Where are field defaults determined?

[Diana, Cda]

Well, here's another really basic thing I've never grasped in the years I've dabbled off and on in FMP. I did some formatting of some fields yesterday and noticed today that when I'm finally able to move to next stage and creating new fields for a layout, that the changes I made are now reflected in the new fields.

I need to create a whole bunch of new ones today and don't relish having to manually change attributes each time (field background colour, border types, font, font size, etc., etc.). Need to learn how to change defaults once and for all. Again, the help wasn't helpful and I haven't found how to do this.

Thanks!

[BobWeaver]

In layout mode, with nothing selected, go to the tool bars and select whatever fonts, sizes, colors, borders etc. that you want. Then, whenever you create a new field or other object it will have these settings by default.

[LaRetta]

I agree that this is annoying in FM. We should be able to select background colors, fonts, everything that we want when automatically creating a new layout! Is there any way that we can at least 'ADD' a Layout to their pre-designed layouts to get our regular colors, fonts, etc? Not that I'm complaining, mind you! I'm actually beginning to LOVE this program!

[kenneth2k1]

For me, I like having it remember the last design I had. It helps for speedy creation of layout objects. Another thing I use is a storage layout. I can store different types of objects on it and just copy/paste them onto my other layouts. I also use the Ctrl click alot to just replicate fields that I have already made on a layout.

I'm not sure what LaRetta means by putting a layout on another layout, but you can go Layout/Duplicate Layout.

Ken

[LaRetta]

Hi Brian! I've used copy/paste of entire layouts and duplicate layout. But, when you go to another db, you have to remember to take your clipboarded copy with you or start all over! I just think it would be nice if, from an FM options (applying to all dbs) standpoint, it allowed you to pre-determine the look & feel that you've decided upon. Even reports only used the pre-determined stuff -- or is there something I still don't know! Nah! Not possible! I know everything about FM! NOT!

[LaRetta]

Thanks Bob and Brian! Both of your suggestions have made it easier. Maybe in future upgrades, FM will make this easier for all of us. Diana, I guess this is the best we can do with it.

[Diana, Cda]

lol, as with many things in life, it's easy when you know how!!

So, all the attributes and that are easy, trick is to have _nothing_ selected, most definitely!

************

I am very pleased with my db. Can I attach it for anyone who cares to see it as this stage? Things aren't working 100% yet, of course, but I just am pleased as punch to show you all what your help has allowed me to do so far. Tabbed interface and scripting and search/find and splitting by info determined by one field. So many things, and all keeping to _one_ file, no less, which was my goal. Not an easy thing to do and couldn't do it without everyone's input, that's for sure!!

Thanks all once again!

Recipe Cataloguer.zip

[CobaltSky]

Another trick worth knowing is that if you select a field in layout mode and then hold the shift key down (option key on a Mac) while choosing the "Select All" command from the Edit menu, it will select all the fields on the layout and nothing else.

For several other types of objects (notably text, lines, rectangles, rounded rectangles and circles, you can do something similar by deselecting everything, clicking once on the corresponding 'tool' in the status area, then choosing Edit>Select All.

You can then assign font or background color characteristics etc, to all of them in one hit. With a bunch of complex layouts this 'trick' can shave a few hours off development time.

[LaRetta]

Hi Ken,

I just wanted to apologize for calling you Brian. You have helped me so many times on this forum. I've always appreciated your input. I'd been pulling several 'all nighters' trying to get up to speed on FM (so much to learn, as you know, I really know nothing about this program). It's cost me dearly in other ways, too. I don't mind making ignorant mistakes, but I've been making stupid ones instead (and having major re-writes because of it). Lesson learned -- slow down a bit and LEARN, which means being able to think clearly.

If I've done things like that to anyone else, please let me apologize now. I'm enjoying 'getting to know you all' and -- like, Kennedy (HTH smile), or I remember when I was really new, saying "Thanks Cobalt." Anyway, please keep sharing your knowledge with me ... it's invaluable!