Using the "Send" script step

[John Chamberlain]

Can someone give a few tips on how to use this step?

I have a data base that has a form letter with 14 merge fields, and I want to send these to selected email addresses. The email address is a part of each record.

I am using FMP 6 on Max os 10.3.9

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Vaughan]

I assume you mean the "Send Mail" script step?

Its not that hard: look at the step optioons to enter the address, subject, bodt text etc: these can either be from a field in the current record or fixed text.

Note that FMP itself does NOT send the email: FMP passes the message to the e-mail app on the client computer. It's only compatible with a small set of mail clients.

[IdealData]

The "Send Mail" script step will only allow you to specify 1 field for your message body, so you'll need to make a calculation field to blend your 14 merge fields into one field.

In FMP7+ you can specify a calculation as the result to go into the message body (so no extra field required) - but I'm giving you the advice for FMP6

[John Chamberlain]

Here's my problem:

I have a file that contains data relating to over 100 Volunteers for a local Non-Profit.

The file has 12 calculation fields that define requirements that have to be satisfied in order for these people to be eligible for the work they do (phone calls and visits to hospice patients).

Each record contains such things as a valid driver's license, current negative TB test, filing of statements of confidentiality, etc.), and also has the email address for the Volunteer

I have created a layout, in letter format, that encompasses all of these fields.

I want to be able to send these letters by email. But, as each one is different (depending on how many of the calculated fields return a result [i.e. if the TB test is out of date, it returns a "TB test needed" message], the letter text varies from one Volunteer to another).

What I would like to do is select the records that need a letter (some don't because they have met all requiements), then do a "Send Email", "Go Next Record ("Exit after last") loop.

Operating in Mac OS 10.3.9 and I have a Mail account established.

Many thanks for your suggestions.

[Vaughan]

Create a calculation field that does the equivilent of the merge text field on the layout -- a calc field can use IF conditionals to vary the message, which is even better.

Specify this field as the body for the email message.