Remote Container Fields

Ocean West writes: I am very eager to learn bout these new capabilities, particularly the file-organization feature that I surmise would help keep the actual database file from bloating to massive size from ingesting image and video clips. I've purchased 12, but can't seem to find any explanation of this new system in the support docs or online -- just references to how great it is. Any resources available on this topic? Been waiting a long time for this!

Is it possible to include a file located in a container field (stored on the server, not in the database) from a current record when I use the send e-mail script in filemaker?

https://wormhole.app/9XLK2n#ExvBXhy8ANlJYCMc6rjlTQ neither secure or open showing up images in folder showing empty please help ????

i made a solution with 59 images container set to secure storage then i exported all fields with uuids etc to xlsx file now i deleted all records then i imported xlsx file images are not showing up wat to do plz help?????

A database has about 2000 records, many of them with pdf copies of different documents, associated with each record, that are stored externally via containers. The database is fully encrypted and on a Filemaker Server on a Windows Server. It is getting so large that it takes too long to download backups and I'm also worried about the stability of the files. Each document is in a Container that is External (Secure). These documents don't actually require encryption, but we'd like to keep it if possible. The file and the container folders total about 5 GB. I want to keep the current feature where the record indicates which documents are available for that …

Is there anyway to create an additional Base Directory in Manage containers? I have additional volumes connected to my server and would like to store my external images there. The New, Edit and Delete are greyed out..

I have a hosted filemaker file.. From my Server I have a Drive called S: which is mapped to an Amazon s3 bucket. Right now the photos are being stored on my hosted server but I would like to store on my AWS s3 bucket. I am not clear how to format this below in my sorage tab. Any help would be aprreciated

We have our images as PDFs stored on google drive and the container field is linked to pull these PDFs based on the item#. recently we have converted all our PDfs to JPGs and uploaded everything to google drive and changed the container type to .jpg and the images are not linking up. What am I doing wrong? I am not a programmer but just trying to get this simple thing to work. Below is the code where I have changed the $fileExt to PDF to JPG. BE_ConvertContainer ( PRODUCT_IMAGE::photo ; If( $fileExt = "jpg" ; "JPG" ; $fileExt ) ) Any help is appreciated on this.

It will ask to select the file, add a new record. It will insert the Title Field Name, add the filetype extracted from container field, but when getting the path it is extracting absolute path not relative path. *Ex: /Volumes/Macintosh HD/Users/Username/filename.pages This does not let me open the related application file. file://Macintosh HD/Users/Username/Documents/Document Name.pages. This will. This is what I want. I have tried everything I can think of. Set Error Capture [ On ] New Record/Request Set Variable [ $file; Value:Documents::Document ] Show Custom Dialog [ Title: "Import Single…

Is it possible to create a button in Navision that opens Windows Explorer, preferably in a folder linked to the name of the current record? So for example record IRC-10-00001 should open Explorer in the folder X:\Navision Documents\Purchase\IRC-10-00001 This folder contains all kinds of documents that have to do with this contract. Is that possible?

I'm writing up our backup restoration/ procedures and I am not sure exactly how External Storage "matches up" with the corresponding fmp12 database file - that is, whether it is safe to use an older copy of External Storage with the database file, or vice versa. This is an issue because there are a lot of files within our External Storage (50gb in total), which is Secure. This means lengthy transfer times in the case of a restore (although of course the FMS backup is fast). As such, I've implemented an option within the database to disable the ability to add, edit, or clear existing externally stored container data. This would allow for the users to use nearly all th…

Environment: Windows 10 based PCs, using Server v14 Hosted DB We currently have images being stored using path [hosted location]TISDBImages and all is working, but when I go to Files|Manage|Containers the options for NEW... Edit... DELETE are all greyed out and we cannot create a new directory. I asked the Hosting company to create a another directory at the same level, which they say they have: [hosted location]TISDBImages2 but we cannot see this listed and cannot create the directory ourselves. Can somebody suggest what is wrong - why the NEW EDIT & DELETE options are greyed out and why we cannot create these ourself. TIA

Hello I run into an issue with a a container and the navigation: we have a documentation of cases, and in that we carry PDFs, pictures, Word and Excel files (plus some others) There is a button to open the attached file. While it works with all tested format, it doesn't for .xlsx (.xls works) I tried to rename, which works but then it cannot open correctly. Any hint how I could bring that to work? Cheers and stay safe

I have several container fields in my database and I would like to set them up so that when a file is dragged into them it automatically renames it. Each container field will rename the file dragged into it in the accordance of the field it goes into to. Example container field1, renames it to Field1.zip, container 2, Field2.zip, etc..... I have the script set to go off in set script triggers under OnObjectModify. I know the path where the file will be stored. I just can't seem to get it to figure it out. Do I need to use the "rename file" command in a script? I am trying this and it is telling me it Rename File [ : "change.log" ; Ne…

This is weird: I have three .png's I want stored in a global container field, so I created the field--set for three repetitions--and inserted a .png in each "slot" using Insert Picture (when I right-click on the field.) They insert fine and referenced calculations associated with the field work as they should while I'm connected to the file. (It's hosted on virtualized FM server.) However, after I exit the file and re-enter it, the images are missing from the container field as well as from the referenced calculation fields. As a troubleshooting step, I created three separately-named global container fields and inserted the appropriate image in each. Same thing: leav…

Hello I have read the thread below about a script that will export container images to an external folder I have 11000 jpgs embedded in an FM file and I wish to migrate these files from an embedded state to an external folder. Go to Layout [ MyPics ] Show All Records Go to Record/Request/Page [First] Loop Set Variable [$filePath; Value: Get ( DesktopPath ) & MyPics::Description & ".jpg"] Export Field Contents [MyPics::Picture; “$filePath”] Go to Record/Request/Page [Next; Exit after last] End Loop Firstly, I am unsure if the above script rewrites the container path to the new folder or just exports the data but leaves the container inta…

I'm attempting a document management system with externally stored containers. When I open a stored file, change the content, then save and close the file, the container does not update, with the result that my changes are lost. In one experiment, it created another copy in the file system, (filename, and filename-1). I'm not attempting any versioning. I just need to open the file from the FM container, modify it, and save the changed file back into the container, leaving only the changed file in the file system. The only way I've found to reliably save changes is to open the file in the container, save a copy to the Desktop, delete the file in the container, insert the f…

Hi, I am hoping you can help me with this concern. I am storing signature forms (pdf and word documents) in container fields on a hosted FileMaker Server (externally). The file name uses a confirmation number (unique each time) as the file name. After three years, we have to delete (shred) the signature forms. My question is does the actual file get deleted from the server when I "cut or delete" the document from the container field in the FileMaker record? For security reasons, we need both the actual document and the Filemaker reference to be removed or deleted. If deleting the content from the container field does not actually delete the file fro…

I calculate a path (through a calculation field) that is displayed in a container. If the referenced file is not present, the container field displays the text "The file cannot be found." Is there anyway to create a calculation field to note if that file is present. In other words, is there anyway to have another calculation field read the container field to note that the file isn't present? I have tried "isempty", but the record with an invalid reference is not considered empty. I have tried "patterncount" for the word "cannot", but it seems that Filemaker doesn't consider the error message "The file cannot be found" as text in the container field. I can't …

good night gurus, need guidance on how to put together a script that would allow me to import multiple "PDF" documents from a folder. e.g. a users would scan a series of documents placed them in a folder, (the folder would be manually created and named based on the record ID), once a button is press FM would go to that location and import whatever documents are in the folder. FYI... I tried looking for a scanning plugin but unfortunately the scanners i have are Canon and they are not TWAIN compatible. Thanks RudyM

Hi, My company has an extensive database of songs--each record contains information on the song and also the ability to play it with a container field. Currently, I have a folder of mp3s which is hosted at one ftp site while the db is hosted on a server computer in the cloud. We are accessing fm using the cloud ip/fms. There is a lag whenever we go to a new record in the db because it takes a second or two for the mp3 to load in the player. (Even without auto play, it wants to load the mp3.) I am wanting to explore two options to get the mp3s to load faster: 1) Put the folder of mp3s on the server cloud computer where fms and the dbs are. However, do…

I have a container field, which "stores container data externally" with "Open Storage". In the container field, I inserted audio with the name in the format: "AAAA.m4a". The audio is working perfectly fine when I connect to Filemaker via Internal IP Address of the Server (please see the attached picture) However, when my clients are outside of network and connect to Filemaker via External IP Address, the audio display "error" (please see the attached picture). The server is FMS 15 and my clients are using FM14 Do you know how to solve the problem? Thanks

Hi everyone, it has been some time since I have touched my database. I am facing a new problem: I have a list of prices with a foundset total. I would like to get a new total of that foundset omitting amounts equal and less than $500. Each amount of the list is the result of a calculation. Do I need to create a new relationship for that or a portal for both foundsets. Thank you for your time and guidance. Patrick D.

Hi, Im not sure how to explain why im trying to do or if its in the right area. Im making a small event management setup to make my life easier. I use the goverments public file for risk assesments here https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/excel_doc/0030/38775/risk-mangemen-plan.xlsx What i want to do is if i click create new risk assessment then it opens a new layout with this file open so i can then fill in the form and then it saves local into my fm database. I want the link as sometimes the file is updated so the link will always be the newest one. Hopefully this makes sense if someone could help me explaining how to make this happen or a more simple w…

I have a table called Phone Log that displays all phone log entries and also has a container field. WE store all of our pdf documents in this container field but it seems to be using significant resources to show and display all phone log records for each customer. Is there a way to disable the .pdf preview in the container? SO I can just show a static label or something less processor intensive

I have a need to archive documents that of been uploaded years ago into our container fields which Are stored by reference on our file maker server 17 - Does anyone in efficient way to do this? Can we store documents in a cloud setting via Filemaker server ?

Greets, all: I can't seem to find a definitive answer as to how to view .pdfs stored in container fields (on our PC server, stored externally, open storage) and via WebDirect. I have the Data Formatting command set to Interactive Content and have Adobe Acrobat Pro (and Reader) on my client machine (Mac), but that's as far as I've gotten; database is stored on our FMPS v17.x server (Windows). TIA for your help!

In the past, we have been using filemaker to take care of everything business related. Due to many people now working connected while on the move and the mix between clients and team collaborating on files, there are more and more times where people work on say e.g. an Excel file together while on the move. The mac server that hosts filemaker server could have the dropbox app installed and be logged in and a specific folder on the dropbox share of that server could have the permission for fmserver to read and write. What would be the drawbacks besides the time to synch once something is posted to use a folder on dropbox to host external container data? …

I am asked by a fellow FileMaker Developer is it possible and in which way to store container data of the file that is hosted on a FileMaker Server 17 on a different or even remote volume. Strait from the bat i would say no but then i read this on https://fmhelp.filemaker.com/help/16/fmp/en/index.html#page/FMP_Help/container-fields.html: "•FileMaker Pro saves externally stored container data in the same folder in which the database file is located. When externally stored container data is hosted on FileMaker Server, the data CAN BE located on a different volume from the databases, including on a remote volume. See Managing external storage of container data and FileM…

We upgraded to a new server with Filemaker 17. Transferred the database over, but naturally the images in the fields did not come over. Is there a protocol for moving databases that have container fields? A link would be appreciated. Does one embed the images into the database and then transfer the entire thing? Or move the files into their new home on the new server and then point Filemaker to the proper directory?

I've been told by The Powers That Be that we don't have the money to purchase a plug-in to view .pdfs in externally-stored containers, so I need a native solution to accomplish that with solutions stored in FileMaker Server (Windows). Mind you, users won't be editing .pdfs, just looking at them. I perused this forum and found the suggestion in a post to open the .pdf using Open URL so it can be viewed in a Web browser but try as I might, I just can't nail down two tasks: (1) What script/calculation do I use to grab the .pdf's filename, and (2) Setting the path to the file in the Open URL script step. I included a screenshot of the paths. TIA for your help!

I've read that container data shouldn't be embedded in a FileMaker Pro (FMP) solution because it can slow performance so external storage is a better way to go. I get that. However, I'm a little confused as to how to go about it even after reading the online FileMaker Help/Info pages. Here's what we have: a portal, accessible by IWP, where users will upload their .pdf's to our (virtualized) Windows/FileMaker Pro server by clicking the button, UPLOAD. Currently, .pdf's are embedded in the field, Container__lxr; the plan is to use SuperContainer--or some other means--to allow users to view the stored (or referenced) .pdf's instead of having to download them to be viewe…

I would like to set up an existing Container Field to store the files inserted by Drag and Drop as reference only. I've looked at the FileMaker Help for container fields, and the External Storage method seems to be the what I need, but I'm lost. Currently, I have script steps that use AppleScript from way back provided by Fenton. When we upgraded from fp7, it stoped working so I have been inserting them manually. I'm in the process of updating a file that the old links were broken because of a Hard Disk Failure. would like to automize this process. The files are NOT in a single folder, but are kept in individual folders that are tied to different clien…

I am not a FileMaker power user by any stretch of the imagination, nor does my question relate to any particularly sophisticated use of the program, so I hope others here will forgive and bear with me. I formed a band my junior year of college with guys who have remained my best friends throughout all of the subsequent 46 years. Though we’re scattered in different parts of the country now, we reunite at least twice a year to make music again, and for the past 23 years we have recorded songs together at these reunions. I created a FileMaker database to chronicle these recording sessions, and all of the songs done at each of them. The record for each song contains…

Here's a quick screenshot... As you can see in my floating window I have an interactive container field with an mp3 loaded. Plays fine, but for some reason the audio scrubber isn't displaying. Anyone have any initial thoughts about how to remedy this? FMP 14.0.6 Happening on two different Macs: Macbook Pro 2011 El Capitain 10.11.6 2Ghz Intel i7 iMac 2009 El Capitain 10.11.6 2.66Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Thanks, Paul

I am simply trying to insert an mp3 file into a container field using a script - go to field, followed by insert audio/video. The error I receive is 'the file could not be found.' I have tried using both a variable and the full path to define the file (two paths listed below). It does work fine when I do this manually using the menu options. What am I doing wrong? moviemac:/Users/david/Desktop/MusicRapTemp/thinking.mp3 moviemac:/Volumes/SDD/Users/david/Desktop/MusicRapTemp/thinking.mp3 These are absolutely the correct path of the file. Just FYI I can not get this to work with the Insert File option either. FMP16 Thanks David

I don't see anyway to scrub an audio file like an mp4 or 3 when placed into a container field. It works great if the content is a quicktime movie. It also does not display the time of location in the track (i.e. skip to :37). Any way to make this work or work around? Thanks David

I've finally been upgraded at work from FileMaker Pro 11 to FileMaker Pro 16. There no longer appears to be an 'insert object' function on the shortcut menu for container fields. I can insert a file (word document) but it only displays the MS Word icon rather than the document itself that the insert object function did. Any ideas please? I have a button with associated script to open the document, but I'm used to being able to see them within the container field.

Filemaker 15 : I was just wondering if there is an optimal width and height setting for thumbnails or a best practices guide for thumbnail settings.

So i'm dealing with two tables. 1. VisitTable. 2. GraphicsTable in a VisitTable layout, i have one or two portals related to the GraphicsTable, each related by a different factor. One portal would be related by a Date field, the other would be a ClientName field.. My desire is to click on a thumbnail in either one of these portals, and have that selected image be displayed in a separate/larger image window (which could be a container field in the current table, Or another portal? I don't care how - i just need to have it show up) I don't know the best method for doing this (ie., click thumbnail to have image fillin a separate loc…

Does anybody know how we can workaround this behaviour of FileMaker Server/Client 15 on Mac/Windows: If we are inserting an image into a container field which stores the files externally and the filename is more than 50 characters, FileMaker strips the filename. I know that we cannot change this, but the problem is that another field which stores the filename for InDesign does not get attention to this. Is there a way to read the stripped containerfield-filename of FileMaker so that we do not have problems with longer named images? Thanks for any help…its driving me crazy :-(

On OSX 10.11.6, FM 14.04, FM 15.0.3, Adobe Acrobat Pro 11.0.20. No Acrobat reader (that I know of). A single FM test database with just one interactive container field, either saving externally or not. Dragging a PDF or using the menu (insert). Single page or multiple page PDF Works fine on FM12. Show only a black field on FM14 and FM15 with no possible interaction Works fine if the container is not interactive. Any solution? Thanks Trevix

Hello, I am wondering if someone can help me understand how external container fields work in FileMaker 15. For testing purposes I have created a very simple database shared from our FileMaker 15 Server, the database has two fields, a single text field and a single container field. I have set the container field to store files externally which works, the files end up in a subfolder on the FileMaker server where the database itself resides. Now I would like to change the external location where the files associated with the container are stored, I found a section in the manual called "Managing external storage of container data" but this is where I am running into a …

Am I missing something simple? In FM12, when I go to the container field the 'Insert PDF' option is greyed out... Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated!

We have a client working on Win 2012 virtual servers, one is running FMS 15 the other is running FM Pro 15 in Terminal Services. Both instances are running on the same physical machine. In a script, the user will select a PDF file, approx 300K, and insert it into a container field configured for external storage. The process takes 30-60 seconds when hosted with (Not Responding) message showing at the top of the window. In single user mode, the process is instantaneous. Thoughts? Also, what does the setting to Optimize for interactive content do? I have this set for the PDFs. Does drag and drop work for container fields? Thanks, John

I am trying to set up a container field in a hosted solution running under filemaker server. The container field will hold primarily pdf's and I want the file to be stored on the server and streamed to the user. This file is accessed on a local network but also remotely. I am not sure how to set up the filepath. Firstly I do not seem to be able to do it unless the file is local on my machine i.e not across the network. Is this correct? Secondly I do not know what the syntax should be. The File will live in a folder called "Letters which is on a drive called "Documents" and the server is called "mecserver". Remotely I can mount the drive by using …

Hi, I have not posted in a long time...I kind of stopped FM @ v13. Has FM done anything to accommodate the storage of remote containers across a network to a storage device such as an UnRaid box ? Michelle

Why doesn’t FM append .zip to a compressed file, imported to a container? When import files to a container field with choice "compress if possible" the file "inside" the container will be zipped , but the container "file name” doesn't append .zip in the file name. Should it be more logical to append .zip when the file is imported as compressed, just to tell that it is? And only keep original file ending if not compressed. Example MyFile.pdf to MyFile.pdf.zip when imported as compressed...

Hi all Fairly trivial (but annoying) problem here! I've just transferred all Invoice PDFs to their respective container fields - which is externally stored (non secure) on the FMS Server. However the first PDF in the table had an '_1' at the end of the filename on the server. When I cleared the field and re-added the PDF it then has '_2' at the end, and so on. The underscore disappeared when I transferred the container from 'Invoices/' to 'Invoices2/' but the problem remains when I transfer back to 'Invoices/'. It doesn't happen to any other PDFs/records, just this first one in the table. Any ideas how I can 'reset' this? MT

I'm trying to sort out container storage in a solution that originally started on a single machine running FMPro and serving to one other. At that time, containers were used to store PDFs of accounts which were stored by reference and were located elsewhere on the same host machine. Since then, the solution has been moved to FMServer on a dedicated machine on the same network (all Mac). Unfortunately the referenced files were not moved and the files could no longer be accessed remotely from the served solution. At that time, I attempted to import the referenced file to internal storage and then export to another container set up as remote storage but was unsuccessful as t…

Hi, I have a solution set up that is hosted on a dedicated Mac Mini running FM Server 14; the container fields are set up to "Store container data externally" with the "secure storage" option checked. The field contents are all PDFs. I would like to write a script to open the field contents directly in Preview (or the user's default PDF viewer), but am not sure how to get the path where the file is stored, or otherwise how to proceed. Any advice appreciated! Tom

Hi, I've Googled and read, but given the "Preserve external container storage” option available now in in 13.v2, it seemed many recommended protocols were outdated. The setup: Separation Model both UI and data, hosted with FMS12. Replacing both files time. FMS12 (yep, still not updated to FMS13 - working with IT to do so) Clients are FM13 Migration script (imports) written and ready to go. So, can someone please list the steps needed to replace a file on a FMS12 that has secure external containers? Should I have FMS13v2 installed on the FMS12 box and run the migration locally (via Teamviewer)? I usually copy off a backup to DropBox and do the updates on my iMac and t…

Hi everyone! I'm currently using filemaker pro advanced 14, and I'm making some layouts for the Ipad platform. Is there a way to set up a container field to capture signatures via this method? how?

I maintain a FM database which has accumulated a ton of container data over the past 15 years. Currently our folder that contains all of our externally stored container data is clocking in at 7+ GB. Lots of this container data are images saved in swollen formats, such as .bmp or really high resolution .jpg. Looking through the file sizes, I'm seeing tons of things that are 3+MB, and even more that are 1-2MB. The images stored are very simple and do not need to be this big. What I'd like to do is mass convert all these images to a .png format. I'm pretty convinced We could make our data pile dramatically smaller if I could do this. The question is, how to do it…

Im not if I understand how 'external storage" works in relation to embedded and referenced fields. If an image is stored externally does that mean it is essentially referenced and not embedded regardless of whether the import option of referencing is chosen?

I have a potential client who is considering using Filemaker 'WebDirect' as a means of making student films available on their website. I'm wondering whether anyone knows of any nice examples of currently active websites that are hosting video files via Container Fields / WebDirect. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Hi there, I recently started using external storage for our container fields and instantly noticed an issue. We use the container fields to create attachments for emails. When we use database storage for container fields the attached documents are all fine. If on the other hand we use external storage for the container field then when we attach it to an email it always adds .dat to the end of the filename eg. "filename.pdf.dat" the only way the file is readable is if the .dat is removed (but most people have no idea about that so not really practicle) I have tried both secure and open storage but still results in the same problem. When I change t…

I am starting to create a new solution to catalog all of our companies Safety Data Sheets and would like to make the PDFs accessible through FMP14. At the moment I have created a container field that is Interactive and has temporary storage. If I choose "Insert PDF" FMP thinks about it for a moment then opens the pdf I have selected, if I close the pdf I can see that something is in the container but there is no content show. If I move to a record where this has been done the PDF automatically opens, albeit slowly, but I am unable to view the PDF contents without exporting it. If I insert the pdf as a file I see a file icon but am not able to read the file in any way exce…

Hello Forum, Anybody with a solution or understanding as to why FM crashing when browsing records on layouts that have container fields?

Is there a way to manipulate the orientation of a picture based on the information found in GetContainerAttribute? I'm assuming that we cannot change the data that is in the file. The problem I'm seeing is a few images are coming into FM sideways or upside-down. Was hoping that I could add a couple of buttons on the layout for the user to 'rotate left' or 'rotate right'.

The fmserver is connected to a san volume called SAN. Everyone in the company (including the fmserver) is connect to the SAN. I am trying to store external container files on that SAN. However no matter what I put into the path for the container (either in the Define Fields or Manage Containers) it appears as though it is always relative to where the FM file is hosted and it can not be in a higher directory than the fm file, which would SAN which lives at /Volumes/SAN. So the basic questions is can I get a container to save externally to a connected server, and if so how? Thanks, David

Hi all, I've posted this on the filemaker community also. I don't know if this kind of "crosspost" is not allowed, if so please excuse me... ;-) I am trying to implement an update deployment system which uses the "Insert file / Export field contents" script steps. I use as "server" a desktop (Mac) with FM Pro (not server). The idea is that when the file is updated, it runs an import and insert the new file in the container field. When the mobile file logs, the "server" should "upload" the updated file on the mobile (I took inspiration from "Colibri Solutions One click update"). My problems: 1) If I embed the update in the desktop file, each time I …

Hi all, is it possibile open a file stored in a remote container? I can't use the script step Export Field content because the user must modify the file. thanks Anna

I have tried out the Container Fields in V14. Very nice. The PDF & Image Documents are fluid. I tried the External Storage. While a bit confusing at first, I finally figured out the disk storage process. What doesn't work well are the Word & Excel Files, stored on the Server. I can see why the interactive display wouldn't work. Still, we can't launch them either, just "export field contents". We are looking at Emails & SQL files as well. Was wondering if anybody has installed Word, Excel or Outlook on the Server & got better results? We hope to get V14 live in September, and we are very interested in what we can do with the Container Fields. Wou…

Hi all, running into an issue with Quicklook on Yosemite. When we run this script: It causes Filemaker to open two instances of qlmanage, wait a while, then crash. I've heard there are difficulties getting Quicklook to behave in Filemaker on Yosemite, so I began exploring other options. I am aware of how to open a container file automatically using the computer's default settings for the file, but I was wondering if someone could help me understand how to open the contents of a container with Preview for OSX. Thanks for any insight you can give!

I heard that in fmp 14 , we can directly insert a picture files into container field & no need to store it as reference. is this true ? i deal with a lot of pictures and i wonder inserting picture directly into container field wouldn't slow down my solution. thanks,

I currently have a main table and a separate (Phone Log) Table that includes a container field which stores thousands of documents. The Phone log table is displayed in our main table and connected to each customer by his/her 4 digit customer number. I currently have the setup where upon clicking a displayed container file in the phone log table, a script is run that exports that container field to another container (preview) field within my main Table and displayed full screen. From there my users can email or print or scroll the document from within the larger container. This solution seems to be having significant long term issues (been using for about 3 years now) s…

Hi Everyone I have an attachment table where users can upload documents or images. The table is located in my Data file. In my UI file the information is all there and displayed correctly, however the container field itself is only showing a "JPEG" logo with the filename displayed beneath rather than the actual image itself. I am not sure what I'm doing wrong here but I think it may be because the attachment table is being referenced from another file(??). I have checked over all my container and storage settings but I'm still not being shown a preview of the image itself. If someone can point me in the right direction I'd be very appreciative.

Here is my situation. I have a PDF that is about 100 pages. I want to create filemaker records as an index of this PDF. When someone clicks on the record it will jump the PDF to a specific page (of course the record has a page number associated with it). Is there a way to do this with either storing the PDF in a container or accessing the PDF through a web viewer? I imagine there must be a way either with data URLs or perhaps an apple script. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hoping someone can help I may be missing something or not quite understanding correctly. I have a container field that stores a signature. I have set it to store External Open it works great if you look at a layut that is based on the table it is from. (in this instance employees layout based on employees table) however, when I use it on a layout which employees is related to it does not show. (that is a sales contract which has a relationship from sales to employees) Is their something i am missing? to make this work? eg should I be referencing the stored data etc. The filemaker documentation from what i can see just sends me around in circles. FYI Filemaker Pro 14 and …

I am trying to make a few sets of images within a global container, but If I updated them, my other users will still see the old images. How can I easily correct this? I've been just updated them offline and re-uploading them back to the server to fix this, but it's not ideal.

Exporting a container field's contents (with the 'Export Field Contents' script step) to the Temporary Path (as set with Get(TemporaryPath)) now fails with an error 20403 under FMP12. Worked with FMP11. Seems to be a number of deal-breaking bugs with FMP12's container field changes.

How do I get the path of a file that is stored 'as reference only' in a container field?

I'm upgrading a solution from FM 8.5 to FM 14 and moving the server from our LAN to a Hosting Company (we will have a stand alone server). One of my tables has a folder associated with it to hold documents. (See Attached File, uses a webviewer to display the documents folder and send event to create it.) This has worked well for me for years and will continue to work IF I want to leave these files on our LAN. (Why I posted example file, someone may find it useful.) I do not really want to leave these on the LAN. I want to move these "into the cloud" and need advice for the best way to do this. I have considered using container fields for these documents (and maybe I …

This is probably a very basic, simple task but I have a couple of questions regarding container fields. I currently have a container field in FMP13 that is used to store a PDF document. The field has been optimized to support PDF information. The 1st time I enter a table record and insert a PDF into my container field I can either 'right click' and insert or use the menu bar and 'insert'. If I want to replace the PDF, the only way I can accomplish this is to use the menu bar. I'd like to be able to 'right click' whenever I want to insert a PDF. Is the menu bar my only option for updating my container information? I find no way to 'delete' the contents of my container fi…

Hello If I put a JPG file in a container field, and then run a script which Exports the field contents, with the 'automatically open file' option ticked, the stored file opens up in Preview. If I do the same thing with a Mail email file, it opens up in TextEdit. I'm wondering whether it is possible to specify the application in which a file is opened, depending on the filename. i.e. 'If the file you've just exported, ends in .doc, open it in Word; if it ends in .jpg, open it in Preview; if it ends in .eml, open it in Mail' Don't suppose anyone knows how to do that? Thanks

Hi, Just a quick question hopefully. I want to insert a pdf doc into a container field so that it opens in GO. I've tried a small doc and it opens fine so I'm thinking the reason the one I want to open doesn't is due to size. Its 20MB and the other is 50MB. I know Webdirect has a limit of 300MB but is there a similar (but smaller) llimit for GO as I can't seem to find anything? If there is, bar splitting the pdf down, is there an alternative way to open the pdf in GO, perhaps through a script? TIA

I developed a solution that utilizes container fields in about a dozen different places through the solution. In about half dozen instances I used external storage. All was well for six months. Suddenly within the last week the linked container fields all display "missing." All of them. Linked files cannot be viewed, accessed or exported. I was directed by FileMaker Tech to copy the db and linked file folder to where I could work with them offline, shorten the file names/paths and then afterwards restore everything to the server. I did exactly that and believed resolution to the issue was at hand. Working locally on a different computer all the linked files displayed nor…

We have records with an external container, and sometimes the user will want to insert a new file into the container in place of the existing container file yet keep the same file name. By design, Filemaker changes the file name to add an incremental suffix, so in the external container’s directory we see the original file and a new file with a suffix instead of deleting or overriding the original file. so now we have two files, named originalimage.jpg and originalimage_1.jpg. I understand WHY FileMaker does this ... it is sort of a fail safe to avoid a situation where a user accidentally uploads two images with the same name into two different records but since they …

Hi..  I am looking for solutions to view this image how can I add scroll or something so to preview without needing a plugin..  I am getting this image report via mail.. its height is taller than screen view so I capture the whole screen via Foxfire add-on fireShot.  Anyways its 1300px by 4500p  When I insert image via right clicking pasting to the container field.  its so small i can't read it now No matter how big my layout showing my container.. image is so small its unreadable Thanks for some clues

I have a set of FM13 files and their associated secure external container storage folders. The container fields now show ? as the result to of the VerifyContainer function. The database definitions showed the fields as local storage. I was hoping that I could just set the field definition back how they should have been but that doesn't seem to have reconnected them. Adding new records will add data to the external storage hierarchy but I can't seem to figure out how to access the existing container data. Any suggestions? I appreciate your help.

I am using external storage of containers for a solution that is not hosted on FMServer as yet. The location of the container is based on the Client Name, Appointment Type, and Appointment Date. I have a field Storage Path which stores this value. So for example: SMITH, JohnCars150316 I've set the Container base directory to be the Desktop folder I want, and then set the Photo (container) field to external with Open Storage with location - Storage Path. This works... when I first add the photos, but if for instance they get added to the wrong appointment, and need to be moved, it does not move the files around. If I go in and edit the storage settings (wit…

I have a question about how much overhead is associated with referenced container fields. I have a Global container field [Library] with 100 repetitions, Each repetition holds a picture of a kitchen my cabinet shop produced. In a second field is a number field [Kitchen] that is populated with a dropdown list containing the values 1-100. A third field [Picture] is calculation field that has a container as it's result. The calculation is as follows: Picture=GetRepetition(Library;Kitchen) If only one picture at a time is being served what happens to the weight of all the other pictures? Does the fact that they are available for reference increase the amount…

In a solution that we are working on we'd like to be able to do a scripted export records to a PDF and then import the newly created PDF into an interactive container field for future viewing. For some reason the script seems unable to locate the PDF file. I've attached a small prototype file that shows the problem. I'd be grateful for any assistance that anyone can provide. In this example I've used the Get(Desktop) file path, but ideally I'd prefer to use Get(TemporaryPath) and not clutter the operator's desktop. Hopefully someone will have a suggestion about what's going on here. Thanks so much. StorePDFPrototype.fmp12.zip

HI I am absolutely frustrated. I see greyed out areas to insert Audio in the Menu I am trying to insert audio into a container field. The same is true for PDF. I can drag any file into the container field and it resides there but It doesn't play or open. What is going on? I need to do this.

I have a container field that auto resizes (both the width and height). When I view the container on a 1920 x 1080 display I can only see the top half of the document as it auto-resizes to fill the width. There is a little button in the PDF viewer "fit one full page to window" that resizes the document so the entire page is visible. Is there a scripted way to trigger this or some way that I can make "fit one full page to window" the default setting?

I have a container field which stores file references to a shared network folder. It is populated by PC and Mac users. I can script an "Open URL" so the PC users can open the files created by the Mac users, but have not been able to find a way for the Mac users to open references created by PC users. Any advice?

I have a container field which stores file references to a shared network folder. It is populated by PC and Mac users. I can script an "Open URL" so the PC users can open the files created by the Mac users, but have not been able to find a way for the Mac users to open references created by PC users. Any advice?

Hi All, I am storing files in container fields (held in the DB) and was wondering if it was possible to set a row level click event to open the file held within the container. To Explain: I have a layout that is set to show continuous rows. Each of those rows has a container, most with a PDF held in it. My Ipad users should be able to click anywhere in that row to open the file held in the container. I have seen script examples where a path is set to a temp location and the file written out to that like a cached item. I was wondering if that approach is viable on the ipad?? Many thanks

Hi All, I have a container field that I want to expand to allow powerpoint files. Is it possible to display the content on my layout in the same way that a PDF shows? currently all I see is a thumb of the file type rather than the content of the file itself. Many thanks

I have tried to use Web Viewer, but the photos, because of their size, are cut off. I would like to be able to reference the photo files from a URL into a container, but it does not seem possible. I am working on my database solution now and it will be online through WebDirect. I am converting from CWP to WebDirect and have thousands of photos to reference that are already available to my CWP solution. I was hoping to reference a photo file in a container with something like http://website/photofile/photo.jpg. Is this possible? Thanks in advance - Sam

Hello. I am very new to FM Pro and need some tip. I want to be able to scan 1 bar code field and 4 photo fields by using my iPhone. So far I set up script to get the bar code as txt no problem. My question is for the 4 photo fields, do I have to made 4 different scripts for each photo field? or I can reuse same script for all 4 photo fields. Sorry form such a newbie question. Thanks.

Hello all, I'm looking a simple feature in my database, I'm sure it is possible but I can't figure out to achieve it : I have a local database for my personal use (I don't use a filemaker server, and I will not) in 4 containers fields I need to have some picture but if I import directly the picture in the database (almost 2000 records) it will have more or less 8000 picture inside. impossible If I store the image on my mac outside the database, it's ok but I need to use some copy of this database on my iphone or ipad, so I can take on those device copy of the 8000 pictures ! I want to put all the images on a server I have and use the url of each image in the…

In a previous version of my database, I had my container field linked to remote files in a folder called "RemotelyStoredImages". With FM13 Advanced on Yosemite, I moved the documents to a folder named "Image" (also name of container field), which is inside a folder named "Di individual Images" (also the name of the table with the container field), which is inside a folder named "HAMERMantaMaster2014" (also the name of the database), which is inside a folder named "Files", which sits in the same level directory as the database itself (see attachment). If I'm pointing the external storage to this path, why is the link to my images still broken? How can I fix this? FMpro13I…

I wrote an app about 6 months and I can't remember how I did this: 1. Add a file to a container (store only the reference to the file) 2. Populate a field with the name of the file I can't find the script or a trigger that allowed me to do this. I remember writing something to do this because I had to parse out the name and set the field with the file name so I know I am not crazy. Note: There is no script trigger or button setup on the container field or the field I populated with the name. I also don't see a script (under manage scripts) that is parsing a file path so I don't think I did it with a script. I guess my question is how does filemaker know when a…

Hi, I'm trying to import images into my FileMaker database. My problem is: How can I import all my images at once and automatically match or store it based on the value in the Container in the field? For example: I have 5 images located/stored in the same folder of my FileMaker database: 11111.jpg , 22222.jpg , 33333.jpg , 44444.jpg , 55555.jpg **NOTE THAT FILENAMES CAN ALSO BE ANY RANDOM NAMES LIKE 36745.JPG , 76935.JPG , 36790.JPG , ETC.** -In my FileMaker database, I have PRODUCTS Table. -In my PRODUCTS Table, I have PHOTO Field Name. -My PHOTO Field Type is "Container" -- not 'Text' or 'Calculation'. -My Container Values are: 11111.jpg , 22222.jpg , 33333.jpg , …

Hello, I have a question that I'm debating myself if it's doable or not... there is a solution with an Inventory DB. This file contains images of the products, before the filepath was used in the container field as "imagewin"... but the images are being moved to an external system "a cloud". Is there any way i can link the images from the cloud into the cointainer field or maybe a similar solution I could work around? I'm kind of stuck on this issue and I don't know how to proceed. Thanks in advance.

I am having an issue with pdf images not staying properly rotated. For example i import a pdf into a container field it is upside down I rotate the image in the container field ctrl + shift + +(-) and the image rotates. I then go to the next record and go back to record I just rotated and the image and the image is back to being upside down. Is this a problem with filemaker or is their a fix for it. Thank you

Hi, I have a FM Database which interfaces SQL. My problem at the moment is having images appear via reference. I can get it to work if I have the path in FM (the serial TrademarkID is still coming from SQL), but even though the exact same result, as soon as I have the path all coming from SQL it says it can't find the image To get it to work Calculation returned as container (TrademarkID is SQL field) Image = “imagewin://{server}/d$/Images/Trademarks/” & TrademarkID & “.jpg” How I am trying to get it to work : Image = Calculation ImageFilePath as container ImageFilePath returns correct path as above SQL: ImageFilePath = X.ImageFil…

We just upgraded to FileMaker 13 and Filemaker 13 Server running on a server with Windows 12 server OS Our database contains inventory of some 200 thousand Items, each Item has a photo associated with it. The Photos are located in a folder on the server. Is there a way I can relate the Item# and the Photo saved as the same name as the Item# that is located in a File Folder. Item# = 12345 Photo = 12345.jpg (the Folder name is MASTERIMAGE) I tried this "imagewin:/c://‪MASTERIMAGE/Item#"&".jpg" but it won't work Can anyone help?