Defining Fields - Custom order to Creation order

[Steven H. Blackwell]

I have never heard of this process, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

Old Advance Man

[danjacoby]

I tried it, and it didn't work. I don't see why it would, but it was worth a try -- just in case.

I think if you could track down where you read this, that would be really cool.

Even cooler would be the ability to save a "custom field order", which is a completely new idea to me at least, so this thread has been helpful. Keep trying, and if you figure out a way to accomplish it, please let us know.

[Rigsby]

This is a tough one, which to be honest I’ve never felt the need to do, but one way would be to set all the fields in the order you want them, then starting at the top, duplicate them. Once done, delete to old fields and rename the new – but like wow…… mega work, so is it worth it?

[tmanning]

I swear I read this as a trick in my FMP documentation but now I cannot do it and I cannot find where I originally read it. I read that by saving the file as a clone that it would trick FMP into thinking that a custom order of fields is the creation order. (ie I can move the fields around in the define fields dialog box and it will think that's the order I originally creat4ed the fields.)I would like to do this becuase I think that it would help with an import/export problem that I am having. Does anybody know what I am talking about and does anybody know how to do it?

[d94dsj]

>>Rigsby

But if you duplicate the fields, all field references will unfortunately be faulty...I guess this is not what you would want?

Sorry to say, I don't have any better suggestion.

Daniel

[IdealData]

I don't know the answer here either, but I can tell you this...

When you make a clone you will lose the content of any globals ! Beware if you use globals to maintain fixed values.

[Gogargirl]

There is a way to do this. It's a bit messy but the disadvantages are lesser than losing the field references and global content as mentioned above. It just depends on how desperate you are....

First set the desired custom order in the original file. Then export the records to a text file (.tab or .csv) without changing the export order for the fields.

Then open the text file you have just created using Filemaker, remembering to select 'All Files *.*' in the Files of Type menu, otherwise you won't see the text file as an option to open. Filemaker will then convert the text file and open it allocating field names f1, f2, f3 etc. The chore is then to rename all the fields. Printing out a list of field definitions from the first file in the custom order makes life easier.

The next messy bit is copying and pasting your layouts and then importing your scripts.

It does work though - the previous custom order is now the creation order.

[danjacoby]

Oh, Alison, you are so close!

Show All Records

Omit Record

Show Omitted

**The previous section reduces the found set to one record -- this is only if you want a "clone", otherwise, just Show All**

Export records -- export 'em as a "DIF" file.

Open the "DIF file in FMP -- it will create a new FMP file with one record (which you can delete manually), or all records. Either way, that field order will now be the "Creation Order" you wanted.

Teamwork -- what a concept!!

[Gogargirl]

Never knew that DIF files retain the field names - what a joy! Cuts the fiddling a bit....

Thank you for today's 'lightbulb moment'!

[danjacoby]

You baked the cake, I just put the icing on it.