Using the TAB character in a calc field

[tjhorton]

I'm creating a calculated text field and need to include the TAB character to make sure the result is properly spaced. Is there a way of inserting the TAB in a concatinated string? In C programming this is done in the printf statement with t. Is there a similar way in FileMaker?

I want to do something like this:

field1 & "t" & field2 & "t" & field3

Thanks for the help.

[andygaunt]

Hi -

Create a global text field that has a tab inside it (ALT & TAB on the mac)

Then you can use this field in your calculation.

[-Queue-]

On Windows, you can use Ctrl-Tab to insert a tab into either a global, as Andy has suggested, or directly into the calculation field.

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Or copy a tab and paste it in the clac within quotes....

[tjhorton]

Thanks for the help, the Ctrl-Tab will work fine. I tried to find the answer to this question on the FileMaker Knowledge base but could'nt narrow the hit list to find the answer, if one existed to begin with. Asking the question here worked faster and I got more options.

Thanks again.

[-Queue-]

tjhorton said:

Asking the question here worked faster and I got more options.

Colour me shocked! You mean you get better service from pro bono developers than paid FMI staff or their website?

[BobWeaver]

A dramatization

------------------------

User: I need my calculation to insert a Tab into some text.

Tech support: Err, what's a Tab?

User: It's a control character used to align text to specific horizontal positions on a line.

Tech support: Umm, are you sure your computer is plugged in?

How many people has this happened to?

<raises his hand>

[-Queue-]

It seems in many case that 'tech support' is an oxymoron in the vein of 'common sense' and 'government intelligence'.

[LaRetta]

Hi Bob! Hi Queue!

I couldn't help but jump in ...

Tech Info fills a great need for people with basic FM skills or those businesses considering the 'Ease of Use' of FM for their solution. I've tried to find a way to download EVERY Tech Info Article #, combine them into one db and ... well, you know...

But I also remember the first time I realised they didn't give the best solution! When I came up with a better way! I felt like my belief in Santa had been stolen away. I continue however to devour them all (after getting caught up on posts) so I can add depth to my understanding of a process - sometimes even a fundamental principle can strike me differently at different times when other knowledge has been thrown into my mix). Then I write my own solution - a better one - usually several - and learn even more. When I need a good challenge, I usually find someone on a Forum that needs a solution which requires stretching.

So, I love Tech Info!

Update... Well, you'all said Tech Support, huh. Well, now you have my opinion on Tech Info also.

LaRetta

[BobWeaver]

I realize tj was referring to the online "knowledge" base, and I went off on a tangent about tech support by phone.

BTW, I don't mean to belittle the people that work answering phones in a tech support department, whether it's Filemaker or another software company. These people have to take the brunt of the users' wrath, and try to defend bad software that they had no part in writing.

In my situation, the tech support person was obviously trained in only the basic operation of the program, and was there to answer newbie questions. She forwarded my call to a "specialist" who couldn't answer my question either. So, he passed my call on to someone else, and I eventually gave up.

[-Queue-]

I hope no offense was taken by my comments either. I work tech support myself, so I know we're not all inane. Maybe that's just me. But I do know the frustration level that I face when dealing with other companies' tech support. Oy!