block a field with variable

[pomilpetan]

Hello to all,

I have a database and I want to block modification of the fields if a given variable is not = 1. can i do this?

i have create a button that change the variable from 0 (non modifiable) to 1 (modifiable) but if the variable is 0 i want that fields are only reading.

i use Filemaker Pro 15 for mac

thanks

Andrew

[rwoods]

Hi Andrew

You can set OnObjectModify (and OnObjectKeystroke if you like) Script Triggers on the fields that you want to lock, to run a script along the lines of the below. That will reject the input if the $$lockvariable is set to 0

If [ $$lockvariable = "0" ]
Exit Script [ Result: 0 ]
End If

As an extension, in one of our solutions we show an error panel, that is just a rectangle with some text in it that is the frontmost layer of the layout, and we use an OnTimer script to hide it after a couple of seconds. This explains to the user why their input is not appearing, but doesn't require them to acknowledge it.

If [ $$lockvariable = 0 ]
Set Variable [ $$showInputError; Value:"Y" ] // the $$showInputError variable is used to show/hide the rectangle with text in it
Install OnTimer Script [ “Clear Input error”; Interval: 2 ]  // this script sets $$showInputError back to 'N' after 2 seconds, which hides the rectangle again
Refresh Window
Exit Script [ Result: 0 ]
End If

The 'Clear Input Error' script needs to both change the variable $showInputError back to "N" and stop the OnTimer script otherwise it keeps running every 2 seconds. That script looks like this.

Set Variable [ $$showInputError; Value:"N" ]
Refresh Window
Install OnTimer Script [ ]

Hope that helps

Edited March 29, 2017 by rwoods

[pomilpetan]

Hello. I tried to follow your example and I managed to set up the script.

Thanks again.

[comment]

11 hours ago, pomilpetan said:

I want to block modification of the fields if a given variable is not = 1.

The simple method would be to allow users to edit records only when the variable = 1 (in users privilege set). However, I would ask why you need this - because any limitation that depends on the value of a variable can be circumvented by the user.

[pomilpetan]

12 hours ago, comment said:

The simple method would be to allow users to edit records only when the variable = 1 (in users privilege set). However, I would ask why you need this - because any limitation that depends on the value of a variable can be circumvented by the user.

The person who asked me the database has noticed that often unintentionally wrote in the fields instead of doing a search or changed field by deleting the content. so at least you can only read without changing the data unless authorized to do so.