Card Windows in FileMaker
Card windows are one specific variety of windows in FileMaker. They appear like an overlay and indeed are an extra layout. Yet they usually appear over another layout, which brightness is dimmed. Card windows therefor offer a new layout over another layout, making it clear in which context it appears.
Context is everything
If you like to present more information about a specific set of data, you can show that data in a card window. There are multiple benefits:
- a different layout
- a different table (if needed)
- a different set of data (if needed)
- a function or representation of data
- a central dashboard
- a selection of kind (like: print options)
- a search form or any other form
These and many more functions are perfectly possible with card windows. To create a card window, simply create a new window and set the type of window to “Card Window”. You then can select a layout, search for any data to display and do what you can do in FileMaker. The sample file presented here will show you different options for using card windows creatively in FileMaker.
Example: A card window can be an overlay for a list of records, where the card windows allows to edit that record.
Example: A card window can also be used to explain something step-by-step.
Typical usages
- showing data
- editing data
- collecting data (in multiple steps)
One example is the free addon «GetHelp» on this site. It uses a card window to display a help text from a help text table.
Card windows
A card window is alway related to the layout it is opened from. While the underlying layout will not change, the card window can change.
- Opening a card window is actually comparable to creating a darker dimmed overlay and the size of the card window is a cutout in that scenery. This means that you can move from one card layout to the next, for example by a button, whereas the cutout of the page remains the same. One only needs multiple card layouts of the same size.
- There can only be one card window open at the same time. If you need a second overlay, use a dialog. But if you do so, would a different solution with fewer options not be simpler and thus, better?
- Instead of opening multiple layers, use a script to close the currently open card window, then open a next card window. As this is a new window, it can have a different size. Thus, the perceived effect for the user is, that the card window expands.
Start exploring
Developers use card windows in FileMaker to create menus, dashboards, and guide users through multiple steps to a final result. There is no right or wrong here, just what fits you best. The sample file shows a number of options.
Sample file to show how card windows can be used in FileMaker.
FilePath Basics
How to create file paths in FileMaker? What seems a simple question is not simple at all. There are good solutions to many questions, but if you are confronted with non-working scripts, what should you do? To our best knowledge, sample file can highlight the basics, isolate questions and techniques to find better solutions.
Filepaths are depending on platforms. That is why there are absolute paths, formatted with the requirements of the active platform. There are also FileMaker paths, results from script steps and relative paths.
Beside these differences, one should be able to build paths, enhance it with file names and the like, in order to export content to files, import files or folders. What is the best approach in each of the cases you need to solve?
It’s all about finding the right connections to make file paths work.
Sample file explaining how to create valid file paths for your FileMaker workflows.
BOM characters
BOM stands for “Byte Order Mark”. BOM characters can be put at the start of a text file to describe the text encoding. These characters are invisible, yet in FileMaker might determine if a file can be read or not. This is a stumble block when recreating JSON files from addons.
Editing JSON-files from addons
When creating an addon-package, FileMaker also creates JSON-files in that package. These JSON files contain descriptions about the addon. When editing JSON-files from addons, you need to read and write that information. You might notice that if you use a regular text editor, or FileMaker for that reason, to read the information, all looks good. However, if you write the information, it might break the addon. FileMaker no longer recognizes the information as valid.
Why is that?
The JSON-files from an addon have a Byte Order Mark (BOM) character at the beginning of the text. This character defines the text encoding and FileMaker expects the BOM-character to be present. When you edit the JSON, you will recreate the text, but skip writing the BOM-character. FileMaker will no longer appreciate your effort and cannot read your addon. You will have to recreate the BOM character.
Invisible
This is the content of a JSON file:
The text does not show a BOM character. However, if you open the file with a HEX editor, invisible things are made visible.
BOM encoding
Let’s start with a JSON-file in a container field. You extract the text, edit the text and want to write it back to the container field before exporting the result.
The sample file shows you the text to be encoded first. To include the BOM character, HEX-encode the text field, put the HEX-value of the BOM character before the text and decode the total of information into the container field.
Once you have the updated result, it already has the BOM character included. Just export the field.
This sample file shows you how to restore the BOM character when writing from FileMaker to a desktop file.
Drill down in lists
Searching for data is always an option. Sometimes, though, a simpler and more intuitive way to find data is needed. Think of clicking your way from generic categories down to the data you need. This will not always work, but where it does, it is neat and clean. This is a technique on how to achieve that.
Structured data
This option is only applicable if you have multiple records with some kind of categories involved. Look at the screen below to see what that could be:
What happened to the body part?
The final records have the detailed information you look for. This is usually the body part of a layout. To exclude that information or layout part, and only reveal it later, you have to use three things:
- Use subsummary layout parts (which need a field to relate to)
- Move the fields from the body part to the subsummary reserved for that final information.
- Sort.
Now sort according to any subsummary field, but leave out the subsummary part where the body fields are displayed. The sorting will now hide the subsummary part where the body fields are listed. Enhance the sorting with that very part, and the body information will show.
Sorting or not sorting, that is here the question. By sorting, you create different list views. You can hide certain parts or hide subcategories, by excluding those parts from the sorting.
This technique is shown step by step in the sample file. From a simple sorting, through the sorting of different categories, finally a drill-down-concept is shown, in which the layout stays the same, but the sorting reveals more or less information. In combination with some design-changes for each part, it will look like categories are expanding or collapsing.
Selecting by clicking
A clever list layout has multiple subsummaries. Each part can have a button and a script attached, which sorts to more fields, and thus expands the view. Selecting by clicking is an intuitive way to show users of your solution where they are and how to select a group of data or even a single record. For complex data, this is probably not the way to go. It can also be a help to get search parameters set.
Explore the options. Happy FileMaking!
Sample file to show how subsummary parts in FileMaker can be used to open/close parts of a list and how to drill-down in list views.
Requires FileMaker Pro 20 or newer.
RandomGenerator
Random data is very useful to test your FileMaker solution. There are several free random generator websites out there. One can even let AI create random data. While that all sounds easy, it does not mean you can easily mold the results you get. But with this test file you can. RandomGenerator shows you how to use FileMaker when creating random data.
Make it random, but manageable
Create random data yourself, with the help of FileMaker. That was the idea behind this little tool. It shows you how you can create random addresses, which you build from the specific information and languages you need. Adapt if you need to adapt. Create new options, as you have a need for it. You can manage, edit, create random data at wish. This might not be the fastest option, but who cares? You need good examples, fitting your needs. That’s what this file is about.
Create building blocks, then randomize
The concept is quite simple: Create building blocks as a basis for variety. Think of countries, genders, languages. Then you can create more complex building blocks, like “female english first names” or “german street names”. Once you have lists in the desired languages, you can randomize the data from these lists, while you build a set of random data.
ZIP Codes
One of the building blocks is about the ZIP codes. You create the structures you need for each country you need. Whatever kind of ZIP Codes you need to make, setup a structure and it will be filled with random data.
Age range
When creating addresses, a random birthday will be set. You can now create an age range, within which the random birthday will be generated.
Adapt this to your needs
We do not know where you live, what languages you speak or need and what it takes to create a perfect set of random data. For example: Each countries has districts, provinces, states or similar. In each state there are cities and villages. We have filled out some information for a few countries, but you know best what is needed for you. If you want to create your own set of data, build it step by step. We have filled out some data to get you up and running. Now adapt the solution to your needs by adding missing parts or optimizing the scripts.
It’s like magic.
Email does not work?
We are happy to send out free content, but sometimes require you to provide a valid and personal email address. This excludes free, gibberish, or discardable email addresses. We were forced to take action and tighten rules, as we were flooded with hundreds of fake addresses. Usually, a business address works well, as long as it is personal and not a generic address (like info@ or tech@, which are considered unsafe). We will then send you the download link or subscribe you to our newsletter, whatever you applied for. Enjoy your benefits.
DateFormatting
Dates in FileMaker rely on a local setting, the “locale”. This setting is added when a file is created or when an empty clone is generated for the first time. Which setting is used is dependent on your system settings. This has quite important consequenses for the way calendar dates are handled. This file shows you how you deal with it. Save the date!
The locale
The locale in any FileMaker file describes how certain information is used, saved and displayed. The result numbers or dates might create unexpected results in calculations and display.
The locale is set when you create a new file or open an empty clone.
The locale can be removed by saving a file as an empty clone. It will be reset when that file is opened.
The locale gives FileMaker a fixed point to relate to. That makes sense, as some settings differ widely across the world. To make a FileMaker solution work across the world, this file shows you what to look for.
Date as Number
FileMaker has a function to get a date as a number (SetField (text or number field): GetAsNumber (Date field) ). This overcomes the limitations of any locale, as it gives the number of days since the dawn of time, so to say. That “dawn of time” is the first of January of the Year “1”. It is easy to use that number for calculations or to recreate a date from it (use the function: GetAsDate).
Experiment
Use the files of this example to understand how it works, then apply to your solution(s).
Sample file for FileMaker Pro 20 or newer to explain date formatting in FileMaker and the use of functions to overcome limitations of any locale.
GetHelp
The GetHelp addon is a help system for your Filemaker solution. Instantly added, it helps you to create help texts which are visible and can be used anywhere in your solution.
Purpose
The GetHelp addon is a help function you can use anywhere in your FileMaker solution. Add he addon, then add your help texts to a table and display the text with a single script and parameter. Simple, useful, exactly where you users need your help.
Add the addon to FileMaker
The GetHelp addon must be imported first.
- Download the addon from fmstarter.com
- Unzip the archive
- double-click the fmaddon-file. This file will install the addon for you.
- Restart FileMaker. This will reload available addons and make GetHelp accessible.
- Open any file, switch to layout mode
- In the left panel, select the Addons tab.
- At the bottom of that tab, click on “+” to add an addon. Select GetHelp and confirm.
- This will load the complete addon to your solution, including layouts and scripts.
The addon is now available to use.
How it works
The GetHelp addon is simple to use:
- Add your help texts to the GetHelp table
- For each record a serial number will be added to an extra field.
- Load the GetHelp into a global repetition field (Load-button)
- Each record will be saved into the repetition with the serial number of the record.
- Create a button, link to the script “GetHelp show” and add the serial number of any record as a script parameter.
- A card window will show and display the proper repetition of the global repetition field.
Alternative approach
When using a card window, it would be possible to make that card window layout to be based on the GetHelp table. The referencing script could be searching for the proper record and display that. That would work as well. The solution to load all help texts into a global variable is fast, and no searching is needed. It all boils down to a choice. If you’d like to add images to your Help function, the search option might be easier. What you prefer is up to you. The current solution is simple, neat and easy to implement. Get results instantly.
Email does not work?
We are happy to send out free content, but sometimes require you to provide a valid and personal email address. This excludes free, gibberish, or discardable email addresses. We were forced to take action and tighten rules, as we were flooded with hundreds of fake addresses. Usually, a business address works well, as long as it is personal and not a generic address (like info@ or tech@, which are considered unsafe). We will then send you the download link or subscribe you to our newsletter, whatever you applied for. Enjoy your benefits.
Select files in FileMaker
How to get a file path from any file? This sample file shows a simple way of achieving this. Of course this also can be done with plugins and probably more convenient, but this is one way to do without.
Step by step
- Use the script step “Insert File”, and
- store the file as a reference in a variable.
- This variable on Mac has 2 values. Get the 2nd value to extract the full path.
The first value is a relative path, starting with “file:”. The second value is an absolute and platform based path, starting with “filemac:”.
Use the path
The extracted path is a text string. You can mold the text if you need to, to create exactly the result you need.
Make it your own
This simple test file will probably not do all you need. Change it, enhance it, and make it your own.
Sample file on how to select a file and save the file path in a variable.
Be aware the script step used here is not compatible across all platforms. Check the Claris Help.
Requires FileMaker Pro 20 or newer.
Date Routine
Dates are cumbersome to write down. That is probably fine if it is just a single date. But adding manually the day, month and year to get a valid date is quite a lot. When doing repetitive work and adding many dates regularly, this becomes tedious toil. How can you simplify adding dates? This sample file shows you.
Setting the order
It is quite easy to capture the current date in FileMaker. It also gives you the tools to extract day, month and year. As you have the building blocks readily available, it is possible to reconfigure these as you like. That’s what is done in this sample file. The current setup is focussed on a European style date:
Day/Month/Year
The scripts requires simple numbers and no separators. If you need any other setup, feel free to reconfigure the scripts.
4, 6 or 8 digits
The file requires a field with a script trigger. The trigger kicks off a script which evaluates the input. It will recognize the number of characters filled in and then build the full date around it.
- 4 digits = day+month. Adding “0104” will get you the first of april of the current year
- 6 digits = day+month+2-digit-year. Adding “010226” will get you the first of february of 2026.
- 8 digits = day+month+4-digit-year. Adding “05121725” will get you the fifth of december of the year 1725.
Activate the calculation by jumping out the field. Without leaving your keyboard, press [TAB], which usually jumps to the next field. Now you can work in lists or forms with a shorter and simpler way to add dates.
Make it your own
This simple test file will probably not do all you need. Change it, enhance it, and make it your own.
Entering dates in a date field can be cumbersome. DateRoutine shows how you can use FileMaker scripting and field triggers to complete dates. This is a free sample file.
Currency Conversion Addon
In a global setting you might need to be able to sell in multiple currencies. This addon for FileMaker uses the Free Currency Conversion API to get a list of over 30 currencies to be used in FileMaker Pro.
How it works
The addon is simple to install in any FileMaker version that supports addons. We strongly advise to use a (near) latest version of FileMaker. After installation, you add your API-key from freecurrencyapi.com. For this you need to create a free account on that website. The API-key is part of your account.
Once the key is installed, you can retrieve the supported currencies (there is a pro version with more currencies). That is what you can work with. The next step is simple: From the available currencies you add the currencies you want to use to a separate table. Then define a base currency. The base currency has a conversion rate of 1:1. All other currencies can now be updated with conversion rates to and from that base currency.
That’s all!
Add to the development
The basic setup is, that you have to make a click to update the currencies. For many it will be enough to make an occasional click. For some, it is paramount to do this automatically on a daily, weekly or monthly base. You must implement such mechanisms yourself. Also you might ask if product pricing should be updated automatically or not. That is entirely up to you.
Add to the development as you deem important for your project.
Change, add or remove currencies
On the Conversions layout you assemble the exact list of currencies you need. At any time you can remove, add or edit currencies from that list, click to update the latest rates and you are good to go. No hassles, no questions needed. It is all straightforward.
Email does not work?
We are happy to send out free content, but sometimes require you to provide a valid and personal email address. This excludes free, gibberish, or discardable email addresses. We were forced to take action and tighten rules, as we were flooded with hundreds of fake addresses. Usually, a business address works well, as long as it is personal and not a generic address (like info@ or tech@, which are considered unsafe). We will then send you the download link or subscribe you to our newsletter, whatever you applied for. Enjoy your benefits.