Buttons in Preview Mode

[PTKen]

Is it possible to create buttons that are functional in preview mode? I've been searching this forum but can't seem to find an answer.

The reason I want to use preview mode is for the sub-summaries and sliding objects/shrinking fields. These don't work in browse mode, so I need to preview. However, I can't seem to enable any buttons/scripts while in preview mode (such as a button in a portal row to display the contents of the related record).

How do others handle this type of scenario?

Thanks!

Ken

[Lee Smith]

There are some example files on how to do this.

Start by going to Here and looking for Priview Navigation.

HTH

Lee

[PTKen]

Thank you for your comment. I have seen this but it doesn't fully solve my problem. For example, I'd like to have buttons in portal rows that can take me directly to that record. There are other similar problems, but that should give an idea.

[Lee Smith]

What does Navigation "preview mode is for the sub-summaries and sliding objects/shrinking fields", have to do with going th Related Record, a Browse Mode function?

Lee

Edited March 8, 2007 by Guest

[comment]

You can't do this, because there are no records or related records in Preview mode. You are looking at rendered PAGES of what your printout will (hopefully) look like. Similarly, any buttons placed on the layout won't work - just as they wouldn't work on the printed page.

Try to find another route, for instance viewing from the parent table.

[PTKen]

What does Navigation "preview mode is for the sub-summaries and sliding objects/shrinking fields", have to do with going th Related Record, a Browse Mode function?

Lee

Navigation is not what I asked about. I asked about whether there is a way to make buttons functional in preview mode, specifically (but not exclusively) for buttons on portal rows. The reason this is relevant to me is that using sub-summaries and sliding objects is the best way to display my data, but I want to keep it interactive--not a static print. Essentially I want browse mode to support sub-summaries and sliding objects (I never really understood why it doesn't). Since it doesn't, I'm looking for alternatives. The clever people on this forum have never let me down yet!

[PTKen]

You can't do this, because there are no records or related records in Preview mode. You are looking at rendered PAGES of what your printout will (hopefully) look like. Similarly, any buttons placed on the layout won't work - just as they wouldn't work on the printed page.

Try to find another route, for instance viewing from the parent table.

Yes, I see this now. I was hoping there was a clever way around it. So, is there any way to simulate sub-summaries and sliding objects in browse mode (probably in list view)? That's really what I'm after anyhow.

Thanks!

[comment]

There are some work-arounds (see here, for example), but they all have their drawbacks. My personal preference is to "go with the application", that is take advantage of its strengths and not try to force it to do things which it does not do well. In Filemaker, that often means designing a "hierarchical" user interface, where user goes from the general to the specific, e.g. summary list -> list of group items -> detailed view of a single item.