FileMaker Go Mobile Tricks
While recently working on a FileMaker Mobile solution I came across a number of tricks I was using which I thought might help other developers. The great thing about FileMaker Go is you have access to so many of the core iOS technologies and you can often create very attractive UIs in a short time.
When it comes to controlling access and replicating certain iOS features, you only need a bit of creative thinking. If you see something done in another iOS app you can typically find a combination of features within FileMaker which will let you replicate it.
This video showcases some of the recent features I've been using within the development of a FileMaker Go mobile application. There's an especially helpful script which will take the guess work out of testing your designs for multiple devices sizes. So, if you've ever found yourself thinking "This sure would be nice if I could access my database on my iPhone/iPad." Then make sure and watch this video and download the technique file.
Comments
Dismissing card window on mobile,
Couldn't you use your "On Gesture Tap", determining that it's outside the bounds of the window and thus close the window? Not native, but should emulate the functionality you were asking for at the beginning of the video.
It was the first thing I tried...
I did try using OnGestureTap. Unfortunately, it does not support capturing taps outside of the bounds of the current window. Claris would need to modify their code such that it exceeded the bounds of the current window if it was specified as a Card Window. Either that, or my suggestion of a checkbox on the Card Window settings to support dismissing the window when tapping outside of its bounds.
Great idea though! Like minds think alike.
-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor
Close option
Hi Matt
I think if the close window checkbox is selected, you can tap to dismiss card windows on iOS devices but it won’t work otherwise.
Awesome news!
Wow, I rarely use the Close option because I opt to customize my closing methods. I like associating the ESC key to the OnLayoutKeystroke and using my own close buttons.
Now the question is if you can obscure their rendering of their "X" close button (desktop). So far, on some of my layouts it's oddly not showing in the Top Navigation area.
This is great if it will work reliably without FileMaker rendering it's own version of close icon.
[UPDATE] It looks like it only shows the icon on Desktop clients. The downside is that you can't use the Close option for a layout to be used for both mobile and desktop if you're wanting to use your own close button. Bummer
-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor
What simulator are you using ....
When live testing for mobile with FileMaker. Thanks, Ross
In the video Matt uses
In the video Matt uses QuickTime Player to show the iPad screen
--
Daniel Farnan
Ignorance is curable, not preventable
Sides in white
Hi. In iphone 12 landscape mode I get two white columns at both sides. the layout is black. any idea please? I have tested with top navigation but no luck yet. Thank you!
No control unfortunately
I too have not found any method to control this. I think it's a byproduct of the fact that FileMaker Go did not account for merging it's UI up into areas where Apple might allow their APIs to access. Because of this they likely made the decision to simply show the borders and not give us control.
Yes, with dark backgrounds this is always going to look terrible. Hopefully, someone might fix it at Claris but I'm not holding my breath. We still can't use the iOS native font of San Francisco and it's almost been a decade (at least it feels like it) since Apple made that change. Claris is very slow to adapt to UI changes when comes to FileMaker Go.
-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor