As a new member, this seemed the most appropriate forum for this question.

Is there a way to quickly and easily lock/unlock a single record (and all its fields) at a time on a database, perhaps using an onscreen button or check box? I have nearly finished an FMP database of stamps listed in my (Scott Minuteman) album (at least 3,500-4,000 records when finished). I would like to be able to easily unlock each whole record when it needs to be worked on (not the entire database), and later lock that particular record again so as to not inadvertently allow data changes.

This is quite detailed work and has been very time consuming to enter. Ideally, a check box or button would be a very good solution, if this is at all possible.

Thanks,

Rich

One way is to create a layout with all the fields set not to allow entry. Script your navigation so it selects either the locked or unlocked layout.

Hi Rich ...

Vaughn's suggestion is excellent, and probably the easiest way to create the kind of safeguard you want to implement.

I'd suggest that you also attach a password to a button that activates the script taking you to the "Edit' layout. You store the password in a global field (e.g., "g_password"), and once you enter it, you can remove the global field from all layouts so no one else can see it. This won't prevent someone who is determined to get to your data from accessing it, but it will prevent you and the casual user from inadvertently editing your data.

See the attachment for some ideas about how to implement this.

Good luck!

Password protect Layout.zip

Thanks for the suggestions, but, since I am the only one using the computer (at home), I just need a simple button or menu item to unlock each record as I need to work on it, and then lock it again after performing whatever editing is necessary. I used to be able to do this with HyperCard.

...go to a desired record, click a button to unlock that card (record), edit, click a button to lock, and go to any other record.

I am the only one who might hit a wrong key and delete important data, or select a wrong menu item for that record. So, I'm basically protecting each of the 4,000 records from myself.

Is this even possible in FM?

Thanks

You could use the visibility trick, if you don't want to navigate between layouts. See the attachment for a simple example, outlining the layering setup.

Lock.zip

I just wonder why nobody uses record-based security (as introduced in FileMaker 5.5) ...

Really I agree with the layout option ... Just setup 1 layout to allow entry into all the fields. Remove it from your layout list so that there is no way to get to it except by script. Duplicate that layer and remove the ability to enter data into the fields. Put a button on the Locked layout with a script going to the unlocked layout. and another button on the Unlocked layout that takes you to the Locked Version Again

Thats what I think would work best!