FileMaker Inc have announced the release of the latest products in their range, FileMaker 9! There are over 30 new features since FileMaker 8.5, which we will be covering in more detail over the next few weeks.
It still uses the same .fp7 file format, so you can happily use a mix of clients from FileMaker 7 upto FileMaker 9, but obviously newer features won’t be available in the older versions.
Some of the noticable changes:
- A completley redesigned Script listing, including grouping and searching of scripts.
- Conditional formating, allowing you to dynamically change the formating of fields.
- Full SQL access to external databases.
- a PHP site assistant to help non-advanced users created a FileMaker powered PHP website.
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) (previously known as Status(CurrentModifierKeys) can be a very useful tool for running different script steps in different situations. For example, you could have a ‘New Record’ button, but if a certain combination of keys that only certain users knew were held down, then it could delete the current record instead.
Below is a reference of some combinations of the modifier keys in FileMaker:
Case(
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 1, “Shift”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 2, “Caps Lock”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 3, “Shift with Caps Lock”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 4, “Control or Cntrl”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 5, “Shift - with - Control or Cntrl”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 6, “Caps Lock - with - Control or Cntrl”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 7, “Shift - with - Caps Lock - with - Control or Cntrl”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 8, “Option For Macs - Alt For Windows”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 9, “Shift - with - Option For Macs - Alt For Windows”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 10, “Caps Lock - with - Option For Macs - Alt For Windows”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 11, “Shift - with - Caps Lock - with - Option For Macs - Alt For Windows”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 12, “Control or Cntrl - with - Option For Macs - Alt For Windows”,
Get(ActiveModifierKeys) = 16, “Command For Macs”,
“No Modifier Keys Are Held Down”)
Welcome to FileMaker Tips!
This is going to be a place where I will keep track of any useful FileMaker hints, tips and tricks, including script snippets, custom functions and anything else I can find or think of!
I hope this site become a useful resource!
