ISO FileMaker Magazine

It's a standard feature in your operating system, and you can be sure that users will expect it to work in your FileMaker solution - if you offer it, that is. What we're talking about is making multiple selections in either a portal or a list view. While some users may not know about using the shift key or control or command key, if you still want to help users make multiple selections then supporting these features will give your database that extra zing.

Watch this video to learn more about scripting the feature of multiple selections!

FileMaker 7 introduced a whole new model for working in FileMaker Pro. This means thinking and working as you did in FileMaker 6, and earlier, just won't do. In this video I walk through my suggestions for converting and migrating from versions prior to FileMaker 7. The steps I present will help anyone who has not yet ventured into the world of FileMaker 7.

There are a number of tips which will make the process of migration much easier and smoother. I give examples of how I've converted one of my own solutions and I walk through the process of moving into the world of FileMaker 7 and beyond.

FileMaker's Layout Parts are great for generating summary and subsummary information, but what happens when you want to see summary information on a record by record basis? Are you stuck with creating a subsummary report and heading into Preview Mode?

Of course not! Would I ever offer a problem without providing some great technique for solving it? This video focuses on solving the problem of summary information in the interface. Pay close attention, because it's all about the connections between table occurrences. Understand the graph and you'll understand how to present the data you desire!

With the release of FileMaker Pro 7, a number of new functions were added to the growing roster. One of those functions was the Evaluate function. This one function allows us to dynamically generate any type of FileMaker function and then evaluate this on-the-fly.

Using the example of merge fields for either a merge letter or email, we can showcase how this technique works and why it's so powerful. In this video you'll also view an entertaining, if not useful, solution which will dynamically color the various parts of the English language.

FileMaker's new auto-enter enhancement makes all kinds of things possible. One such task is that of making the note taking process that much easier. Building on the success of the previous method of auto building notes, this new approach will work within one field.

Database users can simply select into the notes field, start typing and never worry about lost notes. Each new note is added to the growing list and making changes to those notes can be controlled as desired. The added feature of supporting console-like commands makes this note taking solution that much sweeter!

It was just the other day when I was scripting loops for processing a range of records - you remember writing those loops, don't you? But then it occurred to me, (without talking to my mathematician friends) if I knew about the Mod function what would Div do for me and my range of records? As is usually the case, math was the solution and I finally realized what it meant to my files.

Math may not be my strongest subject, but having that "Ah ha" moment sure does feel triumphant. This video may help you with understanding the math around the records in your found set!

This video tutorial will walk you through the concepts and process of using sessions to facilitate the user environment in your FileMaker solution. In this particular segment of the Scheduling Application series, I streamline the week view and alter the database to present colorful representations of calendar events.

When dealing with events in sequence, such as those filling specific time slots, the big question is whether the record you are on can see the other records around it. For example, if the record for 1:00 PM knows it has the event of "Take kids to school" - how does it know what's happening at 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM? Fortunately, you don't have to wonder - I show you exactly how to do this!

Email is obviously so popular because it provides one of those basic needs by humanity - communication. So the question is, "How do I send email directly from within FileMaker Pro?". Well, there are a number of options available. One of the most common is to use a FileMaker email plugin such as those from CNS, Dacons or ACME Tech. However, there are free alternatives as well. The trick is getting down and dirty with all the geeky know-how. Using a free plugin named shell, we can send email from within FileMaker Pro. This special report will teach you all about the details you need to know when considering email as part of your FileMaker solution!

When presenting information within a portal, you'll find your basic options of showing related fields and filtering based on simple relationships - or you can customize your portal, and present information in much more selective method. Using a custom filtering technique, you can filter out any information based on selections made from one or more popup menus. There's also some other tricks you can use to show more information than you have space for!

Watch this week's video to learn more about some powerful portal presentation techniques. You may also find some value in using the provided file which helps manage your collection of credit cards.

This video covers the details of using a default ("fake relationship") in order to extract the values you need for a value list. While working on our Scheduling Application we've added the great feature of being able to Quick Add an appointment based on the open time slots. What we need now is the ability to filter all the time slots, within in a 24 hour period, down to those that apply to the work period and eliminate those events which have already been scheduled.

Learn how to manage user preferences and also make things easier for development. I show you some of my best tips for a better development environment. Watch this video and you will learn more about FileMaker Pro!