MORE FREE DEMOS
As a free service to fellow developers and potential clients, sample
and demonstration files are periodically made available for download
from this site. A selection of current offerings is listed below:
Working with Lists and Values
|
| |
MacOS
|
Windows
|
|
| |
 |
Conditional Value List Example
It's a standard FileMaker technique, but it's one that we've been asked to demonstrate on numerous occasions. Here's a quick illustration of how it works. In the demo, enter some musician names and specify the instrument they play - then on a second screen, select an instrument and the corresponding value list selectively displays only the related musician names.
The demo is an fp5 format file. There are no passwords to stop you playing around with it. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Automatic Value List Selection - Without Relationships!
Conditional value lists are dependent upon relationships. They won't work without them. But sometimes you may prefer to hard-code several value lists and have the correct one chosen for you based on a calculation, or on a value in another field.
This technique file shows a method by which the correct choice of value list can be applied automatically (based on data or conditions) without using relationships.
This demo is not password protected, so its secrets are open for your inspection. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
This technique can be readily implemented in previous versions of FileMaker. An example file which shows the technique working in .fp3 format is also available here for Mac or Win.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Dynamic Value List Example
Conditional Value Lists are all well and good - but what about value lists which automatically omit items which have previously been selected - showing only items which remain available? This is a challenge of a different order!
This demo file shows a way in which dynamic list functionality can be achieved. It uses the example of the allocation of staff to a project team, where the value list automatically omits the names of employees already on the team. The technique, as demonstrated in this updated sample file, supports unlimited numbers of allocated values (ie all list values already allocated will automatically be omitted from the displayed list).
The demo is an fp5 format file. It is password-free for your enjoyment. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
The 'Memory Effect' - Automatic List Compiler
There are occasions when it can be very useful to have a database 'remember' a succession of values in an automated way. Calculations, however, normally discard their contents when a new set of input values is available.
This sample file provides a technique by which values selected from a list can be 'remembered' by a calculation, so that an accumulating list is compiled.
What is particularly significant about this technique is that the calculation upon which it is based can be stored and indexed - and therefore can be used as the key field on either side of a relationship, or as the basis of an automatic value list.
This demo is not password protected, so that you can investigate freely. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
List Control - Finding/Extracting an Item from a List or Array, by Number
When working with lists (eg Multi-Key Fields, DatabaseNames, LayoutNames etc) it can be very useful to be able to parse out the different list items one at a time, specifying their position in the list by number. Conversely, when preseented with a list or array, one may need to determine the position in the list, of a particular item. These two techniques together, form the basis of sophisticated control and manipulation techniques for lists and arrays of data.
This sample technique file indicates a method by which a supplied number can be input into a calculation, and the corresponding list (or array) value returned. A complementary technique is shown whereby a list item can be input into a calculation, and the position of that item within a list (or array) returned. Both techniques can be adapted to work with scripts or calculations, and support lists of any length.
This demo is not password protected, so that you can investigate freely. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Automating the Performance of Multiple Finds
This sample technique file offers a method by which the multiple values may be entered into a field (eg a checkbox field) in find mode, such that records matching any of the values will be returned (rather than records matching all the values, as would normally occur). In other words, the technique generates an 'OR' search in place of an 'AND' search.
This technique is particularly useful for files which are to be set up for novice users, who may find the demands of creating complex find requests challenging. It provides a way of making multi-factorial finds available to even the most inexperienced users.
The file is in fp5 format. This demo is not password protected, so that you can look "under the bonnet" to see how it works. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Finding Similar Values (portal filter)
Finding items that start with - or even items within a range - is what the 'find' interface in FileMaker Pro is best at. However finding strings that may have some but not all characters in common with the search criteria is not so easy - especially if the user is not sure which characters may be different.
This file shows an example of a portal filtered using a technique by which the search string and the target field are pulled apart and compared, then assessed for their similarity and ranked accordingly. The resulting portal display shows a list of the items found in the database which are most similar to the search string entered by the user (ranked in descending order of similarity) - even though none of them may match exactly.
The file is in fp5 format. This demo is password free, to enable you to get hold of the inside story. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Automatic Value Locking System
There are a number of well-known techniques which provide a manually set or data driven 'lock' which prevents modification of one or more fields on a record after a date or flag field is set. However this demo shows a technique by which the first entry into the field can be automatically and immediately locked, preventing any subsequent changes.
Since human error is wont to occur, provision is also included for the lock to be removed and the field reset - but only on provision of an admin password (NB: This feature requires FileMaker v6 as it utilises the custom dialog script command).
The demo is an fp5 format file. It is not password protected, so you will be able to look at the field and script definitions if you wish. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Manual Allocation of Portal Items to Records
There are times when it is necessary or desirable to group records by hand. Whether allocating gifts to recipients or assigning backordered items to invoices. In such cases, users need a clear and efficient process by which to locate unassigned items and 'attach' them to the current record. With this FileMaker technique, nothing could be easier.
This demo shows a disarmingly simple method by which items can be moved between two portals to draw from the pool of unassigned items and attach each to a record. A portal on the left lists the unassigned items from which the user can choose, while a portal on the right shows the list of items chosen so far. A single click adds an item to the list on the right (simultaneously removing it from the portal at the left). Items can be removed from the list and returned to the pool of unassigned items just as easily.
The demo is an fp5 format file. It is not password protected, so you will be able to look at the field and script definitions if you wish. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Automatic Shuffling, Sorting and/or Reversal of List Item Sequence
Lets be clear up-front - we are talking here about a succession of values (eg separated by carriage returns) in a text field, not about built-in value lists - other demos available from this site deal with those.
If you work with raw text lists of any kind - 'to do' lists, shopping lists, class lists, theatre billings, any lists at all - you are going to find at some point that you need to be able to change the order of the items within those lists - and you may well need to automate this process. This demo shows a clutch of elegant techniques by which the order of items in a list can be sorted, shuffled and/or reversed.
The sorting technique is of particular interest as it provides options for either numeric or text sort methodologies, regardless of the data type of the field. Moreover the custom numeric sorting principle is applied to alphabetic as well as numeric characters, making it suitable for sorting hexademical values or other non decimal-base values as well as conventional numeric data.
The demo is an fp5 format file. It is not password protected, so you will be able to examine it in detail if you wish. Click on the MacOS icon at right to download a Mac archive in Stuffit format, or on the Windows icon for a download in PKzip format.
|
|
|
|
|
