Calculation Engine (Define Fields)

Hello, I have a question that may not have an answer. Is there a way to require a field? I have an inventory database that I'm setting up. One of the fields is entitle "Type". I'm wondering if there is a way to not allow you to move on to other sections of the database if the "Type" field is left empty for a new record entered? Any advice would be great, js22

Here's a good one for those of you that like trigonometry. I NEED to find the inverse sine of a number, but no "asin" is available... FIELDS: C - NUMBER D - NUMBER CALC_RESULT - CALCULATION (THIS IS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS) The calculation (IF arc sine were available) should be: Round(Degrees(Asin(D / (Sqrt(2) * C))), 1) - please note that Asin does NOT exist The result SHOULD be the inverse sine of field "C" multiplied by the square root of 2 (1.41) divided into field "D", which is converted into degrees then rounded to only 1-tenth of a degree. Example using real values if: C=4.8125 D=3.875 CALC_RESULT=34.7 (SHOULD BE) C (4.8125) times the square root o…

I apologize if this mabye had been a previous topic, but I searched to the best of my knowledge. I am new to this form! Thanks for having me. Heres the problem: I am trying to create a point of sale system for business. The main part I have been working on is the Invoices. I created a table customer which records customer information, and a table order which is linked to customer through the invoice ID field. THe problem i'm having is that... we use invoice #'s to keep track of our things, when i make a new invoice it commits to that invoice and uses that number, when I delete that invoice it deletes that number and moves onto the next. Is there anyway that …

I am trying to switch from Excel to Filemaker. For most static databases, it is going well. But one VERY simple Excel database is giving me trouble. I need to perform a calculation based upon a previous record. In this database, the first record is "Beginning_Balance", and the last record is "End_Balance". So for record #2, its value for "Beginning_Balance" will be the value of "End_Balance" from record #1. In Excel, this is very easy, due to the use of relative field reference. But I cannot seem to find the equivalent in Filemaker. I am very new to Filemaker...so it may just be called something different...but after scouring the "help" files, I just can't find it. Any he…

I currently track open windows in a User table (as multiline). But I’ve realized that FileMaker does so natively. I would like to take advantage of that feature. I’ve attached a simple file. WindowNames ( Get ( FileName ) ) nicely lists all open windows in the sequence they are accessed (current window always on top). I want to fire a script upon event (window switch) – I’m using SecureFM and can do this now. But, instead of a multiline, I want the window names in repetitions (current window in rep 1, prior window in rep 2 etc). Why? Because I can then display the repetitions individually (as buttons) which can be selected (to grab the value) and return a User…

Hi all, I am new to Filemaker and started my 1st database. I have data to import from Omniform and tne "ProposalID#" was hand entered as "122406-1", "122406-2 (for Today-1, Today-2). I need to keep those numbers and from now on any new proposal auto enter the same way:"122406-1", "122406-2 (for Today-1, Today-2). Is there any way to do this in FM. Any help is greatly apreciated Emilio

I used "Research Notes" template and added some of my own fields. When I am inputting data in these fields in Browse mode and using "Tab" button to navigate to the next field the tab does not follow to the very next field but may go to 2nd field below it but eventually when I keep tabbing it does cover all the fields just not in sequence of the arranged field areas. how do I fix this? Thanks

Hello, I've been using Filemaker for only a few months now and I've run up against a snag on my database. I work in a chemistry lab and I need to keep track of our inventory. The way my database is set up is with 3 main tables: Chemical Info, Ordering Info, and Inventory Info. I have linked these three tables by a common field "Inventory#". I've set up a layout with tabs and portals so that you can view all of the information about a certain chemical on one layout. My problem comes with adding new chemicals to the list. Usually one would enter a new chemical into the database from the table "Chemical Info." This assigns the chemical a serialized "Inventory…

Hi I'm pretty new around here, but I have a question. I'm trying to create a calculation to predict sunrise and sunset times for any point on earth, but I'm having some strife with the numbers. When I use the following calculation: MeanEclLongSun + 1.915 * (Sin (Radians (meanAnom))) - (.02 * (Sin (Radians (meanAnom * 2)))) I end up with a result which differs from the same calculation performed on a scientific calculator. Now this is curious, since individual calculation of: 1.915 * (Sin (Radians (meanAnom))) works perfectly. More complex calculation, though, throws a different answer. For example, .02 * (Sin (Radians (meanAnom * 2)))…

I am a newbie at FM but have dealt with some hardcore relational db in the past. So it is with some embarishment I have to ask the following. I am correcting someone elses work at the mo, and have come up against a small wall. The item concered is a "pre invoicing system" that is to say you do stuff in filemaker it prints an invoice, export to the accounting package where all the real work happens. The account package will auto gen its own invoice numbers, but I need to be able to store the last used invoice number in its own table. The idea is that the filemaker "module" querries this table for the last used number, add 1, records this against th…

I create the Form 1 and Form 2 record, what I'm try to do is Form 2 number can't same as Form 1 number. Field Form No. = A0001 (Form 1) When the person open the new record at Form 2 same number as Form 1 (A0001), can use the validation then give the message? Thank for reply! Check_My_Number.zip

Sorry to still be using FM6. It's the only one that runs on OS9, OSX and Win32. I have a Detail DB where each record is one billable item in a single job, with a JobID. For the invoice I need to display all of the individual items on separate lines, and want to copy the data rather than leaving it hotlinked. I _THINK_ the easiest way would be to make a multi-line text field and read in the fields from all the records with that particular JobID, but the multi-line field will only read in the first record it hits, no matter what I try. I am still searching but have yet to find a promising idea... Any assistance gratefully accepted!

Is it possible in Filemaker 5.5 to turn a custom patern into a background for a part? I can change the colour but I don't seem to see an option to use a custom background

Hello, I am trying to make a calculation field that uses "if" logical functions to result in a text strings, but there seems to be a limit to the amount of letters you can have in a text string. Is there a way around this? Here's the calculation I would like to create: If(Membership Category = "$25 Contributing", "The Interpreter newsletter and program and book discounts.", If(Membership Category = "$50 Supporting", "The Interpreter newsletter, program and book discounts and a second program participant discount.", If(Membership Category="$100 Sustaining", "The Interpreter newsletter, program and book discounts, a second program participant discount, plus an…

Hi, Im building a royalty database where each album has artists, Producers, and songs, and each song has authors. It works up to there but i cant keep a unified address book of the authors, artists, and producers, I dont know how to do that. Please look at my file and make any suggestions. Thanks Alex Rodriguez VastagoRoyaltiesV2.fp7.zip

I'm having some trouble figuring out where to put my parentheses in my embedded calculations. For example, I want to round the total for the sales tax (we have a line on our invoice that calculates tax on each item). It looks like: Sum ( Sales Tax ) but when I try Round (Sum(Sales Tax) its telling me my parameters are off. Likewise, for my Cash Back calculation: Case ( Transaction Type = "cash";Amt. Received - Order Total ) Where would the "Round" go? Thanks for listening to the woes of a newbie.

Hi All, I am new to FileMaker and I am trying to create a subsummary report for an existing database. I have to print invoice entries group by customer, object class. A customer can have many object classes. So the report should look like Customer 1 Object Class1 invoice records Object Class2 invoice records Customer2 Object Class1 (for this customer) and so on... Now I have to compute total amount of purchase for every object class type for a customer and then apply some discount on them. For the total amount and discount, I have created two summary fields. Now I should display the net amount ( total amount - discount). I dont k…

Please forgive me but I am new to more advanced databases. I am trying to create a comic book collector database. I want to have the issue numbers correspond to titles, and other info that pertains to the specific issue such as condition, location, etc. Is it possible to have a title and then in the layout and then add, or use a check box to check off the issues that you have? Then the info for the issue shows in the layout. So lets say you enter a title of Spiderman. It has an id of 1. off the the side you have or can enter the issues you have, maybe on separate lines. Then if you click on the issue one record you can enter all the info for it. Click on Issue …

Hi, I am trying to create a field for a statement report where it will automatically update the due date to be 7 days of the current date. I use the "Get[Current Date]" field +7, but it only adds the date that I create the field. For example if I create this field on the 20th Dec. the due date will be 27th Dec. But when I print off a statement on the 30th Dec, the due date is still 27th Dec. Its not updating the current date. Can anyone give me a better solution? Thanks, Dean

I'am making one DB off my stock and I have one folder with all the pictures of most of the products. What I would like to know, is how can the picture appear automatically on the field container created by me, once I wright his name one the field name... Is it possible make FM read and search the picture path and retrieve it in the container? Thank U ..a lot

Hi, I am starting with FM8.5 coming from FM6. I am not sure of the implications of selecting Always or Only dunring data entry in Validadte data in this field. II do not undertand the advantages of having this 2 new options. I understand that Only during data entry validates while the user enter data in the field, and Always validates also during scripts and imports. But it is not clear: - which option is best to use in most fields - when is best to use Always - under what circunstances should I use one or the other For instance, what will be the problem if I use Only during data entry for all my fields? (leaving aside data import issues). Tha…

Hello, i have got a problem with dates... i have got couple fields: monday, sunday, week id and i want to change every time when i run filemaker, because for example in sunday everyting was OK but in monday (week id should change to next one, monday and sunday date too) it's not working until i change something in code!!! How can i autorefresh this fields (this fields are in every record)

Hello all, I've got a table for patients and another table for visits. I need a list of patients with their next appointment date. Each patient has multiple appointments from the past and for the future. I tried creating a calc in visits that said: case(appointment date > get(currentdate); patient ID) Then I could build a relationship from the patients table to the visits table based on Patient ID. That of course works once: since you can't build a relationship on an unstored calc the current date doesn't update. Is there a custom function I can use?

I have a database and would need some tips on how to do something. I have a Customers table, Invoice table and would certainly need a Reminder table for what i want to do. When a customer makes an order, an invoice is created and sent to customer via email. I'd like to be able to have a set of reminders automatically created when the invoice is done to remind me 1/ to process payment 7 days later 2/ to send a customer satisafction survey 5 weeks later. 3/ to let me know when customer membership is about to expire (50 weeks later). I guess i would need a script but what to put in it ? What if I want the email to be sent automatically? T…

I have a large database and wish to add a new field to each record that INITIALLY contains the contents of another field, that I can later edit. Is there an easy way to do this? Marcel

Just returning to FM after a few years absence. I have three databases that are linked: Contacts, Line Items and Letters. Line Items has the linked key to Contacts field "Contact ID". Each line has a button to create a new letter in Letters. Need the new letter to contain the contact address from Contact File and the line item fields that I just created in Line Items. Think I need a key field in Letters that contains both the Contact ID (from Contact ID File) and the Line Item number (fRom Line Items File). I know I've done this before in the past but I can't remember how. Is it a calculation field and if so, how do I do it? Thank you!

Hi gang, I am creating a table of contents for chapters in a book. I have 3 tables, book, chapter, page. in the chapter table I have a field that uses the min function to find the first page of that chapter from the page table. the problem I have is that the book has a preface and a forward which have roman numeral page numbers. Is there a simple way to convert them? Mike

I am trying to create a business database. The product is storage buildings. I have 2 problems. 1. The buildings come in 8 styles and each style comes in 20 sizes. Can I make a price field that will depend on a combination of pop-up menus. i.e. that a UMB (bldg. style) in a 10x20 size will produce a different price than a CMB in a 10x20 size. I need to make a number (price) automatically enter as a result of selecting 2 or more values in separate fields as opposed to having 160 (8x20) separate fields 2. There are 3 kinds of sale - Wholesale, Retail, Rent to Own. Using a common database can I select Retail and not have any data entered in the Rent to Own layout. The …

Does anyone know how I can set up one of the checkboxes or radio button sets to a default value anytime a new record is created? For example, I have a radio button set that designates "target customer" by either yes or no. Can I have this set to be "no" by default for each new record I create? Thanks!

Hi there, I've been searching for an answer to this question for about an hour with no luck so far. Maybe one of you guys can help me... I am trying to create a calculation field which simply displays the number of records which are related in a related table. Here is the exact scenario: The 'student' table lists all of the people who are using our service. Each student has a studentID number The 'tutor' table lists tutorID/studentID relationships. If tutor 100 and student 200 are working together, the relationship is shown as relationshipID 2, tutorID 100, studentID 200. Each student can work with multiple tutors. All I need to do is add a …

Hello, I am formatting a list of quotes with headings, and sometimes categories, and some of the quotes are quite a bit longer so the printout drops down a full page if the full quote does not fit on the page. Am trying to figure out how to slide it up and let the quote start on the one page and have the rest on the second page. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Hello, How can I get a sum of all the numbers in a field across all records? Right now I have a calc field that is =SUM(Tickets) But it only calculates the sum of that one record... How can I get a sum of all the number of tickets in all the records? Thanks, Chris

Ok, this is a bit strange. We have a filemaker pro server with several databases. Recently several databases have been crashing. I found out that one of the databases is 500 Megs in size! This is a database that we rarely use, we use it only for tracking our quotes. We can't figure out why it is so huge Is there any way to check out the size, or to look into everything. Our average size is around 30 to 100 megs. There is only 1 container field. There are 900 records, and half of them have a pdf in the container field. the other records have nothing in the container. Largest size of these pdf's is 18kB - so there is no reason why it should be …

Hi, I've been trying to to solve a small but annoying little issue. I have a number of time fields, to which a time is copied from another time field in an another table. In the originating field the time is input as hh:mm (Leave data formatted as entered). When this data is copied with Set Field-script step to another time field (Format as hh:mm), it is, as expected, displayed as hh:mm. But when the user wants to modify the value in that field, it is suddenly displayed as hh:mm:ss. If you manually remove the seconds, they will not appear again if the value is modified again. Any ideas how to get rid of the seconds in the target field would be greatl…

Hello, I am trying to modify a label calculation, and it is telling me I am missing the operator. It must be the end of the day (or just cause I am a novice) but I don't see where I am missing one. Here is the calculation: Case(not IsEmpty(Partner Name) ; Partner Name & " " & "and" & " " & First Name & " " & Last Name); IsEmpty ( Last Name ); Company; First Name & " " & Last Name Basically, I am trying to have it search for a partner name; if there is a partner name put in "partner name and First Name Last Name. If there is no Last name, put in the Company; otherwise just do First Name Last Name. TIA