FileMaker Pro 12

Script Steps Reference

 20072012 FileMaker, Inc. All Rights Reserved. FileMaker, Inc. 5201 Patrick Henry Drive Santa Clara, California 95054 FileMaker and Bento are trademarks of FileMaker, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. The file folder logo and the Bento logo are trademarks of FileMaker, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. FileMaker documentation is copyrighted. You are not authorized to make additional copies or distribute this documentation without written permission from FileMaker. You may use this documentation solely with a valid licensed copy of FileMaker software. All persons, companies, email addresses, and URLs listed in the examples are purely fictitious and any resemblance to existing persons, companies, email addresses, or URLs is purely coincidental. Credits are listed in the Acknowledgements documents provided with this software. Mention of third-party products and URLs is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. FileMaker, Inc. assumes no responsibility with regard to the performance of these products. For more information, visit our website at http://www.filemaker.com. Edition: 02

Contents
About script steps
Creating scripts to automate tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Using this script steps reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Learning about scripts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Control script steps

Perform Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Pause/Resume Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Exit Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Halt Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Else If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Else . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 End If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Exit Loop If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 End Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Allow User Abort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Set Error Capture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Set Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Install OnTimer Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Navigation script steps

Go to Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Go to Record/Request/Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Go to Related Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Go to Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Go to Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Go to Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Go to Next Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Go to Previous Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Enter Browse Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Enter Find Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Enter Preview Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Editing script steps

Undo/Redo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Paste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Set Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Select All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Perform Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

Fields script steps

Set Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Set Field By Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Set Next Serial Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Insert Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Insert Calculated Result . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Insert From Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Insert From Last Visited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Insert From URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Insert Current Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Insert Current Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Insert Current User Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Insert Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Insert QuickTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Insert Audio/Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Insert PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Insert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Replace Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Relookup Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Export Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Records script steps

New Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Duplicate Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Delete Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Delete Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Delete All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Open Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Revert Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Commit Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Copy Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Copy All Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Import Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Export Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Save Records As Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Save Records As PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Save Records As Snapshot Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Found Sets script steps

Perform Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Perform Quick Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Find Matching Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Constrain Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Extend Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Modify Last Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Show All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Show Omitted Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Omit Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Omit Multiple Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Sort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Unsort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

Sort Records by Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Windows script steps

New Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Select Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Close Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Adjust Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Move/Resize Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Arrange All Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Freeze Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Refresh Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Scroll Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Show/Hide Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Show/Hide Text Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Set Window Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Set Zoom Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 View As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Files script steps

New File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Open File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Close File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Convert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Set Multi-User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Set Use System Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Save a Copy as . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Recover File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Print Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Accounts script steps

Add Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Delete Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Reset Account Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Change Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Enable Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Re-Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Spelling script steps

Check Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Check Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Check Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Correct Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Spelling Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Select Dictionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Edit User Dictionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Open Menu Item script steps

Open Edit Saved Finds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Open Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

Open File Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Open Manage Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Open Manage Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Open Manage Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Open Manage Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Open Manage Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Open Manage Value Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Open Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Open Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Open Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Open Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

Miscellaneous script steps

Show Custom Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Allow Formatting Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Beep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Speak (Mac OS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Dial Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Install Plug-In File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Install Menu Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Set Web Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Open URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Send Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Send DDE Execute (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Perform AppleScript (Mac OS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Execute SQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Send Event (Mac OS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Send Event (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Flush Cache to Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Exit Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

About script steps

About script steps

Creating scripts to automate tasks
Scripts can do simple tasks like setting print orientation or complex tasks like preparing a customized mailing to each client. For example, you could define a complex set of scripts that creates a thank you letter to clients in your Client database who have made a purchase in the last week. The script composes a letter tailored to each client. The script switches to Preview mode and pauses so you can see what the letter looks like before it prints. The whole task is initiated by clicking a button on the Sales Entry layout. You use the Manage Scripts feature in FileMaker Pro to build scripts by selecting from a list of FileMaker Pro commands, called script steps, specifying options (if necessary), and arranging the steps in the correct order to perform the task.

Using this script steps reference

The content in this document was originally written for the FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced Help. It has been collected in this format to allow solution developers to read the information independent of the help system. Links to help topics may not work in this format. Script step topics are organized by category. Each script step topic describes what the script step does, options, and parameters. Each topic also shows the format for the script step and provides a usage example.

Learning about scripts

If youre new to scripting, use the following resources to learn about scripts. To use a step-by-step tutorial: In FileMaker Pro, choose Help menu > Product Documentation > Tutorial. To view help topics about scripting and the Manage Scripts feature: In FileMaker Pro, choose Help menu > FileMaker Pro Help. In the help window, choose Designing and creating databases, then choose Creating scripts to automate tasks. You can also search help for information about scripting. To view all help topics about individual script steps: In FileMaker Pro, choose Help > FileMaker Pro Help. In the help window, choose Reference > Script steps reference. To view answers to frequently asked questions, tips, troubleshooting advice, and more, visit the FileMaker Knowledge Base at http://help.filemaker.com.

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

A, B, C
Add Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Adjust Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Allow Formatting Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Allow User Abort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Arrange All Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Beep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Change Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Check Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Check Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Check Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Close File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Close Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Commit Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Constrain Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Convert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Copy All Records/Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Copy Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Correct Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

D
Delete Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Delete All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Delete Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Delete Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Dial Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Duplicate Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

E
Edit User Dictionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Else . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Else If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Enable Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 End If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 End Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Enter Browse Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Enter Find Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Enter Preview Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Execute SQL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Exit Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Exit Loop If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Exit Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Export Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Export Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Extend Found Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

F
Find Matching Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Flush Cache to Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Freeze Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

G
Go to Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to Next Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to Portal Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to Previous Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to Record/Request/Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to Related Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 32 40 38 36 41 33 34

H, I, J, K
Halt Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 If . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Import Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Insert Audio/Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Insert Calculated Result . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Insert Current Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Insert Current Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Insert Current User Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Insert File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Insert From Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Insert From Last Visited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Insert From URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Insert PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Insert Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Insert QuickTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Insert Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Install Menu Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Install OnTimer Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Install Plug-In File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

L, M, N
Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Modify Last Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Move/Resize Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 New File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 New Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 New Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

O
Omit Multiple Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Omit Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Edit Saved Finds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open File Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 106 156 130 158

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

Open Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Open Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Open Manage Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Open Manage Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Open Manage Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Open Manage Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Open Manage Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Open Manage Value Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Open Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Open Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Open Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Open Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 Open URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

P
Paste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Pause/Resume Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Perform AppleScript (Mac OS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Perform Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Perform Find/Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Perform Quick Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Perform Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Print Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Q, R
Recover File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Refresh Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Re-Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Relookup Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Replace Field Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Reset Account Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Revert Record/Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

S, T
Save a Copy as . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Save Records As Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Save Records As PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Save Records As Snapshot Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Scroll Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Select All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Select Dictionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Select Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Send DDE Execute (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Send Event (Mac OS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Send Event (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Send Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Set Error Capture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Set Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Set Field By Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Set Multi-User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

10

Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

Set Next Serial Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Set Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Set Use System Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Set Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Set Web Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Set Window Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Set Zoom Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Show All Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Show Custom Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Show Omitted Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Show/Hide Text Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Show/Hide Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Sort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Sort Records by Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Speak (Mac OS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Spelling Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Undo/Redo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Unsort Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 View As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

11

Alphabetical headings for script steps reference: A, B, C D E F G H, I, J, K L, M, N O P Q, R S, T U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Control script steps

Control script steps control the progression of the script by letting you tell FileMaker Pro exactly what to do when and if specific conditions occur. Use these script steps to: call scripts and sub-scripts pause and resume a script, based on defined conditions conditionally perform script steps using if/then/else logic stop a script before it's finished, if a specific condition is met create loops that repetitively carry out a sequence of steps in a script, until a condition is met Note When you perform a script that uses the Get(LastError) function with control script steps, the following control script steps do not clear the last error condition reported by FileMaker Pro: If, Else, Else If, End If, Loop, Exit Loop If, End Loop, Exit Script, and Halt Script.

Perform Script
Purpose
Performs a script that is defined in the current file or in another FileMaker Pro file.

Format
Perform Script [<script name>; Parameter: <parameter>]

Options
To select a script, click Specify and choose the script from the list. For Optional script parameter, type the text you want to use or click Edit and use the Specify Calculation dialog box to build a more complex parameter.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Partial

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

12

Description
There is no need to open an external file when using a script in itFileMaker Pro opens it for you. You can use separate scripts to break complex tasks into smaller segments, which are often easier to troubleshoot. You can also save time by putting common tasks like printing or exporting records into separate scripts, which can then be accessed by more than one script. For example, you might want to use the same page setup and printing options in several scripts. By defining those steps once and saving them in separate scripts, you make it easy to access those steps many times. Use script parameters to pass text or numbers into a script. When a parameter is specified, that parameter may be accessed within a script or passed to other script steps using the Get(ScriptParameter) function. Script parameters: exist within the parent script only unless explicitly passed to the sub-script, as shown in examples three and four below. If your script calls another script, parameters in the called script are independent of parameters in the parent script. exist only for the duration of the script. Script parameters are reset each time a script is performed. can be used (but not modified) within a script and can be passed along to sub-scripts by using the Get(ScriptParameter) function as the parameter for the sub-script. You can also specify different parameters each time the sub-script is called using Perform Script. Changing the parameters passed to a sub-script does not modify the value of the parameters returned from Get(ScriptParameter) in the parent script. can contain multiple values separated by carriage returns. Use the LeftValues function, MiddleValues function, and RightValues function to isolate a specific parameter. Tip If you've performed an external script and you want to return to the original file, add an Enter Browse Mode step or Go to Layout step right after the Perform Script step in the original file, so that the script returns to the original file.

Notes
If you are using FileMaker Pro Advanced to define a custom menu item that performs a script, select the script and optional script parameters. A runtime solution can perform an external script only if the external file is bound to the solution. When you create, duplicate, edit, or delete a script in the Specify Script dialog box, your changes are not undone when you click Cancel.

Examples
#Example 1: This is a simple example with no parameters Go to Layout ["Detailed Report"] Perform Script ["Print in Landscape"] #Example 2: This example uses the script parameter to set the title of the report Go to Layout ["Detailed Report"] Perform Script [Sort by Date; Parameter: Month End Report] Set Field [Sales::Report Title; Get (ScriptParameter)]

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

13

Perform Script ["Print in Landscape"] #Example 3: This example uses a field value as a parameter Go to Layout ["Detailed Report"] Perform Script [Find by Salesperson; Parameter: Sales::Salesperson] Set Field [Sales::Report Title; Sales by & Get (ScriptParameter)] #Example 4: This script uses script parameters to pass text entered by the user to another script, which creates a new account Fields account_name Text Global Storage password Text Global Storage Script: Get New Account Info #Clear the Account Name and Password fields for new information Set Field [ first_table::account_name; "" ] Set Field [ first_table::password; "" ] Show Custom Dialog [ Title: "Create A New Administrator Account"; Message: "Please enter an account name and password for your new user."; Buttons: OK, Cancel; Input #1: first_table::account_name; Input #2: first_table::password ] Perform Script [ Make New Account; Parameter: first_table::account_name & & first_table::password ] Script: Make New Account Add Account [Account Name: LeftValues( Get( ScriptParameter ); 1); Password: LeftValues( Get( ScriptParameter ); 2); Privilege Set: "[Data Entry Only]"]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Pause/Resume Script
Purpose
Pauses a script indefinitely or for a specified length of time so the user can perform other tasks in the current window.

Format
Pause/Resume Script [Indefinitely/Duration (seconds) <n>]

Options
Click Specify to display the Pause/Resume Options dialog box, where you can set the following options.

FILEMAKER SCRIPT STEPS REFERENCE

14

 Select Indefinitely to pause the script until the user clicks Continue (a button created by FileMaker Pro in the status toolbar) or presses Enter. Select For duration and enter the number of seconds to pause the script. Select For duration and click Specify to create a calculation to determine the number of seconds to pause the script.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step can, for example, wait for a user to enter data, and then guide the user from screen to screen, prompting for data entry as needed. You can also use Pause/Resume Script to help debug your scripts, for example, to see what value is in a field at a particular point in a script or to evaluate the progress of a script. The Pause/Resume Script script step operates on the foreground window of the file from which the script is performed. If the scripts current window is hidden, Pause/Resume Script brings that window to the front and shows it. The For duration value must evaluate as a number, which is the duration of the pause in seconds. If you use the Specify Calculation dialog box to determine the duration, the calculation result must be a number or your script will not pause. To give you more control over a user's actions when a script pauses, FileMaker Pro makes some menu commands unavailable to users. You can define buttons to let users perform actions not available on the menus.

Notes
A Pause/Resume script step unfreezes a Freeze Window script step. Instant Web Publishing can only run a Pause/Resume Script step if Indefinitely is selected is selected in the Pause/Resume Options dialog box.

Examples
The following script displays a welcoming screen for three seconds when the database is opened, then displays a data entry layout. The user cannot stop this script. The default state is off. Allow User Abort [Off] Go to Layout ["Welcome"]

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Pause/Resume Script [Duration (seconds): 3] Go to Layout ["Data Entry"] Tip You can create a button with the Resume step to allow the user to resume a script if it's paused.

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Exit Script
Purpose
Forces sub-scripts or external scripts to stop immediately and return to the main script, with or without an optional script result.

Format
Exit Script [Result: <value or formula>]

Options
Click Specify to specify a value in the Specify Calculation dialog box. The value is typically based on the state of the current script. The value is passed back to the calling script, where it can control the scripts logic.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the optional script result is specified, the script result is returned and stored in the main script until another sub-script that returns a value is called. The script result gets deleted when you exit the main script. The script result can be stored in a local or global variable for later use.

Examples
#Example 1: Master Mailing Label Script Go to Layout ["Mailing Labels"] Perform Script ["Find records for California mailing"]

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Go to Layout ["List View"] #Find records for California mailing sub-script Perform Find [Restore] If [Get (ScriptResult)=0] Show All Records Go to Layout ["Data Entry"] Exit Script Else Print [] End If #Example 2: Assign Letter Grade If [Get(ScriptParameter) >= 90] Exit Script[Result: "A")] Else If [Get(ScriptParameter) >= 80] Exit Script[Result: "B"] Else If [Get(ScriptParameter) >= 70] Exit Script[Result: "C"] Else If [Get(ScriptParameter) >= 60] Exit Script[Result: "D"] Else Exit Script[Result: "F"] End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Halt Script
Purpose
Forces all scripts (including any sub-scripts or external scripts) to stop immediately.

Format
Halt Script

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Supported Yes Yes Yes

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Where the script step runs Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
While pressing Esc will also halt a script, Halt Script is useful if you are also using the Allow User Abort script step to disable the Esc key. Halt Script stops the script when Allow User Abort is set to Off.

Examples
You can use the Halt Script script step with the Show Custom Dialog script step to present a user with options. If the user clicks Cancel, the script stops; otherwise, the script continues. Show Custom Dialog ["Delete all records?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 2] Halt Script End If Delete All Records [No Dialog]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

If
Purpose
Evaluates a Boolean calculation and performs a conditional action based on that evaluation.

Format
If [<Boolean calculation>]

Options
Click Specify to define the Boolean calculation. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, type the calculation you want evaluated, or use the field list (on the left) and the functions list (on the right) with the mathematical and text operators to build the calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script Supported Yes Yes

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Where the script step runs FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the calculation result is any number except zero, the calculation evaluates to True and the subsequent script steps are executed. If the calculation result is zero, no data, or does not resolve into a number, then the calculation evaluates to False and the subsequent script steps are not executed. Every If step must have a corresponding End If script step somewhere after the If step and at the same indentation. Whenever you use an If script step, the Manage Scripts feature automatically enters an End If step. You can also add additional conditions by using the Else If script step and Else script step. Note If you do not specify a calculation or if the calculation is unsuccessful, it will evaluate as False. Use the Get(LastError) function to capture these errors.

Examples
If [Get (AccountName) = "Jim Davis"] Go to Layout [File One] Perform Find [Restore] End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Else If
Purpose
Evaluates a Boolean calculation and performs a conditional action based on that evaluation, like the If script step.

Format
Else If [<Boolean calculation>]

Options
Click Specify to define the Boolean calculation. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, type the calculation you want evaluated, or use the field list (on the left) and the functions list (on the right) with the mathematical and text operators to build the calculation.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Must follow an If step or another Else If step; it cant follow an Else script step. When an If script step calculation evaluates to True (not zero), FileMaker Pro performs the steps that are indented under it. When an If script step evaluates to False (zero), script execution moves to any following Else If steps as long as they evaluate to False. When an Else If statement evaluates to True, the block of steps under the Else If is executed. An evaluation of True ends the Else If process, and upon reaching the next Else If or Else statements, execution will skip ahead to End If.

Examples
If [Get (AccountName) = "Jim Davis"] Go to Layout [File One] Perform Find [Restore] Else If [Get (AccountName) = "Julia Vargas"] Go to Layout [File Two] Perform Find [Restore] Else If [Get (AccountName) = "Gerard LeFranc"] Go to Layout [File Three] Perform Find [Restore] Else Go to Layout [File Four] Show All Records End If Note In this example, Get(AccountName) only returns usable values if database users log in using assigned account names. If no accounts are created or required, Get (AccountName) returns the default value Admin.

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Else
Purpose
Performs one set of steps if a calculation is True (not zero), and another set of steps if the calculation is False (zero).

Format
Else

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use with the If script step.

Examples
If [Table1::State = "CA"] Perform Script ["Compute CA Tax and Total"] Else Perform Script ["Compute Total"] End If

Related topics
Else If Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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End If
Purpose
Marks the end of an If script step structure.

Format
End If

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Every If script step must have a corresponding End If script step somewhere after it at the same indentation. Whenever you use an If script step, the Manage Scripts feature automatically enters an End If step.

Examples
If [Table1::State = "CA"] Perform Script ["Compute CA Tax and Total"] Else Perform Script ["Compute Total"] End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Loop
Purpose
Repeats a set of script steps.

Format
Loop

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step and the End Loop script step mark the beginning and end of a repeating structure of script steps. The Manage Scripts feature performs the script steps that are enclosed within the loop structure until it encounters one of the following: an Exit Loop If script step a Go to Record/Request/Page script step or Go to Portal Row script step when the Exit Loop After First/Last option is selected Every Loop step must have a corresponding End Loop step somewhere after the Loop step and at the same indentation. Whenever you use a Loop script step, the Manage Scripts feature automatically enters an End Loop step.

Examples
Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Loop Set Field [Table1::Bonus; 2500.00] Go to Record/Request/Page [Next] Exit Loop if [Get (RecordNumber) = 25] End Loop

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Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Exit Loop If
Purpose
Exits a loop if the specified calculation is True (not zero).

Format
Exit Loop If [<Boolean calculation>]

Options
Click Specify to define the Boolean calculation. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, type the calculation you want evaluated, or use the field list (on the left) and the functions list (on the right) with the mathematical and text operators to build the calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the calculation is True (not zero), the script continues with the script step that follows the End Loop script step. If the calculation if False (zero), the loop is not exited and the script continues with the script step that follows the Exit Loop If script step.

Examples
This example calculates a bonus for the top 10 sales agents based on their sales. The script finds all records and sorts by a field called "Sales" (descending) to arrange the agents by sales performance. The script starts at the first record and sets the loop counter variable to 1 (in this example the loop counter field use is a number field with global storage enabled -- this is the Count field in the example below). Then, the script calculates the bonus as one quarter of the agent's salary. The script then goes to the next record and exits the loop if the counter reaches 10. The loop counter increments by 1 and the loop repeats.

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Show All Records Sort Records[Restore; No dialog] Set Field [Table1::Count; 1] Loop Set Field [Table1::Bonus; Table1::Salary * .25] Go to Record/Request/Page[Next] Exit Loop If [Table1::Count = 10] Set Field [Table1::Count; Table1::Count + 1] End Loop

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

End Loop
Purpose
Marks the end of a Loop script structure.

Format
End Loop

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Whenever you use a Loop script step, the Manage Scripts feature automatically enters an End Loop step. The steps between Loop and End Loop are automatically indented and the End Loop step is placed at the same indentation level as its corresponding Loop step.

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Examples
Go to Record/Request/Page[First] Loop Set Field [Table1::Salary; Table1::Salary * 1.1] Go to Record/Request/Page[Exit after last; Next] End Loop

Related topics
Loop script step Exit Loop If script step Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Allow User Abort

Purpose
Allows users to stop a script if set to On (default), or prevents users from stopping a script if set to Off.

Format
Allow User Abort [<on or off>]

Options
On to allow users to stop a script by pressing Esc or Command-.(period) (Mac OS). Off to prevent users from stopping a script by pressing Esc or Command-.(period) (Mac OS).

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
By default, Allow User Abort is turned on for an entire script. In other words, users can stop a script by pressing Esc or Command-.(period) (Mac OS). To prevent users from stopping a script, use the

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Allow User Abort script step and set it to Off. FileMaker Pro automatically turns Allow User Abort on after the script finishes running.

Examples
To set up a kiosk solution, use: Allow User Abort[Off] Then, create the rest of the script as a looping script that never ends. Use the Allow User Abort script step as the first step to prevent people from closing the file or exiting the application. The next script steps display a welcome screen for three seconds when the database is opened, then continues to a data entry layout. The user cannot cancel this welcome screen display. Allow User Abort [Off] Go to Layout ["Welcome"] Pause/Resume Script [Duration (seconds): 3] Go to Layout ["Data Entry"] Allow User Abort[On] The following script verifies that all records have client numbers entered, audibly notifies the user when it finds a missing number, and waits so the user can enter the number. This script runs when the database closes and can't be cancelled by the user. Allow User Abort[Off] Go to Record/Request/Page[First] Loop If[IsEmpty(Table1::clientNumberField)] Speak["Client number is missing"] Pause/Resume Script [Indefinitely] End If Go to Record/Request/Page [Exit after last; Next] End Loop Allow User Abort[On]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Set Error Capture

Purpose
Suppresses or enables normal FileMaker Pro alert messages.

Format
Set Error Capture [<on or off>]

Options
On suppresses FileMaker Pro alert messages and some dialog boxes. If the error result is 100 or 803, then certain standard file dialog boxes are suppressed, such as the Open dialog box. Off re-enables the alert messages.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this script step to handle errors in a manner consistent with the functions the script performs. By using the Get(LastError) function immediately after a script step, you can verify that the step was performed properly. By using the Get (LastError) function with the control script steps, you can make sure your script performs correctly. When you decide to suppress alerts, it is important that you anticipate as many problems as possible and include clear instructions for what to do when an error condition is encountered. Note Use Get (LastError) immediately after the script step you intend to test; a successful intervening step may clear the error code you were intending to capture.

Examples
Set Error Capture [On] Perform Find [Restore] Set Field [Table1::gErrorCaptureField; Get (LastError)] #The field Table1::gErrorCaptureField is a global text field If[Table1::gErrorCaptureField <> 0] Show Custom Dialog ["Couldn't find the record..."] End If Set Error Capture [Off]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Set Variable
Purpose
Sets a local or global variable to a specified value.

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Format
Set Variable [<variable name> {[<repetition number>]}; Value:<value or formula>]

Options
Click Specify to set the variable options: Name is the name of the variable you want to create. Prefix the name with $ for a local variable or $$ for a global variable. If no prefix is added, $ is automatically added to the beginning of the name. Value is the value the variable is set to. You can enter text or specify a calculation. Repetition is the repetition (index) number of the variable you want to create. If no repetition is specified, the default is 1.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
If a variable doesnt exist, this script step will create one. A variable name has the same naming restrictions as a field name. For more information, see About naming fields. Local and global variables can be created and used in calculations. A local variable can only be used in script steps in the currently executing script. The value in a local variable is cleared when the script exits. A global variable can be used in a calculation or script anywhere in a file, for example, other scripts or file paths. The value of a global variable is not cleared until the file is closed. Local and global variables (or even two local variables in different scripts) can have the same name but they are treated as different variables and can store different values.

Examples
The following example sets a local variable. Set Variable [$commission; Value:.05] The following example sets a global variable. Set Variable [$$commission; Value:.1] The following example sets a global variable at a specified repetition number.

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Set Variable [$$bonus[2]; Value:3 * 4]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Install OnTimer Script

Purpose
Runs a specified script at the specified interval. Installs a single timer per window. After the specified interval has passed, the next time the application is idle, runs the specified script.

Format
Install OnTimer Script [<script>; Parameter: <script parameter>; Interval: <number>]

Options
Click Specify to set the variable options: Specify script is the script that you want to run. Interval seconds is the value in seconds that the timer waits before running the script.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 10.0

Description
This step repeats until the window in which it is running closes or its options change. You can also halt the step by specifying another Install OnTimer Script script step for the window with no script specified. The default interval is blank; you must specify a script and an interval. Specifying blank for interval cancels any OnTimer scripts that are running for the selected window.

Examples
The following example runs the script MyScript every 10 minutes.

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Install OnTimer Script [MyScript; Interval: 600]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Navigation script steps

Navigation script steps move to different areas of a database. Use Navigation script steps to: go to a specific record or find request switch to a specific layout move among fields and other objects on a layout emulate pressing Enter or Tab switch to Browse mode to work with contents of a file switch to Find mode to fill out find requests switch to Preview mode to see how records, forms, or reports will look when they're printed

Go to Layout
Purpose
Switches to the specified layout.

Format
Go to Layout [<layout name or layout number>]

Options
Specify lets you choose the target layout. For Specify, click the arrow, then you can: choose the original layout. The original layout is the active layout when the script is initiated. choose a specific layout by name from the list of layouts youve defined in your file. choose Layout Name by calculation, and use the Specify Calculation dialog box to create a formula whose result is a valid layout name. choose Layout Number by calculation, and use the Specify Calculation dialog box to create a formula whose result is a valid layout number. (Layout numbers correspond to the order of the layouts in the file.)

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
This script step is useful when you begin a script to make sure the user starts with the correct layout displayed.

Notes
The Go to Layout script step can only take you to layouts defined in the same file as the script itself. To go to layouts in an external file, define a script in that file using the Go to Layout script step, and call that script from the first file using the Perform Script script step. Layout Name by calculation recognizes layouts with the same names in the order in which they were created. If you have multiple layouts with the same name, either select the specific layout you want from the layout list or use Layout Number by calculation. Define an unstored calculation field with the function Get(LayoutNumber) function and place it on your layouts to verify the layout numbers of your layouts. When a file has two or more tables, FileMaker Pro appends the name of the source table to the layout name for clarity. For example, Go to Layout [Layout #2 (TableB)].

Examples
Enter Browse Mode [] Go to Layout [Contacts] New Record/Request Go to Field [Table1::First Name]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Go to Record/Request/Page
Purpose
In Browse mode, moves to a record in the found set. In Find mode, displays a find request. In Preview mode, moves to a page in a report.

Format
Go to Record/Request/Page [<First/Last/Previous/Next/By calculation>]

Options
Specify lets you choose from the following options. First moves to the first record in the file or found set, displays the first find request, or moves to the first page in a report. Last moves to the last record in the file or found set, displays the last find request, or moves to the last page in a report. Previous moves to the previous record in the file or found set, displays the previous find request, or moves to the previous page in a report. Exit after last tells FileMaker Pro to stop the script when it reaches the last record in the found set. You can use Exit after last with the Loop script step to exit out of a loop after the last record.

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 Next moves to the next record in the file or found set, displays the next find request, or moves to the next page in a report. Exit after last tells FileMaker Pro to exit the script or control structure (like a loop) when it reaches the last record in the found set. By Calculation lets you create a calculation to determine the index number for the desired record, find request, or page in Preview mode. Note Exit after last will exit a loop but does not stop or exit a script.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Go Go Go Go to to to to Record/Request/Page Record/Request/Page Record/Request/Page Record/Request/Page [First] [Last] [Previous] [Next]

This command uses a calculation to determine the correct number: Go to Record/Request/Page [MyDatabase::Number Field]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Go to Related Record
Purpose
Goes to the current related record(s) in a related table, except when this script step is used from an active portal row.

Format
Go to Related Record [From table: <table name>; Using layout <layout name>]

Options
Get related record from lets you select the source relationship from a list of tables in the current database. If the table is not in the list or if you need to add or change a relationship,

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Manage Database displays the Manage Database dialog box, where you can create or edit relationships. Show record using layout lets you choose a layout in the current file that will be used to display the related record(s). Use external tables layouts opens the file containing the external table you specify and lets you choose a layout from that file in which to display the related record(s). This option is only available if the source relationship you selected references a table in another file. Show in new window allows you to show the related records in a new window and lets you specify the settings for the new window. For more information, see New Window script step. Tip To bring the new window with the related record(s) to the front automatically, add the Select Window script step. Specify lets you edit the settings you have previously chosen for the new window. Show only related records creates a new found set in the related table with the options either to match the current record or to match the entire found set. The first record in the found set becomes the current record. (If you dont select this option, Go to Related Record makes the first record in the tables unsorted order the current record.) Match current record only creates a new found set in the related table containing a set of records that match the current record. For example, if there are three records in the related invoice table that match the customer record in the customer table you are currently viewing, and you want to see all three invoices, use Match current record only to display the three invoices. Match all records in the current found set creates a new found set in the related table that matches all records in the current found set. For example, if you have a found set of ten customers and there are forty invoices in the invoice table that match any of these ten customers, use Match all records in the current found set to display the forty matching invoices. If you dont define a sort order, the found set will be unsorted.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Suppose you have an Invoices table that's related to a Customers table and you're currently looking at a particular invoice. In the Invoices table, you have a button that's set to Go to Related Record [Customers]. Clicking this button determines which customer record your current invoice is related to and immediately goes to that record in the Customers table. If the record in question is not

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currently in the Customers tables found set, the script can perform a find to make the record current. Tip If the related records cannot be found, this script step returns an error code which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function. This script step also works with portal rows. If this script step is used from an active portal row, and the portals table is the related table, then the related record in that table is made current. If the portals table is not the related table, the first related record in the found set is made current. When used with a table in an external file, this script step will open the file containing the external table and, if selected, go to the external layout you specify. There are situations in which a script containing the Go to Related Record script step could modify an unintended set of records. For example: If the related records cannot be found, this script step remains on the current layout. If you select a table occurrence to which theres no relationship, or a layout that doesnt refer to the correct table occurrence, FileMaker Pro displays an error message. After the error message displays, script execution continues with the next script step. If there are no related records or no record in the active portal row, the script might produce unexpected results. Use the IsEmpty function to determine if there are no related records before using Go to Related Record. If you have Allow creation of related records enabled and Go to Related Record is executed from an empty portal row, the script might produce unintended results.

Notes
The sort order is not maintained if the related records are in an external file. If you are filtering records in a portal, this script step exposes all of the records, not just the filtered records.

Examples
The following goes to a related record in the table "MyRelatedTable". Go to Related Record [From table: "MyRelatedTable"; Using layout: MyLayout] The following goes to a related record in the table "MyRelatedTable" and shows a found set of related records only. Go to Related Record [Show only related records; From table: "MyRelatedTable"; Using layout: MyLayout]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Go to Portal Row
Purpose
Navigates among the rows in the active portal.

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Format
Go to Portal Row [Select; <First/Last/Previous/Next/By calculation>]

Options
Specify lets you choose from the following options. First moves to the first row in the portal. Last moves to the last row in the portal. Previous moves to the previous row in the portal. Exit after last tells FileMaker Pro to exit the loop or the enclosing script. Next moves to the next row in the portal. Exit after last tells FileMaker Pro to exit the loop or the enclosing script. By Calculation moves to the row number that is the result of the calculation you create, or to the row number specified in a dialog. Select entire contents selects the entire portal row. If select entire contents isnt selected, only one related field in the portal is active.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
When no portal is active, the script uses the first portal in the layout stacking order. This script step tries to keep the same related field selected when changing rows. If no field in a portal is selected, the script selects the first related field it can enter. When a related field in a portal is selected, you can use this step to move to the same field in another portal row. For example, if the third field in the second portal row is selected, Go to Portal Row [Next] goes to the third field in the third portal row.

Examples
The following selects the next row in its entirety and exits the script after the last row within the portal has been reached. Go to Portal Row [Select; Next; Exit after last] The following selects the fourth row within the portal in its entirety. Go to Portal Row [Select; 4]

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Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Go to Object
Purpose
Moves to the specified object on the current layout.

Format
Go to Object [Object Name: "<object name>"]

Options
Click Specify to display the "Go to Object" Options dialog box, where you can set the following options: Object Name is the named object to make active on the current layout. To assign an object name, choose View menu > Inspector in Layout mode. Click Position, then enter a name for the object. Repetition (optional) lets you choose a field's repetition to go to. Otherwise defaults to 1. This option is ignored if the object is not a field.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step uses an object name to identify an object, so you must assign a unique object name to each object on a layout that you want to go to. Note If the object is a repeating field, you can also specify which repetition that you want to go to.

Examples
The following example navigates to a text field named "First name": Go to Object [Object Name: "First Name"] The following example navigates to a button named "Launch button":

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Go to Object [Object Name: "Launch button"] The following example navigates to the repetition (2) of a field named "Value": Go to Object [Object Name: "Value"; Repetition: 2] The following example navigates to an object whose name is the current day of the week: Go to Object [Object Name: DayName (Get(CurrentDate))]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Go to Field
Purpose
Moves to the specified field on the current layout.

Format
Go to Field [Select/perform; <table::field>]

Options
Select/perform tells FileMaker Pro to perform an action on the contents of a field. All text in a field is selected with this option. The contents of the field (sound or movie) determine what action is performed. If the field contains a sound, then the sound is played. If the field contains a movie, the movie is played. For example, if the primary command is Edit, Select/ perform opens the document in a state ready for editing. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the target field.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
To play a sound or movie, use the Select/perform option. Note If this script step specifies a field in a tab panel that is not in front, the specified field is selected and the tab panel it is in moves to the front of the tab control. If, however, the same field

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appears elsewhere on the layout and the script finds that field first, the tab panel with that same field will not come forward. Instead, assign an object name to the field and use the Go to Object script step to move to that instance of the field.

Examples
Enter Browse Mode [] Go to Layout ["Contacts"] New Record/Request Go to Field [Table1::First Name]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Go to Next Field
Purpose
Moves to the next field in the tab order of the current layout.

Format
Go to Next Field

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If no field is selected when this script step is performed, this script step moves to the first field in the tab order of the current layout. If a field is formatted as a button, the field object is selected, not the button object.

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Examples
Go to Layout ["Layout #2"] Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Go to Field [Table1::First Name] Pause/Resume Script [Indefinitely] Go to Next Field Go to Record/Request/Page [Next]

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Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Go to Previous Field
Purpose
Moves to the previous field in the tab order of the current layout.

Format
Go to Previous Field

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If no field is selected when this script step is performed, this script step moves to the last field of the tab order of the current layout. If a field is formatted as a button, the field object is selected, not the button object.

Examples
Go to Layout ["Layout #2"] Go to Field [Table1::FAX]

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Pause/Resume Script [Indefinitely] Go to Previous Field

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Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Enter Browse Mode

Purpose
Switches to Browse mode, where you can enter or edit data.

Format
Enter Browse Mode [Pause]

Options
Pause temporarily stops the script so the user can enter data.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Enter Browse Mode [] Go to Layout ["Layout #1"] Show All Records Sort [Restore, No dialog]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Enter Find Mode

Purpose
Switches to Find mode, where you can search for sets of records.

Format
Enter Find Mode [Restore; Pause]

Options
Pause temporarily stops the script to allow the user to enter a find request. Specify find requests allows you to create and edit requests for use with this script step.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
When you select Specify find requests at the time the script step is defined, FileMaker Pro displays the current find request(s), if any. Additional find requests can be defined, and existing find requests can be duplicated, edited, or deleted. To edit a find request, select it from the list in the Specify Find Requests dialog box and click Edit. In the Edit Find Requests dialog box, select the action (Find Records or Omit Records) you want the find request to perform. A single find request can either find records or omit records, but cannot perform both actions at the same time. Use multiple find requests to find and omit records from within a single script step. For each field in your request, specify the criteria for which you want FileMaker Pro to search.

Examples
Go to Layout ["Article View"] Enter Find Mode [Restore; Pause] Perform Find []

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Enter Preview Mode

Purpose
Switches to Preview mode, where you can see how records, forms, or reports will look when they're printed.

Format
Enter Preview Mode [Pause]

Options
Pause temporarily stops the script to allow you to examine the preview result before proceeding with the next step in the script.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Sort [Restore, No dialog] Go to Layout ["Sales Summary"] Enter Preview Mode [Pause] Go to Layout [original layout] Enter Browse Mode [] Unsort Go to Record/Request/Page [First]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Editing script steps

With editing script steps, you can cut, copy, paste, or clear the contents of a field; undo or redo previous actions; or select the contents of a field.

Undo/Redo
Purpose
Reverses, restores, or switches between the most recently performed actions in the file.

Format
Undo/Redo [Undo; Redo; Toggle]

Options
Undo reverses the previously performed action in the file. Redo restores the previously undone action in the file. Toggle switches between the two most recently performed actions in the file.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Multiple actions can be undone by repeatedly executing this script step with the Undo option. The number of actions that can be undone or redone is limited only by the amount of available memory.

Examples
Undo/Redo [Undo] Undo/Redo [Redo] Undo/Redo [Toggle]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Cut
Purpose
Deletes the contents of the specified field in the current record and saves the contents to the Clipboard.

Format
Cut [Select; <table::field>]

Options
Select entire contents deletes the contents of a field and saves it to the Clipboard. If you do not use Select entire contents, only the selected portion of the field's data is cut. Select Go to target field or click Specify to select the field whose contents you want to cut.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step removes the contents of the field. To duplicate the field information, use the Copy script step. Note In a web-published database, use a Commit Record/Request script step after a Cut script step to update the record in the browser window.

Examples
The following example takes notes from a "Recent Notes" field and pastes them at the end of a "Previous Notes" field (creating a history of notes). Enter Browse Mode [ ] Cut [Select, Table1::Recent Notes] Paste [Table1::Previous Notes]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Copy
Purpose
Copies the contents of the specified field in the current record and saves them to the Clipboard.

Format
Copy [Select; <table::field>]

Options
Select entire contents copies the entire contents of a field to the Clipboard. If you do not use Select entire contents, only the selected portion of the field's data is copied. Select Go to target field or click Specify to select the field whose contents you want to copy. When no field is specified and nothing is selected, FileMaker Pro copies the values from all fields of the current record.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step duplicates the contents of the field. To remove the field information, use the Cut script step. Note With Instant Web Publishing, the Copy script step does not place data onto the Clipboard.

Examples
Find All Copy [Select; Table1::RandomTimesNumber] Paste [Select; Table1::SortNumber] Replace Contents [No dialog; Table1::SortNumber] Sort Records[Restore, No dialog] Commit Records/Requests []

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Paste
Purpose
Pastes the contents of the Clipboard into the specified field in the current record.

Format
Paste [Select; No style; <table::field>]

Options
Select entire contents replaces the contents of a field with the contents of the Clipboard. If you do not use Select entire contents, Paste copies the contents of the Clipboard to the currently selected portion of the field. Paste without style tells FileMaker Pro to ignore all text style and formatting associated with the Clipboard contents. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field to paste into.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If you try to paste data that doesn't match the field type of the target field, FileMaker Pro pastes the data but displays a validation alert when you attempt to exit the field. If the field is not on the current layout, FileMaker Pro returns an error code which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function. Note In a web-published database, use a Commit Record/Request script step after a Paste script step to update the record in the browser window.

Examples
Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Copy [Select; Invoices::Company Name] Go to Record/Request/Page [Next; Exit after last] Paste [Select; No style; Invoices::Company Name]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

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Contents

Clear
Purpose
Deletes the contents of the specified field in the current record.

Format
Clear [Select; <table::field>]

Options
Select entire contents deletes the entire contents of a field. If you do not use Select entire contents, only the selected portion of the field's data is deleted. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field whose contents you want to delete.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step removes the contents of the field without placing the contents on the Clipboard. If you want to cut and paste the field information, use the Cut script step. Use Undo immediately to restore the contents. Note In a web-published database, use a Commit Record/Request script step after a Clear script step to update the record in the browser window.

Examples
The following example clears the values in a repeating field with three repetitions. Clear [Select, table::field[3]] Clear [Select, table::field[2]] Clear [Select, table::field]

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Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Set Selection
Purpose
Allows the user to specify the starting and ending position of a selection in a field.

Format
Set Selection [<table::field>; Start Position: <n>; End Position: <n>]

Options
Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field whose contents you want to select. Specify lets you set the starting and ending positions of a selection, either by entering the start and end numbers directly or by using a calculation to determine them.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The starting and ending values can be typed in directly or determined via a calculation. If no target field is specified the current active field is used.

Notes
Field position is determined by the number of characters, including spaces, beginning with position 1, the first character in the field. The selection includes all values beginning with the Start Position and concluding with the End Position. For example, if Field1 has the value abcdefgh, and the script parameters specify a start position of 3 and an end position of 6, the script step will return the selection cdef. If the start position is valid and the end position out of range, everything from the start position to the end of the field is selected. If the end position only is valid, the cursor moves

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to the end position, and nothing is selected. If both start and end positions are invalid, the cursor moves to the end of the field contents. No action is taken if the user attempts to perform a selection on a container field. Data selected out of visual range is scrolled into view.

Examples
Go to Layout [Data Entry] Set Selection [Table1::Account Number; Start Position: 5; End Position: 10] Copy []

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Select All
Purpose
Selects the entire contents of the current field.

Format
Select All

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Go to Field [Table1::Performance Review] Select All Copy [] Go to Record/Request/Page [Next]

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Go to Field [Performance Review] Paste []

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Perform Find/Replace
Purpose
Finds/replaces data according to the options in the Specify Find/Replace dialog box.

Format
Perform Find/Replace [No dialog; <text to be found>; <replacement text>; Find Next/Replace & Find/Replace/Replace All]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents display of the Find/Replace Summary dialog box at the end of the find/replace operation. This option also prevents display of the confirmation dialog box when a Replace All operation is executed. If you want the user to be able to enter find or replace criteria, use the Open Find/Replace script step. Specify displays the Specify Find/Replace dialog box, where you can set search options and the type of find/replace operation to be performed.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Perform Find/Replace ["Houston"; "Dallas"; Replace & Find]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Fields script steps

Fields script steps operate on specific fields. With these script steps, you can: paste data into fields import information into fields and export data from fields evaluate a calculation and assign the result to a field

Set Field
Purpose
Replaces the entire contents of the specified field in the current record with the result of a calculation.

Format
Set Field [<table::field>; <value or formula>]

Options
Select Specify target field or click Specify to specify the field whose contents you want to replace. If no field is specified and a field is selected in Browse mode or Find mode, that field is used. For Calculated result, click Specify to define the calculation. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, type the calculation you want evaluated, or use the field list (on the left) and the functions list (on the right) with the mathematical and text operators to build the calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The result of the calculation must match the field type. For example, you can't assign a date calculation to a container field. The specified field doesnt have to be on the current layout.

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 If the result of the calculation doesnt match the target field type, and the validate option for the field is set to Always, the field will not be set and an error code is returned (which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function). When possible, the Set Field script step makes the record active and leaves it active until the record is exited or committed. Scripts that use a series of Set Field script steps should group these steps together if possible, so that subsequent Set Field script steps can act on the record without having to lock the record, download and upload data, index the field, and so on, after each individual Set Field script step. These functions and record level validation are performed after the record has been exited or committed. If the target field is a repeating field, you can specify a repetition number or generate a repetition number from a calculated expression.

Examples
The following example calculates 7 percent of the Salary field and assigns the result to the field SDI. Note that Set Field works whether or not the field is on the active layout. Set Field [Table1::SDI; Salary * .07]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Set Field By Name

Purpose
Replaces the entire contents of a calculated target field in the current record with the result of the calculated value.

Format
Set Field By Name[<calculated target field>; <calculated value>]

Options
Select Specify target field or click Specify to create a calculation to specify the field whose contents you want to replace. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, use the field list (on the left) and the functions list (on the right) with the mathematical and text operators to build the calculation. For Calculated result, click Specify to define the calculated value.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Where the script step runs Runtime solution

Supported Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 10.0

Description
The Set Field By Name script step lets you create a calculation to specify a field name, then change the value of the field either literally or based on a second calculation. The calculated target field must return a text result. If quotation marks are not included around the fully qualified field name, the target field name is obtained from the named field. If no field is specified and a field is selected in Browse mode or Find mode, that field is used.

Notes
The specified field doesnt have to be on the current layout. Set Field By Name ignores validation checking. When possible, the Set Field By Name script step makes the record active and leaves it active until the record is exited or committed. Scripts that use a series of Set Field By Name script steps should group these steps together if possible, so that subsequent Set Field By Name script steps can act on the record without having to lock the record, download and upload data, index the field, and so on, after each individual Set Field By Name script step. These functions and record-level validation are performed after the record has been exited or committed.

Example 1
In the following example, a calculation identifies the target field in which a value should be replaced based on the geographical location in which the data was entered. Then the script enters a calculated value in the target field based on the appropriate currency exchange rate. Set Field By Name [If (Members::Country = "USA" ; "Members::Fee Paid-USD" ; "Members::Fee Paid-GBP"); If (Members::Country = "USA" ; Members::Fee*<USCurrencyRate> ;Members::Fee*<GBCurrencyRate>)];

Example 2
The following example replaces the contents of the Country field located in Table1 with the data located in the Name field in related Table2. Set Field By Name["Table1::Country";Table2::Name] Note To ensure proper evaluation, FileMaker Pro must treat the target field as a literal string. Therefore, you must include quotation marks around the calculated target field.

Example 3
The following example replaces the contents of the global target field with the data value located in the Name field in related Table2.

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In this example, Table1::FullName contains the literal value Table1::FullName and Table2::Name contains John Smith. After the step completes, the value in Table1::FullName is John Smith. Set Field By Name[Table1::FullName;Table2::Name] Note The context for the calculation (determined in the upper left corner of the Specify Calculation dialog box) is essential for proper evaluation.

Example 4
The following example uses the GetFieldName function to ensure that FileMaker Pro retrieves the fully qualified name of the target field and the Evaluate function to extract the value stored in the target field, then replaces the contents of fieldName with the data value located in the Name field in related Table2. Set Field By Name [GetFieldName(Evaluate(Location::fieldName));Table2::Name]

Example 5
This example uses a field name contained in a variable to calculate temperatures. A user enters the temperature in field F or field C and runs the script in order to convert temperatures between Fahrenheit and Celsius. If [Get (ActiveFieldName) = F] #Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius Set Variable [$TargetField; Value:TableName::C] Set Field By Name [$TargetField; (5/9)*(Get (ActiveFieldContents)-32)] Else if [Get (ActiveFieldName) = C #Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit Set Variable [$TargetField; Value:TableName::F] Set Field By Name [$TargetField; (9/5)*Get (ActiveFieldContents)+32]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Set Next Serial Value

Purpose
Resets the next serial value in an auto-entry serial number field.

Format
Set Next Serial Value [<table::field>; <value or formula>]

Options
Select Specify target field or click Specify to specify the serial number field on which the script step will operate. The field you specify must be defined as an auto-entry serial number field. Calculated result: Click Specify to enter the next serial value or create a calculation to determine the next serial value.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Allows you to use the Manage Scripts feature to update the value. You can define this script step to use any calculation expression to determine the next serial value of a field that has been defined as an auto-entry serial number field. The calculation always evaluates to a text result. For example, you might want to reset the next serial value after you do one of the following: import records into a FileMaker Pro database with an auto-entry serial number field delete multiple serialized numbers from a FileMaker Pro database

Notes
This script step affects the definition of the field you specify instead of the actual contents of the field that you specify. This script step can operate on multiple files. If you specify a field in another file, then FileMaker Pro attempts to update the serial number for the specified field in the other file. To specify a field in another file, define a relationship to that file and use Specify target field to select a field from that file.

Examples
The following example calculates the number of the next available invoice ID. If the invoice ID contains non-numeric data, then the calculation would need to be more sophisticated to maintain the numeric and non-numeric data. Go to Record/Request/Page [Last] Set Next Serial Value [Table1::Invoice ID; Table1::InvoiceID + 1]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Insert Text
Purpose
Pastes a text value into a field in the current record.

Format
Insert Text [Select; <table::field>; <text>]

Options
Select entire contents replaces the contents of a field. If you do not select this option, Insert Text inserts the specified value at the end of the field's data. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field to receive the pasted information. If no field is selected, the Insert Text command will place the specified text after the insertion point. If no field is active at the time the command executes, it has no effect. Also, if the selected field is not present on the current Layout, the Insert Text command has no effect. Specify displays the Specify dialog box where you can enter the exact value you want to paste.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step pastes text that is specified in the script, instead of text provided by the user.

Notes
This script step is intended to paste text into text field types. To insert other types of data into other types of fields, use either the Insert Calculated Result script step or the Set Field script step. If the specified field does not exist on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert Text returns an error code which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function. In a web-published database, use a Commit Record/Request script step after an Insert Text script step to update the record in the browser window.

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Examples
Insert Text [Select; Table1::LastName; "Smith"]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert Calculated Result

Purpose
Pastes the result of a calculation into the current field in the current record.

Format
Insert Calculated Result [Select; <table::field>; <value or formula>]

Options
Select entire contents replaces the contents of a field. If you don't select this option, Insert Calculated Result replaces only the selected portion of the current field, or inserts the result at the insertion point. The default insertion point is at the end of the field's data. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field to paste the calculated results into. The target field must be present on the layout to paste successfully. If no field is active when the script is performed, the step has no effect. Calculated result: Click Specify to define the calculation whose results will be inserted by this script step. In the Specify Calculation dialog box, type the calculation you want evaluated, or use the field list (on the left) and the functions list (on the right) with the mathematical and text operators to build the calculation. Note If the specified field does not exist on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert Calculated Result returns an error code which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Examples
The following script switches to a specific layout, pastes the current user name, then switches to a different layout. Note that Insert Calculated Result only works when the field is on the active layout. Go to Layout ["User Name Layout"] Insert Calculated Result [Table1::UserNameField; Get(AccountName)] Go to Layout ["Layout Number based on User Name"]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert From Index

Purpose
Pastes a value from the index into a field.

Format
Insert From Index [Select; <table::field>]

Options
Select entire contents replaces the contents of a field. If you do not select this option, Insert From Index inserts the result at the cursor position or at the end of the field's data. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field to paste the index value into. The field you specify may be of any type.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step displays the index for the active field. You can use Insert From Index in Browse or Find modes.

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FileMaker Pro displays the View Index dialog box so the user can select an entry. This method promotes consistent data entry and correct spelling. For this script step, you can specify a field and select the entire contents of the field. FileMaker Pro uses what was last selected for the Show individual words option in the View Index dialog box (it is not remembered in the script).

Notes
If the specified field does not exist on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert From Index returns an error code which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function. If you have turned indexing off for a field and deselected the option to Automatically turn indexing on if needed, the index will not display and an error code is returned. For more information on field indexing see Defining field indexing options.

Examples
The following example displays the index for a field in Find mode, so the user will select a preexisting value. Enter Find Mode [ ] Insert From Index [Table1::User Name Field] Perform Find [ ]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert From Last Visited

Purpose
Pastes information from a field in the last active record into the specified field in the current record or find request.

Format
Insert From Last Visited [Select; <table::field>]

Options
Select entire contents replaces the contents of a field. If you do not select this option, Insert From Last Visited inserts the result at the insertion point or at the end of the field's existing data. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field to paste into.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Supported Yes Yes Yes

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Where the script step runs Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this script step to ensure consistency and automate data entry. The active record is the last record where FileMaker Pro performed some activity, such as pasting text or moving into a field with the Go to Field script step. Note If the specified field does not exist on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert From Last Visited returns an error code which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function.

Examples
Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Enter Find Mode [] Go to Field [Company Name] Insert From Last Visited []

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert From URL

Purpose
Enters the content from a URL into a field.

Format
Insert From URL [Select; No dialog; <table::field>; Resource URL]

Options
Select entire contents replaces the contents of a field. If you do not select this option, Insert From URL inserts the content from the URL at the insertion point or at the end of the field's data. Perform without dialog prevents the Insert From URL Options dialog box from displaying when the script step executes. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field to insert the URL content into. For Specify URL, click Specify to display the Insert From URL Options dialog box, where you can type the URL directly in the text entry area or click Specify to create your URL from a calculation.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Insert From URL supports http, https, ftp, ftps, and file protocols. FileMaker Pro downloads the resource that is specified by the URL to the target field. Note Be aware that there are possible security issues with using https and ftps. FileMaker cannot perform a certificate check to verify that the server that you specify is the server that replies. Image files: In Windows, container fields can render GIF, JPG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF files. In the Mac OS, container fields can render GIF, JPG, JPG2, PNG, BMP, TIF, FPX, PSD, SGI, TGA, MAC, and QIF files. Other image types display as thumbnails. Instant Web Publishing: if Select entire contents is deselected, and you Insert From URL to a text field, the contents from the URL are appended to the text field. Multiple fetches can result in unpredictable results and slower performance. Important For better performance in Instant Web Publishing, be sure that Select entire contents is selected.

Examples
The following example accesses a website and inserts a PDF into a Report container field in a Sales file. If the Report field is an interactive container, users can browse, copy, and paste from the PDF. Insert From URL [No dialog; Sales::Report; http://www.filemaker.com/ sales_report.pdf]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert Current Date

Purpose
Pastes the current system date into the specified field.

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Format
Insert Current Date [Select; <table::field>]

Options
Select entire contents replaces the contents of a field with the current date. If you do not select this option, Insert Current Date adds the value of the current date to the end of the field's existing data. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field to paste the date into.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Notes
To perform a calculation with the current date, make sure the receiving field is defined as a date field. If the specified field does not exist on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert Current Date returns an error code which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function. In a web-published database, use a Commit Record/Request script step after an Insert Current Date script step to update the record in the browser window.

Examples
Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Enter Find Mode [] Insert Current Date [Select; Invoices::Invoice Date]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert Current Time

Purpose
Pastes the current system time into the specified field.

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Format
Insert Current Time [Select; <table::field>]

Options
Select entire contents replaces the contents of a field with the current time. If you do not select this option, Insert Current Time adds the value of the current time to the end of the field's existing data. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field to paste into. Note If the specified field does not exist on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert Current Time returns an error code which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Go to Layout [Call Log::Data Entry] Insert Current Time [Select; Call Log::Call Time]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert Current User Name

Purpose
Pastes the current user name into the specified field in the current record.

Format
Insert Current User Name [Select; <table::field>]

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Options
Select entire contents replaces the contents of a field with the current user name. If you do not select this option, Insert Current User Name adds the value of the current user name to the end of the field's existing data. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field to paste into.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Notes
If the specified field does not exist on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert Current User Name returns an error code which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function. User name is the FileMaker Pro user, an editable field displayed on the General tab of the Preferences dialog box. To track user access to a database with more security, use the Get(AccountName) function to return the current users account name.

Examples
Go to Layout [Sales] Insert Current User Name [Select; Sales::Sales Person]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert Picture
Purpose
Imports a graphic from another file into the current container field.

Format
Insert Picture [Reference;<filename>]

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Options
Store only a reference instructs FileMaker Pro to store only a link to the graphic file instead of the entire file. This option may reduce the size of your FileMaker Pro file, but if you move or delete the graphic, FileMaker Pro will be unable to display it. Select Specify source file or click Specify to identify the file that contains the graphic. For more information on creating file paths in FileMaker Pro, see Creating file paths.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You must specify a field, click in a field, or use the Go to Field script step before performing this script step. If you have not specified a graphic to be imported, FileMaker Pro displays a dialog box, where the user can select the graphic file to import. When Insert Picture is performed, unless a file is specified with the Specify source file option, FileMaker Pro displays a dialog box where the user can select and preview the file to be imported.

Notes
If there is no active container field on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert Picture returns an error code that can be captured with the Get(LastError) function. For information on supported picture formats, see Using data in container fields.

Examples
Go to Field [Table1::Photo] Insert Picture ["My_Photo.tif"]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Insert QuickTime
Purpose
Imports a QuickTime movie or sound file into the current container field.

Format
Insert QuickTime [<filename>]

Options
Select Specify source file or click Specify to display the Open dialog box where you can specify the name, file type, and location of the QuickTime file you intend to insert. For more information, see Creating file paths.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You must specify a field, click in a field, or use the Go to Field script step before performing this script step. When Insert QuickTime is performed, unless a file is specified with the Specify source file option, FileMaker Pro displays a dialog box where the user can select and preview the file to be imported.

Notes
If there is no active container field on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert QuickTime returns an error code that can be captured with the Get(LastError)function. This script step requires that QuickTime extension for Windows be installed. For a list of media types that QuickTime supports, see Using data in container fields. FileMaker Pro doesn't import the file; it only stores a reference to the file and keeps track of where it is on your hard disk.

Examples
Go to Field [Table1::Product Demo] Insert QuickTime [<filename>]

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Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert Audio/Video
Purpose
Imports an audio or video file, or a reference to an audio or video file, into the current interactive container.

Format
Insert Audio/Video [Reference;<filename>]

Options
Select Store only a reference to have FileMaker Pro store only a link to an audio or video file in the container field instead of the actual file. This option may reduce the size of your FileMaker Pro file, but if you move or delete the file being referenced, FileMaker Pro won't be able to display it. Select Specify source file or click Specify to display the Specify Audio/Video File dialog box, where you can specify the audio or video file you intend to insert in the interactive container. Or click Add File and choose a file to insert. For more information, see Creating file paths.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
You must specify a field, click in a field, or use the Go to Field script step before performing this script step. When Insert Audio/Video is performed, unless a file is specified with the Specify source file option, FileMaker Pro displays a dialog box where the user can select and preview the file to be imported.

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Notes
If there is no active container field on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert Audio/Video returns an error code that can be captured with the Get(LastError) function. This script step works only for interactive containers. For more information, see Specifying formats for container fields. For a list of supported media types, see Using data in container fields.

Examples
Insert Audio/Video [Site_music.mp3]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Insert PDF
Purpose
Imports a PDF file, or a reference to a PDF file, into the current interactive container.

Format
Insert PDF [Reference;<filename>]

Options
Select Store only a reference to have FileMaker Pro store a link to a PDF file in the container field instead of the actual file. This option may reduce the size of your FileMaker Pro file, but if you move or delete the file being referenced, FileMaker Pro won't be able to display it. Select Specify source file or click Specify to display the Specify PDF File dialog box, where you can specify the PDF file you intend to insert in the interactive container. Or click Add File to choose a file to insert. For more information, see Creating file paths.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

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Description
You must specify a field, click in a field, or use the Go to Field script step before performing this script step. When Insert PDF is performed, unless a file is specified with the Specify source file option, FileMaker Pro displays a dialog box where the user can select and preview the file to be imported.

Notes
If there is no active container field on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert PDF returns an error code that can be captured with the Get(LastError) function. This script step works only with interactive containers. For more information, see Specifying formats for container fields.

Examples
Insert PDF [Product_description.pdf]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) script step Contents script step

Insert File
Purpose
Imports a file or a reference to a file into the current container field. Configures the Insert File dialog box.

Format
Insert File [<dialog options>;<table::field>;<filename>;]

Options
Select Dialog options or click Specify to create a custom Insert File dialog box, filter file types, and choose storage, display, and compression options for files that are inserted into a container field. See Insert File Options dialog box. Store only a reference instructs FileMaker Pro to store only a link to a file in the container field instead of the entire file. This option may reduce the size of your FileMaker Pro file, but if you move or delete the file being referenced, FileMaker Pro won't be able to display it. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the container field to insert the file into. Select Specify source file or click Specify to specify the file to be inserted. For information on creating file paths in FileMaker Pro, see Creating file paths.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script Supported Yes No

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Where the script step runs FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You must specify a target field, click in a field, or use the Go to Field script step before performing this script step. If you do not specify a file to insert, FileMaker Pro displays a dialog box where the user can select a file. Note If there is no active container field on the layout where the script is being performed, Insert File returns an error code that can be captured with the Get(LastError) function.

Examples
Go to Field [Last Correspondence] Insert File ["My_Letter.doc"] The following parameters in the Insert File Options dialog box indicate that filters have been defined, files are inserted in the field, and files are compressed when possible. Insert File [Filters;Insert;Compress when possible]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Replace Field Contents

Purpose
Uses the value in a specified field in the current record or uses a calculation to replace the value in that field in every record in the current found set.

Format
Replace Field Contents [No Dialog; <table::field>; Current contents/Serial numbers/Calculation results]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents display of the Replace Field Contents dialog box when the script step executes. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the target field for the replace operation. Click Specify to display the Replace Field Contents dialog box, where you can determine the settings required for the Replace Field Contents command.

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 Replace with "current contents" uses the current value in the specified field as the replacement value to place in that field in every other record in the current found set. Replace with serial numbers reserializes the field in every record in the current found set. Entry options uses the next available value in Entry Options as the first record number, incrementing with whatever value is in Entry Options. Custom Values lets you enter a value to be used as a starting point for the serialization, as well as a value by which to increment each serialized field in the current found set. Update serial number in Entry Options? resets the serial number value in Entry Options so that the next serial number that is automatically entered will follow the records you have reserialized with this script step. If this option is not used, the serial value in Entry Options is not changed, and may not be in sequence with the newly reserialized records. If the field to be replaced was set up for auto-entry of a serial number and Prohibit modification of value is not selected, FileMaker Pro will still put sequential numbers in the selected field, but will do so starting with the next number to be automatically entered. Replace with calculated result displays the Specify Calculation dialog box, where you can enter a calculation to be used as the replacement value.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Notes
This script step can also be used to reserialize a field in every record in the current found set. When you use the Replace Field Contents script step, the data must be committed first before the operation is performed, or you may get unexpected results. For example, if a field value is modified and a replace is attempted before the data is committed, then the replace will be based on the old data rather than the modified data. (For more information about committing data, see Committing data in records.)

Examples
Sort Records [Restore] Go to Record/Request/Page [First]

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Replace Field Contents [No dialog; script examples::Serial Number; Serial numbers]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Relookup Field Contents

Purpose
Copies new values from the lookup source field into the records that make up the current found set.

Format
Relookup Field Contents [No dialog; <table::field>]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents a dialog box from displaying when the script step executes that lets the user confirm field information. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify the field that is the target of the relookup operation. FileMaker Pro moves the cursor to the field you specify. This must be the match field for the relationship upon which the lookup is based, not the Lookup source or target field. If no field is selected, Relookup Field Contents returns an error code that can be captured with the Get(LastError) function.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Notes
The target field specified for the Relookup Field Contents step must be an editable field. Relookups are only performed on the found set of records in the active table. Calculation fields cannot be used for the Relookup Field Contents command. If you use the Relookup Field Contents command, and you're using a calculation field as the matching value, you must specify one of the input fields for the calculation as the field parameter for the Relookup Field Contents.

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 When you use the Relookup Field Contents script step, the data must be committed first before the operation is performed, or you may get unexpected results. For example, if a field value is modified and a relookup is attempted before the data is committed, then the relookup search will be based on the old data rather than the modified data. (For more information about committing data, see Committing data in records.)

Examples
Show All Records Go to Layout [Data Entry] Go to Field [Table1::Invoice Number] Set Field [Table1::Invoice Number; Max(Table1::Invoice Number)] Relookup Field Contents [No dialog, Table1::CustomerID]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Export Field Contents

Purpose
Exports the contents of a single field in the active record to a new file.

Format
Export Field Contents [<table::field>; <filename>; Automatically open; Create email]

Options
Select Specify target field or click Specify to specify the field to be exported. If no field is specified, FileMaker Pro will export the contents of the current field in the active table. Select Specify output file or click Specify to specify the name and location of the file to which the field contents will be exported. For more information, see Creating file paths. If no file is specified, the user is asked to choose a filename and location when the script step is performed. You can choose to Automatically open file or Create email with file as attachment after saving. Note If the contents of the exported field is text, then FileMaker creates a UTF-16 format text file.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Go to Layout [Images::Nature Scenes] Export Field Contents [Images::Original Pictures;Uncropped.jpg]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Records script steps

Records script steps affect specific records and find requests. Use these script steps to: add, delete, and copy records or find requests change field contents in all records in the found set commit and revert records import and export records save records to various formats

New Record/Request
Purpose
In Browse mode, creates a new, blank record. In Find mode, creates a new find request.

Format
New Record/Request

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Enter Browse Mode [] Go to Layout [Layout #1] New Record/Request Go to Field [Table1::First Name]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Duplicate Record/Request
Purpose
In Browse mode, makes a duplicate of the current record. In Find mode, duplicates the current find request.

Format
Duplicate Record/Request

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If the record has a field set up for automatic entry of values, this script step does not duplicate the value in the field of the current record. In that case, FileMaker Pro generates and enters a new value for the duplicated record. To use the Duplicate Record/Request script step with portal rows, first use the Go to Portal Row script step, and then use the Duplicate Record/Request step. Using the Duplicate Record/Request step when a portal row is selected will duplicate the selected row in the related table. This option is only available when the option to allow creation of related records has been enabled for the relationship.

Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Go to Record/Request/Page [Last] Duplicate Record/Request

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Delete Record/Request
Purpose
In Browse mode, deletes the current record. In Find mode, deletes the current find request.

Format
Delete Record/Request [No dialog]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents the deletion confirmation dialog box from displaying when the script step executes.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
To delete A master record Do this Make sure that the record you want to delete is active (use navigation script steps), and then use Delete Record/Request. If the current layout contains a portal, use Exit Record/Request to make sure that no related record is selected, then use Delete Record/Request. Use the Delete Portal Row script step. If Delete Record/Request executes when a related field in a portal is selected, the user sees a dialog box that asks whether the master record or related record should be deleted. Make sure that the find request you want to delete is active (use navigation script steps), and then use Delete Record/Request.

A related record

A find request

Important You cannot undo a Delete Record/Request script step.

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Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Omit Delete Record/Request [ ]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Delete Portal Row

Purpose
Deletes the selected portal row (which deletes data in a related record).

Format
Delete Portal Row [No dialog]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents a message box from displaying when the script step executes that asks the user to confirm the deletion of the portal row.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use the Go to Portal Row script step to control which row is selected. (If no portal row is selected, nothing happens when this script step executes.) Important You cannot undo a Delete Portal Row script step.

Examples
The following script selects the first portal row in the current record and then deletes that row with no confirmation dialog box.

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Go to Portal Row [First] Delete Portal Row [No dialog]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Delete All Records

Purpose
Deletes all the records in the current found set.

Format
Delete All Records [No dialog]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents a message box from displaying when the script step executes that asks the user to confirm the deletion of records.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
First, use the Perform Find script step to find the records you want to delete. Then, use this script step to delete them. Important You cannot undo a Delete All Records script step.

Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Omit Delete All Records Perform Script ["Data Entry"]

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Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open Record/Request
Purpose
Makes an existing record or find request available for editing.

Format
Open Record/Request

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
When performed on a record, this script step verifies that the user has sufficient access privileges to edit the record. If the user has the proper privilege set, FileMaker Pro attempts to prevent others from simultaneously editing or deleting the record. Once locked, the record is considered opened and may be edited. If an error occurs (for example, if the current user has insufficient access privileges, the record is currently locked by another user, or the record is open in another window), FileMaker Pro generates an error message, which may be captured using the Set Error Capture script step and the Get(LastError) function. (Opening a find request will not return an error, because requests cant be locked by other users.) Important Because any attempt to modify a field or a record will also attempt to open the record for editing, in most cases you will not need to use the Open Record/Request script step to open a record explicitly. But when using the Go to Record/Request/Page script step to enter a field or record, use the Open Record/Request script step first to obtain a write lock.

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Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Go to Record/Request/Page [Last] If [IsEmpty(script examples::Field1)] Open Record/Request End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Revert Record/Request
Purpose
Returns the current record or request to the way it was before you began adding or changing data in the record.

Format
Revert Record/Request [No dialog]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents a dialog box from displaying when the script step executes that asks the user to confirm the revert action.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Show Custom Dialog ["Commit record or revert changes?"; "Click 'Commit' to save your changes, or 'Revert' to discard changes to this record."] #1 = Commit, 2 = Revert If [Get(LastMessageChoice) = 1]

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Commit Records/Requests Else Revert Record/Request [No dialog] End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Commit Records/Requests
Purpose
Commits a record.

Format
Commit Records/Requests [Skip data entry validation; No dialog; Force Commit]

Options
Skip data entry validation overrides any data entry validation options set for fields and commits the record anyway. This option only skips validation for fields set with the Only during data entry validation option in the Options for Field dialog box; fields set to Always validate will still validate, even if the Skip data entry validation option is selected. For more information on field validation, see Defining field validation. Perform without dialog prevents a dialog box from displaying when the script step executes that asks the user to confirm the commit action. Override ESS locking conflicts allows clients of ODBC data sources to force-commit changes when optimistic locking otherwise prevents the commit action. ODBC data sources are also referred to as external SQL sources (ESS).

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
This script step exits the current record or find request, updating field data and making no field active.

Examples
Show Custom Dialog ["Commit record or revert changes?"; "Click 'Commit' to save your changes, or 'Revert' to discard changes to this record."] #1 = Commit, 2 = Revert If [Get(LastMessageChoice) = 1] Commit Records/Requests Else Revert Record/Request [No dialog] End If

Related topics
Set Field script step Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Copy Record/Request
Purpose
Copies the values of a record or find request to the Clipboard.

Format
Copy Record/Request

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
Text fields are copied in tab-delimited format, without styles, in the order they appear in the record layout. Text in container fields is also copied. (This script step is equivalent to choosing Copy from the Edit menu when there is no active field.) Note When using the Copy Record/Request step with repeating fields, FileMaker Pro inserts the group separator character between each repetition. You can use a text editor to replace these characters with another delimiter such as a tab or space.

Examples
This script finds and sorts a set of records, switches to the Data Entry layout, goes to the last record, copies the entire record, switches layouts and tables, creates a new record, and pastes the contents of the Clipboard to the History field. Perform Find [Restore] Sort Records [Restore; No dialog] Go to Layout ["Data entry"] Go to Record/Request/Page [Last] Copy Record/Request Go to Layout ["History table"] New Record/Request Paste [Select; History table::History] Commit Records/Requests []

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Copy All Records/Requests

Purpose
In Browse mode, copies the values of all records to the Clipboard. In Find mode, copies all find requests.

Format
Copy All Records/Requests

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Where the script step runs Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Text fields are copied in tab-delimited format, without styles, in the order they appear in the record layout. Text in container fields is also copied. (This script step is equivalent to choosing Copy from the Edit menu while holding down the Shift key (Windows) or Option key (Mac OS) when there is no active field.) Note When using the Copy All Records/Requests step with repeating fields, FileMaker Pro inserts the group separator character between each repetition. You can use a text editor to replace these characters with another delimiter such as a tab or space.

Examples
This script finds and sorts a set of records, switches to the Data Entry layout, copies the contents of the found set to the Clipboard, switches layouts and tables, creates a new record, and pastes the contents of the Clipboard to the History field. Perform Find [Restore] Sort Records [Restore; No dialog] Go to Layout ["Data entry"] Copy All Records/Requests Go to Layout ["History table"] New Record/Request Paste [Select; History table::History] Commit Records/Requests[]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Import Records
Purpose
Imports records from another file or data source you specify.

Format
Import Records [No dialog; <source or filename>; Add/Update existing/ Update matching; <platform and character set>]

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Options
Perform without dialog prevents display of import-related dialog boxes when the script step executes. However, if a data source file has not been specified, the Open File dialog box will be displayed when a script is run from FileMaker Pro. Specify data source lets you choose the file or source of the data to be imported. Depending on the file or source you choose, a dialog box may appear for specifying the following additional options: When you choose this file or source File

Do this In the Specify File dialog box, choose the file you want to import, or type file paths directly into the list. Specify one path per line. FileMaker Pro will use the first path it locates as the file to import. See Creating file paths. In the Folder of Files Import Options dialog box, choose the folder of image or text files that you want to import, or type the folder paths directly into the list. Specify one path per line. FileMaker Pro will use the first path it locates as the folder to import. For more information, see Importing a folder of files all at once and Creating file paths. This option is not supported from scripts running on FileMaker Server. If the Bento database you want to import has a password, enter it in the Bento Password dialog box. In the Select Bento Source dialog box, select the library and collection that you want to import, then select field mapping options. For more information, see Importing Bento data (Mac OS). This option is not supported from scripts running on FileMaker Server. In the Specify XML and XSL Options dialog box, choose the source of the XML data that you want to import, and choose an XSLT style sheet if you want to apply one prior to import. The XML and XSLT source may be a file or the result of an HTTP request, or a calculation that generates a file path or an HTTP request. For more information, see Importing XML data. Specify the data source name and location, the user ID and password (if any), and the SQL query to be executed. You can enter a query directly or specify a calculation to generate the query. For more information, see Automating ODBC import using the Import Records script step. SQL statements are limited to a maximum length of 256 K characters (512 KB). Note If you use the Import Records script step to import ODBC data that contains Unicode strings, your ODBC driver must support Unicode. Otherwise, the results may be inconsistent.

Folder

Bento Data (Mac OS)

XML Data

ODBC Data

Specify import order tells FileMaker Pro to use a predefined import order. The last import order used in the file appears as the default and can be edited. This option also lets you choose whether to keep repeating field data together or to split repeating fields into separate records, as well as whether to add new records, replace data in the current found set, or import data as a new table. Note When import source fields and target fields are mapped using matching names, field name matching is performed dynamically each time the script step is performed.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Partial No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You can set the import order and use the Specify import order option, or perform this script step with the dialog box so the user can set new criteria, such as importing data as a new table. If the source file is open, the found set is imported; if not, all records in the source table are imported. When you use this script step to import an XML data file: your file path must be the absolute path to your data file you can use variables in the file path use different syntax for Windows and Mac OS. For Windows, follow the syntax file:/// [full path to file]. For Mac OS, follow the syntax file:///volumes/[full path to file]. If you use a variable in the file path, it must generate the proper syntax. When you include this script step in a FileMaker Server scheduled script and you do not select Perform without dialog in the Edit Script dialog box, the text (NOT compatible) appears after the script step. The script, however, will run. The behavior will be the same as if Perform without dialog was selected. See Get(DocumentsPathListing) function for more information. If you schedule a FileMaker Server script to do any of the following, you will receive an error: importing records to new table importing records from a folder importing images to a container field

Notes
When using the Import Records script step or Export Records script step in a FileMaker Server scheduled script, keep the following in mind: Any specified file must be in the FileMaker Server Documents folder, the temporary folder, or a child folder of either the FileMaker Server Documents folder or the temporary folder. For example, the following are all valid paths for file.csv: <Documents>/file.csv <Temporary Path>/file.csv <Documents>/Folder1/file.csv

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<Temporary Path>/Folder1/Folder2/Folder3/Folder4/file.csv Any path specified that isnt a complete path to the file (for example, anything other than /Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/<0 or more directories>/<filename> ) is evaluated as being relative to the temporary path. Any paths that include .. are considered invalid. For FileMaker Pro, if an absolute path is not specified in a script that will be executed from FileMaker Pro, the path is assumed to be relative to the location of the database file from which the script was run. For example, if a script containing the Export Records script step is run with the pathname file:/export.tab, and the file running the script is /MyFiles/ Library/Books.fmp12, the exported file will be created as /MyFiles/Library/export.tab. If you are using a calculation that generates the file path for the XML file, you need to use the format used by the operating system for the full path. For example, the following are valid paths if you are using calculations to generate the path for the XML file for Windows or Mac OS: Mac OS: /Volumes/VolumeName/directoryName/fileName Windows: driveletter:/directoryName/fileName If you are providing a cross-platform solution, you can use the Get(SystemPlatform) function to identify the current platform and use the correct format for each platform. Support for importing photos from a digital camera or device has been removed from FileMaker Pro. If a script created in an earlier version of FileMaker Pro contains an Import Records [Digital Camera] script step, the step is commented as obsolete. You can remove the step, but you cant edit it. If a button references an Import Records [Digital Camera] script step, the button is disabled and the Import Records script step is commented as obsolete in the Button Setup dialog box. FileMaker Go only supports importing from one FileMaker Pro file to another FileMaker Pro file.

Examples
Go to Layout ["Layout #4"] Import Records [No dialog; "Contacts"; Add; Mac Roman]

Related topics
Export Records script step Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Export Records
Purpose
Exports records to a specified file.

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Format
Export records [No dialog; <output filename>; Automatically open; Create email; <platform and character set>]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents dialog boxes from displaying when the script step is run from FileMaker Pro. These dialog boxes would let the user set new export criteria. Select Specify output file or click Specify to display a dialog box where you can specify the file and file type to export. Choose the folder you want to export to, or type the folder path directly into the list. Specify one path per line. FileMaker Pro will use the first path it locates. See Creating file paths. The file type you use depends on the import requirements of the program using the exported data. You can also specify options to Automatically open the file and Create email with the file as attachment after saving. Note You can export records as a Microsoft Excel worksheet by choosing Excel Workbooks (.xlsx) from the File Type list. Export to .xls requires Rosetta, which is not available on some versions of Mac OS X. For more information on saving FileMaker Pro files as Excel files, see Saving and sending records as an Excel file. If you specify XML as the export file type, the Specify XML and XSL Options dialog box appears, where you can specify an XML grammar and choose an XSLT style sheet if you want to transform the XML. The XSLT source may be a file, the result of an HTTP request, or a calculation that generates a file path or an HTTP request. Note Do not export fields whose name is entirely numeric (such as "2") or whose name is a single-byte kana character (Japanese version) using the FMPDSORESULT grammar. Select Specify export order or click Specify to use the export order that was in effect when you added the script step. The last export order used in the file appears as the default and can be edited or deleted. If necessary, choose an output file character set from the list. Select Apply current layouts data formatting to exported data, or the formatting of the last exported data will be used.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Partial No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You can set the export order before adding this script step, or perform the step with a dialog box so a user can set new criteria. Export Records exports all the records currently being browsed. If you want to limit the set of records you're exporting, use a find request before using Export Records.

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When you include this script step in a FileMaker Server scheduled script and you do not select Perform without dialog in the Edit Script dialog box, the text (NOT compatible) appears after the script step. The script, however, will run. The behavior will be the same as if Perform without dialog was selected. See Get(DocumentsPathListing) funciton for more information.

Notes
When using the Export Records script step or Import Records script step in a FileMaker Server scheduled script, keep the following in mind: Any specified file must be in the FileMaker Server Documents folder, the temporary folder, or a child folder of either the FileMaker Server Documents folder or the temporary folder. For example, the following are all valid paths for file.csv: <Documents>/file.csv <Temporary Path>/file.csv <Documents>/Folder1/file.csv <Temporary Path>/Folder1/Folder2/Folder3/Folder4/file.csv Any path specified that isnt a complete path to the file (for example, anything other than /Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Documents/<0 or more directories>/<filename> ) is evaluated as being relative to the temporary path. Any paths that include .. are considered invalid. Export to .fmp12 is not supported. For FileMaker Pro, if an absolute path is not specified in a script that will be executed from FileMaker Pro, the path is assumed to be relative to the location of the database file from which the script was run. For example, if a script containing the Export Records script step is run with the pathname file:/export.tab, and the file running the script is /MyFiles/ Library/Books.fmp12, the exported file will be created as /MyFiles/Library/export.tab. If you are using a calculation that generates the file path for the XML file, you must use the format used by the operating system for the full path. For example, the following are valid paths: Windows: driveletter:/directoryName/fileName Mac OS: /Volumes/VolumeName/directoryName/fileName If you are providing a cross-platform solution, you can use the Get(SystemPlatform) function to identify the current platform and use the correct format for each platform. In FileMaker Go, exporting to .fmp12, XML, and Excel .xls formats is not supported.

Examples
Go to Layout ["Layout #4"] Export Records [No dialog, "Contacts"]

Related topics
Import Records script step Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Save Records As Excel

Purpose
Saves records to a specified Excel worksheet.

Format
Save Records As Excel [Restore; No dialog; <output filename>; Automatically open; Create email; Records being browsed/Current record] Note In order to save records as a Microsoft Excel worksheet, your privilege set must include Allow exporting, or you must select Run script with full access privileges in the Edit Script dialog box.

Options
Perform without dialog prevents the Excel Options dialog box from displaying as the script step executes if you have already specified a file. If you have not specified a file, the Save Records as Excel dialog box displays as the script step executes, but the Excel Options dialog box is not displayed. Select Specify output file or click Specify to display a dialog box where you can specify the file path. Choose the folder you want to export to, or type the file path directly into the list. Specify one path per line. FileMaker Pro will use the first path it locates. See Creating file paths. You can choose to Automatically open file or choose to Create email with file as attachment to create a blank email with the Excel file as an attachment. Select Specify options or click Specify to display the "Save Records as Excel" Options dialog box. From the Save list, choose Records being browsed or Current record. Specify whether the values in the first row should be used as field names or as data. For Worksheet, Title, Subject, and Author, you can enter text directly, or click Specify to enter a field name or values from a calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
This script step operates in all modes except Find mode. Export to .xls requires Rosetta, which is not available on some versions of Mac OS X.

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Examples
Go to Layout ["Layout #4"] Save Records As Excel [No dialog; "Contacts.xls"]

Related topics
Export Records script step Import Records script step Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Save Records As PDF

Purpose
Saves records to a specified PDF file.

Format
Save Records As PDF [Append; No dialog; <output filename>; Automatically open; Create email; Records being browsed/Current record/Blank record, as formatted/with boxes/with underlines] Note In order to save records as a PDF file, your privilege set must include Allow printing, or you must select Run script with full access privileges in the Edit Script dialog box.

Options
Select Append to existing PDF to append the records being browsed, the current record, or a blank record after the last page of the specified PDF file. When you append records, the PDF Options dialog box settings in the Document and Initial View tabs are ignored, but the settings in the Security tab are maintained. Perform without dialog prevents dialog boxes from displaying when the script step executes if a file has already been specified. Select Specify output file or click Specify to display a dialog box where you can specify the file path. Choose the folder you want to save to, or type the file path directly into the list. Specify one path per line. FileMaker Pro will use the first path it locates. See Creating file paths. You can choose to Automatically open file or you can choose to Create email with file as attachment after saving. Select Specify options or click Specify to display the "Save Records as PDF" dialog box. From the Save list, choose Records being browsed, Current record, or Blank record. If you select Blank record, the Appearance pop-up is enabled. The Appearance pop-up box allows you to specify formatting options for fields: as formatted in FileMaker, with boxes, or with underlines. Select Options to display the PDF Options dialog box. In the Document tab, you can specify descriptive information for the PDF file. For each of the options in the document tab, you can enter text directly, or click Specify to enter a field name or values from a calculation. In the Security tab, you can assign passwords to the PDF file, as well as print and edit privileges. If print and edit privileges are allowed, you can specify if copying and screen reading software are permitted.

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 In the Initial View tab, you can define the initial view for the layout and magnification for the PDF file.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Description
This script step operates in all modes except Find mode. Note Mac OS: Save Records As PDF is not supported in runtime solutions. However, users can print the current record to PDF by choosing File menu > Print > PDF.

Examples
Go to Layout ["Layout #4"] Save Records As PDF [No dialog, "Contacts.pdf"; Records being browsed] The following adds the records being browsed after the last page of the existing Contacts.pdf file. Go to Layout ["Layout #4"] Save Records As PDF [Append; No dialog, "Contacts.pdf"; Records being browsed]

Related topics
Export Records script step Import Records script step Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Save Records As Snapshot Link

Purpose
Saves a set of found records to a FileMaker Pro Snapshot Link (FMPSL) file.

Format
Save Records As Snapshot Link [<output filename>; Records being browsed/ Current record]

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 Select Specify output file or click Specify to display the Specify Output File dialog box, and enter the path of the snapshot link. Click Add File and choose the folder to save the file to, or type the path directly in the list. Specify one path per line. FileMaker Pro will use the first path it locates. See Creating file paths. You can also select Create email with file as attachment to create a blank email with the snapshot link as an attachment. For Specify, choose Records being browsed (to save the entire found set of records), or Current record (to save only the current record).

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 11.0

Description
This script step operates in all modes except Find mode. To send a snapshot link file via SMTP, use the Send Mail script step with the snapshot link file as an attachment, and place it after the Save Records As Snapshot Link script step in the script. Use this script step with the Get(TemporaryPath) function to save the snapshot link file to a temporary location, if you do not need to store the file locally. If you use Get(TemporaryPath) to form a file path, first assign it to a variable, then use the variable in the Specify Output File dialog box. See Creating file paths.

Examples
Save Records As Snapshot Link [Library.fmpsl; Current record] The following script finds records, saves them as a snapshot link, and then emails the file via SMTP as an attachment to conference attendees. Perform Find [Restore] Save Records As Snapshot Link ["DigitalMedia.fmpsl"; Create email; Records being browsed] Send Mail [Send via SMTP Server; To: "Attendees"; Subject: "New Digital Media"; Message: "Heres the information I promised to send you."; DigitalMedia.fmpsl]

Related topics
Export Records script step Import Records script step Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Found Sets script steps

With Found Sets script steps, you can: specify a find request to find records extend or constrain the found set modify the most recent find request show all records omit records from the found set sort and unsort records

Perform Find
Purpose
Enters Find mode and finds records that match one or more find requests that you set up, that are stored with the script step.

Format
Perform Find [Restore]

Options
Select Specify find requests or click Specify to create and manage find requests. The requests you create are stored with the script step. For more information, see Speficy Find Requests and Edit Find Request dialog boxes. New opens the Edit Find Request dialog box, where you define criteria for a find request. Edit opens a selected find request from the list. Duplicate duplicates one or more selected find requests from the list. Delete deletes one or more selected find requests from the list. The Edit Find Request dialog box allows you to create or edit find request criteria. For Action, select Find Records or Omit Records to specify whether this find request will find or omit records. Finding records adds them to your found set. Omitting records excludes them. An individual request can find or omit records; use multiple requests if you need to find and omit records during the same Perform Find script step. Find records when (or Omit records when) shows a list of the fields in your current table. To construct a find request, begin by selecting a field from this list. To select a field from a related table, click the name of the current table at the top of the list and select the related table you want. Select a related field from this new list. Change the value in Repetition to specify a particular cell of a repeating field. Type your search criteria for the selected field in the Criteria area. Click Insert Operator to further refine your search criteria. See Finding records. Click Add to add your criteria to the find request.

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 To change existing criteria, select the line containing the field and criteria from the top of the dialog box, and make your changes to field and/or criteria. Click Change to store your changes. To delete existing criteria, select the line containing the field and criteria from the top of the dialog box and click Remove.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If you do not create a find request, this script step will perform the last find request that was executed. You can use a Perform Find script following an Enter Find Mode script step, to pause the script and allow the user to enter find criteria before performing a find.

Examples
If FileMaker Pro doesn't find any records that match the find criteria when you perform the script, you can stop the script, continue the script with zero records in the current found set, or change the find criteria. By using the Set Error Capture script step and the Get(LastError) function, you can set up a script to handle such situations. For example: The following script tries to perform a find. If no records are found, a custom dialog will appear giving the user the option to modify the find request or go back to Browse mode. Set Error Capture [On] Perform Find [Restore] If [Get (LastError) > 0] Show Custom Dialog ["No records were found. Click OK to modify your request or click Cancel to return to Browse mode."] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] Modify Last Find Else Enter Browse Mode [] End If End If

Related topics
Constrain Found Set script step

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Extend Found Set script step Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Perform Quick Find

Purpose
Finds records that match one or more search words based on text that you specify or text returned by a calculation formula.

Format
Perform Quick Find [<value or formula>]

Options
Click Specify to specify the search text in the Specify Calculation dialog box. Type the search text in quotation marks or use a calculation function that returns the text to use for the search.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 11.0

Description
You can use the Get(QuickFindText) function to pass the text that is typed in the Quick Find box to the Perform Quick Find script step.

Examples
The following script finds all new members who live in Los Angeles. Perform Quick Find [Los Angeles New] The following example uses the Get(QuickFindText) function to find out what is typed in the Quick Find box and displays an error message if the search text is too short. Set Variable[$query; Value:Get(QuickFindText)] If[ Length($query)<3] Show Custom Dialog[Title:Quick Find Error;Message:This Quick Find query is too short.;Buttons:OK,Cancel] Else

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Perform Quick Find[$query] End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Find Matching Records

Purpose
Finds records based on the context of a specified field.

Format
Find Matching Records[Replace/Constrain/Extend; <table::field>]

Options
Select Specify target field or click Specify, select a field or specify a calculation indicating the field you want to search by, and click OK. Notes You can: double-click the script step to specify a target field clear Specify target field to remove current target field settings To specify the type of find request, for Specify, choose: Replace to search the entire database and replace the current found set with records that match the contents of the active field. Constrain to search the found set and display matching records based on the contents of the active field (a logical AND search). Extend to broaden your search to include additional records in the found set that match additional criteria in the specified field (a logical OR search).

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

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Description
Finds records based on the context of a specified field, letting you create scripts that behave similarly to using the shortcut menu in Table View. If you do not specify a field, FileMaker Pro searches based on the contents of the field that is active when the script runs. If data is selected in the active field, FileMaker Pro searches for the selected data. If data is not selected, FileMaker Pro searches for the entire contents of the active field. If you do not specify a field and there is no active field when the script runs, FileMaker Pro displays an invalid command alert. Find Matching Records runs in Browse or Preview modes. If the database is in another mode when the script runs, FileMaker Pro switches to Browse mode before running the script. Find Matching Records can be copied and pasted or imported into other FileMaker Pro files.

Examples
The following script finds all records in the database that contain data values that match data in the active Order Date field. For example, this script might return all records showing orders placed on 10/10/2013. Find Matching Records [Replace; Products::Order Date] The following script reduces the current found set to include only records that contain product name data values that match the value in the active field. In this example, if the active field contains the text string coats, this script reduces the found set from the example above to include only orders for coats that were placed on 10/10/2013. Find Matching Records [Constrain; Products::Product Name] The following script adds to the current found set all records in the database that contain data values that match data in the active Product Name field. In this example, if the active field contains the text string shoes, this script expands the found set to include orders for coats and shoes placed on 10/ 10/2013. Find Matching Records [Extend; Products::Product Name]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Constrain Found Set

Purpose
Narrows the existing found set using the criteria you specify in the stored find request.

Format
Constrain Found Set [Restore]

Options
Select Specify find requests or click Specify to create and store a find request with the script step.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is equivalent to a logical AND search. Note If no records match the find criteria, this script step returns a found set of zero records.

Examples
Go to Layout ["Data entry"] Constrain Found Set [Restore] Sort Records [Restore; No dialog]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Extend Found Set

Purpose
Broadens the existing found set using the criteria in the stored find request.

Format
Extend Found Set [Restore]

Options
Select Specify find requests or click Specify to create and store a find request with the script step.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script Supported Yes Yes

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Where the script step runs FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is equivalent to a logical OR search.

Examples
Go to Layout ["Data entry"] Extend Found Set [Restore] Sort Records [Restore; No dialog]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Modify Last Find

Purpose
Changes the most recent find request.

Format
Modify Last Find

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Add a Perform Find script step after this script step to find records.

Examples
Show Custom Dialog ["Repeat the last Find?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] Modify Last Find Pause/Resume Script[Indefinitely] Perform Find[] Else Enter Find Mode[Pause] Perform Find[] End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Show All Records

Purpose
Finds all the records in the table underlying the foreground window and leaves you in the current record.

Format
Show All Records

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this script step to redisplay all the records after working with a found set. Use Show All Records in Browse mode or Preview mode. If you perform this script step in Find mode or Layout mode, FileMaker Pro switches to Browse mode after the records have been found.

Examples
Go to Layout [Address Layout] Show All Records

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Show Omitted Only

Purpose
Finds the records not in the current found set.

Format
Show Omitted Only

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this script step in Browse mode or Preview mode. If you perform this script step in Find mode or Layout mode, FileMaker Pro switches to Browse mode after the records have been found.

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Examples
Show All Records Omit Record Show Omitted Only Enter Preview Mode [Pause]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Omit Record
Purpose
Omits the current record from the found set and places you on the next record in the table.

Format
Omit Record

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step temporarily hides the current record. Omit Record only operates in Browse mode and Find mode. When this script step is performed in Find mode, it causes the find request to become an Omit request, as if the Omit checkbox had been selected.

Examples
Show All Records Omit Record

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Show Omitted Enter Preview Mode [Pause]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Omit Multiple Records

Purpose
Omits several records from the found set, starting with the current record, and places you on the next record in the table.

Format
Omit Multiple Records [No dialog; <number of records>]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents a dialog box from displaying when the script step executes; the dialog lets the user enter the number of records to be omitted. When Perform without dialog is selected, if you do not specify the number of records, only the current record is omitted. Select Specify records or click Specify to enter the exact number of records you want to omit. You can also click Specify in the Options dialog box and enter a calculation. The calculation result must be a number.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step temporarily hides the omitted records. If this script step is performed from Layout mode, FileMaker Pro switches to Browse mode after the script step has been performed.

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Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Omit Multiple Records [No Dialog, 3]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Sort Records
Purpose
Sorts the records in the current found set according to specified criteria.

Format
Sort Records [Restore; No dialog]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents display of a dialog box when the script step executes that lets the user enter a different set of sort instructions. Select Specify sort order or click Specify to create a sort order and store it with the script step. When Specify sort order is not selected, FileMaker Pro uses the most recently executed sort instructions. Select Keep records in sorted order to place a new or changed record thats in sorted order into the adjusted order after the record is committed. When this checkbox is deselected, new or changed records stay in the same position in the sort order until a find request is performed or the records are sorted by different criteria.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Find the records you want to sort (using Perform Find script step or Show All Records script step) before using this script step. If you sort a repeating field, FileMaker Pro sorts on only the first entry in

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that field. You don't need to use the Enter Browse Mode script step or Go to Record/Request/Page script step after using Sort Records. Each Sort Records script step can store a unique sort order; the sorting instructions are stored with the step, not the script. You can use this step several times within the same script and store a different sort order for each occurrence. Note Items in the sort order that arent valid when the script step is performed are ignored. When you specify a sort order in a database containing multiple tables, FileMaker Pro stores the table name for each sort field in the sort order. For example, a sort order using the Last Name field of the Contacts table is stored in the sort order as Contacts::Last Name. If the Sort Records script step is performed when a table other than Contacts is the active table, Contacts::Last Name cannot be evaluated, and is ignored in the sort order.

Examples
Go to Layout ["My sort layout"] Show All Records Sort Records [Restore; No dialog] Print [ ]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Unsort Records
Purpose
Restores the records in the current found set to their creation order (the order in which they were entered in the file).

Format
Unsort Records

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use this script step when it's important to maintain the original creation order, as with invoices entered by invoice number or membership records entered by date.

Notes
You don't need to perform an Unsort Records script step before executing a Sort Records script step. You can place a Go To Object script step before the Sort Records by Field script step to ensure Sort Records by Field acts upon the correct table occurrence.

Examples
Sort Records [Restore; No dialog] Go to Layout ["Sales Summary"] Enter Preview Mode [Pause] Go to Layout [original layout] Enter Browse Mode [] Unsort Records Go to Record/Request/Page [First]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Sort Records by Field

Purpose
Sorts the records in the current found set according to the context of a specified field.

Format
Sort Records by Field[Ascending/Descending/Associated value list; <table::field>]

Options
Select Specify target field or Specify, select a field you want to sort by, and click OK. Tip You can double-click the script step in the list to specify the target field. Ascending displays data in ascending order. Descending displays data in descending order. Associated value list displays data in the order determined by the value list associated with the field.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
Sorts the records in the current found set according to the context of a specified field, letting you create scripts that behave similarly to interactively using the shortcut menu in Table View. If you do not specify a field, the script sorts by the field that is active when the script runs. If there is no active field when the script runs, FileMaker Pro displays an invalid sort order alert. Tip You can find the records you want to sort (using Perform Find script step or Show All Records script step) before using this script step. You don't need to use the Enter Browse Mode script step or Go to Record/Request/Page script step after using Sort Records by Field.

Examples
The following example sorts all records in the database in alphabetical order by the City field, then prints the output. Go to Layout ["My sort layout"] Show All Records Sort Records by Field[Ascending; Membership Info::City] Print [ ] The following example sorts data by month from January to December when data in the Month field is entered as a custom value list beginning in January and ending in December: Sort Records by Field [Associated value list; Sales::Month]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) script step Contents script step

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Windows script steps

Windows script steps affect screen elements and windows. You can: open or close a window select a window arrange windows move or resize a window update a window freeze a window scroll a window show or hide a window, the status toolbar, or the text ruler set the title of a window set the zoom level view data as a list, table, or form

New Window
Purpose
Creates a new window based on the foreground window. You can create a document window, a floating document window, or a dialog window.

Format
New Window[Name: <name of window>; Height: n; Width: n; Top: n; Left: n; Style: Document/Floating Document/Dialog]

Options
Click Specify to set options for the new window. Window Name is the name you specify for your new window. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a window name from a calculation. Height is the height of the new window in pixels. You can enter a number or click Specify to generate a number from a calculation. Width is the width of the new window in pixels. You can enter a number or click Specify to generate a number from a calculation. Distance from top is the new windows distance in pixels from the top of the screen (Mac OS) or top of the FileMaker Pro window (Windows). You can enter a number or click Specify to generate a number from a calculation. Distance from left is the new windows distance in pixels from the left of the screen (Mac OS) or left of the FileMaker Pro window (Windows). You can enter a number or click Specify to generate a number from a calculation. Window Styles settings let you specify that the new window is a document window (default setting) or a dialog window. To specify a window style, select Specify Advanced Style or click Specify. See Specify Advanced Style Options dialog box.

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Note If you clear the Specify Advanced Style checkbox, you will lose any advanced style settings that have been created.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Partial Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The new window has the same layout, same table, same found set, and same current record as the original window.

Notes
Window names created with the New Window script step do not have to be unique. Window name selection is not case-sensitive. It is not necessary to enter values for each option. When no value is entered, FileMaker Pro uses the default value associated with the Window menu > New Window command. Minimum height and minimum width depend on the operating system of the user performing the script. If the height or width you specify are less than the minimum, FileMaker Pro uses the minimum values. If the window height or width values you specify exceed the users screen resolution, FileMaker Pro uses the maximum values possible. You can create a new window off-screen by supplying negative top and/or left values, which can be useful for multiple monitor environments. If you select Show Compatibility, the string (VIRTUAL WINDOW ON WEB) is added to the script step display to indicate to the user that a new virtual window is opened in the same browser window. There are some restrictions when you use script steps with dialog windows. For more information, see Specify Advanced Style Options dialog box. When a dialog window is open, subsequent New Window script steps create only dialog windows. Window style settings are not supported in web publishing or FileMaker Go. Kiosk mode (FileMaker Pro Advanced) Any new document window created in Kiosk mode is a standard Kiosk-mode window and the status toolbar is hidden.

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 No Kiosk properties apply to dialog windows opened in Kiosk mode. For example, the status toolbar shows. When multiple Kiosk and non-Kiosk files are open, if a non-kiosk file opens a new dialog window, the user cant switch to other windows (including a window created in Kiosk mode)

Examples
The following examples create a new document or dialog window based on the Data Entry layout. Document window: Go to Layout [Data Entry] New Window [Name: Enter data here; Height: 400; Width: 600; Top: 16; Left: 16; Style: Document;] Dialog window: Go to Layout [Data Entry] New Window [Name: Enter data here; Height: 400; Width: 600; Top: 16; Left: 16; Style: Dialog] Note In the Edit Script dialog box, only the window style type is included in the script step specification. To see all settings, use the Manage Scripts dialog box to print the script. All window style settings also appear in the Database Design Report (FileMaker Pro Advanced).

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Select Window
Purpose
Specifies a window by name and makes it the foreground window.

Format
Select Window [Current window or Name:<name of window>; Current file]

Options
Click Current Window to bring the active window of the file that contains the script to the foreground. Click Specify to select which window you want FileMaker Pro to bring to the foreground. You can enter literal text or click Specify to generate a name from a calculation. Select Current file only to restrict matches to the current file (not selecting this option matches all available FileMaker Pro files).

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script Supported Yes Yes

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Where the script step runs FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Because FileMaker Pro script steps are always performed in the foreground table, it is sometimes necessary to bring a specific window to the front. Use this script step when you are working with scripts in multi-table files to make certain that a script step is performed in the intended table.

Notes
Window name selection is not case-sensitive. This script will select the first matching window and bring it to the front. The Select Window script step does not open a window of a related file when the related file is opened in a hidden state, such as when a file is opened because it is the source file of a related field. To use the Select Window script step with this type of related file, open the related file using the Open File script step. For example, a layout in the file Data Entry contains a related field from the file Companies. When this layout is displayed, FileMaker Pro opens the Companies file in a hidden state. To open a new window displaying the hidden related file, use a script such as: Open File[Open Hidden; "Companies"] Select Window["Companies"] To return the file to its original state, perform a Close Window [] script step to close the open window. Select Window can make visible a hidden related file if the script step is executed from within the hidden file.

Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Sort Records [Restore] Select Window [Name: Sales records]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Close Window
Purpose
Closes the currently active window or any other window by name.

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Format
Close Window [Current window or Name: <name of window>; Current file]

Options
Click Specify to select which window you want FileMaker Pro to close. You can enter literal text or click Specify to generate a name from a calculation. Select Current file only to restrict matches to the current file (not selecting this option matches all available FileMaker Pro files). Note Closing the last window of a file closes the file and halts execution of the current script.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Perform Find Sort Records Pause/Resume Close Window [Restore] [Restore] Script [Indefinitely] [Name: Sales records]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Adjust Window
Purpose
Hides or changes the size of a window.

Format
Adjust Window [Resize to fit/Maximize/Minimize/Restore/Hide]

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Options
Use Specify to choose an adjustment option. Resize to fit resizes the window to the minimum size possible while keeping all items in the layout visible. Maximize resizes the window to full-screen size. Minimize reduces the window to an icon on the status bar (Windows) or Dock (Mac OS) Restore returns the window to its previous size. Hide hides the current database window from view. This option is equivalent to the Hide Window menu command

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Go to Layout ["Data Entry"] Adjust Window [Maximize]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Move/Resize Window
Purpose
Adjusts the size or location of the chosen window.

Format
Move/Resize Window [Current window or Name: <name of window>; Current file; Height: <n>; Width: <n>; Top: <n>; Left: <n>]

Options
Click Specify to set the move/resize options.

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 Current Window selects the current foreground window when the script step is performed. Window Name selects an open window by name. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a window name from a calculation. Select Current file only to restrict matches to the current file (not selecting this option matches all available FileMaker Pro files). Height is the height of the adjusted window in pixels. You can enter a number or click Specify to generate a number from a calculation. Width is the width of the adjusted window in pixels.You can enter a number or click Specify to generate a number from a calculation. Distance from top is the adjusted windows distance in pixels from the top of the screen (Mac OS) or top of the FileMaker Pro window (Windows). You can enter a number or click Specify to generate a number from a calculation. Distance from left is the adjusted windows distance in pixels from the left of the screen (Mac OS) or left of the FileMaker Pro window (Windows). You can enter a number or click Specify to generate a number from a calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The adjusted window maintains the same layout, same table, same found set, and same current record as the original window.

Notes
Window name selection is not case-sensitive. It is not necessary to enter values for each option. When no value is entered, FileMaker Pro uses the original location and size of the window as default values. Minimum window height and width depend on the script users operating system. If the height and width values you specify are less than the minimum, FileMaker Pro uses the minimum values. Maximum window height and width depend on the script users screen resolution. If the height or width values you specify are greater than the maximum, FileMaker Pro uses the maximum value possible.

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 You can move a window off-screen by supplying negative top and/or left values, which can be useful for multiple monitor environments. Windows: FileMaker Pro orients the moved window to the top left corner of the visible part of the application window. Note that this may not be the (0,0) point of the window, depending on how the current file window is positioned (for example, if half of the file window extends past the left border of the application window, you would need to scroll to the left to see the (0,0) point of the application window).

Examples
Go to Layout [List of Members] Move/Resize Window [Current Window; Height: 400; Width: 600; Top: 16; Left: 16]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Arrange All Windows

Purpose
Adjusts the size and location of all open windows.

Format
Arrange All Windows [Tile Horizontally/Tile Vertically/Cascade Window/Bring All to Front]

Options
Tile Horizontally positions open windows in a left/right orientation. Windows are resized to prevent overlapping. Tile Vertically positions open windows in a top/bottom orientation. Windows are resized to prevent overlapping. Cascade Window positions windows in an overlapping pattern, beginning in the top left corner of the screen. Windows are resized to fill the screen, less any offset. Bring All to Front (Mac OS) moves all open FileMaker Pro windows to the front. Windows are not resized.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Supported Yes No No No No

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Where the script step runs Runtime solution

Supported Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The size and location of the open windows are the only things that change; current table, active window, and active record are not affected by this script step.

Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Sort Records [Restore] New Window [Name: Customers; Height: 200; Width: 600; Top: 16; Left: 16] Arrange All Windows [Tile Vertically]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Freeze Window
Purpose
Stops updating the active window.

Format
Freeze Window

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use Freeze Window to hide actions from the user while FileMaker Pro performs the remainder of the script. A Pause/Resume script step unfreezes a Freeze Window script step.

Notes
A Refresh Window step is not needed if it would be the last step in a script. FileMaker Pro automatically turns off Freeze Window and refreshes the display when a script ends. Use Refresh Window to force a window update within a script. A Pause/Resume script step unfreezes a Freeze Window script step.

Examples
Freeze Window Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Loop Set Field [Table1::Salary; Table1::Salary * 1.1] Go to Record/Request/Page [Next; Exit after last] End Loop

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Refresh Window
Purpose
Updates the entire contents of the FileMaker Pro document window, including any related records.

Format
Refresh Window [Flush cached join results; Flush cached SQL data]

Options
Select Flush cached join results to delete the results of queries for related records and cause related records to be refreshed. Do not select this option if you know your script does not affect related data, and if you want to minimize the performance impact of re-accessing related data (particularly when sharing a database over a network). Select Flush cached SQL data to delete the results of queries for related ODBC data source records and cause related ODBC records to be refreshed. FileMaker Pro dumps the internal cache and refreshes record data. Do not select this option if you know your script does not access ODBC data.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You do not need to select Flush cached join results in order to refresh the entire window. This script step updates records (rows) in the current ODBC table.

Examples
Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Loop Set Field [Table1::Salary; Table1::Salary * 1.1] Go to Record/Request/Page [Next; Exit after last] End Loop Refresh Window Beep

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Scroll Window
Purpose
Scrolls a window up or down, scrolls to the top or bottom of a layout, or brings the current field into view.

Format
Scroll Window [Home/End/Page Up/Page Down/To Selection]

Options
Use Specify to choose a scrolling option. Home, End, Page Up, or Page Down scrolls the window to the beginning, to the end, up a page, or down a page.

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 To Selection brings the current field into view (similar to tabbing into a field).

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Loop Set Field [Table1::Salary; Table1::Salary * 1.1] Go to Record/Request/Page [Next; Exit after last] End Loop Scroll Window [Home]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Show/Hide Toolbars
Purpose
Shows or hides the status toolbar.

Format
Show/Hide Toolbars [Lock; Show/Hide/Toggle]

Options
Lock prohibits the user from using the status toolbar control the status toolbar. Show tells FileMaker Pro to show the status toolbar. Hide tells FileMaker Pro to hide the status toolbar. Toggle switches between showing and hiding the status toolbar (equivalent to clicking Show/Hide Status Toolbar). to manually show or hide

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Go to Layout ["Contacts"] Show/Hide Toolbars [Hide]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Show/Hide Text Ruler

Purpose
Shows or hides the text ruler.

Format
Show/Hide Text Ruler [Show/Hide/Toggle]

Options
Show tells FileMaker Pro to show the text ruler. Hide tells FileMaker Pro to hide the text ruler. Toggle switches between showing and hiding the text ruler.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Supported Yes No No No No

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Where the script step runs Runtime solution

Supported Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Choosing the Toggle option switches the current state of the ruler. The Text Ruler is used to format paragraphs and tabs within fields and on layouts.

Examples
Go to Layout ["Notes"] Toggle Text Ruler [Show]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Set Window Title

Purpose
Changes the title of a window.

Format
Set Window Title [Current window or Name: <name of window>; Current file; New Title: <new window name>]

Options
Click Specify to set options for the title of a window. Window to Rename tells FileMaker Pro which window to rename. Select Current Window to rename the current window. To specify another window, enter the window name in literal text or click Specify to create a name using a calculation. Select Current file only to restrict matches to the current file (not selecting this option matches all available FileMaker Pro files). Rename window to is the new title for the window. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a name using a calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Supported Yes Yes Yes

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Where the script step runs Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You can change the name of any open window. Note Window name selection is not case-sensitive.

Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Set Window Title [Current Window; New Title: Find Results]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Set Zoom Level

Purpose
Enlarges or reduces the image on the screen.

Format
Set Zoom Level [Lock; 25%...400%/Zoom In/Zoom Out]

Options
Lock prohibits users from making changes to the zoom level. Specify lets you select a zoom level. Reduction values: 100%, 75%, 50%, or 25%. Enlargement values: 150%, 200%, 300%, or 400%. Zoom In reduces the screen image by one zoom level. Zoom Out enlarges the screen image by one zoom level.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script Supported Yes No

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Where the script step runs FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Go to Layout ["Data entry"] Set Zoom Level [Lock; 100%]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

View As
Purpose
Displays data in the specified format.

Format
View As [View as Form/View as List/View as Table/Cycle]

Options
View as Form tells FileMaker Pro to display records page by page in the format determined by the database designer. View as List tells FileMaker Pro to display records as records in a list, so they can be browsed without clicking the left and right arrows in the book. View as Table tells FileMaker Pro to display the records on screen in a grid, so that many fields and records may be viewed at one time in a format similar to a spreadsheet. Cycle switches from the current view to the next view.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Where the script step runs Runtime solution

Supported Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You can choose View as Form, View as List, View as Table, or you can choose Cycle to switch from the current format to the next format.

Examples
Perform Find [Restore] View As [View as Form] Pause/Resume Script [Indefinitely] View As [View as List] Pause/Resume Script [Indefinitely] View As [View as Table] Pause/Resume Script [Indefinitely] View As [Cycle]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Files script steps

Files script steps operate on entire files. With Files script steps, you can: create a file open or close a file save a copy of a file convert a file to FileMaker Pro set multi-user status allow users to choose formats for the file recover a file set print setup options print

New File
Purpose
Allows the user to create a new database file.

Format
New File

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step opens the Create a new file named: dialog box. After the user exits the Manage Database dialog box, the script becomes active again, and if script steps remain, the script continues. The new database remains open, but not active.

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Examples
New File

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open File
Purpose
Opens the specified FileMaker file or allows the user to select a file to open.

Format
Open File [Open hidden; <filename>]

Options
Open hidden causes FileMaker Pro to open and hide the specified database. Specify lets you select a FileMaker Pro database or ODBC data source to open. Choose Add FileMaker Data Source or Add ODBC Data Source to locate and select a file. After you select a file, it is added to the Specify Table list. Choose Manage Data Sources to modify or delete a data source youve already added to the list.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Partial

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
For ODBC data sources, this script step re-establishes a link to the ODBC data source. Script steps after Open execute in the FileMaker file that contains the script, not the file opened by the script. If you don't specify a file, FileMaker Pro displays the Open File dialog box when the Open File script step executes so that the user can specify a file. The Open File dialog box will also be displayed if the file used in the script has been moved, deleted, or renamed.

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Notes
If new database creation has been disabled in your installation of FileMaker Pro, it will not be possible to convert file types such as Microsoft Excel or tab delimited files into FileMaker Pro databases. However, you can still import the data from other file types into FileMaker Pro (if you open the database with a password that allows you to import). If you need more information, contact your system administrator. In runtime solutions, the Open File script step returns an error if an external file is not bound to the solution. This script step is unable to open a file from an unauthorized file. If the specified file is opened then hidden by FileMaker Pro, scripts that are set to run upon opening are still executed.

Examples
If [DayName(Get(CurrentDate)="Monday"] Open ["Weekly Planner"] Else Open ["Daily Planner"] End If

Related topics
Convert File Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Close File
Purpose
Closes the specified FileMaker file.

Format
Close File [Current File/<filename>]

Options
Specify lets you select a FileMaker Pro to close or an ODBC data source to disconnect from. Choose Add FileMaker Data Source or Add ODBC Data Source to locate and select a file. After you select a file, it is added to the Specify Table list. Choose Manage Data Sources to modify or delete a data source youve already added to the list.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Supported Yes No Yes No

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Where the script step runs Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If you do not specify a file, FileMaker Pro stops the currently running script and closes the FileMaker database that the script is running from. This script step disconnects the specified ODBC data source. This enables you to re-login to the specified ODBC data source with a different user name and password, without closing the FileMaker file. Note If a user moves the specified file, FileMaker Pro might not be able to close the file.

Examples
Close Close Close Close ["Names"] ["Payments"] ["Tasks"] [Current File]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Convert File
Purpose
Converts a supported file type into a FileMaker Pro file.

Format
Convert File [No dialog; <filename or source>]

Options
Specify data source lets you choose the file or source of the data to be converted. If you dont specify a file, FileMaker Pro displays the Open File dialog box when the script step executes. For more information about converting files, see the conversion information in the FileMaker Pro Users Guide. Depending on the file or source you choose, a dialog box may appear for specifying the following additional options.

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When you choose this file or source File XML Data

Do this In the Specify File dialog box, choose the file you want to import. See Creating file paths. In the Specify XML and XSL Options dialog box, choose the source of the XML data that you want to import, and choose an XSLT style sheet if you want to apply one prior to import. The XML and XSLT source may be a file or the result of an HTTP request, or a field that contains a file path or an HTTP request. For more information, see Importing XML data. Specify the data source name and location, the user ID and password (if any), and the SQL query to be executed. For more information, see Constructing an SQL query for importing via ODBC.

ODBC Data

Perform without dialog prevents certain dialog boxes from displaying when the script step is run. When converting FileMaker files, the dialog boxes used to rename the old file and name the converted file are not displayed. When converting other file types, the dialog boxes that are used to specify the way a file and its data are converted are not displayed. In these two cases, the default settings for those dialog boxes are used instead.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
See Supported import/export file formats for more information. Note You cannot use this command to convert the contents of a folder. Each file in a folder must be converted separately.

Examples
Convert File [mydata.fp5]

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Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Set Multi-User
Purpose
Allows or disallows network access to a database.

Format
Set Multi-User [On/On (Hidden)/Off]

Options
Select On to allow network access via FileMaker Network Sharing. This is the same as selecting All Users in the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box. Select On (Hidden) to allow network access but prevent the name of the shared database from appearing in the Open Remote File dialog box. This is the same as selecting the All Users and Don't Display in Open Remote File dialog options in the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box. Select Off to disallow network access. This is the same as selecting No Users in the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
A shared, or multi-user, database is a file available to users on a network. See Sharing and hosting files for more information.

Examples
This script could be a startup script to guarantee that a database is hosted upon launch. Show Custom Dialog ["Make this file available on the network?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1]

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Set Multi-User [On] End If Tip The Get(MultiUserState) function could be used to verify the resulting multi-user setting. Get(MultiUserState) is set to 0 for a single-user file and 1 for a multi-user file.

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Set Use System Formats

Purpose
Allows the user to choose between the formats stored with the file or the user's current system formats.

Format
Set Use System Formats [On/Off]

Options
On instructs FileMaker Pro to use the current system formats. Off instructs FileMaker Pro to use the formats saved with the file.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Each FileMaker Pro database file stores the date, time, and number formatting of the computer on which the database was created. These regional settings may be different from the system formats currently set on your computer. When you use the current system formats, you don't change the formats saved with the file you simply enter and view data in a format that's familiar to you. For example, if a database was created in Australia, where dates are usually written day-month-year, and you open it in the United States, where dates are usually written month-day-year, FileMaker Pro alerts you that the system formats are different.

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A startup script that uses the Set Use System Formats script step can be used to control how FileMaker Pro handles date, time, and number formats for a file that has system formats that are different from the current system formats.

Examples
This script could be a startup script that checks the system language before using system formats. If [Get (SystemLanguage) = Japanese] Set Use System Formats [On] End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Save a Copy as
Purpose
Saves a copy of the current database file.

Format
Save a Copy as [<filename>; Automatically open; Create email; copy/ compacted/clone]

Options
Specify output file displays the Specify Output File dialog box, where you can specify the name and location of the resulting copy. For more information, see Creating file paths. If you do not specify a file, FileMaker Pro saves a copy of the current file and displays the Save As dialog box so the user can specify copying options. You can choose to Automatically open file or Create email with file as attachment after saving. Use Specify to choose a save format: copy of current file, compacted copy (smaller), clone (no records), or self-contained copy (single file).

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
Use this script step to back up your database.

Notes
This script step is not supported in FileMaker Pro database files hosted by FileMaker Server. For files used in FileMaker Go, choose self-contained copy(single file). Container objects will be embedded in the copy.

Examples
Save a Copy as ["backup"]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Recover File
Purpose
Recovers a damaged FileMaker Pro file.

Format
Recover File [No dialog; <filename>]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents a dialog box from displaying after the script step performs that shows how many bytes of data were recovered, the number of records and field values skipped, and the number of field definitions recovered. Perform without dialog applies only to default recovery operations. The Advanced Recover Options dialog box is not supported. Select Specify source file or click Specify to display a dialog box where you can select the file to be recovered. For more information, see Creating file paths. If you dont select a source file, the Open Damaged File dialog box displays at runtime.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
FileMaker Pro attempts to repair and recover as much of the information in a damaged file as possible, and then creates a new, recovered file. The original file is not deleted or replaced. Note Before you begin, be sure you have enough disk space for the recovered file. If there isn't enough space, the recovered file won't be usable.

Examples
#Note: The Recover command makes an aggressive attempt to reopen a damaged file. It is intended for data recovery, not file repair. Do not use the Recover command as part of routine file maintenance. Recover File [ ]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Print Setup
Purpose
Sets print options, such as paper size and orientation, which can be stored with this script step.

Format
Print Setup [Restore; No dialog]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents the Print Setup dialog box from displaying when the script step executes. If you select Perform without dialog, the output from this script step will be sent to the last specified printer and not the one specified in the Edit Script dialog box. Select Specify page setup or click Specify to open the Print Setup dialog box and choose page setup options that are stored with the script step.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Supported Yes No Yes No No

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Where the script step runs Runtime solution

Supported Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You can also have this script step performed with a dialog box so the user can specify print options. You can use multiple Print Setup script steps within a script.

Examples
Enter Browse Mode [] Go to Layout ["Layout #1"] Print Setup [Restore; No dialog] Show All Records Sort Records [Restore; No dialog] Print []

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Print
Purpose
Prints information in a file.

Format
Print [Restore: <printer>; No dialog]

Options
Select Perform without dialog to prevent the Print dialog box from displaying when the script step executes. Select Specify print options or click Specify to specify an output destination. When the script executes, the output from this script step is sent to the printer or fax you specified. Mac OS: As an alternative to specifying a printer or fax, you can: Click PDF in the Print dialog box, then choose a PDF option from the list or choose Edit menu to define a custom PDF output format or destination Click Preview in the Print dialog box to specify that the output of the script opens in the users default print preview application If you do not specify an output destination before saving the script or if the specified printer cannot be found when the script executes, the output from the script step is sent to the users default printer.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Multiple print steps can be added to a script. You can store print options with this script step, or allow the user to enter printing criteria when the step executes. If the print job needs special page setup options to print correctly, add a Print Setup script step before the Print step.

Notes
When you use more than one Print script step in a script, the saved printer name applies to only the containing Print script step. A printer name specified in a Print Setup script step is not inherited by any Print script step in a script.

Examples
Enter Browse Mode [] Go to Layout ["Layout #1"] Print Setup [Restore; No dialog] Show All Records Sort Records [Restore; No dialog] Print []

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Accounts script steps

Accounts script steps allow you to create and manage user accounts. With Accounts script steps, you can: add accounts delete accounts reset account passwords change passwords enable accounts log in to a file using a different account and password

Notes
Accounts created using script steps cannot be granted full access privileges (only accounts created manually). Users who are not assigned the Full Access privilege set can only execute account scripts if Run script with full access privileges is selected in the Edit Script dialog box when the script is created or edited. For more information on access privileges and script steps, see Editing scripts privileges.

Add Account
Purpose
Adds a new account name, password, and privilege set.

Format
Add Account [Account Name: <account name>; Password: <password>; Privilege Set: <privilege set>; Expire password]

Options
Click Specify to display the Add Account Options dialog box, where you can set the following options. Account Name is the name for the new account. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a new account name from a calculation. Password is the password for the new account. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a new password from a calculation. Privilege Set lets you assign a predefined privilege set for this user or create a new privilege set. The Full Access privilege set cannot be assigned via this script step. Accounts with Full Access privilege sets must be created manually. User must change password on next login When selected, this option forces users to change their password the next time they log in to the database.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The account name and password can be literals stored with this script step, or generated at runtime based on calculations that you set up.

Notes
Account names must be unique. You must be assigned the Full Access privilege set to perform this script step. Select Run script with full access privileges to enable users with less than full access privileges to perform this script step.

Examples
Add Account [Account Name: "MyAccount"; Password: "MyPassword"; Privilege Set: "[Data Entry Only]"; Expire password]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Delete Account
Purpose
Deletes the specified account.

Format
Delete Account [Account Name: <account name>]

Options
Click Specify to set the Account Name to be deleted. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create an account name from a calculation.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You must specify an existing account. You must be assigned the Full Access privilege set to perform this script step. Select Run script with full access privileges to enable users with less than full access privileges to perform this script step. You cannot use this script step to delete an account that has full access privileges. This script step deletes an account without displaying a dialog box.

Examples
Delete Account [Account Name: "Guest Access account"]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Reset Account Password

Purpose
Resets the password of the existing FileMaker Pro account you specify.

Format
Reset Account Password [Account Name: <account name>; New Password: <password>; Expire password]

Options
Click Specify to display the Reset Account Password Options dialog box, where you can set the following options. Account Name is the name of the existing FileMaker Pro account with the password to be reset. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a new account name from a calculation.

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 New Password is the new password for this account. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a new password from a calculation. User must change password on next login When selected, this option forces users to change their password the next time they log in to the database.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use multiple occurrences of this script step to reset multiple accounts in a single script.

Notes
You must be assigned the Full Access privilege set to perform this script step. Select Run script with full access privileges to enable users with less than full access privileges to perform this script step. This script step resets the account password without displaying a dialog box.

Examples
Reset Account Password [Account Name:"Guest Account"; New Password:"MyPassword"; Expire password]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Change Password
Purpose
Changes the password for the current account.

Format
Change Password [Old Password: <old password>; New Password: <new password>; No dialog]

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Options
Click Specify to display the Change Password Options dialog box, where you can set the following options. Old Password is the old password for the current account. You can enter literal text or click Specify to generate the password from a calculation. New Password is the new password for the current account. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a new password from a calculation. Perform without dialog prevents the Change Password dialog box from displaying when the script step executes. When this option is selected, FileMaker Pro uses the literal password information stored with the script step, or generates a new password based on a calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step displays the Change Password dialog box, unless Perform without dialog is selected. Change Password allows you to change your password but not your access privileges.

Notes
Users must have password change privileges to use this script step to change their passwords. To enable users who do not have password change privileges to run this script step, select Run script with full access privileges. Unless the Set Error Capture script step has enabled error capture, users get five attempts to change their password. If Set Error Capture is on, users get a single attempt to enter their old and new password.

Examples
The following, used as a startup script with a password-protected database, presents the user with the Change Password dialog box every other time the database is opened (to encourage the user to change his or her password frequently). The gOpenCount field is a global number field that records how many times the database has been opened. Allow User Abort[Off] Set Field [Table1::gOpenCount; Table1::gOpenCount + 1] If [Int(Table1::gOpenCount/2)*2 < > Table1::gOpenCount]

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Change Password [] End If

Related topics
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Enable Account
Purpose
Enables or disables a specific account.

Format
Enable Account [Account Name: <account name>; Activate/Deactivate]

Options
Click Specify to display the Enable Account Options dialog box, where you can set the following options. Account Name is the name of the account to be activated or deactivated. You can enter literal text or click Specify to generate the account name from a calculation. Activate account enables the specified account. Deactivate account disables the specified account.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You must specify an existing account. You must be assigned the Full Access privilege set to perform this script step. Select Run script with full access privileges to enable users with less than full access privileges to perform this script step. You cannot use this script step to deactivate an account with full access privileges.

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Examples
Enable Account [Account Name:"MyAccount"; Activate]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Re-Login
Purpose
Allows the user to log in to the database using a different account and password without closing and reopening the file.

Format
Re-Login [Account Name: <account name>; Password: <password>; No dialog]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents the Open <filename> dialog box from displaying when the script step executes. This dialog box requires the user to manually enter an account and password (or edit information already displayed in the dialog box) to open a database file. When Perform without dialog is selected, FileMaker Pro uses the account and password information that is stored with the script step, or generates information from calculations when the step executes. Click Specify to display the Re-Login Options dialog box, where you can set the following options. Account Name is the name of the account to be authenticated. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a new account name from a calculation. Password is the password for this account. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create a new password from a calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
Privileges assigned to the new account take effect immediately, including access to tables, records, layouts, scripts, and value lists.

Notes
You do not need full access privileges to perform this script step. Users with any level of access can use this script step to re-login to the database. Users get five attempts to enter their account and password, unless the Set Error Capture script step is enabled. If the Set Error Capture script step is enabled, users get a single attempt to enter their account and password. Perform without dialog must be selected for this script to work in a FileMaker Server scheduled script.

Examples
Re-Login [Account Name:"MyAccount"; Password:"MyPassword"; No dialog]

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Spelling script steps

With spelling script steps you can: check the spelling in a selection of text check the spelling of a record check the spelling of an entire found set correct a word set spelling options for a file select a dictionary edit the user dictionary

Check Selection
Purpose
Uses the spelling checker to check the selected text.

Format
Check Selection [Select; table::field]

Options
Select entire contents checks all the text in the active field. If you do not use Select entire contents, you must select some text before this script step executes. Select Go to target field or click Specify to specify a field to be checked.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Check Selection [Select; Table1::Balance Due Letter]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

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Contents

Check Record
Purpose
Uses the spelling checker to check the contents of every field in the current record.

Format
Check Record

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Loop Check Record Go to Record/Request/Page [Next; Exit after last] End Loop

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Check Found Set

Purpose
Uses the spelling checker to check the contents of every field in the records being browsed.

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Format
Check Found Set

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Check Found Set

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Correct Word
Purpose
Opens the Spelling dialog box so you can correct a word that FileMaker Pro has identified as misspelled.

Format
Correct Word

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro Supported Yes

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Where the script step runs FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing Edit menu > Spelling > Correct Word. Use this script step to open the Spelling dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus.

Notes
Check spelling as you type must be selected (File menu > File Options > Spelling tab.) This script step can only correct a word after FileMaker Pro identifies it as being misspelled.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to open the Spelling dialog box, and opens it if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Open Spelling dialog box to correct spelling?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Correct Word End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Spelling Options
Purpose
Opens the File Options dialog box to the Spelling tab.

Format
Spelling Options

Options
None.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing File menu > File Options > Spelling tab. Use this script step to open the File Options dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to turn on the Check spelling as you type option, and opens the File Options dialog box if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Would you like to turn on the "Check spelling as you type" option?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Spelling Options End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Select Dictionaries
Purpose
Opens the Select Dictionaries dialog box.

Format
Select Dictionaries

Options
None.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing Edit menu > Spelling > Select Dictionaries. Use this script step to open the Select Dictionaries dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus.

Examples
Select Dictionaries

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Edit User Dictionary

Purpose
Opens the User Dictionary dialog box.

Format
Edit User Dictionary

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Supported Yes No No

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Where the script step runs Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing Edit menu > Spelling > Edit User Dictionary. Use this script step to open the Edit User Dictionary dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to open the Edit User Dictionary dialog box, and opens it if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Would you like to edit the user dictionary used for spell checking?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Edit User Dictionary End If

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Open Menu Item script steps

Open Menu Item script steps open specific FileMaker Pro dialog boxes as if you had chosen the command from a menu. You could use one of these script steps to open a dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus with access privileges. With these script steps you can: open the Edit Saved Finds dialog box open the Preferences dialog box open the File Options dialog box open the Manage Database dialog box open the Manage External Data Sources dialog box open the Manage Layouts dialog box open the Manage Scripts feature open the Manage Value Lists dialog box open the Find/Replace dialog box open Help open the Open Remote File dialog box open the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box

Open Edit Saved Finds

Purpose
Opens the Edit Saved Finds dialog box, where the user can add or change saved finds.

Format
Open Edit Saved Finds

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 10.0

Description
Use this script step to open the Edit Saved Finds dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to open the Edit Saved Finds dialog box, and opens it if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to change a saved find?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Edit Saved Finds End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open Preferences
Purpose
Opens the Preferences dialog box to the General preferences area.

Format
Open Preferences

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
This script step is the same as choosing Edit menu > Preferences (Windows) or FileMaker Pro menu > Preferences (Mac OS). Use this script step to open the Preferences dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to open the Preferences dialog box, and opens it if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Open Preferences dialog box?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Preferences End If

Related topics
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Open File Options

Purpose
Opens the File Options dialog box to the Open tab.

Format
Open File Options

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Partial

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

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Description
This script step is the same as choosing File menu > File Options. Use this script step to open the File Options dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus. Note Only the Spelling tab of the File Options menu is available in runtime solutions.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to open the File Options dialog box, and opens it if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Open File Options dialog box?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open File Options End If

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Open Manage Containers

Purpose
Opens the Manage Containers dialog box, where the user can manage thumbnail settings and external locations for container content.

Format
Open Manage Containers

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

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Description
This script step is the same as choosing File menu > Manage > Containers.

Notes
The users account must be assigned the Full Access privilege set, or this script step will not be performed. (Select Run script with full access privileges to enable the script for all users.) See Sharing databases on a network for information about making schema changes to shared databases.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to edit settings for thumbnails, and opens the Manage Containers dialog box if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to change settings for thumbnail images in container fields?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Manage Containers End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) script step Contents script step

Open Manage Database

Purpose
Opens the Manage Database dialog box, where the user can create or edit tables, fields, and relationships.

Format
Open Manage Database

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Supported Yes No No No No

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Where the script step runs Runtime solution

Supported No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing File menu > Manage > Database.

Notes
The users account must be assigned the Full Access privilege set, or this script step will not be performed. (Select Run script with full access privileges to enable the script for all users.) See Sharing databases on a network for information about making schema changes to shared databases.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to create a field, and opens the Manage Database dialog box if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to create or edit a field?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Manage Database End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open Manage Data Sources

Purpose
Opens the Manage External Data Sources dialog box, where the user can create, edit, or delete external FileMaker or ODBC data sources.

Format
Open Manage Data Sources

Options
None.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing File menu > Manage > External Data Sources.

Notes
The users account must be assigned the Full Access privilege set, or this script step will not be performed. (Select Run script with full access privileges to enable the script for all users.) See Sharing databases on a network for information about making schema changes to shared databases.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to create or edit a data source, and opens the Manage External Data Sources dialog box if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to create or edit a data source?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Manage Data Sources End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open Manage Layouts

Purpose
Displays the Manage Layouts dialog box.

Format
Open Manage Layouts

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Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 11.0

Description
This script step is the same as choosing File menu > Manage > Layouts, or choosing Manage Layouts from the Layout pop-up menu.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to create or edit a layout, and opens the Manage Layouts dialog box if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to create or edit a layout?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Manage Layouts End If

Related topics
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Open Manage Scripts

Purpose
Displays the Manage Scripts dialog box.

Format
Open Manage Scripts

Options
None.

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163

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing Scripts menu > Manage Scripts, or File menu > Manage > Scripts. Note Once an Open Manage Scripts step is performed, FileMaker Pro halts execution of the current script. This prevents unexpected conditions from occurring if the currently running script is edited.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to create or edit a script, and opens the Manage Scripts dialog box if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to create or edit a script?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Manage Scripts End If

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Open Manage Value Lists

Purpose
Opens the Manage Value Lists dialog box, where the user can manage new or edit existing value lists.

Format
Open Manage Value Lists

Options
None.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing File menu > Manage > Value Lists. Use this script step to open the Manage Value Lists dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus.

Notes
The users account must be assigned the Full Access privilege set, or this script step will not be performed. (Select Run script with full access privileges to enable the script for all users.) See Sharing databases on a network for information about making schema changes to shared databases.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to create or edit a value list, and opens the Manage Value Lists dialog box if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to create or edit a value list?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Manage Value Lists End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open Find/Replace
Purpose
Opens the Find/Replace dialog box.

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Format
Open Find/Replace

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 7.0

Description
This script step is the same as choosing Edit menu > Find/Replace > Find/Replace. Use this script step to open the dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to open the Find/Replace dialog box, and opens it if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Open the Find/Replace dialog box?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Find/Replace End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open Help
Purpose
Opens FileMaker Pro Help to the Help contents screen.

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Format
Open Help

Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing Help menu > FileMaker Pro Help.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to see the onscreen Help, and opens it if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to open onscreen Help?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Help End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open Remote
Purpose
Opens the Open Remote dialog box.

Format
Open Remote

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Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing File menu > Open Remote. The Open Remote dialog box allows you to select and open a shared FileMaker Pro database over a network connection.

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to open a shared database, and opens the Open Remote dialog box if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to open a shared database?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Remote End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open Sharing
Purpose
Opens the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box, where users can set up network database sharing.

Format
Open Sharing

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Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step is the same as choosing File menu > Sharing > FileMaker Network. Use this script step to open the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box for users if you have restricted their access to FileMaker Pro menus. Note The users account must be assigned a privilege set that permits changes to sharing settings, or this script step will not be performed. (Select Run script with full access privileges to enable the script for all users.)

Examples
The following script displays a message box that asks if the user wants to share the current database, and opens the FileMaker Network Settings dialog box if the response is Yes. Show Custom Dialog ["Do you want to share your current database?"] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #1=Yes, 2=No Open Sharing End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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Miscellaneous script steps

Miscellaneous script steps allow you to script miscellaneous actions, like: displaying a dialog box that presents the user with different options showing or hiding the toolbars playing the system alert sound Installing a plug-in file in a container field launching a web browser and displaying a specified URL sending internet email sending a DDE command (Windows) or an event to another application exiting the application Tip Use the Comment script step to annotate your scripts so your colleagues can understand them.

Show Custom Dialog

Purpose
Displays a custom message dialog box, with custom text and labels.

Format
Show Custom Dialog [<title>; <message text>; Table1::input field 1;...]

Options
Click Specify to display the Show Custom Dialog Options dialog box, where you can set the dialog box title, message text, and buttons, and specify up to three fields to use for input or display.

General options
Title lets you specify the title of the custom dialog box. You can enter literal text or click Specify to create the dialog box title from a calculation. Message lets you specify the message of the dialog box.You can enter literal text or click Specify to create the message text from a calculation. Button Labels let you specify how many buttons (up to three) to display in the custom dialog box and labels for these buttons. If you leave a button label blank, the button does not appear in the custom dialog box. If you leave all button titles blank, an OK button displays in the lower-right corner of the custom dialog box. Commit Data checkboxes let you specify which buttons commit data to the database.

Input Field options

Select Show input field <n> to activate an input field. Select Specify to choose the field for input. Each input area maps to one field. Select Use password character (*) to mask text as it is entered, or as it is displayed from the database. This option obscures data being input into the custom dialog box or being displayed, but does not alter the actual data as it is stored in the database.

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 Use Label to specify a field label (the text that will identify this input to the user.) You can enter literal text or create the label from a calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
The custom message dialog box can take user input for up to three fields in the database, and display data from up to three fields in the database. The script pauses as long as the custom dialog box stays on the screen. Fields used for input can be of type text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container. Your custom dialog box can also have up to three buttons, with custom button titles. Use the Get(LastMessageChoice) function to determine which button the user presses. 1 for the first button (by default, labeled OK) 2 for the second button (by default, labeled Cancel) 3 for the third button

Notes
If values entered into input fields dont match the field type, a validation error message displays. The user must resolve validation errors before the dialog box can be closed. See Defining field validation for more information. The fields you specify dont need to appear on the current layout. Show Custom Dialog input fields are independent of layouts, similar to the Set Field script step. Data can't be inserted into calculation or summary fields. Show Custom Dialog ignores any field entry options. See Allowing of preventing entry into fields for more information. Data entry via the Show Custom Dialog script step is limited by any access privileges criteria that may be in place. (Select Run script with full access privileges to enable the script for all users.) (Windows) You can create a keyboard shortcut for a custom dialog box button by placing an ampersand before the shortcut key letter in the button label. For example, to create a keyboard shortcut D (Alt+D) for a button labeled Done, type the label &Done. For databases created with pre-12 versions of FileMaker Pro that are opened with FileMaker Pro 12, the Commit Data checkbox for Default Button is selected when you open the Show Custom Dialog dialog box.

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 Before you change the data commitment status of a button for a database thats already in use, consider the behavior that users currently expect of the button and how changing its behavior could affect the validity of data committed (or not committed) to the database. To develop more-complex custom dialog boxes, you can use the New Window script step.

Example 1
The following performs a search using a custom dialog box. The dialog box asks users to enter a customer name and city. The dialog box shows a custom title, custom text, and two input fields. #This script begins by entering Find mode. Enter Find Mode [] #The custom dialog box solicits the name and city of the customer to be found. Show Custom Dialog ["Find a customer"; "Enter the name and city of the customer below:"; Customers::Name; Customers::City] #In this example, button 1 is "OK" and button 2 is "Cancel." If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] #If the user selects button 1, the Find is performed. Perform Find [Restore] End If

Example 2
The following creates a new record and enters data via a custom dialog box. The dialog box asks users to enter a product ID, product description, and product cost. The dialog box shows a custom title, custom text, and three input fields. If the user cancels the dialog box, the record is deleted. #In this example, you must create a new record before you can enter data in it. New Record/Request #The custom dialog box solicits information from the user. Show Custom Dialog ["Product information"; "Enter identifying information for this product:"; Products::ProductID; Products::Product description; Products::Product cost] #After the user exits the custom dialog box, the script evaluates which button the user has selected. #In this example, button 1 is "OK" and button 2 is "Cancel." If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 2] #If the user cancels the script, the record created at the beginning of the script is deleted. Delete Record/Request [No dialog] End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Allow Formatting Bar

Purpose
Enables or disables display of the formatting bar.

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Format
Allow Formatting Bar [<On/Off>]

Options
On indicates that the formatting bar, the View menu > Formatting Bar menu item, and the Formatting Bar button in the layout bar are enabled. Off hides the formatting bar, disables the View menu > Formatting Bar menu item, and disables the Formatting Bar button in the layout bar.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Partial

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This script step works in all modes except Layout mode. Use this script step to disable the formatting bar and menu items related to the formatting bar. This script step only affects the active window of the file from which the script step is called. In runtime solutions created with the FileMaker Pro Advanced software, the formatting bar is hidden in Kiosk mode. Allow Formatting Bar has no effect in Kiosk mode.

Examples
Allow Formatting Bar[Off]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Beep
Purpose
Plays a system beep sound.

Format
Beep

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Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Examples
Set Error Capture [On] Perform Find [Restore] If [Get (LastError) <> 0] Beep Show Custom Dialog ["Couldn't find the record..."] End If

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Speak (Mac OS)

Purpose
Produces speech from text.

Format
Speak [<text to be spoken>]

Options
Click Specify to display the Speak Options dialog box, where you can set the following options. Type the text to be spoken directly in the text entry area, or click Specify to create your spoken text from a calculation. Use Voice lets you select from the various voices available on your computer. Wait for speech completion before continuing tells FileMaker Pro to wait until the speech is completed before continuing with the next script step.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You can enter a literal text string or use a calculation to create the text to be spoken. You can also specify which voice synthesizer to use and whether or not to wait for the speech to be completed, before continuing with the next script step. If the database is opened on a non-speaking computer, the script can still be edited, but only the default voice synthesizer is available. Speak script steps are not executed when the script is run on a non-speaking computer.

Examples
The following script checks a database to see if all records have phone numbers entered, audibly notifies the user when it finds one missing, and waits so the user can enter one if desired. Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Loop If [IsEmpty(Contacts::PhoneNumberField)] Speak ["Phone number is missing"] Pause/Resume Script [Indefinitely] End If Go to Record/Request/Page [Next; Exit after last] End Loop

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Dial Phone
Purpose
Dials a phone from within a script.

Format
Dial Phone [No dialog; <phone number>]

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Options
Perform without dialog prevents the Dial Phone dialog box from displaying when the script step executes. Click Specify to display the Dial Phone Options dialog box where you can set the following options. Phone Number lets you enter a phone number to dial. Specify lets you create a calculation to generate the phone number. Use Dialing Preferences (if NDISWAN TAPI is not installed) tells FileMaker Pro to use the current phone dialing preferences, based on your location. These preferences remove, insert, and append digits to phone numbers, as when a dialing prefix is required in a business setting. This option can apply to phone numbers provided from a field value or to a number that the user enters. (If TAPI is installed, modem and dialing preferences are set in the Phone Dialer accessory application.)

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You can enter a phone number or specify a calculation to create a phone number. You can also choose whether to use the current phone preferences based on your current location. You can specify number, text, calculation, or global fields, and letters within the phone number are translated to numbers (except for q and z). Important The Dial Phone script step is not supported in Mac OS X.

Examples
The following script repeatedly dials the phone number in the PhoneNumber field, up to ten times. Set Field [Contacts::gCount; 0] Loop Dial Phone [No dialog; Contacts::PhoneNumber] Set Field [Contacts::gCount; Contacts::gCount + 1] Exit Loop If [Contacts::gCount > 10] End Loop This script dials local directory assistance.

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Dial Phone [No dialog; 411]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Install Plug-In File

Purpose
Installs or updates a plug-in file from a container field onto your computer.

Format
Install Plug-In File[<table::field>]

Options
Select Specify target field or click Specify to specify the container field with the plug-in that you want to install or update. If no field is specified, FileMaker Pro installs the plug-in in the current container field in the active table.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 12.0

Description
You must insert the plug-in in a container field before you can install or update the plug-in. For more information, see Insert File or Installing plug-ins. FileMaker Pro installs plug-ins in the following locations: On this operating system Windows XP

Plug-ins are installed in this folder: C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Local Settings\Application Data\FileMaker\Extensions\

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On this operating system

Plug-ins are installed in this folder:

Windows Vista C:\users\user_name\AppData\Local\FileMaker\Extensions\ or Windows 7 Mac OS X Macintosh HD/Users/user_name/Library/Application Support/FileMaker/Extensions

Only FileMaker plug-in files can be installed. If a non-plug-in file is located in the target or active container field, no action takes place when the script runs. Plug-in files have the extension .fmx (Windows) or .fmplugin (Mac OS). Compressed plug-in files in .zip format or plug-in files in .tar format cant be installed. You can use the Get(InstalledFMPlugins) function to identify the name, version, and enabled state of an installed plug-in. This function can help you determine whether the installed plug-in is newer or older than the plug-in required by the solution file. See Get(InstallFMPlugins). Plug-ins must be enabled in the plug-in preferences for FileMaker Pro to recognize them. If the Install Plug-In File script step installs a plug-in update but the plug-in is disabled in the plug-in preferences, FileMaker Pro installs the update but does not enable the plug-in. See Setting plug-in preferences. Note The system administrator can use the personalization file during a volume license installation to disable plug-ins and prevent plug-in updates from installing in FileMaker Pro. For more information, see the FILEMAKER PRO NETWORK INSTALL SETUP GUIDE.

Examples
The following script installs a plug-in file in the Sound container field in the Media table. Install Plug-In File[Media::Sound] The following script installs a plug-in in the same field. Go to Field [Media::Sound] Install Plug-In File[]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) script step Contents script step

Install Menu Set

Purpose
Changes the menu set based on conditions established in the script.

Format
Install Menu Set [Specified menu set name; Use as file default]

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Options
Use As File Default overrides the files default menu set specified in the Manage Custom Menus dialog box with the menu set specified in this script step. Once you close the file, the default menu set reverts to the one specified in the Manage Custom Menus dialog box. Select the menu set that you want the script step to install from the list.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.0

Examples
The following example changes the installed menu set on the menu bar to Custom Menu Set #1. Install Menu Set [Custom Menu Set #1]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Set Web Viewer

Purpose
Controls the specified web viewer.

Format
Set Web Viewer [Object Name: <object name>; Action: <action>]

Options
Click Specify to display the Set Web Viewer Options dialog box, where you can set the following options: Object Name is the name of the web viewer to act upon. To assign an object name, select the web viewer, choose View menu > Inspector in Layout mode. Click Position, then enter a name for the object. For Action, choose one of the following:

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 Reset resets the named web viewer to its originally specified web address. This action also clears this web viewers Back and Forward history. Reload reloads the web page that the web viewer is displaying. Go Forward goes forward one page, the same way a web browser does. Go Back goes back one page, the same way a web browser does. Go to URL lets you specify a new web address to load in the web viewer. The new web address is a calculation that you specify in the Set Web Viewer - Go to URL Options dialog box. In this script step, you cannot change whether the web viewer allows interaction, shows a progress bar or status messages, displays content in Find mode, or automatically encodes a URL. You can set these options only when you add or change a web viewer in Layout mode.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 8.5

Description
Click Specify to open the Set Web Viewer Options dialog box and specify the web viewers object name and the action to be performed.

Notes
This script step works only for named web viewer objects. To specify the object name, either type the name in the Object Name box or click Specify and create a calculation. If you choose the action Go to URL: You specify a web address in much the same way you do when you create a web viewer on a layout. For more information, see Adding a web viewer and Defining a custom web address. You can send html data to a web viewer by including the data in a URL, using the following format: data:[<mediatype>][;base64],<data> Where the following syntax applies: dataurl = "data:" [ mediatype ] [ ";base64" ] "," data mediatype = [ type "/" subtype ] *( ";" parameter )

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data = *urlchar parameter = attribute "=" value More information about the data URL scheme can be found on the web. FileMaker Pro supports only UTF-16 character encoding. Character data encoded using other methods will not display the target of the URL.

Examples
The following example resets the web viewer named Web Viewer 1 to its originally specified web address: Set Web Viewer [Object Name: "Web Viewer 1"; Action: Reset] The following example displays the FileMaker, Inc. homepage in the active web viewer, or displays an error message if the active object is not a web viewer: If [GetLayoutObjectAttribute( Get (ActiveLayoutObjectName); "objectType") = "web viewer"] Set Web Viewer [Object Name: Get (ActiveLayoutObjectName); URL: "http://www.filemaker.com"] Else Show Custom Dialog ["This object is not a web viewer."] End If The following example uses the data URL scheme to display a small icon in a web viewer named WV2: Set Web Viewer [Object Name: "WV2"; Action: URL "data:image/ gif;base64,R0lGODlhFwAMAKEAAL+/v/// AAAAUwAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAAXAAwAAAI7hBGHapHcXJKPumizpigI+QliSH0XIjokWJ6oB 4+qt0Zmaqpjesxz7st1YD8ZEbhJajAuDgfSYTx60wIAOw=="]

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Open URL
Purpose
Allows the user to open a URL.

Format
Open URL [No dialog; <URL>]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents the Open URL Options dialog box from displaying when the script step executes. Click Specify to display the Open URL Options dialog box, where you can type the URL directly in the text entry area or click Specify to create your URL from a calculation.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Windows: Open URL supports http, https, ldap, ldaps, ftp, file, and mailto URL types. For example, if the URL starts with http, FileMaker Pro opens the user's web browser and processes the URL. Note FileMaker Pro uses the preferences stored in the Windows system file URL.DLL to determine the application to handle the URL. The URL is then passed to ShellExecute for execution. Mac OS: If the user has configured the internet system preferences, this script step allows the user to open a URL. Open URL supports http, https, ldap, ldaps, ftp, file, and mailto URL types, using the applications specified in either the control panel or system preferences. For example, if the URL starts with http, FileMaker Pro opens the user's web browser and processes the URL.

Examples
The following example opens the user's web browser and displays the FileMaker, Inc. homepage (the URL specified when the Open URL script step was defined). Open URL [No dialog; "http://www.filemaker.com/"] The following example opens Windows Notepad and opens the file My_File.txt on the root level of the user's hard disk. Open URL [No dialog; "file://c:/My_File.txt"] The following example launches the preferred email application, opens a new email message, and uses the value in the Email Address field to address the message. The email address must start with mailto:. Open URL [No dialog; "mailto:email address"] You can also use the Open URL script step to open a shared FileMaker Pro file running on another system, as follows: Open URL [No dialog; "fmp://system:user@testlab-mac/testdb"] where `system' is the FileMaker Pro account name, `user' is the password, `testlab-mac' is a DNS entry for the machine where the file resides (you can also use an IPv4 or IPv6 address for this parameter), and `testdb' is the FileMaker Pro filename.

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Important Account name and password information entered in an Open URL script step is visible to users with script editing access privileges, and is therefore not secure.

Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Send Mail
Purpose
Sends an intranet or internet email message (with or without a file attachment) to one or more recipients. Email can be sent through an email application or via SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, a set of criteria for sending and receiving email).

Format
Send Mail [Send via E-mail Client/Send via SMTP Server]; No dialog; To: <to>; CC: <CC>; BCC: <BCC>; Subject: <subject>; Message: <message>; <attachment>]

Options
Perform without dialog instructs FileMaker Pro to put the composed email message in the email application's outbox, ready to be sent. If this option is not selected, the composed message is left open in the email application so it can be reviewed. In Microsoft Outlook Express or Microsoft Entourage on the Macintosh operating system, the new message is left in the Drafts folder. Click Specify to display the Send Mail dialog box, where you can set options for your mail. Choose the method by which to send mail, E-Mail Client or SMTP Server. (If you choose SMTP Server, the SMTP Options dialog box appears. For information about setting SMTP options, see Entering or editing SMTP options.) Then choose to create One email using data from the current file, or create Multiple emails (one for each record in found set). Note If you choose SMTP Server and Multiple emails (one for each record in the found set) and FileMaker encounters an error while emailing one of the records, the remaining records will not be sent. For each of the following options, you can enter text directly, or click address book (Windows), field, or calculation. to enter values from an

(Windows) Select Specify Email Addresses to enter one or more email addresses. Separate each address with a semicolon or a carriage return character. Select Specify Field Name to specify a field that contains one or more email addresses. Select Specify Calculation to specify a calculation that generates one or more email addresses. If you use the Specify Field Name option to specify a value for the To, CC, or BCC entries, you can also select For each message, collect addresses across found set to specify that all the values from this field in the current found set be used (to address a message to multiple recipients).

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 To stores the address(es) of the recipient(s). CC stores the address(es) of the carbon copy recipient(s). BCC stores the address(es) of the blind carbon copy recipient(s) Subject indicates the title for the email message. Message indicates the text of the email message. You can type the message as text, use a field value, create a message from a calculation, or insert text from a file. Select Attach File to select a file to send as an attachment to the mail message. For more information, see Creating file paths.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Partial Yes Partial Partial Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Notes
Sending mail using an email application is not supported in web publishing or in FileMaker Server scheduled scripts. FileMaker Server scheduled scripts support sending mail via SMTP. However, if you attach a file, that file needs to be in a folder that FileMaker Server is allowed to export to. To send email, you must have an internet connection. In addition, to send mail through an email application, you must have the following configurations. Windows: A [Mail] section in the Win.ini file. Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Outlook Express installed and configured properly. Mac OS: Mac OS X Mail or Microsoft Entourage installed to send email with FileMaker Pro. Internet system preferences configured for use with one of the supported mail applications. If you select Multiple emails and For each message, collect addresses across found set, FileMaker Pro generates an email message for every record in the found set. Each message is addressed to everyone specified in the TO, CC and BCC boxes for every record in the found set. You can create an Adobe PDF or a Microsoft Excel file from your data to send as an attachment. For more information, see Save Records As PDF and Save Records As Excel.

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 The Send Mail script step does not control the fonts appearance. Use the email client to make any changes to the font.

Examples
Perform Find [Restore] Send Mail [To: script examples::Field1; Subject: "This is a test email"; Message: "Hello, world." ] Send Mail [Send via SMTP Server; To: "Inventors SIG"; Subject: "New Member Greetings"; Message: "Welcome to our group."]

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Send DDE Execute (Windows)

Purpose
Sends a DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) command to another application to execute a series of commands available in that application.

Format
Send DDE Execute [<topic text or filename>; <service name>]

Options
Click Specify to display the Send DDE Execute Options dialog box, where you can set the following options: Service name is the name of the application that executes the commands. Refer to the documentation of the application you specify for the valid service name. You can enter the service name directly as text or click Specify to create the service name from a calculation. Topic is a filename or text string that describes the topic that the application executes the commands on. Refer to the documentation of the application specified in the Service Name for valid topics. You can enter the topic name directly as text or click Specify to create the topic name from a calculation. For more information, see Creating file paths. Commands are a calculated value or text string that specifies what the application does. Refer to the documentation of the application specified in the Service Name for valid commands and formats. You can enter the commands directly as text or click Specify to create the commands from a calculation.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Supported Yes No No No

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Where the script step runs Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution

Supported No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
FileMaker Pro sends DDE execute commands, but does not receive them. Because DDE is a Windows feature, if you run a script containing a Send DDE execute script step on a Mac OS based computer, the script step is ignored. (An error code is generated, which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function.) When a FileMaker Pro script first establishes a DDE connection, the connection stays open to execute subsequent script steps for the same service name and topic. If the script includes another DDE Execute script step using a different service name or topic, FileMaker Pro closes the current connection and opens another with the new service name and topic. All open connections close when the script is completed.

Examples
The following script opens a URL in Internet Explorer. (Internet Explorer must be open when this step executes.) Send DDE Execute [Service Name: "iexplore"; Topic: "WWW_OpenURL"; Commands: "www.filemaker.com"]

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Perform AppleScript (Mac OS)

Purpose
Sends AppleScript commands to another application.

Format
Perform AppleScript [<applescript text>]

Options
Click Specify to display the Perform AppleScript Options dialog box, where you can set the following options. Calculated AppleScript lets you create a calculation to use as the AppleScript text. Native AppleScript lets you manually enter the text of an AppleScript (up to 30000 characters). Indenting of repeat loops and conditional statements is not supported.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You can create a calculation to generate the AppleScript commands to be sent, or you can type the commands directly into the Native AppleScript text area. For calculated scripts and scripts stored in FileMaker Pro fields, the AppleScript commands are compiled each time the script is performed. If you type the script into the Native AppleScript text area, then FileMaker Pro compiles the script and detects any scripting or system errors. (The script is recompiled whenever it's edited.) Note Because AppleScript is a Mac OS feature, if you run a script containing a Perform AppleScript script step on a Windows computer, the script step is ignored. (An error code is generated, which can be captured with the Get(LastError) function.)

Tips on usage
FileMaker Pro can use the Perform AppleScript script step to send Apple events to itself or to FileMaker Pro software running on other machines. Use Perform AppleScript to communicate with applets and other scriptable applications. For example, if you have created an AppleScript applet with sub-routines, you can call the handlers using the Perform AppleScript command, like this: Perform AppleScript ["tell application "My Applet" to doMyRoutine()"]

Examples
This example copies text from a field in a FileMaker Pro database and pastes it into a new AppleWorks word processing document. Copy [Select; Correspondence::Letter] Perform AppleScript ["Tell Application "AppleWorks 6" activate make new document paste end tell"] This example sets the primary monitor to its minimum bit depth. Perform AppleScript ["tell application "Finder" to set bounds of window "My Files" to {100,100,100,100}]

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Related topics
Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

Execute SQL
Purpose
Executes any SQL statement on an ODBC data source.

Format
Execute SQL [No Dialog; ODBC: <datasource name>; <native SQL or calculated SQL>]

Options
Perform without dialog prevents the Specify SQL dialog box, the Select ODBC Data Source dialog box, and the Password dialog box from displaying when the script step executes. Click Specify to display the Specify SQL dialog box, where you can set the following options. Specify displays the Select ODBC Data Source dialog box. Select a data source from the list, click OK, and enter a valid user name and password. Note Select Save user name and password if you selected Perform without dialog, or users may be unable to access your data source. Calculated SQL text lets you create a calculation to use as the SQL query. SQL text lets you manually enter a SQL query statement.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No No

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
You can use this script step to manage data in a foreign data source through an ODBC SQL interface. This provides more control over the FileMaker Pro interaction with ODBC data sources. You can add multiple Execute SQL steps to a script.

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Important See Get functions for information about error handling. Get(LastODBCError) function returns the latest error state returned by ODBC. Get(LastError) function returns the last FileMaker Pro error.

Notes
SQL statements are limited to a maximum length of 256 K characters (512 KB). If you use the Execute SQL script step to send ODBC data that contains Unicode strings, your ODBC driver must support Unicode. Otherwise, the results may be inconsistent. ODBC import, the Execute SQL script step, and external SQL data sources are not supported in runtime solutions created with FileMaker Pro Advanced.

Examples
The following example of a manual SQL statement entry executes once each time you run the Execute SQL script step. INSERT INTO Employees (EmployeeID, FirstName, LastName, Title, WorkPhone, Salary) VALUES (100, N'Joe', N'Smith', N'Software Engineer', '987-7000', 100000) UPDATE Employees SET Title = N'Manager' WHERE EmployeeID = 103 DELETE FROM Employees WHERE EmployeeID = 103 The following example of a field-based SQL statement shows a calculation field that concatenates text with a field that can be used to insert or update a number of records in the found set. "INSERT INTO Employees (EmpID, LastName) Values (" & EmpID & "," & "N'" & Last Name & "')" With EmpID of 103 and Lastname of "Smith" the calculation of the field above is translated to: INSERT INTO Employees (EmpID, LastName) Values (103,N'Smith') Note Because Microsoft SQL Server supports both Unicode and non-Unicode field types, you must prefix all Unicode strings with an uppercase N (which stands for National in the SQL-92 standard). Otherwise, when a Unicode string containing non-English characters is passed to Microsoft SQL Server, you may lose any data that doesnt exist in the Microsoft SQL Server code page. Some Database Management Systems (DBMS), such as the MySQL 3.51 driver, dont support the N prefix. For more information, see the manual for your DBMS.

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Send Event (Mac OS)

Purpose
Sends an Apple event to another application, called the target application.

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Format
Send Event ["<Target Application>"; "<Event Class>"; "<Event ID>", "<Document or Calculation or Script Text>"]

Options
Click Specify to display the Send Event Options dialog box, where you can set the following options. Send the <value> event with lets you choose between the following: open application tells FileMaker Pro to open an application. Click Specify Application to select the application. open document tells FileMaker Pro to open a document in the target application. You can also specify a calculated value or script. do script tells FileMaker Pro to perform a script in the language of the target application. Click Specify Application to select an application, and use Document to select the document to use with the target application. Or, select Script text and enter script text or type in the name of the script (make sure it is one that will be recognized by the target program). other displays the Specify event dialog box, where you can manually enter the Apple event Event class and Event ID. Select Document or click Specify to select the document you want used with the target application. For more information, see Creating file paths. Select Calculation or click Specify to create a calculation that generates a value you want to send with the event. Bring Target Application to foreground activates the target application and displays it on the screen. Displaying the target application can slow down the performance of your script. If Bring Target Application to foreground is not selected, the event is performed in the background. Wait for event completion before continuing tells FileMaker Pro to wait until the event is finished before continuing. If you don't want to wait until the event is completed, deselect this option. Copy event result to the clipboard copies the resulting events data to the Clipboard, from which it can later be retrieved. This option is disabled if Bring Target Application to foreground is selected. Click Specify Application to display a dialog box where you can select the target application.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

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Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Select the event you want to send in the Send Event Options dialog box. When FileMaker Pro sends an Apple event, it sends text (not compiled) data. You must know what information the target application expects to receive with an event. Each Send Event script step sends one event. You can include more than one Send Event in a script.

Examples
The following example opens an application: Send Event ["TextEdit", "aevt", "oapp"]

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Send Event (Windows)

Purpose
Starts another application, opens a document in another application, or prints a document in another application.

Format
Send Event [<aevt>; <event name>; <filename>]

Options
Click Specify to display the Send Event Options dialog box, where you can set the following options. For Send the <event name> message, select: open document/application to tell FileMaker Pro to open a document file or application. Documents are opened using the application that Windows has associated with the documents file type. print document to tell FileMaker Pro to print a document in another application. Select File or click Specify to specify a document/application to open, or a document to print. For more information, see Creating file paths. Select Calculation or click Specify to create a message from a calculation. Select Text to manually enter text for the message to be sent. Select Bring target application to foreground to activate the target application and display it on the screen. Displaying the target application can slow down the performance of your script. If Bring target application to foreground is not selected, the event is performed in the background.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No No No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
For additional scripting capabilities, you can create a program in Basic or C and run that program with this script step. Note When specifying a document or application by calculation or text, the file type or application name will appear as <unknown> in the script definition.

Examples
To launch the Notepad application, select the open document/application message, click File, and specify notepad.exe. The following script step appears in the Script Definition dialog box: Send Event ["aevt"; "odoc"; "NOTEPAD.EXE"] To open a document created by another application, select the open document/application message, click File, and specify the file (for example image.bmp). The following script step appears in the Script Definition dialog box: Send Event ["aevt"; "odoc"; "image.bmp"]

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Comment
Purpose
Adds comments to the list of steps in the script.

Format
#<comment text>

Options
Click Specify to display a dialog box to enter the comment text.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
Use comments to document your script. Comments appear in bold and are prefaced with a #. Comments are present only when you are viewing the script and do not appear when the script is performed. Note Comments print in italics.

Examples
Set Error Capture [On] Perform Find [Restore] If [Get (LastError) = 401] #If the current error is 401, nothing was found Show Custom Dialog ["No records were found."] If [Get (LastMessageChoice) = 1] Modify Last Find Else Enter Browse Mode [] End If End If

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Flush Cache to Disk

Purpose
Performs an immediate flush of the FileMaker Pro internal disk cache to the computer's hard disk.

Format
Flush Cache to Disk

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Options
None.

Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes No Yes No No Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
This operation is normally done periodically during idle time and after extensive structural changes, such as converting files and defining fields.

Examples
Perform Find [ ] Sort Records [Restore] Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Replace Field Contents [script examples::Serial Number; Serial numbers] Flush Cache to Disk

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Exit Application
Purpose
Closes all open files and exits the FileMaker Pro application.

Format
Exit Application

Options
None.

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Compatibility
Where the script step runs FileMaker Pro FileMaker Server scheduled script FileMaker Go Custom Web Publishing Instant Web Publishing Runtime solution Supported Yes Yes Partial No Yes Yes

Originated in
FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Description
If this script step is associated with a button and if the file is accessed through the web, performing the script will log out the current web session. Note In FileMaker Go, the Exit Application script step closes all open databases and leaves FileMaker Go running.

Examples
The following example, used as a startup script, prevents the user from opening the database on a weekend. Allow User Abort[Off] If [DayName(Get (CurrentDate)) = "Saturday" or DayName(Get( CurrentDate)) = "Sunday"] Exit Application End If

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Script steps reference (alphabetical list) Contents

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