show a user is in find mode?

[Mark Reed]

When creating a stand alone runtime, I am having trouble showing which mode a user is in - for example, if a user clicks FIND, and types a search, the record set is then limited to that find - if a user forgets and scrolls through the records thinking it is the entire list, they do not get all the data.

How can I show that Find mode is enabled - I was thinking if I could somehow visually show it... with buttons to clear the find and also go back to normal browse/edit.:

I looked over the FMP examples included with the software, but they all have the same problem I am seeing - no visual representation of FIND - except for the status bar, which I am hiding in the stand alone.

Im new to all of this, so any help is appreciated.

[LaRetta]

One thing you can do is put a header (made up of a button) at the top of the page. Set it's properties to no line, no effects and the color of the background. Attach a conditional format to it with:

Get ( WindowMode) = 1

... the make the background color yellow or something that your Users will always know means they are in Find Mode. You can place this rectangle button over the entire layout (Arrange > Send to Back) as well but you will get more flash and jumping if you do. A banner across the top inch or so across the full width can't be missed.

LaRetta

[comment]

This part is rather confusing:

the record set is then limited to that find - if a user forgets and scrolls through the records thinking it is the entire list, they do not get all the data.

It seems you are describing a situation where user is actually in Browse mode - only the found set is limited to the results of find, not showing all records in the table.

If that is what you meant, you could use a conditionally formatted object as LaRetta suggested, but with the formula:

Get (FoundCount) ≠ Get (TotalRecordCount)

You can also use these functions, together with Get (RecordNumber), in an unstored calculation field to create your own "status area".

[Mark Reed]

You can also use these functions, together with Get (RecordNumber), in an unstored calculation field to create your own "status area".

Yes, this helped me tremendously! I have a visual indicator now combining the two answers where it flags a button when they enter find mode, and also during the browse of the filtered records. Thank you so much - both of you.

I am curious about the "creating my own status area" - would you happen to have any example fp7 files that you wouldnt mind sharing that would allow me to see that approach?

thank you

[comment]

I've never needed more than a simple calculation field with a text result, using a formula like:

"Record " & Get (RecordNumber) & " of " & Get (FoundCount) &¶&

"(" & Get (TotalRecordCount) & " records in total)"

If you want something more elaborate, check out the demo by Bob Weaver here:

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/70532/

[David Jondreau]

I'd add simple navigation, even just a series of angle brackets:

<< < > >>

With a script that navigates to first, previous, next, and last based on script parameter.

I can't get the bracket spacing right, but it's double brackets left, single bracket left, single bracket right, double bracket right.

Edited March 4, 2008 by Guest

[comment]

Yeah, that too - I was so concentrated on indicators, I didn't think of actions. Don't really need a script, they can be single-action buttons. And they can look real smart with characters "349:" in Webding font.

[LaRetta]

Yep, I love using fonts for icons and such because 1) they use less resources than graphics, 2) you can colorize them to match your design (no limits whatsoever) and 3) you can use conditional formatting on them (as in attached example ... greying out the arrows when you hit the end or beginning of the records).

Not that long ago, we would need to create containers and calculation containers to handle something like this. If you want a small email icon in red, you can have it! And you can have it turn grey if there are no email records etc!! You can have the letters on a button turn red and bold when available (like in Find Mode) and then grey back out while in Browse or have the whole button disappear. Endless, I tell you... endless. It still tickles me!!

Is it obvious that you hit a high point for me? :jester:

arrows.zip

Edited March 4, 2008 by Guest

[David Jondreau]

Do most users have the Web Dings (is that different than Wing Dings) font? I don't know much about fonts.

[Mark Reed]

DJ you beat me to it - I was going to ask, how does FMP handle fonts used in runtime standalone apps? Are the fonts embedded in the runtime? or does the user have to have those fonts installed?

[comment]

Webdings is standard on both platforms. Of course, you can never be entirely sure that user hasn't removed it.

[mr_vodka]

I usually use Wingdings and Webdings. If you end up using Wingdings 2 or wingdings 3, you may have some issues since it may not be standard on everyone's sytem. (Our Citrix box doesnt support it)

[comment]

Wingdings is not installed with standard Mac OS X. Maybe FMP substitutes with Zapf Dingbats, but I have never tested this.

[Mark Reed]

I am assuming by the talk here, that Filemaker does not embed the fonts, and relies on them being installed on the PC running it?

can someone confirm?

[comment]

Yes.