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Videos about "script triggers"

14 videos found.
Leveraging Script Triggers 08/05/2024 - 3:35pm

FileMaker's script triggers can be problematic if you don't properly test and debug the user interaction flow. Some developers, perhaps even yourself, avoid script triggers for this reason.

However, script triggers can be incredibly useful. Unlike JavaScript in the Web Viewer or other environments (anyone remember HyperCard or Adobe Flash?), which have numerous possible events, FileMaker offers a limited set of events called Script Triggers.

One of the best aspects of Script Triggers is that they are linked to specific objects, areas, or actions. This differs from writing scripts that must handle various conditions and situations. With Script Triggers, you can make a particular area of FileMaker function autonomously, handling its own tasks. The first step to feeling comfortable with Script Triggers is learning how to manage them when you don't want them to execute.

In this video, I revisit a database created in 2010, which remains valuable for learning what Script Triggers can do. Let's walk through a concrete example of how you can rethink your use of Script Triggers.

Additional Script Triggers in Claris/FileMaker 02/21/2023 - 12:47pm

Learning everything you can do with Claris/FileMaker scripts is such a wonderful journey. When you first start using the available script triggers, it often becomes a bit of an issue if you aren't fully aware of all the impacts. This video is an update to older videos which didn't have the insights presented in this video.

If you've been using Script Triggers within Claris/FileMaker for some time, then you might want to give this video a watch to see if you're missing any of the latest and greatest know-how dealing with Script Triggers.

Reusable Dialogs Revisit 08/18/2020 - 8:00am

Causing a user to make an explicit choice within your software really only happens from some sort of "locked-in" process. This process most typically happens within the form of a dialog box. It's the one roadblock you can stick in front of a user and expect input. Your software then uses that input to determine the output or direction.

While FileMaker Pro does have its own native dialog box, there are some limitations to the native Show Custom Dialog script step. The number one limitation is the lack of control with regards to size and positioning. Aside from that, the dialog box is pretty fixed in terms of how it looks and what it does.

Actually, the limitations on a dialog box are a good thing. It creates a sense of consistency across the whole notion of software itself. Users have seen dialog boxes and interacted with them. They know what they do and how to react to them. So, in order to gain a bit more control and flexibility, we use our own layouts to provide our own variation of a dialog box.

By using a FileMaker layout, we get to control how it looks and reacts to certain situations. This video and technique file revisits an early version which was released when Card Windows had just come out. If you enjoy using powerful and efficient methods of enforcing that "locked-in" process, then make sure to check this one out!

Pre vs. Post Script Triggers 01/21/2020 - 9:58pm

Occasionally, you hit certain issues within FileMaker development where you're just stumped as to why you can't do something. Let's take a super simple example like being able to show and hide a button based on having selected a given portal row. How do you know when the user is within the portal? How do you know when they've left?

Think it's easy? Try to solve this issue without watching this video first. You'll quickly find out, that because of how FileMaker's "event model" works, known as script triggers, that some times things happen when you want and other times they don't. And, ultimately, you don't have control. FileMaker picks the Pre vs. Post.

Unless, that is, you get creative with how you solve this particular problem. In the case of Pre vs. Post script triggers, it is possible to extend how FileMaker behaves. In this video, I showcase how to solve the simple problem of showing and hiding a given button when a portal row is selected. It's a bit of a trick, but it can certainly be done.

Additionally, if you don't yet know the value of knowing when a user has a given portal row selected then you'll learn that lesson as well by watching this video!

Tabbed List Views 07/11/2018 - 11:56am

One of the challenges I love the most within FileMaker is creating something which requires less time and effort than the "older way" of doing the same thing.

Such is the case with a tabbed list view. I recently came upon a sample file showcasing how to do something in multiple list views. It was using an older method of "simulated" tabs by simply placing clickable buttons in a horizontal row and making one of the buttons look different on each respective layout.

So I thought to myself, "Why isn't he just using a normal tab panel?". You can certainly do it. You just need a few key pieces of info in order to create a very powerful navigational tool for a tabbed based list view. And, that's what this video is all about Tabbed List Views.

Better Portal Interactions 09/09/2016 - 11:59am

In FileMaker, if we only had list and form views for viewing data, then we’d probably be just fine. But, who wants to just get by with a minimal set of methods for viewing data? The ever valuable portal provides a wonderful view into whatever data you wish to show.

It can be related data, menu options, a list of users or pretty much anything. Especially, when using a portal as a Virtual List of something being held within a $$GLOBAL.VARIABLE.

The key thing to understand about portals is that FileMaker just provides you with the bare minimum. The level of expected user interaction just might not be there for your solution. For example, take a basic portal, select a given row and hit the delete key. What’s the result? The default FileMaker dialog. What if you’d like to run your own script when the delete key is hit?

How about that wonderful trash can icon, or any other icon placed in the first row in Layout mode. Well, you see them on EVERY portal row. Yuck! Take off that obvious UI distraction. Instead, make it show only when a given portal row is selected.

This video will provide you with all kinds of inside knowledge into how you can make your portal interactions just that much better!

Working with Relative Date Ranges 09/01/2016 - 11:41pm

Working with dates within FileMaker isn’t as complex as working on launching a rocket to the moon. But, as with most all technical things, it’s always good to know what’s going on under the hood. Knowing how things work allows you to implement the desired solution in the most efficient manner.

When talking about relative dates we’re talking about “Today”, “Tomorrow” and “Last Year”, not 7/6/1996. You can always instruct FileMaker to lookup a date range based on the whole year of 1995, but isn’t it nicer to simply provide the user with a menu with options relative to the current date.

In this video we take a look at the method of using relative date ranges in order to specify the starting and ending dates of those ranges. We do this using a Custom Function and some of the available triggers.

If you have any type of date-based data and you’re looking for an easy way to present things to your users, then you’ll likely find what you’re looking for in this video.

Using Utility Scripts 05/18/2016 - 7:16pm

Learning how to efficiently create scripts within FileMaker is a never ending process. It's a balance of leveraging what you know and mixing in newly added features along with new ways of doing things. Optimization and cleanup will always be part of the ever growing software solution.

In this video, I present the topic of using utility scripts in order to save precious development time. You know, those reusable scripts which prevent you from writing unique and dedicated scripts for every possible scenario in which the user will interact with your solution.

They're the scripts which end up saving you a ton of time and get used over and over again. They can be used stand-alone or they can be called by other scripts. But, no matter how they are used, it's certain they are valuable pieces of reusable code.

If saving time and reducing the number of scripts you write is of any interest, then this video will have the information you need.

Learning Script Triggers 08/14/2014 - 5:45pm

FileMaker's Script Triggers can be seen as either a big help or a big hindrance. It really depends on what your experience is with them and how you've created your solutions.

If you've never really worked with Script Triggers, then you're missing a big key to the automation puzzle. If you've used them, but found they get in the way more than help, then you need this video. If you've found that sweet spot of using them and not being discouraged by their idiosyncrasies, then take advantage of the help file shown in this video.

The video and associated file cover how Script Triggers integrate into FileMaker and how to take advantage of them. Prior to FileMaker version 10, the only option for user executed scripts was through your standard button definition. With the addition of Script Triggers, interaction was extended to the general environment within FileMaker.

Moving to a layout, loading a record, hitting a key on the keyboard and many other possibilities entered the picture. Make sure you know how Script Triggers work and you'll be well on your way to making the most of any FileMaker solution you create.

Endless Picture Sliders 02/03/2014 - 12:52pm

One of the fun aspects of working with FileMaker, or any other programming environment, is coming up with creative solutions to using the provided tools.

In this case, it's FileMaker 13's new sliders which provide some really cool functionality. When paired with Get ( TriggerTargetPanel ) you can simply use the Slider control for the purpose of capturing a swipe on a mobile device.

When you combine this knowledge with desired features, such as showing a (theoretically) endless number of pictures, you arrive at a solution which can be used in more places than just the one you've figured out.

If your solution is going to end up with mobile features and you want to use the Slider control for capturing swipes this video will have the information you need.

If you simply want a compact way to present multiple pictures we've got that covered too!

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