SavvyData

The "First-ever FileMaker Pro Charting Contest" is accepting entries for just one more week. Example files may be submitted through August 1st midnight PDT. [color:red]Top charts will be highlighted at the upcoming DevCon 2010 in San Diego. Contest starter files (and new iPad charting demo) available at http://fmcharting.com/. The goals of the contest are to demonstrate the data visualization capabilities of FileMaker Pro and to empower the developer community with exemplary charting techniques and templates. The panel of expert judges is comprised of * Stuart Gripman of Crooked Arm Consulting ( http://crookedarm.com ) * Lee Lukehart of SavvyData ( http://savvydata.com ) * Matt Petrowsky of ISO Productions ( http://isoproductions.com ) * John Sindelar of SeedCode ( http://seedcode.com ) Contestants may submit as many entries as they wish, using their own data with copyright released or one of the public domain datasets provided. Any charting technology may be used within FileMaker Pro, including third-party plug-ins or methods that utilize the FileMaker Pro web viewer. After the contest the demo files will be consolidated and distributed to the community so that everyone can benefit from the contest. For more info or to submit your entry, visit the Official Contest Page or contact the contest organizer: SavvyData - [color:orange]Making Data Make Sense. Lee Lukehart <lee@savvydata.com> 650.868.0882 mobile 650.741.4242 office Certified FileMaker Developer: v11/10/9/8/7 Authorized FileMaker Trainer: v11/10/9/8/7 FileMaker Business Alliance: since 2002 About SavvyData SavvyData knows how to make data work smarter. The consulting, development and training firm designs and deploys custom database solutions that empower clients to transform and leverage their digital assets. SavvyData conducts authorized training for FileMaker Pro in its spacious training facility on the water's edge of San Francisco Bay.

Today marks the halfway point of the "First-ever FileMaker Pro Charting Contest." Entries are being accepted through August 1st midnight PDT. The contest starter file, technique examples, entry form, rules and helpful guidelines can be found at http://fmcharting.com/. (Full press release here.) More than $500 in prizes will be awarded, and the winners and honorable mentions will be recognized at the 2010 FileMaker Developer Conference taking place August 15–18 in San Diego, California. Winning charts will be highlighted at John Sindelar's always-popular "The Year in Review" session! While the contest is not affiliated with FileMaker, Inc., the sponsoring judges of the contest are respected members of the FileMaker developer community, each of whom have a long history of contributing time and talent. The panel of expert judges is comprised of: * Stuart Gripman of Crooked Arm Consulting (crookedarm.com) * Lee Lukehart of SavvyData (savvydata.com) * Matt Petrowsky of ISO Productions (isoproductions.com) * John Sindelar of SeedCode (seedcode.com) Contestants may submit as many entries as they wish, using one of the public domain datasets provided or their own data with copyright released. Any charting technology may be used within FileMaker Pro, including third-party plug-ins or methods that utilize the FileMaker Pro web viewer. Entries that feature FileMaker's built-in chart object, a feature introduced in version 11, will be also be considered for additional recognition. After the contest the demo files will be consolidated and distributed to the community so that everyone can benefit from the contest! For more info or to submit your entry, visit the Official Contest Page or contact the contest organizer: SavvyData - [color:orange]Making Data Make Sense. Lee Lukehart <lee@savvydata.com> 650.868.0882 mobile 650.741.4242 office Certified FileMaker Developer: v11/10/9/8/7 Authorized FileMaker Trainer: v11/10/9/8/7 FileMaker Business Alliance: since 2002 About SavvyData SavvyData knows how to make data work smarter. The consulting, development and training firm designs and deploys custom database solutions that empower clients to transform and leverage their digital assets. SavvyData conducts authorized training for FileMaker Pro in its spacious training facility on the water's edge of San Francisco Bay.

Full press release here SavvyData today announced the successful conversion of their 'Ace of Charts' hands-on workshop to a live online instructional format. The new webinar series delivers the core of the workshop’s material while also providing the advantages normally associated with online meetings. Online learners benefit by avoiding travel costs and time, and have the option to select sessions that match their level of knowledge and interest. SavvyData can now bring this knowledge to developers across the globe, via a series of standalone webinar sessions affordably priced at US$79 each. With each session, attendees also receive working example files that they can immediately adapt for their own solutions. About ‘Ace of Charts’ Webinar Series This course reveals the Art and Science of adding data visualization to FileMaker Pro solutions. By participating in a live web conference meeting, attendees learn how to produce accurate, attractive graphs using various current charting technologies. The webinar series consists of four sessions, each designed to stand on its own and yet contribute a particular topic to the larger whole. Sessions may be attended in any order (although starting with Session #1 is recommended). Each session is comprised of 75 minutes of live presentation and interaction, followed by a 10-minute Q&A period. To facilitate excellent instructor-student communication, sessions are limited to 15 attendees. Four different methods for constructing charts in FileMaker are covered, to provide deployment options appropriate for any organization: • The built-in chart layout object introduced in FileMaker Pro 11 • Plug-ins and container fields (xmCHART from x2max, 360Works Chart) • The Web Viewer and HTML/Flash/CSS/JavaScript (e.g. FusionCharts, Maani, Google Charts API) • FileMaker non-chart indicator methods (merge variables, conditional formatting, repeating fields) that still have a place in providing visual information and feedback (especially useful for dashboards) Recommended for: • In-house developers* responding to management’s requests • Independent developers* wishing to provide additional functionality • Anyone* who currently exports to Microsoft Excel for charting (*attendees should be comfortable with editing FileMaker Pro layouts, creating calculation formulas, and relating table occurrences) For more information or to register online: Please visit the 'Ace of Charts' Webinar Series training page Or contact: Lee Lukehart 650.868.0882 mobile 650.539.5433 office Certified FileMaker Developer: v11/10/9/8/7 Authorized FileMaker Trainer: v11/10/9/8/7 FileMaker Business Alliance: since 2002 Apple Consultants Network: ACSP About SavvyData: SavvyData knows how to make data work smarter. The consulting, development and training firm builds custom database solutions and data-driven websites, empowering clients to collect, transform and share their digital lifeblood. SavvyData conducts authorized training for FileMaker Pro in its professional training facility on the water's edge of San Francisco Bay. Onsite and custom training can also be easily arranged. SavvyData - [color:orange]Making Data Make Sense.

Just 3 days until the live webinar from the author of FileMaker's charting technical brief! Charting offers immediate and significant benefits to all FileMaker users and developers. Join us for an exclusive TechNet webinar with Lee Lukehart of SavvyData Inc. on FileMaker Charts. In this webinar, “Looking Good! How to Design Attractive, Effective Charts”, you will learn the the practical design principles that apply to every chart you produce. One can innocently construct visuals that misrepresent the data and confuse viewers! Learn to avoid the pitfalls and become a master chart builder. Topics that will be covered are: • Important Human Visual Perception Patterns • Common Chart Design Errors • Choosing the Best Chart Type for the Task • A Quality Assurance Checklist Thursday, May 27, 2010 8:00AM PDT Thursday May 27, 2010 11:00AM PDT Registration is limited to TechNet members. Also be sure to check out the recent charting technology brief exclusively for TechNet members, at http://developer.filemaker.com/technet/resources. About the presenter: Lee Lukehart is president and founder of SavvyData Inc., a FileMaker consulting, development, and training company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a FileMaker authorized trainer, a certified developer for FileMaker versions 11/10/9/8/7, and has been a member of the FileMaker Business Alliance (formerly Solutions Alliance) since 2002. SavvyData - [color:orange]Making Data Make Sense.

Hi "Gar", Sure -- you can have up to 12 separate lines on a line chart. You just have to add them one at a time as a separate series, by clicking the "+" sign beneath the "Vertical (Y) Axis" area in the Chart Setup dialog box. Cheers, -Lee

Hi mathur, The problem you describe is true of any charting program, because the dates you're providing are considered categories, not dates. If a charting program/plugin/function has a "time series" mode you may get away with providing a partial data series. Otherwise you have a "nominal" (or "ordinal") series and the plots will be equally separated. My solution would be to throw the chart a calendar data series, where only some the Y elements have values. Good luck, -Lee ------------------------------------------ Lee Lukehart 650.868.0882 mobile 650.539.5433 office SavvyData - Making Data Make Sense. Certified FileMaker Developer: v10/9/8/7 Authorized FileMaker Trainer: v10/9/8/7 FileMaker Business Alliance: since 2002 ------------------------------------------

Hi Ismall, To get stacked bar charts you literally stack them! As in overlay one chart object with another. Just remember to turn on transparency for the top one(s). Here's a demo file that illustrates something similar -- the bullet graph a.k.a. Bar Chart on Steroids. http://savvydata.com/resources/SavvyData_ChartFun.fp7.zip Enjoy! -Lee

The 'Ace of Charts' class now includes the new chart layout object in FileMaker Pro 11 that FMI announced today. Here are the details: The Art and Science of adding dynamic charts & graphs to your FileMaker solutions. ‘Ace of Charts’ is an eye-opening examination of the means and mechanisms for adding attractive, useful charts & graphs to existing FileMaker solutions. Learn how to create dynamic charts that update on-demand or automatically. Four different methods for constructing charts in FileMaker are covered, to provide deployment options appropriate for any organization: • The built-in chart layout object introduced in FileMaker Pro 11 • Plug-ins and container fields ( xmCHART from x2max, 360Works Chart) • HTML/Flash in a Web Viewer (FusionCharts, FusionMaps, Maani SWF Charts, Google Charts API) • FileMaker non-chart indicator methods (calculations, repeating fields, conditional formatting) that still have a place in providing visual information and feedback The capabilities and pros & cons of each approach will be explained and demonstrated. You’ll leave this class with an understanding of four distinctly different techniques for graphing data, along with working example files for each that you can adapt for your own solutions. Recommended for... • In-house developers* responding to management’s requests • Independent developers* wishing to provide additional functionality • Anyone* who currently exports to any other application for charting (*attendees should be comfortable with FileMaker layout mode, calculation fields, and relating tables) [color:brown]For more information or to register online Please visit our training page at http://www.savvydata.com/datavis_acecharting.php, Or contact: Lee Lukehart <lee@savvydata.com> Certified FileMaker Developer: v10/9/8/7 Authorized FileMaker Trainer: v10/9/8/7 650.868.0882 mobile 650.539.5433 office About SavvyData SavvyData knows how to make data work smarter. The company builds custom database solutions and data-driven Web sites with uncommon expertise in adding charts, dashboards, data-exchange, and mobile tech to front-line & executive data systems. Ever the technologist mentors, SavvyData staff teach, write articles, and present at industry events. SavvyData is a division of Lifescope Inc., a 15-year old company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. SavvyData - [color:orange]Making Data Make Sense.

Great changes, Stephen -- thanks! -Lee

Nothing definitive, but a few more pieces of the puzzle... Sometimes an error 1506 is related to the format of the email address given to the To: parameter, when you try to include the recipient’s name along with the address. Specifically, it cannot be in the most common form that includes the full recipient name by using angle brackets around the email address: Full Name [color:red]=BAD. To include both name and address, use the alternative form that places parentheses around the name, as so: account@domain.com (Full Name) [color:green]=GOOD. Also, to help find successful combinations of SMTP Send Mail parameters, you may find the following file useful: SMTP_SendMail_Interrogation.fp7. Essentially it attempts to send email using every variation of the settings you give it (SSL on/off, auth type, port #s, etc.). Hope this helps! Lee Lukehart <lee@savvydata.com> Certified FileMaker Developer: v10/9/8/7 Expert FileMaker Trainer: v10/9/8/7 SavvyData [color:orange]Making Data Make Sense.

Tpk309, has anything else changed -- perhaps in the data (To:, Subj:, Body:, etc.)? Sometimes an error 1506 is related to the format of the email address given to the To: parameter, when you try to include the recipient’s name along with the address. Specifically, it cannot be in the most common form that includes the full recipient name by using angle brackets around the email address: Full Name [color:red]=BAD. To include both name and address, use the alternative form that places parentheses around the name, as so: account@domain.com (Full Name) [color:green]=GOOD. Also, to help find successful combinations of SMTP Send Mail parameters, you may find the following file useful: SMTP_SendMail_Interrogation.fp7. Essentially it attempts to send email using every variation of the settings you give it (SSL on/off, auth type, port #s, etc.). Hope this helps! Lee Lukehart <lee@savvydata.com> Certified FileMaker Developer: v10/9/8/7 Expert FileMaker Trainer: v10/9/8/7 SavvyData [color:orange]Making Data Make Sense.

Learn how to go about creating graphical information dashboards for your FileMaker-centric solution. Once the exclusive purview of large corporations, the last few years interactive data visualization systems have become known and affordable to small and midsize organizations. The term Business Intelligence (BI) has come into widespread use only in the last 10 years; this class distills the current body of BI knowledge. We’ll describe the technical and business processes you’ll need to follow to implement visual dashboards, scorecards, and other decision support systems that monitor selected key performance indicators (KPIs). Recommended for... • In-house developers* responding to management’s requests • Independent developers* wishing to provide additional functionality • Managers* of developers of information visualization systems (*attendees should be comfortable with FileMaker layout mode, calculation fields, and relating tables; the ‘Ace of Charts’ workshop as a prerequisite is highly recommended) This 'Dashing Dashboards' class provides a revealing look into the current thinking and best practices around information visualization. We recognize our debt to the works of Alan Cooper, Jakob Nielsen, Donald Norman, Edward Tufte, Stephen Few, various CHI (computer-human interaction) groups, and other pioneers of datavis usability. You’ll learn about designing effective information display and user interaction capabilities appropriate for your audience. Apply the best information design every time using the “three threes”—a convenient memory hook representing the distinctions between systems that: • measure, monitor or manage performance metrics, for • operations, tactical or strategic purposes. Additional Topics Covered: • Your Current Environment: assessing factors for success • Dashboard Design Dogma: Simplicity, Usability, Efficacy, Interactivity • Information Architecture Insight: how people perceive • Focus on the Data: clean, normalized, usable, reliable • Focus on the User: the right information in the right style to the right person • Focus on the Purpose: serving the big picture by making sure the pieces fit • Development Methods: tools, techniques, and templates • Deployment Realities: caveats and provisos to anticipate • Completion: tips to aid transition and closure [color:brown]For more information or to register online Please visit our training page at http://www.savvydata.com/datavis_dashboards.php, Or contact: Lee Lukehart <lee@savvydata.com> Certified FileMaker Developer: v10/9/8/7 Expert FileMaker Trainer: v10/9/8/7 650.868.0882 mobile 415.480.4847 office About SavvyData SavvyData knows how to make data work smarter. The company builds custom database solutions and data-driven Web sites, empowering clients to collect, use, augment, analyze, transform and share this digital lifeblood called data. Ever the technologist mentors, SavvyData staff teach, write articles, and present at industry events. SavvyData is a division of Lifescope Inc., a 15-year old company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. SavvyData [color:orange]Making Data Make Sense.

The Art and Science of adding dynamic charts & graphs to your FileMaker solutions. ‘Ace of Charts’ is an eye-opening examination of the means and mechanisms for adding attractive, useful charts & graphs to existing FileMaker solutions. Learn to make embedded dynamic graphs that update on-demand or automatically. Three different methods for constructing charts in FileMaker are covered, to provide deployment options appropriate for any organization: • Plug-ins and container fields ( xmCHART from x2max, 360Works Chart) • HTML/Flash in a Web Viewer (FusionCharts, FusionMaps, Maani SWF Charts, Google Charts API) • FileMaker-native primitives (calculations, repeating fields, conditional formatting) The capabilities and pros & cons of each approach will be explained and demonstrated. You’ll leave this class with an understanding of three distinctly different techniques for charting, along with working example files for each that you can adapt for your own solutions. Recommended for... • In-house developers* responding to management’s requests • Independent developers* wishing to provide additional functionality • Anyone* who currently exports to Microsoft Excel for charting (*attendees should be comfortable with FileMaker layout mode, calculation fields, and relating tables) [color:brown]For more information or to register online Please visit our training page at http://www.savvydata.com/datavis_acecharting.php, Or contact: Lee Lukehart <lee@savvydata.com> Certified FileMaker Developer: v10/9/8/7 Expert FileMaker Trainer: v10/9/8/7 650.868.0882 mobile 415.480.4847 office About SavvyData SavvyData knows how to make data work smarter. The company builds custom database solutions and data-driven Web sites, empowering clients to collect, use, augment, analyze, transform and share this digital lifeblood called data. Ever the technologist mentors, SavvyData staff teach, write articles, and present at industry events. SavvyData is a division of Lifescope Inc., a 15-year old company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. SavvyData [color:orange]Making Data Make Sense.

Additionally, for others' reference, Intuit has sample IIF files posted at http://www.quickbooks.com/support/faqs/qbw2002/117503.html, and the detail for each keyword is in the QB help file. [browser Note: the link doesn't work on my Mac IE, only on Safari. Intuit makes references on how some of their pages won't work...]