tabs in calculated text fields

[harryk]

Is it possible to script tab signs in calculated text-fields, just as you can insert a RETURN-sign?

I think I NO the answer...

Harryk

[Vaughan]

I just did it.

Put a real tab character into a global field (cut and paste). Create a calc that inserts this global field into the string wherever you want a tab.

[harryk]

>tabs

that's the nice thing of FM, there is always a backdoor open..

Harryk

[nelliott]

Hi Vaughan,

excuse my ignorance put what is a "real tab character" and how do I cut and paste it

Cheers

Nick

[BobWeaver]

You can put a tab character into a field with <option>Tab on Mac, or <ctrl>Tab on a PC.

[Vaughan]

... or copy a tab in Word or some other text program.

[harryk]

Got it to work. With the combination of setting FM's text-options where you can specify the workings and distances of tabs, it works allright.

When I think of it, there might be a disadvantage.

Tab-delimited export...it might mess it up.

Harryk

[CobaltSky]

There is no need to much around with extra global fields - you can paste the tab character into the calculation window directly. To do this, type a tab in a field while in browse mode (Ctrl-Tab (Windows) or Option-Tab (Mac OS)) then select it and copy or cut it to the clipboard. Then you will be able to paste it in as a literal (ie between quotes) in your calc formula.

It will not mess up your tab-delimited exports. FileMaker replaces all tab characters in fields (including in calc field results) with spaces when exporting to text, in much the same way as it replaces all carriage returns within fields with ASCII line break characters.