Is there a way to stop a user from using the close command in the file menu and or the close button on the head of the template can you trap that somehow and display a message which tell them to use the button supplied on the template. i have a backup script that runs and i dont want them to circumvent it by doing a end run by just closing the template

Thanks for any help in this matter

Why not edit document preferences and run that backup script when the file is closed?

I can do that but i would still like to stop them from just closing the file with out clicking an assigned button think about it if they just close the file i dont think any script assigned in the document preferences work at all or am i wrong

You are wrong, I use document preferences to back up my dbs both when I open and close. They work (if your script works)!

Or you can use an exit script with a show message dialog but I am not sure how this would look (I am a newbie of all newbies).

A script assigned in the document prefs "When closing" will run -- that's what that pref is for! -- but it won't stop the file from closing. There are plugins that do that, such as Secure FM <www.nmci.com/> or WindowUtility <www.Practicemaker.com/plugins>.

the closing script can execute a loop with a pause (1 sec) step so the file never closes until the user clicked the right button ....

... or holds dowm a modifier key or something. Good call, Christian. I've even used that before... slipped my mind.

...check-out the bottom of this page:

http://www.mogulsoft.com/fmpro/

I would like to thank all the kind people that have helped me with this question. The solution was to just attach the script to the closing script preferences and all was fine. This forum is a great resource for all the people that need help with filemaker pro and all the people that give the needed help deserve a round of applause. Thank You All