I know that they had talked about building in the ability to trigger a script on field exit. Does anyone know if it's in there?? I don't see it.

FileMaker 9 doesn't add any ability to trigger scripts on field exit. They do offer an interesting opportunity with their conditional formatting to launch scripts from a specific layout. I have been playing around with it a little but I haven't quite perfected the technique.

I definitely wish they would have included a built-in way to trigger scripts besides buttons and menus.

This bit of misinformation *may* have come from our friends at ThinkSecret. Just this week they reported that this script triggering ability would be in the new version.

FileMaker 9 will mark the first time the software supports reading and writing to SQL databases, significant increasing its versatility. Other changes said to be arriving include object scaling based on window size, scripting triggers when entering and leaving fields, and significant ODBC changes.

Source:

http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0707filemaker9.html

ThinkSecret was spot-on with most of their predictions but this particular detail apparently was bogus.

This feature should have been in version 7. I don't know what FileMaker stuff thinks but they really should put in this feature.

My wishes for FM9 were:

- script triggering on field enter, exit, edit... I think that this feature is in Access for years

- Folders for layouts in navigation. They did this for scripts and leave in layouts menu (what are they thinking???)

- more options with custom menus (dimmed, right click menu with your own scripts, ...)

And price for this upgrade is little high. I paid 99$ for 8.5 upgrade but now is 299$.

I don't get it. Script triggers have been on the wish list forever... I have waited for 9 before building a solution that will NEED triggers. I understand there are solutions out there, but the oversight on this since version 7 seems almost purposeful.

I would be the last person to suggest Plug-ins but I have to in this case.

EventScript is almost Free and does the job. Maybe in Version 10 )

And if you're an unrepentant cheapskate, the FMExamplePlugin that is included in the extras with FileMaker Pro Advanced will do it too. It is totally free and you already have it.

no, no no... Think Secret is not to be blamed for this one. It was from a very early hints of what might show up in the next version.

And it was from possibly one of the most reputable sources I know.. I won't mention names, but it REALLY let me to believe it was likely to show up.

Plug-ins schmug-ins, they suck. You can't administer a bunch of users and worry about installing plug-ins for people, let along buying the dang licenses. Now, if a plug-in could run on server that would be different, but it's my experience that most of them have to be run on each client, making a plug-in/client solution virtually unusable for most situations I encounter.

I'm hoping FileMaker will add this feature in a 9.0v2 upgrade

PLEASE do.. FileMaker. Searching a FileMaker database in a way users are familiar to searching Google (type and hit enter) would be such a nice gift in the area of usability. I still see so many users not understand why their search doesn't happen automatically when they hit enter, and these are people that have been using the program for years.

I really think this was a small but extremely important feature.

ug....

Edited July 11, 200718 yr by Guest

Also would be nice to trigger scripts with the native FM tabs.

Let this be a good lesson about the rumor mills.

Steven

the FMExamplePlugin that is included in the extras with FileMaker Pro Advanced will do it too

Can you elaborate on this suggestion? For those of us unfamiliar with what it takes to construct a plug-in, what is the name of FMP's example and, generally, what would be involved in adapting it to initiate a specific script?

Thanks.

The plugin is actually called 'FMExample' and it comes on the FM Pro Advanced CD.

The name of the plugin is actually FMPluginExample and it's on the CD that Filemaker provides with advanced. Unfortunately, it's not on my computer right now so I can't give you much more information on it right now. I will go look for it a little later unless someone else can chime in. I don't know if I even have the cd to tell you the truth.

Basically, all you do with a plug-in is put it in your extension folder in the FileMaker directory so that FileMaker can access it. Once it's in there you have to restart FileMaker and it will show up under your external functions list in the functions dialog. You can then use it as specified. It's hard to explain without in front of me. I hope that helps a little at least.

The actual plugin file name itself is WinExample.fmx. It shows up in the Plug-ins menu in FM preferences as FMExample.

It can be found on the CD path of:

YourCDDriveLetter:English ExtrasExamplesFMExampleFMPlugInSDKExample

Thanks for clarifying that... I couldn't remember for the life of me.

If you're concerned about the cost of plug-ins, you're in luck in this case:

Both EventScript and zippScript are free (donation requested). And DoScript is completely free. I would avoid the example plugin that comes with FileMaker Advanced, though; it is bare bones and doesn't give you good options for shall we say, avoiding unpleasantness.

There are also several commercial script trigger plug-ins:

Troi Activator

Events from WorqSmart (formerly Waves in Motion)

ScriptFire from Dacons

SecureFM from New Millennium

MBS Plug-in for FileMaker (catchy name)

The FUD surrounding plug-in deployment and usage is unfounded IMHO. Our SmartPublisher solution is used by over 300 publications, and it relies heavily on plug-ins. FWIW for script triggers we use Troi Activator. YMMV.

Take the Plunge into Plug-ins. :(

Don't forget MMScript, from CNS plugins. It has a handy feature that allows scripts to be triggered after a certain amount of idle time.

Thanks very much for mentioning zippScript.

Thanks very much for mentioning zippScript.

Hi djbeta,

I'm glad you like zippScript. Make sure you get the just-released v2.2, available now from its new home at http://www.zipptools.com.

Keep an eye on this site, I have a backlog of free plug-ins and tools I'll be releasing as quickly as I can finish the documentation.

question about zipshell... any plans on making it cross-platform?

I knew I'd forget something! Thanks, Reed.

Here's the link for MMScript.

question about zipshell... any plans on making it cross-platform?

I would like all of my plug-ins to be cross-platform, if possible. I'll look into it if there is enough interest.

re: zippScript, is it easy to make a script check to see whether zippScript (or any plug-in) is installed on the client ?

Even better, is it possible to have the plug-in live on the server and get automatically installed if a client's machine doesn't have it?

I will certainly look into how I can get reimbursed from my company for making a donation to the cause.

re: zippScript, is it easy to make a script check to see whether zippScript (or any plug-in) is installed on the client ?

Certainly. There are complete instructions in the example file included with the plugin. Basically, you call the _Version() function and interpret an invalid response as a missing plug-in.

Even better, is it possible to have the plug-in live on the server and get automatically installed if a client's machine doesn't have it?

You can use the auto-update feature to download updated plug-ins from the server to a client machine. It takes a bit of work on your part, but it can really pay off if you have many clients or frequent plug-in updates.

See the FMServer documentation for details.

I will certainly look into how I can get reimbursed from my company for making a donation to the cause.

Many thanks to everyone supporting all the free plug-in developers.

thanks for the info.. I'll certainly read up the documentation.. does the plugin download from server functionality typically work for clients that might be on very controlled workstations without admin/install privileges? or.. can it be made to on windows clients by changing privileges on the filemaker extensions folder?? sorry, mac person here and somewhat of an IT newbie

also... how do you control licensing for plugins if a client can download them? i realize zippScript is donationware so this might not apply... so is this disabled.. for paid plugins, how is this managed?