Hi, my name is Kellen. I am new to Filemaker and I'm making a database for a free medical clinic I work at.

I can't figure out a problem that I've been pondering and researching for quite a while now. no posts here hit upon it:

I have a layout that shows records of medical clinics in a list (maybe 15 per page). I have other separate layouts that display the same records in different manners, more condensed, different information about the clinics, etc. I want to be able to print a referral sheet for clients that will have major clinics listed in a more detailed way then right after that, more distant or less important clinics listed in a more condensed format (that i have already designed).

In other words, have two layouts, one right after the other (i guess there are other possibilities). Please help me, how do i do this?

Kellen

Hi Kellen and welcome to the forums

You will need to run a script to do your printing. This will allow you to print your first layout then move to the next layout and print that and then go back to your original layout.

You will find the script writing facility under the 'scriptmaker' pull down menu.

You will need a script along the following lines

Freeze window

Go to layout 1

Print

got to layout 2

Print

refresh window

This is a very simple version of what you want but once written you can attach a script to a button. Use the on line help to explore scriptmaking and then get back to us with any further questions

HTH

Phil

thank you for the response. i must have given the impression that i am very very new to filemaker. in truth, i'm familiar with complex scripts and calculations, buttons, etc.

so, rephrasing: i can't figure out printing options to make two layouts appear on the same page, as in, one layout takes up half the page, and the next layout takes up the rest of the page (or something like that). to me, this seems impossible if i print one, then print the other. ideally, i want it to show up this way (through certain scripts, or in some combined layout) even when not printing.

who can help me with this slightly more complex problem.

Thanks,

Kellen

There's no real way to do this unfortunately... besides maybe sticking a long portal on the layout (if you can work out how to get the appropriate information in there).

No other solutions???

You could generate two sets of pdf's then combine them using some third party software and then print that behind the scenes using applescript?

But essentially not any easy ways within FM no...

There may be another solution, but first you need to clarify:

major clinics listed in a more detailed way then right after that, more distant or less important clinics listed in a more condensed format

Does this mean there are no duplicates? Because earlier you said:

separate layouts that display the same records in different manners, more condensed

So are they the SAME records, or are they OTHER records?

they are "OTHER" records.

I think you could use a single layout with a calculated field (or several). The exact implementation would depend on how the records are "marked" as either detailed or condensed, but in general the calculation/s would return either a detailed or a condensed version of the clinic's info.

thank you for the help. i will try doing this calculated field. it's sad that filemaker doesn't have another "part" (maybe a 2nd "body"?) in it's part setup that would follow the first body.

i appreciate everyone's input.

Kellen

This will all fit on one page when done? If not, why not do it as two different pages? If yes, why not use two different portals?

You know you have a point... but sub-reports like what access has would be nice as well.

A portal to the "other" table, placed in a trailing grand summary, could work, too. But I didn't get the part about "two different pages".

Am I missing something here? I am sure this is more simple than we are making it.

Kellen, is talking about 2 layouts on one page. Surely that is one layout? The top half is detailed the bottom half isn't, but it is still one layout isn't it?

Phil

ps apologies to Kellen for misinterpreting his skill level.

It seems to me Kellen is talking about conditional formatting. Some records in a list should look like this, others like that. If you can do this with one layout (i.e. one body part), without any of the suggested workarounds, please go on.

Ah, I thought we had 2 seperate lists one set that had a detailed second half and another set that had a simplified second half.

Obviously if that was the case you could test for which of 2 layouts to go with for this particular list. But if they are mixed.....

Phil

Further clarification:

these lists will vary in length. they will change by the type and number of referrals that are listed. The key is that if the first section of layout ends halfway through a page, i want the next set of layout to start right there. at the very least, i want it to start on the back of the same page. We hand tons of these referral sheets out and so much paper would be lost otherwise. I can do something close to the second choice with Adobe Acrobat, and can automate most all of it (though i haven't yet), but it just seems so messy and i want a solution that just involves filemaker.

.....

Is there maybe a plug-in for filemaker that would give the "2nd body" function to a layout's parts?

"conditional formatting" I have never heard of. Is that possible?

Also, portals, I've dabbled with those and been frustrated but maybe that is an option.

I'm happy with the recent barrage of posts and suggestions.

Kellen

Conditional formatting - at least in this case - would have to be done by a calculation field (or several), as per my first suggestion.