newbie needs guidance

[jiskatl]

I'm just learning Filmaker & have a question. I have a 2 page invoice I've created & I want to add a 3rd page. The 3rd page is "Terms & Conditions" (legal stuff) but want to have the ability to choose whether I attach this page to each record. In my mind ... I would have a button that would attach/detach this 3rd page. Or a simple way to hide/unhide the 3rd page. The 3rd page is 99% unchanging, static information with a few fields at the bottom that reference the invoice number, the date, etc (page identification). My question is this ..... How is the best way to do this? Would it be smartest to reference the 3rd page externally so it's not copied to each record (is that possible)? This is probably way over my head but I'm determined to learn. Please provide detailed answers for someone not totally familiar with all the jargon & THANK YOU in advance for the help.

[Tripod]

I suppose you could put the 3rd page boilerplate into another layout. If you are printing from scripts (why not?) you could pretty easily have a script step that checked the value of the "print boilerplate" variable. If that button was clicked the value would be set (to 1 probably) and the script would 'know' to switch to that layout and print that page as well. That boilerplate (page 3) layout would mostly just be layout text (use the 'A' tool to type fixed type on the layout) and add the invoice number fields, date, etc... fields as well.

Have you ever used scriptmaker? If not, I encourage you to do so.

Hope this helps,

--Tripod

[jiskatl]

Thanks! Do you have time to outline the steps involved in performing the above tip? If you don't, I understand. How about a quick list of help search terms I can reference? I don't really know where to begin ... I've created the new layout (standard form) and dropped in place all the feilds/text boxes. Will I next insert a new button onto layout 1?

[Tripod]

Are you printing the two pages from one layout or two? Do you know how to use scriptmaker on a basic level, how to make a new script, etc... or are you just using FM, and not really making a 'solution'? If you have not used scriptmaker, it's pretty straightforward.

1. Go ahead and make a new layout for pg 3.

2. When you are done with the layout, and it looks as you want, go to the scripts menu

and select 'scriptmaker...' Then click 'NEW' and you will be starting a new script. Name it at the top.

3. In the older versions, it automatically pasted in all that you need. that was a pain though, for

us that use it a lot, because OUR first step was usually to clear out these default commands.

Anyhow, you need the following commands to at least get started:

> Enter browse mode

> Go to layout (name of layout)

> print []

> Go to layout (original layout--i.e. page 1+2 most likely)

4. In layout mode, put a 'pg 3' (or somesuch named) button on your pg 1-2 layout(s).

5. In the specify button dialog that pops up, specify >perform script {the script you just made}

Anyhow, this is probably still not going to be near enough, but I hope it gets you started.

Good luck,

--Tripod

[Tripod]

OK, that last post would have the button actually print the page 3, rather than set a variable that would flag it to print, as I suggested at first. Just use 'set field' instead of perform script when you create the button. (You would need a variable for this already created, of course. Not sure if it would have to be on the layout or not. I don't think so.) Hopefully, this will be enough to get you started. If not, post more questions and I am sure someone will help.

--Tripod