tool tips

[staypuffinpc]

IS there some way to include a tool tip on a button? That is, when you roll over a button, is there a way to make a field appear where you're at telling you what that button does?

[SteveB]

Its one of those 'small' things that FMC has neglected to put in the last 2 versions - the answer is no there isn't any facility.

There is a mouse plugin that supposedly can give you the information, but I don't think it works...at least I couldn't make it work (froze my PC).

[harryk]

As is already answered, the browser-like way of giving information when entering a button is not possible, at least not without any plugins.

You might consider the following: instruct your users that pressing ALT or some other modifier key gives info on the button. Create a gInfotext global and place it somewhere on your lay-out. Script all your buttons, and make the first lines of your script:

if status(currentModifierkey)=your choice

-setfield (gInfotext)="your helpline"

-exit script

endif

oh, and you could continue the script after these lines with emptying this gInfotext global.

Harryk

[CobaltSky]

The principle behind the method that Harryk has described is in fact not dissimilar to a technique in a demo file I've published, which is called 'ClickTips'. The technique produces little pop-up text panes with tips on them overlapping the button (or other object) they relate to. The 'tip' remains on view only while you continue to hold the shift key down.

'ClickTips' look very much like 'tool-tips' in many respects, though in a number of cases, I've found that clients like them even better than browser style roll-over tool tips. Users certainly seem to adapt to them very quickly, so the effort of including them can pay off.

If you're interested, feel free to download the file from my web site. The URL for the download is:

http://www.nightwing.com.au/FileMaker/demos/ClickTips.zip

The file isn't password protected, so you can have a look how it is set up.

[harryk]

The 'tip' remains on view only while you continue to hold the shift key down.

I will certainly take a look. I am curious how you did that. Because the status(currentmodifierkey) from my experience does only reflect a change in that status when some other action is taken, if you understand what I mean.

Harryk

[meancode]

Ray,

thanks. this is a more elegent technique than what i am using right now, wich is a message box on a modifier key.

[harryk]

Nice! The principe of the loop, checking the status(currentmodifierkey) explains everything; is the answer to my question.

Harryk