Automating FileMaker Pro
Scripting and Calculations
- 1st Edition - February 21, 2000
- Latest edition
- Author: Jesse Feiler
- Language: English
FileMaker Pro, long popular with Macintosh users, is now the leading standalone database for Windows. Automating FileMaker Pro cures the headaches of thousands of develo… Read more
Purchase options
FileMaker Pro, long popular with Macintosh users, is now the leading standalone database for Windows. Automating FileMaker Pro cures the headaches of thousands of developers, administrators, and other users who want to maximize their database projects' efficiency, effectiveness, and ease of use.
Inside, FileMaker users will profit from expert technical instruction in FileMaker's powerful scripting and automation capabilities-mastering techniques for improving performance in areas such as reporting and data validation. Author Jesse Feiler also applies his extensive business and consulting experience to help managers recognize innovative ways to get the most from their database investment.
Inside, FileMaker users will profit from expert technical instruction in FileMaker's powerful scripting and automation capabilities-mastering techniques for improving performance in areas such as reporting and data validation. Author Jesse Feiler also applies his extensive business and consulting experience to help managers recognize innovative ways to get the most from their database investment.
@introbul:Key Features
@bul:* Written for readers working with all Macintosh and Windows versions, including the latest: FileMaker Pro 5
* Provides in-depth coverage of ScriptMaker, FileMaker Pro's visual tool for developing scripts that can carry out complex tasks
* Teaches automation techniques for entering and validating data, generating reports, customizing the interface, linking to non-FileMaker data sources, making data available on the Web, and more
* Stresses sound approaches that help readers build robust, scalable solutions
@bul:* Written for readers working with all Macintosh and Windows versions, including the latest: FileMaker Pro 5
* Provides in-depth coverage of ScriptMaker, FileMaker Pro's visual tool for developing scripts that can carry out complex tasks
* Teaches automation techniques for entering and validating data, generating reports, customizing the interface, linking to non-FileMaker data sources, making data available on the Web, and more
* Stresses sound approaches that help readers build robust, scalable solutions
Database developers and administrators
Preface
Versions
A Note on Platforms and Screenshots
More Information
URLs
Books
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Who Should Read This Book?
How This Book is Organized
Part I: FileMaker Pro Scripting
Part II: Calculation and Field Options
Part III: ODBC
Part I: FileMaker Pro Scripting
FileMaker Pro: A Review
Terminology
Projects and Solutions
Databases
Records
Fields
Relations
Value Lists
Indexes
Scripts
Layouts
Naming Conventions
FileMaker Pro Modes
The FileMaker Pro Interface
A Note About FileMaker Pro
The Basic FileMaker Pro Window
FileMaker Pro Button Bars
Views
FileMaker Pro Assistance
Printed Documentation
Online Help
Examples and Templates
www.filemaker.com
FSA
www.philmontmill.com
Summary
Introduction to ScriptMaker
Creating Scripts
Creating and Deleting Scripts
Editing Scripts
Managing the Scripts Menu
Printing Scripts
Executing Scripts
Running Scripts from the Script Definition Window
Running Scripts From the Scripts Menu
Attaching Scripts to Interface Elements
Invoking Scripts Automatically
Designing Scripts
Plan and Document Your Work
Multi-user Considerations
Script Size and Functionality
Script Syntax
Step Name
Summary
Using Scripts
Communicating with Users Via Scripts
Show Message
Handling Error Conditions in Scripts
Set Error Capture
FileMaker Pro Errors
Controlling Scripts
Halt
Exit
Pause/Resume
Handling Running Scripts from Button Scripts
Allow User Abort
Settings You Can Use in Scripts
Settings for Scripts
Changing Settings
Coments
Summary
Interface Steps
Navigation Steps
Refreshing the Window
Go to Layout
Go to Record/Request/Page
Go to Related Record
Go to Portal Row
Go to Field
Go to Next Field
Go to Previous Field
Enter Browse Mode
Enter Find Mode
Enter Preview Mode
Windows
Freeze Window
Refresh Window
Scroll Window
Toggle Window
Toggle Status Area
Toggle Text Ruler
Toggle will always cause a change: it reverses whatever the current status is.
Set Zoom Level
View As
Open Menu Item
Open Application Preferences
Open Document Preferences
Open Define Fields
Open Define Relationships
Open Define Value Lists
Open Help
Open ScriptMaker
Open Sharing
Spelling
Check Selection
Check Record
Check Found Set
Correct Word
Spelling Options
Select Dictionaries
Edit User Dictionary
Miscellaneous
Beep
Speak
Summary
Database Steps
Editing
Undo
Cut
Copy
Paste
Clear
Select All
Fields
Set Field
Insert Text/Paste Literal
Insert Calculated Result/Paste Result
Insert from Last Record/Paste From Last Record
Replace
Insert from Index
Insert Current Date/Paste Current Date
Insert Current Time/Paste Current Time
Insert Current User Name/Paste Current User Name
Insert Movie (Mac OS)
Insert QuickTime (Windows)
Insert Picture
Insert Object (Windows)
Update Link (Windows)
Records
New Record/Request
Duplicate Record/Request
Delete Record/Request
Delete Portal Row
Revert Record/Request
Exit Record/Request
Copy Record
Copy All Records
Delete All Records
Relookup
Files
New
Open
Close
Change Password
Set Multi-User
Set Use System Formats
Save a Copy As
Recover
Sort/Find/Print
Perform Find
Modify Last Find
Show Omitted/Find Omitted
Show All Records/Find All
Omit
Omit Multiple
Sort
Unsort
Page Setup (Mac OS)/Print Setup (Windows)
Import/Export
Import Picture
Import Movie (Mac OS)/Import Quicktime (Windows)
Import Records
Export Records
Summary
Programming and Control Steps
Control
Perform Script
If
End If
Else
Loop
End Loop
Exit Loop If
Printing
Print
Miscellaneous
Flush Cache to Disk
Exit Application (Windows)/Quit Application (Mac OS)
Options
Send Apple Event (Mac OS)
Send DDE (Windows)
Perform AppleScript
Send Message (Windows)
Dial Phone
Open URL
Send Mail
Summary
Part II: Calculations and Field Options
Introduction to FileMaker Pro Calculations and Formulas
About Calculations and Formulas
Creating Formulas
Entering a Formula
FileMaker Pro Operators
Formulas for Calculation Fields
Storing Calculations
Indexing Options
Storage Options
Language Options
Calculations versus Scripts
Summary
FileMaker Pro Functions
Using Functions
Functions Can Have a Single Parameter
Functions Can Have Multiple Parameters
Functions Can Have Specified, Multiple Parameters
Parameters Can Be Constants
Using Functions as Values
Finding More About Functions
Number Functions
Date Functions
Time Functions
Financial Functions
Trigonometric Functions
Text Functions
Area Codes
Aggregate Functions
Repeating Functions
Extend
GetRepetition
Last
FieldRepetitions
Summary Functions
Sub-summaries
GetSummary
Logical Functions
If
Case
Choose
IsEmpty
IsValid
Status Function
Design Functions
DatabaseNames
FieldNames
LayoutNames
RelationNames
ScriptNames
ValueListNames
FieldBounds
FieldRepetitions
FieldStyle
FieldType
RelationInfo
ValueListItems
External Functions
Summary
Field Options
Auto-Enter
Inserting Time Stamps
Using Serial Numbers
Carrying Forward Data
Inserting Constant Data
Inserting Calculation Results
Using Lookups
Prohibiting Modifications
Validation
Strictness
Custom Message
Specific Validations
Storage
Summary
FileMaker Pro Summaries
Automating FileMaker Pro with Summaries
Creating Summary Fields
Creating Summary Layout Parts
Summary
Sharing Data Using SQL and ODBC
What You Need to Know About SQL
FileMaker to SQL Terminology
Databases and Tables
Databases in SQL
Rows and Records
Tables and Fields
Layouts, Summaries, Scripts, and Calculations
Normalization
First Normal Form
Second Normal Form
Third Normal Form
Fourth and Fifth Normal Forms
How It Works
Everythingis a Table
Select
Summary
Part III: ODBC and FileMaker Pro
Overview of ODBC
ODBC Architecture
Run-Time Performance
ODBC User Interfaces
Setting Up Data Sources
Creating a Query
Running the Query
FileMaker Pro ODBC Support
Setting Up ODBC Data Sources
Setting Up a Data Source
Drivers
Exporting Data from FileMaker Pro
Using FileMaker Pro Data in Microsoft Word (Windows)
Exporting Data from FileMaker Pro to Microsoft Excel (Mac OS)
Importing Data to FileMaker Pro
Importing Data from Microsoft Access to FileMaker Pro (Windows)
Importing Data from Text Files to FileMaker Pro (Mac OS)
Summary
Synchronizing Data
Import/Export Versus Online Queries
Managing Data Flows
Temporary Tables and Edit Rules
Ownership and Management of Data
Summary
FileMaker Pro Script Steps
Glossary
Index
About the Author
Versions
A Note on Platforms and Screenshots
More Information
URLs
Books
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Who Should Read This Book?
How This Book is Organized
Part I: FileMaker Pro Scripting
Part II: Calculation and Field Options
Part III: ODBC
Part I: FileMaker Pro Scripting
FileMaker Pro: A Review
Terminology
Projects and Solutions
Databases
Records
Fields
Relations
Value Lists
Indexes
Scripts
Layouts
Naming Conventions
FileMaker Pro Modes
The FileMaker Pro Interface
A Note About FileMaker Pro
The Basic FileMaker Pro Window
FileMaker Pro Button Bars
Views
FileMaker Pro Assistance
Printed Documentation
Online Help
Examples and Templates
www.filemaker.com
FSA
www.philmontmill.com
Summary
Introduction to ScriptMaker
Creating Scripts
Creating and Deleting Scripts
Editing Scripts
Managing the Scripts Menu
Printing Scripts
Executing Scripts
Running Scripts from the Script Definition Window
Running Scripts From the Scripts Menu
Attaching Scripts to Interface Elements
Invoking Scripts Automatically
Designing Scripts
Plan and Document Your Work
Multi-user Considerations
Script Size and Functionality
Script Syntax
Step Name
Summary
Using Scripts
Communicating with Users Via Scripts
Show Message
Handling Error Conditions in Scripts
Set Error Capture
FileMaker Pro Errors
Controlling Scripts
Halt
Exit
Pause/Resume
Handling Running Scripts from Button Scripts
Allow User Abort
Settings You Can Use in Scripts
Settings for Scripts
Changing Settings
Coments
Summary
Interface Steps
Navigation Steps
Refreshing the Window
Go to Layout
Go to Record/Request/Page
Go to Related Record
Go to Portal Row
Go to Field
Go to Next Field
Go to Previous Field
Enter Browse Mode
Enter Find Mode
Enter Preview Mode
Windows
Freeze Window
Refresh Window
Scroll Window
Toggle Window
Toggle Status Area
Toggle Text Ruler
Toggle will always cause a change: it reverses whatever the current status is.
Set Zoom Level
View As
Open Menu Item
Open Application Preferences
Open Document Preferences
Open Define Fields
Open Define Relationships
Open Define Value Lists
Open Help
Open ScriptMaker
Open Sharing
Spelling
Check Selection
Check Record
Check Found Set
Correct Word
Spelling Options
Select Dictionaries
Edit User Dictionary
Miscellaneous
Beep
Speak
Summary
Database Steps
Editing
Undo
Cut
Copy
Paste
Clear
Select All
Fields
Set Field
Insert Text/Paste Literal
Insert Calculated Result/Paste Result
Insert from Last Record/Paste From Last Record
Replace
Insert from Index
Insert Current Date/Paste Current Date
Insert Current Time/Paste Current Time
Insert Current User Name/Paste Current User Name
Insert Movie (Mac OS)
Insert QuickTime (Windows)
Insert Picture
Insert Object (Windows)
Update Link (Windows)
Records
New Record/Request
Duplicate Record/Request
Delete Record/Request
Delete Portal Row
Revert Record/Request
Exit Record/Request
Copy Record
Copy All Records
Delete All Records
Relookup
Files
New
Open
Close
Change Password
Set Multi-User
Set Use System Formats
Save a Copy As
Recover
Sort/Find/Print
Perform Find
Modify Last Find
Show Omitted/Find Omitted
Show All Records/Find All
Omit
Omit Multiple
Sort
Unsort
Page Setup (Mac OS)/Print Setup (Windows)
Import/Export
Import Picture
Import Movie (Mac OS)/Import Quicktime (Windows)
Import Records
Export Records
Summary
Programming and Control Steps
Control
Perform Script
If
End If
Else
Loop
End Loop
Exit Loop If
Printing
Miscellaneous
Flush Cache to Disk
Exit Application (Windows)/Quit Application (Mac OS)
Options
Send Apple Event (Mac OS)
Send DDE (Windows)
Perform AppleScript
Send Message (Windows)
Dial Phone
Open URL
Send Mail
Summary
Part II: Calculations and Field Options
Introduction to FileMaker Pro Calculations and Formulas
About Calculations and Formulas
Creating Formulas
Entering a Formula
FileMaker Pro Operators
Formulas for Calculation Fields
Storing Calculations
Indexing Options
Storage Options
Language Options
Calculations versus Scripts
Summary
FileMaker Pro Functions
Using Functions
Functions Can Have a Single Parameter
Functions Can Have Multiple Parameters
Functions Can Have Specified, Multiple Parameters
Parameters Can Be Constants
Using Functions as Values
Finding More About Functions
Number Functions
Date Functions
Time Functions
Financial Functions
Trigonometric Functions
Text Functions
Area Codes
Aggregate Functions
Repeating Functions
Extend
GetRepetition
Last
FieldRepetitions
Summary Functions
Sub-summaries
GetSummary
Logical Functions
If
Case
Choose
IsEmpty
IsValid
Status Function
Design Functions
DatabaseNames
FieldNames
LayoutNames
RelationNames
ScriptNames
ValueListNames
FieldBounds
FieldRepetitions
FieldStyle
FieldType
RelationInfo
ValueListItems
External Functions
Summary
Field Options
Auto-Enter
Inserting Time Stamps
Using Serial Numbers
Carrying Forward Data
Inserting Constant Data
Inserting Calculation Results
Using Lookups
Prohibiting Modifications
Validation
Strictness
Custom Message
Specific Validations
Storage
Summary
FileMaker Pro Summaries
Automating FileMaker Pro with Summaries
Creating Summary Fields
Creating Summary Layout Parts
Summary
Sharing Data Using SQL and ODBC
What You Need to Know About SQL
FileMaker to SQL Terminology
Databases and Tables
Databases in SQL
Rows and Records
Tables and Fields
Layouts, Summaries, Scripts, and Calculations
Normalization
First Normal Form
Second Normal Form
Third Normal Form
Fourth and Fifth Normal Forms
How It Works
Everythingis a Table
Select
Summary
Part III: ODBC and FileMaker Pro
Overview of ODBC
ODBC Architecture
Run-Time Performance
ODBC User Interfaces
Setting Up Data Sources
Creating a Query
Running the Query
FileMaker Pro ODBC Support
Setting Up ODBC Data Sources
Setting Up a Data Source
Drivers
Exporting Data from FileMaker Pro
Using FileMaker Pro Data in Microsoft Word (Windows)
Exporting Data from FileMaker Pro to Microsoft Excel (Mac OS)
Importing Data to FileMaker Pro
Importing Data from Microsoft Access to FileMaker Pro (Windows)
Importing Data from Text Files to FileMaker Pro (Mac OS)
Summary
Synchronizing Data
Import/Export Versus Online Queries
Managing Data Flows
Temporary Tables and Edit Rules
Ownership and Management of Data
Summary
FileMaker Pro Script Steps
Glossary
Index
About the Author
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: February 21, 2000
- Language: English
JF
Jesse Feiler
Jesse Feiler is Software Director of Philmont Software Mill. Co-author of Finding and Fixing Your Year 2000: A Guide for Small Businesses and Organizations with Barbara Butler, and the author of the upcoming FileMaker Pro and the World Wide Web, Jesse has also written Rhapsody Developer’s Guide, Cyberdog, and Real World Apple Guide. He has served as a consultant, author, and speaker for many prestigious businesses, including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Prodigy, Kodak, Young & Rubicam, and Apple Computer, Inc.
Affiliations and expertise
Philmont Software Mill, New York, U.S.A.