Row size in Table View

[sdutton]

I have a simple database with three fields: title, description, and date. I prefer browsing in the Table View. The title is short and only takes one line. The description can be a line or a paragraph or two. I would like to have the row height expand or contract according to how much info is there. That doesn't seem possible. It's either one line or choose a static, custom length. But in choosing the custom length to accommodate the longest description, there's a whole lot of wasted space between rows--printing becomes overwhelming. Any suggestions how to have the rows dynamically expand or contract?

[Lee Smith]

Hi sduttonusa, and welcome to the Forum.

Fields do not Expand in FileMaker to accommodate the data, and the Table View is little more than a view or your data as you would see in a spread sheet.

You would be better off creating a list view from scratch.

Go into Layout Mode, New Layout, Columnar List/Report, and then follow the instructions for List.

HTH

Lee

[sdutton]

Thank you, Lee. I was able to set up my list quite easily creating a new layout. Just a follow up (perhaps I should put this in a new topic), is there a way to automatically alternate the color of the rows for better legibility, say, between blue and black . . . taking into account that the rows will be rearranged after every sort?

[Raybaudi]

Yes, there is !

When in layout mode, double click the body label and check the "alternate background fill" and choose your favourite colour.

[sdutton]

Thanks, I saw that, but I don't want the background to alternate colors. I'd like the text from row to row to alternate colors (keeping the background white).

[Raybaudi]

ok, now I have understood ...

Put this calculation into the auto-enter option of your fields (always evaluate):

Case(

Mod ( Get ( RecordNumber); 2 ) > 0 ;TextColor ( yourTextField; RGB ( 0 ; 0 ; 255 ) );

TextColorRemove ( yourTextField )

)

Note that this will work only if the field is a text field ! (not a number field nor a date field)

taking into account that the rows will be rearranged after every sort

this calc will not recalc itself, but you can force it to recalc with this script ( you can use it after your find, as a sub-script too)

Go to record [first]

Loop

Set field[yourTextField;yourTextField]

Go to record[next;exit after last]

End Loop

[comment]

I don't think this is such a good idea: auto-enter alters the actual data in the field. When you switch to a form layout, one record will have blue text, another not.

[Raybaudi]

I gived an answer... you didn't !

[comment]

That's right - can you guess why?

[Raybaudi]

I don't.

My approach to the Forum is simple: give them what they ask for, if you can.

So I did ...

BTW: when in form view i'll see once blue text and another record black text... but who cares ?

those records can be viewed one at time !

[Lee Smith]

Hi comment, that is a good point that I had over looked about Auto Enter.

Maybe it would be better to create a calculation field for displaying the text in list view instead?

Lee

[comment]

I thought about that too. But I have doubts about the usefulness of non-enterable fields in Table view.

[comment]

give them what they ask for

Very often, "what they ASK for" and what they really NEED are two separate things. That's a part of the problem, and that's why they are asking for help. It's OK to make a suggestion that will do EXACTLY as asked - but if there's a down-side, it should be pointed out. As for who cares: I do. As a user, I'd find it utterly unacceptable.

[Lee Smith]

Why not place an Edit button somewhere on it.

Lee

[Raybaudi]

Hi comment and Lee

and so ?

AlternateTextColor.zip

[comment]

Because buttons can only be placed in Header or Footer?

All these things can be made to work - but they're kind of clunky. And maybe I am prejudiced, but I have never seen data presented in alternating text colors. So IMHO the balance of pros/cons is just not there.

[comment]

I have edited one of the records by deleting one character. Now the text field in all records is empty.

[Raybaudi]

I have edited one of the records by deleting one character. Now the text field in all records is empty.

I can't replicate this problem...

[Raybaudi]

I have never seen data presented in alternating text colors.

Neither I did :)

[Lee Smith]

Because buttons can only be placed in Header or Footer?

Huh?

I Have used buttons in the record row for lots of things. I use Ray's "Select Record" procedure in my files, I use a button to change layouts.

All these things can be made to work - but they're kind of clunky. And maybe I am prejudiced, but I have never seen data presented in alternating text colors. So IMHO the balance of pros/cons is just not there

Neither have i, but it doesn't mean that it isn't correct to do it that way.

Lee

[comment]

I Have used buttons in the record row for lots of things.

In Table view?

it doesn't mean that it isn't correct

No, and it doesn't mean it IS, either. And I believe data should be presented in ways that make it easy for the recipient to understand the underlying meaning. IMHO, that implies at least a tendency towards a conservative approach.

Edited January 27, 2006 by Guest

[Lee Smith]

List View. Wasn't that what we were talking about?

[comment]

What's the topic?

(How do you manage to reply while being listed as offline?)

[Raybaudi]

comment

really my file didn't work when you changed something ?

[comment]

I deleted the last character in record 4, while in Table view. Then clicked Form view.

Forgive me if I don't go any further into this - I have already explained why I don't find this subject interesting enough. (And it seems the original poster agrees...)

[Raybaudi]

I have already explained why I don't find this subject interesting enough.

in fact the interesting subject is the error you found ...

but perhaps a bug or a virus has taken your copy of FM !

BTW nobody asked you to come on this topic... but you did and criticized (7th post of this topic)!

[comment]

Please don't be rude. This is a public forum, and I don't think I need your permission or invitation to post to this topic. You did ask me about the unexpected behavior of your file. I was trying to be polite and explain why I didn't want to spend any more time on this.

BTW, your profile says Dev 7 and so does mine. If you are posting a file that only works in version 8, I'd expect you to point this out. You may call this "criticizing", if you like. You seem to put up a lot of defense where there is no attack. This is not about you. This is about making the issue as clear as possible - to everyone.

[Lee Smith]

The original poster change to a list view after they discovered that the Table wasn't working.

Thank you, Lee. I was able to set up my list quite easily creating a new layout. Just a follow up (perhaps I should put this in a new topic), is there a way to automatically alternate the color of the rows for better legibility, say, between blue and black . . . taking into account that the rows will be rearranged after every sort?

I didn't notice a post where the discussion went back to the Table View, so I'm responding accordingly. I will admit though, I haven't looked at any of the attachments, so I might have missed something there.

As far as showing Online, I have set my preferences to show off line so as not to get [color:red]request for help via private messages.

Lee

Edited January 28, 2006 by Guest

[comment]

I stand corrected. In that case, I agree with you that the best solution would be a merged calc field.

I don't suppose that option in preferences is open to us mere mortals?

[Raybaudi]

Please don't be rude.

Never I was rude with you and sure you know that I have a great consideration of you !( I told you so many times)

This is a public forum, and I don't think I need your permission or invitation to post to this topic. You did ask me about the unexpected behavior of your file. I was trying to be polite and explain why I didn't want to spend any more time on this.

That way you was polite ?

You are always welcome, but you have to give us a better way before you can criticize (please, re-read your 7th post)

BTW, your profile says Dev 7 and so does mine. If you are posting a file that only works in version 8, I'd expect you to point this out.

The poster profile says he owns 8 and to him I was replaying.

[Lee Smith]

I don't suppose that option in preferences is open to us mere mortals?

I really don't know, I thought it was.

check by going:

Forum Index » Your Control Panel » Display Settings

It is like the 11th item there [color:blue] Visible Online

Lee

[comment]

Nope, don't have it.

[comment]

I am glad to hear you didn't MEAN to be rude. But saying "Nobody asked you to..." is not polite, and I am quite sure this is true in any language.

Once again, forgive me for not wanting to spend any more time on this. I don't know a more polite way to say that I have better things to do. If this is not polite enough for you, perhaps you would prefer that I didn't reply at all?

[sdutton]

OK, if the "best solution would be a merged calc field" in the list view, what do I need to do?

[comment]

Something like this?

Untitled.fp7.zip