while scripts are running or paused
• Records in a sorted portal are re-sorted whenever the relationship is re-established. (For
example, when you browse out of and then back into the record, or change the value in the
match field.) See Creating portals to display related records.
• Repeating fields sort by the value in the first repetition. See Defining repeating fields.
• If you import records from another file into a sorted file, the records are not automatically
sorted. Instead, the status toolbar shows Semi-sorted. Sort again to incorporate new
records in the sort order.
• System formats affect the way numbers, dates, and times sort. See Opening files with
different system formats.
• When you define a text field, the default language for indexing and sorting text is
determined by the operating system on which FileMaker Pro is running. If you want to
override the default language for a sort, select Override field's language for sort in the
Sort Records dialog box. (If you want to permanently change the field's default language,
select the field in the Manage Database dialog box, click Options, then click the Storage
tab and select the default language from the pop-up menu.) See Defining field indexing
options.
• You can open another window in order to perform different sort requests on the same data.
See Opening multiple windows per file.
• If you open a file, sort records, and then close the file, the sort order is not saved. For more
information about when a database file is saved, see Saving and copying files.
• You can sort using a “default” language setting or Unicode to have FileMaker Pro ignore
language-based sorting rules. See Choosing a language for indexing or sorting.
• The longest text string that FileMaker Pro will sort is 100 characters.

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Options for sorting records
Use the following options in the Sort Records dialog box to sort records in a particular order. See
Sorting records.
To

Do this

Choose a sort field that is visible on the
current layout and sort it according to
the selected order

Choose Current Layout (LayoutName) from the tables list,
then double-click a field in the list.

Choose a sort field that is in the current
layout’s table

Choose Current Table (TableName) from the tables list, then
double-click a field in the list.

Assign different sort orders to fields as
you add them to the Sort Order list

For each sort field, in the fields list, select a field, select a sort
order, then click Move.
Ascending order is first to last character in the alphabet for
text, lowest to highest for numbers, and earliest to latest for
dates and times. Descending order is last to first character in
the alphabet for text, highest to lowest for numbers, and latest
to earliest for dates and times.

Change the sort order of a field in the
Sort Order list (for example, ascending
or descending order)

In the Sort Order list, select a field, then select a sort order for
that field.

Sort in a custom order, according to the
order of values in a value list (for
example, in the order months are
arranged)

In the fields list, select a field, select Custom order based on
value list, then choose or define a value list. (See information
about defining a list of values for data entry.)

Change the order of the sort criteria (for
example, to sort first by Region, then by
City)

In the Sort Order list, click the double-arrow (to the left of the
field name) and drag the field to a new position.

Include related fields anywhere in the
sort order

Choose a table from the table list, then double-click a related
field in the list.

Records with values not in the specified value list will be sorted
alphabetically at the end.

You can place a related field anywhere in the Sort Order list —
before, after, or between non-related fields.
If there is more than one matching record in the related table,
FileMaker Pro will sort by the value in the first matching record
in the related table, according to the sort order defined in the
relationship. See Working with related tables and files.
Sort related records (rows) in a portal

If your access privileges allow, specify a sort order in the Edit
Relationship dialog box. See Working with related tables and
files.

Remove a field from the Sort Order list In the Sort Order list, double-click the field.
Remove all fields from the Sort Order
list

Click Clear All.

Sort by summary fields

See Sorting records by subsummary values.

For example, to sort sales regions in
order from highest to lowest total sales.

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To

Do this

Unsort the records (return them to
creation order)

Click Unsort or, in Browse mode, choose Records menu >
Unsort.

Sort records according to a different
language than the one used for
indexing

Select Override field's language for sort, then choose a
language. To change the field's default language for sorting,
see Defining field indexing options.

Place a new or changed record that’s in
sorted order into the adjusted order
after you commit the record

Select Keep records in sorted order. When this checkbox is
deselected, new or changed records stay in the same position
in the sort order until you perform a find or sort the records by
different criteria.

Close the Sort Records dialog box
without sorting or saving changes to the
sort order

Click Cancel.

Related topics
Sorting records troubleshooting

Sorting records by subsummary values
To properly display a report with grouped data and subtotals (also known as a subsummary report),
data must be sorted to display the appropriate break fields. If you have a subsummary report, data
in the report is grouped and displayed by the category that produced the totals. However, you can
specify a subsummary value to sort on to reorder data more logically in a report.
Note If you create leading or trailing groups in Table View, the data is automatically sorted by the
field that you used to group the data.
Suppose you create a report that subtotals sales by region. You can sort data in the report by region
(Example 1) or you can specify that records in the report are sorted by subsummary values, which
lists data by total sales (Example 2).
In both examples, Total Sales is a summary field that shows regional totals when sorted by Region.
Example 1: Report with grouped data and subtotals, not sorted by subsummary values
Region

Total Sales

A
B
C
D

800
150
300
1200

Regions are sorted in ascending order

Example 2: Report with grouped data and subtotals, sorted by subsummary values

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Region

Total Sales

D
A
C
B

1200
800
300
150

Regions are sorted in descending order
by total sales

To sort records by subsummary values:
1. Create a report with grouped data and subtotals. Include the field you use to categorize the
records (in this example, Region) and the summary field (here, Total Sales) in the report.
For more information on creating a report with grouped data and subtotals, see Creating a
layout.
Note You can also create a report with grouped data and subtotals in Table View in Browse
mode. See Creating dynamic reports in Table View.
2. In Browse mode, click Sort in the status toolbar, or choose Records menu > Sort Records.
3. Move the grouping field (Region) to the Sort Order list, or select it if it is already there.
4. Select Reorder based on summary field or click Specify.
5. In the Specify Field dialog box, select a summary field (Total Sales) and click OK.
6. Select a sort order (in this example, Descending order).
7. Click Sort.
8. Click Table View
or List View
see the sorted results.

in the layout bar, go to Preview mode, or print to

Tip If data is already sorted by the grouping field, you don’t have to re-sort when you add or remove
a summary field in the sort order. Specify the summary field in the Specify Field dialog box as
described above, then click OK.

Related topics
Defining summary fields
Changing summary fields

Sorting records troubleshooting
Records don't sort in the correct order
• If numbers don’t sort correctly (11 is before 2, for example), they are entered in a field
formatted to contain text data. Change the field type to Number. See About choosing a field
type.
• You might have text in a field formatted to contain numbers. Number fields ignore text when
sorting.
• You might have hidden values in a field that is formatted as radio buttons or checkboxes.
Values that are not on the value list do not show. To display them, add an unformatted copy
of the field to a layout, then click in the field to see what it actually holds.

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• FileMaker Pro automatically updates sort order in a file when:
• you make changes to related fields specified in the sort order. However, only the current
parent record is affected.
• any schema change, a local import-record operation, a local operation that replaces the
contents of a field, a local field relookup, a local ODBC operation, or a redefined
external data source modifies records in a table.
• FileMaker Pro does not automatically maintain sort order for modifications to:
• records that are not related to the current record.
• related fields. For example, when you sort in Table view on a related field and then
create a blank record, the record remains at the bottom of the sorted records instead of
sorting to the top with other blank records.
• a value list that is included in a sort order.
• external ODBC data sources.

Records disappear after sorting
• Records with nothing in the sort field sort to the top of the list in an ascending sort. Scroll
down (or click the book icon to page down) to see your records or omit blank records before
sorting.

Sorting repeating fields
• You can't sort the values within a repeating field.
• Repeating fields sort according to the value in the first repetition.

Related topics
Sorting records

Finding and replacing data
As in a word processing application, you can find and replace data across multiple fields (including
related fields) in a record or in a find request, across a found set of records or find requests, or
across text objects in a layout.

To find and replace data:
1. In Browse, Find, or Layout mode, choose Edit menu > Find/Replace > Find/Replace.
2. In the Find what box, type the data you want to search for. In the Replace with box, type
the replacement data.
Tip To find or replace invisible characters, such as tabs or carriage returns, manually copy and
paste these characters from a field into the Find what or Replace with box.
3. Set the search options you want to use.
Select

To

An option from the Direction
list

Choose the search direction: Forward, Backward, or All.

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Select

To

Match case

Search for only those occurrences in which the capitalization
matches the data you specified in the Find what box.
Note In files that contain Japanese data, a find with the Match
case option cleared does not simultaneously find both the halfwidth and full-width version of the same character. To
comprehensively find and replace both characters, make sure you
perform separate finds for both the half-width and full-width
character.

Match whole words only

Search for only those occurrences that are whole words or are
bounded by spaces and/or punctuation characters.
Examples
good finds good and good within good-bye
travel finds travel and travel within travel.com but .com does
not find travel.com
stone house[space] finds stone house in the sentence “The
old stone house[space][space]has a large garden,” but does not
find stone house in the sentence “The old stone house[space]has
a large garden.”

An option in Search across

In Browse mode, search across all records in the current layout or
just in the current record.
In Find mode, search across all find requests in the current layout
or just in the current find request.
Note In Layout mode, FileMaker Pro searches only in the current
layout.

An option in Search within

In Browse and Find modes, search within all fields in the current
layout or just in the current field.

4. Click one of the buttons to perform the type of find/replace operation you want.
Click

To

Find Next

Search for and select the next occurrence of the Find what data.

Replace & Find

If there is selected data that matches the Find what data, replace the Find
what data with the Replace with data, search for and select the next
occurrence.
If there is no selected data that matches the Find what data, search for and
select the first occurrence of the Find what data.

Replace

Replace the selected Find what data with the Replace with data.

Replace All

Replace all occurrences of the Find what data with the Replace with data.
At the end of the Replace All operation, you see a summary of the number of
occurrences found, replaced, and skipped.

Note Some data cannot be found or replaced:
• You cannot find data in container fields. You can find but not replace data in calculation
fields.

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• You cannot search for information in web viewers.
• You cannot find data in fields that you are not permitted to view, or replace data in fields that
you are not permitted to modify.
• You cannot find and replace data in fields that are formatted as pop-up menus, radio
buttons, or checkboxes. (To work around this limitation, find and replace data on a layout
that includes these fields formatted as edit boxes or drop-down lists.)
• If the current layout contains panel controls:
• In Browse and Find modes, the find and replace affects only data in fields on the frontmost panel.
• In Layout mode, the find and replace affects text on all panels.
• Performing a find and replace that includes fields on a popover opens the popover.
See Find/replace troubleshooting.

Find/replace troubleshooting
Can’t access Find/Replace menu commands
• Your access privileges don’t give you access to the menus.
• Find Selected is dimmed because you didn’t first select any data in the database.
• Find Again or Replace & Find Again is dimmed because you didn’t first specify any data in
the Find what box.
• You are in Preview mode. Switch to Browse, Find or Layout mode.

Can’t find the specified data
• Check your spelling of the data in the Find what box.
• Match case was selected. FileMaker Pro finds only the data that matches the capitalization
specified in the Find what box.
• Match whole words only was selected. FileMaker Pro finds only the data that are whole
words, including spaces and punctuation.
• Forward or Backward search direction was selected. FileMaker Pro searches only from
the current cursor position in the specified direction.

Can’t replace the specified data
• In Browse mode, you can’t replace data in calculation or summary fields, or in fields
protected by access privileges or field formatting.
• In Find mode, you can’t replace data in fields protected by field formatting.
Tip You can find/replace data in fields protected by the Field Behavior option Allow field to be
entered by using the following script steps or buttons to enter a field prior to performing a find/
replace operation:
• Perform Find/Replace script step or button
• Open Find/Replace script step or button
• In Find mode, summary and global fields are ignored.
• You can't replace data in locked layout objects.

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• You can’t replace data in fields that are formatted as pop-up menus, radio buttons, or
checkboxes. These fields will be counted and reported as skipped at the end of a Replace
All operation.

Related topics
Finding and replacing data

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Previewing and printing information
With FileMaker Pro, you can print:
• all the records in the database, a subset of the records, or only the current record
• a blank record to create a paper form
• definitions of scripts, tables, fields, and relationships to see the structure of your database
FileMaker Pro prints records using the current layout. You can create layouts to print the same data
in different ways. For example, you can print records one by one, in a columnar list, or in a complex
sorted report with totals, headers, and footers. You can also create layouts for mailing labels or
envelopes.
The New Layout/Report assistant (in Layout mode) makes it easy to create such layouts and
reports. See Creating a layout.
You can control page margins, remove blank space, and keep specified objects from printing. See
Controlling how layouts print.
Important Printer and print setup options depend on the printer and system software you’re using.
Refer to your printer and system documentation for more information.

Specifying a default printer and paper options (Windows)
FileMaker Pro initially uses the Windows default printer and paper options as its default, but you can
specify a different default printer and paper options to be used when you print in FileMaker Pro. The
Windows default printer and the FileMaker Pro default printer are independent. If you change one
default, it doesn’t affect the other.
The default printer that you choose for FileMaker Pro is an application setting; all files that you print
with FileMaker Pro will print to this printer unless you choose a different one.
The paper and orientation options that you choose are file-specific settings. You can choose
different paper and orientation options for each FileMaker Pro file.

To specify a default printer and paper options:
1. With a database file open, choose File menu > Print Setup.
In Preview mode, you can also click Print Setup in the status toolbar.
The Print Setup dialog box appears.
2. In the Printer area, choose a printer and (if necessary), set its properties.
The printer you choose and its properties becomes the default printer for FileMaker Pro.
3. Set other options that you want for Paper and Orientation.
These paper and orientation options will be saved with the current file and will be used when
you print any layout in this file.
4. Click OK.

Notes
• When you print from FileMaker Pro, the Print dialog box also contains a Printer area where
you can choose a different printer. If you choose a different printer in the Print dialog box,
the FileMaker Pro default printer is reset to that printer.

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• If you regularly print a particular layout to a different printer or with different paper options —
for example, to print labels or print on a preprinted form — you may want to create a script
that prints the layout for you. This script could contain Print Setup and Print script steps that
would store and recall the particular printer and paper options that you want. See Creating
scripts to automate tasks, Print Setup script step, and Print script step.
• For information on setting up new printers in Windows, see Windows Help and Support.

Specifying printer and paper options (OS X)
FileMaker Pro prints to the OS X default printer unless you choose a different printer when you print.
You can specify different paper options for each FileMaker Pro file.

To specify printer and paper options:
1. With a database file open, choose File menu > Page Setup.
In Preview mode, you can also click Page Setup in the status toolbar.
The Page Setup dialog box appears.
2. For Format for, select Any Printer or choose a specific printer.
In most cases, leave Any Printer selected. Choose a specific printer only if you use it
exclusively to print your documents.
3. Set other options that you want for Paper Size, Orientation, and Scale.
These paper size, orientation, and scale options will be saved with the current file and will be
used when you print any layout in this file.
4. Click OK.

Notes
• Choosing a different printer sets the default used by FileMaker Pro (OS X) for subsequent
printing operations (unless a script step is defined to use a particular printer).
• If you regularly print a particular layout to a different printer or with different paper options —
for example, to print labels or print on a preprinted form — you may want to create a script
that prints the layout for you. This script could contain Print Setup and Print script steps that
would store and recall the particular printer and paper options that you want. See Creating
scripts to automate tasks, Print Setup script step, and Print script step.
• Use the Print Center application to set up new printers in OS X. For more information, see
OS X Help Center.

Previewing data on a layout
When you switch to Preview mode, you see the layout as it appears on the printed page. You can’t
enter or edit information in fields in Preview mode.
In Preview mode, you see:
• how many records fit on a printed page
• how the pagination settings you choose affect page breaks (see Defining page breaks and
numbering)
• subsummary parts with calculated summary fields (see New Layout/Report (New Layout/
Report assistant))

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• variable information supplied by FileMaker Pro, like page numbers, the current date, and so
on (see Inserting the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout)
• the page margins you define (see Specifying page margins)
• how fields set with sliding options close up blank space (see Removing blank spaces in
printouts)
• records arranged in columns if the Layout Setup dialog box is configured to print in columns
(see Setting up to print records in columns)
• the front-most tab panel or slide panel if the page contains panel controls (see Working with
panel controls on layouts)
• popover buttons, but not their associated popovers or the contents of popovers (see
Working with popovers on layouts)

To preview data on a layout:
1. Follow the same preliminary steps that you perform when you print:
• Specify a printer and printing options.
• Verify that the found set contains the records you want to preview.
See steps 1 through 4 in Printing records.
2. Click Preview in the layout bar (Browse mode), or choose Preview from the Mode pop-up
menu at the bottom of the document window.

To move through pages in Preview mode:
Use the navigation controls in the status toolbar. Click the left and right arrows in the book, drag the
slider left and right, or type a page number in the current page number field and press Enter
(Windows) or Return (OS X).
Current page number

Book

Total number of pages

Slider

• Choose Records menu > Go to Record > Next, Previous, or Go To to move to the next,
previous, or a specific page. (These menu items are not available if the status toolbar is
hidden and locked by a script step.)
• Use the vertical scroll bar to move up and down on the page you are viewing. You might
need to go to the end of the report before the total number of pages is accurately displayed.
Note You can’t use Preview mode to see how your database looks when published on the web. You
must use a web browser.

Printing records
You can print information from your database, or you can print information about your database (for
example, field definitions or script steps). See Printing scripts, Printing table and field information, or
Printing the relationships graph.

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Note If you’re printing labels or envelopes, see Printing labels or Printing envelopes.

To print records:
1. If you have more than one printer, specify which one you want to use as well as the paper
size, orientation, and other options.
See Specifying a default printer and paper options (Windows) or Specifying printer and paper
options (OS X), as well as your printer and operating system documentation.
2. If you’re printing records, use the Layout pop-up menu to switch to the layout you want to
use.
3. Make sure the found set is the way you want it by:
• using Find mode and commands on the Records menu to change the found set (see
Finding records)
• sorting the records (see Sorting records)
4. To see exactly how your paper copy will look prior to printing, click Preview in the layout bar
(Browse mode), or choose Preview from the Mode pop-up menu at the bottom of the
document window.
Some items — like sliding objects, records arranged in columns, and variable information like
page numbers — appear correctly only in Preview mode. If you’re having trouble displaying and
printing sliding objects and columnar data, see the troubleshooting topic Document does not
appear as expected in Preview mode.
5. Choose File menu > Print.
6. In the Print dialog box, for Print, choose an option (Windows) or choose FileMaker Pro
from the pop-up menu (OS X).
To print

Choose

All records in the found set

Records being browsed

Only the record currently selected in
Browse mode

Current record

A blank record using the current layout
(use this option to print a blank “form”)

Blank record, showing fields, then choose a
formatting option

Tip In OS X, you can preview what you’re printing. Click Preview in the Print dialog box.
7. Select the printer, print range, number of copies and other printing settings, and then click
OK (Windows) or Print (OS X).
Other print options depend on the printer and system software you’re using. Refer to your
printer and system documentation.

Notes
• If you’re printing a layout with data that extends beyond the right margin, choose File
menu > Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X), select the horizontal (landscape)
orientation, then click OK (if this doesn’t provide enough width, try reducing the size of the
printed area by typing a value of less than 100% for scaling in the Print Setup dialog box
(Windows) or Page Setup dialog box (OS X).
• You can “close up” blank space when printing records with varying amounts of data by
specifying sliding options. You can also use merge fields to eliminate extra blank space in
field data. See Removing blank spaces in printouts and Placing merge fields on a layout.

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• When you print a field or a portal with a scroll bar, FileMaker Pro prints only the data visible
without scrolling. To print all the data, duplicate the layout and enlarge the field or portal to
display the largest possible amount of data. Then specify sliding options to remove the extra
blank space when you print. See Adding fields to a layout and Removing blank spaces in
printouts.
• You can keep any object on a layout from printing. See Preventing objects from printing.
• When you print layouts containing panel controls, only the front-most tab panel or slide
panel prints.
• You can print popover buttons, but not popovers or the contents of popovers.

Printing scripts
You can print a list of all script steps for one or more scripts in a file.

To print scripts:
1. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts.
2. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, select the script or scripts you want to print:
• To select one script, click the script name.
• To select multiple scripts, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) each script
name.
• To select a range of adjacent scripts, click the first script name, and then Shift-click the
last script name in the range.
3. Do one of these:
• Click

in the Manage Scripts dialog box.

• Windows: Choose File menu > Print Script in the Manage Scripts dialog box.
• OS X: Choose File menu > Print in the FileMaker Pro menu bar.
4. Select your printer.
5. Click OK (Windows) or Print (OS X).
The selected script steps and options are printed.
Tip To print a script from the Edit Script window, choose File menu > Print Script (Windows) or
File menu > Print (OS X) in the FileMaker Pro menu bar.

Related topics
Printing records
Printing table and field information
Printing the relationships graph
Creating and editing scripts

Printing table and field information
You can print field definition information for one or more tables or for one or more fields within a
table.

To print field information for one or more tables:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Database and click the Tables tab.

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2. Select the table or tables you want to print:
• To select one table, click the table name.
• To select multiple tables, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) each table
name.
• To select a range of adjacent tables, click the first table name, and then Shift-click the
last table name in the range.
3. Click Print.
4. Click OK (Windows) or Print (OS X).
FileMaker Pro prints the field names, field types, and formula/entry options for each table that
you selected.

To print field information for certain fields in a table:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Database and click the Fields tab.
2. Choose a table from the Table pop-up menu.
3. Select the field or fields you want to print.
• To select one field, click the field name.
• To select multiple fields, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) each field
name.
• To select a range of adjacent fields, click the first field name, and then Shift-click the last
field name in the range.
4. Click Print.
5. Click OK (Windows) or Print (OS X).
FileMaker Pro prints the field names, field types, and formula/entry options for each field that
you selected.

Related topics
Printing records
Printing scripts
Printing the relationships graph

Printing the relationships graph
You can print a graphical representation of your database by printing the relationships graph.

To print the relationships graph:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Database, then click the Relationships tab.
Click
to display page breaks in the relationships graph. Click
(Windows) or Page Setup (OS X) dialog box.

to display the Print Setup

2. Click Print.
3. In the Printing Options dialog box, choose an option:
Choose Print graph on multiple pages to print the graph on more than one page. Choose
Print graph on one page to resize the graph to fit on one page.
4. Click Continue.

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5. Specify additional printer settings, if you want.
6. Click OK (Windows) or Print (OS X).
Note Table and note selection highlights do not appear when printed.

Related topics
Printing records
Printing scripts
Printing table and field information

Printing labels
To create mailing labels, create a Labels layout or a Vertical Labels layout. You can choose from
several predesigned label types or specify custom dimensions for your labels.
Labels layouts use merge fields, which expand or contract to fit the data in the field, and use no
space if the field is empty.

To create a Labels layout or Vertical Labels layout:
1. In Layout mode, click New Layout/Report.
The New Layout/Report assistant appears. For onscreen help as you work in the assistant,
press F1 (Windows) or Command-? (OS X).
2. For Show records from, choose the table that contains the records you want to use for
your labels. For Layout Name, type a name for the layout.
3. Choose Printer, then choose either Labels or Vertical Labels. Click Continue.
4. In the Specify Label Layout panel, choose either Use label measurements for and choose
from the list of standard label types, or choose Use custom measurements and enter
values for your labels’ dimensions. Click Next.
5. In the Specify Label Contents panel, double-click the fields whose data you want on the
labels, in the order you want the fields to appear.
• If the first line of the labels includes the first name and last name fields, type a space
between the two merge fields in the Label contents box.
• To place a field on a new line, press Enter (Windows) or Return (OS X).
• Add any punctuation (such as a comma) or spaces where you want them to appear on
the printed labels.
6. Click Finish.
7. Insert the labels sheets into your printer, and print the labels. For printing tips, see the next
section.

Considerations when you print labels
When you print labels, you usually use either individual sheets of labels, or a continuous-feed roll of
labels (for dot matrix printers).
Because FileMaker Pro considers the selected printer and print or page setup information when it
calculates margins and other measurements on the layout, you must verify these settings before
you create a Labels layout.

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To verify printer settings for a Labels layout or Vertical Labels layout:
1. Choose File menu > Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X).
In Preview mode, you can also click Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X) in the status
toolbar.
2. In the setup dialog box:
• Choose the printer you plan to use.
• If you’re using individual sheets of labels with a laser or inkjet printer, select the size of the
label sheets (usually US Letter in the United States and A4 elsewhere), then click OK.
• If you’re using continuous-feed labels with a dot matrix printer, create a custom paper size
equal to the dimensions of one label. (A custom paper size will minimize the back-and-forth
movement of the printer platen and save label paper.) Specific instructions vary depending
on your printer type, but generally you should set the paper width to the width of your label
stock, and the height to the height of one label. You may have to redefine a rarely used
paper size instead of creating a new custom paper size. Refer to your printer manual for
details.
If you define a custom paper size for printing labels on a dot matrix printer, this changes your
default print or page setup information. Make sure you reset these options before you print other
layouts.
Note FileMaker Pro uses merge fields when you create a Labels layout or Vertical Labels layout.
You can't enter or edit data using merge fields; switch to Browse mode or use another layout for that
purpose.

Related topics
Creating a layout
Placing merge fields on a layout
Formatting fields and text for vertical writing
Troubleshooting label printing

Printing envelopes
To print data on an envelope, create an Envelope layout. An envelope layout contains the fields you
select, arranged to print on an envelope.
An envelope layout uses merge fields, which expand or contract to fit the data in the field, and use
no space if the field is empty.

To create an Envelope layout:
1. In Layout mode, click New Layout/Report.
The New Layout/Report assistant appears. For onscreen help as you work in the assistant,
press F1 (Windows) or Command-? (OS X).
2. For Show records from, choose the table that contains the records you want to use for
your envelope. For Layout Name, type a name for the layout.
3. Choose Printer, then choose Envelopes. Click Continue.
4. In the Specify Envelope Contents panel, double-click the fields whose data you want on the
envelope, in the order you want the fields to appear.
• If the first line of the envelope includes the first name and last name fields, type a space
between the two merge fields in the Envelope contents box.

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• To placed a field on a new line, press Enter (Windows) or Return (OS X).
• Add any punctuation (such as a comma) or spaces where you want them to appear on
the printed envelope.
5. Click Finish.
6. Insert an envelope into your printer, and print the envelope. For printing tips, see the next
section.

Considerations when you print envelopes
Because FileMaker Pro considers the selected printer and print or page setup information when it
calculates margins and other measurements on the layout, you must verify these settings before
you create an Envelope layout.
1. Choose File menu > Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X).
In Preview mode, you can also click Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X) in the status
toolbar.
2. In the setup dialog box, choose the printer you plan to use, and choose a letter size paper
size.
If you feed the envelopes into the printer short-side first, choose a landscape (horizontal) paper
orientation.
3. Click OK.
After you create the layout, you might need to adjust the layout depending on the way you insert
envelopes into your printer.
If you

Do this

Manually feed envelopes
into a center-feed printer

Keep the header and adjust it, as necessary, to match the printing to
the envelope size.

Manually feed envelopes
into a left edge-feed printer

Keep the header and adjust it, as necessary, to match the printing to
the envelope size. (To determine the header size, you can subtract
the envelope height from 8.5 inches.)

Manually feed envelopes
into a right edge-feed printer

Delete the header, and insert a footer. Adjust the footer, as necessary,
to match the printing to the envelope size.

Note FileMaker Pro uses merge fields when you create an Envelope layout. You can't enter or edit
data using merge fields; switch to Browse mode or use another layout for that purpose.

Related topics
Creating a layout

Printing troubleshooting
If you’re having trouble printing, look at the document in Preview mode. Click Preview in the layout
bar (Browse mode), or choose Preview from the Mode pop-up menu at the bottom of the document
window. To see all pages of the document, be sure to click the left and right arrows in the book.

Related topics
Controlling how layouts print

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Document appears as expected in Preview mode
Nothing is printing, or only some pages print
• Check the page range specified in the Print dialog box. The starting page of the range might
be higher than the number of pages in your document.

Only some records are printing
• See Records not printing.

Only one record prints, only a blank record prints, or too many records print
Check the Print dialog box:
• Windows: Look at the selection in the drop-down list at the top of the Print dialog box and
select the option you want.
• OS X: In the Print dialog box, choose FileMaker Pro from the pop-up menu. Select the
options you want.

Other problems:
Try these tips for specific printers:
• Windows: In the Print Setup dialog box, click Properties and check the options.
• OS X: Check the options in the Page Setup dialog box.
Check the documentation that came with your printer and/ or printer driver software.
If these suggestions do not solve the problem, see:
• Printing troubleshooting techniques (Windows)
• Printing troubleshooting techniques (OS X)

Document does not appear as expected in Preview mode
The problems in this section are all apparent in Preview mode, generally indicating that something is
not set correctly in FileMaker Pro.

Report with grouped data and subtotals (subsummary report) doesn’t print
correctly
• See Summary data is missing or incorrect and Troubleshooting layouts with summary or
subsummary parts.

Fields or objects aren’t printing
• The objects in question might have been formatted as nonprinting. In Layout mode, select
the object. In the Sliding & Visibility area of the Inspector, make sure Hide when printing is
deselected.

Records are missing
• See Records not printing.

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An extra blank page prints after each page
• The layout extends just below the page boundary. In Layout mode, look for a heavy dotted
line running across the bottom of the layout, which indicates where the page breaks. Resize
a layout part until the dotted line disappears. See Resizing layout parts.

Some records in the portal don’t print
• Only the number of rows displayed in the portal will print. Reformat the portal to show more
fields. See Creating portals to display related records.
• To display all matching related records, make a portal with enough rows to display all
matching records, or find the records in the related file and print from a list layout in that file.

Some fields in the columnar list layout don’t print
Only objects within the margins print. The page boundary is visible in Layout mode (you might need
to scroll to the right) as a heavy dotted line.
• In Layout mode, adjust the width and position of the fields to make them all fit to the left of
the heavy dotted line, or
• Create a second columnar list layout with the fields that don’t fit on the first layout.

There is empty space between records
• Make the body part smaller.
• Set objects to slide, and try setting the sliding options to also reduce the size of the
enclosing layout part. See Removing blank spaces in printouts.

Data is clipped
• Make the field bigger to hold the largest amount of data it contains.
• Use merge fields on your layout, and make the text block big enough to fit the longest text
you anticipate. See Placing merge fields on a layout.
• See Text or objects are clipped.

There’s empty space between fields
• Use merge fields instead of standard fields.
• Set fields and objects to slide up or left to close up space.

Sliding objects don’t slide
• Enter Preview mode; sliding doesn’t show in Browse mode.
• Be sure both the object you want to slide, and the object to be slid into, are set to slide.
• There might be at least one object (for example, a line) that is not set to slide and is
preventing other objects from sliding.
• Portal rows don’t collapse even if they hold less data. Empty portal rows at the end of the list
of related records do collapse.
• See Removing blank spaces in printouts.

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Pages break in unexpected places
• Check the paper size and page orientation selected in Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup
(OS X). In Preview mode, you can also click Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X)
in the status toolbar.
• Automatic page breaks are affected by the kind and size of layout parts on the layout.
Delete the header and/or footer if they are not needed.
• Each layout part on a layout can have separate page break options assigned to it. Check
the page-break options for each part. See Defining page breaks and numbering.

Related topics
Records are missing
Troubleshooting layouts

Records not printing
Records not printing
• If only one record is printing:
• See if the Current record option is set in the Print dialog box. Change the option to
Records being browsed. To see this option in OS X, choose FileMaker Pro from the
pop-up menu.
• Check your found set.
• The layout has mistakenly been set to display in two or more columns while the width of
the column (the white area of the layout) has been made too wide to fit the number of
columns selected within the printable area of the page. This results in groups of records
(specifically, those which would fall in the columns which are off the right side of the
page) not printing. To remedy the situation, click Layout Setup
in the layout bar,
and set the number of columns to the desired amount. Then, if necessary, adjust the
right margin of the column by clicking and dragging the vertical dashed line on the
layout.
• Choose Layouts menu > Part Setup. If Allow part to break across page boundary is
selected, deselect it, and vice versa.

Related topics
Records are missing
Printing troubleshooting techniques (Windows)
Printing troubleshooting techniques (OS X)

Printing troubleshooting techniques (Windows)
First, check Preview mode (if you haven’t already done so)
• Document does not appear as expected in Preview mode
• Document appears as expected in Preview mode

Then try these solutions
• Shut down the computer, then start it again (don’t just restart).

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• Turn the printer off, wait 10 seconds, and then turn it on again.
• Try printing to a different printer if one is available.
• Create a new, simple FileMaker Pro file and try to print from the new file. If you can print
from one FileMaker Pro file but not another, try creating a new layout in the original file, or
experiment with different fonts.
• Cancel any stalled jobs, then try printing again.
• Windows 7: Choose Start menu > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices
and Printers. Double-click the printer being used to see all print jobs.
• Windows 8: In a File Explorer window, choose Computer from the left panel, then
choose Computer menu > Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices
and Printers. Double-click the printer being used to see all print jobs.
• Try printing from another application, such as WordPad. If you cannot, see the
documentation that came with your computer and printer, or contact Microsoft or the
manufacturer of your printer.

Next, try these solutions
• If you can print from another application, but not from FileMaker Pro, make sure you’re
using the correct printer driver and that it’s properly configured.
• Make sure you have enough hard disk space free. Windows saves temporary print files to
your hard disk when you print. You won’t necessarily get an error message if you don’t have
adequate free hard disk space to cache your temporary files. Delete files to create disk
space, if necessary. (There may be expendable files in your C:\TEMP directory.) For more
information, see the documentation that came with your operating system.
• Run ScanDisk to check your hard disk. See the documentation that came with your
computer.
• If only a partial image prints, there could be insufficient memory on the printer. Try reducing
the resolution in the printer properties window, increasing the memory allocated to the
printer, or experiment with a less complex print job.

Try these solutions last
• Your printer software could be out-of-date or corrupt.
• Remove and reinstall the printer driver (first make certain you have the necessary
installer to reinstall).
• Try switching to a compatible driver installed from your operating system CD.
• To get printer driver updates, contact Microsoft or your printer manufacturer.
For more information on these and other possible remedies, search the FileMaker Knowledge Base
available at http://help.filemaker.com. Also try keywords that appear in any error message you see.

Printing troubleshooting techniques (OS X)
If you’re having trouble printing from FileMaker Pro in OS X, try the following suggestions:
• Turn the printer off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it on again.
• Try printing from another application. If you can’t print from other applications, you may
have a problem with how the printer is set up in OS X.

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• Create a new FileMaker Pro file and try to print from the new file. If you can print from one
FileMaker Pro file but not another, create a new layout in the original file or experiment with
different fonts.
• Your printer driver software might be corrupt or out-of-date. See the documentation that
came with your computer or printer for how to reinstall the printer driver. To get printer driver
updates, contact Apple Inc. or your printer manufacturer.
• For further suggestions on solving printing problems, also see the documentation for your
printer, computer and operating system.
• If your document doesn’t look right in Preview mode, see Document does not appear as
expected in Preview mode.
For more information on these and other possible remedies, search the FileMaker Knowledge Base
available at http://help.filemaker.com. Also try keywords that appear in any error message you see.

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Designing and creating databases

Designing and creating databases

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Creating a database
The first step in creating a database is to plan the content, structure, and design. Then, you create a
FileMaker Pro database file and define tables and fields.

Related topics
Deleting table definitions, field definitions, and data

About planning a database
A well-designed database promotes consistent data entry and retrieval, and reduces the existence
of duplicate data among the database tables. Relational database tables work together to ensure
that the correct data is available when you need it. It’s a good idea to plan a database on paper first.
Follow these general steps to plan a database:
1. Determine the purpose for your database, or the problem you want to solve. For example,
“to keep a list of my customers,” “to manage my inventory,” or “to grade my students.”
If other people will use the database, be sure to talk with them about the data they will need.
2. Consider the information you will store in your database. Typically, information falls into
broad categories. Accurately identifying these categories is critical to designing an efficient
database, because you will store different types and amounts of data in each category. For
example, a database intended to track sales has categories such as “customers,”
“products,” and “invoices.” A database that records student grades has categories such as
“students,” “classes,” and “assignments.”
3. After you’ve determined the broad categories, consider how these categories are related.
This can be done by writing simple sentences that describe how the categories interact,
such as, “customers order products” and “invoices record customers’ orders.” Each of these
pairs suggests a relationship between the data in one category and the data in the other
category.
4. After you’ve identified your categories of information, you are ready to organize your
database.
In database terminology, these categories of information are referred to as tables. Tables are
used to group data containing a common element or purpose. For example, you might use one
table to store names and addresses, while you use another table to store transaction details,
such as date of sale, item number, unit price, and so on.
Typically, databases are organized in one of three ways:
• A single table in a single file. Use a single table if you need to track data in one category
only, such as names and addresses.
• Multiple tables in a single file. Use multiple tables if your data is more complex, such as
customers, products, and invoices.
• Multiple tables in multiple files. Use multiple files if you need to share the same data
among several different database solutions. For example, you can store your tax rates
or shipping information in a separate file if you plan to use that information in more than
one solution.
Use relationships to share data between tables in the same file or with tables in external files.
Other database elements, such as scripts and access privileges, are stored at the file level;
therefore, some complex solutions will benefit from using multiple files.
Note FileMaker Pro is very flexible, so the decision to store data in a single file or in multiple
files is often one of packaging and convenience. Data stored in tables is very easily shared

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between tables in the same file and tables in external files using relationships, as explained in
Working with related tables and files. Other elements, such as scripts and access privileges, are
stored at the file level, and because of this some complex solutions will benefit from using
multiple files.
5. Determine the database tables and the data they will include, and, in turn, which fields you
will need.
Tip To make it easy to search and sort records, create separate fields for first and last name,
titles (like Mr. or Dr.) and items in addresses (city, state or province, country, and postal code).
Separating your data into multiple fields at the time of data entry can make it easier to generate
future reports. For example, using separate fields to capture transaction details such as the
date, item number, quantity, and unit price of each transaction makes it easier to compile
summary and subsummary reports at the end of a week, month, or year.
6. Decide which fields will contain common data among the tables.
For example, a database for a bakery business might include these tables: a Customers table,
which stores customer information; a Products table, which stores product information; a Line
Items table, which stores information about products sold, and an Invoices table, which stores
order information.
Each table has only one subject, and all fields in a table describe only that subject. For example,
the fields in one record of the Customers table together store all the information about one
customer. For the same reason, you might assign each customer a unique, identifying number.
You wouldn’t enter a customer identification number into the table unless you had a new
customer to add, so the existence of a customer number determines the existence of a record.
A Customers table might also have fields for the customer’s name, address and phone number.
A Products table might have fields for a product identification number, the unit price for each
product, and the quantity in stock. A Line Items table might have fields for product and invoice
identification numbers, the name, unit price, quantity, and total price of each product sold. An
Invoices table might have fields for an invoice identification number, order date, and
salesperson.
Customer ID
Customer Name
Address
Country
Phone
Order Date
Salesperson

Customer ID
Invoice ID
Order Date
Subtotal
Discount
Region
Salesperson

Region
Customers table

Invoices table

Invoice ID
Product ID
Unit Price
Qty
Extended Price
Product Name
Total
Total in Stock
Order Date
Line Items table

Product ID
Product Name
Unit Price
Stock
Category
Discount
Total in Stock

Products table

7. Determine the match fields for each table, and circle each one in your plan.
See About match fields for relationships.

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Customer ID
Customer Name
Address
Country
Phone
Order Date
Salesperson

Customer ID
Invoice ID
Order Date
Subtotal
Discount
Region
Salesperson

Region
Customers table

Invoices table

Invoice ID
Product ID
Unit Price
Qty
Extended Price
Product Name
Total
Total in Stock
Order Date
Line Items table

Product ID
Product Name
Unit Price
Stock
Category
Discount
Total in Stock

Products table

8. For each table, decide which fields will store data, and which ones will be used from other
(related) tables.
Based on a table’s subject, you can see where it makes sense to store the data and where to
use data from a related table. Other than match fields, all fields should appear only once in your
database. Cross out occurrences of fields that don’t pertain to the table’s subject.
Customer ID
Customer Name
Address
Country
Phone
Order Date
Salesperson

Customer ID
Invoice ID
Order Date
Subtotal
Discount
Region
Salesperson

Region
Customers table

Invoices table

Invoice ID
Product ID
Unit Price
Qty
Extended Price
Product Name
Total
Total in Stock
Order Date
Line Items table

Product ID
Product Name
Unit Price
Stock
Category
Discount
Total in Stock

Products table

9. Determine the relationships between the tables. In your plan, draw a line from each match
field in a table to the corresponding match field in the related table.
What establishes a relationship between tables is that their match fields contain matching data.

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Customer ID

Customer ID

Customer Name

Invoice ID

Address

Order Date

Country

Subtotal

Phone

Salesperson

Region
Invoices table

Product Name

Unit Price

Unit Price

Qty

Stock

Extended Price

Region

Salesperson

Product ID

Product ID

Discount

Order Date

Customers table

Invoice ID

Category

Product Name

Discount

Total
Total in Stock
Order Date
Line Items table

Total in Stock

Products table

Relationships also make it possible to group your data to resolve complex queries. For example,
relationships can be used to determine current inventory levels, sales projections, and other
tasks where it is necessary to query data across multiple tables. See Working with related tables
and files.
10. Determine whether you need to share your database with other users, and how they will
access the file.
See Sharing databases on a network.
11. If you’re designing the database for other people to use, show them your paper plan and
ask them to review it and suggest any changes.
12. Consider who will use the database and whether you want to restrict access to it. When you
create the database, assign access privileges as needed.
See Protecting databases.
13. Decide what layouts you need, and plan a separate layout for each task.
For example, create separate layouts for printing labels or envelopes.
See Creating and managing layouts and reports.
14. Create a form that lists all the files and tables you need and the fields for each table. Also list
the forms and reports you will generate from each table.
15. Create your database.
16. If you’ve designed the database for others to use, ask a few people to test it. Then, fix any
problems they found before you make the database available for everyone to use.

Related topics
Creating a FileMaker Pro file
Defining database tables
About defining database fields
Creating a layout
About protecting databases
About relationships

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Best practices for designing layouts
Sketch your layouts
In addition to planning the structure of your database as described in About planning a database,
FileMaker recommends you sketch your layouts on paper or onscreen before creating them in
FileMaker Pro. A few sketches can help resolve design problems, communicate ideas, and save
time. The sketching process can also help you create layouts that are visually balanced and provide
a clear path for users to follow.

Use a theme that suits the purpose of your layout
A theme affects characteristics of a layout, such as the background color, field borders and fill, and
text attributes in text objects and in fields. The Starter Solutions that come with FileMaker Pro
illustrate how themes might be used to produce layouts containing operating system-appropriate
effects.
Select a theme in the Change Theme dialog box that best suits the purpose of your layout. (Click
in the status toolbar to display the dialog box.) If your layout will be used with FileMaker Go,
choose one of the Touch themes.
If you change the theme of a layout and then undo the change, the new theme remains, but any
formatting attributes you applied previous to applying the new theme are displayed. If you undo
again, FileMaker Pro returns the layout to the state it was before you applied the new theme.
See Changing the theme of a layout.

Use the screen stencils and positioning tools
Click the arrow on
in the layout bar to display screen stencils that help you design layouts
optimally for iPad, iPhone, and several common desktop resolutions. You can have multiple screen
stencils visible at the same time. See Sizing layouts for different devices.
FileMaker Pro provides several tools to help you quickly and precisely size, position, and align
layout objects. Guides help you align layout objects vertically or horizontally within the same layout
or across multiple layouts. Dynamic guides give you visual cues as you work with layout objects.
See Using guides and dynamic guides.

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Horizontal guide

Screen stencil

Vertical guide

Consistently duplicate layout objects
A characteristic of a well-designed layout is a consistent appearance among the layout objects.
You can use:
• Predefined object styles that come with FileMaker Pro or custom styles you create to format
objects consistently on one or more layouts in a file or in multiple files in a solution. When
designing layout styles to be used throughout at file, it’s best to work on one layout
developing all the styles you need and then save them in a theme so you can apply styles
consistently throughout all layouts. See Creating and working with styles for layout objects,
parts, and the layout background
• The Format Painter tool
in the status toolbar to quickly duplicate the attributes of layout
objects. See Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds.
• Undo and redo commands in the Edit menu to incrementally remove or replace changes to
layout objects.

Test your layouts with a diverse audience
Some common symbols can be misinterpreted in some contexts. For example, a flag icon used as a
warning icon may indicate success in some cultures. Test your symbols and images with a diverse
audience before putting your layouts into use.
For tips on designing effective layouts, see Tips for designing layouts.

Tips for designing layouts
• If your department or organization has a style guide, refer to it before you begin the design
process.
• Use terminology consistently throughout your layouts and keep field labels concise.
• To help avoid a cluttered layout, keep in mind the layout’s purpose and add only the fields
that are necessary.

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• It is not necessary to put all of the fields on a layout in order for users to perform sorts on
them.
• Decide if you intend the layout to be mainly used in Form View or Table View, especially if it
will be used on an iOS device. For layouts to be used on an iOS device, choose one of the
Touch themes in the Change Theme dialog box. Then design the layout accordingly. For
more information on designing layouts to be used on iOS devices, see the FILEMAKER GO
DEVELOPMENT GUIDE.
• If you plan to host your database for FileMaker WebDirect users, see the
FILEMAKER WEBDIRECT GUIDE for tips on designing layouts that work well in web browsers.
• Use tab controls or slide controls to group fields that have relevance to each other and to
indicate their connectedness. See Working with panel controls on layouts.
• Use layout parts appropriately to organize and summarize information. See About layout
part types.
• In general, use a limited number of colors and fonts per layout. Use fonts consistently:
assign one for headings, one for field labels, and one for field contents.
• Use sans serif fonts such as Verdana, Arial, and Trebuchet MS for high readability when
viewing forms onscreen.
• Use serif fonts such as Times for forms that will be printed and for fields that will contain
large amounts of text.
• Choose colors for text and backgrounds that provide enough contrast for easy readability.
For example, light gray text on dark gray backgrounds is difficult to read, especially in poor
lighting or with small font sizes. Light colors are suitable for headings but not for data entry
fields.
• To make reading and navigating a layout easier and to enhance its overall appearance, be
generous with the whitespace (empty space) between groups of fields.
• The Slice feature lets you take advantage of your existing image resources to quickly create
a visual effect for a header, body, or footer part. For example, you want to add a custom
color to the header part. You already have an image with an area that contains the color you
want. Use the Slice feature to add the desired color to the header. See Filling objects, layout
parts, or the layout background with an image.

Related topics
Best practices for designing layouts

Creating a FileMaker Pro file
You can create as many database files as you need to organize information. You can:
• Create an empty file, then design layouts yourself.
• Create an empty file using layouts defined in a FileMaker Pro Starter Solution (template).
• Use FileMaker Pro to open a file containing data in another file format, then modify the
design by adding layouts, if needed. For information, see Converting a data file to a new
FileMaker Pro file.

To create a new file:
1. Choose File menu > New Database.
Tip You can use the FileMaker Quick Start Screen to create new files. Choose Help menu >
Quick Start Screen, click Create a New Database, and continue with step 2.

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2. Type a name for the file (choose a different folder, if needed), then click Save.
Windows: For Save as type, select FileMaker Files. If you don't type a file extension,
FileMaker Pro adds .fmp12 to the filename. (To view file extensions in Windows, see the
Windows operating system Help.)
FileMaker Pro creates the file, displays a blank, empty file in Layout mode, and displays the
Field Picker dialog box, where you can define fields for the database and add them to the
layout.
3. Define the fields, drag the fields to the layout, then close the Field Picker dialog box.
See Defining fields in the Field Picker dialog box.
4. Add objects and other embellishments to the layout.
See Creating and managing layouts and reports.
5. Save and exit the layout.

Notes
• By default, choosing File menu > New Database displays an empty database in Layout
mode. You can change the default setting to display the Manage Database dialog box
whenever you choose File menu > New Database to create a new database. See Setting
general preferences.
• To define tables, fields, and relationships, or to set field options in the Manage Database
dialog box, choose File menu > Manage > Database. See Defining fields in the Manage
Database dialog box and Defining database tables.
• To add fields and records, define field types, and set options for fields in a spreadsheet-like
table, use the options in Table View. See Working with data in Table View.

To create a file using a Starter Solution:
1. In FileMaker Pro, choose File menu > New From Starter Solution.
Tip You can use the FileMaker Quick Start Screen to create new files. Choose Help menu >
Quick Start Screen, click Use a Starter Solution, and continue with step 2.
2. Select All Solutions to view a list of all available solution files or choose a solution category
to narrow the list of choices.
Note If no solutions are listed, see Notes below.
3. Select a solution from the list (Windows) or the group of thumbnails (OS X), then click
Choose.
4. Type a name for the file (choose a different folder, if needed), then click Save.
Windows: For Save as type, select FileMaker Files. If you don't type a file extension,
FileMaker Pro adds .fmp12 to the filename. (To view file extensions in Windows, see the
Windows operating system Help.)
FileMaker Pro creates the file on your disk and the file opens. This predesigned database
contains fields and buttons set up for tasks commonly performed in databases. This file contains
no data.
5. Click New Record in the status toolbar to add data to the file.

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Notes
• If you don’t see the FileMaker Starter Solutions, they are not installed. If you have your
installation CD, you can install the Starter Solutions by specifying the English language pack
when you perform a custom installation of FileMaker Pro over your existing installation. For
more information about installing FileMaker Pro, see the INSTALLATION AND NEW FEATURES
GUIDE FOR FILEMAKER PRO AND FILEMAKER PRO ADVANCED. If you do not have your
installation CD, visit http://www.filemaker.com and download Starter Solutions individually. If
you want Starter Solutions to be accessible from the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, place
them in one of the following locations:
• FileMaker Pro/English Extras/Templates/
• FileMaker Pro Advanced/English Extras/Templates/
• You can create a file by opening a non-FileMaker Pro data file (for example, a Microsoft
Excel file) in FileMaker Pro, or by making a copy of an existing FileMaker Pro file. When you
open a non-FileMaker Pro data file, a new FileMaker Pro file is created with the file’s data in
it. See Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file.

Troubleshooting problems when creating a file
If you see the error message, This command cannot be used by this installation of FileMaker,
the ability to create new databases was disabled during the installation of FileMaker Pro.
Contact your systems administrator for more information.

Related topics
About planning a database
Defining database tables

Setting file options
You can set preferences for the current file’s default layout, login information, spelling, and opening
and/or closing scripts. To set preferences for all files, see Setting preferences.

To set options for opening and closing the current file:
1. Choose File menu > File Options, and click the Open tab if it is not already selected.
Select

To

Minimum
version allowed
to open this file,
then choose a
version of
FileMaker Pro,
FileMaker Go, or
FileMaker Server
from the list

Prevent a file from being opened with a version of FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go,
or FileMaker Server that’s earlier than the specified version.

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

The file must be local and not shared when the option is set. However, once the
option is set, the file can be hosted remotely. All files will appear in the Open
Remote dialog box, but only qualifying files can be opened. You need exclusive
access to the file in order to set this option, so make sure no one else is using the
file.

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Select

To

Log in using,
then Account
Name and
Password, and
type an account
and password

This is the default selection. The default is Log in using selected with the
Account Name and Password option set to Admin and a blank password.

Log in using,
then Guest
Account

Automatically log in using a guest account

Switch to
layout, then
choose a layout
from the list in
the Specify
Layout dialog
box

Display the specified layout whenever you open the file. If you don't select this
option, FileMaker Pro opens the layout you displayed when you worked in the
file, or opens a layout you specify in a startup script. (See the “Perform script”
option below.)

Automatically log in using a specific account and password when you open the
database. To temporarily bypass the default password and enter a different one,
press Shift (Windows) or Option (OS X) while opening the file.
Note If the default account is valid but the password is invalid, you will be
prompted to enter another password.

If a layout has been selected, its name appears to the right of the Specify button
of this option. To change the layout to use, click Specify, then choose a layout
from the list. See Specify Layout dialog box.
Note FileMaker Pro saves your current layout only if the file has been modified in
a significant way, such as editing a record or modifying database schema. See
What FileMaker Pro doesn’t save.

2. Click OK to save your changes, or click another tab to set additional file options.

To set spelling options for the current file:
1. Choose File menu > File Options, and click the Spelling tab.
Select

To

Indicate
questionable
words with
special
underline

Mark possible misspelled words with a red dotted underline (in Browse, Find, and
Layout modes).

Off

Type without receiving any cues that you might have made a spelling error.

Beep on
questionable
spellings

Receive an audio cue that you might have made a spelling error.

2. Click OK to save your changes, or click another tab to set additional file options.
Checking spelling as you type can be slower than using the other spelling options if a large
amount of text is visible in the active field. See Checking spelling as you type.

To set text handling and data entry options for the current file:
Note You must log in using the Full Access privilege set to edit items in the Text tab.
1. Choose File menu > File Options, and click the Text tab.
2. In the Text Handling area, select one or more of the following options:

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Select

To

Use smart
quotes

Use curly quotation marks and curly apostrophes. If this option is deselected or
you use a font that doesn't have curly quotes, FileMaker Pro uses plain (straight)
quotes and apostrophes. Changes affect new typing only; they do not affect
existing data.

Use Asian
language linebreaking

Control Asian language line-breaking. This option is enabled by default. If this
option is disabled, standard Asian language rules concerning which characters
can start or end a line of text are ignored.

Use Roman
language linebreaking

Control standard Roman language line-breaking, including word wrapping. This
option is enabled by default. If this option is disabled, letters and spaces are
treated equally as symbols, and Roman language words are not treated as units.
Instead, a word will wrap to the next line when it exceeds the width of the field or
text block, which could occur in mid-word.

Overwrite input
when an Asian
IME is on
(Windows)

Overwrite existing characters at the cursor location with new characters entered
by the user when an Asian input method editor (IME) is running. This option is off
by default.

3. In the Data Entry area, select one or more of the following options:
Select

To

Always use
current system
settings

Use the current system settings for data entry of numbers, dates, and times. This
option is on by default.

Always use
file’s saved
settings

Use the system settings saved with the file for display and data entry of numbers,
dates, and times.

Ask whenever
settings are
different

Prompt the user to choose which system settings to use when entering data in a
number, date, time, or timestamp field that was created using system settings that
are different from the current system settings.

4. Click OK to save your changes, or click another tab to set additional file options.

To perform scripts that open and close windows:
Note You must log in using a Full Access privilege set to edit items in the Script Triggers tab.
1. Choose File menu > File Options, and click the Script Triggers tab.
2. Select one or more script triggers in the list.

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Select

To

OnFirstWindowOpen

Run a script each time you open a window of a database file when no other
windows for the file are currently open. The script is triggered after the first
window of a file is open.
Click Specify to choose or create the script you want to use.
Note Although this is typically the first time you open a file, you can also
trigger a script this way when you open a window for a hidden file
previously opened via a script or relationship.
For more information, see OnFirstWindowOpen. For information about
operations that do not activate script triggers, see Changing object data
without activating script triggers.

OnLastWindowClose

Run a script each time you close the last open window of a database file.
The script is triggered before the last window of a file is closed.
Click Specify to choose or create the script you want to use.
Note The script will run even if the file itself remains open, for example if it
is referenced by another file with open windows. The closing script will be
performed each time the last open window of the specified file is closed.
For more information, see OnLastWindowClose. If the script executed by
the OnLastWindowClose script trigger returns a False value, the file will not
close.

OnWindowOpen

Run a script each time you open a window of a database file. The script is
triggered after a window is opened or after OnFirstWindowOpen (if it is
selected in the Script Triggers tab) is activated.
Click Specify to choose or create the script you want to use.
Note You can also trigger a script this way when you open a window for a
hidden file previously opened via a script or relationship.
For more information, see OnWindowOpen. For information about
operations that do not activate script triggers, see Changing object data
without activating script triggers.

OnWindowClose

Run a script each time you close a window of a database file. The script is
triggered before a window is closed or before OnLastWindowClose (if it is
selected in the Script Triggers tab) is activated.
Click Specify to choose or create the script you want to use.
Note The script will run even if the file itself remains open, for example if it
is referenced by another file with open windows. The closing script will be
performed each time a window of the specified file is closed.
For more information, see OnWindowClose. If the script executed by the
OnWindowClose script trigger returns a False value, the file will not close.

Note If a snapshot link is created from a database to which any of the above script triggers are
assigned, the snapshot link will open and close as described in the table above.
3. Click OK to save your changes, or click another tab to set additional file options.

Related topics
Creating a FileMaker Pro file

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Defining automatic data entry
Defining field validation
Opening files protected with passwords
Checking spelling
Creating scripts to automate tasks
Setting up script triggers

Defining database tables
Use database tables to organize and group your data by common characteristics or principles. Your
database can contain as many tables as you need to organize your data (limited only by the amount
of storage space on your hard disk).
By default, a new file contains a table with the same name as the file. This table can later be
renamed or deleted.
Tables you add to a file are automatically displayed in the relationships graph.

To define a table:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Tables tab.
3. Type a name for the table, then click Create.
4. Continue to define tables, or click the Fields tab to define fields.

To change a table name:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Tables tab.
3. Select the table you want to rename from the list.
4. In the Table Name field, type a new name for the table, then click Change.
5. Click OK.

Notes
• When you change a table name, FileMaker Pro updates all references to the table
throughout your calculations, relationships, scripts, table occurrences, and so on.
• If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can consolidate the tables from a multi-file
solution into a single file using the Copy/Paste or Import commands. Only the table schema
is copied or imported, not the data. See Copying or importing table schemas (FileMaker Pro
Advanced). To import the data with the schema, choose File menu > Import Records >
File. See Importing data into FileMaker Pro.
Important In addition to storing data, FileMaker Pro uses tables to describe relationships in the
relationships graph, and establish the context for layouts and some calculations. For information
about relationships, see Working with related tables and files. For information on the relationships
graph, see Working with the relationships graph. For information on creating layouts, see Creating
and managing layouts and reports.
• If your database references external ODBC data sources (ESS), links to ODBC tables can
break in FileMaker Pro if table names change in the ODBC data sources. You can click Re-

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link in the Manage Database dialog box to restore links. See Restoring links to ODBC data
sources.

Related topics
About defining database fields
About relationships
Deleting table definitions, field definitions, and data

About defining database fields
A field is the basic unit of data entry in a record. To define a new field, you give it a name. Then you
select options that determine how the field interprets, enters, calculates, stores, and displays data.
After you define a field, you can set validation, auto entry, and storage options. See Setting options
for fields.
There are three ways to define fields in a database:
• In Layout mode using the Field Picker dialog box (see Defining fields in the Field Picker
dialog box)
• In the Manage Database dialog box (see Defining fields in the Manage Database dialog
box)
• In Table View (see Defining fields in Table View)
Note To add an existing field to a layout, go to Layout mode and drag a field from the Field tool
. See Placing and removing fields on a layout.

Defining fields in the Field Picker dialog box
When you create a new database, by default FileMaker Pro opens the file in Layout mode, and
displays a blank layout and the Field Picker dialog box. Use the Field Picker dialog box to define
fields for the database, and to add or change fields for an existing layout. Fields defined using the
Field Picker dialog box are added to the Manage Database dialog box.
After you’ve defined the fields, drag them from the Field Picker dialog box to the layout. (To have
fields that you define in the Field Picker dialog box automatically placed on a layout, select the Add
newly defined fields to current layout preference before you define the fields. See Setting layout
preferences.)
Note Using the Field Picker dialog box, you can define fields for the current layout of the current
FileMaker Pro table only.

To define fields:
1. In the Field Picker dialog box, click New Field.
A placeholder Field is created in the fields list, with a field type assigned. If this is a new
database file, the field is a text field.
Tip You can also press Ctrl+Enter (Windows), or Command-Return or Command-Enter (OS X),
to add a new field.
2. With the field selected, type a new name for the field.
See About naming fields.
3. To change the field type, click the field type and choose a new field type from the list.

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See About choosing a field type.
4. To set options for the field, right-click the field and choose Field Options.
See Setting options for fields.
5. Repeat steps 1–4 to continue creating fields.
Each new field has the same field type as the field added most recently.
6. When you drag fields to the layout, the fields are by default placed vertically and labels are
placed to the left of fields. To change these settings, click the arrow next to Drag Options
before you drag the fields to the layout.
To display

Do this

Fields stacked vertically on the layout
For Field Placement, click

.

For Field Placement, click

.

Fields horizontally on the layout
Fields without labels
For Labels, click

.

For Labels, click

.

For Labels, click

.

Each field’s label above the field
Each field’s label to the left of the field

Subsequent fields that are added to the Field Picker dialog box use the current drag settings.
7. Select the fields you want to place on the layout, then drag them to the layout.
To locate a field in a long list, type the field name in the search text box near the top of the Field
Picker dialog box.
To sort fields in the list, click
, then choose how you want to sort fields: Creation Order,
Field Name, Field Type, or Custom Order.
To open the Manage Database dialog box, click
Database dialog box.

. See Defining fields in the Manage

8. Close the Field Picker dialog box by clicking the close button or pressing Esc.

To add, delete, or change fields:
Note Changes made in the Field Picker dialog box are applied to the fields in the database and all
layouts on which the field appears.
1. In Layout mode, click
box.

in the status toolbar to open the Field Picker dialog

You can also choose View menu > Field Picker.
2. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the list at
the top of the Field Picker dialog box.
3. Add, remove, or change fields.

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To

Do this

Add a field

Click New Field, type a name for the field, and
choose a field type. Change drag options, if
needed, then drag the new field to the layout.

Delete a field

Right-click the field and choose Delete Field.
To delete multiple fields at a time, select the
fields, then right-click and choose Delete Field.

Change a field’s name

Windows: Double-click the field, then type a new
field name.
OS X: Select the field, then click the field name
and type a new field name.
See Changing field names.

Change the field type

Select the field type, then choose a new field
type from the list. See Changing field types.

Change options for the field

Right-click the field, then choose Field Options.
See Setting options for fields.

4. Close the Field Picker dialog box by clicking the close button or pressing Esc.
Note Another way to add an existing field to a layout is to switch to Layout mode and drag a field
from the Field tool

. See Placing and removing fields on a layout.

Related topics
Defining fields in Table View
Changing field definitions

Defining fields in the Manage Database dialog box
Use the following steps to create or change fields in a new or existing database.
Note To have fields that you define in the Manage Database dialog box automatically display on a
layout, you must select the Add newly defined fields to current layout preference before you
define the fields. See Setting layout preferences.
1. With the database open in Browse mode or Layout mode, choose File menu > Manage >
Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. For Field Name, type a name for the field.
See About naming fields.
5. For Type, select a field type.
See About choosing a field type.
6. Click Create.
7. To set options for the field, click Options.

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See Setting options for fields.
8. Continue to define fields, or click OK.
Note To add an existing field to a layout, switch to Layout mode and drag a field from the Field tool
. See Placing and removing fields on a layout.

Related topics
Defining fields in the Field Picker dialog box
Defining fields in Table View

Defining fields in Table View
Use the following steps to create or change fields in a new or existing database.
Note To have fields that you define in Table View display on a layout, you must select the Add
newly defined fields to current layout preference before you define the fields. See Setting layout
preferences.
1. With the database open in Browse mode, click Table View

in the layout bar.

2. In Table View, click the Create Field column heading and type a name for the first field.
3. The default field type is text. To change the field type, right-click the column heading for the
field, then choose Field > Field Type.
See About choosing a field type.
4. To add a second field, click + in the column heading.
A new field is added to the database and is displayed as the last column in Table View.
5. Type a name for the field.
See About naming fields.
6. To select options for the field, right-click the column heading for the field, then choose
Field > Field Options.
See Setting options for fields.
7. Create more fields or add records (rows) to the database.
Note To add an existing field to a layout, switch to Layout mode and drag a field from the Field tool
. See Placing and removing fields on a layout.

Related topics
Defining fields in the Field Picker dialog box
Defining fields in the Manage Database dialog box

About naming fields
Field names must be unique, and can contain up to 100 characters. Follow these guidelines when
naming fields:
• Do not use any of the following symbols and words in the field name:

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• ,(comma), +, -, *, /, ^, &, =, ≠, >, <, ( ), [ ], { }, ", ; (semicolon), : (colon), :: (relational
indicator), $ (variable indicator)
• AND, OR, NOT, XOR, TRUE, FALSE, or the name of any FileMaker Pro function
• Don't begin a field name to be used in a calculation formula with a space, period (.), or
number.
• Use _ (underscore) in place of a space to avoid restrictions in ODBC, exporting, web
publishing, and other operations.
• If you're exchanging data with another application, check the field naming restrictions in the
file formats supported by that application.
• If you're using ODBC or JDBC to share FileMaker Pro data, avoid using SQL keywords in
field names.

Related topics
Using a reserved word or symbol for a field or table name
Changing field names

About choosing a field type
When you define a field, you select a field type based on the kind of information the field will contain.
The field type determines what kind of data can be entered and what kinds of operations
FileMaker Pro can perform with the data.
FileMaker Pro uses the field type to interpret the data for tasks like sorting records and performing
calculations. For example, if you create a text field and enter numbers, you can sort the data only in
alphabetical order. (The first character sorts, then the second, so that 11 sorts before 2.) You must
use a number field, or a calculation or summary field with a numeric result, to sort data in numerical
order.
Important Be sure to use a date field (instead of a text or number field) to store dates. To avoid
confusion when using dates in FileMaker Pro, always use four-digit years. See Defining field
validation and Conversion of dates with two-digit years.
You select the field type in the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box. To select the field
type in Table View, right-click the column heading, choose Field > Field Type > and select one of
the options for Field Type.
Select this type

If the field data will be

Text

Up to approximately 2 GB of letters, symbols, and/or numbers used as text per field
repetition, limited by available RAM and disk space. Indexes nominally based on the
first 100 characters of each word or value. Text fields may contain carriage returns.
See About text fields.

Number

Values up to 800 digits or other characters, and the negative values of the same
range. Index is based on the first 400 significant digits. Number fields can also
contain Boolean values, to indicate, for example, true, false, yes, and no. Number
fields can't contain carriage returns. See About number fields.

Date

Dates only. Gregorian calendar with a range of 1/1/0001...12/31/4000. Month, day,
and year order is based on system settings when the file is created. See About date
fields.

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Select this type

If the field data will be

Time

Times only. A time field can contain the hours, minutes, and seconds portion of a
time. See About time fields.

Timestamp

Dates and times together to reference a fixed point in calendar time. For example, 10/
25/2014 2:39:46 AM. See About timestamp fields.

Container

A file of any type, such as a picture, a PDF, or a multimedia file. You can set up
storage and display options for the field. You can reference container fields in
calculations and summary fields. You can't find or sort records based on container
fields, but you can define text fields to describe or identify them. Then, you can find or
sort records based on the description or identifying number in the text field. Files in
container fields can be embedded, stored as a reference, or stored externally. See
About container fields.

Calculation

The result of a calculation formula that uses field values from the current record or
related records. The result can be one of these types of data: text, number, date,
time, timestamp, or container. See Defining calculation fields.

Summary

A value that’s produced by summarizing field values from more than one record in the
same table. See Defining summary fields.

Notes
• Any field type except for summary can store a global value.
• In addition to defining a field and selecting its field type, you can create repeating fields,
global fields, and supplemental fields.
• If a field uses system formats to display data, FileMaker WebDirect uses the default system
formats for the location in which the database file was created. See Formatting and setting
up field objects in Layout mode.

Related topics
About defining database fields
Changing field types
Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode

About text fields
Use text fields to store letters, symbols, and numbers used as text. Indexes are based on the words
or values in the fields.

Notes
• Text fields can hold values that are combinations of letters, numbers, and special
characters, like phone numbers, postal codes, or serial numbers.
• Text fields sort in alphabetical order (left to right, character by character).
• To specify how data in a text field displays (for example, to specify a font), see Formatting
and setting up field objects in Layout mode.
• If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can copy field schemas from one file and
paste them into the same file or some other file. See Copying and pasting field schemas
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

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Related topics
About defining database fields
Specifying text formats for fields

About number fields
Use number fields to store values from 10-400 up to 10400, and negative values in the same range.

Notes
• Use number fields to store:
• numbers that need to be sorted in numeric order. FileMaker Pro indexes the first 400
significant digits (numbers, decimal points, or signs) of the field, ignoring letters and
other symbols.
• numbers used in calculation formulas or summary fields. By default, FileMaker Pro
performs fixed-point math with a minimum of 16 digits of precision to the right of the
decimal point. Use the SetPrecision function to further expand the precision of this
number.
• values that are a combination of numbers, letters, and special characters that still need
to use the numbers in calculations and sorting (for example, $400 or best offer).
• Use text fields instead of number fields to store postal codes, phone numbers, and other
values with leading zeroes or characters like hyphens or parentheses.
• The characters displayed for the decimal separator and thousands separator depend on the
system formats set for the database file, and the display format for the field. For information
on changing the display format for a field (for example, 2.45 or $2.45), see Specifying
formats for fields containing numbers.
• If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can copy field schemas from one file and
paste them into the same file or some other file. See Copying and pasting field schemas
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Related topics
About defining database fields
Specifying formats for fields containing numbers

About date fields
Use date fields to store:
• dates you need to sort or search through
• dates used in calculation formulas or summary fields
Date fields can store values from January 1, 0001 to December 31, 4000.
Important To avoid confusion when using dates in FileMaker Pro, always use four-digit years. For
information on how FileMaker Pro handles dates with two-digit years, see Conversion of dates with
two-digit years.

Notes
• The separators in date fields and the order in which the date parts appear depend on the
system formats set for the file and the display format for the field. For information on

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changing the display format for a field (for example, July 7, 2014 or 7/7/2014), see
Specifying formats for date fields.
• New files and clones of existing files use the current operating system format for date
formatting.
• To make sure dates are always entered with four-digit years, see Defining field validation.
• If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can copy field schemas from one file and
paste them into the same file or some other file. See Copying and pasting field schemas
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Related topics
About defining database fields
Specifying formats for date fields
Working with data in date fields
Dates are not as expected

About time fields
Use time fields to store:
• times you need to sort or search through
• times used in calculation formulas or summary fields

Notes
• The separators in time fields and the order in which the time parts appear depend on the
system formats set for the file and the display format for the field. For information on
changing the display format for a field (for example, 11:09 PM or 23:09), see Specifying
formats for time fields.
• If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can copy field schemas from one file and
paste them into the same file or some other file. See Copying and pasting field schemas
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Related topics
About defining database fields
Working with data in time fields
Specifying formats for time fields

About timestamp fields
Use timestamp fields to store a date and time together to reference a fixed point in calendar time.
A timestamp field can store date values from January 1, 0001 to December 31, 4000. Timestamps
are measured in seconds.
Important To avoid confusion when using dates in FileMaker Pro, always use four-digit years. For
information on how FileMaker Pro handles dates with two-digit years, see Conversion of dates with
two-digit years.

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Notes
• A timestamp field always includes a date and a time of day. You must specify formats for
both date and time components to change the format of a timestamp. See Specifying
formats for timestamp fields.
• Mathematical operations performed on timestamps are similar to those performed on time
fields, and have a resolution of seconds (date fields have a resolution of days). Because
one unit of timestamp is one second, to add one day's worth of time to a timestamp you
would add 86400 (60 seconds to a minute * 60 minutes to a hour * 24 hours to a day) to the
value in the field.
• There are no negative timestamps.
• The minimum and maximum values of a timestamp are 1/1/0001 12:00 AM and 12/31/4000
11:59:59.999999 PM.
• The separators in time fields and the order in which the time parts appear depend on the
system formats set for the file and the display format for the field. To change the display
format for a field (for example, 11:09 PM or 23:09), set options in the Inspector in Layout
mode. See Specifying formats for timestamp fields.
• When you select Insert menu > Current Time in an active timestamp field, FileMaker Pro
inserts the full current date and time.
• When you select Insert menu > Current Date in an active timestamp field, FileMaker Pro
inserts the current date only.
• To specify how data in a timestamp field displays (for example, to specify whether the value
shows the day of the week or “AM” and “PM”), see Formatting and setting up field objects in
Layout mode.
• If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can copy field schemas from one file and
paste them into the same file or some other file. See Copying and pasting field schemas
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Related topics
About defining database fields
Working with data in date fields
Working with data in time fields
Dates are not as expected

About container fields
Use container fields to store any file:
• photos, movies, sounds
• documents, including Microsoft Word and Excel files, PDF files, and so on
You can reference container fields in calculation formulas or summary fields.
Data in container fields is by default embedded. You can, instead:
• store a reference in the field when you select a file to insert into it
• define the field to store data externally
FileMaker Pro saves externally stored container data in the same folder in which the database file is
located. See Managing external storage of container data.

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When you save a FileMaker Pro file as a self-contained copy, container data that is stored as a file
reference, as well as externally stored data, is embedded in container fields in the copy. See Saving
and copying files.
You can use the GetContainerAttribute function to track how the contents of a container field are
stored and how much storage space it uses. This function also returns metadata about a container
field’s contents, such as the height and width of images, photo orientation, cover art of audio
contents, bar code type, and signature timestamps.
You can make a container field interactive to optimize the field for content such as audio, video, or
PDF files. See Specifying formats for container fields.

Notes
• After you define a container field, you can make the field larger in Layout mode.
• You can't find or sort records based on a container field, but you can define a text field to
describe or identify the contents of the container. Then, you can find or sort records based
on the information in the text field.
• To specify how data in a container field displays (for example, whether the image is cropped
or scaled), see Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode.
• FileMaker Pro uses the orientation attribute set by many cameras to display photographs
right side up in container fields. See Inserting graphics into container fields.
• To put a static graphic (like a logo) on a layout, create, paste, or import the graphic directly
onto the layout, or use a global container field. Either option will use less storage space than
storing the same graphic with every record.
• You can create a script that includes the Insert File script step to specify the contents of a
container field.
• When externally stored container data is hosted on FileMaker Server, the data can be
located on a different volume from the databases, including on network attached storage.
For more information, see FileMaker Server Help.

Related topics
About defining database fields
About setting up container fields
Using data in container fields
Deleting data from container fields
Creating file paths

Defining calculation fields
Use calculation fields to perform calculations on the following types of data: text, number, date, time,
or container.
The data in a calculation field is the result of a formula that you specify. The result can be one of
these types of data: text, number, date, time, or container.

To define calculation fields:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.

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4. For Field Name, type a name for the field.
See About naming fields.
5. For Type, select Calculation.
6. Click Create.
You see the Specify Calculation dialog box.
7. If necessary, for Evaluate this calculation from the context of, choose a table from the
list.
Setting the context for a calculation is only necessary when you're creating a calculation field in
a source table that has two or more occurrences in the relationships graph. The choice you
make may affect the calculation results, particularly if your calculation will include fields in
related tables. See Choosing the evaluation context for a calculation field.
8. Build a formula for your calculation.
Click where you want the item to appear in the formula box, then do the following. (You can also
type the formula into the box.)
To add a

Do this

Reference to a field

In the field list, double-click a field name.
To display field names from another table, choose a table from the
table list.

Mathematical or text operator

For Operators, click a button or type an operator. See
Mathematical operators and Text operators.

Comparison or logical operator,
or an exponent

For Operators, double-click an operator in the list or type an
operator. See Comparison operators and Logical operators.

Constant value

Type the value.

Function

In the functions list, double-click a function. In the formula box,
replace the placeholder parameter with a value or expression.

To quickly build a formula:
• Tab to or click in the field, operators, or functions list.
• Type the first few letters of a field name, operator, or function to move to that item in the
list.
• Press Insert (Windows) or the Space bar (OS X) to place it in the formula box.
9. Select calculation options for the field.
To

Do this

Set the field type of the result

Choose a data type for Calculation result is .
Choose the correct type for the result you want. See About
choosing a field type.

Make a calculated field
repeating

Select Number of repetitions, then type the number of repetitions.
See Defining repeating fields.

Prevent calculation if all
referenced fields are empty

Select Do not evaluate if all referenced fields are empty.

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10. To select indexing and storage options for the field, click Storage Options, select options in
the Storage Options dialog box, then click OK.
See Defining field indexing options and Defining global fields (fields with global storage).
11. Click OK to close the Specify Calculation dialog box.
12. Continue to define fields or click OK.
Important To avoid confusion when using dates in FileMaker Pro, always define calculation
formulas to enter four-digit years. For information on how FileMaker Pro handles dates with two-digit
years, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

To define calculation fields in Table View:
1. With the database open in Browse mode, click Table View

in the layout bar.

2. Click + in the column heading to add a new field.
3. Right-click the column heading for the new field, then choose Field > Field Type >
Calculation from the shortcut menu.
4. Build a formula for calculation and specify options for the field in the Specify Calculation
dialog box.

Notes
• You can type field names, operators, and functions in the Specify Calculation dialog box
instead of using the fields or operators lists.
• A calculation field calculates a result from values in other fields in the current record, from
related records using a relationship, or from fields defined with global storage options. (In
contrast, a summary field produces a result using values in more than one record in the
database. See Defining summary fields.)
• Calculation fields are updated when a value in the calculation changes. Unstored
calculation fields are also updated when the record is refreshed, the field is clicked or
tabbed into or out of, or the field is refreshed (for example, by a script).
• Values, expressions, functions, and parameters can be uppercase or lowercase.
• To include literal quotation marks in a calculation text string, precede the quotation mark
character with a backslash character (/). For, example, “Hello” included in a calculation
evaluates to Hello, but “/”Hello/”” evaluates to “Hello”.
• FileMaker Pro calculates the formula when you close the Manage Database dialog box.
There may be a delay if your database contains many records (for example, 10,000).
• To change the way functions are displayed in the dialog box, choose a category from the
View list.
• Calculations that include a related field, summary field, global value, or a reference to
another unstored calculation are unstored.
• Calculations defined with global storage options display values calculated using the last
modified record.
• If any field on a layout containing unstored calculations is set to auto-resize, calculation
results will be updated when the window is resized.
• You can reference container fields in calculations and display container data in calculation
fields. See About container fields.

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• References to related fields can become invalid if the related file is missing, or if you delete
a field in the related file. FileMaker Pro alerts you that a field reference is invalid when you
display or change the calculation formula. Changing the field type in a related file may
cause unexpected behavior.
• If your FileMaker Pro file accesses data from an ODBC data source, you can use
supplemental fields to define unstored calculations or summary instructions that act on data
coming from the external sources. See Using supplemental fields.
• If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can copy field schemas from one file and
paste them into the same file or some other file. See Copying and pasting field schemas
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Calculation examples
Field name

Field type

Calculation

Today’s Date

Date

Get( CurrentDate )

Full Name

Text

FirstName & “ ” & LastName

Sales Tax

Number

SubTotal * .08

Related topics
About formulas
Working with formulas and functions
About functions
Changing calculation formulas
Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode

Defining summary fields
Use summary fields to calculate values such as subtotals, averages, and grand totals across
multiple records. For example, a summary field can display the grand total of all sales in the month
of May in a report.

To define summary fields:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. For Field Name, type a name for the field.
See About naming fields.
5. For Type, select Summary.
6. Click Create.
7. In the Options for Summary Field dialog box, select a summary type, then select the field
you want to group data by.
Select this type of
summary calculation

To summarize values in a field in the found set of records by

Total of

Calculating the total of values in the field.

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Select this type of
summary calculation

To summarize values in a field in the found set of records by

Average of

Calculating the average of values in the field.

Count of

Counting the number of records that contain a value for the field. For
example, if a field contains 100 values (one value for each record), the
result of the count is 100.

Minimum

Finding the lowest number, or earliest date, time, or timestamp for a field.

Maximum

Finding the highest number, or latest date, time, or timestamp for a field.

Standard Deviation of

Finding how widely the values in a field differ from each other. This option
calculates the standard deviation from the mean of the values in a field.

Fraction of Total of

Calculating the ratio of the value in the field to the total of all the values in
that field. (For example, find what fraction of total sales can be attributed to
each salesperson.)

List of

Creating a return-delimited list of non-blank values in a field.

8. Select a summary option, if applicable, for the summary type.
For

Select

To

Total of

Running total

Show the cumulative total for the
current and all previous records. To
restart the running total for each
sorted group, also select Restart
summary for each sorted group
and select the field upon which the
sort will be restarted from the field
list.

Average of

Weighted average. In the field list
that appears, select the field that
contains the weight factor.

Determine the average in one field
based on a value in another field
that is used as a weight factor.

Count of

Running count

Show the cumulative count of the
current and all previous records. To
restart the running count for each
sorted group, also select Restart
summary for each sorted group
and select the field upon which the
sort will be restarted from the field
list.

Standard Deviation of

By population

Calculate population standard
deviation.

Fraction of Total of

Subtotaled. In the field list that
Calculate a fraction of the total
appears, select the field to group by. based only on a group of records.

9. If the field you are summarizing is a repeating field, you have the option to summarize the
repetitions together or individually.
Select All together to calculate a single summary value for all repetitions in the field.
Select Individually to calculate a summary value for each repetition.

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Note You must format your summary field as a repeating field to display individual summary
values. See Setting up the display of repeating fields.
10. Click OK, then continue defining fields or click OK.

To define summary fields in Table View:
1. With the database open in Browse mode, click Table View

in the layout bar.

2. Click + in the column heading to add a new field.
3. Right-click the column heading for the new field, then choose Field > Field Type >
Summary from the shortcut menu.
4. Select a summary type and set the options for the summary field in the Summary Field
dialog box.

Notes
• Use the New Layout/Report assistant to quickly create a layout that summarizes data. See
Creating a layout.
• Summary fields are associated with groups of records. The value in a summary field can
change depending on where you place the field on a layout, how many records are in the
found set, and whether the records are sorted.
• Data in a summary field reflects records currently being browsed; either all the records or a
group of found records. If you change a value in one of the fields on which the summary is
based, or if you change the found set, FileMaker Pro recalculates the result in a summary
field.
• If you choose Fraction of Total of, you can specify a group field for Subtotaled. When you
return to Browse mode, you must sort by the group field to calculate the value correctly.
• The standard deviation formula is n-1 weighted, following the normal standard deviation.
• You can't change data in a summary field manually, but you can copy it. You can also
perform calculations with summary fields using the GetSummary function.
• If your FileMaker Pro file accesses data from an ODBC data source, you can use
supplemental fields to define unstored calculations or summary instructions that act on data
coming from the external sources. See Using supplemental fields.
• If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can copy field schemas from one file and
paste them into the same file or some other file. See Copying and pasting field schemas
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Related topics
Changing summary fields
Summary data is missing or incorrect
Specifying formats for fields containing numbers

Setting options for fields
You can set field options when you define a field, or at a later time. You can set options for:
• entering default data into fields to make entering data fast, accurate, and consistent (for
example, FileMaker Pro can perform a calculation to automatically format a phone number)
• checking data against validation requirements

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• making a repeating field
• indexing and storing data
• storing container data externally (see About setting up container fields)
• storing a global value
• setting Furigana input options (Japanese language fields only)
You can add, change, or remove data entry, validation, repeating, storage, and indexing options for
all field types except summary.
FileMaker Pro doesn't update existing records if you change field options. You can find existing
records and change the data, if needed.
Important To avoid confusion when using dates in FileMaker Pro, set field validation options to
make sure dates are always entered with four-digit years. For information on how FileMaker Pro
handles dates with two-digit years, see Defining field validation and Conversion of dates with twodigit years.

Defining automatic data entry
To save time and ensure accuracy, you can set FileMaker Pro to automatically enter data in text,
number, date, time, and container fields. For example, FileMaker Pro can enter the current user's
name into a field.

To set options for automatic data entry:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
Note To set options for fields in Table View, right-click the column heading for the field, choose
Field > Field Options from the shortcut menu, then skip to step 6.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. Select a text, number, date, time, or container field from the list of existing fields, or define a
new one.
5. Click Options (or double-click the field name).
6. In the Options for Field dialog box, click the Auto-Enter tab, then select options for the field.
To

Do this

Enter the record creation date or time

Select Creation, then choose Date or Time from the
list.

Enter the record creation date and time
(timestamp)

Select Creation, then choose Timestamp from the
list.

Enter the name of the person who creates
the record

Select Creation, then choose Name from the list.

Enter the account name that creates the
record

Select Creation, then choose Account Name from
the list.

Enter the record modification date or time

Select Modification, then choose Date or Time from
the list.

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To

Do this

Enter the record modification date and time
(timestamp)

Select Modification, then choose Timestamp from
the list.

Enter the name of the person who modifies
the record

Select Modification, then choose Name from the list.

Enter the account name that modifies the
record

Select Modification, then choose Account Name
from the list.

Assign a serialized number to the field in
each record

Select Serial number, then:
• For Generate, choose On creation to generate
serial numbers when records are created.
• For Generate, choose On commit to generate
serial numbers when records are committed.
For next value, type a starting value (like 100), then
type the increment in increment by.

Enter the value from the same field of the last
record you accessed

Select Value from last visited record.
Note This value will be from the last record accessed
in the table in which this options has been set.

Enter data that you specify

Select Data, then type up to 255 characters. Use the
keyboard arrow keys to scroll through the text box, if
needed.

Enter the result of a calculation

Select Calculated value (or click Specify), then
enter a calculation.
See Defining calculation fields for information about
the dialog box.
Select Do not replace existing value for field (if
any) to prevent overwriting data already present.

Enter a value that's copied from a field in a
related record

Select Looked-up value (or click Specify), then
define the lookup. See About lookups.

Prohibit a user from modifying a value that
you have defined to be auto-entered

Select Prohibit modification of value.

Turn off automatic data entry

Clear all selected checkboxes.

7. Click OK to close the Options for Field dialog box, or click another tab to set additional field
options.

Notes
• You can also define value lists to save time and ensure accuracy during data entry.
• Alternatively, you can specify the auto-complete option for text fields to help ensure
accuracy for data entry. See Setting up a field to auto-complete during data entry.
• Your choices in the Options for Field dialog box are limited by the type of field you are
defining. For example, you can't choose Creation Date for a time field.
• If Creation Name or Modification Name is selected, FileMaker Pro enters the user name
shown in the General tab of the Preferences dialog box.
• If you select Calculated value, you can edit the field value in Browse mode (if Prohibit
modification of value isn't selected). The value is calculated when you create a record, or

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when one of the referenced fields changes and the destination field is empty. (However, if
you select Do not evaluate if all referenced fields are empty in the Specify Calculation
dialog box, the value isn't calculated when you create a record and all fields referenced by
the calculation are empty. Instead, the value is calculated when one of the referenced fields
contains a value.)
• Auto-enter calculations can be self-referencing.
• To make an auto-enter calculation self-modifying, leave the Do not replace existing value
for field (if any) option unchecked.
• To auto-enter a calculated value that’s automatically updated and can’t be changed by
entering data in the field, define a calculation field.
• For information about auto-entered data and FileMaker WebDirect, see the
FILEMAKER WEBDIRECT GUIDE and the FileMaker Knowledge Base.
• You can set auto-enter and validation options for external fields for ODBC tables. These
field options only affect how you work with these external fields in FileMaker Pro. The
options are independent of any options that might be set in the ODBC data source.

Related topics
Working with formulas and functions
About choosing a field type
Inserting the current date or other variables into a field
Defining value lists
Entering preset data from a value list

Defining field validation
You can select validation options to ensure that data is entered into a field correctly. When validation
options are selected, FileMaker Pro displays a message if you enter data incorrectly. For example,
you can set an option to require that users enter a value in a field.
Important To avoid confusion when using dates in FileMaker Pro, set field validation options to
make sure dates are always entered with four-digit years. For more information on how
FileMaker Pro handles dates with two-digit years, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

To choose field validation options:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
Note To set options for fields in Table View, right-click the column heading for the field, choose
Field > Field Options from the shortcut menu, then skip to step 8.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. Select an existing field or define a new one.
5. Click Options (or double-click the field name).
6. In the Options for Field dialog box, click the Validation tab.
7. Select validation options for the field.

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8. For Validate data in this field, select Always for ongoing field validation, or Only during
data entry to limit validation to instances when data is being entered. Check Allow user to
override if you want the user to override validation warnings.
To require that the entered value

Select

Contains only numbers

Strict data type, then choose Numeric Only from
the list

Is a date containing numeric values for the
month and day, and four digits for the year (for
example, 5/12/2014)

Strict data type, then choose 4-Digit Year Date
from the list

Is a time containing numeric values for hours
and minutes between 00:00 and 23:59 (seconds
are not evaluated for this data type validation)

Strict data type, then choose Time of Day from
the list

Is not blank

Not empty

Does not duplicate a value found in this field in
other records

Unique value

Matches another value in the same field in any
other record

Existing value

Matches a value in a specified value list

Member of value list, then choose a value list.
(Choose Manage Value Lists to create a list.)

Is within a specific range of letters
(alphabetically), numbers, dates, or times

In range, then type the beginning and ending
values

Matches the result of a calculation

Validated by calculation (or click Specify), then
enter a calculation. See Defining calculation fields
for information about the dialog box.
Select or clear Validate only if field has been
modified, then click OK.

Does not exceed specified number of characters Maximum number of characters, then type the
maximum number of characters allowed
Does not exceed a specified file size (for
container field)

Maximum number of kilobytes, then enter the
number of kilobytes. This setting limits the size of
a file that’s embedded in a container field or stored
externally. This setting has no effect on files that
are stored by reference in a container field.

9. To display a custom message if validation fails, select Display custom message if
validation fails. Type a message (up to 255 characters).
10. Click OK to close the Options for Field dialog box, or click another tab to set additional field
options.

Notes
• Field and validation values must be identical to successfully validate the contents of a field.
If the Validation by calculation option is used, the calculation results must exactly match
the contents of the field being evaluated. By default, the FileMaker Pro calculation engine
calculates to 16 digits of precision to the right of the decimal. If you are validating fields by
calculation that return fractional results, you can use the Round function to limit calculation
results to an expected number of digits.

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• You can also specify the auto-complete option for text fields to help ensure accuracy for
data entry. See Setting up a field to auto-complete during data entry.
• Unique or existing validation on a field triggers when you exit the field, not when you commit
the entire record.
• You can set auto-enter and validation options for external fields for ODBC tables. These
field options only affect how you work with these external fields in FileMaker Pro. The
options are independent of any options that might be set in the ODBC data source.

Related topics
Working with formulas and functions
Entering and changing data in fields
Committing data in records
Defining value lists

Defining global fields (fields with global storage)
A field that uses global storage contains one value that's used for all records in the file. Fields
defined with global storage are also referred to as global fields.

To define global storage options for a field:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
Note To set options for fields in Table View, right-click the column heading for the field, choose
Field > Field Options from the shortcut menu, then skip to step 6.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. For Field Name, type a name for the field.
See About naming fields.
5. Click Options (or double-click the field name).
6. In the Options for Field dialog box, click the Storage tab, then select Use global storage
(one value for all records).
7. To create a repeating field, enter a value greater than 1 for Maximum number of
repetitions.
8. Click OK.
9. Continue to define fields or click Done.

Notes
• You can use a global field:
• as a fixed value in calculation formulas across all records in a file, or in conditional script
steps, such as If, Else, End If, Loop, End Loop, and Exit Loop.
• for fields that rarely need to be updated. For example, use global storage to put your
company address on several layouts. You can quickly update the value in a field with
global storage without having to update each layout.
• as a match field for a relationship.

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• You can use variables instead of global fields for temporary data storage. See Using
variables.
• To enter or change the value in a global field, in Browse mode, select the field and enter the
new value.
• You can't use a global field to find records.
• If your file is shared, only the host's changes to global field data are saved. Changes are
saved only when the file is closed.
• If a file is shared, some calculations that include global fields are evaluated on the host
instead of on the client. The host performs the evaluation in the following situations:
• when a find request is searching an unstored calculation field whose calculation
includes a global field.
• during a find request on a table with access privileges that restrict access to certain
records, and the calculation that determines record access includes a global field.
• the evaluation of any other record access calculation that includes a global field in order
to determine whether to display related data. For example, a record access calculation
to determine the rows to display in a portal or the values to display in a related value list
will occur on the host if the record access calculation includes a global field.
To accurately evaluate these calculations on the host, FileMaker Pro transfers all the global field
values in the current table from the client to the host. If you know that certain global fields will
never be used in unstored calculations or record access calculations, you can improve
database performance by creating these global fields in a separate table. This will prevent
unneeded global field data from being repeatedly transferred to the host.

Related topics
About match fields for relationships

Defining repeating fields
You can store more than one value in a text, number, date, time, container, calculation, or global
field by making the field a repeating field.
For example, you can create a text field named Color that stores the colors available for each
product you sell. If you make Color a repeating field, you can enter all the colors for each product
into the Color field.
Note Instead of using a repeating field, it is often easier to use a related table and a portal to sort or
insert data, or create a summary report.

To define a repeating field:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
Note To set options for fields in Table View, right-click the column heading for the field, choose
Field > Field Options from the shortcut menu, then skip to step 6.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. Select the field you want to repeat, or define a new field.
5. Click Options (or double-click the field name).
6. In the Options for Field dialog box, click the Storage tab.

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7. In the Repeating area, enter a number for Maximum number of repetitions.
If the field is a calculation field, you see the Specify Calculation dialog box instead of the Options
for Field dialog box. For Number of repetitions, enter the number of repetitions (up to 32,000).
8. Click OK.
9. Click OK to close the Options for Field dialog box, or click another tab to set additional field
options.

Notes
• Use the Data tab of the Inspector to change the number of repetitions displayed on a layout.
• In a repeating field, there's a separate display area for each repetition. If you define a field to
repeat, all repetitions have the same size and other field characteristics.
• Some FileMaker Pro features (like calculation and summary fields, and find requests)
include all the values in a repeating field. For example, when you create a find request,
FileMaker Pro searches for values in all repetitions, even those that aren't visible in the
current layout. Other FileMaker Pro features, like sorting, only use the first value in a
repeating field. For information about how a feature works with repeating fields, see the
Help topic for that feature.
• Values in a repeating field cannot be easily summarized to create a report. You can,
however, define a calculation that uses an aggregate function, which is similar to
summarizing data on a record-by-record basis.

Related topics
Getting the contents of a repetition in a repeating field
Setting up the display of repeating fields

Defining field indexing options
In FileMaker Pro, you can create indexes, which are lists of the words or values in a field.
FileMaker Pro uses indexes for searching and for joining related tables. Indexes increase the speed
of searches but also increase file size.
FileMaker Pro uses different indexes for different tasks:
• Value indexes can be created for text, number, date, time, and timestamp fields, as well as
calculation fields that return results of these same types. Value indexes are used for joining
related records and for searches in number, date, time, and timestamp fields, and
calculation fields that return results of these same types. A value index is created by taking
each line of text (delimited by the carriage return character) and taking up to the first 100
primary character weights that all the characters in that line generate, according to the
Unicode Collation Algorithm. See Choosing a language for indexing or sorting.
Note Some behavior is dependent upon the data source or drivers when using Japanese
collation that does not distinguish Katakana or Hiragana, either in full- or half-width. This is also
the case with Roman characters with accents.
• Word indexes can only be created for text fields and calculation fields that return a text
result, where they are used for searches. A word index is created by storing each unique
word in a field. Fields containing large amounts of text can generate large indexes, as each
unique word in the text field appears in the word index. This can significantly increase file
size.

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To set indexing options for a field:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
Note To set options for fields in Table View, right-click the column heading for the field, choose
Field > Field Options from the shortcut menu, then skip to step 6.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. Click the field name.
5. Click Options (or double-click the field name).
6. In the Options for Field dialog box, click the Storage tab.
If you selected a calculation field, you see the Specify Calculation dialog box. Click Storage
Options.
7. Select indexing options for the field.
Select

To

None

Prevent FileMaker Pro from indexing the field.

Minimal

Create a value index of a text field’s contents or a calculation
field returning text results.

All

Create both word and value indexes for text fields or calculation
fields returning text results. For number, date, time, and
timestamp fields, as well as calculation fields returning results of
these types, All creates an index of a field's values.

Automatically create indexes as
needed

Create the necessary index only if a user performs a search
using the field or if the field is used as a match field in a
relationship.

A language from the Default
language list

Specify the language used for indexing and sorting values in a
text field. Each language is tailored to support language-specific
indexing and sorting requirements.

8. For calculation fields, select Do not store calculation results if you want FileMaker Pro to
calculate the result only when needed, then click OK.
9. Click OK to close the Options for Field dialog box, or click another tab to set additional field
options.

Notes
• You can define storage and indexing options for text, number, date, time, and timestamp
fields. You can also index calculation fields if the results are text, number, date, time, or
timestamp.
• FileMaker Pro stores most calculation field values immediately after the field is defined,
when the Manage Database dialog box is closed. By default, calculations that include a
related field, summary field, global field, or a reference to another unstored calculation are
unstored; all other calculations are stored.
• Stored results require more disk space. Unstored results require more time to calculate.
• For normal use, use None or Minimal and enable the option to Automatically create
indexes as needed.

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• Selecting All for text fields can significantly increase file size, as every word in the text field
is indexed. Certain operations, such as importing records, may also take more time, as each
word in the field is added to the field’s index as the import occurs.
• Automatically create indexes as needed indexes the field the first time a user performs a
find request (searches) on the field. The first search is slow because the index is being
created. However, subsequent searches on that field are faster because they use the index.
(This option also creates an index when the field is used in a relationship.)
• To create relationships using text fields as match fields without creating word indexes for
these fields, use Minimal and disable Automatically create indexes as needed.
• To reduce file size and prevent users from creating indexes, use None (or Minimal) and
disable Automatically create indexes as needed.
• The combination of selecting None and disabling Automatically create indexes as
needed prevents the field from being used to create relationships.
• For databases that will be placed on CD-ROM or other read-only media, any field that could
be used in a find request should be set to Indexing All (if disk space on the CD-ROM
allows).
• To choose storage options for container fields, see Setting up container fields to store data
externally.

Related topics
Using a field index

Defining Furigana options
The Furigana option is a Japanese-specific feature. The option allows a user to specify that the
Kana reading for Japanese text in one field be entered automatically to another.
Japanese text is composed of Kana (Hiragana and Katakana) and Kanji (characters). Kanji
characters have multiple readings, and the Unicode ordering of these characters is arbitrary. Thus,
to sort Kanji characters in a truly meaningful way, it is necessary to sort by the Kana (phonetic
syllabary) reading intended for each character. The Furigana field is intended as a shadow field into
which the Kana readings for Kanji can be entered.
To create a Furigana field, the user creates two text fields in Manage Database, then selects the
field into which Kanji will be entered (the “parent” field), and establishes a link, via the Use Furigana
Field option, to the field into which the corresponding Kana readings will appear (the “child” field).
A Furigana “child” field defined with this option maintains a connection to its “parent” field data.
When the user inputs Japanese text into the parent field, FileMaker Pro guesses the intended Kana
reading of the entered characters, based on how the characters have been input, and enters this
text in the Furigana field.

To set Furigana options for a field:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
Note To set options for fields in Table View, right-click the column heading for the field, then
choose Field > Field Options from the shortcut menu, then skip to step 6.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.

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4. In the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box, select an existing field, or define a
new one.
5. Click Options (or double-click the field name).
6. In the Options for Field dialog box, click the Furigana tab.
7. Select the field to enter Furigana.
8. Select the Kana reading input format for the Furigana field:
Select

To

As is

Leave text as entered in Hiragana, Katakana, or Roman format

Hiragana

Convert to Hiragana

Full-Width Katakana Convert to full-width Katakana
Full-Width Roman

Convert to full-width Roman (Romaji)

Half-Width Katakana Convert to half-width Katakana
Half-Width Roman

Convert to half-width Roman (Romaji)

9. Click OK to close the Options for Field dialog box, or click another tab to set additional field
options.

Notes
• The Kana that is entered in the Furigana field is compliant with the input method, but
FileMaker Pro is not able to correctly guess at the "intended" reading should the user
retrieve the Kanji characters by an alternative reading, or use character code input.
• Some of the behavior for the Furigana option is platform-specific. When a database with a
Furigana field is shared, the client's operating system determines the behavior of the
Furigana field.
• Windows: Edited text is appended to the text in the Furigana field. Existing text in the
Furigana field is not replaced.
• OS X: Editing text in the parent field will cause the entire contents of the Furigana field
to be replaced.

About setting up container fields
In addition to setting up a container field to store embedded data or a file reference, you can set up
a container field to store data externally.
For example, suppose you have a shared Products database that includes a container field for
product photos. When a user in one location inserts a file into the container field, the file is
transferred to and stored in a directory on the host computer. When users in other locations view
database records, the product photo is displayed in their copy of the container field.
By storing container data externally, you can:
• Share data easily: Storing data externally also makes sharing a multi-user database easy,
because each user works with data that’s stored in one central location. You do not need to
configure a shared volume on each local computer to use container fields in a multi-user
environment. You can insert files into container fields from your hard drive without having to
copy them to a shared volume first.
• Perform incremental backups: Only a reference to an external file is stored inside the
database, which keeps databases small and facilitates incremental backups. Storing

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container data externally promotes faster backups, because after an initial backup has been
performed, subsequent backups copy only the external files that were added or changed.
• Choose how data is stored: Your data remains protected by FileMaker Pro. Container data
that's stored externally in secure storage is by default encrypted and can be read by
FileMaker Pro using secure storage. Alternatively, you can choose to keep the data in its
native format (through open storage), giving you more control over how folders and files are
organized in the external file system.
Follow these general steps to set up container fields to store data externally:
1. Create a container field. See About container fields.
2. Choose storage options for the container field, using the Options for Field dialog box. See
Setting up container fields to store data externally.
3. To move existing data to the external location, perform a data transfer after changing
storage options. See Transferring container data.
Important Routine backups are strongly recommended for any document stored on a computer.
See Maintaining and recovering FileMaker Pro databases.
Note If you’re developing databases for FileMaker Go, see the FileMaker Go documentation for
differences in the behavior of some features.

Related topics
Using data in container fields

Setting up container fields to store data externally
When you create a container field, data is by default embedded in the field.
You can set up a container field to store data externally. Data that’s stored externally is by default
encrypted, using secure storage, and can only be read by the FileMaker Pro application.
FileMaker Pro manages the encrypted files automatically. However, you can use the open storage
option, which removes encryption and keeps the files in their native formats.
You can set up different storage options (embedded or stored externally) for individual container
fields in a database. Also, you can store container data externally in different folders on the file
system.

To set up external storage:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
Note To set options for fields in Table View, right-click the column heading for the field, choose
Field > Field Options from the shortcut menu, then skip to step 6.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. Select an existing field or define a new one.
5. Click Options (or double-click the field name).
6. In the Options for Field dialog box, click the Storage tab.
7. In the Container area, select Store container data externally.
8. For relative to, choose a base directory from the list.

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You can store container data in a different directory. See Managing external storage of container
data.
9. Choose how you want the container data stored.
Choose

To

Secure Storage (the
default)

Encrypt the data, making it readable by FileMaker Pro using
secure storage. FileMaker Pro creates a subdirectory named
“Secure” in the base directory and randomly distributes the files
across subdirectories, and creates new subdirectories as needed.

Open Storage

Allow container files to stay in their original format and control
where the files are stored. The default path is relative to the base
directory and is in the format table/field.
You can type a different path or click Specify to specify a
calculation.

10. Click OK to close the Options for Field dialog box.

Notes
• If the database contains one table, then the database in the base directory path and the
table in the default open storage path will have the same name. For example, “Properties” in
the base directory [database location]/Properties is the database filename, and
“Properties” in the open storage path Properties/Photo is the table name.
• To move existing data that’s embedded in container fields, you must manually transfer the
data. See Transferring container data.
• If you specify a calculation for a container field that uses open storage:
• If a filename that results from a calculation is not unique, FileMaker Pro appends the
duplicate filename with a sequential number (for example, Invoice_1.txt).
• Design the calculation to reduce the number of stored duplicate filenames. For
example, if you design a Candidates recruitment database and you expect that most
records will contain a file named Resume.doc, you can specify the following calculation
for open storage: “Candidates/” & CandidateID.
• If you have FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can encrypt database files to protect them while
they are being stored on disk. See Encrypting database files (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Related topics
Working with formulas and functions

Managing external storage of container data
For each database, you can define one or more base directories in which to store container data
externally. The default location for each base directory is the database’s location. You can add, edit,
or delete base directories. You must have full access privileges to create or change base directories.

To create or change a base directory:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Containers.
The Storage tab displays at least one base directory (the default). You can edit this base
directory, but you can’t delete it unless there are others in the list.

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2. In the Storage tab, create, edit, or delete a base directory for the container fields in this
database.
You can set up subdirectories for individual container fields in Field Options.
To

Do this

Create a new base
directory

Click New. In the New Base Directory dialog box, type a path for
the base directory. A base directory can be an absolute path, a
path relative to the database location, or a network path. (You can
see examples of base directories at the bottom of the dialog box.)
A base directory cannot contain references to a parent folder (“/../
”).

Edit a base directory

Select a base directory in the list, then click Edit. In the Edit Base
Directory dialog box, change the path shown for Base Directory.

Delete a base
directory

Select a base directory in the list, then click Delete.
Note You cannot delete a base directory if it contains data, is used
by a container field that stores data externally, or is the only base
directory in the list, or if any data transfers are pending.

3. Click OK.

Notes
• If you rename the database, you may need to change the database name in the base
directory. FileMaker Pro does not automatically update the database name in the base
directory.
• If a base directory ends with a colon (:), the last part of the path is treated as a prefix for
filenames. For example, if the directory is /invoices/inv_:, then all invoices will be
stored in the Invoices directory, and their filenames will have the inv_ prefix.
• You cannot create, edit, or delete a base directory if the database is hosted on a different
computer.

Related topics
Creating file paths

Managing performance with thumbnails
To speed up the rendering of images in container fields, FileMaker Pro by default generates image
thumbnails and caches them in memory.
The container data can be embedded in the field or stored externally. FileMaker Pro encrypts
thumbnails that are in secure storage and that are embedded.
You must have full access privileges to set options for thumbnails.

To set thumbnail options:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Containers.
2. Click the Thumbnails tab.
3. Select or deselect Generate and store thumbnails for images.
This option is selected by default. If you deselect the option, skip to step 5.

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4. Choose storage options for thumbnail images.
To use

Do this

Temporary storage

Select Temporary storage (the default).
Temporary storage caches in-memory only. Each time the
database file is closed, the cache is discarded.

Permanent storage

Select Permanent storage.
Permanent storage caches on-disk in addition to in-memory. The
on-disk portion of the cache remains when the database file is
closed.

5. Click OK.

Notes
• If generating thumbnails for temporary storage slows performance, change the setting to
permanent storage.
• Thumbnails that are generated from an image that’s either embedded or stored using
secure storage are also encrypted in permanent thumbnail storage.

Transferring container data
When you set up a container field to store data externally, any embedded data in the field is not
automatically moved to the external directory. If you want embedded data to be stored externally,
you must use the following steps to transfer the data. FileMaker Pro uses settings you choose in the
Options for Field dialog box to move the data to the specified base directory.
You can also transfer data that’s stored externally into the container field, convert data with secure
storage to open storage and vice versa, move data between base directories, and move files when
the open storage calculation is changed. Files that are stored by reference and some embedded
container data (such as text objects and layout objects) cannot be transferred.
You must have full access privileges to transfer data.

To transfer container data:
1. If you changed storage options for a container field in the Options for Field dialog box (or by
right-clicking and choosing Field > Field Options while working in Table View), the
Container Data Transfer dialog box appears after you exit the dialog box.
Note Or, in the Manage Containers dialog box, click Transfer Data. The Container Data
Transfer dialog box appears, showing all the container fields that are available for transfer.
2. To see information about a destination (including whether data is embedded or stored
externally, and its base directory, storage type, and file path), click the field (not the
checkbox) in the list.
The information appears below the list.
3. Fields are by default selected for data transfer. To exclude a field from data transfer,
deselect the checkbox next to the field.
4. Click Transfer.
If there is not enough disk space in the base directory, a message appears telling you how much
free space is available and how much space is needed. Click OK and create enough space.

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FileMaker Pro transfers the data from all selected fields to their destinations.
To stop the transfer process, click Stop in the Container Data Transfer dialog box. Stopping the
transfer doesn’t roll back the data already transferred. You can restart the process at any time
by following the steps above.
5. When the transfer is completed, the Transfer Summary dialog box appears, showing you
the status, number of files transferred, and number of files skipped. Click OK.
6. To see a log of the transfer, click Open Log File.
For information about reading this file, see the next section.

Reading the Transfer.log file
The Transfer.log file displays information about container data that failed to transfer.
The most recent data is added to any existing Transfer.log file information, so you may need to scroll
to the end of the file to see the results of the latest data transfer session.
From left to right the columns show the date, time, and time zone in which the transfer took place,
the filename or error number, and a description of the transfer event.
The following are examples of warnings and errors:
Example 1: Warning
2011-07-20 16:27:58.676 +0800
Warning
[Record ID 3, field
Animals::Picture] Skipped non-transferrable data: File reference or text.
Problem: File references and text cannot be transferred.
Solution: For file references, create a script that embeds the referenced files, then transfer data.
Example 2: Error
2011-07-31 11:39:45.265 +0800
Error 301
[Record ID 1] Opening record
resulted in error (301): Record cannot be changed, because another user is
modifying it.
Problem: A record was being edited when the transfer occurred.
Solution: Turn off file sharing before transferring data.
Example 3: Error
2011-07-31 11:43:06.916 +0800
Error 852
[Record ID 6, field
Animals::Picture] Saving container data resulted in error (852): Cannot
write file to the external storage.
Problem: The destination path could not be written to.
Solution: Change the operating system permissions for the destination folder.

Changing field definitions
After you define a field, you can change it. To change the definitions of related fields, make the
changes in the related table or file.
Important Changing a field definition can change or delete data already stored in the field. For
example, changing a field to a calculation field replaces existing data with a calculated value.
Deleting a field definition erases any data stored in the field.

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Changing field names
When you change a field name, FileMaker Pro changes the name on each layout and any field
references used in calculation or summary fields. The field label changes on layouts if it matches the
original field name.

To change a field name:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. In the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box, select the field you want to rename.
5. For Field Name, type or paste the new name.
6. Click Change.
7. Continue making changes or click OK.

To change a field name in Table View:
1. With the database open in Browse mode, click Table View

in the layout bar.

2. Double-click the column heading for the field you want to rename, then type the new name.

Related topics
About naming fields
Using a reserved word or symbol for a field or table name

Duplicating field definitions
You can duplicate a field definition and then modify it. For example, if you have defined a field with a
complex calculation formula or value list, you can define a new field that uses a similar formula or
value list.

To duplicate a field definition:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. In the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box, select one or more fields that you
want to duplicate, then click Duplicate.
FileMaker Pro places the duplicated field at the end of the list of field definitions and adds Copy
to the field name.
5. To change the field name for the duplicated fields, type new field names or edit the existing
names in Field Name, then click Change.
See About naming fields.
6. Change the duplicated field options as needed.
7. Continue making changes or click OK.

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Related topics
Copying and pasting field schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Changing field types
Changing a field type changes the kind of data the field can contain. It also affects how you find and
sort information that uses that field. For example, if you change a date field to a text field, you can
type other information in the field besides a date, but you will no longer be able to sort
chronologically.
Important Changing the field type can permanently and irretrievably erase data.

To change a field type:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. For Type, select a new field type.
See About choosing a field type.
5. Click Change.
6. Change the field options as needed.
See Setting options for fields.
7. Continue making changes or click OK.

To change a field type in Table View:
1. With the database open in Browse mode, click Table View

in the layout bar.

2. Right-click the column heading for the field and choose a new field type from the Field >
Field Type shortcut menu.
The following table describes the effects of changing field types:
When you change

This happens

A text field to a number, date,
time, or timestamp field

The first 255 characters that can be converted are moved to the first
line, deleting any remaining characters. Values that can't be used as
dates or times are displayed and indexed as question mark (?). Date
and time fields can't contain text.

A number, date, time, or
timestamp field to a text field

Existing data isn't changed.

A container to another field
type, or remove the option for
global storage

Existing data in the field is deleted.

Any field to a container field or
to a field with global storage

Existing data is deleted.

Any field type to a calculation or
summary field

Existing data is replaced with the results of the formula or summary
you specify.

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When you change

This happens

A field used in a summary to a
field type that can't be used in a
summary

You see an alert. You must change the summary so it doesn't include
the field or delete the summary field before changing the field type.

A field used in a relationship

You might not be able to change the field type if the field is used as a
match field in a relationship and the new field type cannot be used as a
match field in a relationship.
Container fields cannot be used as match fields. Fields with global
storage and summary fields cannot be used as key fields. Fields in
which indexing is disabled cannot be used as key fields.

Changing calculation formulas
When you change a calculation formula, FileMaker Pro recalculates the value for that field in all your
records. If you use the calculation field in any other calculation or summary field, FileMaker Pro also
recalculates those fields.

To change a calculation formula:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. In the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box, select the calculation field, then click
Options.
5. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, make the changes you want.
See Defining calculation fields for information about the dialog box.
6. Click OK.
FileMaker Pro recalculates the formula when you close the Manage Database dialog box, and
displays a progress indicator if many records need to be reevaluated.

To change a calculation formula in Table View:
1. With the database open in Browse mode, click Table View

in the layout bar.

2. Right-click the column heading for the calculation field and choose Field > Field Options
from the shortcut menu.
3. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, make the changes you want, then click OK.

Related topics
Working with formulas and functions

Changing summary fields
You can change summary fields; for example, to change the type of summary and the field you want
to group data by.
If you change the type of summary calculation, FileMaker Pro recalculates the value for every
record in the database when you exit the Manage Database dialog box.

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To change a summary field:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. In the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box, select the summary field, then click
Options (or double-click the field name).
5. In the Options for Summary Field dialog box, make your changes.
To change the

Do this

Type of summary calculation

Select another summary type, like Total of

Options for the summary type

Select or clear options, like Running total

Field you want to group data by

Select a different field name

6. Click OK.
7. Continue making changes or click Done.

To change a summary field in Table View:
1. With the database open in Browse mode, click Table View

in the layout bar.

2. Right-click the column heading for the summary field and choose Field > Field Options
from the shortcut menu.
3. In the Options for Summary Field dialog box, make the changes you want, then click OK.

Related topics
Defining summary fields
Summary data is missing or incorrect
Specifying formats for fields containing numbers

Reordering field definitions
FileMaker Pro uses the order in which fields appear in the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog
box for all dialog boxes that list fields. You can list fields in the order they were created, by field
name, by field type, or in a custom order that you define.

To reorder field definitions:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. In the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box, choose the order you want from the
View by list.
To define a custom order, drag the double arrow
up or down in the list.

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5. Click OK.

To reorder field definitions by clicking column headings:
Click the Field Name or Type column heading in the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box.
To reverse the sort, for example, from ascending to descending order, click the heading again.

Deleting table definitions, field definitions, and data
Deleting a table or field in the Manage Database dialog box permanently and irretrievably deletes
the table or field definition and all the data in that table or field.
Important Before you delete a field or a table, confirm that you don’t need any of the data it
contains.

To delete a table definition:
1. Before you delete a table from a file, be sure you don't need any data the table contains.
2. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
3. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Tables tab.
4. In the Tables tab, select one or more tables that you want to delete, then click Delete.
• Click Also remove occurrences of these tables in the graph to remove any tables
based on this data table from the relationships graph.
• Click Delete to continue the deletion.
• Click Cancel to leave the table unchanged.
5. Click Done.

To delete a field definition:
1. Before you delete a field from a file, be sure you don't need any data the field contains.
2. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
3. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
4. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
5. In the Fields tab, select one or more fields that you want to delete, then click Delete.
• Click Delete to continue the deletion.
• Click Cancel to leave the field unchanged.
6. Click Done.

To delete a field definition in Table View:
1. With the database open in Browse mode, click Table View

in the layout bar.

2. Right-click the column heading for the field.
3. Choose Field > Delete Field from the shortcut menu.

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Notes
• When you delete a table, you delete all of the records and field definitions associated with
that table.
• You can remove a field from a layout without deleting the field definition.
• You can’t delete a field if it is referenced in a calculation field, summary field, calculation in a
script, or relationship defined in the same file. (If the calculation, summary, script, or
relationship definition is defined in a related file, you can delete the field.)
• You can’t create, modify, or delete field definitions in an external ODBC data source.
• If FileMaker Pro displays a message that you can’t delete a field, do one of the following:
• Change the calculation field, summary field, script, or relationship so that it doesn’t
include the field you want to delete.
• Delete the calculation field, summary field, script, or relationship.
• If you place a field from a related table on a layout, and you later delete the field definition
from the related table, a placeholder for the deleted field remains on the layout. The
placeholder contains the text ::. (You also see the placeholder if the related
table is deleted.)

Related topics
About relationships
Working with the relationships graph
Changing relationships

Creating file paths
In FileMaker Pro, you can specify file paths to an external file or a FileMaker data source.
Note A FileMaker “data source” was called a “file reference” in pre-9.0 versions of FileMaker.
Each named file or FileMaker data source can consist of one or more file paths. Use multiple file
paths when you want FileMaker Pro to search a list of potential files.
For information on adding a FileMaker data source and specifying file paths, see Connecting to data
sources.
FileMaker Pro supports the following file path formats:
Type of path

Description

Format

Relative

The path to a target file specified from the
current database’s location. If the current
database is opened remotely, the path
starts from the local FileMaker Pro
directory

file:directoryName/fileName

The absolute path to a target file or folder,
either local or on a remote volume,
beginning at the top level of the file
system

filemac:/volumeName/
directoryName/fileName

The absolute path to a target file or folder
in Windows, beginning at the top level of
the file system

filewin:/driveletter:/
directoryName/fileName

Full local or remote
(OS X)

Full local (Windows)

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filemac:directoryName/
filewin:../fileName

filemac:/volumeName/
directoryName/

filewin:/driveletter:/
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Type of path

Description

Format

Full remote
(Windows)

The absolute path to a target file or folder
on a Windows volume shared using
Windows file sharing

filewin://computerName/
shareName/directoryName/
fileName
filewin://computerName/
shareName/directoryName/

FileMaker Network

The network path to a shared
FileMaker Pro file

fmnet:/hostIPaddress/
fileName

Note FileMaker Pro does not support URL protocols as file paths.

Examples of single file paths
Type of path

Example

Relative

file:MyDocuments/test.xlsx

Full local (OS X)

filemac:/MacintoshHD/Users/JohnSmith/Documents/test.xlsx

Full remote
(Windows)

filewin://SalesComputer/SharedVolume/ExcelFiles/test.xlsx

FileMaker
Network

fmnet:/192.168.10.10/database.fmp12

Examples of multiple file paths
Use multiple file paths when you want FileMaker Pro to search a list of potential files. File paths are
searched in the order in which they appear. FileMaker Pro opens the first file it is able to
successfully locate, which completes the search. Each file path must be on a separate line.
• Example 1: In this example, a FileMaker Pro database must work on two different operating
systems: a Windows system that accesses local Windows files, and an OS X system that
accesses local OS X files. On both platforms, the database must access a local file named
test.xlsx.
filewin:/C:/ExcelFiles/Hosted/test.xlsx
filemac:/MacintoshHD/ExcelFiles/Hosted/test.xlsx
• Example 2: In this example for a scripted record import, a FileMaker Pro database should
access a file that is hosted. However, because the host may not be available, you also
reference two alternate files, one hosted by a different server, the other stored locally on
your hard drive. If the first network file is unavailable, FileMaker Pro will search for the
second network file. If the second network file is also unavailable, FileMaker Pro will search
for the local file.
fmnet:/192.168.10.10/Databases/test.fmp12
fmnet:/192.168.100.120/Databases/test.fmp12
file:../Databases/test.fmp12

Variables
You can use variables in file paths. Variables let you specify file or folder paths dynamically for many
scripts, for example, the Export Records script step. See Using variables.
Use the Set Variable script step to create local and global variables.

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You can also use the Let function to specify variables in calculations.
The scope of local variables is limited to the current script. The scope of global variables is limited to
the file in which the global variables are defined, for as long as the file remains open.

Examples of using variables in file paths
Assume the following variables:
$fileName = "test.xlsx"
$username = "JohnSmith"
$targetDir = "Documents/Clients"
$chosenType = "filewin"
$$source = "file:Documents/2014/demo files"
$driveLetter = "G:"
$searchList = "file:old results.txt
file:../archived/old results.txt"
To

Path list entry

Resolved path list

Specify a filename
only

file:testing/$fileName

file:testing/test.xlsx

Specify one or more
directories in a path

file:$username/$fileName

file:JohnSmith/test.xlsx

Specify absolute
paths or relative
paths, with various
path type prefixes

filewin:/$driveLetter/
$targetDir/contacts.txt
filemac:../$targetDir/contacts

filewin:/G:/Documents/
Clients/contacts.txt
filemac:../Documents/
Clients/contacts

Specify a path type
prefix dynamically or
as part of a longer
path

$chosenType:/$driveLetter/
$targetDir
$$source/$fileName

filewin:/G:/Documents/
Clients
file:Documents/2014/demo
files/test.xlsx

Specify one or more
complete paths

$searchList

file:old results.txt
file:../archived/old
results.txt

Specify a directory
(not a file)

file:$targetDir/
$$source/
file:$targetDir/$username/

file:Documents/Clients/
file:Documents/2014/demo
files/
file:Documents/Clients/
JohnSmith/

Notes
• File paths can be edited as text.
• To create a generic, cross-platform file path, begin the file path with the word file.
• To create platform-specific file paths, begin the file path with either filemac or filewin.
FileMaker Pro only searches the platform-specific file path that corresponds to the operating
system on which the FileMaker Pro application is running.
• To create a file path for use with the Insert PDF script step or the Insert Picture script step,
begin the file path with image, imagemac, or imagewin.
• To create a file path for use with the Insert Audio/Video script step or the Insert QuickTime
script step, begin the file path with movie, moviemac, or moviewin.

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• To access a file located on a shared Windows volume, use the network path format. This
format is only compatible with shared Windows volumes. It is not compatible with shared
OS X volumes or FileMaker Network sharing.
• FileMaker does not recommend using an asterisk (*) as a wildcard character in network file
paths as it slows FileMaker network traffic. When possible, replace an asterisk with the
appropriate IP address or use variables in file paths. If you have converted a database from
a previous version of FileMaker Pro, review the converted data sources and replace any
asterisks with known IP addresses or network file paths.
• Variables are only supported in script steps that use stored file paths.
• Variables are not supported in file paths that are stored in container fields.
• Variables are not supported in FileMaker data sources. For more information on data
sources, see Editing external FileMaker data sources.
• Use the following characters as separators in a file path list: "/", ":", or carriage return.

Using variables
In FileMaker Pro, you can use variables:
• in file paths (see Creating file paths)
• in scripting (see Set Variable script step)
• in calculations (see Let function)
• in find requests that you create and edit in the Edit Find Request dialog box (see Specify
Find Requests and Edit Find Request dialog boxes)
• on layouts as merge variables (see Inserting merge variables onto a layout)
Variables add flexibility and portability to your database, and can be used instead of global fields in
your database schema.
Using the Set Variable script step or the Let function, you can create local and global variables. The
scope of local and global variables is limited to the current file.
• A local variable can only be used in script steps in the currently executing script. The value
in a local variable is cleared when the script exits. Local variables are prefixed with $.
• A global variable can be used in a calculation or script anywhere in a file, for example, other
scripts or file paths. The value of a global variable is not cleared until the file is closed. Prefix
global variables with $$.
• Local and global variables (or even two local variables in different scripts) can have the
same name but they are treated as different variables and can store different values.
Anywhere that you specify a path to a file or folder, you can use variables separated by "/", ":", or
carriage return.
Variables let you specify file or folder paths dynamically in the following script steps:
• Convert File
• Export Field Contents
• Export Records
• Import Records
• Insert Audio/Video
• Insert File
• Insert PDF

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• Insert Picture
• Insert QuickTime
• Recover File
• Save a Copy as
• Save Records as Excel
• Save Records as PDF
• Send DDE Execute
• Send Event
• Send Mail (Attach File option)

Examples of using variables in file paths
Assume the following variables:
$fileName = "test.xlsx"
$username = "JohnSmith"
$searchList = "file:old results.txt
file:../archived/old results.txt"
To

Path list entry

Resolved path list

Specify one or more
directories in a path

file:$username/$fileName

file:JohnSmith/test.xlsx

Specify one or more
complete paths

$searchList

file:old results.txt
file:../archived/old
results.txt

Notes
• Variables are only supported in script steps that use stored file paths.
• Variables are not supported in file paths that are stored in container fields.
• Variables are not supported in FileMaker data source references.
• The data type of a variable is determined dynamically based on the assigned data. The
default data type is text.

Working with formulas and functions
A formula calculates a single value based on constants (such as 1.07 or “hello”), operators (such as
“+” or “>”), and field references (such as Subtotal or InvoiceTotal) you enter. For example, if sales
tax in your area is 7% and you have a field named Subtotal, you could create a field named
InvoiceTotal that gets the value of the formula Subtotal * 1.07.
If a formula is especially common or popular, FileMaker Pro gives it a name and defines exactly how
you should use it. A named and predefined formula is called a function. For example, if you want to
find the average of some test scores, you could write your own formula to add them all and divide by
the total number of scores. A simpler approach would be to use the function named Average and
follow the rules defined for its use.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)

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Functions reference (alphabetical list)

About functions
A function is a predefined, named formula that performs a specific calculation and returns a single,
specific value.
Most functions include three basic parts:
• the function
• a set of parentheses, if the function takes parameters
• the parameters required by the function
Each function returns a result of field type text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container.
For information about where functions can be used, see About formulas.

Parameters
Function parameters can be constants (such as 1.07 or “hello”), field references (such as
InvoiceTotal), expressions (such as 1 + 12), or other functions (such as the NPV function). You can
use spaces before or after the parentheses used to enclose the parameters, but spaces are not
necessary. When a function requires more than one parameter, separate individual parameters with
a list separator, such as a semicolon.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.
Curly braces ({ }) surround optional parameters (for example, the Case function and Choose
function). An ellipsis (...) signifies that you can add more parameters, each separated by a
semicolon (for example, in aggregate functions). Double quotation marks (“ ”) indicate a text string.
This table shows examples of some FileMaker Pro functions.
This function

Returns

Length(“John”)

4, the number of characters in the text “John”

Round(SalesTax,2)

The amount of sales tax rounded to two decimal places

Position(Name, “Mc”,1,1)

A number representing the starting position of one text string within
another, in this case indicating the position of the first occurrence of
“Mc” in the Name field

Get( LastError )

A number representing the error (if any) in the most recently executed
script step in the currently running script

Sum(ExtendedPrice)

The total of all the values in the repeating field ExtendedPrice

Related topics
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
Aggregate functions
Date functions
Design functions
External functions
Financial functions
Get functions
Logical functions
Number functions

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Repeating functions
Summary functions
Text functions
Text formatting functions
Time functions
Timestamp functions
Trigonometric functions

About formulas
Formulas perform specific operations on one or more values in a database file, and return a single
result.
Formulas can be used to define:
• a calculation field. See Defining calculation fields.
• a calculated value for an automatic entry into a field. See Defining automatic data entry.
• a calculation that evaluates to true or false for data validation. See Defining field validation.
• a calculated value that can be used to replace the values in a field (by using the Replace
Field Contents command in the Records menu or a script step). See Replacing the contents
of a field.
• calculations in some FileMaker script steps, such as the script steps If, Exit Loop If,
Set Field, Insert Calculated Result, and Replace Field Contents. See
Creating scripts to automate tasks.
• titles of custom menus and menu items in FileMaker Pro Advanced. See Defining custom
menus (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
Formulas can contain:
• constants - numbers, text, date, or time values that don’t change.
• operators - symbols that indicate how to combine or compare two or more values.
• functions - predefined, named formulas that perform specific calculations and return single,
specific values for each repetition.
• field references - fields in the same table or in a related table. A related field referenced in a
calculation has the syntax tablename::related field. See Working with related tables
and files.

Formula examples
• FirstName & “ ” & LastName returns the first and last name separated by a space.
For example, Michelle Cannon.
• SubTotal * .08 returns the value in the SubTotal field multiplied by .08.

Related topics
About functions
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
Using operators in formulas
Identifying text constants and special characters in formulas
Adding a new line to the results of a formula
Adding comments to a formula
Using a reserved word or symbol for a field or table name

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Using operators in formulas
An operator is a symbol or instruction that manipulates expressions in a formula. For example, the
plus (+) operator tells FileMaker Pro to add one expression to another. FileMaker Pro has four types
of operators:
• Mathematical operators
• Comparison operators
• Logical operators
• Text operators
Note For information on using variables in formulas, see Using variables.

Order of evaluation
Operators are evaluated in the order they are listed below.
1. /* */, //
2. " ", \, ¶, ${ }
3. (, )
4. NOT
5. ^
6. *, /
7. +, 8. &
9. =, ≠, >, <, ≥, ≤
10. AND
11. OR, XOR

Related topics
About formulas

Identifying text constants and special characters in formulas
Use opening and closing quotation marks to indicate the beginning and end of text constants.
Quotation marks without text between them indicate an empty value (no text).
Use backslashes to preserve special operator characters, such as double quotation marks or a
carriage return character, simply as characters within a string (instead of as operators).

Example
"\"Fred " & "and Jane\"" returns “Fred and Jane”.

Related topics
About formulas
Defining calculation fields
Text operators
Using operators in formulas
Functions reference (category list)

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Functions reference (alphabetical list)

Adding a new line to the results of a formula
You can format the results of a formula by inserting carriage returns in your calculation.

To add a new line to the results of a formula:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. In the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box, select the calculation field, then click
Options.
5. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, click to insert the cursor in the place you want the line
to break.
6. Click the ¶ button (carriage return operator) to insert a line break.
See Defining calculation fields for information about the dialog box.
7. Click OK.
Note Type \¶ (backslash followed by a carriage return operator) to enter a carriage return
(paragraph) symbol instead of an actual line break.

Examples
Field1 & ¶ & Field2 returns:
Fred
Jane
when Field1 contains Fred and Field2 contains Jane.
"Fred ¶ Jane" returns:
Fred
Jane

Related topics
About formulas
About functions
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
Text operators
Using operators in formulas

Adding comments to a formula
For complex or infrequently used formulas, you can add comments to explain the details. Use C
style or C++ style comments, which you can enter anywhere in a formula.
C style comments start with the characters /* and finish with the first occurrence of the characters
*/. Your explanatory text appears between the two asterisk characters. Comments can begin on
one line and end several lines later. You can nest C style comments.

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C++ style comments begin with the characters // and finish at the end of the line.

To add comments to a formula:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
4. In the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog box, select the calculation field, then click
Options.
5. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, enter your comments.
See Defining calculation fields for information about the dialog box.
6. Click OK.

C style Example
Everything shown below can be entered inside a formula:
/* This is a calculation with C style nested and multi-line comments
/*----- It returns the title if it exists in a name -----*/
*/
Case(
PatternCount("MrMsMrs", LeftWords(Name, 1)), /* returns true if the first
word in fieldName matches anyone of the titles Mr, Ms or Mrs*/
LeftWords(Name, 1) /*extracts the title */
)

C++ style Example
Greeting & "!!" // returns Hello!! if field Greeting contains the string
"Hello"

Related topics
About formulas
About functions
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
Text operators
Using operators in formulas

Using a reserved word or symbol for a field or table name
FileMaker Pro reserves the use of some words and symbols, including:
• The names of functions that have no arguments such as Pi or Random.
• Predefined parameters of some functions such as the Roman and Greek font scripts for the
TextFont function.
• Some keywords and symbols. See About naming fields for some guidelines.

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Avoid using these words and symbols in field names and table names, because the names become
difficult to refer to in calculations.
If one of your field names or table names is a reserved word or contains reserved symbol, you must
put the characters ${ } around the name when it appears in a function.
Tip When you double-click to choose a field for a calculation, FileMaker Pro automatically wraps
the characters ${ } around field names that are reserved words or that contain reserved symbols.

Examples
${A + B} returns the contents of a field named A + B.
${.123} returns the contents of a field named .123.
${Pi} returns the contents of a field named Pi.
Note During file conversion, FileMaker Pro uses the characters ${ } to enclose field names that
conflict with reserved words and symbols.

Related topics
About formulas
Defining calculation fields
Text operators
Using operators in formulas
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)

Getting the contents of a repetition in a repeating field
To find the contents of a particular repetition in a repeating field, use the GetRepetition function
(see GetRepetition function) or use square brackets [ ] as array operators (see below).

Format
repeatingField[number]

Parameters
repeatingField - any repeating field
number - the field repetition number

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Description
Returns the contents of the repeating field specified by number.

Examples
ParcelBids is a field defined to repeat with ten values and contains the values 2500, 1200, and
1500.
ParcelBids[2] returns 1200.
ParcelBids[5] returns nothing.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Working with plug-ins
C or C++ programmers familiar with calculations in FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced can
create plug-ins that extend the feature set of FileMaker Pro.
This section describes how to:
• Create plug-ins and make them available to users.
• Install plug-ins in solution files.
• Set up solution files to check plug-in version information and update plug-ins automatically,
if needed.

Creating custom plug-ins
If you are a C or C++ programmer and familiar with calculations in FileMaker Pro and
FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can create plug-ins that extend the feature set of the FileMaker
application. The plug-ins can take advantage of recursion and looping or hook into other
programming interfaces.
To use plug-ins, FileMaker Pro users need to allow solution files to install plug-ins and enable plugins. For FileMaker Server-hosted files, the server administrator needs to allow the Install Plug-In File
script step to update FileMaker Server plug-ins in the Server Admin Console.
Note Plug-ins are not supported in FileMaker Go.
To see an example plug-in, go to http://www.filemaker.com/downloads.

Follow these general steps to prepare your custom plug-ins:
1. Using C or C++, create a plug-in file.
In Windows, the plug-in extension must be .fmx. In OS X, the plug-in extension must be
.fmplugin.
2. Compile and test the plug-in.
3. Install the compiled plug-in file in a container field in your FileMaker solution. See Installing
plug-ins.
4. Optionally, set up the solution file to check the version of installed plug-ins and update them,
if needed. See Updating plug-ins.

To make plug-ins available in a file, instruct users to:
1. Enable your plug-ins in the Preferences dialog box in FileMaker Pro. See Setting plug-in
preferences.
2. Click Configure and define or edit a calculation field to access external functions provided
by the plug-in, if required.
3. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, choose one of the functions provided by the plug-in as
the calculation formula.

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Note To display all available external functions, select External functions from the View list.
4. If you want plug-in updates to be installed automatically, ensure Allow Solutions to Install
Files is selected.
See Installing plug-ins.
Note For security reasons, system administrators might require users to disable Allow
Solutions to Install Files. Contact the system administrator at your customer site for more
information.

Related topics
External functions

Installing plug-ins
Database developers can insert plug-in files in container fields, then use scripts and calculations to
install and update plug-ins.
Note If you are concerned that unwanted plug-ins might be installed when you use solution files on
a trial basis, you can disable the Allow Solutions to Install Files option in the plug-in preferences.
However, be aware that the solution file may not behave as intended if you don’t allow required plugins to install. See Setting plug-in preferences.

To install a plug-in file:
1. Create a container field. See About container fields.
2. Do one of the following:
• In Browse mode, select the container field, choose Insert menu > Insert File, select a
plug-in file, then click Open.
• Write a script and use the Insert File script step to place the plug-in the container field.
See Creating and editing scripts and Insert File.
3. Create a script and use the Install Plug-In File script step to specify the container field as the
target field. See Install Plug-In File.
4. Run the script to install the plug-in.
FileMaker Pro installs plug-ins in the following locations:
Operating
system
Windows 7 or
Windows 8

OS X

Product

Plug-ins are installed in this folder

FileMaker Pro

C:\users\user_name\AppData\Local\FileMaker\FileMaker
Pro\13.0\Extensions\

FileMaker Pro
Advanced

C:\users\user_name\AppData\Local\FileMaker\FileMaker
Pro Advanced\13.0\Extensions\

FileMaker Pro

Macintosh HD/Users/user_name/Library/Application
Support/FileMaker/FileMaker Pro/13.0/Extensions

FileMaker Pro
Advanced

Macintosh HD/Users/user_name/Library/Application
Support/FileMaker/FileMaker Pro Advanced/13.0/
Extensions

Tip You can use the Get(InstalledFMPlugins) function to identify the version of the installed plugin
and compare it with the version of the plug-in stored in the container field, then update the plug-in by
reinstalling, if necessary. See Updating plug-ins and Get(InstalledFMPlugins).

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Notes
• If a plug-in has been disabled in the client’s plug-in preferences, it will install but will not be
accessible to FileMaker Pro until it is manually enabled by the user.
• You cannot install multiple versions of a plug-in to support multiple versions of
FileMaker Pro.
• If your solution requires a specific plug-in version that cannot be shared with other versions
of FileMaker Pro, instruct users to manually place plug-ins in the Extensions folder inside
the FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced, or FileMaker runtime folder.
• If a plug-in is intended for all installed versions of FileMaker Pro, you must manually install
the plug-in in each user’s Application Support/FileMaker/Extensions folder.
• The search order for loading plug-ins starts with the Extensions folder inside the
FileMaker Pro application folder, followed by the folder that the Install Plug-In File script step
uses. The last location checked is the Application Support/FileMaker/Extensions folder.
• FileMaker Pro will not load a plug-in if it has already loaded a plug-in with the same plug-in
ID.
• OS X: Plug-ins stored in container fields are compressed by default.

Related topics
Creating custom plug-ins

Updating plug-ins
You can use calculations and scripts to check the version of installed plug-ins, then update plug-ins
with plug-ins stored in container fields in a FileMaker Pro file. To see examples of script and
calculation syntax, see Plug-in update example.

To update plug-ins:
1. In the solution file, create a table to store plug-in information.
2. In the table, define:
• a text field for the plug-in name
• a text field to store the description of the plug-in
• a number field for the plug-in version currently required by the database
• unstored calculation fields for the version and enabled state of the plug-in that is installed in
the FileMaker Pro file.
• a container field to store the plug-in file
3. Create a layout in which to display the stored plug-in and, optionally, descriptive information
about the plug-in, then add to the layout the appropriate fields you created in step 2.
Note While you need only the container field on the layout, you might consider adding the plugin name, description, and version number fields so you have access to this information.
4. Create a script that compares the version of the installed plug-in with the version of the
required plug-in, then uses the Install Plug-In script step to update the plug-in, if needed.
5. Create a script that alerts users to possible plug-in installation error conditions, if the plug-in
cannot install.
6. Create a script that checks to ensure the installed plug-in is enabled.

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7. Create a start-up script that references the above scripts, in their script order, when a user
opens the database.

Notes
• Clients must be running FileMaker Pro 12 or later to update plug-ins using this method.
• For plug-ins to install, the Allow Solutions to Install Files option must be selected in the
client’s Plug-in preferences. See Setting plug-in preferences.
• If a plug-in has been disabled in the client’s Plug-in preferences, it will install but will not be
accessible until it is manually enabled by the user.
• Only one plug-in can be stored in each container field, but you can view all plug-in
information by creating multiple plug-in container fields on a single layout.

Related topics
Creating custom plug-ins
Installing plug-ins
Get(InstalledFMPlugins)
Install Plug-In File

Plug-in update example
The following example compares the version of an installed plug-in to the version located in a
container field in the FileMaker Pro file and updates the plug-in, if necessary.
1. In the solution file, create a table named Plugin Update to store plug-in information.
2. Define the following fields:
Field name

Field type

Plugin Name

text

Required Plugin Version

number

Installed Plugin Version

calculation (unstored). For example code, see Client plug-in
version calculation.

Installed Plugin State

calculation (unstored). For example code, see Client plug-in
enabled state calculation.

Plugin File

container

3. Create a layout named Plugin Update Information and add to it the fields you defined in
step 2.
4. Create the following script and name it Install Plug-in:
Set Error Capture [On]
Install Plug-In File [Plugin Update::Plug-in File]
#
#Deal with errors
If [Get(LastError) ≠ 0]
If [Get(LastError) = 3]
Show Custom Dialog [Plugin Update::Plugin File & " could not be
installed.

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Ensure Allow Solutions to Install Files is selected in the
FileMaker Pro Plug-in preferences."
Else If [Get(LastError) = 1550]
Show Custom Dialog [Plugin Update::Plugin File & " was installed
but could not be initialized."]
Else If [Get(LastError) = 1551]
Show Custom Dialog [Plugin Update::Plugin File & " could not be
installed."]
Else
Show Custom Dialog ["A general error " & Get(LastError) & " occured
when installing " & Plugin Update::Plugin File]
End If
End If
5. Create the following script and name it Check Plug-in Versions.
Go to Layout [“Plugin Update Information”]
Go to Record/Request/page [First]
Loop
If [Plugin Update::Installed Plugin Version <
Plugin Update::Required Plugin Version]
#Plug-in needs to be either installed or updated.
Perform script [“Install plug-in”]
End If
Go to Record/Request/page [Next; Exit after last]
End Loop
6. Create the following script and name it Check If Enabled:
Set Error Capture [On]
Perform Find [Restore]
#Find for "Enabled" in the Installed Plugin State field
If[Get(FoundCount) ≠ 0]
Show Custom Dialog ["Some required plug-ins are not enabled. Ensure
Allow Solutions to Install Files is selected in the FileMaker Pro Plugin preferences."
End If
7. Create a start-up script named Plugin Update Script that references the above scripts in
order when the database opens:
Perform Script ["Check Plug-in Versions"]
Perform Script ["Check If Enabled”]
Go to Layout [original layout]

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Related topics
Creating custom plug-ins
Get(InstalledFMPlugins)
Install Plug-In File

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Creating and managing layouts and reports
FileMaker Pro layouts determine how information is organized for viewing, printing, reporting,
finding, and entering data. Layouts don’t store your data—they just display it.
Database files can have many different layouts, which display data in a variety of ways. Within one
database file, you can design separate layouts for entering data, reporting summaries, printing
mailing labels, displaying data graphically in charts, working with a database in a web browser or on
a touch device, and so on. You can change a layout’s design without affecting the data or other
layouts for the file. When you change the data in a field, the changes are reflected in the same field
on all the layouts in the database.
In a layout, you:
• choose which fields to display
• arrange and format fields
• add or modify field labels
• create reports, for example, to group or summarize data
• specify how records are printed
• add graphics and text to add emphasis and interest
• specify dimensions for a layout, according to how it will be viewed or printed
When you create a database file (without using one of the Starter Solution files shipped with
FileMaker Pro), FileMaker Pro automatically creates a layout for the initial table in the file, and for
each newly added table that contains fields.
You create layouts and reports by using the New Layout/Report assistant, which guides you through
creating the layout or report according to options you choose, such as the type of device the layout
will display on, the default view for the layout, the layout fields, and the way data is grouped and
sorted. See Creating a layout.
After creating a layout, you can do things like duplicate, delete, or rename it, or organize layouts into
folders. You can also set options to print or preview records in columns, and to control which views
are available to view or print the layout.

Related topics
Best practices for designing layouts
Tips for designing layouts
Creating dynamic reports in Table View
Sorting records by subsummary values
Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background
About FileMaker Pro modes

Creating a layout
The New Layout/Report assistant helps you design several types of layouts and reports to display
on different types of devices (such as laptop computer screens or touch device screens), for
different purposes (such as browsing records, entering data, or printing reports, mailing labels, or
envelopes), and in different views (Form View, Table View, and List View). For details on each layout
type, see About layout types.

To create a layout:
1. In Layout mode, click New Layout/Report in the status toolbar.

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Or, in Browse mode, choose File menu > Manage > Layouts, and click New.
You see the New Layout/Report assistant, which helps you create the type of layout you want.
As you make your choices, additional options are presented to you. For some types of layouts,
such as labels, envelopes, and reports, you see additional panels.
To

Do this

See an onscreen Help topic that explains
the choices in the current panel

Windows: Press F1 (Windows) or Command-?
(OS X).
Note If the layout you’re creating has additional
panels (such as for labels, envelopes, or
reports), you can also click

(Windows) or

(OS X) to get information about those
panels.
Accept the settings in the panel and
continue to the next panel (available for
labels, envelopes, and report layouts)

Click Continue or Next.

Accept the settings in the panel but go
back to the previous panel (available for
labels, envelopes, and report layouts)

Click Back.

Close the assistant without saving any of
your choices

Click Cancel.

2. When you have finished making your choices, click Finish to create the layout.
3. For layouts designed for computers or touch devices, add fields to the layout.
See About defining database fields.
4. If you intend to print a report in landscape orientation or on a special paper size, choose File
menu > Print Setup (Windows) or File menu > Page Setup (OS X), confirm the orientation
and paper settings, then click OK.
In Preview mode, you can also click Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X) in the status
toolbar.
Modified Print Setup and Page Setup settings affect all other layouts in the current file, so you
may need to change these settings later to print other layouts properly.

Notes
• Some FileMaker Pro layouts are divided into layout parts, which are areas on the layout that
control how and where to display and print data, text, and graphics. FileMaker Pro includes
the body, header, and footer parts as needed on a layout depending on the choices you
make in the New Layout/Report assistant. Reports with grouped and totaled data also have
subsummary parts, grand summary parts, or both. You have complete control over adding,
removing, or modifying layout parts after you complete the assistant. See Working with
layout parts.
• Each layout that you create is assigned a layout theme. If the new layout is the same type
(Computer, Touch Device, or Printer) as the current layout, the same theme is assigned to
the new layout; if the new layout is a different type, the appropriate default theme is
assigned. The default theme for Computer layouts is Enlightened, the default theme for

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Touch Device layouts is Enlightened Touch, and the default theme for Printer layouts is
Enlightened Print.
• You can change a layout theme by clicking
in the layout bar in Layout mode. You can
also create object, layout part, and layout background styles and save them to a theme (see
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles).
• If you include a field on the layout from another table or database (a related field), you
should understand relational database concepts. See Working with related tables and files.
• You can display a specified layout every time you open a FileMaker Pro file. See Setting file
options.
• To add fields to an existing label or envelope layout, see Placing merge fields on a layout.
• You can duplicate an existing layout and customize the new one to fit your needs. See
Duplicating, deleting, or renaming layouts.

Related topics
Printing labels
Printing envelopes
Considerations when you create a Report layout
Adding fields to a layout
Troubleshooting layouts

Switching between layouts
Once you have created more than one layout, you can easily switch between them.

To switch between layouts in any mode:
• Choose a layout from the Layout pop-up menu.
Layout pop-up menu

• Choose View menu > Go to Layout, and choose the layout name you want.

To switch between layouts in Layout mode:
• Use the Layout pop-up menu.
• Use the navigation controls in the status toolbar.
Current layout number

Book

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To

In the status toolbar, do this

Go to the next layout

Click the right arrow in the book.

Go to the previous layout

Click the left arrow in the book.

Move quickly through layouts

Drag the slider left or right.

Go to a specific layout

Click the current layout number, type the layout number you
want, then press Enter (Windows) or Return (OS X).
Or press Esc, type the layout number, then press Enter
(Windows) or Return (OS X).

• Choose Layouts menu > Go to Layout.
To

On the Layouts menu, do this

Go to the next layout

Choose Go to Layout > Next.

Go to the previous layout

Choose Go to Layout > Previous.

Go to a specific layout

Choose Go to Layout > Go To, type the layout number you
want in the Go to layout field and click OK.
Or choose a layout name from the list.

Note To choose a layout to appear whenever you open the current file, choose File menu > File
Options. In the Open tab, select Switch to layout. In the Specify Layout dialog box, choose the
layout you want. See Setting file options.

Managing layouts
You can manage all your layouts in the Manage Layouts dialog box. For example, you can create
folders to group layouts; rename, duplicate, and delete layouts; and choose whether to display
layouts and folders in the Layout pop-up menu.

To manage layouts:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Layouts.
2. In the Manage Layouts dialog box, perform the tasks you want.
Note A badge on the icon
been set for the layout.

next to a layout name indicates that a layout script trigger has

To

Do this

Create a new layout

Click New to display the New Layout/Report assistant. See
Creating a layout.

Create a layout
folder

Click the arrow next to New and choose Folder. In the Edit
Folder dialog box, type a folder name, and click OK. The new
folder appears in the Manage Layouts dialog box at the current
position. A folder appears as a submenu name in the Layout
pop-up menu.

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To

Do this

Expand or collapse
a folder

Click the expand/collapse icon to the left of the folder name, or
press the + or - key (Windows) or the Right Arrow or Left Arrow
key (OS X).

Duplicate, delete, or
rename a layout

See Duplicating, deleting, or renaming layouts.

Rename a folder

Double-click the folder to rename. Type a new name in the Edit
Folder dialog box, and click OK.

Duplicate a folder

Select the folder, and click Duplicate. The folder name is
duplicated, with Copy appended to it, and all its layouts and
subfolders are duplicated.

Move a layout into a
folder

Expand the folder you want (see above). Use the double arrow
to the left of the layout to drag it under the expanded folder. If
the layout is at the end of the folder, use the four-pointed arrow
to indent the layout under the folder name. The layout appears
in the selected folder’s submenu in the Layout pop-up menu.
To move a layout out of a folder, with the folder expanded, use
the four-pointed arrow to drag the layout to the left, indicating
that it’s out of the folder.

Delete a folder

Select the folder to delete, and click Delete, then click Delete in
the alert message. You can’t undo deleting a folder. The folder
and all its layouts and subfolders are deleted.

Reorder a layout or
folder in the list and
have those changes
appear in the Layout
pop-up menu

See Reordering and excluding layouts in the Layout pop-up
menu.

View folders and
their contents by
folder name

In the list in the upper left of the dialog box, choose a folder
name. You see the folder’s layouts and subfolders.

Filter the list of
folders and layouts
by name

In the box in the upper right of the dialog box, type all or part of
a folder or layout name. The list filters as you type: typing a
layout name displays the layout in the list, and typing a folder
name displays the folder and its layouts and subfolders.

To show all layouts, choose Show All.

To show all folders and layouts, clear the box.
Open a layout in a
document window

Select the layout in the list, and click Open.

Create a separator
line for grouping
items in the Layout
pop-up menu

See Reordering and excluding layouts in the Layout pop-up
menu.

3. To include or exclude a layout, folder, or separator line in the Layout pop-up menu, select
the checkbox next to the item in the list, then select Include in layout menus.(See also
Reordering and excluding layouts in the Layout pop-up menu.)
When you create a layout, it is automatically added to the Layout pop-up menu.

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Note Be sure to select each item (including a folder’s layouts and subfolders) that you want to
appear in the Layout pop-up menu. Only the items you select are displayed.
4. When you are finished, close the Manage Layouts dialog box.

Notes
• Use Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) to select multiple layouts and folders.
You can duplicate and delete multiple layouts and folders, and you can open multiple
layouts.
• The Menu Set column of the Manage Layouts dialog box displays the menu set associated
with each layout. You create menu sets using the Custom Menus feature, available only
with FileMaker Pro Advanced. See Defining custom menus (FileMaker Pro Advanced) or
the FILEMAKER PRO ADVANCED FEATURES GUIDE.

Duplicating, deleting, or renaming layouts
You can duplicate, delete, and rename layouts using the Manage Layouts dialog box.

To duplicate, delete, or rename layouts:
1. In Layout mode, save the layout that you want to duplicate, delete, or rename.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Layouts.
3. In the Manage Layouts dialog box, make the changes you want.
To

Do this

Duplicate a layout

Select the layout, and click Duplicate. The layout name is
duplicated, with Copy appended to it.
Note If you have unsaved changes in the layout you’re
duplicating, you’re asked if you want to save the changes.
Click Save to save the changes in the original layout and
include them in the duplicated layout. Click Don’t Save to
discard the changes to the original layout (and no changes
will be included in the duplicated layout). If you're
duplicating multiple open layouts with unsaved changes,
you see an alert for each layout. Clicking Cancel cancels
duplicating the current and any other open layouts.

Delete a layout

Select the layout, and click Delete, then click Delete in the
alert message. You can’t undo deleting a layout.

Rename a layout

Double-click the layout name in the list (or select the layout
name and click Edit) to display the Layout Setup dialog box.
For Layout Name, type a descriptive name, then click OK.

Notes
• A file must have at least one layout, so you can’t delete the last one.
• Layout names do not have to be unique.
• You can't copy a complete layout to another FileMaker Pro file, but you can copy and paste
all of a layout’s objects into a layout in another file. Select the layout objects you want to
copy, and choose Edit menu > Copy. Then switch to the layout in the other file, and choose
Edit menu > Paste. If field names are not identical in both files, you will need to respecify

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the field you want each field object to display. For more information, see and Copying,
duplicating, and deleting objects and Placing and removing fields on a layout.
• You can also duplicate, delete, or rename a layout by choosing from the Layouts menu in
Layout mode.

Saving and reverting layout changes
As you design a layout in Layout mode, save your work early and often. Don’t wait until you finish
working. If you want to throw away the changes you’ve made and start again, you can easily revert
to the last-saved version of a layout.
To

In Layout mode, do this

Save changes made to
the current layout

Click Save Layout in the layout bar, or choose Layouts menu > Save
Layout.

Revert to the last-saved
version of a layout

Click Revert in the layout bar, or choose Layouts menu > Revert Layout.

Revert the last change
to a layout

Choose Edit menu > Undo.

Restore the last change
to a layout

Choose Edit menu > Redo.

Notes
• You can undo and redo changes to layouts (such as changing a layout part or moving or
resizing layout objects), even after you’ve saved the layout or previewed the layout in
Browse mode. You can continue undoing and redoing changes until you switch to another
layout or close the window, or until another user or window changes the layout or theme in a
shared file.
• You can set an application preference to save your layout changes automatically when you
leave Layout mode. See Setting layout preferences.
• It’s a good idea to duplicate a layout before you make extensive changes.

Related topics
Saving and copying files

Reordering and excluding layouts in the Layout pop-up menu
In Layout mode, you can change the order in which layouts and folders are listed in the Layout popup menu. You can also add separator lines that group layouts, and you can prevent a layout from
appearing in the Layout pop-up menu.
To

Do this

Change the layout order
or reorder folders in the
Layout pop-up menu

Choose Manage Layouts from the Layout pop-up menu. In the list, drag the
double arrow to the left of the layout or folder up or down. If you’re moving a
folder, all its layouts and subfolders move with the folder. A folder appears as a
submenu name in the Layout pop-up menu.

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To

Do this

Create a separator line
for grouping layouts and
folders in the Layout
pop-up menu

Choose Manage Layouts from the Layout pop-up menu. In the list, select the
layout above which you want the separator to appear. Then click the arrow
next to New, and choose Separator.

Include or exclude
layouts, folders, or
separator lines in the
Layout pop-up menu in
Browse, Find, and
Preview modes

Choose Manage Layouts from the Layout pop-up menu. In the list, select the
checkbox next to a layout or folder name, or a separator line. To include the
item, select Include in layout menus. To exclude the item, clear this option.

Note In Layout mode,
all items are displayed in
the Layout pop-up
menu, even the
excluded ones.

A check mark appears next to the name of each item that's included in the
Layout pop-up menu.
Note Be sure to select each item (including a folder’s layouts and subfolders)
that you want to appear in the Layout pop-up menu. Only the items you select
are displayed.

Note You can also use the Layout Setup dialog box to include or exclude an item. From the Layout
pop-up menu, choose the layout, folder, or separator line to include or exclude. Click Layout Setup
in the layout bar, select or clear Include in layout menus, then click OK.

Editing layouts
After you’ve created a layout, you can choose how it will be displayed and used. You can:
• choose which views the layout can be shown in, and choose the default view to appear
whenever you first open the layout
• choose the default table from which records are displayed
• choose how to save records that are added or changed
• show or hide field frames in Browse and Find modes
• show field borders and fill on only the current record in List View
• associate a menu set with the layout, which appears when the layout is active
• change the theme of the layout
• change the width of the layout
You make most of these changes in the Layout Setup dialog box, which is available from the layout
bar in Layout mode.
Tip You can also enable quick find for a layout, which performs searches on fields you specify. See
Configuring quick find.

Setting up form, list, and table views for a layout
FileMaker Pro provides three different views of each layout: form, list, and table. When you change
views, you change the way records display or print.

To specify which views are available in other modes:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work with from the Layout pop-up menu.

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2. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

You can also click the name of the layout’s current table.
3. In the Layout Setup dialog box, click the Views tab, then select one or more views.
When you select

This View menu item is enabled in Browse and Find modes

Form View

View as Form

List View

View as List

Table View

View as Table

Unless you change the default settings, FileMaker Pro enables all views.
4. Click Properties to specify the Table View options you want.
The following table describes the options you can specify in the Table View Properties dialog
box. When you’re finished specifying Table View options, click OK.
To

Do this

Specify table grid settings

Select Horizontal, Vertical (or both), choose a color for the
grid, and a style for the grid lines.

Specify whether FileMaker Pro
displays the header or footer part

Select Include header part, Include footer part, or both.

Specify whether FileMaker Pro
displays column headers and how
they behave

Select Include column headers (which display the field
names).

These settings only matter if you have defined header and
footer parts for the layout, and are only in effect in Table View.

To allow users to resize column widths by dragging column
boundaries in Browse mode or Find mode, also select
Resizable columns.
To allow users to reorder one or more columns by dragging in
Browse mode or Find mode, also select Reorderable columns.

Specify a custom row height (all
rows are the same height)

Select Use custom height, then choose a unit of measure and
type a value.
When this option is cleared, FileMaker Pro adjusts the row
height to accommodate the largest font size defined for any of
the fields on the layout.

5. For Default view, choose the view to display whenever you first open the layout.
6. Click OK.

Notes
• You can view data that is in subsummary parts in Table View, List View, Preview mode, or in
a printed report when records are sorted by break fields.
• If Include column headers is selected, users can right-click the column heading in Browse
mode and choose the appropriate command to define fields, hide or delete fields, create a
dynamic report, or reset the Table View. See Working with data in Table View.
• To change the background color of the table, make sure the fields are transparent, then
change the color of the body part. The column headers pick up their font attributes (except

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the font color, which is always black) from the first field in the tab order. You can't modify the
background of the column headers.
• If Include column headers is selected, users can resize columns by right-clicking the
column header and choosing Table View > Set Column Width. This shortcut menu
command is available even if Resizable columns is cleared in the Table View Properties
dialog box.
• FileMaker Pro uses the tab order to determine the default order of the columns in Table
View. You can reorder the columns if Reorderable columns is selected in the Table View
Properties dialog box. For information on reordering columns, see Viewing records as a
form, list, or table.
• For new layouts that do not use the Classic theme, by default, the current (or active) record
in List View is displayed with a different fill from the other records. To indicate the current
record with a solid vertical bar along the left side of the record, select Show current record
indicator in List View in the General tab of the Layout Setup dialog box. To have the
current record appear without a different fill, see Changing a layout part.
For layouts that were converted from FileMaker Pro 12 or earlier, by default the current record is
indicated with a solid vertical bar.

Changing the table that a layout shows
When you create a layout in a database file that contains multiple tables, you choose the table from
which you want records displayed in that layout. You can later change the underlying table if
necessary.

To change the table that a layout shows:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work with from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

You can also click the name of the layout’s current table.
3. In the Layout Setup dialog box, choose a table from the Show records from list.
The Show records from list includes all the table occurrences that appear in the relationships
graph, including any tables added to the relationships graph from external data sources.
4. Click OK.

Setting the automatic record-saving option for a layout
When you make data entry changes to a record, FileMaker Pro normally saves these changes
automatically when you exit the record and display another record. If you prefer, you can set
FileMaker Pro to display a “Save changes to this record?” confirmation dialog box when exiting a
record in which data has been changed. This confirmation dialog box presents three options:
• Save: saves the record changes and exits the record
• Cancel: does not save the record changes or exit the record
• Don’t Save: discards the record changes and exits the record
You can set the usage of this confirmation dialog box on a layout-by-layout basis, enabling the
dialog box on certain layouts and disabling it on others.

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To set the automatic record-saving option for a layout:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work with from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

You can also click the name of the layout’s current table.
3. In the Layout Setup dialog box, do one of the following:
• To save record changes automatically, select Save record changes automatically.
• To display a confirmation dialog box when exiting a record in which data has been
changed, clear Save record changes automatically.
4. Click OK.

Related topics
Adding and viewing data
Exporting the contents of a field

Showing or hiding field frames
You can set whether field frames appear when a record is active in Browse mode or Find mode.
Field frames outline each field on a layout with a dotted line so that fields are easy for users to see.
However, you may have added borders to field objects, which may make field frames unnecessary.

To show or hide field frames for a layout:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work with from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

You can also click the name of the layout’s current table.
3. In the Layout Setup dialog box, do one of the following:
• Select Show field frames when record is active to show field frames.
• Clear Show field frames when record is active to hide field frames.
4. Click OK.

Notes
• Field frames only appear when a record is active, such as when you click in a field to edit it.
• When a field is active in Find mode, its field frame and badge disappear until you tab to or
click in another field.

Related topics
Adding borders, fill, and baselines to fields

Showing field borders and fill for the current record
If you have added borders or fill to a field, you can display the borders and fill on only the current
record or on all records in the field in List View and in reports. For information on adding borders or
background color or images, see Adding borders, fill, and baselines to fields.

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To show field borders and background fill on only the current record:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work with from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

You see the Layout Setup dialog box.
3. To show field borders and background fill for only the current record in List View or a report,
select Delineate fields on current record only.
4. Click OK.

Notes
• If you select Delineate fields on current record only, borders and fill will show on the
current record in List View, but not when you print, print to PDF, or preview the records
being browsed. Borders and fill do print for all records in a field if the option is deselected.
• Fields in summary parts, header parts, and footer parts are styled like other text in these
layout parts, and do not display borders and fill.
• Summary fields do not display borders and fill, but will show the field frame when the field is
in the Focused display state.
• Delineate fields on current record only (displaying borders and fill on only the current
record) is not supported in FileMaker WebDirect. Borders and fill show on all records in
FileMaker WebDirect.

Specifying a menu set for a layout
For each layout, you can specify which menu set displays when a layout is active. A menu set is the
collection of menus that installs on the menu bar.

To specify a menu set for a layout:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work with from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

You can also click the name of the layout’s current table.
3. In the Layout Setup dialog box, select a menu set from the Menu Set list.
4. Click OK.

Notes
• Choosing [File Default] maintains the default menu set specified for the file. To override the
default menu set for this layout, choose a different menu set from the list.
• If you have FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can choose Manage Custom Menus from the
Menu Set list to open the Manage Custom Menus dialog box. See Defining custom menus
(FileMaker Pro Advanced) or the FILEMAKER PRO ADVANCED FEATURES GUIDE.

Changing the theme of a layout
You can change the theme of an existing layout. When you change a layout’s theme, FileMaker Pro
applies the attributes of the new theme to all objects on the layout, with the following exceptions:

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• For objects containing text, the font color and font family change to the default style defined
in the theme. However, all other text properties, such as text size, are retained.
• Buttons created using versions of FileMaker Pro earlier than version 12 retain their original
formatting.
• If objects on the layout and the layout background are filled with an image, the image is
retained. However, layout parts filled with an image display the fill defined in the new theme.

To change the theme of a layout:
1. In Layout mode, display the layout you want to change.
You see the name of the current theme in the layout bar.
2. In the status toolbar, click

to display the Change Theme dialog box.

Tip You can also choose Layouts menu > Change Theme.
To

Do this

Apply a theme from
this file

Select a theme in the Layout themes list to display a preview of
each theme.

Apply a theme from
another
FileMaker Pro file

Click Import Themes, choose the file containing the theme(s)
you want to import, and click Open. Select one or more themes
in the Import Themes dialog box, and click OK. Then select a
theme in the Layout themes list.

3. Click OK to apply the selected theme to the current layout.

Notes
• The styles of layout objects are controlled by the layout’s theme. If the predesigned themes
do not display the object styles you want, you can create a custom theme. For information
about creating a theme, see Saving and managing layout themes.
• Any objects you add to a layout are formatted according to the new theme’s attributes. You
can use the Inspector to apply styles to objects or reformat the font and buttons after you
change the theme, or you can copy and paste font styles from the original text objects to
new text objects. See Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or
backgrounds.
• When you change the theme of a layout:
• custom styles applied to any objects on the layout are removed, unless you save
custom styles to the theme before changing the theme
• any unsaved changes to styles stored at the layout level are deleted (see Creating and
working with styles for layout objects, parts, and the layout background)
• If you change the theme of a layout and then undo the change, you have two levels of undo.
The first undo keeps the new theme but reveals any attributes previously applied to your
objects that were not saved as styles. The second undo reverts to how the layout looked
before you changed the theme.
• You might need to resize layout parts and layout objects after the theme is applied for the
layout to display properly. See Using tools to precisely position objects.
• If the current layout theme has a border, the border corresponds to the width of the layout. If
you resize the layout in Layout mode, the border resizes proportionally. To allow the layout

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border to resize in Browse mode when you resize the FileMaker Pro window, specify that
objects automatically resize horizontally on the layout. See Setting auto-resize options for
layout objects.
• Some themes have additional predefined styles for some objects. If you switch to a theme
that doesn’t support additional predefined styles, any objects formatted with additional
styles are reset to default styles. If you later switch to a theme that again supports additional
predefined styles, objects retain the default style setting. You can use the Styles tab in the
Inspector to reapply the additional predefined style. See About layout object, part, and
background styles.
• To make data easier to read in portal fields, consider using predefined styles named
Minimal. See Viewing and applying layout object, part, or background styles.
• Every layout is assigned a theme. If you want a layout to look similar to layouts created with
versions of FileMaker Pro earlier than version 12, under Basic, choose the Classic theme.
• Occasionally FileMaker Pro software updates include formatting changes for the predefined
themes. If a file uses an older version of a predefined theme and you have write permission
for the file, FileMaker Pro applies formatting changes automatically when you switch to
Layout mode, switch to a different layout, or change the layout's theme.
• If you’re creating a layout to be used with FileMaker Go, choose one of the Touch themes.
• If you’re creating a layout to be printed, choose one of the Print themes.

Changing the width of a layout
You can expand or reduce the width of a layout to accommodate more objects or eliminate blank
space on the layout. Making a layout wider helps you see the edge of the layout without resizing the
window.
To change the width of a layout: Drag the gray line on the right side of the layout.

Notes
• If the current layout theme has a border, the border corresponds to the width of the layout. If
you resize the layout in Layout mode, the border resizes proportionally. To allow the layout
border to resize in Browse mode when a user resizes the FileMaker Pro window, set objects
on the layout to automatically resize horizontally. See Setting auto-resize options for layout
objects.
• You can place objects on the gray area to the right of the layout. This lets you store objects
with a layout, yet prevent them from appearing in Browse, Find, and Preview modes.
Objects located in the gray area:
• are available for use in script steps.
• are right-anchored. (Auto-resize settings are ignored. If you move the object back onto
the layout, auto-resizing settings reactivate.)
• are skipped in the tab order.
• appear in dialog box lists and in Table View (field objects).

Working with layout parts
FileMaker Pro layouts are divided into layout parts, sections of the layout that determine how data in
a field is treated and displayed. By using parts, you can control how FileMaker Pro prints data, for
example:

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• once for each record
• only at the top of each page
• only before or after groups of sorted records (for example, to include a subtotal for each
group of records)
Each layout must have at least one part. Layout parts can contain fields, portals, buttons, text, charts
and other objects. In Layout mode, gray horizontal lines mark the division between layout parts (part
boundaries).
Part labels display horizontally or vertically on the left side of a layout.

Part boundaries

Horizontal part label

To switch part labels between the vertical and horizontal position:
• click

located at the bottom of the FileMaker Pro window

• Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) a part label
Tip To display a vertical part label horizontally for a moment, hold down the mouse button on a
vertical part label. When you release the mouse, the label returns to the vertical position.
Parts are assigned styles that are defined by the theme of the layout. You can use the Inspector to
customize part styles. See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the
layout background.
Note The New Layout/Report assistant automatically creates the appropriate layout parts
depending on the choices you make. You can add, change, or delete layout parts after you finish the
assistant as needed. For information on creating layouts, see Creating a layout.

About layout part types
The following sections describe each layout part type.

Non-summary layout parts
Title header: Appears only once at the top of the first screen or page and replaces the normal
header (if one is specified). In reports, can be used to print a separate title page. You can have only
one title header in a layout.
Any fields in the title header preview and print data from the first record in the found set.
Header: Appears at the top of every screen or page (unless you add a title header, which
supersedes the header on the first page). Use for titles or column headings (in columnar reports).
You can have only one header in a layout.
Any fields in the header preview and print data from the first record on that page.
Body: Each object you put in the body, including fields, text objects, and graphics, appears once for
each record in the found set. You can have only one body in a layout.

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Footer: Appears at the bottom of every screen or page (unless you add a title footer). You can have
only one footer in a layout.
Any fields in the footer preview and print data from the last record on that page.
Title footer: Appears only once at the bottom of the first screen or page and replaces the normal
footer (if one is specified). You can have only one title footer in a layout.
Any fields in the title footer preview and print data from the last record on the first page.
Note In Browse mode, the title header, header, footer and title footer display the data from the
active record.

Summary layout parts
To include summary data on a layout (for example, subtotals, grand totals, averages, counts, and so
on), you place summary fields in summary layout parts. Summary parts include grand summary and
subsummary parts.
A grand summary part usually contains one or more summary fields that display summary
information (like totals) about all records being browsed.
A subsummary part usually contains one or more summary fields that display “subsummary”
information (like subtotals) for a subset of records. The records are grouped (sorted) by values in
another field, the break field. Whenever the value of the break field changes, the report “breaks” and
FileMaker Pro inserts the subsummary part.
Note You may want to create the summary fields that you want prior to creating a summary part.
For more information, see Defining summary fields.
Grand summary (leading or trailing): When you place a summary field in this part, the summary field
displays summary information for all records in the found set. The grand summary part can be at the
beginning (leading) or end (trailing) of the report, depending on its placement on the layout. You can
have only one leading grand summary and one trailing grand summary in a layout.
If you put another type of field in this part, FileMaker Pro displays data from the first record (leading)
or last record (trailing) being browsed.
Subsummary (leading or trailing): When you place a summary field in this part, the summary field
displays “subsummary” information for each subset of records sorted by the specified break field.
The subsummary part can be before or after the body part, depending on the placement on the
layout. You can have multiple subsummary parts in a layout.
If you put another type of field here, FileMaker Pro displays data from the first record (leading) or
last record (trailing) in the group. Put the break field here to identify what subset of records the
summary is for.
For example, to summarize each salesperson's sales figures in a database recording sales
transactions, define a summary field totaling the Sales field, and then create a subsummary part and
place that summary field in it (the break field is the salesperson's name). If you also want a count of
that salesperson's transactions, create a second summary field counting the transactions, and also
place it on the same subsummary part. To get a grand total of all transactions, place the sales
summary field in a grand summary part.
Tip You can change the focus of a report by specifying a different break field for a subsummary
part. For example, in a sales report with a subsummary part containing a summary field for sales,
you can select Month for the break field to get monthly totals or Salesperson to get individual
performance totals.

Viewing summary data in Table View
When you view summary data in Table View:

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• The summary part is resized to display one row beyond the number of rows in the table.
• Fields placed on a layout in leading parts (leading grand summary or subsummary parts)
are aligned touching the bottom of the part.
• Fields placed on a layout in trailing parts (trailing grand summary or subsummary parts) are
aligned touching the top of the part.
• If a break field is placed in a subsummary part, it will always appear in the left-most column
in Table View. Break fields appear at the bottom of leading parts or the top of trailing parts.
• If more than one summary field is set for the same field, summary values appear together
with one value above the other.
• FileMaker Pro automatically adds field labels (such as Total) to subsummary parts to
identify the data displayed.
• If subsummary parts are assigned a fill color, the fill is applied only to the inside edge of the
right-hand column when the layout is viewed in Table View. The area to the right and below
the table appears in the color assigned to the body part in the layout.

Adding a layout part
To add a layout part to a layout, first decide what kind of part you need and where it should go.
If you're defining a subsummary part that summarizes a set of records, you also choose what field to
group or sort the layout by (the break field). Finally, you define how the part affects page breaks and
page numbering, as well as any background fill for the part.

To add a layout part:
1. In Layout mode, drag the Part tool

in the status toolbar to the layout.

2. In the Part Definition dialog box, select the type of layout part you want.
See About layout part types for a description of each part type.
Part types that are already on the layout are dimmed. (Only subsummary parts can exist more
than once on a layout.)
3. If you're adding a subsummary part, after you click Sub-summary when sorted by, select
the name of the field that you want to group the records by (the break field).
You can choose a field in another table by first choosing a table name from the tables list above
the list of fields.
When the records are sorted by the break field, all records with the same value in that field are
grouped so that FileMaker Pro can calculate subsummary data. (For example, if you wanted to
subtotal sales figures for each region, the break field would be Region.) See Troubleshooting
layouts with summary or subsummary parts.
4. Click OK.

Notes
• You can also add a part by choosing Insert menu > Part in Layout mode.
• When you add a layout part, its format is based on the theme applied to the layout. You can
apply a custom style to change the display attributes of the part (such as display a color
gradient as the part background). See Creating new layout object, part, or background
styles.

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• You can add fields, portals, graphic objects, and text to any layout part. FileMaker Pro
considers an object to be in a part when the top of the object is in or just touching the part.
For example, if the top of a field touches the bottom division line of the header part, the field
displays and prints only in the header and not in the body.
• You can view data that is in subsummary parts in Table View, List View, Preview mode, or in
a printed report when records are sorted by breakfields.
• If you choose Layouts menu > Part Setup to create a subsummary part, you are prompted
to specify whether you want summary information to print above or below the records being
summarized.
• The amount of blank space above and below objects in the body part determines the
spacing between records when you print a layout, preview a layout, or view a layout as a list
(click List View

in the layout bar).

• When viewing or moving objects on a layout, you might want to move the part labels if
they're in your way. To flip part labels up or down, in Layout mode, click the part label control
at the bottom of the window. You can also press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (OS X)
while clicking a part label to change the orientation, or temporarily flip down a label by
placing the arrow pointer over the flipped-up label and holding the mouse button down.
• To print a cover page for a report, add a title header part and resize it to the size of a page.
You can then add a regular header, a regular footer, and any other layout parts you want to
appear on subsequent pages.
• You can eliminate blank spaces in fields or parts when printing. See Removing blank spaces
in printouts.

Related topics
Changing a layout part
Deleting layout parts
Reordering layout parts
Resizing layout parts

Changing a layout part
You can change an existing part’s type, break field (if it's a subsummary part), and pagination
options.

To change an existing part:
1. In Layout mode, choose Layouts menu > Part Setup.
2. In the Part Setup dialog box, select the part, then click Change.
3. In the Part Definition dialog box, make your changes.
To change

Do this

From one type of part to another

Select a different part type. Changes you can make depend on
the part's location and function.

The break field for a subsummary
part

First choose the table that contains the field from the tables list
above the list of fields. Then select the field name in the list of
fields.

Page breaks and page numbering

See Defining page breaks and numbering.

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To change

Do this

Layout part color

See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout
parts, and the layout background.
To quickly change a layout part color, right-click the part label.

Whether records in List View are
displayed with an alternating fill, as
specified by the Alternate display
state

Select or deselect Use alternate row state.

Whether the current (or active)
record is displayed with a different
fill from the other records in List
View, as specified by the Active
display state

Select or deselect Use active row state.

For more information about the Alternate display state, see
Specifying the display state for an object.

For more information about the Active display state, see
Specifying the display state for an object.

Dimmed types are not available because either:
• that part type already exists (only subsummary parts can exist more than once on a
layout)
• the part you're changing is not in the right place on the layout (for example, a title
header must be at the top of the layout)
4. Click OK, then click Done.

Related topics
Adding a layout part
Deleting layout parts
Reordering layout parts
Resizing layout parts
Setting up form, list, and table views for a layout

Defining page breaks and numbering
You can set options for page breaks and page numbering when you add a layout part or change a
part definition.
Note Usually, pagination settings are associated with subsummary parts, but you can set page
break options for any part on the layout (except headers and footers).
For information about creating a new part, see Adding a layout part.

To define page breaks and page numbering for a part:
1. In Layout mode, choose Layouts menu > Part Setup.
2. In the Part Setup dialog box, select the part, then click Change.
You can also double-click the part label on the layout.
3. In the Part Definition dialog box, specify pagination options.
The following table describes the pagination options that are available. Dimmed options are not
available for the selected part type.

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To

Select

Start a new page before printing the contents of the
selected part (for example, to print a trailing grand
summary on a new page)

Page break before each occurrence.

Start a new page after printing the contents of the
selected part a specified number of times (for
example, to print five records in the body, and then
start a new page)

Page break after every 
occurrences, and enter the number of part
occurrences that you want per page. (The
default value of 1 prints one part occurrence
per page.)

Reset the page number to 1 after the selected part
prints (for example, to start page numbering after a
title header if you want it to serve as a cover page)

Restart page numbers after each
occurrence.

Allow the contents of the selected part to be split on
different pages, printing a portion at the bottom of
one page, and the rest on the next page.

Allow part to break across page
boundaries.

(FileMaker Pro won't split the contents of a part
across two pages unless you specify this option, or
the height of the part won’t fit on a single page.)

To keep the portion of the part that will not fit on
the bottom of the page from printing at the top
of the next page, also select Discard
remainder of part before new page (for
example, to print the information in a Notes
field to the bottom of the page and truncate the
rest).

4. Click OK, then click Done.

Notes
• To show or hide page breaks in Layout mode, choose View menu > Page Breaks.
• The pagination changes that you make appear only in Preview mode and when you print.
• If your layout is set up to print records in columns and you’ve specified to print records down
the page, if you choose Page break after every  occurrences, FileMaker Pro
starts a new column (not a new page) after the part when you preview or print. If the column
setup is to print records across the page, the specified page break starts a new page. For
more information about printing records in columns, see Setting up to print records in
columns.
• If the body or other layout part is too large to fit on the printed page, FileMaker Pro displays
a page break as a heavy, dashed line on the layout to show where it will divide the part
when you print. To fit more on the page, you can set sliding options to shrink fields and the
enclosing part if the fields contain variable amounts of information. See Removing blank
spaces in printouts.

Related topics
Inserting the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout
Inserting merge variables onto a layout

Reordering layout parts
You can change the order of only the body and subsummary parts; other parts, like the header and
footer, must appear in a specific order, so they can't be moved. For example, move a subsummary
part above the body to see subtotals first.

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To reorder layout parts:
1. In Layout mode, choose Layouts menu > Part Setup.
2. In the Part Setup dialog box, drag the name of the part to the new location.
A part that can't be moved has a lock icon to the left of its name.
3. Click Done.
FileMaker Pro moves all the fields and objects in the part and maintains its proportions.

Notes
• While working in Layout mode, you can quickly reorder a part directly on the layout by
in the status toolbar and Shift-dragging the part label (or
clicking the Selection tool
the line that marks the bottom of the part).
• You can't move a subsummary part to the same location as another subsummary part that
uses the same break field.

Resizing layout parts
There are several ways to resize a layout part.

To resize a layout part:
1. In Layout mode, click the Selection tool

in the status toolbar.

2. Do one of the following:
• Drag the part label or part boundary (the line that marks the bottom of the part) until the
part is the height you want.
When you resize a layout part, FileMaker Pro maintains the size of the other parts. For
example, you can increase the height of the header part, but this won't affect the size of the
part directly following the header part.
• To maintain the height of the entire layout while changing the size of one layout part, Altdrag (Windows) or Option-drag (OS X) the part label or part boundary. (This causes the
size of the layout part immediately below the part you're changing to also change.)
• To precisely resize a part, select the part by clicking its part label. Click Inspector
in the layout bar, then click Position. Enter a value for the part's Height or Bottom
boundary in the Position area. For more information, see Using the Inspector to position
objects.
You can also use the rulers, grid, and guides (choose View menu > Rulers, View menu >
Grid > Show Grid, and View menu > Show Guides) to help with precisely sizing parts. For
more information, see Using the rulers and grid and Using guides and dynamic guides.

Notes
• You can't make a part smaller than the objects that it holds (in other words, you can't shrink
a part by dragging its boundary across an object) unless you press Alt (Windows) or Option
(OS X) as you drag the part boundary.
• If you reduce a layout part to nothing by dragging it under the part above it, FileMaker Pro
deletes the part from the layout.

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Deleting layout parts
You can delete all but the last layout part from a layout. You can choose to delete a part and the
objects on the part, or delete a part without deleting the objects on the part.

To delete a part and the objects on the part:
1. Select and drag any objects you want to keep to another part on the same layout.
2. In Layout mode, choose Layouts menu > Part Setup.
3. In the Part Setup dialog box, select the part to delete, then click Delete.
If the part contains objects, FileMaker Pro displays a dialog box asking you to confirm the
deletion.
4. Click Done.
Note To quickly delete a part directly on the layout, click the part label with the arrow pointer, then
press Backspace or Delete. You can undo this action.

To delete a part without deleting the objects on the part:
Note This method only works when there is a part below the one you want to delete.
1. Select the part label with the arrow pointer.
2. Press Ctrl+Backspace (Windows) or Option-Delete (OS X).
FileMaker Pro deletes the part and enlarges the part below the deleted part to make space on
the layout for the retained objects.

Adding fields to a layout
After you create a layout, you can place additional fields on it or remove fields you don't want
displayed. You can place a field anywhere on any layout, as many times as you want. However, you
can only place fields that you've already defined. For more information, see About defining database
fields.
You get different results by placing the same field in different locations on the layout. For example:
• Add the same summary field to a subsummary part to calculate totals for each group of
sorted records, and to a grand summary part to get totals for all the records in the database.
• Add a field to the header part or footer part to repeat data from the first record or the last
record on the page as a header or footer. (For example, add a Last Name field to the header
in a directory.)
• Add the same related field directly on a layout to see the field's value in the first related
record, or inside a portal to see values from more than one related record.
If you are working with a relational database, you can display fields from related tables on a layout.
You can place related fields directly on a layout or in a portal. For information on whether you should
place related fields directly on a layout or in a portal, see Deciding where to place related fields.
Fields on a layout are objects, which you can select, move, resize, and reshape. In Layout mode,
each field displays its field name, formatted with its attributes for font, size, style, alignment, line
spacing, and color.
To make data entry easier and more consistent, you can set up value lists. Fields display data as
drop-down lists, pop-up menus, checkbox sets, and radio button sets.

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For more information, see Setting up a field to display a pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other
control. For more information about editing and formatting field objects, see Selecting and working
with objects on a layout and Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode.

Placing and removing fields on a layout
After you define a field, you can add it anywhere on a layout. Fields can be either from the same
table, a related table in the same file, or a related table in another FileMaker Pro file.
You can place related fields directly on a layout or in a portal, but the results are different. See
Deciding where to place related fields.
Note For information about defining fields, see About defining database fields.

To place a field on a layout:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work on from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Do one of the following:
• To add a field, drag a field from the Field tool
in the status toolbar to the position
you want on the layout. As you drag the field onto the layout, you see a border and text
baselines to help you align the field with other objects on the layout. Release the mouse
button when the field is where you want it.
If you're placing a related field in a portal, position it in the first row of the portal. Make sure
each field in the portal is from a table related to the table that the portal is set up to display
records from. See Creating portals to display related records.
• To add and resize a field, click the arrow next to the Field/Control tool
(Windows) or click and hold the Field/Control tool
Drag the crosshair to draw the field.

(OS X) in the status toolbar.

• To add a specific control or field, click the arrow next to the Field/Control tool
(Windows) or click and hold the Field/Control tool
(OS X) and select the type of
field or control to add to the layout. Drag the crosshair to draw the field.
Note The Field/Control tool displays the image of the tool that is currently selected.
3. In the Specify Field dialog box, select the field to place.
To choose a field in another table, choose the table from the tables list above the list of fields. Or
choose Manage Database to create a relationship or a table, then select a related field from the
list of fields. You can also click the Manage button
related table.

to choose a field from the current or a

4. Select Create label to include the field name as text on the layout.
5. Click OK.
You see the field name in the field on the layout unless you have chosen to display sample data
(View menu > Show > Sample Data). Fields from related tables appear as ::Field Name
(preceded by two colons).
All fields except container fields display text baselines to indicate where the data appears in
Browse mode and to help you align fields with each other.

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To replace a field with another one:
1. In Layout mode, double-click the field.
2. Select another field name in the Specify Field dialog box.
3. Click OK.

To remove a field from a layout:
Removing a field from a layout only removes it from the layout; it does not delete the field or its data
from your database.
1. In Layout mode, click the field to select it.
2. Press Backspace or Delete, or choose Edit menu > Clear.

Notes
• If you include a field label when you place a field and you then rename the field in the Field
Picker or Manage Database dialog box, in most cases, the field label changes to match the
new field name on each layout where the field label appears.
• When you add a field to a layout, its format is based on the theme applied to the layout. You
can apply a custom style to change the display attributes of the field. See Creating new
layout object, part, or background styles.
• Fields are defined as edit boxes by default. You can make data entry for a field easier and
more consistent by defining a value list, associating it with the field, then formatting the field
as a drop-down list, pop-up menu, checkbox set, or radio button set. You can also format a
field as a drop-down calendar. See Defining value lists, Setting up a field to display a pop-up
menu, checkbox set, or other control, and Setting up a field to display a drop-down
calendar.
• You can format a field as an edit box, and enable the auto-complete option without defining
a value list in order to use previously entered values. See Setting up a field to autocomplete during data entry.
• If you create a field label for a field with a long name, you might need to resize the label to
see the entire field name on the layout.
• To help determine an appropriate size for a field, you can display sample data in the field
from the current record instead of the field name. Choose View menu > Show > Sample
Data.
• To have FileMaker Pro insert field data into a line or block of text, use merge fields. See
Placing merge fields on a layout.
• To put a static image (like a logo or graphic embellishment) on a layout so that it appears in
every record, create, paste, or import the graphic directly onto the layout instead of using a
container field, and then place the graphic in the body part. See Drawing and inserting
objects on a layout.
• You can have new fields that you define automatically placed on the current layout by
specifying a preference on the Layout tab of the Preferences dialog box. See Setting layout
preferences.
• Instead of placing fields, you can copy fields from other layouts and other databases. See
Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects.
• If you can't read a field name within the field's borders in Layout mode, double-click the field
— its name is selected in the Specify Field dialog box.

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• When you are working in Table View in Browse mode or Find mode, you can hide fields that
show in Table View. See Displaying and hiding fields in Table View.
• If you have used the Field tool to add a field to a summary part and the text is difficult to see,
use the Inspector or the Format Painter to copy the style you want from another field.
• You can place fields in the gray area to the right of the layout. This lets you store fields on
the layout or use them in script steps but prevents them from appearing in Browse, Find,
and Preview modes. Users cannot select or work with such fields, and the fields do not
print.

Placing merge fields on a layout
Use merge fields to combine field data and text in documents like form letters, labels, envelopes, or
contracts. You create merge fields in text blocks, which allows you to use static text and field data
together.
Merge fields shrink or expand to fit the amount of text in the field for each record. For example:
• When the field <> is between the text Dear and a colon (as in Dear <>:), FileMaker Pro displays Dear Charles: in Browse mode or Preview mode if the
First Name field contains Charles.
• When a merge field is on a line by itself and the field contains no data (such as an empty
Address Line 2 field in a mailing label), FileMaker Pro removes the blank line from the text
block, which improves the appearance of the text.
Note In Browse mode, you cannot enter or edit data in merge fields. For entering data, use a
different layout that contains regular fields that permit data entry.

To place a merge field on a layout:
1. In Layout mode, do one of the following:
• To create a new text block containing a merge field, click with the arrow pointer where
you want the text block to appear.
• To insert a merge field into an existing text block, click the Text tool
in the status
toolbar, then click in the text block to place the insertion point where you want to insert
the merge field.
2. Choose Insert menu > Merge Field.
3. In the Specify Field dialog box, select the field to insert.
To choose a field in a related table, choose the table from the tables list above the list of fields.
Or choose Manage Database to create a new field, table, or relationship.
4. Click OK.
You see the field name enclosed by double opening (<<) and closing (>>) angle brackets in the
text block.
5. Choose if you want the merge field to be enabled or disabled for quick find. For more
information, see Configuring quick find. By default merge fields are included in the search.
If a merge field in enabled for quick find, only the fields referenced in the merge field will be
included in the search. For example, if the merge field Departing from <> is
enabled for quick find, and one of the records contains New York for the DepartureCity field,
searching for New York finds the record but searching for Departing from New York does not
find any records.

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To remove a merge field: Select the field name along with the << and >> symbols, then press
Backspace or Delete.

Notes
• You can insert punctuation, spaces, line breaks, and text between merge fields as needed.
Be careful not to type extra characters inside the << and >> symbols.
• You can insert a merge field directly into a text block by typing the field name surrounded by
two opening and two closing angle brackets, like this: <>. Make sure you use
angle brackets and not the single-character quotation marks (« and »), which won’t work.
• To specify text attributes to be used when you browse, preview, or print the field data in a
merge field, in Layout mode, select the merge field name and the << >> symbols inside the
merge field, then select formatting options in the Appearance tab of the Inspector. If you
don’t see the Inspector, click Inspector

in the layout bar. See Formatting text.

• To specify data formatting options (number, date, or time as appropriate for the field type),
in the status toolbar, then select the merge field and apply
click the Selection tool
data formatting options in the Data tab in the Inspector. See Formatting and setting up field
objects in Layout mode.
• If you use a text field as a merge field and specify text attributes (like style, color, or size) for
that field’s value in Browse mode (on another layout), the merge field picks up those
attributes.
• In Browse mode and Preview mode, a text block displays and prints only as much text as
will fit within its dimensions. Because merge fields often display a variable amount of data,
the contents of a text block may be clipped and may not appear in its entirety. If necessary,
resize the text block to display all of the text. For information on resizing text blocks, see
Resizing and reshaping objects.
• If you want to close up space between fields and non-text objects, to align value lists or
repeating fields, or to reduce the size of an enclosing layout part, set sliding options. For
more information, see Removing blank spaces in printouts.
• You can also use a merge variable to display data. See Inserting merge variables onto a
layout.

Creating portals to display related records
A portal is a layout object that displays records from related tables. Use a portal only when you want
to display data from more than one related record. Portals display data from related fields in rows,
one record in each row. For more details on when to use portals, see Deciding where to place
related fields.

To create a portal:
1. In Layout mode, click the Portal tool

in the status toolbar.

2. Position the crosshair pointer on the layout where you want the portal to begin, then drag
the pointer diagonally until the portal is the size you want.
3. In the Portal Setup dialog box, for Show related records from, choose the related table
from which you want to display related records.
You can also choose Manage Database to create a new table or relationship.

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4. Select record options for the portal.
To

Select

Sort the records in the portal

Sort portal records, and click Specify. In the Sort
dialog box, choose the fields by which to sort the
portal records, and click OK.

Filter the records in the portal

Filter portal records, and click Specify. In the
Specify Calculation dialog box, define a formula for
a calculation to filter the portal records, and click
OK.

Allow related records to be deleted from the
related table (in Browse mode)

Allow deletion of portal records

Display a scroll bar at the right side of the
portal, with which users can see (and enter)
more records than are visible in the portal at
one time

Show vertical scroll bar

Reset the scroll bar to display the portal’s first
record when you exit the current record

Reset scroll bar when exiting record (or, clear
this option so the scroll bar does not reset)

5. Select format options for the portal.
To

Do this

Specify the initial related record to display in
the first row of the portal

In the Initial row box, type the row number.

Specify the number of rows (records) to display
in the portal

For Number of rows, type a number.

Change the fill (color) of a portal, display a
different background in alternating portal rows
(for contrast and easy identification), or display
a different background color for the selected
portal row

See Formatting portals.

6. Click OK.
7. In the Add Fields to Portal dialog box, choose the fields that you want to appear in the
portal, and click OK.
Tip You can drag objects, such as a related field, onto the first row of an existing portal to add it
to the portal.

Selecting and working with portals
You can resize, edit, and delete portals in Layout mode.

To select a portal:
• With the arrow pointer, click the border of the portal, or any other area within the portal that
doesn't contain a field or object.
See Selecting objects.

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To resize a portal row:
1. Select the portal by clicking the border of the portal, or any other area within the portal that
doesn't contain a field or object.
You see selection handles at each corner of the first portal row.
2. Drag a selection handle.
The first row resizes and each additional row resizes to match the first row.
3. If necessary, resize the field objects and any other objects that appear within the portal.

To change the record options or display options for a portal:
• Double-click the portal. In the Portal Setup dialog box, change options as described above,
then click OK.

To delete a portal and its contents:
• With the arrow pointer, select the portal, then press Backspace or Delete, or choose Edit
menu > Clear.

Notes
• In Layout mode, a portal object displays its characteristics in the lower left corner of the
object: its table name, the range of rows that the portal will display, a plus sign (+) if vertical
scrolling is enabled, Filter if filtering is enabled, and Sort if sorting is enabled.
• Filtering records is performed before sorting records.
• Filtering records is intended for display purposes only, not for security purposes. Filtering
records has no effect on the results of calculations, summaries, and find requests.
• In most cases, you should enable Show vertical scroll bar in the Portal Setup dialog box.
If you don't and there are more related records than will fit in the number of portal rows
you've defined, you won't be able to see all the related records or enter new related records.
• You can place more fields into a portal after you have created it. See Setting up a field to
display a pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other control.
• You can display objects other than fields in the first row of a portal. An object placed in the
first row of a portal is displayed once for each related record.
• When you add a portal to a layout, its format is based on the theme applied to the layout.
You can apply a custom style to change the display attributes of the portal. See Creating
new layout object, part, or background styles.
• You can’t place a tab control or a web viewer in a portal. If you place these objects in a
portal, they appear as objects on the layout that overlap the portal.
• You can place a popover button in a portal as long as the associated popover does not
contain a tab control, a slide control, a chart, a web viewer, or a portal.
• You can place portals in any layout part, but a portal cannot contain another portal. If you
place a portal in a portal, the portals overlap.
• To number the rows in a portal, in Layout mode, click in the first portal row where you want
numbers to display, then choose Insert menu > Record Number Symbol. Numbers appear
in portal rows in Browse and Preview modes, and when you print the layout. See Inserting
the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout.

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• You can summarize data that appears in a portal. For example, if you have a portal that
displays products and prices, you may want a field that displays a subtotal of all the prices
listed in the portal. See Summarizing data in portals.
• If one or more records cannot be changed because they are being accessed elsewhere —
either in another window by the same user or (if the file is shared) by other clients, then the
record(s) is locked.

Related topics
Working with related tables and files
Filtering records in portals

Drawing and inserting objects on a layout
You can enhance the design of a layout in a number of ways, including:
• adding text outside of fields (such as field labels and column headings)
• using the drawing tools to add lines, rectangles, or other shapes
• adding a graphic or QuickTime movie
• adding panel controls to group layout objects on tabbed or sliding panels
• adding popovers to group layout objects and simplify data viewing and entering

Related topics
Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background
Working with panel controls on layouts
Working with popovers on layouts

Working with the layout tools
For each type of object you work with in Layout mode, you use the layout tools in the status toolbar.

Tool

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

Tool name

Related topic

Selection tool

Selecting objects

Text tool

Adding text to a layout

Line tool

Drawing lines and other shapes

Rectangle tool

Drawing lines and other shapes

Rounded Rectangle tool

Drawing lines and other shapes

Oval tool

Drawing lines and other shapes

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Tool

Tool name

Related topic

Field/Control tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Button tool

Defining a button

Popover Button tool

Adding a popover

Tab Control tool

Adding a tab control

Slide Control tool

Adding a slide control

Portal tool

Creating portals to display related records

Chart tool

Creating charts from data

Web Viewer tool

Adding a web viewer

Field tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Part tool

Adding a layout part

Format Painter tool

Copying formatting attributes between layout
objects, parts, or backgrounds

As you are designing a layout, you can work with a tool once, use it repeatedly, or switch between
the tool last used and the Selection tool.

To work with layout tools in the status toolbar:
• Do one of the following:
To

Do this

Use a tool once

Click a tool to select it. (The tool becomes gray.)

Keep a tool selected, or locked

Double-click a tool. (The tool changes color to indicate
it remains selected until you select a different tool.)
Note You can specify a preference to keep layout tools
locked. See Setting layout preferences.

Switch between the tool last used and the

Press Ctrl+Enter or Enter on the numeric keypad
(Windows) or press Enter (OS X).

Selection tool
Select a tool that includes an arrow

Windows: Click the arrow to display additional tools,
then choose the tool you want.
OS X: Click and hold the tool to display additional tools,
then choose the tool you want.

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Related topics
Inserting the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout
Inserting graphics onto a layout
Using buttons with scripts
Adding fields to a layout
Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background

Adding text to a layout
Adding text to a layout makes the layout easier to use and understand. Use text for:
• field labels for fields. (You also have the option of creating a field label using the field’s name
when you place a field on a layout.)
• column headings in columnar reports.
• instructions on a form.
• a form letter, with merge fields displaying data.
• the current date, page number, or record number.
Note To add or change text in your database fields, switch to Browse mode. For more information,
see Adding and viewing data.

To type text on a layout:
1. In Layout mode, click the Text tool

in the status toolbar.

You can also choose Insert menu > Graphic Object > Text.
2. With the I-beam pointer, do one of the following:
• Click where you want to add text, which creates a small text block that enlarges when
you type text into it.
• Click and drag to define the maximum line length for the text.
You see a blinking insertion point.
3. Type the text.
To set text formatting options such as font, style, line spacing, text color, and alignment, see
Formatting text.

Notes
• Text blocks that are typed or pasted onto a layout are objects, which you can manipulate in
the same way as any other object. For example, you can assign a background color or
border, or rotate a text object. For more information, see Editing objects, layout parts, and
the layout background.
• Although you can add text anywhere on a layout, the layout part where you place the text
determines how the text appears in Browse mode or Preview mode (for example, once for
each record, only at the top of the report, and so on). For more information on layout parts,
see About layout part types.
• To type text that fills another object, select the object and begin to type (without clicking the
Text tool). The text is positioned in front of the object and conforms to its shape.

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• To enter many individual text blocks at once, double-click the Text tool
to lock it. The
Text tool remains active until you click another tool. (You can also set a preference to always
lock a tool when you select it. For more information, see Setting layout preferences.)
• To create a form letter, create a Blank layout, and then use the Text tool to create a large
text block for the letter. Type the text of your letter, and insert merge fields for fields like
name and address. For more information, see Creating a layout and Placing merge fields
on a layout.
• To see nonprinting boundaries to help you align text with other objects, Choose View
menu > Show > Text Boundaries. For more information, see Showing text or field
boundaries.

Related topics
Specifying paragraph attributes and tab settings

Inserting the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout
You can display or print fixed information (such as the date as it was when entered) or variable
information (such as today’s date) when you print or preview records. For example, display the
current time in a report footer each time you print the report.
You can also display the date, time, or user name as it is when you place it on the layout. This
information stays the same whenever you display, print, or preview records. (You can also insert the
current date, time, or user name into a field in Browse mode.)

To insert the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout:
1. In Layout mode, click the Selection tool
want the information to appear.

in the status toolbar, and click where you

If you want the information inserted into an existing text object, double-click where you want to
place the insertion point.
2. Choose Insert menu, then choose one of the following commands:
Choose

To insert

In Layout mode, you see

Current Date

A fixed date (taken from your
computer's calendar). This date is static
and doesn't change.

The current date

Current Time

A fixed time (taken from your
computer's clock). This time is static
and doesn't change.

The current time

Current User Name

A fixed user name (taken from the User
Name specified in Preferences). This
name is static and doesn't change.

The user's name

Date Symbol

A variable date. This date changes to
show the current date taken from your
computer's calendar.

{{CurrentDate}}

Time Symbol

A variable time. This time changes to
show the current time taken from your
computer's clock.

{{CurrentTime}}

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Choose

To insert

In Layout mode, you see

User Name Symbol

A variable user name. This name
changes to show the User Name
specified in Preferences.

{{UserName}}

Page Number Symbol

A page number. (Page numbers only
appear in Preview mode or on a printed
report.)

{{PageNumber}}

Record Number Symbol

A record number (or a row number
when inserted into a portal row)

{{RecordNumber}}

Other Symbol

The result of a specified Get function
flag. For information about the flags
available, see Get functions.

The Get function flag that
you chose in the Select a
symbol to insert dialog box
surrounded by double curly
braces. For example,
{{AccountName}}

Merge Variable

A variable that you’ve created. See
Two dollar signs
Inserting merge variables onto a layout. surrounded by double
angle brackets (<<$$>>)

If you insert a symbol, only the variable's symbol appears in Layout mode (such as
{{CurrentDate}}). You see the value of the variable in Browse, Find, and Preview modes, and
when you print the layout.
Note You can type the characters listed for the symbol instead of using the commands on the
Insert menu. For example, you can type {{CurrentTime}} to insert a time symbol. Variables are
not case-sensitive, but they can contain no spaces or extra characters between the curly
braces.
3. To set formatting options such as font, style, line spacing, text color, and alignment for the
variable, see Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode.
4. If necessary, resize the text block that contains the variable’s symbol.
In Browse mode and Preview mode, a text block displays and prints only as much text as will fit
within its dimensions. Because a symbol often expands when replaced with its variable text, the
contents of a text block may be clipped and may not appear in its entirety. If necessary, resize
the text block to display all of the text. For information on resizing text blocks, see Resizing and
reshaping objects.

Notes
• You can also insert the date or other variables into fields while entering data in your
database. For more information, see Inserting the current date or other variables into a field.
• To display the current page number with the total number of pages in a report (for example,
Page 1 of 10), see Inserting merge variables onto a layout.

Related topics
Adding text to a layout

Inserting merge variables onto a layout
You can create a merge variable that displays a value from a variable. You can use merge variables
for some tasks in place of global fields or unstored calculation fields. For example, a merge variable

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could display the total cost at the bottom of an invoice, or display the name of the account used to
print a report.
You see the merge variable value in Browse, Find, and Preview modes, and when you print records.

To insert a merge variable onto a layout:
1. Create a variable using the Set Variable script step.
FileMaker recommends that you create global variables for use as merge variables.
2. In Layout mode, click in the layout where you want to insert the variable, then choose Insert
menu > Merge Variable.
For example, insert a merge variable into a text block or by itself on the layout.
Do not insert merge variables over a field or any other object that you want to view.
A placeholder merge variable (<<$$>>) appears on the layout.
3. Click between the $$ and >> symbols in the placeholder variable, then type the merge
variable name (the name of the variable you created in step 1).
Important To ensure that merge values are displayed accurately, each record must be refreshed as
it is being browsed, previewed, or printed. You can refresh records manually by, for example,
creating a “Refresh” button that calls the Refresh Window script step, or automatically by creating a
script that includes the Refresh Window script step.

Examples
• To create a merge variable named <<$$acctname>>, which displays the name of the
user’s account, create the script step: Set Variable[$$acctname; Value:
Get(AccountName)]. Then, insert the merge variable <<$$acctname>> on the layout.
• To create a merge variable named <<$$POnum>>, which appends the text “-MPO” to the
current record number to form a purchase order number, create the script step: Set
Variable[$$POnum; Value: Get(RecordNumber) & “-MPO”]. Then, insert the
variable <<$$POnum>> on the layout.
• To display the current page number with the total number of pages in a report (for example,
Page 1 of 10), start by creating a merge variable named <<$pp>>, and create the following
script for it:
Enter Preview Mode
Go to Record/Request/Page [Last]
Set Variable [$pp; Value:Get(PageNumber)]
Go to Record/Request/Page [First]
Pause/Resume Script [Indefinitely]
Then, combine text, the page number symbol ({{PageNumber}}), and the merge variable on
the layout header or footer:
Page {{PageNumber}} of <<$pp>>

Notes
• A variable used as a merge variable cannot include the repetition (index) number of a
repeating field (as in the syntax $variable[repetition]) or a file path.
• To remove a merge variable, select the merge variable on the layout, along with the <<, $$,
and >> symbols, then press Backspace or Delete.

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• The value of a merge variable uses the attributes of the text block it is inserted into (or the
layout’s default text attributes, if the merge variable was inserted onto the layout by itself).
To change the text attributes of merge values, select the entire merge variable in Layout
mode (including the <<, $$, and >> symbols), then select text formatting options. For more
information, see Formatting text.
• In Browse mode and Preview modes, a text block displays and prints only as much text as
will fit within its dimensions. Because merge variables can display a variable amount of
data, the contents of a text block may be clipped and may not appear in its entirety. If
necessary, resize the text block to display all of the text. For information on resizing text
blocks, see Resizing and reshaping objects.
• You can also use a merge field to display data. See Placing merge fields on a layout.

Related topics
Creating scripts to automate tasks
Using buttons with scripts

Drawing lines and other shapes
Use the layout tools in the status toolbar to draw lines, rectangles, rounded rectangles, and ovals.
You can create squares, circles, or horizontal/vertical lines by holding down the a modifier key on
the keyboard as you create objects.

To create a line, rectangle, rounded rectangle, or oval:
1. In Layout mode, click the Line tool
, or Oval tool

, Rectangle tool

, Rounded Rectangle tool

.

See Working with the layout tools.
2. Position the crosshair pointer on the layout where you want the line or object to begin.
3. Click and drag the crosshair pointer until the object is the size that you want.
To create an object that is constrained to a certain angle or shape, do one of the following:
To create a

Use this tool

And press

Horizontal or
vertical line

Line tool

Shift as you draw the line

Diagonal line (at
45 degrees)

Line tool

Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you draw the line

Square

Rectangle tool

Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you draw the square

Rounded square

Rounded
Rectangle tool

Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you draw the rounded
square

Circle

Oval tool

Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you draw the circle

FileMaker Pro draws the object with the theme’s default line style and fill. You can change these
attributes after you draw the object. See Selecting and working with objects on a layout.
To create a dotted or dashed line or border, see Setting the fill, line style, and borders for
objects, layout parts, and the layout background.

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Notes
• To create a line, rectangle, rounded rectangle, or oval, you can also choose Insert menu >
Graphic Object, and then choose the appropriate option from the submenu that appears.
• When you add a line or shape to a layout, its format is based on the theme applied to the
layout. You can apply a custom style to change the display attributes of the field. See
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles.
• Use the following techniques to work with the tools:
To

Do this

Use a tool once

Click a tool to select it (the tool becomes gray).

Keep a tool selected, or locked

Double-click a tool (the tool changes color to indicate it remains
selected until you select a different tool).
Note You also set a preference to always lock a tool when you
select it. See Setting layout preferences.)

Switch between the tool last
used and the Selection tool

Press Ctrl+Enter or Enter on the numeric keypad (Windows) or
press Enter (OS X).

.

Inserting graphics onto a layout
You can add graphics anywhere on a layout to enhance its appearance. For example, you can add
a company logo at the top of an invoice layout.
For a list of supported image formats, see Using data in container fields.
Note You can also fill a layout object, part, or background with an image, and then set additional
formatting attributes for the image. See Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with an
image.

To insert a graphic onto a layout:
1. In Layout mode, choose Insert menu > Picture.
2. In the dialog box, for Files of type (Windows) or Show (OS X), choose a graphic file type.
3. Navigate to the graphic file.
4. To reference the file from disk, select Store only a reference to the file.
When you select Store only a reference to the file, FileMaker Pro doesn't import the graphic
file; instead it only keeps track of where it is on your hard disk. This option may reduce the size
of your FileMaker Pro file, but if you move or delete the graphic file, FileMaker Pro won't be able
to display it.
5. Select the file and click Open, or double-click the filename.
The graphic appears in the document.
6. Position and size the graphic on the layout as needed.
See Selecting and working with objects on a layout.

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Notes
• You can also insert graphics as data into container fields. Do this when you have a different
graphic for each record, such as employee photos in an employee directory database table.
See Inserting graphics into container fields.
• You can insert a graphic via copy and paste: copy a graphic in another application, switch to
FileMaker Pro, and then paste the graphic onto a layout.
• If your system and other applications support it, you can quickly bring a graphic or movie
from another application into FileMaker Pro by dragging the object from the other
application's window onto the FileMaker Pro layout. You can also drag objects from a layout
to another application or to the Windows or OS X desktop.

Working with panel controls on layouts
Use panel controls to simplify entering and viewing data. Panel controls are layout objects that allow
you to group objects on tab panels or slide panels on a layout.
You can use a panel control instead of several layouts, or to help organize one layout with many
fields. For example, customer information from several tables can be grouped into a tab control, with
tab panels for categories such as personal contact information, business contact information, and
purchasing information for different products.
To move between tab panels in FileMaker Pro, click the tabs at the top of a tab control. In
FileMaker Go, tap the tabs to move between tab panels.
To move through slide panels in FileMaker Pro, click the dots at the bottom of a slide control. In
FileMaker Go, swipe panels using one finger or tap to the left or right of the dots. (Moving through
slide panels by swiping is supported in FileMaker Go only.)

Related topics
Formatting panel controls

Adding a tab control
You can add a tab control to a layout to organize objects and make data entry easier.
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. In the status toolbar, do the following:
• Windows: Click the arrow next to the Tab Control tool

or the Slide Control tool

and choose Tab Control, then drag the crosshair to draw the tab control.
• OS X: Click and hold the Tab Control tool
or the Slide Control tool
choose Tab Control, then drag the crosshair to draw the tab control.

and

Tip You can also add a tab control by choosing Insert menu > Tab Control.
3. To name the tab, in the Tab Control Setup dialog box, do one of the following:
• For Tab Name, type a name for this tab panel.
• Click Specify to create a tab label based on a calculation. See Specify Calculation
dialog box.
4. Click Create.

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5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create additional tab panels.
6. For Default Front Tab, choose the panel you want in front when you switch from Layout
mode to another mode.
When you switch to Layout mode from another mode, the front-most tab panel is the one that
was last displayed in the previous mode.
7. Choose Tab Justification options: Left, Center, Right, or Full.
8. Choose Tab Width options: Label Width, Label Width + Margin, Width of Widest Label,
Minimum of, or Fixed Width of.
9. For Label Width + Margin, Minimum of, or Fixed Width of, choose a units option: Inches,
Centimeter or Points, then enter a value in the box.
10. Click OK.
11. To add objects to the tab panel, use the layout tools in the status toolbar, choose from the
Insert menu, or drag objects onto the tab panel.
For more information on adding fields and other objects, see Placing and removing fields on a
layout and Drawing and inserting objects on a layout.

Notes
• Use the Inspector to change the appearance of a tab control (for example, to make the
corners rounded). See Formatting panel controls.
• You can format the appearance of one or more tab panels to be conditional (for example,
format a tab panel to appear red when a certain condition is met). See Defining conditional
formatting for layout objects.
• You cannot place a tab control in a portal.

Related topics
Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background
Changing a tab control
Selecting and working with objects on panel controls
Moving and resizing panel controls
Copying, duplicating, and deleting panel controls

Changing a tab control
You can add, rename, remove, and reorder tab panels in a tab control. You can also set the default
front tab panel.

To change a tab control:
1. In Layout mode, double-click the tab control.
Or, select a tab control and choose Format menu > Tab Control Setup.
The Tab Control Setup dialog box appears.
2. Make changes to the tab control.

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To

Do this

Add a new tab panel

For Tab Name, type a new name and click Create, or click
Specify to create a tab label based on a calculation. See
Specify Calculation dialog box.

Rename a tab panel

In the Tabs list, select a name, type the new name, and click
Change, or click Specify to create a tab label based on a
calculation.

Remove a tab panel

In the Tabs list, select a name and click Delete. All objects in
the tab panel are deleted from the layout.

Reorder the tab panels

In the Tabs list, drag the double arrow

Set the tab panel you want in front
by default

For Default Front Tab, choose the panel you want in front when
you switch from Layout mode to another mode.

next to the tab name.

When you switch to Layout mode from another mode, the front
tab panel is the one that was last displayed in the previous
mode.
3. Click OK.

Related topics
Formatting panel controls

Adding a slide control
You can add a slide control to a layout to organize objects and make data entry easier.
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. In the status toolbar, do the following:
• Windows: Click the arrow next to the Tab Control tool

or the Slide Control tool

and choose Slide Control, then drag the crosshair to draw the slide control.
• OS X: Click and hold the Tab Control tool
or the Slide Control tool
choose Slide Control, then drag the crosshair to draw the slide control.

and

Tip You can also add a slide control by choosing Insert menu > Slide Control.
3. Customize the slide control. See Changing a slide control.
4. To add objects to a slide panel, use the layout tools in the status toolbar, choose from the
Insert menu, or drag objects onto the slide panel.
For more information on adding fields and other objects, see Placing and removing fields on a
layout and Drawing and inserting objects on a layout.
5. Click outside the slide control, or press Esc, to close the Slide Control Setup dialog box.

Related topics
Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background
Selecting and working with objects on panel controls
Moving and resizing panel controls

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Formatting panel controls
Copying, duplicating, and deleting panel controls
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects

Changing a slide control
You can add, remove, and reorder slide panels in a slide control. You can also include dots on a
slide panel to help you move through the panels.

To change a slide control:
1. In Layout mode, double-click the slide control.
Or, select the slide control and choose Format menu > Slide Control Setup.
The Slide Control Setup dialog box appears.
2. Do one or more of the following.
To
Add a slide panel

Do this
Click

.

The new panel is added to the right of the active (current) panel
and becomes the active panel.
Remove a slide panel

Click

.

Any object on the slide panel are also removed.
If more than one panel is selected when you click
, the
active panel is deleted regardless of which other panels are
selected.
Select a slide panel

Click the corresponding dot at the bottom or below the slide
control.

Select multiple slide panels

Click a dot to bring its panel to the front, then click the dot again.
A box appears around the dot, indicating the slide panel is
selected. Shift-click another dot, then Shift-click the dot again to
add the second slide panel to your selection. Continue Shiftclicking dots until all the panels you want are selected.

Allow moving through slide
panels by swiping with one
finger (for FileMaker Go use
only)

Select Enable swipe gestures.

Display dots on slide panels

Select Show navigation dots.
Note When developing solutions for FileMaker Pro and
FileMaker WebDirect, always include dots on slide controls
containing multiple panels so you can move between panels.

Change the size of the dots

Select Show navigation dots, then type or choose a value.

Move between slide panels

Do one of the following:
• Click

or

.

• Click the dots on or below slide panels.

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To

Do this

Reorder the panels within a
slide control

Drag a dot on the slide control to the new position.

Set the slide panel you want in
front by default

Select Show navigation dots, then drag the slide panel to the
left-most position.

Note You can’t drag dots to move slide panels between slide
controls.

3. To add objects to a slide panel, use the layout tools in the status toolbar, choose from the
Insert menu, or drag objects onto the tab panel.
For more information about adding fields and other objects, see Placing and removing fields on
a layout and Drawing and inserting objects on a layout.
4. Click outside the slide control, or press Esc, to close the Slide Control Setup dialog box.

Notes
• Use the Inspector to change the appearance of a slide control (for example, to make the
corners rounded). See Formatting panel controls.
• You can format the appearance of one or more slide panels to be conditional (for example,
format a slide panel to appear red when a certain condition is met). See Defining conditional
formatting for layout objects.
• You cannot place a slide control in a portal.
• Animation that slides the panels when you switch between panels is not supported in
FileMaker Pro for Windows or FileMaker WebDirect.
• When you use scripts to control slide panel navigation, animation effects are off by default.
To turn on animation, see Set Script Animation.

Related topics
Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background
Selecting and working with objects on panel controls
Moving and resizing panel controls
Copying, duplicating, and deleting panel controls

Selecting and working with objects on panel controls
You can place objects on tab panels or slide panels, then move, resize, delete, copy, and format
objects.

To select and work with objects on panel controls:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more panels or objects.
To

Do this

Select the front tab panel or
slide panel

Click anywhere in the tab panel or slide panel.

Switch a tab panel or slide
panel to be in front

Tab panels: Click the tab of the panel that you want to be in
front.
Slide panels: Click the dot of the panel that you want to be in
front.

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To

Do this

Select more than one panel of a
panel control

Tab panels: Click a tab to bring it to the front, then click the tab
again. A box appears around the tab name, indicating the tab
panel is selected. Shift-click another tab, then Shift-click it
again to add the second tab panel to your selection. Continue
Shift-clicking tabs until all the panels you want are selected.
Note If you accidentally double-click a tab and the Tab Control
Setup dialog box opens, click OK to close it.
Slide panels: Click a dot to bring its panel to the front, then
click the dot again. A box appears around the dot, indicating
the slide panel is selected. Shift-click another dot, then Shiftclick the dot again to add the second slide panel to your
selection. Continue Shift-clicking dots until all the panels you
want are selected.

Select all tab panels or slide
panels and all objects on them

Drag the arrow pointer to make a selection box that surrounds
the panel control.

Select multiple objects on a
panel

Shift-click each object you want to select.

Select objects on multiple
panels

Tab panels: Select some objects on a tab panel, Shift-click a
tab to switch tab panels, then Shift-click objects to add them to
the selection.
Slide panels: Select some objects on a slide panel, Shift-click
a dot to switch panels, then Shift-click objects to add them to
the selection.

2. To modify your selection, do the following.

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To

Do this

Line up the edges of objects on
one panel or in the same place in
different panels

Select objects on one or more panels.
In the Inspector, click Position. In the Arrange & Align area,
click one of the following:

• Align Left Edges

• Align on Horizontal Centers

• Align Right Edges

• Align Top Edges

• Align on Vertical Centers

• Align Bottom Edges
If you don’t see the Inspector, click Inspector
in the layout
bar. For more information about aligning objects, see Aligning or
distributing objects.
Distribute objects horizontally or
vertically the same way on one
panel or on different panels

Select objects on one or more panels.
In the Inspector, click Position. In the Arrange & Align area,
click Distribute Horizontally

or Distribute Vertically

.

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To

Do this

Make objects on one panel or in
different panels the same size

Select objects on one or more panels.
In the Inspector, click Position. In the Arrange & Align area,
click one of the following:

• Resize to Smallest Width

• Resize to Smallest Height

• Resize to Smallest Width and Height

• Resize to Largest Width

• Resize to Largest Height

• Resize to Largest Width and Height
Copy an object

Select an object, choose Edit menu > Copy, then choose Edit
menu > Paste.

Delete an object

Select an object:
• Choose Edit menu > Clear.
• Or, press Backspace or Delete.

Format an object

See Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode

Notes
• When you print layouts containing panel controls, only the front-most tab panel or slide
panel prints.
• When you check spelling, only the text on the front-most panel is checked.
• If you save records as an Excel file, only fields that are on the front-most panel are saved. If
you want more control over which fields appear in the Excel file, then export records
instead. See Exporting data from FileMaker Pro.
• The objects on a tab panel or slide panel have their own stacking order within that panel.
See Moving objects forward or backward on a layout.
• You can define a custom tab order for objects on a tab panel or slide panel. However, when
you press the Tab key, you navigate only to objects on the front-most panel. If you want to
automate navigation to another panel, use the Go To Field script step and specify a target
field that is on the panel you want to bring to the front. For information on tab order, see
Setting the tab order for data entry.
• If a script step specifies a field that is not on the front-most panel, FileMaker Pro selects that
field and moves its panel to the front. If, however, the field also appears on the layout and
the script locates that field first, the panel does not move forward. To have the panel move

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to the front in this situation, assign an object name to the field that’s on the panel and use
the Go to Object script step to locate that instance of the field.
• To ensure that objects on a panel are resized along with the panel, specify resize settings
for both the panel and the objects. See Setting auto-resize options for layout objects.
• You can format the appearance of one or more tab panels or slide panels to be conditional
(for example, format a tab panel to appear red when a certain condition is met). See
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects.

Related topics
Drawing and inserting objects on a layout
Placing and removing fields on a layout
Selecting and working with objects on a layout
Formatting panel controls

Moving and resizing panel controls
You can move, resize, and reshape tab controls and slide controls.

To move a panel control and all objects on it:
• In Layout mode, drag the tab control or slide control to the new location.
See Moving objects on a layout.

To resize or reshape a panel control:
1. In Layout mode, select the tab control or slide control.
2. Drag a selection handle to change the size or shape of the tab control or slide control.
Note The size or shape of the objects on the tab control or slide control don’t change unless the
objects have been selected with the tab control or slide control.
See Resizing and reshaping objects.

Notes
• When you move a tab control or a slide control, all the objects on the panel control move
with it.
• If you make a tab control or slide control smaller, objects may become hidden from view.
Either resize the panel control or change the size of the text on the panels to fit the panel
control’s new size.
• If an object no longer fits within a resized panel, the object becomes partially or completely
hidden. However, it is still a part of the panel.
• If a panel control is not wide enough to display all of its panels, the panels will be truncated.
• You can’t move, resize, or reshape a locked panel control. See Protecting objects from
change.

Copying, duplicating, and deleting panel controls
You can copy, duplicate, or delete tab controls and slide controls and all the objects on them.
Note If you select and copy locked objects (panel controls or the objects placed on them), the
copied objects are unlocked when pasted. For more on selecting objects on a layout, see Selecting
objects.

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To copy, paste, duplicate, or delete a panel control:
1. In Layout mode, select the tab control or slide control.
2. Do the following.
To

Do this

Copy (or cut) a tab control or slide
control, then paste it onto the
same or another layout, or onto a
layout in another database file

• Choose Edit menu > Copy (or Cut). Click with the arrow
pointer where you want the tab control or slide control
centered, then choose Edit menu > Paste Layout
Object(s) (Windows) or Edit menu > Paste (OS X).
• Or, hold down the Alt key (Windows) or Option key (OS X),
drag the pointer to a new location, and release the mouse.

Duplicate a tab control or slide
control

• Choose Edit menu > Duplicate.

Delete a tab control or slide control

• Choose Edit menu > Clear.

• Or, press Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you drag.
• Or, press Backspace or Delete.

Note Any tab control you cut or copy stays on the Clipboard until the next time you choose Cut or
Copy (in FileMaker Pro or another application), or restart or turn off your computer.

Working with popovers on layouts
Use popovers to simplify entering and viewing data. A popover is a layout object that allows you to
work with fields, text, and other objects on a layout. Popovers allow you to access additional details
or controls for your data without having to move to another layout or window, helping you to maintain
the context of your work.
To add a popover to a layout, in Layout mode create a popover button. An associated popover is
created along with the popover button. You can then add fields and other objects to the popover.
To work with a popover in Browse mode, you click the popover button to open the popover. You can
enter and view data in fields on a popover, view charts, use web viewers, work with panel controls,
and so on, just as you do in a layout.

Adding a popover
You can add a popover to a layout to organize objects and make data entry easier. To add a popover
to a layout, create a popover button. FileMaker Pro creates a popover at the same time. Add fields
and other layout objects on the popover.

To add a popover to a layout:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. In the status toolbar, do the following:
• Windows: Click the arrow next to the Button tool

or the Popover Button tool

, and choose Popover Button from the menu. Then drag the crosshair to draw the
popover button.

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• OS X: Click and hold the Button tool
or the Popover Button tool
, and
choose Popover Button from the menu. Then drag the crosshair to draw the popover
button.
Tip You can also add a popover button by choosing Insert menu > Popover Button.
A popover button and popover are created on the layout, and the Popover Setup dialog box
appears.
3. To add a label to the popover button, type the label at the insertion point on the popover
button.
4. To change popover settings (for example, to hide the popover’s title or change the direction
in which the popover opens), use the Popover Setup dialog box.
See Changing popover settings.
5. To add objects to the popover, use the layout tools in the status toolbar, choose from the
Insert menu, or drag objects onto the tab panel.
6. Close the popover by clicking its close button.

Notes
• After you've added objects to a popover, you can move, resize, reshape, copy, delete, and
arrange the objects on the popover. See Selecting and working with objects on popovers.
• If necessary, you can place a popover button close to the edge of the layout’s viewing area.
If the popover’s display direction will extend the popover beyond the viewing area, the
popover will open in the direction in which it is most visible. Scroll bars appear on the
popover, if needed, to allow you to display all the objects on the popover.
• If you are using a popover on a narrow or short layout and you want the popover to extend
past the edge of the layout to enlarge the popover’s data entry area, set fields and the
popover to resize automatically, and anchor the popover on the right side or bottom. See
Setting auto-resize options for layout objects.
• To have a popover display in Table View, place the popover in the header part or footer part
on the layout.
• You can export data from fields on popovers with the following exceptions:
• When you save or send data as Excel (using File menu > Save/Send Records as >
Excel), fields on popovers are not included in the destination file. Use File menu >
Export Records instead. After naming the destination file and setting Excel options,
choose Current Table in the Specify Field Order for Export dialog box, then select the
fields you want to export. See Exporting data from FileMaker Pro.
• When you use the context menu in Table View to copy records or to save or send
records as a PDF, fields on popovers are not included in the destination file.
• When you use the Copy Record/Request script step or Copy All Records/Requests
script step, fields on popovers are not included in the destination file.
• Popover buttons are identified by a badge
in Layout mode. If you don’t see a badge,
choose View menu > Show > Popover Buttons.
• To close a popover in Browse mode, select another area of the layout, or press Esc.

Related topics
Moving and resizing popovers

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Formatting popover buttons and popovers
Copying, duplicating, and deleting popovers

Changing popover settings
Use the Popover Setup dialog box to change popover settings.

To change settings for a popover:
1. If the Popover Setup dialog box is not open in Layout mode, do one of the following:
• If the popover is closed: Double-click the popover button or select the popover button
and choose Format menu > Display Popover, then double-click the popover.
• If the popover is open: Double-click the popover or select the popover and choose
Format menu > Popover Setup.
2. Do one or more of the following.
To

Do this

Change the title of the popover

Type a title, with or without double quotation marks.
To specify a title based on a calculation, click
(Windows) or
Specify (OS X) and define the calculation. See Specify
Calculation dialog box.

Show or Hide the title bar (and the
title)
Change the direction in which the
popover opens on the layout

Select or clear Show title bar.
Showing or hiding the title bar does not change the position of
the objects on the popover.
• Click Left

, Right

, Above

, or Below

.
• Or, place the arrow pointer on the popover’s title bar
area (even if the title bar is hidden) and drag the
popover to a new direction.
Assign one or more script triggers
to the popover (if you want a script
to run when you open or exit the
popover)

Click Set Script Triggers and choose one or more script
triggers. See Setting up script triggers and Creating scripts to
automate tasks.

3. To close the Popover Setup dialog box, click outside the dialog box or click its close button.

Notes
• By default, popovers open to the right of a popover button, unless there isn’t enough room
on the layout for the popover to display.
• You can change the appearance of popover buttons and popovers independently of one
another. See Formatting popover buttons and popovers.
• To change the appearance of fields and other layout objects on a popover, select the
objects on the popover, then use the Inspector to make your changes. See Selecting and
working with objects on popovers.

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Related topics
Adding a popover
Copying, duplicating, and deleting popovers
Moving and resizing popovers

Moving and resizing popovers
You can move popover buttons and resize popover buttons and popovers.

To move a popover button (and its popover):
• In Layout mode, drag the popover button to the new location.
When you move a popover button, its associated popover and all objects on the popover move
with it.
See Moving objects on a layout.

To resize or reshape a popover button or popover:
1. In Layout mode, select the popover button or the popover.
If the popover is hidden, double-click the popover button.
2. Drag a selection handle to change the size or shape of the popover button or popover.
See Resizing and reshaping objects.

Notes
• If you make a popover smaller, the objects on it may become truncated or hidden.
Truncated or hidden objects are still part of the popover. When you open the popover in
Browse mode or Find mode, scroll bars appear, allowing access to all objects on the
popover.
• If necessary, you can place a popover button close to the edge of the layout’s viewing area.
If the popover’s display direction will extend the popover beyond the viewing area, the
popover will open in the direction in which it is most visible. Scroll bars appear on the
popover, if needed, to allow you to display all the objects on the popover.
• You can’t move, resize, or reshape a locked popover button. See Protecting objects from
change.

Related topics
Formatting popover buttons and popovers

Copying, duplicating, and deleting popovers
You copy, duplicate, or delete popovers by copying, duplicating, or deleting their associated popover
buttons. You can’t copy, duplicate, or delete popovers independently of their popover buttons.

To copy, paste, duplicate, or delete a popover:
1. In Layout mode, select the popover button.

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2. Do one or more of the following.
To

Do this

Copy (or cut) a popover, then
paste it onto the same or another
layout

• Choose Edit menu > Copy (or Cut). Click with the arrow
pointer where you want the popover button centered, then
choose Edit menu > Paste Layout Object(s) (Windows) or
Edit menu > Paste (OS X).
• Or, hold down the Alt key (Windows) or Option key (OS X),
drag the pointer to a new location, and release the mouse.

Duplicate a popover

• Choose Edit menu > Duplicate.
• Or, press Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you drag.

Delete a popover

• Choose Edit menu > Clear.
• Or, press Backspace or Delete.

Notes
• Any popover you cut or copy stays on the Clipboard until the next time you choose Cut or
Copy (in FileMaker Pro or another application), or restart or turn off your computer.
• You can use the Duplicate command to create a series of identical popovers. After choosing
Edit menu > Duplicate, drag the new popover button to a different location on the layout,
then choose Edit menu > Duplicate again.
• If you select and copy locked objects, the copies are unlocked.

Selecting and working with objects on popovers
You can move, resize, delete, copy, and format objects on popovers.
1. In Layout mode, double-click the popover button to open the popover.
2. Select one or more objects on the popover.
To select

Do this

An object on the popover

With the arrow pointer, click the object.

Multiple objects on the
popover

• Drag the arrow pointer to make a selection box on the
popover that includes the objects. The selection box does
not have to completely surround the objects. To avoid
including partially selected objects, press Ctrl (Windows) or
Command (OS X) as you drag.
Note Make sure the arrow pointer is on the popover, and
not the layout, when you begin dragging. Otherwise, objects
on the layout are selected instead.
• Or, Shift-click each object individually.

3. Do one or more of the following.

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To

Do this

Copy (or cut) the object and
then paste the object

Choose Edit menu > Copy (or Cut). Click with the arrow pointer
where you want the object pasted, then choose Edit menu >
Paste.
See Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects.

Delete the object

• Choose Edit menu > Clear.
• Or, press Backspace or Delete.
See Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects.

Move the object

Drag the object to a new location.
See Moving objects on a layout.

Resize or reshape the object

Drag one of the selection handles to change the object’s shape
or size.
See Resizing and reshaping objects.

Note In Layout mode, popovers are included in the default tab order. When you press Tab to move
to a popover button, press Tab again to open the popover, then continue pressing Tab to advance
through the objects on the popover. In Browse mode, popover buttons are not in the tab order by
default, but you can add popover buttons to the tab order. See Setting the tab order for data entry.

Related topics
Drawing and inserting objects on a layout
Placing and removing fields on a layout
Selecting and working with objects on a layout
Formatting popover buttons and popovers

Working with web viewers on layouts
Use web viewers to display web pages directly in a FileMaker Pro layout. Web viewers are layout
objects that allow you to display information from websites based on data in your database. For
example, a web viewer can calculate a URL for a map website based on information in your
database table’s address and city fields. As you browse each record in your table, the web viewer
displays a map of the location specified in the current record.
To make it easier for you to create web viewers, FileMaker Pro includes templates for several datadriven websites. When you use one of these templates, you only need to specify the parameters
used by the website. You can also create a custom web address for any website.
Web viewers use the operating system’s web browser technology, so you can perform many of the
same tasks with web viewers that you can with web browsers. You can click links and navigate to
pages other than the page the web viewer originally loaded. Web viewers can also display content
on websites—such as PDF documents and QuickTime movies—for which you may need to install
additional software. You can also control URL encoding.
Web viewers are not meant to replace web browsers. For some websites, you may need to open a
separate web browser window.

Related topics
Navigating in web viewers
Troubleshooting layouts with web viewers

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Adding a web viewer
You can add a web viewer to display a web page on a layout. The address of the web page can be
either a constant or a calculation based on data in the current record.
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Click the Web Viewer tool

in the status toolbar.

3. Drag the crosshair to draw the web viewer.
Tip You can also add a web viewer by choosing Insert menu > Web Viewer.
4. In the Web Viewer Setup dialog box, choose one of the websites in the Choose a Website
list.
Or, choose Custom Web Address from the list. See Defining a custom web address.
5. For each of the website parameters you want to use, do one of the following:
To

Do this

Specify a field that
contains the
parameter

Click

and choose Specify Field. Then select a database field and click OK.

Specify a
calculation that
generates the
parameter

Click
OK.

and choose Specify Calculation. Then create a calculation and click

Specify a constant
value

Type a constant value enclosed in quotation marks. If you want to specify a
parameter that consists of both a constant and a field, specify it as a calculation.

Note Some website parameters may be marked Required or Optional. If you do not specify a
Required parameter, the website might not provide the information you expect.
6. Select Allow interaction with web viewer content if you want to allow users to interact
with the web page displayed in the web viewer.
Users can click links, enter text, scroll, tab into, and use the shortcut menu in the web viewer. If
you clear this checkbox, all interaction is disabled; even scroll bars are not displayed.
7. Select Display content in Find mode if you want the web viewer to display a web page in
Find mode.
After users enter a value into a field and move out of that field, the web viewer recalculates the
URL and reloads the web page, if the web address is based on this field. If you clear this
checkbox, the web viewer is blank in Find mode.
8. Select Display progress bar if you want the web viewer to display a progress bar under the
content area that shows how much of a web page is loaded.
9. Select Display status messages if you want the web viewer to display status messages
under the content area. The following kinds of status messages can be displayed:
• Loading messages, such as “Loading: http://www.filemaker.com”
• Error messages, which are the same as those that would display on your operating
system’s web browser
• Security status. When secure web pages (pages that use the https protocol) are loaded,
a small lock icon

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10. Select Automatically encode URL to allow FileMaker Pro to apply encoding rules to the
URL, if necessary, so that it complies with a browser’s required format. To keep the URL in
the format in which it is entered, deselect this checkbox.
For more information about URL encoding, see About URL encoding in web viewers.
11. Click OK.

Notes
• Web viewers display web pages in Form View and List View. In Table View, web viewers
display only when they are in the header or footer parts of a layout.
• You can’t place a web viewer in a portal. If you place a web viewer on a portal, the web
viewer appears as an object on the layout that overlaps the portal.
• Web viewers are included in the default tab order.
• You can define a web viewer as a button. Mouse clicks activate the button but don’t interact
with links or other web viewer content. However, you can tab into the web viewer and
interact with it using the keyboard, if Allow interaction with web viewer content is
selected and the web viewer is in the tab order. For more information about buttons, see
Defining a button.
• Avoid placing objects in front of or behind web viewers. Web viewers may not display in
Browse, Find, and Preview modes in the stacking order that you set in Layout mode.
• You cannot rotate a web viewer.
• You can send html data to a web viewer by embedding the data in a URL. For more
information, see the Set Web Viewer script step.

Changing a web address
You can change the web address used by a web viewer.

To change the web address of a web viewer:
1. In Layout mode, double-click the web viewer.
Or, select a web viewer and choose Format menu > Web Viewer Setup.
The Web Viewer Setup dialog box appears.
2. Do one of the following:
To

Do this

Change the website to use

In the Choose a Website list, select a new website. Specify the
website parameters you want to use as described in Adding a
web viewer.

Change or add a field used for a
website parameter

Click
next to the website parameter you want to change or
add and choose Specify Field. Then select a database field
and click OK. Or, you can type directly in the website parameter
box.

Remove the field or calculation
used for a website parameter

In a website parameter box, select the field name, calculation,
or text and press Backspace or Delete.

Change a custom web address

Click Specify next to the Web Address box and change the
calculation as described in Defining a custom web address.

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To

Do this

Change whether FileMaker Pro
automatically encodes a URL

Select Automatically encode URL to allow FileMaker Pro to
apply encoding rules to the URL, if necessary, so that it
complies with a browser’s required format. To keep the URL in
the format in which it is entered, deselect this checkbox. (For
more information about URL encoding, see About URL
encoding in web viewers.)

Note Some website parameters may be marked Required or Optional. If you do not specify a
Required parameter, the website might not provide the information you expect.
3. Click OK.

Defining a custom web address
FileMaker Pro includes web viewer templates that define web addresses for several websites.
However, you can create a custom web address for any website you want to display in a web
viewer.
The web address for a web viewer is a calculated expression, similar to a formula specified by a
calculation field. To create a custom web address, you create a formula that can consist of
constants, field names, functions, and operators. FileMaker Pro evaluates the expression to
construct a URL, which the web viewer uses to display a web page.

To define a custom web address for a web viewer:
1. In Layout mode, add a web viewer, or select a web viewer that is already on the layout and
choose Format menu > Web Viewer Setup.
For more information, see Adding a web viewer.
The Web Viewer Setup dialog box appears.
2. In the Choose a Website list, choose Custom Web Address.
If a website template was previously selected, its web address remains in the Web Address
box, but the website parameter boxes disappear.
3. Click Specify next to the Web Address box.
The Specify Calculation dialog box appears.
4. Enter a formula for your web address.
For more information on formulas, see Working with formulas and functions.
5. Click OK to close the Specify Calculation dialog box.
6. Continue to edit the web address or choose other web viewer options, then click OK.

Notes
• To see example web addresses, click any of the websites in the Choose a Website list. If
one of the addresses is similar to the custom web address you want to create, you can edit
the example.
• To see a calculated URL based on your custom web address, in Layout mode choose View
menu > Show > Sample Data.
• The result of a calculation for a custom web address must be text.
• You must ensure that your custom web address:

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• follows the format: ://
:@://

• begins with the correct scheme — for example, http://, https://, ftp://, gopher://, or file://.
If you omit the scheme, the operating system’s web browser might use one that you
didn’t intend.
• is correctly encoded as a URL, by selecting Automatically encode URL. See About
URL encoding in web viewers.

Related topics
Troubleshooting layouts with web viewers

Controlling how layouts print
What printer you use, what printer options you choose, the margins you specify, and different layout
options you choose all affect how FileMaker Pro prints your data.
FileMaker Pro also allows you to set up a layout to print records in columns (for example, to print a
multi-column phone directory), set sliding options to reduce blank spaces in printouts, and prevent
certain layout objects from printing.

Related topics
Previewing and printing information
Troubleshooting layouts

Specifying page margins
You can specify different margins for each layout. If you don't specify margins, FileMaker Pro uses
the printer's default margins, which might vary with different printers or different printer drivers. You
should specify page margins if you're printing a layout where exact spacing is important, like labels
or a preprinted form.

To specify page margins:
1. Choose File menu > Print Setup (Windows), or File menu > Page Setup (OS X), confirm
the printer and paper settings, then click OK.
In Preview mode, you can also click Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X) in the status
toolbar.
For more information, see the documentation that came with your computer and printer.
2. In Layout mode, click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

You can also click the name of the layout’s current table.
3. In the Layout Setup dialog box, click the Printing tab.
4. Select Fixed page margins, and type values for the margins.
If you specify a margin that is narrower than your current printer supports, FileMaker Pro
displays a warning dialog box.
If you want the left and right margins to alternate (the inside margin appears on the left side for
the first page, on the right side for the second page, and so on), select Facing pages.
5. Click OK.

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6. To check the margins, switch to Preview mode.
For more information, see Previewing data on a layout.

Notes
• To change the unit of measure used for margins, in Layout mode, right-click the ruler and
choose a unit of measure from the shortcut menu. See Using the rulers and grid.
• You can display the margins in Layout mode exactly as they will print. For more information,
see Showing page margins.
• If you’re using the Print in  columns option and you later specify page margins, the
columns resize to fit within the new margins. For more information, see Setting up to print
records in columns.

Showing page margins
You can display the margins in Layout mode exactly as they will print. (Page margins always show
in Preview mode.)
To display the page margins: In Layout mode, choose View menu > Page Margins. The margins
show up as a thin, dotted line around the edges of the layout “page.” Page breaks appear as heavy,
dashed horizontal and vertical lines.
To hide the margins: Choose View menu > Page Margins again.
Most printers can't print to the edge of the paper. If you place objects in the margins or outside the
area the selected printer can print to, you see them in Browse and Find modes, but don't see the
objects when you preview or print.

Related topics
Specifying page margins
Previewing data on a layout

Setting up to print records in columns
You can set up a layout to print (or preview) records in columns, for example, for a directory of
names and addresses. This is in contrast to a List view or Report layout, which arranges fields in
columns.
When you set up records to print in columns, all the information for one record is printed together in
a block (much like on a label), then all the values for the next record are printed together, and so on.
You can specify the order of records — either across rows or down columns.
Across rows first

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You only see multiple columns in Layout and Preview modes and when you print (not in Browse
mode or Find mode).

To set up columns in a layout:
1. Choose File menu > Print Setup (Windows), or File menu > Page Setup (OS X), confirm
that your printer and paper settings are correct, and then click OK.
In Preview mode, you can also click Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X) in the status
toolbar.
FileMaker Pro considers the selected printer, and print or page setup information when it
calculates margins and other measurements on the layout.
2. In Layout mode, create a layout or choose a layout from the Layout pop-up menu.
It's easiest to start with a Blank layout or a layout with no objects in the body part. For more
information on creating layouts, see Creating a layout.
3. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

You can also click the name of the layout’s current table.
4. In the Layout Setup dialog box, click the Printing tab.
5. Select Print in  columns, and then set the options described in the following table.
To

Do this

Specify the number of columns

For Print in  columns, type a number between 1 and
99.

Arrange records to flow across the
page first (left to right a row at a
time)

Select Across first.

Use this option for reports like labels, to use the fewest number
of rows and preserve label stock.
Arrange records to flow down the
page first (top to bottom a column
at a time)

Select Down first.

Use this option for reports like directories, where you usually
read from top to bottom, column by column.
6. Click OK.
On the layout, you see vertical lines indicating columns.
7. Place or arrange fields and other layout objects so they are contained within the sample
column on the left.
Use merge fields or fields or objects with sliding enabled to fit more data into the width of a
column. With either of these two features, fields can extend into the gray area of the second
column, and blank space in fields is eliminated when you view or print data. For more
information, see Placing merge fields on a layout and Removing blank spaces in printouts.

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To change the width of columns:
The initial width of each column is calculated based on the paper size, orientation, and any margins
you have set. To change the width of columns, do one of the following:
To

Do this

Interactively adjust the width of the
columns

Drag the right column boundary (the vertical dashed line at the
right edge of the sample column).
Note Because the page width is fixed, dragging the column
boundary to the right does not increase the width of the
printable area within each column (unless you previously
narrowed the column width). Instead dragging the column
boundary to the right creates a “gutter” margin between each
column. This gutter margin is useful for creating space between
columns, but it reduces the printable area within each column.

Precisely measure and adjust the
width of the columns

Click Inspector
in the layout bar. Click Position. Position
the pointer over the right column boundary, hold down the
mouse button (be careful not to drag the column width), and
read the column Width value in the Size area.

Notes
• If you change the number of columns, FileMaker Pro adjusts the width of the columns to fit
within the width of the paper size you have defined, not including fixed margins. You may
need to readjust fields to fit within the sample column.
• When you select Down first, FileMaker Pro prints subsummary parts the width of the
column. If you've specified that a page break comes after the subsummary part,
FileMaker Pro starts a new column (not a new page). With Across first, FileMaker Pro
prints subsummary parts the width of the page, and the specified page break starts a new
page. For more information, see Defining page breaks and numbering.

Removing blank spaces in printouts
Often, the amount of information in the fields in your database varies. When you print, FileMaker Pro
can shrink field boundaries and shift objects to the left or up on your layout to close up the blank
space caused when the information in a field doesn't fill the field boundary.
For example, in a catalog, a description for one item may be longer than for another. If you use the
sliding feature of FileMaker Pro, you can close up the space between items and print more items per
page.
You can slide any object, including fields, portals, other objects, and even layout parts. Here is how
certain objects slide:
• Fields shrink to eliminate empty space within field boundaries. A field can also slide if there
is a sliding or shrinking field above or to the left of the field.
• Non-field objects, like a horizontal line or a text object, can slide if there is a sliding field
above or to the left of the objects. When a non-field object slides, it moves to another place
on the layout but it doesn't shrink.
• Portals slide like any other non-field object, but objects within a portal can't slide. If you
specify that a portal slides up and the enclosing part shrink, FileMaker Pro omits empty
portal rows.

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• You can set layout parts to shrink when the fields in them slide up. Headers, footers, title
headers, and title footers never shrink or slide up. Don't set a part to shrink on a layout that
requires fixed vertical spacing, like labels.
All objects slide left (or up) corresponding to the amount of space that the fields to the left of (or
above) the objects shrink. However, sliding does not remove empty space you leave between fields,
or other empty spaces on parts. For example, if you create a body part with one inch of space below
the lowest object, and set all the objects to slide and the part to shrink, FileMaker Pro leaves one
inch below the lowest object when you print.

To set sliding options:
Note The effects of the sliding options you set only appear in Preview mode and printouts, not in
Browse mode.
1. In Layout mode, select both the objects you want to slide and the left-most (or top-most)
field that you want the other objects to slide into so it can shrink.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Position.

3. In the Sliding & Visibility area, select the sliding options you want.
To

Select this option

Reduce the width of the selected fields to the minimum
needed for their data, and then slide all selected objects
left based on the amount of space the fields shrink.

Sliding left

Reduce the height of the selected fields to the minimum
needed for their data, and then slide all selected objects
up based on the field above that shrinks the least.

Sliding up based on, and click All
objects above

Note This option maintains consistent vertical spacing
among columns and repeating fields.
Reduce the height of the selected fields to the minimum
needed for their data, and then slide all selected objects
up based on the amount of space the fields directly
above shrink.

Sliding up based on, and click Only
objects directly above

Note This option allows the spacing in a column to
adjust independently of other columns and repeating
fields.
Close up the space in the layout part that contains the
selected fields. To slide the part up relative to all objects,
set this option for all the objects that are sliding up. To
slide the part up relative to a single object, set this option
for that object only.

Also resize enclosing part

4. To see the effects of the sliding options you set, choose Preview from the Mode pop-up
menu at the bottom of the document window.
For more information, see Previewing data on a layout.

To modify or remove the sliding options for objects:
1. In Layout mode, select the objects you want to change.

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If you want to remove sliding from a group of objects, remember to select the left-most (or topmost) field along with the other objects that are sliding.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Position.

3. In the Sliding & Visibility area, deselect options you don't want.

Notes
• In many cases, you can achieve the same sliding effects by using merge fields. The
following table summarizes when to use sliding objects and when to use merge fields.
Use sliding objects when you want to:
• slide non-text objects, like graphics
• shrink a layout part to fit more on a page
• align formatted fields, like value lists and
repeating fields
• use a layout for data entry (you can't enter
data into a field formatted as a merge field)

Use merge fields when you want to:
• slide fields together in one continuous block
of text, such as for mailing labels
• slide fields and text together in one
continuous block of text, such as for form
letters.
For more information, see Placing merge fields
on a layout.

• In Layout mode, choose View menu > Show > Sliding Objects to see which objects slide
and in which directions.
• When you slide objects or parts, FileMaker Pro prints the objects relative to each other, not
precisely as you placed them on your layout.
• Be careful when setting sliding options for repeating fields. If some repeating fields are
empty and the space is removed by sliding, then adjoining data in different repeating fields
may no longer be in proper alignment.
• If your database includes one or more fields that display Japanese text, you can trim extra
spaces between characters with the TrimAll function. For each field that contains
Japanese data that you want to trim, create a calculation field that uses the TrimAll
function to trim that field, and then place that field on your layout. For more information, see
TrimAll function.

Related topics
Troubleshooting layouts

Preventing objects from printing
You can keep objects on a layout from printing. For example:
• Create a button on a report layout that doesn't print when you print the report.
• Place instructions on a layout to be read during data entry, but not printed when that layout
is printed.

To keep objects from printing:
1. In Layout mode, select the object or objects that you don't want to print.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

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3. In the Sliding & Visibility area, for Object visibility, select Hide when printing.

Notes
• You see nonprinting objects in Browse and Layout modes, but not in Preview mode or when
you print. In Layout mode, choose View menu > Show > Non-Printing Objects to display
nonprinting objects with a gray border.
• To close up the blank space taken by a nonprinting object, set sliding options for that object
and objects below it on the layout. For more information, see Removing blank spaces in
printouts.

Related topics
Using buttons with scripts
Previewing data on a layout

Setting up script triggers
You can set up a script trigger to specify that a script runs when an event occurs. For example, you
can use a script trigger to run a script that automatically enters data in fields based on what is
entered in another field.
Some script triggers run the script before an event is processed by the database engine. Other
script triggers run the script after an event is processed by the database engine. For example, you
could use the OnObjectEnter script trigger to run a script after a field is entered. (The field is the
object; entering the field is the event.)
Script triggers can be activated by user actions or by scripts. For example, you could use the
OnObjectEnter script trigger to activate a script to run when a field is entered either by a user
clicking it or by a Go to Object script step.
You can set up a script trigger to activate:
• when a user enters a specific layout. See Setting script triggers for layouts.
• when a user enters, modifies, or exits an object or objects on a layout. See Setting script
triggers for objects.
• when a file is opened or closed. For information on how to do this, see Setting file options.
To see which layout objects and layouts have script triggers assigned to them, in Layout mode,
choose View menu > Show > Script Triggers.
The following script triggers are available:

Trigger area

Script trigger

Object

OnObjectEnter
OnObjectKeystroke

Before
processing

X
X

OnObjectModify
OnObjectValidate

X
X

OnObjectSave

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After
processing

X

OnObjectExit

X

OnPanelSwitch

X

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Trigger area

Script trigger

Layout

OnRecordLoad

Before
processing

X

OnRecordCommit

X

OnRecordRevert

X

OnLayoutKeystroke

X

OnLayoutEnter
OnLayoutExit

X
X

OnLayoutSizeChange

X

OnModeEnter

X

OnModeExit

X

OnViewChange
OnGestureTap
File options

After
processing

X
X

OnFirstWindowOpen

X

OnLastWindowClose

X

OnWindowOpen

X

OnWindowClose

X

Timing of script triggers
When multiple script triggers are activated by the same event, the script triggers execute in the
following relative order:
1. OnFirstWindowOpen
2. OnWindowOpen
3. OnLayoutEnter
4. OnModeEnter
5. OnRecordLoad
6. OnLayoutSizeChange
7. OnObjectEnter
8. OnObjectKeystroke
9. OnLayoutKeystroke
10. OnGestureTap
11. OnPanelSwitch
12. OnObjectModify
13. OnObjectValidate
14. OnObjectSave
15. OnObjectExit
16. OnRecordCommit or OnRecordRevert
17. OnViewChange
18. OnModeExit

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19. OnLayoutExit
20. OnWindowClose
21. OnLastWindowClose

Notes
• Scripts that are run by script triggers use existing privileges. Unless a script is defined to run
with full privileges, the script runs using the user’s privileges.
• In Custom Web Publishing, script triggers can only be activated by a script and not by direct
user interaction. For example, if a user tabs into a field that has an OnObjectEnter script
trigger, the trigger will not activate. If a script step causes focus to move into that field, the
script trigger will activate.
• Some script triggers allow for the triggering event to be canceled if the script executed by
the script trigger returns a False value. When a command or event is canceled this way, the
error code is set to 20. See Get(LastError) function for more information. If the script
executed by the OnLastWindowClose script trigger returns a False value, then the file will
not close.
• The OnFirstWindowOpen and OnWindowOpen script triggers display in the Script
Debugger when a script is set to run on file open; the OnLastWindowClose and
OnWindowClose script triggers display in the Script Debugger when a script is set to run on
file close.
• Windows: Alt and Ctrl key combinations do not activate script triggers.
• OS X: Command key combinations do not activate script triggers.

Related topics
Debugging scripts (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Using the Data Viewer (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Setting script triggers for layouts
You can set up script triggers to activate when actions are performed on a specific layout.

To add, change, or delete a script trigger for a layout:
1. Create the script that you want to trigger.
2. In Layout mode, select a layout.
3. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

4. In the Layout Setup dialog box, click the Script Triggers tab and double-click the event that
you want to trigger the script.
5. In the Specify Script dialog box, choose the script.
6. (Optional) To specify a script parameter, type the text you want. Or, click Edit and use the
Specify Calculation dialog box to build a more complex parameter, then click OK.
7. Click OK to close the Specify Script dialog box.
8. In the Layout Setup dialog box, select modes for the script trigger.
9. Click OK.

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A badge
appears in the lower-right corner of a layout on which you set a layout script
trigger. If you don’t see the badge, choose View menu > Show > Script Triggers. In the
Manage Layouts dialog box, you see
trigger is set.

next to the name of a layout for which a layout script

Script triggers set for one layout do not apply to other layouts. To include a script trigger on multiple
layouts, repeat these steps on each layout.

Setting script triggers for objects
You can set up script triggers to activate when actions are performed on a specific object within a
specific layout.

To add, change, or delete a script trigger for an object:
1. Create the script that you want to trigger.
2. In Layout mode, select a layout.
3. Select one or more objects.
4. Choose Format menu > Set Script Triggers.
5. In the Set Script Triggers dialog box, double-click the event that you want to trigger the
script.
6. In the Specify Script dialog box, choose the script.
7. (Optional) To specify a script parameter, type the text you want. Or, click Edit and use the
Specify Calculation dialog box to build a more complex parameter, then click OK.
8. Click OK to close the Specify Script dialog box.
9. In the Set Script Triggers dialog box, select modes for the script trigger.
10. Click OK.
A badge
or
appears on the object or objects on which you set the script trigger. (The
badge that appears depends on the size of the object.) If you don’t see a badge, choose View
menu > Show > Script Triggers.

Notes
• Changes made to an object in one layout will not activate script triggers on the same object
in a different layout.
• To disable a script trigger without removing it, clear the mode checkboxes.
• If you select multiple objects that have different settings for a script trigger, the Set Script
Triggers dialog box displays a minus sign (“-”) to indicate that the trigger has not been set on
some of the objects.
• You can leave the settings intact by clicking OK, or change the settings by clicking the
checkbox.
• A check mark indicates that the trigger is set for all selected objects.
• An empty checkbox indicates that the trigger is cleared for all selected objects.

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Changing object data without activating script triggers
Bulk operations that may change many records at once will not trigger a script.
Spell checking (Edit menu > Spelling > Check All or the Check Found Set script step) or a Find/
Replace (Edit menu > Find/Replace or the Open Find/Replace script step) on more than one
record at a time will not activate script triggers.
When you check spelling for all fields in a record or all records in a found set (as in the Check Found
Set script step), script triggers will not activate except:
• If a field is active when an operation starts, the OnObjectExit trigger will activate.
• If a field is active at the end of an operation, the OnObjectEnter trigger will activate for that
field.
Only direct operations can trigger scripts:
• Changes made directly to a layout object or using a layout will trigger scripts, while changes
made to the underlying data will not trigger a script.
• Changes made to a field in one layout object instance will not trigger scripts on other layout
objects on the same layout or a different layout.
• Script steps and menu commands that apply directly to the table data rather than the layout,
such as Import Records, Replace Field Contents, and Relookup Field Contents will not
trigger scripts.
• Changes made to a field from the Show Custom Dialog script step will not activate the
OnObjectModify script trigger.
• Script steps that can change a field directly, such as Set Field, Set Field By Name, and Set
Web Viewer will not activate the OnObjectModify script trigger. Script steps that work on a
layout object even though their target is specified as a field, such as Insert Text, will activate
the OnObjectModify script trigger.
• Apple events that apply directly to or work through layout objects will trigger scripts. Apple
events that bypass the layout will not trigger the scripts.
• Schema changes that change the data in fields will not trigger scripts.
Summary fields and calculation fields:
• The OnObjectEnter, OnObjectExit, and OnObjectKeystroke script triggers will activate for
summary and calculation fields. The OnObjectModify script trigger can be set for summary
and calculation fields, but it will not activate.

Troubleshooting layouts
Sometimes a layout does not appear or print as you expect it to. If you’re having trouble with a
layout, review the tips in one or more of the following sections.

Related topics
Printing troubleshooting

Troubleshooting layouts with summary or subsummary parts
If summary data is missing or incorrect in summary reports created in Layout mode, try the following
troubleshooting tips.

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Note You can create dynamic reports in Browse mode in Table View. For more information, see
Creating dynamic reports in Table View.
• When you create a summary report in Layout mode without using the new Layout/Report
assistant, you must define a summary field for each field you want summarized. You then
place these summary fields in the subsummary or grand summary layout part.
• Before printing or previewing a report created in Layout mode, sort by all of the break fields
on which your subsummaries are based, and switch to Preview mode to see how your
report will look when printed.
• Records with no value in the break fields will sort to the top and can thus give the
appearance of no data. You can omit records with blank values in the break field before
running a subsummary report. For details, see Finding records.
• Make sure you're working with the intended found set. (Look in the status toolbar.)
• Make sure data has been entered consistently in the break field. For example, be sure that
FileMaker, Inc. is not sometimes entered as FM. Use a value list to ensure consistency
during data entry.
• In Layout mode, make sure fields aren't touching or crossing the part boundaries.
• You can have only one leading and one trailing subsummary part based on the same field.
• You can change the focus of a report by specifying a different break field for a subsummary
part. For example, in a sales report with a subsummary part containing a summary field for
sales, you can select Month for the break field to get monthly totals or Salesperson to get
individual performance totals.
• To focus attention on summary information, create a report with no body, just subsummary
or grand summary parts. You don't need to include fields in a body part to summarize them
in a summary part.
• When you create a report in the New Layout/Report assistant, fields that are in summary
parts display the part-specific style, not the default theme style.
• If you have used the Field tool to add a field to a summary part and the text is difficult to see,
use the Inspector or the Format Painter to copy the style you want from another field.
Tip For a report created in Layout mode, you can view subsummary data in Browse mode when
you view the file in Table View or List View and records are sorted by break fields.

Troubleshooting label printing
The following topics describe common problems and solutions when printing labels.

Labels have all fields on the same line
In the text block that contains merge fields, insert carriage returns at the locations you want:
1. You see a label with a line of fields, each field enclosed in double opening and closing angle
brackets like this: <>.
2. In Layout mode, click the Text tool
in the status toolbar, and click to place the insertion
point at the position before the field that you want to begin the second line of text.
For example, in a mailing address, you might place the insertion point before the Address field.
3. Press the Enter key in the main keypad (Windows) or Return (OS X).

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Only one label prints
• Open the Print dialog box to see if you are printing only the current record.

Data doesn't print within each label
Tip When fixing label printing problems, print the first sheet of your labels on plain paper and hold
the printout and the label template sheet together up to a light to see if they are aligned.
• Make sure your paper size is set appropriately for the type of printer and labels that you’re
using. Follow the instructions in Printing labels to set the paper size for your layout.
• If you’re printing on continuous-feed label paper using a dot-matrix printer and your layout
contains a header part, delete the header part. For more information, see Deleting layout
parts.
• If you’re printing to sheets of labels, some laser and ink jet printers cannot print within 0.25
inches of the top of the paper. (Check your printer documentation for this information.) Use
a ruler to measure the distance from the top of the label paper to the top of the first row of
labels. If the distance is less than the minimum margin your printer requires, increase the
height of the header part to include the first row of labels, so that printing starts at the top of
the second row. FileMaker Pro won't print on the first row of labels, but it prints in the correct
position on subsequent labels.
• If all labels are too high or too low by the same amount, resize the header part.
• If the labels move increasingly higher on the page, make the body part one point larger and
try again. Repeat until the labels fit the page properly.
• If the labels move increasingly lower on the page, make the body part one point smaller and
try again. Repeat until fixed.
For more information on resizing layout parts, see Resizing layout parts.

There are blank lines in labels
• Check for extra carriage returns in the field: go to the problem record and click in the field. If
it expands, there may be an extra carriage return in it. Delete it.

The last row of labels on each sheet isn't printing
• Choose Layouts menu > Part Setup. Select the Body part, and click Change. In the Part
Definition dialog box, look to see whether Allow part to break across page boundaries is
selected, and then do the following:
If Allow part to break across page boundaries is not selected, then select this option, and
also select Discard remainder of part before new page. Then click OK, and try printing again.
(You may also want to try printing with Allow part to break across page boundaries selected
and Discard remainder of part before new page cleared.)
For more information, see Adding a layout part and Defining page breaks and numbering.

Troubleshooting layouts that do not appear or print as expected
The following topics describe common problems and solutions when printing layouts.

Fonts on screen look fuzzy or jagged
• You may want to change the font smoothing settings:
• Windows: See Setting general preferences.

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• OS X: You can set font smoothing options in the OS X General System Preference. For
more information, see OS X Help Center.

Report with grouped data and subtotals (subsummary report) doesn't print
correctly
• See Troubleshooting layouts with summary or subsummary parts.

Fields or objects aren’t printing
• The objects might have been formatted as nonprinting. In Layout mode, select the object. In
the Sliding & Visibility area of the Inspector, make sure Hide when printing is deselected.

Only one record is printing
• Make sure the Print dialog box is set to print Records being browsed instead of Current
record.
• Check your found set to make sure it contains all the data that you want to print. See
Finding records.
• The layout has mistakenly been set to display in two or more columns while the width of the
column (the white area of the layout) has been made too wide to fit the number of columns
selected within the printable area of the page. This results in groups of records (specifically,
those which would fall in the columns which are off the right side of the page) not printing. To
remedy the situation, in Layout mode, click Layout Setup
in the layout bar, click the
Printing tab, and set the number of columns to the desired amount. Then, if necessary,
adjust the right margin of the column by clicking and dragging the vertical dashed line on the
layout.
• Choose Layouts menu > Part Setup. Select the Body part, and click Change. In the Part
Definition dialog box, look to see whether Allow part to break across page boundaries is
selected, and then do one of the following:
• If Allow part to break across page boundaries is selected, clear the checkbox, click
OK, and try printing again.
• If Allow part to break across page boundaries is not selected, then select this option,
and also select Discard remainder of part before new page. Then click OK, and try
printing again.
See Adding a layout part.

An extra blank page prints after each page
• The layout extends just below the page boundary. In Layout mode, look across the bottom
of the layout for a heavy dotted horizontal line, which indicates where the page breaks.
Move a layout part up until the dotted line disappears. See About layout part types.

Some records in the portal don't print
• In Layout mode, resize the portal to increase the number of rows that the portal will print.
• If the portal is defined to display matching records from a related table, you can instead go
to a layout that displays records from that table, find the records you want, and print a list
from the layout.
For more information about portals, see Creating portals to display related records.

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A columnar list does not print all the fields
Only objects within the margins print. The page boundary is visible in Layout mode (you might need
to scroll to the right) as a heavy dotted line.
• Choose File menu > Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X), and change the paper
orientation to landscape so that more columns of fields will print.
In Preview mode, you can also click Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X) in the status
toolbar.
• In Layout mode, adjust the width and position of the fields to make them all fit to the left of
the heavy dotted line, or
• Create a second columnar list layout with the fields that don't fit on the first layout. See
About layout types.

There is empty space between records
• Make the body part smaller. See Resizing layout parts.
• Set objects to slide, and try setting the sliding options to also reduce the size of the
enclosing layout part. See Removing blank spaces in printouts.

Data is clipped
• Resize the field object to make it bigger to hold the largest amount of data it contains. See
Resizing and reshaping objects.
• Use merge fields, and make the text block big enough to fit the longest text you anticipate.
See Placing merge fields on a layout.

There is empty space between fields
• Use merge fields instead of standard fields. See Placing merge fields on a layout.
• Set fields and objects to slide up or left to close up space. See Removing blank spaces in
printouts.

Sliding objects don't slide
• Switch to Preview mode; sliding doesn't show in Browse mode.
• Be sure both the object you want to slide, and the object to be slid into, are set to slide.
• There might be at least one object (for example, a line) that is not set to slide and is
preventing other objects from sliding.
• Portal rows don't collapse even if they hold less data. Empty portal rows at the end of the list
of related records do collapse.
• Panel controls slide but do not shrink. Objects inside a panel control do not slide or shrink.
When you print a form, only the front-most panel prints.
See Removing blank spaces in printouts.

Pages break in unexpected places
• Check the paper size and page orientation selected in Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup
(OS X).
• Choose Layouts menu > Part Setup, and check each part for page break settings that
should be disabled. See Defining page breaks and numbering.

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• Delete the header part (or footer) part if they are not needed. See Deleting layout parts.

Troubleshooting layouts designed for both Windows and OS X
The following topics describe common problems and solutions when designing layouts for use in
both Windows and OS X.

Fonts don’t look the same on Windows and OS X systems
• Use fonts with identical names and font metrics on both operating systems whenever you
can. Most font vendors can supply Windows and OS X versions of the same font. Contact
your font vendor for more information.
• Use only TrueType fonts. The Windows version of FileMaker Pro does not support any other
font formats, such as OpenType, PostScript Type 1, bitmap, raster, or vector fonts.
• OS X does not support bitmap fonts. (TrueType, PostScript, and OpenType font formats are
supported.) If a file created in a previous version of FileMaker Pro uses bitmap fonts, you
must change them to fonts in a supported format. You can either make the font change in
the original file prior to conversion, or in the converted file.
The following table describes how FileMaker handles fonts when you open a file created on another
platform.
If a font

FileMaker does this

With the same
Uses the same font. Even so, there may be slight differences in font character widths
name is available that cause problems with word wrapping and exact text placement.
With the same
name is not
available

Attempts to substitute a similar font. This can also cause word wrapping and text
placement problems.
Note If FileMaker Pro cannot find a similar font to substitute, it uses the default font
specified in the Fonts tab of the Preferences dialog box. For more information, see
Setting font preferences.

Layout text is truncated or cut off when viewed in Windows or OS X
Even when FileMaker Pro is able to match fonts, there can be subtle differences in font character
width and line spacing when viewed on another operating system. This can cause lines of text to
wrap differently or appear cut off, like the following examples.

Ship to:
Poster Warehouse
123 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Color
Monit
or
Color
Monito

• Leave space between objects on your layouts, in case a font is taller or wider on the other
platform.
• Resize text objects so that they are a bit wider and taller than the text within them. This
provides space for small changes in font characteristics to occur without causing word wrap
problems or truncated text.

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Field names and columns don’t align in a columnar layout
Check the alignment of the field labels and their associated fields — they should both be aligned in
the same direction. If you put a left-aligned label over a column of right-aligned numbers, for
example, the report might look fine on your computer. But font substitution could cause field labels
to shift when the file is opened on another computer. For more information, see Specifying
paragraph attributes and tab settings.

There are gaps between text and data
To combine text and field data (such as to place a field in the middle of a sentence), don’t use
separate text objects and field objects. Instead, combine the text and fields into a single merge field.
For more information, see Placing merge fields on a layout.

Colors don’t look the same on Windows and OS X systems
Use only the colors available in the System Subset palette or the Web palette. These colors are
virtually identical across platforms. Any other colors that you use may not look the same on both
Windows and OS X. For information on specifying the palette that appears, see Setting layout
preferences.

QuickTime files don’t play in Windows
• FileMaker Pro may not be able to find a QuickTime file that was previously inserted. If the
Insert QuickTime dialog box appears, select the QuickTime file and click Open. Then try
playing the QuickTime file again.
• Make sure the QuickTime software is installed in Windows.
• Make sure the QuickTime file is saved in a cross-platform format. If necessary, use a
QuickTime editing application to re-save the file in a cross-platform format. (If you have
upgraded to QuickTime Pro, you can use the QuickTime Player application to re-save the
QuickTime file by choosing File menu > Save As, and choosing Make movie selfcontained while saving the file.)
For more information about QuickTime, see http://www.apple.com/quicktime.

A script that prints a layout does not print the same in Windows and OS X
Scripts that include Print Setup and Print script steps commands may not be compatible across
platforms. If you’re storing special print options with these script steps such as paper size,
orientation, and number of copies, FileMaker Pro may not be able to recall these settings properly
on the other operating system. (This can occur because each operating system uses different
printer driver software for printing, even when printing to the same printer.) To correct the problem,
do one of the following:
• Create separate scripts for printing in Windows and OS X. First, open the file on your
Windows computer and create the script for printing from Windows. Then, move the
database file to OS X computer and create the script for printing from OS X. You can even
create a third script using the Get(SystemPlatform) function that will print using the
correct script on each operating system:
If [Get(SystemPlatform) = 1]
Perform Script [“Print in OS X”]
Else
Perform Script [“Print in Windows”]
End If

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• Clear the Perform Without Dialog options for the Print and Print Setup script steps. This
allows users to change the print options when they run the script to print.
For more information, see Print script step and Print Setup script step.

A layout does not print the same in Windows and OS X
Printing can vary because the each operating system uses different printer driver software to control
printing. When you’re designing layouts to print data at precise locations, such as mailing label
sheets or preprinted forms, you may notice discrepancies when printing the same layout from
computers running Windows or OS X.
• Try specifying exact margins for the layout. For more information, see Specifying page
margins.
• If specifying exact margins does not help, you may need to create a unique layout for each
operating system, which would allow you to make adjustments to each layout to optimize
printing for Windows and OS X.

Troubleshooting layouts with web viewers
The following topics describe common problems and solutions when working with web viewers on a
layout.

A web viewer displays “Loading:” and a URL, but doesn’t load a web page
• The URL might be invalid. In Layout mode, you can see a calculated URL by choosing View
menu > Show > Sample Data. (Also, a web viewer displays the URL that it is trying to load
in Browse mode.) Look at this URL closely. Then in Layout mode, choose Format menu >
Web Viewer Setup. In the Web Viewer Setup dialog box, try the following changes to the
web address:
• Specify the correct URL scheme — for example, http:// — and the complete server
name, including “www.” or “.com” as required. Windows and OS X respond to
incomplete or improperly specified URLs differently. Don’t assume that the correct
scheme or “www.” will be added automatically.
• Ensure that the syntax of the website parameters in your web address is what the
website expects. Some websites explain the query syntax they require, so search the
support area of the website that you want to use for more information.
• Fix problems in the formula that defines your custom web address — for example, add
or change quotation marks around strings, use the concatenate operator (&) between
strings. See Working with formulas and functions.
• Ensure that characters in the URL are correctly encoded. Review text constants in your
web address and the data in your database. See About URL encoding in web viewers.
• You can see the progress of page loads with the progress bar and errors with the status
bar, which are displayed at the bottom of the web viewer. If you do not see the progress
bar or the status bar, select Display progress bar and Display status messages. See
Adding a web viewer.
• The URL is correct, but the website is not responding. Open your web browser and go to the
same website. If the website doesn’t respond, then the website might be down, so try again
later.
• Your computer might not be connected to a network. Open your web browser and go to one
or more known websites. If these websites don’t respond, then ensure that your computer is
connected to a network.

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Links, fields, tabbing, and scrolling in a web viewer don’t work
• The web viewer is set to prevent interaction. To enable interaction, in Layout mode choose
Format menu > Web Viewer Setup. In the Web Viewer Setup dialog box, select the Allow
interaction with web viewer content checkbox.
• The web viewer is defined as a button. Even if interaction is allowed, a web viewer that is
defined as a button prevents mouse clicks from interacting with web viewer content but
does allow keyboard interaction. For more information, see Defining a button.

A web viewer is blank in Find mode
The web viewer is set not to display content in Find mode. To display content, in Layout mode
choose Format menu > Web Viewer Setup. In the Web Viewer Setup dialog box, select the
Display content in Find mode checkbox.

Web pages that use Java, JavaScript, or other installed plug-ins don't work
Some of the operating system’s web browser preferences can affect web viewers. In particular, if
Java, JavaScript, or other plug-ins are disabled in the web browser, then these technologies are
disabled in web viewers also. In the preferences or options dialog box of the operating system’s web
browser, enable the technologies that are needed.

Some web pages don’t work correctly in a web viewer
Some technologies used by some web pages might not work correctly in a web viewer. In these
cases, use a web browser instead.
• If the web page in a web viewer contains links, you can open a link in a separate web
browser window. From the shortcut menu on a link in a web viewer, choose Open in New
Window (Windows) or Open Link in New Window (OS X).
• You can provide a way for the user to open the web viewer’s current URL in a separate web
browser window. For example, insert a button on your layout near your web viewer. Set up
the button to perform the following example script:
Open URL [No dialog; GetLayoutObjectAttribute ("Web Viewer 1";
"source")]
This script gets the current URL of the web viewer named “Web Viewer 1” and opens it in a
separate web browser window. For more information, see Naming objects.

Some web browser features don’t work as expected in a web viewer
Web viewers provide many of the same features as your operating system’s web browser, but not
all. Also, some web browser features work in web viewers on one operating system but not the
other.

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Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout
background
You edit a layout by working with the objects on the layout — positioning and arranging them,
resizing them, and making other changes to their appearance. You can change the formatting
attributes of layout parts and the layout background by, for example, changing their fill settings. You
can also work with fields — controlling how a field looks and behaves as well as how data appears
in the field.
For information about creating layouts, working with layout parts, and adding fields, objects,
popovers, and panel controls to layouts, see Creating and managing layouts and reports.

Selecting and working with objects on a layout
An object is a discrete element: a field, a text block, a graphic object (such as an oval or imported
picture), a button, a portal (for displaying rows of related records), a panel control (for grouping
objects together in tab panels or slide panels), a popover button and a popover (for grouping fields
and other objects), a chart, or a web viewer. You can select, move, resize, delete, copy, format,
name, and change an object once you have created it.
For information on creating objects, see Adding fields to a layout, Drawing and inserting objects on a
layout, Using buttons with scripts, Adding a tab control, Creating charts from data, and Adding a web
viewer.

Selecting objects
To work with an object on a layout, select it in Layout mode. You see small squares, or handles,
surrounding the selected objects.
For information about selecting text, see Selecting a field in Browse mode or Find mode and Making
text bold, italic, highlighted, or setting other styles. For information about selecting objects on panel
controls, see Selecting and working with objects on panel controls. For information about selecting
objects on popovers, see Selecting and working with objects on popovers.

To select one or more objects on a layout:
1. In Layout mode, click the Selection tool

in the status toolbar.

The pointer becomes an arrow pointer.
2. Do one of the following.
To

In Layout mode, do this

Select one object

With the arrow pointer, click the object.

Select several objects at
once

• Drag the arrow pointer to make a selection box that includes the
objects. The selection box does not have to completely surround the
objects. To avoid including partially selected objects, press Ctrl
(Windows) or Command (OS X) as you drag.
• Or, press Shift as you click each object individually.

Select all objects on the
layout

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To

In Layout mode, do this

Select a panel control

• With the arrow pointer, click inside the background of the panel
control.
• Or, drag the arrow pointer around any portion of the panel control
boundary.

Select a popover
Select all objects of the
same type, including
objects on tab panels or
slide panels that are not
in front (for example, all
text objects or all
rectangles)

With the arrow pointer, double-click the popover button to open the
popover. Then click the popover to select it.
• Click the tool for the type of object to select, then choose Edit
menu > Select All.
• Or, with the arrow pointer, click an object, press Shift (Windows) or
Option (OS X), and choose Edit menu > Select All (Windows) or
Select Same (OS X).
Note Objects on popovers are not selected.

Select all fields

With the arrow pointer, click a field, press Shift (Windows) or Option
(OS X), and choose Edit menu > Select All (Windows) or Select Same
(OS X).

Select a portal

With the arrow pointer, click the border of the portal, or any other area
within the portal that doesn't contain a field or object.

Deselect selected objects

• Click a blank area of the layout or any layout tool in the status
toolbar.
• Or, press Shift and click selected objects.

Notes
• If an object’s selection handles display as
from change.

, the object is locked. See Protecting objects

• If multiple objects are grouped, you can't move an individual object within the group. See
Grouping and ungrouping objects.
• You can layer objects on a layout. If you can't see or select an object on a layout, you might
need to send other objects backward in the stacking order. See Moving objects forward or
backward on a layout.
• To switch between the Selection tool and the last-used tool, press Ctrl+Enter or Enter on the
numeric keypad (Windows) or press Enter (OS X).

Using the Inspector to format objects
In Layout mode, you can use the Inspector to view and modify the settings for objects. Each tab
focuses on a different aspect of formatting. Hold your pointer over options in each tab to see a
description of what they do.
By default, the Inspector floats above document windows. If you move the Inspector close to the
edge of the computer screen or the outside of the document window, the Inspector snaps to the
edge of the screen or the outside of the document window. To detach the Inspector from the screen
or the document window, drag the Inspector away from the edge of the computer screen or the
outside of the document window.

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Opening multiple Inspector windows can make it easier to work on a layout. For example, you can
display the Data tab of an Inspector window and the Appearance tab of another Inspector window
to have access to the options on each tab.

To open the Inspector:
• Click Inspector

in the layout bar.

• Choose View menu > Inspector.
• To open another Inspector window, choose View menu > New Inspector.

Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects
In Layout mode, you can cut or copy and then paste graphic objects and text, fields (including
related fields), and portals. You can also cut, copy, and paste field data in Browse and Find modes.

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Note For information about copying, duplicating, and deleting data in your database, see Adding
and viewing data.

To copy, duplicate, or delete an object:
1. In Layout mode, select the object.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Do one of the following:
To

Do this

Copy (or cut) an object, then paste it
onto the same or another layout, or into
another database file

• Choose Edit menu > Copy (or Cut). Click with the
arrow pointer where you want the object centered,
then choose Edit menu > Paste Layout Object(s)
(Windows) or Edit menu > Paste (OS X).
• Or, hold down the Alt key (Windows) or Option key
(OS X), drag the pointer to a new location, and
release the mouse.

Duplicate an object

• Choose Edit menu > Duplicate.
• Or, press Ctrl (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you
drag.
Note Objects that are duplicated in this way can “snap
to” the grid, guides, and dynamic guides (see Using
the rulers and grid and Using guides and dynamic
guides).

Delete an object without replacing
what's on the Clipboard

• Choose Edit menu > Clear.
• Or, press Backspace or Delete.

Notes
• An object you cut or copy stays on the Clipboard until the next time you choose Cut or Copy
(in FileMaker Pro or another application), restart, or turn off your computer.
• If you copy an object from one layout and paste it to a layout that uses a different theme, the
object retains the attributes from the original layout. You can choose Edit menu > Revert
Changes to Style to remove those attributes and apply the default attributes of the new
theme. You can also use the Inspector to copy and paste object attributes. See Copying
formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds.
• You can copy and duplicate locked objects, but you can't cut or delete them.
• If the other application supports it, you can quickly bring objects from that application into
FileMaker Pro by dragging the object from the other application's window onto the
FileMaker Pro layout. You can also drag objects from a layout to another application or to
the Windows desktop or OS X Finder desktop.
• When copying a field to a layout in a different database file, FileMaker Pro looks for a
matching field name in the file that you're copying to. If a matching name is found, the
pasted field adopts the matching field’s definition. If a match is not found, only the field
characteristics are pasted.
• When copying a portal to another layout in the same database file, FileMaker Pro copies the
portal characteristics (like size, borders, and fill styles) and the relationship. When copying a
portal to a layout in a different database file, FileMaker Pro looks for a matching relationship

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in the file that you're copying to. If a matching relationship is found, the pasted portal adopts
the relationship's definition. If a match is not found, only the portal characteristics are pasted
and the relationship is undefined.
• Use the Duplicate command to create a series of equally spaced identical objects. After
choosing Edit menu > Duplicate, immediately drag the new object to the position you want
(without deselecting it). Choose Duplicate again: the new copy appears in the same
position relative to the first copy as the first copy is to the original object.
• If you copy or duplicate a named object on a single layout, FileMaker Pro adds “Copy” or a
numeral to the new object’s name to ensure that the name is unique. If you have scripts that
need to refer to the new object, ensure that your scripts use the correct object name. See
Naming objects.
• When you copy (or cut) a popover button, the associated popover and its contents are also
copied (or cut). You can’t copy or paste a popover button or a popover independently of
each other.

Related topics
Copying, duplicating, and deleting panel controls
Copying, duplicating, and deleting popovers

Moving objects on a layout
You can move single objects or multiple objects all at once.

To move objects:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects that you want to move.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Drag the objects to the new position.
Dynamic guides help you position the object you’re dragging with other objects. (To turn on
dynamic guides, choose View menu > Dynamic Guides.)
To move the objects in a specific or precise way, do one of the following:
To

Do this

Move the selection 1 point

Press Right Arrow, Left Arrow, Up Arrow, or
Down Arrow.

Limit movement to either a horizontal or vertical
direction

Press Shift as you drag the selection.

Precisely move the selection

Use the rulers, guides and dynamic guides, grid,
and the Inspector. For more information, see
Using tools to precisely position objects.

Override the “snap-to” effect when you move a
selection

Press Alt (Windows) or Command (OS X) as you
drag the selection. For more information, see
Using the rulers and grid.

Position the selection beyond the boundaries of
the document window

Drag the object to the edge of the document
window. FileMaker Pro scrolls in that direction.

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Notes
• To more easily move multiple objects, group them first. For details, see Grouping and
ungrouping objects.
• When you're moving objects, remember that you can also layer, align, and rotate objects to
help you achieve the results you want. For more information, see Arranging objects.
• You can track the movement of objects on the rulers. To show the rulers, choose View
menu > Rulers. For more information, see Using the rulers and grid.

Related topics
Moving and resizing panel controls
Moving and resizing popovers

Resizing and reshaping objects
Once you've drawn a line or a shape on a layout, you can reshape or resize it. You can also reshape
or resize field objects, portals, graphics, text blocks, panel controls, popover buttons, popovers, and
charts. In addition, you can allow objects to resize automatically when the FileMaker Pro window is
resized. Resizing settings also apply to Preview mode and printing, when the page size is different
from the size of the layout being viewed or printed.
For information about auto-resizing, see Setting auto-resize options for layout objects.
For more information on resizing panel controls, see Moving and resizing panel controls.
For information about resizing graphics, see Formatting graphics on a layout.

To resize one or more objects:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Drag one of the selection handles to change the object’s shape and size.
To resize the objects in a specific or precise way, do one of the following:
To

Do this

Change only the height or width of a two-dimensional object (for
example, fields, rectangles, ovals, fields, or imported graphics)

Drag a handle that appears
in the center of the object’s
border.

• Force the height and width of a two-dimensional object to be
equal (for example, a rectangle becomes a square, or an oval
becomes a circle)

Press Ctrl (Windows) or
Option (OS X) as you drag a
handle.

• Constrain a line to horizontal or vertical
• Constrain the direction you drag to 45-degree increments when
you resize a line
Resize the selected objects, keeping their proportions

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To

Do this

Resize the selected objects to match all widths (or all heights) to the
smallest (or largest) object, in one step.

Click one of the Resize
buttons in the Arrange &
Align area of the Position
tab of the Inspector.
If you don’t see the
Inspector, click Inspector
in the layout bar.

Resize the selected objects, keeping the difference in their lengths or
widths the same.

Press Ctrl+Shift (Windows)
or Option-Shift (OS X) as
you drag a handle.
The opposite edges of the
objects remain fixed in the
same position as you resize
the objects.

Precisely resize the selection

Use the rulers, guides and
dynamic guides, grid, and
Position area of the
Inspector. For more
information, see Using tools
to precisely position objects.

Override the grid when dragging a handle

Press Alt (Windows) or
Command (OS X) as you
drag a handle. For more
information, see Using the
rulers and grid.

Notes
• Resizing the first repetition of a repeating field resizes all repetitions.
• Resizing a grouped object resizes all the objects in the group. For more information about
grouping objects, see Grouping and ungrouping objects.
• To easily align and distribute objects, you can use the buttons in the Arrange & Align area of
the Inspector or the menu commands and shortcut menus in the Arrange menu. See
Aligning or distributing objects.

Related topics
Moving and resizing panel controls
Moving and resizing popovers

Setting auto-resize options for layout objects
You can set objects to automatically resize or move horizontally or vertically when the FileMaker Pro
window is resized. Horizontal settings also apply to Preview mode and printing when the page size
is wider than the size of the layout being viewed or printed.
When layout objects are set to resize, they maintain a constant distance from the object to which
they are anchored. This allows objects to move, expand, or contract when the FileMaker Pro
window is resized.

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Anchor points are either the layout, tab or slide control, or portal margin in which an object resides.
By default, objects are anchored on both the top and left sides of the layout or page.
To allow objects to resize or move when the FileMaker Pro window is resized:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects on the layout.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Position.

3. In the Autosizing area, select the line that indicates the side of the object that you want
anchored to the layout, the tab control, slide control, or portal margin.
For example, to allow an object to maintain its horizontal position on the layout and expand to
the right when the window is made wider, leave the default left and top anchors selected and
select the right anchor.

Tip To allow an object to move to the right (rather than expand) when the window is made
wider, clear the left anchor leaving the top and right anchors selected.

Notes
• The following table compares the effects of different and combined horizontal resize
settings. Vertical resize settings behave the same. In these illustrations, the outer rectangle
represents the layout, tab control, slide control, or portal margin. The inner rectangle shows
the alignment of the anchored object under different layout settings. Top anchor settings are
included so objects retain their vertical orientation on the layout.

Object’s position and
width when window
Object’s position in
is original size
resized window

Object alignment and
Auto-resize size when window is
settings
resized
Object is left-aligned and
does not expand or move.
(This is the default setting for
new objects).
Object is right-aligned,
moving to the right margin of
the layout, tab control, slide
control, or portal.
Object expands to meet both
left and right layout, tab
control, slide control, or
portal margins.

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Object’s position and
width when window
Object’s position in
is original size
resized window

Object alignment and
Auto-resize size when window is
resized
settings
Object maintains a constant
distance from the center of
the layout.
Note The object will not
display in the exact center of
the layout after resizing,
unless it was positioned in
the center of the layout
before resizing.

Important Multiple objects positioned side-by-side or stacked vertically and anchored to either both
left and right or both top and bottom margins move or resize relative to the layout, tab control, slide
control, or portal margin, not each other. Therefore, adjacent objects will not maintain a relative
distance from one another and may overlap when the window is resized.
• Objects resize independently of one another, unless they are located inside objects that
restrict their ability to resize.
• Objects are not reduced beyond their original size, even when the FileMaker Pro window is
made smaller than the size of the original layout.
• Applying resizing options to grouped objects or nested groups of objects applies settings to
the individual objects in the group, not the group itself.
• Locking objects does not prevent them from resizing, but auto-resize settings cannot be
changed on locked objects. For information about unlocking objects, see Protecting objects
from change.
• If a layout is smaller than the size of the FileMaker Pro window and you anchor an object by
its right side or bottom (except for a popover), the layout will expand to fill the window in
Browse and Find modes and the page in Preview mode.
• Objects located on tab controls, slide controls, popovers, or in portals adhere to the
following rules:
• Objects are anchored to the tab control, slide control, popover, or portal boundary rather
than to the window or layout part boundary. For example, if a tab control is anchored on
the right and objects inside the tab control are anchored on the left, these objects align
to the tab control’s left side rather than the window’s left side.
• If you want fields on a tab panel or slide panel to resize with the panel, you must specify
resize settings for both the tab panel or slide panel and the fields located on the panel. If
a panel is not set to resize, objects on the panel will not resize regardless of their
individual resize settings. The same applies to popovers: If you want fields on a popover
to resize with the popover, you must set specify resize settings for the objects on the
popover and the popover itself.
• Objects located inside portals are anchored to the top and/or bottom of each row, rather
than the top and/or bottom of the entire portal.
• If a portal object is set to resize vertically by anchoring both its top and bottom to the
layout part boundary, it can be set to expand by increasing the height of existing rows or
row height can be kept constant and more rows can be displayed when the window is

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made larger.
- To increase the height of existing rows, set at least one object inside the portal to autoresize vertically.
- To keep row height static and increase the number of rows displayed when the object
that contains a portal is enlarged, do not set any objects inside the portal to auto-resize.
• Objects set to resize behave as follows when displayed in different views:
• Form View: Objects are anchored to the sides of the window horizontally and to the
sides of their enclosing layout part vertically.
• List View: Objects are anchored horizontally.
• Table View: Auto-resize settings have no effect.
• If you place objects to the right of the layout edge, they do not auto-resize and do not
display on the layout in Browse mode.

Related topics
Using the Inspector to position objects

Specifying the display state for an object
You can specify attributes indicating the state of an object, which gives database users visual
feedback for actions they take. For example, you can format a button so it displays in a slightly
darker color when a user clicks the button, or you can indicate that the current record displays in a
contrasting color in List View.

To specify the display state for an object:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects.
See Selecting objects.
Note To have the active (current) record or alternating records display with a different fill in List
View, select the Body part label. The body part is considered to be an object in the following
steps.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

The object type drop-down list (at the top of the Appearance tab) displays the type of the
selected object. If you select objects of different types, FileMaker Pro displays Selected
Objects.
3. For objects with several components (for example, portals or slide controls), choose from
the object type drop-down list.
4. Choose a state from the object state drop-down list (below the object type drop-down list).
Choose

To display the object or layout part as specified when

Normal or Inactive

The object is available to the user, but is not currently selected.

In Focus

The object has been activated by a mouse-click, the Tab key, or a script.

Hover

The user pauses the pointer over the object.

Pressed

The mouse button is held down on a clickable object.

Primary

The body layout part is viewed in Form View or List View or related records
are displayed in the rows of a portal. Setting the Primary state fills the
background of the body part or all rows in a portal.

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Choose

To display the object or layout part as specified when

Alternate

The object identifies an even-numbered record in List View or a portal.

Active

The object identifies the current record in List View, the selected row in a
portal, or the current panel in a panel control.

5. Set style attributes for the display state for the object or part. See Setting the fill, line style,
and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout background and Adding shadows and
padding to layout objects.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 to specify additional display states for the object or part.

Notes
• Conditional formatting is ignored when an object is In Focus.
• You can copy and paste formatting attributes for all the display states of an object or only
the selected state of an object. See Copying formatting attributes between layout objects,
parts, or backgrounds.
• To change whether alternating records are displayed with a different fill, or whether the
current record is displayed with a different fill in List View, change settings in the Part
Definition dialog box for the body part. See Changing a layout part.
• Portal rows do not display records with an alternating fill by default. On layouts that use the
Classic theme, portal rows also do not display the current record with a different fill by
default. For information on using the Alternate and Active object states in portal rows, see
Creating portals to display related records.
• You can create custom styles for objects, which can include the display state. See Creating
and working with styles for layout objects, parts, and the layout background.

Formatting graphics on a layout
In Layout mode, you can format graphics you've pasted or inserted onto a layout.
When you format a graphic that references an image file on disk, the changes affect only the graphic
that you see in FileMaker Pro. The formatting options do not change the original image file. For
more information on inserting graphics, see Inserting graphics onto a layout.
Note You can also format container fields that contain graphics. For more information, see
Specifying formats for container fields.

To format graphics on a layout:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more inserted graphics.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Data Formatting area, click Graphic

, then select the formats you want to use.

To

Do this

Display the image at its unaltered
size

From the Format list, choose Crop to frame. FileMaker Pro
crops the image if it's too large to fit within the graphic
boundaries.

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To

Do this

Scale the image either always up,
always down, or either up or down
to fit within its boundaries

From the Format list, choose Reduce image to fit, Enlarge
image to fit, or Reduce or enlarge image to fit.

Set the image’s horizontal and
vertical alignment

For Alignment, choose horizontal and vertical alignments.

Unless you also select Maintain original proportions, the
image is distorted to fit the proportions of its boundaries.

Protecting objects from change
You can prevent objects from being changed, edited, moved, or deleted from a layout by locking
them.

To lock objects on a layout:
1. In Layout mode, select the objects you want to lock.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Position.

3. In the Arrange & Align area, click Lock

.

The handles of each selected object turn gray to indicate that the object is locked.
To unlock objects:
• Select the locked objects, then click Unlock

.

Notes
• Locking a field in Layout mode does not prevent changes to the information in Browse
mode. For details on securing data, see Protecting databases.
• When you copy or duplicate a locked object, the copy isn't locked.
• When you group objects that include a locked object, the grouped object is locked. For more
information on grouping objects, see Grouping and ungrouping objects.
• Locking doesn't prevent changes to the stacking order. See Moving objects forward or
backward on a layout.
• You can lock panel controls:
• Objects on panel controls won’t be locked unless you lock the panel control.
• When you lock a slide control, its position and appearance can’t be changed. However,
you can continue to make changes in the Slide Control Setup window.
• Locked objects can’t be set to automatically resize when the window is resized. See Setting
auto-resize options for layout objects.

Naming objects
You can assign names to objects and grouped objects. Some script steps and functions use these
names to specify which object to act upon.

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To name an object:
1. In Layout mode, select the object or grouped object that you want to name.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Position.

3. In the Position area, type a value for Name.
4. Press Enter or Tab, or click outside the Inspector to apply the changes.

Notes
• No two objects can have the same name on the same layout. For information on copying a
named object, see Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects.
• Objects on different layouts can have the same name.
• Object names are not case-sensitive — for example, “Button1” and “button1” are treated as
the same object name.
• Object names can contain up to 100 characters.
• You can assign a name to an individual object or to a grouped object, but not to multiple
objects. Individual objects retain their names even if you group them. However, to see or
edit the names of individual objects in a group, you must ungroup them first.
• The name you give a field in the Manage Database dialog box is independent of the object
name that you can give a field in the Inspector.
• If you need to automate navigation to an object of any type, assign the object a name and
create a script that uses the Go to Object script step. If you have more than one copy of the
same field on a layout (for example, the same field on different tab panels), assign an object
name to the copy of the field you want to navigate to. Use the Go to Object script step,
rather than the Go to Field script step, and refer to the desired copy of the field by its object
name rather than by its field name.

Defining conditional formatting for layout objects
You can format layout objects to change automatically when they meet specified conditions. For
example, you can use conditional formatting to automatically display balances that are over 30 days
past due in bold, red text. Conditional formatting settings affect only the way data is displayed or
printed, not how data is stored in the database.
To specify conditional formatting for objects:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Choose Format menu > Conditional.
3. In the Conditional Formatting dialog box, click Add to define a new condition.
4. Specify the condition for formatting data in the selected objects.
• To specify a format based on common conditions, for Condition choose Value is. Then
choose one of the following conditions and set the parameters.
Choose

To format

between

Data that falls between and includes the values specified

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Choose

To format

not between

Data that does not fall between and does not include the values
specified

equal to

Data that is equal to the values specified

not equal to

Data that is not equal to the values specified

greater than

Data that is greater than the values specified

less than

Data that is less than the values specified

greater than or equal
to

Data that is greater than or equal to the values specified

less than or equal to

Data that is less than or equal to the values specified

containing

Data that contains the value specified

not containing

Data that does not contain the value specified

beginning with

Data that begins with the value specified

ending with

Data that ends with the value specified

empty

An empty field

before today

Date data before the current day

today

Date data on the current day

after today

Date data after the current day

more than x days
passed

Date data more than the specified number of days in the past

more than x days
ahead

Date data more than the specified number of days in the future

less than x days
passed

Date data less than the specified number of days in the past,
including the current day and any future days. See notes below.

less than x days ahead Date data less than the specified number of days in the future,
including the current day and any past days. See notes below.
• To specify a format based on a calculation, for Condition choose Formula is. Then
click Specify to define the calculation. For more information, see Specify Calculation
dialog box.
Tip Use the Self function to reference data for the selected object. For more information,
see Self.
5. Specify the text and field fill format for data that meets the conditions you specified.
For example, select bold red text appears in a yellow field, when data meets your criteria.
Tip Click More Formatting to see additional formatting options.
6. Click OK.
Note To see which fields have conditional formatting, choose View menu > Show > Conditional
Formatting. You see

in fields with conditional formatting.

Changing conditional format settings
Moving, disabling, enabling, and deleting conditional format settings changes the order in which
conditional settings are applied to an object.

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To

Do this

Edit a condition setting

Double-click the condition, change settings, then click
OK.

Change the order of conditions in the list Windows: Use the double arrow ( ) to drag the
condition to a new location.
OS X: Drag the condition to a new location.
Disable a condition

Clear the condition checkbox for the setting.

Enable a condition

Select the checkbox for the condition.

Delete a condition

Select the condition, then click Delete.

Notes
• You can set conditional formatting on the following layout objects: text, fields (including
fields from external ODBC data sources), merge fields, layout symbols (date, time, page
number, record number, and so on), text-based buttons, web viewers, tab panels and slide
panels. Conditional formatting is not available for non-textual objects (such as a rectangular
layout object).
• Conditional formatting can be set on single, multiple, and grouped layout objects.
• To see the effects of conditional format settings while you work in Layout mode, choose
View menu > Show > Sample Data. Note that your file must contain record data that meets
the formatting criteria you have specified for conditional formatting to appear.
• When you set multiple formatting conditions on an object, all conditions are evaluated
starting from the top of the list. Each condition that evaluates “true” is appended to the
objects previous format settings.
• When you use the Value is option with the predefined conditions less than x days passed
or less than x days ahead, the current date is included in the number of days you specify.
• Conditional formatting is ignored when the display state of an object is In Focus. See
Specifying the display state for an object.

Examples
If the current day is 11/20/2014 when you specify less than 4 days passed:
• If the data value is 11/16/2014, the condition evaluates false
• If the data value is 11/17/2014, the condition evaluates true
• If the data value is 11/20/2014, the condition evaluates true
• If the data value is 11/21/2014 (or any date in the future), the condition evaluates true
If the current day is 11/20/2014 when you specify less than 4 days ahead:
• If the data value is 11/24/2014, the condition evaluates false
• If the data value is 11/23/2014, the condition evaluates true
• If the data value is 11/20/2014, the condition evaluates true
• If the data value is 11/19/2014 (or any date in the past), the condition evaluates true
• Number and date format settings (specified in the Data Formatting area of the Inspector)
are applied after conditional formatting settings and are therefore preserved, even if data
meets your conditional formatting criteria. However, sometimes number, date, and

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conditional format settings are combined. For example, if you set negative numbers to
display in red and also set conditional formatting on the same field to display negative
numbers in blue with the fill color yellow, the result will be a red number in a yellow field.
System formats have no affect on conditional formatting settings.
• Conditional formatting settings are not transferred when records are copied within
FileMaker Pro files or exported to other FileMaker Pro files.
• If you use Apple events to Get Text As Style, conditional formatting settings are not
transferred (OS X).

Related topics
Creating a layout
Selecting and working with objects on a layout
Formatting text
Specifying formats for fields containing numbers
Specifying formats for date fields
Hiding or showing layout objects

Formatting objects, layout parts, and the layout background
You can change the formatting attributes of objects, parts, and the layout background to customize
layouts. You can fill objects, parts, and the background with a solid color, a color gradient, or an
image. If you set the fill to transparent for objects in the foreground, then objects, parts, or the layout
background will show through. In addition, you can specify that objects and parts display a border
and then customize the color and line style of the border.

Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and
the layout background
Use the Graphic area of the Inspector to change the appearance of objects, layout parts, and the
layout background. You can change:
• the color (fill) or transparency of objects, layout parts, and the layout background
• line style and color of objects and parts
• borders around objects and parts
• the shape of object and part corners
Tip Use the formatting bar to quickly change the fill and border of an object or layout part or the fill
of the layout background. (You must have already specified borders in the Graphic area of the
Inspector, but you can change borders in the formatting bar.) To display the formatting bar below the
status area, click Formatting

in the layout bar.

To change the appearance of objects or layout parts:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects or a layout part label.
See Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

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3. To change the appearance of the object or the body part when it’s in a particular state (for
example, when a button is pressed), choose from the object state drop-down list (near the
top of the Appearance tab).
See Specifying the display state for an object.
4. In the Graphic area, select the options you want to use.
The options you choose affect the appearance of the selected objects and parts in all modes.

To add or change

Use this control

The fill of an object (including the
backgrounds of text objects, fields, and
portals) or the layout part

Fill
See also Filling objects, layout parts, or the
layout background with a color gradient and
Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout
background with an image.
Notes
• The fill you specify for the body part also
affects the background of the table in
Table View.
• If your fill setting does not appear in a
portal, set portal rows to transparent.
See Formatting portals.

The border around an object or layout
part

The borders between repeating fields or
portal rows
The style and width of the border
around an object or layout part
The color of the border around an
object or layout part
The shape of the corners of an object or
layout part

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All borders, choose any combination of Left
border, Top border, Right border, or Bottom
border

Borders between repetitions

.

Line

Color
Corner radius
Choose each corner that you want to have a
rounded appearance, and specify a value in
points. The larger the value, the more a
corner is rounded.

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To add or change

Use this control

The transparency of the fill color

Opacity slider
The Opacity slider is located in the color
palette.

To fill the layout background with a solid color:
1. In Layout mode, click anywhere in the layout background to select it.
Note To select the layout background, ensure no objects or parts are selected.
2. Click Inspector
Graphic area.

in the layout bar, then click Appearance. Choose options in the

3. For Fill, choose Solid Color.
Note Alternatively, you can fill the layout background with a color gradient or image. See Filling
objects, layout parts, or the layout background with a color gradient and Filling objects, layout
parts, or the layout background with an image.
4. Click the color control, then choose a color from the color palette.
5. Move the Opacity slider to change the transparency of the fill color.

To make an object, layout part, or the layout background transparent:
Note Making an object or layout part transparent allows objects or the layout background to show
through.
• In the Inspector:
• For Fill and Line, choose None.
• For Line, choose None and for Fill, move the Opacity slider in the color palette.
• In the formatting bar: For Line, choose None and for Fill, choose transparent

.

Notes
• You can further customize the appearance of objects using the Advanced Graphic area of
the Inspector. See Adding shadows and padding to layout objects.
• You can copy formatting attributes between objects or parts. See Copying formatting
attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds.
• Each theme comes with a set of default styles for objects such as shapes, buttons, lists, and
menus. When you create an object or a new part on a layout, the object or part is formatted
in the theme’s default style.
• Changes made in the formatting bar replace settings in the Inspector, and vice versa.
• To create a custom color, choose Other Color in a color palette, then click the color to use.
• You can set right, top, left and bottom borders on fields, layout parts, text objects,
rectangles, rounded rectangles, fields, buttons, portals, charts, popovers, and web viewers.
You can’t set individual borders on lines, ovals, circles, tab controls, or slide controls.
• You can display attributes that are specific to the state of the object when it is viewed in
Browse mode. For example, you can set a lighter fill and border when a user pauses the
mouse pointer over a field to draw attention to the field. See Specifying the display state for
an object.

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• You can set up a layout background to display the current record or alternating records in a
different fill color in List View. See Specifying the display state for an object.
• When you fill a layout part with an image, the image is stored in the FileMaker Pro file. The
image then appears in every record that uses the layout and “fills” the entire width of the
FileMaker Pro window when it is resized. You can also insert an image as a static object on
a layout, which lets you reference the image from another file. See Inserting graphics onto a
layout.
• You can insert graphics as data into container fields. Do this when you have a different
graphic for each record, such as employee photos in an employee directory database. See
Inserting graphics into container fields.
• If a file was created in a version earlier than FileMaker Pro 12 and contained object border
effects, effect settings appear in the Line menu. You can’t use the Line menu to apply
effects to other objects, but you can copy and paste effect styles between fields. See
Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds. To remove
field effects, apply a different line style from the Line menu.
• To determine the RGB value of a color, in Layout mode, click the Fill color palette in the
formatting bar and choose Other Color. In OS X, select the Color Sliders tab. Values are
shown for each of the basic colors.

Related topics
Drawing and inserting objects on a layout
Selecting and working with objects on a layout
Adding borders, fill, and baselines to fields

Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with a color
gradient
A color gradient blends two or more colors in an object, layout part, or across the layout background.

To fill an object, a layout part, or the layout background with a color gradient:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects, a part label, or click anywhere in the layout
background to select it.
See Selecting objects.
Note To select the layout background, ensure no objects or parts are selected.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

3. To change the appearance of the object or the body part when it’s in a particular state (for
example, when a button is pressed), choose from the object state drop-down list (near the
top of the Appearance tab).
See Specifying the display state for an object.
4. In the Graphic area, for Fill, choose Gradient.
Note To display the layout background, one or more layout parts must be transparent. See
Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
You see the gradient control.

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5. Set color gradient options:
To

Do this

Specify colors to be blended
Click the color stops
on the gradient control
and select a color from the color palette.
Add more colors to the color gradient

Click anywhere on the gradient control to add more
color stops.

Change how sharply or subtly colors
blend along the gradient

Drag the color stops along the gradient control.

Reduce the number of colors in the
gradient

Drag color stops off the gradient control.

Blend the fill horizontally or vertically
Click

to specify a linear gradient.

Click

to specify a radial gradient.

Blend the fill from the center outward
Note The center point of a radial gradient on a
layout part is controlled by the current theme. You
can apply a radial setting by copying and pasting
the setting from another object or layout part. See
Copying formatting attributes between layout
objects, parts, or backgrounds.
Change where a linear gradient blends

• For Angle, enter a value.
• OS X: Drag the angle control

Change the start and end points of a
linear color gradient or the center point
and radius of a radial color gradient

.

On the layout, drag a blue handle of the gradient
control on the image.

Note If you drag the gradient control off the layout,
it disappears. To restore the gradient control:
• Choose Edit menu > Undo.
• Or, clear the gradient setting on the object in
the Inspector, then redefine the gradient.
Reverse gradient colors left to right or
center to outside

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Notes
• You can apply a radial setting by copying and pasting the setting from another object or
layout part. See Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or
backgrounds
• Each theme comes with a set of default styles for objects such as shapes, buttons, lists, and
menus. When you create an object or a new part on a layout, the object or part is formatted
in the theme’s default style.

Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with an
image
You can fill an object, a layout part, or a layout background with an image. Supported image formats
include .png, .bmp, .tif, .gif, or .jpg.
When you fill an object with an image, the image is stored in the FileMaker Pro file and appears in
every record that uses the layout. You can also insert an image onto a layout, which lets you
reference the image from another file. See Inserting graphics onto a layout.

To fill an object, a layout part, or the layout background with an image:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects, a part label, or click anywhere in the layout
background to select it.
See Selecting objects.
Note To select the layout background, ensure no objects or parts are selected.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

3. To change the appearance of the object or the body part when it’s in a particular state (for
example, when a button is pressed), choose from the object state drop-down list (near the
top of the Appearance tab).
See Specifying the display state for an object.
4. In the Graphic area, for Fill, click Image.
Note To display the layout background, one or more layout parts must be transparent. See
Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
5. Click Choose, select an image file, and click Insert.
6. Choose a fill option:
Choose

To

Original Size

Place the image in the object, layout part, or the layout background in its
current state.
If the image is larger than the object, layout part, or the layout background,
you see only a portion of the image.

Scale to Fit

Scale the image proportionately to its largest size where its width and
height fit inside the object, layout part, or the layout background.

Scale to Fill

Scale the image proportionately to its smallest size so that both its width
and height completely cover the object, layout part, or the layout
background.

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Choose

To

Slice

Divide an image into segments that can be used to fill the object, layout
part, or the layout background.
Using a portion of an image as fill (such as a portion of a company logo):
• ensures colors on the layout match the brand
• allows you to use color on multiple layouts without substantially
increasing the size of the file
Note Sliced fills do not display lines or rounded corners, and circles
display as square images.

Tile

Duplicate and display the image in a repeating pattern in the object, layout
part, or the layout background.

Notes
• If an image is larger than 20MB, FileMaker Pro reduces the size to 20MB.
• When you fill multiple objects, layout parts, or layout backgrounds with an image,
FileMaker Pro stores only one copy of the image in the file.
• You can also insert graphics as data into container fields. Do this when you have a different
graphic for each record, such as employee photos in an employee directory database. See
Inserting graphics into container fields.
• Each theme comes with a set of default styles for objects such as shapes, buttons, lists, and
menus. When you create an object or a new part on a layout, the object or part is formatted
in the theme’s default style.

Adding shadows and padding to layout objects
Use the Advanced Graphic area of the Inspector to further enhance the appearance of objects —
including fields, buttons, popover buttons, popovers, tab controls, slide controls, and portals — on a
layout. You can add or change:
• shadows outside or inside an object’s border
• the color, opacity, blur, spread, and offset of shadows
• the amount of padding (the space between an object’s edge and its contents) for objects
such as fields, buttons, popovers, and panel controls
Not all options in the Advanced Graphic area are available for all object types. For example, you can
apply outer shadows but not inner shadows to tab controls, and you can’t specify padding for objects
such as rectangles and ovals.
Note You can further change the appearance of objects using the Graphic area of the Inspector.
See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout background.

To add or change object appearance:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects.
See Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

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The options you choose affect the appearance of the selected objects in all modes.
3. To add shadows to the object, in the Advanced Graphic area, select Outer Shadow or
Inner Shadow, or both.
4. To change the appearance of shadows (for example, the color or amount of blur), click
to the right of Outer Shadow or Inner Shadow, then change the effects you want.
To change
The color of a shadow
The horizontal or vertical position of a
shadow in relation to the layout object

Use this control
Color
Horizontal Offset or Vertical Offset, or
both
Specify the values between -100 and
100 points.

The transparency of a shadow

Opacity
The value is specified as a percentage.

The amount of diffusion of a shadow

Blur
The value is specified in points.

The size of a shadow

Spread
The value is specified in points.

5. To change the amount of padding between the object’s edge and its contents, for Padding,
specify values (in points) for Left, Right, Top, and Bottom.
For example, to add more padding between the bottom border of a button the button’s label,
increase the value for Bottom.
Changing the padding of popovers or slide controls differs from other objects:
• Changing the top padding of a popover increases or decreases the height of the
popover title area.
• Changing the bottom padding of a slide control increases or decreases the height of the
area containing the dots below the slide panels.

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Notes
• Each theme comes with a set of default styles for objects such as shapes, buttons, lists, and
menus. When you create an object or a new part on a layout, the object or part is formatted
in the theme’s default style.
• To create a custom color, choose Other Color in a color palette, then click the color to use.
• To change the value of the fill color, move the Opacity slider in the color palette.
• You can display attributes that are specific to the state of the object when it is viewed in
Browse mode. For example, you can set a darker shadow when a user pauses the mouse
pointer over a field to draw attention to the field. See Specifying the display state for an
object.
• To determine the RGB value of a color, in Layout mode, click the Fill color palette in the
formatting bar and choose Other Color. In OS X, select the Color Sliders tab. Values are
shown for each of the basic colors.

Related topics
Drawing and inserting objects on a layout
Selecting and working with objects on a layout

Formatting portals
You format portal backgrounds and portal rows separately. You can display a different background in
alternating portal rows, for contrast and easy identification, or to display a different background color
for the selected portal row when the portal is viewed in Browse mode.

To change the background fill of a portal:
1. Select the portal.
2. Click Inspector

, then click Appearance.

3. From the object type drop-down list (the first drop-down list in the Appearance tab), choose
Portal.
4. In the Graphic area, for Fill, choose Solid Color, Color Gradient, or Image.
If your fill setting does not appear in the portal, set portal rows to transparent.
5. From the object type drop-down list, choose Portal: Row.
6. From the object state drop-down list (the second drop-down list), choose Primary.
7. In the Graphic area, for Fill, choose None.
Tip To make the portal rows partially transparent, for Fill, choose Solid Color or Color
Gradient, and in the color palette, drag the Opacity slider. You can’t change the opacity for
image fills.

To change the background fill of all portal rows:
1. Select the portal.
2. Click Inspector

, then click Appearance.

3. From the object type drop-down list (the first drop-down list in the Appearance tab), choose
Portal: Row.
4. From the object state drop-down list (the second drop-down list), choose Primary.

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5. Choose a fill for the portal row background.

To display a different background in alternating portal rows:
1. Double-click the portal to display the Portal Setup dialog box.
2. Select Use alternate row state, then click OK.
3. Click Inspector

, then click Appearance.

4. From the object type drop-down list (the first drop-down list in the Appearance tab), choose
Portal: Row.
5. From the object state drop-down list (the second drop-down list), choose Alternate.
6. Choose a fill for the portal row background.

To display a different background for the selected portal row:
1. Double-click the portal to display the Portal Setup dialog box.
2. Select Use active row state, then click OK.
3. Click Inspector

, then click Appearance.

4. From the object type drop-down list (the first drop-down list in the Appearance tab), choose
Portal: Row.
5. From the object state drop-down list (the second drop-down list), choose Active.
6. Choose a fill for the portal row background.

Related topics
Creating portals to display related records
Specifying the display state for an object
Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout background
Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with a color gradient
Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with an image

Formatting panel controls
You can change the appearance of tab controls and slide controls and objects on panels. In
addition, you can format:
• display states for individual tab panels (see Specifying the display state for an object)
• components of slide controls (the slide control area, slide panels, and the dots)
Note Your formatting changes are saved to this layout only. To save changes as a style that can be
applied to other panel controls, see Creating and working with styles for layout objects, parts, and
the layout background. To save changes to a theme, see Saving a layout theme.

To format a panel control:
1. In Layout mode:
• To format a display state for a tab panel: In the Inspector, choose from the object state
drop-down list (near the top of the Appearance tab).
• To format a component of a slide control: In the Inspector, choose Slide Control, Slide
Control: Panels, or Slide Control: Dots from the object type drop-down list (near the
top of the Appearance tab).

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2. Do one or more of the following.
To

Do this

Change the fill of the front-most
tab, the area of a slide control
below the slide panels, or objects
on a tab panel or slide panel

In Layout mode, select the tab control, slide control, or objects
you want to change. (See Selecting and working with objects on
panel controls.) Click Inspector
in the layout bar, then click
Appearance, and choose a fill in the Graphic area. See Setting
the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the
layout background, Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout
background with a color gradient, or Filling objects, layout parts,
or the layout background with an image.
Tip To apply the same fill to all tabs on a tab control, drag the
arrow pointer to make a selection box that surrounds the tab
control, then apply a fill.

Change the style and color of the
border around a panel control

Select the tab control or slide control, then:
• Click Inspector
in the layout bar, click Appearance,
then choose Line options in the Graphic area.
• Or, choose Line options in the formatting bar. If you don’t
see the formatting bar, click Formatting
bar.

in the layout

For more information, see Setting the fill, line style, and borders
for objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
Change the shape of the corners
of a tab control or slide control

Select the tab control or slide control, click Inspector
in the
layout bar, then click Appearance. In the Graphic area, for
Corner radius, choose each corner that you want to have a
rounded appearance and specify a value in points. The larger
the value, the more a corner is rounded.

Place all tabs on tab panels to the Double-click the tab control. In the Tab Control Setup dialog
far left, center, or far right, or
box, choose from the Tab Justification drop-down list.
spread them across the tab panels
Change the format of a tab panel’s
name

Select a tab control, then:
• Click Inspector
in the layout bar, click Appearance,
and choose options in the Text area.
• Or, use the text options in the formatting bar. If you don’t see
the formatting bar, click Formatting

in the layout bar.

See Formatting text.
Change the width of all tabs in a
tab control

Double-click the tab control. In the Tab Control Setup dialog
box, choose from the Tab Width drop-down list.
For Label Width + Margin of, Minimum of, or Fixed Width of,
choose Inches, Centimeters, or Points, then enter a value.

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To

Do this

Change the fill or the color and
style of the border around slide
control dots

Select the slide control and click Inspector
in the layout
bar. Click Appearance, then choose Slide Control: Dots in the
object type drop-down list (near the top of the Appearance tab).
In the Graphic area, choose a fill and choose Line options. Or,
choose Line options in the formatting bar. If you don’t see the
formatting bar, click Formatting

Add outer shadows to a tab control
or slide control

in the layout bar.

Select the tab control or slide control, click Inspector
in the
layout bar, then click Appearance. In the Advanced Graphic
area, select Outer Shadow. Click
effects.

Add inner shadows to slide panels

Click Inspector
in the layout bar, click Appearance, then
choose Slide Control: Panel in the object type drop-down list
(near the top of the Appearance tab). In the Advanced Graphic
area, select Inner Shadow. Click
effects.

Adjust the padding of a tab control
or slide control to change its
dimensions

to change shadow

to change shadow

Select the tab control or slide control, click Inspector
in the
layout bar, then click Appearance. In the Advanced Graphic
area, for Padding, specify values (in points) for Left, Right,
Top, and Bottom.
• Adjusting the padding for a tab control changes the size of
the tab label area.
• Adjusting the padding for a slide control changes the size
and orientation of slide panels. Changing the bottom
padding of a slide control increases or decreases the height
of the area containing the dots. Objects placed in the slide
control area outside the panels remain displayed when you
switch between panels.

Notes
• You can’t format a locked object. See Protecting objects from change.
• You can’t change the fill or border of individual slide panels.
• You can’t apply outer shadows to slide panels or inner shadows to tab controls or slide
control dots.
• Format changes applied to panel controls do not affect the objects on tab panels or slide
panels unless you select objects before applying formatting. See Selecting objects.
• You can format the appearance of one or more tab panels or slide panels to be conditional
(for example, format a tab panel to appear red when a certain condition is met). See
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects.

Related topics
Making text bold, italic, highlighted, or setting other styles
Aligning or distributing objects

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Showing text or field boundaries
Adding shadows and padding to layout objects

Formatting popover buttons and popovers
You can format the appearance of popover buttons — including the border, fill, and label — and
popovers — including the border, title, and content area (the area in which objects are placed).
Note Your formatting changes are saved on this layout only. To save changes as a style that can be
applied to other popover buttons or popovers, see Creating and working with styles for layout
objects, parts, and the layout background. Or, to save changes to a theme, see Saving a layout
theme.

To format a popover button:
1. In Layout mode, select the popover button.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

3. Do one or more the following.
To

Do this

Change the line style, color, and fill
attributes of the popover button

Choose the line style, color, and fill options in the Graphic area.

Change the format of the popover
button’s label

Select the popover button’s label, then:

See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout
parts, and the layout background.
• Choose options in the Text area.
• Or, use the text options in the formatting bar. If you don’t see
the formatting bar, click Formatting

in the layout bar.

See Formatting text.
Add shadows to the popover
button

In the Advanced Graphic area, select Outer Shadow,
Inner Shadow, or both. Then click
shadow.

to change effects for the

See Adding shadows and padding to layout objects.
Change the padding of the
popover button

In the Advanced Graphic area, for Padding, specify values (in
points) for Left, Right, Top, and Bottom.
See Adding shadows and padding to layout objects.

To format a popover:
You format the popover and the popover content area separately.
1. In Layout mode, select the popover.
2. Click Inspector

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3. Choose Popover or Popover: Content from the object type drop-down list (at the top of the
Appearance tab), then do one or more of the following.
To

Do this

Change the line style or color of
the popover’s border or the border
of the popover’s content area

Choose line style or color options in the Graphic area.

Change the appearance of the
popover’s background or the
background of the popover’s
content area

Choose a fill in the Graphic area.

Add an outer shadow to the
popover

See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout
parts, and the layout background.
See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout
parts, and the layout background.
Tip You can create a custom border for a popover by specifying
different fills for the popover and its content area.
In the Advanced Graphic area, select Outer Shadow. Then
click

to change effects for the shadow.

See Adding shadows and padding to layout objects.
Add an inner shadow to the
popover’s content area

In the Advanced Graphic area, select Inner Shadow. Then click

Change the padding between the
boundary of the popover and the
boundary of the popover’s content
area

In the Advanced Graphic area, for Padding, specify values.

Change the appearance of the
popover’s title

to change effects for the shadow.
Note Changing the top padding of a popover increases or
decreases the height of the popover title area.
See Adding shadows and padding to layout objects.
If the Popover Setup dialog box is not open, double-click the
popover or select the popover and choose Format menu >
Popover Setup, then:
• Choose options in the Text or Paragraph area.
• Or, use the text options in the formatting bar. If you don’t see
the formatting bar, click Formatting

in the layout bar.

See Formatting text.

Notes
• You can’t format a locked object. See Protecting objects from change.
• You can format the appearance of a popover button to be conditional (for example, format a
popover button to remain hidden when a certain condition is met). See Defining conditional
formatting for layout objects and Hiding or showing layout objects.

Hiding or showing layout objects
You can control the visibility of layout objects by indicating whether an object is hidden or displayed
depending on a specific condition or calculation. For example, you can choose to show or hide
certain fields in a questionnaire as a result of a user’s response to a specific question.

To designate a layout object as hidden:
1. In Layout mode, select the object.
See Selecting objects.

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2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. For Hide object when, click
and specify a calculation to determine when the object
should be hidden, then click OK.
4. To apply the condition for the object in Find mode, select Apply in Find mode.
Note In Layout mode, choose View menu > Show > Hide Condition to identify objects for which a
condition has been defined to hide them. Such objects display a badge

in Layout mode.

Related topics
Identifying badges on layout objects
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects
Refresh Window script step
Refresh Object script step
GetLayoutObjectAttribute function

Creating and working with styles for layout objects, parts, and the
layout background
A style is a collection of attributes, such as font, color, line style, text alignment, and so on, that
determine the appearance of a layout. Each FileMaker Pro theme includes a default style for
every object, layout part, and layout background. Additionally, some objects have default styles
that add variety to layouts or create visual effects.
When you add objects or layout parts to a layout, FileMaker Pro uses the default style defined in
the current theme for that object type or part type. When you create a new layout, FileMaker Pro
uses the theme's default style for the layout background.
You can change the formatting attributes for objects, parts, and the layout background, and you
can save your changes in styles to consistently apply them to other objects or parts on the
current layout. You can also create new styles and apply them to objects, parts, or the layout
background on the current layout. To use your saved styles on other layouts, save styles to a
theme.

About layout object, part, and background styles
Each layout theme includes default styles for the objects and layout parts that you create while using
that theme. Some themes have additional default styles for some objects. For example, some
themes include styles for how the dots on a slide control are displayed or for formatting rows in
portals. A theme also includes a default style for the layout background. Styles give objects and
parts on a layout a consistent appearance. They also save you the time of reassigning formatting
attributes each time you create a new object or part.
You can modify default styles or design new styles and save them for use on the current layout.
When you edit and save formatting attributes for styles that are applied to multiple objects or layout
parts, your changes are applied to all objects and parts that use those styles on the current layout.
You can also create new styles with custom names, which you can then apply to objects, layout
parts, or the layout background on the current layout. Any styles you modify and save or any custom
styles that you create apply only to the current layout.
To use your custom styles on other layouts, save your styles to a theme. You can save custom
styles to FileMaker Pro themes or you can create new custom themes.
As you create and work with styles and themes:

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• Use the Styles tab in the Inspector to view and apply defined styles.
• Use the Appearance tab in the Inspector to create and modify styles and themes.
• Use the Change Theme dialog box to apply default and custom themes to layouts in a file.
• Use the Manage Themes dialog box to see which themes are in use in a file, and to import
themes from other files.

Related topics
Viewing and applying layout object, part, or background styles
Editing layout object, part, or background styles
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles
Renaming layout object, part, or background styles
Reverting changes to layout object, part, or background styles
Deleting layout object, part, or background styles
Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds
How FileMaker Pro displays formatting attributes

Viewing and applying layout object, part, or background styles
You can use the Styles tab in the Inspector to:
• view the style assigned to a layout object, part, or the layout background
• display a list of all the styles defined in a theme
• apply styles to layout objects, parts, and the layout background
Note Styles are associated with themes. Each theme has predefined default styles for each object
and part type, as well as the layout background. Objects in some themes have additional predefined
styles. See About layout object, part, and background styles.

To view and apply object, layout part, or background styles:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects, a part label, or click anywhere in the layout
background to select it.
See Selecting objects.
Note To select the layout background, ensure no objects or parts are selected.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Styles.

When nothing is selected on the layout, the style applied to the layout background is displayed
in the Styles list.
To

Do this

Display all styles defined in the current theme

Select Show All.

Apply a different style to an object or part

Select a different style in the Styles list.

Notes
• If changes you make to the layout background style do not appear on the layout, ensure
that the body part is set to transparent. See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for
objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
• You can apply styles for a type of object to other objects of the same type. For example, an
oval style can be applied to a rectangle object, but not to a portal object.

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• Object display attributes are controlled by how style attributes are saved. See How
FileMaker Pro displays formatting attributes.

Related topics
Editing layout object, part, or background styles
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles
Renaming layout object, part, or background styles
Deleting layout object, part, or background styles
Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds

Editing layout object, part, or background styles
You can change the display attributes of objects, layout parts, or layout background styles. Then you
can save your changes to modify the style defined for the layout or in the current theme. When you
save changes to a style, you can apply the style to other objects of the same type rather than
reformat individual objects.

To redefine the style of an object, layout part, or the layout background:
1. In Layout mode, select an object, a part label, or click anywhere in the layout background to
select it.
See Selecting objects.
Note To select the layout background, ensure no objects or parts are selected.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

3. Change the display attributes of the selected object, layout part, or the layout background.
See Selecting and working with objects on a layout.
An asterisk (*) appears after the style name and the arrow turns red, indicating the display
attributes are different from the attributes saved in the current style.
4. For Style, click

and choose Save Changes to Current Style.

The asterisk disappears and the arrow changes to gray
, indicating your changes have been
saved in the current style at the layout level. All objects on the current layout that are assigned
this style are reformatted to display the new attributes.
An asterisk appears after the theme name in the Inspector and the arrow turns red, indicating
the selected style definition is different from the style of the same name stored in the current
theme.
5. To update the style stored in the current theme and apply your changes to every object,
part, or the background in all layouts that use this style, click
Changes to Theme.
The arrow changes to gray

and choose Save

.

Notes
• If changes you make to the layout background style do not appear on the layout, ensure
that the body part is set to transparent. See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for
objects, layout parts, and the layout background.

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• The display of format settings is determined by whether you save styles at the layout level
or theme level. See How FileMaker Pro displays formatting attributes.

Related topics
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles
Renaming layout object, part, or background styles
Reverting changes to layout object, part, or background styles
Deleting layout object, part, or background styles
Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds
Saving a layout theme

Creating new layout object, part, or background styles
You can create new, custom styles for objects, layout parts, or the layout background. You can apply
custom styles to other layouts and import them into other files, which makes it easy to give your
databases a consistent look.

To create a new object, layout part, or layout background style:
1. In Layout mode, select an object, a part label, or click anywhere in the layout background to
select it.
See Selecting objects.
Note To select the layout background, ensure no objects or parts are selected.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

3. Change the display attributes of the selected object, layout part, or the layout background.
See Selecting and working with objects on a layout.
An asterisk (*) appears after the style name and the arrow turns red, indicating the display
attributes are different from the attributes saved in the style.
4. For Style, click

and choose Save as New Style.

5. Type a new style name, then click OK.
The asterisk disappears and the arrow changes to gray
saved in the current style at the layout level.

, indicating your changes have been

An asterisk appears after the theme name in the Inspector and the arrow turns red, indicating
the selected style has not been saved to the current theme.
6. Do one of the following:
• To save the new style in the current theme, click
then click Save.
• To save the new style in a new theme, click
name for the theme, then click OK.
The arrow changes to gray

, choose Save Changes to Theme,

, choose Save as New Theme, type a

.

Notes
• You can’t use styles on other layouts until you save styles to a theme.

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• Custom styles are based on the default style of the same type. Any changes that you make
to a custom style are added to the default style on which it is based.
• If changes you make to the layout background style do not appear on the layout, ensure
that the body part is set to transparent. See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for
objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
• You can create separate styles for popover buttons and popovers.
• Some objects, such as popovers and slide controls, have components that can be formatted
independently. For example, you can create separate styles for the slide panels, the dots, or
the area of the slide control that contains the dots. See Formatting popover buttons and
popovers and Formatting panel controls.
• How format settings are displayed is determined by whether you save styles at the layout
level or the theme level. See How FileMaker Pro displays formatting attributes.

Related topics
Editing layout object, part, or background styles
Renaming layout object, part, or background styles
Reverting changes to layout object, part, or background styles
Deleting layout object, part, or background styles
Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds

Renaming layout object, part, or background styles
You can rename a custom style for an object, a layout part, or the layout background. You can’t
rename default styles.

To rename an object, layout part, or background style:
1. In Layout mode, click Inspector
2. For Style, click

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

and choose Rename Style.

3. Type a new name, then click OK.
Tip You can also rename styles in the Styles tab in the Inspector.

Related topics
Editing layout object, part, or background styles
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles
Reverting changes to layout object, part, or background styles
Deleting layout object, part, or background styles
Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds
Saving a layout theme

Reverting changes to layout object, part, or background styles
You can remove all layout-level changes you have made to an object, layout part, or the layout
background to return to the saved style.
Tip You can choose Edit menu > Undo, and Edit menu > Redo to incrementally revert and reapply
style changes.

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To revert changes to object, layout part, or background styles:
1. In Layout mode, select an object, a part label, or click anywhere in the layout background to
select it.
See Selecting objects.
Note To select the layout background, ensure no objects or parts are selected.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

3. For Style, click the red arrow

and choose Revert Changes to Style.

The format of the object, layout part, or layout background returns to the appearance it had
when you began making changes. The arrow changes to gray

.

Note If you have not made any layout-level changes, Revert Changes to Style is dimmed in
the style drop-down menu.

Related topics
Editing layout object, part, or background styles
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles
Renaming layout object, part, or background styles
Deleting layout object, part, or background styles
Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds
How FileMaker Pro displays formatting attributes

Deleting layout object, part, or background styles
You can delete custom styles from database files. If you delete a custom style that is applied to
objects on a layout, the objects revert to the default style for that object. You can’t delete the default
styles that come with FileMaker Pro.

To delete an object, layout part, or background style:
• In Layout mode, click Inspector

in the layout bar, then do one of the following:

• Click the Styles tab, and select Show All. Pause the arrow pointer over the style you
want to delete, click

, and choose Delete Style.

• Select an object that has the style you want to delete, and click the Appearance tab in
the Inspector. For Style, click

and choose Delete Style.

Related topics
Editing layout object, part, or background styles
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles
Renaming layout object, part, or background styles
Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds

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Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or
backgrounds
You can copy formatting attributes from objects, layout parts, or a layout background and apply
formatting to other objects, parts, or backgrounds. Copy local formatting applied at the layout level
or custom or default formatting saved in styles or themes. You can also copy and paste formatting
for all of an object’s display states or only the currently selected display state. Copied formatting can
be pasted on the same layout, between layouts, or on layouts in other FileMaker Pro files.
You can use the Inspector or the Format Painter tool to copy and paste formatting attributes.

To use the Inspector to apply formatting attributes to other layout objects,
parts, or backgrounds:
In Layout mode, click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

To
Copy the formatting of all states of
an object or the format applied to a
layout part
Copy the formatting attributes of
the selected display state of an
object

Do this
Select the object or part label, then click
to the right
of the object type drop-down list (at the top of the
Appearance tab).
Select the object and choose the display state you want
to copy in the object state drop-down list, then click
to the right of the list (at the top of the Appearance tab).
For more information about display states, see
Specifying the display state for an object.

Copy the formatting attributes of
the layout background

Click anywhere in the layout background to select it, then
click
to the right of the object type drop-down list (at
the top of the Appearance tab).

Paste the formatting attributes for
all display states of the object that
you copied

Select one or more objects, then click
the object type drop-down list.

Paste the formatting attributes for
one display state of the object that
you copied

Select one or more objects and choose the display state
to which you want to apply the copied formatting
attributes. (You can choose a different display state from
the one you copied.) Click
state drop-down list.

to the right of

to the right of the object

Note Depending on formatting that has been previously
applied to the object, formatting for one or more display
states may be applied when you paste the copied state.
Paste the formatting attributes of
the part or the layout background
that you copied

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Select a part label or click anywhere in the layout
background to select it, then click
object type drop-down list.

to the right of the

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Notes
• If changes you make to the layout background style do not display on the layout, ensure
that the body part is set to transparent. See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for
objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
• For objects that have multiple components, each component has a separate style. For
example, portals have a Portal style, which formats the entire object, and a Portal:
Rows style, which formats only the rows of the portal. For objects with multiple components,
you can copy and paste only the format for the entire object (in this case, Portal, not Portal:
Rows). The style for the entire object is always the first style listed in the object type dropdown list at the top of the Appearance tab in the Inspector.

To use the Format Painter tool to apply formatting attributes between layout
objects, parts, or backgrounds:
1. In Layout mode, select the object, part label, or click anywhere in the layout background that
has the formatting attributes you want to apply to other objects, parts, or backgrounds.
See Selecting objects.
Note To select the layout background, ensure no objects or parts are selected.
2. Click the Format Painter tool
Painter.

in the status toolbar, or choose Format menu > Format

Tip To copy the display state of an object, hold down the Alt key (Windows) or the Option key
(OS X), then click the Format Painter tool

.

3. Do one of the following:
To apply formatting attributes to

Do this

A single object or a layout part

Select the object or part label that you want to change.

Multiple objects

Drag the arrow pointer to make a selection box that
includes the objects. The selection box does not have to
completely surround the objects. To avoid including
partially selected objects, press Ctrl (Windows) or
Command (OS X) as you drag.
Or, to apply copied formats to multiple objects
individually, double-click the Format Painter tool to lock it,
then Shift-click each object. To unlock and turn off the
Format Painter tool, press Esc.

A layout background

Choose a different layout from the Layout pop-up menu,
then click its layout background.
For the new layout background to display, one or more
layout parts must be transparent. See Setting the fill, line
style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout
background.

Note When you create a report in the New Layout/Report assistant, fields that are in summary parts
display the style for the summary part, not the theme’s default style. If you used the Field tool to add
a field to a summary part and the text is difficult to see, use the Inspector or the Format Painter tool
to copy the style you want from another field.

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Saving and managing layout themes
You can create themes in FileMaker Pro by making changes to layout styles and saving the
changes to the theme. You can create a new theme or rename the current theme. You can’t use
styles on other layouts until you save styles to a theme.
Use the Manage Themes dialog box to:
• see how many themes there are in a file
• see how many layouts each theme is applied to
• rename, duplicate, or delete themes from a file
• import themes from other FileMaker Pro files

Renaming a layout theme
You can rename custom themes that you create.

To rename a theme:
1. In Layout mode, click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

2. Switch to a layout that uses the theme you want to rename.
3. For Theme, click

or

and choose Rename Theme.

4. Type a new name, then click OK.
Note You can’t undo your last action after you rename a theme.

Related topics
Saving a layout theme
Managing layout themes
Importing layout themes

Saving a layout theme
If you have changed style attributes on a layout, you can save your changes to a theme. Saving at
the theme level allows you to apply the theme and all its styles to another layout, or import the
theme and all its styles into another file. When you save a theme, you can either save changes to
the theme you modified (which can be a predefined FileMaker Pro theme) or create a new theme.

To save a theme:
1. In Layout mode, create new styles or edit existing styles and save your changes. See
Creating new layout object, part, or background styles, Editing layout object, part, or
background styles, or Copying formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or
backgrounds.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

A asterisk (*) appears after the theme name and the arrow turns red, indicating the theme
definition has changed.
3. For Theme, click

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To

Choose

Save the style changes you
made at the theme level

Save Changes to Theme. Changes are applied to all layouts in
the file that use this theme. (See How FileMaker Pro displays
formatting attributes.)
Note The default themes that come with FileMaker Pro appear
in square brackets ([ ]) in the Manage Themes dialog box. When
you save changes to a default theme, the name of the theme
remains the same, but the square brackets are removed in the
Manage Themes dialog box indicating theme attributes are
different from the original default settings. You can reapply a
FileMaker Pro theme at any time. See Changing the theme of a
layout.

Save the changes you
made in a new theme and
leave the theme you started
with unchanged

Save as New Theme, then type a new name, and click OK.

Give the theme a different
name

Rename Theme, then type a new name, and click OK.

Remove any changes since
the last time you saved
styles at the theme level

Revert Changes to Theme.

Notes
• How format settings are displayed is determined by whether you save styles at the layout
level or the theme level.
• The maximum length for theme names is 100 characters.
• You can’t save changes to the Classic theme. You must choose Save as New Theme.
• You can undo and redo changes to themes until you save the theme or create a new theme,
or until another user or window changes the theme in a shared file.

Related topics
Renaming a layout theme
Saving a layout theme
Importing layout themes

Managing layout themes
You can use the Manage Themes dialog box to view a list of all the themes in a file as well as the
number of layouts that use each theme. You can rename custom themes, duplicate themes in the
list, and delete themes from the file.

To manage themes:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Themes.
You see a list of all the themes available in the file. Predefined themes (themes that come with
FileMaker Pro) are enclosed in brackets (for example, [Cool]). The # of Layouts column shows
the number of layouts that use each theme.

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2. In the Manage Themes dialog box:
To

Do this

Rename a theme

Select a custom theme, click Rename, then type a new name.
Tip To rename a predefined theme, duplicate the theme, then
rename the copy.

Duplicate a theme

Select a theme, and click Duplicate.

Copy and paste a theme

Select a theme and press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command-C
(OS X), then press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command-V (OS X).

Delete a theme

Select a theme, then click Delete.

3. Click OK to close the Manage Themes dialog box.

Notes
• To import themes from another FileMaker Pro file, see Importing layout themes.
• You can’t delete a theme that is in use in a file. You must assign a different theme to the
layouts that use the theme you want to delete, then delete the previous theme.

Related topics
Renaming a layout theme
Saving a layout theme
Importing layout themes

Importing layout themes
You can import themes from other FileMaker Pro files.
Note To import themes, you must have full layout access privileges to both the source and
destination files. For more information, see Editing existing privilege sets and Editing layouts
privileges.

To import a theme:
1. Open the file into which the theme will be imported.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Themes.
Tip In Layout mode, you can also choose Layouts menu > Change Theme > Import Themes.
3. In the Manage Themes dialog box, click Import.
4. Select the file that contains the themes you want to import, then click Open.
5. In the Import Themes dialog box, select the themes you want to import.
6. Click OK.
The imported themes appear in the Manage Themes dialog box in the order they were
imported.
7. Click OK to close the Manage Themes dialog box.
When you import a theme, FileMaker Pro logs an entry in an import.log file located in the same
folder as the database. Double-click the log file to view log entries.

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Related topics
Renaming a layout theme
Saving a layout theme
Managing layout themes

Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode
Use FileMaker Pro field formats to control how data appears on a layout. The formats you specify
don't change the data as it's stored in the database, and you can specify a different format for each
time you place a field on a layout (whether it's on the same layout or a different layout). For example,
if you enter -5123 into a number field, you can format it in one place to display as -$5,123.00 and in
another place as <5123>.
You can also have field formats change automatically when data meets criteria you specify. See
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects.
FileMaker Pro applies field formatting in the following precedence:
• If you don’t specify formats, FileMaker Pro displays numbers, dates, and times based on the
system formats set in the Clock, Language, and Region control panel (Windows) or the
Language & Text pane in System Preferences (OS X) when the file was created.
• Once you place fields, you can select one or more fields and specify formats.

Notes
• You can specify number, date, time, and timestamp fields to display data based on the
current system formats when the file is opened. For more information, see the Help topics
for specifying formats for each field type.
If a field uses system formats to display data, FileMaker WebDirect uses the default system
formats for the location in which the database file was created.
• You can set up a field as a pop-up menu, a drop-down list, or a series of checkboxes or
radio buttons. See Defining value lists.
• You can set up a field to auto-complete during data entry. See Setting up a field to autocomplete during data entry.
• You can set up a field to display as a drop-down calendar. See Setting up a field to display a
drop-down calendar.
• You can set up a field to display a context-specific keyboard in FileMaker Go. See Setting
up a field to display a keyboard.
• You can set specific formats for number, date, time and timestamp fields, but users can still
enter data with extraneous characters (like “per pound”). To control the type of data users
enter in a field, specify validation options. See Defining field validation.
• In Layout mode, to set default field attributes from the attributes of an existing field (for
example, to specify that all new text fields you place have text attributes that match an
existing field or all new number fields you place have number formats that match an existing
field), Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) the existing field. Then create the new
fields that you want.
• To display sample data in fields formatted with the specified field formats, in Layout mode,
choose View menu > Show > Sample Data. FileMaker Pro replaces the field names with
sample data from the record currently being browsed.
• Files created with different system formats for numbers, dates, and times can affect the
appearance of data. For example, if you're in the United States and you open a database

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created in Australia, the database may have different system formats than those currently
on your computer. See Opening files with different system formats.
• Number and date format settings are applied after conditional formatting settings and are
therefore preserved, even if data meets your conditional formatting criteria. However,
sometimes number, date, and conditional format settings are combined. For example, if you
set negative numbers to display in red in the Data Formatting area of the Inspector and also
set conditional formatting on the same field to display negative numbers in blue with the fill
color yellow, the result will be a red number in a yellow field. System formats have no affect
on conditional formatting settings.

Related topics
Adding tooltips on layouts

Specifying text formats for fields
In Layout mode, you can specify a set of text attributes for each field object. All the characters in a
given field object (including all of its repetitions if it refers to a repeating field) share the same font,
size, style, color, line spacing, tab, and paragraph settings. But no attributes are shared between
different field objects. For example, you can insert more than one field object that displays data from
the same field, and each field object can have different text attributes.
Note You can also format characters in text fields in Browse mode (for example, italicize or
underline a word for emphasis). Unlike text formatting specified in Layout mode, this formatting is
stored with the data, and you see it in any layout that displays that field. For more information, see
Formatting text.

To specify text formats for fields:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields. Or, to set text formats for fields you place later,
start with no fields selected.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

3. Select text options that you want.
Use the Text area to format the style, size, font, or color of the text or make text highlighted,
bold, italic, or underlined. Use the Paragraph area to set paragraph alignment, indenting, and
line spacing for fields. For more information, see Specifying paragraph attributes and tab
settings.
4. Press Enter or Tab, or click outside the Inspector to apply the changes.

Notes
• You can also format text (not in a field) on a layout. For more information, see Making text
bold, italic, highlighted, or setting other styles.
• Use the formatting bar (click Formatting
in the layout bar, or choose View menu >
Formatting Bar) or the shortcut menu for quick access to many text attributes. For more
information, see Using the status toolbar and Using shortcut menus.

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Specifying formats for fields containing numbers
You can control how FileMaker Pro displays the values in number fields, calculation fields with
numeric results, and summary fields.

To specify formats for fields containing numbers:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields that display numeric values.
See Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Data Formatting area, click Number
from the Format list.

, then select the formats you want to use

To display numbers

Do this

Rounded as needed or expressed
in scientific notation, so the
number fits within the default field
boundaries

For Format, select General.

Exactly as entered (if the value has
more digits than will display in the
field, a ? appears in the field)

For Format, select As entered.

As a Boolean value (a value that is
generally expressed as one of two
values — zero or non-zero)

For Format, select Boolean.

As a decimal number

For Format, select Decimal.

To change the default values, type a new value (up to seven
characters) for Show non-zeros as and Show zeros as (such
as “Yes” and “No”).
• To specify that each value be displayed with the same
number of places, select Fixed number of decimals and
type a value. (A positive value specifies places to the right
of the decimal place, a negative value specifies places to
the left.)
• To specify a unit for a number, type a Symbol to display for
the unit and choose one of the options in the Notation list to
specify where to insert the symbol. Some examples of
symbols are cm (centimeter), km (kilometer), kg (kilogram),
or ft (foot).
• To specify special formatting for negative numbers, in the
Negative area, choose a notation. To display negative
numbers in color (for example, red), choose a color.
• To change the character that separates the whole value of
the number from the fractional part, for Separators, type a
character.
• To include a character to separate every 3 digits, click Use
thousands separator and type a character.
• To include a Kanji separator, click Kanji separator and
choose either the every 4th place or full notation options.

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To display numbers

Do this

As a percentage (FileMaker Pro
multiplies the value by 100 and
displays %)

For Format, select Percent.

As currency

For Format, select Currency. You can choose whether the
currency symbol:

Except for Notation, all the other options listed for displaying
numbers as a decimal number are also available when you
select Percent.

• leads before or trails after the value
• appears inside or outside of the negative sign
To change the currency symbol, for Symbol, type a character.
Except for Notation, all the other options listed for displaying
numbers as a decimal number are also available when you
select Currency.
As nothing if the number is zero

For Format, select Decimal. Then select Do not display
number if zero.

Using the current system formats
for decimals and thousands
separators

In the Separators area, select System Settings.
FileMaker Pro displays the decimal separator and thousands
separator based on the current system formats when the file is
opened.
When you select this option, the Decimal and Use thousands
separator options are not available.

Using a different Japanese
For Format, select Decimal, Currency, or Percent. Then, for
numeral type (if you’re using a font Numeral type, choose Half-Width, Full-Width, Kanji Numeral
that contains Japanese characters) (Modern), or Kanji Numeral.
With different text formatting

Select text options using the Appearance tab of the Inspector.
See Specifying text formats for fields.

4. Press Enter or Tab, or click outside the Inspector to apply the changes.

Notes
• If you specify General format and the field value is a number with 10 or more digits,
FileMaker Pro displays the number using scientific notation, or rounds the number, or both,
if necessary, to fit within the 10-character maximum for the default field boundaries. When a
number is expressed in scientific notation, you see a decimal number expressed as a power
of 10, for example, 123,456,789,000 could be displayed as 1.2346E+11. If the field value is
a number of fewer than 10 digits, specifying General format produces the same result as
specifying As entered.
• If FileMaker Pro displays a number in a field as a ?, try enlarging the field boundaries in
Layout mode to see the entire value. (When you print a layout with a field that is displaying
a ?, FileMaker Pro prints as many digits as will fit within the field boundaries and truncates
the other digits.)
• Numbers formatted as decimals are rounded when the number of decimal digits exceeds
the specified fixed number of decimal digits. (For example, if you enter 789.78 and you
specify 3 fixed digits, you see 789.780 in the field; if you specify 0 fixed digits, you see 790;
if you specify -2 fixed digits, you see 800.) However, FileMaker Pro stores and uses the
unrounded number for calculations and summaries.

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• Only numbers are displayed and printed in a number field formatted as decimal (except for
separators and notations specified in the Inspector). To display text and symbols (for
example, @1.98 per pound) in a number field, select As entered. If you use the field in a
calculation or summary, only the numeric value is used.
• If you specify the format as Boolean, any values in the number field that contain nonnumeric data display as blank because they do not contain any numeric content. For
example, the value “ABC” would display as blank. However, non-numeric field content
returns false in calculations.
• For more information about defining number fields, see About number fields.

Related topics
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects

Specifying formats for date fields
You can control how FileMaker Pro displays the values in date fields and calculation fields with date
results.

To specify formats for date fields:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more date fields or calculation fields with a date result.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Data Formatting area, click Date
the Format list.

, then select the formats you want to use from

To display dates

Do this

Exactly as entered

For Format, select As entered.

In a predefined format

For Format, select a format.
To change the separator between parts of a numeric date, for
Numeric separator, type another character.

In a custom format

For Format, select Custom and choose options and separator
characters for day of week, month, day of month, and year.

With leading zeros (as in
01/02/99) or leading spaces in
numeric parts of dates

In the Leading character area, choose , Zero, Space
for For day numbers, For month numbers, or both. (This option
is not available if you've chosen As entered.)

With different text formatting

Select text options using the Appearance tab of the Inspector.
See Specifying text formats for fields.

Using a different Japanese date
display (if you’re using a font that
contains Japanese characters)

In the Japanese area, for Numeral type, choose a display type.

Using the current system formats
for dates

For Format, select Short System Date (for example, 11/11/
2014) or Long System Date (for example, Tuesday, November
11, 2014).
FileMaker Pro formats dates based on the current system
formats when the file is opened.

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4. Press Enter or Tab, or click outside the Inspector to apply the changes.
Important No matter how you format a date field in Layout mode, whenever you click or tab
into the field in Browse mode, FileMaker Pro displays the date with a four-digit year.
FileMaker recommends that you always enter dates with four-digit years. If you enter dates
with two-digit years, they are converted to four-digit year dates as described in Conversion
of dates with two-digit years.

Notes
• When As entered is selected, FileMaker Pro will display dates with four-digit years, even if
you originally entered the dates with two-digit years. Use the Custom option or one of the
two-digit year options on the Format list described above to display dates with two-digit
years.
• Be sure to size the date field on the layout according to the format you choose. For
example, the date Monday, May 5, 2014 needs more room than 5/5/14. See Resizing and
reshaping objects.
• To format a date symbol (which displays the current date), select the symbol {{CurrentDate}}
in Layout mode, and then use the Data Formatting area of the Inspector to format it as you
would a date field as described above. For more information about the date symbol, see
Inserting the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout.
• To make it easier to enter dates in a field in Browse mode, you can set up the field to display
a drop-down calendar.
• For more information about defining date fields, see About date fields.

Related topics
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects

Specifying formats for time fields
You can control how FileMaker Pro displays time values in fields.

To specify formats for time fields:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more time fields or calculation fields with a time result.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Data Formatting area, click Time
the Format list.

, then select the formats you want to use from

To display times

Do this

Exactly as entered

For Format, select As entered.

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To display times

Do this

In a predefined format

For Format, select a format from the list. Then specify one or
more of the following format options:
• a different value for Separator (such as a period or a
space) or Kanji format if you’re using a font that contains
Japanese characters.
• 12-hour or 24-hour notation.
• Custom prefix or suffix text such as the designations for
before noon and after noon.

With leading zeros (as in
05:09:02) or leading spaces (as in
5: 9: 2)

For Leading character, choose options for For hours, For
minutes/seconds, or both. (This option is not available if
you've selected As entered.)

Using a different Japanese time
display (if you’re using a font that
contains Japanese characters)

In the Japanese area, choose a Numeral type.

With different text formatting

Use the Appearance tab of the Inspector to choose text
attributes. See Specifying text formats for fields.

Using the current system formats
for times

For Format, select Short System Time (for example, 8:23 AM)
or Long System Time (for example, 8:23:54 AM).
FileMaker Pro formats times based on the current system
formats when the file is opened.

You’re finished unless the time format you chose displays seconds. If you want to format the
seconds component to display fractional seconds, continue with the next step.
4. Click Data, then click Number

in the Data Formatting area.

5. Select the formatting options you want.
Only two options affect the display of the seconds component: Fixed number of decimals and
Decimal separator. The remaining options have no effect. See Specifying formats for fields
containing numbers.
6. Press Enter or Tab, or click outside the Inspector to apply the changes.

Notes
• To format a time symbol (which displays the current time), select the symbol {{CurrentTime}}
in Layout mode, and then use the Data Formatting area of the Inspector to format it as you
would a time field as described above. For more information about the time symbol, see
Inserting the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout.
• For more information about defining time fields, see About time fields.

Specifying formats for timestamp fields
Timestamp fields store both a date and a time, such as when a record was created or last modified.
You format a timestamp field by separately formatting its three components:
Timestamp field component

Format using

Date

Date area of the Inspector

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Timestamp field component

Format using

Time (excluding the seconds portion)

Time area of the Inspector

Seconds (including any fractional seconds)

Number area of the Inspector

To specify formats for timestamp fields:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more timestamp fields.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. To format the date component, in the Data Formatting area, click Date
the formatting options you want.

, and then select

See Specifying formats for date fields.
4. To format the time component (except the seconds portion), in the Data Formatting area,
click Time

and select the formatting options you want.

See Specifying formats for time fields.
5. To format the seconds and fractional seconds component, in the Data Formatting area, click
Number

, then select the formatting options you want.

In the Number area, only two options affect the display of the seconds component: Fixed
number of decimals and Separators. The remaining options have no effect. See Specifying
formats for fields containing numbers.

Notes
• You must specify formats for both date and time components before any formatting will be
applied. If you select As entered for either Date or Time, the data in the timestamp field
appears the way it is entered.
• To format timestamps based on the current system formats when the file is opened, select
Short System Date (for example, 11/11/2014) or Long System Date (for example,
Tuesday, November 11, 2014) and Short System Time (for example, 8:23 AM) or Long
System Time (for example, 8:23:54 AM).
• For more information about defining timestamp fields, see About timestamp fields.

Specifying formats for container fields
You can control how FileMaker Pro displays content in container fields.
Container fields store and display pictures, QuickTime files, sounds, movies, and files of any type.
(For more information, see Using data in container fields.) By default, container fields display:
• Pictures as images
• Sounds as a sound icon (

)

• Files of any type as the file icon and filename
When you format a container field, you can set scaling and alignment options for images. The
formatting options you choose affect the display in FileMaker Pro only, and do not affect the original
data.

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To specify formats for container fields:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more container fields.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Data Formatting area, click Graphic

, then select the formats you want to use.

To

Do this

Display each image at its original
size

From the Format list, choose Crop to frame. FileMaker Pro
crops the image if it's too large to fit within the field boundaries.

Scale each image either always
up, always down, or either up or
down (depending on the data in
the field) to fit within the field
boundaries

From the Format list, choose Reduce image to fit, Enlarge
image to fit, or Reduce or Enlarge image to fit.

Set the horizontal and vertical
alignment

For Alignment, choose horizontal and vertical alignments.

Optimize for static content

Choose Images (JPEG, PNG, etc.).

Optimize for interactive content

Choose Interactive content (PDF, MP3, etc.). When this option
is selected, the field becomes an interactive container. You can
work interactively with files in interactive containers. For
example, when a PDF is inserted into the field, you can scroll
through pages, zoom in and out, and copy text. When an audio
file or video file is in the field, you can play the media and use all
available controls for that media type, such as pause, play, and
fast-forward.

Unless you also select Maintain original proportions, the
image is distorted to fit the proportions of the field boundaries.

To have audio and video play when you display the container
field, also select Start playback automatically. If this option is
not selected, you start audio or video files by clicking the play
control.

Notes
• If you select Interactive content for a field:
• You can use this option for container fields that store embedded data, data stored
externally, or local references to files.
• Windows: If you plan to insert PDF files into a field, be sure that a web browser plug-in
(such as Adobe Reader) is installed on the local machine. If it is not installed, the Insert
menu > PDF command will be unavailable, even if Interactive content is selected.
• This option is not supported for container fields that are in portals.
• You can customize the type of content that can be inserted into a container field, and
choose options for how the files are stored, displayed, and compressed. See Insert File
script step.
• If you add a background fill for an interactive container, you can only use a solid color fill.
See Adding borders, fill, and baselines to fields.

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Related topics
About container fields
Inserting graphics into container fields
Inserting QuickTime movies and multimedia into container fields
Inserting files of any type into container fields
Working with web viewers on layouts
Working with content in interactive containers

Adding borders, fill, and baselines to fields
To enhance the appearance and usability of your layout, you can add or customize:
• the background color or fill of fields
• borders around fields
• the shape of each corner of a field
• the text baselines of fields

To add borders, fill, and baselines to fields:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields.
See Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Appearance.

3. In the Graphic or Text area, select the options you want to use.
The options you choose affect the appearance of the selected fields in all modes.
To

Do this

Add a fill color to
fields

In the Graphic area, for Fill, choose a color or specify a color gradient or image.
See Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with a color gradient or
Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with an image.

Add borders to
fields and set
their attributes

In the Graphic area, for Line, choose a style (Solid, Dashed, or Dotted) from the
pop-up menu. Then specify a line width and choose a line color. Choose All
borders, or choose any combination of Left border, Top border, Right border,
or Bottom border.

Add borders
between
repeating fields
or portal rows
Change the
shape of field
corners

Click

.

In the Graphic area, for Corner radius, choose each corner that you want to
have a rounded appearance, and specify a value in points. The larger the value,
the more a corner is rounded.
Tip If you are designing databases for FileMaker Go, use Corner radius to
optimize the spacing between adjoining fields.

Add text
In the Text area, select Text baselines, and then choose a baseline style from
baselines and set the pop-up menu, specify a width, or choose a color.
their attributes

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To

Do this

Change the
offset position of
the text baseline

In the Text area, select Baseline offset, and then specify a value in points to
move the text baseline up or down.

If the current layout is set to show field boundaries in Layout mode, you may not be able to see
some of the border effects that you have applied. To see the effects, do one of the following:
• Hide the field boundaries while in Layout mode: View menu > Show > Field
Boundaries to hide them.
• Switch to Browse mode: Choose Browse from the Mode pop-up menu at the bottom of
the document window.

Notes
• To quickly change a field’s border or fill, use the formatting bar. See Setting the fill, line style,
and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout background.
• You can set an option to show borders and fill on all records in a field in List View instead of
on the current record only. See Showing field borders and fill for the current record.
• You can set up an alternating background fill color for body parts to create a visual contrast
when viewing lists of records. See Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout
parts, and the layout background.
• If you add a background fill for an interactive container, you can only use a solid color fill.
See Specifying formats for container fields.

Adding scroll bars to fields
Add a vertical scroll bar to a field to see more data than fits in the field's boundaries in Browse mode.
(You can't add scroll bars to container fields, repeating fields, or fields formatted to use a value list.)
To add a scroll bar to a portal, see Creating portals to display related records.

To add scroll bars to fields:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields.
For more information, see Selecting objects. You can also specify attributes for fields you add
later by starting with no fields selected.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Field area, for Control Style, select Edit Box, then select Include vertical scroll
bar.
Note When you print a field or a portal with a scroll bar, FileMaker Pro prints only the data that is
visible without scrolling. To print all the data, resize the field or portal to make it larger, and then
specify sliding options to remove the extra blank space when you print. (You can do this on the
same layout, or on a duplicate of the layout.) For more information, see Duplicating, deleting, or
renaming layouts, Resizing and reshaping objects and Removing blank spaces in printouts.

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Defining value lists
If a field uses the same set of text, number, date, or time values for many or all records, you can
create a value list that includes those values. Then, format a field to display the values as a pop-up
menu, a drop-down list, or as a series of checkboxes or radio buttons.
For example, define a value list that contains two values, New and Continuing. Then, define a
Customer Type field to display the values in that list as radio buttons.

Values from a value list

Value lists help make data entry faster and more accurate. You can display the values in a particular
order; for example, by month or region.
Displaying data in a value list is a two-step process:
1. Create a value list. You can:
• Create a custom value list.
• Use values from a field in the current file or another file.
• Use values from an existing value list in another file.
2. In Layout mode, use the Inspector to format a field to display the values in a pop-up menu,
drop-down list, checkboxes, or radio buttons.

Defining a custom value list
This method is the easiest way to create a value list, because you type the values to be displayed.
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Value Lists.
In Layout mode, you can also click Manage in the status toolbar, then choose Value Lists.
2. In the Manage Value Lists dialog box, click New.
3. In the Edit Value List dialog box, for Value List Name, type a name.
4. Select Use custom values, then type each value on a separate line, in the order you want
them to appear.
Press Enter (Windows) or Return (OS X) to separate each value on its own line.
Tip To create a separator line between items in a pop-up menu or drop-down list, or produce
spaces between radio buttons or checkboxes, type a hyphen on a separate line where you want
each separator line or space to appear.
5. Click OK twice to close the Edit Value List dialog box and then the Manage Value Lists
dialog box.
6. Format a field to display values from the value list. See Setting up a field to display a pop-up
menu, checkbox set, or other control.

Defining a value list using a field in the current or another file
A value list created using this method is dynamically updated whenever the values change in the
field that the list is based on. Also, if the field is in a related table, you can show all the values in the
field, or only the related values.

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1. Choose File menu > Manage > Value Lists.
In Layout mode, you can also click Manage in the status toolbar, then choose Value Lists.
2. In the Manage Value Lists dialog box, click New.
3. In the Edit Value List dialog box, for Value List Name, type a name.
4. Select Use values from field.
5. In the Specify Fields for Value List dialog box, for Use values from first field, select the
table that contains the field you want, and then select the field in the list.
If the table you want is in another file and does not appear in the list, choose Manage Database
from the list, and add the table to the relationships graph. See Creating relationships.
6. Choose whether to display all the values in the field or only related values:
• To include all the field values in the value list, choose Include all values.
• To include only related values in the value list, choose Include only related values
starting from, and choose a related table from the list. The value list will only display
field values from records that satisfy the relationship criteria specified between the
related table and the table containing the field selected in the Use values from first
field list.
For an example of a value list that displays only related values, see Example of a value list that
includes only related field values.
7. To also display associated values from a second field, select Also display values from
second field, select the table that contains the field you want, and then select the field in
the list.
Select this option to display the values from a corresponding field after the values in your value
list. For example, to help with data entry, you could display part names next to part numbers. If
Also display values from second field is dimmed, first select a field in the left field list, as
described in step 5.
Note During data entry, a value list that displays values from two fields still only enters data
from the first field specified in step 5. The second field in the value list is for display only, and its
value is not entered into any field. However, you could use a lookup to automatically enter the
data from the second field. See About lookups.
8. If you selected a second field to display values:
• Choose which field to use for determining the value list sort order.
• Choose Show values only from second field to display values from the second field,
but store the data from the first field.
If you choose not to select Show values only from second field, the value list will display both
fields, for example, a pop-up menu displays both fields.
Summary of Show values only from second field behavior:
Field/control

Behavior

Radio Button set, Checkbox set, Popup menu

Only the value from the second field is displayed. When
you make your selection, the corresponding value from the
first field is stored in the database.

Drop-down list

The field displays the value from the first field. When you
click in the field, the drop-down list displays values from
the second field. After a selection, the list again displays
the value from the first field when the field is exited.

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Note When you make your selection, the corresponding value from the first field is stored in the
database.
9. If you want to display the values that are in a text field in a specific language’s dictionary sort
order, select Re-sort values based on and choose a language. Otherwise, the values are
sorted in the index order of the field’s default language. This setting is ignored for other
types of fields.
See Choosing a language for indexing or sorting.
10. Click OK to close the Specify Fields for Value List dialog box.
11. Click OK twice to close the Edit Value List dialog box and then the Manage Value Lists
dialog box.
12. Format a field to display values from the value list. See Setting up a field to display a pop-up
menu, checkbox set, or other control.

Defining a value list using a value list in another file
If the value list you want is already defined in another file, you can use that list instead of re-creating
it.
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Value Lists.
In Layout mode, you can also click Manage in the status toolbar, then choose Value Lists.
2. In the Manage Value Lists dialog box, click New.
3. In the Edit Value List dialog box, for Value List Name, type a name.
4. Select Use value list from another file and, from the list, choose or create a file path that
points to the file containing the value list you want to use.
For details on file paths, see Creating file paths.
5. From the Value list list, select the value list from the other file.
Some value lists may be dimmed and cannot be selected. These value lists are defined to show
only related values from a field and cannot be referenced directly from another file. Instead, use
the Use values from field option. (You will also need to add the table from the other file to the
relationships graph in the current file.) To create this type of value list, follow the instructions
above for defining a value list based on values in a field.
6. Click OK twice to close the Edit Value List dialog box and then the Manage Value Lists
dialog box.
7. Format a field to display values from the value list. See Setting up a field to display a pop-up
menu, checkbox set, or other control.

To change, duplicate, or delete a value list:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Value Lists.
In Layout mode, you can also click Manage in the status toolbar, then choose Value Lists.
2. In the Manage Value Lists dialog box, do one of the following:

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To

Do this

Change the values in a value list
or how the values in a dynamic
value list are generated

In the list of value list names, select the value list, then click Edit.
In the Edit Value List dialog box, make changes. Then, click OK.

Duplicate a value list

In the list of names, select the value list, then click Duplicate.

Delete a value list

In the list of names, select the value list, then click Delete. In the
confirmation dialog box, click Delete again.

Note Redefining a value list item after data has been entered
might cause unexpected results. For example, if you change a
value list item from Accessory to Accessories, the field will
appear to be empty on layouts where the field is formatted as a
checkbox or radio button. Also, you will not find the existing
records if you search for Accessories.

3. In the Manage Value Lists dialog box, click OK.

Notes
• If you want a field to always use the values in the value list, no matter what layout the fields
object is on, specify a validation option in the field’s definition. See Defining field validation.
• If the value list you’re defining contains dates, make sure the values contain four-digit years
such as 6/29/2014 instead of 6/29/14. During data entry, a date field formatted to
display a value list containing two-digit year dates will convert them into four-digit years as
described in Conversion of dates with two-digit years.
• Fields from ODBC data sources can be used in value lists, but character large objects
(CLOBs) such as long text strings are not supported.
• For value lists with ODBC data, the No access privilege and Limited custom privilege are
not supported. To prohibit a user from seeing ODBC data in a value list, you must enforce
row-level security in the external SQL database. See Editing value list privileges.

Setting up a field to display a pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other
control
You can make data entry for a field easier and more consistent by displaying fields as drop-down
lists, pop-up menus, checkbox sets, radio button sets, or other controls.
You can set these controls at the same time you place fields on a layout, or you can modify existing
field controls. For more information on placing fields on a layout, see Placing and removing fields on
a layout.
Note Values displayed in these controls come from value lists. You can define a value list before or
after you set up the field controls.

To set up a field to display a pop-up menu, checkbox set or other control:
1. In Layout mode, select the field.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Field area, choose the Control Style you want.

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• Drop-down list displays value list items in a list. Users can use the arrow keys or “type
ahead” to select a value. Select Include arrow to show and hide list if you want to
format the field as a combo box.
• Pop-up menu displays value list items as a pop-up menu. Users must select an item
with the mouse.
• Checkbox set displays value list items as checkboxes. Users can select multiple
values for a field.
• Radio button set displays value list items as radio buttons.
• Drop-down calendar displays the current date. Users can choose another date from
the drop-down calendar, or type one in. See Setting up a field to display a drop-down
calendar.
4. Choose the value list you want from the Values from list.
To create a value list, click
next to the Values from list. See Defining value lists. (You can
use value lists you define in the Inspector with other fields as well.)
5. Choose options for the value list, if desired.
To allow a user to add values to the value list for the current record, select Allow entry of other
values. An “Other” option appears in the value list. This option is not available if you selected
Drop-down list.
To allow a user to add or change values in the value list across records, select Allow editing of
value list. An “Edit” option appears in the value list. This option is not available if:
• you selected Checkbox set or Radio button set for the Control Style.
• the value list you selected in step 4 uses values from a field.
6. To display data from a different field, click

next to the Display data from list.

In the Specify Field dialog box, select the field to display data from. Fields can be from the same
table, a related or unrelated table in the same file, or a related table in another FileMaker Pro
file. To choose a field in another table, choose the table from the tables list above the field list,
then select a field from the list of fields in the table.
Select Create label if you want to include the field name as text on the layout. Click OK.
7. Save the layout.
To view drop-down lists or pop-up menus, select the field in Browse mode or Find mode.

Notes
• If you added a checkbox or radio button set but can’t see it, make sure the color and line
width of the border for the field are not set to none. For information about setting color and
line width, see Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout
background.
• During data entry, if the value list is blank, is missing values that should be present, or
displays an error message, see Value lists troubleshooting.
• When you format a field to use a value list created from values in a field, FileMaker Pro
displays the value list items in alphabetical order.
• Formatting a field with a checkbox allows users to enter more than one value for a field. If
more than one value is entered for a field, on other layouts where the field is not formatted
as a checkbox (such as a columnar report), FileMaker Pro displays only the first value. To
see all values, make the field larger or click in the field.

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• To allow users to begin typing a value and have the system suggest a completion for it,
select Auto-complete using value list. See Setting up a field to auto-complete during data
entry.
• To change the arrangement of value list items in checkboxes and radio buttons, resize the
field. A field that is taller than it is wide displays items stacked vertically. A field that is wider
than it is tall displays items side-by-side horizontally. See Resizing and reshaping objects.
• If the field you’re formatting to display a value list is in a portal and the value list is defined to
include only related values, you may need to create a self-join relationship in order for the
value list to display the related values properly. See Example of a value list that includes
only related field values.
• To set a default value for a value list field, set up the value list and control style, then choose
File menu > Manage Database, and click Fields. Select the value list field, click Options,
click the Auto-Enter tab, and select Data. Type the default value, click OK, and close the
Manage Database dialog box. When users add a new record to the database, this value will
appear in the value list field. Users can choose a different value from the value list. See
Defining automatic data entry.
• To format a field to no longer use a value list, select the field and in the Field area of the
Inspector, for Control Style, choose Edit box or Drop-down calendar.
• You cannot apply control styles to container fields. For more information on container fields,
see Using data in container fields.

Related topics
Setting up a field to display a drop-down calendar
Setting up the display of repeating fields

Setting up a field to display a keyboard
You can set up text, number, date, time, and timestamp fields to use a specific type of keyboard to
help you quickly enter values in FileMaker Go.

To set up a field to display a context-specific keyboard in FileMaker Go:
1. In Layout mode, select a text, number, date, time, or timestamp field.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Behavior area, select Touch keyboard type, and choose one of the following
keyboard types from the list.
Choose

For FileMaker Go to use

System Default

Number and Punctuation keyboard for number and date fields,
and the default keyboard for the iOS device for text, time, and
timestamp fields

Default for Data Type

Numeric 10-Key keyboard for number fields, the System Default
keyboard for text fields, and the Number and Punctuation
keyboard for date, time, and timestamp fields

ASCII

Standard iOS ASCII keyboard

URL

Standard iOS URL keyboard

Email

Standard iOS Email keyboard

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Choose

For FileMaker Go to use

Numeric 10-Key

Custom 10-key keyboard (calculator-style)

Number Keypad

iPhone/iPod touch: Standard iOS Number keyboard
iPad: Custom Number keyboard that matches the iPhone
Number keyboard

Number and Punctuation

Standard iOS Number and Punctuation keyboard

Phone

Custom keyboard with symbols commonly used in phone
numbers

Notes
• The default keyboard for existing layout objects is System Default.
• The default keyboard for new layout objects is Default for Data Type.

Setting up a field to display a drop-down calendar
A drop-down calendar provides a quick way to accurately enter a date.

To set up a field to display a drop-down calendar:
1. In Layout mode, select the field.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Field area, choose Drop-down calendar from the Control Style drop-down list.
The following options are available:
• Include icon to show and hide calendar
• Auto-complete using existing values (This option is only available for fields defined
as text.)
4. To display a calendar icon in the field, select Include icon to show and hide calendar.
If this option is not set, the calendar is automatically displayed when the user enters the
field. To allow the user to control whether the calendar displays or not, set this option.
To view the drop-down calendar, select the field (or click the calendar icon) in Browse mode or Find
mode.

Notes
• When the drop-down calendar (date picker) is displayed, it defaults to the current date if the
field is empty or contains an invalid date.
• When you choose a date from a drop-down calendar, the date is inserted in the field using
the current date format.
• To dismiss the calendar, click outside the field or press Esc. To display it again, press Esc a
second time.
• To have the system suggest a value based on what the user has typed, select Autocomplete using previously entered values. For more information, see Setting up a field
to auto-complete during data entry.
• The drop-down calendar inserts the current date and time in an empty timestamp field.

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Setting up a field to auto-complete during data entry
You can set up a field to use auto-complete (type ahead) to help users quickly enter values in
Browse mode or Find mode. FileMaker makes suggestions based on what the user has previously
entered into the field, or based on values in a value list.
You can use auto-complete on text fields displayed as:
• Edit boxes
• Drop-down lists
• Drop-down calendars
Note To set up fields to automatically enter information when a record is created or modified, see
Defining automatic data entry.

To set up a field to auto-complete during data entry:
1. In Layout mode, select the field.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Field area, choose Edit box, Drop-down list, or Drop-down calendar from the
Control Style drop-down list. For more information, see Setting up a field to display a popup menu, checkbox set, or other control or Setting up a field to display a drop-down
calendar.
Tip To prevent suggestions from displaying in a list, choose Drop-down list, then select
Include arrow to show and hide list. Only the best match appears in the field.
4. Select an auto-complete option:
For

Select

Edit box or Drop-down Calendar Auto-complete using existing values
The system makes suggestions based on the field’s index.
Drop-down list

Auto-complete using value list
The system makes suggestions based on the value list
specified.

Notes
• Only fields defined as Text fields can be set to use auto-complete. (Numerical, date, or any
other type of textual data can be stored in a text field.)
• Auto-complete is not supported in drop-down lists when the value list used is configured to
use Also display values from second field, Show values only from second field, or
Sort by second field. For more information, see Defining value lists.

Setting up the display of repeating fields
If you define a field as a repeating field, you can format the field to display only a certain range of the
repetitions, even though the information for all the repetitions is stored in the database. For
example, if a repeating field is defined to display up to eight repetitions, you could format one field
object to display the first four repetitions, and another field object to display the last four repetitions.
For information about defining a repeating field, see Defining repeating fields.

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To format a repeating field:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more repeating fields.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Field area, for Show repetitions, enter the range of the repeating values that you
want to display.
4. Choose an orientation for displaying the field repetitions from the orientation list.
You can choose Vertical to stack the repetitions in a column, or Horizontal to position the
repetitions side by side in a row.
5. Press Enter or Tab, or click outside the Inspector to apply the changes.

Notes
• FileMaker Pro stores the data in all repetitions of a repeating field even if you change the
formatting of the field so that not all of the repetitions are visible.
• To reshape or resize all visible occurrences of a repeating field, use the handles that appear
around the first occurrence. For more information, see Resizing and reshaping objects.
• To help distinguish between individual repetitions, you can add borders between individual
cells of a repeating field. For more information, see Adding borders, fill, and baselines to
fields.

Adding tooltips on layouts
You can add tooltips to layout objects. Tooltips appear as small yellow boxes when a user moves the
pointer over an object in Browse or Find modes. Tooltips can be static text or the results of a
calculation.

To add, change, or delete tooltips:
1. In Layout mode, select the object to which you want to add a tooltip.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Position.

3. In the Position area, do the following.
To

Do this

Create a tooltip that displays
static text

Type the text you want to appear as the tooltip in the Tooltip field.

Create a tooltip that displays
the results of a calculation

Click

.

In the Specify Calculation dialog box, build a formula for your
calculation. Click OK.
Change the tooltip

Modify the tooltip text as required.

Delete the tooltip

Delete the tooltip text.

4. Press Enter or Tab, or click outside the Inspector to apply the changes.
Tip In Layout mode, choose View menu > Show > Tooltips to identify objects with tooltips. Objects
with tooltips display a badge

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Notes
• Tooltips display in FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced, FileMaker WebDirect, and
runtime database solutions.
• Tooltips display in Browse and Find modes and in Form View, List View, and Table View.
• You can add a tooltip to grouped objects. All objects in the group will display the same
tooltip.
• All calculation results display as text, including dates, times, and numbers.
• If the object’s tooltip calculation returns an empty string, no tooltip displays. For example, if
your tooltip displays related data and the relationship is missing, the tooltip will be empty. If
an error occurs in the calculation, the tooltip displays invalid or partially valid results with
question marks.
• When you copy or duplicate an object with a tooltip, FileMaker Pro applies the tooltip to the
new object.
• Tooltip text may wrap, depending on your operating system and the length of the text
relative to the screen's width.

Related topics
Creating a layout
Viewing records as a form, list, or table

Identifying badges on layout objects
FileMaker Pro displays badges (icons) to indicate conditional formatting, script triggers, or tooltips
have been applied to a field, object, or layout; that find is available for a field; or that an object is a
button or a popover button.
To see these badges, in Layout mode, choose View menu > Show and then the type of badge you
want to display.
You also see an badge on an object for which you can apply a color gradient.
The following table shows you the available badges and what they mean.
Badge

Description
Conditional Formatting. This badge displays on objects for which
conditional formatting has been defined.
Choose View menu > Show > Conditional Formatting.
See Defining conditional formatting for layout objects.
Object Script Trigger. One of these badges displays in objects for which
script triggers have been set. (The badge that appears depends on the
size of the object.)
Choose View menu > Show > Script Triggers.
See Setting script triggers for objects.

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Badge

Description
Layout Script Trigger. This badge displays in the lower-right corner of a
layout for which script triggers have been set.
In the Manage Layouts dialog box, a badge appears on the folder icon
next to a layout name for which script triggers have been set.
Choose View menu > Show > Script Triggers.
See Setting script triggers for layouts.
Quick Find. These badges display in fields in which you can use quick
find. A green badge indicates that the field is searchable. A yellow badge
indicates that the field is searchable, but the search might take longer than
fields with the green badge. A gray badge indicates that the layout is
disabled for quick find.
Choose View menu > Show > Quick Find.
See Configuring quick find.
Tooltip. This badge displays on objects on which tooltips have been
added.
Choose View menu > Show > Tooltips.
See Adding tooltips on layouts.
Button. This badge displays on button objects in Layout mode.
Choose View menu > Show > Buttons.
See Defining a button.
Popover Button. This badge displays on popover buttons in Layout mode.
See Working with popovers on layouts.
Color Gradient. This badge displays on objects for which you can apply a
color gradient. See Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background
with a color gradient.
Hide Condition. This badge displays on objects for which a condition has
been defined to hide them.
Choose View menu > Show > Hide Condition.
See Hiding or showing layout objects.

Making layout objects accessible to screen readers
You can add accessibility labels to layout objects, which make your database accessible to assistive
applications such as screen readers. FileMaker documentation can be used with screen readers
such as JAWS for Windows and VoiceOver for OS X.
Any object can be connected to another object as an accessibility label. For example, a field label
can be connected to its field and a screen reader will speak the text in the field label. Spoken text
can come from an object on the layout, custom text you specify, or the result of a calculation.

To add accessibility labels to layout objects:
1. In Layout mode, choose View menu > Accessibility Inspector.
2. Select an object on the layout.

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3. Do one of the following:
• To specify another object as the accessibility label, in the Accessibility inspector, for
Label, click Click to select, then select another object on the layout. Text from the
object that you select second appears as the label in the Accessibility inspector. This
text will be spoken when the first object selected is active.
• To specify custom text as the accessibility label for an object, for Title, type the text you
to specify a calculation to provide the spoken
want spoken for the object or click
text. See Specify Calculation dialog box.
Tip If you specify an object as an accessibility label and also specify text in the Title text box, a
screen reader will speak the text in the Title text box after it speaks text from the object on the
layout.
4. For Help, type an instruction for using the object or click
instruction.

to specify a calculation for the

For example, if the object is a text field that stores customer number data in a specific format,
you might enter:
• Title: Customer number.
• Help: Unique five-digit ID for tracking customers.

To delete an accessibility label:
1. In Layout mode, choose View menu > Accessibility Inspector.
2. Select the object with the label you want to delete.
3. Do the following:
• If another object on the layout is the accessibility label, for Label click X.
• If text exists in the Title or Help text boxes, delete it.

Notes
• When developing text for accessibility labels:
• Ensure the content you write is alternate yet equivalent to text on the layout. Imagine
you are describing the layout object over the telephone. For example, consider what
information the user would need to successfully complete a form.
• Avoid redundancy. Don’t simply repeat the text that appears on the layout.
• Be succinct, but provide additional information to users by describing the purpose of the
object or its high-level functionality.
• Write descriptions according to context.
• Include punctuation in label text, so the screen reader pauses at appropriate times.
• If an image on the layout contains text, include that text in the accessibility label.
(Screen readers can’t read text in images.)
• Don’t label decorative objects (visual enhancements, decorations, or embellishments)
that provide no function or information beyond aesthetics.
• You can specify objects outside a tab control, slide control, popover, or portal as
accessibility labels for objects inside a tab control, popover, or portal.
• You can specify objects inside a tab control, slide control, popover, or portal as accessibility
labels for objects outside a tab control, slide control, popover, or portal.

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• Screen readers cannot access hidden objects. For more information on hidden objects, see
Hiding or showing layout objects.
• OS X: You can specify keyboard access in the Keyboard System Preference.

Controlling data input behavior of fields
There are several ways to configure the behavior of fields in order to make data entry easier or more
efficient. You can:
• Create a custom tab order for moving between fields
• Allow or disallow data entry into fields in both Browse mode and Find mode
• Set which fields to include in a quick find search
• Set which keys may be pressed to move to the next field
• Set the Japanese text input method for fields that contain Japanese text
• Disable spell checking on a field-by-field basis

Setting the tab order for data entry
When you press Tab in Browse mode or Find mode, the default FileMaker Pro behavior is to move
left to right and top to bottom. You can change this default tab order, and even omit fields if you
want.
• Button objects, tab controls, slide controls, web viewers, and charts can be included in the
tab order.
• Summary fields can’t be included in the tab order.
• Calculation fields can be included in the tab order, but you can’t tab into them in Browse
mode (only in Find mode).
• Fields that are formatted to prevent entry can’t be tabbed into in Browse mode or Find
mode.

To set the tab order for a layout:
1. In Layout mode, choose Layouts menu > Set Tab Order.
FileMaker Pro displays numbered arrows pointing to each of the fields, tab controls, popover
buttons and regular buttons on your layout, along with the Set Tab Order dialog box. For fields
and tab controls, the numbered arrows appear on the left side of the objects; for buttons, the
numbered arrows appear on the right side of the objects. A field that is also a button has two
arrows. The left arrow is for the field, the right arrow is for the button. A blank arrow indicates an
object that is omitted from the tab order.
2. With the Set Tab Order dialog box open, specify the options you want to use:
To

Do this

Reorder the tab order for individual
objects

Click the arrow beside the object. When you click another arrow,
or after you click OK in the Set Tab Order dialog box, the
number you replaced is incremented, and any objects after it in
the tab order are automatically resequenced.

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To

Do this

Place a new object in the tab order Click the arrow beside the object. The next number in the tab
order appears in the arrow. Leave this, or backspace to delete
the number and type the number you want. When you click
another arrow, or after you click OK in the Set Tab Order dialog
box, the number you replaced is incremented, and any objects
after it in the tab order are automatically resequenced.
Add the rest of the objects to the
tab order
Create a new tab order for all
objects

From the Add remaining drop-down list, select Objects and
click Add.
• Click Clear All, and from the Add remaining drop-down
list, select Objects and click Add.
• Or, click Clear All and click arrows in the order you want.
FileMaker Pro inserts numbers in that order in the arrows.

Create a new tab order for fields
only or for buttons only

• Click Clear All, and from the Add remaining drop-down
list, select Fields only or Buttons only and click Add.
• Or, click Clear All and click arrows in the order you want.
FileMaker Pro inserts numbers in that order in the arrows.

Remove objects from the tab order Choose one of the following:
• As you set a new tab order, don't click the objects you want
to omit.
• For objects that already display a number, select the
number and press Backspace or Delete.
• From the Remove drop-down list, select All fields or All
buttons and click Remove.
3. Click OK.

To set the tab order for repeating fields:
When you arrange multiple repeating fields next to each other to form a table-like grid on a layout,
the default tab order (shown below) moves left-to-right across each row instead of down each
column, regardless of whether each repeating field is displayed horizontally or vertically.

For multiple repeating fields arranged like this, you can quickly specify whether to tab through the
first repetition of each different field first, or within the same field first.
1. Start setting the tab order as described above, and click Create new tab order to define a
new tab order for all fields.
2. Set the tab order for any fields that appear before the grid of repeating fields.
3. Do one of the following to set the tab order for the grid of repeating fields:

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To set the repeating field tab order to Do this
Tab through the first repetition of each
different repeating field, followed by the
second repetition of each different
repeating field, and so on.

Click in the upper-left field, which causes the arrow to
blink. Then, in order, click each additional field in the first
repetition. When you’ve completed the pattern for the first
repetition, click the upper-left blinking field again, and
FileMaker Pro completes the tab order for the remaining
repetitions of the repeating fields.

Tab through every repetition in the first
field, followed by the second field, and
so on.

Double-click the first occurrence of the repeating field.
FileMaker Pro fills in the numbers for all the repetitions.
Then, double-click the first occurrence of the next
repeating field to get the next series of tab-order numbers,
and so on.

4. Set the tab order for any fields that appear after the grid of repeating fields.
5. Click OK in the Set Tab Order dialog box.

Notes
• Buttons are not included in the default tab order. To include buttons in the tab order, use the
options in the Set Tab Order dialog box. Buttons on tab controls can be included in the tab
order this way as well.
• If you have added a panel control to the layout, when you press the Tab key, you can
navigate only to objects on the front-most panel. If you want to automate navigation to
another panel, use the Go To Field script step and specify a target field that is on the panel
you want to bring to the front. See Selecting and working with objects on panel controls.
• If you have added a popover to the layout, you can tab between fields in the popover, but
you must open the popover first (by clicking the popover button or by tabbing to the popover
button, then pressing the Space bar). You cannot tab into or tab out of a popover. See
Selecting and working with objects on popovers.
• To specify whether it’s possible to move to the next field using the Enter key or Return key
as well the Tab key, see Setting the keys for exiting a field.
• If a web viewer is included in the tab order, then you can tab into it and continue tabbing
through links and fields within the web viewer, the same way as in a web browser. You
cannot control the tab order within a web viewer, but after you tab from the last link or field in
a web viewer, the tab order continues as defined in the FileMaker Pro layout. If Allow
interaction with web viewer content is cleared in the Web Viewer Set Up dialog box, then
you cannot tab into the web viewer.

Allowing or preventing entry into fields
You can allow or prevent entry into a field. For example, you can restrict entry into a field containing
a serial number, so the field can't be modified. You can set separate Browse and Find mode data
entry options, which would allow you to permit finding serialized numbers even though they cannot
be entered.
If you allow entry into a field, you can also control whether the entire contents of the field is selected
when you click or tab into the field in Browse mode or Find mode. Otherwise, FileMaker Pro places
the insertion point after the last character in the field.

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To customize entry into a field:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields.
For more information, see Selecting objects. Or you can specify attributes for fields you add
later by starting with no fields selected.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Behavior area, for Field entry, select the following options:
To

Do this

Prevent entry into a field in
Browse mode

Clear Browse Mode.

Prevent entry into a field in Find
mode

Clear Find Mode.

Select the entire field's contents
when the field is entered

Choose Select entire contents on entry.

Notes
• Preventing entry into a field only affects the field object on that layout. To always restrict
access to a field on any layout of the database, define a privilege set to permit “view only”
field access for that field. For more information, see Protecting databases.
• When you prevent entry into a field in Browse mode, it’s no longer possible to copy data in
that field to the Clipboard. If you want to prevent a field from being changed and still permit
Clipboard copying, define the field to enter an auto-entered value and select Prohibit
modification of value. For more information, see Defining automatic data entry.

Configuring quick find
If a layout is enabled for quick find, you can use the search box in Browse mode to search for data
across multiple fields on the layout.
You can choose the fields to be included in the search. You can also include merge fields in quick
find. By default, merge fields are set to be included in the search. For more information about quick
find for merge fields, see Placing merge fields on a layout.
Note Quick find does not search summary, container, or global fields.

To set fields to be included in the search:
1. In Layout mode, to show the quick find badges for supported fields on the selected layout,
choose View menu > Show > Quick Find.
A small badge next to each field shows if the field has been enabled for quick find. If there are
no quick find badges next to a field, the field is not searchable either because it is not supported
for quick find or because it is not set to be included in the search. A gray badge
that the layout is disabled for quick find. A green badge

indicates

indicates that the field is searchable.

A yellow badge
indicates that the field is searchable, but the search might take longer than
fields with the green badge. Some examples of fields with yellow badges are related fields,
fields that can’t be indexed, or calculations fields that don’t store the calculation results.
2. Select one or more fields.

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3. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

4. In the Behavior area, select Include field for Quick Find.

Tips
• To improve search performance, limit the search to only the fields that contain the data you
are searching for. For example, a table for songs might include the track number and artist
name for each song. You could include the artist name in the search but exclude the track
number, because it is not likely that you would search for all the songs with the same track
number.
• If you want users to see which fields are searchable, you can change the appearance of the
searchable fields. For example, you can change the border or background of fields that are
searchable.
• If you choose not to include a field in the search, make sure to change the quick find setting
for all instances of the field on the layout; otherwise, the field will still be included in the
search.

To enable quick find:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work with from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

3. In the Layout Setup dialog box, select Enable Quick Find.
4. Click OK.

To reset quick find settings to default:
1. In Layout mode, choose the layout you want to work with from the Layout pop-up menu.
2. Click Layout Setup

in the layout bar.

3. In the Layout Setup dialog box, click Reset Quick Find.
4. Click OK.

Related topics
Performing a quick find in Browse mode

Setting the keys for exiting a field
You can specify for a field whether it’s possible to go to the next field with the Tab key, Return key,
Enter key, or any combination of these three keys. Setting more keys may make data entry easier,
particularly for fields where you don’t need to enter tab characters or return characters.
Note Most Windows keyboards contain two Enter keys, one in the main part of the keyboard and
one in the numeric keypad. In FileMaker Pro, the Enter key in the main part of the keyboard
behaves as the Return key.

To set the keys that may be used to exit a field:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields. Or, to specify attributes for fields you add later,
start with no fields selected.
For more information, see Selecting objects.

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2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Behavior area, for Go to next object using, select the keys you want to use for
exiting fields.
Note When the Tab key is set to go to the next field, you can still enter a tab character into a field by
pressing Ctrl+Tab (Windows) or Option-Tab (OS X).

Related topics
Setting the tab order for data entry

Setting the text input method for fields
If your operating system is configured to support input methods for entering text, you can specify a
text input method for fields. For example, you can set input methods for fields that contain Japanese
text.
Input methods are software utilities that convert keystrokes to characters in another language such
as Japanese. FileMaker Pro supports the following Japanese input methods:
Windows

OS X

• Microsoft Input Method Editor

• Kotoeri

• ATOK

• ATOK

To set the text input method for a field:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more fields. Or, to specify attributes for fields you add later,
start with no fields selected.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Behavior area, select Set input method, and select one of the following input
methods from the list. (The input method choices are different in Windows and OS X.)
Choose

Available on

To

Automatic

Windows and
OS X

Not specify any input methods.

Synchronize with field’s font

Windows and
OS X

Automatically set the input method to one that is
appropriate for the script type of the font used in
the field. (If an appropriate input method is not
available, the input method does not change.)

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Choose

Available on

To

Japanese
(Active Input Mode)

Windows

Set an input method for a field containing
Japanese text.

OS X

Set the input method to the last-used Roman input
method.

Japanese
(Direct Input)
Hiragana
Full-width Katakana
Full-width Alphanumeric
Half-width Katakana
Half-width Alphanumeric
Roman

Tip There is a FileMaker Pro application preference to set Synchronize with field’s font for all
fields in all files that you open. For more information, see Setting font preferences.

Setting spell checking for individual fields
You can set FileMaker Pro to check spelling in two ways:
• For an entire file. For more information, see Setting file options.
• On a field-by-field basis.

To disable spell checking on a field-by-field basis:
1. In Layout mode, select a field. Or, to specify attributes for fields you add later, start with no
fields selected.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Behavior area, select Do not apply visual spell-checking.

Formatting text
You can specify how text (both in and outside of fields) appears on your layout. You control:
• the character attributes of the text, including font, font size, style, and color
• the paragraph alignment, margins, and line spacing
• tab settings
• vertical writing (if your operating system supports Japanese text entry)
You can also set conditional formatting options on layout objects, which allows the format of data
and fields to change automatically based on conditions you set. (For example, you can
automatically display balances that are over 30 days past due in bold, red text.) For information, see
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects.
You can format field data in both Layout mode and Browse mode. For example, you can select an
Address field in Layout mode and format it to display in a particular font, and you can select and
format text within the field in Browse mode (for example, to italicize, underline, or highlight a word for
emphasis). It’s possible to create conflicting formats by creating one format for a field object in

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Layout mode, and a contrasting format for field data in Browse mode. Here is how FileMaker Pro
resolves text formatting conflicts:
• When you format a field in Layout mode, the formatting affects only the appearance of that
particular occurrence of the field object.
• When you format field data in Browse mode, this formatting is stored with the data, and you
see it in any layout that displays that field. Field data that is formatted in Browse mode takes
precedence over data formatting in Layout mode. For example, if you format field text as
Bold in Browse mode, then switch to Layout mode and format the same field as Plain Text,
the text will continue to display as bold.
Tip To maintain flexibility in formatting the same data on different layouts, use Layout mode to apply
the primary font and paragraph settings to field objects on layouts. Use Browse mode to apply bold
or italic emphasis to particular words in fields. Do not format the entire contents of a field in Browse
mode; instead, reformat its field object in Layout mode.

Notes
• You can use the formatting bar (click Formatting
in the layout bar), the rulers (choose
View menu > Rulers), or the shortcut menu for quick access to many text attributes. For
more information, see Specifying paragraph attributes and tab settings and Using shortcut
menus.
• To eliminate formatting applied in Browse mode, reformat the text in Browse mode or export
and re-import the data.
• When you paste text into fields:
• unformatted text automatically acquires the default formatting of the existing field text.
• text that has the same format as existing field text keeps its formatting.
• text that has a different format to existing text keeps its formatting. To change pasted
text format to the existing text format, choose Edit menu > Undo Formatting
immediately after pasting the text.
• In Browse mode, you can format particular characters in number, date, time, and timestamp
fields. For example, you could format only the year of a date to be bold, such as 5/5/1965.
However, you can only see and print the special formatting when the field object is
formatted with the As entered option in Layout mode. If you specify any other field
formatting options, the special formatting is only visible in Browse mode when the field is
active. (Text fields do not have this limitation.) For more information on formatting fields, see
Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode.

Making text bold, italic, highlighted, or setting other styles
You can format text in three areas:
• format text in a field in Browse mode
• format field objects in Layout mode
• format static text on a layout (such as a field label) in Layout mode

To specify several text attributes at once:
1. Select the text or field that you want to change.

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To select

Do this

Text in a field in Browse mode

In Browse mode, select the text in the field.
Note The formatting you specify will be stored with the data, and
you will see it in any layout that displays the field. For more
information, see Formatting text.

Field objects in Layout mode

In Layout mode, select one or more fields. For more information,
see Selecting objects.

Text on a layout

In Layout mode, select a text object, or select a portion of text
within a text object. For more information, see Selecting text.

2. Do one of the following:
• Choose a command from the Format menu or the formatting bar.
If you don’t see the formatting bar, click Formatting
• In Layout mode, click Inspector
option in the text area.

in the layout bar.

in the layout bar, then click Appearance. Choose an

3. Select the text attributes you want to use.
To

Do this

Specify the font

Choose a font.

Specify the font size

Choose a size (choose Custom to specify a custom font
size between 1 and 500 points).

Specify the font style

Choose one or more style options (highlight, bold, italic, or
underline).

Specify the text color

Click the color palette and choose a color (choose Other
Color to select a custom color).

Notes
• Windows: To see all the available fonts, choose Format menu > Font > Configure/More
Fonts. In the Configure Font Menu dialog box, select a font on the left and click Move to
add it to the Font menu, or double-click the font on the left to move it to the Menu list. Make
sure Show Fonts in Typeface is enabled to activate this option.
• To set text attributes individually, choose Format menu > Font, Size, Style, Align Text,
Line Spacing, or Text Color, then choose a format from the submenu. (You can choose
more than one style from the Style submenu.)
• To change the unit of measure used for the rulers and grid, click the upper-left corner of the
document where the horizontal and vertical rulers meet until you see the unit of measure
you want. See Using the rulers and grid.

Related topics
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects

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Specifying paragraph attributes and tab settings
In Browse mode, you can format individual paragraphs (including setting tabs) for text in a field. In
Layout mode, you can specify paragraph attributes for fields that hold text and for text that's not in a
field.
Note In both Browse mode and Layout mode, you can use the Format menu to set paragraph and
tab settings. In Layout mode, you can also use the Inspector and specify the settings in the
Paragraph and Tabs areas of the Appearance tab.

To specify paragraph attributes and tab settings:
1. In Layout mode, select the text or field you want to format. Or, in Browse mode, select the
text you want to format.
For more information, see Selecting text.
Note The formatting you specify in Browse mode will be stored with the data, and you will see it
in any layout that displays the field. For more information, see Formatting text.
2. Choose Format menu > Line Spacing > Other.
3. In the Paragraph dialog box, specify spacing and alignment.
To

Do this

Specify paragraph alignment

For Alignment, select an option.

Specify paragraph margins and
indentation for the first line

For Indent, type a value for Left, Right, and First.

Specify line spacing

For Line Spacing, type a value for Height, Above, and Below
and choose a unit of measure. The lines unit of measure varies
with the font you use and is slightly more than the font height.

4. To specify tab settings for the paragraph, click Tabs.
5. In the Tabs dialog box, specify tab settings.
To

Do this

Set a new left, center, or right tab

Select Left, Center, or Right, type a value for Position to set
where the text will align, and then click New.

Set a new decimal tab

Select Align on and type a character for the text to align to (for
example, a “.”), type a value for Position to set where the text
will align to that character, then click New.

Use a character to fill across to the
tab

For Fill Character, type a character (for example, for a phone
listing, you can fill the area between the name and the
telephone number with periods).

Change a tab's settings

Select the tab's settings in the scrolling list, change any of the
options in the dialog box, then click Set.

Remove a tab

Select the tab's settings in the scrolling list, then click Clear.

6. Click OK.

To change paragraph indents and tabs using the rulers:
1. In Browse mode or Layout mode, display the rulers.

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In Browse mode, choose View menu > Ruler. In Layout mode, choose View menu > Rulers.
2. In Browse mode, select a field. In Layout mode, create text or select existing text.
In the horizontal ruler, you see the paragraph settings for the current selection. In Browse mode,
you see the current field’s settings. In Layout mode, you see the settings of the selected text.
Sets the firstline indent

Sets the
right margin

Sets the left
margin

3. To change paragraph settings, drag a margin marker
to set margins and the first-line
indent marker
to set the first-line indent. When you move the left margin marker, the
first-line indent marker also moves unless you press Alt (Windows) or Option (OS X) as you
drag either marker.

To change text alignment in paragraphs:
With the field or text selected, in the formatting bar, click one of the following buttons to change
alignment:
Align Left

, Align Center

, Align Right

, or Align Full

.

Notes
• You can specify vertical text alignment for text and fields. In Layout mode, choose Format
menu > Align Text, then choose Top, Center, or Bottom.
• You can use the ruler to set margins or tabs for text data in Browse mode or for text in
Layout mode. You can't use the ruler to format fields in Layout mode, you must use the
Paragraph and Tabs dialog boxes.
• To quickly set a left tab, click the ruler where you want the tab stop placed. To delete a tab
from the ruler, drag it downward off the ruler.
• You can double-click in the ruled part of the ruler to open the Tabs dialog box.
• OS X: If you have set up tab stops for a field, you need to press Option-Tab to move the
insertion point to the next tab stop.

Related topics
Adding text to a layout

Formatting fields and text for vertical writing
If your operating system is configured to support Japanese text entry, you can format field objects
and text objects that display Japanese text in vertical writing format. In vertical writing, characters
are displayed and read from top-to-bottom, with successive columns displayed vertically from rightto-left.
There are two ways to format vertical text on a layout. The format you choose usually depends on
the page orientation of the layout. For each text object or field, you can:
• Rotate the characters only, but not the field or text object. In this case, each character is
rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise, but the characters still display left-to-right and
columns remain horizontal.

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• Rotate both the characters and the field or text object. In this case, each character is rotated
90 degrees counter-clockwise and the text object or field object is also rotated 90 degrees
clockwise so that characters display on screen in vertical format, with characters displaying
top-to-bottom in vertical columns.
Note Alphabetic and numeric half-width (hankaku) characters do not rotate when you specify
Sideways, but alphabetic and numeric full-width (zenkaku) characters do rotate. For example, when
an address field containing half-width numbers for a street number is specified as Sideways, the
half-width numbers remain in their original orientation. You can use functions to convert alphabetic
or numeric half-width characters to full-width characters or Chinese numbers. For more information,
see the Notes section below.
The following table shows the available formatting choices:

Original Japanese text

Rotating characters only

Rotating both
characters and
the object

Half-width:

Half-width:

Half-width: Full-width:

Full-width:

Full-width:

To format fields and text objects for vertical writing:
1. In Layout mode, select the fields and text objects that you would like to set to vertical.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
Tip You can select all text objects on a layout by clicking the Text tool
and choosing Edit menu > Select All.

in the status toolbar

2. To rotate the characters 90 degrees counter-clockwise, choose Format menu >
Orientation > Sideways.
All text (except alphabetic and numeric full-width characters) displays as rotated.
3. To rotate the selected field objects and text objects so that text columns display vertically,
choose Arrange menu > Rotate.

Notes
• Depending on how you want the layout to print, you may want to change the page
orientation of the layout. To do so, choose File menu > Print Setup (Windows) or Page
Setup (OS X), and change the page orientation to Portrait or Landscape.

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In Preview mode, you can also click Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X) in the status
toolbar.
• When you select text in a rotated field in Browse mode or in a rotated text object in Layout
mode, the text temporarily displays unrotated while you’re editing the text.
• If necessary, you can also rotate graphics to match vertical text. For more information, see
Rotating objects.
• Instead of re-entering data, you can use functions to convert alphabetic and numeric halfwidth characters to full-width characters or Chinese numbers. To convert the characters
using a function, define a new calculation field that contains the appropriate function and
place it on the layout. The following functions are available. For more information, see Text
functions.
Field
Type

Function

Text

RomanZenkaku half-width numbers or alphabetic characters to full-width

Text

KanaZenkaku

half-width Katakana to full-width

Text

KanjiNumeral

half-width numbers to Chinese numbers

Numeric

NumToJText

half-width numbers to full-width

Conversion type

You can also display full-width characters for number, date and time fields by changing their field
format. For more information, see:
• Specifying formats for fields containing numbers
• Specifying formats for date fields
• Specifying formats for time fields

Arranging objects
In Layout mode, you can:
• group any combination of objects so you can edit or move them together
• change the stacking order of objects to get different effects when the objects overlap
• rotate an object or group of objects in 90-degree increments
• align or distribute objects precisely
• resize objects so they are all the same width (or height) in one step

Related topics
Using tools to precisely position objects

Grouping and ungrouping objects
Group multiple objects so you can work on the grouped object as if it were a single object. You can:
• copy and paste grouped objects, maintaining the arrangement of the objects within the
group
• more easily work with stacking order, because grouped objects all exist on the same layer
• align an individual object to a grouped object

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To group objects:
1. In Layout mode, select the objects you want to group.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

3. Click Group

in the layout bar, then click Position.

in the Arrange & Align area.

To ungroup a grouped object:
• Select the group, then click Ungroup

in the Arrange & Align area.

Notes
• When you ungroup a group that contains other groups, the subgroups stay grouped.
• If you include a locked object in the group, the resulting grouped object is also locked.
• You can edit text that's part of a group by double-clicking the text.
• You can’t select individual objects within a group.

Moving objects forward or backward on a layout
When objects overlap on a layout, one object is on top of the other. You can change this stacking
order to create different effects. As you create objects, they stack one on top of the last, even if they
aren't overlapping, so that the last object created is always on top.
Before

After
Bring to Front:

Bring Forward:

Send to Back:

Send Backward:

To change the order in which objects are stacked:
1. In Layout mode, select the object or objects to move in the stack.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

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3. Click one of the following buttons in the Arrange & Align area.
To move the object

Click

In front of all objects
Bring to front
One layer forward
Bring forward
Behind all other objects
Send to back
One layer back
Send backward
Note Objects located in tab controls, slide controls, popovers, or portals maintain a stacking order
within the tab control, slide control, or portal. For example, if you select an object on a tab control
, the object moves behind all the other objects on the tab control, not
and click Send to back
behind all objects on the layout.

Rotating objects
You can rotate fields, text blocks, and graphic objects in 90-degree increments.

To rotate one or more objects:
1. In Layout mode, select the objects that you want to rotate.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Choose Arrange menu > Rotate.
The object or objects rotate 90 degrees clockwise. To rotate the object or objects further, choose
Arrange menu > Rotate again.

Notes
• When you click or tab into a rotated field in Browse mode, the field is temporarily displayed
unrotated while you edit the text in the field.
• You cannot rotate portals, tab controls, slide controls, web viewers, or popovers; however
you can rotate popover buttons.

Aligning or distributing objects
You can align objects or distribute space between them on the layout.

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When you align objects along their tops, bottoms, or sides, the objects align with the object farthest
out of alignment. When you align center points, the objects align along an invisible vertical or
horizontal line in the center of the objects.
When you distribute the space between objects, FileMaker Pro takes the space separating the two
objects farthest apart and divides it evenly among all the selected objects.

To align objects:
1. In Layout mode, select the objects to align.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Position.

3. In the Arrange & Align area, click one of the following buttons:

• Align left edges

• Align on vertical centers

• Align right edges

• Align top edges

• Align on horizontal centers

• Align bottom edges

To distribute objects:
• In the Space area, click one of the following buttons:

• Distribute horizontally

• Distribute vertically

Notes
• You can resize objects to the smallest (or largest) width, height, or both in one step. For
more information, see Resizing and reshaping objects.
• To align or distribute objects, you may also use commands in the Arrange menu or the
shortcut menu.
• You can precisely align objects using the guides. For more information, see Using guides
and dynamic guides.
• To force the alignment to a specific object, lock that object before you set the alignment. For
more information, see Protecting objects from change.

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Using tools to precisely position objects
Several tools are available to help you precisely size, reshape, and position objects in Layout mode:
the Inspector, rulers, grid, guides and dynamic guides, and screen stencils.

Related topics
Selecting and working with objects on a layout
Arranging objects

Using the Inspector to position objects
Use the Inspector to precisely position and size objects on a layout. You can also use the Inspector
to allow objects to resize automatically when the FileMaker Pro window is resized. For information,
see Setting auto-resize options for layout objects.

To precisely position and size objects with the Inspector:
1. In Layout mode, select one or more objects.
For more information, see Selecting objects.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Position.

3. In the Position area, type a new value into one of the following fields.
Field

Indicates

Name

The name of the selected object (optional). See Naming objects.

Tooltip

The text that appears when a user moves the pointer over the object in Browse or
Find modes. See Adding tooltips on layouts.

Left

The distance from the left edge of the selection to the left edge of the layout

Top

The distance from the top of the selection to the top of the layout

Right

The distance from the right edge of the selection to the left edge of the layout

Bottom

The distance from the bottom of the selection to the top of the layout

Width

The object's width

Height

The object's height

If you can’t type a value, that field doesn’t make sense for the selection, or the selection is
locked.
4. Press Enter or Tab, or click outside the Inspector to apply the changes.

Notes
• To change the unit of measurement, see Using the rulers and grid.
• To precisely position an object while dragging it, note the values in the Inspector. The values
dynamically update to reflect the position as you move an object.
• Use the Inspector to measure and resize buttons, imported graphics, layout parts, and
column widths on a layout.

Using the rulers and grid
You can use rulers and the grid to help you align, size, and position objects precisely on a layout.

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• Rulers: Showing the rulers displays a horizontal and vertical ruler along the edge of a
layout. Guide lines on each ruler track the position of the pointer as you move the pointer on
the layout.
• Grid: Showing the grid displays a series of nonprinting intersecting horizontal and vertical
lines on a layout, which you can use for creating, resizing, positioning, and aligning objects.
Gridlines adjust when you change the unit of measure.

Rulers

Grid

Showing and hiding the rulers
• To show the rulers, in Layout mode, choose View menu > Rulers.
• To hide the rulers, choose View menu > Rulers again.

Working with the grid
Use the grid to precisely control the placement of objects on a layout. When the grid is showing,
major gridlines appear slightly darker than minor gridlines. You can change the spacing between
gridlines.
You can have objects “snap-to” gridlines. When you move or resize an object, it snaps to the nearest
minor gridline. New objects are created aligning to the nearest major gridline.
To

Do this in Layout mode

Show or hide the grid

In the Inspector, click the Position tab. In the Grid area,
select or deselect Show grid.
Or, choose View menu > Grid > Show Grid. To hide the
grid, choose Show Grid again.
If you don’t see the Inspector, click Inspector
layout bar.

Turn the “snap-to” effect on or off

in the

In the Inspector, click the Position tab. In the Grid area,
select or deselect Snap to grid.
Or, choose View menu > Grid > Snap to Grid. To turn it off,
choose Snap to Grid again.
Note Objects snap to the grid even when the grid is hidden.

Override the grid's snap-to effect

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Press Alt (Windows) or Command (OS X) as you drag an
object.

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To

Do this in Layout mode

Change the distance between gridlines

In the Inspector, click the Position tab. In the Grid area,
enter values for Major Grid Spacing and Minor Grid Steps.
See the default settings in the table below.

The following table shows the default major units and minor steps for the selected unit of measure
(inches, centimeters, or points).
Unit of measure

Major units

Minor steps

Inch (in)

1 inch

8

Centimeter (cm)

1 centimeter

2

Point (pt)

72 points

12

Changing the unit of measure
To change the unit of measure used by the rulers, grid, and the Inspector, do one of the following:
• Right-click a ruler and choose a unit of measure from the shortcut menu.
• Click the upper-left corner of the document where the horizontal and vertical rulers meet
until you see the unit of measure you want.
• In the Inspector, click the unit of measure, which appears next to many options, until you
see the one you want.
Each ruler increment measures the following amount of space:
Unit of measure

Each ruler increment measures

Inch (in)

1/8 inch

Centimeter (cm)

.25 centimeters

Points (pt)

10 points

Notes
• For additional control over positioning objects, use the guides and dynamic guides, and the
Arrange & Align area of the Inspector. For more information, see Using guides and dynamic
guides and Aligning or distributing objects.
• FileMaker Pro performs the snap-to effect among the layout tools in this order: grid,
dynamic guides, guides.

Using guides and dynamic guides
FileMaker Pro provides two types of guides to help you create and edit objects on a layout:
• Guides help you position objects within the same layout and across multiple layouts.
• Dynamic guides help you precisely size and position objects on a layout.

Using guides
You can create as many guides as you need on a layout. You can lock a guide to prevent it from
being moved accidentally. You can make the guides appear on other layouts you create or edit, to
help you place objects consistently on all layouts.

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To

In Layout mode, do this

Create a vertical guide

Drag out from the vertical ruler. (If the ruler isn’t displayed,
select View menu > Rulers.)

Create a horizontal guide

Drag down from the horizontal ruler. (If the ruler isn’t
displayed, select View menu > Rulers.)

Move a guide

Drag the guide to the new position.
If a guide is locked, you must unlock it before you can move
it.

Use guides in other layouts you create or
edit

Right-click the guide, then choose Share Guide with All
Layouts. A guide shared with other layouts is a different
color from the one used only for the current layout.
To use a shared guide only with the current layout, right-click
the guide, then choose Share Guide with All Layouts
again.

Lock a guide

Right-click the guide, then choose Lock Guide. A locked
guide is a different color from an unlocked guide.
To unlock a guide, choose Lock Guide again.

Remove a guide

• Drag a horizontal guide back to the horizontal ruler,
or a vertical guide back to the vertical ruler.
• Or, right-click the guide, then choose Remove
Guide.

Show or hide the guides

To show guides, choose View menu > Guides > Show
Guides. To hide guides, choose Show Guides again.

Turn the “snap-to” effect on or off

Choose View menu > Guides > Snap to Guides. To turn it
off, choose Snap to Guides again.
Note Objects snap to guides even when the guides are
hidden.

Note Objects snap to layout part boundaries when View menu > Guides > Snap to Guides is
selected.

Using dynamic guides
When you drag objects to move, resize, or position them on a layout, dynamic guides appear near
or on other objects to help you create and edit them more precisely. Dynamic guides also “snap-to”
the upper and lower boundaries and the centers of objects as you move, resize, or position them.
For example, when you drag an object to a new position on a layout, dynamic guides appear when
an edge moves close to the edge of another object. When you drag an object to resize it, dynamic
guides appear when the new width or height matches the size of another object on the layout.
To use dynamic guides:
• To turn on dynamic guides, in Layout mode, choose View menu > Dynamic Guides.
• To turn off dynamic guides, choose View menu > Dynamic Guides again.

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Notes
• Dynamic guides also appear when you use the keyboard arrow keys to move objects. When
you move objects in this manner, however, dynamic guides do not “snap-to” other objects.
• When you drag or resize an object that’s on a popover, dynamic guides appear only for the
popover and other objects on the popover. When you drag or resize an object outside a
popover, dynamic guides appear only for the popover and objects outside the popover. See
Working with popovers on layouts.

Sizing layouts for different devices
You can use screen stencils, nonprinting guides that help you design layouts for iPad, iPhone, iPod
touch, or computers with different screen resolutions. In Layout mode, screen stencils provide an
estimated viewing area of a device’s display. You can show up to nine screen stencils at a time.

To show screen stencils:
1. In Layout mode, click the arrow on Screen Stencil

in the layout bar.

2. Do one of the following:
To

Do this

Show a screen stencil

Choose a size from the drop-down list:
• Desktop: 640 x 480
• Desktop: 1024 x 768
• Desktop: 1280 x 960
• Desktop: 1600 x 1200
• iPhone 3.5-inch: 320 x 385 (portrait)
• iPhone 3.5-inch: 480 x 255 (landscape)
• iPhone 4-inch: 320 x 473 (portrait)
• iPhone 4-inch: 568 x 255 (landscape)
• iPad: 768 x 929 (portrait)
• iPad: 1024 x 673 (landscape)
• Custom Size

Set a custom screen stencil

Choose Custom Size. Enter values for Height and Width. Click
OK.

Hide a screen stencil

Deselect a size.

Notes
• If a screen stencil is visible in a database, it will be visible in all databases until the stencil is
hidden.
• You can only have one custom screen stencil at a time.
• You can show or hide all visible screen stencils by clicking Screen Stencil
bar.

in the layout

• If you’re working in a shared file, your screen stencils aren’t displayed to other users.

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Showing text or field boundaries
You can show boundaries for text objects and field objects in Layout mode. Boundaries help you
easily identify, position, and align these objects while you’re designing a layout.

To show text or field boundaries:
• In Layout mode, choose one of the following menu commands:
Choose

Boundaries appear as

View menu > Show > Text Boundaries

A thin line around each text object

View menu > Show > Field Boundaries A thin line around each field object

To hide text or field boundaries:
• Choose the corresponding command from the Show submenu again.

Notes
• These boundaries appear only in Layout mode. However, you can format objects to have
borders that do appear in Browse mode and when you print the layout. For more
information, see Setting auto-resize options for layout objects and Setting the fill, line style,
and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout background.

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Working with related tables and files
FileMaker Pro uses related tables as the basis for relational databases and lookups. Relational
databases allow you to work with data from other tables dynamically, so that you can change data in
one place and your changes are reflected in all places where the related data appears.
Use relational databases to:
• See and work with data from another (or the current) table in its most up-to-date state. For
example, you can display data in related fields when you need current data from a related
table, such as the current price of an item.
• Set up and manage data efficiently and with flexibility. Instead of creating many database
tables or files with duplicate values, you store single occurrences of values and use
relationships to make those values available. You can then make changes to data in only
one place, which eliminates data duplication and promotes data accuracy.
• Save disk space, because data is stored in only one place.
For information about creating relationships, see Creating relationships.
Lookups let you copy data from one table to another; once looked-up data has been inserted, it does
not change unless you edit it or tell FileMaker Pro to look it up again.
Use lookups to:
• Copy data from a related table and keep it as copied, even when the related data changes.
For example, use a lookup to copy the price of an item at the time of purchase into an
Invoice table. Even if the price in the related table changes, the price in the Invoice table
stays the same.
Notes
• The related table could be within the same file, a FileMaker data source, or an external
ODBC data source. For information about choosing the data source, see Adding tables to
the relationships graph. For more information about working interactively with data in SQL
tables, see Accessing external data sources.
• All FileMaker Pro tables used in your database must be in FileMaker Pro 12 format. Files
created with earlier versions of FileMaker Pro must be converted to the current version first.
See Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier.

Related topics
About planning a database
Adding tables to the relationships graph
Creating relationships

About relationships
A relationship is a powerful method for organizing your data. Using a relationship, you can join data
in one or more tables based on common field values, different field values, or a comparison of
values in two or more fields.
After you create a relationship, you can do either of the following to display the data from the related
table:
• Design a relational database, which is one or more tables in one or more files that, when
used together, contain all the data you need for your work. Each occurrence of data is
stored in only one table at a time but can be accessed and displayed from any related table.
You can change any occurrence of your related data, and the changes appear in all places
where that related data is used.

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• Define a lookup to copy data from a related table into a field in the target table. The copied
data is now stored in two places, just as if it were copied and pasted into a target field.
Looked-up data is current at the time it is copied, but once copied it remains static unless it
is relookedup or the lookup is triggered again.
Important Whenever you want to use data from another table — either in a relational database or
for a lookup — you must first define a relationship between the two tables.
For example, a typical Sales database may have these tables: an Invoices table, which keeps a
record of each invoice; a Products table, which stores the products and their current prices; and a
LineItems table, which stores sales data for each line of the invoice, including the item being sold,
the quantity, and the price at which it is sold. Because invoices are a mix of dynamic and static data,
you use both related fields and lookups to display your data. Records from the LineItems table are
displayed dynamically, in a portal on the Invoices layout, but the actual sales price of each line item
is entered using a lookup, so the invoice totals remain the same, even if prices change at some
future date.
You create a relational database by defining a relationship between two fields, called match fields.
These fields can be in different tables or they can be in the same table (a self-join). You are able to
access related data when the value in the match field(s) on one side of the relationship compares
successfully with a value in the match field(s) on the other side of the relationship, according to the
criteria you establish in the relationship.
After you have created a relationship you can use fields from the related table just as you would use
any fields in the current table: to display data on a layout, as part of a calculation formula, in a script,
as a match field for another relationship, and so on.
When you display related data in a portal, values from all related records are displayed, subject to a
user’s access privileges. When the related field isn't in a portal, the value from the first related
record is displayed. See Creating portals to display related records.
Note Use access privileges in the source table to limit or prevent access to related data. For
example, users must have access privileges to view a related match field to see the related fields
from that relationship. See Creating and managing privilege sets.
You can sort related records before displaying them. When you place a related field directly on a
layout, you see the value from the first related record in the sort order (such as the lowest or highest
value). When you display related fields in a portal, the related records are displayed in the sort order
assigned to the portal, which takes precedence over any sort order in the relationship definition.

Notes
• You can base relationships on one or more match fields in each table. Match fields should
be the same type, for example, number fields or a calculation field that returns a numeric
result.
• Relationships are always created between two tables, or, in the case of self-joining
relationships, two occurrences of the same table in the relationships graph. You can
connect relationships together in a series and access related data from any point within that
series, but each relationship is created between only two tables.
• Two or more related tables cannot form a cycle. Each series of relationships must have a
beginning table and an ending table.
• The number of relationships is limited only by disk space.
• Relationships are bi-directional, although you can set independent record sorting, creation,
and deletion options for each table in the relationship.

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• You can add pairs of match fields to a relationship as necessary until you are able to
establish the relational criteria you want.
• Because a sort order can be assigned to a portal, you can display data from a single
relationship in multiple portals on the same page, and use a different sort order for each
portal.
• Before you begin building a relational database, it’s a good idea to plan it on paper first. See
About planning a database.

Related topics
About the types of relationships
Creating relationships

About the relationships graph
When you work with tables in the relationships graph, you are using them to organize your view into
your data. Each table occurrence in the relationships graph represents a separate view into your
data. When you join two tables, you are leveraging the two existing views to create a third way of
viewing your data. For example, if you have an Invoices table with invoice ID and customer
information, and a LineItems table storing product orders for each line of each invoice, you must
create a relationship between the two tables before you can display data from the LineItems table on
the Invoices layout.
You can create a relationship between any two tables in the relationships graph, but the relationship
must not create a cycle, or closed loop between tables. That is, each series of relationships must
have a starting table and an ending table, and those tables must be different tables.
Because each relationship represents an additional set of criteria, you must be aware of your
context within the relationships graph. Context is the point in the graph from which a relationship is
evaluated. Because the graph is never a cycle, each point along the graph offers a different
perspective into your data.
Notes
• Because FileMaker Pro does not permit you to create cycles within the relationships graph,
any attempt to create a cycle causes FileMaker Pro to generate a new, uniquely named
table occurrence. This new occurrence functions like any other occurrence in the graph, and
allows you to continue with your new relationship. See Adding tables to the relationships
graph.
• You can add tables from other FileMaker Pro files and from ODBC data sources to the
relationships graph. See Accessing external data sources.

Related topics
About relationships
About planning a database
About match fields for relationships
Creating relationships

About match fields for relationships
When you create a relationship between tables, you choose one or more fields in each table as
match fields. Match fields usually have common values. In a typical relationship, a record in one
table will be related to records in another table that share a common match field value.
For example, a Customers table and an Invoice table can each use the field Customer ID to
uniquely identify each customer and purchase. If the two tables are related using Customer ID as

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the match field, a record in the Customers table can display a portal showing each invoice with a
matching Customer ID, and in the Invoices table each invoice with the same Customer ID can
display consistent customer data.
Match fields must be one of the following field types:
• text
• number
• date
• time
• timestamp
• calculation (with a text, number, date, time, or timestamp result)

Notes
• Container fields, summary fields, and calculations returning a container field as a result
cannot be used as match fields.
• The match fields used in a relationship can have different names.
• A match field can be a global field.
• Values are matched based on their indexing.
• To force match fields to consider non-alphanumeric characters, change the default
language of the match fields to Unicode. See Defining field indexing options and Choosing
a language for indexing or sorting.
• A match field used for a relational database can be a lookup target field, as long as the
lookup isn't based on a relationship that involves the match field.
• You can increase the number of possible matching values by entering multiple values in the
match field, separated by carriage returns. You can access related data by matching any
single line of your match field, according to your relationship criteria. This is sometimes
called a multi-key field or complex key field.
For example, you have a simple relationship joining records in TableA to TableB based on the
contents of a single field in each table, and the match field in TableA contains the following
values, separated by carriage returns:
red
green
blue
FileMaker Pro will match any record in TableB where the corresponding match field contains the
single value red, green, or blue. However, FileMaker Pro will not return records where the
match field contains the value red green blue. The carriage returns tell FileMaker Pro to
treat each line as a separate value.
• You can also see and work with data from external ODBC data sources. See Accessing
external data sources for more information about working interactively with data in SQL
tables.

Related topics
About relationships
About planning a database
About the types of relationships
Creating relationships

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About the types of relationships
When you join two tables using a relationship, you establish criteria that FileMaker Pro uses to
display or access related records.
Your criteria can be simple, such as matching a field in TableA with a field in TableB. A more
complex relationship definition will usually return a narrower set of related records. Examples of
complex relationships include using multiple match fields, comparing match fields using non-equal
relational operators, or using calculated match fields.

Related topics
About the relationships graph
About match fields for relationships
Creating relationships

About single-criteria relationships
In a single-criteria relationship, data in one field is matched to data in another field.
For example, a record in either table is related to any record in the other table when the values
TextFieldA and TextFieldB are the same.

Using a single-criteria relationship
Use a single-criteria relationship when you want to relate two tables based on a single common
value, such as a serial number or an ID number. For example, a database has two tables:
• Customers, which stores names and addresses
• Contacts, which stores phone numbers, types of phones numbers (such as work, home,
fax, and so on), and email addresses
The data is split between two tables because a single customer can have multiple phone numbers
and email addresses.
The tables have these fields:
Table

Field name

Comment

Customers

Customer ID

Number field, auto-enter serial number; this will
be the match field in the Customers table

First Name

Text field

Last Name

Text field

Address1

Text field

City

Text field

State

Text field

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Table
Contacts

Field name

Comment

Country

Text field

Phone Number

Text field

Phone Type

Text field

Email Address

Text field

Email Type

Text field

Customer ID

Number field; this will be the match field in the
Contacts table

The Customer ID field is the match field in the relationship between the two tables. In the Customers
table, the Customer ID field is set to auto-enter a serial number, giving each record in the Customers
table a unique ID number. In the Contacts table, the Customer ID is a simple number field, and no
auto-entry options are set.
In the relationships graph, a relationship is between the Contact ID fields in each table.

In the Edit Relationship dialog box, the Allow creation of records in this table via this
relationship option is enabled. This means that you will be able to enter a phone number in an
empty portal row, and FileMaker Pro will automatically create a related record for that phone
number. Also, the Delete related records in this table when a record is deleted in the other
table option is enabled, because there is no reason to retain old phone numbers if the matching
contact record has been deleted.
Because the relationship is defined to allow the creation of related records in the Contacts table, the
Customer ID number from a Customers record will be automatically inserted in the Customer ID field
in the Contacts table in each new related record. This allows many records in the Contacts table to
be related to a single record in the Customers table.
Finally, a portal is added to the Contacts table on the Customer layout. When you enter a phone
number or an email address in an empty portal row in the Customers table, FileMaker Pro creates a
related record for that phone number or email address in the Contacts table.

Related topics
About multi-criteria relationships
About relationships using comparative operators
About relationships that return a range of records
About self-joining relationships
Creating portals to display related records

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About multi-criteria relationships
In a multi-criteria relationship, you increase the number of match fields, which increases the criteria
that FileMaker Pro evaluates before successfully joining related records. In a multi-criteria
relationship, FileMaker Pro compares the values from each match field on each side of the
relationship in the order in which the fields appear. This is called an AND comparison; to match
successfully, every match field must find a corresponding value in the other table.

In this relationship, both TextFieldA and NumberFieldA are match fields to TableB. A record in
TableA with a TextFieldA value of Blue and a NumberFieldA value of 123 will only match those
records in TableB where both TextFieldB and NumberFieldB have values of Blue and 123,
respectively. If TextFieldA and TextFieldB have matching values, but NumberFieldA and
NumberFieldB do not, no related records are returned by the relationship.

Using a multi-criteria relationship
Use a multi-criteria relationship when you want to relate two tables based on more than one
common value, such as a customer ID and a date. For example, a database has three tables:
• Equipment, a static database that stores equipment rental inventory
• Customers, which stores customer names and addresses
• Catering Line Items, which stores a record of each equipment rental, including the
equipment ID, the customer ID, and the event date
The purpose of this database is to track equipment rentals and display all rentals by a selected
customer on a selected date.
Although the database uses three tables, the multi-criteria relationship is between the Customers
and Catering Line Items tables. These two tables have these fields:
Table

Field name

Comment

Customers

Customer ID

Number field, auto-enter serial number; one of
the match fields to the Catering Line Items
table

Event Date

Date field; the other match field to the Catering
Line Items table

Customer ID

Number field; one of the match fields to the
Customers table

Event Date

Date field; the other match field to the
Customers table

Equipment ID

Number field

Catering Line Items

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The tables are related as follows:

Customer ID and Event Date are the match fields in the relationship between the Customers and
Catering Line Items tables. In the Customers table, the Customer ID field is set to auto-enter a serial
number, giving each record in the Customers table a unique ID number. The Event Date field is a
date field with no additional options. You enter the current date when equipment is rented, or enter
any previous date to display equipment the customer rented on that date.
In the Catering Line Items table, Customer ID and Event Date are number and date fields,
respectively, and are match fields in the relationship to the Customers table. Equipment ID is a
number field, and stores the ID of the equipment being rented. Records from this table are displayed
in a portal in the Customers table.
In the Edit Relationship dialog box, the Allow creation of records in this table via this
relationship option is enabled for the Catering Line Items table. This means that you can enter
rental information in an empty portal row, and FileMaker Pro creates a related record for that rental.

Finally, a portal is added to the Catering Line Items table on the Customers layout.
To create a new related record, enter the current date in the Customers::Event Date field and an
equipment ID number in the portal on the Customers layout. Because Event Date is a match field
and the relationship allows the creation of related records in the Catering Line Items table, the value
in Customers::Event Date is automatically entered in the Catering Line Items::Event Date field.
To view rentals from a previous date, change the value in the Customers::Event Date field.
FileMaker Pro displays all related records with the same customer ID and event date.

Related topics
About relationships
About the relationships graph
About match fields for relationships
About single-criteria relationships
About relationships using comparative operators
About relationships that return a range of records
About self-joining relationships
Creating relationships
Creating portals to display related records

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About relationships using comparative operators
In a comparative relationship, you use one or more of the following operators to compare match field
values in the two related tables. The relationship returns related records when the comparison
evaluates successfully, according to the criteria you establish.
Relational
operator

Matches these records

=

Values in match fields are equal

≠

Values in match fields are unequal

<

Values in the left match field are less than values in the right match field

≤

Values in the left match field are less than or equal to values in the right match field

>

Values in the left match field are greater than values in the right match field

≥

Values in the left match field are greater than or equal to values in the right match
field

x

All records in the left table are matched to all records in the right table, regardless of
the values in the match fields
For example:

In this relationship, DateFieldC and DateFieldD are match fields. Records in TableD are related to
records in TableC that have a later DateFieldC value. Records in TableC are related to records in
TableD that have an earlier DateFieldD value. For example, if a record in TableC has a DateFieldC
value of 12/11/2014, all the records in TableD with a DateFieldD value of 12/10/2014 or earlier are
related to it. In TableD, if a record has a DateFieldD value of 12/11/2014, all records in TableC with
DateFieldC values of 12/12/2014 or later are related to it.

Related topics
About single-criteria relationships
About multi-criteria relationships
About relationships that return a range of records
About self-joining relationships

About relationships that return a range of records
A relationship that returns a range of records is similar to a multi-criteria relationship, except that you
use comparative operators to find records that are greater than one of your criteria and less than
your other criteria. This type of relationship is commonly used to return records that fall between a
range of dates or serial numbers.

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For example, from within TableE you would like to view all the records in TableF that have
DateFieldF values that are greater than StartingDateE and less than EndingDateE.
In the relationships graph, the
used in this relationship.

symbol indicates that different relational operators are being

This relationship (in the Edit Relationship
dialog box) uses the greater than and less
than relational operators

This relationship returns records from TableF that have a DateFieldF value that is later than
StartingDateE and earlier than EndingDateE.
For example, when the StartingDateE value is 11/01/2014 and the EndingDateE value is 12/01/
2014, the relationship returns the following related records from TableF.
Records from TableF: Returns
11/14/2014

blue

11/27/2014

green

When the StartingDateE value is 12/01/2014 and the EndingDateE value is 01/01/2015, the
relationship returns the following related records.
Records from TableF: Returns
12/02/2014

red

12/15/2014

yellow

12/17/2014

orange

12/26/2014

brown

Related topics
About single-criteria relationships
About multi-criteria relationships

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About relationships using comparative operators
About self-joining relationships

About self-joining relationships
A self-join is a relationship in which both match fields are defined in the same table. Define a selfjoin to create relationships between records in the same table. Use a self-join in a portal on a layout
of the current table to display a subset of data that's in the current table, such as all the employees
of each manager.
When you define a self-joining relationship in the relationships graph, FileMaker Pro generates a
second occurrence of the table upon which you are basing the self-join. FileMaker Pro does this to
prevent the relationships from forming a cycle, which would make it impossible to evaluate.
A self-joining relationship looks like this:

This relationship returns related records in TableG when the value in TextFieldG1 is the same as the
value in TextFieldG2.

Related topics
About single-criteria relationships
About multi-criteria relationships
About relationships using comparative operators
About relationships that return a range of records

Working with the relationships graph
Use the relationships graph to create, change, and view the relationships in your database file.
By default, the relationships graph displays all of the tables in your current database file. You can
add tables from other files (including external ODBC data sources), add more than one occurrence
of the same table to the graph, or remove tables from the graph using the buttons described below.
You can use the undo and redo keyboard shortcuts to incrementally remove or replace changes in
the relationships graph. To undo changes, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command-Z (OS X). To redo
changes, press Ctrl+Shift+Z (Windows) or Command-Shift-Z (OS X).

To access the relationships graph:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Relationships tab.
The relationships graph appears.

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Relationships graph buttons
Click

To
Add a table to the relationships graph
Create a relationship
Duplicate selected tables (and relationships) and selected notes
Edit an existing relationship, table occurrence, or text note in the relationships graph
Delete a relationship, or table occurrence, or text note in the relationships graph
Align the left edges, centers, or right edges of the selected objects
Align the top edges, centers, or bottom edges of the selected objects
Distribute the selected objects horizontally or vertically
Resize the selected objects to the smallest width, smallest height, smallest width and
height, largest width, largest height, largest width and height
Change the color of selected tables or notes in the relationships graph
Choose the object selection cursor (default cursor)

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Click

To
Add a text note to the relationships graph
Choose the magnification cursor
Choose the view reduction cursor
Adjust the magnification of the relationships graph to view all tables
Select related tables 1-away or select tables with the same source table

100%

Manually reduce or increase the view of the relationships graph, up to 400%
Show page breaks
Show the Print Setup (Windows) or Page Setup (OS X) dialog box

Other relationships graph elements
Element

Action
Displays the names of the source table and source file as you move the pointer over
the table header
Toggles the display of the table. Click once to collapse all but the match fields. Click
again to collapse all but the table name. Click again to return the table to its original
size.
Toggles the display of the text note. Click once to collapse to the first line of text. Click
again to return the text note to its original size.
Indicates that the match field is available to match many records
Indicates that the match field is intended to match a single record, such as an autoentered value
Indicates that the join cannot be made. For example, a match field is missing or is an
unindexed field (such as an unstored calculated field or a global field), or the table
closest to the indicator is missing or unavailable.
Displays the relational operator, or

for a multi-criteria relationship

Related topics
About the relationships graph
About relationships
About planning a database
About the types of relationships
About match fields for relationships

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Editing ODBC data sources

Creating relationships
You create relationships between fields in tables to see and work with another table’s data.
After you have created a relationship, you can add or change match fields, change relational
operators, and set options for creating, deleting, and sorting related records. See Changing
relationships.

To create a relationship:
1. Open the relationships graph for the database.
See Working with the relationships graph.
2. In the relationships graph, locate the two tables you will be using for this relationship.
They can appear anywhere on the graph, but they must be present on the graph in order to
create the relationship. For self-joining relationships, locate the single table; FileMaker Pro will
create the second table occurrence for you.
3. Click a match field in one of the tables and drag to the corresponding match field in the other
table.
You can also click

and specify the relationship.

Note For self-joining relationships, click a match field in the current table and drag outside of it,
then back onto the second match field within the current table. Rename the new table
occurrence, or click OK to accept the default name.
4. Repeat step 3 for each match field you intend to use in this relationship.
5. Click OK.

Related topics
About the relationships graph
About the types of relationships
About match fields for relationships
Adding tables to the relationships graph
Defining database tables
Deleting table definitions, field definitions, and data

Changing relationships
After you have created a relationship, you can add or change match fields, change relational
operators, and set options for creating, deleting, and sorting related records.
Note You can’t change tables within a relationship. You must create a new relationship.

To change a relationship:
1. Open the relationships graph for the database.
See Working with the relationships graph.
2. In the relationships graph, locate the relationship to edit, and double-click the indicator line
between the related tables to open the Edit Relationship dialog box.
You can also select the relationship in the relationships graph and click

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3. Edit match fields for the relationship.
To

Do this

Change a match field

Select a new match field and click Change.

Add a match field

Select a new match field and click Add.

Change the relational operator

Select a new relational operator from the list and click Change.

Duplicate a pair of join criteria

Select the paired criteria from the list in the middle part of the
dialog box and click Duplicate.

Delete a pair of join criteria

Select the paired criteria from the list in the middle part of the
dialog box and click Delete.

4. Select options for the relationship.
To

Select

Add a related record (to the
related table) whenever you
enter data into a related field in a
record of the current table

Allow creation of records in this table via this relationship.
When this option is selected, entering data in a related field that
has no corresponding related record creates a related record
based on the match field in the current table.

Delete related records (in the
related table) whenever you
delete a matching record in the
current table

Delete related records in this table when a record is deleted
in the other table. This option deletes related records even when
you're browsing a layout that doesn't display the related records.

Sort related records

Sort records. Then, in the left list in the Sort Records dialog box,
double-click the fields to sort. To change the order in which fields
are sorted, drag fields in the right list into the order you want.
Select other options, then click OK.

Note When this option is selected in multiple relationships in the
same database, deleting a record from one table can also delete
related records in other related tables for which the option has
been enabled. This is called a cascading delete. You should
consider this option carefully before enabling it.

To change the sort order, click Specify in the Edit Relationship
dialog box.
Selecting this option does not affect the sort order in the related
file.
5. Click OK.

Notes
• Select Sort records to display the first found record in a particular sort order (such as the
lowest or highest value) when you have one related field directly on a layout of the current
table. (For example, display the most recent check-out date for a particular piece of
equipment.) Also sort related records to access multiple records that are in a particular sort
order and display them in a portal.
• When Sort records is selected and data in a related field in a portal changes, the portal
records are re-sorted whenever the relationship is re-established. (For example, records resort when you browse out of and then back into the record, or change the value in the match
field.)

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• Because relationships are bi-directional, the tables that appear in the left and right side of
the Edit Relationship dialog box have equal capabilities.
• When displaying related records in a portal, the Sort Portal Records sort order takes
precedence over the sort order specified in the Edit Relationship dialog box.

Related topics
About relationships
About planning a database
About the types of relationships
About match fields for relationships
Creating relationships
Adding tables to the relationships graph

Adding tables to the relationships graph
All tables used in relationships must appear in the relationships graph. This includes tables from
external files. By default, a new file contains a table with the same name as the file.

To add a table to the relationships graph:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Relationships tab.
3. Click

to open the Specify Table dialog box.

4. To add another table occurrence from the current file, select the table name from the list of
tables.
5. To add a table occurrence from an external file, click the Data Source list and do one of the
following:
• Choose a FileMaker filename or ODBC data source name in the list.
• Choose Add FileMaker Data Source to select another FileMaker Pro file using the
Open File dialog box. This is the quickest method of adding an external FileMaker data
source.
• Choose Add ODBC Data Source to select an existing ODBC data source. See Editing
ODBC data sources for more information about ODBC data sources.
• Choose Manage Data Sources to open the Manage External Data Sources dialog box.
Use this method to add multi-path FileMaker data sources and ODBC data sources or
to edit, duplicate, or delete existing data sources. See Connecting to data sources for
more information on defining and managing external data sources.
6. After you have chosen the external file, select the table by name from the list of tables.
7. If necessary, change the name of the table occurrence.
Each table occurrence in the relationships graph must have a unique name.
8. Click OK.

Related topics
About relationships
About the relationships graph
About planning a database
About the types of relationships

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About match fields for relationships
Creating relationships
Changing relationships
Defining database tables

Selecting related tables in the relationships graph
You can identify tables that have relationships to one or more tables. You can select a table and
highlight its source table, or tables that have a 1-away relationship to it.

To identify related tables:
1. Open the relationships graph for the database.
See Working with the relationships graph
2. In the relationships graph, select one or more tables.
3. Click

.

4. Choose the tables you want to highlight.
To

Choose

Highlight tables that are directly
related

Select related tables 1-away

Highlight tables that are based
on the same source table

Tip Choose the command again to select the next related table
or set of related tables.
Select tables with the same source table

Related topics
About the relationships graph

Duplicating tables in the relationships graph
You can duplicate tables, groups of tables, and any direct relationships among them. Any options
you have set for the relationship (for example, a cascading delete) are also duplicated.

To duplicate tables and direct relationships:
1. Open the relationships graph for the database.
See Working with the relationships graph.
2. In the relationships graph, select the table or tables you want to duplicate.
3. Click

.

4. To rename a duplicated table, click
the Specify Table dialog box.

and type the new name of the duplicated table in

Notes
• Duplication preserves the relative positions between the original tables. By default the
duplicated tables are placed below and to the right of the original tables.

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• You can also duplicate text notes.

Related topics
About relationships
About the relationships graph

Moving tables or notes in the relationships graph
You can move tables or notes in the relationships graph to organize your view of related tables and
notes.

To move tables or notes:
1. Open the relationships graph for the database.
See Working with the relationships graph.
2. In the relationships graph, pause the pointer over a table heading or anywhere on a note.
The pointer changes to indicate you can move the object.
Windows

OS X

3. Drag the table or note to a new location.
The pointer changes again when you select and drag the object.
Windows

OS X

Note You can Shift-click multiple tables and notes, then drag to move multiple objects at once.

Related topics
About relationships
About the relationships graph

Resizing tables in the relationships graph
You can resize tables in the relationships graph in order to organize your view of related tables.

To resize tables:
1. Open the relationships graph for the database.
See Working with the relationships graph.
2. In the relationships graph, select the tables you want to resize.
If you have any collapsed tables, expand them before resizing the height.
3. Click

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4. Choose an option.
To

Choose

Change the width of all tables to
match the smallest table

Resize to Smallest Width

Change the height of all tables to
match the smallest table

Resize to Smallest Height

Change the width and height of
all tables to match the smallest
tables

Resize to Smallest Width and Height

Change the width of all tables to
match the largest table

Resize to Largest Width

Change the height of all tables to
match the largest table

Resize to Largest Height

Change the width and height of
all tables to match the largest
tables

Resize to Largest Width and Height

Notes
• To resize one table, select the table and drag its border.
• You can also resize text notes.

Related topics
About relationships
About the relationships graph

Aligning tables in the relationships graph
You can align tables in the relationships graph in order to organize your view of related tables.

To align tables in the relationships graph:
1. Open the relationships graph for the database.
See Working with the relationships graph.
2. In the relationships graph, select the tables you want to align.
3. Choose an option.
.
To

Choose

Align Left Edges, Align Centers, or Align Right Edges
Align Top Edges, Align Centers, or Align Bottom Edges
Distribute Horizontally or Distribute Vertically

Note You can also align text notes.

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Related topics
About relationships
About the relationships graph

Adding text notes to the relationships graph
You can add a text note to the relationships graph. You can edit, format, resize, align, duplicate, and
delete text notes.

To add a text note to the relationships graph:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Relationships tab.
3. Click

.

4. Position the crosshair pointer where you want to draw the text note.
5. Click and drag the crosshair pointer to create the text note.
The Edit Note dialog box appears.
6. Enter text.
Change the font, font size, font color, and background color of the note if desired.
7. Click OK.

To edit a text note:
1. Double-click a text note, or select a text note and click

.

The Edit Note dialog box appears.
2. Make your changes.
3. Click OK.

To delete a text note:
1. Select the text note.
2. Click

, or press Delete.

Note Text notes appear behind tables and relationships, so they can be hidden.

Related topics
About relationships
About the relationships graph

Summarizing data in portals
You can summarize data that's in a related field displayed in a portal. For example, you can get the
total of all related records, the smallest or largest related record, or find the standard deviation of all
related records in your portal. The portal can contain records from a related table or from the same
table, using a relationship defined from and to the current table (a self-join).

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To summarize data in portals:
1. Create a summary field in the table that related records are being displayed from. (This is
the table displayed in the Portal Setup dialog box.) See Defining summary fields.
Tip For a more complex summary of your data, use a calculation field to define a formula. See
Defining calculation fields.
2. Place the summary field on the layout containing your portal.
You can place the summary field anywhere on your layout, including inside the portal.
See Placing and removing fields on a layout.

Related topics
Creating portals to display related records

Filtering records in portals
By filtering portal records, you can display different sets of records in a portal.

To filter records in a portal:
1. Double-click the portal.
2. In the Portal Setup dialog box, select Filter portal records.
The Specify Calculation dialog box appears.
3. Define a calculation that determines which portal records will be displayed.
For example, if you are in an Invoices layout, in a portal that shows product records from a
LineItems table and want to display just the products with quantities greater than or equal to
one, use the formula If (LineItems::Quantity < 1; 0; 1).
4. Click OK.
Important The results of summary fields, calculations, and find requests are based on the full set of
related records, not just the records in a portal that are filtered. For example, if a portal is displaying
a filtered subset of records, and there is a Total of summary field outside the portal summarizing
these records, the summary field will total all related records, not just the displayed records.

Notes
• If filtering is enabled, in Layout mode you see Filter in the lower left corner of the portal.
• Filtering records is intended for display purposes only, not for security purposes.
• Filtering records is performed before sorting records.
• The portal filter calculation will evaluate the same as a field calculated in a portal row.

Related topics
Creating portals to display related records

About lookups
A lookup copies data from another table into a field in the current table. After data is copied, it
becomes part of the current table (and remains in the table from which it was copied). Data copied to
the current table doesn't change automatically when the data in the other table changes.

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To establish a connection between tables for a lookup, you create a relationship. Then you define a
lookup to copy data from a field in the related table into a field in the current table.
When you type or change a value in the match field of the current table, FileMaker Pro uses the
relationship to access the first record in the related table whose match field contains a matching
value. Next, it copies the value from the lookup source field into the lookup destination field, where
the value is stored.
After a value is copied into the lookup destination field, you can edit, replace, or delete it like any
other value (because the lookup value belongs to the current table). You can also update data in the
current table to match data that changes in the related table.
Use lookups to:
• Copy data from a related table (which can be the same table) and keep it as copied, even
when the data in the related table changes. For example, use a lookup to copy the price of
an item at the time of purchase into an Invoice table. Even if the price in the related table
changes, the price in the Invoice table stays the same.
• Maintain tables that already contain lookups, when you don't want to change the tables to a
relational database.

Notes
• Values in the match fields used for lookups do not have to be equal to match.
• When the same value exists in the match field in more than one record of the related table:
• the value from the first created related record is copied if the relationship does not have
a sort order.
• the value from the first record in the sort order is copied if the relationship does have a
sort order.
• If you change data in the match field of the related table or in the lookup source field for a
lookup, FileMaker Pro doesn't automatically update the data in the lookup destination field.
To update the data, you must look it up again. This occurs when the value in the match field
changes in the lookup destination table, causing FileMaker Pro to perform a relookup.
• To copy data into a second field that uses the same match fields (for example, to copy a
name and telephone number based on a matching customer identification number), define
a lookup for the second field, and use the same relationship as the first field.
• All FileMaker Pro tables used in your database must be in FileMaker Pro 12 format. Files
created with earlier versions of FileMaker Pro must be converted to the current version first.
See Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier.

Related topics
About relationships

Defining lookups
Important Before you begin, be sure you understand how lookups differ from relational databases.
See About lookups.

To define a lookup:
1. Define the relationship for the lookup between the match field of the current table and the
match field of the related table.

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See Creating relationships.
2. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > Database.
3. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
4. If your database contains more than one table, select the appropriate table from the Table
list.
5. Select an existing text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container field from the list of
existing fields, or define a new field.
6. Click Options (or double-click the field name).
7. In the Options for Field dialog box, click the Auto-Enter tab, then select Looked-up value.
8. In the Lookup for Field dialog box, choose the table the lookup will start with, and the table
from which the value will be copied.
• For Starting with table, choose the table that the lookup will use as its starting point in
the relationships graph.
• For Lookup from related table choose the related table from which the related data
will be looked up.
9. Select the field from which the lookup value will be copied.
10. Select options for the lookup.
To

Do this

Specify an action when values in the
match fields do not match exactly

For If no exact match, then, select an option to copy no
value, copy the next lower or next higher value that's in the
lookup source field, or enter a fixed value to be used instead.

Prevent null (empty) data in the
lookup source field from being
copied to the lookup destination
field

Select Don't copy contents if empty. (Clear this option to
allow empty data to be copied.)

11. Click OK.
12. Repeat steps 5-11 for each additional field for which you want to define a lookup.

Notes about defining lookups
• You can define a relationship for a lookup when you define the database tables or the
lookup.
• The relationship can sort the related records so that the first related record (the record the
lookup will copy) is a particular record. For example, to look up the most recent check-out
date for a particular piece of equipment, sort records in descending order by check-out date.
• Be sure the lookup source field and lookup target field are the same field type, otherwise
you might get unexpected results.
• To change a lookup, be sure Looked-up value is selected in the Auto-Enter options, click
Specify, then make your changes.
• To stop or suspend using a lookup, clear Looked-up value in the Auto-Enter options.
• When data in the related table changes and you want the current table to contain the new
values, you can look up the data again. See Updating lookup values.

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Important When a lookup is based on a multi-criteria relationship, a lookup will be triggered each
time a value is entered into any of the fields that are involved in the multi-criteria relationship. The
lookup is being performed each time a value is entered into one of the required fields. When all of
the requisite fields have values, the final lookup value will be copied into the lookup target field.

Related topics
About lookups
About relationships
Updating lookup values
Defining automatic data entry

Updating lookup values
If you change data in the match field of the related table or in the lookup source field for a lookup,
FileMaker Pro doesn't automatically update the data in the lookup destination field. To update the
data, you need to look it up again.
Important Relookup Field Contents updates all fields looked up by the match field across all
records in your current found set. You can't undo your actions when you update lookup values.

To update lookup values:
1. In the current table, use Find mode, or Omit Records in Browse mode, to create a found set
that contains only the records you intend to update.
2. In Browse mode in the current table, select the match field, then choose Records menu >
Relookup Field Contents.
3. When you see an alert message, click OK.
Note The Relookup Field Contents and Replace Field Contents commands no longer commit data
when they are performed. If your solution depends on the data being committed, you must explicitly
commit the data before performing those commands. For example, if you modify a field value and
then try to perform a relookup on that field without committing the data, the relookup search will be
based on the old data rather than the modified data. (For more information about committing data,
see Committing data in records.)
Tip You can update lookup values automatically by defining a button to perform the Relookup Field
Contents command, or by defining a script that uses the Relookup Field Contents script step.

Related topics
About lookups
Defining lookups
About relationships
Defining a button

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Creating charts from data

Creating charts from data
There are two ways to create charts in FileMaker Pro:
• You can create a quick chart in Browse mode. When you start this way, FileMaker Pro sets
up the chart for you based on the current state of the database. You can use the Chart
Setup dialog box to modify a quick chart. You can print the chart or save it on a new layout,
if you have the correct privileges. See Creating quick charts.
• You can use the Chart tool in Layout mode to create a chart. With this method, you specify
each setting. You can create the chart on a new layout or you can add the chart to an
existing layout. See Creating and editing charts in Layout mode.
Important In FileMaker Pro, charts update dynamically as data changes. Charts that display
summary data remain accurate as long as you maintain the required sort order. If you change the
sort order, the chart may no longer show your data comparison.

Notes
• You can move charts within a layout part or move charts to other layout parts. See Moving
objects on a layout.
• You can place tooltips on charts. See Adding tooltips on layouts.
• You can set charts to resize automatically when you resize the FileMaker Pro window or you
can precisely resize charts. Resizing settings also apply to Preview mode and printing,
when the page size is different from the size of the layout being viewed or printed. See
Resizing and reshaping objects and Setting auto-resize options for layout objects.
• If you copy a chart in Browse or Find mode, then paste it onto a layout, the copy of the chart
is a bitmap image that will not update when data changes. You can’t edit a bitmap image of
a chart.
• FileMaker Pro displays a placeholder image of your chart in Layout mode.

About chart types
You can use charts to compare data graphically. For example, bar charts give a good overall picture
of your data set, but they are difficult to read when there are numerous bars. Bar charts also imply
that data values are frozen. If your data continuously changes over time, a line chart might be a
better choice. If you want to compare the percentage of one data series (a single bar) to the sum of
all data series (all the bars), a pie chart works well.
Use a

To
Compare two or more numerical values taken on different dates or under different
conditions. Good for comparing increases to decreases, highest with lowest, how
many, or how often.

Column chart or
bar chart

A single-series column or bar chart is good for comparing values within a data
category, such as monthly sales of a single product. A multi-series column or bar
chart is good for comparing categories of data, such as monthly sales for several
products.
Use a line chart to compare more than 15 data points.

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Use a

Stacked column or
stacked bar chart

Positive/negative
column chart

To
Compare parts to the whole. Each column or bar in the chart compares multiple data
points within a category. Use a stacked bar chart to compare the annual sales
figures for products over several years. Each segment of each bar compares
specific product sales, each bar shows total product sales per year, and the entire
chart compares total sales for all years.
To chart a single data series, such as sales in one region, use a pie chart.
Compare positive and negative values. Positive values appear above a mid-point
(zero, by default) and negative values appear below the mid-point. You can set a
custom mid-point. Use a positive/negative chart to compare earnings to losses or to
track productivity over time.
Show the relationship of each data series value to the total of all data in the series
charted. Best for showing proportions within a single data series. You can display
percentage values for each data point (slice of the pie).

Pie chart

Line chart

Pie charts are most effective when at least some of the slices represent 25% to 50%
of the whole. Because it’s difficult to compare individual sections within a pie chart or
to compare data between pie charts, pie charts are commonly used when a general
comparison is all that’s required.
Show data that changes continuously (trends) over time, such as historical financial
information. Line charts connect a contiguous series of data points with a line. Each
data point represents an individual measurement. Line charts are good for showing
the rise and fall of data over time.
Use a line chart to compare the monthly sales totals of four regions over the span of
a year. Charting the same data series as a bar chart makes it easy to compare totals
by region. To display upward and downward trends or cycles across all regions, use
a line chart.

Area chart

Scatter chart

Bubble chart

Show data that trends over time while emphasizing highs, lows, and movement
between data points. In charts containing multiple data series, the quantitative
difference between each data series is emphasized by the different colors in the
chart.
Plot x and y coordinates as individual values to reveal correlation patterns. If the
trend of data values rises from left to right, the trend is considered positive. If the
trend falls from left to right, the trend is considered negative. If data points reveal no
clear slope, the data is considered not correlated. A scatter chart can compare large
numbers of data points without regard to time. Use a scatter chart to compare the
number of beverages sold at a restaurant as the temperature changed throughout
the day.
Plot x and y coordinates as individual values with a third data characteristic (the
radius of each bubble). Bubble charts compare individual data points in terms of size
(magnitude). Use a bubble chart to compare market share by comparing the number
of products sold, sales figures per product, and the percentage of total sales in each
data point.

Related topics
Creating quick charts
Creating and editing charts in Layout mode

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Chart planning guidelines
• Creating a quick chart doesn’t require much planning. FileMaker Pro sets up the chart for
you based on the current state of the file. You can adjust settings, if needed, to make your
comparison clear. You can print a quick chart, save it on a new layout (if you have the
correct privileges), or you can copy and paste a quick chart into another application. See
Creating quick charts.
• Identify the audience for the chart and decide what you want the chart to emphasize. For
example, a chart for a marketing presentation might show how a product line has grown in
the months after an advertising campaign was launched. Think about the data in your
database and how it might be compared or contrasted graphically to make your point.
• Choose the best type of chart to convey your comparison. Some chart formats compare
similar data from different sources, some show trends over time, and some show
percentages of a total. See About chart types.
• Consider sketching the chart on paper to help you determine the data series you need to
assign to the x-axis and y-axis (category labels and slice data in pie charts). Charts typically
show category labels on the x-axis (values you are comparing, such as companies by
name) and values on the y-axis (values you are measuring, such as quarterly sales figures
for each company).
• Decide whether you need to modify data to show your comparison.
• Do you need to perform any calculations on the data before you create the chart? For
example, do you need to add summary fields to the database to calculate quarterly
sales figures or does your database already contain quarterly information?
• Do you need to sort data to show your comparison?
To

Consider this

Chart summary data

If you’re creating a chart in Layout mode, make sure data is
grouped and sorted correctly and that you place your chart in the
appropriate layout part. See Placing your chart in the appropriate
layout part.

Chart data in related records

You can sort data based on related fields, but you must set the sort
order in the Chart Setup dialog box, not the Sort dialog box. See
Specifying the data source for a chart.

Chart multiple data values
located in single fields (for
example, data in repeating
fields or delimited data in a
single field)

To chart delimited data, your database must contain multiple data
values in single fields. You can use a calculation or a function
(such as the List function) to do this. You then specify one
delimited data field for the x-axis (category labels in pie charts) and
one data field for the y-axis (slice data in pie charts). When you
chart delimited data, values from the x-axis field correspond to
values in the y-axis field in the order they were entered. See
Example: Charting delimited data.
Note FileMaker Pro recognizes only the carriage-return character
as the data delimiter.

Creating quick charts
You can create and print a quick chart in Browse mode. When you start in Browse mode,
FileMaker Pro sets up the chart based on the:
• field type and contents of the active field

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• field type and contents of the selected fields
• sort order you have specified
Note The active field is the field you right-click when you create a quick chart.
If you have the correct privileges, you can save the chart on a layout in your database.
Quick charts work best for column, bar, pie, line, and area charts, which have a single data series on
one axis and one or more data series on the other axis.

To create a quick chart:
1. Open the database containing the data that you want to chart.
2. In Browse mode, click View As

in the layout bar to switch to Table View.

Tip You can create quick charts in Form View and List View, but it’s easier to work in Table
View.
3. Use Table View to sort data. (Right-click or Control-click a column and choose a sorting
option from the shortcut menu.) Quick charting uses the first sort field to group and
summarize the data in the chart. Consider adding groups or summaries if those are the data
points you intend to chart. See Working with data in Table View and Creating dynamic
reports in Table View.
FileMaker Pro chooses an appropriate summary type based on the active field.
4. Right-click the column of the values you are most interested in charting.

5. Choose one of the following:
Choose

To

Chart by 

Plot individual data points in the current column

Chart  by 

Plot data from the current column in groups based
on the sort order

The Chart Setup dialog box appears. When you chart data in Table View, FileMaker Pro uses
the current state of the file and the context of your selection to estimate chart settings.
Depending on the complexity of your data set and the chart type you choose, you might need to
use the Chart Setup dialog box to make adjustments to a quick chart.

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You can change settings in the Chart inspector on the right to modify the chart. The preview
helps you work efficiently in the Chart Setup dialog box. See Using the chart preview.
Note FileMaker Pro charts records in the Found Set by default. To change the source of the
data that you are charting, click Data Source in the Chart inspector and for Chart Data choose
Current Record (delimited data) or Related Records. See Specifying the data source for a
chart
To

Do this

Add a title to the chart

For Title, type or change the chart title, or click
specify a title.

Choose a chart type and
specify the data series

to

See Column, bar, line, and area charts (including stacked
column and bar and positive/negative charts), Pie charts, or
Scatter and bubble charts.
Note You can begin a scatter or bubble chart as a quick
chart, but you will need to modify chart settings in the Chart
Setup dialog box.

Change data labels, show or
hide tick marks and set tick
mark scale (if applicable), and
format data

See Formatting and scaling chart axes.

Change the color scheme,
legend, or fonts in the chart

Click Styles in the Chart inspector, then see Changing the
look of a chart.

Specify the type of data the
chart uses (records in the
found set, delimited records,
or related records)

Click Data Source in the Chart inspector, then see
Specifying the data source for a chart.

6. If your chart contains summary data, you can click the Summary menu in the Chart
inspector and select a different summary type. See Summary types for charts.
7. When you are satisfied with the chart’s appearance, do the following:
To

Click or select

Print the chart

Print Chart

Copy the chart to the
Clipboard so you can
paste it to another
layout or in another
file

Right-click the chart, choose Copy, then switch to a
different layout in the same file or another file. In Layout
mode, right-click the layout and choose Paste.

Save the chart on a
new layout

Save as Layout

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

You must have the correct privileges to save a quick chart
on a layout. See About accounts, privilege sets, and
extended privileges.

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Creating charts from data

To

Click or select

Access the chart
later via the Layout
pop-up menu

Include in layout menus
If you leave Include in layout menus selected, you can
use Layouts menu > Go To Layout or the Manage
Layouts dialog box to display the chart in layout mode. See
Managing layouts.

Note If FileMaker Pro needs to create a summary field for the chart, the summary field is added
to the current table when you save the chart on a layout. If you print the chart and do not save it
on a layout, FileMaker Pro does not create the summary field in the database.
8. If you choose not to save the chart after printing, click Cancel to close the Chart Setup
dialog box.

Related topics
Viewing records as a form, list, or table
Using shortcut menus
Creating and managing privilege sets

Creating and editing charts in Layout mode
You can use the Chart tool in Layout mode to create charts on new or existing layouts, or to edit
charts.
Note You can create a quick chart in Browse mode. See Creating quick charts.

To create a chart on a layout:
1. Do one of the following:
• Open a layout. See Creating and managing layouts and reports. If necessary, resize the
layout part so there is room for the chart. See Resizing layout parts.
• Use the New Layout/Report assistant to create a new layout for the chart. A blank
layout works well for displaying a chart. You don’t need to add fields to the layout to plot
data in a chart. See Creating a layout.
2. In Layout mode, click the Chart tool
in the status toolbar, then drag a rectangle where
you want the chart to appear, or choose Insert menu > Chart.
Note Charts created in Layout mode appear differently depending on the layout part in which
they are placed. See Placing your chart in the appropriate layout part.
The Chart Setup dialog box appears. You can change settings in the Chart inspector on the right
to modify the chart. The preview helps you work efficiently in the Chart Setup dialog box. See
Using the chart preview.
To
Add a title to the chart

Choose a chart type and
specify the data series

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

Do this
For Title, type or change the chart title, or click
specify a title.

to

See Column, bar, line, and area charts (including stacked
column and bar and positive/negative charts), Pie charts, or
Scatter and bubble charts.

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Creating charts from data

To

Do this

Change data labels, show or
hide tick marks and set tick
mark scale (if applicable), and
format data

See Formatting and scaling chart axes.

Change the color scheme,
legend, or fonts in the chart

Click Styles in the Chart inspector, then see Changing the
look of a chart.

Specify the type of data the
chart uses (records in the
found set, delimited records,
or related records)

Click Data Source in the Chart inspector, then see
Specifying the data source for a chart.

3. Click Done.
You see a placeholder image of the chart in Layout mode. FileMaker Pro uses sample data
when displaying a chart object in Layout mode.
4. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout.
You see the chart based on data in the database.

To edit a chart:
1. In Layout mode, double-click the chart that you want to edit.
2. In the Chart Setup dialog box, change settings in the Chart inspector.
3. Click Done to close the Chart Setup dialog box.
4. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout.

To chart summary data in Layout mode
1. In Browse mode, sort data by the appropriate break field to form groupings (categories) of
data. See Working with data in Table View or Sorting records by subsummary values.
For example, to chart worldwide sales by country, sort data by the Country field.
2. Create a summary field in your database to calculate an aggregate value for the category.
See Creating dynamic reports in Table View or Defining summary fields.
For example, to chart total sales, create a summary field Total Sales that sums the Sales field.
3. Create a chart in the body, header, footer, subsummary, or grand summary part of the
layout. See Placing your chart in the appropriate layout part.
In the Chart inspector, click Chart.
• For X-Axis (Horizontal) or Category Labels (pie charts), specify the sort field.
For example, the Country field.
• For Y-Axis (Vertical), or Slice Data (pie charts), specify the summary field.
For example, the Total Sales field.
In the Chart inspector, click Data Source.
• For Chart Data, select Current Found Set.
• For Chart display when layout is sorted, select Summarized groups of records.
The chart compares total sales by country.

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Creating charts from data

Total Sales by Country
200000

200000

100000

100000

0

0
Japan

UK

USA

You can also chart summary data by subcategory (for example, total sales by company within one
country). To do so, you could change the chart settings specified in this example as follows:
• sort records by the main category, then the subcategory (for example, sort by Country, then
by Company)
• set the x-axis or category labels to the subcategory (Company)
• place the chart in a subsummary layout part sorted by the main category (Country)
This chart compares total sales by company within one country.
Total Sales in the USA
50000

50000

0

0
ABC Company

DEF Ltd.

XYZ, Inc.

Related topics
About chart types
Chart planning guidelines
About layout part types

Column, bar, line, and area charts
To get started creating a chart, see Creating quick charts or Creating and editing charts in Layout
mode.
1. Find the records you want to chart. See Making a find request.
If you are charting delimited data stored in a single record or data from related records, you
must specify data source settings. See Specifying the data source for a chart.
2. In the Chart Setup dialog box, choose a chart type. See About chart types.
3. Enter the following settings:
For X-Axis
(Horizontal)
Title

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

Do this
Type a title or click
, choose Specify Field Name or Specify Calculation,
complete the dialog box, and click OK.

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Creating charts from data

For X-Axis
(Horizontal)
Data

Do this
Click
to specify a data series for the x-axis. This is the data you are
comparing (for example, company name).

4. If you’re creating a quick chart and it contains summary data, you can click the Summary
menu in the Chart inspector and select a different summary type. See Summary types for
charts.
5. Enter the following settings:
For Y-Axis
(Vertical)
Title

Data

Do this
Type a title or click
, choose Specify Field Name or Specify Calculation,
complete the dialog box, and click OK.
Click

to specify a data series for the y-axis.

• To specify an additional data series for the y-axis, click Add a Y Series,
then repeat this step to complete the Series Name (title) and Data settings.
• To specify another y-axis series, click +.
• To remove a data series from the y-axis, select the series, then click –.
• To change the order of the y-axis data series, drag items in the list.
• You can enter up to 12 data series on the y-axis.
Notes
• Bar and stacked bar charts: The y-axis is the data you are comparing.
• Stacked column chart: For an effective comparison, specify more than one
y-series.
• Area chart: In a multi-series area chart, the layered order of the data series
reflects the order in which y-series are defined in the Chart Setup dialog
box. The first series in the list appears on top followed by the next series in
the list.
Symbol

Choose a symbol to mark each data point in the chart, or choose None to hide
symbols. Symbol color in the final chart is determined by the color scheme
(Line charts)
setting in the Styles area of the Chart inspector. See Changing the look of a
chart.
6. If you are charting multi-series data, select Show Legend to display a legend in the chart.
To change labels in the legend, edit the Series Name and click outside the text box.
7. To set axis options, see Formatting and scaling chart axes.
8. To change the color scheme, legend appearance, or font style, click Style in the Chart
inspector. See Changing the look of a chart.
9. Click Print or Save as Layout (quick charts) or Done (Layout mode charts) to finish the
chart. See Creating quick charts or Creating and editing charts in Layout mode.

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Creating charts from data

Pie charts
To get started creating a chart, see Creating quick charts for Creating and editing charts in Layout
mode.

To set up a pie chart:
1. Find the records you want to chart. See Making a find request.
If you are charting delimited data stored in a single record or data from related records, you
must specify data source settings. See Specifying the data source for a chart.
2. In the Chart Setup dialog box, for Type choose Pie.
3. For Category Labels, click
, choose Specify Field Name or Specify Calculation,
complete the dialog box, and click OK. This is the data you are comparing (for example,
company names) and determines the labels for each slice of the pie.
4. For Slice Data, click
to specify a data series. This is the data you are measuring (for
example, annual sales), which determines the width of each slice in the pie.
5. If you’re creating a quick chart and it contains summary data, you can click the Summary
menu in the Chart inspector and select a different summary type. See Summary types for
charts.
6. Select Show Legend to display a legend in the chart.
7. Select options for the chart.
Tip It’s not necessary to label all data points on a chart.
To

Do this

Display category label values

Select Show values on chart.

Display the percentage of the
total each slice represents

Select Percentages.

Specify the number of decimal
places in percentages

Enter a number for Fixed number of decimals.

Display data values for slice
data

Select Actual values.

Specify the field type for slice
data

For Data Type, choose a field type, then choose data format
characteristics. For example, you can display number data
as a decimal, percentage, or as currency.
Notes
• Custom decimals or thousand separators must be
ASCII printable characters. The tilde character (~) is not
allowed.
• Decimal digits must be from 0 (zero) to 99.
• You must enter a positive number for Fixed number of
decimals.

Display slice data values as
stored in the database, as a
decimal or percentage, or as
currency

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

For Format, choose a value.

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Creating charts from data

To

Do this

Specify a custom decimal or
For Decimal, enter a character or select Use thousands
thousands separator character separator and enter a character.
Include a decimal or currency
notation character

For Notation, choose a position for the notation and enter a
custom character.

8. To change the color scheme, legend appearance, or font style, click Style in the Chart
inspector. See Changing the look of a chart.
9. Click Print or Save as Layout (quick charts) or Done (Layout mode charts) to finish the
chart. See Creating quick charts or Creating and editing charts in Layout mode.

Related topics
About chart types

Scatter and bubble charts
To get started creating a chart, see Creating quick charts or Creating and editing charts in Layout
mode.

To choose a chart type, define the axes, and include a legend:
1. Find the records you want to chart. See Making a find request.
If you are charting delimited data stored in a single record or data from related records, you
must specify data source settings. See Specifying the data source for a chart.
2. In the Chart Setup dialog box, choose a chart type. See About chart types.
3. Enter the following axis settings:
For
X-Axis Title
and
Y-Axis Title
X-Axis Data
and
Y-Axis Data

Do this
Type a title or click
, choose Specify Field Name or Specify
Calculation, complete the dialog box, and click OK.

Click
to specify a data series for each axis. For example, you
might plot product development costs on the x-axis and product
revenue on the y-axis.
Note The x-axis must be number field type. For example, the profit
gained.

Radius Data
(Bubble charts only)

Label Data

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

Click
to specify a data series for the third data series you want to
include in this comparison. For example, radius data might show the
profit margin between cost and revenue for each product. This chart
would reveal which product is most profitable rather than which
product generates the most revenue.
Click

to specify a label for each data point.

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Creating charts from data

For

Do this

Symbol
(Scatter charts only)

Choose a symbol to mark each data point in the chart, or choose None
to hide symbols. Symbol color is determined by the color scheme
setting in the Styles area of the Chart inspector. See Changing the
look of a chart.

4. If you’re creating a quick chart and it contains summary data, you can click the Summary
menu in the Chart inspector and select a different summary type. See Summary types for
charts.
5. To specify additional data series for the y-axis, click Add Y Series, then repeat step 3 to
complete the Series Name and Data settings.
• To specify another y-axis series, click +.
• To remove a data series from the y-axis, select the series, then click –.
• To change the order of the y-axis data series, drag items in the list.
6. Select Show Legend to display a legend in the chart. To change labels in the legend, edit
the Series Name and click outside the text box.
7. To set axis options, see Formatting and scaling chart axes.
8. To change the color scheme, legend appearance, or font style, click Style in the Chart
inspector. See Changing the look of a chart.
9. Click Print or Save as Layout (quick charts) or Done (Layout mode charts) to finish the
chart. See Creating quick charts or Creating and editing charts in Layout mode.

Notes
• In Browse mode, you can display an x-axis, y-axis, or radius value by pausing the pointer
over a data point in a chart.
• In scatter and bubble charts, x-axis and y-axis values must be numerical.
• X-axis values are typically an explanatory variable (the cause).
• Y-axis values are typically a response variable (the effect).
• Bubble charts are an extension of scatter charts and give you the ability to plot a second
response variable.
• The radius display in a bubble chart shows the relative magnitude of radius data points
rather than their precise values. Therefore, if radius data values are very small (for example,
0.2, 0.5.and 0.7), bubbles display large enough that you can distinguish the difference and
relationship between them.

Formatting and scaling chart axes
You can use the Chart inspector to set display options for the x-axis and y-axis.

To set axis options:
1. Create a chart or double-click an existing chart in Layout mode.
2. In the Chart inspector, click Chart and navigate to the Axis Options.
3. If Axis Options are not displayed, click

.

4. To display a data value for each data point, select Show data points on chart.

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Creating charts from data

5. To set display options for axes labels, click X-Axis, Y-Axis, or Radius (bubble chart only)
and do the following:
To

Do this

Change the angle of data point
labels

For Label Angle, enter a value between 0 (zero) and 90 or
click or drag the angle control

Set the scale for tick marks

.

For Scale, choose one of the following:
• Select Linear to measure data that changes
arithmetically (for example, sales growth or decline).
• Select Logarithmic to measure data that changes
exponentially (for example, sound waves measured in
decibels or earthquake magnitudes).

Specify tick mark
characteristics

Select Show major ticks or Show minor ticks, then enter a
value to specify the frequency that labels appear on tick
marks. If you don’t specify tick mark settings, FileMaker Pro
estimates an appropriate tick mark setting (auto) based on
the data values in your chart.
Select Set minimum or Set maximum, then enter a value to
specify the range of tick marks displayed.
Positive/Negative charts: Select Set mid-point to specify a
custom mid-point. The default mid-point is zero.

Format labels based on the
field type

For Data Type, choose the appropriate field type, then
choose data format characteristics. For example, you can
display number data as a decimal, percentage, or as
currency.
Notes
• Custom decimals or thousand separators must be ASCII
printable characters.The tilde character (~) is not
allowed.
• Decimal digits must be from 0 (zero) to 99.
• You must enter a positive number for Fixed number of
decimals.

6. Set any other options, then click Print or Save as Layout (quick charts) or Done (Layout
mode charts) to finish the chart. See Creating quick charts or Creating and editing charts in
Layout mode.

Notes
• Decimal and thousands characters can be any ASCII character except a hyphen (-).
• If a format applied to a data series is incompatible with the data returned (for example, date
settings are applied to a text field containing the string “date”), the data point is ignored and
does not appear in the chart.

Related topics
Creating quick charts

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Creating charts from data

Creating and editing charts in Layout mode
Column, bar, line, and area charts
Scatter and bubble charts

Specifying the data source for a chart
You can chart data from the current found set, the current record, or from related records.

To chart the records currently being browsed:
1. In the Data Source area of the Chart inspector, choose Current Found Set.
The sort order is displayed in the Data Source area of the Chart inspector.
2. Choose a display option:
• Summarized groups of records displays data points for groups of records.
Tip This setting is useful when you want to place a chart containing summary data in a
header, footer, or body layout part. Create the chart in Layout mode, sort by the x-axis field,
choose a summary field as the y-axis, and place the chart in the layout part. See Placing
your chart in the appropriate layout part. To learn how to chart summary data in a quick
chart, see Creating quick charts.
• Individual record data displays individual data points.
Note You can’t sort the current found set within the Chart Setup dialog box. To sort data, close
the dialog box, return to Browse mode, then sort. See Working with data in Table View or
Sorting records.

To chart data in the current record:
In the Data Source area of the Chart inspector, choose Current Record (delimited data).
The record must contain multiple data values separated by the carriage-return character. See
Example: Charting delimited data.

To chart data in related records:
1. In the Data Source area of the Chart inspector, choose Related Records.
2. Choose a related table from the list.
3. Specify a sort order (if applicable).
4. Choose a display option (see “To chart the records currently being browsed” above).
When you chart related records, your chart updates when the current record changes.

To finish the chart:
Set any other options, then click Print or Save as Layout (quick charts) or Done (Layout mode
charts). See Creating quick charts or Creating and editing charts in Layout mode.

Changing the look of a chart
You can use the Styles area in the Chart inspector to change the way a chart displays.
1. In the Chart Setup dialog box, click Styles in the Chart inspector.
Tip You can double-click an existing chart in Layout mode to open the Chart Setup dialog box.
2. Do one or more of the following:

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Creating charts from data

For

Do this

Chart Style

Choose a style for data points.

Color Scheme

Choose a coordinated color theme for data points. If you choose
Single color, choose a color for all data series in the chart.
Positive/Negative charts: You can choose a color for the positive data
points and another color for the negative data points.
You can’t choose a specific color for each data point in a chart.

Chart Background

Choose a fill style and color for the background or choose Transparent
for no fill. If you choose a gradient style, choose the colors you want to
blend in the background.

Bubble Opacity
(Bubble charts only)

Drag the control to change the opacity of bubbles in the chart or enter a
percentage for opacity.

Gridlines

Select Show major gridlines or Show minor gridlines and choose a
color for the lines.

3. If you chose Show legend in the Chart area of the Chart inspector, you can change the
following:
For

Choose

Legend Position

Top, Bottom, Left, or Right to position the legend.

Background

A fill style for the background. If you choose a gradient style, choose the
colors you want to blend in the background.

Border Style

A style, width, and color for the border around the legend. The width can
be between 1 and 9 points. Or, choose No Border.

4. To change the format of text in your chart, do the following:
For

Choose

Automatic

A font, style, and use the slider to set a relative text size for all chart text.

Custom

Fonts, sizes, and styles for the chart title, legend text, data points, and
axis titles and labels.

Border Style

A style, width, and color for the border around the legend. The width can
be between 1 and 9 points. Or, choose No Border.

Note Axis label settings don’t apply to pie charts.
5. To restore defaults for the displayed text settings, click Reset.
6. Click Print or Save as Layout (quick charts) or Done (Layout mode charts) to finish the
chart. See Creating quick charts or Creating and editing charts in Layout mode.

Notes
• When you create a chart, FileMaker Pro uses the current layout theme to determine the
chart’s color scheme, chart background, font, and legend format settings. If you save the
chart on a layout and then later change the layout theme, the chart will retain the colors and
format settings from the original theme. You can use the Chart Setup dialog box to change
these settings manually.

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Placing your chart in the appropriate layout part
Data in charts created in Layout mode is evaluated based on the layout part in which the chart is
located.
When you use a calculation to specify a chart title, the title is calculated based on the chart’s layout
part.
Note You cannot place a chart in a portal.

When data is based on the current found set
When you place a chart
in a

FileMaker Pro charts data in

When Summarized groups of
records is selected, FileMaker Pro
charts data in

Header or body layout
part

The current found set

Every first record in the outer-most
sorted groups

Footer layout part

The current found set

Every last record in the outer-most
sorted groups

Leading subsummary
layout part

All records in the sorted group

Every first record in the sub-group of
the sorted group

Trailing subsummary
layout part

All records in the sorted group

Every last record in the sub-group of
the sorted group

Leading grand summary
layout part

The current found set

Every first record in the outer-most
sorted groups

Trailing grand summary
layout part

The current found set

Every last record in the outer-most
sorted groups

Notes
• Charts placed in a subsummary layout part use data in the sorted group to create the chart.
When there is no sort order, FileMaker Pro charts individual data values in the entire found
set. Subsummaries are considered inner summaries, because they display aggregate data
from a group within the data set based on the sort order you specify.
• Charts placed in a grand summary layout part use data in the outer-most level of each
sorted subsummary group to create the chart. Grand summaries are considered outer
summaries, because they display an overall summary of aggregated data based on the
entire found set. You can also use grand summary layout parts to summarize each
subsummary group.
• The outer-most sorted groups are the group of records sorted by the first field listed in the
Sort Order dialog box.
• For grand summaries calculated on the current found set, FileMaker Pro assumes you want
to chart data in each subsummary group. Therefore, FileMaker Pro expects your x-axis
definition (category labels in pie charts) to be the sort field and your y-axis definition (slice
data in pie charts) to be a summary field. For example, to create a bar chart that compares
the total number of companies per country, you must sort data by country (x-axis or
category labels) and summarize data in the Company field (y-axis or slice data) to calculate
the number of companies in each country. FileMaker Pro then charts the summarized
values by country.

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When data is based on the current record (delimited values)
When you place a chart in a

FileMaker Pro charts data in

Header, footer, or body layout part

Current record

Leading subsummary layout part

First record in the sorted group

Trailing subsummary layout part

Last record in the sorted group

Leading grand summary layout part

First record in the found set

Trailing grand summary layout part

Last record in the found set

When data is based on related records
When you place a chart in a

FileMaker Pro charts data in

Header, footer, or body layout part

The set of related records that is obtained from the
relationship between the current record and the
related table

Leading subsummary layout part

The set of related records that is obtained from the
relationship between the first record in a sorted group
and the related table

Trailing subsummary layout part

The set of related records that is obtained from the
relationship between the last record in a sorted group
and the related table

Leading grand summary layout part

The set of related records that is obtained from the
relationship between the first record in the found set
and the related table

Trailing grand summary layout part

The set of related records that is obtained from the
relationship between the last record in the found set
and the related table

Note If you place a chart in a grand summary part without sorting records, FileMaker Pro will
chart data from the entire found set as though the chart had been placed in a header, footer, or
body layout part.

How layout parts affect calculated titles in charts
When you place a chart in a

FileMaker Pro displays a title for a data point
from the

Header, footer, or body layout part

Current record

Leading subsummary layout part

First record in the sorted group

Trailing subsummary layout part

Last record in the sorted group

Leading grand summary layout part

First record in the found set

Trailing grand summary layout part

Last record in the found set

Related topics
About layout part types
Working with layout parts
Adding a layout part

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Changing a layout part

Charting tips, tricks, and troubleshooting
Chart doesn’t look as expected
• Verify that data is sorted in the current layout and unwanted records are omitted from the
found set before creating a chart.
• Are you comparing individual data points (the price of each product in a category) or
summarized data points (the sum of all products in a category)?
• Individual data points must be numeric so they can be plotted directly on the chart.
• Summarized data points can be text or number field type. You can count data in a text
field and you can perform a variety of mathematical operations on number data (sum,
average, and so on).
• If your chart displays too few data points when data is sorted, in the Chart inspector, click
Data Source and select Individual record data.
• When you create a quick chart, FileMaker Pro includes axis labels based on the field you
selected and the current state of the file. When FileMaker Pro can’t determine appropriate
labels, it leaves labels blank. For example, if you chart individual data points such as soccer
scores, FileMaker Pro labels the appropriate axis Scores. However, the labels on the
opposite axis are blank if FileMaker Pro can’t determine you want to plot by player first
names, last names, the team name, or the game date. If axis labels are missing, you can
add them in the Chart inspector.
• If summary data looks unexpected, check the summary type FileMaker Pro applied. You
can use the Summary setting in the Chart inspector to verify and the change the summary
type.
• A chart can display up to 2048 data points. If your data set contains more than 2048
records, FileMaker Pro charts a subset of the available data representing a uniform spread
of the larger data set.
• Charts created in Layout mode appear differently in the Chart Setup dialog box preview
than in Browse mode depending on the layout part in which they are placed. See Placing
your chart in the appropriate layout part.

Troubleshooting calculated titles and data series
• When you use a calculation to specify a title in a chart created in Layout mode, the result is
based on the layout part in which the chart is located. See Placing your chart in the
appropriate layout part.
• A calculated x-axis data series must return a result:
• as text in a column, stacked column, positive/negative, pie (category label), line, or area
chart
• as number in a bar, stacked bar, scatter, or bubble chart
• When you chart data in a found set or in related records, a calculated y-axis data series
must return a result:
• as number in a column, stacked column, positive/negative, pie (slice data), line, area,
scatter, or bubble chart
• as text in a bar or stacked bar

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• When you chart delimited data in the current record, a calculated y-axis data series (slice
data in pie charts) must return the result in a text field.

I received a parsing error when charting delimited data
When you chart delimited data, you must enter numerical data, dates, and times in the format of the
current locale. Otherwise, FileMaker Pro displays an error.

Blank records appear in chart
If data points for unexpected blank records appear in your chart, it’s possible:
• there are restricted records in the database that you do not have access to chart
• the file contains invalid calculations that are returning the question mark character (?)
To remove zero data points from your chart, perform a find and omit the invalid records by entering
only the = operator in the appropriate fields. If the problem persists, check and correct calculations.
See Finding records except those matching criteria.

Charting missing data values
If your x-axis data series contains missing values (no data), a data label is displayed on the x-axis
for most chart types, but no corresponding data point is displayed. Line and area charts display a
missing data point as a zero.

Tick marks display differently in the chart preview and Layout mode
FileMaker Pro automatically adjusts chart scale and tick marks depending on the size of the chart.
Therefore, tick marks and scales might look different when viewed in the chart preview and Layout
mode.

Charting repeating fields
FileMaker Pro does not recognize individual values in repeating fields as a data series. To chart data
in repeating fields, use the List function to combine repeating data in a delimited format, then
choose Current Record (delimited data) for Chart Data.

Example: Charting delimited data
FileMaker Pro can chart multiple data entries from a single field when each data value in the field is
separated by a carriage-return character (carriage return-delimited data).

About the chart
In this example, you create a new database containing two return-delimited fields: Country and
Customer Count. The fields are located on one layout and all data is stored in one record. Then you
create a column chart that compares the number of customers located in each country.

Create a database
1. Do one of the following:
• If the FileMaker Quick Start Screen is open, click Create a New Database, then close
the Quick Start Screen.
• If the FileMaker Quick Start Screen is not open, choose File menu > New Database.
2. Name the file Worldwide Customers, then click Save to save the file on your hard disk.

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The file opens in Browse mode in Table View. FileMaker Pro creates the first table and layout for
you. Both have the same name as the file.

Define and format the fields
1. In the first table row, click Create Field and type Country.
2. Click + in the column and type Customer Count.
3. Click View As
Layout mode.

in the layout bar to go to Form View, then click Edit Layout to switch to

4. Select the Customer Count field and field label and drag them down about an inch.
5. Select the Country field and drag its handles down until you see 5 rows in the field.
6. Select the Customer Count field and drag its handles down until you see 5 rows in the
field.
7. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout in the layout bar to return to Browse mode.

Add data to the database
1. Click New Record in the status toolbar.
2. In the Country field, type the following, pressing Enter (Windows) or Return (OS X) after
each country name.
Spain
Italy
Japan
Germany
USA
3. In the Customer Count field, type the following, pressing Enter (Windows) or Return
(OS X) after each value.
15
6
23
10
29
You have created two fields that contain return-delimited data.

Create a column to compare the number of customers in each country
1. Click Edit Layout in the layout bar to switch to Layout mode.
2. Drag the gray Body part boundary down to make room for the chart.
3. Click the Chart tool
in the status toolbar, then click in the body layout part and drag a
large rectangle where you want the chart to appear.
The Chart Setup dialog box appears.
4. In the Chart inspector, click Data Source and choose Current Record (delimited data).
5. In the Chart area of the Chart inspector, enter the following:

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For

Do this

Title

Type Customers by Country.

Type

Choose Column.

X-Axis (Horizontal)

For Title, type Countries.
For Data, click
, choose Specify Field Name, choose Country
in the list, then click OK.
Data values from the Country field appear below the chart. They
will be labels for the columns in your chart (x-series). This is the
data you are comparing.

Y-Axis (Vertical)

For Title, type Number of Customers.
For Data, click
, choose Specify Field Name, choose
Customer Count in the list, then click OK.
The columns in your chart show the data values from the Customer
Count field (y-series). This is the data you are measuring.

6. Click Done.
7. Click Save Layout, then Exit Layout in the layout bar.
Each return-delimited value in the Country field corresponds to a return-delimited value in the
Member Count field in the order the data was entered.

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Creating scripts to automate tasks
Scripts can do simple tasks like setting print orientation or complex tasks like preparing a
customized mailing to each client.
For example, you could define a complex set of tasks that creates a thank you letter to clients in
your Clients database who have made purchases in the last week. The script composes a letter
tailored to each client. The script switches to Preview mode and pauses so you can see what the
letter looks like before it prints. The whole task is initiated by clicking a button on the Sales Entry
layout.
You build scripts by selecting from a list of FileMaker Pro commands, called script steps, specifying
options (if necessary), and arranging the steps in the correct order to perform the task.
Note Many FileMaker Pro scripts can be made available to web users when you publish your
database using FileMaker WebDirect. See the FILEMAKER WEBDIRECT GUIDE.

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list)
Script steps reference (category list)

Planning a script
The more time you spend planning your script, the more likely that it will accomplish what you want.
As you plan, ask yourself these questions:
• Can you separate the task into smaller tasks? You can define sub-scripts for each small
task, and then define a script that performs the sub-scripts. It's easier to design and test
several small scripts than one complex one. You can also reuse sub-scripts in other areas.
(Use Perform Script script step to perform a sub-script inside another script.)
• What script steps should be executed under what conditions? Should every script step
always be executed? Should some be executed a number of times until a certain condition
is met? Should the script call other scripts and sub-scripts? You can control the progression
of the script in a number of different ways. See Control script steps for more information on
creating scripts with conditional steps.
• Do you want the script to run in a particular layout? Because scripts are defined at the file
level and can be called from any layout, you should make sure the script will operate in the
layout or layouts you expect. Use the Go to Layout script step to change layouts.
• Should the script work on all records in the database, the current found set, or a specific set
of records? (Use the Found Sets script steps to include only the records that you want to
work with in the found set.)
• Is all the data you need in one database file, or will the script operate on more than one file?
If you're using multiple files, which ones should the script open? In which file should the
script(s) be defined? In most cases a script should be defined in the same file as the data it
is processing. Database solutions with more than one file may need separate scripts in each
file, depending on the complexity of the task you are trying to script.
• With which record should the script start? For example, when using the Loop script step,
you must decide whether the loop starts at the first or last record, a specific record, or the
current record in the found set. (Use the Go to Record/Request/Page script step, Go to
Related Record script step, or Go to Portal Row script step to specify a starting record. If
you don't include a navigation script step to determine the current record, the loop begins
with the record that's current when the script is performed.)

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• Which window do you want to use? A script is initially attached to a specific window, which
may be in the background. The script remains on that window until a scripted action
switches to another window. For example, use the Select Window script step to specify a
different window. If the specified window is not available, the script switches to the
foreground window of the file. When you pause a script, the associated window becomes
the foreground window if it is available.
• Should the script switch among modes? A script can be run from Browse, Find, Layout, or
Preview modes. Make sure your script is in the proper mode before it acts upon something.
For example, use the Enter Browse Mode script step to modify data in fields and records,
and use the Enter Find Mode script step to set up or perform a find request.
Note Scripts performed in Layout mode automatically switch to Browse mode before executing.
• Which fields and layouts will the script need? Some steps (such as the Go to Field script
step and the Insert Text script step) require a field to be on the current layout, while others
(such as the Set Field script step) don’t. Either use the Go to Layout script step to switch to
a layout that has the fields your script requires, or place the fields on the gray area to the
right of the layout to make the fields available for script steps but not to users.
• Should the records be processed in a certain order? Decide among the current sort order, a
specified sort order, or unsorted (the order in which the records were created). Use the Sort
Records script step or the Unsort Records script step before entering a loop to order your
records properly before processing them.
• How should the script advance through multiple fields or records? (Use the Go to Record/
Request/Page script step, the Loop script step, the Exit Loop If script step and the End Loop
script step to control multiple field or record processing).
• When should the script finish? After all script steps have run? After a specified condition has
been met? (Use the If script step, the Else If script step, and the Else script step to perform
a task such as the Exit Script script step when the script reaches a specified condition.)
• How will you test your script? Use the Pause/Resume Script script step to pause at
predefined points in your script. Save a copy of your database, and then define and test
your script in it to preserve the original data.
Note If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can use the Script Debugger to test and
troubleshoot your scripts.
• How will you handle error conditions (such as an empty found set)? You can capture the last
error condition reported by FileMaker Pro by using the Get(LastError) function. Use this
function and the If script step, the Else If script step, and the Else script step to create
scripts that react gracefully to user errors or unexpected results. For even greater control,
use the Set Error Capture script step to suppress the error alerts that FileMaker Pro
normally displays in these situations, and replace them with your own using the Show
Custom Dialog script step.
• Should all users be allowed to perform all scripts? Use privilege sets to control users’
access to scripting. Through the use of privilege sets, users can be allowed to execute or
modify individual scripts, no scripts, or all scripts. You can also set the default permission for
each privileges set for any future new scripts that are defined in the file. Setting a script to
run with full access privileges will allow the script to do things on behalf of the user that may
not be normally allowed by their assigned privileges. See Creating and managing privilege
sets.
• How will users perform the script? You either need to create a button to perform the script or
specify that the script be added to the Scripts menu. Scripts can also be run from the
Manage Scripts dialog box or when a script trigger is activated. For example, you can use
the OnFirstWindowOpen script trigger to run a script when the database opens.

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Once you've considered these questions, you're ready to manage scripts in your database. See
Creating and editing scripts.

Creating and editing scripts
After you have planned your scripts, you are ready to create, edit, and manage them.

To create a script:
1. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts. Or, choose File menu > Manage > Scripts.
2. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, click New.
You can also choose Empty Script or Default Script from the New list. If you choose Default
Script, FileMaker Pro includes default script steps that you can edit or delete in the Edit Script
window.
The Edit Script window opens. This is where you create scripts or edit existing scripts.
3. In the Edit Script window, create your script.
To

Do this

Name a new script

Type a name for the new script in the Script Name text box.

Add a script step

Select it from the list of available steps and click Move. Typing the first few
letters of the script step scrolls the list to that script step.

Specify script step
options

A step with square brackets after it has options you can set. Double-click
the step, or select it and click Specify. In the next dialog box, specify
options, and click OK.
When specifying options for some script steps, you might see the
parameter “Restore”. Restore indicates that the criteria you specified when
the script step was last edited is used when the script step is executed.

Duplicate a script step

Select it in the list on the right and click Duplicate.

Copy and paste a script
step

Select it in the list on the right, then choose Edit menu > Copy. Click in the
list where you want the script step to appear, and choose Edit menu >
Paste. You can also copy and paste script steps into other scripts, copy
and paste scripts, or copy and paste into other files. See Copying and
pasting scripts.

Delete a script step

Select it in the list on the right and click Clear. See Deleting a script.

View available script
steps by category or
name

Choose All by category, All by name, or a specific category from the
View list.

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To

Do this

See which script steps
are not supported in
FileMaker Server
schedules,
FileMaker Go,
FileMaker WebDirect,
or Custom Web
Publishing

Choose an option from the Show Compatibility list:
• All displays all script steps.
• Macintosh displays all script steps supported in FileMaker Pro for
OS X.
• Windows displays all script steps supported in FileMaker Pro for
Windows.
• Server dims script steps that are not supported in a FileMaker Server
schedule.
This option refers to scripts running in a FileMaker Server schedule.
When a FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Go client runs a script in a
database that is hosted by FileMaker Server, the script steps are run
on the client. The steps that are compatible with Macintosh,
Windows, or iOS are executed.
• iOS dims script steps that are not supported in FileMaker Go.
• Custom Web Publishing dims script steps that are not supported in
Custom Web Publishing.
• FileMaker WebDirect dims script steps that are not supported in
FileMaker WebDirect.

Perform the script with
full access privileges

Select Run script with full access privileges. See the Note below for
additional information.

Reorder the script
steps

Use the double arrow to the left of the step to drag it to a new location in the
list.

Print a script

• Windows: Choose File menu > Print Script in the Edit Script window.
• OS X: Choose File menu > Print in the FileMaker Pro menu bar.
In the Print dialog box, select your options, then click OK (Windows) or
Print (OS X).

For information on each script step and its options, see Script steps reference (alphabetical list)
and Script steps reference (category list).
4. When you are finished, close the Edit Script window, then click Save to save it. Or choose
File menu > Save Script (Windows) in the Edit Script window, or choose Scripts menu >
Save Script (OS X) in the FileMaker Pro menu bar.
5. To create another script, repeat steps 2-4. Otherwise, return to the Manage Scripts dialog
box.
6. To include the script in the Scripts menu, select the checkbox next to the script, or select the
script and select Include in menu.
7. Close the Manage Scripts dialog box.

Tips
• Use Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) to select multiple script steps. You can
add, duplicate, or delete multiple steps.
• You can use operators to concatenate text, perform mathematical functions, and do logical
comparisons. See Using operators in formulas.

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• Add comments to your scripts with the Comment script step. Using comments in your script
helps others who might want to look at or modify it.
• To build scripts quickly, duplicate (or copy and paste) an existing script that does something
similar to what you want to do and modify the copy. To create a duplicate script with the
same name as the original, select it in the list and press Shift+Duplicate in the Edit Script
window. (Or, in the Manage Scripts dialog box, press Shift as you click

.)

• You can also print a script by selecting the script in the Manage Scripts dialog box and
clicking

.

To edit a script:
1. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts. Or, choose File menu > Manage > Scripts.
2. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, select the script you want to change, then click Edit or
double-click the script name.
The Edit Script window opens.
Tip You can open multiple Edit Script windows at the same time. In the Manage Scripts dialog
box, use Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) to select non-contiguous scripts, or
Shift-click to select contiguous scripts, then click Edit. A separate Edit Script window opens for
each script. Double-clicking with multiple scripts selected only opens the script that you clicked.
To close all windows, press Alt (Windows) or Option (OS X) and click the close button in any
window.
3. Do steps 3-6 above.
4. To perform your script, select it in the Manage Scripts dialog box and click Perform. Make
any changes to your script as needed.
5. Close the Manage Scripts dialog box.

Notes
• You can also create, edit, duplicate, and delete scripts from the Specify Script dialog box
when you create a button or script trigger.
• Use Run script with full access privileges to enable a script to run with the full access
privilege set, even if the current user has logged in with a privilege set that does not have
full access. Using this feature enables users with limited access and privileges to perform
scripted tasks that they would otherwise be unable to execute, such as exporting or deleting
records. Access privileges do not change, but the script can do more privileged work for
them. Furthermore, full access does not carry over to any subsequent sub-script, unless this
feature has been enabled in that script as well.
• The Run script with full access privileges feature can only be enabled or modified by
users with full access privileges. Therefore, only users with full access privileges can edit or
delete scripts for which this feature has been enabled.
• The Run script with full access privileges feature only functions in the file in which the
script is defined. This command will not override access restrictions on external files. For
example, a script to delete records in File A that has the Run script with full access
privileges option enabled will not delete records in an access-restricted external file File B.
• Users without full access privileges can be given permission to edit scripts that are marked
as modifiable in their assigned privilege set. Full access privileges are required to create,
duplicate, import, and/or delete scripts.

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• If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can disable script steps for testing. To disable
a script step, select it, then click Disable. To enable a script step, select it, then click
Enable. Disabled script steps are preceded by “//”. See Disabling script steps (FileMaker
Pro Advanced).
• If a script step specifies a field in a tab panel or slide panel that is not the front-most panel,
the specified field is selected and the panel it is in moves to the front of the panel control. If,
however, the same field appears elsewhere on the layout and the script finds that field first,
the panel with that same field will not come forward. Instead, assign an object name to the
field and use the Go to Object script step to move to that instance of the field.
• If a script step specifies a field in a popover, the popover opens and the field is selected. If
the same field appears elsewhere on the layout and the script finds that field first, the
popover with that same field will not come forward. Instead, assign an object name to the
field and use the Go to Object script step to move to that instance of the field.

Related topics
Script steps reference (category list)
Script steps reference (alphabetical list)
Using buttons with scripts
Working with the Scripts menu
Editing scripts privileges
Publishing databases on the web
Debugging scripts (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Managing scripts using folders
You can manage your scripts by grouping and filtering them.

To manage scripts using folders:
1. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts. Or, choose File menu > Manage > Scripts.
2. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, perform the tasks you want.
To

Do this

Create a new script
folder

Choose Folder from the New list. In the Edit Folder dialog box, type a
folder name, and click OK. The new folder appears in the Manage Scripts
dialog box at the current position. A folder appears as a submenu in the
Scripts menu.

Rename a folder

Double-click the folder to rename. In the Edit Folder dialog box, type a
new name, and click OK.

Duplicate a folder
• Select the folder, and click

.

• Windows: Choose Edit menu > Copy, click where you want the
folder to appear in the list, and choose Edit menu > Paste.
The folder and all scripts in the folder are duplicated.
Copy and paste a
folder to another file

See Copying and pasting scripts.

Expand or collapse a
folder

Click the expand/collapse icon to the left of the folder name, or press the
+ or - key (Windows) or the right or left arrow key (OS X). (This does not
affect the appearance of the Scripts menu.)

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To

Do this

Move a script into a
folder

Expand the folder you want (see above). Use the double arrow to the left
of the script to drag it under the expanded folder. If the script is at the end
of the folder list, use the four-pointed arrow to indent the script under the
folder name. The script appears in the selected folder’s submenu in the
Scripts menu.

Delete a folder

Select the folder to delete, and click Delete. The folder and all scripts in
the folder are deleted.

View scripts by folder
name

In the drop-down list on the left, choose a folder name. The dialog box
lists only scripts descended from the selected folder. To show all scripts,
choose Show All.

Filter list of scripts by
name

In the box on the right, type a script name, or part of the name. The list of
scripts filters as you type.

Add a separator
between script or folder
names

Select the script or folder above where you want the new separator.
Choose Separator from the New list. The Manage Scripts dialog box and
the Scripts menu reflect your changes.

Print a script or folder
Select the script or folder to print, and click
. In the Print dialog box,
select your options, then click OK (Windows) or Print (OS X).
3. To include the folder in the Scripts menu, select the checkbox next to the folder, or select the
folder and select Include in menu.
Note Selecting Include in menu only includes the folder itself, not its descendant scripts. Click
Include in menu next to each descendant script you want listed in the submenu. Any scripts
selected for menu inclusion without their parent folder being checked will not be included in the
Scripts menu.
4. When you are finished, close the Manage Scripts dialog box.

Tips
• Use Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) to select multiple scripts and folders.
You can add, duplicate, copy, paste, delete, or print multiple scripts and folders.
• You can edit multiple scripts at the same time. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, select the
scripts you want to edit, then click Edit. A separate Edit Script window opens for each
selected script. Note that double-clicking with multiple scripts selected only opens the script
that you clicked.

Related topics
Creating and editing scripts
Saving a script
Deleting a script

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Saving a script
To

Do this

Save a new or
edited script

With the Edit Script window open to the script you want to save, do one of
the following:
• Close the Edit Script window, then click Save.
• Windows: Choose File menu > Save Script in the Edit Script window.
• OS X: Choose Scripts menu > Save Script in the FileMaker Pro
menu bar.

Save all open
scripts

• Windows: Choose File menu > Save All Scripts in the Edit Script
window.
• OS X: Choose Scripts menu > Save All Scripts in the FileMaker Pro
menu bar.

Discard changes
before saving

With the Edit Script window open, do one of the following:
• Close the Edit Script window, then click Don’t Save.
• Windows: Choose File menu > Revert Script > Discard in the Edit
Script window.
• OS X: Choose Scripts menu > Revert Script in the FileMaker Pro
menu bar.

Related topics
Creating and editing scripts
Managing scripts using folders
Deleting a script
Copying and pasting scripts

Deleting a script
When you delete a script, FileMaker Pro deletes the script definition and removes the script's name
from the Scripts menu.

To delete a script:
1. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts. Or, choose File menu > Manage > Scripts.
2. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, select the script, then click Delete.
3. Click Delete to confirm the deletion.
Note FileMaker Pro doesn't update any scripts, script triggers, or buttons that refer to the deleted
script. Be sure to make any necessary changes to buttons or other scripts after you delete a script.
FileMaker Pro Advanced: You can create a Database Design Report to determine which scripts,
script triggers, or buttons in your database file refer to the deleted script. See Documenting
database schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Related topics
Creating and editing scripts
Managing scripts using folders
Saving a script

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Copying and pasting scripts

Copying and pasting scripts
You can copy entire scripts, script folders, or script steps from one file and paste them into the same
file or some other file.
1. Do one of the following:
To copy a

Do this

Script or
folder

Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts.
Or, choose File menu > Manage > Scripts.

Script step

Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts.
Then, select the script from the list and click
Edit to open the Edit Script window.

2. Select the script, script folder, or script step you want to copy.
3. Copy the selection:
• Windows: Choose Edit menu > Copy in the Edit Script window.
• OS X: Choose Edit menu > Copy in the FileMaker Pro menu bar.
4. Open the dialog box in the file into which you want to paste the script, folder, or script step.
5. To paste the selection, select the script, folder, or script step after which you want the
selection to appear, then:
• Windows: Choose Edit menu > Paste in the Edit Script window.
• OS X: Choose Edit menu > Paste in the FileMaker Pro menu bar.

Notes
• Pasted objects do not retain privileges. You must redefine privilege sets in the destination
file.
• FileMaker Pro retains references to scripts, folders, and script steps if they are valid when
you paste. If you copy multiple scripts, folders, or script steps that reference each other,
copy them in one step to retain the references. If you copy them one at a time, the
references may be lost. Check all references after pasting to ensure they are valid.
• To copy and paste scripts and folders, you must have write access to the source script or
folder and privileges to create scripts and folders in the destination file.
• To copy and paste script steps, you must have write access to the source and destination
scripts.
• When you copy scripts with disabled script steps, the steps remain disabled when pasted in
the new location. See Disabling script steps (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
• When you copy scripts, folders, or script steps, breakpoints are not copied. However, when
you duplicate scripts, folders, or script steps, breakpoints are retained.

Related topics
Creating and editing scripts
Managing scripts using folders
Saving a script
Deleting a script

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Running scripts on FileMaker Server
FileMaker Server administrators can create scheduled tasks to run two types of scripts:
• system-level scripts (for example, Windows batch files)
• FileMaker Pro scripts in databases hosted by FileMaker Server
These scripts can run in sequences.

To see whether a script step is compatible with FileMaker Server:
1. In FileMaker Pro, choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts.
2. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, double-click a script name or create a script.
3. In the Edit Script window, select Server from the Show Compatibility list.
Script steps that are not supported from a FileMaker Server schedule appear dimmed.

Notes
• A FileMaker Server-scheduled script will halt if an unsupported script step is encountered.
To allow a scheduled script to skip an unsupported step, use the Allow User Abort script
step and select Off.
• A scheduled script is run by FileMaker Server whether or not any FileMaker Pro clients
have the files open. Clients will see the effect of the script (for example, if a script running in
FileMaker Server changes a record, it will update in FileMaker Pro), but FileMaker Pro has
no part in the script execution.

Related topics
Get(DocumentsPathListing) function
Import Records script step
Export Records script step

Importing scripts from other FileMaker files
FileMaker Pro allows you to import scripts from other FileMaker files. You can also copy and paste
scripts between files. See Copying and pasting scripts.
Many scripts refer to files, fields, layouts, records, and other scripts. In addition, some script steps,
such as Set Field, Insert Calculated Result, Replace Field Contents, and so on, may have field
references embedded in calculations. While these references may be valid in the original file, it is
possible that they will be invalid in the file into which they are being imported.
When you import a script, FileMaker Pro attempts to map fields, layouts, tables (including those
used in relationships), and so on based on their names. Fields and layouts are mapped using their
fully qualified names, and these must match exactly or the reference will not be imported. If the
referenced object cannot be found, FileMaker Pro flags it as missing. After importing a script you
should edit the script to make sure that all references are valid and appear as intended.
Important Always review your imported script before performing it for the first time.

To import a script:
1. Open the file into which the script will be imported.
2. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts. Or, choose File menu > Manage > Scripts.

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Creating scripts to automate tasks

3. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, click

.

4. Open the file that contains the script(s) you want to import.
5. In the Import Scripts dialog box, select the script(s) you want to import.
If one or more of the scripts you’re importing refer to other scripts, make sure you select and
import all the referenced scripts at the same time. For more information, see the Notes below.
6. Click OK.
The Import Summary dialog box appears.
7. Click Open Log File to view the import log file, or click OK to close the Import Summary
dialog box.
If FileMaker Pro reports errors, follow the steps in Creating and editing scripts to correct the
 references in each script. During the script import, FileMaker Pro checks all
references to fields, layouts, other scripts, files, and so on, in each imported script. References
must match exactly to be included in the import. If a referenced object is not found,
FileMaker Pro flags it as .
8. Close the Manage Scripts dialog box.
Tip You can import scripts into a folder by selecting the folder, then clicking

.

Notes
• The match for field names is not case-sensitive.
• When importing a script that references a related field, the fully qualified field names must
match identically, including the names of the tables as they appear in the relationships
graph.
• When importing script steps that contain calculations (for example, If, Set Field, and, Insert
Calculated Result), if FileMaker Pro cannot match all items referenced in the calculation
(i.e. tables, fields, or custom functions), the calculation is commented out (using ‘C’ style
comments).
• When importing scripts from single table files, you can avoid most of these naming errors by
making a copy of the file containing the script you want to import. In the copied file, rename
the table to match one of the tables in your destination file, and import the script from the
copy. Script steps that refer to identically named fields and layouts in both files will import
properly because the underlying table in the source file has the same name as a table in the
target file.
• When importing script steps that contain more complex information (for example, find
requests, sort order, import field order, and export field order, etc.), FileMaker Pro discards
any missing field references.
• To import a script, you must have access privileges in the source file that allow you to
modify the script.
• The option Run script with full access privileges is only imported when the user
performing the import has logged into the target database with full access privileges.

Related topics
Managing scripts using folders
Deleting a script
Planning a script

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Scripting with ActiveX Automation (Windows)
Many Windows applications use the ActiveX Automation protocol to expose their object models for
external control.
ActiveX Automation support in FileMaker Pro allows you to open and close FileMaker Pro database
files, toggle the application’s visibility, and run FileMaker Pro scripts.
FileMaker Pro is an automation server. The objects FileMaker Pro exposes for automation can be
accessed by any ActiveX client or Automation controller, including as Visual Basic and other similar
programming tools.
The primary benefit of ActiveX Automation in FileMaker Pro is the ability to initiate FileMaker Pro
scripts from outside of the FileMaker Pro application.
For example, with FileMaker Pro ActiveX Automation and Visual Basic you can create your own
application (with its own interface) and drive multiple applications to accomplish a task. For example
you could define a window in Visual Basic that has one button that says, "Get today’s sales data."
The procedure for "Get today’s sales data" would open a FileMaker Pro file and, by calling a
FileMaker Pro script, find and export all of that day's sales data. The Automation procedure would
then start up Excel and graph the exported data.
Note To implement ActiveX Automation with FileMaker Pro, you need to be proficient in a
programming language such as Visual Basic or C++.

Using FileMaker Pro ActiveX Automation (Windows)
The FileMaker Pro Type Library
The type library describes the objects, properties, and methods exposed by FileMaker Pro, so that
other ActiveX clients can access FileMaker Pro.
The FileMaker Pro Type Library is included in the FileMaker Pro executable. It is not a separate file.
The FileMaker Pro Type Library was registered on your computer when you installed FileMaker Pro.
In Visual Basic, add "FileMaker Pro Type Library" to the list of Available References in your project.
Important You must add the FileMaker Pro Type Library to the list of available type libraries in the
application you will be using to implement your ActiveX Automation document. If you don't add the
type library, you won't be able to address FileMaker Pro via ActiveX Automation.
The method for adding this library varies in the different ActiveX Automation authoring tools. Consult
the manual that came with your ActiveX Automation authoring tool if you are unsure of how to do
this. The following procedure explains how to do this in Microsoft Visual Basic.

To add the FileMaker Pro Type Library to Microsoft Visual Basic:
1. In Microsoft Visual Basic, choose Project menu > References > Add Type Library.
2. Enable the checkbox to the left of the FileMaker Pro Type Library.
3. Click OK.
FMPro70Lib appears in the Visual Basic Object Browser once the project references include the
FileMaker Pro Type Library. All of the objects, methods and properties that FileMaker Pro exposes
for Automation control are now available.

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Declaring FileMaker Pro as the Application object
Declare the FileMaker Pro as the Application object each time you create an ActiveX Automation
script or application to control FileMaker Pro. This can be done with a single line of code at the top of
your Automation document, where it appears with your other definitions.
For example:
Dim FMProApp As FMPro70Lib.Application

Getting an Application object
To make any Automation calls to FileMaker, you must first get access to the FileMaker Application
Object. There are two ways to do so: by calling CreateObject, or by calling GetObject.
To use either call, first declare the Application object:
Dim FMProApp as FMPro70Lib.Application
For CreateObject only:
Set FMProApp = CreateObject("FMPRO.Application")
CreateObject will launch FileMaker if it is not already running.
The GetObject function retrieves an Application object only if FileMaker is already running.
For GetObject only:
Set FMProApp = GetObject(, "FMPRO.Application")
Notice the comma, which indicates that the first argument to GetObject — a path to a disk file — has
been omitted. The comma is required because under some circumstances GetObject takes a
filename as its first argument. To retrieve an instance of FileMaker, however, you must omit the
filename argument, or an error will occur.

Calling a FileMaker Pro script
To run a FileMaker Pro script via ActiveX Automation, call the DoFMScript function with the name of
the script as the variable.
For example:
Dim FMProApp as FMPro70Lib.Application
CreateObject("FMPRO.application")
Dim FMProDocs, FMProDocs.Open("c:\MyFile.fmp12","","")
Dim FMProDoc
FMProDoc.DoFMScript ("MyScript")
Set FMProDoc = nothing

Toggling the visibility of the FileMaker Pro application
When FileMaker Pro is launched by Automation, it will run hidden by default. You can use the visible
property to hide or show FileMaker Pro.
For example, to hide the application:
FMProApp.Visible = False
To show the application:
FMProApp.Visible = True

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Reference counts and releasing an object
When an automation object is referenced, a reference count increments to let FileMaker know that a
process is using that object. In Visual Basic, an object is reference counted every time you set the
declared variable to a FileMaker object, for example:
' just a declaration - no references yet
Dim FMDocs as FMPro70Lib.Documents
' this line causes a reference of FileMaker's "Documents" object
Set FMDocs = FMApp.Documents
' this causes a second reference of the same FileMaker "Documents" object
Set FMDocs2 = FMApp.Documents
FileMaker may not exit until all reference counts are released. In Visual Basic, you can release the
reference count by setting the object variable to "Nothing", for example:
' releases the reference to the FileMaker "Documents" object
Set FMDocs = Nothing
' releases the 2nd reference to the FileMaker "Documents" object
Set FMDocs2 = Nothing
' releases the reference to the FileMaker Application object
Set FMApp = Nothing
It is good practice to always set object variables to "Nothing" when you have finished using the
variables.

Access Privileges
FileMaker Pro uses the Documents.Open(filename As String, accountName As
String, password As String) method. If the accountName and password arguments are
empty strings, the file will be opened as a client user.

Scripts
FileMaker Pro scripts called directly by Automation may interrupt each other.
FileMaker Pro scripts called from within other FileMaker Pro scripts will run in order, as expected.

Remotely hosted files
It is not possible to open a hosted file using ActiveX Automation alone. To open a hosted file using
Automation, you can either open the hosted file directly using the FileMaker Open dialog box, and
then access the file using Automation, or you can write a FileMaker Pro script that opens the hosted
file, and then call that script via Automation.

Related topics
Using FileMaker Pro ActiveX Automation (Windows)
ActiveX Automation example (Windows)

ActiveX Automation objects, methods, and properties (Windows)
FileMaker Pro supports three Automation Objects: Application, Documents, and Document. The
following are methods and properties available for the objects.

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Application
Access to the FileMaker Pro application.

Properties
Note All properties are read-only except "Visible."
Application: Returns a pointer to this object, which is the root object of the object hierarchy.
Parent: Returns a pointer to this object.
FullName: Returns the name of the application, including the path.
Name( ): Returns the name of the application - "FileMaker Pro."
Caption: Returns the window title for the frame window. The FileMaker Pro caption is always set to
describe the currently active document and cannot be set differently by clients.
DefaultFilePath: Returns the default path specification used for opening files.
Documents: Returns a pointer to the Documents collection object so that individual Document
objects may be opened, accessed, and run through scripting.
Version: Returns the version of FileMaker Pro.
Visible: Returns TRUE if the application is visible. Set to TRUE to show the application, FALSE to
hide the application.
ScriptStatus( ): Returns 0 if no script is running, 1 if a script is paused, 2 if a script is running, or 3 if
a script is queued (selected to run but not yet started).

Methods
Quit( ): Closes the application. Note that if clients are still attached, the application is hidden until all
clients release the FileMaker Pro automation server. To prevent unexpected behavior, always follow
a Quit statement with an object release statement. For example:
FMproApp.Quit
Set FMProApp = Nothing

Documents
This is the collection of open documents, or FileMaker Pro files.

Properties
Note All properties are read-only.
Application: Returns a pointer to the Application object.
Parent: Returns a pointer to the Application object.
Count: Returns the number of Documents (long integer) in the Document collection.
_NewEnum: Returns an enumerator object to traverse all the Document objects in the Document
collection. This is not an explicit property of the object, but accessible implicitly when you use the
document in a For loop.
Active: Returns the active document.
Item(variant): Returns a specific Document object from the collection. This method is the default
member of the Documents Collection. It takes a variant parameter that can be specified by:
• A string that represents the document’s filename (full path name).

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• An index (long integer) into the Documents collection.
• NULL (which returns the entire collection).

Methods
Open(filename As String, accountName As String, password As String): Opens a specific
FileMaker Pro file, creates a Document object, and returns a pointer to the Document object.
Close( ): Closes all documents in the collection and removes them from this collection. The
Document Close statement produces a hard close of the document. If other users are connected to
the FileMaker Pro database when the application receives a Document Close statement, they will
be disconnected immediately, and without warning. Be sure to allow any connected users the
opportunity to exit FileMaker Pro before sending this command.

Document
A Document is a FileMaker Pro database file.

Properties
Note All properties are read-only.
Application: Returns a pointer to the Application object.
Parent: Returns a pointer to the Document Collection object, the parent of the Document object.
FullName: Returns the file specification of the document, including the path. If the Document
FullName command is sent to a remote file running on a host, only the file’s name, and not its path,
will be returned.
Path: Returns the path specification of the document. This does not include the filename or the
extension.
Saved: Returns the state of the document (whether the document has been saved). FileMaker Pro
always returns TRUE.
Active: If the Document object’s window is active, then TRUE is returned, otherwise, FALSE.

Methods
Activate( ): Makes the window associated with this Document object the active window.
Save( ): Flushes the database cache.
Close( ): Closes the document and removes it from the Documents collection.
DoFMScript(WhichScript As String): Executes a FileMaker Pro script on this Document object. The
script is specified by name, and must already exist in the Document (for example, in the
FileMaker Pro file).

Related topics
Using FileMaker Pro ActiveX Automation (Windows)
ActiveX Automation example (Windows)

ActiveX Automation example (Windows)
Private Sub Form_Load()
'----------------------------------------------

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' Sample code for accessing FileMaker Pro
' in Visual Basic.
'
' "FileMaker Pro 7.0 Type Library" must be checked
' and available in Visual Basic's Project/References.
'----------------------------------------------

'---------------------------------------------' Declaring Objects and Launching FileMaker
'----------------------------------------------

' Declare object variables
Dim FMApp As FMPro70Lib.Application
Dim FMDocs As FMPro70Lib.Documents
Dim FMActiveDoc As FMPro70Lib.Document
' Launch FileMaker
Set FMApp = CreateObject("FMPRO.Application")

' Set the documents object
Set FMDocs = FMApp.Documents

' Make FileMaker visible (when launching from automation,
' FileMaker remains hidden by default.)
FMApp.Visible = True

'---------------------------------------------' Querying open documents
'----------------------------------------------

'Check the open document count
If FMDocs.Count = 0 Then
Debug.Print "No open documents"
Else
Debug.Print "Open document count is:"; FMDocs.Count
End If

'-------------------------------------------------' Opening a FileMaker database and running a script
'--------------------------------------------------

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' Note: A FileMaker file "c:\testing.fmp12" must be available
' with a script called "First Script" in order for the following
' to work.
Dim myOpenFile As Object
FMPro70Lib.Document

' note: can also be declared As

Set myOpenFile = FMDocs.Open("c:\testing.fmp12", "","")
myOpenFile.DoFMScript ("First Script")

'-------------------------------------------------' Querying the active document
'--------------------------------------------------

Set FMActiveDoc = FMDocs.Active

' Display the active document's name
Debug.Print "The active file is

"; FMActiveDoc.FullName

'-------------------------------------------------' Enumerating and closing documents
'--------------------------------------------------

Dim TempToc As Object

If FMDocs.Count > 0 Then

For Each TempDoc In FMDocs
Debug.Print "About to close document: "; TempDoc.FullName
TempDoc.Close
Set TempDoc = Nothing
Next
End If
'---------------------------------------------' Clean up and Quit
'---------------------------------------------Set FMDocs = Nothing
Set FMActiveDoc = Nothing
Set myOpenFile = Nothing

' Quit FileMaker and release the variables

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' (Note: always set the application variable to Nothing after quitting.)
FMApp.Quit
Set FMApp = Nothing
End Sub

Related topics
Using FileMaker Pro ActiveX Automation (Windows)
ActiveX Automation objects, methods, and properties (Windows)

Scripting with Apple events (OS X)
Apple events let you automate, customize, and control many OS X applications. FileMaker Pro can
send Apple events to applications that support them. FileMaker Pro can also receive Apple events
from applications that have been designed to send Apple events.
Apple events are grouped into suites. FileMaker Pro supports the following:
• Required suite
• A special subset of the Core, Table, and Database suites
• FileMaker Pro suite
• Object Model
• A subset of the URL suite
To send Apple events from FileMaker Pro to other applications, define a script and use either the
Send Event (OS X) script step or the Perform AppleScript (OS X).
To see a list of FileMaker Pro compatible Apple events, open the FileMaker Pro Apple events
dictionary in a script editor like AppleScript Editor.

Apple events troubleshooting (OS X)
The following are known Apple events issues:
• When you attempt to find a record outside the current found set, no error is returned.
• You cannot use a list of IDs to retrieve records from a database.
• Performing a filtered reference on a range of records returns all matching records instead of
matching records within the specified range.
• You cannot use “whose” statements on summary fields to find records.
• If multiple occurrences of a field appear on a layout, all occurrences are returned when
getting or setting data.
Choose from the following list of Apple events errors:
Apple events error: "Apple event timed out" (-1712)
Apple events error: "Expected expression but found unknown token"
Apple events error: "Invalid object containment" (-1723)
Apple events error: "Object not found" (-1728)
Apple events error: "Data is being accessed by another user, script, or transaction" (-10011)
Apple events error: "Set Data failed. Invalid data was supplied" (-17005)
Apple events error: "Event failed. User canceled the event processing" (-17006)

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Apple events error: "Create failed. Invalid data was supplied" (-17007)

Apple events error: "Apple event timed out" (-1712)
This error can happen when an event takes an unusually long time to complete. If an event takes
longer than two minutes, the Apple Event Manager reports a time-out error. This error can
sometimes be generated when:
• You are using the FileMaker Pro Show event to find records in a large database
• FileMaker Pro presents a dialog box waiting for the scripter's (user's) response
• An event takes a long time to occur, such as opening a networked file when there is heavy
network traffic.
To prolong the amount of time AppleScript waits for a response: Use the "with timeout" statement.
An example of such a statement that increases the wait time to five minutes is:
tell application "FileMaker Pro"
with timeout of 300 seconds
Show (every Record whose Cell "Product" contains "FileMaker Pro")
end timeout
end tell

Apple events error: "Expected expression but found unknown
token"
This AppleScript error message can occur when smart quotes are used instead of straight quotes in
a script statement. The Perform AppleScript script step will compile statements with straight quotes
only.
This may be an issue when you copy a script from a word processor that uses smart quotes and
paste it into the script text area of the Specify AppleScript window. This may also be an issue when
using the field value option in the Specify AppleScript dialog box (your AppleScript is in a
FileMaker Pro field). If this is the case, turn smart quotes off (in File Options) to avoid the error.

Apple events error: "Invalid object containment" (-1723)
This error alerts you that an object may not have been specified correctly according to the
FileMaker Pro object containment hierarchy. The object hierarchy tells you how FileMaker Pro
objects are related. For instance, fields are a subset of records but not menus; menus can belong
only to an application, not to a window or database.
To correct this error: Examine the relationship of the objects you have specified and compare them
with the containment hierarchy.
The containment hierarchy can be found in the FileMaker Pro event and object dictionary accessible
with the AppleScript Script Editor.

Apple events error: "Object not found" (-1728)
This is one of the most frequent and generic error messages. It alerts you that an object may not
have been referenced correctly.

To correct this error:
1. Make sure that references to fields, records, databases, and layouts are spelled correctly.

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2. Verify that the object exists.
In some cases you have specified the object correctly and the "Object not found" error means that
the object does not exist. For instance, if you are specifying a field on a layout check to see that the
field exists and that it is on that layout. Also, when you use a Show command to find records and no
records are found, the result will be "Object not found."

Apple events error: "Data is being accessed by another user,
script, or transaction" (-10011)
This error can be generated if:
• the Apple event is processing one or more records, and processing is prevented because
another user has one or more records locked up
• access privileges prevent some records from being modified
• an Apple event arrives while a script is being processed
• other, similar events occur while a transaction is taking place
For Apple events that fail for one of these reasons, the locked/protected records will be skipped and
an error will be returned at the end of the transaction.

Apple events error: "Set Data failed. Invalid data was supplied" (17005)
This error occurs when you enter data into a field in the wrong format or when you enter a value in a
field that does not meet validation criteria set in Manage Fields.
This error can occur when you issue a set data, create record with data, or paste
command to enter:
• blank value in a field defined as "Not Empty"
• duplicate value in a field defined as "Unique"
• non-existing value in a field defined as "Existing"
• value not in the range defined for a field
• value that does not match the type validation

To correct the error:
1. Check the validation options that may be defined for the fields you are manipulating.
2. Examine the format of the data you are pasting and the format of the field. Do they match?
Field type

Accepted format

Example

Date

month/day/year

11/10/2014

Note This is different from AppleScript's
default date format, for example, "Monday,
November 10, 2014 4:23:26 PM".
Time

hours:minutes:seconds

07:15:45 PM

Timestamp

month/day/year hours/minutes/seconds format 11/10/2014 08:24:53 AM

Note Container fields will accept QuickTime movies, TIFF, PICT, EPS graphics, PDF files, sounds,
and text.

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Apple events error: "Event failed. User canceled the event
processing" (-17006)
This error occurs when a Print from Finder event is canceled by the user.

Apple events error: "Create failed. Invalid data was supplied" (17007)
This error occurs if the user tries to create records with initial data that fails validation or access
privileges checks. As a result of this failure, the new record will be deleted.
Note about serial numbers If the record is set to auto-enter serial numbers On creation, the serial
number increments as each record is created, but is not decremented at the time the records are
deleted. This problem is avoided if serial numbers are set to be generated On commit, as serial
numbers will begin from the last committed record. See Defining automatic data entry.

Working with the Scripts menu
A script folder appears as a submenu in the Scripts menu. In Windows, FileMaker Pro lists as many
scripts and folders in the Scripts menu as will fit on a screen, depending on screen resolution and
the length of script or folder names. To scroll through additional scripts and folder submenus, click
on the triangle at the bottom of the list. In OS X, the Scripts menu is scrollable, and the maximum
number of scripts listed is not limited by screen size or resolution. In both Windows and OS X,
FileMaker Pro assigns keyboard shortcuts to the first ten scripts.
To

Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts and then

Add a script or
folder to the
Scripts menu

In the Manage Scripts dialog box, select the script or folder, then select Include in
menu, or click to the left of the script in the list. A check mark appears next to the
script or folder name.

Reorder scripts
or folders in the
Scripts menu

In the Manage Scripts dialog box, drag the script or folder by the double arrow that is
to the left of its name. (Make sure Include in menu is selected.)

Remove a script
or folder from the
Scripts menu

In the Manage Scripts dialog box, select the script or folder, then deselect Include in
menu.

Tip To visually separate items in the Scripts menu with a single horizontal divider, create a
separator. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, select the script or folder above where you want the
separator, then choose Separator from the New list.

Related topics
Creating and editing scripts
Managing scripts using folders
Saving a script
Deleting a script
Copying and pasting scripts

Using buttons with scripts
You can use a button to perform a FileMaker Pro command or a script. For example, you could
define a button that simply switches to another layout, by using the Go to Layout script step. Or you

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could define a button that performs a more complex script that finds, sorts, and prints records, or
one that transfers information from one FileMaker Pro file to another.
In Browse mode or in Find mode, you can click a button to perform its command or script. You can
also include buttons in a layout’s tab order, which allows you to tab to a button and “click” it by
pressing the Space bar. See Setting the tab order for data entry.
You can turn many FileMaker objects into buttons. You can copy an existing button, or use text and
graphics to design your own button.
Note Another type of button that you can create is a popover button, which displays a popover. See
Working with popovers on layouts.

Related topics
Creating and editing scripts
Perform Script and script parameter examples

Defining a button
To define a button:
1. If you're defining a button that performs a script (as opposed to a single FileMaker Pro
command), create the script.
See Creating and editing scripts.
2. In Layout mode, choose the layout where you want to locate the button from the Layout
pop-up menu.
3. Create or select the object that will serve as the button on the layout in one of two ways, as
follows.
To

Do this

Create a new button

In the status toolbar, do the following.
• Windows: Click the arrow next to the Button tool

or the

Popover Button tool
, and choose Button from the
menu, then drag the crosshair to draw the button.
• OS X: Click and hold the Button tool

or the Popover

Button tool
, and choose Button from the menu, then
drag the crosshair to draw the button.
Tip You can also choose Insert menu > Button.
Attach a button definition to
existing object(s), like text
or a field

Select the object(s) and choose Format menu > Button Setup.
If you select multiple objects, FileMaker Pro groups them when you
define them as a button. See Grouping and ungrouping objects.

4. In the Button Setup dialog box, select a command from the list and, if necessary, set options
for the command.
5. If you want the button to perform an entire script, select Perform Script and choose a
script. (You can only select one script per button.)

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6. If you created a new button, type a label for the button at the insertion point.
7. To change appearance of the button, see Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects,
layout parts, and the layout background.
8. Click OK.
9. Switch to Browse mode or Find mode to use the button.

Notes
• To see buttons on a layout, choose View menu > Show > Buttons.
• If a button references a script or script step, a button badge
appears in the lower right
corner of the button. If the button has other FileMaker Pro badges associated with it, the
button badge could be obscured by the other badges and therefore not be visible. For more
information about badges, see Identifying badges on layout objects.
• To change button text, click the Text tool

in the status toolbar.

• In the Button Setup dialog box, you can:
• choose whether the pointer will change to a hand cursor when it is over the button.
• choose items in the Show Compatibility list to see which script steps are available in
FileMaker Pro (Macintosh or Windows), FileMaker Go (iOS), Custom Web
Publishing, or FileMaker WebDirect.
• Perform Script is useful if you want to run subscripts. You can choose options to Pause,
Resume, Exit, or Halt any script that is currently running. Here is a general description of
what happens to the currently running script when a user clicks the button:
• Pause (the default): a paused script remains paused.
• Resume: a paused script will be resumed after the button’s script executes.
• Exit: a current paused script is exited. If the current script was called by another script,
control returns to the original script.
• Halt: execution of all scripts (except the button’s script) is halted.
• Another type of button that you can create is a popover button, which displays a popover.
See Working with popovers on layouts.

Related topics
Script steps reference (category list)
Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

Copying a button
When you copy a button, you copy the object and the button definition. If you copy a button from
another database file, make sure that any fields, layouts, or script references are accurate for the
current database.

To copy a button:
1. If the button is in another database file, open the file.
2. In Layout mode, select the button and choose Edit menu > Copy.
3. Switch to the layout where you want the button to go.

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4. Choose Edit menu > Paste.

Notes
• To change button text, use the Text tool

in the status toolbar.

• To see a button definition, switch to Layout mode and double-click the button. The current
definition is selected in the Button Setup dialog box.

Changing a button definition
To change a button definition:
1. In Layout mode, select the button you want to change.
2. Choose Format menu > Button Setup, or double-click the button.
3. Change the script step or options, then click OK, or choose Do Nothing to disable the
button.

Related topics
Script steps reference (category list)
Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

Deleting a button
To delete a button:
1. In Layout mode, select the button you want to delete.
2. Choose Edit menu > Cut or Clear, or press Backspace or Delete.
When you delete a button, FileMaker Pro removes the button from the layout and deletes its
definition.

To delete a button definition without deleting the button object:
1. In Layout mode, select the button.
2. Choose Format menu > Button Setup, or double-click the button.
3. In the Button Setup dialog box, select Do Nothing, then click OK.

Script examples
You can use script examples provided in Help as starting points for your own scripts. Several scripts
are included in the FileMaker Pro Starter Solutions as well.
Note Don't change a Starter Solution script. Instead, save a copy of the Starter Solution, and then
modify the copy.

To view a script in FileMaker Pro:
1. Choose Script menu > Manage Scripts. Or, choose File menu > Manage > Scripts.
2. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, select the script you want to view.
3. Click Edit to see the script steps in the Edit Script window.

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4. Close the Edit Script window, then close the Manage Scripts dialog box.

If structure examples
If, Else If, Else, and End If script steps define a structure that controls whether or not script steps are
performed. This control depends upon the result of a testable condition or Boolean calculation.
• When the calculation result is any number except zero, the condition evaluates to True, and
subsequent script steps are performed.
• When the calculation result is zero, blank, or content that does not resolve into a number,
then the condition evaluates to False and the subsequent script steps are not performed.
Else If steps provide additional Boolean tests. Else steps provide alternative steps to perform if all
conditions evaluate to False.

Example 1
Performs a find. If no records are found, displays a custom dialog. If records are found, sorts the
found set.
Perform
If [Get
Show
Else
Sort
End If

Find [Restore]
( FoundCount ) = 0]
Custom Dialog ["Find Records"; "No records were found."]
Records [Restore; No dialog]

Example 2
Performs a find. If no records are found, displays a custom dialog. If one record is found, goes to the
Invoice Details layout. If more than one record is found, goes to the Invoices layout.
Perform Find [Restore]
If [Get (FoundCount) = 0]
Show Custom Dialog ["Find Records"; "No record was found."]
Else If [Get (FoundCount) = 1]
Go to Layout ["Invoice Details"]
Else
Go to Layout ["Invoices"]
End If

Loop structure examples
Loop, Exit Loop If, and End Loop script steps define a structure that enables script steps to be
repeated. Script steps between a Loop and an End Loop are executed continuously, until an Exit
Loop If condition or an Exit After Last condition is reached for a Go to Record/Request/Page or Go
to Portal step.
Use the Exit Loop If script step to specify a calculation to be evaluated. When the calculation result
is not zero, it evaluates to True and the loop ends. When the calculation result is zero, it evaluates to
False and the loop continues.

Example 1
Copies the contents of the Customers::Work Phone to Customer::Day Contact in all records.
Go to Record/Request/Page [First]
Loop

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Set Field [Customers::Day Contact; Customers::Work Phone]
Go to Record/Request/Page [Next; Exit after last]
End Loop

Example 2
Loops through records to export files that are in container fields. Exits the loop if a record has an
empty Container field.
Set Variable [$PATH; Value: Get ( DocumentsPath ) & Products::Container]
Go to Record/Request/Page [First]
Loop
Exit Loop If [IsEmpty ( Products::Container )]
Export Field Contents [Products::Container; "$PATH"]
Go to Record/Request/Page [Next; Exit after last]
End Loop

Startup script examples
A startup script can customize a user's view of a database or perform other actions when a
database opens. Startup scripts are triggered by the OnFirstWindowOpen script trigger. For
information on setting up a startup script, see Setting file options.

Example 1
Goes to the Administration layout if the account is assigned the Full Access privilege set. Otherwise,
goes to the Data Entry layout.
If [Get ( AccountPrivilegeSetName ) = "[Full Access]"]
Go to Layout ["Administration"]
Else
Go to Layout ["Data Entry"]
End If

Example 2
Checks which version of FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Go opened the database and goes to the
appropriate Customers layout.
If [Get ( Device ) = 3]
Go to Layout ["Customers iPad"]
Else If [Get ( Device ) = 4]
Go to Layout ["Customers iPhone"]
Else
Go to Layout ["Customers"]
End If

Perform Script and script parameter examples
Perform Script performs a script that is defined in the current file or in another FileMaker Pro file.
Optional script parameters can pass text into a script. For example, you can use a script parameter
to store the active record number when a script is initiated, making it easy to return to that record at
the end of the script. Or you can call the same script from different buttons on the same layout, and
easily determine which button called the script by using a different script parameter for each button.

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When you specify a parameter, you can access it within a script or pass it to other scripts using the
Get(ScriptParameter) function.
Complex parameters, such as a list of names or other values, can also be used. Complex
parameters that are separated by carriage returns can be parsed using the LeftValues function,
MiddleValues function, and RightValues function. These functions return the beginning, middle, and
ending values from lists that are separated by carriage returns. Complex parameters separated by
other characters can be parsed as text using functions such as Left function, Middle function, and
Right function.

Notes
• A script parameter exists only for the duration of the script. Script parameters are reset each
time a script is performed. If you want a script parameter to persist while a file is open, you
can use a global variable as the script parameter.
• A script parameter exists within the parent script only, unless it is explicitly passed to
another script using the Get(ScriptParameter) function.
• A script parameter can be used (but not modified) within a script and can be passed along
to sub-scripts by using the Get(ScriptParameter) function as the parameter for the subscript. You can also specify different parameters each time the sub-script is called using
Perform Script. Changing the parameters passed to a sub-script does not modify the value
of the parameters returned from Get(ScriptParameter) in the parent script.

Example 1
Runs the "Print Invoice Report" script with no parameters.
Go to Layout ["Invoice Report"]
Perform Script ["Print Invoice Report"]

Example 2
Uses a field, Customer Name, as the parameter. Invoices for the current customer are returned in a
new window with the Invoice Report layout.

Main script: Current Customer Invoices
Find Matching Records [Replace; Invoices::Customer ID]
#Calls the "View Customer Invoices" sub-script defined below
Perform Script ["View Customer Invoices"; Parameter:
Invoices::Customer Name]

Sub-script: View Customer Invoices
New Window [Name: "Customer: " & Get ( ScriptParameter ); Style:
Document]
Go to Layout ["Invoice Report"]
Sort Records [Restore; No dialog]

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Protecting databases
You can restrict what users can see and do in a database file by defining accounts and privilege
sets. For example, you can:
• Password-protect a file
• Allow data entry only
• Allow browsing but prohibit database changes
• Restrict access to specific tables, records, fields, and layouts
• Give certain users full access to a file, which allows them to define tables, fields,
relationships, data sources, and access privileges for other users
You can also control access to a file’s schema (including its tables, layouts, scripts, and value lists).
Although your operating system includes file security features, you should use FileMaker Pro
access privileges as the fundamental way to control access to and protect the security of your
database files.
It’s especially important to protect FileMaker Pro files that are shared with other FileMaker Pro users
via the FileMaker Network, with web users via FileMaker WebDirect, and with ODBC/JDBC clients.
These shared files are more vulnerable because they may be more widely available over your
network.
Note If you have FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can encrypt database files to protect them while
they are being stored on disk. See Encrypting database files (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

About protecting databases
You can limit what users can see and do in a FileMaker Pro file. You can restrict:
• Data access. Make particular tables, fields, or records view-only, or hide them completely.
• Layout access. Prevent users from modifying layouts in Layout mode.
• Access to value lists and scripts. Prevent users from accessing and modifying value lists
and scripts, and from running scripts.
• Access to file sharing. Individually enable file sharing via the FileMaker Network, Web
Publishing, and ODBC/JDBC for only particular users.
• Outputting data. Prevent users from printing or exporting data.
• Menu access. Make only a limited set of menu commands available.
• External file access. Protect access to a file in your database by authorizing other files to
reference its tables, layouts, scripts, and value lists.
• Plug-in files. You can disable installation of plug-in files. See Setting plug-in preferences.
You restrict what users do in a file by requiring them to enter an account name and password when
they attempt to open a file. The account name and password they enter determines which privilege
set will be used to limit what they can do in a file. See About accounts, privilege sets, and extended
privileges.
You can define privileges in a shared file while clients are using it. Any privilege changes that affect
a current client do not take effect until the client closes and reopens the file.

Privileges protecting an external data source
The external data source provides the access privileges for the data. You can add access privilege
requirements in FileMaker Pro. See Editing ODBC data sources.

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Privileges protect a single file
The privileges that you set up apply to a single file only and all tables within that file. If your database
solution consists of multiple files that you want to protect, you may want to combine all of these files
into one multi-table file. Then you can define privileges in only a single file to manage access to the
entire database solution. If you don’t want to combine the files into one file, then you should define
privileges in each file that contains items you want to protect.
Important If you create a relationship in one file that references a table in another file, you cannot
manage access privileges for the related table in the first file. The privileges defined in the other file
control access to that table.
Note If you have a multi-file database solution that includes multiple protected files, you may want
to consider using identical account names and passwords in each protected file. When one
protected file attempts to access another protected file (such as to access related data or execute a
script in the second file), FileMaker Pro initially attempts to open the second file with the same
account name and password that was used to open the first file. If there is a matching account name
and password, FileMaker Pro skips displaying the account/password dialog box. If there is no
matching account, then FileMaker Pro displays the account/password dialog box so the user can
enter account information.

About accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges
You use accounts, privilege sets and extended privileges to protect FileMaker Pro database files.

Accounts
Accounts authenticate users who are attempting to open a protected file. Each account specifies an
account name and (usually) a password. Any user that cannot specify valid account information
won’t be able to open a protected file. Each file initially contains two accounts: Admin and Guest.
You may want to create an account for every individual who accesses a file, or you may want to
create a small number of accounts that are shared among many individuals, such as a “Marketing”
account and a “Sales” account:
• Create accounts for individuals when it is necessary to guarantee the identities of particular
users and you want to manage access at an individual level.
• Create shared accounts when you want fewer accounts to maintain and you are less
concerned about managing individual access to the database file.
If you host files on FileMaker Server, you can create External Server accounts that obtain
authentication information from an authentication server such as an Apple OpenDirectory or
Windows Domain. This allows you to use a centrally managed user directory that may already be in
use to manage access to other network resources such as file servers. See Creating accounts that
authenticate via an external server.
See Creating and managing accounts and About the Admin and Guest accounts.

Privilege sets
A privilege set specifies a level of access to a database file. When you create a privilege set, there
are many options available that you can use to limit database access, such as which layouts are
viewable, which menus are available, and whether printing is permitted. Privilege sets can also
restrict access to particular tables, records, or fields within a file. Each account is assigned a
privilege set, which determines the level of access when someone opens a file using that account.

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You can create as many privilege sets as you need to define the types of access you want to permit
to a file. Each database file contains three predefined privilege sets for common types of access
levels.
See Using the predefined privilege sets and Creating and managing privilege sets.

Extended privileges
Extended privileges determine the data sharing options that are permitted by a privilege set, such as
whether a privilege set permits users to open a shared file or view a database in a web browser.
The following table lists the default extended privileges that are available. (FileMaker as well as
third-party developers may define additional extended privileges to manage access to other
software products designed to work with FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server.)
Keyword

Extended privilege

Determines if a privilege permits

fmwebdirect

Access via FileMaker WebDirect

Accessing a database file from a web browser
via FileMaker WebDirect.

fmxdbc

Access via ODBC/JDBC

Accessing a database file as an ODBC or
JDBC data source.

fmapp

Access via FileMaker Network,
server-side scripting, or
FileMaker Go

Opening a shared file (either a file shared by
FileMaker Pro or hosted and shared by
FileMaker Server).

fmreauthenticate10 Require re-authentication after the
specified minutes in sleep/
background - Go only

Accessing a file in FileMaker Go without
having to re-login after file hibernation or after
using a different app. The default time is 10
minutes; maximum time is 10080 minutes (one
week) - FileMaker Go only.

fmxml

Access via XML Web Publishing FMS only

Accessing a database file from a web browser
or other application via XML web publishing FileMaker Server only.

fmphp

Access via PHP Web Publishing FMS only

Accessing a database file from a web browser
or other application via PHP web publishing FileMaker Server only.

When a user attempts to open or access a protected file using one of the above methods, the user
will be prompted to provide account information. If the privilege set for the account does not permit
the type of extended privilege access the user is requesting, the user will get an error indicating that
they cannot access the file in that way.
All extended privileges except fmreauthenticate10 are disabled by default, even in the Full Access
privilege set.
Enabling extended privileges only makes it allowable for certain privilege sets to access shared
data. To actually access the shared data, you must also set up sharing for the type of access that
you want. See Sharing databases on a network, Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro, or
Publishing databases on the web.
For more information on extended privileges, see Managing extended privileges.

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Notes
• FileMaker Pro no longer supports the fmiwp extended privilege. However, opening
database files created in FileMaker Pro 12 or earlier that use the fmiwp extended privilege
does not remove the extended privilege from the privilege sets it is assigned to.
• Shared accounts are a security risk. For better security, use individual accounts instead of
shared accounts. If you intend to use shared accounts anyway, make sure you limit the
access capabilities of the privilege sets that shared accounts use. Change the password
occasionally, particularly when certain users no longer require access.

About the Admin and Guest accounts
Each database file initially contains two accounts: Admin and Guest.

Admin account
The Admin account is assigned the Full Access privilege set, which permits access to everything in
a file. The Admin account is not assigned a password. In files for which privileges are not set up, the
file options are set up to automatically log in to the file using the Admin account.
The Admin account is fully editable. You can rename it, assign it a password, make the account
inactive, or even delete the Admin account. See Editing existing accounts.
Warning Don’t forget the account name and password that is assigned to the Full Access privilege
set. If necessary, write it down and store it in a secure place. If you lose or forget this account name
and password, you may not be able to access or change the file.

Guest account
You can permit users to open a file as a guest, which means they do not have to specify any account
information. The Guest account determines the privileges for users who open a file as a guest. By
default, the Guest account is assigned the Read-Only Access privilege set, but you can assign any
privilege set you want to the Guest account.
Initially, the Guest account is inactive, which disables the guest option in the password dialog box
and prohibits users from opening files as a guest. You can enable the Guest account to permit guest
access. For more information about opening files as a guest, see Opening files protected with
passwords.
The Guest account is not fully editable. You cannot delete the Guest account, change the Guest
account name, or assign it a password. See Editing existing accounts.

Using the predefined privilege sets
Every new FileMaker Pro database contains three predefined privilege sets. They are:
• Full Access: permits accessing and changing everything in the file
• Data Entry Only: permits viewing and entering of data only
• Read-Only Access: permits viewing but not changing data
Note The Read-Only Access privilege set permits write access to all global fields. To create a
privilege set in which global fields and all record data are view-only, you can duplicate the ReadOnly Access privilege set and change Records from Custom privileges to View only in all
tables.

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You cannot change or delete these predefined privilege sets, except to enable or disable extended
privileges for them. You can either use them as is, or duplicate them and then modify the duplicate
copies.
The following table summarizes the properties of these privilege sets. For more information about
these properties, see Editing record access privileges, Editing layouts privileges, Editing value list
privileges, Editing scripts privileges, Editing extended privileges for a privilege set, and Editing other
privileges.

Privilege

Full Access
privilege set

Data Entry Only
privilege set

Read-Only Access
privilege set

Records (in all tables)

create, edit, delete

create, edit, delete

view only

Layouts

all modifiable

view only

view only

Value lists

all modifiable

view only

view only

Scripts

all modifiable
and executable

all executable only

all executable only

Extended privileges

all off, except
fmreauthenticate10

all off, except
fmreauthenticate10

all off, except
fmreauthenticate10

Allow printing

on

on

on

Allow exporting

on

on

on

Manage extended privileges

on

off

off

Override data validation warnings

on

off

off

Disconnect user from server when
idle

off

on

on

Allow password modification

on

on

on

Password change number of days

off

off

off

Minimum password length

off

off

off

Available menu commands

All

All

All

Note The Full Access privilege set is the only one that permits access to the Manage Database
dialog box in order to modify fields, tables, relationships, and data sources. It is also the only
privilege set that permits changing accounts and privileges. Because you cannot enable these
privileges in any other privilege set, any user that wants to make database definition changes or
privileges changes must open the file with an account that is assigned the Full Access privilege set.
At least one active, FileMaker-authenticated account in each file must be assigned the Full Access
privilege set. An error message will appear if you edit accounts so that no active account is assigned
the Full Access privilege set.

Planning security for a file
A new FileMaker Pro file is initially unprotected. Whenever the file opens, it automatically logs in the
user with the Admin account, which is assigned the Full Access privilege set. This permits accessing
and changing everything in the file.
You can use accounts and privilege sets to secure the database file. How you secure a file depends
largely on whether you share the file with others or not:
• If you simply want to keep someone else from opening a database file on your computer,
you can password-protect the file. See Password-protecting a file.

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• If you need to share a database file with others and provide varying levels of file access to
different users, you need to plan the security for the file. Follow the steps below to plan the
security you need for the shared file.
You can additionally protect a file by requiring authorization of any file that attempts to access its
tables, layouts, value lists, and scripts. See Authorizing access to files.

To plan the security for a shared file:
1. Determine the privilege sets that you need for the file.
Make a list of the areas of the file that you want to protect, such as particular tables, fields,
records, layouts, value lists, and scripts. Plan the number of privilege sets you need to enforce
the varying levels of file access that you require.
Note Each database file contains three predefined privilege sets, which may meet some or all
of your needs. See Using the predefined privilege sets.
2. Determine whether you need individual accounts for each user, or group accounts that
multiple users can share.
3. Decide if you want to enable the Guest account, which permits users to open the file without
specifying account information.
See About the Admin and Guest accounts.
4. Create the privilege sets that you need in the file.
See Creating and managing privilege sets.
5. Determine if you need to enable any extended privileges for certain privilege sets.
If you want certain privilege sets to be able to open a shared file over a network as a client,
access the file from a web browser via FileMaker WebDirect, or access a file as an ODBC or
JDBC data source, you need to enable extended privileges for certain privilege sets. Don’t
enable extended privileges unless they’re needed.
6. Create the accounts you need in the file, and assign the appropriate privilege set to each
account.
If you’re using the Guest account, assign a privilege set to it as well. Otherwise, disable the
Guest account. See Creating and managing accounts.
7. Test each privilege set to make sure it restricts file access the way you want.
Open the file using different accounts and test each privilege set that you created. Make sure
the restrictions work the way you want, and make any needed corrections to your privilege sets.
8. Optionally limit other files from accessing the schema of your files by use of the File Access
tab.
See Authorizing access to files.

Additional security tips
Though accounts and privilege sets provide good database protection, they are not a 100% secure
solution. You should take other reasonable measures to protect access to your files and information,
and not rely solely on FileMaker Pro access privileges. For example:
• If you host FileMaker Pro databases on a computer that is shared over a network, use
operating system level security settings and passwords to restrict folder and file access to
authorized personnel only.
• Set the screen saver feature of your operating system to require a password in order to
wake up the computer from the screen saver.

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• Protect the physical security of the computers, hard drives, and backup storage media
where the database files reside.

Notes
• Shared accounts are a security risk. For better security, use individual accounts instead of
shared accounts. If you intend to use shared accounts anyway, make sure you limit the
access capabilities of the privilege sets that shared accounts use. Change the password
occasionally, particularly when certain users no longer require access.
• If you have FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can encrypt database files to protect them while
they are being stored on disk. See Encrypting database files (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Password-protecting a file
If you have a non-shared database file on your computer and you want to prevent others from
opening it, you can password-protect the file.
After password-protecting a file, you will be prompted to enter an account name and password every
time you open the file. Anyone who does not know this account information will not be able to open
the file.

To password-protect a database file:
1. Make the following changes to the accounts in the file:
• Edit the Admin account so that it has a different account name, a password, and uses
the Full Access privilege set. (If the file does not contain an Admin account, create a
new account with a password and assign the Full Access privilege set to it.)
• Make sure the Guest account is inactive.
• Delete any other accounts in the file or make them inactive.
See Editing existing accounts and Duplicating and deleting accounts.
2. If necessary, edit the Full Access privilege set to allow yourself any extended privileges that
you may want for yourself.
For instructions on how to edit the Full Access privilege set, see Editing extended privileges for
a privilege set. If you don’t need any extended privileges, leave them disabled.
Warning Don’t forget the account name and password that is assigned to the Full Access privilege
set. If necessary, write it down and store it in a secure place. If you lose or forget this account name
and password, you may not be able to access or change the file.
Note To remove password protection from a file, remove passwords from all accounts. Then, in the
File Options dialog box, make sure Log in using is selected, with Account Name and Password
set to Admin and a blank password. See Setting file options.

Creating and managing accounts
Accounts specify account names and (usually) passwords for a file. When a user opens a file that
contains accounts, a dialog box usually prompts the user to enter account information. When a user
opens a file with a correct account name and password, the privilege set assigned to that account
determines what the user can do in that file. See About accounts, privilege sets, and extended
privileges.

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To create and manage accounts for a file, you need to open the file with an account that is assigned
the Full Access privilege set, which is the only privilege set that permits making account changes to
a file. If you open the file with any other privilege set, the File menu > Manage > Security command
is disabled.
You can create and modify accounts in a shared file while clients are using it. The account changes
you make take effect immediately. However, the changes do not disrupt any current clients. For
example, if you change the password for an account that is in use by one or more clients, their
FileMaker Pro usage is not interrupted. However, they will need to enter the new password the next
time they open the file.
You can create as many accounts as you need. You can create individual accounts for each user, or
a smaller number of accounts that users can share. Each database file also contains two predefined
accounts: Admin and Guest. See About the Admin and Guest accounts.
Warning Don’t forget the account name and password that is assigned to the Full Access privilege
set. If necessary, write it down and store it in a secure place. If you lose or forget this account name
and password, you may not be able to access or change the file.
Note Shared accounts are a security risk. For better security, use individual accounts instead of
shared accounts. If you intend to use shared accounts anyway, make sure you limit the access
capabilities of the privilege sets that shared accounts use. Change the password occasionally,
particularly when certain users no longer require access.

Viewing and reordering accounts
The Manage Security dialog box displays a list of all the accounts for a file. You can view and
reorder this list of accounts. If necessary, you can also change the authentication order of accounts,
which determines the order that FileMaker Server searches through the accounts list for a valid
account.
Note Changing the authentication order of accounts is only necessary under certain situations
when your file is hosted by FileMaker Server. See the Notes section in Creating accounts that
authenticate via an external server and the FileMaker Server documentation.

To view the accounts for a file:
1. Open the database file.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
The Manage Security dialog box appears. It initially shows the Accounts tab, which lists the
accounts defined for this file.

To reorder the accounts list:
1. Follow the steps above to display the accounts for a file.
2. Do one of the following to order the accounts:
To order the accounts list

Choose

Alphabetically

View by > account name or click the Account column
heading. You can also switch the alphabetical list
between ascending and descending order by clicking
the Account column heading.

In the order the accounts were created

View by > creation order.

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To order the accounts list

Choose

In the order that FileMaker Server searches View by > authentication order.
through the accounts list for a valid account.

To change the authentication order of accounts:
1. Follow the steps above to display the accounts for a file.
2. Choose View by > authentication order.
3. Drag each account by its arrow

icon into the order you want.

4. Click OK.
Note To quickly activate or deactivate an account, click its checkbox in the first column of the
Accounts tab. See Creating accounts and Editing existing accounts.

Related topics
Duplicating and deleting accounts
About the Admin and Guest accounts

Creating accounts
You can create accounts for every individual who accesses a file, or create fewer accounts that are
shared among many individuals, such as a “Marketing” account and a “Sales” account. You must
assign a privilege set to each new account. See About accounts, privilege sets, and extended
privileges.

To create an account:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
The Manage Security dialog box appears. The Accounts tab lists the accounts defined for this
file.
2. Click New.
3. In the Edit Account dialog box, for Account is authenticated via, choose FileMaker.
For information about accounts managed by an external server, see Creating accounts that
authenticate via an external server.
4. Enter an account name and password for the account.
Tip If you plan to create accounts for individual users, you may want to base each account
name on the User Name defined in the Preferences dialog box. This User Name is the default
account name that appears in the dialog box that prompts a user for an account name and
password. The user won’t have to re-type the account name if it matches the User Name.
For tips on specifying a password, see Tips for creating account names and passwords.
5. To force the account user to choose a new password the first time he or she logs in, choose
User must change password on next login.
Note In most cases, an account that is shared by multiple users should not force a password
change upon first login. Instead, you should specify a password and provide it to the users that
need it. Also, the privilege set for a shared account should not permit password changes

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because one user could change the password and lock out all other users who share the
account. See Editing other privileges.
6. For Account Status, choose whether you want the account to be active or inactive.
For example, you may want to keep the account inactive until you finish setting up its privilege
set or temporarily make an account inactive. Users cannot open a database using an inactive
account name and password.
7. For Privilege Set, choose the privilege set you want to use with this account.
You can choose an existing privilege set, or choose New Privilege Set and create a new one.
See Creating new privilege sets.
8. For Description, enter a description of the account (optional).
9. Click OK.
10. In the Manage Security dialog box, do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To continue working with accounts and privileges, see Creating and managing
accounts, Creating and managing privilege sets, or Managing extended privileges.

Notes
• Passwords are case-sensitive. For example, if you specify a password as zFootBallz2,
FileMaker Pro will not accept zfootballz2. When you’re entering a password for an
account, make sure the Caps Lock key on your keyboard is not inadvertently enabled.
• Account names are not case-sensitive. For example, if you specify an account name as
Chris, the account user can successfully open the file by entering chris or CHRIS as
the account name.
• If multiple users are sharing the same account (such as a shared “Marketing” account or
“Sales” account), change the password occasionally, particularly when certain users no
longer require access. Re-distribute the new password to the people who need it, and
remind them not to share the password with unauthorized users. See Editing existing
accounts.

Editing existing accounts
You can edit existing accounts, such as the account name, password, and other settings. For
example, if someone forgets their password, you can reset it for their account and inform them of the
new password.
For information about duplicating or deleting accounts, see Duplicating and deleting accounts.
Warning Don’t forget the account name and password that is assigned to the Full Access privilege
set. If necessary, write it down and store it in a secure place. If you lose or forget this account name
and password, you may not be able to access or change the file.

To edit an existing account:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
The Manage Security dialog box appears. The Accounts tab lists the accounts defined for this
file.

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2. Select the account you want to edit and click Edit.
3. In the Edit Account dialog box, change one or more of the options described in the following
table.
To

Do this

Change how the account is
managed

Choose an option from the Account is authenticated via list.

Change the account name

Enter a new account name in the Account Name box.

Change the password

Enter a new password in the Password box.

For information about accounts managed by an external server,
see Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server.

For tips on choosing a password, see Tips for creating account
names and passwords.
Force the user to choose a new
password the next time he or
she logs in

Choose User must change password on next login.
Note In most cases, an account that is shared by multiple users
should not force a password change upon first login. Instead, you
should specify a password and provide it to the users that need it.
Also, the privilege set for a shared account should not permit
password changes. See Editing other privileges.

Make an account active or
inactive

For Account Status, choose whether you want the account to be
active or inactive. Users cannot open a database using an
inactive account name and password.

Change the privilege set for the
account

For Privilege Set, choose the privilege set you want to use with
this account.
You can choose an existing privilege set, or choose New
Privilege Set and create a new one. See Creating new privilege
sets.

Edit the account description

For Description, enter the account description you want.

4. Click OK.
5. In the Manage Security dialog box, do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To continue working with accounts and privileges, see Creating and managing
accounts, Creating and managing privilege sets, or Managing extended privileges.

Notes
• At least one active, FileMaker-authenticated account in each file must be assigned the Full
Access privilege set. An error message will appear if you edit accounts so that no active
account is assigned the Full Access privilege set.
• You cannot rename the Guest account or assign it a password. If you do not want to permit
Guest access to a file, make the Guest account inactive. See About the Admin and Guest
accounts.
• Passwords are case-sensitive. For example, if you specify a password as zFootBallz2,
FileMaker Pro will not accept zfootballz2. When you’re entering a password for an

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account, you may want to make sure the Caps Lock key on your keyboard is not
inadvertently enabled.
• Account names are not case-sensitive. For example, if you specify an account name as
Chris, the account user can successfully open the file by entering chris or CHRIS as
the account name.
• Shared accounts are a security risk. For better security, use individual accounts instead of
shared accounts. If you intend to use shared accounts anyway, make sure you limit the
access capabilities of the privilege sets that shared accounts use. Change the password
occasionally, particularly when certain users no longer require access.
• To automatically log in each time a file is opened, choose File menu > File Options and
specify the account name and password. See Setting file options.
• To remove password protection from a file, remove passwords from all accounts. Then, in
the File Options dialog box, make sure Log in using is selected, with Account Name and
Password set to Admin and a blank password. See Setting file options.

Duplicating and deleting accounts
You can duplicate accounts and delete accounts that you no longer need.

To duplicate or delete existing accounts:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
The Manage Security dialog box appears. The Accounts tab lists the accounts defined for this
file.
2. Select one or more accounts that you want to duplicate or delete:
• To select one account, click the account name.
• To select multiple accounts, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) each
account name.
• To select a range of adjacent accounts, click the first account, and then Shift-click the
last account in the range.
3. Do one of the following:
• To duplicate the accounts, click Duplicate.
• To delete the accounts, click Delete.
4. Do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To continue working with accounts and privileges, see Creating and managing
accounts, Creating and managing privilege sets, or Managing extended privileges.

Notes
• If you want to temporarily prevent access to a shared file, you can make accounts inactive
instead of deleting them. When you want to restore access to the file, make the accounts
active again. See Editing existing accounts.
• At least one active, FileMaker-authenticated account must be assigned the Full Access
privilege set. An error message will appear if you delete accounts such that no active
account is assigned the Full Access privilege set.

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• You cannot delete the Guest account. If you do not want to permit Guest access to a file,
make the Guest account inactive. See Editing existing accounts.

Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server
If you’re hosting FileMaker Pro database files with FileMaker Server and your organization uses
centrally-managed authentication for users and groups such as Apple OpenDirectory or a Windows
Domain, you can set up accounts that authenticate users based on your authentication server. This
allows you to use your existing authentication server to control access to databases without having
to manage an independent list of accounts in each FileMaker Pro database file.
Note Although you can set up accounts for external authentication servers in FileMaker Pro, only
database files hosted by FileMaker Server can authenticate users against an authentication server.
Database files shared by FileMaker Pro won’t authenticate against an authentication server.
Important When a database file contains one or more External Server accounts, make sure you
use operating system security settings to limit direct access to the file. Otherwise, it might be
possible for an unauthorized user to move the file to another system that replicates your
authentication server environment and gain access to the file. For more information, see the
FileMaker Server documentation.

To create an account that authenticates via an external server:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
The Manage Security dialog box appears. The Accounts tab lists the accounts defined for this
file.
2. Click New.
3. In the Edit Account dialog box, for Account is authenticated via, choose External Server.
4. For Group Name, enter the name of a group that is defined on an external authentication
server.
5. For Account Status, choose whether you want the account to be active or inactive.
For example, you may want to keep the account inactive until you finish setting up its privilege
set. Users cannot open a database using an inactive account.
6. For Privilege Set, choose the privilege set you want to use with this account.
The privilege set assigned to the account determines what the externally authenticated group
members can do in the database file. You can choose an existing privilege set, or choose New
Privilege Set and create a new one. See Creating new privilege sets.
7. For Description, enter a description of the account (optional).
8. Click OK.
You see the Manage Security dialog box again.
9. Do one of the following:
• If you’re finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To continue working with accounts and privileges, see Creating and managing
accounts, Creating and managing privilege sets, or Managing extended privileges.

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Notes
• You’ll need to set additional options in FileMaker Server to authenticate users against an
external server. For more information, see the FileMaker Server documentation.
• It’s possible for a file with External Server accounts to contain multiple accounts that could
authenticate a user. For example, a file could contain:
• Both a FileMaker-authenticated account and an account on the authentication server
with the same name.
• Two or more External Server accounts that contain the same member.
When a user opens a file, FileMaker Pro opens the file using the first matching account in the
authentication order. Any matching accounts that follow the first one are ignored. Therefore, it’s
important to set the authentication order for accounts when one or both of the above situations
exist. Otherwise, the wrong account may be used to access the file. For more information on
changing the authentication order, see Viewing and reordering accounts.
Tip The authentication order is only an issue under specific circumstances: you must be
hosting files with FileMaker Server, using an external authentication server, and have accounts
set up in such a way that there are multiple accounts that could authenticate particular users. If
you are only using FileMaker-authenticated accounts, authentication order is not a concern
because each account must have a unique name.
• If you work with shared database files that access ODBC data from Microsoft SQL Server,
you can configure Windows single sign-on authentication. See Enabling ODBC data source
single sign-on (Windows only).

Tips for creating account names and passwords
The following are suggestions for creating account names and passwords that are valid and secure:
• Use only ASCII characters in passwords, such as a-z, A-Z, 0-9, and punctuation characters
like “!” and “%.” Passwords containing certain accented characters or non-Roman
characters such as Cyrillic or Japanese may not work, particularly in cross-platform
database solutions and files accessed via FileMaker WebDirect.
• If the file is shared via Web Publishing, also limit account names to ASCII characters. Do
not use colons in account names and passwords of web-published files.
• Secure passwords are typically eight or more characters in length, and include at least one
numeric character.
• Passwords are less secure when they include strings that are easily guessed, such as
names (especially the names of family and pets), birth dates, anniversary dates, and, in
particular, the words password, default, master, admin, and similar standard terms.
• If possible, create a unique account for each user, and set up privilege sets to require
periodic password changes.
If it is not feasible to create a unique account for each user, then consider using group accounts
for users with more restrictive access, and individual accounts for users with less restrictive
access.
• If the file is shared via FileMaker WebDirect, consider creating more limited privilege sets for
users who are accessing the database via a web browser.
• Practice good management of known account names and passwords:
• Do not record account information in a master file or list, especially if it is not, in turn,
secured by a password and encryption or stored in a secure location.

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• Do not share account information with other users; always contact the owner or
administrator of a database to obtain the correct password to be used.

Creating and managing privilege sets
Privilege sets specify levels of access to a database, such as which layouts are viewable, which
menus are available, and whether printing is permitted. See About accounts, privilege sets, and
extended privileges.
To create and manage privilege sets for a file, you need to open the file with an account that is
assigned the Full Access privilege set, which is the only privilege set that permits making privileges
changes to a file. If you open the file with any other privilege set, the File menu > Manage >
Security command is disabled.
You can create and modify privilege sets in a shared file while clients are using it. The privilege set
changes you make take effect immediately. However, the changes do not disrupt any current clients.
For example, if you change privileges for a privilege set that is in use by one or more clients, their
privileges remain unchanged until the next time they open the file.
You can create as many privilege sets as you need to define the types of access you want to permit
to a file. Each database file also contains three predefined privilege sets for common types of
access levels. See Using the predefined privilege sets.
After you create the privilege sets that you want, you need to create or edit accounts so that they
use the appropriate privilege sets. See Creating and managing accounts.

Viewing privilege sets
The Manage Security dialog box displays a list of all the privilege sets for a file. You can view and
reorder this list of privilege sets.

To view the privilege sets for a file:
1. Open the database file.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
3. In the Manage Security dialog box, click the Privilege Sets tab.

To reorder the list of privilege sets:
1. Follow the steps above to display the privilege sets for a file.
2. Do one of the following:
• Choose View by > Name or View by > Creation Order.
• To order the list alphabetically by privilege set, click the Privilege Set column heading.
Click the heading again to switch between ascending and descending order.
• To create a custom order, choose View by > Custom Order, and drag each privilege
set by its arrow

icon into the order you want.

Related topics
Creating new privilege sets
Editing existing privilege sets
Duplicating and deleting privilege sets

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Creating new privilege sets
You can create as many privilege sets as you need to define the types of access you want to permit
to a file. Then you can assign each privilege set to one or more accounts.

To create a new privilege set:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
The Manage Security dialog box appears. It initially shows the Accounts tab, which lists the
accounts defined for this file.
2. Click the Privilege Sets tab.
3. Click New.
The Edit Privilege Set dialog box appears. By default, each privilege set option is set to its most
restrictive setting.
4. Enter a name and description (optional) for the privilege set.
5. Manage the privileges for the privilege set. See:
• Editing record access privileges
• Editing layouts privileges
• Editing value list privileges
• Editing scripts privileges
• Editing extended privileges for a privilege set
• Editing other privileges

Editing existing privilege sets
You can edit existing privilege sets to allow or restrict permissions for a file.
Note You cannot change or delete the predefined privilege sets — Full Access, Data Entry Only,
and Read-Only Access — except to enable or disable extended privileges for them. You can
duplicate the Data Entry Only and Read-Only Access privilege sets and then modify the duplicate
copies. See Using the predefined privilege sets, Duplicating and deleting privilege sets, and Editing
extended privileges for a privilege set.

To edit an existing privilege set:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
2. In the Manage Security dialog box, click the Privilege Sets tab.
3. Select the privilege set you want to edit, and click Edit.
The Edit Privilege Set dialog box appears.
4. To rename the privilege set or edit the description, enter a new name for Privilege Set
Name or a new description for Description.
If you rename a privilege set, the privilege set name is also updated in all the accounts to which
that privilege set is assigned. You don’t have to manually update each account with the new
privilege set name.
5. Redefine the privileges for the privilege set.
For details on the different privileges you can define, see:
• Editing record access privileges

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• Editing layouts privileges
• Editing value list privileges
• Editing scripts privileges
• Editing extended privileges for a privilege set
• Editing other privileges
Note If nearly all the options in the Edit Privilege Set dialog box are dimmed, remember that
you cannot change or delete the predefined privilege sets — Full Access, Data Entry Only, and
Read-Only Access — except to enable or disable extended privileges for them. You can
duplicate the Data Entry Only and Read-Only Access privilege sets and then modify the
duplicate copies. See Duplicating and deleting privilege sets.
6. When you’re through editing this privilege set, click OK.
7. Do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To assign the privilege set to one or more accounts, see Creating accounts or Editing
existing accounts.

Duplicating and deleting privilege sets
You can duplicate privilege sets and delete privilege sets that you no longer need.
You cannot delete:
• the Full Access, Data Entry Only, and Read-Only Access privilege sets.
• any privilege set that is in use by an account. Edit the accounts so that the privilege set is no
longer in use, and then delete the privilege set. See Editing existing accounts.
Also, you cannot duplicate the Full Access privilege set.

To duplicate or delete a privilege set:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
2. In the Manage Security dialog box, click the Privilege Sets tab.
3. Select one or more privilege sets that you want to duplicate or delete:
• To select one privilege set, click its name.
• To select multiple privilege sets, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) each
name.
• To select a range of adjacent privilege sets, click the first privilege set name, and then
Shift-click the last name in the range.
4. Do one of the following:
• To duplicate the privilege sets, click Duplicate.
• To delete the privilege sets, click Delete.
5. Do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.

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• To continue working with accounts and privileges, see Creating and managing
accounts, Creating and managing privilege sets, or Managing extended privileges.

Editing record access privileges
Privilege sets can limit access to records in a file. For a file, you can set:
• Privileges for all tables: you can limit whether a privilege set allows creating, editing, and
deleting records in all the tables in a file.
• Custom privileges for individual tables: you can set individual record access limits for each
table. For example, the privilege set can limit the ability to:
• View, edit, create, or delete all records in each table.
• View, edit, and delete certain records within each table. The privileges are limited by
means of calculation that returns a Boolean result for each record. When the calculation
evaluates to True, access is allowed for that specific activity (such as viewing the
record). When the calculation evaluates to False, access to that activity is prohibited.
• Access or modify certain fields within each table. When access to one or more fields is
restricted in a table that is otherwise visible, the user will see  instead of
the field data.
You can only set record access privileges for tables defined in the current file. If the file contains
relationships to tables in other files that you want to protect, you need to create accounts and
privilege sets in the other files to protect those tables. See About protecting databases.

To edit record access privileges:
1. Start editing a new or existing privilege set.
See Creating new privilege sets or Editing existing privilege sets.
2. In the Edit Privilege Set dialog box, choose one of the following options from the Records
list:
To edit the privilege set to

Choose

Permit creating, editing and deleting records in all
tables

Create, edit, and delete in all tables, and skip
ahead to step 10.

Permit creating and editing records only (prohibit
deleting records) in all tables

Create and edit in all tables, and skip ahead to
step 10.

Permit viewing records only (prohibit creating,
editing, and deleting records) in all tables

View only in all tables, and skip ahead to step
10.

Prohibit accessing records in all tables

All no access, and skip ahead to step 10.

Create custom record access privileges for
individual tables

Custom Privileges, and continue with the next
step.

3. In the Custom Record Privileges dialog box, select one or more tables for which you want to
edit custom privileges. (Or select Any New Table to set privileges for any table created
later.)
The Custom Record Privileges dialog box displays the tables in the file and the custom
privileges for each table. To change the privileges, you start by selecting the tables that you
want to change, and then you choose privileges in the Set Privileges area at the bottom of the
dialog box.

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• To select one table, click its name.
• To select multiple tables, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) each name.
• To select a range of adjacent tables, click the first name, and then Shift-click the last
name in the range.
• To select all tables, click Select All.
4. To set custom privileges for viewing, editing, creating, and deleting records, choose one of
the following options from the View, Edit, Create, and Delete lists in the Set Privileges
area:
Choose

To

Yes

Allow the privilege (viewing, editing, creating, or deleting records).

Limited (available when
only a single table is
selected)

Allow or prohibit the privilege (viewing, editing, and deleting records)
for certain records within the table.

No

Prohibit the privilege (viewing, editing, creating, or deleting records).

In the Specify Calculation dialog box, enter a calculation, and click
OK. See Entering a formula for limiting access on a record-by-record
basis, below.

Note Avoid creating inconsistent combinations of view, edit, create, and delete privileges. For
example, you most likely do not want to permit users to delete records that they cannot view.
5. To limit access or modification of certain fields within a table, continue with the next step.
Otherwise, skip ahead to step 9.
6. Select the table that contains the fields for which you want to limit access. Then, for Field
Access, choose Limited.
7. In the Custom Field Privileges dialog box, select each field for which you want to limit
access (or select Any New Field to set custom privileges for any field created later). Then
choose one of the following options:
Choose

To

Modifiable

Allow viewing and editing of the field data.

View only

Allow viewing of the field data. (Editing of field data is not allowed.)

No access

Prohibit access to the field.
Note When access to one or more fields is prohibited in a table that is otherwise
visible, the user will see  instead of the field data.

8. Click OK.
9. Click OK.
You see the Edit Privilege Set dialog box.
10. Manage any other privileges for the privilege set.
For details on the different privileges you can define, see:
• Editing layouts privileges
• Editing value list privileges
• Editing scripts privileges

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• Editing extended privileges for a privilege set
• Editing other privileges
11. When you’ve finished editing this privilege set, click OK.
12. In the Manage Security dialog box, do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To assign the privilege set to one or more accounts, see Creating accounts or Editing
existing accounts.

Notes
• In the Custom Record Privileges and Custom Field Privileges dialog boxes, you can change
the order of tables or fields in the list by clicking one of the column headings. To switch
between ascending and descending order, click the column heading again.
• If you prohibit creating records in a file or table, then duplicating records is prohibited as
well.
• Users that cannot view certain records can still browse these records, but the user will see
 instead of the field data within each record.
• Many features in FileMaker Pro are affected when you limit access to records, fields, and
tables within a file. The following table summarizes the effects for some features.
Feature

Effect of limiting data access

Lookups and
Relookups

Lookups and relookups are defined by three components, all of which can be
affected by data access privileges:
• At a minimum, the match fields used in the relationship must have view
privileges. Also, no lookup will occur for any records that are not
viewable in both the source and destination tables because a match
cannot occur under these circumstances. This includes the first related
matching record, as well as any records used to copy the next higher or
lower value.
• At a minimum, the source field for the lookup must have view privileges.
• The destination field for the lookup must have edit privileges.
FileMaker Pro does not display an error message if a lookup operation skips
certain records due to access privilege restrictions.

Accessing related
data

At a minimum, both matching fields in a relationship must have view
privileges in order for the relationship to work. Any related fields you want to
display based on the matching fields must also have view privileges at a
minimum.

Finds

The found set is always filtered to display only those records that have view
privileges at a minimum. The results of the Get(FoundCount) function are
also affected if access is limited.

Value lists

When a value list is based on the content of a field, and view privileges are
prohibited on the field, then the value list does not display any values. This is
so that users do not inadvertently gain access to confidential information.
The results of the ValueListItems function are also hidden when access
is limited.

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Feature

Effect of limiting data access

Summary fields and
calculated fields

The results displayed in summary fields as well as calculated fields which
summarize over multiple records will exclude data from records for which
view privileges have been prohibited.

Find/Replace,
A user can only change data using these features in:
Replace Contents,
• records that have edit privileges.
and spelling checking
• fields that are modifiable.
Scripts

You can set an option for a script to run with full access privileges, which
permits a script to perform operations that a user with limited privileges would
not usually be able to do. If you don’t enable this option, any script steps that
attempt to access or change restricted data will fail. See Creating and editing
scripts.

Apple events

Data access privileges can affect the ability of a user to get, set, and delete
data using Apple events. Some Apple event commands may fail if the user
does not have appropriate access privileges.

Entering a formula for limiting access on a record-by-record basis
To allow or prohibit record viewing, editing, and deleting privileges to certain records within a table,
you need to specify a Boolean calculation that determines whether the privilege is permitted. For
each record in the database, access is allowed when the calculation evaluates to True or to a nonzero result, and access is prohibited when the calculation evaluates to False or zero. Here are two
examples:
• To limit access to only those records created by the current account: Define a text field
named Record_Created_By, and set the auto-enter option for the field to automatically
enter the account name when the record is created. (See Defining automatic data entry.)
Then use the following calculation when defining custom record access privileges:
Record_Created_By = Get(AccountName)
The user will only have Browse access to records for which the above calculation evaluates as
True.
• To limit access to only those records created on the current date: Define a date field named
Record_creation_date, and set the auto-enter option for the field to automatically enter
the creation date when the record is created. (See Defining automatic data entry.) Then use
the following calculation when defining custom record access privileges:
Record_creation_date = Get(CurrentDate)
The user will only have Browse access to records for which the above calculation evaluates as
True.
Tip If you specify a calculation to prohibit viewing of certain records within a table, in most cases
you should use the same calculation to prohibit editing and deleting of the same types of records.
Otherwise, you may inadvertently allow users to edit or delete records that they cannot view.

Notes
• The Boolean calculation that determines record access privileges can have unexpected
results, particularly if it is based on a user-editable field. For example, it’s possible for a user
with access privileges for only certain records to inadvertently deny themselves access to a
record after editing it. The user could make a change to a record’s content that changes the
result of the Boolean record access calculation so that it evaluates to False; then that user

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would no longer be able to view, edit, or delete the record once he or she exits that record.
Because changes are committed as soon as a user exits a record, a user making changes
of this type will not be able to return to the record. (In most cases, you should base record
access calculations on fields that are not directly editable by users, such as auto-entered
fields that contain account names, creation dates, and modification dates.)
Also, if the file is shared and the Boolean calculation that determines record access privileges
contains one or more global fields, you may be able to improve network performance by moving
some global fields into a separate table. See the Notes section in Defining global fields (fields
with global storage).
• To fully support multiple windows that have their own found sets, summary values are a part
of the found set. (There is no single summary value for a single file as in FileMaker Pro 6
and earlier versions.) A record may appear in multiple windows, and each window has its
own found set and sort order. For these reasons, do not base privilege calculations on
summary or Get functions that rely on values using a particular found set.

Editing layouts privileges
Privilege sets can limit access to layouts in a file. For a file, you can set:
• Privileges for all layouts: you can allow or prohibit the ability to switch to Layout mode and
make design changes to all layouts. You can also prohibit access to all layouts in a file.
• Custom privileges for individual layouts: you can set two types of access limits for each
layout:
• Design and view limits for each layout: whether the privilege set permits making design
changes to a layout in Layout mode, view-only layout access, or no layout access at all.
• Data access limits for each layout: whether the privilege set permits accessing, viewing,
or modifying data displayed by each layout. When access to data is prohibited, the user
can view the layout but will see  instead of any field data.
Note There are important distinctions and interactions between layouts privileges and record
access privileges:
• Although you can use layout privileges to limit access to data, these settings protect only a
single view of data on a layout by layout basis, which may not protect all instances of the
data. To limit access to all occurrences of specific tables, records, or fields no matter where
they are displayed or accessed, use record access privileges. See Editing record access
privileges.
• Even if you use layout privileges to allow viewing and editing of data, record access
privileges still apply and may limit access to certain tables, fields, and records.
For a comparison of how layouts privileges and record access privileges work together, see How
layouts privileges and record privileges interact.

To edit layouts privileges:
1. Start editing a new or existing privilege set.
Display the Edit Privilege Set dialog box. See Creating new privilege sets or Editing existing
privilege sets.
2. To set privileges for all layouts in the file, for Layouts, choose All modifiable, All view
only, or All no access. These options allow or prohibit the following:

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Privilege

All
modifiable

All view only

All no access

Viewing all layouts

Allowed

Allowed

Prohibited

Duplicating and deleting all layouts

Allowed

Prohibited

Prohibited

Creating new layouts

Allowed

Prohibited

Prohibited

Entering Layout mode in order to make design
changes

Allowed

Prohibited

Prohibited

3. To set individual privileges for each layout in the file, for Layouts, choose Custom
privileges. In the Custom Layout Privileges dialog box, select each layout (or select Any
New Layout to set privileges for any layout created later) and set the privileges you want for
it. When you’re through setting privileges for individual layouts, click OK.
Tip You can also set individual privileges for multiple layouts at once by first selecting multiple
layouts in the Custom Layout Privileges dialog box. See the Notes section below.
In the Custom Layout
Privileges dialog box

To
Allow viewing the layout, changing the design of
the layout in Layout mode, and deleting the
layout

For Layout, choose Modifiable.

Allow viewing of the layout only (prohibit design
changes)

For Layout, choose View only.

Prohibit viewing the layout

For Layout, choose No access.

Allow viewing data, editing data, and creating
and deleting records in the layout

For Records via this layout, choose
Modifiable.

Allow viewing data (prohibit editing data and
creating and deleting records) in the layout

For Records via this layout, choose View only.

Prohibit seeing the data on the layout. (The user
will see  for each field instead of
the field data.)

For Records via this layout, choose No
access.

Allow creating new layouts and duplicating any
viewable layout

Select Allow creation of new layouts.

Important In the Custom Layout Privileges dialog box, the View only and No access
options for Records via this layout protect only a single view of data on a layout by layout
basis, which may not protect all instances of the data, such as scripts that access data and
relationships that display the data in other files. To limit access to all occurrences of specific
tables, records, or fields no matter where they are displayed or accessed, use record
access privileges. See How layouts privileges and record privileges interact and Editing
record access privileges.
4. In the Edit Privilege Set dialog box, define any other privileges for the privilege set.
For details on the different privileges you can define, see:
• Editing record access privileges
• Editing value list privileges

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• Editing scripts privileges
• Editing extended privileges for a privilege set
• Editing other privileges
5. When you’ve finished editing this privilege set, click OK.
You see the Manage Security dialog box.
6. Do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK.
• To assign the privilege set to one or more accounts, see Creating accounts or Editing
existing accounts.

Notes
• Any record access privileges still apply and may limit access to certain tables, fields, and
records. See Editing record access privileges and How layouts privileges and record
privileges interact.
• To change the order of the layouts displayed in the Custom Layout Privileges dialog box,
click one of the column headings to order the list by that column. To switch between
ascending and descending order, click the column heading again.
• You can select multiple layouts in the Custom Layout Privileges dialog box in order to set
privileges for multiple layouts at once:
• To select multiple layouts, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) each layout
name.
• To select a range of adjacent layouts, click the first layout, and then Shift-click the last
layout in the range.
• To select all layouts, click Select All.

Editing value list privileges
Privilege sets can limit access to value lists in a file. For a file, you can set:
• Privileges for all value lists: you can permit viewing, editing, and deleting of value lists, or
viewing only.
• Custom privileges for individual value lists: for each value list, you can set whether it is
modifiable, view only, or accessible.

To edit value list privileges:
1. Start editing a new or existing privilege set.
Display the Edit Privilege Set dialog box. See Creating new privilege sets or Editing existing
privilege sets.
2. To set privileges for all value lists in the file, for Value Lists, choose All modifiable, All
view only, or All no access. These options allow or prohibit the following:
• All modifiable allows viewing and modifying value lists, duplicating and deleting value
lists, and creating new value lists.
• All view only allows viewing of existing value lists only. Prohibits opening the Manage
Value Lists dialog box in order to create or edit value lists.

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• All no access prohibits seeing the items in all value lists. Prohibits accessing value list
names in the Sort dialog box and other dialog boxes that display value list names.
Prohibits opening the Manage Value Lists dialog box in order to create or edit value
lists.
3. To set individual privileges for each value list in the file, for Value Lists, choose Custom
privileges. In the Custom Value List Privileges dialog box, select each value list (or select
Any New Value List to set privileges for any new value list created later) and set the
privileges you want for it. When you’re through setting privileges for individual value lists,
click OK.
In the Custom Value List
Privileges dialog box

To
Allow viewing the value list, editing the value list,
and deleting the value list

For Privilege, choose Modifiable.

Allow viewing of the value list only. Prohibits
editing the value list in the Manage Value Lists
dialog box.

For Privilege, choose View only.

Prohibit seeing the items in a value list. (The user
will see  for the list instead of the
value list items.) Prohibits editing the value list in
the Manage Value Lists dialog box.

For Privilege, choose No access.

Allow creating new value lists and duplicating any
viewable value list

Select Allow creation of new value lists.

Tip You can also set individual privileges for multiple value lists at once by first selecting
multiple value lists in the Custom Value List Privileges dialog box. See the Notes section below.
4. In the Edit Privilege Set dialog box, define any other privileges for the privilege set.
For details on the different privileges you can define, see:
• Editing record access privileges
• Editing layouts privileges
• Editing scripts privileges
• Editing extended privileges for a privilege set
• Editing other privileges
5. When you’ve finished editing this privilege set, click OK.
You see the Manage Security dialog box.
6. Do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To assign the privilege set to one or more accounts, see Creating accounts or Editing
existing accounts.

Notes
• To make a value list modifiable for users with the appropriate privileges, you must format the
field object with the options that permit adding new value list items or editing existing value

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list items (or both). See Setting up a field to display a pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other
control.
• You can select multiple value lists in the Custom Value List Privileges dialog box in order to
set privileges for multiple value lists at once:
• To select multiple value lists, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) each value
list name.
• To select a range of adjacent value lists, click the first value list, and then Shift-click the
last value list in the range.
• To select all value lists, click Select All.
• To change the order of the value lists displayed in the Custom Value List Privileges dialog
box, click one of the column headings to order the list by that column. To switch between
ascending and descending order, click the column heading again.
• For value lists with ODBC data, the No access privilege and Limited custom privilege are
not supported. To prohibit a user from seeing ODBC data in a value list, you must enforce
row-level security in the external SQL database.

Editing scripts privileges
Privilege sets can limit access to scripts in a file. For a file, you can set:
• Privileges for all scripts: you can allow or prohibit the ability to view, create, and modify
scripts. You can also hide all the scripts in a file to prevent them from being run by the
privilege set.
• Custom privileges for individual scripts: you can set whether each script is modifiable or not.
You can also hide a script to prevent it from being run by the privilege set.
Note Although some script privileges described below allow the ability to run scripts, the actions
permitted by a privilege set determine whether the steps in a script will execute successfully or not.
For example, if a privilege set does not permit accessing a Salary field, then a script containing the
Go to Field [“Employees::Salary“] script step will fail. The script author can override
script privilege issues by selecting Run script with full access privileges in the Edit Script window.

To edit script privileges:
1. Start editing a new or existing privilege set.
Open the Edit Privilege Set dialog box. See Creating new privilege sets or Editing existing
privilege sets.
2. To set privileges for all scripts in the file, for Scripts, choose All modifiable, All executable
only, or All no access. These options allow or prohibit the following:

Privilege

All
All
All no
modifiable executable only access

Running scripts

Allowed

Allowed

Prohibited

Viewing script names in the Scripts menu
(except those that are hidden by clearing Include in
menu in the Manage Scripts dialog box)

Allowed

Allowed

Prohibited

Opening the Manage Scripts dialog box to view, create,
group, filter, edit, duplicate, delete, and print scripts

Allowed

Prohibited

Prohibited

Allow scripts to be imported into other database files

Allowed

Prohibited

Prohibited

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All
All
All no
modifiable executable only access

Privilege
Viewing script steps in the FileMaker Pro Advanced
Script Debugger and Database Design Report

Allowed

Prohibited

Prohibited

3. To set individual privileges for each script in the file, for Scripts, choose Custom
privileges. In the Custom Script Privileges dialog box, select each script (or select Any
New Script to set privileges for any script created later) and set the privileges you want for
it. When you’re through setting privileges for individual scripts, click OK.
In the Custom Script
Privileges dialog box

To
Allow running, viewing, editing, printing, and
deleting the script. (Also allow the script to be
imported into other database files.)

For Privilege, choose Modifiable.

Allow running the script only. (Prohibit viewing
the script in the Manage Scripts dialog box.)

For Privilege, choose Executable only.

Prohibit running or viewing the script. (The script
name will not appear in the Scripts menu.)

For Privilege, choose No access.

Allow creating new scripts and duplicating any
modifiable script

Select Allow creation of new scripts.

Note Even if the script is modifiable, you cannot
modify a script that runs with Full Access
privileges unless your account is assigned the
Full Access privilege set. See Creating and
editing scripts.

Tip You can also set individual privileges for multiple scripts at once by first selecting multiple
scripts in the Custom Script Privileges dialog box. See the Notes section below.
4. In the Edit Privilege Set dialog box, define any other privileges for the privilege set.
For details on the different privileges you can define, see:
• Editing record access privileges
• Editing layouts privileges
• Editing value list privileges
• Editing extended privileges for a privilege set
• Editing other privileges
5. When you’ve finished editing this privilege set, click OK.
6. In the Manage Security dialog box, do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To assign the privilege set to one or more accounts, see Creating accounts or Editing
existing accounts.

Notes
• In the Custom Script Privileges dialog box, the Notes column indicates which scripts run
with Full Access privileges. Depending on what these scripts do, you may want to set

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Executable only or No access script privileges for them in certain privilege sets. For more
information on running scripts with Full Access privileges, see Creating and editing scripts.
• You can select multiple scripts in the Custom Script Privileges dialog box in order to set
privileges for multiple scripts at once:
• To select multiple scripts, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) each script
name.
• To select a range of adjacent scripts, click the first script, and then Shift-click the last
script in the range.
• To select all scripts, click Select All.
• To change the order of the scripts displayed in the Custom Script Privileges dialog box, click
one of the column headings to order the list by that column. To switch between ascending
and descending order, click the column heading again.
• You can open multiple Edit Script windows at one time. See Creating and editing scripts.

Editing extended privileges for a privilege set
Privilege sets can limit extended privileges, which determine whether and how a shared file is
accessible. For a file, you can set whether a privilege set is permitted to:
• open a shared file with the File menu > Open Remote command
• access a database file from a web browser via FileMaker WebDirect
• access a database file as an ODBC or JDBC data source
• access a database hosted on FileMaker Server
• access a database file in FileMaker Go without having to re-login
• access any other features controlled through additional extended privileges that may be
defined
Note Enabling extended privileges only makes it allowable for certain privilege sets to access
shared data. To actually access the shared data, you must also set up sharing for the type of access
that you want. See Sharing databases on a network, Sharing FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or
JDBC, or Publishing databases on the web.
For more information about extended privileges, see About accounts, privilege sets, and extended
privileges.

To edit extended privileges for a privilege set:
1. Start editing a new or existing privilege set.
Display the Edit Privilege Set dialog box. See Creating new privilege sets or Editing existing
privilege sets.
Note If the File menu > Manage > Security menu is dimmed, your privileges do not permit you
to access it. See the note below for another possible way to edit extended privileges.
2. In the Extended Privileges list, select the extended privileges you want to enable, and
clear the ones you want to disable.
The following table lists the default extended privileges that are available.

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Keyword

Extended privilege

Determines if a privilege permits

fmwebdirect

Access via
FileMaker WebDirect

Accessing a database file from a web
browser via FileMaker WebDirect.

fmxdbc

Access via ODBC/JDBC

Accessing a database file as an
ODBC or JDBC data source.

fmapp

Access via FileMaker Network,
server-side scripting, or
FileMaker Go

Opening a shared file (either a file
shared by FileMaker Pro or hosted
and shared by FileMaker Server).

fmreauthenticate10 Require re-authentication after
the specified minutes in sleep/
background - Go only

Accessing a file in FileMaker Go
without having to re-login after file
hibernation or after using a different
app. The default time is 10 minutes;
maximum time is 10080 minutes (one
week) - FileMaker Go only.

fmxml

Access via XML Web
Publishing - FMS only

Accessing a database file from a web
browser or other application via XML
web publishing -FileMaker Server
only.

fmphp

Access via PHP Web
Publishing - FMS only

Accessing a database file from a web
browser or other application via PHP
web publishing - FileMaker Server
only.

Note FileMaker Pro no longer supports the fmiwp extended privilege. Opening database files
created in FileMaker Pro 12 or earlier that use the fmiwp extended privilege does not remove
the extended privilege from the privilege sets it is assigned to.
FileMaker as well as third-party developers may provide additional extended privileges as part
of additional software products designed to work with FileMaker Pro.
3. In the Edit Privilege Set dialog box, define any other privileges for the privilege set.
For details on the different privileges you can define, see:
• Editing record access privileges
• Editing layouts privileges
• Editing value list privileges
• Editing scripts privileges
• Editing other privileges
4. When you’ve finished editing this privilege set, click OK.
You see the Manage Security dialog box.
5. Do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To assign the privilege set to one or more accounts, see Creating accounts or Editing
existing accounts.

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Notes
• There are two other methods for enabling and disabling extended privileges:
• While configuring sharing settings for FileMaker Network sharing, ODBC/JDBC, or
FileMaker WebDirect, you can enable sharing for all users or certain privilege sets if
your privilege set permits it. This method is accessible by any account assigned a
privilege set with the Manage Extended Privileges via Sharing dialogs privilege
enabled, so it can be accessed by accounts that are not assigned the Full Access
privilege set. See Editing other privileges, Sharing databases on a network, Using
ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro, or Publishing databases with FileMaker
WebDirect.
• While editing an extended privilege, you can enable or disable the privilege sets that
can access it. See Editing which privilege sets may use an extended privilege. (This
method requires Full Access privileges.)
• If you are hosting a FileMaker Pro database, the database must include the fmapp
extended privilege. If you use the Upload Database assistant to upload a database to
FileMaker Server and if no sharing is enabled, the Database Server enables fmapp for the
Full Access privilege set.
• Keywords for extended privileges that begin with “fm” are reserved by FileMaker.

Related topics
Managing extended privileges
Viewing extended privileges

Editing other privileges
For a file, privilege sets can allow or prohibit:
• Printing
• Exporting records, copying records to the Clipboard, and using Apple events to query data
• Setting extended privileges
• Entering data that does not match a field’s validation options
• Disconnecting the client of a shared file from FileMaker Server software when the client is
idle
• Password changes, as well as require password changes at regular intervals, and a
minimum character length for new passwords
You can also disable most menu commands in order to permit only basic editing, or disable nearly
all of the FileMaker Pro menu commands.

To edit other privileges:
1. Start editing a new or existing privilege set.
See Creating new privilege sets or Editing existing privilege sets.
2. In the Edit Privilege Set dialog box, to set other privileges for the file, set one or more of the
following options in the Other Privileges area.

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To
• Allow printing.

Do this
Choose Allow printing.

• Allow saving records as a PDF file.
• Allow printing using the Print from Finder
Apple event.
• Allow exporting records.

Choose Allow exporting.

• Allow saving records as an Excel file.

Note: In Windows, clearing this option has no
effect on ActiveX Automation. In OS X, clearing
this option only prohibits Apple events that
access data; other Apple events will still work.

• Allow copying all records in the found set to
the Clipboard.
• Allow importing records from a FileMaker file.
• Allow saving a copy of records.
• OS X: Allow querying of data using the
following Apple events: GetCellValue, Field
Contents, Record Value, Table Contents, and
Layout Contents.
• Allow users of this privilege set to enable and
disable extended privileges when setting up
FileMaker Network Sharing, Web Publishing,
and ODBC/JDBC sharing.

Choose Manage extended privileges.

• Allow users of this privilege set to edit
extended privileges only in the Manage
Security dialog box.
Allow entering data that doesn’t match the
validation options set for a field.

Choose Allow user to override data validation
warnings.
Note This setting is ignored when a field is
defined to prohibit field validation overrides (by
clearing the Allow user to override validation
option). See Defining field validation.

Disconnect the user of a shared file from
FileMaker Server software when the user is idle.
(This typically improves FileMaker Server
performance.)

Choose Disconnect user from server when
idle.

Allow users of this privilege set to change their
password.

Choose Allow user to modify their own
password.

Require users of this privilege set to change their
password after a certain number of days.

Choose Must be changed every  days, and
enter the number of days.

(When the number of days has elapsed, the next
time each user opens the file, a Change
Password dialog box will appear. The user must
change the password in order to open the file.)

Note If you choose this option without also
choosing Allow user to modify their own
password, then an account with Full Access
privileges must change the password instead of
the account assigned this privilege set. (In most
cases, you should either choose or clear both
options together.)

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FileMaker Server, see About disconnecting users
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To

Do this

Specify a minimum character length for new
passwords.

Choose Minimum password length, and enter
the number of characters.

Specify that only a limited set of menu
commands are available when the file is active.

For Available menu commands, choose one of
the following:
• All to enable all menu commands except
those specifically disabled by other privilege
set options.
• Editing only to enable only basic editing
commands in Browse mode.
• Minimum to disable all menu commands
except those that open, close, and create
database files, switch between database
windows, perform scripts, open
FileMaker Pro Help, or change preference
options.

3. In the Edit Privilege Set dialog box, define any other privileges for the privilege set.
For details on the different privileges you can define, see:
• Editing record access privileges
• Editing layouts privileges
• Editing value list privileges
• Editing scripts privileges
• Editing extended privileges for a privilege set
4. When you’ve finished editing this privilege set, click OK.
You see the Manage Security dialog box again.
5. Do one of the following:
• If you’ve finished working with accounts and privileges, click OK. In the dialog box that
appears, enter an account name and password that is assigned the Full Access
privilege set, and click OK.
• To assign the privilege set to one or more accounts, see Creating accounts or Editing
existing accounts.

Notes
• In most cases, a privilege set should not allow password changes if it is assigned to one or
more accounts that are shared by multiple users. Instead, an administrator with Full Access
privileges should change the password periodically and then provide it to all the users that
need it.
• The password change and password character length privileges described above apply
only to FileMaker-authenticated accounts, not External Server-authenticated accounts. See
About accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges.
• Even if you set Available menu commands to Editing only, record access privileges and
layouts privileges can still prohibit the editing of certain fields, records, and data on certain
layouts. See Editing record access privileges and Editing layouts privileges.

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• Setting Available menu commands to Editing only or Minimum disables the Window
menu > New Window command, which prohibits users from opening new windows.
Limiting the available menu commands may be useful if you want to control the ability of
users to open additional windows. (You can create scripts that allow users to open certain
windows. See Creating and editing scripts.)
• Shared accounts are a security risk. For better security, use individual accounts instead of
shared accounts. If you intend to use shared accounts anyway, make sure you limit the
access capabilities of the privilege sets that shared accounts use. Change the password
occasionally, particularly when certain users no longer require access.

Managing extended privileges
Extended privileges determine the data sharing options that are permitted by a privilege set for a
file. For example, if the file is shared, the Access via FileMaker Network extended privilege
determines if the privilege set allows opening the shared file as a client. The Access via
FileMaker WebDirect extended privilege determines whether the privilege set allows accessing the
database from a web browser. See About accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges.
You can view extended privileges in the Manage Security dialog box, as well as enable each
extended privilege for the privilege sets that you want to permit access. All extended privileges
except fmreauthenticate10 are disabled by default, even in the Full Access privilege set.
Note Enabling extended privileges only makes it allowable for certain privilege sets to access
shared data. To actually access the shared data, you must also set up sharing for the type of access
that you want. See Sharing databases on a network, Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro, or
Publishing databases on the web.
FileMaker as well as third-party developers may provide additional software products designed to
work with FileMaker Pro. These products may require you to add new extended privileges that
manage data access between FileMaker Pro and these products.
It may also be necessary to delete an extended privilege that is no longer required.

Related topics
Editing extended privileges for a privilege set

Viewing extended privileges
The Manage Security dialog box displays a list of all the available extended privileges. You can view
this list of extended privileges.

To view the extended privileges:
1. Open the database file.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
3. In the Manage Security dialog box, click the Extended Privileges tab.
See Editing which privilege sets may use an extended privilege and Creating and deleting
extended privileges.

Editing which privilege sets may use an extended privilege
You can edit which privilege sets may use an extended privilege. For example, you can specify
which privilege sets are allowed to open the file if it is shared over a network or accessed via a web
browser.

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To edit which privilege sets may use an extended privilege:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
Note If the Security menu command is dimmed, your privileges do not permit you to access it.
See the note below for another possible way to edit extended privileges.
2. In the Manage Security dialog box, click the Extended Privileges tab.
3. Select the extended privilege you want to edit, and click Edit.
The Edit Extended Privilege dialog box appears.
4. In the Access area, select or clear the checkbox for each privilege set that you want to
enable or disable.
See About accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges.
5. Click OK.

Notes
• There are two other methods for enabling and disabling extended privileges:
• While configuring sharing settings for FileMaker Network sharing, ODBC/JDBC, or
FileMaker WebDirect, you can enable sharing for all users or certain privilege sets if
your privilege set permits it. This method is accessible by any account assigned a
privilege set with the Manage Extended Privileges via Sharing dialogs privilege
enabled, so it can be accessed by accounts that are not assigned the Full Access
privilege set. See Editing other privileges, Sharing databases on a network, Sharing
FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or JDBC, or Publishing databases with FileMaker
WebDirect.
• While editing a privilege set, you can enable or disable extended privileges for it. (This
method requires Full Access privileges.) See Editing extended privileges for a privilege
set.
FileMaker Go: In the Keyword field in the Edit Extended Privilege dialog box, you can specify the
amount of time required before a user needs to re-login to FileMaker Go. You can:
• accept the default time for new files and new privilege sets, which is fmreauthenticate10
(10 minutes).
• change the default time (up to a maximum of 10080 minutes).
• change the default time to fmreauthenticate0 or fmreauthenticate (the user can leave
FileMaker Go for up to 10 seconds). fmreauthenticate0 is the value applied to privilege
sets in files converted from an earlier version of FileMaker Pro.
• create a new fmreauthenticate10 extended privilege and specify a different time.

Creating and deleting extended privileges
FileMaker as well as third-party developers may provide additional software products designed to
work with FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server. A product like this may require you to add a new
extended privilege if you want to control who can access a database file with the additional product.
You can also delete an extended privilege that you no longer need.

To create a new extended privilege:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
2. In the Manage Security dialog box, click the Extended Privileges tab.

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3. Click New.
4. In the Edit Extended Privilege dialog box, enter the appropriate keyword and description for
the extended privilege.
Note The developer of the additional software product should provide a keyword that you must
enter exactly in order for the extended privilege to work properly with the product. Refer to the
documentation that came with the additional software product.
5. In the Access area, select or clear the checkbox for each privilege set that you want to
enable or disable for the new privilege set.
6. Click OK.

To delete an extended privilege:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Security.
2. In the Manage Security dialog box, click the Extended Privileges tab.
3. Select the extended privilege you want to delete.
4. Click Delete.

Opening files protected with passwords
When you attempt to open a protected file, you will need to enter one or more passwords and supply
other information, such as an account name, in order to open the file. You may also be able to open
the file by using Guest Access if privileges for the file are configured to permit it.

To open a file protected with passwords:
1. Open the protected file as you would any other FileMaker file.
See Opening files.
2. If you see the Open Encrypted Database dialog box, enter the encryption password, then
click OK.
If you don’t know the encryption password, see your database administrator.
3. In the Open Filename dialog box, enter your account name and password, then click OK.
If you don’t know your account name and password, see your database administrator. If you
don’t have an account, click Guest Account if available.

Notes
• Passwords are case-sensitive. For example, if your password is zFootBallz2,
FileMaker Pro will not accept zfootballz2. If you’re having trouble entering a valid
password, make sure the Caps Lock key on your keyboard is disabled.
• Account names are not case-sensitive. For example, if your account name is Chris, you
can successfully open the file by entering chris or CHRIS as the account name.
• FileMaker Pro may display a Change Password dialog box when you try to open a
protected file. You can also change your password whenever you want if your privileges
permit it. See Changing your password for a file.
• OS X: You can prevent the Open Filename dialog box from appearing each time you open a
protected file by adding your account name and password to your keychain. To add your
account information to your keychain, open the file, click Add to Keychain in the Open

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Filename dialog box, enter the account name and password you want to store, and click
OK. For more information about the keychain, see OS X Help Center.
• If you are assigned an account that uses the Full Access privilege set, you can prevent the
Open Filename dialog box from appearing each time the file is opened by designating a
default account name and password to automatically use when opening the file. See Setting
file options.
• If an account name and password is entered automatically when you open a file but you
want to enter different account information, hold down the Shift key (Windows) or the Option
key (OS X) when opening the file. The Open Filename dialog box will appear and you can
specify another account name and password. (Note: This method does not work in OS X
with account information stored in your keychain. Instead, use the Keychain Access
application to delete the appropriate FileMaker Pro password item from your keychain.
Then open the file.)
• If you try to access a protected file through a file that’s not authorized to access that file, you
are asked if you want to authorize the file now. Click Yes to authorize the file. If you click
Yes but are not logged in to the files with Full Access privileges, you must then enter an
account with Full Access privileges.

Changing your password for a file
FileMaker Pro may display a Change Password dialog box when you try to open a file. This can
occur in two situations:
• The first time you open a file. The administrator of the file may have specified a temporary
password that you must change the first time you open the file.
• When your password expires. Your password may expire at a regular interval and require
you to specify a new password in order to open the file.
You can also change your password whenever you want if your privileges permit it.

To change your password when FileMaker Pro prompts you to change it:
1. In the Change Password dialog box, enter your current or temporary password once and
your new password twice in the appropriate fields.
2. Click OK.

To change your password for a file:
1. Do one of the following:
• If the file is not already open, open it and click Change Password in the Open Filename
dialog box.
• If a file is already open, choose File menu > Change Password.
2. In the Change Password dialog box, enter your old password once and your new password
twice in the appropriate fields.
3. Click OK.

Notes
• If you change the password of an account that is shared by others, any other account users
that currently have the file open can continue to use the file. Once they close the file, they
will need the new password in order to open the file again.

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• Shared accounts are a security risk. For better security, use individual accounts instead of
shared accounts. If you intend to use shared accounts anyway, make sure you limit the
access capabilities of the privilege sets that shared accounts use. Change the password
occasionally, particularly when certain users no longer require access.

Authorizing access to files
As part of your overall security plan, you can control whether other FileMaker Pro files are permitted
to access the schema in a file (including its tables, layouts, scripts, and value lists) in your secured
solution. When protection is enabled, any use of the protected file through a FileMaker data source
will require authorization. Therefore, in a multi-file solution, you will need to authorize the other files.
For example, enabling protection prevents someone with an account in your file from creating
another file that uses tables in your file but does not implement the same business logic (such as the
same script triggers). The use of this alternative file can bypass your intended business logic
(although record-level access would still be enforced). Turning on this option also prevents files that
are not authorized from opening a protected file using the Open File script step.
Each authorized file is assigned a unique numeric identifier, which the protected file keeps track of,
ensuring that the protected file remains protected even if it is renamed or duplicated. Any efforts to
bypass authorization, such as by replacing an authorized file with a different one, will be
unsuccessful.
Protecting a file and authorizing other files to access it is different from protecting a file’s record data
and other security measures that you can take. See Planning security for a file.

Setting up access to a file
You can protect access to a file in your database by authorizing other files to access the schema
(tables, layouts, scripts, and value lists) in the file you want to protect. You must have the Full
Access privilege set for any file that you want to protect and any file that you want to authorize.
A file that you want to protect must be local; however, once you turn on protection, the file can be
hosted remotely. In addition, you need exclusive access to it, so make sure no one else is using the
file before you begin. Files that you want to authorize can be local or remote.

To authorize access to a file:
1. Open the file that you want to protect.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Security, then click the File Access tab.
3. To protect this file against unwanted access from other files, select Require full access
privileges to create references to this file.
4. If any files that reference the protected file are currently open, you see an alert for each file,
asking if you want to authorize the file. Click Yes.
5. If you want to authorize additional files that are not currently open, click Authorize. In the
Open File dialog box, choose a file to authorize, and click Open.
You may be asked to enter the name and password of an account with Full Access privileges.
You can also authorize remote files. See Opening shared files as a client.
Important If you don’t authorize a file that references a protected file, the references will no
longer work.

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The authorized file appears in the File Access list, with the date and time it was authorized, and
the account used to create the authorization.
Repeat this step for each file you want to authorize.
6. When you are finished, click OK.

To remove authorization for a file:
1. Open the protected file.
2. In the File Access tab of the Manage Security dialog box, select the file for which you want
to remove authorization, then click Deauthorize.
If the deauthorized file was open on any clients, then deauthorization will not take effect until the
next time they reopen the file.
3. Click OK.

To remove all restrictions to file access:
1. Open the protected file.
2. In the File Access tab of the Manage Security dialog box, deselect Require full access
privileges to create references to this file.
In addition, you can optionally deauthorize files (see “To remove authorization for a file,” above).
3. Click OK.

Notes
• If you rename an authorized file and the file is currently open, the new name appears next to
the original name in the File Access list. For example, if you renamed the file SalesReport
to ExecReport, then ExecReport;SalesReport appears in the list.
• If users try to access a protected file through a file that’s not authorized, they are asked if
they want to authorize the file now. If they click Yes but are not logged in to both files using
Full Access privileges, they must enter the Full Access account name and password for the
files. However, if they are logged in to both files using Full Access privileges, the file is
authorized using their current accounts.
• A protected file retains its list of authorized files if the file is cloned or included in a runtime
solution, so you don’t have to repeat this process.
On one hand, this is helpful because you don’t have to repeat the authorization process.
However, if you duplicate or clone a protected file, each file will also have the same ID. If you
use both files in the same multi-file solution, you must reset the ID in one of the files so that each
file has a unique ID. To reset the protected file’s unique ID, click Reset All, then click Yes. After
resetting, you will need to reauthorize all files that are authorized to access the protected file
and any protected files that file was authorized to access.
Important Resetting the ID cannot be undone by clicking Cancel in the Manage Security
dialog box.
• To limit access to your solutions to particular FileMaker Pro versions, you can create a script
that includes the Get(ApplicationVersion) function, to perform a version check whenever
files are opened.

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Sharing data

Sharing data

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Sharing databases on a network
If your computer is connected to a network, you and other Windows and OS X FileMaker Pro and
FileMaker Go users can use the same database file simultaneously.
FileMaker Pro Network Sharing supports the sharing of files with up to 5 concurrent users (not
including the host). FileMaker Go clients are included in the limit of 5 users. To support more users
and web publishing technologies such as XML and FileMaker WebDirect, use FileMaker Server.
• The information in this topic pertains to sharing files on a local area network. To host
databases over a network, see Opening files as the host. For information about publishing
files on the web or an intranet, see Publishing databases on the web. For information about
sharing files via ODBC or JDBC, see Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro.
• OS X: If you are unable to share files on a local network, verify on the host computer that
either the OS X Sharing firewall has been turned off, or that you have added an open
network port configuration for port 5003 to the system sharing preferences. For more
information about the OS X Sharing firewall and adding a network port configuration, see
OS X Help Center.
Important Sharing (or hosting) a FileMaker Pro database is independent of any operating system
file sharing. Access control you set up in Windows or OS X is not associated with access privileges
you set up in FileMaker Pro, and vice versa.
If you are the first person to open a shared file, you are the host. Users who open a shared file after
you are clients.

Notes
Once a shared file is open, the host and clients have access to the same information, and all
changes to the file appear in each user's window.
• Modifications to the data made by any user are saved in the shared file. Any changes to
layouts and scripts are also saved in the shared file.
• Specified sort orders, find requests, import and export field orders, and print setups are
specific to each user.
Although it's possible for multiple users to make changes in the same shared file at the same time,
there are limits to the types of simultaneous changes that are permitted. The following table
describes the types of changes you can and cannot make to shared files.
Database change

Limitation

Changing data in fields and records

Two people can’t edit the same record at the same
time.

Changing layouts and layout elements

Two people can’t modify the same layout at the same
time.

Changing value lists

Two people can’t modify or define value lists at the
same time.
Note One person can edit a value list while another
person is using it in Browse or Find mode.

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Database change

Limitation

Changing scripts

Two people can’t modify a specific script at the same
time.
Note One person can edit a script while another person
is using it.

Changing tables, fields, relationships
(database schema)

Two people can’t modify any of these elements at one
time.

Changing data source references

Two people can’t modify or define data sources at the
same time.
Note One person can edit a data source while another
person is using it.

Changing accounts and privileges

Two people can’t modify or define accounts and
privileges at the same time.
Note One person can create or modify an account or
privilege while another person is using it.

Note Access privileges may also restrict the ability of users to change certain elements in a file. For
more information, see Protecting databases

Sharing and hosting files
To share a file, you must open it with an account that has Manage extended privileges access
privileges. Once sharing is enabled for a file, the first user to open the file becomes that file’s host.
Users do not need to have Manage extended privileges access privilege to become the host of a
database, but must have these access privileges to change the sharing status of a file. See About
accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges for more information.
To host a FileMaker Pro file, you open it and make it available to other FileMaker Pro users on your
local area network. Other users who open the file become clients of that file.
For the greatest security and performance, only share those files that you need to share.

Tips
• You can also publish your database on the web. Users can then access your data anywhere
they have an internet or intranet connection using just a web browser. See Publishing
databases on the web for more information.
• Don't perform processor-intensive tasks in another application, such as editing a movie or
working with large graphic files, while clients are sharing a file you're hosting. When you
host a file, most of the client's work is performed on your computer.

Related topics
File hosting troubleshooting

Opening files as the host
To host a file so other users can access it as clients:
• the file must be enabled for network sharing, as described in the next section
• you must be the first to open it

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If the file has associated lookups, related files, or uses external scripts, you must open and share
those files as well.
Note Avoid hosting files that are located on a remote or networked volume. For optimal
performance, the file you're hosting should be on the hard disk of your computer.
When you share a file, by default it is visible to all other networked users via the Open Remote File
dialog box. To prevent a shared file from appearing in this list, select Don’t display in Open
Remote File dialog. This option is a good choice for sharing files that must be open but should not
be accessed directly by users. These may include related databases, files with external scripts, and/
or files that are used to generate a value list.

To enable a file for FileMaker Network sharing:
1. Open the FileMaker Pro file.
Note To enable or change a file’s sharing status, you must open it with an account that has
Manage Extended Privileges access privileges. Users do not need to have Manage Extended
Privileges access privilege to become the host of a database, but must have these access
privileges to change the sharing status of a file. See About accounts, privilege sets, and
extended privileges for more information.
2. Choose File menu > Sharing > Share with FileMaker Clients.
3. In the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box, set Network Sharing to On.
Once sharing is enabled for a file, the first user to open the file becomes that file’s host.
4. Select the file(s) to be hosted from the list of Currently open files.
5. For Network access to the file, choose an option.
• All users provides access to all FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Go users on your
network.
• Specify users by privilege set limits network access to users based on their privilege
set.
• No users prevents any access via FileMaker networking.
6. Click OK.

To change a file’s sharing status:
1. Open the FileMaker Pro file.
2. Choose File menu > Sharing > Share with FileMaker Clients.
3. In the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box, select the file from the list of Currently open
files.
4. For Network access to the file, choose an option.
• All users provides access to all FileMaker Pro users on your network and to
FileMaker Go users.
• Specify users by privilege set limits network access to users based on their privilege
set.
• No users prevents any access via FileMaker networking.

To disable FileMaker network sharing:
1. Choose File menu > Sharing > Share with FileMaker Clients.
2. In the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box, set Network Sharing to Off.

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Tip As the host, you can send a message to all clients accessing the database. Choose File
menu > Sharing > Share with FileMaker Clients, select the file to notify, and click Send Message.
Type a message in the Send Message dialog box and click OK. Clients see the message in a dialog
box. They can dismiss the dialog box by clicking Cancel, or the dialog box will close automatically
30 seconds after appearing.

Related topics
Closing shared files

Closing shared files
Before a shared file can be closed by a host, all clients must close the file. FileMaker Pro allows you
to prompt networked clients to close the shared file when you do one of the following: close the file,
change the sharing conditions for the file, exit FileMaker Pro, or perform a task that requires all
clients to close the file. If a client does not respond to your request to close a shared file within 30
seconds, FileMaker Pro attempts to close the shared file on the clients’ machine.

To close a shared file:
1. On the computer hosting the file, choose File menu > Close.
2. If any clients have the shared file open, you see a dialog box listing those clients. Click Ask
to send a message to these clients requesting that they close the file.
Clients see a dialog box requesting that they close the file.
If

Then FileMaker Pro

Clients click Cancel

Waits for those clients to close the file

Clients click Close Now

Closes the shared file on the client's computer. (If other FileMaker Pro
files are open, they are left open.)

Clients do nothing

Attempts to close the file after 30 seconds, if it can be closed safely

Once all clients have closed the file, FileMaker Pro closes the file on your computer.
Tip As the host, you can send a message to all clients accessing the database. Choose File
menu > Sharing > Share with FileMaker Clients to open the FileMaker Network Settings dialog
box. Select the shared database from the Currently open files list. Click the Send Message
button, type a message in the Send Message dialog box, and click OK.
To quit FileMaker Pro when you're hosting a shared file: Choose File menu > Exit (Windows),
or FileMaker Pro menu > Quit FileMaker Pro (OS X). If you see a dialog box listing connected
users, click Ask. Once all clients have closed the file, FileMaker Pro closes the file on your
computer and then quits.

Related topics
Opening files as the host

Working with shared files as a client
As a client, you work with FileMaker Pro files in much the same way that you would as a single user,
with these exceptions:
• When you open a file, you see the layout, found set, and sort order from the last time the
host closed the file. (You can define a script to switch to your preferred layout and settings.

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Since all users' scripts are saved to the shared file, personalize the script name so you
know it's yours.)
• If your account’s privilege set prevents access to certain layouts or fields, you either can’t
view those layouts or you will see  for each field instead of the field data.
• Because you are working on a network with other users, access to records and layouts may
be delayed occasionally as other users work with the file.
• Changes you make to records and layouts are saved in the shared file.
• When you close a shared file as a client, you only close your connection to that file — it
remains open on the host's computer.
To enhance your computer's performance, always close shared files you're not actively using. If you
see a dialog box requesting that you close the FileMaker Pro file you're accessing as a client,
comply immediately. The host may be trying to perform important maintenance.

Related topics
Networked database performs slowly

Opening shared files as a client
After a file is opened by a host and shared via FileMaker Networking, you can access it as a client.
FileMaker Pro databases shared via TCP/IP can be opened remotely using the list of local hosts,
the IP address of the host machine, or the DNS name of the host machine if one has been defined.
For example, a database hosted from a computer with an IP address of 192.168.10.0 and a DNS
name of host.domain.com can be opened by entering either the IP address or the DNS name in the
File menu > Open Remote > Network File Path field, using the format
fmnet:/192.168.10.0/. (Note that fmnet:/ uses a single slash.)
Note FileMaker Pro also supports IPv6 addresses in the form of eight four-digit number groups,
separated by colons and surrounded by square brackets. For example,
fmnet:/[2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334]/

To open a shared file as a client:
1. Choose File menu > Open Remote.
The Open Remote File dialog box appears, displaying a list of hosts.
2. For View, choose the type of host you want displayed in Hosts.
Choose

To display

Favorite Hosts

Hosts you previously added as favorites. (For information about adding,
editing, or removing a favorite host, see the section after these steps.)

Local Hosts

FileMaker Server hosts located on your TCP/IP subnet.
To specify a host located on another TCP/IP subnet, for Network File
Path, type a domain name (as host.domain.com) or IP address using
one of the following formats:
IPv4: 192.168.10.0
IPv6: [2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334]

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Choose

To display

Hosts Listed by LDAP

FileMaker Server hosts available through LDAP.
To specify an LDAP from which you want to see hosts displayed, see the
last section in this topic.

Note To add a local host or a host located on an LDAP to the list of favorites, select the host to
add and click Add to Favorite Hosts. Then, see the section after these steps.
3. To see the available files from a host, select the host.
4. For Available Files, select the file you want to open, then click Open (or double-click the
filename). Or, for Network File Path, type the fully qualified filename (for example,
fmnet://), then click Open.
Tip To narrow the list of available files, type a few characters in the Filter text box. Only
filenames containing the characters you type are displayed in the list.
You might be required to enter an account name, password, and domain name (Windows only),
depending on how file sharing is configured on the host.

To add, edit, and remove favorite hosts:
1. In the Open Remote File dialog box, do one of the following:
• To organize the list of favorite hosts, for View, select Favorite Hosts. Select the host to
organize, then click Add, Edit, or Remove. (Add and Edit display the Edit Favorite Host
dialog box; Remove deletes the host from the list.)
• To mark a remote file so it appears in the Favorite Files list in the FileMaker Quick Start
Screen, for View select Favorite Hosts, select a host, select an available file, click Add
to Favorites. For more information about accessing favorite remote files, see Using
FileMaker Quick Start to open files.
• To add a local host or a host located on an LDAP to the list of favorites, for Hosts, select
the host you want to add, then click Add to Favorites. (The Edit Favorite Host dialog
box appears.)
2. In the Edit Favorite Host dialog box, for Host’s Internet Address, enter the host’s IP
address or domain name.
• Enter IP addresses using one of the following formats:
IPv4: 192.168.10.0
IPv6: [2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334]
• Enter domain names using the format host.domain.com.
3. For Favorite Host’s Name (optional), type a name for the host.
If you don’t enter a name, only the host’s internet address is displayed in the Manage Favorites
dialog box and the FileMaker Quick Start Screen.
4. In the File Settings area, choose to show all available files (the default) or only the files you
specify.
If you choose Show only these files, enter each filename on a separate line, ending each line
with a carriage return.
5. Click Save.

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To specify an LDAP server:
1. In the Open Remote File dialog box, with Hosts Listed by LDAP selected for View, click
Specify.
The Specify LDAP Directory Service dialog box appears.
2. In the Server Information area, enter information about the server. (You may need to
contact your network administrator for this information.)
For

Do this

Server Address

Enter the domain name of the server, in this format:
host.domain.com
or the IP address of the server in one of the following formats:
IPv4: 192.168.10.0
IPv6: [2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334]

LDAP Port

Keep or change the port number. (To return to the initial value, click Use
Default.)

Search base

Enter an LDAP host search base string.

3. In the Login Settings area, select or clear Use Windows Authentication (Windows only).
Then:
• If you select this option, choose Log in as current user, or choose Log in using
account and type your account name, password, and domain name (Windows only).
• If you clear this option, choose Log in anonymously, or choose Log in using account
and type your account name and password.
4. Click OK.
Note

Related topics
Cannot see hosted databases

Opening shared databases remotely using a URL
The FileMaker Pro installer registers fmp: as an internet protocol. This enables you to open a shared
database using a URL. You can also run a script in the shared file using a URL.
FileMaker Pro databases shared via TCP/IP can be opened remotely using the list of local hosts,
the IP address of the host machine, or the DNS name of the host machine if one has been defined.
For example, a database hosted from a computer can be opened by entering any of the following in
the File menu > Open Remote > Network File Path field:
• an IPv4 address, for example, 192.168.10.0
• an IPv6 address, for example, [2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334]
• a DNS name, for example, host.domain.com

To open a shared database using a URL:
1. Launch a web browser on the intended client machine.
2. Enter the URL of the host machine into the browser’s address area using the format:

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fmp://[[account:password@]netaddress]/databasename
Optional parameters are indicated by square brackets (“[ ]”).

To run a script in a shared database using a URL:
1. Follow the steps above.
2. Append ?script=scriptname to the URL. For example:
fmp://192.168.10.0/filename.fmp12?script=scriptname
Specify script parameters and local variables using the format:
fmp://[[account:password@]netaddress]/
databasename[?script=scriptname[¶m=scriptparameter][&$variablename
=value]]

Notes
• Filenames are case-sensitive. Script names are not case-sensitive.
• The filename extension .fmp12 is not required.
• You can define multiple variables in the same fmp: protocol.
• If spaces or any other special characters are needed in a link, be sure to replace them with
the appropriate percent-encoded values required for valid URLs. For example, replace a
space with %20.

Examples
fmp://My%20Addresses
fmp://192.168.10.0/My%20Addresses.fmp12
fmp://[2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334]/My%20Addresses.fmp12
fmp://MyAccount:MyPassword@192.168.10.0/My%20Addresses.fmp12
fmp://MyAccount:MyPassword@[2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334]/
My%20Addresses.fmp12
Open a file named Clients.fmp12 on the host machine with an IP address of 192.168.10.0 with a
script named ListClients:
fmp://192.168.10.0/Clients.fmp12?script=ListClients
Open a file named Clients.fmp12 on the host machine with an IP address of 192.168.10.0 with a
script named ListClients, and specify a parameter of TopClients and a local variable $NumberToList
with a value of 10:
fmp://192.168.10.0/
Clients.fmp12?script=ListClients¶m=TopClients&$NumberToList=10

Related topics
Closing shared files
Sending the URL of a shared database

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Sending the URL of a shared database
If the database you are using is shared, you can give other FileMaker Pro users access to it by
sending a URL link to the file via email. Email recipients who have FileMaker Pro installed can open
the database from the email message you send.
The URL uses the following format:
fmp://[[account:password@]netaddress]/databasename

To send a URL link to the shared database by email:
1. Open the shared database file that you want a recipient to have access to.
Important Make sure sharing settings provide user access to the file. Choose File menu >
Sharing, choose the type of network access you are using, select All users or Specify
users by privilege set, then click OK.
2. Choose File menu > Send > Link to Database.
3. If prompted, choose an email client profile, then click OK.
An email message opens. The message contains the link to the shared database and includes
some requirements for opening the link.
4. Address the message to the recipient, type any additional information for the recipient in the
body of the message, then send the message.

Notes
• If you don’t have an email client on your computer, the URL link appears in a dialog box. To
save the link, copy it to the Clipboard and paste it in an application that accepts text.
• For the recipient to connect to the database using the link:
• The client must have FileMaker installed on their machine.
• The database file must be open on the host machine.
• Any firewalls between the client and server must allow FileMaker sharing.
• The client must have a valid account and password.
• The client and the host must be on the same local area network.
• If using an IPv6 address, the client and host must both support IPv6.
• You can also email a snapshot link of the current found set of records to other users. See
Saving and sending records as a snapshot link.

Related topics
Opening shared databases remotely using a URL

Sharing files with FileMaker Go clients
FileMaker Go lets you work with FileMaker Pro databases on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. You
work with data interactively; when you change data on an iOS device, the data is updated on the
host computer, and vice versa.
Build databases using FileMaker Pro. Share them using FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server. Then
use FileMaker Go to work with the data on a device. For example, on a device you can add, modify,
delete, find, and sort records, display data in Form View, Table View, and List View, view information

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in portals, tab panels, slide panels, and web viewers, scan bar codes (via scripting), and perform
scripts and other tasks.
To tailor databases for use with FileMaker Go, see the FILEMAKER GO DEVELOPMENT GUIDE,
available at http://www.filemaker.com/documentation.

Uploading files to FileMaker Server
Use FileMaker Pro to transfer database files to FileMaker Server. If a database uses container fields
that store data externally, FileMaker Pro also uploads the externally stored data.
Note Before you can upload files, you must have the account name and password for the server
administrator or for a group administrator that has the privilege to perform actions on databases.
See FileMaker Server Help for more information.

To upload files to FileMaker Server:
1. Choose File menu > Sharing > Upload to FileMaker Server.
The Upload to FileMaker Server dialog box appears.
2. For Hosts, choose the type of host you want displayed in the list.
Choose

To display

Favorite Hosts

Hosts you previously added as favorites.

Local Hosts

FileMaker Server hosts located on your TCP/IP subnet.

Hosts Listed by LDAP

FileMaker Server hosts available through LDAP.

For information about adding favorite hosts or specifying an LDAP server, see Opening shared
files as a client.
3. In the list, choose the host you want to upload files to.
Or, for Host Address, type the host’s domain name (as host.domain.com) or IP address.
4. Enter your FileMaker Server Admin Console name and password, then click Next.
You can use the name and password for either the server administrator or a group administrator.
5. The server address and destination folder appear at the top of the dialog box. You can
change the folder or create a new folder.
FileMaker Server hosts database files in a default folder (MainDB) and two optional additional
folders (Additional_1 and Additional_2). If you are a server administrator, you can see all
folders. If you are a group administrator, you can see only the folders that your account allows
you to see.
To

Do this

Change the destination
folder

Click Change. In the Change Folder dialog box, select a
different folder, then click OK.

Create a new destination
folder

Click Change. In the Change Folder dialog box, select a folder
in which you want to create a new folder. Click New Folder,
enter the name, then click OK.
Note You can create a new folder in only the default or
additional database folders.

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For more information on folder locations and administrator accounts, see FileMaker Server
Help.
6. Select the files you want to upload.
To

Do this

Add files to the upload
list

Click Browse and select all the files that you want to add to the
upload list.
• To select multiple files, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click
(OS X) each file.
• To select a range of adjacent files, click the first file, then Shiftclick the last file in the range.
Then click Open.

Exclude files from the
upload list

Clear the checkbox next to any file that you don’t want to upload.

7. For each file, look in the Status column. If FileMaker Pro detects a problem with a file, it
updates the status for that file and clears the checkbox. Confirm that all the files you want to
upload are selected.
8. If you want the files to be available on the server for clients to use immediately, select
Automatically open databases (on server) after upload.
9. Click Upload.
When the upload completes, FileMaker Pro updates the status for each file to indicate whether
the upload was successful.
10. To open an uploaded file in FileMaker Pro, select Open file from FileMaker Server for the
file. Then click Done.
FileMaker Pro opens each selected file. The filename and the server name appear in the
window’s title bar.

Notes
• When you add a file to the upload list, FileMaker Pro checks that the file:
• is a valid FileMaker Pro file or runtime solution
• is not currently open in FileMaker Pro
• passes a consistency check, if the file is unencrypted
If the consistency check takes more than a few seconds for a file, a progress indicator
appears. You can cancel the consistency check if it takes too long and upload the file
anyway.
• does not already exist in any FileMaker Server folder (filenames must be unique for the
entire server regardless of the folder or subfolder)
• does not exceed the available storage space on the server
If FileMaker Pro finds a problem with one or more files, a message appears in the Status
column.
• You can upload encrypted database files, but FileMaker Pro does not check them for
consistency, and FileMaker Server cannot open them automatically after they are uploaded.
An encrypted file must be opened by a server administrator or a group administrator with
the privilege to perform actions on databases.

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• If you select Automatically open databases (on server) after upload, FileMaker Server
checks whether the file has some form of sharing enabled. If no sharing is enabled,
FileMaker Server automatically enables sharing via FileMaker Network (extended privilege
fmapp) for the Full Access privilege set.
• If you cancel a multiple-file upload in progress, files that are completely uploaded remain on
the server, partially uploaded files are removed from the server, and FileMaker Pro does not
upload any remaining files. The Status column in the Upload to FileMaker Server dialog box
indicates which files were uploaded successfully.
• After the upload completes, FileMaker Pro sets a flag in the local version of the file that
indicates the file has been uploaded. When you try to open the local version of the file,
FileMaker Pro prompts you to choose whether to open the local version or the hosted
version of the file on FileMaker Server.
• FileMaker Server may not be able to open uploaded files automatically in these cases:
• The limit on the number of hosted files has been reached.
• The filename extension is not .fmp12 or is not registered on the server.
See FileMaker Server Help for more information.
• For information on how to remove or download a file or remove a folder from the server, see
FileMaker Server Help.

Related topics
Opening shared files as a client
Upload To FileMaker Server script step

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Saving, importing, and exporting data
You can exchange information between FileMaker Pro and other applications by saving, importing,
and exporting data to other file formats. For example, you can import data that is currently in another
database or spreadsheet program, or export address data in order to create personalized form
letters with a word processing program.
You can:
• save FileMaker Pro data to Excel and PDF files
• save a found set of records and email it as a snapshot link
• append FileMaker Pro records to existing FileMaker Pro PDF files
• import data into an existing FileMaker Pro file
• set up recurring imports to help you routinely refresh read-only data imported from another
file
• convert data from other applications to new FileMaker Pro files
• export data in many formats for use in other applications

Notes
• For general information on how FileMaker Pro saves files, see Saving and copying files.
• To exchange small amounts of data between files, use copy and paste or drag and drop.
See Copying and moving data in records and Moving text and data with drag and drop.
• If you’re using FileMaker Pro on both Windows and OS X, you don’t need to use import and
export features to open FileMaker Pro files created on different operating systems. To open
a FileMaker Pro for OS X file in FileMaker Pro for Windows, or vice versa, choose File
menu > Open, and open the file. See Opening files.
• You can also import scripts from other FileMaker Pro files. See Importing scripts from other
FileMaker files.
• You can import tables from other FileMaker Pro files. See About creating a new table for
imported data and Copying or importing table schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Saving and sending records in other formats
You can save FileMaker Pro data as Microsoft Excel files, as Adobe PDF files, or as a snapshot link
in all modes except Find mode. You can save the current record or all the records in the current
found set.
Creating an Excel file lets you export FileMaker Pro data from the current layout and found set and
work with it in an Excel worksheet. Creating a PDF file lets you store the current state of your file in
a static document that you can protect with a password if you want. You can also append
FileMaker Pro records to an existing FileMaker Pro PDF file. Creating a snapshot link lets you send
a found set of records.
In order to save files as Excel or PDF, you need the following access privileges:
• Allow exporting to save Excel files
• Allow printing to save PDF files
When you save an Excel or PDF file or a snapshot link, FileMaker Pro lets you create a new email
with the file attached, so you can send it to others. For Excel and PDF files, you can also choose to
open the file after saving.

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For more information, see Editing other privileges.
Tip You can also import read-only data from Excel files into FileMaker Pro files. See Setting up
recurring imports and Importing data into an existing file.

Saving and sending records as an Excel file
You can save FileMaker Pro data as an Excel file in all modes except Find mode. The Excel file will
only include fields that are visible on the layout when you perform the save (including any related
fields). Fields in panel controls that are not on the front-most panel are not included. All the records
in a repeating field will be exported into a single cell. If you want more control over which fields
appear in the Excel file, then use the Export Records command instead. See Exporting data from
FileMaker Pro.
Your access privileges must allow exporting in order to save Excel files. See Editing other privileges.

To save records as an Excel file:
1. Display the layout that shows the fields you want to include in the Excel file.
See Switching between layouts.
Note When saving as an Excel file, FileMaker Pro does not save fields that are not visible in
Browse or Preview mode.
2. In Browse or Layout mode, choose File menu > Save/Send Records As > Excel.
In Preview mode, click Save As Excel in the status toolbar.
3. In the Save Records As Excel dialog box, enter a name for the file.
4. For Save as type, choose Excel Workbooks (.xlsx).
5. Specify where to store the file, what to save, whether to automatically open the file, and
whether to create an email with the Excel file as an attachment.
• You can save the current record or all the records in the current found set.
• If you select Create email with file as attachment, an email is created with the Excel
file attached.
6. Click Options to set the Excel options:
• If you don’t want to include the field names, clear the Use field names as column
names in first row checkbox.
• For Worksheet, Title, Subject, and Author, enter descriptive information about the file.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Save.
Note When you save or send data as Excel, fields on popovers are not included in the destination
file. Use File menu > Export Records instead. After naming the destination file and setting Excel
options, choose Current Table in the Specify Field Order for Export dialog box, then select the fields
you want to export. See Exporting data from FileMaker Pro.

Related topics
Microsoft Excel format

Saving and sending records as a PDF file
You can save FileMaker Pro data as a PDF file in all modes except Find mode. The PDF file’s
appearance is based on the current layout when you create the PDF file.

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You can assign a password to the PDF file if it contains sensitive information. If you assign a
password, the file is encrypted and cannot be opened without the password. FileMaker Pro can also
create a blank email message with the PDF file as an attachment to make it easy to distribute to
others.
To save PDF files, your access privileges must allow printing. See Editing other privileges.
To append records to an existing FileMaker Pro PDF file, you must create a script that uses the
Save Records as PDF script step and select the Append to existing PDF option. See Save
Records As PDF.
Note Saving records as a PDF file is not supported in runtime solutions.

To save records as a PDF file:
1. Display the layout that you want to use as a basis for the PDF file.
See Switching between layouts.
2. In Browse or Layout mode, choose File menu > Save/Send Records As > PDF.
In Preview mode, click Save as PDF in the status toolbar.
3. In the Save Records As PDF dialog box, enter a name for the file, specify where to store the
file, what to save, whether to automatically open the file, and whether to create an email
with the PDF file as an attachment.
• You can save the current record, all the records in the current found set, or a blank
record that can be used as a paper form.
• If you select Blank record, the Appearance option is enabled to define how the fields
are formatted in the PDF file.
• If you select Create email with file as attachment, an email is created with the PDF
file attached, and you then specify the recipient.
• If you select Automatically open file, the file opens after it is created.
4. Click Options to set the PDF options:
• In the Document tab, enter descriptive information about the file, the version of Acrobat
for viewing the file, and page numbering.
• In the Security tab, assign passwords to the PDF file, as well as print and edit
privileges. If print and edit privileges are allowed, specify if copying and screen reading
software are permitted. See PDF Options dialog box.
• In the Initial View tab, define how an opened PDF file will look.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Save.

Saving and sending records as a snapshot link
You can save a found set of records, called a snapshot link, to capture a found set as it was when
you performed the find request. The found set is saved in FileMaker Pro Snapshot Link format
(FMPSL) with the filename extension .fmpsl. You can also email an FMPSL file to another person.
The snapshot link includes the current found set of record IDs—including the layout, view, sort order,
mode, and toolbar visibility. Snapshot link files can include local or remote records.
Note A snapshot link does not preserve record data, and opening a snapshot link will not return
record data to the state it was in when the snapshot link was created. To preserve record data, you

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can export records (see Exporting data from FileMaker Pro) or save a copy of the file (see Saving
and copying files).

To save records as a snapshot link file:
1. Find the records that you want to save as a snapshot link. See Making a find request.
If you don’t perform a find, all the records in the current table will be included in the FMPSL file.
2. In Browse mode, Layout mode, or Preview mode, choose File menu > Save/Send Records
As > Snapshot Link.
3. In the Save Records As Snapshot Link dialog box, accept the default filename (the name of
the active window with the .fmpsl filename extension), or enter a different name.
4. For Save, choose Records being browsed to save the entire found set of records. Or
choose Current record to save only the current record (in this case, the found set is not
stored, but the current record and all other states, such as the layout, view, and sort order,
are stored).
5. If you want to email the snapshot link, for After saving, select Create email with file as
attachment.
6. Click Save.
7. If you chose to email the snapshot link, a blank email message opens in your default email
application, with the FMPSL file attached. Complete the header information and send the
message.

To open a snapshot link file:
You can use any method of opening FileMaker Pro files to open a snapshot link file. See Opening
files.
The snapshot link file opens in a new window.

Notes
• A snapshot link does not include the find request that was used for finding the records. To
see records that are based on current information from the database, you must re-create
the find request.
• If any records (including the current record) in the snapshot link were deleted after the file
was created, only the available records are displayed.
• If a layout for a snapshot link no longer exists in the database, or the layout is associated
with another table, then no records are displayed.
• You can create a script that creates a snapshot link. See Save Records As Snapshot Link.
• Make sure that everyone who will use the snapshot link has the proper access privileges for
the layout and records.
• If any actions are set to be performed on the database when it is opened, such as switching
to a layout, running a script, or responding to a script trigger, those actions are done before
the snapshot link is opened.
• If database windows are locked and hidden when you try to open a snapshot link, the found
set will not be displayed. Unlock and unhide at least one window in the database, and then
try again.
• Snapshot links are not supported in runtime solutions created with FileMaker Pro
Advanced.

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• If Current record was selected when the snapshot link was created, then only the current
record is shown, and the state of the database (for example, the layout, view, and sort order
used at the time) is restored. If Records being browsed was selected and the window
didn’t have a found set, then only the records that existed at the time are shown. Records
created after the snapshot link was created are not shown.
• Snapshot link files created in FileMaker Pro 11 are incompatible with later versions, and
vice versa. You must convert the database from which the records were found and then recreate the snapshot link. See Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier.

Related topics
Sharing databases on a network

Sending email messages based on record data
FileMaker Pro lets you create email messages based on record data.
You can:
• send one email to a single address or multiple addresses. See Sending one email
message.
• send separate, customized email messages based on each record in the found set. See
Sending multiple email messages.
• create a script that sends email. See Creating scripts to automate tasks and Send Mail
script step.
• send a snapshot link of a found set of records. See Saving and sending records as a
snapshot link.
Generated email is sent using your default email application or directly through SMTP (Simple Mail
Transfer Protocol, a set of criteria for sending and receiving email). Send email through SMTP, for
example, if no email application is installed on your computer.
To send email, you must have an internet connection. In addition, to send mail on Windows through
an email application, you must also have Microsoft Outlook or Windows Mail installed and
configured properly on your computer. To send email on Macintosh through an email application,
you must have Microsoft Outlook or OS X Mail installed and configured properly on your computer.

Sending one email message
You can use FileMaker Pro to send email to one or more recipients. To specify email addresses,
subjects, and messages, you can type text, use data from fields in the current record, or use
calculations. In addition, you can gather multiple addresses from a field or calculation across all the
records in the current found set.

To send one email message:
1. Find the record with the data you want to use in your email.
See Finding records.
2. Choose File menu > Send > Mail.
The Send Mail dialog box appears.
3. For Send via, choose how you want to send the email.
• To send using an email application such as Microsoft Outlook (Windows) or OS X Mail
(OS X), accept the default, E-mail Client.

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• To send using SMTP (without an email application), choose SMTP Server. In the SMTP
Options dialog box, enter user and server information (see Entering or editing SMTP
options) and click OK. Then continue with step 4.
4. For Create, select One email using data from the current record.
5. Do one of the following to enter email addresses in the To, CC, and BCC boxes:
To

Do this

Enter one or more
email addresses

Type the addresses. Separate each address with a semicolon or the return
character.

Specify a field that
contains one or
more email
addresses
Specify a
calculation that
generates one or
more email
addresses
Windows: Enter
one or more email
addresses from
the Windows
address book

Click

and choose Specify Field Name. Then select a field and click OK.

Click
OK.

and choose Specify Calculation. Then create a calculation and click

Click
and choose Specify Email Addresses. Then choose the email
addresses you want.

6. If you specified a field or calculation in step 5, select Collect addresses across found set
if you want to gather addresses from all the records in the current found set. (Otherwise,
only the address from the current record is used.)
Note If you typed email addresses into the To, CC, and BCC boxes and your found set
contains multiple records, selecting the Collect addresses across found set option will send
recipients one email for each record in the found set.
7. Do one of the following to fill in the Subject and Message boxes:
To

Do this

Enter text

Type the text.

Specify a field that
contains text for
the email

Click

and choose Specify Field Name. Then select a field and click OK.

Specify a
calculation that
generates text for
the email

Click
OK.

and choose Specify Calculation. Then create a calculation and click

Insert the contents
of a text file into
the Message box

Click
next to the Message box and choose Insert Text from File. Then
choose the text file you want.

8. Select Attach file if you want to select a file to send as an attachment to the email.
9. Click OK.

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Generated email messages are sent using your default email method.
Note Email is sent through SMTP or directly to your default email application’s outbox as plain text.
To apply formatting or change an email message’s contents, see the Send Mail script step.

Sending multiple email messages
You can use FileMaker Pro to send multiple email messages to one or more recipients. To specify
email addresses, subjects, and messages, you can type text, use data from each record in the
current found set, or use calculations. A separate email is sent for each record in the found set.

To send multiple email messages:
1. Find the records you want to use for your email messages.
See Finding records.
2. Choose File menu > Send > Mail.
The Send Mail dialog box appears.
3. For Send via, choose how you want to send the email.
• To send using an email application such as Microsoft Outlook (Windows) or OS X Mail
(OS X), accept the default, E-mail Client.
• To send using SMTP (without an email application), choose SMTP Server. In the SMTP
Options dialog box, enter user and server information (see Entering or editing SMTP
options) and click OK. Then continue with step 4.
4. For Create, select Multiple emails (one for each record in found set).
5. Do one of the following to enter email addresses in the To, CC, and BCC boxes:
To

Do this

Enter one or more
email addresses

Type the addresses. Separate each address with a semicolon or the return
character.

Specify a field that
contains one or
more email
addresses
Specify a
calculation that
generates one or
more email
addresses
Windows: Enter
one or more email
addresses from
the Windows
address book

Click

and choose Specify Field Name. Then select a field and click OK.

Click
OK.

and choose Specify Calculation. Then create a calculation and click

Click
and choose Specify Email Addresses. Then choose the email
addresses you want.

6. If you specified a field or calculation in step 5, select Collect addresses across found set
if you want to gather addresses from all the records in the current found set for each
message.

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Important Use Collect addresses across found set with caution because it can generate
a lot of email messages. For example, if your found set contains 10 records and you
specified a field that contains a single email address in each record, 100 email messages
would be generated. Each email address will receive 10 emails. See the example below.
7. Do one of the following to fill in the Subject and Message boxes:
To

Do this

Enter text

Type the text.

Specify a field that
contains text for
the email

Click

and choose Specify Field Name. Then select a field and click OK.

Specify a
calculation that
generates text for
the email

Click
OK.

and choose Specify Calculation. Then create a calculation and click

Insert the contents
of a text file into
the Message box

Click
next to the Message box and choose Insert Text from File. Then
choose the text file you want.

8. Select Attach file if you want to select a file to send as an attachment to the email.
9. Click OK.
Generated email messages are sent using your default email method.

Notes
• Email is sent through SMTP or directly to your default email application’s outbox as plain
text. To apply formatting or change an email message’s contents, see the Send Mail script
step.
• If you specify the contents of a field as the email address and the field contains more than
one address (separated by commas or semicolons as required by your email client), one
message is sent to each address in each record.

Example
When you specify a field or a calculation as the email address, the number of messages sent
depends on the contents of the fields or the result of the calculation and whether you select the
Collect addresses across found set option. Suppose you have the following found set:
Address

Subject

Message

Recipent1@isp.com

Subject1

Message1

Recipent2@isp.com

Subject2

Message2

Recipent3@isp.com

Subject3

Message3

Recipent2@isp.com

Subject4

Message4

When you specify the Address field for the email address and select Multiple emails (one for each
record in found set), each message is addressed to only one recipient and the results are:

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• Recipient1 receives one message: Subject1, Message1
• Recipient2 receives two messages: Subject2, Message2 and Subject4, Message4
• Recipient 3 receives one message: Subject3, Message3
If you select the Collect addresses across found set option, all three recipients receive all four
messages (Subject1, Message1; Subject2, Message2; Subject3, Message3; and Subject4,
Message4) and each message is addressed to all three recipients.

Entering or editing SMTP options
To send email through SMTP, you must supply information about the sender and the SMTP server in
the SMTP Options dialog box. You see this dialog box whenever you choose SMTP Server or click
Specify (when SMTP Server is selected) in the Send Mail dialog box. FileMaker Pro uses this
information whenever you send email through SMTP. You do not have to enter it each time you send
mail.

To enter or edit SMTP options:
1. Display the Send Mail dialog box by doing either of the following.
• Choose File menu > Send > Mail.
• To create a script to send email, choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts. In the
Manage Scripts dialog box, click New. In the Edit Script dialog box, for View, choose
Miscellaneous, double-click Send Mail in the list, then click Specify.
2. In the Send Mail dialog box:
• to enter SMTP options for the first time, for Send via, choose SMTP Server
• to edit SMTP options (and SMTP Server is selected), click Specify
3. In the SMTP Options dialog box, enter user and SMTP server information.
Note To specify a calculation that generates content for a field, click Specify next to the field,
create the calculation, then click OK.
For

Do this

Name

Enter the name of the email sender (for example, your name). This name
appears in the From field of your outgoing messages.

E-mail Address

Enter the email address from which outgoing mail will be sent (for example,
Me@MyCompany.com).

Reply-To Address

Enter the email address to which incoming replies will be sent. This can be
different from the outgoing address (for example, You@MyCompany.com). If
you do not enter a reply-to address, replies will be sent to the outgoing
address.

Outgoing SMTP
Server

Enter the name of the SMTP server from which email will be sent.

Server Port

Keep the default 25, or enter a different number (such as X.400), to specify
the port number to connect to on the SMTP server.

Connection
encryption

Choose None if you do not need a secure connection, choose SSL (Secure
Sockets Layer) if your email requires a secure connection, or choose TLS
(Transport Layer Security) to allow both secure and nonsecure connections
over the same port (the actual connection encryption depends on the SMTP
server’s configuration).

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For

Do this

Authentication

Keep the default None (to require no login authentication on the SMTP
server), or choose Plain Password (for no password encryption) or
Cram-MD5 (for password encryption).

User Name

(Available if you choose Plain Password or Cram-MD5 authentication.)
Enter a user ID to authenticate the user on the SMTP server. Users must
enter the correct name and password to send mail on this server. (For
information about criteria for user names, see Tips for creating account
names and passwords.)

Password

(Available if you choose Plain Password or Cram-MD5 authentication.)
Enter a password to authenticate the user on the SMTP server. Users must
enter the correct name and password to send mail on this server. (For
information about criteria for passwords, see Tips for creating account
names and passwords.)

4. Click OK.
You are returned to the Send Mail dialog box, where you continue setting email options (step 4
of Sending one email message or Sending multiple email messages).

Related topics
Send Mail

Importing data into FileMaker Pro
When you import data, you’re bringing data from another source (usually a file) into an existing
FileMaker Pro file. If you want to create a new FileMaker Pro file from another file format, see
Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file.
FileMaker Pro can import many different file formats. For a list of file formats that FileMaker Pro
supports, see Supported import/export file formats.
If FileMaker Pro does not support the format of a particular application, you may still be able to
convert the data by exporting data from that application in a format that FileMaker Pro does support.
For example, FileMaker Pro does not import Microsoft Access files, but you can export the data from
Microsoft Access to a format that FileMaker Pro does support, and then import that file.
The source file does not need to have the same number of fields in the same order as the target file.
During the import process, you can arrange the target fields so that the source data imports into the
correct fields, as well as skip fields that you don’t want to import.
When you import data into an existing FileMaker Pro file, you can:
• add new records from the source file
• update records with information from the source file
• update matching records with information from the source file
Important Some of the above options can overwrite existing data in your file. See Methods of
importing data into an existing file.

Notes
• You can import data from any field type into any compatible field except calculation and
summary fields. You can only import into container fields if you're importing from another

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FileMaker Pro file or importing a folder of image files. When you import data into a global
field, the last item imported into the field from the source file determines the global field
value.
• You can only import data into a single table at a time. To import data into related fields,
import data directly into the table that contains the related field.
• If the source file is a FileMaker Pro file with multiple tables, you can only import data from a
single table at a time. To import fields from related tables, import directly from the table that
contains the field.
• To ensure that imported data is correctly formatted, you can define fields so that data is
validated as it is imported. During import, data is skipped when it does not conform to the
validation options you set. Once the import is complete, a Summary dialog reports the
number of skipped records and fields. See Defining field validation.
• If you routinely import data from the same source, you can automate the process by setting
up recurring imports or by creating a script that uses the Import Records script step. Data
imported via recurring import is read-only in FileMaker Pro. For more information about
recurring imports, see Setting up recurring imports. For more information about using a
script to import records, see Creating scripts to automate tasks and Import Records script
step.
• A layout doesn’t have to display all the fields that are in the table. You can specify the fields
that you want to import to in the Import Field Mapping dialog box. See Importing data into an
existing file.

Related topics
Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro

Methods of importing data into an existing file
There are three ways that you can import data into an existing file. You can:
• Add new records to the file
• Update existing records in the file
• Update matching records in the file
These options are available in the Import Action area of the Import Field Mapping dialog box when
you’re importing data into an existing file. Each of these options is described in detail below.
Important The import options that update existing records and update matching records both
overwrite existing data during the import process and cannot be undone. To safeguard your data,
choose File menu > Save a Copy As to make a backup of the FileMaker Pro file before you perform
an import that updates records.

Adding records
When you add records, the import process creates a new record in the target file for each importable
record in the source file.
When you add records from most source file formats, the import process adds all the records from
the source file. If the source file is a FileMaker Pro file, you can add only the records in the found set
and skip adding the omitted records. See FileMaker Pro format.

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Updating existing records
With this option, you replace data in your file with data from the source file. For each field you import
into, data from the first importable record (or row of data) in the source file overwrites fields in the
first record in the target file. Data from the second importable record (or row of data) in the source
file overwrites fields in the second record in the target file, and so on. When you replace data,
FileMaker Pro doesn’t examine or compare the data in the files.
You can choose whether to replace or not replace data on a field-by-field basis.
Records in the target file are replaced with the same number of records from the source file. If there
are more importable records in the source file, data from the extra records in the source file will not
be imported unless you also choose Add remaining data as new records. If there are more
records in the target file, data in the extra records in the target file will not be replaced.

Updating matching records
You can update matching records and fields in your target file with data from another file. For
example, you might have a copy of a database on your desktop computer and another copy on your
laptop computer. You can update the file in your office with the changes you make on the road.
You determine which records in the source file update which records in the target file by choosing
one or more match fields in each file. If data in the match field(s) of a record in the target file
matches data in the match field(s) of a record in the source file, the record in the target file will be
updated with data from the source file.
Match fields must uniquely identify each entity in your database. For example, in a database of
people, you could use one match field such as an Employee Number, or multiple match fields such
as Last Name, First Name, and Phone Number. (Using Last Name alone might identify more than
one person, so it isn’t a good match field to use by itself.)
You also specify the fields you want to import. The contents of all fields you select to import, in all
matching records, will overwrite data in the target file, even if the field in the source file is blank.
When the target file contains a found set, only the found records are updated. (If the source file is
another FileMaker Pro file, you can also import only from a found set. See FileMaker Pro format.)
The following table shows an example of how a record in a target file appears before and after being
updated by a matching record in a source file. In the Mapping column,
indicates a match field,
not to import the field.
Source file

indicates to import the field, and

Mapping

Target file

Result

(Windows) or

123-456-7890

or

123-456-7890

123-456-7890

John

or

John

John

Q

(Windows) or

(OS X)

(OS X) indicates

Q

Smith

Smith

Smith

456 New Rd.

123 Main St.

456 New Rd.

Newtown

Anytown

Newtown

USA

USA

USA

3/3/1960

3/3/1960

(408) 555-6789

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Notes
• If the source file is a FileMaker Pro file, you can import only the records in the found set and
skip importing the omitted records. See FileMaker Pro format.
• Match fields in the target file cannot be container, summary, or unstored calculation fields.
The field type of match fields should correspond to the type of data in the matching field. For
example, number fields should not be matched to fields containing text.
• If all specified match fields in a record are empty, that record will not be updated.
• If a record in the source file matches more than one record in the target file, all matching
records in the found set of the target file will be updated.
• If more than one record in the source file matches a record in the found set of the target file,
the target file will be updated with the last matching record in the source file. (During the
import process, the matching record in the target file is actually updated multiple times —
once by each matching record in the source file — so the last matching source record to
update the matching target record determines its final content.)
• The found set after an update contains the records that were updated (those that matched)
and any new records added, regardless of the found set before update.

Related topics
Importing data into an existing file
Setting the import action and mapping fields during import
About creating a new table for imported data
Setting up recurring imports

About creating a new table for imported data
When importing data into an existing FileMaker Pro file, you can import it into a new table based on
the schema of the imported data. This lets you consolidate tables from multiple files into a single
database file without having to manually re-create the table schemas.
To import data into a new table:
• Set up recurring imports so data accessed from an external file refreshes automatically
when you view imported data for the first time during a FileMaker Pro session or manually
when you run a data update script. Data imported via recurring import is read-only in
FileMaker Pro. See Setting up recurring imports.
• Follow the procedures in Importing data into an existing file and choose New Table from the
Target drop-down list in the Import Field Mapping dialog box. The name of the imported
table is the same as the source table name. If the file already has a table with the same
name as the imported table, a number is added to the table’s name.

References to fields in the source table
Imported tables may contain broken references to fields in the file they were imported from. You may
have to resolve these references manually.
Imported references will be maintained if the referenced fields are present in the file you imported
the data into. For example, if Table A has references to Table B, import Table B before Table A to
preserve the references. If you import Table A first, the references will be broken even after you
import Table B.

Notes
• Data cannot be imported into fields of type calculation or summary.

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• When you select New Table from the Target drop-down list, you cannot modify the target
fields in the new target table through the Import Field Mapping dialog box (using the
Manage Database button or Manage Database in the Target drop-down list). After you
have completed the import, you can then modify the fields by choosing File menu >
Manage > Database.

About validating data during import
When you import data into an existing FileMaker Pro file, you can validate the data during import.
FileMaker Pro will skip importing records and fields that don’t match your validation requirements,
and report the number of skipped records and fields when the import operation is complete.

To validate data during import:
1. In the target file, define validation options for the fields for which you want imported data
validated during the import process.
For information on defining validation options for fields, see Defining field validation. Use the
Always validation option to ensure that validation occurs during import.
2. Import the data into the target file.
Follow the instructions in one of the following sections to import the data:
• Importing data into an existing file
• Importing a folder of files all at once
• Importing Bento data (OS X)
• Importing XML data
• Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro
3. When the import process is complete, check the Import Records Summary dialog box for
the number of records and fields that were skipped during import.
The following table describes when data validation failures cause a record or a field to be
skipped.
Item skipped

When

A record

A field is defined with either the Not empty or Validated by calculation field
validation option, and the validation fails for a record during import.
Note Unlike all other validation options, the Not empty or Validated by
calculation options are evaluated when FileMaker Pro attempts to commit
each record. Therefore, these types of validation failures cause the entire
record to be skipped. (All the other field validation options are evaluated when
FileMaker Pro attempts to commit each field.)

A field

A field you’re importing into is defined with any other field validation option, and
the validation fails during import.
Note A skipped field does not prevent other fields in the same record from
being imported.

Note Data validation errors are only one of three reasons that records and fields may be skipped
during import. The other two are:
• Privilege errors: If access privileges prohibit modifying certain fields and records, then these
fields and records are skipped during import.

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• Locked records: If one or more records cannot be changed because they are being
accessed elsewhere — either in another window by the same user or (if the file is shared)
by other clients — then these records are skipped during import.

Importing data into an existing file
You can import data into an existing FileMaker Pro file from another FileMaker Pro file or from a file
created by another application. The records you import become the found set. When you import,
you can add new records, or update existing or matching records.
Tip If you routinely import data from the same source, you can automate the process by setting up
recurring imports. Data imported via recurring import is read-only in FileMaker Pro. See Setting up
recurring imports.
This topic explains how to import from a file that is in a format that FileMaker Pro supports. To import
from other sources, see the following topics:
To import

See

A folder of image files or text files all at once

Importing a folder of files all at once

Bento data (OS X)

Importing Bento data (OS X)

XML data

Importing XML data

ODBC data

Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro

To import data into an existing file:
1. In the source application (the application from which you're importing data into
FileMaker Pro), save the data you want to import in a file type that FileMaker Pro supports.
For a list of supported file types, see Supported import/export file formats.
2. If you’re updating existing or matching records, make a backup copy of the target
FileMaker Pro file that you’re importing into.
Important Updating existing or matching records overwrites data in the target file and
cannot be undone. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As to make a backup copy of the
target file. Make sure you understand how updating records works. See Methods of
importing data into an existing file.
3. If you're importing records from a FileMaker Pro file and you want to import certain records
and omit others, open the file and perform a find so that the found set in the current window
contains only the records you want to import.
See Finding records. FileMaker Pro determines the found set to import from the foreground
window in the source file. If you import records from a closed file or an open file that is not
displaying any windows, FileMaker imports all the records, regardless of any found set.
4. Open the FileMaker Pro file you want to import records into (the target file).
5. If the target file contains multiple tables, use the Layout pop-up menu to display a layout
from the table that you want to import data into.
The layout doesn’t have to display all the fields in the table. You will be able to specify the fields
that you want to import to in the Import Field Mapping dialog box.
6. If you’re updating existing or matching records, do the following before you import. (If you’re
adding new records, skip to the next step.)

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• If you’re updating existing records in the file, make sure the found set contains only the
records you want to change. If necessary, sort the records so that data from the correct
record in the source file replaces data in each record in the target file.
• If you’re updating matching records, make sure the found set contains only the records
you want to update. Records outside the found set will not be updated, even if match
field data matches.
7. Choose File menu > Import Records > File.
8. In the Open File dialog box, choose the name of the file that contains the data you want to
import (the source file).
To narrow the choices in the list of files, for Files of type (Windows) or Show (OS X), choose a
file type. Or, choose All Files to see all the files in the current folder that you can import.
9. Click Open.
If you’re importing from a Microsoft Excel file that contains more than one worksheet or includes
a named range, you see the Specify Excel Data dialog box. Choose the worksheet or named
range to import, then click Continue.
10. Choose a target table:
To import the data into

In the Target drop-down list, choose

An existing table

A table name

A new table

New Table

For more information about importing data into a new table, see About creating a new table for
imported data.
11. In the Import Field Mapping dialog box, choose the type of import to perform, map fields in
your database to the data you want to import, then click Import.
For details on using the Import Field Mapping dialog box and finishing the import process, see
Setting the import action and mapping fields during import.

Related topics
Supported import/export file formats
Sorting records
Records script steps

Setting up recurring imports
You can set up a FileMaker Pro file to automatically update data imported from another file,
such as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Recurring import occurs automatically every time you
open the file and the first time you view the layout containing the data from the external file. Later,
you can run a script to update data.
When you set up recurring imports, FileMaker Pro creates a new table for the imported data and a
new layout to display the data. You can customize the layout in Layout mode later, if you wish.
Each time you update data, FileMaker Pro deletes data in the recurring import layout and replaces it
with current data from the external file. Data imported via recurring import cannot be modified or
added to in FileMaker Pro.
Note To set up recurring imports, you must open a file with an account that is assigned the Full
Access privilege set. For information about privilege sets, see About accounts, privilege sets, and

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extended privileges. Users do not need to use an account with Full Access privileges to use
recurring import after it has been set up in a file.

To set up recurring imports:
1. Create a new file or open the file in which you want to set up recurring imports. See Creating
a FileMaker Pro file or Opening files.
2. In Browse mode, choose File menu > Import Records > File.
3. For Files of type (Windows) or Show (OS X), select the type of file you want to import. For
example, choose Excel Workbooks (*xlsx).
For a list of supported file types, see Supported import/export file formats.
4. Locate and select the file containing data you want to import.
5. Select Set up as automatic recurring import, then click Open.
The path of the file you selected appears in the Recurring Import Setup dialog box.
6. To skip importing column headings, select Don’t import first record (Contains field
names).
7. Accept the default layout name or type a new name for the layout FileMaker Pro will create
to display the imported data.
8. Accept the default script name or type a new name for the script you can use to update data
manually.
9. Click OK.
10. If you are importing data from an Excel file, you can import by worksheet or by named
range.
Note You can import data from only one worksheet or named range per layout.
To

Do this

Import data by worksheet

Select Display worksheets, select the
worksheet you want to import, then click
Continue.

Import data by named range Select Display named ranges, select the
named range you want to import, then click
Continue.
The new layout appears in Browse mode in Table View. For more information about Table View,
see Viewing records as a form, list, or table.

Notes
• Recurring import creates a new table and layout for imported data. If you want to add
imported data to an existing table or layout in your database, see Importing data into
FileMaker Pro.
• Data changes in external files must be saved in the original application before
FileMaker Pro can import them.
• Recurring import is an import-only process. To make changes to the data, first modify data
in the source file. Next import data in the FileMaker Pro file by clicking the script button on
the recurring import layout. If changes are made to the data while the FileMaker Pro file is

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closed, data on the recurring import layout will update the first time you view the layout
during your next FileMaker Pro session.
• When data is imported for the first time, FileMaker Pro creates an Import log file in the folder
that contains the FileMaker Pro file. This log file is updated each time data is imported into
any FileMaker Pro file located in this folder.
• When you use the script button to update data, FileMaker Pro deletes all previously
imported records, reimports the data, and creates new records for any new data found in the
external file.
• As your needs grow, you might find that you want to modify the import script. For more
information about planning and creating scripts, see Creating scripts to automate tasks.
• The automatically generated script FileMaker Pro creates for recurring import is not
supported in a FileMaker Server scheduled script.

Related topics
Importing data into an existing file

Importing a folder of files all at once
FileMaker Pro can import a folder of files in a single operation. Instead of inserting several pictures
or QuickTime files one by one, you can import them all at once. You can also import a folder of text
files, which is faster than copying and pasting the contents of each file.
FileMaker Pro can import any image file that you can insert with the Insert Picture and Insert
QuickTime commands, including GIF, JPEG, EPS, TIFF, QuickTime Movie, and many other formats.
Text files must be plain, text-only files with a .txt filename extension or a TEXT file type.
You can import a folder of image files into a container field, or import a folder of text files into a text,
number, date, time, timestamp, or container field. In addition to the file content, you can also import
information about each file: the filename, the file path, and (for picture and movie files only) a
smaller thumbnail image.

To import a folder of files:
1. Open the FileMaker Pro file into which you want to import a folder of files.
You need an existing FileMaker Pro file into which to import a folder of files. FileMaker Pro won’t
convert the imported data into a new file.
2. If you’re updating existing or matching records, make a backup copy of the target file that
you’re importing into.
Important Updating existing or matching records overwrites data in the target file and
cannot be undone. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As to make a backup copy of the
target file. Make sure you understand how updating records works. See Methods of
importing data into an existing file.
3. If the target file contains multiple tables, use the Layout pop-up menu to display a layout that
shows records from the table you want to import data into.
4. If you’re updating existing or matching records, do the following before you import. (If you’re
adding new records, skip to the next step.)
• If you’re updating existing records in the file, make sure the found set contains only the
records you want to replace. Sort the records (for example, by the filename) to ensure
that data you’re importing replaces the correct records in the target file.

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• If you’re updating matching records, make sure the found set contains only the records
you want to update. Records outside the found set will not be updated, even if match
field data matches.
5. In Browse mode, choose File menu > Import Records > Folder.
The Folder of Files Import Options dialog box appears.
6. In the Folder Location area, click Specify, and choose the folder that contains the files you
want to import.
Select Include all enclosed folders to indicate whether to import files that exist in any
enclosed folders. (FileMaker Pro will import up to 100 folder levels deep.)
7. In the File Type area, choose Picture and movie files or Text files, then click Continue.
If you’re importing a folder of picture files, you can select Import only a reference to each
picture file to import only a reference to each file. When this option is deselected, a copy of
each file is imported directly into the database.
Important Because movie files are usually large, they are always imported by reference. If
you’re importing large picture files, consider importing only a reference to each file.
However, if you import files by reference and later move, rename, or delete a source file,
FileMaker Pro won’t be able to display it.
8. In the Import Field Mapping dialog box, choose the type of import to perform, and map fields
in your database to the data you want to import. Then click Import.
For details on using the Import Field Mapping dialog box and finishing the import process, see
Setting the import action and mapping fields during import.
For Picture and movie files import, the following data mapping is available:
Data

Map to field type

Image

Container field

File Name

Text field

File Path

Text field

Image Thumbnail

Container field

For Text files import, the following data mapping is available:
Data

Map to field type

Text Content

Text, number, date, time, timestamp, or
container field

File Name

Text field

File Path

Text field

Notes
• OS X: FileMaker Pro can import a folder of Portable Document Format (PDF) files into a
container field. Each PDF file appears in QuickTime format. To display different pages in a
multi-page PDF file, click the PDF file container field and use QuickTime controls.
• When the folder you specify for import contains shortcuts (Windows) or aliases (OS X) to
either files or folders, FileMaker Pro does the following:

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• Shortcuts/aliases to files: FileMaker Pro locates each original file and imports it.
• Shortcuts/aliases to folders: FileMaker Pro does not locate the original folders and
import from them.
• Some items are not imported:
• Windows: FileMaker Pro does not import files or from folders that are hidden, offline,
system, or temporary.
• OS X: FileMaker Pro does not import invisible files or from folders that are invisible.
• The maximum size of most text files that you import is 1 GB. The size limit on UTF-16
encoded text files is 2 GB.
• If you import the File Path data into a field, you can open the original file directly from
FileMaker Pro: select the entire file path text, right-click the text, and then choose Open File
from the shortcut menu.

Importing Bento data (OS X)
FileMaker Pro can import Bento data into an existing FileMaker Pro file or convert Bento data into a
new FileMaker Pro file. The Bento file must be created with Bento 4 (or a later supported version).
Bento 4 (or a later supported version) must be installed on the computer running FileMaker Pro.
Note You can import from Bento 1 by saving Bento data as a .csv file and then importing the .csv
file into FileMaker Pro.
Before you begin importing Bento data, be sure that the bento.bentodb file is in its default location in
your home folder: Library/Application Support/Bento.

To import Bento data into an existing FileMaker Pro file:
1. Open the FileMaker Pro file that you want to import records into (the target file).
2. If you’re updating existing or matching records, choose File menu > Save a Copy As to
make a backup copy of the target file.
Important Updating existing or matching records overwrites data in the target file and
cannot be undone, so make sure you understand how updating records works before you
begin. See Methods of importing data into an existing file.
3. If the target file contains multiple tables, use the Layout pop-up menu to display a layout that
shows fields from the table you want to import data into.
4. If you’re adding new records, skip to the next step.
If you’re updating existing or matching records, do the following before you import:
• If you’re updating existing records in the file, make sure the found set contains only the
records you want to replace.
• If you’re updating matching records, make sure the found set contains only the records
you want to update. Records outside the found set will not be updated, even if match
field data matches.
5. Choose File menu > Import Records > Bento Data Source.
6. Enter the Database Password in the Bento Password dialog box, if one was set in Bento.
Click OK.
7. In the Select Bento Source dialog box, select the library and collection that you want to
import, then click Continue.

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The Import Field Mapping dialog box appears.
8. Choose the Target table and Import Action, then choose the fields in your database that
map to the data being imported.
See Setting the import action and mapping fields during import.
Note A Bento location field displays as two separate fields in the Source Fields list:
[Fieldname](Longitude) and [Fieldname](Latitude).
9. Click Import.
The Import Summary dialog box shows the progress of your import.
10. Click OK.

To import Bento data into a new FileMaker Pro file:
1. In the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, select Convert an Existing File, then choose Bento
Data Source.
If you don’t see the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, choose Help menu > Quick Start Screen,
and repeat step 1.
2. Enter the Database Password in the Bento Password dialog box, if one was set in Bento.
Click OK.
3. In the Select Bento Source dialog box, select the library and collection that you want to
import, then click Continue.
The Create a New File Named dialog box appears.
4. Type a name for the new file, choose a location, then click Save.
The Import Summary dialog box shows the progress of your import.

Bento and FileMaker Pro field type mapping
The following table lists how Bento field types map to FileMaker Pro field types.
Note Data might appear differently after you import because of the differences in field mapping
between Bento and FileMaker Pro and issues related to numerical precision.
Bento Field Type

FileMaker Pro Field Type

Notes

Date

Timestamp

Dates also display a time.
Data is reformatted into
FileMaker Pro format.

Time

Time

Data is reformatted into
FileMaker Pro format

Checkbox

Number

See “Displaying Bento
checkbox fields in
FileMaker Pro,” below

Currency

Number

Automatic Counter

Number

Number

Number

Duration

Number

Rating

Number

Text

Text

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Bento Field Type

FileMaker Pro Field Type

Notes

Choice

Text

Date Created

Timestamp

Date Modified

Timestamp

Calculation

Text, Number, Time, or Timestamp

Address

Text

Multiple fields are created

Email Address

Text

Multiple fields are created

Phone Number

Text

Multiple fields are created

URL

Text

Multiple fields are created

IM Account

Text

Multiple fields are created

Encrypted (Bento 3 or a
later supported version)

Text

If the Bento database requires
a password, FileMaker Pro
also requires it

Location (Bento 4 or a
later supported version)

Number

Location fields are imported as
two separate Number fields:
[Fieldname](Longitude) and
[Fieldname](Latitude)

Simple List (Bento 3 or a
later supported version)

Text

Tab characters are inserted
between each column.
Carriage return characters are
inserted between each row.
Although simple list fields in
Bento 4 support types other
than text, FileMaker Pro
imports the data as text.

The following user-created field types in Bento are not supported in FileMaker Pro:
• Media
• File List
• Related Data
• Message List

Displaying Bento checkbox fields in FileMaker Pro
After importing, Bento checkbox fields do not display in FileMaker Pro in the same manner as they
did in Bento. To achieve a similar result in Form View and List View, do the following:
1. For a number field that you mapped to a checkbox field, define a value list with the single
value of 1.
See Defining value lists.
2. In Layout mode, select the number field.
3. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

4. In the Field area, under Control Style, choose Checkbox set.
5. Choose the value list you defined in step 1 from the Values from list.
6. Resize the number field so that only the checkbox is visible.

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7. Save the layout.

Importing XML data
FileMaker Pro can import XML data into an existing FileMaker Pro file, or convert XML into a new
FileMaker Pro file.
The XML can be a physical file, or the result of an HTTP request sent to a web server. For example,
you could set up an Orders database to send tracking numbers to a package delivery company in
the form of an HTTP request, and their web server could return the latest package tracking
information in XML format, ready to be imported into the Orders database.
The XML that you import must conform to the FileMaker FMPXMLRESULT document type definition
(DTD). If your XML is in a different format, you can apply an Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSLT)
style sheet during import to transform your XML into the FMPXMLRESULT grammar. See XML
FMPXMLRESULT grammar.

To import XML:
1. What you do first depends on whether you are importing XML into an existing FileMaker Pro
file, or converting XML into a new FileMaker Pro file. Do one of the following:
To import XML

Do this

Into an existing FileMaker Pro file

Continue with step 2.

By converting the XML into a new
FileMaker Pro file

Skip ahead to step 8.

2. If you’re updating existing or matching records, make a backup copy of the target file that
you’re importing into.
Important Updating existing or matching records overwrites data in the target file and
cannot be undone. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As to make a backup copy of the
target file. Make sure you understand how updating records works. See Methods of
importing data into an existing file.
3. Open the FileMaker Pro file that you want to import records into (the target file).
4. If the target file contains multiple tables, use the Layout pop-up menu to display a layout that
shows records from the table you want to import data into.
5. If you’re updating existing or matching records, do the following before you import. (If you’re
adding new records, skip to the next step.)
• If you’re updating existing records in the file, make sure the found set contains only the
records you want to replace. Sort the records (for example, by the field name) to ensure
that data you’re importing replaces the correct records in the target file.
• If you’re updating matching records, make sure the found set contains only the records
you want to update. Records outside the found set will not be updated, even if match
field data matches.
6. Choose File menu > Import Records > XML Data Source.
The Specify XML and XSL Options dialog box appears.
7. Skip ahead to step 10.
You should only follow steps 8 and 9 if you are converting XML into a new FileMaker Pro file.

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8. Choose File menu > Open.
9. In the Open dialog box, for Files of type (Windows) or Show (OS X), choose XML Data
Source.
The Specify XML and XSL Options dialog box appears.
10. For Specify XML Data Source, choose the source of the XML data to import.
The XML source can be a file or the result of an HTTP request. See About importing data using
an HTTP request.
11. To apply an XSLT style sheet to the XML before importing, select Use XSL style sheet and
specify the source of the XSLT style sheet.
When the XML you’re importing does not conform to the FMPXMLRESULT DTD, you must
apply an XSLT style sheet that transforms the XML into the proper grammar. The XSLT source
may be a file or the result of an HTTP request. See About importing data using an HTTP
request.
12. Click Continue.
Using a Xerces-based XML parser and a Xalan-based XSLT processor, FileMaker Pro applies
an XSLT style sheet (if you specified one) to transform the XML data. If an error message
appears, correct the error and try importing again.
13. Do one of the following:
If you are importing XML

Do this

Into an existing FileMaker Pro file

The Import Field Mapping dialog box appears, where you
choose the type of import to perform and map fields in your
database to the data to import. (See Setting the import action
and mapping fields during import.) Choose options in the dialog
box, then click Import.

By converting the XML into a new
FileMaker Pro file

The Name Converted File dialog box appears. Type a name for
the new file, choose a location, then click Save.

Notes
• For details about the requirements for well-formed XML, see the XML specification, which is
available at http://www.w3.org/XML/.
• FileMaker Pro uses the Xerces-C++ XML parser, which supports XML data in the following
character encodings:
• ASCII
• UTF-8
• UTF-16 (Big/Small Endian)
• UCS4 (Big/Small Endian)
• EBCDIC in both IBM037 and IBM1140 encodings
• ISO-8859-1 (Latin1)
• Windows-1252
Although Windows-1252 is the default character encoding on Windows, this character encoding
is not widely recognized by other XML processing tools. If you’re using a Windows-based
editing tool to generate XML, check the encoding="..." declaration to see which character set it

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generates. See the Xerces C++ FAQ on the Apache website at http://xerces.apache.org/xercesc/.
• If you are using a calculation that generates the file path for the XML file, you must use the
format used by the operating system for the full path. For example, the following are valid
paths:
Windows: driveletter:/directoryName/fileName
OS X: /Volumes/VolumeName/directoryName/fileName
If you are providing a cross-platform solution, you can use the Get(SystemPlatform) function to
identify the current platform and use the correct format for each platform.

Setting the import action and mapping fields during import
When you import data into an existing FileMaker Pro file, the Import Field Mapping dialog box
appears after you select the file or source of the data to import. Use this dialog box to specify the
following import options:
• Import action: Specify how to import the data into the existing file. You can add new records
to the file, update existing records in the file, or update matching records in the file. See
Methods of importing data into an existing file.
• Field mapping: Specify where to import the data by mapping the fields in your database to
the fields in the source data that you’re importing.

To set the import action and map fields during import:
1. If you have not done so, choose the file or source of the data to import into an existing
FileMaker Pro file.
Follow the instructions in Importing data into an existing file, Importing a folder of files all at
once, Importing Bento data (OS X), or Importing XML data. You will see the Import Field
Mapping dialog box.
2. If you’re importing data from another FileMaker Pro file and that file contains multiple tables,
choose the table you want to import from the Source list.
3. In the Import Action area, choose the type of import to perform.
Important Updating existing or matching records overwrites data in the target file and
cannot be undone. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As to make a backup copy of the
target file. Make sure you understand how updating records works. See Methods of
importing data into an existing file.

To

Select

Add new records to the end of the
target file

Add new records

Update the found set of records in
the target file with the records
you're importing from the source,
in order, starting with the first
record in each file

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Note If the table you’re importing into contains no data, you can
only select Add new records; the other options described
below are not available because there is no data to update.
Update existing records in found set
To also add any additional records in the source as new records
in the target file, select Add remaining data as new records.

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To

Select

Update data in the target file with
the data from matching records in
the source

Update matching records in found set
To also add records from the source that do not have matching
records in the target file, select Add remaining data as new
records.

4. If the first record of the data you’re importing contains field names (column headings)
instead of data, select Don’t import first record (contains field names).
Selecting Don’t import first record (contains field names) skips the first record during import.
5. For Target Fields, drag fields to align with fields or data in Source Fields, to indicate where
source data will be imported or updated.
To align a field, move the pointer over the
pointer changes to a double arrow

icon next to a target field name in the list. When the

, drag the field to a new location.

You can do any of the following to align target fields and source fields:
• To preview the data that you’re importing, click the arrows below the fields lists.
• To create or change fields in the table you're importing into, click Manage Database. In
the Manage Database dialog box, make your changes, then click OK. (If the Manage
Database button is dimmed, either you don't have sufficient access privileges, or the
database is shared over a network and does not currently permit database changes.
For more information about changing shared databases, see Sharing and hosting files.)
• To reorder the target fields all at once, choose one of the following options from the
Arrange by menu:
Choose this option

To list the fields by

Matching names

Field names that match in both the target table and the source.
FileMaker Pro matches field names dynamically each time you choose
this option. (This option is not available when the source data does not
contain field names.)

Last order

The order used the last time FileMaker Pro imported data into this table
or the default order (creation order).

Creation order

The order in which the fields were created.

Field names

Alphabetical order.

Field types

Field type.

Custom import order A custom order (which you create by dragging field names).
Note Data from a source field will not import when:
• The source field is not aligned with a target field. Drag a target field to align with each
source field you want to import. Create a new target field if necessary.
• The
symbol appears between the source and target fields, which indicates that the
target field type does not support the source field data. You cannot import data into
calculation or summary fields, or import some mismatched data types such as container
data into a text field. (The
symbol may also indicate that access privileges do not
permit importing data into a particular target field.)

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6. In the space between each pair of fields in the list, click the field mapping symbol one or
more times to indicate the field mapping you want performed.
Continue clicking until the symbol between the fields indicates the field mapping you want. For a
description of each symbol, refer to the Field Mapping area. You can choose whether or not to
import each field into the target field, or use a field pairing as a match field for updating matching
records.
Tip You can also set the field mapping for multiple fields at the same time. First select the target
fields you want to change by holding down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (OS X), and clicking
each target field. (You can also select a range of adjacent fields by clicking the first field and
then Shift-clicking the last field in the range.) Then click a field mapping symbol for one of the
selected fields until they all indicate the mapping that you want. (You can also press the Space
bar one or more times to change the field mapping symbol.)
7. If necessary, for Character Set, choose the character encoding used in the source file.
The Character Set list may be dimmed or available:
• If the list is dimmed, then FileMaker Pro was able to determine the encoding of the file
and picked it automatically.
• If the list is available, then FileMaker Pro was not able to determine the file encoding,
and has tried to pick an appropriate character encoding based on your operating
system and the file format you’re importing. You may need to change the encoding that
FileMaker Pro picked. If you pick a different encoding, FileMaker Pro scans the import
data, and will display an alert message if the data contains characters that are illegal in
the character set you selected.
Note If you’re importing a 16-bit Unicode (UTF-16) text file, the file must contain a Unicode
standard Byte Order Mark (BOM). If the BOM is missing, FileMaker Pro will not properly
recognize the file encoding.
8. Click Import.
You may see the Import Options dialog box, which appears when:
• the target file has fields for which automatic data entry (auto-enter) options have been
enabled
• you’re importing and adding new records from a FileMaker Pro file with repeating fields
9. If the Import Options dialog box appears, select one or more of the following options, and
then click Import.
To

Do this

Auto-enter new data in fields
defined with auto-enter
options. (For example, to
enter the date in a
Modification Date field.)

Select Perform auto-enter options while importing. Otherwise,
auto-entered values will not be entered.

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Note When you’re importing into fields that are set to auto-enter a
value (like modifier name, modification date or time, or lookup data),
clear this option unless you want the auto-entered data to overwrite
the data you’re importing.

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

To

Do this

Specify how to import data
from repeating fields in the
source file

Select:
• Keeping them in the original record to maintain the field(s) as
repeating fields.
• Splitting them into separate records to import each repeating
value into a separate record. (Use this option to work with
individual values in repeating fields, such as to sort or
summarize them.)
Note When you split repeating field data into separate records
any non-repeating fields that you import are duplicated in each
separate record. For example, if a record in the source file has
values in three repetitions, splitting them into separate records
imports three records, each identical except for the values in the
repeating fields.

10. In the Import Records Summary dialog box, note the number of imported records and any
data that was skipped. Then click OK.
The Import Records Summary dialog box displays three statistics detailing the imported records
and any skipped data:
Statistic

Description

Total records
added/updated

The total number of records added and updated in the target file during the
import process.
Note This number will include multiple updates of the same record if you’re
updating matching records and more than one record in the source file matches
a record in the found set of the target file. See the Notes section in Methods of
importing data into an existing file.

Total records
skipped due to
errors

The number of records in the target file that were skipped due to:
• Privilege errors: Access privileges prohibit modifying one or more records.
• Locked records: One or more records cannot be modified because they are
being accessed elsewhere, either in another window by the same user or (if
the file is shared) by other clients.
• Validation errors: One or more records cannot be modified because recordlevel field validation requirements are not met, and the record could not be
committed. See About validating data during import.

Total fields skipped The number of fields in the target file that were skipped due to:
due to errors
• Validation errors: One or more fields cannot be imported because the data
does not match the validation requirements defined for the field. See About
validating data during import.
• Privilege errors: Access privileges prohibit modifying one or more fields.
Skipped fields do not prevent the updating of other fields in the same record.

Notes
• If you’re importing a large amount of data, you may see an Importing dialog box that shows
the progress of the import process. To stop importing, click Stop. Records that were already

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imported remain in the target file (the import is not reversed). To permanently delete the
records already imported, choose Records menu > Delete All Records.
• The records you import become the found set. After importing, check the data in the found
set. Choose Records menu > Show All Records.
• If you’re updating records, be sure your records are correct before discarding the backup
copy of the file.

Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file
You can convert a data file from another application into a new FileMaker Pro file. FileMaker Pro
imports the data and creates a new FileMaker Pro file. This converted FileMaker Pro file will contain:
• The data from the file or source you convert.
• Two layouts for displaying the data: a Standard form layout and a List view layout.
• Converted field names if they are available in the file or source you convert. Otherwise, field
names are generic: f1, f2, f3, and so on. (Field names convert from Bento, Microsoft Excel,
FileMaker Pro, DBF, Merge, ODBC, and XML formats.)
• Converted field types (text, number, date, and so on) if they are available in the file or
source you convert. Otherwise, all fields are text fields. (Field types convert from Bento,
FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Excel, ODBC, DBF, and XML formats.)
For information on importing data into an existing file, see Importing data into an existing file.
Note For information on converting Bento data into a new file, see Importing Bento data (OS X).

To import data into a new file:
1. In the source application (the application from which you're importing data into
FileMaker Pro), save the data you want to import in a file type that FileMaker Pro supports.
For a list of supported file types, see Supported import/export file formats.
2. Use one of the following methods to open the data file:
• In FileMaker Pro, choose File menu > Open.
• In the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, click Convert an Existing File.
• Drag the data file onto the FileMaker Pro application.
3. In the Create a New File Named dialog box or Open dialog box (Windows) or Open File
(OS X) dialog box, for Files of type (Windows) or Show (OS X), specify the type of file (if
needed), choose the file to convert, then click Open.
4. If you see the First Row Option dialog box, choose whether the first row of data contains
field names or the first record of data, then click OK.
5. If you’re converting a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and the Specify Excel Data dialog box
appears, choose a worksheet or named range from the workbook file, then click OK.
6. In the Create a New File Named dialog box, type a name for the new file, choose a location,
then click Save.
FileMaker Pro converts the data to a FileMaker Pro file and displays the file.

Notes
• If the file you’re converting is large, you may see an Importing dialog box that shows the
progress of the import process. To stop importing, click Stop. However, FileMaker Pro still
creates a file containing a partial set of the converted data.

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• If you routinely import data from the same source, you can automate the process by setting
up recurring imports. Data imported via recurring import is read-only in FileMaker Pro. See
Setting up recurring imports.

Exporting data from FileMaker Pro
You can export FileMaker Pro data to a new file and then open it in another application. For
example, you can export FileMaker Pro data in the merge (.mer) format and use it for a Microsoft
Word Mail Merge.
You can also save records as a spreadsheet for use in Microsoft Excel. See Saving and sending
records as an Excel file. Use export when you want to export records in the current found set or
export in a format other than an Excel spreadsheet. Use Save as Excel when you want to create an
Excel spreadsheet that contains all the fields you have access to on the current layout.
If your FileMaker Pro source file contains summary fields, you can group by a sorted field in order to
export subsummary values, such as subtotals generated by a report with grouped data. This
process exports one record for each group. For example, if you have a report that totals sales by
region, you can export one summary value for each region.
You can also export the contents of a field to a file. See Exporting the contents of a field.

To export FileMaker Pro data to be used in another application:
1. Open the FileMaker Pro file, and display a layout that shows the records you want to export.
2. Find and sort the records to export.
To export grouped subsummary values, include the break field in the sort order, or run the report
that generates the subtotals you want. For information about finding and sorting records, see
Finding records and Sorting records.
3. Choose File menu > Export Records.
4. In the Export Records to File dialog box, type a name and choose a location for the file.
If you're exporting to XML and applying an XSLT style sheet during export, give the filename an
extension that corresponds to the transformed file's format, such as .txt, .htm, or .xml, so that
different operating systems can recognize the file correctly.
If another file with the same name already exists in the same location, the exported file replaces
the existing file.
5. Choose a file type from Save as type (Windows) or Type (OS X), then click Save.
Use a file format supported by the application in which you plan to use the exported data.
Popular formats include comma-separated text (.csv), tab-separated text (.tab), merge format
(.mer), and HTML (.html). For information about file formats, see Supported import/export file
formats.
6. For After saving, choose one or both of the following options:
Choose

To

Automatically open file

Open the file after it is saved

Create email with file as
attachment

Create an email with the saved file attached

7. Do one of the following:

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

• If you’re exporting to XML, you see the Specify XML and XSL Options dialog box.
Continue with step 8.
• If you’re exporting to any other file type, skip to step 9.
8. In the Specify XML and XSL Options dialog box, do the following:
• Specify the XML grammar to use by choosing either the FMPDSORESULT format or
the FMPXMLRESULT format.
• To apply an XSLT style sheet to the XML during export, select Use XSL style sheet
and specify the source of the XSLT style sheet. The XSLT source may be a file or the
result of an HTTP request.
9. In the Specify Field Order for Export dialog box, indicate how you want FileMaker Pro to
export the data.
• When the Specify Field Order for Export dialog box opens, the tables list defaults to
Current Layout (LayoutName) and displays only the visible fields on the current
layout. To display all field names from the current table, choose Current Table
(TableName) from the list.
• If the current layout contains panel controls, only the fields that exist on the current
panel are displayed in the Specify Field Order for Export dialog box.
To

Do this

Include a field in the export

Double-click the field name to move it to the Field export order
area.
To include all fields in the export, click Move All.

Include a related field in the
export

Choose the name of the related table from the list in the upper-left
corner of the dialog box, and then move the fields you want into the
Field export order area. (You can include related fields before,
after, or between other fields being exported.)

Export grouped summary
values instead of individual
records

In the fields list on the left, click a summary field whose values you
want to summarize. In the Group by area, select each break field
by which you want the values summarized. Then click Move.
When you click Move, FileMaker Pro adds the summary field and
one or more grouped summary fields to the Field export order
area. (FileMaker Pro adds one grouped summary field for each
break field you selected in the Group by area.) The grouped
summary fields use the syntax SummaryField by
GroupByField, such as “Total Sales by Region.”
Note You can’t export grouped summary values unless you sorted
the data before you started the export process. (The Group by
area shows “Unsorted” instead of any fields if data is not sorted.)

Remove a field from Field
export order and prevent its
data from being exported

For Field export order, choose a field, then click Clear.

Change the export order of the
fields

For Field export order, point to the double arrow to the left of the
field name and drag it up or down.

To move all fields from the list, click Clear All.

10. If necessary, for Output file character set, choose the character encoding you want the
exported file to use.

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You may not need to change the character set selection. FileMaker Pro automatically selects a
suitable character set based on the file format you’re exporting to and the operating system
you’re using.
11. If necessary, select Apply current layout’s data formatting to exported data to format
field data as it appears on the current layout.
FileMaker Pro allows you to format fields on a layout, which makes the data look different on the
layout than how it is actually stored in the database file. (See Formatting and setting up field
objects in Layout mode.) Select Apply current layout’s data formatting to exported data
when you want to export number, date, and time data using the field formats specified on the
current layout.
If the current layout formatting can’t be applied when you’re exporting to an Excel file, the Excel
file uses the system format.
If you’re exporting to DBF format, this option is not available.
12. Click Export.

Notes
• To use an exported file, open an application that can read the file format, and then open the
exported file.
• To use FileMaker Pro as a data source to serve FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or JDBC, see
Sharing FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or JDBC.
• If you want to save the records as an Excel file instead of exporting them, choose Save/
Send Records As > Excel. When you save records as an Excel file, all the fields that you
have access to and can see on the current layout are saved. When you export to Excel, you
must specify which fields to export.
• To append data to exported records, you need to use the Save Records As PDF script step.
• OS X: To export FileMaker Pro data to the Address Book application, export your contacts
as tab-separated text. Import the contacts in Address Book in the text file format.

Related topics
Saving and sending records as a PDF file
Sending one email message
Sending multiple email messages

Exporting repeating field data
Some file formats (such as DBF) can interpret only one value per field and do not support repeating
fields. When you export to these formats, only the first value in a repeating field is exported. An alert
message warns you if you’re exporting repeating fields to a file format that supports only the first
value.
Although you can export repeating fields to XML, if you export related fields that repeat, only the first
value in each related repeating field is exported.
You can work around these limitations by following these steps.

To export repeating field values into formats that don’t support repeating
fields:
1. In the FileMaker Pro file, find the records you want to export.
For information about finding records, see Finding records.

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2. Make a clone of the file to export.
For information about cloning files, see Saving and copying files.
3. Open the clone, then import the data from the original file.
For information about importing records, see Importing data into FileMaker Pro.
4. When the Import Options dialog box opens, select Splitting them into separate records,
then click Import.
5. Export from this clone file to DBF format.
For more information see Exporting data from FileMaker Pro.

Supported import/export file formats
FileMaker Pro and many application programs that you want to exchange data with use a
proprietary file format. In order to exchange data, you must export the data from one application in a
format that the other application can import. If you’re exchanging data with another application
program, check the documentation that came with that program to determine a common
intermediary file format that both FileMaker Pro and the other program supports.
For information on how to import or export data, see Importing data into FileMaker Pro or Exporting
data from FileMaker Pro.
FileMaker Pro supports the import/export file formats listed in the following table. FileMaker both
imports and exports most formats, but a few formats are either import/convert only or export only.
Most file formats support data conversion only and do not import or export formatting such as font,
size, style, and color. Some of the formats export or convert field names and field types. For details
on a particular format, click its link in the following table.
Supported
format

Filename
extension

Import/convert
or export
Notes

CommaSeparated Text
format

.csv or .txt

Both

dBASE III and IV
DBF format

.dbf

FileMaker Pro
format

.fmp12

• Works with BASIC programs and applications
like Bento.
• Format is also called Comma-Separated Values
(CSV).

Both

• Does not support dBASE II DBF format.
• Format retains field names.

Both

• Import from the current file format.
• Export to the current FileMaker Pro file format.
• Format retains field names.

HTML Table
format

.htm

Export only

• Exports data as an HTML table for use as a
static web page.

Merge format

.mer

Both

• Good export format for creating form letters in a
word processor.
• This export format works well for Microsoft Word
Mail Merge.
• Format retains field names.

Microsoft Excel
format

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.xlsx

Both

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

Supported
format

Filename
extension

Import/convert
or export
Notes

Tab-Separated
Text format

.tab or .txt

Both

• Works with most applications. If you aren't sure
which format to use, try this one first.

XML format

.xml

Both

• In addition to XML files, you can import the XML
data result of an HTTP request.

You can also do the following:
• Import image files or text files from a folder all at once. See Importing a folder of files all at
once.
• OS X: Import from Bento data sources. See Importing Bento data (OS X).
• Import from ODBC data sources and use FileMaker Pro as ODBC data source to serve
FileMaker Pro data. See Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro and Sharing
FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or JDBC.
• Set up recurring imports so FileMaker Pro updates data automatically the first time you view
imported data in a file or lets you use a script to update data on demand. Data imported via
recurring import is read-only in FileMaker Pro. See Setting up recurring imports.
• Publish FileMaker Pro database files to a web page. See Publishing databases on the web.
• Save a layout as a PDF file that can be used later as a blank form. See Saving and sending
records as a PDF file.

Comma-Separated Text format
You can import, convert, and export files in comma-separated text format.

Converting Comma-Separated Text to FileMaker Pro
• Field names are generic (f1, f2, f3, and so on).
• All fields are text fields.

Exporting Comma-Separated Text files
Commas separate field values. Carriage return characters separate records. Quotation marks
enclose all field values, except unformatted numbers.
• Carriage return characters in a field export as vertical tab characters.
• Values in repeating fields are separated by the group separator character.
• Only numeric data is exported from number fields. Any non-numeric data such as text or
symbols is not included in the exported data.
• Quotation marks (") in a field (not curly quotes) export as double quotation marks ("").

dBASE III and IV DBF format
You can import, convert, and export dBASE III and dBASE IV compatible DBF files. FileMaker Pro
does not support dBASE II DBF files.

Converting DBF files to FileMaker Pro
• FileMaker Pro uses field names from the DBF file.

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

• Text, number, date, and time field types convert from the DBF file.
• FileMaker Pro imports dBASE memo field data if the memo file (.dbt) is in the
same folder as the DBF file (.dbf).

Exporting DBF files
• To export a DBF file from FileMaker Pro and import it into another application, your
database must meet DBF criteria:
• only ten characters per field name (spaces are converted to underscores, letters are
converted to all uppercase)
• no duplicate field names
• a maximum of 128 fields
• a maximum of 254 characters per field
• a maximum of 4000 bytes per record
• Only the first value in a repeating field is exported. See Exporting repeating field data to
export all values.
• You cannot select Apply current layout’s data formatting to exported data when you
export using this format.

FileMaker Pro format
You can import from and export to files in FileMaker Pro format.

Importing from a FileMaker Pro file
• When you import data from another FileMaker Pro file, you can import data from one table
in the source file into one table in the target file.
• If the source FileMaker Pro file contains multiple tables, you can only import data from a
single table at a time. During the import process, choose which table in the file that you want
to import. Repeat the import process for each table that you want to import.
• To import related data, import data directly from the related table.
• To import only a portion of the records in a FileMaker Pro file, open the file and perform a
find so that the found set in the current window contains only the records you want to import.
(See Finding records.) FileMaker Pro determines the found set to import from the
foreground window in the file. If you import records from a closed file or an open file that is
not displaying any windows, FileMaker Pro imports all the records, regardless of any found
set.
• To import a FileMaker Pro file created with a previous version, convert the file to the current
format first. See Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier.

Exporting to a FileMaker Pro file
• When you export data to a FileMaker Pro file, a new FileMaker Pro file is created containing
the data you export.
• You can export records from a single table at a time.
• If there are tables related to the source table that you’re exporting, you can also export fields
from those related tables. However, the data you export creates only a single table in the
exported file.

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

• To export only a portion of the records from the source FileMaker Pro file, perform a find
first. Only the records in the found set will be exported. See Finding records.
• FileMaker Pro exports field names and field types to the exported file.
• Both Merge and FileMaker Pro formats include field names. However, the application into
which the data will be imported must support the format you choose. Some applications will
strip out the field names when importing the exported data.
• The exported file contains a single Standard form layout.
• Any global fields that you export are no longer global fields in the exported file. Instead,
each exported global field becomes a non-global field that repeats the global field value in
each exported record. If you wish, you can change the field to a global field in the exported
file.
Note To create a new file that contains the data, layouts, scripts, and other elements of the source
file, you may want to copy the file instead of exporting data. Then you can open the copied file and
make any changes you want to make, such as removing certain data. See Saving and copying files.

HTML Table format
You can export data as an HTML table. This format is useful for displaying data as a static web page
in a web browser. For information on dynamically publishing a FileMaker Pro database to the web,
see Publishing databases with FileMaker WebDirect.

Exporting HTML files
• Each record exports as a row in the HTML table
• Each field exports as a column in the HTML table.
• Values in each repeating field are exported as a nested table containing one value per
column.

Merge format
You can import, convert, and export Merge files.

Converting Merge files to FileMaker Pro
• Field names are imported.
• All fields are text fields.

Exporting Merge files
FileMaker Pro exports a text file with the following characteristics:
• The character that separates fields is different depending on the language of your operating
system. On U.S. English systems, the field separator is a comma. On European systems,
the field separator character is a semicolon. The character may be different in other locales.
• Both Merge and FileMaker formats include field names. However, the application into which
the data will be imported must support the format you choose. Some applications will strip
out the field names when importing the exported data.
• Carriage return characters separate records.
• Field data is enclosed in quotation marks.
• The first record is a header that lists the field names.

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• Carriage return characters in a field export as vertical tab characters.
• Values in repeating fields are separated by the group separator character.
• Quotation marks (") in and around a field export as double quotation marks.
Note You can create form letters entirely in FileMaker Pro by typing your letter on a layout and
using merge fields. See Placing merge fields on a layout.

Microsoft Excel format
FileMaker Pro can import, convert, and export Microsoft Excel worksheets.

Converting Excel files to FileMaker Pro
• If a file contains more than one worksheet or a named range, you can choose the worksheet
or named range you want to import.
• You can choose whether the first row of data in the spreadsheet contains field names or
data.
• FileMaker Pro assigns an appropriate field type (text, number, date, or time) if all rows in the
column hold the same type of data. Otherwise, a column becomes a text field.
• FileMaker Pro imports calculation results, not formulas.
• Boolean values are considered numbers.
• Charts, graphics, and notes (comments) are not imported.
• Non-data structures (such as macros) are not converted.
• You can convert “hidden” files (see Excel documentation) but not password-protected files.
• Field data that is too large or too small for the equivalent data type in Microsoft Excel is
saved in text format.

Exporting FileMaker Pro files as Excel
• All fields are truncated at 32,767 characters.
• Number fields are rounded to the closest possible value accepted by Excel. For limitations,
see the Microsoft Excel online Help. Only numbers are exported from number fields.
• Repeating fields are not exported.
• If you select Apply current layout's data formatting to exported data, data in the Excel
file is formatted to resemble data in the FileMaker Pro file. If the current layout formatting
can’t be applied, the Excel file uses the system format.

Tab-Separated Text format
You can import, convert, or export Tab-Separated Text files.

Converting Tab-Separated Text to FileMaker Pro
• Field names are generic (f1, f2, f3, and so on).
• All fields are text fields.

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

Exporting Tab-Separated Text files
FileMaker Pro exports plain text. (The exported file does not include font and style information.) The
tab character separates fields, the carriage return character separates records. Most applications
can use this file format.
• Tabs in fields are converted to spaces.
• Carriage return characters in a field export as vertical tab characters.
• Values in repeating fields are separated by the group separator character.

XML format
Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a language for structured data interchange. Instead of being
a rigid file format, XML is a language for defining agreed-upon formats that groups can use for
exchanging data. Many individuals, organizations, and businesses use XML to transfer product
information, transactions, inventory data, and other business data.
Example files for XML import and export are available in the folder where FileMaker Pro is installed.
For general information on XML, additional examples that use XML, and links to XML resources,
see the FileMaker website at http://www.filemaker.com.

Importing XML
FileMaker Pro supports the FMPXMLRESULT grammar for XML import. If your XML is in a different
format, you can apply an Extensible Stylesheet Language for Transformations (XSLT) style sheet
during import to transform your XML into the FMPXMLRESULT grammar.

Exporting XML
FileMaker Pro can export XML in two grammars: FMPXMLRESULT and FMPDSORESULT. You can
apply an XSLT style sheet during export to transform either of the grammars into a different XML
format, or into a different format such as HTML or plain text. For example, with XML export, you can
create a data-driven web page, or a text file of data that uses a custom field delimiter.
Note The XML import and export features in FileMaker Pro use an XML parser called Xerces and
an XSLT style sheet processor called Xalan. As you develop XML and XSL, you may want to test
your XML and XSLT with Xerces- and Xalan-based parsers and processors, available at http://
xml.apache.org and other third-party locations.

Related topics
XML FMPDSORESULT grammar
XML FMPXMLRESULT grammar
Importing XML data
Exporting data from FileMaker Pro

XML FMPDSORESULT grammar
The FMPDSORESULT grammar is useful for exporting databases that you want to format with
cascading style sheets or XSL. This grammar is compatible with the Microsoft XML Data Source
Object used by Internet Explorer.
Note Do not name your data fields with leading numbers or single-byte kana characters (for
example “7”). The FMPDSORESULT grammar does not allow numeric or single-byte kana
characters as field name tags and will not display the resulting XML file in a browser.

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

Each ROW element in the exported FMPDSORESULT grammar contains a number of FIELD
elements that correspond to the field names that you export.
Spaces or single colons in field names are converted to underscores in the element names (for
example, ). Double colons in portal fields are converted to periods (for example,
). This is done because colons are reserved in XML for specifying
namespaces, and spaces are not allowed in XML element names.
For repeating and related fields, each FIELD element will contain a DATA element that corresponds
to each repetition or portal record.
XML export does not support exporting container field data.
Due to XML limitations, only one record from each related field is exported.
For more information, search the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Sample XML data in the FMPDSORESULT grammar
The following is an example of XML in the FMPDSORESULT grammar. For complete details on the
document type definition (DTD) for the grammar, see the fmpdsoresult_dtd.htm file, which
you can download at http://www.filemaker.com/downloads.


0
PhoneList.fp5
Web Layout

John
Smith

555-444-3333
555-222-9999



Barbara
Jones

555-666-7777
555-333-0000
555-111-7654




XML FMPXMLRESULT grammar
The FMPXMLRESULT grammar contains additional information about the database that is not in the
FMPDSORESULT grammar, such as the number of records, field types, and field formats. These
elements and attributes are necessary for the XML to validate properly.
Use the FMPXMLRESULT grammar if you require the METADATA information provided by this
grammar. Because FileMaker Pro supports both importing and exporting in the FMPXMLRESULT
grammar, this can be a useful format for transferring data between FileMaker Pro files.
Note The FMPXMLRESULT grammar is not well suited for use with cascading style sheets (CSS).
Use the FMPDSORESULT grammar if you want to use CSS with your XML data.

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

In the FMPXMLRESULT grammar, the DATABASE element contains the NAME, RECORDS,
DATEFORMAT, LAYOUT, and TIMEFORMAT attributes.
The DATEFORMAT attribute specifies the format of dates in the XML document.
Field

Full form

Short form

Year

yyyy (4 digits)

yy (2 digits)

Month

mm (2 digits)

M (1 or 2 digits)

Day

dd (2 digits)

d (1 or 2 digits)

The TIMEFORMAT attribute specifies the format of times in the XML document.
Field

Full form

Short form

Hour (1-12)

hh (2 digits)

h (1 or 2 digits)

Hour (1-24)

kk (2 digits)

k (1 or 2 digits)

Minute

mm

Second

ss

AM/PM

a

The METADATA element contains one or more FIELD elements, each containing information for
one field/column — including the name of the field as defined in the database, the field type, the Yes
or No allowance for empty fields (EMPTYOK attribute), and the maximum number of repeating
values (MAXREPEAT attribute). Valid values for field types are TEXT, NUMBER, DATE, TIME,
TIMESTAMP, and CONTAINER.
The RESULTSET element contains all of the ROW elements that specify the record data in the
XML. Each ROW element contains the field/column data for one row in the result set — including
the record ID for the row, the modification ID for the row, and the COL element containing the data
for one field/column in the row (where multiple DATA elements represent one of the values in a
repeating or portal field).
XML export does not support exporting container field data.
Due to XML limitations, only one record from each related field is exported.
The order of the COL elements corresponds with the order of the FIELD elements in the METADATA
element, for example, where the "First Name," "Last Name," and "Department" elements are listed
in the METADATA, "Joe," "Smith," and "Engineering" are listed in the same order in the
RESULTSET ROW.
For more information, search the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Notes
• Before importing the XML, FileMaker Pro uses a Xerces-based XML parser and a Xalanbased XSLT processor to apply an XSLT style sheet (if you specified one) to transform the
XML data. If an error message appears, correct the error and try importing again.
• Though the XML that you import must conform to the FMPXMLRESULT grammar, certain
elements and attributes are not used during import. The following table defines which
elements and attributes are used during XML import, and lists the allowed default values for
attributes. In most cases, attribute values may be null (such as TIMEFORMAT=""). Also, the
FMPXMLRESULT element should always declare the FileMaker namespace for the
grammar.

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

Element

Attributes

Used during XML import

Default value

FMPXMLRESULT

Yes

xmlns="http://
www.filemaker.com/
fmpxmlresult"

ERRORCODE

No

PRODUCT

No

""

NAME

No

""

VERSION

No

""

BUILD

No

""

DATABASE

No
NAME

No

""

RECORDS

No

""

DATEFORMAT

No

""

TIMEFORMAT

No

""

LAYOUT

No

""

METADATA

Yes

FIELD

Yes
NAME

Yes

""

TYPE

Yes

"TEXT", "DATE",
"NUMBER", "TIME",
"TIMESTAMP", or
"CONTAINER"

EMPTYOK

No

"YES" or "NO"

MAXREPEAT

No

""

RESULTSET

Yes
FOUND

ROW

COL
DATA

No

""

Yes
RECORDID

No

""

MODID

No

""

Yes
Yes

Sample XML data in the FMPXMLRESULT grammar
The following is an example of XML data in the FMPXMLRESULT grammar. For complete details on
the document type definition (DTD) for the grammar, see the fmpxmlresult_dtd.htm file, which
you can download at http://www.filemaker.com/downloads.


0










Joe


Smith


Engineering




Susan


Jones


Marketing





Importing and exporting dates
Dates are often formatted with two-digit years, such as “12/10/14” instead of “12/10/2014.” To
ensure the accuracy of data, FileMaker strongly recommends that you always import and export
data using four-digit year dates whenever possible.

Importing dates with two-digit years
When you import date information into FileMaker Pro date fields, any dates that contain two-digit
years will be converted into four-digit years based on the interpretation algorithm described in
Conversion of dates with two-digit years. Because this interpretation process may not convert the
dates to the century you want, you should carefully review any two-digit year date data that you
import. When possible, import only four-digit year dates into FileMaker Pro.

Exporting dates
When you export FileMaker Pro data, some file formats support the Apply current layout’s data
formatting to exported data option, which allows you to export date, time, and numeric data using
the formats displayed on the current layout. If you use this option and if date fields are formatted to
display only two-digit years, then your exported file will also contain two-digit year dates. Two-digit
year dates can cause accuracy problems when you use the data with other applications. Clear the

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Saving, importing, and exporting data

Apply current layout’s data formatting to exported data option in order to export dates in a fourdigit year format.

Related topics
Formatting and setting up field objects in Layout mode
Specifying formats for date fields
Saving and sending records in other formats
Exporting data from FileMaker Pro

Working with Microsoft Excel
You can use Microsoft Excel and FileMaker Pro together in a variety of ways.
To

Do this

Use FileMaker Pro to import
data stored in an Excel file on
a regular basis

Set up recurring imports in FileMaker Pro to make it easy to
import data stored in Excel files. See Setting up recurring
imports.
Note Data imported via recurring import cannot be modified or
added to in FileMaker Pro. Any changes to the data must be
made in the Excel file and reimported into FileMaker Pro.

Bring data stored in an Excel
file into an existing
FileMaker Pro file

Import data from the Excel file. See Importing data into an
existing file.

Create a new FileMaker Pro
file using data from an Excel
file

Convert data from Excel format to FileMaker Pro format. See
Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file.

Create a new Excel file using
data from a FileMaker Pro file

• Export the data in Excel format. See Exporting data from
FileMaker Pro.
• Save records in Excel format. See Saving and sending
records in other formats.

Use scripts to import data to
and from FileMaker Pro and
Excel

See Import Records, Save Records As Excel, or Export Records.

Learn more about how
FileMaker Pro interprets Excel
data

See Microsoft Excel format.

Related topics
Saving, importing, and exporting data

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Publishing databases on the web

Publishing databases on the web
You can display your databases on the web in a variety of ways. This makes your data:
• available to many people who are using a compatible web browser anywhere in the world.
(You can, however, restrict access to files.)
• accessible from many locations—for example, while traveling or working remotely.
There are three ways to publish your data.
• FileMaker WebDirect: If you have FileMaker Server, you can use FileMaker WebDirect to
quickly and easily publish layouts from your database on the web. You don’t need to install
additional software—anyone with compatible web browser software and access to the
Internet or an intranet can connect to your FileMaker WebDirect solution to view, edit, sort,
or search records, if you give them access privileges. With FileMaker WebDirect, data in the
web browser updates automatically as FileMaker Server pushes data to the web browser.
You can use additional software to perform additional tasks (for example, to configure a
firewall to secure your network). See Publishing databases with FileMaker WebDirect.
• Static publishing: If your data rarely changes, or if you don’t want users to have a live
connection to your database, you can use static publishing. With static publishing, you
export FileMaker Pro data to create a web page that you can further customize with HTML.
The web page doesn’t change when information in your database changes, and users don’t
connect to your database. See Publishing data on static webpages.
• Custom Web Publishing: If you have FileMaker Server, you can use the Custom Web
Publishing technologies for more control over the appearance and functionality of your
published database.
With XML and PHP, you can:
• integrate your database with another website
• determine how users interact with data
• control how data displays in web browsers
See FILEMAKER SERVER CUSTOM WEB PUBLISHING WITH XML and FILEMAKER SERVER CUSTOM
WEB PUBLISHING WITH PHP.

Publishing databases with FileMaker WebDirect
With FileMaker Pro, you can design layouts to share with users in FileMaker WebDirect, allowing
them to find, browse, and modify data in a web browser.
• Use FileMaker WebDirect to quickly and easily publish the layouts you design in
FileMaker Pro as web pages. Create layouts for FileMaker Pro users and web users with
the same design tools.
• Automate simple tasks such as finding records, or automate more complex tasks using
script steps that are compatible with FileMaker WebDirect. See Creating scripts to automate
tasks.
• Use accounts and privilege sets to control the security of your solution. See Protecting
databases.
FileMaker WebDirect is available to databases hosted by FileMaker Server, which includes all the
software you need to publish layouts from your database as web pages within a local network or
intranet. With an Internet connection (typically provided through an Internet Service Provider) and
an IP address, you can publish to Internet users on the World Wide Web.

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Publishing databases on the web

To publish databases on the web:
1. Open the database files in FileMaker Pro.
2. Choose File menu > Sharing > Configure for FileMaker WebDirect to open the
FileMaker WebDirect Settings dialog box.
3. Select the filename to publish on the web from the list of open files.
4. Choose which users can access the file:
Choose

To

All users

Provide access to anyone who has the IP address or domain name of the server
hosting the database.

Specify users
by privilege set

Allow select users access to the FileMaker WebDirect solution.

No users

Prevent any user from accessing the FileMaker WebDirect solution.

Users may be asked to enter their account name and password, defined in the
Manage Security dialog box, depending on the settings in the File Options dialog
box. See Setting file options.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each database you want to publish.
6. Click OK or choose additional settings.
Tip Select Don’t display in FileMaker WebDirect homepage in the FileMaker WebDirect
Settings dialog box to suppress a filename from appearing in the built-in FileMaker WebDirect
Database Homepage. This is useful if your solution includes multiple files and you don’t want all
the filenames displayed.
7. Upload the database files to FileMaker Server. See Uploading files to FileMaker Server.

Notes
• Web users can open solutions without specifying a password if you set up the Guest
account for web access. In FileMaker Pro, enable the Guest account and assign it a
privilege set that has the Access via FileMaker WebDirect extended privilege. See About
the Admin and Guest accounts for information on enabling the Guest account for
FileMaker WebDirect.
• For detailed information about FileMaker WebDirect (including information on accessing
published solutions in a web browser and working with container fields), see FILEMAKER
WEBDIRECT GUIDE.

Publishing data on static webpages
With static publishing, you export data to a webpage, then add the webpage to your existing
website. Web users connect to your website, not to your database.
Static publishing might be a good option for you if:
• your data doesn’t change often
• you don’t have full-time Internet access
• you don’t want users to connect directly to your database
To publish static data, you need:
• a website hosted on a web server

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Publishing databases on the web

• a computer connected to the Internet or an intranet (you only need to connect when you
upload your webpage to a web server)
• an application for copying (uploading) files to your web server application
Note Static webpages cannot use FileMaker Pro access privileges for protection. For security
options, see your web server documentation or check with your ISP or network administrator.

To publish static data from FileMaker Pro:
1. Follow steps 1-12 of Exporting data from FileMaker Pro to export an HTML table or XML file.
• Export an HTML table to generate a table of data that can be viewed by supported web
browsers. You can customize the appearance in a text editing or web authoring
application.
• Export an XML file if you’d like to programmatically change the appearance of the data.
2. Copy the new webpage to your web server.
3. Add links from existing web pages to your new webpage.

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Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro

Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro
You can use FileMaker Pro as:
• a data source, sharing your database files with other applications on the same computer
using ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) and JDBC (Java Database Connectivity). For
example, you can create charts, analyze numbers, and generate reports using
FileMaker Pro data in other applications. See “FileMaker Pro as a data source,” below.
• an ODBC client application, interacting with data sources on the same computer or over a
network. For example, you can import data from an Oracle data source into FileMaker Pro,
or you can work with an Oracle data source interactively in the relationships graph and in
layouts. See “FileMaker Pro as an ODBC client application,” below.

FileMaker Pro as a data source
FileMaker Pro includes all the software you need to share your database as a data source via
ODBC and JDBC, including the client drivers you use to access your database from other
applications. To share your FileMaker database file as a data source over a network, use
FileMaker Server.
See Sharing FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or JDBC for information about enabling a database file
for sharing.
For details about supported SQL statements, expressions, Catalog functions, and client drivers, see
FILEMAKER ODBC AND JDBC GUIDE and FILEMAKER SQL REFERENCE.

FileMaker Pro as an ODBC client application
When you use FileMaker Pro as a client application, you must install and configure drivers for the
ODBC data source you’re accessing. For example, to access data from an Oracle database using
ODBC, you must install and configure an Oracle ODBC client driver. Third-party drivers are
available from a number of vendors. For more information, see Configuring an ODBC client driver.
Note ODBC data sources are also referred to as external SQL sources (ESS).
See Accessing external data sources for information about:
• working with ODBC data sources interactively, in real time, in the relationships graph and in
layouts. See Connecting to data sources.
• importing ODBC data in batch operations by writing SQL queries. See Querying an ODBC
data source from FileMaker Pro.
See the next section for an overview of using FileMaker Pro as a data source or as a client.

Deciding how to work with ODBC in FileMaker
What do you want to
do?
Use FileMaker Pro as
a data source/share
FileMaker Pro data

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

How do you do it?

See

Products

1. SQL queries

FILEMAKER ODBC AND
JDBC GUIDE and
FILEMAKER SQL
REFERENCE

FileMaker Pro/
Pro Advanced and
FileMaker Server only

2. JDBC

544

Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro

What do you want to
do?
Use FileMaker Pro as
an ODBC client/
access ODBC data

How do you do it?

See

Products

1. Interactively via the
relationships graph

FileMaker Pro Help

FileMaker Pro/
Pro Advanced, and
FileMaker Server

2. One-time, static via
ODBC import (or File
menu > Open), also
Import Records script
step, Execute SQL
script step

Terminology
Term

Description

Database Management
System (DBMS)

An application that allows users to store, process, and retrieve information in a
database

SQL

A standard programming language that controls and interacts with a DBMS

Data source

The data you want to access (like a DBMS) and information to locate the data
(like the path or IP address)

Client application

The application that is requesting data (using SQL) from a data source using
ODBC or JDBC

Query

The retrieval, manipulation, or modification of data from a data source by
sending SQL statements

Table

A collection of data, similar to a table in a FileMaker Pro database file

Column

An attribute in a table, similar to a field in a FileMaker Pro database file

Row

A set of cells in a table, similar to a record in a FileMaker Pro database file

ODBC driver

A DLL (Windows) or shared library (OS X) that sends an SQL query to access
data stored in a database and delivers the requested data to the client
application

JDBC driver

A JAR (Java Archive) file that sends an SQL query to access data stored in a
database and delivers the requested data to the client application

Before you begin
Before you work begin working with ODBC data sources, do the following:
• Install the appropriate ODBC driver.
• Know the IP address or domain name of the ODBC data source or FileMaker Pro database.
• Know the user name and password for the ODBC data source as supplied by the database
administrator.
The access that the database administrator provides determines whether you will be allowed
read-write or read-only access.

Sharing FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or JDBC
FileMaker Pro can serve as a data source for sharing your database files with ODBC- and JDBCcompliant applications.

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Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro

Important Prevent data from being inadvertently modified or deleted: other applications can update
and delete unprotected, shared data. Review the privilege sets you’ve assigned to accounts that will
access shared database files. As a minimum level of protection, specify database file accounts and
passwords.

To share databases using ODBC or JDBC:
1. Open the database files.
To enable or change a file’s sharing status, you must open it with an account that has Manage
extended privileges access privileges. See About accounts, privilege sets, and extended
privileges for more information.
2. Choose File menu > Sharing > Enable ODBC/JDBC.
The ODBC/JDBC Sharing Settings dialog box appears.
3. For ODBC/JDBC Sharing, click On.
4. Select the filename(s) to share from the list of open files.
Each FileMaker Pro database file can have one or more tables. FileMaker Pro fields are
represented as columns. The complete field name, including any non-alphanumeric characters,
displays as the column name.
Avoid using spaces in the field names of database files you intend to share via ODBC and
JDBC, because some SQL query tools don’t allow spaces in column names.
5. Choose which users can access the file:
Choose

To

All users

Provide access to users from any account.

Specify users
by privilege set

Provide access to users with accounts assigned one of the selected privilege
sets. Click Specify to select the privileges that accounts must have to access the
shared database file.
Accounts that need access to the database file require the fmxdbc extended
privilege Access via ODBC/JDBC. Users may need to enter their account name
and password, defined in the Manage Security dialog box, depending on the
setting in the File Options dialog box (see Setting file options).

No users
(the default
setting)

Prevent any user from accessing the database using ODBC/JDBC.

6. Repeat steps 3 - 5 for each database you want to publish.
7. Click OK or choose additional settings.
Each FileMaker Pro database file that is open and set up for access is a separate data source
(create a DSN for each individual FileMaker database file you want to access).
For details about supported SQL statements, expressions, Catalog functions, and client drivers, see
FILEMAKER ODBC AND JDBC GUIDE and FILEMAKER SQL REFERENCE.
Note In Windows, Microsoft Access can import only 32 or fewer fields at one time via ODBC from a
FileMaker Pro database file.

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Important If you disable ODBC/JDBC sharing after it's already been on, FileMaker Pro stops
serving data immediately. No errors are reported, and the client application must notify users that
data is no longer available and transactions cannot be completed.

Related topics
Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro
Protecting databases

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Accessing external data sources
You can connect to and work with data in external data sources in much the same way that you work
with data in the current, active FileMaker file. For example, you can:
• create tables in the relationships graph for external FileMaker files and ODBC data sources
• work with data from external files in FileMaker fields and layouts
• add supplemental fields to ODBC tables to perform unstored calculations or to summarize
data in the ODBC tables
• add, change, and delete external data interactively
• create relationships between fields in FileMaker tables and fields (also called “columns”) in
ODBC tables
• construct SQL queries for importing via ODBC. See Querying an ODBC data source from
FileMaker Pro.

Notes
• There are other ways to link with ODBC data sources besides using FileMaker Pro as an
ODBC client application. You can write SQL queries to use FileMaker Pro as a data source.
See Sharing FileMaker Pro data via ODBC or JDBC, FILEMAKER ODBC AND JDBC GUIDE,
and FILEMAKER SQL REFERENCE for more information.
• For an overview of the various ways of working with ODBC data sources, see Using ODBC
and JDBC with FileMaker Pro.
• You cannot modify the schema of external ODBC data sources using FileMaker Pro.
• If table names change in an ODBC data source, you can use the Manage Database dialog
box to re-link to the ODBC table. See Restoring links to ODBC data sources.
• ODBC data sources are also referred to as external SQL sources (ESS).

Related topics
Adding tables to the relationships graph

Configuring an ODBC client driver
Whether you are importing ODBC data or working with ODBC tables in the relationships graph, as a
client application, you must configure a driver for the ODBC data source you’re using. For example,
if you will be accessing records from an Oracle database, you will configure an Oracle client driver.
The way you interact with the data source, provide a password, and perform and display query
results varies with each application’s client driver. Additionally, data source configuration can vary
from one ODBC driver manufacturer to another.

Data sources supported in FileMaker 13.0
You can use the following data sources in the FileMaker Pro relationships graph. If you are importing
ODBC data, or using the Import Records or the Execute SQL script step, you can use additional
data sources, such as IBM DB2 or Informix ODBC.
• Oracle 11g
• SQL Server 2008 R2
• SQL Server 2012

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• MySQL 5.5 Community Edition (free)
For an overview of the various ways of working with ODBC data sources, see Using ODBC and
JDBC with FileMaker Pro.
Use the following procedure as a general guideline for configuring data sources (refer to the
documentation that accompanies each data source application for details).

Windows
1. Start the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator by doing one of the following:
• 32-bit Windows: In the Windows Control Panel, choose Administrative Tools > Data
Sources (ODBC). Administrative Tools appear in the System and Security category.
• 64-bit Windows: Double-click the odbcad32.exe file in the C:\Windows\SysWOW64
folder.
2. Click the System DSN tab or the User DSN tab.
If your data source appears in the list, the driver is already configured. You can skip the
remaining steps and begin accessing ODBC data, or choose your data source and click
Configure to modify how you’ll interact with the data source.
A System DSN (data source name) is available to all users who log in to your computer. A User
DSN is available only when you log in.
Important Only System DSNs are supported when you are working with ODBC tables in the
relationships graph.
3. Click Add to configure a driver for your data source.
A list displays all ODBC client drivers installed on your computer.
If no driver appears for the data source you want to use, you can use a driver from a third-party
vendor.
To install a new driver, use the driver’s installation program.
4. Choose the driver for the data source you’ll be accessing with FileMaker Pro, then click
Finish.
A setup dialog box appears.
5. For Name, enter descriptive text to identify the data source.
Many drivers also offer options to customize how you access a data source, such as identifying
a particular data source file. Enter descriptive text, if desired.
6. Click Finish.
7. Click OK to save your data source information.

OS X
1. Install the ODBC Manager from Actual Technologies, available at http://
www.odbcmanager.net.
2. Launch the ODBC Manager utility.
3. Click the System DSN tab (or, for ODBC imports, click either the System DSN tab or the
User DSN tab).
Important Only System DSNs are supported when you are working with ODBC tables in the
relationships graph.

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If your data source appears in the list, the driver is already configured. You can skip the
remaining steps and begin accessing ODBC data, or choose your data source and click
Configure to modify how you’ll interact with the data source.
A System DSN (data source name) is available to all users who log in to your computer. A User
DSN is available only when you log in.
4. Click Add to configure a driver for your data source.
A list displays all ODBC client drivers installed on your computer.
If no driver appears for the data source you want to use, you can use a driver from a third-party
vendor.
To install a new driver, use the driver’s installation program.
5. Choose the driver for the data source you’ll be accessing with FileMaker Pro, then click OK.
6. In the configuration dialog box, click Continue.
7. For Name, enter descriptive text to identify the data source.
Many drivers also offer options to customize how you access a data source, such as identifying
a particular data source file. Enter descriptive text, if desired.
8. Click Finish.
9. Click Done to save your data source information.
After you have configured the driver, you can access records in your data source. See Connecting to
data sources and Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro.

Notes
• ODBC Manager is a freeware product not supported by FileMaker.
• You may also use Apple’s ODBC Administrator Tool for OS X, available at http://
www.apple.com/support.

Connecting to data sources
Data sources provide access to data from other FileMaker files and ODBC databases. You can
connect to:
• external FileMaker data sources
• ODBC data sources (links to external ODBC files)
Once you have defined data sources, data from the ODBC or FileMaker tables can be used in many
of the same places as data in a local file (for example, on layouts and in scripts).
Follow the steps below for the type of data source you want to add.

To add a FileMaker data source:
1. With the database open, choose File menu > Manage > External Data Sources.
The Manage External Data Sources dialog box appears.
2. Click New.
The Edit Data Source dialog box appears. For Type, FileMaker is selected by default.
3. Enter a name for the data source.
This is the name that appears in the login and other dialog boxes.
4. Click Add File.

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The Open File dialog box appears.
5. Select a FileMaker file to add to the path list.
6. Click Open to add the path for this file to the file path list.
Each named FileMaker data source can consist of one or more file paths. Use multiple file paths
when you want FileMaker Pro to search a list of potential files. See Creating file paths.
You can also enter file paths by typing them directly into the file path list. Each file path must
appear on a separate line.
7. Click OK to save the data source.
Named data sources appear in creation order in the Manage External Data Sources dialog box.
You can choose to view the names by alphabetical or custom order.
Type indicates whether the data source is a FileMaker or ODBC data source. File paths are
listed under Details.
Note Alternatively, you can choose the Relationships tab in the Manage Database dialog box and
. In the Specify Table dialog box, for Data Source, choose Add FileMaker Data Source.
click
See Adding tables to the relationships graph.
For details on working with FileMaker data sources, see Editing external FileMaker data sources.

To add an ODBC data source:
Important Before creating a SQL data source, you must connect to the external data source via an
ODBC driver and set up DSNs. See Configuring an ODBC client driver.
1. With the FileMaker database open, choose File menu > Manage > External Data Sources.
The Manage External Data Sources dialog box appears.
2. Click New.
The Edit Data Source dialog box appears.
3. For Type, select ODBC.
4. Enter a name for the data source.
Names cannot be over 100 characters long.
5. For DSN, click Specify.
6. In the Select ODBC Data Source dialog box, select the System DSN that you want to work
with from this FileMaker file.
7. Set other options. For details on working with ODBC data sources, see Editing ODBC data
sources.
8. Click OK.
The data source is now listed in the Manage External Data Sources dialog box.
Note Alternatively, you can choose the Relationships tab in the Manage Database dialog box and
. In the Specify Table dialog box, for Data Source, choose Add ODBC Data Source. See
click
Adding tables to the relationships graph.

To delete an external data source:
1. In the Manage External Data Sources dialog box, select the data source in the list.
2. Click Delete.

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This only deletes the data source link to the current FileMaker file. The data source is still
available to link to other FileMaker databases.
3. Click OK.

Related topics
Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro

Working with data sources
After you’ve added a data source, you can specify options for external FileMaker data sources and
ODBC data sources.
• To access external FileMaker data sources, you define a reference to that file. See Editing
external FileMaker data sources.
• To access ODBC data sources, you must set up a driver for the data source, connect to the
data source name (DSN), identify the tables you want to work with in the external file, and
then add the external table in the relationships graph. See Editing ODBC data sources.

Related topics
Connecting to data sources

Editing external FileMaker data sources
A FileMaker data source stores the file paths that FileMaker Pro searches to access an external
FileMaker file, table, script, or value list.
To add a FileMaker data source, see Connecting to data sources.

To edit a FileMaker data source:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > External Data Sources.
The Manage External Data Sources dialog box appears.
2. Select the FileMaker data source in the list and click Edit.
The Edit Data Source dialog box appears.
3. You can change the name of the data source, edit the file path, or add another file to the file
path list.
File paths can be edited as text. Each FileMaker data source can consist of one or more file
paths, separated by carriage returns. See Creating file paths.
4. Click OK.

Notes
• In many dialog boxes, you have the option of choosing existing data sources or creating
new data sources as needed. For example, in the Edit Value List dialog box, you can specify
a data source reference to an external FileMaker file that contains a value list that you want
to access.
• You must re-specify the data source references for related files and files with external
scripts if you add or remove filename extensions.
• Use the following characters as separators in a file path list: "/", ":", or carriage return.

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• FileMaker does not recommend using an asterisk (*) as a wild card character in network file
paths as it slows FileMaker network traffic. When possible, replace an asterisk with the
appropriate IP address.
• Variables are not supported in FileMaker data source references.
• Data source references are only to other FileMaker files or to ODBC DSNs. References to
other files such as graphics are file paths.

Related topics
Sharing and hosting files
Working with shared files as a client
Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server

Editing ODBC data sources
An ODBC data source lets a FileMaker file access data from external ODBC tables. You can view
and update ODBC tables interactively in the relationships graph in much the same way you view
and update FileMaker tables.
FileMaker can connect to many relational database management systems (RDBMSs) that provide
ODBC APIs for external use. See Configuring an ODBC client driver for a list of the data sources
that are supported.
Important To work with ODBC data sources, you must:
• connect to the external data source via an ODBC driver and set up DSNs. See Configuring
an ODBC client driver.
• add an external ODBC data source. See Connecting to data sources.
After you have linked the ODBC data source to a FileMaker Pro file, you can set and edit options.

To edit an ODBC data source:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > External Data Sources.
The Manage External Data Sources dialog box appears.
2. Select the ODBC data source in the list and click Edit.
The Edit Data Source dialog box appears.
3. You can change the name of the data source, specify a different DSN, set authentication
options to log in to a named ODBC data source, or set view options.
4. For Authentication, the default option is Prompt user for user name and password.
Users must enter a user name and password the first time they access the table.
If you don’t want any user of this FileMaker file to be prompted, select Specify user name and
password (applies to all users) and enter a user name and password. You can also create a
calculation to determine user access to the external table. You cannot use variables or fields in
these calculations. See Specify Calculation dialog box for more information on setting up
calculations.
If you work with shared database files that access ODBC data from Microsoft SQL Server and
you want to enable ODBC data source single sign-on, select Use Windows Authentication
(Single Sign-on) and enter the SPN (Service Principal Name). See Enabling ODBC data
source single sign-on (Windows only).
Note FileMaker encrypts passwords. However, encryption on external data sources depends on
whether encryption is supported by the ODBC driver.

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5. To enhance performance, you can filter the list of external tables or views that are available
for you to add to the relationships graph. The default is to list all the tables from the data
source.
• For Catalog name, enter a name. Otherwise, tables from all catalogs are listed.
• For Schema name, enter a name. Otherwise, tables from all schemas are listed.
• For Table name, enter a name to list only that table.
6. You can filter the list of tables by type: Tables, Views, or System table.
Note If you want to include other types, deselect all the Filter by Type options.
7. Click OK.

Setting up an ODBC table in the relationships graph
After you have added an ODBC data source, you can work with ODBC tables in the relationships
graph and on layouts as you would other FileMaker tables. You can retrieve, add, update, and
delete data in the ODBC table interactively, in real time.
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Relationships tab in the Manage Database dialog box, click

.

3. In the Specify Table dialog box, for Data Source, choose ODBC data source.
4. If you are prompted, enter the user name and password for the ODBC data source.
5. You see a list of the external tables for that data source.
6. Select the table you want and click OK.
The external table appears in the relationships graph. The table name appears in italics. For
information on linking to and working with tables in the relationships graph, see Working with the
relationships graph.
Tip To identify whether a table in the relationships graph is a FileMaker table or from an ODBC
data source, move the pointer over the arrow in the table header. You might want to add a color
to ODBC tables in order to identify them more easily.
After you add a table to the relationships graph, FileMaker adds a layout with that table name to
the Layout pop-up menu and the table is listed in the Tables tab. The table name appears in
italics.
Columns from the ODBC table appear in the Fields tab. The field names appear in italics. You
can remove fields if you do not want FileMaker Pro to display them within your solution. These
columns are not removed from the external SQL data source table schema, only from the
FileMaker Pro representation of that table’s schema. See Updating data between FileMaker and
ODBC data sources for more information.

Considerations before you begin working with ODBC data sources
• Decide whether you want to work with ODBC tables interactively in the relationships graph
or through “static” ODBC imports. For an overview of the various ways of working with
ODBC data sources, see Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro.
• Determine which tables you want to access, and which data sources they are in.
• If FileMaker cannot automatically determine a table’s primary key, you will be asked to
select the columns that comprise a unique key. FileMaker requires every table to have one
or more columns that have a unique value for each row.

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Limitations on working with ODBC data sources
• You cannot change the schema of external ODBC data sources. However, you can add
supplemental fields to do calculations and summaries on data from ODBC tables. See
Using supplemental fields.
• Fields from ODBC data sources can be used in value lists, but character large objects
(CLOBs) such as long text strings are not supported.
• For value lists with ODBC data, the No access privilege and Limited custom privilege are
not supported. To prohibit a user from seeing ODBC data in a value list, you must enforce
row-level security in the external SQL database. See Editing value list privileges.
• The SQL Server Timestamp data type is not supported.
• Binary large objects (BLOBs) such as pictures and sounds are not supported.
• When you’re working with external tables in the Fields tab of the Manage Database dialog
box, the following field options are not supported. See Setting options for fields for
information on field options.
• On the Auto-Enter tab, you can auto-enter serial numbers when you create records,
but not when you commit records. (The external database controls how records are
committed.) When a lookup is to related data in an ODBC data source, copy next
lower value and copy next higher value are disabled.
• On the Validation tab, Unique value and Existing value are disabled. The Maximum
number of characters allowed in a field is determined by the external data source.
• The Storage tab is disabled.
• FileMaker cannot control validation and other options that ODBC administrators set. See
Updating data between FileMaker and ODBC data sources for information on how field
options are affected in Sync operations.
• FileMaker files linked to ODBC data sources don’t inherent relationships that are created in
the ODBC data sources.

Notes
• You can apply conditional formatting to data from external fields. See Defining conditional
formatting for layout objects.
• When FileMaker Server hosts databases linked to ODBC data sources, FileMaker clients do
not need to set up a DSN to access the external data source. However, the DSN must be
set up on the machine running FileMaker Server.
• FileMaker does not use SQL set semantics on queries. FileMaker may execute one query
for each related table on a layout. If you want to retain certain SQL join behavior or obtain
the results of SQL predicates such as GROUP BY, create views. Then access the data from
FileMaker through those views. (Views are sometimes called “virtual tables.”)
• Long queries, attempts to scroll the entire ODBC table, or opening a large table can result in
slower performance.
• Microsoft SQL Server: By default, DATETIME, DATETIME2, and SMALLDATETIME data
from ODBC tables is imported as the timestamp field type. You can change the field type of
a timestamp shadow field to either date or time, but the data must be structured in a specific
manner. If the imported ODBC table contains timestamp data and you treat the timestamp
field as a date field, the time portion must equal 12:00 AM (or midnight) for all records in the
table. Likewise, if you import an ODBC table that contains timestamp data and you treat the
timestamp field as a time field, the date portion must equal 1900-01-01 (or January 1, 1900)
for all records in the table.

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As with any ODBC table, if the field is a primary key and the values are not unique, the results
may be inconsistent.

Enabling ODBC data source single sign-on (Windows only)
If you work with database files hosted by FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server that access ODBC data
from Microsoft SQL Server, you can configure the host computer to enable single sign-on (SSO).
ODBC data source single sign-on permits a client to use one Windows-authenticated login to access
ODBC data in shared files.
Important Before you can enable ODBC data source single sign-on, your Windows domain
administrator must:
• configure the Account is trusted for delegation security setting for your Windows user
account on the client.
• configure the Trust this user for delegation and Use Kerberos only security settings for
your Windows user account on the host computer.
• enable the Impersonate a client after authentication privilege for your Windows user
account on the host computer.
• configure the ODBC DSN to use Windows authentication on the host computer.
• configure Microsoft SQL Server to use Windows authentication.

To enable ODBC data source single sign-on:
1. With the database open, chose File menu > Manage > External Data Sources.
The Manage External Data Sources dialog box appears.
2. Select an ODBC data source from the list and click Edit.
The Edit Data Source dialog box appears.
3. For Authentication, select Use Windows Authentication (Single Sign-on), enter the
SPN (Service Principal Name), and click OK.
Note Your Windows domain administrator must provide the SPN, which is generally in this
format: MSSQLSvc/:
For example: MSSQLSvc/sql2005.filemaker.com:1433

Notes
• In order to open a hosted database, the administrator must configure the FileMaker Server
service to log in as the privileged user account. For more information, see
FILEMAKER SERVER GETTING STARTED GUIDE.
• ODBC data source single sign-on is not supported:
• on Macintosh.
• for ODBC data accessed from MySQL or Oracle.
• in web publishing.

Related topics
Editing ODBC data sources
Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server

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Updating data between FileMaker and ODBC data sources
In general, committing data in ODBC data sources works the same as committing FileMaker data.
For example, FileMaker saves changes to external data when you exit a field or move to another
record. For more information, see Committing data in records. However, because external data is
controlled by different software and can be used interactively by users working outside of FileMaker
software, there are certain actions you can take to assure you have the latest record data and table
schema.

To display the latest data from an ODBC data source:
1. Open the file with the link to the external data source.
2. In Browse mode, choose Records menu > Refresh Window.
Current data, including data entered by users outside of FileMaker, appears. You can also flush
the internal cache with the Refresh Window script step.
For ODBC tables, FileMaker uses “optimistic locking” to control data entry. FileMaker does not
automatically refresh data when you begin entering data in an external record or when you do a
Find on ODBC data.

To synchronize field schema between FileMaker and the ODBC data source:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
3. Choose the table you want to work with from the Table list.
FileMaker displays fields from the ODBC table. The field names appear in italics.
4. Select an external field in the list, then click Sync.
FileMaker updates the schema between the ODBC source and the “shadow” table. You have
not changed the field schema in the data source, only updated FileMaker’s table schema for any
new or missing fields. For example, if you delete a field from an ODBC table in the relationships
graph, when you click Sync again, the field from the external data source will reappear.
Note After you synchronize, any field options you set in FileMaker Pro might be reset if the ODBC
data source doesn’t force that option. For example, if you selected the Not empty validation option,
after synchronizing, you might have to reset that option.

Related topics
Restoring links to ODBC data sources

Restoring links to ODBC data sources
If one or more table names have changed in an ODBC data source, you can use the Manage
Database dialog box to update links between a FileMaker file and the external data source (ESS).

To update links to ODBC data sources:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Database.
2. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Tables tab.
FileMaker displays tables from the ODBC table in italics. If a table name has been changed in
the ODBC data source,  appears in the Details column and a Re-link button
appears in the Manage Database dialog box.

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3. Select the missing table.
4. Click Re-link.
5. In the Specify Table dialog box, select the renamed table and click OK.
If field names in the ODBC table have changed or are missing, you must synchronize the field
schema. For more information, see Updating data between FileMaker and ODBC data sources.

Notes
• Re-linking does not validate or re-specify primary keys.
• If no fields in the re-linked table match, FileMaker Pro displays an error message allowing
you to continue or terminate the re-linking process.
• You can narrow the list of tables displayed by setting a filter in the ODBC tab in the Edit Data
Source dialog box. For more information, see Editing ODBC data sources.

Using supplemental fields
If your FileMaker Pro file accesses data from an ODBC data source, you can use supplemental
fields to define unstored calculations or summary instructions that act on data coming from the
external sources. These fields display calculation and summary results in the FileMaker Pro file
without changing the external database. For example, you can use supplemental fields to display
aggregated data from an external file similarly to how you use summary fields to display aggregated
data stored in FileMaker Pro files.

To do calculations on ODBC data:
1. Open the file with the link to the external data source.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Database.
3. In the Manage Database dialog box, click the Fields tab.
4. Choose the ODBC table you want to work with from the Table list.
5. Add a calculation field or a summary field.
See Defining calculation fields and Defining summary fields for more information.
6. Specify the fields in the ODBC table for which you want to calculate or summarize values.
The supplemental fields appear in the Fields tab for the specified ODBC table.

Related topics
Placing and removing fields on a layout

ODBC data sources troubleshooting
Missing data
• If a table is renamed or removed from an external database, 
 is displayed.
• If a column is renamed or removed from the external database table,  is
displayed.
• If a data source name or database is renamed or removed,  is
displayed.

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• If the connection fails, the appropriate error message for connection failure is displayed, and
 is displayed.
• If FileMaker cannot identify a unique key for an ODBC table or view,  is displayed in the relationships graph and in field objects.
Note FileMaker automatically tries to identify a unique key for an ODBC table or view. If
FileMaker cannot identify a unique key, when you Sync or add a new ODBC table, a FileMaker
dialog box appears where you can specify one or more columns to use as a unique key. If
FileMaker still cannot determine unique values for every record in the external table or view at
that time, you see . If someone working outside FileMaker software
associates a new primary key with the external table, the new primary key will be used instead
of the key specified in FileMaker.

ODBC errors
• If the name of a column in an external table is a FileMaker reserved word or a SQL keyword,
an ODBC error might result. (For example, an error might result if a column is named
“Number” or “Timestamp.”) See About naming fields and Using a reserved word or symbol
for a field or table name for more information about FileMaker reserved words. To avoid
schema naming problems with ODBC data sources, see the documentation that came with
your data source software.
• For ODBC imports and Execute SQL script steps, if an error occurs while performing a SQL
query, the Get(LastError) function returns FileMaker error 1408. The Get(LastODBCError)
function returns detailed information about the error. If there is no information about the
error, the Get(LastError) function returns FileMaker error 1409.
• When you are working with ODBC data sources in the relationships graph, the
Get(LastError) function returns FileMaker error 1408. The Get(LastODBCError) function
returns the readable error string that is generated by the ODBC driver.
• If you are connected to an ODBC table that contains a duplicate record and you modify that
record in FileMaker, your modification only affects the first instance of the record. If you then
delete the record in FileMaker, both external records are deleted.

Find results
Find results for ODBC tables might differ from FileMaker find results on the same data. For example,
Asian text in an external table might be collated differently and give different find results than the
same text in a FileMaker table.

Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro
After configuring an ODBC client driver, you can interact with records, import records into an existing
FileMaker Pro database file, or create a new FileMaker Pro database file from an ODBC data
source (such as Oracle or Microsoft Access databases).
First, you access the data source you want to import from. Then you construct a query for the
records you want to import from the data source. Finally, if you’re importing data into an existing file,
you map fields from your data source to fields in your FileMaker Pro database file.
Important See Connecting to data sources for information on how you can access and work with
ODBC data sources without writing SQL queries.
You can access your ODBC data source through the File menu, with the Import Records script step,
or with the Execute SQL script step.

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All applications that support ODBC recognize a basic subset of SQL (Structured Query Language)
statements. SQL is passed through the ODBC interface to the data source, performing queries such
as SELECT first_name, last_name FROM customers WHERE city=N'Paris' and
making updates such as the creation of a new record with INSERT INTO customers
(first_name, last_name) VALUES (N'Jane',N'Smith').
Note Because Microsoft SQL Server supports both Unicode and non-Unicode field types, you must
prefix all Unicode strings with an uppercase “N” (which stands for “National” in the SQL-92
standard). Otherwise, when a Unicode string containing non-English characters is passed to
Microsoft SQL Server, you may lose any data that doesn’t exist in the Microsoft SQL Server code
page.

To query an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro:
1. In FileMaker Pro, do one of the following:
• To import into an existing FileMaker Pro file, choose File menu > Import Records >
ODBC Data Source.
• To create a FileMaker Pro file from the data source records, choose File menu > Open.
In the Open dialog box, choose ODBC Data Source for Files of type (Windows) or
Show (OS X).
2. Choose your data source and click Continue.
Most server-based ODBC drivers require the data source to be open, but the requirement varies
depending on the driver.
3. Enter the user name and password (if any) for the data source you chose.
To skip this dialog box in the future, select Save user name and password (this option is only
available if you’re importing into an existing FileMaker Pro file).
4. Click OK.
The FileMaker Pro SQL Query builder dialog box appears.
5. Construct your query. See Constructing an SQL query for importing via ODBC for details.
You can execute the query immediately, or copy and paste it into a field for later use. Use the
Import Records or Execute SQL script step to execute a query stored in a field. See Storing an
SQL query in a field for details.
6. Click Execute.
• If you are importing data into an existing file, FileMaker Pro displays the Import Field
Mapping dialog box. You map fields from the data source to fields in your FileMaker Pro
database file. See Setting the import action and mapping fields during import and
Importing data into an existing file.
• If you are importing data into a new file, FileMaker Pro puts the imported records into
your database file.
Note ODBC import, the Execute SQL script step, and external SQL data sources are not supported
in runtime solutions created with FileMaker Pro Advanced.

Related topics
Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Pro
Configuring an ODBC client driver

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Constructing an SQL query for importing via ODBC
After you access your ODBC data source, use the SQL Query builder to construct and execute a
query. Using the SQL Query builder, you construct queries that can search an ODBC data source or
DBMS, fetch specific records, and import the resulting records into a FileMaker Pro database file.
You can execute the query immediately, or store it in a field for repeated use. See Storing an SQL
query in a field for details.
Note Performing complex queries or retrieving a large number of records may take time. Consider
batching requests for optimal performance.

To construct a query in the SQL Query builder:
1. Choose your data source.
• If you’re importing into an existing FileMaker Pro file, choose File menu > Import
Records > ODBC Data Source, and then choose your data source. The SQL Query
builder dialog box appears (you might see a password and user name dialog box first).
• If you’re creating a FileMaker Pro file from the data source records, choose File menu >
Open. In the Open dialog box, choose ODBC Data Source for Files of type (Windows)
or Show (OS X), and then choose your data source. The SQL Query builder dialog box
appears (you might see a password and user name dialog box first).
2. In the SELECT tab > Tables list box, click the table you want to import. The columns
associated with this table appear in the Columns list box.
3. Choose a column to insert into your SQL query and click Insert into SQL Query.
This constructs the SQL statement in the SQL Query box.
4. Insert additional columns into the SQL query by double-clicking the column name.
5. Click the WHERE tab to construct search criteria. This reduces the number of records that
are imported. You can also join data from two tables.
6. To sort records before importing, click the ORDER BY tab, then specify the name of the
column to sort by and whether the sort should be ascending or descending.
7. Execute the query.
You can map fields, choose whether to append records or create a table, or browse records in
the data source to decide which records you want to import. FileMaker Pro imports the resulting
records into your database file.
Note You can type an SQL statement directly into the SQL Query box. However, to assure a valid
SQL query, use the SQL Query builder.

Related topics
Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro
Automating ODBC import using the Import Records script step
Executing SQL to interact with data sources via ODBC

Executing SQL to interact with data sources via ODBC
In addition to importing data into a FileMaker Pro database file via ODBC, you can also interact with
data sources (such as Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle) using SQL statements through the
Execute SQL script step. You can use any SQL statement supported by the data source, such as
INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE.

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You can also use SQL statements that go beyond simply importing data into a FileMaker Pro
database file. For example, you could execute SQL statements that add records to a database table
in SQL Server, using information from a FileMaker Pro database file.

To execute SQL statements against a data source via ODBC:
1. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts.
2. Click New.
3. Add the Execute SQL script step to the script.
It appears in the Miscellaneous category.
4. Select the Execute SQL script step and click Specify.
5. In the Specify SQL dialog box, click Specify.
6. Select your data source and click Continue.
You might be asked for a user name and password.
7. In the Specify SQL dialog box, enter your SQL statements.
See your data source documentation for a listing of supported SQL statements and their syntax.
8. Click OK.

Related topics
Constructing an SQL query for importing via ODBC

Storing an SQL query in a field
You can store an SQL query in a text field for use with the Import Records script step or Execute
SQL script step.

To store a query in a field, do one of the following:
• Type a query directly into a field.
• Create a query dynamically in a calculation field.
• Use the SQL Query builder to construct a query, then copy and paste it into a field.

Notes on stored queries:
• When you execute a stored query, error checking is performed at runtime only. Use
Get(LastError) function, and then use Get(LastODBCError) function to return the last
readable error string that is generated by the ODBC driver.
• The SQL Query builder validates queries for use only with FileMaker Pro.
• You can store and execute a different query in each record of your database file.
• You can store a query in a global field to guarantee the same query is executed
regardless of which record you are on.

Automating ODBC import using the Import Records script step
Because accessing ODBC data sources is a task you might repeat frequently, you can create a
script with the Import Records script step that automates ODBC import. Some script step options
behave differently than when used with other file formats.

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Accessing external data sources

The Specify data source option stores:
• the data source name and location
• the user ID and password (optional)
• the SQL query to be executed against the data source
For more information, see Import Records script step.
When you choose an ODBC data source in the Import Records script step, the Specify ODBC SQL
Query dialog box opens. You can do any of the following:
• Choose a field that contains a query (see Storing an SQL query in a field)
• Type a new query to be stored with the Import Record script step
• Use the SQL Query builder to construct a query to be stored with the Import Record script
step

Notes
• To save the user name and password, select Save user name and password in the ODBC
Enter Password dialog box.
• The Perform without dialog option hides all dialog boxes during an ODBC import.
• The Specify import order option stores the field order in the Import Field Mapping dialog
box, similar to other scripted imports.
• The Set Error Capture script step suppresses ODBC alerts.
• The ODBC import feature saves the data source name, user ID and password, and the SQL
query from the previous ODBC import. Keep this in mind when selecting the Specify import
order or Specify data source options.
• In Windows, to automate the interaction across multiple applications, explore the ActiveX
functionality. For more information, see Scripting with ActiveX Automation (Windows).
• If you choose to execute a query from a non-global field, the query in the current record is
executed. See Defining global fields (fields with global storage).
• SQL statements are limited to a maximum length of 256 K characters (512 KB).
• If you use the Import Records script step to import ODBC data that contains Unicode
strings, your ODBC driver must support Unicode. Otherwise, the results may be
inconsistent.
• ODBC import, the Execute SQL script step, and external SQL data sources are not
supported in runtime solutions created with FileMaker Pro Advanced.

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Using FileMaker Pro Advanced

Using FileMaker Pro Advanced

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FileMaker Pro Advanced basics

FileMaker Pro Advanced basics
This section contains:
• an introduction to FileMaker Pro Advanced features
• a description of your responsibilities as a FileMaker Pro Advanced developer

About FileMaker Pro Advanced
FileMaker Pro Advanced contains a range of advanced development and deployment tools to speed
up the development process and help developers produce FileMaker database solutions for work
groups, websites, and stand-alone runtime applications.
In addition to all of the features that are available with FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced
includes:
• Developer Utilities, for creating, customizing, and deploying runtime database solutions,
and encrypting database files.
• Database Design Report feature, for publishing comprehensive documentation on
structures or schemas of databases.
• Script Debugger, for systematic testing and debugging of FileMaker scripts.
• Data Viewer, for monitoring fields, variables, and calculations.
• Copy feature, for copying field schemas or table schemas. You can also import table.
schemas to consolidate tables from a multi-file solution into one file.
• Custom Menus feature, for creating customized menus for a solution.
• Custom Functions utility, for creating custom functions for use anywhere within the solution.
Some FileMaker Pro Advanced features are further documented in the FILEMAKER PRO ADVANCED
FEATURES GUIDE included with the software and available at http://www.filemaker.com/
documentation.

Related topics
Customizing files with FileMaker Pro Advanced
Using FileMaker Pro Advanced tools
Maintaining and recovering FileMaker Pro databases

Your responsibilities as a developer (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Abiding by the license agreement
The FileMaker Pro Advanced license agreement allows you royalty-free distribution of an unlimited
number of FileMaker Pro runtime database solutions. However, there are several terms and
conditions in the license agreement you must abide by, including the following:
• You must provide all of the end-user technical support.
• You must provide an “About” layout that includes your name, address, and the telephone
number for your technical support.
Note You must read and agree to the terms and conditions of the FileMaker Pro Advanced license
agreement, available through the FileMaker Pro Advanced installer, before using the
FileMaker Pro Advanced software.

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FileMaker Pro Advanced basics

Choosing to let FileMaker repair customer files
FileMaker, Inc. has established procedures for repairing files. If a customer complies with these
procedures, then FileMaker may supply a repaired file to the customer.
Note FileMaker does not recover account names and passwords.
If you distribute database files with passwords or you have removed full access privileges and do
not want FileMaker to repair a file for a customer who requests this service, you must:
1. Notify your customers in writing and keep a record of such notice that your database
solution contains passwords or data that can only be provided by you.
2. Every file in your runtime database solution must contain an About layout accessible from
any layout in the database.
See Documenting developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
3. The layout name must begin with the word “About.”
4. The About layout must contain these items:
• solution name
• your company name and contact information
• your support policy (for example, how and when you are available for technical support)
5. The About layout must contain this exact warning:
“USER WARNING: This database solution contains password(s) that can only be
provided by the Developer identified above.”
6. If full access privileges have been permanently removed from your database solution by
selecting the Remove admin access from files permanently option in the Developer
Utilities, then the About layout must contain this exact warning:
“USER WARNING: This file is not customizable. Contact the above named Developer for
information on customizing this database solution.”
The accounts and privileges protection in a FileMaker file should not be viewed as an absolute
barrier that will prevent a customer from accessing files. FileMaker cannot guarantee that a
customer will not be able to identify or bypass the password through third-party solutions or tools.
Therefore, FileMaker recommends that you take appropriate steps to protect your consulting and
development efforts without relying solely upon the password.
If you have a dispute with your customer, you must resolve this dispute directly with the customer.
FileMaker is unable to, and will not, attempt to resolve such disputes.
Note Creator codes should be registered with Apple Inc. to verify that the creator code you choose
is unique. You may use the .fmpur five-character extension because FileMaker has registered the
fFmp creator code with Apple Inc. Contact Apple Developer Support or visit their website at http://
developer.apple.com to register any other creator codes.

Related topics
Protecting databases
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

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Customizing files with FileMaker Pro Advanced
This section describes the following ways you can customize files with FileMaker Pro Advanced:
• copy and paste fields for use within the same file or other database files
• copy or import existing tables into your database file
• create custom functions for use anywhere within a file
• create custom menus

Copying and pasting field schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You can copy fields from one file and paste them into the same file or some other file. Field data is
not copied.
1. Select File menu > Manage > Database > Fields tab.
2. Select the field that you want to copy.
3. Click Copy, then click OK.
4. Open the Manage Database dialog box in the file into which you want to paste the field you
copied.
5. In the Fields tab, choose the table where you want to paste the field.
6. Click Paste, then click OK.

Notes
• FileMaker Pro Advanced retains data source references to fields if they are valid when you
paste. If you copy multiple fields that reference each other, copy them in one step to retain
the references. If you copy them one at a time, the references may be lost. Check all data
source references after pasting to ensure they are valid.
• To copy and paste fields, you must have full access privileges to the source and destination
files.
• There is a difference between duplicating and copying a field: Duplicate duplicates a field
within the current table. Copy makes the field available for pasting to another file. See
Duplicating field definitions

Related topics
Copying or importing table schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Copying or importing table schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
With FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can consolidate tables from a multi-file solution into one file.
There are two methods for consolidating solutions:
• Copy table schemas — Open source files to select and copy the tables you want. Then,
paste the table schemas into the destination file.
• Import table schemas — Import table schemas directly into the destination file. You can
import just the schemas or import data with a single schema. (To import the data with a
single schema, choose File menu > Import Records > File. See Importing data into an
existing file.)

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To copy table schema:
1. Open the database file that contains the table you want to copy.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Database > Tables tab.
3. Select the table you want to copy.
4. Click Copy.
5. Open the database file where you want to paste the table.
6. Choose File menu > Manage > Database > Tables tab.
7. Click Paste.

To import table schema without data:
1. Open the database file into which you want to import a table.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Database > Tables tab.
3. Click Import.
4. In the Open File dialog box, select the source file.
5. In the Import Tables dialog box, select the tables you want to import from the list and click
OK.
6. In the Import Summary dialog box, click Open Log File to see a detailed log of the
procedure, or click OK to close the dialog box.

Notes
• You must have full access privileges to the source and destination files.
• Privileges from the source file are not retained. You must redefine privilege sets in the
destination file.
• Relationships between table occurrences are not retained.
• If you created fields or tables and want to import them into the same file, close the Manage
Database dialog box once before importing.
• FileMaker Pro Advanced retains data source references to tables, fields, and scripts if they
are valid when you copy or import. Check all data source references after pasting or
importing to ensure they are valid.
• Open the Import.log file, normally located in the folder with your destination database, for
details on unresolved references and items that were renamed due to a naming conflict. If
you’ve opened the destination database remotely or do not have write access to that folder,
check the Documents folder.
• You must convert database files created in earlier versions of FileMaker Pro before
importing tables. See Converting files from FileMaker Pro 11 and earlier

Related topics
Copying and pasting field schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Documenting database schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Importing data into FileMaker Pro

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About custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
The Custom Functions utility lets you create custom functions that can be reused anywhere in the
database file in which they are created. You can copy and paste custom functions between
FileMaker Pro files or you can import custom functions from other FileMaker Pro files. Once
formulas are written for the function, they do not have to be rewritten to be applied to other fields or
used in other scripts.
You can maintain and edit custom functions and the formulas they contain in one central location.
Any change made to a custom function will be copied to all instances where that custom function
has been used.
Custom functions can be used:
• anywhere in a file
• by any user or only by users with full access privileges
• across multiple platforms
• to replace third-party plug-ins for some purposes
Custom functions will run in both FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced. Newly defined
functions appear under their own category in the functions list of the Specify Calculation and Edit
Custom Function dialog boxes. If you do not wish to reveal your custom functions, you can disable
their display in these dialog boxes.

Using custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
To create a custom function:
1. In FileMaker Pro Advanced, choose File menu > Manage > Custom Functions.
2. In the Manage Custom Functions dialog box, click New.
3. In the Edit Custom Function dialog box, for Function Name, type a name for the new
function.
Custom function names must be unique and cannot exceed 100 characters.
4. Build a formula. (For more information, see Working with formulas and functions.)
5. If the formula requires parameters, for Function Parameters, type the parameter name and
click Plus
Edit

. You can edit or delete a parameter name by selecting it in the list and clicking

or Delete

.

6. Click where you want an item to appear in the formula box, then perform one of the
following actions.
To add a

Do this

Reference to a parameter

In the parameters list, double-click a parameter name.

Mathematical or text operator

In the keypad, click an operator.

Comparison or logical operator For Operators, choose an operator from the list.
Constant value

Type the value.

Function

In the functions list, double-click a function. In the formula box,
replace the placeholder parameter with a value or expression.

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You can also type parameter names, operators, and functions in the Edit Custom Function
dialog box instead of using the lists or keypad.
7. All accounts is the default option for Availability and allows all users of the current
database to see and use the custom function. If you want the custom function to be
available only to those with Full Access privileges, select Only accounts assigned full
access privileges.
8. Click OK to close the Edit Custom Function dialog box.
9. Continue creating custom functions, or click OK to close the Manage Custom Functions
dialog box.

To change, duplicate, or delete a custom function:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Custom Functions.
2. In the Manage Custom Functions dialog box:
To

Do this

Edit a custom function

For Function Name, select the custom function and click Edit. In the
Edit Custom Function dialog box, make your changes, then click OK.

Duplicate a custom function For Function Name, select the custom function and click Duplicate.
Delete a custom function

For Function Name, select the custom function and click Delete.

3. In the Manage Custom Functions dialog box, click OK.

To copy a custom function to another FileMaker Pro file:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Custom Functions.
2. In the Manage Custom Functions dialog box, select one or more functions you want to copy.
Tip You can press Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) to select non-contiguous
functions, or press Shift-click to select contiguous functions.
3. Press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command-C (OS X) to copy the functions, then click OK.
Tip OS X: You can choose File menu > Copy to copy a selected function.
4. Open a different FileMaker Pro file.
5. Choose File menu > Manage > Custom Functions.
6. Press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command-V (OS X) to paste the functions.
Tip OS X: You can choose File menu > Paste to paste a selected function.
The custom function you copied appears at the bottom of the list. If FileMaker Pro determines
this function is invalid in the context of the target file (for example, a dependent function, field, or
calculation is missing from the target file or the function contains an invalid field type reference),
the pasted function is enclosed in comment characters (/**/). For more
information, see Custom Function dependency rules (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
7. Click OK.

Notes
• You must have Full Access privileges to the currently active database to create custom
functions.
• Values, expressions, functions, and parameters can be uppercase or lowercase.

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• To change the way functions are sorted in the Edit Custom Function dialog box, choose a
category from the View list.
• The content of a custom function is protected even if it is set to be available to all users with
Full Access privileges. To edit or view the custom function content, you must have Full
Access privileges and be editing the database in FileMaker Pro Advanced.
• When a custom function is deleted, it is no longer available for use. Calculations that were
using it will return an error when they attempt to call it. If you have Full Access privileges to
a database and are editing a calculation that uses a deleted custom function, the name of
the function is replaced with the string .
• If you do not have Full Access privileges and attempt to edit a calculation that uses a
custom function restricted to Full Access accounts, you see the string 
instead of the custom function. You cannot change the calculation as long as the  declaration appears in the formula.
• If you have previously created custom functions and the names are identical to new
FileMaker software functions, the FileMaker functions will override your custom functions.
Verify your custom function names against the FileMaker functions, and change your
custom function names if needed.
• The characters $ and } can no longer be used in a custom function name or a parameter
name. If you used these characters in custom function or parameter names in FileMaker
Developer, you must rename them in FileMaker Pro Advanced.
• You can’t use a script to copy and paste or import custom functions.

Related topics
About custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Importing custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)

Importing custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You can import custom functions from other FileMaker files. You can also copy and paste custom
functions within a file or between files. See Using custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
When you import a custom function, FileMaker Pro automatically resolves dependencies when
custom functions call other custom functions.

To import custom functions:
1. Open the file in which you want to import the custom functions.
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Custom Functions.
3. In the Manage Custom Functions dialog box, click Import.
4. Open the file that contains the custom functions you want to import.
5. If you’re asked to enter an account name and password when the file opens, type them in
the Password dialog box, then click OK.
For more information, see Opening files protected with passwords.
6. In the Import Custom Functions dialog box, select the custom functions you want to import.
Tip You can press Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (OS X) to select non-contiguous
functions, or press Shift-click to select contiguous functions.

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7. Click OK.
The Import Summary dialog box appears.
8. Click Open Log File to view the import log file, or click OK to close the Import Summary
dialog box.
Note The custom function you imported appears at the bottom of the list. If FileMaker Pro
determines this function is invalid in the context of the target file (for example, a dependent
function, field, or calculation is missing from the target file or the function contains an invalid field
type reference), the imported function is enclosed in comment characters (/
**/). For more information, see Custom Function dependency rules
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
9. Close the Manage Custom Functions dialog box.

Notes
• If you import custom functions from another file, then click Cancel to close the Manage
Custom Menus dialog box, all changes you made while the dialog box was open are
discarded and the imported functions are removed from the file.
• If you cancel an import in progress before it completes, any functions imported before you
cancel must be manually removed from the target file.
• You can’t use a script to import custom functions.

Related topics
About custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Using custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)

Custom Function dependency rules (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
When you copy or import a custom function into a file, FileMaker Pro attempts to resolve any
dependencies the function may contain. The following dependency rules apply under different
conditions:
• If function_a has a dependency on function_b, yet only function_a is copied or imported into
a target file that contains a function_b, function_a calls function_b located in the target file,
which may cause unexpected results.
• If function_a has a dependency on function_b, yet only function_a is copied or imported into
a target file, function_a appears enclosed in comment characters (/**/)
in the Manage Custom Functions dialog box, indicating the new function is invalid in the
target file.
• If function_a has a dependency on function_b, and both function_a and function_b are
copied or imported into a target file, function_a will operate as expected.
• If function_a has a dependency on function_b, and both functions are copied or imported
into a target file that contains an existing function_b, the copied function_b is renamed
function_b N. FileMaker Pro updates function_a to call function_b N and function_a
operates as expected.
• If function_a has a dependency on function_b, and both functions are copied or imported
into a target file that contains an existing function_a and function_b, the copied functions are
renamed function_a N and function_b M. FileMaker Pro updates function_a N to call
function_b M and function_a N operates as function_a in the original file.

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• If function_a calls itself recursively and it is copied or imported into a target file that contains
an existing function_a, FileMaker Pro renames the copied function to maintain the integrity
of the dependency.

Related topics
Using custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Importing custom functions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Defining custom menus (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
With FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can create custom menus for your database solutions. You can
add, edit, duplicate, or delete menus and menu items in many ways, such as:
• changing a menu or menu item name.
• performing a script or script step from a menu item. You can also run scripts from an
associated toolbar icon and shortcut menu.
• assigning custom keyboard shortcuts and access keys.
• specifying a platform for your menus and menu items.
• specifying a mode for your menus.
• specifying menu sets for files and layouts.
You can create a menu by starting with a blank menu or by editing a copy of a standard FileMaker
menu. You can duplicate a menu so you can make changes without modifying the original, or you
can delete menus that your users will not need.

To create, edit, duplicate, or delete a menu:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Custom Menus > Custom Menus tab.
2. If FileMaker Pro Advanced includes menus that do not exist in this file, click Update to add
missing menus to the file.
3. Do one of the following in the Manage Custom Menus dialog box, then click OK:
To

Do this

Create a menu

Click Create.
In the Create Custom Menu dialog box, do one of the following,
then click OK:
• Click Start with an empty menu.
• Click Start with a standard FileMaker menu, then select a
menu from the list.
Tip You can press Shift and click Create to create an empty menu,
then click Edit to modify it.

Edit an existing menu

Select the menu from the list, then click Edit.
Note Default FileMaker Pro menus cannot be edited, so they do
not appear in the list.

Duplicate a menu

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To

Do this

Delete a menu

Select the menu from the list, then click Delete.
Important When you delete a menu, you also delete its menu
items.

Sort the menu list

For View by, choose menu name, display title, custom order
(which you create by dragging items in the list), or creation order.
Tip You can also click the Menu Name or Display Title column
headings to sort the list.

Display the menu set in which
the menu is used or display
comments describing the
menu

Click the Used in Menu Sets/Comments column heading.

4. If you selected Create or Edit, you see the Edit Custom Menu dialog box. Specify options
for the custom menu.
Note The options you specify apply to the entire menu.
To

Do this

Specify the menu name

For Custom Menu Name, enter a descriptive name for the menu (up
to 100 characters).

Include a comment
describing the menu

Enter a comment about the menu (up to 30,000 characters). The
comment appears in the Manage Custom Menus dialog box, not in
your solution file.

Specify the title that you
want to display in the menu
bar of your solution file

For Menu Title, select Override Title, then enter the name (up to
30,000 characters).
Windows: To specify an access key, type an ampersand (&) before
the character you want to use as the access key. For example, type
&File to display the File menu with the letter “F” as the access key.
To base the menu title on the result of a calculation, click Specify,
then build a formula in the Specify Calculation dialog box.
Note You cannot change the title of the Help or FileMaker Pro
menus.

Install menus based on
conditions you specify

For Install when, specify a calculation that results in a Boolean
value.
• If the calculation evaluates true or non-zero, the menu is
installed.
For example, for the menu to appear when the file is opened in
Windows, enter:
If( Abs(Get( SystemPlatform )) = 2; 1; 0 )
• If the calculation evaluates false or zero, the menu is not
installed.
For example, for the menu to appear when the file is opened in
OS X, enter:
If( Abs(Get( SystemPlatform )) = 1; 1; 0 )
To ensure a menu is always installed, for Install when, enter 1.

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To

Do this

Specify in which modes to
display the menu

For Include in mode, select in which modes you want the menu to
appear (Browse, Find, Preview). When users switch modes, the
menu set changes to display only the menus specified for that mode.

5. After you create or edit the custom menu, you can create custom menu items. See Creating
and editing custom menu items (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
6. Click OK to close the Edit Custom Menu dialog box.
7. In the Manage Custom menus dialog box, for Default menu set for this file, choose a
menu set. If you do not choose a default menu set, the standard FileMaker menus are used.
8. Click OK to close the Manage Custom Menus dialog box.

Notes
• You must have full access privileges to customize menus.
• When you create a file, no internal structures for custom menus or custom menu sets exist
in the file. The first time you open the Manage Custom Menus dialog box, FileMaker Pro
creates these structures. If you click Cancel, you are prompted to discard changes made in
the file. If you don’t want to store custom menu structures in the file, click Discard.
• To create custom menus or custom menu sets in a FileMaker Pro file created via
FileMaker Server, you must open the file using FileMaker Pro Advanced.
• You can check your runtime solutions to see if custom menus are installed:
• Windows: Choose Help menu > About FileMaker Pro, then click Info.
• OS X: Choose FileMaker Pro menu > About FileMaker Pro, then click Info.
When custom menus are installed, the dialog box displays “Custom Menus Active”.
• You may need to modify menu sets and specify when FileMaker installs them.
• Custom menus display in FileMaker Pro and runtime solutions but can only be edited using
FileMaker Pro Advanced.
• Web published databases do not recognize customized menu commands. For example, if
you customize the New Record command to quit the application, this will have no effect in
FileMaker WebDirect; web users will see the default New Record command.
• FileMaker features only work if they are included in a menu. For example, if you remove the
View menu from the menu set and do not have any scripted buttons on the layout to switch
views, the mode buttons in the status toolbar are disabled, making it impossible for your
users to switch modes.
• To add custom menu items for new features to menu sets created in previous versions of
FileMaker, create a new custom menu and add the new menu item from the list of standard
FileMaker menus in the Create Custom Menu dialog box.
• If the Edit menu is not part of an installed menu set, the Cut, Copy, and Paste shortcuts do
not work.
• Shortcut menus display when a user right-clicks (Windows) or Control-clicks (OS X) an
object or an area. If you customize a menu item that has a shortcut menu item, you also
customize the behavior performed by the shortcut menu item.
• It is important to provide user documentation with your solution because the custom menus
won’t match the product documentation.

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• Standard FileMaker menus and menu items are localized based on the operating system’s
language. However, if you customize the title of a menu or menu item, it will not be localized
when the system’s language is changed.
• Standard FileMaker menu items are dimmed if users don’t have privileges to perform the
menu command. Menus are not dimmed if you attach a script to the menu item.
• The Open Help script step displays FileMaker Pro Help, not customized help.
• A previous version of FileMaker Pro Advanced (FileMaker Developer) allowed you to
customize the Help, About, and Scripts menus for runtime solutions. If you use
FileMaker Pro Advanced to open a runtime file created in FileMaker Developer, any
customized About, Help, and Script menus will appear as part of the Standard FileMaker
Menus menu set. You cannot change them. Custom Menu Set 1 provides a copy of the
FileMaker Pro Advanced standard menus.
• In OS X, menu cropping may occur depending on the number of custom menus installed
and the resolution of the display screen. To display all menus, reduce the number of custom
menus or increase the screen resolution.
• Custom shortcuts can only use characters found on English/U.S. keyboards. You can also
use the yen character on Japanese keyboards. If you use the yen character as a shortcut,
the character appears as a backslash (\) in the Specify Shortcut and Edit Custom Menus
dialog boxes in OS X. When you install the menu on a Japanese system, the character
appears properly as the yen character.
• In OS X, you cannot use AppleScript to access the FileMaker Pro menu (or its menu items)
if the menu is not included in the installed menu set.
• In Browse mode, the Constrain Found Set and Extend Found Set menu items appear in
shortcut menus. You cannot customize their actions.
• In Find mode, titles of custom menus and menu items that are based on field values that are
not global will be blank.
• If you customize an action for any of the following commands, the corresponding icon
performs the customized action. If you remove any of these commands from the menu bar,
the corresponding icon performs the default action:
• Zoom In and Zoom Out commands are executed via the zoom control buttons.
• Status toolbar command is executed via the status toolbar control button.
• Perform Find command is executed via the Perform Find button (or by pressing the
Enter key in Find mode).
• In Windows, the menu item name for Close and the shortcut, Ctrl+F4, cannot be modified in
the Windows System Menu of the document window. The Close behavior will change if the
action for the Close Menu item is altered in the Edit Custom Menu dialog box.
• You cannot modify the names for Browse, Find, Layout, and Preview in the Mode pop-up
menu. The actions for Browse, Find, Layout, and Preview can be modified and will be
activated when the Mode pop-up menu is changed.

Related topics
Documenting developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

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Creating and editing custom menu items (FileMaker Pro
Advanced)
After you create a menu, you can create menu items. You can also create or edit menu items that
are copies of the Standard FileMaker menus. Menu items can be commands, submenus or
separators. You can create a menu item that is based on a standard FileMaker command or you can
create a menu item that initially does not have an assigned command.
When you base a menu item on a FileMaker command, that menu item inherits all the properties of
that command. You can override properties (title, shortcut, or action) to customize the menu item.
When you create a menu item that does not have an assigned command, an  menu item
appears in the Menu Items list in the Edit Custom Menu dialog box. You can then customize the
menu item properties.

To add or edit menu items in a custom menu:
1. Choose or create a custom menu and set options such as menu name, menu title, and
mode. See Defining custom menus (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
2. Choose File menu > Manage > Custom Menus > Custom Menus tab.
3. In the Manage Custom Menus dialog box, select the menu from the list and click Edit.
4. In the Edit Custom Menus dialog box, specify which menu items are included in the menu:
To

Do this

Add a command

Click Create to add a new () menu item to the list. For
Menu Item Type, choose Command, then select Based on
existing command. In the Specify FileMaker Command dialog box,
choose a command, then click Select or OK.
A command determines the action or behavior of a menu item.
Tip You can Shift-click Create to create an  command
menu item.

Add a submenu

Click Create to add an  menu item to the list. For Menu
Item Type, choose Submenu, then click Specify. In the Select
Menu dialog box, choose a menu, then click Select.
Note You can add up to 100 menus to the menu bar. If you add a
menu that includes itself as a submenu, you may quickly reach the
limit.

Add a separator line

Click Create to add an  menu item to the list. For Menu
Item Type, choose Separator.

Duplicate a menu item

Select a menu item from the list, then click Duplicate.

Delete a menu item

Select a menu item from the list, then click Delete.

Drag an arrow

up or down to change the order of the menu items in the list.

5. Select each menu item from the Menu Items list and specify its properties, then click OK to
close the Edit Custom Menu dialog box.

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To

Do this

Change a command for a
menu item

For Based on existing command, click Specify, choose a different
command, then click Select or OK.

Change a menu item from
one type to another

For Menu Item Type, choose a different type. (For example, you can
change a separator to a command.)

Change the name of a
menu item

Select Item Name and enter a new name.
Windows: To specify an access key, type an ampersand (&) before the
character you want to use as the access key. For example, type
&Open to display the Open menu item with the letter “O” as the access
key.
To base the menu title on the result of a calculation, click Specify, then
build a formula in the Specify Calculation dialog box.

Define a keyboard shortcut
for a menu item

Select Keyboard Shortcut. In the Specify Shortcut dialog box, type a
key combination, then click OK. Keyboard shortcuts appear next to
menu items in the Menu Items list.

Change a keyboard shortcut For Keyboard Shortcut, click Specify, type a key combination, then
for a menu item
click OK.
Perform a script or script
step when a user selects a
menu item

Select Action. In the Specify Script Step dialog box, select a step and
specify options as necessary, then click OK. For more information
about scripts and script steps, see Creating scripts to automate tasks.
Tip To affect the behavior of a currently running script (for example, to
halt, exit, resume, or pause the script) use the Perform Script script
step.

Change a script or script
step

For Action, click Specify, modify the script definition, then click OK.

Install menu items based on
conditions you specify

For Install when, specify a calculation that results in a Boolean value.
• If the calculation evaluates true or non-zero, the menu item is
installed.
For example, for the menu item to appear when the file is opened
in Windows, enter:
If( Abs(Get( SystemPlatform )) = 2; 1; 0 )
• If the calculation evaluates false or zero, the menu item is not
installed.
For example, for the menu item to appear when the file is opened
in OS X, enter:
If( Abs(Get( SystemPlatform )) = 1; 1; 0 )
To ensure a menu item is always installed, for Install when, enter 1.
For example, for the menu item to appear when the file is opened in
Windows or OS X, enter 1.

Notes
• To override a command’s behavior (item name, keyboard shortcut, or action), you must
select the Based on existing command checkbox and choose a different command. If the
checkbox is not selected, the original command behavior is retained.

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• Buttons on toolbars are linked to menu items. If you customize a menu item that has a
toolbar button, you also customize the button, its behavior, and its tooltip. For example, the
New Record button is linked to the New Record menu item. If you customize the New
Record menu item by renaming it to New Contact and specifying a script be performed, the
toolbar button will perform the custom New Contact script and the tooltip for the button will
display New Contact.
• Shortcut menus display when a user right-clicks (Windows) or Control-clicks (OS X) an
object or an area. If you customize a menu item that has a shortcut menu item, you also
customize the behavior performed by the shortcut menu item.
• FileMaker Pro Advanced updates menus and menu items when a menu set change is
requested either through switching modes, windows, or layouts, or by performing a script
that accomplishes a similar result. Menu and menu item titles based on field contents or
functions only update when menu sets change.
• If you enter the same keyboard shortcut or access key (Windows) for two different menu
items, FileMaker Pro locates and issues the first instance of the command as follows:
• Keyboard shortcuts: right to left and top to bottom
• Access keys (Windows): left to right and top to bottom
• If you want an ampersand (&) to appear as part of a menu or menu item name, you must
type the ampersand twice. For example, if you want a menu name to appear as Records &
Reports, enter the title as Records && Reports.
• Privilege set considerations
• You can modify privilege sets in the Edit Privilege Set dialog box to control which menu
items are enabled. See Creating and managing privilege sets.
• If you set Available menu commands to Editing only or Minimum, menu items based
on FileMaker commands are enabled or disabled according to the setting. All other
menu items, including items with customized actions, are disabled. For example, if you
choose Editing only, all basic FileMaker editing commands are enabled but all other
items (including items with customized actions) are disabled.
• If you set Available menu commands to All, all menu items are enabled normally.
• Keyboard shortcut considerations
• FileMaker uses keyboard shortcuts that don’t appear in the menu bar. For example,
Command-Option-Z zooms an OS X window. In addition, the operating system defines
shortcuts. Both types of shortcuts override the ones you define in the Specify Shortcuts
dialog box.
• Windows and OS X keyboard shortcuts are different. For example, if you use
FileMaker Pro Advanced for Windows to define the Ctrl+H shortcut, then open the file in
OS X, the shortcut maps to Command-H. This conflicts with the OS X shortcut to hide
an open application. The shortcut works as expected on Windows, but on OS X, the
operating system shortcut overrides the custom-defined shortcut.
• Be sure to test custom keyboard shortcuts on both platforms. For information about
shortcuts, see the documentation provided with your operating system.
• OS X: Users can assign keyboard shortcuts for installed applications using the
Keyboard system preference. These shortcuts override any standard FileMaker Pro
menu shortcuts or custom menu shortcuts when users open a solution file on that
computer. System preference shortcuts also become the default shortcut for any
custom menus or custom menu items created while the solution is running on that

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computer. Do not use OS X-specific keyboard equivalents when defining shortcuts for
use in FileMaker Pro as results might be unpredictable.

Related topics
Creating and editing custom menu sets (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Creating and editing custom menu sets (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You can create custom menu sets to include the menus you require. You can then specify a menu
set for the file and for individual layouts.
You can create a new menu set or edit or duplicate an existing one. You can also delete menu sets
that your users will not need.
Important Duplicating a custom menu set creates a copy of the menu set and references the same
custom menus as the original menu set. It does not duplicate the custom menus. If you change a
menu item, you change the menu for all menu sets in which the menu is included.

To create, edit, duplicate, or delete menu sets:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Custom Menus > Custom Menu Sets tab.
2. Do one of the following in the Manage Custom Menus dialog box, then click OK:
To

Do this

Create a menu set

Click Create.

Edit an existing menu set

Select the menu set from the list, then click Edit.

Duplicate a menu set

Select the menu set from the list, then click Duplicate.

Delete a menu set

Select the menu set from the list, then click Delete.

Sort the menu set list

For View by, choose menu set name, custom order (which
you create by dragging items in the list), or creation order.
Tip You can also click the Menu Set Name column heading to
sort the list alphabetically by name.

List the menus in each menu
set or display comments
describing the menu sets

Click the Menus/Comments column heading.

If you selected Create or Edit, you see the Edit Menu Set dialog box.
To

Do this

Specify or change the
menu set name

For Menu Set Name, enter a descriptive name for the menu set
(up to 100 characters).

Include or change a comment

For Comment, enter a comment about the menu set (up to
30,000 characters). The comment appears in the Custom Menu
Sets tab in the Manage Custom Menus dialog box.

3. Specify which menus you want to include in the menu set.

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To

Do this

Add a menu to the menu set

Click Add, do one of the following in the Select Menu dialog box,
then click Select:
• Choose a menu from the list.
• Click + to create a new menu. For more information, see
Defining custom menus (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
• Click – to remove a custom menu in the Select Menu dialog
box. Default FileMaker Pro menus shown in brackets [ ] in the
Select Menu dialog box cannot be removed from the list.
Note You can Shift-click, or Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click
(OS X) additional menus to add multiple menus to the menu set.

Remove a menu from the
menu set

Select the menu you want to remove from the menu set, then click
Remove.

Edit a menu

Select the menu, then click Edit. See Creating and editing custom
menu items (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
Tip You can double-click a menu to display the Edit Custom Menu
dialog box, then edit the menu.
Note Standard FileMaker Menus (shown in brackets [ ]) cannot be
edited.

Drag an arrow

up or down to change the order of the menus in the list.

Each time you switch layouts, FileMaker Pro installs the menu set specified in the Menu Set option
in the Layout Setup dialog box.
In FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can temporarily switch menu sets or restore standard FileMaker
menus using the Tools menu, which is always added to the menu bar. This is helpful for testing
menu sets.

To temporarily switch menu sets:
1. In FileMaker Pro Advanced, choose Tools menu > Custom Menus.
2. Select the menu set you want.

Notes
• OS X:
• If you do not include a Help menu in your menu set, the operating system will install an
empty Help menu. You cannot remove this menu, change its position on the menu bar,
or change its title.
• The FileMaker Pro menu is added after the Apple menu. You cannot customize the Quit
or Preferences menu items. You can only customize the About FileMaker Pro menu
item.
• Windows: The Exit menu item is added at the end of the first unlocked (modifiable) menu.
You cannot customize the Exit menu item.
• After you create menu sets, you must specify options for installing them. You can:
• specify a default menu set for a file

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• specify menu sets for individual layouts (see Specifying a menu set for a layout)
• create scripts that change menu sets
• specify menus within the menu set to display according to mode
• Before distributing a database with custom menus:
• Test all menus and menu items on both platforms for each user account. Be sure that all
necessary menus and menu items are available so that users can perform their tasks.
• Either be sure users can always access the View menu, or provide a method (like
buttons) to switch between Browse, Find, and Preview modes.
• You can also review the Database Design Report to check for any shortcut or access
key conflicts.
• You can create scripts that change menu sets based on conditions that you specify. For
more information, see Creating scripts to automate tasks.
• You can use Get(CustomMenuSetName) to check for the name of the active custom menu
set. You can also use the Get(LastError) function to check for missing menu sets. Check the
status of the Get(LastError) function after performing the Install Menu Set script step. If a
menu set is missing, the function will return error 115. For more information, see
Get(CustomMenuSetName) and Get(LastError).

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Using FileMaker Pro Advanced tools
This section contains information on using:
• Script Debugger to troubleshoot your FileMaker scripts
• Data Viewer to monitor fields, variables, and calculations
• the Database Design Report feature to document and publish your database schema to an
HTML or XML file
• Developer Utilities to:
• set up files to create developer solutions, such as runtime applications, which do not
require FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced to run
• encrypt your database files to protect them from unauthorized access while they are
being stored on disk
• create solutions in Kiosk mode with your own custom controls, without FileMaker Pro or
FileMaker Pro Advanced toolbars or menus
• set other custom options, such as removing Admin access to databases

Debugging scripts (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
The Script Debugger is an interactive tool for troubleshooting your FileMaker scripts.
With the Script Debugger, you can:
• debug scripts that are run from the Scripts menu or keyboard shortcuts
• debug startup scripts (the Script Debugger menu is enabled even if there are no open files)
• debug a script activated by a script trigger, button, or custom menu
• step into a sub-script to execute it one step at a time, or step out of a sub-script
• set or clear breakpoints in your script
• begin debugging from any script steps within the script
• view sub-scripts as you step through scripts
• debug restricted-access scripts
• pause a script when script errors are encountered
• click a script error number to open a Help topic
• monitor fields, variables, and calculations
• temporarily disable or enable script triggers while you work in the Script Debugger

To debug scripts:
1. To enable the Script Debugger, choose Tools menu > Script Debugger.
2. Run your script.
3. Choose from the following options:

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Choose

To

Step Over

Execute the script one step at a time without entering sub-scripts.
If the script step is Perform Script, the Script Debugger will execute the subscript, and proceed to the next line of the calling script. The Script
Debugger will execute all sub-script steps until it encounters a breakpoint.

Step Into

Execute the script one step at a time, as well as enter and show steps in
sub-scripts.
If the script step is Perform Script, the Script Debugger will step to the first
line of the sub-script and await user input before proceeding to the next
sub-script step.

Step Out

Execute all script steps in the current script and, if the script is a sub-script,
return to the line after the Perform Script step in the calling script.
If the script is not a sub-script, the Step Out command will cause the Script
Debugger to execute all remaining script and sub-script steps, until it
encounters a breakpoint.

Set Next Step

Set the step execution pointer to the highlighted script step.
This command passes control to the highlighted step but does not perform
the step. The highlighted step is performed when script execution or debug
stepping is resumed. Any script steps between the last executed step and
the assigned next step are not executed. Click a step to highlight it, then
click Set Next Step.

Run

Pause

Toggle between executing all script steps until the end of a script or a
breakpoint is encountered and pausing. When a script is paused, you can
double-click the script in the Call Stack list to edit it. Each active script
opens in a separate Edit Script dialog box, so you can edit multiple scripts.
Script execution is not halted until you save the changes.
You can step through a script using the Step script button when a script is
paused.

Halt Script

Halt execution of a script.

Enable/Disable Script
Triggers

Temporarily disable or enable all script triggers in a file.
You must have Full Access privileges to disable a script trigger. Script
triggers are enabled by default. When you close the Script Debugger, all
disabled script triggers are enabled.
You can also choose Tools menu > Debugging Controls > Disable Script
Triggers or Enable Script Triggers.

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Choose

To

Set/Clear Breakpoint

Set or clear a breakpoint from the selected line.
Breakpoints allow the Script Debugger to execute large sections of a script,
pausing only to inspect the section marked with a breakpoint. Breakpoints
are ignored by FileMaker Pro when the Script Debugger is not in use. You
can set or clear breakpoints in the Script Debugger or when you create
scripts. To set a breakpoint when you create scripts, click to the left of the
step. Breakpoints are saved with the script in which they are set. You can
set breakpoints on multiple steps.
Note You cannot set breakpoints on steps called by a button or custom
menu.

Edit Script

Open the Edit Script dialog box to edit the current script. You can make
changes to a script while it is executing, but once you save changes to the
script, execution halts.
Note To edit the script step associated with buttons or custom menu items,
use the Button Setup or Manage Custom Menu dialogs.

Open/Close Data
Viewer

Open (or close) the Data Viewer window so you can monitor specified
fields, variables, and calculation formulas. See Using the Data Viewer
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Authenticate/
Deauthenticate script

Unlock Script Debugger or Data Viewer for scripts that do not allow modify
privileges.
You must have Full Access privileges to authenticate a script. The higher
level of privileges applies to all scripts, but not to other file elements (for
example, records and layouts). Your editing privileges last until you close
both the Script Debugger and the Data Viewer.

4. Select Pause on error if you want scripts to pause when errors are encountered.
For Last error, click the error number to open a Help topic with details about the error. See
FileMaker Pro error codes.
Note When you use the Script Debugger to step through enabled scripts activated by a script
trigger, you can’t interact with the document windows, move between fields or records, change the
data, close the window, or quit. This blocking of interaction only occurs when a script is triggered via
some action. When you are debugging a script that is not activated by a script trigger, you can
interact normally with the document windows, fields, and records.

Viewing sub-scripts
You can view sub-scripts when you step through scripts in the Script Debugger. For example, if
Script A calls Script B, which then calls Script C, you can view the steps in all three scripts.
1. Choose Tools menu > Script Debugger.
To open the Script Debugger from the Manage Scripts dialog box, select a script, press Shift
and click Perform. To close the Script Debugger, press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (OS X) and
click Perform. For more information on keyboard shortcuts, see FileMaker Pro Advanced
keyboard shortcuts (Windows) and FileMaker Pro Advanced keyboard shortcuts (OS X).
2. Select a script step that calls a sub-script.
3. Click Step Into.

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The Call Stack list displays the sub-script.
4. Select a script in the Call Stack list to view that script’s steps in the display area.

Notes
• Set Next Step is only available for the currently executing script.
• In order to facilitate proper script debugging, the Script Debugger overrides some script
steps. The Allow User Abort script step with the option set to off will not prevent you from
stopping the execution of a script. The Adjust Window script step with the options of hide or
minimize will not hide or minimize the window when encountered through the Step Over or
Step Into buttons.
• If a script with access privileges set to Modifiable performs a script with Executable Only
access, the Executable Only script will perform in its entirety without showing its steps in the
Script Debugger. If an Executable Only script performs a script with privileges set to
Modifiable, only the steps in the Modifiable script will appear in the Script Debugger. To edit
a script, choose Authenticate/Deauthenticate Script. For more information about script
privileges and running scripts with full access, see Editing scripts privileges.
If you open the Data Viewer after choosing Authenticate/Deauthenticate Script, your access
privileges are maintained in both the Data Viewer and Script Debugger until you close the Script
Debugger.
• You can open one Edit Script dialog box per script.
• You can debug a startup script by opening the Script Debugger before opening your
database file.
• When you close the Script Debugger while a script is paused, the script resumes and
completes.
• When a File Open script is loaded, the Script Debugger displays OnFirstWindowOpen.
• When a File Close script is loaded, the Script Debugger displays OnLastWindowClose.
• When you debug a script that is called from a button, the button is identified in the Call
Stack list by the filename and layout in which the button is located. The button name is the
button object name that was assigned using the Inspector. If no name was assigned in the
Inspector,  followed by the filename and layout appears in the list.
When the Script Debugger stops on a script step called by a button in the script step list, the text
above the list changes to Button: , or it changes to Button:  if no name was assigned in the Inspector.
• When you debug a script that is called from a custom menu, the menu item is identified in
the Call Stack list by menu item name and filename. When the Script Debugger stops on a
script step called by a custom menu in the script step list, the text above the list changes to
Menu item: .

Related topics
Creating and editing scripts
Using the Data Viewer (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Disabling script steps (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You can disable and enable script steps to test portions of a script. When you run a script, disabled
script steps are skipped.

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To disable script steps:
1. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts.
2. In the Manage Scripts dialog box, select the script, then click Edit (or double-click the script
name).
3. In the Edit Script dialog box, select one or more script steps, then click Disable.

Notes
• To disable script steps, you must have Modifiable privileges for the script.
• You cannot modify options for disabled script steps.
• If the file is opened in FileMaker Pro, users can see disabled script steps, but cannot enable
them.
• If you disable an If script step, you must also disable the corresponding End If step. This
also applies to Loop, Else, Exit Loop If, and Else If script steps.
• You cannot use Set Next Step to move to a disabled script step.
• The Script Debugger does not stop executing at breakpoints on disabled script steps.
• If a script is running in Script Debugger, you can click Edit Script to open the Edit Script
dialog box.
• If you copy, paste, or import scripts with disabled script steps, the steps remain disabled in
the new location.
• Disabled script steps are preceded by //. Disabled script steps will display as 
if opened in or imported into a FileMaker 7 file.
• Disabled script steps print in italics.

Related topics
Debugging scripts (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Creating and editing scripts
Using the Data Viewer (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Using the Data Viewer (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You can use the Data Viewer to monitor expressions like field values, local and global variables, and
calculation formulas. You can monitor expressions while running scripts or while testing them in the
Script Debugger. You can also monitor field values and variables in the database file.
The Current tab shows:
• Fields used by the currently running script whether they are referenced directly in the script
or indirectly in calculations.
• Local variables used by the currently running script.
• Global variables independent of any script. Global variables are displayed even if no scripts
are currently running.
The Watch tab monitors expressions. You can enter expressions, one per row, in the Data Viewer.
When you use the Data Viewer with the Script Debugger, the Watch tab displays expressions from
paused scripts letting you see how data changes as you step though a script. Expressions remain in
the Watch tab until you delete them manually.

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To monitor fields and variables in the currently running script:
1. Choose Tools menu > Data Viewer, or click

in the Script Debugger window.

2. Click the Current tab and do the following:
To

Do this

Edit or copy local or global variables

Double-click a variable in the list.

Sort fields and variables in the list

Click a column heading.
Items in the list are grouped by type, then sorted in
this order: fields, global variables, local variables.

Add an expression to the Watch list

Click Add to Watch.
FileMaker Pro switches to the Watch tab where
the expression appears.

View restricted-access expressions
Click
, then log into an account that has full
access privileges.
Note If you log in to edit restricted-access scripts
in the Script Debugger, your access privileges also
apply to the Data Viewer. If you log in from the
Data Viewer, your access privileges also apply to
the Script Debugger. In either case, your editing
privileges last until you close the Script Debugger
or the Data Viewer. For more information, see
Debugging scripts (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

To monitor expressions:
Click the Watch tab and do the following:
To
Add an expression
Edit an expression

Do this
Click

.

1. Select an expression, click
or double-click the expression,
then define or edit the expression. See Edit Expression dialog box.
2. Click Evaluate Now to display the results of the expression or
click Monitor to add the expression to the Watch list.

Update the values for
calculations displayed in
the list
Duplicate an expression
Delete an expression
Change the order of
expressions in the
Watch list

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

Click Refresh Values.
Values update as you scroll through the list.
Select one or more expressions, then click

.

Select one or more expressions, then click

.

Drag the arrow

next to the expression up or down.

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Notes
• Expression values in the Data Viewer automatically refresh when you use the Script
Debugger.
• Expressions remain in the Watch tab until you remove them.
• You can add local and global variables to the Data Viewer. Local variables begin with $ and
global variables begin with $$. For more information, see Using variables.
• In the Current tab:
• You can see global and local variables that are declared outside of scripts only if you
have full access privileges to the file.
• If you double-click an expression, the Current Value dialog box opens to show the
expression’s entire value, which you can copy. You can modify the values of variables,
but not field values. Close the dialog box to commit the modified values.
• Repeating fields are listed only if they contain values, like this: [].
The first repetition is shown without brackets. If the repetitions are calculated, the
values are not shown until the script step is reached in which the calculation is solved.

Related topics
Working with formulas and functions
Defining calculation fields

Encrypting database files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You can encrypt database files by using the Database Encryption feature of
FileMaker Pro Advanced. Encryption protects FileMaker database files from unauthorized access
while the files are being stored on disk. Temporary files that are created by encrypted files are also
encrypted.
You create an encryption password for the file, which protects the data if the file is copied or stolen.
Users who do not enter the encryption password are not allowed access to the file.
Encrypted files can be decrypted as needed.
Note Encrypting database files that are part of a runtime solution is not supported.

Encrypting a file (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Use the Developer Utilities to encrypt your database files.
When you encrypt a file, you create an encryption password that users must enter to access the file.
To change a file’s encryption password, you must re-encrypt the file.
Warning Do not forget the encryption password that you assign to an encrypted database file. If
necessary, write it down and store it in a secure place. If you lose or forget the encryption password,
you will not be able to access or change the file.
If you have a multi-file solution, encrypt all database files with the same encryption password and
shared ID. When one encrypted file attempts to access another encrypted file, FileMaker Pro
displays the Database Encryption Password dialog box if the files’ encryption passwords or shared
IDs do not match.
Tip Encrypt multiple files at the same time so they have the same encryption password and shared
ID.

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To encrypt a file:
1. Close all the database files that you are going to encrypt.
2. Choose Tools menu > Developer Utilities.
3. If you have used Developer Utilities on the same database solution before and saved your
settings, click Load Settings, locate and select the appropriate .sav file, the click Load.
4. Click Add, select the file or files that you want to encrypt, then click Add again.
Encrypt files that are in a multi-file solution all at the same time.
5. For Project Folder, click Specify to choose a location for the encrypted solution.
6. To rename the encrypted copy of the file, for Rename file, type a filename and click
Change.
7. To be able to quickly repeat the process, click Save Settings, and choose a folder and
location for your settings file. See Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
8. For Solution Options, click Specify.
9. In the Specify Solution Options dialog box, select Enable Database Encryption (or Reencrypt files).
10. For Shared ID, type any combination of uppercase or lowercase characters, numbers, and
symbols between 1 and 32 characters.
Important The shared ID is case sensitive.
Encrypted files in multi-file solutions are linked by the shared ID.
11. For FileMaker Account, click Specify.
12. Enter the account name and password for an account with Full Access privileges, then click
OK.
13. For Encryption Password, click Specify.
14. Type an encryption password and a password hint for the files, then click OK.
Important The encryption password is case sensitive.
You can use any combination of uppercase or lowercase characters, numbers, and symbols in
the encryption password.
15. By default, FileMaker Pro Advanced uses secure storage to encrypt container data that is
stored externally. If you do not want to encrypt container data when you encrypt your
database files, select Keep Open Storage.
Note You can change the secure or open storage of container data that is stored externally
after you encrypt database files. For more information about storage options for container data,
see Setting up container fields to store data externally.
16. Click OK, then click Create.

To change the password for an encrypted file:
1. Close all the encrypted files whose password you are going to change.
2. Follow steps 2-15 in “To encrypt a file” above.

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3. For the Encryption Password text box at the bottom of the Specify Solution Options dialog
box, enter the current encryption password for the database file or files.
Note The Encryption Password text box is visible only if one or more of the selected files is
encrypted.
4. Click OK, then click Create.

Notes
• If FileMaker Pro Advanced fails to create an encrypted file, review the log file in your project
folder for error messages.
• To add a new database file to an encrypted multi-file solution, encrypt the new file with the
same encryption password and shared ID as the database files in the solution.

Related topics
Tips for creating account names and passwords

Decrypting a file (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Use the Developer Utilities to decrypt an encrypted file.
Note When a file is decrypted, the secure or open storage of container data stored externally
remains as it was before the file was decrypted. To change how the data is stored in the decrypted
file, see Setting up container fields to store data externally.

To decrypt a file:
1. Close all the database files that you are going to decrypt.
2. Choose Tools menu > Developer Utilities.
3. If you have used Developer Utilities on the same database solution before and saved your
settings, click Load Settings, locate and select the appropriate .sav file, the click Load.
4. Click Add, locate the file or files that you want to decrypt, then click Add again.
5. For Project Folder, click Specify to choose a location for the encrypted solution.
6. To rename the encrypted copy of the file, for Rename file, type a filename and click
Change.
7. To be able to quickly repeat the process, click Save Settings, and choose a folder and
location for your settings file. See Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
8. For Solution Options, click Specify.
9. In the Specify Solution Options dialog box, select Remove Database Encryption.
10. For Encryption Password, enter the current encryption password for the database files.
11. For FileMaker Account, click Specify.
12. Enter the account name and password for an account with Full Access privileges, then click
OK.
13. Click OK, then click Create.

Working with encrypted files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You work with encrypted files the same way you do with unencrypted files, with the following
exceptions.

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• When you open an encrypted database file, you must enter the encryption password before
you can enter an account password or access the database. See Opening files protected
with passwords.
• When you export records from an encrypted database file, the records are always exported
to a file that is not encrypted, regardless of the export file format.
• Contents that are entered in an encrypted interactive container via the progressive
download of data are sent through an unencrypted connection.
• You can change the secure or open storage of container data that is stored externally after
you encrypt database files. See Setting up container fields to store data externally.
• To add a new database file to an encrypted multi-file solution, encrypt the new file with the
same encryption password and shared ID as the database files in the solution.
• After you upload an encrypted database file to FileMaker Server, you must enter the
encryption password when you open the file in FileMaker Server. See Uploading files to
FileMaker Server and FileMaker Server Help.

Documenting database schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Use the Database Design Report feature to document the schema of your database and publish it in
to an HTML or XML file.
With the Database Design Report, you can:
• produce reports for any databases that are currently open, either locally or on a network
• gather statistics on the structure of your database
• use the information in the report to re-create the structure of your database if you lose the
original database files
• examine a textual representation of your database schema
• choose which elements (fields, relationships, scripts, and so on) and tables of the database
to document
• troubleshoot missing references, broken relationships, calculations, and more
A Database Design Report in HTML format includes a Report Overview that provides a snapshot of
the elements in each database file. The Report Overview contains hyperlinks to details about all
elements in each database file. The HTML version of the report is hyperlinked and you can view or
print it in a Javascript-enabled web browser.
A Database Design Report in XML format contains the same information, ready to be transformed
into the format you require. You can create tools that can use the Database Design Report XML to
analyze or process the structure of databases. For more information, download the
FileMaker Pro Advanced DATABASE DESIGN REPORT XML OUTPUT GRAMMAR PDF, available at http:/
/www.filemaker.com/documentation.

To create a Database Design Report:
1. Open all database files for which you want to produce a Database Design Report.
You must have full access privileges for any file for which you want to produce a Database
Design Report and the file must be open in FileMaker Pro Advanced. You can run a Database
Design Report on local or remote files.
2. Choose Tools menu > Database Design Report.
3. In the Available Files list, clear any files that you want to exclude from the report by
clearing the checkbox associated with the file.

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4. If there are any files that contain tables that you want to exclude from the report, select the
filename in addition to the checkbox in the Available Files list.
The tables in the file appear in the Include fields from tables in selected file list. You can then
deselect any table in the list.
By default, all tables in all selected files are reported.
5. From Include in report, clear elements that you want to exclude from the report.
By default, all elements in all selected files are reported. Each selected element, if present, will
be reported on for each selected file.
6. If you prefer to publish the report in XML format instead of the default HTML, select XML in
the Report Format section.
7. If you do not want the report to automatically open when done, clear Automatically open
report when done in the File Handling section.
8. Click Create, then Save to save the database design report.

Notes
• You can search the HTML report for the following text to locate problems:
• Missing Field
• Missing Table Occurrence
• Missing Base Table
• Missing Data Source
• Missing Layout
• Missing Value List
• Missing Custom Function
• Missing Script
• Missing Account
• Missing Privilege Set
• Missing Extended Privilege
• Missing Custom Menu
• Missing Custom Menu Set
• If you have any inactive accounts that have a blank password, the HTML report displays a
password mask ******. In the XML report, the emptyPassword="" node will report
FALSE. To get accurate password information from these inactive accounts, make the
accounts active and choose View Source.
• OS X: To view an HTML report, use web browsers such as Safari, Mozilla, and Firefox.
• The Database Design Report feature creates XML files in UTF-16 format. To view a report
in this format, use a text editor or web browser that supports UTF-16 text.
• The Database Design Report catalogs and reports information about any ODBC tables that
are used in the relationships graph.

Related topics
Copying or importing table schemas (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Protecting databases

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Setting up files for developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
FileMaker Pro Advanced provides Developer Utilities that let you:
• bind your database files into a stand-alone runtime database solution that does not require
FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced in order to be used on a computer
• encrypt your database files to protect them from unauthorized access while they are being
stored on disk
• rename a set of database files and automatically update the internal links to related files and
scripts
• display your database files in Kiosk mode
• remove administrative access from all accounts and prevent users from modifying most
design or structural elements of your databases
• add the FileMaker Pro filename extension to a set of non-runtime files
• create an error log for processing errors
Note FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced allow you to include as many database tables as
you need in a database file. This capability eliminates one of the main reasons for using multiple
files. However, other elements, like scripts and access privileges, are stored at the file level and so
some complex solutions will still benefit from using multiple files.

To set up your files for developer solutions:
1. Close all of your database files that you are going to customize.
2. Choose Tools menu > Developer Utilities.
3. If you have used the Developer Utilities on the same database solution before and saved
your settings, click Load Settings.
The Select a file dialog box opens so that you can browse to find your settings file.
4. Click Add to locate the files that you want to customize.
5. When you have added all the files that you want to customize, do one or more of the
following:
To

Do this

Select the primary file for a
runtime solution

Double-click the file in the list.

Rename a file

Select the file in the list, type the new name in the Rename file box,
and click Change. This also updates any internal links to related
files and scripts.
Note Do not type a filename extension. For information on adding
the FileMaker filename extension to non-runtime files, see Adding
filename extensions to files (FileMaker Pro Advanced). For
information on adding filename extensions to runtime files, see
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Remove a file

Select the file in the list and click Remove.

6. For Project Folder, click Specify to choose a location for the solution.
7. In the Choose a Folder dialog box, select or create a folder and click OK (Windows) or
Choose (OS X).

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8. If you do not want the new files to overwrite earlier versions of the files, clear the Overwrite
matching files within the Project Folder checkbox.
Important If Overwrite matching files within the Project Folder is selected, the
Developer Utilities will overwrite files with the same names as those in the list of files.
9. For Solution Options, click Specify, and select options. For example, you can customize
your database files or bind the files into a runtime solution. See Specifying options for
developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
10. To be able to quickly repeat the process, click Save Settings, and choose a folder and
location for your settings file. See Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
11. Click Create.
The Developer Utilities copy all the selected database files, with the modifications made by the
Utilities, to the Project Folder. If the default option to overwrite the destination files has been left
on, the specified Project Folder will be used to store the files copied by the Developer Utilities. If
the default option to overwrite the files has been cleared, the specified Project Folder will be
used if it is empty or a new one based on the name of the Project Folder will be created.

Related topics
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
When you create a customized set of files in FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can save the settings
you specify in the Developer Utilities dialog box and reuse them again. The settings include the list
of files to be modified.

To save a settings file:
1. Close all of your database files that you are going to customize.
2. Choose Tools menu > Developer Utilities.
3. Click Add to locate the files that you want to customize.
4. If you add multiple files, double-click a file in the list to specify the primary file.
5. Select Developer Utilities settings as required. See Setting up files for developer solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
6. For Solution Options, click Specify, and select options as required. See Specifying
options for developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
7. Click Save Settings.
8. Choose a location and filename for the settings file.
9. Click Save.
The extension .sav is automatically added and should not be changed. You can save as many
settings files as you want, using different locations and names.

To modify a settings file:
1. In the Developer Utilities dialog box, click Load Settings.
2. Locate and select the settings file that you want to modify and click Load.

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3. Specify options.
4. Click Save Settings.
Browse to select the file you want to replace.
5. Click Save.
6. Click Replace (OS X) or Yes (Windows) to replace the file.

Related topics
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Removing Admin access to databases (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Specifying options for developer solutions (FileMaker Pro
Advanced)
Use the Developer Utilities to customize a set of database files or to bind the files into a runtime
solution.

To customize your database files or bind the files to a runtime solution:
1. Close all of your database files that you are going to customize.
2. Choose Tools menu > Developer Utilities.
3. If you have used the Developer Utilities on the same database before and saved your
settings, click Load Settings.
4. Click Add to locate the files that you want to customize.
5. If you add multiple files, double-click a file in the list to specify the primary file.
6. Select Developer Utilities settings as required. See Setting up files for developer solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
7. For Solution Options, click Specify.
8. In the Specify Solution Options dialog box, select one or more options.
To

Do this

Bind databases to runtime
applications

Select Create Runtime solution application(s).
Note This option can be combined with all others, except
Databases must have a FileMaker file extension, Enable
Database Encryption (or Re-encrypt files), and Remove
Database Encryption.
See About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced) for
more information.

Permanently prohibit any
administrative access to your
solution

Select Remove admin access from files permanently.
Important Once removed, administrative access cannot be
restored to the custom solution.
See Removing Admin access to databases (FileMaker Pro
Advanced) for more information.

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To

Do this

Force accounts without full
access privileges to open your
solution in Kiosk mode

Select Enable Kiosk mode for non-admin accounts.

Add the FileMaker extension
to the filenames of database
files

Select Databases must have a FileMaker file extension.

See Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
for more information.
Note This option is not available if you select Create Runtime
solution application(s). You can use this feature to add extensions
to files that do not have extensions.
See Adding filename extensions to files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
for more information.

Create a log file to record any
errors encountered during
processing

Select Create Error log for any processing errors.
Specify a location and a filename for the error log.
Notes
• If you don’t specify a filename and location for the error log, it
will be saved to the project folder with the filename
Logfile.txt.
• If an error occurs during the processing of the options, the error
is logged in the error log. An error message may also indicate
that an error has been encountered.

Encrypt or re-encrypt
database files

Select Enable Database Encryption (or Re-encrypt files).
Note This option is not available if you select Create Runtime
solution application(s). You can use this feature to encrypt
database files that are not bound to runtime applications.
See Encrypting a file (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Decrypt database files

Select Remove Database Encryption.
See Decrypting a file (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

9. Click OK.
10. To be able to quickly repeat the process, click Save Settings, and choose a folder and
location for your settings file. See Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
11. Click Create.

Related topics
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Removing Admin access to databases (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced use accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges to
protect FileMaker databases. You can use the Developer Utilities to remove all administrative
accounts from a file. For more information about accounts and privileges, see Protecting databases.
Important Selecting this option permanently deletes from the database all accounts that were
using the Full Access privilege set. This will permanently eliminate access to Layout mode and the
Manage Scripts feature, except for the Extended Privileges tab of the Manage Security dialog box,
for all database files in the solution, whether they’re opened in a runtime application, in
FileMaker Pro, or in FileMaker Pro Advanced. Structural and design elements of the files cannot be

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modified by anyone, including FileMaker employees. The only way to modify the tables, field
definitions, relationships, scripts, or access privileges is by returning to the original file before it was
customized by the Developer Utilities.

To remove Admin access to a database:
1. Close all of your database files that you are going to customize.
2. Choose Tools menu > Developer Utilities.
3. If you have used the Developer Utilities on the same database before and saved your
settings, click Load Settings.
4. Click Add to locate the files that you want to customize.
5. If you add multiple files, double-click a file in the list to specify the primary file.
6. Select Developer Utilities settings as required. See Setting up files for developer solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
7. For Solution Options, click Specify. See Specifying options for developer solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
8. Select Remove admin access from files permanently and click OK.
This prevents users from altering the design and structure of your database files and from
changing any accounts or privileges that you’ve set up.

Notes
• When the Remove admin access from files permanently option is enabled:
• Users can’t access these dialog boxes: Manage Database, Manage External Data
Sources, Manage Custom Functions, and most of Manage Security.
• The text version of custom functions is removed.
• Users can access the Extended Privileges tab in Manage Security if their account has
the Manage extended privileges option enabled.
• Users can access the dialog boxes listed above if they run a script with the Run script
with full access privileges option enabled.
• Users can access Layout mode and the Manage Scripts feature if the privilege set
assigned to their account permits it.
• All database files must have at least one active account or they can’t be opened. You can’t
use the Remove admin access from files permanently option if the accounts with Full
Access privilege sets are the only active accounts in the file. If you attempt to do so, you will
receive an error message.
• Consider the long-term needs of your users when defining access privileges. Communicate
their access privileges to them clearly in the About layout and follow the rules specified by
FileMaker. For more information, see Documenting developer solutions (FileMaker Pro
Advanced).

Related topics
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

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Adding filename extensions to files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You can use the Developer Utilities to give non-runtime FileMaker database files the FileMaker file
extension. This is useful for cross-platform development, if you want the filename extension to be
consistent on both Windows and Macintosh platforms.

To add the FileMaker filename extension to non-runtime databases:
1. Close all of your database files that you are going to customize.
2. Choose Tools menu > Developer Utilities.
3. If you have used the Developer Utilities on the same database before and saved your
settings, click Load Settings.
4. Click Add to locate the files that you want to customize.
5. If you add multiple files, double-click a file in the list to specify the primary file.
6. Select Developer Utilities settings as required. See Setting up files for developer solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
7. For Solution Options, click Specify. See Specifying options for developer solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
8. Select Databases must have a FileMaker file extension, and click OK.

Related topics
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Removing Admin access to databases (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Documenting developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
You should provide documentation for your database solution, whether it is a database that must be
opened in FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced, or a standalone runtime database solution.
There are several ways that you can provide documentation for your solution, including a printed
manual, an online Help system, and an About layout that is available from any layout in the solution.
Create custom About and Help layouts that document what your database solution is, how to use it,
and where users can go for more information. Then use the custom menus feature to attach scripts
to menu commands that open the About and Help layouts.
Note The FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced Help system is not available in runtime
applications. However, status bar Help (Windows) and Help tags (OS X) are available.

Creating an About layout
For runtime database solutions, the FileMaker Pro Advanced license specifies that you must create
an About layout that provides information for your users on how to contact you for technical support.
FileMaker uses the About layout to distinguish databases created by developers using
FileMaker Pro Advanced rather than users of FileMaker Pro.

To create an About layout:
1. In Layout mode, click New Layout/Report in the status toolbar.
2. For Layout Name, type About .

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Important For runtime database solutions, you must include the word “About” in the layout
name. You must also include certain specific information in the layout. See Your
responsibilities as a developer (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
3. Select Blank Layout.
4. Click Finish.
5. Include in the layout your logo, other graphics, and your company information.
6. Include text that notifies users if the solution files are protected with passwords or if full
access privileges have been removed.
7. See Your responsibilities as a developer (FileMaker Pro Advanced) for the exact legal
wording.
8. Create a button that lets your users return to the main layout of the primary file.
9. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts and create a script that goes to the About layout.
10. Include the word About in the script’s name.
11. Create a menu command that displays the About layout. See Defining custom menus
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).

To display the About layout when the runtime application is started:
1. Open the primary file for the database solution.
2. Choose File menu > File Options.
3. In the Open tab of the File Options dialog box, select Switch to layout and choose the
About layout from the list.

Creating a custom Help layout
Create a Help layout that provides instructions for how to use your solution and add data to it. Then
create a script in the primary file of your solution to display the Help system. Use the custom menus
feature to make the script available as a command in the Help menu.
If you want to create a web page to document your solution, you can put a web viewer in your Help
layout that opens the web page.
See Creating and editing custom menu items (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Including printed documentation
You’ll need to provide instructions to your users on how to install your database solution. Here’s a
list of things you should document:
• minimum equipment and software requirements
• how to install your bundled solution
• how to install custom files
• how to use software you might have included for:
• installing your bundled solution
• decompressing your solution files
• how to upgrade to new solution files (see Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced))

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• how to use your Help system
• how to start the database solution (see Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro
Advanced))
• what to do in case of a damaged file (see Recovering runtime files (FileMaker Pro
Advanced))
• how to reach you for technical support
Important In the event that your runtime database solution files become damaged, make
sure users have access to your technical support email address or telephone number in
your printed documentation or in a text file. If a database file is damaged, they may not be
able to access the About layout in your solution to find out how to contact you.
You might also want to include the following recommendations:
• Tell your users not to rename any solution files (except the runtime application), or they may
be unable to run your solution.
• Recommend that users back up their data regularly. You might want to automate some of
the process by including scripts that save copies of the solution files. For more information,
see Maintaining and recovering FileMaker Pro databases.

Related topics
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Preparing files for a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
With FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can bind FileMaker database files into runtime solutions, which
are solutions that do not require FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced in order to be used on a
computer. You can also create runtime solutions in Kiosk mode.
Before you begin to build your database solution, you need to decide how users will interact with it.
Your database solution might have any of the following components:
• a primary database file that connects all of the auxiliary files
• scripts and buttons to open auxiliary files, return to the primary file, display a splash screen
layout at startup, or quit a runtime application
• common elements and a consistent appearance for cross-platform solutions
• tooltips and custom menus
• an About layout to introduce your solution
• a custom Help system that provides usage tips for your solution
• multiple privilege sets that can specify levels of access to layouts, menus, specific tables,
record, fields, and so on
• password-protected accounts assigned to privilege sets that determine the level of access
of account users
Note FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced now allow you to include as many database
tables as you need in a database file. This capability eliminates one of the main reasons for using
multiple files. However, other elements, like scripts and access privileges, are stored at the file level
and so some complex solutions will still benefit from using multiple files.

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FileMaker Pro Advanced features are stripped from runtime applications. None of the commands on
the File menu > Manage submenu are available in the runtime application. Runtime applications
cannot be shared over a network and do not include the ability to Save/Send Records as Adobe
PDF files. ODBC import, the Execute SQL script step, and using ODBC data sources in the
relationships graph are not supported in runtime application. For a feature comparison of the
runtime application with FileMaker Pro, see the FILEMAKER PRO ADVANCED FEATURES GUIDE at http:/
/www.filemaker.com/documentation.
A runtime database can, however, be opened in either FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced.
The full functionality of these applications will be enabled, except if full access privileges have been
removed. See Removing Admin access to databases (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
You may need to bind your database files several times before you prepare them for delivery to your
users. When you have completed development and the final version is bound and ready to
distribute, you should thoroughly test your runtime solution to ensure that it behaves as expected.
See Preparing files for a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Notes
• If you’re creating a solution that will have versions for Windows and OS X, test the different
versions of the solution on their respective platforms. For more information, see
Troubleshooting layouts designed for both Windows and OS X.
• If you have used multiple files instead of multiple tables in a single file, all files for your
solution should be in the same folder before being bound into a runtime solution. If it is not
practical to keep all files in one folder, be sure to include a data source reference to each file
that is just the filename.
• Make sure to specify every file that’s related to the database solution, so that if you modify
filenames all data sources will be updated.
• If you have used multiple database files, decide which file will be the primary file that users
open first. The primary file stores the custom settings. Use this file for navigation buttons or
scripts to other auxiliary files, an About layout, a custom Help layout or file, and to quit the
application. See Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
• Create scripts and buttons for users to navigate from the primary file to auxiliary files and
layouts in the solution. See Using scripts and buttons to control Kiosk solutions (FileMaker
Pro Advanced).
• If you distribute databases as runtime solutions that require specific plug-in versions, place
plug-ins in the runtime folder created when you bind the solutions.
• Charts are not supported in runtime solutions.
• Create documentation about your database solution. See Documenting developer solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
• Although the Developer Utilities use a copy of a file instead of the original, it’s always a good
idea to make a backup copy of your original files before beginning.

Related topics
Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Preparing files for a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Before you bind files into a runtime application, decide if you want to:
• Let users open auxiliary files: In the runtime application, there are no menu options to open
files. If you want users to open auxiliary files, you must provide a button or script in your

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solution to perform this operation. In each auxiliary file you can also place a button or
startup script that returns users to the primary file.
• Let users modify the database: Unless your runtime database solution files are passwordprotected, users can open and modify the files in FileMaker Pro or
FileMaker Pro Advanced. You can also make your files permanently unmodifiable. See
Removing Admin access to databases (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
• Create a cross-platform runtime database solution:
If your solution will be used in Windows, bind it using the Developer Utilities for Windows.
If your solution will be used on OS X, bind it using the Developer Utilities for OS X.
See Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
If you’re creating a solution to be used on both Windows and OS X, create two separate runtime
solutions by binding the original solution files twice: once using FileMaker Developer Utilities for
Windows, and again using FileMaker Developer Utilities for Mac. Use the same binding key on
both platforms.
• Provide updates for your users: You can make it easier for users to update your runtime
database solution files by providing scripts in your primary file to export their data and import
it into the updated solution.
See Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
• Let users print reports or other information from your runtime database solution:
It’s a good idea to set document margins if your runtime database solution will be printed from a
variety of printers.
For more information, see Specifying page margins.
• Let users perform spell checking on records: You can change the main spelling dictionary
language for your database solution by choosing one from the dictionaries supplied with
FileMaker Pro Advanced. Your users can add or modify a user-defined dictionary to the
runtime application.
For more information, see Creating and selecting spelling dictionaries.

Verifying FileMaker data sources
In addition, if you have been preparing multiple files in separate folders, you need to verify FileMaker
data source references. A data source stores the file path or paths that the runtime application
searches to access an external table, script, or value list.
During the development of a database with multiple files, you may want to have some of the files in
separate folders. During the creation of a runtime database solution, however, all files are moved
into the same folder as the runtime application.
For this reason, include a path that is just the filename of the file being referenced. Although the
runtime application will check other data sources, it will then be able to find the file in the same folder
in which it resides. You can still keep any absolute or relative paths in the same data source in case
the files are also used in FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced.
The Manage External Data Sources dialog box lists the data sources in the current database. Be
sure that for each FileMaker data source, there is a reference in the File Path that is to the filename
only, without any folders. The data source will look like this: file:MyFile.fmp12. See
Connecting to data sources for more information.
Tip You may want to put multiple tables in one file to avoid problems with FileMaker data source
references.

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Related topics
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Distributing runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Recovering runtime files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Use the Developer Utilities to produce a stand-alone runtime database solution that users can
access without running FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced. The Developer Utilities create a
copy of your files, and bind the database file or files to a runtime application with a name that you
specify.

To bind database files into a runtime database solution:
1. Close all database files that you are going to customize.
2. Choose Tools menu > Developer Utilities.
3. If you have used the Developer Utilities on the same database before and saved your
settings, click Load Settings.
4. Click Add to locate the files that you want to customize.
5. If you add multiple files, double-click a file in the list to specify the primary file.
6. Select Developer Utilities settings as required. See Setting up files for developer solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
7. For Solution Options, click Specify.
8. In the Specify Solution Options dialog box, select Create Runtime solution application(s).
9. For Runtime Name, type a name for your runtime application.
The runtime name is used for the runtime application filename and for the name of the folder
that contains the runtime database solution files.
10. For Extension, type a one- to five-character filename extension or use the default
extension .fmpur.
The extension is used to associate the solution files with the runtime applications. See Naming
runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
11. For Bindkey, type a key between 1 and 24 characters long.
Important The binding keys are case-sensitive.
The binding key links the runtime application to the database files and ensures that the bound
files will only open in the appropriate runtime application.
Important Binding installs system files pertaining to each platform. See Preparing files for a
runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced) for more information.
12. To add a company logo or other custom image to the closing splash screen, click Specify,
select the closing image, and click Select.
The image should be at least 382 x 175 pixels (72 dpi) or higher, otherwise it will be distorted
when displayed. The supported image formats are JPEG and GIF.

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13. For Delay, set the number of seconds that you want the splash screen to display.
You can preview the effect that your custom splash screen will have by clicking Preview.
14. Select other options as required. See Specifying options for developer solutions (FileMaker
Pro Advanced).
15. Click OK.
16. To be able to quickly repeat the process, click Save Settings, and choose a folder and
location for your settings file. See Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
17. Click Create.

Notes
• Setting the binding key:
• If you need to add auxiliary files later to the existing runtime database solution, rebind
the files using the same key.
• Use a binding key you’ll remember and record it in a safe place. (You can do this by
saving the Developer Utilities settings file. See Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro
Advanced)) If you forget your binding key and want to change a runtime database
solution, you’ll need to rebind all of the database files using a new binding key and then
redistribute the entire solution, including a new runtime application.
• You can open a bound runtime file in FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced to make
modifications to it. However, if you selected the Remove admin access from files
permanently option when you bound the files, then you can’t regain access to some
features. See Removing Admin access to databases (FileMaker Pro Advanced). In this
case, you’ll have to open the original database files in order to make design changes in
FileMaker Pro Advanced and then rebind them using the binding key that you assigned to
that runtime database solution.

Related topics
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Distributing runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Recovering runtime files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
The filename extension associates all of the runtime solution files with the runtime application. If a
user has more than one runtime database solution on a machine, the filename extension together
with the binding key will ensure that the correct runtime application is started when a solution file is
double-clicked. Use an extension that is unique to your users’ computer systems.
Consider the following points when naming runtime solutions:
• The runtime name that you specify in the Developer Utilities is used for the name of the
runtime application and can also be used for the name of the new solution folder that
contains the bound runtime database solution files.
• Filenames can include up to 31 characters. When choosing filenames for runtime database
solutions, consider the platforms on which your runtime solution will be used so your scripts
and lookups will work properly.
• Use the default extension .fmpur or type a one- to five-character extension.

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• Windows filenames must not start with a space. For cross-platform compatibility, do not use
the following characters in filenames: quotation mark ("), slash (/), backslash (\), angle
brackets (<>), asterisk (*), questions mark (?), colon (:), vertical bar (|).
The Developer Utilities automatically update all files to use the extension that you specify and
append the extension to the filenames. FileMaker data source references used in relationships,
scripts, and external value lists are updated to interact with the new filenames.

Assigning the extension for Windows solutions
The extension registers your runtime application with the Windows operating system. The extension
is used by Windows to determine which application starts when you double-click a solution file. The
Developer Utilities append the extension to all database filenames in the runtime database solution
during the binding process.

Assigning the extension for OS X solutions
In OS X, the first three characters of the extension are used in the creator code for the runtime
application. The creator code is still used by some older technologies in OS X and should be unique
to ensure that OS X can determine the difference between different runtime applications. The
creator code is only stored in the runtime application.
Because creator codes are four characters, the Developer Utilities constructs the code by using the
first three characters of the extension and inserting an uppercase "F" after the first character. For
example, the default five-character extension "fmpur" becomes the "fFmp" creator code. Creator
codes are case-sensitive.
Note Creator codes should be registered with Apple Inc. to verify that the creator code you choose
is unique. You may use the .fmpur five-character extension because FileMaker has registered the
fFmp creator code with Apple Inc. Contact Apple Developer Support or visit their website at http://
developer.apple.com to register any other creator codes.

Conflicts with non-unique filename extensions in Windows
If the extension is not unique, it might cause registry conflicts in Windows. For example, if you use
the .fmp12 extension for your runtime database solution and your users have FileMaker Pro
installed on their hard disks, all of their FileMaker Pro document icons will change to the runtime
icons. Additionally, FileMaker Pro documents will no longer automatically open the FileMaker Pro
application.
To restore the document icons to the original FileMaker Pro document icon:
1. Discard the runtime application.
2. Open a document in the FileMaker Pro application, then close it and exit the application.
3. Restart your computer.

Related topics
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Preparing files for a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Distributing runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Recovering runtime files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

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Distributing runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
The final steps in developing your runtime database solution are to bundle all of the necessary files
together, choose how you will distribute your solution—for example, on a CD-ROM or over a
network—and provide your users with documentation for installing your solution. In addition, your
documentation should include instructions for starting the runtime application and what to do if a file
is damaged.
Consider the following before you distribute your solution:
• Organize your solution components.
Important Do not rename the files and folders that Developer Utilities generates.
• Choose a distribution method.
• Choose to use either a custom installation program or a compression utility program.
• For software distributions such as internet or network downloads, ensure you have a
master password to enable or change network access to the files.
• For software distributions, consider reducing the size of your solution files. Deleting
dictionaries and language resource files for languages not supported by your database
will reduce the size of the application. See below.
Note Windows: The proper method for distributing Runtime solutions (including the executable)
is to use Installer software. This software must install components in the proper location in the
Windows filesystem and provide an uninstall capability. See the Microsoft web site for
information about the location of installed files as well as location restrictions.
• Include the same minimum equipment and software required by the
FileMaker Pro Advanced application. See the INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR FILEMAKER PRO AND
FILEMAKER PRO ADVANCED, available at http://www.filemaker.com/documentation.

To reduce the size of your solution in Windows:
1. Open the Extensions folder that is copied to the runtime solution folder.
2. Delete language resource folders for languages not supported by your solution.
Important Do not delete the language resource folder for English.
3. Open the Dictionaries folder.
4. Delete dictionaries for languages not supported by your solution.

To reduce the size of your solution in OS X:
1. Open the Extensions folder that is copied to the runtime solution folder.
2. Open the Dictionaries folder.
3. Delete dictionaries for languages not supported by your solution.
4. Control-click the runtime application package and choose Show Package Contents.
5. Locate the Resources folder in the Contents folder.
6. Delete language resource folders (*.lproj) for languages not supported by your solution.

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Related topics
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Preparing files for a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Recovering runtime files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro
Advanced)
If you have upgraded a customer’s runtime solution, you can include scripts in the new runtime
solution files that allow users to import records from the old runtime files. The old files must first be
converted to the new file format.
Note When creating your upgraded runtime solution, use a different extension than the one you
used for your old runtime solution.

To prepare your upgraded solution for importing data:
1. Create a folder named “Old Solution Files” inside the folder that contains the new runtime
solution database files.
2. Place copies of the old runtime solution database files in the Old Solution Files folder.
3. In each upgraded file, create a script to convert the old solution file and import records from
it to the new file.
The functionality of the script should include:
• Convert File []
• Import Records []
• Close File []
4. Add a button to activate the script.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each upgraded file.
6. Use the Developer Utilities to bind your upgraded solution files into the new runtime
database solution.
7. Test your buttons in the runtime application.
Use sample data to make sure the records import properly and data is imported to the correct
fields.
8. Distribute the new solution files that contain the buttons.
9. Provide instructions telling users how to import data into the new solution files.
Users can copy their old files into the Old Solution Files folder and use the buttons in the new
files to convert the old files and import records from them into the new solution files.

Related topics
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Preparing files for a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Distributing runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

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Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Recovering runtime files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
After a user has run the installation program for your runtime application, the files are installed on
the user’s hard drive. The solution’s three-character filename extension is registered with the
operating system (Windows) or in the system preferences (OS X). This registration allows the
operating system to locate and launch the runtime solution if the user double-clicks the primary or
auxiliary solution files. If a primary or auxiliary solution file is double-clicked before the runtime
application has registered the extension, the runtime application won’t be found.
Important Your users should start your solution by double-clicking the runtime application icon, not
the solution file icon. Double-clicking the icons for the solution or auxiliary files might result in errors,
depending on whether there are other copies of the runtime application on their hard disk. If your
users have more than one solution on their computers associated with the same three-character
extension and they double-click the icon for the solution file, the first solution installed will attempt to
open the file, and this might not be the correct application for the specific solutions file.

Icon

Description
Runtime application. Tell users to double-click this icon to start the
runtime application.

Solution file

Each time the runtime application is opened, it looks for the primary file that has been bound to it. If
the primary file can’t be found, the user is asked to locate the primary file.
Caution your users that they should not rename the primary or auxiliary solution files. If they do,
relationships and external scripts may not work properly.
Note When you make a change to your solution, make sure that your users can import their data
into your updated solution. Include a script attached to a button to make it easy for your users to
import their data into the new solution files.

Related topics
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Preparing files for a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Distributing runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Recovering runtime files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

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Recovering runtime files (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Power failures, hardware problems, or other factors can damage a FileMaker database file. If your
database solution becomes damaged, your users will need to recover the damaged file. When the
runtime application discovers a damaged file, a dialog box appears, telling the user to contact the
developer. Even if the dialog box does not appear, files can become corrupted and exhibit erratic
behavior.
Once you know which file is damaged, you can recover it using the Recover command, if you have
FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced installed. If your user only has the runtime application,
however, the Recover command does not appear in the File menu of the runtime application.

To recover a damaged file:
• On Windows machines, press Ctrl+Shift while double-clicking the runtime application icon.
Hold the keys down until you see the Open Damaged File dialog box.
• On Mac OS X machines, press Command-Option while double-clicking the runtime
application icon. Hold the keys down until you see the Open Damaged File dialog box.

What to expect during the recovery process
During the recovery process, the runtime application:
• creates a new file
• renames any damaged file by adding Old to the end of the filenames (for example, Contact
Manager is renamed to Contact Manager Old)
• gives the repaired file the original name
If users experience unusual behavior in the recovered files, they should revert to a backup copy that
was made before the file became corrupt, or contact you for technical assistance.

Documenting recovery for your customers
In your documentation, you should tell your users what to do after a file has been recovered. Tell
your users to:
1. Recover the damaged solution file using the method described above for the type of
computer they are using.
2. Open the recovered solution file in the runtime application.
3. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As.
4. In the dialog box, choose compacted copy (smaller) from the Save a (Windows) or Type
(OS X) list, name the file, and click Save.
Give the compacted file the same filename as the original file.
5. Make a copy of the original database and import the data from the recovered file into it.

Related topics
Checking file consistency
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Preparing files for a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Binding files into a runtime solution (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Naming runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Distributing runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

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Starting runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Kiosk mode is a way of displaying your database solution or your runtime database solution on a full
screen, without any toolbars or menus. As the name suggests, Kiosk mode can be used to present
your database to users as an information kiosk. You can design your database to run through a
touch screen.
Database files that open in FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced, or the runtime application can
be transformed into files that must open in Kiosk mode for all accounts with a specific privilege set.
When you create a solution to run in Kiosk mode, you need to provide navigation for your solution
and the ability for users to quit your solution.
The primary file is the main database that users see first in your Kiosk solution. Because Kiosk
mode does not contain any menus or window controls, the primary file must contain buttons that
users can click to navigate through the solution, close the files, and quit FileMaker Pro,
FileMaker Pro Advanced, or the runtime application.
To decide how users will navigate your Kiosk solution, start by planning your navigation design on
paper. Decide what will happen when each button is clicked, and give users a way to get back to the
beginning of your solution from each layout. To further control what users see, create startup scripts
that display a specific layout when a file is opened.
• If your Kiosk solution will be run with a touch screen, use large buttons and allow space
between buttons.
• Try to limit the number of options available on one screen.
• Because Preview mode disables buttons, make sure that any Enter Preview Mode script
step is followed by a Pause/Resume Script script step and specify an amount of time the
script should remain in Preview mode. Place an Enter Browse Mode script step after the
Pause/Resume Script script step.

Notes
• When a Kiosk solution is open, access to the operating system is limited. On Windows
machines, you can press Alt+Tab to go to another application from your Kiosk database
solution.
• If you have a previous Kiosk solution that displayed the status area, you will need to update
your solution. You cannot display the status toolbar or layout bar in a Kiosk solution. You will
need to add record navigation, script paused status, and script Cancel and Continue
buttons to your layouts.

Related topics
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Setting up files for developer solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Creating Kiosk solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
For your solution to display in Kiosk mode, you must:
• create an account with a limited privilege set or create a specific Kiosk account.
• clear the default option of logging into the file with the Admin account.
• enable Kiosk mode. At the same time that you enable Kiosk mode, you can bind the
database as a runtime solution.

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Note Kiosk mode is ignored if the solution is opened by accounts with the Full Access privilege set,
a privilege set that allows management of extended privileges, or a privilege set that allows
modification of layouts, value lists, and scripts.

To create a limited access Kiosk account:
1. With the database solution open, choose File menu > Manage > Security.
2. In the Manage Security dialog box, click New.
3. In the Edit Account dialog box, type an account name, click Active for the Account Status,
and select New Privilege Set from the Privilege Set list.
4. In the Edit Privilege Set dialog box, give the privilege set a name and description.
5. For Layouts, Value Lists, and Scripts, select either All view only or All no access.
6. Clear the Manage extended privileges checkbox.
7. Select other options as required.
8. Click OK.

To enable Kiosk mode:
1. Close all database files that you are going to customize.
2. Choose Tools menu > Developer Utilities.
3. If you have used the Developer Utilities on the same database solution before and saved
your settings, click Load Settings.
4. Click Add to locate the files that you want to customize.
5. If you add multiple files, double-click a file in the list to specify the primary file.
6. Select Developer Utilities settings as required. See Setting up files for developer solutions
(FileMaker Pro Advanced).
7. For Solution Options, click Specify.
8. In the Specify Solution Options dialog box, select Enable Kiosk mode for nonadmin accounts.
9. Select other options as required. See Specifying options for developer solutions (FileMaker
Pro Advanced).
10. Click OK.
11. You can quickly repeat this process by clicking Save Settings and choosing a folder and
location for your settings file. See Saving solution settings (FileMaker Pro Advanced).
12. Click Create.
If you did not bind the files to a runtime application, the Developer Utilities copy the selected
database files to the Project Folder. If you did bind the files to a runtime application, the
Developer Utilities copy all of the runtime files to a new folder created inside the Project Folder
and named after the runtime solution.

To change the default option of logging into the file with the Admin account:
1. With the database solution open, choose File menu > File Options.
2. In the Open tab, clear Log in using.
3. Click OK.

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Notes
• If there is no Quit or Exit button available in your Kiosk solution, users must force-quit the
application by pressing Alt+F4 (Windows). With OS X, users can exit a solution running in
Kiosk mode by pressing F9 or F11 to access another open application window. Force
quitting is not recommended because it can cause data corruption or damage open files.
• To ensure that users can access the primary file and quit the application cleanly:
• In each auxiliary file, provide a startup script that opens the primary file.
• In each auxiliary file, place a Main Menu button that runs the startup script to open the
primary file.
• In the primary file, include an Exit button.
• For information about creating buttons and scripts that emulate missing menu options and
window controls, see Using scripts and buttons to control Kiosk solutions (FileMaker Pro
Advanced).

Related topics
Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
About creating runtime solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Using scripts and buttons to control Kiosk solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Creating dynamic buttons (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Using scripts and buttons to control Kiosk solutions (FileMaker
Pro Advanced)
You can use scripts and buttons to automate much of your database solution, control startup
behavior, emulate menu commands and window controls, navigate, and much more. See Creating
scripts to automate tasks.
Tip Use the Script Debugger to test scripts. See Debugging scripts (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Centering database windows in Kiosk screens
If you maximize a layout that was designed for 640x480 on a screen that has a resolution larger
than 640x480, the layout will not be centered. It will display in the top left corner with empty space
surrounding it. For best results, don’t maximize kiosk windows. Use the Adjust Window[Resize to
Fit] and Move/Resize Window script steps instead to center windows based on the user’s screen
resolution. Use the Get functions to determine the resolution.
Important Before using the Adjust Window script step, perform any script steps that affect the
window display area (such as Go to Layout or Show/Hide Toolbars). Once the window area is
determined, add the Adjust Window script step.
The Adjust Window script step may cover up a window that has an Exit Application button. Be sure
that users can close the Kiosk database solution easily.

Emulating menu commands and window controls
Use the following script steps to emulate menu commands and window controls.

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To emulate these interface
elements

Create buttons with these script steps attached

Menu commands

Script steps for any menu command (for example, Sort
Records, Print, and Open Preferences)

Zoom controls

Adjust Window or Set Zoom Level

Status toolbar control

Show/Hide Toolbars

Mode pop-up menu

Enter Browse Mode, Enter Find Mode, or Enter Preview Mode

Vertical scroll bar

Scroll Window (if the layout is longer than one screen)

Horizontal scroll bar

Scroll Window (if the layout objects are wider than one screen)

Window size and location

Move/Resize Window

Related topics
Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Creating Kiosk solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Creating dynamic buttons (FileMaker Pro Advanced)

Creating dynamic buttons (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
By using scripts and calculations to evaluate the state of button fields, you can make dynamic
buttons that change each time they are clicked.
To create dynamic buttons:
• Define the dynamic button field.
• Create the dynamic button script.
• Connect the field and the script.
The following example shows how to create a button that changes every time it is clicked.

To define the dynamic button field:
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Database > Fields tab.
2. Create a field named Icons and choose Container type.
3. Click Options > Storage tab.
4. Select the Use global storage checkbox and type the number of button states for the
Maximum number of repetitions.
5. Click OK.
6. In Browse mode, select the Icons field and choose Insert menu > Picture to add graphics
to the Icons field.
Tip Ensure that all graphics are the same size.
7. Choose File menu > Manage > Database > Fields tab.
8. Create a field named Buttons and choose Container type.
9. Click Options > Auto-Enter tab.
10. For Calculated value, click Specify and enter the function
GetRepetition (Icons; 1).

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Tip To create a button that displays identically across all records, click the Storage tab and
select Use global storage. Otherwise, each record will display its own button state.
11. Click OK, then OK again.

To create the dynamic button script:
1. Choose Scripts menu > Manage Scripts and click New.
2. Name the script Toggle Buttons.
3. Add a Set Field script step.
4. Select Specify target field or click Specify.
5. Double-click Buttons.
6. For Calculated result, click Specify.
7. Write a Case function that evaluates each GetRepetition test expression for the icon
number and increments the number by 1, replacing the table name “icons” with the table in
which you created the Icons field.
Case (
icons::Buttons = GetRepetition (icons::Icons; 1); GetRepetition
(icons::Icons; 2);
icons::Buttons = GetRepetition (icons::Icons; 2); GetRepetition
(icons::Icons; 3);
icons::Buttons = GetRepetition (icons::Icons; 3); GetRepetition
(icons::Icons; 4);
icons::Buttons = GetRepetition (icons::Icons; 4); GetRepetition
(icons::Icons; 5);
GetRepetition (icons::Icons; 1)
)
8. Click OK and close the Edit Script and Manage Scripts dialog boxes.

To connect the field and the script:
1. In Layout mode, select the Buttons field.
2. Click Inspector

in the layout bar, then click Data.

3. In the Behavior area, clear Browse Mode and Find Mode.
4. Choose Format menu > Button Setup.
5. Select Perform Script and specify Toggle Buttons.
6. Click OK.
7. Switch to Browse mode and test your dynamic button.
For more information about using buttons with scripts, see Using buttons with scripts.

Related topics
Displaying databases in Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Creating Kiosk solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Using scripts and buttons to control Kiosk solutions (FileMaker Pro Advanced)
Creating scripts to automate tasks

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Working with formulas and functions

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Reference

Reference

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Setting preferences

Setting preferences
You can customize FileMaker Pro for the way you work by changing standard settings called
preferences. Preferences affect the behavior of the application and are not specific to any
document. Types of preferences you can set include:
• General
• Layout
• Memory
• Plug-In
• Font
To set preferences for individual documents, see Setting file options.

Setting general preferences
General application preferences affect the way you work with all FileMaker Pro documents.

To set general preferences:
1. Choose one of the following menu commands:
• Windows: Choose Edit menu > Preferences.
• OS X: Choose FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog box, click the General tab, and then set the options you want to
use.
To

Do this

Enable drag and drop capabilities to move text in
fields, between fields, and between layouts, as
well as between applications that support drag
and drop.

Select Allow drag and drop text selection.

Display the names of up to 30 recently opened
files when you choose File menu > Open Recent
or when you use the FileMaker Quick Start
Screen to open files.

Select Show recently opened files, and then
enter a number from 1 to 30.

Windows: Make text easier to read by increasing
the size of all layout objects in the work area.

Select Enlarge window contents to improve
readability.
Notes:
• In the lower-left corner of the window, an
asterisk appears next to the zoom
percentage when this option is selected.
• In Windows, font smoothing is turned off at
the 75% zoom level and higher when this
option is selected.

Display and use the Manage Database dialog
box to create a new database when you choose
File menu > New Database.

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Select Use Manage Database dialog to create
files.

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Setting preferences

To

Do this

Reset the size and position of all dialog boxes to
their defaults.

For Reset dialog sizes and positions, click
Reset.

Set the name that identifies the user.

Windows: Type a name for User name.

(This value is used, for example, when you
choose Insert menu > Current User Name.)

OS X: Select System in the User Name area or,
for User Name, select Other, and then type a
name in the text box.
Note In OS X, the System name is the name
entered in the Accounts System Preference.

Set the language that FileMaker Pro uses for
menus, dialog boxes, and messages.

• Windows: For User Interface Language,
choose a language.
• OS X: Use the Language & Text System
Preference. See OS X Help Center. (You
must log out of OS X and log back in to see
the new language.)
Notes:
• The new language does not take effect until
you restart FileMaker Pro. If some language
components are not installed, FileMaker Pro
may alert you to install a language pack. See
INSTALLATION AND NEW FEATURES GUIDE FOR
FILEMAKER PRO AND FILEMAKER PRO
ADVANCED.
• This setting does not change the system
formats used for displaying and sorting
dates, times, and numbers in a particular file.
For more information on system formats, see
Opening files with different system formats.

Windows: Set the style of font smoothing.

For Font smoothing style, choose a style.
Notes:
• If the fonts on your screen look fuzzy, you
may want to experiment with the different font
smoothing styles until you find one that looks
best with your monitor.
• In Windows, font smoothing is turned off at
the 100% zoom level and higher.
• In OS X, you can set font smoothing options
in the Appearance System Preference. See
OS X Help Center.

Have FileMaker Pro automatically check for
software updates once a week.

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Select Notify me when an update is available.
This preference setting does not automatically
install software updates for you. If you have an
internet connection, you can go to the update
web page and download the updater software. If
you choose not to update your software when
notified, you can do so later by choosing Help
menu > Check for Updates.

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Setting preferences

To

Do this

Have FileMaker automatically check for a new
version every 30 days.

Select Notify me when a new version is
available.
If you select Don’t tell me about new versions
again in the New Version Notification dialog box,
FileMaker does not check for new versions.

3. Click OK.

Related topics
Moving text and data with drag and drop
Creating a database
Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)
Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)
Formatting fields and text for vertical writing

Setting layout preferences
Layout preferences affect the way you work in Layout mode.

To set layout preferences:
1. Windows: Choose Edit menu > Preferences.
OS X: Choose FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog box, click the Layout tab, and then set the options you want to
use.
To

Do this

In Layout mode, keep the tool that you're using
active until you click another tool or press Enter

Select Always lock layout tools.

Add new fields you define to the bottom of the
current layout

Select Add newly defined fields to current
layout.

Save layout changes without being prompted when
exiting Layout mode

Select Save layout changes automatically
(do not ask).

3. Click OK.

Related topics
Selecting and working with objects on a layout
Adding fields to a layout

Setting memory preferences
FileMaker Pro automatically records your changes as you work. These changes are stored
temporarily in an area of your computer's (RAM) memory called the cache. You can specify the size
of the cache and how often FileMaker Pro saves changes from the cache to the hard disk.
1. Windows: Choose Edit menu > Preferences.
OS X: Choose FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences.

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Setting preferences

2. In the Preferences dialog box, click the Memory tab, and then set the options you want to
use.
To

Do this

Improve application performance

For Attempt to set cache size to  MB,
enter a higher value.
Changes take effect after you quit
FileMaker Pro and start it again.

Save changes to disk when no one is working with the
database file or the cache is full

For Save cache contents, click during
idle time.

Save changes to your database file to disk at a
specified interval (every 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30
minutes, or hour) or when the cache is full

For Save cache contents, click every
 (or as necessary) and
choose a time interval from the list.
Tip Saving less often on battery-powered
portable computers conserves power.
Saving more often reduces the chance of
data loss in a system crash.

3. Click OK.
Tip You can force FileMaker Pro to save changes to disk by running a script that contains the Flush
Cache to Disk script step.

Related topics
Saving and copying files
Quitting FileMaker Pro

Setting plug-in preferences
You can use plug-in preferences to enable and configure plug-ins. Plug-ins provide optional extra
features to FileMaker Pro. Plug-ins may be available from FileMaker, third-party software
companies, or from a development or information systems group within your organization.
Note If you are a database developer, you can write custom plug-ins. Knowledge of C or C++
programming is required. See Working with plug-ins.

To set plug-in preferences:
1. Do one of the following:
• Windows: Choose Edit menu > Preferences.
• OS X: Choose FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog box, click the Plug-Ins tab.
Installed plug-ins appear in the Enabled Plug-Ins list. Enabled plug-ins have a check mark
beside them.
3. Click a plug-in name to see a description of it.
4. If the plug-in is not enabled, select the checkbox next to the plug-in's name.
5. If the plug-in can be configured, click Configure.
For more information on configuring the plug-in, see the documentation that came with the plugin.

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6. To allow FileMaker Pro to install plug-in files and updates automatically, select Allow
Solutions to Install Files.
7. Click OK.

Setting font preferences
Use font preferences to set the default font for a particular input type as well as other font options.
Input types are scripts that categorize languages according to their writing systems. For example,
the Western/Roman input type is used for English, French, Italian, and other languages. Chinese
has two main input types: Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.

To set font preferences:
1. Open the Preferences dialog box by doing one of the following:
• Windows: Choose Edit menu > Preferences.
• OS X: Choose FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences.
2. Click the Fonts tab, and then set the options you want to use.
To

Do this

Define a default font for an input
type.

Select an input type from the list, then choose a font from the
Specify font pop-up menu.

Switch to an input method that
matches the font’s input type when
entering each field.

Select Synchronize input method with font on field entry.

Apply font changes only to
characters that exist in the new
font. (When a character does not
exist in the new font, its font is not
changed, and it continues to
display properly.)

Select Use Font Locking.

Note You can also set the input method for individual fields in
layouts. For more information, see Setting the text input method
for fields.
Note Selecting Use Font Locking is only necessary if you use
fields that contain multiple input types, such as Roman and
Japanese text within the same field. If you’re not mixing input
types in fields, then leave this option cleared. Data entry and
editing is a little faster when font locking is turned off.

3. Click OK.

Customizing the font menu (Windows)
You can configure the Font menu to include only the fonts you want and to display all fonts in their
typeface.

To configure the Font menu in Windows:
1. If you are in Browse mode, click in any field that displays text (any field except a container
field).
2. Choose Format menu > Font > Configure/More Fonts.
3. Set the options you want to use:

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Setting preferences

To

Do this

Remove a font from the Font
menu

Double-click the font under Appear in Menu list. Or, click once to
select the font, then click Clear.

Remove more than one font
at a time

Under Appear in Menu, Shift-click (for fonts next to each other in the
list) or Ctrl-click (for fonts that aren't next to each other) the fonts you
want to remove. Click Clear.

Remove all fonts from the
Font menu

Click Clear All.

Add a font to the Font menu

For Available Fonts, double-click the font you want to add. Or, click
once to select the font, then click Move.

Add more than one font at a
time

In the Available Fonts list, Shift-click (for fonts next to each other in
the list) or Ctrl-click (for fonts that aren't next to each other) the fonts
you want to add. Click Move.

Add all available fonts to the
Font menu

Click Move All.

Display fonts in their
typefaces

Select Show Fonts in Typeface.

Apply a font to selected text

In the Available Fonts or Appear in Menu list, select a font, then
click Apply. (This action closes the dialog box.)

4. Click OK.

Related topics
About text fields
Defining global fields (fields with global storage)

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)
You can use keyboard shortcuts to perform many operations in FileMaker Pro, including finding
records, sorting records, printing records, and performing scripts. You can work with FileMaker Pro
in four different modes: Browse, Find, Layout, and Preview. You can use keyboard shortcuts to
invoke actions within modes and format and edit text.
Note You can create your own keyboard equivalents if you use custom menus.

General keyboard shortcuts (Windows)
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to navigate, cancel an operation, and display information in
your database file.
To

Press

Cancel an operation or dialog box

Esc

Click a selected button or popover button
on a layout with the keyboard

Space bar

Close a dialog box

Esc

Close certain dialog boxes without
confirmation and discard changes

Shift-Esc

Close a file or window

Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4

Close all files or windows

Ctrl+Alt+W

Exit or quit FileMaker Pro

Alt+F4 or Ctrl+Q

Open FileMaker Pro Help

F1

Open a file

Ctrl+O

Use a specified account name and
password to open a file

Shift key while opening the file

Open a remote file

Ctrl+Shift+O

Open the Manage Database dialog box

Ctrl+Shift+D

Open the Find/Replace dialog box

Ctrl+Shift+F

Open the Manage Layouts dialog box

Ctrl+Shift+L

Open the Field Picker dialog box

Ctrl+K

Add a new field in the Field Picker dialog
box

Ctrl+Enter

Open the Layout pop-up menu

F2

Print

Ctrl+P

Print without the Print dialog box

Ctrl+Alt+P

Reorder items in a list box, such as Script
steps, Fields, Parts

Ctrl+Up Arrow or Ctrl+Down Arrow

Save

(By default, FileMaker Pro saves
your record data automatically.)

Sort

Ctrl+S

Undo the last command

Ctrl+Z

Open the Manage Scripts dialog box

Ctrl+Shift+S

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

To

Press

Save a script

Ctrl+S

Perform one of the first ten scripts listed in
the Scripts menu

Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+0

Create a new record, request, or layout

Ctrl+N

Delete a record, request, or layout

Ctrl+E

Delete a record without confirmation

Ctrl+Shift+E

Duplicate a record, request, or layout
object

Ctrl+D

Save a layout

Ctrl+S

Navigation keyboard shortcuts
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to move through fields, records, find requests, and layouts.
Note Your database designer might have changed the keyboard shortcuts for moving though fields.
For more information, consult your database designer or see Setting the keys for exiting a field.
To move to

Press

Next object (field, button, or tab)

Tab

Previous object (field, button, or tab)

Shift+Tab

Next record, request, layout, or page

Ctrl+Down Arrow or Shift+PgDn

Previous record, request, layout, or
page

Ctrl+Up Arrow or Shift+PgUp

Next tab (When a tab is selected)

Right Arrow

Previous tab (When a tab is selected)

Left Arrow

Window display keyboard shortcuts
You can use these shortcuts in all database modes to scroll through your document and arrange
windows on your screen.
To

Press

Cascade document windows

Shift+F5

Close a window

Ctrl+Shift+F4

Cycle through document windows

Ctrl+Tab

Note Does not apply to “scripting” windows
Cycle to the previous document window

Ctrl+F6

Cycle to the next document window

Ctrl+Shift+F6

Resize window; full screen or previous size

Ctrl+Alt+Z

Scroll the document down

PgDn

Scroll the document up

PgUp

Scroll the document to the left

Ctrl+PgUp

Scroll the document to the right

Ctrl+PgDn

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

To

Press

Show/hide the status toolbar

Ctrl+Alt+S

Tile (arrange) document windows horizontally

Shift+F4

Zoom document larger

F3

Zoom document smaller

Shift+F3

Paste, select, and replace values keyboard shortcuts
You can use keyboard shortcuts to enter values into a field, replace values, select objects, and
move items in a list.
To insert

Press

The current date

Ctrl+ - (hyphen)

The current time

Ctrl+;

The current time and date in a timestamp field Ctrl+;
The current user name

Ctrl+Shift+N

Information from the index

Ctrl+I

Information from the last visited record

Ctrl+' (apostrophe)

Information from the last record and move to
the next field

Ctrl+Shift+' (apostrophe)

Merge fields

Ctrl+M

To paste

Press

Text from the Clipboard

Ctrl+V

Text without styles

Ctrl+Shift+V

To

Press

Replace a field's value

Ctrl+ =

Select all fields

Ctrl+A

Select multiple objects

Shift-click each object, or
drag the arrow pointer to
make a box that includes
the objects
Note To select only the
objects enclosed within the
selection box, press Ctrl
while dragging.

Select objects of the same type when an
object is selected

Ctrl+Shift+A

Select items in a list

Up Arrow, Down Arrow

Move a selected item in a list

Ctrl+Up Arrow, Ctrl+Down
Arrow

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

Mode keyboard shortcuts (Windows)
You can use keyboard shortcuts to change modes, navigate among records and fields, enter values
in records and fields, and format and edit text.
To switch to

Press

Browse mode

Ctrl+B

Find mode

Ctrl+F

Layout mode

Ctrl+L

Preview mode

Ctrl+U

Browse mode keyboard shortcuts
You can use keyboard shortcuts in Browse mode to create, delete, duplicate, omit, sort, and print
records.
To

Press

Create a record

Ctrl+N

Duplicate a record

Ctrl+D

Delete a record

Ctrl+E

Delete a record without confirmation

Ctrl+Shift+E

Modify last find

Ctrl+R

Show all records

Ctrl+J

Sort records

Ctrl+S

Go to the next record

Ctrl+Down Arrow or Shift+PgDn

Go to the previous record

Ctrl+Up Arrow or Shift+PgUp

Move to a specific record

Esc (to activate the book icon), type the record
number, then press Enter

Omit a record

Ctrl+T

Omit multiple records

Ctrl+Shift+T

Open the Layout pop-up menu and switch layouts

F2

Open or close a drop-down list or calendar for an active
field

Esc

Print records

Ctrl+P

Print without Print dialog box

Ctrl+Alt+P

Refresh a window

Ctrl+Shift+R

Activate the quick find box

Ctrl+Alt+F

Find mode keyboard shortcuts
You can use keyboard shortcuts in Find mode to create and duplicate find requests.
To

Press

Create a find request

Ctrl+N

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

To

Press

Delete a find request

Ctrl+E

Duplicate a find request

Ctrl+D

Show all records

Ctrl+J

Perform a find

Enter (disabled when a script is paused)

Insert from index

Ctrl+I

Move to next find request

Ctrl+Down Arrow or Shift+PgDn

Move to previous find request

Ctrl+Up Arrow or Shift+PgUp

Move to a specific find request

Esc (to activate the book icon), type the
request number, then press Enter

Layout mode keyboard shortcuts
In Layout mode, you can use keyboard shortcuts to arrange and align objects, format fields, control
layout tools, and create layouts.

Layout creation and navigation
To

Press

Create a new layout

Ctrl+N

Go to the next layout

Ctrl+Down Arrow or Shift+PgDn

Go to the previous layout

Ctrl+Up Arrow or Shift+PgUp

Move to a specific layout

Esc (to activate the book icon), type the
layout number, then press Enter

Object selection and modification keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Select an object

Tab or Shift+Tab repeatedly until the desired object is selected.

Select multiple objects

Shift as you click each object individually.
Note You can also drag the arrow pointer to make a selection box
that includes the objects. The selection box does not have to
completely surround the objects. (To select only the objects enclosed
within the selection box, press Ctrl while dragging.)

Resize a selected object when
the Inspector is open (click
Inspector
bar)

in the formatting

Ctrl+1 to move to the Position tab of the Inspector. Then Tab to the
desired sizing action and enter the size value you want. Press Enter
on the numeric keypad to return to the Layout window.

Resize selected objects, keeping
their proportions

Shift as you drag a handle.

Resize selected objects, keeping
the difference in their lengths or
widths the same.

Ctrl+Shift as you drag a handle.

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The opposite edges of the objects remain fixed in the same position
as you resize the objects.

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

To

Press

Copy the style of a selected
object

Ctrl+Alt+C

Paste the style of another object

Ctrl+Alt+V

Object alignment keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Align left edges

Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow

Align right edges

Ctrl+Alt+Right Arrow

Align top edges

Ctrl+Alt+Up Arrow

Align bottom edges

Ctrl+Alt+Down Arrow

Show or hide rulers

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R

Show or hide the object grid

Ctrl+Alt+Y

Turn off the snap-to effect for grid, guides, or dynamic
guides while resizing an object

Alt and drag the object's handle

Turn off the snap-to effect for grid, guides, or dynamic
guides while dragging an object

Alt and drag the object

Toggle snapping objects to the grid

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Y

Show or hide guides when creating or editing objects

Ctrl+Alt+;

Toggle snapping objects to guides

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+;

Toggle dynamic guides when creating or editing objects

Ctrl+Alt+’

Object arrangement keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Bring the selected object forward

Ctrl+Shift+[

Bring the selected object to the front

Ctrl+Alt+[

Change part labels from horizontal to vertical or vertical to
horizontal

Ctrl and click the label

Drag the selected layout part past an object

Alt and drag the part

Duplicate the selected object

Ctrl+D

Duplicate an object by dragging it

Ctrl and drag the object

Group objects

Ctrl+R

Lock an object

Ctrl+Alt+L

Move the selected object one point at a time

Arrow keys

Reorder the selected part

Shift and drag the part

Rotate an object

Ctrl+Alt+R

Send the selected object backward

Ctrl+Shift+]

Send the selected object to the back

Ctrl+Alt+]

Ungroup objects

Ctrl+Shift+R

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

To

Press

Unlock an object

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+L

Inspector keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Show or hide the Inspector

Ctrl+I

Display the Position tab of the Inspector

Ctrl+1

Display the Appearance tab of the Inspector

Ctrl+2

Display the Data tab of the Inspector

Ctrl+3

Layout tools keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Toggle the current tool with the Selection tool

Enter (numeric keypad, or Ctrl+Enter for
computers with no numeric keypad)

Draw a horizontal or vertical line with the Line tool

Shift while drawing the line

Draw a line to a 45-degree increment with the Line tool

Ctrl while drawing the line

Move an object only horizontally or only vertically

Shift while moving the object

Draw a circle with the Oval tool

Ctrl while drawing the circle

Draw a square with the Rectangle tool

Ctrl while drawing the square

Constrain resizing an object to a square or circle

Ctrl and then resize the object

Text keyboard shortcuts (Windows)
Use text keyboard shortcuts to edit and format text in fields and text on a layout.

Text deletion keyboard shortcuts
You can use these shortcuts in Browse, Layout, and Find modes.
To delete

Press

Next character

Delete

Next word

Ctrl+Delete or Ctrl+Backspace

Previous character

Backspace

Text editing keyboard shortcuts
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to edit field and layout text and to work with find requests.
To

Press

Clear selected text

Delete

Copy selected text

Ctrl+Ins or Ctrl+C

Copy all text in a record

Ctrl+C with no objects selected

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

To

Press

Copy all records in the found set to the
Clipboard in text form

Ctrl+Shift+C
with no objects selected

Cut selected text

Shift+Delete or Ctrl+X

Paste

Ctrl+V

Paste text only

Ctrl+Shift+V

Undo

Alt+Backspace or Ctrl+Z

Redo

Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z

Exit text edit mode

Enter (numeric keypad)

Find/replace data

Ctrl+Shift+F

Find the next occurrence of the specified
data

Ctrl+G

Reverse the current direction of a Find
Again operation

Ctrl+Shift+G

Replace the Find what data with the
Replace with data, then search for and
select the next occurrence

Alt+Ctrl+G

Reverse the current direction of a
Replace & Find Again operation

Shift+Alt+Ctrl+G

Find the next occurrence of the selected
data in the database

Alt+Ctrl+H

Reverse the current direction of a Find
Selected operation

Shift+Alt+Ctrl+H

Insert a non-breaking space

Ctrl+Space bar

Insert a tab in a field

Ctrl+Tab

Open the Spelling dialog box when
alerted of a misspelled word

Ctrl+Shift+Y

Note If the current Find/Replace direction is Forward or All, the reverse keyboard shortcut
switches the direction to Backward. If the current Find/Replace direction is Backward, the reverse
keyboard shortcut switches the direction to Forward.

Text formatting keyboard shortcuts
Use these shortcuts to format text in fields, field labels, and text objects in Browse and Layout
modes.

Text alignment keyboard shortcuts
To align selected text Press
Center

Ctrl+ \

Left

Ctrl+ [

Right

Ctrl+]

Justified

Ctrl+Shift+ \

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

Text style keyboard shortcuts
To style selected text Press
Bold

Ctrl+Shift+B

Italic

Ctrl+Shift+I

Plain

Ctrl+Shift+P

Underline

Ctrl+Shift+U

Text size keyboard shortcuts
To change the point size of selected text Press
The next point size up on the Format menu Ctrl+Shift+>
The next point size down on the menu

Ctrl+Shift+<

Up one point

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+>

Down one point

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+<

Text navigation keyboard shortcuts
You can use these keyboard shortcuts in Browse, Layout, and Find modes to move the insertion
point to different areas of a text field or label.
To move the insertion
point to the

Press

Beginning of the text

Ctrl+Home

End of the text

Ctrl+End

Beginning of the line

Home

End of the line

End

Beginning of the previous word

Ctrl+Left Arrow

End of the next word

Ctrl+Right Arrow

Previous character

Left Arrow

Next character

Right Arrow

Previous line

Up Arrow

Next line

Down Arrow

Text selection keyboard shortcuts
You can use these shortcuts in Browse, Layout, and Find modes to extend the selection in a field.
To extend selection to the

Press

Beginning of line

Shift+Home

Beginning of previous word

Ctrl+Shift+Left Arrow

Beginning of text

Ctrl+Shift+Home

End of line

Shift+End

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

To extend selection to the

Press

End of next word

Ctrl+Shift+Right Arrow

End of text

Ctrl+Shift+End

Next character

Shift+Right Arrow

Next line

Shift+Down Arrow

Previous character

Shift+Left Arrow

Previous line

Shift+Up Arrow

Entire contents of the active
field

Ctrl+A

Manage database keyboard shortcuts (Windows)
Field type keyboard shortcuts
Use the following shortcuts to assign field types when working in the Fields tab of the Manage
Database dialog box.
To assign this field type

Press

Text

Ctrl+T

Number

Ctrl+N

Date

Ctrl+D

Time

Ctrl+I

Timestamp

Ctrl+M

Container

Ctrl+R

Calculation

Ctrl+L

Summary

Ctrl+S

Table and relationship selection and arrangement shortcuts
To

Press

Move the selection around the relationships
graph, individually selecting tables, notes, or
relationships

Up Arrow, Down Arrow, Left Arrow, Right Arrow

Move the selection incrementally between
objects

Shift+Up Arrow, Shift+Down Arrow, Shift+Left Arrow,
Shift+Right Arrow

Move the selection to an object that includes text
beginning with specific characters

Type the characters

Move the selected object

Ctrl+Up Arrow, Ctrl+Down Arrow, Ctrl+Left Arrow,
Ctrl+Right Arrow after selecting a table, or drag the
selected table

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Note If multiple objects share initial characters, you
can move the selection to the next occurrence by
pressing Ctrl+G or typing the characters again.

633

Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

To

Press

Resize the selected object

Ctrl+Shift+Up Arrow, Ctrl+Shift+Down Arrow,
Ctrl+Shift+Left Arrow, Ctrl+Shift+Right Arrow after
selecting a fully expanded table

Select multiple tables

Shift-click multiple tables or drag the selection pointer
through multiple tables
Note To select by dragging completely around
tables, press Ctrl while dragging.

Select all tables and notes

Ctrl+A
Note In Note mode, this command selects all notes.

Select all tables

Ctrl+Shift+A

Select all tables directly related to the currently
selected table

Ctrl+Y

Select tables with the same source table

Ctrl+U

Toggle the display state of selected tables or
notes

Ctrl+T

Relationships graph shortcuts
To

Press

Add a table

Ctrl+Shift+T

Edit a table

Ctrl+O when one table is selected

Delete a table

Delete when one or more tables are selected

Add a relationship

Ctrl+Shift+R

Edit a relationship

Ctrl+O when one relationship is selected

Delete a relationship

Delete when one or more relationships are selected

Add a text note

Ctrl+Shift+N

Duplicate a selection

Ctrl+D, or Ctrl while dragging

Change to Pointer mode

Ctrl+R

Change to Zoom In mode

Ctrl+ = (equals)
Note Shift-click temporarily changes to Zoom Out
mode.

Change to Zoom Out mode

Ctrl+ - (hyphen)
Note Shift-click temporarily changes to Zoom In
mode.

Change to Note mode

Ctrl+N

Change the display percentage of the
relationships graph

Type a percentage value, then Enter

Move the selection from the relationships graph
to the command buttons and proceed from left to
right

Tab

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Keyboard shortcuts (Windows)

To

Press

Move the selection through the command
buttons from right to left and to the relationships
graph from the Add Table command

Shift+Tab

Snap to fit

Ctrl+I

Turn page guides on and off

Ctrl+E

Display print setup options

Ctrl+Shift+P

Select a different button

Tab, Left Arrow, Right Arrow

Issue a selected command button

Space bar

Issue a command in a selected button’s menu

Enter or Space bar to display the menu, Up Arrow or
Down Arrow to make a selection in the menu, then
Enter to issue the command

Undo the last command

Ctrl+Z

Redo the last command

Ctrl+Shift+Z

FileMaker Pro Advanced keyboard shortcuts (Windows)
Script Debugger keyboard shortcuts
In FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts to perform Script
Debugger actions.
To execute the

Press

Step Over command

F5

Step Into command

F6

Step Out command

F7

Run to Breakpoint command

Alt+F8

Halt Script command

Ctrl+F8

Set Next Step command

Ctrl+Shift+F5

Set/Clear Breakpoint command
(toggle the breakpoint)

Ctrl+F9

Remove Breakpoints command

Ctrl+Shift+F9

Edit Script command

Ctrl+F10

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Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)
You can work with FileMaker Pro in four different modes: Browse, Find, Layout, and Preview. You
can use keyboard shortcuts to invoke actions within modes and format and edit text.
Note You can create your own keyboard equivalents if you use custom menus.

General keyboard shortcuts (OS X)
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to navigate, edit, cancel an operation, and display
information in your database file.
To

Press

Cancel an operation or dialog box

Esc

Cancel a running script

-. (period)

Click a selected button or popover
button on a layout with the keyboard

Space bar

Close dialog box

Esc

Close a file
Close all files

-W
Option-

Quit

-Q

Open FileMaker Pro Help

-/

Open a file

-O

Use a specified account name and
password to open a file

-W

Option key while opening the file

Open a remote file

-Shift-O

Open the Manage Database dialog box

-Shift-D

Open the Find/Replace dialog box

-Shift-F

Open the Manage Layouts dialog box

-Shift-L

Open the Field Picker dialog box

-K

Add a new field in the Field Picker dialog
box

-Return or

Open the Preferences dialog box

-,

Print

-P

Print without the Print dialog box

-Option-P

-Enter

Reorder items in a list box, such as
Script steps, Fields, Parts

Control-Up Arrow or Control-Down
Arrow

Save

(By default, FileMaker Pro saves
your record data automatically.)

Sort

-S

Undo the last command

-Z

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Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

To

Press

Open the Manage Scripts dialog box

-Shift-S

Save a script

-S

Perform one of the first ten scripts listed
in the Scripts menu

-1 through

Create a record, request, or layout

-N

Delete a record, request, or layout

-E

Delete a record without confirmation

-Option-E

Duplicate a record, request, or layout
object

-D

Save a layout

-S

-0

Navigation keyboard shortcuts
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to move through fields, records, find requests, and layouts.
Note Your database designer might have changed the keyboard shortcuts for moving though fields.
For more information, consult your database designer or see Setting the keys for exiting a field.
Tip The OS X Mission Control feature uses the Control-Down Arrow and Control-Up Arrow keys. To
use these keys to move through records in FileMaker Pro, you need to change the keyboard
shortcuts in Mission Control preferences.
To move to

Press

Next object (field, button, or tab)

Tab

Previous object (field, button, or tab)

Shift-Tab

Next record, request, layout, or page

Control-Down Arrow

Previous record, request, layout, or
page

Control-Up Arrow

Next tab (When a tab is selected)

Right Arrow

Previous tab (When a tab is selected)

Left Arrow

Window display keyboard shortcuts
You can use these keyboard shortcuts in all database modes to scroll through your document and
arrange windows on the screen.
To

Press

Close a window

-W

Resize the window; full screen or previous size

-Option-Z

Scroll the document down

Page Down

Scroll the document up

Page Up

Scroll to the beginning of the document

Home

Scroll to the end of the document

End

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Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

To

Press

Show or hide the status toolbar

-Option-S

Minimize the current window

-M

Hide the FileMaker Pro application

-H

Paste, select, and replace values keyboard shortcuts
You can use keyboard shortcuts to enter values into a field, replace values, and select objects, and
move items in a list.
To insert

Press

The current date

- - (hyphen)

The current time

-;

The current time and date in a
timestamp field

-;

The current user name

-Shift-N

Information from the index

-I

Information from the last visited
record

-' (apostrophe)

Information from the last record and
move to the next field

-Shift-' (apostrophe)

Merge fields

-Option-M

To paste

Press

Text from the Clipboard

-V

Text without styles

-Option-Shift-V

To

Press

Replace a field's value

-=

Select all fields

-A

Select multiple objects

Shift-click each object, or drag the
arrow pointer to make a box that
includes the objects
Note To select only the objects
enclosed within the selection box,
press

Select objects of the same type when
an object is selected
Select items in a list

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

while dragging.

-Option-A
Up Arrow, Down Arrow

638

Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

To

Press

Move a selected item in a list

Control-Up Arrow, Control-Down
Arrow

Mode keyboard shortcuts (OS X)
Use the following shortcuts to switch to another mode.
To switch to

Press

Browse mode

-B

Find mode

-F

Layout mode

-L

Preview mode

-U

Browse mode keyboard shortcuts
You can use keyboard shortcuts in Browse mode to create, delete, duplicate, omit, sort, and print
records.
To

Press

Create a record

-N

Duplicate a record

-D

Delete a record

-E

Delete a record without confirmation

-Option-E

Modify last find

-R

Show all records

-J

Sort records

-S

Go to the next record

Control-Down Arrow

Go to the previous record

Control-Up Arrow

Move to a specific record

Esc (to activate the book icon), type the record number,
then press Enter

Omit a record
Omit multiple records
Open or close a drop-down list or calendar
for an active field

-T
-Shift-T
Esc

Print records

-P

Print records without dialog box

-Option-P

Refresh a window

-Shift-R

Activate the quick find box

-Option-F

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Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

Find mode keyboard shortcuts
You can use keyboard shortcuts in Find mode to create and duplicate find requests.
To

Press

Select/deselect Omit button

-T

Create a find request

-N

Delete a find request

-E

Duplicate a find request

-D

Show all records

-J

Perform a find request

Enter (disabled when a script is paused)

Paste from the index

-I

Move to next find request

Control-Down Arrow

Move to previous find request

Control-Up Arrow

Move to a specific find request

Esc (to activate the book icon), type the request
number, then press Enter

Layout mode keyboard shortcuts
In Layout mode, you can use keyboard shortcuts to arrange and align objects, format fields, control
layout tools, and create layouts.

Layout creation and navigation
To

Press

Create a new layout

-N

Go to the next layout

Control-Down Arrow

Go to the previous layout

Control-Up Arrow

Move to a specific layout

Esc (to activate the book icon), type the
layout number, then press Enter

Object selection and modification keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Select an object on the
layout

Tab or Shift-Tab repeatedly until the desired object is selected.

Select multiple objects

Shift as you click each object individually.
Note You can also drag the arrow pointer to make a selection box that
includes the objects. The selection box does not have to completely
surround the objects. (To select only the objects enclosed within the
selection box, press

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

while dragging.)

640

Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

To

Press

Resize a selected object
when the Inspector is

-1 to move to the Position tab of the Inspector. Then Tab to the desired
sizing action and enter the size value you want. Press Enter on the numeric
keypad to return to the Layout window.

open (click Inspector
in the formatting bar)
Resize selected objects,
keeping their proportions

Shift as you drag a handle.

Resize multiple objects,
keeping the difference in
their lengths or widths the
same.

Option-Shift as you drag a handle.
The opposite edges of the objects remain fixed in the same position as you
resize the objects.

Copy the style of a
selected object

-Option-C

Paste the style of another
object

-Option-V

Object alignment keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Align left edges

-Option-Left Arrow

Align right edges

-Option-Right Arrow

Align top edges

-Option-Up Arrow

Align bottom edges

-Option-Down Arrow

Show or hide rulers

-Option-Shift-R

Show or hide the object grid

-Option-Y

Turn off the snap-to effect for grid, guides, or
dynamic guides while resizing an object

and drag the object's handle

Turn off the snap-to effect for grid, guides, or
dynamic guides while dragging an object

and drag the object

Toggle snapping objects to the grid

-Option-Shift-Y

Show or hide guides when creating or editing objects

-Option-;

Toggle snapping objects to guides

-Option-Shift-;

Toggle dynamic guides when creating or editing
objects

-Option-’

Object arrangement keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Bring the selected object forward

-Shift-[

Bring the selected object to the front

-Option-[

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Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

To

Press

Change part labels from horizontal to vertical or
vertical to horizontal
Drag the selected layout part past an object
Duplicate the selected object
Duplicate an object by dragging it

and click the label
Option and drag the part
-D
Option and drag the object

Group objects

-R

Lock an object

-Option-L

Move the selected object one point at a time

Arrow keys

Reorder the selected part

Shift and drag the part

Rotate an object

-Option-R

Send the selected object backward

-Shift-]

Send the object to the back

-Option-]

Ungroup objects

-Shift-R

Unlock an object

-Shift-Option-L

Inspector keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Show or hide the Inspector

-I

Display the Position tab of the Inspector

-1

Display the Appearance tab of the Inspector

-2

Display the Data tab of the Inspector

-3

Layout tools keyboard shortcuts
To

Press

Toggle the current tool with the Selection tool

Enter or Shift-Enter (numeric keypad)
Fn-Enter or Fn-Shift-Enter (for computers with no
numeric keypad)

Draw a horizontal or vertical line with the Line tool

Shift while drawing the line

Draw a line to a 45-degree increment with the Line
tool

Option while drawing the line

Move an object only horizontally or only vertically

Shift while moving the object

Draw a circle with the Oval tool

Option while drawing the circle

Draw a square with the Rectangle tool

Option while drawing the square

Constrain resizing an object to a square or circle

Option and then resize the object

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Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

Text keyboard shortcuts (OS X)
Use text keyboard shortcuts to edit and format text in fields and text on a layout.

Text deletion keyboard shortcuts
You can use these shortcuts in Browse, Layout, and Find modes.
Note The Forward Delete key is located under the Help key on most OS X extended keyboards.
To delete the

Press

Next character

Forward Delete

Next word

Option-Forward Delete

Previous character

Delete

Previous word

Option-Delete

Text from the insertion point to
the beginning of the line

-Delete

Text editing keyboard shortcuts
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to edit field and layout text and to work with find requests.
To

Press

Clear selected text

Delete

Copy selected text

-C

Copy all text in a record

-C with no objects selected

Copy all records in the found set to the
Clipboard in text form

-Option-C with no objects
selected

Cut selected text

-X

Paste

-V

Paste text only

-Shift-Option-V

Undo

-Z

Redo

-Y or

Exit text edit mode

-Shift-Z

Enter (numeric keypad)

Find/replace data

-Shift-F

Find the next occurrence of the specified data

-G

Reverse the current direction of a Find Again
operation

-Shift-G

Replace the Find what data with the Replace
with data, then search for and select the next
occurrence

-Option-G

Reverse the current direction of a Replace &
Find Again operation

-Shift-Option-G

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Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

To

Press

Find the next occurrence of the selected data
in the database

-Option-I

Reverse the current direction of a Find
Selected operation

-ShiftOption-I

Insert a non-breaking space

Option-Space bar

Insert a tab in a field or move the insertion
point to the next tab stop

Option-Tab

Open the Spelling dialog box when alerted of a
misspelled word

-Shift-Y

Note If the current Find/Replace direction is Forward or All, the reverse keyboard shortcut
switches the direction to Backward. If the current Find/Replace direction is Backward, the reverse
keyboard shortcut switches the direction to Forward.

Text formatting keyboard shortcuts
Use these shortcuts to format text in fields, field labels, and text objects in Browse and Layout
modes.

Text alignment keyboard shortcuts
To align text

Press

Center

-\

Left

-[

Right

-]

Justified

-Shift- \

Text style keyboard shortcuts
To style text

Press

Bold

-Shift-B

Italic

-Shift-I

Plain

-Shift-P

Subscript

-Shift- - (hyphen)

Superscript

-Shift- =

Underline

-Shift-U

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Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

Text size keyboard shortcuts
To change point size

Press

Up one point

-Option-Shift->

Down one point

-Option-Shift-<

The next point size up on the menu

-Shift->

The next point size down on the menu

-Shift-<

Text navigation keyboard shortcuts
You can use these keyboard shortcuts in Browse, Layout, and Find modes to move the insertion
point to different areas of a text field or label.
To move the insertion
point to the

Press

Beginning of the text

-Up Arrow

End of the text

-Down Arrow

Beginning of the line

-Left Arrow

End of the line

-Right Arrow

Beginning of the previous word

Option-Left Arrow

End of the next word

Option-Right Arrow

Previous character

Left Arrow

Next character

Right Arrow

Previous line

Up Arrow

Next line

Down Arrow

Text selection keyboard shortcuts
You can use these shortcuts in Browse, Layout, and Find modes to extend the selection in a field.
To extend selection to the
Beginning of the line
Beginning of the previous word

Press
-Shift-Left Arrow
Option-Shift-Left Arrow

Beginning of text

-Option-Shift-Up Arrow

End of the line

-Shift-Right Arrow

End of the next word
End of text
Next character
Next line
Previous character

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Option-Shift-Right Arrow
-Option-Shift-Down Arrow
Shift-Right Arrow
-Shift-Down Arrow
Shift-Left Arrow

645

Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

To extend selection to the

Press

Previous line

-Shift-Up Arrow

Entire contents of the active field

-A

Manage database keyboard shortcuts (OS X)
Field type keyboard shortcuts
Use the following shortcuts to assign field types when working in the Fields tab of the Manage
Database dialog box.
To assign this field type

Press

Text

-T

Number

-N

Date

-D

Time

-I

Timestamp

-M

Container

-R

Calculation

-L

Summary

-S

Table and relationship selection and arrangement shortcuts
To

Press

Move the selection around the relationships
graph, individually selecting tables, notes, or
relationships

Up Arrow, Down Arrow, Left Arrow, Right Arrow

Move the selection incrementally between
objects

Shift+Up Arrow, Shift+Down Arrow, Shift+Left Arrow,
Shift+Right Arrow

Move the selection to an object that includes text
beginning with specific characters

Type the characters
Note If multiple objects share initial characters, you
can move the selection to the next occurrence by
pressing

-G or typing the characters again.

Switch between the relationships graph and the
zoom controls

Tab

Move the selected object

Option-Up Arrow, Option-Down Arrow, Option-Left
Arrow, Option-Right Arrow after selecting a table, or
drag the selected table

Resize the selected object

Control-Shift-Up Arrow, Control-Shift-Down Arrow,
Control-Shift-Left Arrow, Control-Shift-Right Arrow
after selecting a fully expanded table

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Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

To

Press

Select multiple tables

Shift-click multiple tables or drag the selection pointer
through multiple tables
Note To select by dragging completely around
tables, press

Select all tables and notes

-A

Select all tables

-Shift-A

Select all tables directly related to the currently
selected table

-Y

Select tables with the same source table

-U

Toggle the display state of selected tables

-T

while dragging.

Relationships graph shortcuts
To

Press

Add a table

-Shift-T

Edit a table

-O when one table is selected

Delete a table

Delete when one or more tables are selected

Add a relationship

-Shift+R

Edit a relationship

-O when one relationship is selected

Delete a relationship

Delete when one or more relationships are selected

Add a text note

-Shift-N while dragging

Duplicate a selection

-D, or Option while dragging

Change to Pointer mode

-R

Change to Zoom In mode

- = (equals)
Note Shift-click temporarily changes to Zoom Out
mode.

Change to Zoom Out mode

- - (hyphen)
Note Shift-click temporarily changes to Zoom In
mode.

Change to Note mode
Change the display percentage of the
relationships graph

-N
Type a percentage value, then Enter

Snap to fit

-I

Turn page guides on and off

-E

Display page setup options

-Shift-P

Undo the last command

-Z

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647

Keyboard shortcuts (OS X)

To

Press

Redo the last command

-Shift-Z

FileMaker Pro Advanced keyboard shortcuts (OS X)
Script Debugger keyboard shortcuts
In FileMaker Pro Advanced, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts to perform Script
Debugger actions.
To execute the

Press

Step Over command

F5

Step Into command

F6

Step Out command

F7

Run to Breakpoint command

Option-F8

Halt Script command

-F8 or
-. (period)

Set Next Step command

Shift-

Set/Clear Breakpoint command
(toggle the breakpoint)

-F9

Remove Breakpoints command

Shift-

Edit Script command

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

-F5

-F9

-F10

648

Functions reference

Functions reference
Click the following links to find functions by category, or alphabetically.
In the category list, FileMaker Pro functions are grouped by the type of data they operate on, not by
the type of data they return. For example, the Position function returns a number, but it is grouped
with Text functions because it operates on text data.
For information on where you can use functions, see About formulas.

Functions reference (category list)
Aggregate functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662
Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662
Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 664
List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665
Max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 667
Min . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668
StDev . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670
StDevP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 671
Sum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672
Variance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 674
VarianceP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 675

Container functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 677
Base64Decode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 677
Base64Encode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678
GetContainerAttribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 679
GetHeight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 683
GetThumbnail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 684
GetWidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685
VerifyContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685

Date functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 686
Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687
Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 688
DayName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 689
DayNameJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 690
DayOfWeek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 691
DayOfYear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692
Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 693
MonthName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 694
MonthNameJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 694
WeekOfYear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 695
WeekOfYearFiscal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 696
Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 697
YearName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698

Design functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 699
DatabaseNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700
FieldBounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701

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FieldComment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703
FieldIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703
FieldNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704
FieldRepetitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705
FieldStyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 706
FieldType . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 707
GetNextSerialValue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 709
LayoutIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 709
LayoutNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 710
LayoutObjectNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711
RelationInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 712
ScriptIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714
ScriptNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714
TableIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715
TableNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716
ValueListIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 717
ValueListItems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 718
ValueListNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 718
WindowNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719

External functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 720
External . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 721

Financial functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722
FV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722
NPV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 723
PMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724
PV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725

Get functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 727
Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 732
Get(AccountName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 733
Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 735
Get(ActiveFieldContents) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 736
Get(ActiveFieldName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 736
Get(ActiveFieldTableName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737
Get(ActiveLayoutObjectName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 738
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 739
Get(ActivePortalRowNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740
Get(ActiveRepetitionNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741
Get(ActiveSelectionSize) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 742
Get(ActiveSelectionStart) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 742
Get(AllowAbortState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743
Get(AllowFormattingBarState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 744
Get(ApplicationLanguage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 745
Get(ApplicationVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 746
Get(CalculationRepetitionNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 747
Get(ConnectionAttributes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748
Get(ConnectionState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 749
Get(CurrentDate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750
Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 751

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Functions reference

Get(CurrentHostTimestamp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 752
Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753
Get(CurrentTime) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 754
Get(CurrentTimestamp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 755
Get(CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 756
Get(CustomMenuSetName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 757
Get(DesktopPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 758
Get(Device) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 759
Get(DocumentsPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 759
Get(DocumentsPathListing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 761
Get(EncryptionState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762
Get(ErrorCaptureState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762
Get(FileMakerPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 763
Get(FileName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764
Get(FilePath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 765
Get(FileSize) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766
Get(FoundCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 767
Get(HighContrastColor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 767
Get(HighContrastState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 768
Get(HostApplicationVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 769
Get(HostIPAddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770
Get(HostName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 771
Get(InstalledFMPlugins) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 772
Get(LastError) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 774
Get(LastMessageChoice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 775
Get(LastODBCError) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 776
Get(LayoutAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777
Get(LayoutCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 778
Get(LayoutName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 778
Get(LayoutNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 779
Get(LayoutTableName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780
Get(LayoutViewState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 781
Get(ModifiedFields) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 782
Get(MultiUserState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 783
Get(NetworkProtocol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 784
Get(NetworkType) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785
Get(PageNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785
Get(PersistentID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786
Get(PreferencesPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 787
Get(PrinterName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 788
Get(QuickFindText) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 789
Get(RecordAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 790
Get(RecordID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 791
Get(RecordModificationCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 792
Get(RecordNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 793
Get(RecordOpenCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 794
Get(RecordOpenState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 795
Get(RequestCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 796
Get(RequestOmitState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 796
Get(ScreenDepth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 797
Get(ScreenHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 798
Get(ScreenWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 799
Get(ScriptAnimationState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800
Get(ScriptName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801

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651

Functions reference

Get(ScriptParameter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801
Get(ScriptResult) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 803
Get(SortState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 804
Get(StatusAreaState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 805
Get(SystemDrive) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 806
Get(SystemIPAddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 806
Get(SystemLanguage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 808
Get(SystemNICAddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 808
Get(SystemPlatform) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809
Get(SystemVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810
Get(TemporaryPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 812
Get(TextRulerVisible) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 813
Get(TotalRecordCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 814
Get(TriggerCurrentPanel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815
Get(TriggerGestureInfo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 816
Get(TriggerKeystroke) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817
Get(TriggerModifierKeys) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 818
Get(TriggerTargetPanel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 819
Get(UserCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 820
Get(UserName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 821
Get(UseSystemFormatsState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 822
Get(UUID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823
Get(WindowContentHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 824
Get(WindowContentWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 825
Get(WindowDesktopHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 826
Get(WindowDesktopWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 827
Get(WindowHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828
Get(WindowLeft) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828
Get(WindowMode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 829
Get(WindowName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 830
Get(WindowOrientation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 831
Get(WindowStyle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 832
Get(WindowTop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 833
Get(WindowVisible) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 834
Get(WindowWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 835
Get(WindowZoomLevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 836

Logical functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 838
Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 839
Choose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 840
Evaluate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 841
EvaluationError . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 842
ExecuteSQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 843
GetAsBoolean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 845
GetField . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 846
GetFieldName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847
GetLayoutObjectAttribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 848
GetNthRecord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850
If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 851
IsEmpty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 852
IsValid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853
IsValidExpression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 854
Let . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 855

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Functions reference

Lookup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 857
LookupNext . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858
Self . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 859

Mobile functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 860
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 861
LocationValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 862

Number functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863
Abs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 864
Ceiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865
Combination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865
Div . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866
Exp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867
Factorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 868
Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869
Int . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869
Lg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870
Ln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 871
Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 872
Mod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 873
Random . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 874
Round . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875
SetPrecision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875
Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 876
Sqrt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877
Truncate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 878

Repeating functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879
Extend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879
GetRepetition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 880
Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 881

Summary functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882
GetSummary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882

Text functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 884
Char . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 885
Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 887
Exact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 889
FilterValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 890
GetAsCSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 891
GetAsDate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 892
GetAsNumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 893
GetAsSVG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894
GetAsText . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 895
GetAsTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 896
GetAsTimestamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897
GetAsURLEncoded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 898

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GetValue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 899
Hiragana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900
KanaHankaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901
KanaZenkaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901
KanjiNumeral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 902
Katakana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903
Left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903
LeftValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904
LeftWords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 905
Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906
Lower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907
Middle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907
MiddleValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 908
MiddleWords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 909
NumToJText . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 910
PatternCount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 912
Proper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 913
Quote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 914
Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 915
Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 916
RightValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 917
RightWords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 918
RomanHankaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 919
RomanZenkaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 919
SerialIncrement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920
Substitute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921
Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 922
TrimAll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 923
Upper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 924
ValueCount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 925
WordCount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 926

Text formatting functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 927
RGB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 928
TextColor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 929
TextColorRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 930
TextFont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 931
TextFontRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 932
TextFormatRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934
TextSize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934
TextSizeRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 935
TextStyleAdd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 936
TextStyleRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938

Time functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 939
Hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 940
Minute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 941
Seconds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 941
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 942

Timestamp functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943
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Functions reference

Timestamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943

Trigonometric functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 944
Acos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945
Asin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945
Atan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 946
Cos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 947
Degrees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948
Pi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949
Radians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949
Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950
Tan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 951

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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
A, B, C
Abs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 864
Acos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945
Asin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945
Atan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 946
Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662
Base64Decode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 677
Base64Encode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678
Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 839
Ceiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865
Char . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 885
Choose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 840
Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 887
Combination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865
Cos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 947
Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 664

D
DatabaseNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700
Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687
Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 688
DayName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 689
DayNameJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 690
DayOfWeek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 691
DayOfYear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692
Degrees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948
Div . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866

E
Evaluate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 841
EvaluationError . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 842
Exact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888
ExecuteSQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 843
Exp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867
Extend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879
External . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 721

F
Factorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 868
FieldBounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701
FieldComment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703
FieldIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703
FieldNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704
FieldRepetitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705
FieldStyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 706
FieldType . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 707
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 889
FilterValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 890

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Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869
FV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722

G
Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 732
Get(AccountName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 733
Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 735
Get(ActiveFieldContents) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 736
Get(ActiveFieldName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 736
Get(ActiveFieldTableName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737
Get(ActiveLayoutObjectName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 738
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 739
Get(ActivePortalRowNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740
Get(ActiveRepetitionNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741
Get(ActiveSelectionSize) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 742
Get(ActiveSelectionStart) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 742
Get(AllowAbortState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743
Get(AllowFormattingBarState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 744
Get(ApplicationLanguage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 745
Get(ApplicationVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 746
Get(CalculationRepetitionNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 747
Get(ConnectionAttributes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748
Get(ConnectionState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 749
Get(CurrentDate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750
Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 751
Get(CurrentHostTimestamp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 752
Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753
Get(CurrentTime) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 754
Get(CurrentTimestamp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 755
Get(CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 756
Get(CustomMenuSetName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 757
Get(DesktopPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 758
Get(Device) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 759
Get(DocumentsPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 759
Get(DocumentsPathListing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 761
Get(EncryptionState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762
Get(ErrorCaptureState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762
Get(FileMakerPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 763
Get(FileName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764
Get(FilePath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 765
Get(FileSize) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766
Get(FoundCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 767
Get(HighContrastColor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 767
Get(HighContrastState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 768
Get(HostApplicationVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 769
Get(HostIPAddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770
Get(HostName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 771
Get(InstalledFMPlugins) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 772
Get(LastError) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 774
Get(LastMessageChoice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 775
Get(LastODBCError) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 776
Get(LayoutAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777
Get(LayoutCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 778

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Get(LayoutName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 778
Get(LayoutNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 779
Get(LayoutTableName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780
Get(LayoutViewState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 781
Get(ModifiedFields) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 782
Get(MultiUserState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 783
Get(NetworkProtocol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 784
Get(NetworkType) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785
Get(PageNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785
Get(PersistentID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786
Get(PreferencesPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 787
Get(PrinterName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 788
Get(QuickFindText) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 789
Get(RecordAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 790
Get(RecordID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 791
Get(RecordModificationCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 792
Get(RecordNumber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 793
Get(RecordOpenCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 794
Get(RecordOpenState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 795
Get(RequestCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 796
Get(RequestOmitState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 796
Get(ScreenDepth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 797
Get(ScreenHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 798
Get(ScreenWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 799
Get(ScriptAnimationState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800
Get(ScriptName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801
Get(ScriptParameter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801
Get(ScriptResult) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 803
Get(SortState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 804
Get(StatusAreaState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 805
Get(SystemDrive) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 806
Get(SystemIPAddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 806
Get(SystemLanguage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 808
Get(SystemNICAddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 808
Get(SystemPlatform) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809
Get(SystemVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 810
Get(TemporaryPath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 812
Get(TextRulerVisible) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 813
Get(TotalRecordCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 814
Get(TriggerCurrentPanel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815
Get(TriggerGestureInfo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 816
Get(TriggerKeystroke) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817
Get(TriggerModifierKeys) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 818
Get(TriggerTargetPanel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 819
Get(UserCount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 820
Get(UserName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 821
Get(UseSystemFormatsState) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 822
Get(UUID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823
Get(WindowContentHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 824
Get(WindowContentWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 825
Get(WindowDesktopHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 826
Get(WindowDesktopWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 827
Get(WindowHeight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828
Get(WindowLeft) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828

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Get(WindowMode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 829
Get(WindowName) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 830
Get(WindowOrientation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 831
Get(WindowStyle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 832
Get(WindowTop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 833
Get(WindowVisible) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 834
Get(WindowWidth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 835
Get(WindowZoomLevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 836
GetAsBoolean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 845
GetAsCSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 891
GetAsDate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 892
GetAsNumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 893
GetAsSVG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894
GetAsText . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 895
GetAsTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 896
GetAsTimestamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897
GetAsURLEncoded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 898
GetContainerAttribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 679
GetField . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 846
GetFieldName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847
GetHeight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 683
GetLayoutObjectAttribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 848
GetNextSerialValue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 709
GetNthRecord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850
GetRepetition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 880
GetSummary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882
GetThumbnail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 684
GetValue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 899
GetWidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685

H, I, J, K
Hiragana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900
Hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 940
If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 851
Int . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869
IsEmpty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 852
IsValid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853
IsValidExpression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 854
KanaHankaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901
KanaZenkaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901
KanjiNumeral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 902
Katakana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903

L, M, N, O
Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 881
LayoutIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 709
LayoutNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 710
LayoutObjectNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711
Left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903
LeftValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904
LeftWords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 905
Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

659

Let . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 855
Lg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870
List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665
Ln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 871
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 861
LocationValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 862
Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 872
Lookup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 857
LookupNext . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858
Lower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907
Max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 667
Middle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907
MiddleValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 908
MiddleWords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 909
Min . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668
Minute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 941
Mod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 873
Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 693
MonthName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 694
MonthNameJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 694
NPV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 723
NumToJText . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 910

P, Q
PatternCount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
Pi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949
PMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724
Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 912
Proper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 913
PV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725
Quote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 914

R
Radians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949
Random . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 874
RelationInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 712
Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 915
RGB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 928
Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 916
RightValues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 917
RightWords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 918
RomanHankaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 919
RomanZenkaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 919
Round . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875

S
ScriptIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714
ScriptNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714
Seconds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 941
Self . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 859
SerialIncrement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

660

SetPrecision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875
Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 876
Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950
Sqrt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877
StDev . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670
StDevP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 671
Substitute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921
Sum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672

T, U
TableIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715
TableNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716
Tan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 951
TextColor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 929
TextColorRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 930
TextFont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 931
TextFontRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 932
TextFormatRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934
TextSize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934
TextSizeRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 935
TextStyleAdd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 936
TextStyleRemove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 942
Timestamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943
Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 922
TrimAll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 923
Truncate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 878
Upper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 924

V, W, X, Y, Z
ValueCount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 925
ValueListIDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 717
ValueListItems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 718
ValueListNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 718
Variance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 674
VarianceP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 675
VerifyContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685
WeekOfYear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 695
WeekOfYearFiscal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 696
WindowNames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
WordCount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 926
Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 697
YearName . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

661

A, B, C
D
E
F
G
H, I, J, K
L, M, N, O
P, Q
R
S
T, U
V, W, X, Y, Z

Aggregate functions
Aggregate functions perform statistical analysis on numbers (and also dates or times for some
functions) in:
• several fields in a record.
• related fields whether displayed in a portal or not.
• repeating fields.
For example, you can use the Sum function to add the values listed in a portal, as an alternative to
creating a report with grouped data and subtotals.
The parameter values can include a numeric constant (for example, 10) or any valid expression. A
constant parameter in a formula for a repeating field affects the result for every repetition.
When repeating field parameters (field1; field2;...) include a non-repeating field, that value is used in
the result for only the first repetition unless you use the Extend function.
Values in repetitions that exceed the number of repetitions in the calculated field are ignored. For
example, a calculated field with three repetitions holds only three results, even when one field
referenced in the calculation has five repetitions.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

Average

The average of all valid, non-blank values in the specified field.

Count

The number of valid, non-blank values in the specified field.

List

The concatenation of all non-blank values in list form, separated by carriage returns.

Max

The highest valid value in a field or fields.

Min

The smallest valid non-blank value in a field or fields.

StDev

The standard deviation of a series of valid non-blank values in a field or fields.

StDevP

The standard deviation of a population represented by a series of valid non-blank
values in a field or fields.

Sum

The total of all valid, non-blank values in the specified fields.

Variance

The variance of a series of valid non-blank values in a field or fields.

VarianceP

The variance of a population in a series of valid non-blank values in a field or fields.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Average
Purpose
Returns a value that is the average of all valid, non-blank values in field.

Format
Average(field{;field...})

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Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; or an expression that returns
a field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Field can be any of the following:
• a repeating field (repeatingField).
• a field in matching related records specified by (table::field), whether or not these
records appear in a portal.
• several non-repeating fields in a record(field1;field2;field3...).
• corresponding repetitions of repeating fields in a record
(repeatingField1;repeatingField2;repeatingField3), if the result is returned
in a repeating field with at least the same number of repeats.
• several fields in the first matching record specified by
(table::field1;table::field2;...). You can include fields from different tables
(table 1::field A;table 2::field B...).

Examples
A Student table has a portal showing scores for all exams a student has taken. The exam scores are
in a table called Exams.
Average(Exams::Score) returns the student’s average score for all exams she has taken.
In the following examples:
• Field1 contains two repetitions with values of 1 and 2.
• Field2 contains four repetitions with values of 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• Field3 contains 6.
Average(Field2) returns 6.5 when the calculation isn’t a repeating field.
Average(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns 4, 4, 7, 8 when the calculation is a repeating field.
Note When a referenced field is a repeating field, the Average function returns the average of the
values in the first repetition field, then the average of the values in the second repetition field, and so
on. Therefore, (1+5+6)/3=4;(2+6)/2=4;7/1=7;8/1=8.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields

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Using operators in formulas

Count
Purpose
Returns the number of valid, non-blank values in field.

Format
Count(field{;field...})

Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; or an expression that returns
a field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Field can be any of the following:
• a repeating field (repeatingField).
• a field in matching related records specified by (table::field), whether or not these
records appear in a portal.
• several non-repeating fields in a record (field1;field2;field3...).
• corresponding repetitions of repeating fields in a record
(repeatingField1;repeatingField2;repeatingField3), if the result is returned
in a repeating field with at least the same number of repeats.
• several fields in the first matching record specified by
(table::field1;table::field2;...). You can include fields from different tables
(table 1::field A;table 2::field B...).

Examples
The Accounts layout has a portal showing installment payments made.
Count(Payments::Payment) returns the number of payments made on an account.
In the following examples:
• Field1 contains two repetitions with values of 1 and 2.
• Field2 contains four repetitions with values of 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• Field3 contains 6.

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Count(Field2) returns 4 when the calculation isn’t a repeating field.
Count(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns 3, 2, 1, 1 when the calculation is a repeating field.
Note When a referenced field is a repeating field, the Count function returns the total number of
valid, non-blank values in the first repetition field, then the number of valid, non-blank values in the
second repetition field, and so on.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

List
Purpose
Returns a concatenated list of non-blank values (separated by carriage returns) for a field or fields.

Format
List(field{;field...})

Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; an expression that returns a
field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields, or a variable.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.5

Description
Use this function to return a list of values for:
• a single field (table::field), which returns a single result over all repetitions (if any) for
this field and over all matching related records, whether or not these records appear in a
portal.
• several fields and/or literal values (table::field1,constant,table::field2...),
which returns a separate result for each repetition of the calculation across each
corresponding repetition of the fields. If any fields are related, only the first related record is
used.

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Examples
In the following examples:
• Field1 contains white.
• Field2 contains black.
• Field3 contains three repetitions with values of red, green, blue.
• Related::Field4 refers to three records that contain 100, 200, 300.
• $f1 contains orange.
Note When referencing multiple repeating fields, List() returns the list of values across the first
repetition in the calculation's first repetition, then the list of values across the second repetition in the
second repetition, and so on.

Example 1
List (Field1; Field2) returns:
• white
• black

Example 2
List(Field3) returns:
• red
• green
• blue

Example 3
List (Field1; Field2; Field3) returns:
in calculation repetition 1:
• white
• black
• red
in calculation repetition 2:
• green
in calculation repetition 3:
• blue

Example 4
List(Related::Field4) returns:
• 100
• 200
• 300

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Example 5
List ($f1; Field2) returns:
• orange
• black

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Max
Purpose
Returns the highest valid value in field.

Format
Max(field{;field...})

Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; or an expression that returns
a field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Field can be any of the following:
• a repeating field (repeatingField).
• a field in matching related records specified by (table::field), whether or not these
records appear in a portal.
• several non-repeating fields in a record (field1;field2;field3...).
• corresponding repetitions of repeating fields in a record
(repeatingField1;repeatingField2;repeatingField3), if the result is returned
in a repeating field with at least the same number of repeats.

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• several fields in the first matching record specified by
(table::field1;table::field2;...). You can include fields from different tables
(table 1::field A;table 2::field B...).

Examples
The Accounts layout has a portal showing installment payments made.
Max(Payments::PaymentDate) returns the most recent date a payment was made on an
account.
In the following examples:
• Field1 contains two repetitions with values of 1 and 2.
• Field2 contains four repetitions with values of 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• Field3 contains 6.
Max(Field2) returns 8 when the calculation isn’t a repeating field.
Max(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns 6, 6, 7, 8 when the calculation is a repeating field.

Notes
• When a referenced field is a repeating field, the Max function returns the maximum value in
the first repetition field, then the maximum value in the second repetition field, and so on.
• Aggregate functions such as Min or Max use the data type of the first parameter to perform
all comparisons. For example, if the first parameter’s data type is text, all other parameters
are converted to text and then compared.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Min
Purpose
Returns the smallest valid non-blank value in field.

Format
Min(field{;field...})

Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; or an expression that returns
a field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

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Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Field can be any of the following:
• a repeating field (repeatingField).
• a field in matching related records specified by (table::field), whether or not these
records appear in a portal.
• several non-repeating fields in a record (field1;field2;field3...).
• corresponding repetitions of repeating fields in a record
(repeatingField1;repeatingField2;repeatingField3), if the result is returned
in a repeating field with at least the same number of repeats.
• several fields in the first matching record specified by
(table::field1;table::field2;...). You can include fields from different tables
(table 1::field A;table 2::field B...).

Examples
A Contracts table has a portal showing bids submitted for each contract.
Min(Bids::Price) returns the lowest bid submitted for a contract.
In the following examples:
• Field1 contains two repetitions with values of 1 and 2.
• Field2 contains four repetitions with values of 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• Field3 contains 6.
Min(Field2) returns 5 when the calculation isn’t a repeating field.
Min(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns 1, 2, 7, 8 when the calculation is a repeating field.

Notes
• When a referenced field is a repeating field, the Min function returns the minimum value in
the first repetition field, then the minimum value in the second repetition field, and so on.
• Aggregate functions such as Min or Max use the data type of the first parameter to perform
all comparisons. For example, if the first parameter’s data type is text, all other parameters
are converted to text and then compared.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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StDev
Purpose
Returns the standard deviation of the sample represented by a series of non-blank values in field.

Format
StDev(field{;field...})

Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; or an expression that returns
a field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Field can be any of the following:
• a repeating field (repeatingField).
• a field in matching related records specified by (table::field), whether or not these
records appear in a portal.
• several non-repeating fields in a record (field1;field2;field3).
• corresponding repetitions of repeating fields in a record
(repeatingField1;repeatingField2;repeatingField3), if the result is returned
in a repeating field with at least the same number of repeats.
• several fields in the first matching record specified by (table 1::field A, table
2::field B,...). You can name a different table for each field (table 1::field
A;table 2::field B...).
StDev =

x 12 + x 22 + … + x n2 ( x 1 + x 2 + … + x n ) 2
-------------------------------------------– --------------------------------------------------n(n – 1)
n–1

Examples
A portal displays the related values 5, 6, 7, and 8 in a field called Scores.
StDev(table::Scores) returns 1.29099444....
In the following examples:
• Field1 contains two repetitions with values of 1 and 2.
• Field2 contains four repetitions with values of 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• Field3 contains four repetitions with values of 6, 0, 4, and 4.
• Field4 contains one repetition with a value of 3.

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StDev(Field4) results in an error because standard deviation of a single number is not defined.
StDev(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns 2.64575131..., 3.05505046..., 2.12132034...,
2.82842712... for a repeating field.
Note When a referenced field is a repeating field, the StDev function returns the standard deviation
in the first repetition fields, then the standard deviation in the second repetition fields, and so on.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

StDevP
Purpose
Returns the standard deviation of a population represented by a series of non-blank values in
field.

Format
StDevP(field{;field... })

Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; or an expression that returns
a field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Field can be any of the following:
• a repeating field (repeatingField).
• a field in matching related records specified by (table::field), whether or not these
records appear in a portal.
• several non-repeating fields in a record (field1;field2;field3...).
• corresponding repetitions of repeating fields in a record
(repeatingField1;repeatingField2;repeatingField3), if the result is returned
in a repeating field with at least the same number of repeats.

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• several fields in the first matching record specified by
(table::field1;table::field2;...). You can include fields from different tables
(table 1::field A;table 2::field B...).
StDevP =

x 12 + x 22 + … + x n2 ⎛ x 1 + x 2 + … + x n⎞ 2
-------------------------------------------- – ------------------------------------------⎝
⎠
n
n

Examples
A portal displays the related values 5, 6, 7, and 8 in the field Scores. StDevP(table::Scores)
returns 1.11803398....
In the following examples:
• Field1 contains two repetitions with values of 1 and 2.
• Field2 contains four repetitions with values of 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• Field3 contains four repetitions with values of 6, 0, 4, and 4.
• Field4 contains one repetition with a value of 3.
StDevP(Field4) results in an error because the population standard deviation of a single number
is not defined.
StDevP(Field2) returns 1.11803398... for a non-repeating field.
StDevP(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns 2.16024689..., 2.49443825..., 1.5, 2 for repeating
fields.
Note When a referenced field is a repeating field, the StDevP function returns the standard
deviation of a population in the first repetition fields, then the standard deviation of a population in
the second repetition fields, and so on.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Sum
Purpose
Returns the total of all valid, non-blank values in field.

Format
Sum(field{;field...})

Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; or an expression that returns
a field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

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Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Field can be any of the following:
• a repeating field (repeatingField).
• a field in matching related records specified by (table::field), whether or not these
records appear in a portal.
• several non-repeating fields in a record (field1;field2;field3...).
• corresponding repetitions of repeating fields in a record
(repeatingField1;repeatingField2;repeatingField3), if the result is returned
in a repeating field with at least the same number of repeats.
• several fields in the first matching record specified by
(table::field1;table::field2;...). You can include fields from different tables
(table 1::field A;table 2::field B...).

Examples
An Invoice table has a portal showing line items.
Sum(LineItems::ExtendedPrice) totals the amounts for all items on the invoice.
A TimeBilling table has a portal showing time worked on a project. Hours is a time field.
Sum(Hours::BillableHours) returns the total number of billable hours on a project. Thus, if the
portal shows 40 hours and 15:30 hours, the total billable hours are 55:30, or 55 1/2 hours.
In the following examples:
• Field1 contains two repetitions with values of 1 and 2.
• Field2 contains four repetitions with values of 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• Field3 contains 6.
If the calculation result isn’t a repeating field:
• Sum(Field2) returns 26.
• Sum(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns 12.
If the calculation result is a repeating field:
• Sum(Field2) returns a repeating field with 26 in the first repetition.
• Sum(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns a repeating field with 12, 8, 7, 8.
Note When a referenced field is a repeating field, the Sum function returns the sum of the first
repetition field, then the sum of the second repetition field, and so on.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions

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Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Variance
Purpose
Returns the variance of a sample represented by a series of non-blank values in field.

Format
Variance(field{;field...})

Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; or an expression that returns
a field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The variance of a distribution is a measure of how spread out the distribution is. Field can be any
of the following:
• a repeating field (repeatingField).
• a field in matching related records specified by (table::field), whether or not these
records appear in a portal.
• several non-repeating fields in a record (field1;field2;field3...).
• corresponding repetitions of repeating fields in a record
(repeatingField1;repeatingField2;repeatingField3), if the result is returned
in a repeating field with at least the same number of repeats.
• several fields in the first matching record specified by
(table::field1;table::field2;...). You can include fields from different tables
(table 1::field A;table 2::field B...).
x 12 + x 22 + … + x n2 ( x 1 + x 2 + … + x n ) 2
Variance = -------------------------------------------- – --------------------------------------------------n–1
n( n – 1)

Examples
A portal displays the related values 5, 6, 7, and 8 in Scores.
Variance(table::Scores) returns 1.66666666....
In the following examples:

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• Field1 contains two repetitions with values of 1 and 2.
• Field2 contains four repetitions with values of 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• Field3 contains four repetitions with values of 6, 0, 4,and 4.
• Field4 contains one repetition with a value of 3.
Variance(Field4) results in an error since the variance of a single value is not defined.
Variance(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns 7, 9.33333333..., 4.5, 8 if the calculation is a
repeating field.

Student example
Two classes of students take an exam. Class 1 has scores of 70, 71, 70, 74, 75, 73, 72 and
Class 2 has scores of 55, 80, 75, 40, 65, 50, 95. The variance for each class is:
Class 1: 3.80952380...
Class 2: 361.90476190...
The variance for Class 1 is much lower than the variance for Class 2, because the scores
for Class 2 are more spread out.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

VarianceP
Purpose
Returns the variance of a population represented by a series of non-blank values in field.

Format
VarianceP(field{;field...})

Parameters
field - any related field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields; or an expression that returns
a field, repeating field, or set of non-repeating fields.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

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Description
The variance of a population distribution is a measure of how spread out the distribution is. Field
can be any of the following:
• a repeating field (repeatingField).
• a field in matching related records specified by (table::field), whether or not these
records appear in a portal.
• several non-repeating fields in a record (field1;field2;field3...).
• corresponding repetitions of repeating fields in a record
(repeatingField1;repeatingField2;repeatingField3), if the result is returned
in a repeating field with at least the same number of repeats.
• several fields in the first matching record specified by
(table::field1;table::field2;...). You can include fields from different tables
(table 1::field A;table 2::field B...).
x1 + x2 + … + xn 2
x 12 + x 22 + … + x n2
VarianceP = -------------------------------------------- – ⎛ -------------------------------------------⎞
⎝
⎠
n
n

Examples
A portal displays the related values 5, 6, 7, and 8 in Scores.
VarianceP(table::Scores) returns 1.25.
In the following examples:
• Field1 contains two repetitions with values of 1 and 2.
• Field2 contains four repetitions with values of 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• Field3 contains four repetitions with values of 6, 0, 4, and 4.
• Field4 contains one repetition with a value of 3.
VarianceP(Field4) results in an error since the variance of a single value is not defined.
VarianceP(Field1;Field2;Field3) returns 4.66666666..., 6.22222222..., 2.25, 4 if the
calculation is a repeating field.

Student example
Two classes of students take an exam. Class 1 has scores of 70, 71, 70, 74, 75, 73, 72 and
Class 2 has scores of 55, 80, 75, 40, 65, 50, 95. The population variance for each class is:
Class 1: 3.26530612...
Class 2: 310.20408163...
The population variance for Class 1 is much lower than the population variance for Class 2
because the scores for Class 1 are more tightly clustered.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Container functions
Container functions calculate, manipulate, and report on data in container fields.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

Base64Decode

Container content from text encoded in Base64 format.

Base64Encode

The contents of the specified container field as text in Base64 format.

GetContainerAttribute

The file metadata of a container field.

GetHeight

The height of the image in a container field that holds images.

GetThumbnail

An image stored in the container field, resized according to specified values for
width and height.

GetWidth

The width of the image in a container field that holds images.

VerifyContainer

A Boolean value representing the state of container data that’s stored externally. A
False result means that files saved externally were changed or deleted.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Base64Decode
Purpose
Returns container content from text encoded in Base64 format.

Format
Base64Decode(text{;fileNameWithExtension})

Parameters
text - Base64 text to decode.
fileNameWithExtension - the filename and extension for the file created from the decoded
Base64 text.

Data type returned
container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
Base64 encoding does not retain the filename or extension of encoded content.

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If a filename and extension are not specified in the fileNameWithExtension parameter,
Base64Decode returns the container content with a generic filename and extension but does not
change the content’s data format.

Examples
Base64Decode(Products::Base64;"question.png") returns
when
Products::Base64 is set to a string that begins with "iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAB8". The
Base64 string in this example was shortened for readability.

Related topics
Base64Encode
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Base64Encode
Purpose
Returns the contents of the specified container field as text in Base64 format.

Format
Base64Encode(sourceField)

Parameters
sourceField - the name of a container field.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
Base64 encoding does not retain the filename or extension of encoded content.
Base64Encode adds a line break after every 76 characters.

Examples
Base64Encode(Products::Container) returns a string that begins with
iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAB8 when Products::Container is set to
string in this example was shortened for readability.

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. The Base64

678

Related topics
Base64Decode
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetContainerAttribute
Purpose
Returns the file metadata of the specified container field.

Format
GetContainerAttribute(sourceField;attributeName)

Parameters
sourceField - the name of a container field.
attributeName - the name of a supported attribute (see below).

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
Some attributes may not return a result. For example, the values for the latitude and longitude of a
photo may not be available, or some audio metadata like album art may not be available because
the metadata is stored outside the audio file. Some individual attributes in the group attribute all
may not be applicable in some circumstances.

Attributes
Attribute

Returns

Data type returned

filename

The name of the file inserted into the container field.

text

MD5

The result of applying the cryptographic hash function MD5
to a file inserted into the container field or a file referenced by
a container field.

text

storageType

The method used to store the data in the container field:
Embedded, External (Secure), External (Open), File
Reference, Text.

text

General

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Attribute

Returns

Data type returned

fileSize

The size (in bytes) of the file inserted into the container field. number

internalSize

The amount (in bytes) of the space inside the database file
that is occupied by the container field.

number

externalSize

The amount (in bytes) of the space that is stored externally
by the container field. This is either the size of the referenced
file or the total size of all files in the container field (set up for
open or secure storage).

number

externalFiles

A list of the external files associated with the container field
text
(either files using open or secure storage or a file reference).

Images
width

A number representing the width of the image in pixels.

number

height

A number representing the height of the image in pixels.

number

dpiWidth

A number representing the horizontal DPI of the image.

number

dpiHeight

A number representing the vertical DPI of the image.

number

transparency

1 if the image has an alpha channel, otherwise returns 0.

number

A number representing the orientation of the photo:
1 (Normal)
2 (Flipped horizontally)
3 (Rotated 180 degrees)
4 (Flipped vertically)
5 (Rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise and flipped
vertically)
6 (Rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise)
7 (Rotated 90 degrees clockwise and flipped vertically)
8 (Rotated 90 degrees clockwise)

text

Photos
orientation

Note: Photos that were inserted using earlier versions of
FileMaker Pro are not automatically oriented; for such
photos, not applied is appended to the result. For example,
3 (Rotated 180 degrees), not applied.
created

The earliest available timestamp for the photo.

timestamp

modified

The latest available timestamp for the photo. If the photo has
never been modified, an empty string is returned.

timestamp

latitude

The latitude of the location of the photo.

text

longitude

The longitude of the location of the photo.

text

make

The manufacturer of the camera used for the photo.

text

model

The camera model used for the photo.

text

Audio
Note Only MP3 and M4A files return results.
title

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The title of the audio.

text

680

Attribute

Returns

Data type returned

artist

The name of the performer of the audio.

text

album

The name of the album containing the audio.

text

year

The year the audio was released.

text

track

The track number and count of the audio. For example, 3/12,
or 3 if the track count is not available.

text

genre

The genre of the audio.

text

composer

The composer of the audio.

text

coverArt

An image of the album cover.

container

duration

The duration of the audio. For example, 0:03:16.

time

bitRate

The number of kilobits per second (kbps) used in the audio.

number

barcodeText

The content of the bar code.

text

barcodeType

The type of the bar code.

text

The timestamp when the signature was inserted.

timestamp

general

Attributes listed in the General category above pertaining to
the container field.

text

audio

Attributes listed in the Audio category above pertaining to the
container field.

text

image

Attributes listed in the Images category above pertaining to
the container field.

text

photo

Attributes listed in the Photos category above pertaining to
the container field.

text

barcode

Attributes listed in the Bar Codes category above pertaining
to the container field.

text

signature

Attributes listed in the Signatures category above pertaining
to the container field.

text

all

Attributes in all the categories listed above pertaining to the
container field.

text

Bar Codes

Signatures
signed
Groups

Notes
• The internalSize can be much smaller than the fileSize (for example, container
fields set up for open or secure storage, file references, or compressed files) or much larger
than the fileSize (for example, container fields created by plug-ins).
• Using the attribute MD5 allows you to prevent the insertion of duplicated files into a
container field regardless of the filename.
• Bar codes and signatures are not considered images.

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• For the group attributes general, audio, image, photo, and all, attributes are
displayed in the format attributeName: attributeValue with one attribute per line.
Some attributes are displayed differently in order to fit the attribute on one line:
• externalFiles. Displays only the number of external files.
• transparency. Displays 1 (True) or 0 (False).
• coverArt. Displays png or jpg depending on the type of image.
• bitRate. Displays kbps after the number. If an audio uses a variable bit rate, (VBR) is
appended to the result. For example: Bit Rate: 247 kbps (VBR).
• year. Date information may be returned in parentheses after the year. For example:
Year: 2014 (11/10/2014).

Examples
Notice that the attributes in the following examples are enclosed in quotation marks.
GetContainerAttribute(Image;"all") returns:
[General]
Filename: IMG_003.JPG
Storage Type: Embedded
MD5: C35A3F668A1FB3F370969399A1FF04FE
File Size: 1964978
Internal Size: 1965064
External Size: 0
External Files: 0
[Image]
Width: 1936
Height: 2592
DPI Width: 72
DPI Height: 72
Transparency: 0 (False)
[Photo]
Orientation: 6 (Rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise)
Created: 11/14/2014 2:40:31 PM
Modified:
Latitude: 37.406167
Longitude: -121.983333
Make: Apple
Model: iPhone 4
GetContainerAttribute(Product;"barcode") returns:

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[Bar Code]
Bar Code Text: 875720001107
Bar Code Type: UPC-A
GetContainerAttribute(Package;"signature") returns:
[Signature]
Signed: 11/10/2014 11:41:22 AM

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetHeight
Purpose
Returns the height in pixels of the content in a container field that holds images.

Format
GetHeight(field)

Parameters
field - any text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container field; or any text expression or
numeric expression.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Returns the height in pixels of images in a container field that holds images. Otherwise, GetHeight
returns 0.

Examples
GetHeight(product) returns 768.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)

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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetThumbnail
Purpose
Returns a thumbnail image of the content in a container field, according to specified values for width
and height.

Format
GetThumbnail(field;width;height)

Parameters
field - any text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container field; or any text expression or
numeric expression.
width - the width for the thumbnail.
height - the height for the thumbnail.

Data type returned
container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Returns an image that’s stored in a container field according to specified values for width and height.
The thumbnail image always maintains the proportions of the original image.
Note If the field parameter does not specify a field that contains image data, field must
evaluate to the file path of an image. See Creating file paths.

Examples
GetThumbnail(Dog;GetLayoutObjectAttribute("rectangle","width");
GetLayoutObjectAttribute("rectangle","height")) returns an image stored in the Dog
field that fits into the dimensions of the Rectangle layout object.
GetThumbnail(Property;GetWidth(Property)/2;GetHeight(Property)/2)returns an
image that is 50 percent of the size of the original image in the Property field.
GetThumbnail ( "image:question.png" ; 50 ; 50 ) returns a thumbnail of question.png
with a maximum height and width of 50 points.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)

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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetWidth
Purpose
Returns the width in pixels of the content in a container field that holds images.

Format
GetWidth(field)

Parameters
field - any text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container field; or any text expression or
numeric expression.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Returns the width in pixels of images in a container field that holds images. Otherwise, GetWidth
returns 0.

Examples
GetWidth(Product) returns 1024.

Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

VerifyContainer
Purpose
Returns a Boolean value representing the validity of data stored externally in a container field.

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Format
VerifyContainer(field)

Parameters
field - any text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container field; or any text expression or
numeric expression.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Returns a Boolean value representing the validity of data stored externally in a container field. A
0 (False) value means the data was changed or deleted; otherwise, 1 (True) is returned.

Examples
VerifyContainer(Photo) returns:
• 0 (False) if files saved externally were modified or deleted.
• 1 (True) if no changes or deletions occurred.
• ? if the Photo field is not a container field.

Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Date functions
Date functions calculate dates and manipulate date information.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.
Note System formats affect the way dates are displayed. See Opening files with different system
formats.
Tip You can use zero (0) and negative numbers as Date function arguments. For example, the
following formula returns 5/31/2014:
Date(6;0;2014)
Click a function name for details.

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This function

Returns

Date

The calendar date for the specified month, day, and year.

Day

A number in the range 1 through 31, representing the day of the month for a
specified date.

DayName

A text string that is the full name of the weekday for the specified date.

DayNameJ

A text string that is the full name of the weekday for the specified date in
Japanese.

DayOfWeek

A number representing the day of the week the specified date falls on.

DayOfYear

A number equal to the number of days from the beginning of the year of the
specified date.

Month

A number in the range 1 through 12, representing the number of the month of the
year in which the specified date occurs.

MonthName

The name of the month for the specified date.

MonthNameJ

The name of the month in Japanese for the specified date.

WeekOfYear

The number of weeks after January 1 of the year of the specified date.

WeekOfYearFiscal

A number between 1 and 53 representing the week containing a specified date,
figured according to the specified starting day.

Year

A number representing the year in which the specified date occurs.

YearName

The Japanese year name of the specified date, provided in the specified format.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Date
Purpose
Returns the calendar date for month, day, and year.

Format
Date(month;day;year)

Parameters
month - the month of the year (a one-digit or two-digit number; see note).
day - the day of the month (a one-digit or two-digit number; see note).
year - the year (four digits between 0001 and 4000. For example, 2014 but not 14).
Important The order of the parameters in the Date function is always Month, Day, Year, no matter
what operating system or FileMaker Pro date formats you are using.

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Data type returned
date

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The format of the result depends on the date format that was in use when the database file was
created. In the United States, dates are generally in the format MM/DD/YYYY. You can change the
date format in your operating system.
You can change how the date is displayed by assigning a different date format to the field in Layout
mode. Changing the formatting in this way only affects the way the data is displayed, not how it is
stored.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.
Note If you type a month greater than 12 or a day greater than the number of days in a month,
FileMaker Pro adds the extra days or months to the result. The date function also allows zero and
negative numbers as parameters. Decimal numbers are truncated to integers.

Examples
Date(10;10;2014) returns 10/10/2014.
Date(13;1;2014) returns 1/1/2015 (one month after December 1, 2014).
Date(6;0;2014) returns 5/31/2014 (one day before June 1, 2014).
Date(6;-2;2014) returns 5/29/2014 (three days before June 1, 2014).
Date(7;12;2014)-Date(7;2;2014) returns 10.
“Bill Due by: ” & Date(Month(DateSold) + 1;Day(DateSold);Year(DateSold))
returns Bill Due by: followed by a value that is one month later than DateSold.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Day
Purpose
Returns a number in the range 1 through 31, representing the day of the month on which date
occurs.

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Format
Day(date)

Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use Day, for example, to identify the day of the month on which payments are due.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Examples
Day(“5/15/2014”) returns 15. This example assumes that the system date format is MM/DD/
YYYY.
Day(DateSold) returns the day of the month stored in DateSold.
If(Day(Get(CurrentDate))= 15 and Month(Get(CurrentDate))=3;“Beware the
Ides of March”;””) displays the text Beware the Ides of March only when the day of the
month returned by Get(CurrentDate) is 15 and the month returned by Get(CurrentDate) is
3; otherwise it displays nothing.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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DayName
Purpose
Returns a text string that is the full name of the weekday for date.

Format
DayName(date)

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Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
DayName(Date(10;7;2014)) returns Tuesday.
DayName(ProjectDue) returns Tuesday when ProjectDue is 10/7/2014.
DayName(“10/7/2014”) returns Tuesday.
“Return your selection by ” & DayName(DueDate) displays the text Return your
selection by followed by the name of the day stored in DueDate.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

DayNameJ
Purpose
Returns a text string in Japanese that is the full name of the weekday for date.

Format
DayNameJ(date)

Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
DayNameJ(Date(4;4;2014)) returns

.

Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

DayOfWeek
Purpose
Returns a number representing the day of the week that date falls on.

Format
DayOfWeek(date)

Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The number 1 represents Sunday, 2 represents Monday, 3 represents Tuesday, and so on. For
example, you can find out on what day of the week a holiday occurs.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

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Examples
DayOfWeek(“10/8/2014”) returns 4.
DayOfWeek(Date(10;9;2014)) returns 5.
DayOfWeek(ProjectDue) returns 3 when the date in ProjectDue is 10/7/2014.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
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About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
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DayOfYear
Purpose
Returns a number equal to the number of days from the beginning of the year of date.

Format
DayOfYear(date)

Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
DayOfYear(Billing Date) returns 32, when Billing Date is 2/1/2014.
The following formulas return the total number of days in the current year:
DayOfYear(Date(12;31;Year(Get(CurrentDate))))
DayOfYear(Date(1;1;Year(Get(CurrentDate)) + 1) -1)
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)

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About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Month
Purpose
Returns a number in the range 1 through 12, representing the number of the month of the year in
which date occurs.

Format
Month(date)

Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Month(“3/19/2014”) returns 3. This example assumes that the operating system date format is
set to MM/DD/YYYY.
Month(Payment) returns 3, where Payment contains March 19, 2014. (The Payment field must be
of type date.)
“Bill Due by: ” & Date(Month(DateSold) + 1;Day(DateSold);Year(DateSold))
returns Bill Due by: followed by a value that is one month later than DateSold.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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MonthName
Purpose
Returns the full name of the month for date.

Format
MonthName(date)

Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
MonthName(“6/6/2014”) returns June.
“Payment due by the end of: ” & MonthName(Date(Month(InvoiceDate) +
1;Day(InvoiceDate);Year(InvoiceDate))) returns Payment due by the end of May,
where InvoiceDate is 4/4/2014.
“Payment for: ” & MonthName(Date(Month(Payment) +
1;Day(Payment);Year(Payment))) returns Payment for: followed by the name of the month
that is one past the month of the last payment.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

MonthNameJ
Purpose
Returns the name of the month of date in Japanese.

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Format
MonthNameJ(date)

Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
MonthNameJ(“6/6/2014”) returns
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

WeekOfYear
Purpose
Returns the number of weeks after January 1 of the year of date.

Format
WeekOfYear(date)

Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
Fractions of weeks occurring at the beginning or end of the year count as full weeks, so the
WeekOfYear function returns values 1 through 54.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Examples
WeekOfYear(“1/1/2014”) returns 1.
WeekOfYear(ProjectDue) returns 6, when ProjectDue is 2/2/2014.
WeekOfYear(“1/1/2014”) - WeekOfYear(“2/2/2014”) returns -5.

Related topics
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About formulas
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WeekOfYearFiscal
Purpose
Returns a number between 1 and 53 representing the week containing date, figured according to
startingDay.

Format
WeekOfYearFiscal(date;startingDay)

Parameters
date - any calendar date
startingDay - any number between 1 and 7, where 1 represents Sunday

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
startingDay indicates which day is considered the first day of the week.

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The first week of the year is the first week that contains four or more days of that year. For example,
if you select 1 (Sunday) as the starting day, then January 1 must be on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
or Wednesday for that week to be the first week of the fiscal year. If you select 2 (Monday) as the
starting day, then January 1 must be on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday for that week to
be the first week of the fiscal year.
It is possible, using this function, that dates in a particular year will be returned as the 53rd week of
the previous year. For example, if in 2008 you selected Sunday (1) as the starting date, then
January 1, 2, or 3 in 2009 would occur in week 53 of fiscal year 2008 (in 2009, January 1 is on a
Thursday). The first day of fiscal year 2009 would be on Sunday, January 4, because you selected
Sunday (1) as the starting day.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Examples
WeekOfYearFiscal(Date(1;7;2008);1) returns 2.
WeekOfYearFiscal(Date(1;1;2009);5) returns 1.
WeekOfYearFiscal(Date(1;2;2009);1) returns 53.

Related topics
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Year
Purpose
Returns a number representing the year in which date occurs.

Format
Year(date)

Parameters
date - any calendar date

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
You can, for example, extract the year from a field containing the date an item was sold.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Examples
Year(DateSold) returns the year stored in DateSold.
Year(“5/5/2014”) returns 2014.
Year(Date(Month(Get(CurrentDate)) +
48;Day(Get(CurrentDate));Year(Get(CurrentDate)))) returns the year that is 48
months from today’s date.

Related topics
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Defining calculation fields
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YearName
Purpose
Returns the Japanese year name of date, provided in the specified format.

Format
YearName(date;format)

Parameters
date - any calendar date
format - a number (0, 1, or 2) that describes the display format

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the value for format is blank or other than 0, 1, or 2, then 0 is used.

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08 (Meiji 8),
[before 1868.9.8])
1-

8 (Mei 8),

8 (Taisho 8),

8 (Tai 8),

8 (Sho 8),

8 (Showa 8),

8 (Hei 8),

8 (Heisei 8),

(Seireki xxxx

xxxx (Sei xxxx [before 1868.9.8])

2 - M8, T8, S8, H8, A.D.xxxx (before 1868.9.8)
Name of Emperor in 0 = Long, 1 = Abbreviated, 2 = 2 byte Roman. Seireki is returned when date is
before listed emperors.

Examples
YearName(DateField;0) Returns

when DateField contains 7/15/2008.

Related topics
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Design functions
Design functions return information about the structure of open database files. For example, you
could determine the names of all the layouts or fields in an open database file.
Note FileMaker Pro limits the information returned by a design function, according to the privilege
set in effect when the function evaluates a database file. See Creating and managing privilege sets
for more information about granting access to database files.
Design function parameters can be any of the following:
• filenames such as “Customer” or literal text such as "Jack"
• layouts such as layoutName
• other functions such as Left(text;number)
Important Literal text parameters such as filenames and layout names must be enclosed in
quotation marks. Use quotation marks around field names to indicate the literal string is the
parameter (omit quotation marks to indicate the value stored in the field is the parameter). You can
use spaces before or after the parentheses that enclose parameters, but spaces are not necessary.
Use a semicolon between parameters when a function requires more than one parameter.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

DatabaseNames

A list of the names of all database files open on the computer (including files
opened as a client), separated by carriage returns.

FieldBounds

The location of each side of the specified field and its rotation in degrees.

FieldComment

The specified field’s comment.

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This function

Returns

FieldIDs

A list of all field IDs in the specified database file and layout, separated by carriage
returns.

FieldNames

A list of the names of all fields on the specified layout, separated by carriage
returns.

FieldRepetitions

The number of repetitions of the specified field as it is formatted on the specified
layout (which could be different from the number of repetitions specified when the
field was defined), and the orientation of the field repetitions (horizontal or vertical)
on the layout.

FieldStyle

The formatting applied to the specified field on the specified layout.

FieldType

Information about the specified field.

GetNextSerialValue

The next serial number for the specified field in the specified database file.

LayoutIDs

A list of all layout IDs in the specified database file, separated by carriage returns.

LayoutNames

A list of the names of all layouts in the specified database file, separated by
carriage returns.

LayoutObjectNames A list of the names of all named layout objects, separated by carriage returns.
RelationInfo

A list of four values for each relationship directly related to the specified table.

ScriptIDs

A list of all script IDs in the specified database file, separated by carriage returns.

ScriptNames

A list of the names of all scripts in the specified database file, separated by
carriage returns.

TableIDs

A list of all table IDs in the specified database file, separated by carriage returns.

TableNames

A list of the names of all defined tables in the specified database file, separated by
carriage returns.

ValueListIDs

A list of all value list IDs in the specified database file, separated by carriage
returns.

ValueListItems

A list of the values in the specified value list, separated by carriage returns.

ValueListNames

A list of the names of all value lists in the specified database file, separated by
carriage returns.

WindowNames

A list of the names of open windows in the specified database file.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

DatabaseNames
Purpose
Returns a list of the names of all database files open on the computer, separated by carriage
returns.

Format
DatabaseNames

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Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The names returned do not include file extensions.
Note If your database is hosted on another computer, DatabaseNames returns a list of the names
of local client and remote database files open only on the client computer.

Examples
To determine whether Customers is one of the files currently open, use the DatabaseNames
function with the FilterValues function in the formula:
FilterValues( DatabaseNames;"Customers")
If the formula returns any text value, then Customers is open.
If you want to know how many files with the same name are open, use the DatabaseNames
function with the PatternCount function in the formula:
PatternCount(FilterValues(DatabaseNames;"Customers");"Customers")
This will tell you how many files named Customers are open.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FieldBounds
Purpose
Returns the location in points of each field boundary and the field’s rotation in degrees.

Format
FieldBounds(fileName;layoutName;fieldName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).

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layoutName - the name of a layout in the specified database file.
fieldName - the name of a field on the specified layout.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The location returned is measured from the top left corner of the layout (regardless of printer
margins) and is specified in this order: position of left field boundary, position of top field boundary,
position of right field boundary, position of bottom field boundary, degree of rotation (measured in a
counter-clockwise direction; 0 degrees for unrotated).
Note Your layout begins where your margins end. Because field boundaries are measured from the
left side and top of the layout, boundaries returned by FieldBounds never change unless you
move or re-size a field.

Examples
FieldBounds(“Customers”;“Layout #1”;“Field”) returns 36 48 295 65 0 in the example
below. Notice that all parameters are enclosed in quotation marks.

36

48

65

295

Related topics
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FieldComment
Purpose
Returns the specified field’s comment.

Format
FieldComment(fileName;fieldName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
fieldName - the name of a field in the specified database file.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The field name must be in the form tablename::fieldname to specify a field that exists in a table
different from the current table.

Examples
FieldComment("Customers"; "Phone Number") returns “Customer's home telephone
number” if it was entered as a comment for the Phone Number field.
FieldComment("Customers"; "Accounts::Current Balance") returns “Customer's
current balance” if it was entered as a comment for the Current Balance field in the Accounts table.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FieldIDs
Purpose
Returns a list of all field IDs in fileName and layoutName, separated by carriage returns.

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Format
FieldIDs(fileName;layoutName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
layoutName - the name of a layout or table in the specified database file.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Related fields are returned as TableID::RelatedFieldID.
For example, 12::4, where 12 is the ID of the table and 4 is the ID of the related field.
If no parameter is specified for fileName, FileMaker returns results for the current file.

Examples
FieldIDs(“Customers”;””) returns IDs of all unique fields in the default table of Customers.
FieldIDs(“Customers”;”Layout#5”) returns IDs of all unique fields, including related fields,
on Layout#5 in Customers.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FieldNames
Purpose
Returns a list of the names of all fields on layoutName, in fileName file, separated by carriage
returns.

Format
FieldNames(fileName;layoutName)

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Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
layoutName - the name of a layout or table in the specified database file.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Related fields are displayed in tablename::fieldname format.
If no parameter is specified for fileName, FileMaker returns results for the current file.
Note If FieldNames returns a question mark (?) or the name of only one field, go to the Specify
Calculation dialog box and make sure Calculation result is text. Also, you can increase the size of
the field on the layout to show more field names.

Examples
FieldNames(“Customers”;””) returns a list of all the fields in the default table of the Customers
database file.
FieldNames(“Customers”;“Data Entry”) returns a list of all the fields, including related
fields, in the Customers database file that appear on the Data Entry layout.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FieldRepetitions
Purpose
Returns the number of repetitions of the repeating field fieldName as it is currently formatted on
layoutName (which could be different from the number of repetitions when the field was defined),
and the orientation of the field repetitions (horizontal or vertical) on the layout.

Format
FieldRepetitions(fileName;layoutName;fieldName)

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Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
layoutName - the name of a layout in the specified database file.
fieldName - the name of a field on the specified layout.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If fieldName isn’t a repeating field, it returns 1 vertical.

Examples
FieldRepetitions(“Customers”;“Data Entry”;“Business Phone”) returns 3 vertical
if the Business Phone field is defined as a repeating field with five repetitions but is formatted to only
show three repetitions in a vertical orientation on the Data Entry layout.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FieldStyle
Purpose
Returns the field formatting applied to fieldName on layoutName in the fileName file.

Format
FieldStyle(fileName;layoutName;fieldName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
layoutName - the name of a layout in the specified database file.
fieldName - the name of a field on the specified layout.

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Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the field has a value list associated with it, the FieldStyle function also returns the name of the
value list.
• A standard field returns Standard.
• A standard field with a vertical scroll bar returns Scrolling.
• A drop-down list returns Popuplist.
• A pop-up menu returns Popupmenu.
• A checkbox returns Checkbox.
• A radio button returns RadioButton.
• A drop-down calendar returns Calendar.

Examples
On the Data Entry layout in the Customers database file, FieldStyle(“Customers”;“Data
Entry”;“Current Customer”) returns RadioButton Yes/No List when the Current Customer
field is formatted as a radio button and is associated with the value list named Yes/No List.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FieldType
Purpose
Returns information about fieldName.

Format
FieldType(fileName;fieldName)

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Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
fieldName - the name of a field in the specified database file.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Field names must be in the format tablename::fieldname to specify a field that exists in a table
different from the current table. The result has four values separated by spaces:
• The first value is either Standard, StoredCalc, Summary, UnstoredCalc, External(Secure),
External(Open), or Global.
• The second value is the field type: text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container.
• The third value is Indexed or Unindexed.
• The fourth value is the maximum number of repetitions defined for the field (if the field isn’t
defined as a repeating field, this value is 1).

Examples
FieldType(“Customers”;“Phone Number”) returns Standard Text Unindexed 3 when, in
the Customers database file, the Phone Number field is defined as a text field that repeats a
maximum of three times and the storage options are left unchanged. (Most fields are indexed when
a find is performed in that field.)
FieldType(“Customers”;“Current Balance”) returns StoredCalc Number Indexed 1
when, in the Customers database file, the Current Balance field is defined as a stored, numeric
calculation field that is indexed.
FieldType(“Customers”;“Today’s Date”) returns Global Date Unindexed 1 when, in the
Customers database file, the Today’s Date field is defined as a global field of type date. Global fields
are never indexed.
FieldType(“Customers”;”Statement”) returns External(Secure) Container Unindexed 1
when, in the Customers database file, the Statement field is defined as a container field that stores
data externally using secure storage. Container fields cannot be indexed.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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GetNextSerialValue
Purpose
Returns the next serial number of fieldName in fileName.

Format
GetNextSerialValue(fileName;fieldName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
fieldName - the name of the field whose next serial number you want to determine.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Field names must be fully qualified in the format tablename::fieldname to specify a field that
exists in a table different from the current table.

Examples
GetNextSerialValue(“Customers”;”CustID”) returns the next serial number for the CustID
field.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

LayoutIDs
Purpose
Returns a list of all layout IDs in fileName, separated by carriage returns.

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Format
LayoutIDs(fileName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If no parameter is specified for fileName, FileMaker returns results for the current file.

Examples
LayoutIDs(“Customers”) returns a list of all the layout IDs in the Customers database file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

LayoutNames
Purpose
Returns a list of the names of all layouts in fileName, separated by carriage returns.

Format
LayoutNames(fileName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

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Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
LayoutNames(“Customers”) returns a list of all the layouts in the Customers database file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

LayoutObjectNames
Purpose
Returns a list of the names of all named objects on layoutName in fileName, separated by
carriage returns.

Format
LayoutObjectNames(fileName;layoutName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
layoutName - the name of a layout in the specified database file.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.5

Description
Layout objects without object names are not returned. If layoutName isn’t specified, then no object
names are returned.

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Named tab controls, grouped objects, and portal objects that contain other named objects are
followed by a list of those named objects enclosed in angle brackets (<>). The angle brackets are
shown even if there are no named objects contained within the named tab controls, grouped objects,
or portal objects.

Examples
LayoutObjectNames ("Customers";"Data Entry") returns a list of named objects in the
Customers database file that appear on the Data Entry layout.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Naming objects

RelationInfo
Purpose
Returns a list of four values for each relationship directly related to tableName.

Format
RelationInfo(fileName;tableName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
tableName - the name of a table in the specified database file.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Values in a list are separated by carriage returns, and lists are separated by two carriage returns.
For each additional relationship connected to tableName, an additional list of four values is output.
The four values are:
• Source: Data Source Name of the database table connected to tableName.

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• Table: the name of the table connected to tableName.
• Options: the options that were set in the right side of the Edit Relationship dialog box
when the relationship was defined. This line is blank if the following options are not set;
otherwise these options are separated by spaces.
• Delete, if Delete related records in this table when a record is deleted in the other
table is selected in the right side of the Edit Relationship dialog box.
• Create, if Allow creation of records in this table via this relationship is selected in
the right side of the Edit Relationship dialog box.
• Sorted, if Sort records is selected in the right side of the Edit Relationship dialog box.
• Relationships: a list of the defined relationships, one per line. Field names are fully
qualified, for example, TableName::Field Name.

Examples
A database file called Human Resources has three tables: Company, Employees, and Addresses.
Company::Company ID is connected to Employees::Company ID, Employees::Employee
ID is connected to Addresses::Employee ID and Employees::DateOfHire is connected
to Addresses::DateMovedIn.
The relationships have the following criteria:
• You can create records in all tables.
• You cannot delete records in all tables.
• A sort was specified for the Addresses table for the Employees<-->Addresses relationship.
RelationInfo(“Human Resources”;“Employees”) returns:
Source: Human Resources
Table: Company
Options: Create
Company::Company ID = Employees::Company ID
Source: Human Resources
Table: Addresses
Options: Create Sorted
Addresses::Employee ID = Employees::Employee ID
Addresses::DateMovedIn >= Employees::DateOfHire

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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ScriptIDs
Purpose
Returns a list of all script IDs in fileName, separated by carriage returns.

Format
ScriptIDs(fileName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
ScriptIDs(“Customers”) returns a list of all the script IDs in the Customers database file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

ScriptNames
Purpose
Returns a list of the names of all scripts in fileName, separated by carriage returns.

Format
ScriptNames(fileName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

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Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If no parameter is specified for fileName, FileMaker returns results for the current file.

Examples
ScriptNames(“Customers”) returns a list of all the scripts in the Customers database file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

TableIDs
Purpose
Returns a list of all table IDs in fileName, separated by carriage returns.

Format
TableIDs(fileName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Each table ID is unique. Also, the ID is independent of when you create each table: the first table
could have the smallest, middle, or largest value.

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If no parameter is specified for fileName, FileMaker returns results for the current file.

Examples
TableIDs(“University Database”) returns
1065089
1065090
for the University Database database file if two tables have been defined for the file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

TableNames
Purpose
Returns a list of all table occurrences in the relationships graph for fileName, separated by
carriage returns.

Format
TableNames(fileName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If no parameter is specified for fileName, FileMaker returns results for the current file.

Examples
TableNames(“University Database”) returns table occurrences
Teachers

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Coaches
for the University Database database file if a Teachers table and a Coaches table have been defined
for the file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

ValueListIDs
Purpose
Returns a list of all value list IDs in fileName, separated by carriage returns.

Format
ValueListIDs(fileName)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If no parameter is specified for fileName, FileMaker returns results for the current file.

Examples
ValueListIDs(“Customers”) returns a list of all the value list IDs in the Customers database
file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields

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Using operators in formulas

ValueListItems
Purpose
Returns a list of the values in valuelist, separated by carriage returns.

Format
ValueListItems(fileName;valuelist)

Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
valuelist - the name of a value list in the specified database file.
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
ValueListItems(“Customers”;“Code”) returns a list of all the items in the Code value list in
the Customers database file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

ValueListNames
Purpose
Returns a list of the names of all value lists in fileName, separated by carriage returns.

Format
ValueListNames(fileName)

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Parameters
fileName - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If no parameter is specified for fileName, FileMaker returns results for the current file.

Examples
ValueListNames(“Customers”) returns a list of all the value list names in the Customers
database file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

WindowNames
Purpose
Returns a list of the names of windows that are currently open.

Format
WindowNames{(fileName)}

Parameters
{fileName} - the name of an open database file (local or remote).
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use the optional fileName parameter to only return windows that are based on the specified file.
The window could be visible, hidden, or minimized. The order of the names in the list matches the
current stacking order of the windows. The visible windows are listed first, then the minimized
windows, and then the hidden windows. If there are no databases or windows open, an empty string
is returned.
Note Even if you close a file, it may remain open as a hidden file if the window of any other file is
displaying data from that file. (For example, another window may be displaying related data from the
file you attempted to close.) FileMaker Pro will close the file when you close all the dependent
windows.

Examples
WindowNames returns Customers and Invoices separated by a carriage return when those
windows are currently open.
WindowNames(“contacts”) returns a list of windows that are based on the contacts database
file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

External functions
Use external functions to access FileMaker Pro plug-ins. Plug-ins add features to FileMaker Pro.
For more information, see Setting plug-in preferences.
External functions are only available if FileMaker Pro plug-ins are installed and enabled on your
computer. If no FileMaker Pro plug-ins are installed, you see only the generic external function
definition in the Specify Calculation dialog box:
External (nameOfFunction; parameter)

Plug-ins written for version 7.0 and later
Each plug-in defines its own functions and parameters. See the documentation that came with the
plug-in for each function’s usage.

Plug-ins written for version 6.0 and earlier
These plug-ins are still supported and continue to use the External function to access the plug-in’s
functions. The first parameter is the name of the plug-in function to execute and the second is a
parameter that is passed to that function. See the documentation that came with the plug-in for each
function’s usage.

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This function

Does this

External

Enables access to FileMaker Pro plug-ins written for versions of FileMaker Pro prior
to 7.0.

For more information, see Updating plug-ins.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

External
Purpose
Accesses plug-ins created for versions of FileMaker Pro prior to 7.0 and uses the syntax
External(“function name”, parameter), where function name is in quotes and is the
name of an external function.

Format
External(nameOfFunction;parameter)

Parameters
nameOfFunction - the name of the external function
parameter - the parameter(s) required by the external function. A parameter is required, even if it’s
only 0.

Data type returned
Depends on the external function

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Plug-ins created for FileMaker Pro version 7.0 and later do not use the External(“function
name”, parameter) syntax. For more information, see External functions.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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Financial functions
Financial functions calculate financial information, such as net present value and payments. For
example, you can calculate the monthly payments required to buy a car at a certain loan rate using
the PMT function.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

FV

The future value of an initial investment, based on a constant interest rate and
payment amount for the number of periods in months.

NPV

The net present value of a series of unequal payments made at regular intervals,
assuming a fixed rate per interval.

PMT

The payment required by the term, interest rate, and principal.

PV

The present value of a series of equal payments made at regular intervals
(periods), assuming a fixed interest rate per interval.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

FV
Purpose
Returns the future value (FV) of an initial investment, based on a constant interestRate and
payment amount for the number of periods in months.

Format
FV(payment;interestRate;periods)

Parameters
payment - payment to be made per period
interestRate - interest rate per period
periods - number of periods

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this function to calculate FV. For example, you can calculate how much you’ll earn on an
investment in which you pay $50 a month for 60 months at a 6 percent annual interest rate.

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Notes
• When interestRate is 0, this function returns the result of payment * periods.
• The FV function doesn’t account for the present value of your investment, and it assumes
that payment is made at the end of each period.
( 1 + interestRate ) periods – 1
FV = payment * ----------------------------------------------------------------------------interestRate

Examples
FV(50;.11/12;5 * 12) returns 3975.90398429....
FV(2000;.12;30) + 5000 * (.12 + 1) ^ 30 returns 632464.97928640....
FV(500;.11/5;60) returns 61141.65130790....
To set the decimal precision of the returned value, enclose the current formulas with the Round
function. For example, Round(Current Formula;2).

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

NPV
Purpose
Returns the net present value (NPV) of a series of unequal payments made at regular intervals,
assuming a fixed interestRate per interval.

Format
NPV(payment;interestRate)

Parameters
payment - a repeating field containing unequal payment amounts, or an expression that returns a
reference to one.
interestRate - interest rate.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
Use this function to calculate NPV. For example, if someone borrows money from you and pays you
back in unequal amounts over a period of several years, you can use the NPV function to calculate
the result.
second payment
n th payment
loan amount
first payment
NPV = -------------------------------------------- + ---------------------------------------------------2- + ---------------------------------------------------3- + … + ----------------------------------------------------------1 + interestRate ( 1 + interestRate )
( 1 + interestRate )
( 1 + interestRate ) n + 1

Examples
NPV(Loan;.05) returns 156.91277445..., when the repeating field, Loan, contains -2000 (the
initial payment), 600, 300, 500, 700, and 400. The result (156.91277445...) is the actual profit in
today’s dollars that will be realized from this transaction.
NPV(Amounts;.10) returns 16758.35604870..., when the repeating field, Amounts, contains 5000 (the initial investment), 10,000, 0, 10,000, and 10,000.
If you want each return value to return 2 decimal places, surround the current formulas with the
correct Round function: Round(Current Formula;2).

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

PMT
Purpose
Returns the payment (PMT) required by the term, interestRate, and principal.

Format
PMT(principal;interestRate;term)

Parameters
principal - principal amount.
interestRate - interest rate. If the interest rate is annual, divide the rate by 12.
term - length of time, expressed in number of months.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
Use this function to calculate PMT.
– periods

1 – ( 1 + interestRate )
PMT = payment ⁄ ⎛ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------⎞
⎝
⎠
interestRate

Examples
In the following example, the PMT function calculates payments for purchasing a sports car costing
$21,000, at an annual rate of 6.9% over 48 monthly payments.
PMT(21000;.069/12;48) returns the payment amount $501.90.
PMT(Cost;.13;Years) returns a payment amount, based on the purchase value stored in Cost,
at a 13 percent rate, over the duration stored in Years.
“Your payment will be ” & PMT(150000;.13/12;Months) & “.” returns Your payment
will be, followed by the payment amount, based on a total cost of $150,000, at a 13 percent annual
percentage rate, over the duration stored in Months.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

PV
Purpose
Returns the present value (PV) of a series of equal payments made at regular intervals (periods),
assuming a fixed interestRate per interval.

Format
PV(payment;interestRate;periods)

Parameters
payment - payment amount to be made per period. Type a negative number for money you pay and
a positive number for money you receive.
interestRate - interest rate per period.
periods - number of periods (intervals between payments).

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
Use this function to calculate PV.
1 – ( 1 + interestRate ) – periods
PV = payment * -----------------------------------------------------------------------------interestRate

Note When interestRate is 0, this function returns the result of payment * periods.

Examples
Your cousin borrowed $2,000 from you, offering to pay you back $500 a year for five years, for a
total of $2,500 at the end of five years. If inflation was 5 percent annually, with the following entry
you could find out what those payments are worth with the PV function.
PV(500;.05;5) returns 2164.73833531....
If you want the return value to return two decimal places, enclose the formula with the correct Round
function: Round(Current Formula;2).

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get functions
Use Get functions in scripts for error checking and prevention, or to capture information about the
status of a database file or elements in it, or an action being performed.
Many Get functions return information that changes on a regular basis. For example, when the
Get(CurrentTime) function is placed in a stored calculation field, the time will only update when a
new record is created. If the calculation has other fields in it, but the calculation result still returns the
current time, then the stored calculation result will only update when those other fields have been
modified in the current record. If either of these calculations are unstored, the time will update as
needed. For performance reasons, making a calculation field unstored is not always the best idea.
Get functions are best used in a script where the status information from a Get function is up-to-date
at the moment that the calculation is run.
To access the list of Get functions, in the Specify Calculation dialog box, choose View all functions
by type or View Get functions. When you choose View all functions by name, you see only
Get(flag).
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges)

A list of keywords for the enabled extended privileges, separated
by carriage returns. The list that is returned is based on the
account used to open the database file.

Get(AccountName)

The authenticated account name being used for the active
database file.

Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName)

The name of the privilege set that is being used by the account
used to open the database file.

Get(ActiveFieldContents)

The contents of the field that has the focus.

Get(ActiveFieldName)

The name of the field that has the focus.

Get(ActiveFieldTableName)

The name of the table that contains the active field (the field that
has the focus).

Get(ActiveLayoutObjectName)

The name of the active layout object in the calculation's active
window.

Get(ActiveModifierKeys)

A number representing the keyboard modifier keys (for example,
Shift) that are being pressed.

Get(ActivePortalRowNumber)

The number of the portal row containing the focus.

Get(ActiveRepetitionNumber)

A number representing the active repetition of a repeating field
(the repetition that has the focus).

Get(ActiveSelectionSize)

A number representing how many characters are selected.

Get(ActiveSelectionStart)

A number representing the starting character of the selected text.

Get(AllowAbortState)

A Boolean value representing the current state of Allow user
abort script step.

Get(AllowFormattingBarState)

A Boolean value representing whether the formatting bar is
allowed to be visible.

Get(ApplicationLanguage)

Text representing the current application language (for example,
English).

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This function

Returns

Get(ApplicationVersion)

Text representing the FileMaker application version.

Get(CalculationRepetitionNumber)

A number representing the repetition of the calculation field that is
currently being calculated.

Get(ConnectionAttributes)

The name of the current file’s host and the name of the certificate
authority that issued the SSL certificate used to secure the
connection.

Get(ConnectionState)

A number representing the security state of the network
connection for the current file.

Get(CurrentDate)

The current date according to the system calendar.

Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges)

A list of keywords for the enabled extended privileges of the
account that is being used to evaluate the calculation.

Get(CurrentHostTimestamp)

The host's current date and time (to the nearest second)
according to the system clock.

Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName)

The name of the privilege set that is being used to evaluate this
calculation in the database.

Get(CurrentTime)

The current time (to the nearest second) according to the system
clock.

Get(CurrentTimestamp)

The current date and time (to the nearest second) according to
the system clock.

Get(CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds)

The current time in Coordinated Universal Time to the nearest
millisecond.

Get(CustomMenuSetName)

The name of the active custom menu set.

Get(DesktopPath)

The path to the desktop folder for the current user.

Get(Device)

A number indicating the type of computer or iOS device currently
running a FileMaker product.

Get(DocumentsPath)

The path to the Documents folder for the current user.

Get(DocumentsPathListing)

A list of all the files and folders in the Documents folder returned
by the Get(DocumentsPath) function.

Get(EncryptionState)

A value representing the current encryption state.

Get(ErrorCaptureState)

A Boolean value representing the state of Error capture script
step.

Get(FileMakerPath)

The path to the folder of the currently running copy of
FileMaker Pro.

Get(FileName)

The name of the currently active database file.

Get(FilePath)

The full path indicating the location of the file.

Get(FileSize)

The size (in bytes) of the currently active database file.

Get(FoundCount)

A number that represents the number of records in the current
found set.

Get(HighContrastColor)

The name of the current high contrast default color scheme if Use
High Contrast is selected in the Windows operating system
Accessibility Options dialog box.

Get(HighContrastState)

A Boolean value representing the state of the Use High Contrast
checkbox on the Accessibility Options dialog box.

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This function

Returns

Get(HostApplicationVersion)

The version of FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server running on the
computer that is hosting the current database.

Get(HostIPAddress)

The IP address of the host machine for the current database.

Get(HostName)

The registered name of the computer that is hosting the database
file.

Get(InstalledFMPlugins)

The display name, version number (if available), and enabled
state of installed plug-ins.

Get(LastError)

A number representing the error, if any, in the execution of the
most recently executed script step.

Get(LastMessageChoice)

A number corresponding to the button clicked in an alert message
displayed by the Show Custom Dialog script step.

Get(LastODBCError)

A string that shows the error state published by ODBC standards,
based on ISO/IEF standards.

Get(LayoutAccess)

A number corresponding to the layout access privileges assigned
through the Manage Security dialog box.

Get(LayoutCount)

The total number of layouts in the database file.

Get(LayoutName)

The name of the layout currently displayed.

Get(LayoutNumber)

The number of the layout currently displayed, according to the list
in the Manage Layouts dialog box.

Get(LayoutTableName)

The name of the table that the layout is displaying records from.

Get(LayoutViewState)

Information about how the database file is being viewed.

Get(ModifiedFields)

A list of fields that have been modified in the current record of the
current table.

Get(MultiUserState)

A number representing the current multi-user state of the
database file.

Get(NetworkProtocol)

The name of the network protocol that FileMaker Pro is using on
this machine.

Get(NetworkType)

A number representing the type of network being used by
FileMaker Pro to access the file that is performing the current
script.

Get(PageNumber)

A number representing the current page being printed or
previewed.

Get(PersistentID)

Text representing a unique identifier of the computer or device on
which FileMaker is running.

Get(PreferencesPath)

The path to the preferences folder for the current user.

Get(PrinterName)

A string identifying the default printer name.

Get(QuickFindText)

The text that was entered in the Quick Find box.

Get(RecordAccess)

A number indicating the access privileges of the current record.

Get(RecordID)

The unique ID number of the current record.

Get(RecordModificationCount)

The total number of times changes to the current record have
been committed.

Get(RecordNumber)

The number of the current record in the current found set.

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This function

Returns

Get(RecordOpenCount)

The total number of open records in the current found set that
haven’t yet been saved.

Get(RecordOpenState)

A number representing the state of the current record.

Get(RequestCount)

The total number of find requests currently defined for the current
table.

Get(RequestOmitState)

A Boolean value representing the state of the Omit checkbox in
Find mode.

Get(ScreenDepth)

The number of bits needed to represent the color or shade of gray
of a pixel on the main screen.

Get(ScreenHeight)

The height, in points, of the screen in which the window of the
current file is open.

Get(ScreenWidth)

The width, in points, of the screen in which the window of the
current file is open.

Get(ScriptAnimationState)

A number indicating whether or not animations are enabled for
the currently running script.

Get(ScriptName)

The name of the script currently running (or paused).

Get(ScriptParameter)

The script parameter passed into the current script.

Get(ScriptResult)

The script result from a performed subscript.

Get(SortState)

A number value representing the current sort state.

Get(StatusAreaState)

A number representing whether the status toolbar is hidden,
visible, visible and locked, or hidden and locked.

Get(SystemDrive)

The drive letter (Windows) or the volume name (OS X) where the
currently running operating system is located.

Get(SystemIPAddress)

The IP addresses of all the machines connected to a NIC
(Network Interface Controller) card.

Get(SystemLanguage)

The language currently set on the current system.

Get(SystemNICAddress)

The hardware addresses of all the Network Interface Controller
cards connected to the machine.

Get(SystemPlatform)

A number indicating the current platform.

Get(SystemVersion)

The version of the operating system of the machine on which the
function is executed.

Get(TemporaryPath)

The path to the current user’s temporary folder used by
FileMaker Pro.

Get(TextRulerVisible)

A Boolean value representing whether or not the text ruler is
visible.

Get(TotalRecordCount)

The total number of records in the current table.

Get(TriggerCurrentPanel)

The index number and object name of the tab panel or slide panel
to be switched from when the OnPanelSwitch script trigger is
activated.

Get(TriggerGestureInfo)

Details about the gesture that activated an OnGestureTap script
trigger.

Get(TriggerKeystroke)

A string containing the characters that activated an
OnObjectKeystroke or OnLayoutKeystroke script trigger.

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This function

Returns

Get(TriggerModifierKeys)

The state of the keyboard modifier keys as they were when the
script trigger was activated.

Get(TriggerTargetPanel)

The index number and object name of the tab panel or slide panel
to be switched to when the OnPanelSwitch script trigger is
activated.

Get(UserCount)

The number of users who are currently accessing the file.

Get(UserName)

The name of the FileMaker Pro user, as specified in the General
tab of the Preferences dialog box.

Get(UseSystemFormatsState)

A Boolean value representing the state of the Use System
Formats menu command.

Get(UUID)

Text representing a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID).

Get(WindowContentHeight)

The height, in points, of the FileMaker Pro content area.

Get(WindowContentWidth)

The width, in points, of the FileMaker Pro content area.

Get(WindowDesktopHeight)

The height, in points, of the desktop space.

Get(WindowDesktopWidth)

The width, in points, of the desktop space.

Get(WindowHeight)

The height, in points, of the window on which the script is acting
(not necessarily the foreground window).

Get(WindowLeft)

The horizontal distance, in points, of the outer edge of the window
on which the script is acting (not necessarily the foreground
window) relative to the left-most edge of the screen.

Get(WindowMode)

A number representing whether FileMaker Pro is in Browse
mode, Find mode, Preview mode, or printing when the function is
evaluated.

Get(WindowName)

The name of the current window of the file in which the calculation
is defined.

Get(WindowOrientation)

A number indicating the orientation of the window that the current
script is acting on.

Get(WindowStyle)

A number indicating whether the top-most open window is a
document window, a floating document window, or a dialog
window.

Get(WindowTop)

The vertical distance, in points, of the outer edge of the window
on which the script is acting (not necessarily the foreground
window) relative to the bottom edge of the menu bar.

Get(WindowVisible)

A Boolean value representing whether or not the current window
is visible.

Get(WindowWidth)

The width, in points, of the window on which the script is acting
(not necessarily the foreground window).

Get(WindowZoomLevel)

The zoom level of the current window.

Get functions example
This script uses the function Get(CurrentDate) to check each record in the found set to see if an
account is past due. If an account is past due, the script shows a message and prompts the user to
click a button labeled Ignore, Send Letter, or Send Mail (set up through the Show Custom Dialog
script step). The script captures the user's response using Get(LastMessageChoice). Then,

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based on the user's response, the script performs an action: it cancels the rest of the script, prints a
"payment is late" letter, or sends email to the associated account.

Go to Layout ["LayoutName"]
Go to Record/Request/Page [First]
Loop
If [DatabaseName::Date < Get(CurrentDate) - 30]
Show Custom Dialog ["30 or more days late"]
If [Get(LastMessageChoice) = 1]
Halt Script
Else If [Get(LastMessageChoice) = 2]
Go to Layout ["Late Notice"]
Print []
Else
Send Mail [To: DatabaseName::Client; Subject: "Late Notice";
Message: "Your account is past due."]
End If
End If
Go to Record/Request/Page [Exit after last, Next]
End Loop
Go to Layout [original layout]

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges)
Purpose
Returns a list of keywords, separated by carriage returns, for the enabled extended privileges. The
list that is returned is based on the account used to open the database file. See also
Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges) function.

Format
Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges)

Parameters
None

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Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 11.0

Description
Extended privileges are additional access rights assigned to an account’s privilege set. See About
accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges.
Returns an empty list if a user doesn’t have extended privileges assigned to the account used to
open the database file.

Notes
• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
An account uses a privilege set that includes the extended privilege of Access Via
FileMaker WebDirect (keyword "fmwebdirect"):
Position(Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges); "fmwebdirect"; 1; 1) returns a value
greater than 0.
If you are logged in and running a script that is set to run with full access privileges,
Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges)returns the extended privileges for your account, but
Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges)returns the extended privileges for the Admin account.

Related topics
Protecting databases
Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(AccountName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the authenticated account being used by the current user of the database file.

Format
Get(AccountName)

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Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Use this function for FileMaker authentication. If a user is using the default Admin account,
Get(AccountName) returns Admin. If a user is using the FileMaker Pro guest account then
[Guest] will be returned.
For external server authentication, Get(AccountName) returns the name of the authenticated
account being used by the current user of the database file, not the group the user belongs to (the
group name appears in the Account list when you define accounts and privileges in FileMaker Pro).
If an individual belongs to more than one group (account), the first group name listed when you
choose View By Authentication Order while defining accounts and privileges determines access
for the user.

Notes
• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available a http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns Marketing when Marketing is the name of the account that was used to log in to the
database file.

Related topics
Protecting databases
Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server
Get(UserName) function
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the privilege set that is being used by the account used to open the database.
See also Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName) function.

Format
Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 11.0

Description
If a user is using the default Admin account and you haven’t modified access privileges for the
database file, this function returns [Full Access].

Notes
• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com

Examples
For an Administrator, Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName) might return [Full Access].
For a user in the sales department, Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName) might return [Data Entry
Only].
For a user with Read-Only Access to a database who is running a script that is set to run with full
access privileges, Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName)returns [Read-Only Access] but
Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName)returns [Full Access] (for the current script).

Related topics
Protecting databases
Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(ActiveFieldContents)
Purpose
Returns the contents of the field that has the focus.

Format
Get(ActiveFieldContents)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
When the focus is in a repeating field, this function returns the contents of the active repetition. The
result type of the active field depends upon the data type of the active field and the result type
assigned to the Get(ActiveFieldContents) calculation function.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns SomeShop when the focus is in the Name field, and that field contains the data
SomeShop.
This type of calculation is most useful if used in a script when you want to examine data in different
fields as the script proceeds.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ActiveFieldName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the field that has the focus.

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Format
Get(ActiveFieldName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns Country, when the focus is in the Country field.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ActiveFieldTableName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the table that contains the active field (the field that has the focus).

Format
Get(ActiveFieldTableName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

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Description
If there is no active field, this function returns an empty string.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
There are two fields, Teachers::Name and Coaches::Name, on the current layout. Creating a script
that returns the result of Get(ActiveFieldTableName) to a third field will return Teachers when
the script is performed after clicking in the Teachers::Name field, or will return Coaches after
clicking in the Coaches::Name field.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ActiveLayoutObjectName)
Purpose
Returns the object name of the active layout object in the calculation's current window; otherwise,
returns an empty string.

Format
Get(ActiveLayoutObjectName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.5

Description
For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
There is a named button on the current layout called cancelButton. When the focus is on the
button, Get(ActiveLayoutObjectName) returns cancelButton.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Naming objects

Get(ActiveModifierKeys)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the keyboard modifier keys (for example, Control+Shift) that are
being pressed.

Format
Get(ActiveModifierKeys)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The number returned is calculated by summing numbers representing each modifier key being
pressed. The values assigned to the keys are:
• Shift = 1
• Caps Lock = 2
• Ctrl (Windows) and Control (OS X) = 4
• Alt (Windows) and Option (OS X) = 8
• Command (OS X) = 16
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns the number 9 when Shift+Alt is pressed on a computer running Windows.
You could use this function in a script that includes a custom dialog box script step (with an OK and
Cancel button) to perform some special action if the user presses the Alt (or Option) key while
clicking OK.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields

Get(ActivePortalRowNumber)
Purpose
Returns the number of the portal row containing the focus.

Format
Get(ActivePortalRowNumber)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
When no portal row contains the focus, this function returns 0. If there are multiple windows open in
the current database file, each window can have its own portal row number value, but results are
returned for only the foreground window. If a user navigates to a portal without selecting a specific
portal row and without making an object active within a specific portal row,
Get(ActivePortalRowNumber) returns row 0 rather than row 1.

Notes
• If a field on a layout is defined as Get(ActivePortalRowNumber), the window must be
refreshed before the field will display the current portal row number.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 5 when the fifth row of a portal has the focus, or when the focus is in a field in the fifth portal
row.
Returns 1 after the Go to Portal Row [First] script step runs.
Returns 0 when a portal is not selected.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Using operators in formulas
Get(TriggerModifierKeys)

Get(ActiveRepetitionNumber)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the active repetition of a repeating field (the repetition that has the
focus).

Format
Get(ActiveRepetitionNumber)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The first repetition returns 1. If the current field isn’t a repeating field, this function returns 1.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 5 when the focus is in the fifth repetition of a repeating field.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(ActiveSelectionSize)
Purpose
Returns a number representing how many characters are selected.

Format
Get(ActiveSelectionSize)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Returns 0 if there is no selection.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 4 when 4 characters are selected.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ActiveSelectionStart)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the starting character of the selected text.

Format
Get(ActiveSelectionStart)

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Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Returns the cursor's current position if no text is selected.
If there are multiple windows open in the current database file, a result is returned for only the
foreground window.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, Get(ActiveSelectionStart) returns a value only if the selected text is
in a field that displays as an edit box.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 5 when the selection starts at character 5.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(AllowAbortState)
Purpose
Returns 1 if Allow user abort script step is on; otherwise, returns 0.

Format
Get(AllowAbortState)

Parameters
None

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Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1 if Allow user abort script step is on.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(AllowFormattingBarState)
Purpose
Returns a Boolean value representing whether the formatting bar is allowed to be visible.

Format
Get(AllowFormattingBarState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Returns 1 if the formatting bar is allowed; otherwise, returns 0.
The Allow Formatting Bar script step sets the formatting bar state. For more information, see Allow
Formatting Bar script step.

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Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns 0.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1 if the formatting bar is allowed to be visible.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ApplicationLanguage)
Purpose
Returns text representing the current application language.

Format
Get(ApplicationLanguage)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The text that is returned by this function is in the English language.
For hosted databases, Get(ApplicationLanguage) returns the client’s current language.
Note In FileMaker WebDirect, Get(ApplicationLanguage) returns the web browser’s current
language.
FileMaker Pro supports:
• English
• French
• Italian

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• German
• Swedish
• Spanish
• Dutch
• Japanese
• Simplified Chinese
• Brazilian Portuguese
• Korean

Examples
Returns English when the current application language is English.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ApplicationVersion)
Purpose
Returns text representing the FileMaker application and version.

Format
Get(ApplicationVersion)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• Pro version for FileMaker Pro
• ProAdvanced version for FileMaker Pro Advanced
• Runtime version for FileMaker Runtime

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• Web Publishing Engine version for FileMaker Server Web Client
• xDBC version for xDBC Client
• Server version for FileMaker Server
• Go version for FileMaker Go on the iPhone or iPod touch
• Go_iPad version for FileMaker Go on the iPad
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns Pro 13.0v1 in FileMaker Pro 13.0v1.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(CalculationRepetitionNumber)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the repetition of the calculation field that is currently being
calculated.

Format
Get(CalculationRepetitionNumber)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The first repetition returned is 1. If the current field isn’t a repeating field, the function returns 1.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

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Examples
Returns 5 when FileMaker Pro is calculating the fifth repetition of a repeating field.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ConnectionAttributes)
Purpose
Returns the name of the current file’s host and the name of the certificate authority that issued the
SSL certificate used to secure the connection.

Format
Get(ConnectionAttributes)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
Get(ConnectionAttributes) returns an empty string if:
• the current file is not hosted
• the host is not FileMaker Server
• the host does not use an SSL certificate to secure the connection to the client

Examples
If the host is named “group_server” and the current SSL certificate was issued by XYZ Inc.,
Get(ConnectionAttributes) returns:
[ Peer Certificate ]
commonName: group_server
CA Issuers: XYZ Inc.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ConnectionState)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the security state of the network connection for the current file.

Format
Get(ConnectionState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Returns a value indicating whether the FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Go connection to the host uses
SSL, including whether the Server name matches the Server-side certificate (providing the highest
security). Returns:
• 0 for no network connection for the current file.
• 1 for a non-secured connection (FileMaker Server with SSL disabled, or to a FileMaker Pro
host).
• 2 for a secured connection (SSL) when the server name doesn’t match the certificate
(default FileMaker Server installation).
• 3 for a secured connection with a fully verified server name in the certificate.

Notes
• You do not have to use Get(ConnectionState) to check the security of web published files. In
FileMaker WebDirect, the web browser verifies the SSL connection.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

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Examples
Returns 3 when the Server name matches the name indicated in a Server root certificate obtained
from a trusted authority.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(CurrentDate)
Purpose
Returns the current date according to the system calendar.

Format
Get(CurrentDate)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
date

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The format of the result of this function varies based on the date format that was in use when the
database file was created. In the United States, dates are generally in the format MM/DD/YYYY. You
can change the date and time formats in your operating system.
If the result is displayed in a field, it is formatted according to the date format of the field in the
current layout.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Examples
Returns 2/2/2014 when the system date is set to February 2, 2014.

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Get(CurrentDate)-Date(1;5;2014) returns 4 when the system date is set to January 9,
2014.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges)
Purpose
Returns a list of keywords, separated by carriage returns, for the enabled extended privileges. The
list that is returned is based on the account that is being used to evaluate this calculation. See also
Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges) function.

Format
Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Extended privileges are additional access rights assigned to an account’s privilege set. See About
accounts, privilege sets, and extended privileges.
Returns an empty list if a user doesn’t have extended privileges assigned for the current database
file.

Notes
• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

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Examples
The account that is evaluating this calculation uses a privilege set that includes the extended
privilege of Access Via FileMaker WebDirect (keyword "fmwebdirect"):
Position(Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges); "fmwebdirect"; 1; 1) returns a value
greater than 0.
If you are logged in and running a script that is set to run with full access privileges,
Get(AccountExtendedPrivileges)returns the extended privileges for your account, but
Get(CurrentExtendedPrivileges)returns the extended privileges for the Admin account.

Related topics
Protecting databases
Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(CurrentHostTimestamp)
Purpose
Returns the host’s current date and time (to the nearest second) according to the system clock.

Format
Get(CurrentHostTimestamp)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
timestamp

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The format of the value returned is determined by the database file’s settings. You can use your
client system’s settings in the operating system.

Notes
• The client machine and host machine may be in different times zones so
Get(CurrentHostTimestamp) and Get(CurrentTimestamp) may return different

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date/time values. Also, the current date and time are characteristics of the host system, but
the format of the date and time is a characteristic of the database file.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.
Important For users who are connected over a network, the Get(CurrentHostTimestamp)
function can affect the performance of the database file. For example, if you use the function in an
unstored calculation field, and the field is visible in a list view, each display of the field requires an
additional network access. Stored calculation fields are a better use of the function. For example, if
you automatically enter a timestamp for each newly created record using a stored calculation field,
you minimize network access.

Examples
Returns 1/1/2014 11:30:01 AM when the system clock shows January 1, 2014 11:30:01 AM on the
host machine.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the privilege set that is being used to evaluate this calculation in the database
file. See also Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName) function.

Format
Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
If a user is using the default Admin account and you haven’t modified access privileges for the
database file, this function returns [Full Access].

Notes
• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
• If you select the Run script with full access privileges script option, this function returns
[Full Access].
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
For current user Administrator, Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName) might return [Full Access].
For a current user in the sales department, Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName) might return
[Data Entry Only].
For a user with Read-Only Access to a database who is running a script that is set to run with full
access privileges, Get(AccountPrivilegeSetName)returns [Read-Only Access] but
Get(CurrentPrivilegeSetName)returns [Full Access] (for the current script).

Related topics
Protecting databases
Creating accounts that authenticate via an external server
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(CurrentTime)
Purpose
Returns CurrentTime (to the nearest second) according to the system clock.

Format
Get(CurrentTime)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
time

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The format of the value returned is determined by the operating system settings.

Notes
• If the calculation result for this script step is set to integer format, it will return the total
number of seconds elapsed since the start of the current day.
• In client/server and peer-to-peer environments, Get(CurrentTimestamp) evaluates the
status of the client machine running the script (not the host machine). For information on
how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the FileMaker
Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 11:30:00 AM when the function result is in text format and the system clock shows 11:30:00
AM.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(CurrentTimestamp)
Purpose
Returns the current date and time (to the nearest second) according to the system clock.

Format
Get(CurrentTimestamp)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
timestamp

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

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Description
The format of the value returned is determined by the operating system settings.
Note In client/server and peer-to-peer environments, Get(CurrentTimestamp) evaluates the
status of the client machine running the script (not the host machine). For information on how
functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the FileMaker Knowledge Base
available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1/1/2014 11:30:00 AM when the system clock shows January 1, 2014 11:30:00.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds)
Purpose
Returns the current time in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to the nearest millisecond.

Format
Get(CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number, time

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
Returns the current time without time zone adjustments in the form of the number of milliseconds
since 1/1/0001. UTC time zone adjustments must be applied to get your local time.

Examples
Get ( CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds ) returns 63568967107528 if the time in UTC is
10:25:07.528 PM on 6/3/2015.

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GetAsTimestamp ( ( Get ( CurrentTimeUTCMilliseconds ) + (
Location::TimeAdjustment * 3600000 ) ) / 1000 ) returns 11/10/2015 1:43:55.304 PM
if the time in UTC is 8:43:55:.304 PM on 11/10/2015 and the TimeAdjustment field has a value of -7.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(CustomMenuSetName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the active custom menu set.

Format
Get(CustomMenuSetName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
If the active menu set isn’t a custom menu set, an empty string is returned.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns Custom Menu Set #1 when this custom menu set is active.
Returns an empty string when the [Standard FileMaker Menus] menu set is active.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)

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About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(DesktopPath)
Purpose
Returns the path to the desktop folder for the current user.

Format
Get(DesktopPath)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
In Windows, the path format is /Drive:/Users/UserName/Desktop/.
In OS X, the path format is /DriveName/Users/username/Desktop/.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns /C:/Documents and Settings/John Smith/Desktop/ for a user named John Smith in
Windows.
Returns /Macintosh HD/Users/johnsmith/Desktop/ for a user named John Smith in OS X.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(Device)
Purpose
Returns a number indicating the type of computer that is currently running FileMaker Pro or
FileMaker WebDirect, or the type of iOS device that is currently running FileMaker Go.

Format
Get(Device)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
Returns:
• 0 if the device is unknown
• 1 if the device is a Mac
• 2 if the device is a PC running Windows
• 3 if the device is an iPad
• 4 if the device is an iPhone or iPod touch

Examples
Returns 2 if FileMaker Pro or FileMaker WebDirect is currently running on a PC with Windows.
Returns 3 if FileMaker Go or FileMaker WebDirect is currently running on an iPad.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(DocumentsPath)
Purpose
Returns the path to the Documents folder for the current user.

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Format
Get(DocumentsPath)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
In Windows, the path format is /Drive:/Users/UserName/Documents/.
In OS X, the path format is /DriveName/Users/username/Documents/.
When running on FileMaker Server, Get(DocumentsPath) returns the location of the Documents
folder, which is in the same folder as the server's Backups, Databases, and Scripts folders. The
Documents folder is used as a shared location that scripts from different sessions or other
processes on the machine can use to import or export files. For more information, see FileMaker
Server Help.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and always an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
For FileMaker Pro, for a user named John Smith, returns:
/C:/Users/John Smith/Documents/ in Windows.
/Macintosh HD/Users/johnsmith/Documents/ in OS X
For FileMaker Server, returns:
/C:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents in Windows Vista.
/Macintosh HD/Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents in OS X

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Get(DocumentsPathListing) function

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Get(DocumentsPathListing)
Purpose
Returns a list of all the files and folders in the Documents folder returned by the
Get(DocumentsPath) function.

Format
Get(DocumentsPathListing)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 10.0

Description
Each pathname in the Documents folder is listed separated by a line break. Files and folders are
named according to FileMaker Pro naming conventions.
Use Get(DocumentsPathListing) with the Import Records script step and Export Records script step
to determine if a file exists in the Documents folder before using the Open File script step to open
the file. Get(DocumentsPathListing) ensures that multiple scripts can safely read from and write to
the same FileMaker Pro database.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
For FileMaker Server, returns the following pathnames:
In Windows:
/C:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/lastmonthsales.xlsx
/C:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/forecastsales.xlsx
/C:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/SAP
/C:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/SAP/sap001.txt
/C:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/SAP/sap002.txt
In OS X:
/MacintoshHD//Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/lastmonthsales.xlsx
/MacintoshHD//Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/forecastsales.xlsx
/MacintoshHD//Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/SAP
/MacintoshHD//Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/SAP/sap001.txt
/MacintoshHD//Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/SAP/sap002.txt

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
Get(DocumentsPath)

Get(EncryptionState)
Purpose
Returns a value representing the file’s current encryption state.

Format
Get(EncryptionState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
Returns:
• 0 if the database is not encrypted
• 1 and the Shared ID as a return delimited list if the database is encrypted

Examples
In an encrypted database file with the Shared ID of 31725, Get(EncryptionState)returns:
• 1
• 31725

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)

Get(ErrorCaptureState)
Purpose
Returns 1 if the Set Error capture script step is on; otherwise, returns 0.

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Format
Get(ErrorCaptureState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1 if the Set Error capture script step is on.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(FileMakerPath)
Purpose
Returns the path to the folder of the currently running copy of FileMaker Pro.

Format
Get(FileMakerPath)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

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Description
In Windows, the path format is /Drive:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Pro 13/.
In OS X, the path format is /DriveName/Applications/FileMaker Pro 13/.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns /C:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Pro 13/ in Windows.
Returns /MacintoshHD/Applications/FileMaker Pro 13/ in OS X.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(FileName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the currently active database file, without the filename extension.

Format
Get(FileName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the current calculation is stored and you specify its context, this function will be evaluated based
on that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

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Examples
Returns Contacts when Contacts is the active file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(FilePath)
Purpose
Returns the full path indicating the location of the currently active database file.

Format
Get(FilePath)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
In Windows, the full path is file:/drive:/folder/filename for local files. For remote files, the full path is
file://volume/folder/filename.
In OS X, the full path is file:/volume/folder/filename for local and remote files.
If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on that
context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns file:/driveletter:/databaseName for local files in Windows.
Returns file://volumename/myfoldername/databaseName for remote files in Windows.
Returns file:/path/databaseName for local and remote files in OS X.
Returns fmnet:/networkaddress/databaseName for FileMaker Pro networked files.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(FileSize)
Purpose
Returns the size (in bytes) of the currently active database file.

Format
Get(FileSize)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the current calculation is stored and you specify its context, this function will be evaluated based
on that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 15000 when the current file size is 15000 bytes.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(FoundCount)
Purpose
Returns a number that represents the number of records in the current found set.

Format
Get(FoundCount)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If there are multiple windows open in the current database file, each window can have its own found
count value, but results are returned for only the foreground window.
If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on that
context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 7 when there are 7 records in the current found set.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(HighContrastColor)
Purpose
Returns the name of the current high contrast default color scheme if high contrast is enabled in the
Windows Ease of Access Center and high contrast color scheme is active.

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Format
Get(HighContrastColor)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns an empty string if Turn high contrast is unavailable, inactive, or if this function is used in
OS X.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns High Contrast White when the Windows theme is set to High Contrast White.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(HighContrastState)
Purpose
Returns a Boolean value representing the state of the Turn high contrast option in the Windows
Ease of Access Center.

Format
Get(HighContrastState)

Parameters
None

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Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 0 if Use High Contrast is unavailable, inactive, or if the function is used in OS X.
• 1 if Use High Contrast is available and active.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(HostApplicationVersion)
Purpose
Returns the version of FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server running on the computer that is hosting
the current database.

Format
Get(HostApplicationVersion)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 9.0

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Description
Displays a value when used with the same or higher version of FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server
software. If the current database is not shared or hosted, this function returns an empty string. Also
returns an empty string when used from the host computer itself.

Examples
Returns Pro 13.0v1 when the host computer is running FileMaker Pro 13 version 1.
Returns ProAdvanced 13.0v1 when the host computer is running FileMaker Pro 13 Advanced
version 1.
Returns Server 13.0v1 when the host computer is running FileMaker Server 13 version 1.
Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(HostIPAddress)
Purpose
Returns the IP address of the host machine for the current database.

Format
Get(HostIPAddress)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Returns the IP address used to connect to the host machine for the current database. If the current
database isn’t being hosted, an empty string is returned.
Note In FileMaker WebDirect, returns the physical IP address of the host machine.
If IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are available for remotely hosted files, the address is returned in the
most common or default format. This might not be the same format that was used when connecting
to the host.

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If the current calculation is stored and you specify its context, this function will be evaluated based
on that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns one of the following when the current database is being hosted:
• IPv4: 14.156.13.121
• IPv6: [2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334]
Note If the host machine has both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, Get(HostIPAddress) returns only the
IP address that the client used to connect to the host.
Returns one of the following when accessing a locally hosted database:
• 127.0.0.1 if connected to 127.0.0.1
• [::1] if connected to localhost
• 14.156.13.121 if connected to the computer’s IP address or evaluated in
FileMaker WebDirect.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(HostName)
Purpose
Returns the registered name of the computer that is hosting the database file.

Format
Get(HostName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
On the computer that is hosting the database file:
• Windows 7: Choose Start menu > Control Panel > System and Security > System > and
then click See the name of this computer. Computer name displays the current
registered name.
• Windows 8: In the navigation panel of a File Explorer window, choose Computer, then
choose Computer menu > Open Control Panel > System and Security > System.
Computer Name displays the current registered name.
• OS X: In the Sharing System Preference, Computer Name displays the current registered
name.

Notes
• If the current calculation is stored and you specify its context, this function will be evaluated
based on that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current
window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns Fred Jones when Fred Jones is the registered name of the host computer in use.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(InstalledFMPlugins)
Purpose
Returns the name, version number (if available), and enabled state of installed plug-ins.

Format
Get(InstalledFMPlugins)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
The Get(InstalledFMPlugins) function is useful for determining whether an installed plug-in is newer
or older than a plug-in required by a file.
If multiple plug-ins are installed, Get(InstalledFMPlugins) returns values for each plug-in on separate
lines, separated by carriage returns.
Get(InstalledFMPlugins) returns plug-in version information only when plug-in developers have
entered version information in the resource file (Windows) or the info.plist file (OS X).
OS X: Plug-ins are stored as packages.
The enabled state is returned as follows:
• Enabled The plug-in is enabled in the FileMaker Pro preferences and can be loaded.
• Disabled The plug-in is disabled in the FileMaker Pro preferences and cannot be loaded.
• Ignored The plug-in failed to load, which could be due to software incompatibility.

Examples
When:
MyPlugin1 is installed and is enabled in the Plug-ins tab in the Preferences dialog box.
MyPlugin2 is installed and is disabled in the Plug-ins tab in the Preferences dialog box.
MyPlugin3 could not be loaded.
Get(InstalledFMPlugins) returns:
MyPlugin1;1.0;Enabled
MyPlugin2;1.1;Disabled
MyPlugin3; ;Ignored

Related topics
Installing plug-ins
Setting plug-in preferences
Updating plug-ins
Plug-in update example
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(LastError)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the error, if any, in the execution of the most recently executed script
step.

Format
Get(LastError)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this function to detect and control the outcome of errors. See FileMaker Pro error codes.

Notes
• OS X: In FileMaker Pro, if an error occurs while performing an AppleScript from the Manage
Scripts feature, the AppleScript error code will be returned.
• For ODBC imports and Execute SQL script steps, if an error occurs while performing a SQL
query, returns FileMaker error 1408. For detailed information about the error, use the
Get(LastODBCError) function. If there is no information about the error, returns FileMaker
error 1409.
• For working with ODBC data sources in the relationships graph, returns FileMaker error
1408.
• Some script triggers allow for the activating command or event to be canceled if the script
executed by the script trigger returns a False value. When a command or event is canceled
this way, the error code is set to 20.
• When you perform a script that uses this function with control script steps, the control script
steps do not clear the last error condition reported by FileMaker Pro.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.
Tip To create a script that responds to errors without displaying alerts, use this function with the Set
Error Capture script step with the On option.

Examples
Returns 0 when the most recent script step executed successfully.
Returns 401 when no records are found after the Perform Find script step has been executed.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(LastMessageChoice)
Purpose
Returns a number corresponding to the button clicked in an alert message that is displayed by the
Show Custom Dialog script step.

Format
Get(LastMessageChoice)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 1 for the first button (by default, labeled OK)
• 2 for the second button (by default, labeled Cancel)
• 3 for the third button
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(LastODBCError)
Purpose
Returns a string that shows the error state published by ODBC standards, based on ISO/IEF
standards.

Format
Get(LastODBCError)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
• For ODBC imports and Execute SQL script steps, returns a detailed, textual ODBC error
message.
• For working with ODBC data sources in the relationships graph, returns the readable error
string that is generated by the ODBC driver.

Notes
• You can set the Set Error Capture state to “on” to suppress the error messages. You can
also use Get(LastError) to get generic errors. See FileMaker Pro error codes.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
For ODBC imports and Execute SQL script steps, returns [DataDirect][Macintosh ODBC Driver
Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified (-1) when a data source
name wasn’t found and the driver wasn’t specified.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Editing ODBC data sources

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Get(LayoutAccess)
Purpose
Returns a number based on record access privileges available through the current layout.

Format
Get(LayoutAccess)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You assign the privileges in the Custom Layout Privileges dialog box.
Returns:
• 0 if the custom layout privileges of an account’s privilege set allow no access to Records
via this layout
• 1 if the custom layout privileges of an account’s privilege set allow view only access to
Records via this layout. If the database is opened with read-only access, FileMaker Pro
returns 1 even if the layout has read-write access privileges
• 2 if the custom layout privileges of an account’s privilege set allow modifiable access to
Records via this layout

Notes
• Get(LayoutAccess) returns information about record access privileges defined for only
the current layout. It ignores current record access privileges for all other layouts. To fully
check access through a layout, consider the return values of Get(LayoutAccess) and
the Get(RecordAccess) function.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.
• See Editing layouts privileges for more details about limiting access through layouts.

Examples
Returns 1 when the layout allows view-only access to records.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas

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About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(LayoutCount)
Purpose
Returns the total number of layouts in the database file.

Format
Get(LayoutCount)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 3 when the file has three layouts.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(LayoutName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the layout currently displayed.

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Format
Get(LayoutName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If there are multiple windows open in the current database file, each window can have its own layout
name value, but results are returned for only the foreground window.

Notes
• You can use the Get(LayoutNumber) function as an alternative to Get(LayoutName) if there
are multiple layouts with the same name.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns Product List when the Product List layout is displayed.
Returns Customer Invoice when the Customer Invoice layout is displayed.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(LayoutNumber)
Purpose
Returns the number of the layout currently displayed, according to the list in the Manage Layouts
dialog box.

Format
Get(LayoutNumber)

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Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If there are multiple windows open in the current database file, each window can have its own layout
number value, but results are returned for only the foreground window.

Notes
• You can use Get(LayoutNumber) as an alternative to the Get(LayoutName) function if there
are multiple layouts with the same name.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 3 when the current layout is third in the list of layouts in Manage Layouts.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(LayoutTableName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the table from which the current layout is displaying records.

Format
Get(LayoutTableName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
If no windows are open, an empty string is returned.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
There are two layouts, Teachers Layout and Coaches Layout, with corresponding tables named
Teachers and Coaches in the table Instructors. An unstored calculation of
Get(LayoutTableName) returns Teachers when the current layout is Teachers Layout and
returns Coaches when the current layout is Coaches Layout.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(LayoutViewState)
Purpose
Returns a number indicating the currently active database file view.

Format
Get(LayoutViewState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 0 (zero) if the database file is in Form View
• 1 if the database file is in List View

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• 2 if the database file is in Table View
If there are multiple windows open in the current database file, each window can have its own layout
view state value, but results are returned for only the foreground window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ModifiedFields)
Purpose
Returns a list of fields that have been modified in the current record of the current table.

Format
Get(ModifiedFields)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
This function returns a list of carriage return-delimited values.

Examples
When the Invoices::Customer Name and Invoices::Company fields are modified and the record is
open, Get(ModifiedFields) returns:
• Customer Name
• Company

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas

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About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(MultiUserState)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the level of sharing for the database file using FileMaker Network.

Format
Get(MultiUserState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 0 when network sharing is off
• 1 when network sharing is on, you’re accessing the database file from the host computer,
and either all users or a specific group of users (based on their privilege set) have network
access to the database file
• 2 when network sharing is on, you’re accessing the database file from a client computer,
and either all users or a specific group of users (based on their privilege set) have network
access to the database file

Notes
• If the current calculation is stored and you specify its context, this function will be evaluated
based on that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current
window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 0 when access is denied to other users.

Related topics
Sharing databases on a network

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Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(NetworkProtocol)
Purpose
Returns the name of the network protocol (TCP/IP) that FileMaker Pro is using on this machine.

Format
Get(NetworkProtocol)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns TCP/IP.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(NetworkType)
Purpose
In FileMaker Go, returns a number indicating the type of network being used to access the current
file.

Format
Get(NetworkType)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
In FileMaker Go, returns:
• 0 if the current file is a local file on an iOS device
• 1 if the network type is unknown
• 2 for a cellular network
• 3 for a Wi-Fi network
Note In other products in the FileMaker product line, this function is not supported and returns an
empty string.

Examples
Returns 3 when the file is being accessed from a Wi-Fi network.

Get(PageNumber)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the current page being printed or previewed.

Format
Get(PageNumber)

Parameters
None

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Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If nothing is being printed or previewed, 0 is returned.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 4 when page 4 is being printed or previewed.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(PersistentID)
Purpose
Returns text representing a unique identifier of the computer or device on which FileMaker is
running.

Format
Get(PersistentID)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

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Description
Returns a unique, unchanging identifier for the computer on which FileMaker Pro is running, the
device on which FileMaker Go is running, or the current FileMaker WebDirect session in the form of
a 32-digit hexadecimal string. Get(PersistentID) helps you identify devices that access your solution.

Notes
• If web browser cookies are cleared during a FileMaker WebDirect session, the value
returned by Get(PersistentID) changes.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
For a FileMaker Pro client or a FileMaker Go client, Get (PersistentID) returns a value such as
78569d0bd40b898a64e7d08ccdea8220.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(PreferencesPath)
Purpose
Returns the path to the preferences and default options folder for the current user.

Format
Get(PreferencesPath)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
In Windows, the path format is /Drive:/Users/UserName/AppData/Local/.
In OS X, the path format is /DriveName/Users/UserName/Library/Preferences/.

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Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns /C:/Users/John Smith/AppData/Local/ for a user named John Smith in Windows.
Returns /MacintoshHD/Users/John Smith/Library/Preferences/ for a user named John Smith in
OS X.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(PrinterName)
Purpose
Returns a string identifying the default printer name.

Format
Get(PrinterName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
In Windows, returns a string with each of these entries separated by a comma:
• the printer name
• the driver name
• the name of the printer port
In OS X, returns a string with these entries separated by the word on:
• the queue name of the printer (if provided)

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• the IP address of the printer
If any of this information isn’t available,  is inserted in the result (except for queue name
in OS X).

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns HP LaserJet 4, WINSPOOL, LPT1 in Windows.
Returns 24.109.265.43 in OS X.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(QuickFindText)
Purpose
Returns the text that was entered in the Quick Find box.

Format
Get(QuickFindText)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 11.0

Description
Returns the text that was entered the last time quick find was performed.

Examples
Returns New York if the last search that was entered in the Quick Find box was for New York.

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Related topics
Performing a quick find in Browse mode
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(RecordAccess)
Purpose
Returns a number based on the current record’s access privileges, assigned through the Custom
Record Privileges dialog box.

Format
Get(RecordAccess)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 0 if the custom record privileges of an account’s privilege set have neither View nor Edit
privileges set to yes for the current record
• 1 if the custom record privileges of an account’s privilege set have View set to yes for the
current record, or if View is set to limited and the calculation defined for limited access
returns a value of true
Note If both View and Edit are set to yes, Get(RecordAccess) returns 2
• 2 if the custom record privileges of an account’s privilege set have Edit set to yes for the
current record, or if Edit is set to limited and the calculation defined for limited access
returns a value of true

Notes
• Get(RecordAccess) only returns information about the privileges defined for accessing
records. It ignores access privileges assigned through individual layouts. To fully check
access to a record, consider the return values of the Get(LayoutAccess) function and
Get(RecordAccess).

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• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.
• See Editing record access privileges for more details about limiting access to records.

Examples
Returns 1 when the record access is view-only.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(RecordID)
Purpose
Returns the unique ID number of the current record.

Format
Get(RecordID)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The number returned is a decimal value (an integer) generated by FileMaker Pro when the record is
created. It does not change.

Notes
• If the current calculation is stored and you specify its context, this function will be evaluated
based on that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current
window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

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• Get(RecordID)may not return a consistent value for records in ODBC data sources.

Examples
Returns a unique ID for the current record.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(RecordModificationCount)
Purpose
Returns the total number of times changes to the current record have been committed.

Format
Get(RecordModificationCount)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
To commit changes, you can, for example:
• click out of all fields (exit the record)
• go to a different record
• enter Find mode
If multiple windows are open, clicking in another window does not commit the record.

Notes
• If the current calculation is stored and you specify its context, this function will be evaluated
based on that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current
window.
• Get(RecordModificationCount)returns NULL for ODBC data sources.

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• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 0 if the record has not been modified since it was created.
If changes are made to four fields and all four fields are committed together, the result increments by
one. If changes are made to four fields and each change is committed separately, the result
increments by four.

Related topics
Saving and copying files
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(RecordNumber)
Purpose
Returns the number of the current record in the current found set.

Format
Get(RecordNumber)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The value returned is determined by the relative place of the record in the found set, and it changes
depending on the find criteria and the sort order.

Notes
• To return a value that uniquely and permanently identifies a record in this table, use
Get(RecordID).
• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.

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• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 3 when the current record is the third record in a found set.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(RecordOpenCount)
Purpose
Returns the total number of open records in the current found set that haven’t been saved.

Format
Get(RecordOpenCount)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on that
context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 4 if there are four open records in the current found set that haven’t been saved.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas

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About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(RecordOpenState)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the state of the current record.

Format
Get(RecordOpenState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Returns:
• 0 for a closed or committed record
• 1 for a new record that hasn’t been committed
• 2 for a modified record that hasn’t been committed

Notes
• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1 if the current record is a new record that hasn’t been saved.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(RequestCount)
Purpose
Returns the total number of find requests defined for the current table.

Format
Get(RequestCount)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If there are multiple windows open in the current database file, then results are returned for only the
top-most window of the file in which the calculation is defined.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 5 when there are five find requests defined for the current table.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(RequestOmitState)
Purpose
Returns a Boolean value representing the state of the Omit checkbox in Find mode.

Format
Get(RequestOmitState)

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Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Returns 1 if the Omit checkbox is selected; otherwise, returns 0.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1 when the Omit checkbox is selected in the current find request.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ScreenDepth)
Purpose
Returns the number of bits needed to represent the color or shade of gray of a pixel on the main
screen.

Format
Get(ScreenDepth)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
A value of 8 represents 256 (equal to 28) colors or shades of gray.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns 32.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 32 on a display showing millions (232) of colors.
Returns 16 on a display showing thousands (216) of colors.
Returns 4 on a VGA display.
Returns 1 on a black-and-white display.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(ScreenHeight)
Purpose
Returns the height, in points, of the screen in which the window of the current file is open.

Format
Get(ScreenHeight)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
When the window spans more than one screen, this function uses the screen that contains the
largest percentage of the window. If there are multiple windows open in the current database file,

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each window can have its own screen height value, but results are returned for only the foreground
window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 480 when the screen resolution is set to 640 x 480.

Related topics
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Get(ScreenWidth)
Purpose
Returns the width, in points, of the screen in which the window of the current file is open.

Format
Get(ScreenWidth)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
When the window spans more than one screen, this function uses the screen that contains the
largest percentage of the window. If there are multiple windows open in the current database file,
each window can have its own screen width value, but results are returned for only the foreground
window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 640 when the screen resolution is set to 640 x 480.

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Related topics
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Get(ScriptAnimationState)
Purpose
Indicates whether or not animations are enabled for the current script.

Format
Get(ScriptAnimationState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
Returns 0 if animations are disabled for the current script.
Returns 1 if animations are enabled for the current script.
Animations are off by default while a script is running.
Note In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.

Examples
Returns 1 when the current script has been set to enable animations using the Set Script Animation
script step.

Related topics
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Get(ScriptName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the script currently running (or paused).

Format
Get(ScriptName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns Print Report when the Print Report script is running.
Returns Update Customer when the Update Customer script is running.

Related topics
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About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
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Get(ScriptParameter)
Purpose
Returns the script parameter passed into the current script.

Format
Get(ScriptParameter)

Parameters
None

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Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Use this function as part of a calculation evaluated within a script.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns Print when “Print” was the value of the parameter passed into the current script.
The following example shows how to pass a return-delimited list as the parameter.
ScriptParameter = List ( Customers::First; Customers::Last )
LeftValues ( Get ( ScriptParameter ) ; 1 ) returns Michael if Customers::First is
"Michael".
The following example shows how to pass named parameters using the Evaluate, Let, and
Get(ScriptParameter) functions, allowing access only to variable “a” (the example returns 6):
ScriptParameter = "a = 5; b = 10"
Evaluate("Let ( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; a + 1 )" )
The following example shows how to pass named parameters, allowing access to both variable “a”
and “b”. The simplified first parameter makes the second parameter more complex (the example
returns 6, 12):
ScriptParameter = "a = 5; b = 10"
Evaluate("Let ( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; a + 1 & \", \" & b + 2 )" )
The following example shows how to pass named parameters, while keeping the ability to check the
syntax of the second parameter of the Let function (the example returns 6, 12):
ScriptParameter = "a = 5; b = 10"
Let( [a = Evaluate("Let( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; a )"),b =
Evaluate("Let( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; b )")]; a + 1 & ", " & b +
2 )

Related topics
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About formulas
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Perform Script and script parameter examples

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Get(ScriptResult)
Purpose
Returns the script result from a performed subscript.

Format
Get(ScriptResult)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Use this function as part of a calculation evaluated within a script. If a subscript doesn’t return a
result, then the content of the script result will be empty.

Examples
In the following example, the Find Customers script returns the results of a find request when it is
called from the Do Reports script. Script Find Customers uses the optional script result of the Exit
Script script step. Script Do Reports then uses Get(ScriptResult) to determine what other
script steps should be performed based on the returned result stored in Get(ScriptResult).

Find Customers
Set Error Capture [On]
Perform Find [Restore]
New Record/Request
Exit Script [Result: Get(FoundCount) < 10]

Do Reports
Perform Script [Find Customers]
If [Get(ScriptResult) = 0]
Show Custom Dialog [“You have created 10 records already.”]
End If

Related topics
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Get(SortState)
Purpose
Returns a value representing the current sort state.

Format
Get(SortState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 0 if the records in the active table are not sorted
• 1 if the records in the active table are sorted
• 2 if the records in the active table are partially sorted (semi-sorted)
Each window has its own sort state.

Notes
• When records are imported from another file to a previously found and sorted set, the
records in a sorted set may exist in a semi-sorted state. To include the imported records in
the sort order, sort the found set after importing.
• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1 when the records in the active table are sorted.

Related topics
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Get(StatusAreaState)
Purpose
Returns a number indicating the current status toolbar state.

Format
Get(StatusAreaState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 0 (zero) if the status toolbar is hidden
• 1 if the status toolbar is visible
• 2 if the status toolbar is visible and locked
• 3 if the status toolbar is hidden and locked
If there are multiple windows open on the currently active database file, then results are returned for
only the active window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1, when the current status toolbar is visible.

Related topics
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About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Get(SystemDrive)
Purpose
Returns the drive letter (Windows) or volume name (OS X) where the currently running operating
system is located.

Format
Get(SystemDrive)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns /C:/ in Windows when the operating system is on the C: drive.
Returns /DriveName/ in OS X when the operating system is on a volume named DriveName.

Related topics
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About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(SystemIPAddress)
Purpose
Returns a list of the IP addresses of all computers connected to an active NIC (Network Interface
Controller) card.

Format
Get(SystemIPAddress)

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Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
IP addresses are separated by carriage returns.
In FileMaker WebDirect, Get(SystemIPAddress) returns the IP address of the interface used to
connect to the host.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Suppose a machine has the following active physical interfaces:
• an Ethernet card not connected to a network with an IP address of 10.10.10.10
• a Wi-Fi interface with an IP address of 192.168.1.1
• a VPN connection with an IP address of 172.172.172.172
The function returns:
192.168.1.1
172.172.172.172
Suppose a machine has the following active physical interfaces:
• an Ethernet card not connected to a network with an IP address of 2001::10
• a Wi-Fi interface with an IP address of 3FFE:FFFF:101::230:6EFF:FE04:D9FF/48
• a VPN connection with an IP address of 2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334
The function returns:
3FFE:FFFF:101::230:6EFF:FE04:D9FF/48
2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334

Related topics
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Get(SystemLanguage)
Purpose
Returns the language currently set on the current system.

Format
Get(SystemLanguage)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Get(SystemLanguage) is evaluated on the system preference that is set for Region on the Formats
tab. The text that is returned is in the English language.
For hosted databases, Get(SystemLanguage) returns the client’s current system language.
Note In FileMaker WebDirect, Get(SystemLanguage) returns the web browser’s current language.

Examples
Returns Japanese when Japanese is the current format for the region.

Related topics
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About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(SystemNICAddress)
Purpose
Returns a list of the hardware addresses of all NIC (Network Interface Controller) cards connected
to the computer.

Format
Get(SystemNICAddress)

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Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Values in the list returned by this function are separated by carriage returns. The address consists of
6 bytes displayed in hexadecimal separated by colons. In Windows, find this address by typing the
command “ipconfig /All” in a DOS window. In OS X, find this address under Network
Overview in the System Profile tab under Applications/Utilities/Apple System Profiler.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 00:07:34:4e:c2:0d, for example.

Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
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Get(SystemPlatform)
Purpose
Returns a number indicating the current platform.

Format
Get(SystemPlatform)

Parameters
None

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Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 1 if the current platform is Intel-based Macs
• -2 if the platform is Windows
• 3 if the platform is iOS
• 4 if the platform is FileMaker WebDirect
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Get(SystemPlatform) returns -2 when the current platform is a Windows platform.
Abs(Get(SystemPlatform)) returns 1 when the current platform is OS X.

Related topics
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About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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Get(SystemVersion)
Purpose
Returns the version of the current operating system.

Format
Get(SystemVersion)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 6.1 for Windows 7
• 6.2 for Windows 8
• 10.7 for OS X version 10.7
• 10.8 for OS X version 10.8
•    for
FileMaker WebDirect
For operating system or device, returns:
• Win for a Windows operating system
• Mac for an OS X operating system
• Linux for a Linux operating system
• iPad for an iPad
• iPhone for an iPhone
• iPod for an iPod
• Other for an unknown operating system or device
For web browser, returns:
• Safari for the Safari browser
• IE for the Internet Explorer browser
• Chrome for the Chrome browser
• Other for an unknown browser
For browser version, returns the version of the web browser accessing FileMaker WebDirect.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 10.8 when the current operating system is OS X version 10.8.
Returns iPad Safari 6.0 for an iPad using FileMaker WebDirect in Safari version 6.0.
Returns Win Chrome 25 for a Windows computer using FileMaker WebDirect in Chrome version
25.

Related topics
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Get(TemporaryPath)
Purpose
Returns the path to the temporary folder that FileMaker Pro uses for the current user, or the path
that FileMaker Server uses on the system.

Format
Get(TemporaryPath)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 9.0

Description
The temporary folder name begins with S, followed by a number representing the session of the
database engine during which the operation took place. Because your operating system controls the
location of temporary files, the exact path returned may be different from the examples shown. The
actual path returned also depends on which product (FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server) is
executing the function.
In FileMaker Pro, the temporary folder and any files placed in it are deleted when FileMaker Pro is
terminated. In FileMaker Server, each schedule runs in its own session; once the schedule is
completed, the session terminates and the temporary folder is deleted.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
In Windows, returns:
/%HomeDrive%/Documents and Settings/{user id}/Local Settings/Temp/S or
/%UserProfile%/AppData/Local/Temp/S or
/%HomeDrive%/WINDOWS/Temp/S (Windows XP)
where %HomeDrive% is an environment variable that returns the name of your home drive on
your hard disk.
%UserProfile% is an environment variable that points to the directory where the profile of the
current user is located.
S is the name of the folder in which the temporary files are placed (for example, S1);  is
a number representing the database engine session during which the operation took place.

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In OS X, returns:
//private/var/folders/<2 characters>/<20 characters>++++TI/Cleanup at
Startup/S/
where DriveName is the name of your hard disk.
S is the name of the folder in which the temporary files are placed (for example, S1);  is
a number representing the database engine session during which the operation took place.
The location may vary due to different variables on the OS, but should follow a similar pattern.

Related topics
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Get(TextRulerVisible)
Purpose
Returns a Boolean value representing whether or not the text ruler is visible.

Format
Get(TextRulerVisible)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Returns 1 if the text ruler is displayed; otherwise, returns 0.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns 0.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1 when the text ruler is visible.

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Related topics
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Get(TotalRecordCount)
Purpose
Returns the total number of records in the current table.

Format
Get(TotalRecordCount)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the current calculation is stored and you specify its context, this function will be evaluated based
on that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 876 when there are 876 records in the current table.

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Get(TriggerCurrentPanel)
Purpose
Returns the index and the object name of the current tab panel or slide panel (the panel to be
switched from) when the OnPanelSwitch script trigger is activated.

Format
Get(TriggerCurrentPanel)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Use with the Get(TriggerTargetPanel) function. Returns an index value, starting from 1, when
running a script triggered by the OnPanelSwitch script trigger, and the object name assigned to the
tab or slide panel. Returns 0 if the panel is invalid or if Get(TriggerCurrentPanel) is not used with the
OnPanelSwitch script trigger.
You can use the GetValue function to extract the value you want to use from the index value
returned by Get(TriggerCurrentPanel).
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
When the tab or slide panel to be switched from is panel number 1, named “Category,”
Get(TriggerCurrentPanel) returns:
1
Category

Related topics
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Get(TriggerGestureInfo)
Purpose
In FileMaker Go, returns details about the gesture that activated an OnGestureTap trigger.

Format
Get(TriggerGestureInfo)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
In FileMaker Go, returns a list containing these items:
• the string tap, indicating the script was started by an OnGestureTap trigger
• a value indicating the tap count
• a value indicating how many fingers were used to make the tap
• the x coordinate in the document where the gesture occurred
• the y coordinate in the document where the gesture occurred
For multi-finger gestures, the coordinates returned indicate the center point of the gesture. The y
coordinate has the header (if present) at 0. The records are listed under the header. Then the footer
follows the displayed records. In Form View, only one record is displayed. In List View and Table
View, all of the records in the current found set are displayed.
This function supports the following gestures:
• Single-tap with one, two, or three fingers
• Double-tap with one finger
Returns an empty string if this function is executed when no OnGestureTap trigger has been
activated.
Note In other products in the FileMaker product line, this function is not supported and returns an
empty string.

Examples
When a script is triggered by a three-finger single tap, and the gesture occurred at the coordinates
(400, 600), this function returns:
tap
1
3

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400
600

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Get(TriggerKeystroke)
Purpose
Returns a string containing the characters that activated an OnObjectKeystroke or
OnLayoutKeystroke script trigger. Multiple characters may be returned when the input comes from
an input method editor (IME).

Format
Get(TriggerKeystroke)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 10.0

Description
Returns a value when running a script triggered by an OnObjectKeystroke or OnLayoutKeystroke
script trigger or running a script called from the triggered script; otherwise returns an empty string.

Examples
The following code displays the text Processing input... when a carriage return is entered:
If [ Code ( Get(TriggerKeystroke) ) = 13 ]
Show Custom Dialog [“Processing input...”]
End If
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

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Related topics
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Get(TriggerModifierKeys)
Purpose
Returns the state of the keyboard modifier keys as they were when a script trigger was activated.

Format
Get(TriggerModifierKeys)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 10.0

Description
Returns a value only when called from a script activated by a script trigger or from a sub-script
called from the triggered script; otherwise returns an empty string.
• See Get(ActiveModifierKeys) for a description of the values assigned to the keyboard
modifier keys.
• See the Code function for a list of navigational keys and the codes returned to a script
activated by this trigger.
Time might elapse between when the keys that activated a script trigger are pressed and the script
asks for information on the modifier keys. Use Get(TriggerKeystroke) and Get(TriggerModifierKeys)
to capture the keys that were active when the script trigger was activated. Use
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) to capture any current keys being pressed.

Notes
• Windows: Alt and Ctrl key combinations do not activate script triggers.
• OS X: Command key combinations do not activate script triggers.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

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Examples
• The following example will only display a custom dialog box when lowercase “a” is
entered:
If [Get(TriggerKeystroke)=“a” and Get(TriggerModifierKeys)=0]
Show Custom Dialog [“You entered \”a\”.”]
End If
• The value 9 is returned when Shift-Option is pressed on a computer running OS X. If the
Option and Shift keys are pressed on a Mac when a script is triggered,
Get(TriggerModifierKeys) returns 9, regardless of which modifier keys have been pressed
between when the trigger was activated and when the script runs.

Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
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Get(TriggerTargetPanel)
Purpose
Returns the index and the object name of the target tab panel or slide panel (the panel to be
switched to) when the OnPanelSwitch script trigger is activated.

Format
Get(TriggerTargetPanel)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Use with the Get(TriggerCurrentPanel) function. Returns an index value, starting from 1, when
running a script triggered by the OnPanelSwitch script trigger, and the object name assigned to the
tab or slide panel. Returns 0 if the panel is invalid or if Get(TriggerTargetPanel) is not used with the
OnPanelSwitch script trigger.
You can use the GetValue function to extract the value you want to use from the index value
returned by Get(TriggerTargetPanel).

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Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
When the tab or slide panel to be switched to is number 2, named “Products,”
Get(TriggerTargetPanel) returns:
2
Products

Related topics
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About formulas
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Get(UserCount)
Purpose
Returns the number of clients currently accessing the file.

Format
Get(UserCount)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 1 if FileMaker network sharing is turned off
• 1 + the number of clients if FileMaker network sharing is turned on
This function does not count clients accessing the database file via ODBC or JDBC.

Notes
• If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context; otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.

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• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 5 when there are 4 clients accessing the database file.

Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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Get(UserName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the FileMaker Pro user, as specified in the General tab of the Preferences
dialog box.

Format
Get(UserName)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The returned name is user-specified.
Important For greater security, use Get(AccountName) to track and manage user access: a user
cannot change the account name used to log in to a database file.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function returns the name of the account that logged into the
current session.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

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Examples
Returns Sharon Lloyd when Sharon Lloyd is the current user.

Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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Get(UseSystemFormatsState)
Purpose
Returns a Boolean value representing the state of the Use System Formats command in the
Format menu.

Format
Get(UseSystemFormatsState)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Returns 1 if Use System Formats is on; otherwise, returns 0.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns 0.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1 when Use System Formats is on.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas

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About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(UUID)
Purpose
Returns text representing a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID).

Format
Get(UUID)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Returns a unique 16-byte (128-bit) string. For example, you can use this function to generate a
unique ID of a record.
For unstored calculations, returns a new string each time Get(UUID) is evaluated.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Stored calculation: In a calculation field, specify the calculation Get(UUID). Every new record in the
calculation field has a unique ID such as E47E7AE0-5CF0-FF45-B3AD-C12B3E765CD5.
Unstored calculation: In a calculation field, specify the calculation Get(UUID). For Storage
Options, select Do not store calculation results. Every time a record is accessed, a new string is
generated.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

823

Get(WindowContentHeight)
Purpose
Returns the height, in points, of the FileMaker Pro content area.

Format
Get(WindowContentHeight)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The content area depends on the current size of the active window but doesn’t include the title bar,
scroll bars, zoom controls, and page margins. The content area is the space inside these controls. It
does not include the status toolbar if it is currently showing.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, the content area includes the menu bar, status toolbar, scroll bars,
and footer area.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 400 in OS X when the current window height is 437 and the status toolbar isn’t showing.
The example below combines Get(WindowContentHeight) with Get(WindowHeight) to
determine the height of the title bar and horizontal scroll bar:
Get(WindowHeight) - Get(WindowContentHeight) returns 37 in OS X when the window
height is 437 and the status toolbar isn’t showing.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

824

Get(WindowContentWidth)
Purpose
Returns the width, in points, of the FileMaker Pro content area.

Format
Get(WindowContentWidth)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The content area depends on the current size of the active window but doesn’t include the title bar,
scroll bars, zoom controls, or page margins. The content area is the space inside these controls.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, the content area includes the menu bar, status toolbar, scroll bars,
and footer area.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 400 in OS X when the current window width is 415.
The example below combines Get(WindowContentWidth) with Get(WindowWidth) to
determine the width of the vertical scroll bar:
Get(WindowWidth) - Get(WindowContentWidth) returns 15 in OS X when the window width
is 415.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

825

Get(WindowDesktopHeight)
Purpose
Returns the height, in points, of the desktop space.

Format
Get(WindowDesktopHeight)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
In Windows, the desktop space is the area inside the MDI window (sometimes referred to as the
client area). This doesn’t include any virtual space available through the scrolling of the MDI window.
In OS X, the desktop space is the area on the monitor in which the active window is located
excluding menu bars.
In FileMaker WebDirect, the desktop space is the area on the main monitor. In OS X, the main
monitor is where the menu bar is located. In Windows, the main monitor is where the taskbar is
located.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 956 in Windows when there is a single monitor and its MDI is set to 1280 x 1024.
Returns 1178 in OS X when there is a single monitor and its resolution is set to 1900 x 1200.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

826

Get(WindowDesktopWidth)
Purpose
Returns the width, in points, of the desktop space.

Format
Get(WindowDesktopWidth)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
In Windows, the desktop space is the space inside the MDI window (sometimes referred to as the
client area).
In OS X, the desktop space is the area on the monitor in which the active window is located
excluding menu bars.
In FileMaker WebDirect, the desktop space is the area on the main monitor. In OS X, the main
monitor is where the menu bar is located. In Windows, the main monitor is where the taskbar is
located.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 450 in Windows when there is a single monitor and its MDI is set to 500 x 450.
Returns 600 in OS X when there is a single monitor and its resolution is set to 800 x 600.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

827

Get(WindowHeight)
Purpose
Returns the height, in points, of the window on which the script is acting (not necessarily the
foreground window).

Format
Get(WindowHeight)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The height of the window is calculated from the top to bottom outer edges of the window. This
position doesn’t include shadows or other effects applied to windows.
In FileMaker WebDirect, the window height does not include menus or toolbars that are part of the
web browser.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Get(WindowHeight) returns 300 when the current window’s height is 300 points.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(WindowLeft)
Purpose
Returns the horizontal distance, in points, of the outer edge of the window on which the script is
acting (not necessarily the foreground window) relative to the left-most edge of the screen.

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828

Format
Get(WindowLeft)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The origin of the reference coordinate system is at the left-most corner below the menu bar. A
negative value indicates the portion of the left side of the window that is hidden.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 52 when the outer edge of the active window is 52 points from the left edge of the screen.
Returns 0 when the active window is 0 points from the left edge of the screen.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(WindowMode)
Purpose
Returns a number representing the mode FileMaker Pro is in at the time the function is evaluated.

Format
Get(WindowMode)

Parameters
None

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829

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns:
• 0 for Browse mode
• 1 for Find mode
• 2 for Preview mode
• 3 if printing is in progress
• 4 (FileMaker Pro Advanced) if evaluating the function from the Data Viewer and the current
window is in Layout mode
If a script using this function runs while the file is in Layout mode, FileMaker Pro switches to Browse
mode and returns 0. If there are multiple windows open in the current database file, each window
can have its own window mode value, but results are returned for only the foreground window.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 2 if the file is in Preview mode when the function is evaluated.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(WindowName)
Purpose
Returns the name of the window on which the script is acting (not necessarily the foreground
window).

Format
Get(WindowName)

Parameters
None

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830

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Returns an empty string if there is no window.

Notes
• You can set the window name with the Set Window Title script step.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
There are two windows, Teachers and Students, displaying the same layout that includes an
unstored calculation Calc containing Get(WindowName). Teachers is returned when the Teachers
window is refreshed, and Students is returned when the Students window is refreshed.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(WindowOrientation)
Purpose
Returns a value indicating the orientation of the window on which the script is acting (not necessarily
the foreground window).

Format
Get(WindowOrientation)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

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831

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 13.0

Description
Returns:
• -2 for landscape left
• -1 for landscape right
• 0 for square (FileMaker Pro and FileMaker WebDirect only)
• 1 for portrait
• 2 for portrait upside down

Examples
If the window that the current script is acting on is in portrait orientation,
Get(WindowOrientation) returns 1.
You have a calculation field named Orientation that uses Get(WindowOrientation) to return a
value as listed above. You have another calculation field that references the Orientation field and
uses the If function, which returns Portrait if the Orientation field returns a value greater than 0 and
returns Landscape if the Orientation field returns a value less than 0:
If(Orientation > 0;”Portrait”;”Landscape”)

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(WindowStyle)
Purpose
Returns the style of the window on which the script is acting.

Format
Get(WindowStyle)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

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832

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Returns:
• 0 (zero) if the window is a document window
• 1 if the window is a floating document window
• 2 if the window is a dialog window

Examples
Returns 0 if the current window is a document window when the function is evaluated.
Returns 1 if the current window is a floating document window when the function is evaluated.
Returns 2 if the current window is a dialog window when the function is evaluated.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
New Window
Specify Advanced Style Options dialog box

Get(WindowTop)
Purpose
Returns the vertical distance, in points, of the outer edge of the window on which the script is acting
(not necessarily the foreground window) relative to the bottom edge of the menu bar.

Format
Get(WindowTop)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

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833

Description
The origin of the reference coordinate system is at the left-most corner below the menu bar. A
negative value indicates the portion of the top part of the window that is hidden behind the menu bar.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns an empty string.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 52 when the outer edge of the active window is 52 points from the menu bar.
Returns 0 when the outer edge of the active window just touches the menu bar.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(WindowVisible)
Purpose
Returns a number representing whether or not the current window is visible.

Format
Get(WindowVisible)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The current window is the window on which the script is acting (not necessarily the foreground
window). Returns 1 if the window is visible. Returns 0 if the window is hidden using the Hide
Window command. The window can be located outside of the visible screen space and still return 1.

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834

Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 1 when the current window is physically visible.
Returns 0 when the current window has been hidden using the Hide Window command in
FileMaker Pro.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(WindowWidth)
Purpose
Returns the width, in points, of the window on which the script is acting (not necessarily the
foreground window).

Format
Get(WindowWidth)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The width of the window is calculated from the left-most to right-most outer edge of the window. This
position doesn’t include shadows or other effects applied to windows.
Note For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search the
FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 300 when the current window is 300 points wide.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Get(WindowZoomLevel)
Purpose
Returns the zoom percentage of the current window.

Format
Get(WindowZoomLevel)

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
In Windows, an asterisk appears next to the zoom percentage when Enlarge window contents to
improve readability is selected in the General tab of the Preferences dialog box.

Notes
• In FileMaker WebDirect, this function is not supported and returns 100.
• For information on how functions evaluate differently on the host versus the client, search
the FileMaker Knowledge Base available at http://help.filemaker.com.

Examples
Returns 200 when the current window’s zoom percentage is set to 200.
Returns 200* in Windows when the current window’s zoom percentage is set to 200 and Enlarge
window contents to improve readability is selected.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions

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836

Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

837

Logical functions
Logical functions test for a condition to evaluate it as true or false. This is known as a Boolean value.
If the condition is true, FileMaker Pro returns a 1; if the condition is false, FileMaker Pro returns a 0.
You can use the keywords True and False with logical functions and operators when a Boolean
value is needed. Keyword True returns 1 and keyword False returns 0.
Logical functions can also evaluate parameters such as text or arithmetic operations that do not
make a true or false statement, or in the case of the GetField function, return the contents of
another field.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

Case

One of several possible results based on a series of tests.

Choose

One result value, according to the integer value of a specified test.

Evaluate

Evaluates the specified expression as a calculation.

EvaluationError

An error code, if any, from the specified expression.

ExecuteSQL

Executes a specified SQL SELECT statement within a FileMaker Pro
database.

GetAsBoolean

1 if data converts to a non-zero numeric value; 0 if the specified data has a
value of 0 or is empty.

GetField

The contents of the referenced field.

GetFieldName

The fully qualified name of a field reference.

GetLayoutObjectAttribute The requested layout object attributes from the calculation's active window.
GetNthRecord

The contents of the referenced field from the requested record number.

If

One of two possible results depending on the value of the specified test.

IsEmpty

1 if the specified field is empty, if the related field, related table, relationship,
or file is missing, or if some other error occurs; otherwise, returns 0.

IsValid

0 when a record contains an invalid value because of a field type mismatch
(text in a date field, for example).

IsValidExpression

1 if the syntax of the specified expression is correct.

Let

Sets variable to the result of value for the duration of the specified
expression.

Lookup

The value specified in the sourceField parameter using the relationships
in the relationships graph.

LookupNext

The value specified in the sourceField parameter using the relationships
in the relationships graph.

Self

The content of the object in which the calculation is defined; otherwise,
returns an empty string.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

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838

Case
Purpose
Returns one of several possible results based on a series of tests.

Format
Case(test1;result1{;test2;result2;...;defaultResult})

Parameters
test - any text or numeric expression.
result - result corresponding to the expression.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Case evaluates each test expression in order, and when a True expression is found, returns the
value specified in result for that expression.
You can include a default result at the end of the parameter list. If none of the expressions evaluated
return True, the Case function returns the value specified for defaultResult. If no default result is
supplied, Case returns an empty result.

Examples
Case(Score >= 90;“Excellent”;Score > 50;“Satisfactory”;“Needs
Improvement”) displays Excellent when the score is 90 or above, Satisfactory when the score is
between 50 and 90, and Needs Improvement for any other score.
Case(Shipment Method=”Ground”;2;Shipment Method=”Air”;10) returns 2 when the
Shipment Method field contains Ground, and returns 10 when the Shipment Method field contains
Air.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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839

Choose
Purpose
Returns one result value, according to the integer value of test.

Format
Choose(test;result0{;result1;result2...})

Parameters
test - Any integer calculation. The calculation result of test must be a number that indexes into the
list that follows. Because the index is a 0-based index, the test result must be 0 to access the first
result.
result - one or more results.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
FileMaker Pro evaluates test to obtain an index number, which is used to choose the
corresponding ordinal result.
Because Choose is a 0-based list, the first item on the list is indexed 0 and the second item on the
list is indexed 1. For example, if test evaluates to 2, then result2 is chosen.

Examples
Choose(Rating;“Not Applicable”;“Good”;“Fair”;“Poor”)
Rating is a number field that is empty or holds a value. If Rating is empty or 0, the Choose function
returns Not Applicable. If Rating is 1, the result is Good. If Rating is 2, the result is Fair, and if it is
3, the result is Poor. If Rating contains a value that does not map to one of the result parameters,
the Choose function returns nothing.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

840

Evaluate
Purpose
Evaluates expression as a calculation.

Format
Evaluate(expression{;[field1;field2;field3;...]})

Parameters
expression - any text expression or text field.
fields - a list of fields that this function is dependent on. When these fields are modified, the
calculation will update its result.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional. Notice that the optional field list is enclosed in square
brackets [ ].

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The optional fields parameter is a list of fields this calculation is dependent on. If a necessary field
isn’t listed, modifying that dependent field won’t update the result of the calculation.

Examples
Evaluate(TextField) returns 4 when TextField contains 2 + 2.
Evaluate("textfield") returns 2 + 2 when textfield contains 2 + 2.
Evaluate(GetField("textfield")) returns 4 when textfield contains 2 + 2.
Evaluate(TextField;[Amount]) returns .80 when TextField contains .08 * Amount and the
Amount field contains 10.00.
Evaluate(“Let(TaxRate=.05;“& Tax Rate Calculation &“)”) returns .50 when the
field Tax Rate Calculation contains SubTotal * TaxRate where SubTotal is a numeric field that
contains 10.00.
The following example shows how to pass named parameters using the Evaluate, Let, and
Get(ScriptParameter) functions, allowing access only to variable “a” (the example returns 6):
ScriptParameter = "a = 5; b = 10"
Evaluate("Let ( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; a + 1 )")
The following example shows how to pass named parameters, allowing access to both variable “a”
and “b”. The simplified first parameter makes the second parameter more complex (the example
returns 6, 12):
ScriptParameter = "a = 5; b = 10"
Evaluate("Let ( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; a + 1 & \", \" & b + 2 )")

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841

The following example shows how to pass named parameters, while keeping the ability to check the
syntax of the second parameter of the Let function (the example returns 6, 12):
ScriptParameter = "a = 5; b = 10"
Let(

[a = Evaluate("Let( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; a )"),
b = Evaluate("Let( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; b )")]; a + 1
& ", " & b + 2 )
Note The Evaluate function evaluates an expression, including field values to be evaluated as a
calculation formula. It also allows you to specify field dependencies so that a calculation using the
evaluation function can be triggered due to changes in other fields of the same record. This function
evaluates user-defined formulas. For example, you can create a formula in the Total field that
computes state tax:
Evaluate(StateTaxFormula) + ShippingCost
where the StateTaxFormula field contains:
SubTotal * 1.0875
and the SubTotal field contains the subtotal before tax and shipping.
The Evaluate function has an optional second parameter, which is a field the calculation is
dependent on. When the dependent field contents change, FileMaker Pro re-evaluates the
calculation. In the following example, the Total calculation will be re-evaluated when SubTotal
changes:
Evaluate(StateTaxFormula; SubTotal) + ShippingCost
The dependent parameter can also be useful in other cases. For example,
Evaluate(“Get(CurrentTimeStamp)”; [FieldB; FieldC])
will store a timestamp in the calculation field whenever FieldB or FieldC changes.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

EvaluationError
Purpose
Returns an error code, if any, from expression.

Format
EvaluationError(expression)

Parameters
expression - any calculation expression

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842

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
There are two types of errors: syntax and runtime. A syntax error indicates an invalid calculation. A
runtime error, such as Field missing or Record missing, occurs when the calculation currently being
run is valid but cannot properly execute. See FileMaker Pro error codes for a list of error codes and
messages.
Note The EvaluationError function must enclose the Evaluate function to return any syntax
errors.

Examples
EvaluationError(calculationField) returns 102 (Field Missing) when
calculationField contains total + 1 and the field total has been deleted or renamed.
EvaluationError(Evaluate(calculationField)) returns 1207 (Unbalanced Parenthesis)
when calculationField contains abs(-1 with no closing parenthesis.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

ExecuteSQL
Purpose
Executes an SQL query statement for the specified table occurrence within a FileMaker Pro
database.

Format
ExecuteSQL(sqlQuery; fieldSeparator; rowSeparator {;arguments...})

Parameters
sqlQuery - an SQL SELECT statement. The statement can include a Union clause that combines
the results of two queries. The statement can contain programmatically generated SQL (dynamic
parameters) that indicate where optional arguments are to be used in the query. Use the
question mark character (?) to specify a dynamic parameter.
fieldSeparator - the character string used as a separator between fields in the result. If an
empty string is specified, the separator is a comma. The field separator is not displayed after the last
field in the result.

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843

rowSeparator - the character string used as a separator between records in the result. If an
empty string is specified, the separator is a carriage return. The row separator is not displayed after
the last row in the result.
arguments- one or more expressions that are evaluated and used as values for the dynamic
parameters in the query statement.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
ExecuteSQL enables you to execute SQL SELECT statements containing dynamic parameters to
safely query FileMaker Pro databases in order to avoid security vulnerabilities through injection
attacks.
ExecuteSQL does not recognize relationships created in FileMaker Pro, which gives you flexibility to
define relationships in SQL statements and retrieve data from any table, independent of the layout
context.
ExecuteSQL cannot be used with SQL statements that modify data or the database schema (such
as the Insert Into or Delete Table commands).
If an error occurs during query parsing or execution, FileMaker Pro returns ?.

Notes
• To apply the correct formatting to dates in an SQL query, use the DATE statement. If you do
not use the DATE statement, ExecuteSQL treats dates as literal strings.
• FileMaker Pro returns date, time, and number data in Unicode/SQL format, not in the locale
of the operating system or the file.
• ExecuteSQL accepts only the SQL-92 syntax ISO date and time formats with no braces.
ExecuteSQL does not accept the ODBC/JDBC format date, time, and timestamp constants
in braces.
• For more details about SELECT statement syntax, supported SQL statements, expressions,
and Catalog functions, see the FILEMAKER ODBC AND JDBC GUIDE and the FILEMAKER SQL
REFERENCE.

Examples
Suppose a database contains two tables, Employees and Salaries, which are related through the
EmpID field.

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844

Employees
EmpID Last Name

1
2
3
4
5
6

Smith
Ogawa
Durand
Garcia
Mehmet
Ferrini

Department

Development
Development
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance
Documentation
Marketing

Salaries
EmpID Salary

1
2
3
4
5
6

98000
87000
86000
90000
89000
121000

Note The Salaries::Salary field is a number field.
You want to add a field to the Employees table that displays the percentage of an employee’s salary
relative to the total salaries in a department. Though you could use a calculation in FileMaker Pro to
generate this value, you can use the ExecuteSQL function to specify this query using dynamic
parameters.
Define a calculation field in the Employees table, then use the ExecuteSQL function to specify the
following query statement:
100 * Salaries::Salary / ExecuteSQL ( “select sum ( S.salary ) from
Employees E join Salaries S on E.EmpID = S.EmpID where E.Department = ?”;
“”; “”; Employees::Department )

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetAsBoolean
Purpose
Returns 1 if data converts to a non-zero numeric value or if a container field contains data; returns
0 if data has a numeric value of 0 or is empty.

Format
GetAsBoolean(data)

Parameters
data - any text, number, date, time, timestamp or container expression, or a field containing text, a
number, date, time, timestamp or container

Data type returned
number

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845

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Returns a Boolean value.

Examples
GetAsBoolean(“”) returns 0.
GetAsBoolean(“Some text here.”) returns 0.
GetAsBoolean(Container Field) returns 1 when the field named Container Field contains
data, or returns 0 when Container Field is empty.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetField
Purpose
Returns the contents of fieldName.

Format
GetField(fieldName)

Parameters
fieldName - any text expression or text field that refers to a field’s name
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this function to get the contents of fieldName, or in any function that uses a field, such as NPV,
GetSummary, GetRepetition, or the aggregate functions.

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Examples
Suppose you have the fields Arrow and Target. Arrow contains the text string Target, and Target
contains the text string Bullseye.
• GetField(“Arrow”) returns Target. Notice the use of quotation marks around Arrow to
indicate the literal string is the fieldName parameter.
• GetField(Arrow) returns Bullseye. Notice the absence of quotation marks to indicate
the value stored in the Arrow field is the fieldName parameter.
Suppose you have the fields FirstName and LastName. FirstName contains the text string Jane,
and LastName contains the text string Public.
• GetField(“FirstName”)&“ ”&GetField(“LastName”) returns the text string Jane
Public.
GetSummary(GetField(“Field1”), GetField(“Field” & “2”)) performs a summary on
the summary field Field1, using a break field of Field2.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetFieldName
Purpose
Returns the fully qualified name of a field reference.

Format
GetFieldName(fieldName)

Parameters
fieldName - any field object or evaluation of a text expression that refers to a field’s name

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 10.0

Description
Use this function to get the fully qualified name of fieldName (tableName::fieldName).
Note If you specify the context for the current calculation, this function will be evaluated based on
that context. Otherwise, it will be evaluated based on the context of the current window.

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Examples
GetFieldName(x) returns the name of a field reference passed into a custom function as
parameter x.
GetFieldName(Evaluate()) returns the name of a field based on the data stored
in .
GetFieldName(Evaluate(Get(ActiveFieldName))) returns the fully qualified name of the
field that has the focus when executed.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions

GetLayoutObjectAttribute
Purpose
Returns the specified attributes of the layout object given by objectName that is currently active in
the calculation.

Format
GetLayoutObjectAttribute(objectName;attributeName{;repetitionNumber;
portalRowNumber})

Parameters
objectName - the name of a named layout object on the current layout.
attributeName - the name of a supported attribute (see below).
repetitionNumber - the repetition number (for repeating fields).
portalRowNumber - the number of the row in the portal.
Note Parameters in curly braces {} are optional.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.5

Attributes
objectType - returns the object's type as a text literal, in English. Valid return values are: field, text,
graphic, line, rectangle, rounded rectangle, oval, group, button group, button, portal, tab panel, slide
panel, chart, web viewer, popover, popover button, and unknown.

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hasFocus - returns 1 (True) if objectName is currently active, otherwise returns 0 (False). Objects
that can have the focus are fields, portals, tab panels, slide panels, buttons, popover buttons, charts,
and groups. Also returns 1 for a portal when a portal row is selected.
containsFocus - returns 1 (True) if objectName is currently active or if it contains an active
object; otherwise returns 0 (False). Objects that can contain the focus are fields, portals, tab panels,
slide panels, buttons, popover buttons, popovers, charts, and groups.
isFrontPanel - returns 1 (True) if the target object is the tab or slide panel that is in front.
The following object coordinates are given in points relative to the bottom-left corner of the
FileMaker menu bar:
bounds - returns a list of numeric values, separated by spaces, that describes the placement of the
specified object (left-top to right-bottom).
left - returns the left edge coordinate of the specified object.
right - returns the right edge coordinate of the specified object.
top - returns the top edge coordinate of the specified object.
bottom - returns the bottom edge coordinate of the specified object.
width - returns a number representing the width (in points) of the specified object.
height - returns a number representing the height (in points) of the specified object.
rotation - returns a number representing the rotation (in degrees) of the specified object.
startPoint,endPoint - returns a pair of numeric values (horizontal vertical), separated by
spaces, that represent the start point or end point of a line object. Other objects return the top-left
point for startPoint and the bottom-right point for endPoint.
source - returns the source description of the specified object as follows. For:
web viewers - returns current URL.
fields - returns the fully qualified field name (table name::field name).
text objects - returns the text (does not return merge fields).
portals - returns the related table name.
graphics - returns image data such as the image filename.
charts - returns the XML description of a chart object.
For all other objects, returns an empty string.
content - returns the content of the specified object as follows. For:
web viewers - returns the current content (such as HTML code).
fields - returns the field data formatted using the specified object's properties.
text objects - returns the text (including text from merge fields).
graphics - returns image data such as the name of a file in a container field if the image is stored
(in the field or externally), or the reference to the file if the image is unstored.
charts - returns the bitmap representation of a chart object.
For all other objects, returns an empty string.
enclosingObject - returns objectName of the enclosing layout object. Otherwise, returns an
empty string. Only groups, tab panels, slide panels, popover buttons, popovers, and portals can
contain other objects.
containedObjects - returns a list of named objects contained within objectName. Only groups,
tab panels, slide panels, popover buttons, popovers, and portals can contain other objects.

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isobjecthidden - returns 1 (True) if objectName is hidden for the current record. Otherwise,
returns 0 (False). Returns 1 for objects other than popovers that are to the right of the layout
boundary.

Notes
• If objects are set to auto-resize, attributes returned are based on the resized bounds of the
object in its current state.
• If objects are located above the status toolbar, negative coordinate values are returned.
• When repetitionNumber or portalRowNumber is 0, the function behaves as if the
parameter was not specified. For portalRowNumber, the function returns data from the
first portal row. For repetitionNumber, the function acts on the first repetition (for
returning content or source) or acts on the entire field as a whole (for returning bounds).
Both parameters are necessary because you must be able to reference a particular field
repetition within a particular portal row.

Examples
GetLayoutObjectAttribute("CancelButton";"objectType") returns button (if the
button was created in a new file or a file after it was converted), returns button group (if the button
is associated with a button action or script and was converted in a file from a previous version of
FileMaker Pro), or returns text (if the button isn’t associated with a button action or script and was
converted in a file from a previous version of FileMaker Pro).
GetLayoutObjectAttribute("CancelButton";"bounds") returns 138 24 391 38 0.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Naming objects

GetNthRecord
Purpose
Returns the contents of fieldName from the provided recordNumber.

Format
GetNthRecord(fieldName;recordNumber)

Parameters
fieldName - any related field or repeating field, or an expression that returns a field or a repeating
field
recordNumber - the record number from which you want data

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Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
The result of GetNthRecord() will not be updated when the record referred to by GetNthRecord()
is a record other than the one in which the calculation is currently being evaluated.
GetNthRecord of the current table returns the Nth record of the found set according to how the
current table is sorted.
GetNthRecord of a related table returns the Nth record of the related set (relative to the current
record), regardless of how the related table (or portal) is sorted.

Examples
GetNthRecord(First Name;2) returns the contents of the First Name field for record 2 in the
current table.
GetNthRecord(First Name;Get(RecordNumber)+ 1) returns the contents of the First Name
field for the next record in the current table.
GetNthRecord(Contacts::First Name;2) returns the contents of the First Name field for
record 2 in the Contacts table.
GetNthRecord(Contacts::Has Repetitions[2];2) returns the contents of the second
repetition of the Has Repetitions field for record 2 in the Contacts table.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Sorting records

If
Purpose
Returns one of two possible results (result1 or result2) depending on the value of test.

Format
If(test;result1;result2)

Parameters
test - any numeric value or logical expression

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result1 - expression or field name
result2 - expression or field name

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If test is True (any non-zero numeric result), FileMaker Pro returns result1. If test is False (0),
result2 is returned. Test must be an expression that returns either a numeric or Boolean (True,
False) result.

Notes
• If you have more than two possible results, consider using the Case function.
• By default, if test refers to a field that doesn’t yet contain a value, If returns an empty
result. To override this functionality, deselect the Do not evaluate if all referenced
fields are empty checkbox.

Examples
If(Country = “USA”;“US Tech Support”;“International Tech Support”) returns
International Tech Support, if the Country field contains France or Japan. Returns US Tech
Support if the Country field contains USA.
If(State =”CA”;Subtotal * CA Tax Rate;0) returns the tax if the purchaser is a resident
of California; otherwise returns 0.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

IsEmpty
Purpose
Returns True(1) if field is empty, if a related field, related table, relationship, or file is missing, or if
some other error occurs; otherwise, returns False(0).

Format
IsEmpty(field)

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Parameters
field - any field name, text expression, or numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
IsEmpty(OrderNum) returns 1 if the OrderNum field is empty.
If(IsEmpty(LastName);“Invalid record”;““) displays Invalid Record if the LastName
field is blank, but displays nothing if there is an entry in LastName.
IsEmpty(Payments::DatePaid) returns 1 if, for example, the Payments table has been moved
or renamed.
IsEmpty(“text”) returns 0.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

IsValid
Purpose
Returns 0 (False) if the data is invalid and 1 (True) if the data is valid.

Format
IsValid(field)

Parameters
field - any field name

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
Returns 0 (False) if:
• A record contains an invalid value because of a field type mismatch (text in a date field, for
example)
• FileMaker Pro cannot locate (temporarily or permanently) the related table in which the
referenced field is defined
• A field has been deleted from a related table, and therefore the references to that field in the
source table are invalid
Otherwise, it returns 1 (the data is valid).

Examples
IsValid(Datefield) returns 0 if there is non-date data in Datefield, for example if text was
imported into it.
IsValid(Amount) returns 0 if there is only text in the number field Amount.
IsValid(table::field) returns 0 if the related table was renamed and the relationship isn’t
updated with the new filename.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

IsValidExpression
Purpose
Returns 1 (True) if expression syntax is correct. Returns 0 (False) if expression has a syntax
error.

Format
IsValidExpression(expression)

Parameters
expression - any calculation expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

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Examples
IsValidExpression(calculationField) returns 1 (true) if calculationField contains
total + 1.
IsValidExpression(calculationField) returns 0 (false) if calculationField contains
abs(-1 with no closing parenthesis.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Let
Purpose
Sets varX to the result of expressionX for the duration of calculation, until the script exits (local
variables), or until the file is closed (global variables).

Format
Let({[}var1=expression1{;var2=expression2...]};calculation)

Parameters
var - any variable name, local variable name, or global variable name (see About naming fields for
guidelines on naming variables).
expression - any calculation expression, field, or constant.
calculation - any calculation expression, field, or constant.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Multiple variables are allowed when using a list syntax that is enclosed in square brackets [ ] and is
separated by semicolons. For example:
Let([variable=value;variable2=value2];calculation)
The $ symbol references a local variable and two $$ symbols reference a global variable. An
optional repetition number appears in square brackets [ ] immediately after the variable name. For
example:

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Let([$variable[repetition]=value;$$variable2=value2]{;calculation} )
The Let function sets the variables from left to right. You can use previously defined variables (for
example, variables that you defined with the Set Variable script step) to define new variable values,
and you can nest one Let function within another. If you use a previously defined variable within a
nested Let function, the variable has scope only within the nested function (as if you had defined a
completely unique variable). See the City example shown below.
Once defined, local and global variables can be referenced in any calculation within their scope. The
scope of global variables is limited to the current file. The scope of local variables is the current
script. Local variables defined in a calculation are scoped to the file but are only available when
scripts are not running. A local and global variable (or even two local variables in different scripts)
can have the same name but they are treated as different variables and store different values.

Examples
Let(x=5;x*x) returns 25.
Let([x=5;squared=x*x;cubed=squared*x];cubed) returns 125.
Let(City=“Paris”;Let(City=“San Francisco”;City&“-“)&City) returns San
Francisco - Paris.
The following example sets a local variable counter at repetition 50 with a value of 120:
Let($counter[50]=120;$counter[50]*2) returns 240.
The following example shows how to pass named parameters using the Evaluate, Let, and
Get(ScriptParameter) functions, allowing access only to variable “a” (the example returns 6):
ScriptParameter = "a = 5; b = 10"
Evaluate("Let([" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; a+1 )" )
The following example shows how to pass named parameters, allowing access to both variable “a”
and variable “b”. The simplified first parameter makes the second parameter more complex (the
example returns 6, 12):
ScriptParameter = "a = 5; b = 10"
Evaluate("Let( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; a+1 & \", \" & b+2 )" )
The following example shows how to pass named parameters, while keeping the ability to check the
syntax of the second parameter of the Let function (the example returns 6, 12):
ScriptParameter = "a = 5; b = 10"
Let([a = Evaluate("Let( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; a )"),b =
Evaluate("Let( [" & Get(ScriptParameter) & "]; b )")]; a+1 & ", " & b+2 )

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Using variables

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Lookup
Purpose
Returns the value specified in sourceField using the relationships in the relationships graph. The
result of the optional failExpression will be returned if the lookup fails.

Format
Lookup(sourceField{;failExpression})

Parameters
sourceField - the field from which the lookup value is taken.
failExpression - any expression.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
For this function to access the contents of the source field, the tables containing the source field and
calculation field need to be related. Calculations using the Lookup function won’t be forced to be
unstored calculations.
Note Lookup returns ? when the related table is an ODBC data source.

Examples
There are two tables, People and Company, in a database file containing the data shown below.
People table
CompanyID

Employee

100

John Smith

200

Peter Wong

300

Sally Anderson

Company table
CompanyID

CompanyName

Code

100

Apple

91234

100

Apple

82345

200

FileMaker

95054

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The People and Company tables are related using the number field CompanyID. The calculation
CompanyName = Lookup(Company::CompanyName;“Not found”) defined in the People
table will return Apple for the first record, FileMaker for the second record, and Not found for the
third record.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

LookupNext
Purpose
Returns the next lower or higher value in sourcefield when there isn’t a matching related value.

Format
LookupNext(sourceField;lower/higherFlag)

Parameters
sourceField - the field from which the lookup value is taken
lower/higherFlag - the keywords lower or higher denote whether the value from the next
lower/higher matching record must be taken if no related record is found

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Returns the value specified in sourceField using the relationships in the relationships graph.
LookupNext is similar to Lookup, except that when the lookup fails, the value from sourceField in
the lower or higher matching record will be returned, as specified by lower/higherFlag.
For this function to access the value in sourceField, the tables containing the source field and
calculation field need to be related. Calculations using the LookupNext function won’t be forced to
be unstored calculations.
Note LookupNext returns ? when the related table is an ODBC data source.

Examples
In this example, you are shipping several items and the cost of shipping is based on weight ranges.
Use the LookupNext function to find which shipping rate applies for an item. Use LookupNext with

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the higher flag instead of Lookup because the weight of an item may not exactly match the
maximum weight, therefore we want to find the next highest value.
There are two tables, Items and Shipping Costs, in a database file containing data as shown below.
Items table
Item

Weight

Lamp

8

Chair

22

Desk

60

Bed

120

Rate Lookup

Shipping Costs table
Rate Code

Maximum Weight

A

25

B

50

C

100

D

150

The two tables are related by Weight and Max Weight. The calculation field Rate Lookup is
defined as Rate Lookup = LookupNext(Shipping Costs::Max Weight; Higher).
The Rate Lookup calculation field will return 25, 25, 100, and 150 for records 1 to 4. Rate
Lookup can then be used to get the correct rate code (A, A, C, and D respectively).
Item

Weight

Rate Lookup

Lamp

8

25

Chair

22

25

Desk

60

100

Bed

120

150

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Self
Purpose
Returns the content of the object in which the calculation is defined.

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Format
Self

Parameters
None

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 9.0

Description
The Self function provides a way for a calculation to reference the object with which it is associated
without having to explicitly reference the object.
Use Self to create a single calculation formula that can be applied to different objects. The Self
function is helpful for conditional formatting calculations and tooltip calculations because it returns
the content of the layout object when that object has a value. You can also use the Self function in
field definition calculations (including auto-enter and validation calculations) to return the value of
the corresponding field.

Examples
This example formula can be used in an object’s conditional formatting panel to set text formatting
when the number entered in the field is greater than 10.
self > 10 returns 1 (True) when applied to a layout field object whose value is greater than 10.
Use the following example in a layout object’s tooltip calculation to display different tooltip text
according to whether or not a value less than zero was entered.
if(self < 0; "Value is less than zero"; "Value is zero or greater")

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Defining conditional formatting for layout objects

Mobile functions
Mobile functions are used with FileMaker Go.
Click a function name for details.

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This function

Returns

Location

The current latitude and longitude of an iOS device running FileMaker Go and the
horizontal accuracy of the values returned.

LocationValues

The current latitude, longitude, and altitude of an iOS device running
FileMaker Go; the horizontal and vertical accuracy of the values returned; and the
number of minutes since the values were returned.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Location
Purpose
Returns the current latitude and longitude on an iOS device running FileMaker Go. Also returns the
horizontal accuracy of the values returned. The location is obtained via GPS, cellular network, or WiFi.

Format
Location (accuracy {; timeout})

Parameters
accuracy - any numeric expression or field containing a number that represents a distance in
meters.
timeout - any numeric expression or field containing a number that represents the most time it will
take to fetch the location. Measured in seconds, the default value is 60.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
Text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Returns and caches the location of a device in the format latitude, longitude. You can use
the values that are returned to query map services. Location fetches the location values until
timeout. If you cancel the process, FileMaker Go returns the most accurate location in the cache
(if any).
If no location is received, FileMaker Go returns an empty string. In FileMaker Pro, Location
returns an empty string.

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Note To avoid excessive battery consumption and repeat fetches, specify a smaller number for
timeout.

Examples
Location ( 100; 40 ) takes up to 40 seconds to return the latitude and longitude with an
accuracy of 100 meters.
+110.230000, -131.340000, +65.000000

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
LocationValues

LocationValues
Purpose
Returns the current latitude, longitude, and altitude on an iOS device running FileMaker Go. Returns
the horizontal and vertical accuracy of the values returned and the number of minutes since the
values were returned. The location is obtained via GPS, cellular network, or Wi-Fi.

Format
LocationValues (accuracy {; timeout})

Parameters
accuracy - any numeric expression or field containing a number that represents a distance in
meters.
timeout - any numeric expression or field containing a number that represents the most time it will
take to fetch the location. Measured in seconds, the default value is 60.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
Text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Returns and caches the current location of a device in the format:
latitude¶longitude¶altitude¶horizontal accuracy (+/- accuracy in meters)¶
vertical accuracy (+/- accuracy in meters)¶age of value in minutes (0.2
would represent 0.2 minutes or 12 seconds ago)
You can use the GetValue function to retrieve any of the six carriage return-delimited values above.

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LocationValues fetches the location values until the requested accuracy is met or until
timeout. If you cancel the process, FileMaker Go returns the most accurate location in the cache
(if any). If no location is received, FileMaker Go returns an empty string.
In FileMaker Pro, LocationValues returns an empty string.
Note To avoid excessive battery consumption and repeat fetches, specify a larger number for
accuracy and a smaller number for timeout.

Examples
LocationValues returns the following location for a device:
37.406489
-121.983428
0.000000
65
-1
0.001236

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
Location

Number functions
Number functions are used to manipulate numeric data.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

Abs

The absolute value (a positive number) of a number.

Ceiling

A number rounded up to the next integer.

Combination

The number of ways to uniquely choose a specified number of items from a set of
specified size.

Div

An integer of the specified number divided by the divisor.

Exp

The value of the constant e (the base of the natural logarithm, equal to 2.7182818)
raised to the power of a specified number.

Factorial

The factorial of a specified number stopping at 1, or at a specified number
factorial.

Floor

A number rounded down to the next lower integer.

Int

The whole number (integer) part of the value you specify, without rounding.

Lg

The base 2 logarithm of the specified number, which can be any positive value.

Ln

The base-e (natural) logarithm of the specified number.

Log

The common logarithm (base 10) of the specified number, which can be any
positive value.

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This function

Returns

Mod

The remainder after a specified number is divided by divisor.

Random

A random number between zero and one.

Round

A number rounded off to the specified precision (number of decimal places).

SetPrecision

Any math functions contained within the specified expression to the specified
digits of precision, if the math function supports extended precision.

Sign

One of three possible values: -1 when the specified number is negative, 0 when
it's zero, and 1 when it's positive.

Sqrt

The square root of a number.

Truncate

A number truncated to the specified precision (number of decimal places), without
evaluating the value of the discarded digits.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Abs
Purpose
Returns the absolute value of number.

Format
Abs(number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number, time

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The absolute value of a number is positive. For example, if a negative number appears in a field, the
Abs function removes the minus sign and changes it to a positive value.

Examples
Abs(-123) returns 123.
Abs(PriceDifference) returns the positive value of the number in the PriceDifference field.
Abs(TargetDate - ActualDate) returns a positive value for the number of days difference
between the values in TargetDate and ActualDate.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Ceiling
Purpose
Returns number rounded up to the next integer.

Format
Ceiling(number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Examples
Ceiling(1.25) returns 2.
Ceiling(-1.25) returns -1.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Combination
Purpose
Returns the number of ways to uniquely choose numberOfChoices items from a set of size
setSize.

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Format
Combination(setSize;numberOfChoices)

Parameters
setSize - any numeric expression or field containing a non-negative numeric expression
numberOfChoices - any numeric expression or field containing a non-negative numeric
expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
This function is useful in statistics, combinatorics, and polynomial expansions. The values returned
by this function are referred to as combination coefficients. They form Pascal’s triangle.
Factorial ( setSize, numberOfChoices )
Combination = ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Factorial ( numberOfChoices )

Examples
Combination(5;2) returns 10 for a set consisting of {a, b, c, d, e} because the unique choices
when choosing two at a time are {ab, ac, ad, ae, bc, bd, be, cd, ce, de}.
(13 * 12 * Combination(4;2) * Combination(4;3)) / Combination(52;5) returns
0.00144057..., which is the probability of being dealt a full-house in 5-card poker (less than a 1%
chance).

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Div
Purpose
Returns the next lowest integer value after dividing number by divisor. Equivalent to
Floor(number/divisor).

Format
Div(number;divisor)

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Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression
divisor - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Examples
Div(2.5;2) returns 1.
Div(-2.5;2) returns -2.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Exp
Purpose
Returns the value of the constant e (the base of the natural logarithm, equal to 2.7182818) raised to
the power of number.

Format
Exp(number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The Exp function is the inverse of the Ln function.

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Examples
Exp(1) returns 2.71828182....
Exp(Ln(2)) returns 2.
Exp(0) returns 1.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Factorial
Purpose
Returns the factorial of number stopping at 1 or stopping at the optional numberOfFactors.

Format
Factorial(number{;numberOfFactors})

Parameters
number - numeric expression or field containing a positive integer.
numberOfFactors - any numeric expression or field containing a number that represents how
many factors to include in the multiplication.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
This function is useful in statistics and combinatorics.
Where n = number and i = numberOfFactors:
Factorial(n) = n ( n – 1 ) ( n – 2 )… ( 1 )
Factorial(n;i) = n ( n – 1 ) ( n – 2 )… ( n – i + 1 )

Examples
Factorial(3) returns 6, which = 3 * 2 * 1.

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Factorial(10;3) returns 720, which = 10 * 9 * 8.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Floor
Purpose
Returns number rounded down to the next lower integer.

Format
Floor(number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Examples
Floor(1.25) returns 1.
Floor(-1.25) returns -2.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Int
Purpose
Drops digits to the right of the decimal point and returns the integer part of number without rounding.

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Format
Int(number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Int(1.45) returns 1.
Int(-3.9) returns -3.
Int(123.9) returns 123.
Int(Players/3) returns 4, if Players contains 13.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Lg
Purpose
Returns the base-2 logarithm of number.

Format
Lg(number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

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Description
Number can be any positive value. Negative values return an error. For 0, the Lg function returns
nothing because this value is out of the acceptable range.
Ln(number)
Lg = --------------------------------Ln(2)

Examples
Lg(1) = 0
Lg(2) = 1
Lg(32) = 5

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Ln
Purpose
Returns the base-e (natural) logarithm of number.

Format
Ln(number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Number can be any positive value. Negative values and 0 return an error. The Exp function is the
inverse of the Ln function.

Examples
Ln(2.7182818) returns .99999998....

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Ln(Exp(5)) returns 5.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Log
Purpose
Returns the base-10 (common) logarithm of number.

Format
Log(number)

Parameters
number - any positive numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Number can be any positive value. Negative values return an error. For 0, the Log function returns
nothing because this value is out of the acceptable range.
Ln(number)
Log = --------------------------------Ln(10)

Examples
Log(1) returns 0.
Log(100) returns 2.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Mod
Purpose
Returns the remainder after number is divided by divisor.

Format
Mod(number;divisor)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression
divisor - numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use the Mod function to test whether a number is even or odd by specifying a divisor of 2. If the
result is zero, then the number is even; otherwise, it’s odd. The result has the same sign as
divisor.
Mod = number – ( Div(number;divisor) • divisor )

Examples
Mod(13;4) returns 1.
Mod(7;5) returns 2.
Mod(7;-5) returns -3.
Mod(-7;5) returns 3.
Mod(-7;-5) returns -2.
Mod(Participants;TeamSize) returns 4 if Participants contains 40 and TeamSize contains 9.
If(Mod(Get(RecordNumber);2) = 0;“even”;“odd”) labels a record even or odd using the
Get(RecordNumber) function.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Random
Purpose
Returns a number between zero and one, including zero, but not including one.

Format
Random

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Returns a pseudo-random number in the range (0,1). FileMaker Pro generates a new random
number when you:
• insert the Random function into a formula
• cause a formula containing the Random function to be reevaluated (by changing data in any
of the fields the formula uses)
• display or access a calculation field defined to have an unstored result

Examples
Int ( Dice::NumSides * Random ) + 1 returns a randomly chosen side of a single die.
The following script calculates multiple die rolls, adds the rolls to a single variable, then displays the
results in a custom dialog.
Loop
Set Variable [$ROLL; Value:$ROLL + ( Int ( Test::NumSides * Random ) +
1 )]
Set Variable [$COUNTER; Value:$COUNTER + 1]
Exit Loop If [$COUNTER = Dice::NumDice]
End Loop
Show Custom Dialog [$ROLL]

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Round
Purpose
Returns number rounded off to the specified precision (number of decimal places).

Format
Round(number;precision)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression
precision - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If you round a negative number of decimal places, all digits to the right of the decimal point are
dropped, and the number is rounded to the nearest tens, hundreds, and so on. The Round function
always rounds up at 0.5.

Examples
Round(123.456;2) returns 123.46.
Round(14.5;0) returns 15.
Round(29343.98;-3) returns 29000.
Round(123.456;-1) returns 120.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

SetPrecision
Purpose
Computes any math function with a precision of 16 to 400 digits to the right of the decimal point.

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Format
SetPrecision(expression;precision)

Parameters
expression - any numeric expression
precision - any number or numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
All functions except trigonometric functions support extended precision. This function doesn’t
perform a truncation.

Examples
SetPrecision(5/9;30) returns 0.555555555555555555555555555556.
SetPrecision(1.321321321321321321321321321;0) returns 1.3213213213213213.
SetPrecision(If(field1>5;Exp(50);Average(5/9;1/7;5/7));25) returns either
5184705528587072464087.4533229334853848274691006 if field1 > 5, or
0.4708994708994708994708995 if field1 <= 5.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Sign
Purpose
Returns one of three possible values: -1 when number is negative, 0 when it’s zero, and 1 when it’s
positive.

Format
Sign(number)

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Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Sign(15.12) returns 1.
Sign(-175) returns -1.
Sign(BalanceDue) returns 0, if BalanceDue is a number field containing 0.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Sqrt
Purpose
Calculates the square root of number.

Format
Sqrt(number)

Parameters
number - any positive number, numeric expression, or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this function to calculate Sqrt.
Sqrt =

number

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Examples
Sqrt(4) returns 2.
Sqrt(SquareFeet) returns 6 if the SquareFeet number field contains 36.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Truncate
Purpose
Returns number truncated to the specified precision (number of decimal places).

Format
Truncate(number;precision)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression
precision - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This function doesn’t evaluate digits beyond the specified precision. Use the Round function to
round up or down to the required precision.

Examples
Truncate(123.456;2) returns 123.45.
Truncate(-14.6;0) returns -14.
Truncate(29343.98;-3) returns 29000.
Truncate(123.456;4) returns 123.456.
Truncate(29343.98;5) returns 29343.98.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
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Repeating functions
Repeating functions perform calculations on repeating fields.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

Extend

In a calculation involving both repeating and non-repeating fields, allows a value in
a non-repeating field to be used with every repetition in a repeating field.

GetRepetition

The contents of the specified repetition of a repeating field.

Last

The last valid, non-blank value in the specified field.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Extend
Purpose
Allows a value in non-repeatingField to be used with every repetition in a repeating field.

Format
Extend(non-repeatingField)

Parameters
non-repeatingField - any non-repeating field (a field defined to contain only one value), or an
expression that returns a reference to one

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
Use the Extend function with calculations involving both repeating and non-repeating fields.
Without the Extend function, the value in non-repeatingField is used only with the first
repetition in the repeating field.

Examples
Extend(TaxRate) * Quantity * ItemPrice returns 1.197, .6606, and 1.497 when TaxRate
contains .06; the repeating field Quantity contains 1, 3, and 5; and the repeating field ItemPrice
contains 19.95, 3.67, and 4.99.
Item Count * Extend(if(Company Size > 100; Reduced Price; Price)) returns
$1250, $500, and $750 when Reduced Price contains $50; the repeating field Item Count
contains 25, 10, and 15; and Company Size is greater than 100. If Company Size is less than
100 and Price contains $100, this calculation returns $2500, $1000, and $1500.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetRepetition
Purpose
Returns the contents of the repeating field specified by number.

Format
GetRepetition(repeatingField;number)

Parameters
repeatingField - any repeating field, or an expression that returns a reference to a repeating
field
number - the field repetition number

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
ParcelBids is a field defined to repeat with ten values and contains the values 2500, 1200, and
1500.

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GetRepetition(ParcelBids;2) returns 1200.
GetRepetition(if(IsEmpty(ParcelBids) ≠ true, ParcelBids, HouseBids);2)
returns 1200.
GetRepetition(ParcelBids;5) returns nothing.
Note You can also find the contents of a particular repetition in a repeating field using square
brackets [ ] as array operators. For example, ParcelBids[2] returns 1200. See Getting the
contents of a repetition in a repeating field.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Last
Purpose
Returns the last valid, non-blank value in field.

Format
Last(field)

Parameters
field - any repeating field or related field, or an expression that returns a reference to a repeating
field or related field

Data type returned
text, number, date, time, timestamp, container

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If field specifies a repeating field then it returns the last non-blank repetition. If field specifies a
related field, then it returns the last non-blank value in the related set.
Note The last related value will depend on the way related records are sorted. If the related records
are not sorted, then the Last function returns a value based on the creation order of the records.

Examples
Last(ParcelBids) returns 1500 if ParcelBids is a number field defined to repeat with ten values
and contains the values 2500, 1200, and 1500.

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Last(Payments::PaymentDate) returns the payment date in the last matching record in the
Payments table.
Last(if(IsEmpty(Company);PersonalPhone;WorkPhone)) returns the last non-empty
phone number from the repeating field PersonalPhone when the Company field is empty. If the
Company field is not empty, the function returns the last non-empty phone number from the
repeating field WorkPhone.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Summary functions
Summary functions produce a summary of all records in the found set, or subsummary values for
records in different groups. Formulas can contain more than one summary function. Summary
functions calculate more slowly than other functions because they generate values for a range of
records.
An alternative way to generate similar calculated results is to use Aggregate functions to summarize
data in related records (whether or not they appear in a portal). See Aggregate functions and
information about summarizing data in portals.
Click the function name for details.
This function

Returns

GetSummary

The value of the summary field for the current range of records when the database
file is sorted by the break field.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

GetSummary
Purpose
Returns the value of summaryField for the current range of records when the database file is
sorted by breakField.

Format
GetSummary(summaryField;breakField)

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Parameters
summaryField - field of type summary, or an expression that returns a reference to one.
breakField - field, or an expression that returns a reference to one. To calculate a grand summary
value, use the same summary field for both the summary field and the break field parameters.
GetSummary must be set up in the same table as the break field.

Data type returned
number, date, time, timestamp

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This function produces subsummary values. If the database file isn’t sorted by the break field, the
result is blank.
When a summary field is also used as the break field, returns the summary field value for the entire
found set of records (a grand summary value).
Use GetSummary to capture summary values when you want to:
• use summary values in a calculation
• display subsummary values in Browse mode or in a body part
Calculations using the GetSummary function are unstored.
Note You can get similar results using a self-join relationship and Aggregate functions. For more
information, see Summarizing data in portals.

Examples
GetSummary(Total Sales;Country) returns a summary of all records pertaining to the value
in the Country field.
GetSummary(Total Sales, if(Number of Countries > 1, Country, Sales Zone))
returns a summary of Total Sales by Country if Number of Countries is greater than 1. Otherwise, it
returns a summary of Total Sales by Sales Zone.
GetSummary(Total Sales;Total Sales) produces a summary of all records (similar to using
a summary field, which is a total of total sales).
If(ThisCharge > 3 * GetSummary(AvgCharge;Customer), “Verify this charge”,
“ “) displays Verify this charge if the current charge is greater than three times the average
charge.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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Text functions
Text functions can be used to analyze, rearrange, extract, and build text strings. For example, you
could use the MiddleWords function to extract specific words from supplied text.
Text functions operate on these parameters:
• fields of type text
• text constants (in quotation marks)
• expressions having a text result
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

Char

Returns the characters for the Unicode code points in the number.

Code

Returns the Unicode code points for the characters in the text. If zero characters
are in the text, returns an empty string.

Exact

1 (True) for an exact match, or 0 (False) for a mismatch between two text strings
or container fields.

Filter

Only the specified characters, in the order that they were originally entered in the
text.

FilterValues

Only the specified values, in the order that they were originally entered in the text.

GetAsCSS

The specified text, converted to the CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) format.

GetAsDate

Dates in the specified text as field type date, for use in formulas involving dates or
date functions.

GetAsNumber

Numbers in the specified text as field type number, for use with formulas involving
numbers or numeric functions. If zero numeric characters are in the text, returns
an empty string.

GetAsSVG

The specified text, converted to the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format.

GetAsText

The specified number, date, time or timestamp as field type text, for use with
formulas involving text or text functions.

GetAsTime

Times or timestamps in the specified text as field type time, for use with formulas
involving the time or timestamp functions.

GetAsTimestamp

The specified data as field type timestamp, for use with formulas involving
timestamps.

GetAsURLEncoded

The specified text, converted with URL (Uniform Resource Locators) encoding.

GetValue

A specific value from a list of values.

Hiragana

Hiragana converted from Katakana (Hankaku and Zenkaku).

KanaHankaku

Hankaku Katakana converted from Zenkaku Katakana.

KanaZenkaku

Zenkaku Katakana converted from Hankaku Katakana.

KanjiNumeral

Kanji numerals converted from Arabic numerals.

Katakana

Zenkaku Katakana converted from Hiragana.

Left

The specified number of characters in the text, counting from the left.

LeftValues

The specified number of values in the text, counting from the left.

LeftWords

The specified number of words in the text, counting from the left.

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This function

Returns

Length

The number of characters in the specified text, including all spaces, numbers, and
special characters.

Lower

All letters in the specified text as lowercase.

Middle

The specified number of characters in the text, starting at a specified character
position.

MiddleValues

The specified number of values in the text, starting with a specified value.

MiddleWords

The specified number of words in the text, starting with a specified word.

NumToJText

Roman numbers converted to Japanese text.

PatternCount

The number of occurrences of a search string in the specified text.

Position

The specified occurrence of a search string, starting from a specified position.

Proper

The first letter of each word in the specified text as uppercase, and all other letters
as lowercase.

Quote

The specified text surrounded by quotation marks (“ ”).

Replace

A new string of characters consisting of the specified text as modified by the
specified replacement text.

Right

The specified number of characters in the text, counting from the right.

RightValues

The specified number of values in the text, counting from the right.

RightWords

The specified number of words in the text, counting from the right.

RomanHankaku

Hankaku (alphanumeric & symbols) converted from Zenkaku (alphanumeric &
symbols).

RomanZenkaku

Zenkaku (alphanumeric & symbols) converted from Hankaku (alphanumeric &
symbols).

SerialIncrement

The combined text and numbers in a specified value, with the numbers
incremented by the specified amount.

Substitute

A text string with every occurrence of a specified search string in the text replaced
by a specified replacement string.

Trim

Text stripped of all leading and trailing spaces.

TrimAll

Text with full width spaces between non-Roman and Roman characters removed.

Upper

All letters in the specified text as uppercase.

ValueCount

A count of the total number of values in the specified text.

WordCount

A count of the total number of words in the specified text.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Char
Purpose
Returns the characters for the Unicode code points in the number.

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Format
Char(number)

Parameters
number - a decimal number representing one or more Unicode code points

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 10.0

Description
Each group of five digits in the number is treated as a Unicode code point, and the character for
each five-digit group is returned in the text.
If the number is 0, the function returns an empty string.
If the number is between 1 and 99,999, the function returns a single character.
If the number contains more than five digits, the function returns the string of characters represented
by those code points.
Note Some Unicode characters can be represented by a single code point or multiple code points.
For example, the character ä can be represented by the letter a plus ¨ (dieresis) or by the single
character ä. The single code point version of this kind of character is called a precomposed
character or a composite character.

Examples
Char(0) returns an empty string (“”).
Char(97) returns a.
Char(98) returns b.
Char(9800097) returns ab.
Char(228) returns ä.
Char(77600097) returns ä. In this case the number represents two Unicode characters: the letter
a and the dieresis character. When these two characters appear together in a string they are
displayed as a single character.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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Code
Purpose
Returns the Unicode code points for the characters in the text.

Format
Code(text)

Parameters
text - one or more characters

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 10.0

Description
Returns the Unicode code points for the characters in text. If zero characters are in text, returns
an empty string.
If one character is in the text, the function returns the code point for that character. If the text
contains multiple characters, the Unicode code point for each character is returned as a group of
five digits where the code point for the first character is represented by the low five digits, the code
point for the second character in the next higher (to the left) five digits, and so forth.
When converting a composite character such as ä, the function returns the Unicode code point for
the composite character.
The following table shows how navigational characters are reported to a script activated by this
trigger:
Key Pressed

Is reported as

Notes

backspace

8

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for BS (backspace)

tab

9

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for HT (horizontal tab)

shift-tab

9

The shift can be detected using the value returned from the
Get(TriggerModifierKeys) function

enter

10

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for LF (linefeed)

return

13

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for CR (carriage return)

escape

27

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for ESC (escape)

left arrow

28

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for FS (file separator)

up arrow

29

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for GS (group separator)

right arrow

30

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for RS (record
separator)

down arrow

31

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for US (unit separator)

space

32

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for Space

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Key Pressed

Is reported as

Notes

forward delete

127

Corresponds to Unicode/ASCII code for Delete

Note If there are too many characters to be represented in the FileMaker number field type, the
function returns a NaN (Not a Number) value.

Examples
Code(“”) returns an empty string.
Code(“a”) returns 97.
Code(“b”) returns 98.
Code(“ab”) returns 9800097.
Code(“ä”) returns 228.
Code(“ä”)(an a followed by a dieresis character entered in a separate keystroke) returns
77600097.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Exact
Purpose
Compares the contents of any two fields. If the fields match, the result is 1 (True); otherwise, the
result is 0 (False).

Format
Exact(originalText;comparisonText)

Parameters
originalText - any text expression, text field, or container field
comparisonText - any text expression, text field, or container field

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
For text to match exactly, the uppercase and lowercase usage must be the same. For container
fields, the data must be stored in the same manner (either embedded, or stored by reference).
Note When evaluating values, text attributes such as font, styles, and sizes are not considered.
Tip If case isn't important, use the Lower or Upper function on both parameters to process data
before checking for an exact match.

Examples
Exact(“McDonald”;“McDonald”) returns 1 (True).
Exact(“McDonald”;“MCDONALD”) returns 0 (False).
Exact(Upper(“McDonald”);Upper(“MCDONALD”)) returns 1 (True).
Exact(“John”;“John ”) returns 0 (False).
Exact(BillTo;ShipTo) returns 1 (True) when the value in BillTo is the same as the value in
ShipTo.
Exact(Recipient;Upper(Recipient)) returns 1 (True), when Recipient contains JOHNSON.
Exact(Country;“Spain”) returns 1 (True) when the Country field contains Spain.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Filter
Purpose
Returns from textToFilter only those characters specified in filterText, in the order they
were originally entered in textToFilter.

Format
Filter(textToFilter;filterText)

Parameters
textToFilter - any text expression or text field
filterText - the characters to preserve in the specified text

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
If filterText doesn’t have any characters, an empty string is returned. The Filter function is
case-sensitive.

Examples
Filter(“(408)555-1212”;“0123456789”) returns 4085551212.
Filter(“AaBb”;“AB”) returns AB.
The following example removes all text from the provided data, then formats the remaining numbers
in the preferred phone number formatting:
Let(phone = filter(theField;“0123456789”);“(“ & left(phone;3) & “)” &
middle(phone;4;3) & “-” & middle(phone;7;4))
If theField contains Work: 408.555.1212 this calculation returns (408)555-1212.

Related topics
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About formulas
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FilterValues
Purpose
Returns a text result containing only the values that were provided in filterValues, in the order
they were originally entered in textToFilter.

Format
FilterValues(textToFilter; filterValues)

Parameters
textToFilter - any text expression or text field
filterValues - values that you want to preserve in the specified text
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
If filterValues doesn’t have any values, an empty string is returned.
Values are text items separated by carriage returns. A value can be empty, a single character, a
word, a sentence, or a paragraph. When you press Enter or Return, you start creating a new value.
The last value will be recognized with or without a carriage return.
When the textToFilter or the filterValues parameter is a literal string, you must insert a
paragraph character (¶) between each item in the string. To insert a carriage return character, click
the ¶ button in the Specify Calculation dialog box.
The FilterValues function is not case-sensitive.

Examples
FilterValues(“Plaid¶Canvas¶Suitcase”;“Plaid¶Canvas”) returns
Plaid
Canvas
FilterValues(ValueListItems(“Database”;“Sizes”);“Medium¶Small”) returns
Small
Medium
when a database file named Database has a value list Sizes that contains Small¶Medium¶Large.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
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About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
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GetAsCSS
Purpose
Returns text converted to the CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) format.

Format
GetAsCSS(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

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Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
CSS format is an internet text format similar to HTML. CSS supports more text formats than HTML,
so CSS will represent what you have typed more accurately.
Note The GetAsCSS function does not return formats that are set in the Conditional Formatting
dialog box.

Examples
GetAsCSS(text) returns the example result shown below when the field text contains the word
“Frank” and the word Frank has the following text attributes: Font = Helvetica, Font Size = 12 points,
Font Color = red, Font Style = bold.
Example result:
Frank

Related topics
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About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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GetAsDate
Purpose
Returns dates in text as field type date, for use in formulas involving dates or date functions.

Format
GetAsDate(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field containing text in the same format as the date on the system
where the file was created

Data type returned
date

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use the GetAsDate or Date function to enter a date constant into a formula. The format of text
date must be the same as the date format on the system where the file was created.
You can also use this function to convert the number of days to a date. If you specify a number as
the parameter, it has to be between 1 (for 1/1/0001) and 1460970 (for 12/31/4000).
Note If the function returns a number instead of a date, go to the Specify Calculation dialog box and
make sure the Calculation result is date.
Important To avoid errors when using dates, always use four-digit years. For more information
about how FileMaker Pro handles two-digit dates, see Conversion of dates with two-digit years.

Examples
GetAsDate(“03/03/2014”) returns 3/3/2014. You can perform date operations on this result
using the Date function.
GetAsDate(735516) returns 10/10/2014. The number 735516 specifies the number of days since
1/1/0001.
Use the following formula to determine the number of days elapsed between values in two
timestamp fields:
GetAsDate(EndDate) - GetAsDate(StartDate) returns 90 if the value in the field
EndDate is 4/1/2010 1:00 AM and the value in the field StartDate is 1/1/2010
11:15 PM.

Related topics
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About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetAsNumber
Purpose
Returns only the numbers in text, as field type number, for use with formulas involving numbers or
numeric functions.

Format
GetAsNumber(text)

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Parameters
text - any text expression or text field containing numbers

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This function drops all non-numeric characters from text. If zero numeric characters are in text,
returns an empty string.
You can also use this function to convert a date to the number of days. The returned number is the
number of days since 1/1/0001.

Examples
GetAsNumber(“FY98”) returns 98.
GetAsNumber(“$1,254.50”) returns 1254.5.
GetAsNumber(“2 + 2”) returns 22.
GetAsNumber(SerialNumber) returns 35684, when the value of SerialNumber is
TKV35FRG6HH84.
GetAsNumber(DateOfBirth) returns 735516, when the DateOfBirth field contains 10/10/2014.
GetAsNumber(Passcode)returns an empty string, when the Passcode field contains
QTjPLeRMaCV.
Related topics
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About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetAsSVG
Purpose
Returns text converted to the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format.

Format
GetAsSVG(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

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Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
SVG is an internet text format similar to HTML or CSS. SVG supports more text formats than HTML,
so SVG will represent what you have typed more accurately.
Note The GetAsSVG function does not return formats that are set in the Conditional Formatting
dialog box.

Examples
GetAsSVG(text) returns the example result (below) when the field text contains the word “Frank”
and the word Frank has the following text attributes: Font = Helvetica, Font Size = 12 points, Font
Color = red, Font Style = bold.
Example result:

”font-family: 'Helvetica';font-size: 12px;color:
#FF0000;font-weight: bold;text-align: left;”,
Begin: 1, End: 5


Frank


Related topics
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GetAsText
Purpose
Returns data as field type text, for use with formulas involving text or text functions.

Format
GetAsText(data)

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Parameters
data - any number, date, time or timestamp expression, or a field containing a number, date, time,
timestamp, or container

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The data returned can be a field type number, date, time, timestamp, or container.
For a container field, GetAsText returns external path information, text (when the container
contains text that does not resolve into a valid path), or a question mark (?) if the container data is
embedded in the database. For container data stored externally, data is returned in the format
shown in the following example:
GetAsText(Container)returns
remote:cat.jpg
size:320,240
JPEG:Images/Animals/cat.jpg

Examples
GetAsText(45) returns 45.
“You are ” & GetAsText(DaysDelinquent) & “ days late.” returns You are 3 days
late. when the value of DaysDelinquent is 3.
“FY” & GetAsText(FiscalYear) returns FY98, if the FiscalYear number field contains 98.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

GetAsTime
Purpose
Returns times or timestamps in text as field type time, for use with formulas involving the Time or
Timestamp functions.

Format
GetAsTime(text)

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Parameters
text - any text expression or text field containing a time

Data type returned
time

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use the GetAsTime or the Time function to enter a time constant into a formula. The format of the
supplied time must be the same as the time format on the system where the file was created.

Examples
GetAsTime(“02:47:35”) returns 2:47:35 when you select time as the calculation result. You can
perform time calculations on this result.
GetAsTime(“02:47:35”) returns 1/1/0001 2:47:35 when you select timestamp as the calculation
result.
Abs(GetAsTime(“12:15 pm”) - CheckOut) returns 3:00:00 when the CheckOut time field
contains 3:15 PM.

Related topics
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About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
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GetAsTimestamp
Purpose
Returns text as field type timestamp, for use with formulas involving timestamps.

Format
GetAsTimestamp(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression, or text, number, date, or time field

Data type returned
timestamp

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Text strings must be in the form of a date followed by a time. A number is considered to be the
number of seconds since 1/1/0001. There are 86400 seconds in each day.

Examples
GetAsTimestamp(“4/5/2014 4:05:06”) returns 4/5/2014 4:05:06 AM.
GetAsTimestamp(50000) returns 1/1/0001 1:53:20 PM.

Related topics
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GetAsURLEncoded
Purpose
Returns text as URL (Uniform Resource Locator) encoding, for use as a URL.

Format
GetAsURLEncoded(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.5

Description
This function removes all styles from text. All characters are first converted to UTF-8 format.
Characters that are neither letters nor digits, or digits that are in the upper ASCII range, are
converted to %HH format (a percent sign followed by the character’s hexadecimal value).
See the following website for more information on URL encoding:
http://www.w3.org

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Examples
GetAsURLEncoded("Hello") returns Hello.
GetAsURLEncoded("San Francisco") returns San%20Francisco.
GetAsURLEncoded("français") returns fran%c3%a7ais.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Defining a custom web address

GetValue
Purpose
Returns the requested value given by valueNumber from listOfValues.

Format
GetValue(listOfValues;valueNumber)

Parameters
listOfValues - a list of carriage return-delimited values
valueNumber - the value to return from the list

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
This function is useful in looping scripts or recursive custom calculations.
Values are text items separated by carriage returns. You can place several values together to create
a carriage return-delimited list of values. A value can be empty, a single character, a word, a
sentence, or a paragraph. When you press Enter or Return, you start creating a new value. The last
value will be recognized with or without a carriage return.
When the listOfValues parameter is a literal string, you must insert a literal carriage return
character (¶) between each item in the string. To insert a literal carriage return character, click the ¶
button in the Specify Calculation dialog box.

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Examples
GetValue(“London¶Paris¶Hong Kong”;2) returns
Paris

Related topics
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Hiragana
Purpose
Converts Katakana (Hankaku and Zenkaku) in text to Hiragana.

Format
Hiragana(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Hiragana(“

”) returns

Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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KanaHankaku
Purpose
Converts Zenkaku Katakana to Hankaku Katakana.

Format
KanaHankaku(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
KanaHankaku(“

“) returns

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KanaZenkaku
Purpose
Converts Hankaku Katakana to Zenkaku Katakana.

Format
KanaZenkaku(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
KanaZenkaku(“

“) returns

Related topics
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About formulas
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KanjiNumeral
Purpose
Converts Arabic numerals to Kanji numeral.

Format
KanjiNumeral(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
KanjiNumeral(123) returns
KanjiNumeral(“

“) returns

Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
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Katakana
Purpose
Converts from Hiragana to Zenkaku Katakana.

Format
Katakana(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Katakana(“

“) returns

Related topics
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About formulas
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Left
Purpose
Returns numberOfCharacters in text, counting from the left.

Format
Left(text;numberOfCharacters)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
numberOfCharacters - any numeric expression or field containing a number

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Left(“Manufacturing”;4) returns Manu.
Left(Name;Position(Name;“ “;1;1)) returns Sophie, when the Name field contains Sophie
Tang.
Left(PostalCode;3) & Upper(Left(LastName;4)) returns 481JOHN when the
PostalCode field contains 48187 and LastName contains Johnson.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
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LeftValues
Purpose
Returns a text result containing numberOfValues from the list of values in text, counting from the
left.

Format
LeftValues(text;numberOfValues)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
numberOfValues - any numeric expression or field containing a number
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Values are text items separated by carriage returns. A value can be empty, a single character, a
word, a sentence, or a paragraph. When you press Return you start creating a new value. The last
value will be recognized with or without a carriage return.

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Each returned value ends with a carriage return, allowing lists to be easily concatenated.

Examples
LeftValues(“Plaid¶Canvas¶Suitcase”;2) returns
Plaid
Canvas
LeftValues(list;1) returns
Sophie
when the text being evaluated contains
• Sophie
• Bill

Related topics
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LeftWords
Purpose
Returns a text result containing numberOfWords in text, counting from the left.

Format
LeftWords(text;numberOfWords)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
numberOfWords - any numeric expression or field containing a number

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
LeftWords(“Plaid Canvas Suitcase”;2) returns Plaid Canvas.
LeftWords(Name;1) returns Sophie, when the Name field contains Sophie Tang.

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Note Characters such as the ampersand (&) and hyphen (-) can be used to identify the beginning
of a new word.

Related topics
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Defining calculation fields
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Length
Purpose
Returns the number of characters in field, including all spaces, numbers, and special characters.

Format
Length(field)

Parameters
field - any text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container field, or any text expression or
numeric expression

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This function returns the number of characters in a specified field. For a container field, Length
returns the size of the original file in bytes.

Examples
Length(“John”) returns 4.
Length(Description) returns 12 when the value in Description is Modem for PC.
Length(“M1” & Left(Product;5)) returns 7, when the Product field contains Canvas
Backpack.

Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
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Defining calculation fields

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Using operators in formulas

Lower
Purpose
Returns all letters in text as lowercase.

Format
Lower(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Note
To change how a field displays without modifying its contents, see Text formatting functions.

Examples
Lower(“ABCD”) returns abcd.
Lower(Course) returns history, when the Course field contains History.
Lower(“YOUR BILL IS OVERDUE”) returns your bill is overdue.

Related topics
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Middle
Purpose
Extracts the numberOfCharacters from text, starting at the character position specified by
start.

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Format
Middle(text;start;numberOfCharacters)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
start - any numeric expression or field containing a number
numberOfCharacters - any numeric expression or field containing a number

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Middle(“(408)555-9054”;2;3) returns 408.
Middle(PhoneNumber;2;3) returns 408 when the PhoneNumber field contains (408) 555-9054.
Middle(“abcdefghij”;5;2) returns ef.
Middle(Name;Position(Name;“ ”;1;1)+1;3) returns Smi, when the text field Name
contains John Smith.

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MiddleValues
Purpose
Returns a text result containing the specified numberOfValues in text, starting with
startingValue.

Format
MiddleValues(text;startingValue;numberOfValues)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
startingValue - any numeric expression or field containing a number
numberOfValues - any numeric expression or field containing a number

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Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Values are text items separated by carriage returns. A value can be empty, a single character, a
word, a sentence or a paragraph. When you press Return you start creating a new value. The last
value will be recognized with or without a carriage return.
Each value that is returned ends with a carriage return, allowing lists to be easily concatenated.

Examples
MiddleValues(“Plaid¶Canvas¶Suitcase”;2;1) returns
Canvas
MiddleValues(list;2;2) returns
Bill
John
when the list field contains
• Sophie
• Bill
• John

Related topics
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MiddleWords
Purpose
Returns a text result containing the numberOfWords from text, beginning at startingWord.

Format
MiddleWords(text;startingWord;numberOfWords)

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Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
startingWord - any numeric expression or field containing a number
numberOfWords - any numeric expression or field containing a number

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
MiddleWords(“Plaid Canvas Suitcase”;2;2) returns Canvas Suitcase.
MiddleWords(Name;1;2) returns Brigitte Erika, when the Name field contains Brigitte Erika
Durand.
Note Characters such as the ampersand (&) and hyphen (-) can be used to identify the beginning
of a new word.

Related topics
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About formulas
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NumToJText
Purpose
Converts Roman numbers in number to Japanese text.

Format
NumToJText(number;separator;characterType)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a number
separator - a number from 0 - 3 representing a separator
characterType - a number from 0 - 3 representing a type

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the value for separator and characterType are blank or other than 0 to 3, then 0 is used.

Separator:
• 0 - no separator
• 1 - every 3 digits (thousands)
• 2 - ten thousands(
• 3 - tens(

) and millions(

), hundreds(

) unit

), thousands(

), ten thousands(

) and millions(

) unit

Type:
• 0 - half width (Hankaku) number
• 1 - full width (Zenkaku) number
• 2 - Kanji character number
• 3 - Traditional-old-style Kanji character number

Examples
NumToJText(123456789;2;0) returns
NumToJText(123456789;3;2) returns

Related topics
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PatternCount
Purpose
Returns the number of occurrences of searchString in text.

Format
PatternCount(text;searchString)

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Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
searchString - any text expression or text field representing the set of characters you want to find

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This function is not case-sensitive.

Examples
PatternCount(“Mississippi”;“is”) returns 2.
PatternCount(“Mississippi”;“issi”) returns 1 (the function isn’t inclusive).
PatternCount(Attending;“Guest”) returns 1 if the Guest checkbox is one of the items
selected in the Attending field.
Related topics
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Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Position
Purpose
Returns the starting position of the specified occurrence of searchString in text.

Format
Position(text;searchString;start;occurrence)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
searchString - any text expression or text field representing the set of characters you want to
find.
start - any numeric expression, or field containing a number, representing the number of
characters from the start of the text string at which to begin the search.

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occurrence - any numeric expression or field containing a number, representing which instance of
the text string you want to find. A negative occurrence value causes the scan to go in the opposite
direction from start. A zero value for occurrence is invalid and returns a result of zero.

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This function is not case-sensitive. If searchString isn’t contained in text or if there was no
specified occurrence, zero is returned.

Examples
Position(“Mississippi”;“iss”;1;1) returns 2.
Position(“Mississippi”;“iss”;1;2) returns 5.
Position(“Mississippi”;“iss”;3;1) returns 5.
Left(Name;Position(Name;“ “;1;1)-1) returns William, when Name is a text field that
contains William Smith.
Right(Name;Length(Name) - Position(Name;“ “;Length(Name);-1)) returns Smith.

Related topics
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Proper
Purpose
Returns the first letter of each word in text as uppercase and all other letters as lowercase.

Format
Proper(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Proper(“ABCD”) returns Abcd.
Proper(Name) returns Yumiko Kitagawa, when the Name field contains YUMIKO KITAGAWA.

Related topics
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About formulas
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Quote
Purpose
Returns the text form of text enclosed in quotation marks.

Format
Quote(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
This function protects text from being evaluated by the Evaluate function. Special characters
within text are escaped appropriately.

Examples
Quote(“hello”) returns “hello”.
Quote(“abc\¶”) returns “abc\¶”.
Quote(“say \”hello\” fred”) returns “say \”hello\” fred”.
Evaluate(Quote(“1 + 2”)) returns 1 + 2.
Evaluate(“1 + 2&” & Quote(“ - 1 + 2”)) returns 3 - 1 + 2.

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Related topics
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Replace
Purpose
Replaces a string of characters in text with replacementText.

Format
Replace(text;start;numberOfCharacters;replacementText)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
start - any numeric expression or field containing a number representing the starting position in
text
numberOfCharacters - any numeric expression or field containing a number representing the
number of characters to remove from text
replacementText - any text expression or field containing the text to replace in the original string

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Character replacement in text begins at the start character position and continues for
numberOfCharacters characters. Compare to the Substitute function.

Examples
Replace(“1234567”;5;1;“X”) returns 1234X67.
Replace(“1234567”;5;1;“XX”) returns 1234XX67.
Replace(“1234567”;5;2;“X”) returns 1234X7.
Replace(“William”;3;4;”NEW TEXT”) returns WiNEW TEXTm.
Replace(PhoneNumber;1;3;”415”) returns 415-555-9054, when the PhoneNumber field
contains 408-555-9054.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Right
Purpose
Returns the specified numberOfCharacters in text, counting from the right.

Format
Right(text;numberOfCharacters)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
numberOfCharacters - any numeric expression or field containing a number

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Right(“Manufacturing”;4) returns ring.
Right(Name;Length(Name) - Position(Name;“ “;1;1)) returns Cannon, when the
Name field contains Michelle Cannon.
Right(SerialNumber;3) & Upper(Left(LastName;4)) returns 187FERR when the
SerialNumber text field contains 00-48-187 and LastName contains Ferrini.

Related topics
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About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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RightValues
Purpose
Returns a text result containing the specified numberOfValues in text, counting from the right.

Format
RightValues(text;numberOfValues)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
numberOfValues - any numeric expression or field containing a number
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Values are text items separated by carriage returns. You can place several items together to create
a carriage return-delimited list of values. A value can be empty, a single character, a word, a
sentence, or a paragraph. When you press Return you start creating a new value. The last value will
be recognized with or without a carriage return.
When the text parameter is a literal string as in the example below, you must insert a literal
carriage return character between each item in the list. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, click
the ¶ button to insert a literal carriage return character.
Each value that is returned ends with a carriage return, allowing lists to be easily concatenated.

Examples
RightValues(“Plaid¶Canvas¶Suitcase”;2) returns
Canvas
Suitcase
RightValues(names;1) returns
John
when the names field contains
• Sophie
• Bill
• John

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
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Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

RightWords
Purpose
Returns a text result containing the numberOfWords in text, counting from the right.

Format
RightWords(text;numberOfWords)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
numberOfWords - any numeric expression or field containing a number

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
RightWords(“Plaid Canvas Suitcase”;2) returns Canvas Suitcase.
RightWords(Name;1) returns Virtanen, when the Name field contains Matti Virtanen.
Note Characters such as the ampersand (&) and hyphen (-) can be used to identify the beginning
of a new word.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

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918

RomanHankaku
Purpose
Converts from Zenkaku alphanumeric and symbols to Hankaku alphanumeric and symbols.

Format
RomanHankaku(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
RomanHankaku(“M a c i n t o s h”) returns Macintosh.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

RomanZenkaku
Purpose
Converts from Hankaku alphanumeric and symbols to Zenkaku alphanumeric and symbols.

Format
RomanZenkaku(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
RomanZenkaku(“Macintosh”) returns M a c i n t o s h.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

SerialIncrement
Purpose
Returns the combined text and numbers specified by text, with the numbers in text incremented
by the specified amount.

Format
SerialIncrement(text;incrementBy)

Parameters
text - any text that also contains a number
incrementBy - any numeric expression to increment the text by

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
This function doesn’t remove the text in text, which normally happens when performing standard
math against a value that contains text.
If the incrementBy value is a decimal number, then only the integer portion of incrementBy
value is added to the last number in text. Any character other than a number is considered a
separator. You can use both positive and negative incrementBy values.

Examples
SerialIncrement(“abc12”;1) returns abc13.
SerialIncrement(“abc12”;7) returns abc19.

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SerialIncrement(“abc12”;-1) returns abc11.
SerialIncrement(“abc12”;1.2) returns abc13.
SerialIncrement(“abc1.2”;1.2) returns abc1.3.
In the example below any character other than a number is considered as a separator and the
number on the far right is incremented.
SerialIncrement(“abc123;999”;1) returns abc123;1000.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Substitute
Purpose
Returns a text string with every occurrence of searchString in text replaced by
replaceString in text.

Format
Substitute(text;searchString;replaceString)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
searchString - any text expression or text field
replaceString - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This function is case-sensitive. Compare to the Replace function.
Multiple substitutions are allowed when you enclose each pair of searchString and
replaceString parameters within square brackets [ ] and separate them with semicolons.
FileMaker supports up to 999 nested substitute conditions. Each search and replace list item is also
separated by semicolons. For example:
Substitute(text; [search1; replace1]; [search2; replace2]; ... [searchN;
replaceN])

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Examples
Substitute(Description;“WYSIWYG.”;“What you see is what you get.”) replaces
every occurrence of the acronym “WYSIWYG.” in the Description field with the phrase What you
see is what you get.
Substitute(text;[“a”;“A”];[“b”;“B”]) replaces every lowercase a or b with A or B.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
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Trim
Purpose
Returns text stripped of all leading and trailing spaces.

Format
Trim(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this function to remove unneeded spaces when you convert files from other programs or
systems that require a fixed number of characters per field, or to remove spaces accidentally typed
during data entry.

Examples
Trim(“ Tom ”) returns Tom.
Trim(Middle(“00230013 William 1234”;9;9)) returns William.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas

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922

About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

TrimAll
Purpose
Returns a copy of text with specified spaces removed or inserted. Use to work with spaces
between text or non-Roman spaces such as full- and half-width spaces; otherwise, use Trim.

Format
TrimAll(text;trimSpaces;trimType)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
trimSpaces - 0 or False, 1 or True
trimType - 0 through 3 depending on the trim style that you wish to use

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Set trimSpaces to True (1) if you want to remove full-width spaces. Set trimSpaces to False (0) if
you want to keep full-width spaces.
Note Full-width spaces are only present in some non-Roman languages like Japanese. If you only
use Roman languages, set trimSpaces to False (0).
A character is considered Roman if its Unicode value is less than U+2F00. Any character whose
Unicode value is greater than or equal to U+2F00 is considered non-Roman.
Characters within the Roman range are those belonging to the following character blocks: Latin,
Latin-1 Supplement, Latin Extended-A & B, IPA Extensions, Spacing Modifier Letters, Combining
Diacritical Marks, Greek, Cyrillic, Armenian, Hebrew, Arabic, Devanagari, Bengali, Gurmukhi,
Gujarati, Oriya, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Thai, Lao, Tibetan, Georgian, Hangul Jamo,
and additional Latin and Greek extended blocks.
Symbols within the Roman range include punctuation characters, superscripts, subscripts, currency
symbols, combining marks for symbols, letter-like symbols, number forms, arrows, math operators,
control pictures, geometric shapes, dingbats, and so on.
Characters within the non-Roman range are those belonging to the CJK symbols/punctuations area,
Hiragana, Katakana, Bopomofo, Hangul compatibility Jamo, Kanbun, CJK unified ideographs, and
so on.

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Spaces are removed or inserted depending on the value of trimType, as given in the following
tables:
This trimType value

Does this

0

Removes all spaces between non-Roman and Roman characters (always leave
one space between Roman words).

1

Always includes a half-width space between non-Roman and Roman characters
(always leave one space between Roman words).

2

Removes spaces between non-Roman characters (reduce multiple space
between non-Roman and Roman words to 1 space; do not add spaces if there
are none; always leave one space between Roman words).

3

Removes all spaces everywhere.
In all cases, spaces between non-Roman characters are removed.

Type

Non-Roman - Non-Roman

Non-Roman - Roman

Roman - Roman

0

Remove

Remove

1 space

1

Remove

1 space*

1 space

2

Remove

1 space

1 space

3

Remove

Remove

Remove

* = insert space between non-Roman and Roman text if there isn’t one.

Examples
TrimAll(" Julian
TrimAll(

Scott Dunn ";0;0) returns Julian Scott Dunn.
) returns

if the value of

TrimAll(

field is

) returns

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
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About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
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Upper
Purpose
Returns all letters in text as uppercase.

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Format
Upper(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use the Upper function to ensure consistent data entry of such things as state abbreviations or
postal codes.
Note To change how a field displays without modifying its contents, see Text formatting functions.

Examples
Upper(“Ca”) returns CA.
Upper(“12n34p”) returns 12N34P.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

ValueCount
Purpose
Returns a count of the total number of values in text.

Format
ValueCount(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
Important See Design functions for information about literal text parameters.

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Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Values are text items separated by carriage returns. You can place several items together to create
a carriage-return-delimited list of values. A value can be empty, a single character, a word, a
sentence, or a paragraph. When you press Return you start creating a new value. The last value will
be recognized with or without a carriage return.
When the text parameter is a literal string as in the example below, you must insert a literal
carriage return character between each item in the list. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, click
the ¶ button to insert a literal carriage return character.

Examples
ValueCount(“Item 1¶Item 2¶Item 3”) returns 3.
ValueCount(ValueListItems(“Employees”;“Employee Names”)) returns the total
number of values in the Employee Names value list in the Employees database file.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

WordCount
Purpose
Returns a count of the total number of words in text.

Format
WordCount(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Examples
WordCount(“The sun is rising.”) returns 4.
WordCount(Letter) returns the total number of words in the Letter field.
Note Characters such as the ampersand (&) and hyphen (-) can be used to identify the beginning
of a new word.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Text formatting functions
Text formatting functions can be used to change the color, font, size, and style of the specified text.
For example, you could use the TextFont function to change the font of the specified text from
Arial to Courier. You can use these functions together to change the appearance of text on your
layouts.
Text formatting functions operate on these parameters:
• fields of type text
• text constants (in quotations)
• expressions having a text result
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

RGB

A number obtained by combining the red, green, and blue values to represent a
color.

TextColor

The color of text to the color specified by the RGB function.

TextColorRemove

Text with the font colors reverted to the default font color for the field.

TextFont

Text in the specified font and character set.

TextFontRemove

Text with the fonts reverted to the default font for the field.

TextFormatRemove

Text with the formatting reverted to the default text format for the field.

TextSize

Text in the specified font size.

TextSizeRemove

Text with the font sizes reverted to the default font size for the field.

TextStyleAdd

Text with the specified styles added in a single action.

TextStyleRemove

Text with the specified styles removed in a single action.

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RGB
Purpose
Returns an integer number from 0 to 16777215 obtained by combining the red, green, and blue
values (each ranging from 0 to 255) to represent a color.

Format
RGB(red;green;blue)

Parameters
red - any numeric expression or numeric field containing a value ranging from 0 to 255
green - any numeric expression or numeric field containing a value ranging from 0 to 255
blue - any numeric expression or numeric field containing a value ranging from 0 to 255

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Numbers returned by this function can be passed as the color parameter in the TextColor or
TextColorRemove functions. The RGB function uses the following formula to calculate the result:
red * 2562 + green * 256 + blue
where 2562 = 65536
Tip To determine the RGB value of a color, in Layout mode, click the Fill color palette in the
formatting bar and choose Other Color. In OS X, select the Color Sliders tab. Values are shown for
each of the basic colors.

Examples
RGB(255;0;0) returns 16711680 representing red.
RGB(0;255;0) returns 65280 representing green.
RGB(0;0;255) returns 255 representing blue.
RGB(0;0;0) returns 0 representing black.
RGB(255;255;255) returns 16777215 representing white.
Using a table with text fields FirstName and LastName, specify the following auto-enter calculation
for a third field called FullName that displays FirstName in orange and LastName in purple:
TextColor(FirstName;RGB(255;165;0)) &" "&
TextColor(LastName;RGB(160;32;240))

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Related topics
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TextColor
Purpose
Changes the color of text to the color specified by the RGB function.

Format
TextColor(text;RGB(red;green;blue))

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
RGB(red;green;blue) - any integer from 0 to 16777215 obtained by combining the red, green,
and blue values (each ranging from 0 to 255) to represent a color

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Use this function to change the color of text.
Note Text formatting options will be lost if the field type that is returned is something other than text.
Tip To determine the RGB value of a color, in Layout mode, click the Fill color palette in the
formatting bar and choose Other Color. In OS X, select the Color Sliders tab. Values are shown for
each of the basic colors.

Examples
TextColor(“Plaid”;RGB(255;0;0)) returns the word Plaid in red.
TextColor(“Plaid”;RGB(0;255;0)) returns the word Plaid in green.
TextColor(“Plaid”;RGB(0;0;255)) returns the word Plaid in blue.
TextColor(“Plaid”;RGB(0;0;0)) returns the word Plaid in black.
TextSize( TextFont( TextColor( MyTable::MyText; RGB( 0 ; 125 ; 125 ) );
"Courier" ) ; 12) returns the text contained in MyTable::MyText formatted as 12pt. green text
with the Courier font.

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Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
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Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

TextColorRemove
Purpose
Removes all font colors in text, or removes the font color specified by the RGB function.

Format
TextColorRemove(text{;RGB(red;green;blue)})

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field.
RGB(red;green;blue) - any integer number from 0 to 16777215 obtained by combining the red,
green, and blue values (each ranging from 0 to 255) to represent a color.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Use this function to revert text to the default font color for the field. If you don’t use the RGB
function to specify a color, all of the text displays in the default font color that was set in Layout mode
for the field. When the font color is specified by the RGB function, only the specified font color is
removed from every portion of the text displayed in that color and these same portions of the text
are then displayed in the field's default font color.
Note Text formatting options will be lost if the field type that is returned is something other than text.

Examples
TextColorRemove(“Red Text and Green Text”) returns Red Text and Green Text
displayed in the field’s default font color.
TextColorRemove(“Red Text and Green Text”;RGB(255;0;0)) returns Red Text and
Green Text with only the pure red font color removed from the words Red Text.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)

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930

Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Formatting text

TextFont
Purpose
Changes the font of text to the specified fontName or optional {fontScript}.

Format
TextFont(text;fontName{;fontScript})

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field.
fontName - any font name expressed in text.
{fontScript} - the name of a character set that contains characters required for writing in the
specified language.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.
Note The fontScript parameter is not enclosed in quotation marks (“ “), and can have any of
the values listed below in Description.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
Spellings for font names must be correct. Text formatting options will be lost if the field type that is
returned is something other than text.
FileMaker Pro looks for a font that matches the specified font name and font script character set. If
no matches exist, FileMaker Pro looks for a default font with the font script specified in the Fonts tab
of the Preferences dialog box. If this fails, then the TextFont function uses the default font for the
system script specified in the Fonts tab of the Preferences dialog box. This font might not be the
same as the font script provided.
The following font scripts are available:
• Roman
• Greek
• Cyrillic
• CentralEurope

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• ShiftJIS
• TraditionalChinese
• SimplifiedChinese
• OEM
• Symbol
• Other

Examples
TextFont(“Plaid”;“Courier”) returns the word Plaid in the Courier font.
TextFont(“Plaid”;“Arial”) returns the word Plaid in the Arial font.
TextFont(“Plaid”;“Arial”;Cyrillic) returns the word Plaid in the Arial font in the font
script of Cyrillic.
TextSize( TextFont( TextColor( MyTable::MyText; RGB( 0 ; 125 ; 125 ) );
"Courier" ) ; 12) returns the text contained in MyTable::MyText formatted as 12pt. green text
with the Courier font.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

TextFontRemove
Purpose
Removes all fonts in text, or removes the font specified by fontToRemove or the combination of
fontToRemove and fontScript.

Format
TextFontRemove(text{;fontToRemove;fontScript})

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field.
fontToRemove - any font name expressed in text.
fontScript - the name of a character set that contains characters required for writing in the
specified language.
Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.
Note The fontScript parameter is not enclosed in quotation marks (“ “), and can have any of the
values listed below in Description.

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Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Use this function to revert text to the default for the field. If you don’t specify a font, all of the text
displays in the default font that was set in Layout mode for the field. When the font is specified by
fontToRemove or the combination of fontToRemove and fontScript, only the specified font is
removed from every portion of the text displayed in that font and these same portions of the text are
then displayed in the field's default font.
Spellings for font names must be correct. Text formatting options will be lost if the field type that is
returned is something other than text.
FileMaker Pro looks for a font that matches the specified font name and font script character set. If
no matches exist, FileMaker Pro looks for a default font with the font script specified in the Fonts tab
of the Preferences dialog box. If this fails, then the TextFontRemove function uses the default font
for the system script specified in the Fonts tab of the Preferences dialog box. This font might not be
the same as the font script provided.
The following font scripts are available:
• Roman
• Greek
• Cyrillic
• CentralEurope
• ShiftJIS
• TraditionalChinese
• SimplifiedChinese
• OEM
• Symbol
• Other

Examples
TextFontRemove(“Arial Text and Courier Text”) returns Arial Text and Courier Text
displayed in the field’s default font.
TextFontRemove(“Arial Text and Courier Text”;“Arial”) returns Arial Text and
Courier Text with the Arial font removed from the words Arial Text for all fontScripts that use
the Arial font.
TextFontRemove(“Arial Text and Courier Text”;“Arial”;Cyrillic) returns Arial
Text and Courier Text with the Arial font removed from Cyrillic character sets.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas

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About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Formatting text

TextFormatRemove
Purpose
Removes all text formatting from text in a single action.

Format
TextFormatRemove(text)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Use this function to remove all fonts, styles, font sizes, and font colors from the specified text.

Examples
TextFormatRemove(“Plaid”) returns the word Plaid without any text formatting applied.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Formatting text

TextSize
Purpose
Changes the font size of text to fontSize.

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Format
TextSize(text;fontSize)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text or number field
fontSize - any font size expressed as an integer

Data type returned
text, number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
The font size is described in points (72 points to the inch). Text formatting options will be lost if the
data type that is returned is something other than text or number.

Examples
TextSize(“Plaid”;18) returns the word Plaid in 18 point text.
TextSize(“Plaid”;24) returns the word Plaid in 24 point text.
TextSize( TextFont( TextColor( MyTable::MyText; RGB( 0 ; 125 ; 125 ) );
"Courier" ) ; 12) returns the text contained in MyTable::MyText formatted as 12pt. green text
with the Courier font.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

TextSizeRemove
Purpose
Removes all font sizes in text, or removes the font size specified by sizeToRemove.

Format
TextSizeRemove(text{;sizeToRemove})

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field.
sizeToRemove - any font size expressed as an integer.

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Parameters in curly braces { } are optional.

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
Use this function to revert text to the default font size for the field. If you don’t specify a size, all of
the text displays in the default font size that was set in Layout mode for the field. When the font size
is specified by sizeToRemove, only the specified font size is removed from every portion of the text
displayed in that size and these same portions of the text are then displayed in the field's default font
size.
The font size is described in points (72 points to the inch). Text formatting options will be lost if the
field type that is returned is something other than text.

Examples
TextSizeRemove(“10 Point Text and 18 Point Text”) returns 10 Point Text and 18
Point Text displayed in the field’s default font size.
TextSizeRemove(“10 Point Text and 18 Point Text”;18) returns 10 Point Text and 18
Point Text with the 18 point font size removed from the words 18 Point Text.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas
Formatting text

TextStyleAdd
Purpose
Adds the specified styles to text in a single action.

Format
TextStyleAdd(text;styles)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
styles - any named style listed below in Description

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936

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
You can add multiple styles by using the + operator between style names. Negative values are not
valid. All styles will be removed, if the only style specified is Plain. Plain is ignored if mixed with other
styles. Styles are not case-sensitive and do not contain spaces.
Text formatting options will be lost if the field type that is returned is something other than text.
The styles that are available are:
• Plain
• Bold
• Italic
• Underline
• HighlightYellow
• Condense
• Extend
• Strikethrough
• SmallCaps
• Superscript
• Subscript
• Uppercase
• Lowercase
• Titlecase
• WordUnderline
• DoubleUnderline
• AllStyles (all available styles)
Note To format or change the case of text, use the Lower, Upper, or Proper function (see Text
functions).

Examples
TextStyleAdd(“Plaid”;Italic) returns the word Plaid in italics.
TextStyleAdd(FirstName;Bold+Underline) returns Sophie in bold, underlined text when
the FirstName field contains Sophie.
The following calculation removes all styles from the text, then italicizes the entire phrase.
TextStyleAdd(TextStyleAdd(FirstName;Plain);Italic)
The following calculation creates two descriptions of styles, then concatenates two phrases using
these styles. Using the Let function is an effective way to avoid creating a long and complex
TextStyleAdd statement.

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937

Let([TitleStyle=Smallcaps+Titlecase;BodyStyle=Plain];
TextStyleAdd(titleField;titleStyle)&"¶¶" &
TextStyleAdd(bodyField;BodyStyle))
In the following example, to find every occurrence of several words and change their style, use the
Substitute function combined with the TextStyleAdd function.
Substitute(ArticleBody;[“Phrase1”;TextStyleAdd(“Phrase 1”;Italic)];[“Phrase 2”;TextStyleAdd(“Phrase
2”;Bold)];)

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

TextStyleRemove
Purpose
Removes the specified styles from text in a single action.

Format
TextStyleRemove(text;styles)

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field
styles - any named style from the list of available styles

Data type returned
text

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
You can remove multiple styles by using the + operator between style names. Negative values are
not valid. The Plain styles cannot be used for this function. Plain is ignored if intermingled with other
styles. Styles are not case-sensitive and do not contain spaces.
An additional style called AllStyles has been provided to make it easier to remove all styles. Text
formatting options will be lost if the field type that is returned is something other than text.
The styles that are available are:
• Bold
• Italic

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• Underline
• HighlightYellow
• Condense
• Extend
• Strikethrough
• SmallCaps
• Superscript
• Subscript
• Uppercase
• Lowercase
• Titlecase
• WordUnderline
• DoubleUnderline
• AllStyles (all available styles)

Examples
TextStyleRemove(“Plaid”;Italic) returns the word Plaid with the italics style removed.
TextStyleRemove(FirstName;Bold + Underline) returns Sophie with the bold and
underlined styles removed when the FirstName field contains Sophie.
TextStyleRemove(FirstName;AllStyles) returns Sophie without any styles.
TextStyleRemove(MyTable::MyText;HighlightYellow)returns the text contained in
MyTable::MyText with the HighlightYellow style removed.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Time functions
Time functions calculate times and manipulate time information.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

Hour

A number representing the hour portion (0-23) of a specified time value.

Minute

A number representing the minute portion (0-59) of a specified time value.

Seconds

A number representing the seconds portion (0-59) of a specified time value.

Time

A time result with the specified number of hours, minutes, and seconds.

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Note You can also use the Timestamp function for time information. SeeTimestamp.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Hour
Purpose
Returns a number representing the hour portion (0-23) of a specified time.

Format
Hour(time)

Parameters
time - any time value or field of type time

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Hour(“12:15:23”) returns 12.
Hour(Duration) + (Minute(Duration)/60) returns 2.5, when the Duration time field
contains 2:30:15.
If(Hour(HoursWorked) > 8;“Overtime Pay”;“ “) returns Overtime Pay when the
number of hours in HoursWorked is greater than 8.
Hour(CheckIn) returns 3 when the value of CheckIn is 3:24.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

940

Minute
Purpose
Returns a number representing the minute portion (0-59) of a specified time.

Format
Minute(time)

Parameters
time - any time value or field of type time

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Minute(“12:15:23”) returns 15.
Hour(Duration) + (Minute(Duration)/60) returns 2.5, if the Duration time field contains
2:30:15.
Note If no minute value is specified, 0 is returned.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Seconds
Purpose
Returns a number representing the seconds portion (0-59) of a specified time.

Format
Seconds(time)

Parameters
time - any time value or field of type time

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Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Seconds(“12:15:23”) returns 23.
Note If no seconds value is specified, 0 is returned.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Time
Purpose
Returns a time result with the specified number of hours, minutes, and seconds.

Format
Time(hours;minutes;seconds)

Parameters
hours - the hour value of a time
minutes - the minutes value of a time
seconds - the seconds value of a time

Data type returned
time

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
FileMaker Pro compensates when you supply fractional hours or minutes. The result is the time,
formatted according to the time format of the field in the current layout.
Use the Time function or the GetAsTime function to enter a time constant into a formula.

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Examples
Time(4;14;32) returns 4:14:32.
Time(4.5;10;30) returns 4:40:30.
Time(4;15;70) returns 4:16:10.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Timestamp functions
Timestamps are used for a wide variety of synchronization purposes, such as marking the exact
date and time at which a particular event occurred.
This function

Returns

Timestamp

A timestamp containing a calendar date and time of day.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

Timestamp
Purpose
Returns a timestamp containing date as a calendar date and time as a time of day.

Format
Timestamp(date;time)

Parameters
date - any calendar date or date field
time - any time value or time field

Data type returned
timestamp

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

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943

Description
The format of the result depends on the date and time formats that were in use when the database
file was created. You can change the date and time formats in your operating system.

Examples
Timestamp(Date(10;11;2014);Time(9;10;30)) returns 10/11/2014 9:10:30 AM.
Timestamp(Date(10;11;2014);Time(13;10;30)) returns 10/11/2014 1:10:30 PM.
Timestamp(Date(10;11;2014);Time(10;65;5)) returns 10/11/2014 11:05:05 AM.
Timestamp(Date(10;35;2014);Time(4;5;6)) returns 11/4/2014 4:05:06 AM.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Trigonometric functions
Trigonometric functions are used to calculate degrees, angles, and other geometric data.
Note All trigonometric functions use radians as the unit of measure. Once you have a result, you
can convert the radians into degrees using the Degrees function.
Click a function name for details.
This function

Returns

Acos

The arccosine, or inverse cosine, of a number.

Asin

The arcsine, or inverse sine, of a number.

Atan

The trigonometric arc tangent, or inverse tangent, of a number.

Cos

The cosine of the specified angle.

Degrees

Degrees, converted from the specified radians.

Pi

The value of the constant Pi, which is approximately 3.14159.

Radians

Radians, converted from the specified degrees.

Sin

The sine of the specified angle.

Tan

The tangent of the specified angle.

Related topics
About functions
About formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

944

Acos
Purpose
Returns the arccosine (Acos), or inverse cosine, of number.

Format
Acos (number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression in the range -1 to 1

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 9.0

Description
The arccosine is the angle whose cosine is number. The returned angle is given in radians in the
range 0 (zero) to Pi. The input number parameter must be between -1 and 1.
If you want to convert the result from radians to degrees, multiply it by 180/Pi or use the Degrees
function.

Examples
Acos(-0.5) returns 2.0943951.
Acos(-0.5)*180/Pi returns 120.
Degrees(Acos(-0.5)) returns 120.
Acos(2.0)returns ? (not a number).

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Asin
Purpose
Returns the arcsine (Asin), or inverse sine, of number.

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

945

Format
Asin (number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression in the range -1 to 1

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 9.0

Description
The arcsine is the angle whose sine is number. The returned angle is given in radians in the range Pi/2 to Pi/2. The input number parameter must be between -1 and 1.
To express the arcsine in degrees, multiply the result by 180/Pi or use the Degrees function.

Examples
Asin(-0.5) returns -0.523598776.
Asin(-0.5)*180/Pi returns -30.
Degrees(Asin(-0.5)) returns -30.
Asin(2)returns ? (not a number).

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Atan
Purpose
Returns the trigonometric arc tangent (Atan), or inverse tangent, of number.

Format
Atan(number)

Parameters
number - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

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Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The arc tangent is the angle, in radians, whose tangent is equal to the specified number.

Examples
Atan(1) returns .78539816....
Degrees(Atan(1)) returns 45.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Cos
Purpose
Returns the cosine (Cos) of angleInRadians.

Format
Cos(angleInRadians)

Parameters
angleInRadians - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression, in radians

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Cos(1.047) returns .50017107....
Cos(Radians(60)) returns .5.

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947

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Degrees
Purpose
Converts angleInRadians to degrees.

Format
Degrees(angleInRadians)

Parameters
angleInRadians - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression, in radians

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this function to translate results of trigonometric functions from radians to degrees.
180 • angleInRadians
Degrees = -----------------------------------------------------------π

Examples
Degrees(Atan(1)) returns 45.
Degrees(1.0472) returns 60.00014030....

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

948

Pi
Purpose
Calculates the value of the constant Pi (π), which is approximately 3.14159.

Format
Pi

Parameters
None

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Pi * 15 returns 47.124.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Radians
Purpose
Converts angleInDegrees to radians.

Format
Radians(angleInDegrees)

Parameters
angleInDegrees - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression, in degrees

Data type returned
number

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

949

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The parameters for FileMaker Pro trigonometric functions must be expressed in radians. If the
values you want to use as parameters in a trigonometric equation are in degrees, use this function
to convert them to radians first. A degree is equal to Pi/180 radians.
π • angleInDegrees
Radians = ----------------------------------------------------180

Examples
Radians(45) returns .78539816....
Sin(Radians(30)) returns .5.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Sin
Purpose
Returns the sine (Sin) of angleInRadians expressed in radians.

Format
Sin(angleInRadians)

Parameters
angleInRadians - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression, in radians

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Sin(Radians(60)) returns .86602.
Sin(.610865) returns .57357624....

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

950

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

Tan
Purpose
Returns the tangent (Tan) of angleInRadians.

Format
Tan(angleInRadians)

Parameters
angleInRadians - any numeric expression or field containing a numeric expression, in radians

Data type returned
number

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this function to calculate the Tan of angleInRadians.
Note With the Tan function, you cannot use values exactly equal to 90 degrees (Pi/2 radians), or
multiples of 90 degrees.
Sin(angleInRadians)
Tan = ----------------------------------------------------------Cos(angleInRadians)

Examples
Tan(.13) returns .13073731....
Tan(Radians(34)) returns .6745085.

Related topics
Functions reference (category list)
Functions reference (alphabetical list)
About formulas
About functions
Defining calculation fields
Using operators in formulas

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

951

Script steps reference

Script steps reference
Click the following links to find script steps by category, or alphabetically. Each script step topic
describes what the script step does, and what its options and parameters are. It also shows the
format for the script step and provides a usage example.
For information on how to use scripts, see Creating scripts to automate tasks.

Script steps reference (category list)
Control script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 960
Perform Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 960
Perform Script On Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 962
Pause/Resume Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 964
Exit Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 965
Halt Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 967
If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968
Else If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 970
Else . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 972
End If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973
Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 974
Exit Loop If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 975
End Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 976
Allow User Abort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 977
Set Error Capture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 978
Set Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 980
Set Script Animation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982
Install OnTimer Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 983

Navigation script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 984
Go to Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 984
Go to Record/Request/Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 986
Go to Related Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 988
Go to Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 990
Go to Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 992
Go to Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 993
Go to Next Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 994
Go to Previous Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 995
Close Popover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 996
Enter Browse Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 997
Enter Find Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 998
Enter Preview Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999

Editing script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1000
Undo/Redo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1000
Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1001
Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1003
Paste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1004
Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1005
Set Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1006
Select All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1008

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

952

Script steps reference

Perform Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1009

Fields script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1011
Set Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1011
Set Field By Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1012
Set Next Serial Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1014
Insert Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1016
Insert Calculated Result . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1017
Insert From Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1019
Insert From Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1021
Insert From Last Visited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1022
Insert From URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1023
Insert Current Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1025
Insert Current Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1026
Insert Current User Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1027
Insert Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1028
Insert QuickTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1029
Insert Audio/Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1030
Insert PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1032
Insert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1033
Replace Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1035
Relookup Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1037
Export Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1038

Records script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1039
New Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1039
Duplicate Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1040
Delete Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1041
Delete Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1043
Delete All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1044
Open Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1045
Revert Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
Commit Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1048
Copy Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1049
Copy All Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1050
Import Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1051
Export Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1054
Save Records As Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1057
Save Records As PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1058
Save Records As Snapshot Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1060

Found Sets script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1062
Perform Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1062
Perform Quick Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1064
Find Matching Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1065
Constrain Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1067
Extend Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1068
Modify Last Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1069
Show All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1070
Show Omitted Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1071
Omit Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1072

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

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Script steps reference

Omit Multiple Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1073
Sort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1074
Unsort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1076
Sort Records by Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1077

Windows script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1079
New Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1079
Select Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1081
Close Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1083
Adjust Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1084
Move/Resize Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1085
Arrange All Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1087
Freeze Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1088
Refresh Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1090
Scroll Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1091
Show/Hide Menubar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1092
Show/Hide Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1093
Show/Hide Text Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1094
Set Window Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1095
Set Zoom Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1096
View As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1097

Files script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1098
New File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1098
Open File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1099
Close File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1101
Convert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1102
Set Multi-User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1103
Set Use System Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1105
Save a Copy as . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1106
Recover File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1107
Print Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1108
Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1109

Accounts script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1111
Add Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1111
Delete Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1113
Reset Account Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1114
Change Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1115
Enable Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1117
Re-Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1118

Spelling script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1119
Check Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1120
Check Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1121
Check Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1121
Correct Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1122
Spelling Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1123
Select Dictionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1124
Edit User Dictionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1125

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

954

Script steps reference

Open Menu Item script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1126
Open Edit Saved Finds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1127
Open Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1128
Open File Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1129
Open Manage Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1130
Open Manage Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1131
Open Manage Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1132
Open Manage Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1133
Open Manage Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1134
Open Manage Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1135
Open Manage Value Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1136
Open Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1137
Open Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1138
Open Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1139
Open Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1140
Upload To FileMaker Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1141

Miscellaneous script steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1142
Show Custom Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1143
Allow Formatting Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1146
Refresh Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1147
Beep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1148
Speak (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1149
Dial Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1150
Install Plug-In File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1152
Install Menu Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1153
Set Web Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1154
Open URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1156
Send Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1158
Send DDE Execute (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1160
Perform AppleScript (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1162
Execute SQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1163
Send Event (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1165
Send Event (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1167
Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1168
Flush Cache to Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1169
Exit Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1170

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

955

Script steps reference (alphabetical list)
A, B, C
Add Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1111
Adjust Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1084
Allow Formatting Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1146
Allow User Abort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 977
Arrange All Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1087
Beep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1148
Change Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1115
Check Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1121
Check Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1121
Check Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1120
Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1005
Close File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1101
Close Popover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 996
Close Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1083
Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1168
Commit Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1048
Constrain Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1067
Convert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1102
Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1003
Copy All Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1050
Copy Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1049
Correct Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1122
Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1001

D
Delete Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1113
Delete All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1044
Delete Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1043
Delete Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1041
Dial Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1150
Duplicate Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1040

E
Edit User Dictionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1125
Else . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 972
Else If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 970
Enable Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1117
End If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973
End Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 976
Enter Browse Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 997
Enter Find Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 998
Enter Preview Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999
Execute SQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1163
Exit Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1170
Exit Loop If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 975
Exit Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 965
Export Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1038
Export Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1054

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

956

Extend Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1068

F
Find Matching Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1065
Flush Cache to Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1169
Freeze Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1088

G
Go to Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 993
Go to Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 984
Go to Next Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 994
Go to Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 992
Go to Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 990
Go to Previous Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 995
Go to Record/Request/Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 986
Go to Related Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 988

H, I, J, K
Halt Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 967
If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968
Import Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1051
Insert Audio/Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1030
Insert Calculated Result . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1017
Insert Current Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1025
Insert Current Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1026
Insert Current User Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1027
Insert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1033
Insert From Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1019
Insert From Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1021
Insert From Last Visited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1022
Insert From URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1023
Insert PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1032
Insert Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1028
Insert QuickTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1029
Insert Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1016
Install Menu Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1153
Install OnTimer Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 983
Install Plug-In File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1152

L, M, N
Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 974
Modify Last Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1069
Move/Resize Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1085
New File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1098
New Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1039
New Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1079

O
Omit Multiple Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1073
Omit Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1072

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

957

Open Edit Saved Finds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1127
Open File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1099
Open File Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1129
Open Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1137
Open Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1138
Open Manage Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1130
Open Manage Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1132
Open Manage Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1131
Open Manage Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1133
Open Manage Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1134
Open Manage Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1135
Open Manage Value Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1136
Open Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1128
Open Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1045
Open Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1139
Open Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1140
Open URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1156

P
Paste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1004
Pause/Resume Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 964
Perform AppleScript (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1162
Perform Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1062
Perform Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1009
Perform Quick Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1064
Perform Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 960
Perform Script On Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 962
Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1109
Print Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1108

Q, R
Recover File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1107
Refresh Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1147
Refresh Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1090
Re-Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1118
Relookup Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1037
Replace Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1035
Reset Account Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1114
Revert Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047

S, T
Save a Copy as . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1106
Save Records As Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1057
Save Records As PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1058
Save Records As Snapshot Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1060
Scroll Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1091
Select All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1008
Select Dictionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1124
Select Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1081
Send DDE Execute (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1160
Send Event (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1165

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

958

Send Event (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1167
Send Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1158
Set Error Capture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 978
Set Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1011
Set Field By Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1012
Set Multi-User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1103
Set Next Serial Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1014
Set Script Animation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982
Set Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1006
Set Use System Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1105
Set Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 980
Set Web Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1154
Set Window Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1095
Set Zoom Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1096
Show All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1070
Show Custom Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1143
Show Omitted Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1071
Show/Hide Menubar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1092
Show/Hide Text Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1094
Show/Hide Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1093
Sort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1074
Sort Records by Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1077
Speak (OS X) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1149
Spelling Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1123

U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Undo/Redo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1000
Unsort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1076
Upload To FileMaker Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1141
View As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1097

FILEMAKER PRO HELP

959

A, B, C
D
E
F
G
H, I, J, K
L, M, N
O
P
Q, R
S, T
U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Control script steps
Control script steps control the progression of the script by letting you tell FileMaker Pro exactly
what to do when and if specific conditions occur.
Use these script steps to:
• call scripts and sub-scripts
• pause and resume a script, based on defined conditions
• conditionally perform script steps using if/then/else logic
• stop a script before it's finished, if a specific condition is met
• create loops that repetitively carry out a sequence of steps in a script, until a condition is
met
Note When you perform a script that uses the Get(LastError) function with control script steps, the
following control script steps do not clear the last error condition reported by FileMaker Pro: If, Else,
Else If, End If, Loop, Exit Loop If, End Loop, Exit Script, and Halt Script.

Perform Script
Purpose
Performs a script that is defined in the current file or in another FileMaker Pro file.

Format
Perform Script [“





 






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