Dedicated Find Layouts using pop up window

[Myron S.]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has successfully created a dedicated Find Layout as described on page 385 of "Special Edition, Using Filemaker 8" (it's also in Special Edition, Using Filemaker 7 on page 374).

The authors make a great case for using dedicated find layouts which appear as pop-up windows that overlay the layout for which the search is being conducted.

In practice I have not been able to replicate thier process, which is to create a script that takes the user to a pop-up "find" window, places the user in Find mode, allows the user to ender the search criteria, then, through another button within the pop-up window itself, performs the request, closes the pop-up window and then returns the user to the original layout with the new found set.

The problem is that the results of the search only extend to the pop-up window itself and are lost once the window is closed and the user is returned to the original layout.

Am I missing something, or has something been missed by the authors of the book? :

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[John Mark Osborne]

I haven't read the books you mention but it is true that changes (other than data changes) only occur in the current window. My guess is they use the popup window to enter find criteria but then transfer it to the other window for the find. You could use global fields in the popup window to make the transfer as easy as possible.

Has anyone read the book and know what step he might be missing?

[Fitch]

The book only mentions the pop-up window idea in passing, and then goes on to describe two methods of scripting finds: one that enters Find mode, and one that uses global fields and stays in Browse mode. As John says, only the global fields method really makes sense if you're using a separate window.