Can a key trigger a script?

[stann]

Hello _ I understand that the return key cannot trigger a script but are there any keys or combinations of keys that can trigger a script at all?

THanks

STAN

[Lee Smith]

Hi Stann,

This has been discussed several times in the past, although I'm not sure if version 7 was out yet or not. However, my guess is that it hasn't changed in version 7 either.

ScriptMaker provides a limited number of key combinations (Cmd + 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0 in the Mac).

You can use a program such as Quickeys to provide more, but my personal opinion is that even using the ten that is provide is confusing to users. My recommendations is to provide a nice GUI with clearly labeled buttons to move your users around.

Lee

BTW, what does this question have to do with Define Fields, it should have been posted to an area like Database Automation >> ScriptMaker

[stann]

Sorry about posting in the wrong place. It seems so archaic that filemaker cannot have assigned key combinations to scripts that don't change. They should at least be able to lock them with a combination or a modifyer key. And there should be more of them besides the 10.

[Slobey]

There are a number of plug-ins that can trigger scripts when a field is modified. The example plug-in that comes with Developer 7 or a number of 3rd party plug-ins.

[Fitch]

Event-based triggers are one thing, see Events or Activator.

Menu modification is another, see MenuMagic or MenuControl.

[Jeep Watson]

A related topic: You can greatly increase the number of choices by using Status(CurrentModifierKeys) in your button scripts. For example if you have a script to delete a record, you could script it to delete immediately (no dialog) if the Option (or Alt on Win machines) key is pressed while clicking on the button. Otherwise the script could fall thru to a normal delete with a warning.

Modifier Key values are: 1=Shift, 2=Caps Lock, 4=Control, 8=Option/Alt, 16=Command (Mac)

The modifier keys are also additive so if you want to purposely make one fairly obscure to prevent accidental use or to hide back door behavior for you as a developer you could combine several by adding their values. EG: Shift + Option + Control = 13

[Homer]

Our free plug-in for FMP7 can easily trigger FileMaker's scripts from calculation dialog boxes. Upon multiple events including exiting a field by using the Enter, Tab or return key(set this in the field behaviour options).

Many example are includes in the downloadable file(Mac and Windows)

Please visit : www.softs4humans.com

No restrictions on our product so place EventScript in your toolkit

Hope that help !