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Any suggestions on how to "convert" excel formulas to fm calculation fields? Even if it covered only less complex formulas it would be interesting, as a complement to the standard import of static data from excel. Third party plug-ins? Thank you.

Thank you Fenton, saved my day. Not trying to diminish my embarassing failure to test this option , I have to comment on the misleading formulation in the setup label. In Swedish it reads "Access to data and design: All layouts/value lists/scripts without access privileges" which without effort could be interpreted as "give access to data and design with no regard to privileges" or the like. One last thing getting back to my initial concern: Is this the way to manage records of an identical type for multiple users, such as e.g. time reporting records? I can see no reasonable way to address this with separate files for each user. Any examples covering the basic access scripts and relations needed for a multiple user/single table/private records solution?

The value is auto-entered (Account name, yes) but editable for testing. I tried the Exact(Creator; Get(AccountName)) formula, (thanks steven), checking the case (User/User) and field type (text) but it did not help, I get no access. If you have got the time, please check the enclosed example file Accounts2, it is tiny and as generic as I could make it. I realise that FM sets the case of the Account Name function at login. The Account name is not case sensitive as is the password, but the Exact function is of course. I tested that possible error source as well without result. Are you guys really setting record privileges this way? : Accounts2.zip

Thank you Steven for your swift answer! I've upgraded to v3 but the problem remains. I appreciate the GTRR (go to related record) technique, but my user account cannot even see its own records. This might be below the general knowledge level of the forums, but I have enclosed a screenshot of the account settings of the generic test db. Not used to post-6FM, I am propably just missing something obvious. Cheers

Maybe this is an obvious one, but I did browse and search a lot before posting. What would be the best approach to let multiple users privately access the same table, while keeping intact as much native FM functionality (e.g. searching, sorting, exporting) as possible? I was leaning towards a single table solution w record privileges based on log in accounts as often recommended. (e.g. techbrief_security.pdf) The users being able only to read/write their own records, but the whole set being easily maintained and operated, calculated upon etc for administrators. What are the cons? How get rid of the 'no access' screen for no access records? What about using portals w account based keys instead of record privileges? Part of the reason I am posting is I can't even get past the privileges setup. Please see enclosed simple file w one Admin (default login) and one User (shift/alt when opening). What am I getting wrong? User gets nothing but the ugly 'no access' and can't even navigate, though she should have access to two records. Using FM Advanced 8.0v1 (an issue?) in XP. Accounts.zip

Thank you for an interesting thread. I´m new to post-FM6 development however, and quite pressed to get a solution running without to much special considerations. If I´m to deploy the SM I would like to get it right from the start. What is your opininon on developing a single file solution to start with, and let that file be the data layer, for when I eventually get the time and knowledge to level up to the SM? Is this viable? What are the considerations regarding table and layouts? I figure I could make use of a pure calculation table for example. Any ideas greatly appreciated!

Sorry Ken. You are right, I was mixing it up. I cited Mark Dore.

Thank you LiveOak, for the quick answer. I just wanted to be sure I hadn't missed any easier solution than using plug-ins or convincing FMI that their products (in my view) are incomplete. I'll propably try the AppleScript/PC-script solution, i.e. if I come upon any fairly easy PC-scripting tool (I'm quite unused to PC, do you know of any? It doesn't come with the system like AppleScript, does it?) The AppleScript part is a.p.o.c. If anyone still reading this post is interested it's enclosed below. I'll be working on the acceptance part....=o< a variety of the AppleScript runs: tell application "FileMaker Pro" activate tell database "YourDB.FP5" set gPath to cell "RefPic" of current record display dialog "the path is: " & gPath end tell end tell (the value of "gPath" can be used wherever you want in FM. Calling or executing the AppleScript is a ScriptMaker step)

Thank you for answering my post. I am still interested in avoiding the use of third party software like Troi. I have successfully used their plug-in and there is nothing wrong with it, but my point is that it shouldn't be needed for the simple task of extracting the path to a referenced image no matter what platform or server. (I DO use a separate server; a mac-enabled Windows NT: works perfectly) The simple question is: How do I extract the path to a referenced image from FileMaker? It must be stored someplace. (Troi found it...) Does anyone in the FileMaker universe know this?

Excuse me if this posting is a bit elaborate. I'm desperate. The obvious solution is of course the built-in "reference", just marking the check-box when importing. This is fine for many users. Soon problems may arise, though. As Ken writes: Even if you avoid storing the images in FMP, you've still got the problem of FMP not having a particularly good graphics engine. I would say FMP sucks when it comes to graphics. E.g. simple drag-and-drop features WITHOUT use of plug-ins, should have been developed years ago. Amazingly enough, official FM retailers recommend Cumulus, Portfolio or other competing software for even the simplest needs when it comes to graphics. I cite a post I made long ago: "I am new to this mailing-list so please forgive me if I am addressing a subject already covered earlier...I am developing a large database for photographs in a cross-platform environment. A main feature of FileMaker is that it is cross-platform, even over a network. Another is the container field where images can be stored, either inside the db, or linked with a reference to an image file outside the db. Whenever constructing a db that is to handle larger amounts of images (i.e. virtually any serious, professional image application) you are forced to use the reference alternative, since otherwise the db would soon grow too big. All the same it is explicitly stated that "When graphics are stored in container fields, referenced graphics will not be visible to guests unless they have mounted the volume where the graphics are stored before opening the database." (tech info) As far as I understand, problems will arise because of the different paths in PC and Macintosh, as well as with mounting volumes cross-platform. Does this actually mean that FileMaker no longer is cross-platform when handling images? Thankful for any comment on this issue. I have seen hints about using an URL to load the picture in a browser, or even changing program to Cumulus or Portfolio, but then the idea of developing in FileMaker is somewhat lost..." Since then I have partially solved the cross-platform problem with a fairly neat STATUS(ST_Platform)-based relation. But I still have to do the linking twice to see the image in both PC and Mac. Another way of doing it is by performing the linking over and over again, through a user trigged AppleScript(Mac only...). QUESTIONS: 1. Are there any solutions for the lousy Script-step "Paste image". This only leads to a dialog-box forcing me to CHOOSE the image. Why would I want to script that? (Step may be called "Import image" or similar. Sorry, I use a swedish version) 2. I develop in Macintosh. I am willing to surrend to PC developing as well. Any freeware tips for a PC equivalent to AppleScript? FMP-compatible? But why?: 3: When trying to view referenced images without having mounted the image storing server, you simply fail. No message, no prompt (occasionally I get one), just that annoying "Cannot show image XYZ.JPG" in the container field. Where can I find the error code? The path? The excuses? The "this bug will be fixed in version 5.xxx"? Most grateful for any answers to any of these issues. (Please do not propose Troi plug-ins, there MUST be an plain FMP solution. At least that is the software I bought) Platform: Mac and Windows2000 Software: 4.0, 4.1, 5.0, 5.5 Developer, 5.0 Unlimited, AppleScript.