Line Numbering

[Jimjmn]

I am new to Filemaker and I wanted to know if there was a way to have an edit box auto line format for me like Microsoft Word? I would like to be able to type and when I press enter it goes to the next line and automatically inserts the next number.

Example:

1.

2.

3.

etc.

Edited March 14, 2007 by Guest
removed shouting

[Raybaudi]

Hi

it can be made, but you'll see the result only when exit that field.

Are you sure that you need it ?

[Jimjmn]

yes that'd be GREAT

[Stuart Taylor]

If you are generating a list why not use a related table?

[Jimjmn]

I am wanting to create a list of steps taken to produce a product. I would like them laid out in a list with numbered lines for steps. Is this not the correct way to be going about this? (in an edit box)

[Raybaudi]

Hi

this file uses a custom function.

I know that you haven't the Advanced version of FileMaker, but the same result can be reached with a script, if you wish.

Let me know !

LineNumbering.zip

[Raybaudi]

Hi

known bugs ( calculation errors )

1) First line can't be breaked nor deleted but you can break or delete any other line

2) Two ( or more ) line can't be deleted simultaneusly, if those lines don't include the last.

I'm working for a fix.

[comment]

I think the problem is not with the calculation, but with the auto-enter. Perhaps you should run a mirror UnNumberLines function first.

[Raybaudi]

Hi comment

the problem is exactly there !

I wished to find a way to UnNumber lines without another custom function, but...

I'm still trying ( to avoid a sub CF ) :)

[sbg2]

Wouldn't a standard two table setup work better for this, one for the Product and one for the Steps? As per attached...

Product.zip

[Raybaudi]

Hi sbg2

that is a comletely different way from what Jim asked, but may work if he likes it.

My goal is to obtain exactly what he ask for :)

[Raybaudi]

Ok

this solve most of problems; it seems enough stable

LineNumbering.zip

[Jimjmn]

Thanks so much Raybaudi

Maybe I'm just not getting it but how might I go about using this function in a non-Filemaker Pro Advanced setting?

[Raybaudi]

Hi Jim

the file that I have attached works for you ?

[Jimjmn]

As the info bar to the left says....I'm a beginner and so...how do I insert a custom Function?

[Raybaudi]

You can't without the Advanced version of FileMaker, but the file that I send you just contains the custom function !

Have you tryied it ?

[Raybaudi]

BTW: you can:

1. clone that file ( to have a new file with your language's settings )

2. create your DB around that file, where you can use the custom function whenever you want

or

create a script that makes the same thing ( and even better ); if you want the script, ask ! :)

[Jimjmn]

yes, that would be great could you send me the script for this function

[Raybaudi]

Hi Jim

this is the scripted version.

LineNumbering.zip

[LaRetta]

I'm with Stuart and sbg2 on this ... why aren't you using a related table? It would save all this turmoil. If you don't use a related table, and you want to change a step, how are you going to systematically change that step throughout all those multiline fields? Use a relationship and display the steps; which will allow you to easily change a step whenever necessary because you won't have to change hard-coded data in a multiline - you'll change a related record and the DISPLAY of the steps will change dynamically.

LaRetta :wink2:

[Stuart Taylor]

What about this method?

Attached:

Product.fp7.zip

[LaRetta]

:waytogo:

[Raybaudi]

Hi sbg2

that is a comletely different way from what Jim asked, but may work if he likes it.

My goal is to obtain exactly what he ask for

Hi Stuart

same reply for your example...

BTW: to break a line you need more work :

[LaRetta]

Daniele, it's okay to give someone something they want. But those with more experience have a duty to discourage methods which might get someone in trouble. They don't always know what is the best way; we usually do. Your firm philosophy of always providing exactly what someone asks for may not always be to their benefit.

[Raybaudi]

Your firm philosophy of always providing exactly what someone asks for may not always be to their benefit.

LaRetta, that philosophy isn't ever so firm...

But, in this case, I wished to find the more difficult way.

[AudioFreak]

I would agree with LaRetta on this one. I recently set up something for a user here. He explained what he wanted. The next day I went and showed him what I came up with. When I started showing him how it worked he replied " but that's not what I wanted it to do". I replied "just keep going with the script and let it do its thing".

After 1 min he looked at me and said "Wow that is pretty cool and better than what I wanted".

Gotta love that ;)

[Raybaudi]

Ok

I try to explain better myself...

The easiest way is the common one; the ( for me ) more interesting way was to obtain exactly what he asked for.

Why ChindoguMakers are on Earth for ? ;)

[LaRetta]

You send people off with a more difficult way just because you want to do the more difficult method?

Don't get me wrong - it is cool that you think outside the box but we should strive for the simplest, most reliable methods to put into our (and other people's) files. People use our suggestions to run their BUSINESSES and they don't know you are giving them something simply because you want to play! Every evaluation adds up and can produce a file which runs like a dog and sinks like a stone. Users won't know WHY it doesn't run well (across the network); they will only know that FileMaker runs slow or is prone to break. Or they will have to tear it back apart later the correct the thinking/structure. It is our responsibility (if we know better ways) to at least tell them. Every line of code, every relationship, every custom function combines to create a living thing, that is why it is called a SOLUTION. And it should be the best that can be produced by all of us.

ChindoguMaking is a worthy endeavor and can be used to produce BETTER approaches. It can produce unusual techniques that we can add to our bag of tricks. But providing a custom function and telling someone to build their solution around it and suggesting an approach which will be more difficult for them to maintain just so you can ChindoguMake just isn't fair to them; particularly when you know better ways.

People don't know you are a ChindoguMaker; most don't care. They have a problem and need a good solution. They aren't posting to find a difficult approach that they can't use - heck, they already know how to get that themselves. They come here for elegant, simple and reliable answers by Developers who know what it is like to run their suggestions across a network. People used to jump on -queue- when he posted a leaner approach behind someone; people can get on Soren for cautioning people; people get on me for talking too much ... ooops. But point is, it is because we know our suggestion (or lack of it) will carry on weeks/years after we have posted; as part of a living thing which people depend upon and, if poorly designed, can drive a Developer to madness attempting to correct. What we suggest is important and the focus should be on helping someone in the best ways possible. As Developers, we should use our minds and our experience to produce the best ways; the Owner or User has no clue HOW to do something in FM - they only know the RESULT they need.

LaRetta

[Jimjmn]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have accomplished what I set out to do. :yay: