Script for switching between layouts

[anders_t]

Hi all!

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I'm looking for a way to switch between layouts with a keyboard shortcut.

The database consists of several tables - Clients, Objects etc. Every table has 2 main layouts: as a post, and as a list. I already have switching between the various tables set up with scripts and assigned shortcuts (cmd+1, cmd+2 etc - there are 6 in total), but now my client wants to be able to switch between single post layout and list layout in all the different tables with a keyboard shortcut.

The best solution would of course involve only one keyboard shortcut, so depending on which table is active, you would switch between those two main views.

Is there an "easy" solution to this, or is it not possible?

Any thoughts/opinions are welcome

[Søren Dyhr]

You can't get into changes to shortcuts in a "plain" version, you would need either an advanced version of filemaker or a plugin:

http://www.dacons.net/fmplugins/menucontrol/

--sd

[comment]

In any version, the first 10 "visible" scripts have shortcuts.

It's possible in a number of ways. The most primitive way would have an elaborate If[]/Else If[] structure (if the current layout is Table A Form, go to layout Table A List, else if the current layout is ... etc.).

It's possible to smarten this up by having some sort of order in the layouts. For example, if layouts are named consistently as in the above example, you could calculate the desired layout's name by toggling the last word. Or, of layouts are ordered in pairs, you could calculate the other member of the pair from the current layout's number.

[anders_t]

Thank you both!

I'll probably start working on that "primitive" script as I believe "toggling the last word" sound like way over my head.

Thank you once again for taking the time - much appreciated.

[bcooney]

This reminds me of a training class I took at Microsoft. They wanted to prove the point that Word could be used entirely without the mouse. We had to put the mouse on top of the monitor.

Yes, you can use Word without the mouse. But the convoluted key commands were ridiculous. My point? Perhaps you need to question why your customer must have the ability to navigate his FM database entirely w/o the mouse. I think you're heading for many Rube Goldberg FM techniques to accommodate this request. Perhaps, for example, he just hates small buttons, and if you make the entire row in list view a button that switches to the form view, he'll be happy. Just my 2 cents.

[anders_t]

Perhaps, for example, he just hates small buttons, and if you make the entire row in list view a button that switches to the form view, he'll be happy. Just my 2 cents.

Well, I've already done that, but the client has asked specifically for this kind of keyboard shortcut. He's been using the database for a couple of weeks now, and apparently wants to be as efficient as possible...

Another question: will an If/then script mentioned above slow things down when we're on a remotely hosted server, or wont it be noticeable?