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Our Library of Videos
Using one relationship, as a utility relationship, for the purpose of creating another valid data relationship isn't something that's always an obvious solution. In this video, I walk through the process of using a utility relationship for the purpose of a facilitating a lookup - which is used to reference data in a previous record. In this solution we're using time values in order to calculate an elapsed time.
Ok, so it sounds a little confusing without the background of the problem we're trying to solve. Fortunately, you can watch the video and work with the file provided. It's a Time Logging database which helps you track how you've spent your time.
Regardless of whether your database works with time values or not, there's always a lesson to be learned in solving a FileMaker problem!
It's always fun to see what can be accomplished in FileMaker Pro. I remember my first few years of learning how to develop and being completely mystified about how some developers accomplished things I never knew could be done.
As one viewer recently wrote, "Do you have any videos about the things the FileMaker manuals don't teach you? You know, the hidden type of stuff that the manual doesn't cover." Well, I don't have one comprehensive video about all of it, but, I do have a number of videos. This video should be included in that list. It provides a number of techniques which will help you create some great looking navigation menus. Watch this video as I walk you through the process of creating a great looking menu system!
Not everyone who opens a copy of FileMaker is going to know how to search for the records they're seeking. FileMaker's Query by Form method of searching leaves a few users hunting around for clues as to how they might perform their slightly-beyond-basic search request.
Fortunately, we can automate the process of more complex searches. This can be accomplished by scripting the search process. Another side of the search coin is the whole web search engine thing. One field and a ton of results. Didn't get what you want? Search again and change what you asked for - or how you asked for it.
In this video I present a highly powerful technique for making it a bit easier to search for data. The powerful part is the ability to simply copy and paste some global search fields, sprinkle in some layout object naming and you've got a dynamic searching tool which can be used on any layout! Very cool indeed!
One of the more confusing aspects of developing a database is how to best structure the data. Over time, this part becomes easier and easier. Once you work on enough projects, you get a "sense" of how data should be structured without having to think too hard.
However, if you're new to FileMaker, or even if you been working in the software for a number of years, you may need those additional insights to help make the solution work. In this video, I cover a very common question about the difference between data structure and data display. They seem like they're inherently tied to each, yet, nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is, how you display your data, is completely up to you. There are so many options possible, that it's hard to choose. Fortunately, watching this video will help you with that decision!
While growing up, you were either bullied or you were the bully. Sometimes you were both. Fortunately, later in life, we grow out of these stages and we get to push something else around - text. Ok, enough of the childhood memories and on to what this video is really about.
In this video I walk through some of the more powerful aspects of manipulating text to achieve the output you truly desire. If you've got the need to parse, merge or otherwise wrangle any amount of text into something that suits the requirements, then you'll find that you have multiple options. You can use a 100% FileMaker method or you can employ the use of a powerful plug-in. Regardless of what you choose, it's important to know what's possible and how to accomplish it. Watch this video today and start to bully some text somewhere!
As I've said in the past, "If you've got the time and inclination, learn how to use regular expressions. It's one of the most empowering tools you'll use for any text processing." Of course, you may not have the time or immediate need to learn this age-old programmer's technology. Maybe you don't see yourself as a programmer but rather a database developer.
No matter how you see yourself when working with FileMaker Pro, there's one thing for sure. You WILL have the need to process text. This includes appending, extracting and all kinds of 'ing' words! In this video I present a very powerful set of custom functions which can extract text based on using regular 'ole FileMaker functions. The concept is very powerful and can be used in a variety of ways. Hold on to your hat as we take a look at this powerful custom function from Fabrice Nordmann!
Every once in a while, you come across a technique so useful, it's simply too hard not to include it within every one of your solutions. This may be one of those techniques. Ultimate Styled Text Merging applies to any situation where you wish to provide the user with the maximum level of text styling control - of any field data.
This applies to information viewed on-screen, when printing on labels, envelopes or within a form letter - or even if you want to pass the styled text through an HTML email. This video and technique file will provide you with all the information needed to offer both the easiest and most flexible method a user can use when determining how field data should be presented.
Using plug-ins within FileMaker has always been a tricky proposition - especially if you ask enough developers. The biggest downfall is the price of licensing, when you consider the number of copies of FileMaker you need to license for.
The upshot is undoubtedly the increase in functionality; which allows you to solve the problem. In my personal use of plug-ins, I opt for the path of which plug-in(s) offer the most functionality. My favorites have been zippScript, for script triggering, and the shell plug-in for everything else.
With the release of this video, I'm pleased to introduce the one plug-in I'll almost always have installed. SmartPill PHP Edition from SCODIGO is likely the one solution to most all of your FileMaker wishes. Grab a copy today and start solving the problems you never thought possible in FileMaker!
It seems so simple, when all you want is to show the data in a particular fashion. Such as showing a sub-summary amount when your data is sorted in a list view. All you really want to know is how many blue items there are versus all the other colors. To accomplish this with a portal, you need multiple relationships with multiple table occurrences. To accomplish this in a list view, all you need is a GetSummary() function right?
Well, there's a bit more to it than that, and fortunately, you'll have this video to help guide you through the process. If making things look great in your database is something you enjoy, then I'm happy to provide you with one more technique to make that happen!