Clean up layouts

[ecook]

Probably a basic question but I can't seem to find the answer. If I have 50 fields in a layout in rows and columns... What is the easiest way to make them all the exact size. I know I can do them one at time using object size but when I select them all and try it, it forces them all in an area of the size of one field. It seems there has to be a faster way to do this.

[jasonwood]

This won't answer your question but if you have 50 fields in rows and columns, it sounds like you should be using related records.

What are these fields for?

[ecook]

The fields are used for atttendance in a school database.

[Guest]

Probably a basic question but I can't seem to find the answer. If I have 50 fields in a layout in rows and columns... What is the easiest way to make them all the exact size. I know I can do them one at time using object size but when I select them all and try it, it forces them all in an area of the size of one field. It seems there has to be a faster way to do this.

Well, you could just copy and then paste the first text box fourty nine times and then reset (specify) the field fourty nine times in the layout mode.

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Yep...

But in addition, you will also have to reformat each field (value list, number format,...) or relationships (for related values).

May be exactly the same pain (or more) as what he just have....

I run through the same process, and also found that FMI wasn't really helping us on this one

There surely could be some improvements in the Layouts function of FM. Select all fields aligned only left side of a rectancle and drag it to the correct size (as Illustrator functions...) is my main request.

Now, in ecook's case, I'll use FM Size palet, draw a big rectangle all over the layout to select all fields (that have to be reset in size), turn off the "group" from the Arrange Menu, and simply enters the width and hight.

You could also after this use the Set Alignment functions to reset the whole rows if they overlapp each-other, but this should not be the case.

[danjacoby]

I get the feeling that you want a relational solution here.

One file for students (1 record = 1 student)

One file for days (1 record = 1 day)

One "line items" file that has one record for one unique combination of student & day.

Now you can create a relationship from Students to LineItems, based on the Student Name.

Create a relationship from Days to LineItems, based on the Date.

Create portals in each file, so you can either enter specific attendance for any days for a particular student in the Student file, or attendance for a bunch of students in any particular day in the Days file. With the relationship, you can then see all the data in either file, because the real data is stored in the LineItems file.

[ecook]

I appreciate your comments. I have been doing most resizing such as copy/paste a field and then assign the correct field to the new pasted field and aligning to the left and making all the same length.

As with Dilucaugo68's case, I can not select all fields, ungroup and resize to make it work. When I do this, it will make all fields small enough to fit into an area of the size I typed for one field. I'm using FMP 5.5.

I was just hoping there would be a faster way to ensure all field sizes were exactly the same. Working with relations was not the issue, I already have that, I still need to make sure all fields are the same size.

I'll just do it the same why I have been. Thanks again. :-)

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi,

I'm using FM 5.5 too...

Are you sure you ungrouped the fields ?

[ecook]

Hello,

Yes, there are ungrouped. Under the Arrange Menu, Ungrouped is grayed out. The only option is to Group.

I'm not sure how to attach an image but if you look at the following link, you will see what I'm seeing.

http://199.165.75.12/elgincalendar/resize.jpg

Thanks

[ecook]

Please ignore the fact that all the three fields are the same. I just copied them quickly to show you what I am seeing.

[Ugo DI LUCA]

You're right and I must have had a dream....

Surely one improvement to be made in future releases of FM.

Sorry to have wasted some of your time.

[Lee Smith]

Hi Ugo,

It's a nice dream and I never have understood why FileMaker hasn't had it too.

However, this is the most accurate method there is, even if you have to go through them, one fields at a time. I usually write the size I want down and go through them one at a time.

Drag and drop (Copy and Paste) is another way to create the same size fields. Easier if the fields fall in order of your drag and drop.

Lee

[ecook]

Looks like I'm doing it the best way possible for now. Thanks again for your comments.

[Peter Fenner]

I know it has been over 2 weeks but I will add my idea anyway.

Say you have 5 columns and 10 rows. Drag your mouse over the first row (so 10 fields are selected) then left align. Now set the width as 1 pixel. Now set the width as your desired width.

Pete