How do you get a field to change color?

[surfer]

I have several fields on my layout and their background is gray.

Is there a way to have FMP 7 change the field background/fill color to clear when data is entered into it??

This way, a quick glance at the layout will show what fields need input, etc.

Thank you in advance...

[dbruggmann]

You need an additional calculation field for every entry field you want this feature plus a global field. Define the global field as Container and paste a little rectangle with the wanted background/fill color and pattern into it (in Browse mode). The calculation fields need also be of result Container and have a formula like:

If (AnyEntryField = ""; g_coloredBackground; "")

Now place every calculation field exactly under its entry field: Define borders and background for the calc, as you want the field to look like, if there is value. The entry field itself should be opaque (no fill, no borders, only text).

[surfer]

Thanks for the advice- I tried it and it works- just 2 questions...

1. If I set all those fields (approx 20) to calculations, it slows down my solution- I presume b/c it is recalculating all of them. I tried making those fields container fields with the same calculation.- and this is a little faster. Is there a way to prevent this slowdown?

2. When those fields are set as containers with the specified calculation, it does not highlight previous records that had those fields missing. I tried doing a relookup, but this didn't work (I guess b/c these are calculations, not lookups...) Is there a way to update these fields on prev entered records so that empty fields will stick out with the differnt background color?

Thank you for all of your help...

[MoonShadow]

There appears to be a simpler way, since you have 7. Only one calculation for all fields. Field Factory

[surfer]

MoonShadow-

Thank you VERY much- I tried your solution and loved it. It has really changed my database and let me eliminate over 80 redundant fields!

Thanks again!

[MoonShadow]

80 fields! Wow, you must have had a background calc for every field.

I'm glad you found it helpful; please note however, that it's not my demo.

Oh, your signature cracked me up! Thanks for making my evening.