how can i determine if field is empty using script

[solarpunk]

Hello,

I am developing a help form and there is a field call date resolved that i want find out if it is empty.

This is the script i have right now:

Enter Find Mode []

Paste Result ["resolve date", """"]

Paste result ["assign to", "Status(CurrentUsername)"]

Perform Find []

Enter Browser Mode []

So i just want to display those record which have the empty field resolve date for the current user.

Thanks,

victor

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi,

Several comments :

1) Avoid Copy/Paste and prefer Set Field

2) Try using a calculation Case(IsEmpty(your field,1,0)

3) With this calc, you could :

-----> search the 1

-----> Use a relationship with a global at left side (populated with 1) and this calc at left.

Therefore, you'll end using

If (is Valid (your relationship: a field)) or If (Is Empty(your relationship:: a field) or IF(not Is Empty (your relationship:: a field) or If not Is Valid (....

which would be quicker...

[Fitch]

Ugo's correct about Set Field in general being preferred, since it doesn't require the script go to a particular layout or depend on the field being on the layout.

However, dates have particular quirks that generally require the use of Insert Calculated Result, or in the case of older FileMaker, Paste Result. Set Field will only work when you want to find a particular date, and even then requires the DateToText function.

Victor, what you want in your Paste Result is an equal sign with quotes around it: "=". The symbol used to find empty fields is an equal sign by itself. Or you could search for dates greater than your earliest date, i.e. "< 1/1/1900," and then Show Omitted -- but that wouldn't work so well with your other criteria.

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Yes Tom,

I just don't like Insert Calculated result, as it has the same restrictions than paste...

[solarpunk]

Thanks all.

I used the "=" it work great.

This what i have right now

Enter Find Mode []

Paste Result ["resolve date", ""=""]

Paste result ["assign to", "Status(CurrentUsername)"]

Perform Find []

Enter Browser Mode []

Thanks all for you help.

Victor

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi,

Do me a favour and have a test with this.

Create a calcfield = c_checkempty = Case(Is Empty(resolve date), 1, 0)

Create a global field and populate it with 1

Create a relationship global field::calcfield

Then use this script.

If Is Valid(relationship::Record_Id)

Go to Related record (relationship, show only)

Go to Record(first)

Loop

Goto record(next - stop script when last)

Set Field (assign to, Status(Current Username)

End Loop

Else

Exit record.

Browse Mode

You will probably note some improvements. As Tom pointed out the Paste need your field to be on the layout.

If you were to change some layouts, your script wouldn't work anymore.

Moreover, relationship are quicker.

Of course, if you're using an older version....

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hopefully, no-one noticed that previous post....

So change it to :

Create a calcfield = c_checkempty = Case(Is Empty(resolve date), 1, 0)

Create a concanated calc = assign to & "-" & c_checkempty

Create a global field and populate it with a list with "username 1" (John 1, Mike 1, ...)

Create a relationship global field::concanated

Then use this script.

If Is Valid(relationship::Record_Id)

Go to Related record (relationship, show only)

Else

Exit Record.